A slot is an opening in a device or machine that receives cash or other items. When a player pushes a button, reels spin and symbols land on a payline, triggering wins. Different types of slots have different payouts and bonuses. Many have themes. Classic symbols include fruit, bells and stylized lucky sevens.
Airlines want slots because they give them access to crowded airport runways for takeoffs and landings. The Department of Transportation allocates slots based on airline applications and public benefits like competition, capacity management and connectivity for travelers. Airlines can be forced to surrender their slots if they fail to meet minimum usage requirements or if the government has antitrust concerns. In recent years, a fight over slots between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico led to the DOT ordering a breakup of their deep partnership.
To establish the odds of a slots game, developers run millions of simulations. They keep track of the results to see if any adjustments need to be made. They can add or remove symbols or adjust their payouts, but only before a slot goes live. If they changed the odds afterward, players would be able to find out about it and switch to another game. If a slot doesn’t pay out enough, people will stop playing it, and casinos won’t make any money. So 85 percent is the magic number for most casino slots.