Part III: Business & Regulation · Banking, Chips & Financial Operations

TITO (Ticket-In, Ticket-Out)

TITO SystemsREPORTED

(1) TITO (Ticket-In, Ticket-Out) is a technology system used in modern slot machines and electronic gaming devices in which the machine prints a barcoded paper ticket voucher representing the player’s credits, rather than dispensing coins or tokens. Players can insert these tickets into other TITO-compatible machines to continue playing, or redeem them for cash at cage windows or ticket redemption machines (TRMs). TITO systems consist of a thermal ticket printer in each machine, a barcode scanner built into the bill acceptor, a central TITO server that tracks all tickets, and a communications network connecting all components. The technology was originally developed by IGT and Casino Data Systems (CDS) under the name EZ Pay and has become the industry standard worldwide. (2) A cashless gaming technology system in which slot machines accept barcoded paper tickets (ticket-in) as wagering credits and print barcoded tickets (ticket-out) representing cashable value when players cash out. TITO was pioneered by IGT and widely adopted starting in the early 2000s, largely replacing coin-operated hoppers. The system comprises a barcode scanner integrated into the bill acceptor, a thermal ticket printer replacing the coin hopper, and a network interface connecting to a central ticket validation system that tracks all outstanding tickets. TITO dramatically reduced hopper fills, coin handling costs, and cash processing labor while improving player convenience and floor hygiene.

In practice

TITO tickets typically expire after a defined period (30-365 days depending on jurisdiction). The central system must maintain redundant records of all outstanding ticket balances. TITO fraud (counterfeit tickets, ticket swapping) is a known risk requiring barcode encryption and validation protocols. TITO virtually eliminated hopper fills and coin handling in modern casinos. It also enabled multi-denomination machines, ticket bonusing, promotional couponing, and streamlined accounting.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary, 1,090 terms written for surveillance, compliance and operations professionals rather than for players. Definitions describe industry usage; where a term carries a regulatory meaning, verify against the instrument that governs your jurisdiction.