A gaming machine with a hot mode is disclosed. A processor of the gaming machine can determine whether the gaming machine is in a hot mode state. After determining that the gaming machine is in the hot mode state, the gaming machine can determine a number of hot mode spins and perform each hot mode spin of the number of hot mode spins. Performing a hot mode spin can include receiving a wager, determining an outcome of a random event, generating a display related to the outcome of the random event, and determining a payout for the wager based on the outcome of the random event and a hot-mode return rate. The hot-mode return rate can be selected so that a sum of payouts during the number of hot mode spins is expected to exceed a sum of wagers made during the number of hot mode spins.