Why do slot machines accept any currency, but vending machines don't?

Question

I've never had a problem with a slot machine rejecting a bill I've tried to insert, but it seems almost always that a vending machine will reject the bill, why is this?

I've noticed that it seems like a (US) casino's slot machine will accept any US currency no matter the conditon. It seems to take new and old tattered bills alike, inserted in any direction. Yet common vending machines are very picky as to the dollars that they take.

Answer 1

because the bill acceptors in slot machines cost a lot more to buy and install than in a vending machine. The reason slots can afford them and vending can't is obvious - the profit margin on a slot machine will blow away a stupid vending machine any day!

Answer 2

The vending machine operator knows that this machine is likely the only one nearby (else why would he place it there?) and therefor knows that you want the product it is selling and that you are willing to go to some effort to get the correct bills or coins to obtain the product. Slot machines, on the other hand, are often located together and offer no product that you really need, except the thrill of playing with it. As such, they need to make slot machines very user friendly and accept a wide range of money.

Answer 3

Vending machines have very sensitive readers, if the bill is messed up in anyway it wont be able to read it, they also arent set up to read the newer bills because they dont understand the colors