Time magazine had a most informative article on the video poker machines in South Carolina.
The state has more than 30,000 of these machines in operation, each one of which earns a yearly net profit of $22,000. (I can’t help wondering how many South Carolinians have incomes of less than $22,000.)

While the Nevada casinos have installed $500 and $1,000 slot machines, they also have reverted to the other end of the spectrum with the reintroduction of penny slots. Most notable are the penny video poker machines with their impressive 98% payback. Novice slot machine players can both, at the same time, learn as well as enjoy the game with an optimum five-coin investment (a nickel!) where the best pay-off schedules are. No, pennies aren’t showered into the coin trough when you win,- paper vouchers are dispensed as cash-outs, which you can take over to the coin cashier for folding money.

As impressive as is the 98% payback of these penny video poker machines, the Las Vegas Stratosphere Casino advertised a 100% guaranteed payback on their dollar video poker machines. Anything to bring ‘em into the joint.