Hopper Fill

Hopper fill is a term used to describe when a slot machine doesn’t have enough money for a payout.

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If a player hits a winning combination on the reels and the slot machine is short on coins and cannot pay out the entire amount, then the player has to request a hopper fill. This is usually signaled by a flashing light on top of the machine or a message on the slot machine’s screen that says "Hopper Empty. Please Call Attendant".

Many new slot machines no longer give out coins as a payout. Instead, they have a small printer that prints out ticket vouchers for the winning amount. These tickets can be redeemed at the cashier’s window. With the growing use of ticket printers, hopper fills will be seen less frequently.