Part I: Games & Gaming · Slot Machines & Electronic Gaming

Hopper

Slot Operations

A mechanical component within a slot machine that stores and dispenses coins for payouts. Hoppers were standard equipment on pre-TITO coin-operated slot machines and contained a rotating coin bowl with a payout mechanism. Modern TITO-enabled machines have largely eliminated hoppers, replacing them with thermal ticket printers. However, some machines (particularly in specific jurisdictions or for nostalgic appeal) may still retain hoppers. Hopper fills (adding coins when the hopper is depleted) and hopper empty conditions were significant operational activities requiring slot attendant labor before TITO adoption.

In practice

“Hopper” is also used colloquially to refer to the cash storage box (drop box) in some regional parlance, though technically distinct.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary — 1,157 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.