I have played slot machines in Las Vegas. Over the years, I have invested between ten and fifteen dollars total.
I am technically ahead, because I was playing a nickel slot machine in the old "Howdy Partnuh" casino (Fontier) and hit a Royal Flush. I won $15 (in nickels) which I promtly put back in the machine.
So how did I win? Well when the bell thingy went off and the purty lady came by to give me this enormous roll of nickels, she also handed me and my witchie-poo vouchers for dinner at the place. And they tooken our pictures, and handing us postcards with us standing by the machine.
My gambling budget was $5. So I was ahead. Postcards and dinner.
Overall, my Daddy always said,
"Slug," (my treasured nickname) "slot machines are the worst thing in the world you can go after: You never take on someone who backs up to a wall and puts one arm behind their back and takes on all comers."