Gambling Online 101
intermediate
8 min readSkill-Based Casino Games
Skill-based slots, fish table games, arcade-style gambling, and how skill modifies house edge.
BonusBell Team
Traditional casino games are pure luck. A new category blends gambling with actual player skill—your reflexes, aim, or decision-making directly affect how much you win or lose. These games sit somewhere between a slot machine and an arcade, and they are slowly making their way onto regulated casino floors.
What "Skill-Based" Means
The house still has an edge, but skilled players lose less (or win more) than unskilled ones. Think of it like a slot machine where the bonus rounds are video game challenges: hitting targets, solving puzzles, or timing button presses. A player who performs well in the bonus round earns a higher payout than one who performs poorly—but the base game and overall return are still governed by regulated minimums.
This is fundamentally different from pure-RNG slots, where the outcome is determined the instant you press spin. In a skill-based game, there is a window where your input matters. That window is real, but it is also bounded—the house edge never disappears entirely.
Types of Skill-Based Games
Skill-Based Game Categories
| Type | How It Works | Where You Find Them | Skill Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skill-based slots | Bonus rounds require aim, timing, or puzzle-solving (GameCo, Gamblit Gaming) | Licensed casinos in NV, NJ, PA | Moderate -- affects bonus payout, not base game |
| Fish table games | Multiplayer shooting games; pick targets with different point values | Arcades, sweepstakes parlors, some casinos | High -- target selection and ammo management matter |
| Arcade-style gambling | Prize redemption, skill crane adaptations with real-money payouts | Select casino floors, gaming lounges | Variable -- depends on game design |
| Hybrid live dealer | Game shows like Deal or No Deal where choices affect outcomes | Licensed online casinos (Evolution Gaming) | Low to moderate -- choices matter but randomness dominates |
Fish Table Games: A Closer Look
Warning
Many fish table games operate in legal gray areas. Some are unregulated gambling machines found in gas stations, laundromats, and convenience stores. If a "fish game" is not inside a licensed casino or clearly regulated establishment, it may not be legal or fair. Unregulated machines have no audited RTP, no published payout standards, and no player protections. Exercise caution.
Fish table games originated in Asia and gained popularity in Asian-American communities across the US. Players use a joystick or touchscreen to shoot at fish swimming across the screen. Each fish has a point multiplier; larger or rarer fish are worth more but harder to hit. You spend credits (ammo) with each shot, so target selection and efficiency are genuine skills.
In a licensed setting, these games are regulated like any other electronic gaming machine. Outside of that, the payout percentages are unknown and enforcement is inconsistent.
How Skill Modifies House Edge
In a traditional slot, the Return to Player (RTP) is fixed by the game's math model. Every player gets the same expected return regardless of how they play. Skill-based games introduce a variable RTP range:
Strategy Insight
In a skill-based slot, a highly skilled player might achieve 98% RTP while a poor player gets 92%. The machine's minimum RTP is still regulated by the state gaming commission—typically 83-85% depending on jurisdiction. The "skill" component shifts value between players, but the house always retains its cut. This means skill-based games reward practice, but they are not beatable in the long run. For more on how RTP works, see RTP and Volatility.
Regulatory Status
Nevada was the first state to allow skill-based slot machines in 2015, followed by New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Despite the regulatory green light, adoption on casino floors has been slow. Most casino operators still prefer traditional slots because they generate reliable, predictable revenue. Skill-based machines tend to attract a younger demographic but haven't yet proven they can match traditional slot revenue per square foot.
Regardless of the skill element, states regulate minimum RTPs on all electronic gaming machines. A skill-based slot in New Jersey must still meet the same floor requirements as a traditional one.
Video Poker: The Original Skill-Based Game
Video poker has been on casino floors since the 1970s and is technically the oldest skill-based casino game. Unlike slots, your decisions about which cards to hold and which to discard directly affect your expected return. With perfect strategy, 9/6 Jacks or Better offers a 99.54% RTP—one of the best returns in the entire casino.
If you are drawn to the idea of skill-based gambling, video poker is the most proven and widely available option. Read our full Video Poker Basics guide to learn optimal strategy. You can also explore our full practice games library to try before you play for real money.
Good to Know
Skill-based does not mean beatable.Even in games where your decisions matter, the house retains a mathematical edge. Skilled play reduces your losses—it does not make the game positive EV. For a full breakdown of how the house keeps an edge, see House Edge Explained.
Key Takeaways
- 1Skill-based games let your decisions affect payout, but the house always keeps an edge
- 2Fish table games are popular but often operate in legal gray areas outside licensed casinos
- 3State-regulated minimum RTPs apply to skill-based machines just like traditional slots
- 4Video poker is the most established skill-based casino game with proven strategy
- 5More engaging than pure-RNG slots, but do not mistake a skill element for a beatable game
Sources & References
- Nevada Gaming Commission approval of skill-based slot machines (2015) and subsequent adoption by New Jersey and Pennsylvania gaming regulators.
- Minimum RTP requirements for electronic gaming machines vary by jurisdiction (typically 83-85%). Published in state gaming commission regulations.
- Video poker 9/6 Jacks or Better RTP of 99.54% with optimal strategy is independently verifiable from the game's fixed pay table and standard probability calculations.
- Skill-based gambling platform mechanics (Skillz, Pocket7Games) and prize pool structures sourced from each platform's public terms and developer documentation.
Mathematical claims are independently verifiable. BonusBell platform analysis reflects our tracked platform directory and dated source reviews as of March 2026.