>From the Back Office, a Casino Can Change the Slot Machine in Seconds By MATT RICHTEL The New York Times April 12, 2006
LAS VEGAS, April 6 - From his small back office in the Treasure Island casino, Justin Beltram may soon be able to change the wheels of fortune instantly. Mr. Beltram, a casino executive, is the point man in a high-technology experiment that could alter the face of slot machines, and their insides, too. With a few clicks of his computer mouse, Mr. Beltram can reprogram the 1,790 slot machines on the casino floor, adjusting the denominations required to play, payback percentages, even game themes. Las Vegas is constantly tinkering with its slot machines, which generate more than $7 billion annually in Nevada, roughly double that taken in by table games. Despite their growing popularity and an increase in overall gambling proceeds in recent years, casino operators want to win back more of the money their customers are now spending elsewhere - on food, lodging and other entertainment, or at Indian casinos or for online gambling. In the past, changing out a slot machine was a complicated operation and entailed opening it, replacing the computer chip inside, then changing the glass display that markets the game's theme. The alteration usually took a day and could cost thousands of dollars, from ordering parts to modifying the machine. ... http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/12/technology/12casino.html?ex=1302494400&en=9e94591f50231ae6&ei=5090 Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list medianews@twiar.org To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
