May 2023
How Skill-Based Slots and Social Media will Shape Casino’s
Nevada is witnessing the emergence of a new era in slot machine-style gambling, aimed at creating a casino environment that resembles arcades and appeals to a younger and more technologically adept demographic.
Senate Bill 9, which received full approval from both chambers of the state Legislature and was signed by Gov. Brian Sandoval this month, introduces the concept of skill into the typically luck-based field of slot technology. It provides a chance for the casino sector to enhance the resemblance between slot machines and the video games that millennials are accustomed to playing.
However, the bill lacks detailed information, which means that regulators and game developers must now determine the precise mechanics of the skill-based progression.
«Currently, the whiteboard of creativity is devoid of any ideas,» stated Marcus Prater, the executive director Mahadev Book of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, who is the primary supporter of the measure. «After the formulation of the rules and regulations, the responsibility of executing the game will be handed over to the game designers, who will play a crucial role in its successful implementation.»
The measure mandates regulators to establish regulations that encourage the use of «innovative, alternative, and advanced technology» in casino equipment. The bill comprises criteria for games of skill, which are defined as games where the outcome is determined by the player’s aptitude rather than luck.
The bill also references «hybrid» games, which are determined by a combination of chance and a player’s skill.
According to Prater, the measure allows casinos to provide a more diverse range of games that are similar to the ones available outside of casinos.
According to him, the crucial factor in achieving that objective is by implementing variable payback percentages. According to Prater’s group, competent players have the potential to increase a game’s payback from 88 percent to 98 percent by performing exceptionally well in a bonus round or in a competition against friends.
The introduction of skill-based slots should not be expected to eliminate the inherent advantage held by the house. Hence, Tony Lucas, a professor at the hotel department of UNLV, advised against making a direct and exaggerated parallel between the new technology and real video games.
«Lucas stated that it is possible to achieve a higher level of proficiency in a video game compared to the limitations imposed on skill-based slot machines,»
However, the industry is on the verge of significant transformations due to the opportunities presented by the bill.
The equipment association attempted to showcase a commissioned rendering depicting the potential appearance Betinexchange online of a future casino. The illustration contains labels indicating a «skill zone midway,» slots with a «team play option,» «spin & win group play,» and «holographic slots.»
Eric Meyerhofer, the CEO of Gamblit Gaming, mentioned that there have been discussions on the inclusion of dedicated sections on casino floors specifically designed to showcase this type of alternative gaming technology. According to him, the decision is not just based on the passing of SB9, but rather it is part of a broader trend towards developing more engaging experiences on casino premises.
