This is an interesting point. I was given to believe that casinos differed in their arrangements for the price of strikes, policy for their return/meltdown etc. ie some cant return the strikes hence they sell them at the cage (but they pay less for them in the first place).

Gene informs me that the arrangements are the same for everyone.

One story I was told was that the arrangements are different for those who lease the machines rather than owning them.

I would add that I would take Gens's word against anyone elses but please see my reply to Gene's analogy above.