British firm borrows from flashy slot machines to update table games
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000 | 9:16 a.m.
CARSON CITY, Nev. - A British firm has taken a first step in getting Nevada's OK to market devices that use flashy slot-machine technology to draw more players to casino table games.
The state Gaming Control Board recommended a distributors' license Wednesday for John Huxley Casino Equipment Ltd., which has made gambling tables for years - and watched slot revenues steadily surpass the house winnings at casino table games.
Huxley managing director Jeffrey Lindsay says the London-based company's high-tech products can help reverse that trend.
The state Gaming Commission will have final say Feb. 24 on the license needed to market the devices in Nevada. Product testing would be required after that before actual sales could start.
Table games once accounted for most of the revenue for Nevada casinos. Over the years, that has gradually shifted to a 60-40 edge - or higher - for the slots.
Reasons for the shift include all sorts of bells, flashing lights, graphics, video animation, payoff bonuses, multiple betting options, big awards and other come-ons designed to get the attention of casino patrons.
"Table games haven't changed in 100 years," Lindsay said in an interview. "What we're doing is putting slot technology into table games. It creates a more exciting environment."
The company's multimedia "Infinity" system includes table-mounted video screens that can present random awards, lottery-style prizes, side-bet options, ads, corporate logos - even betting instructions for players who might otherwise be intimidated by live games.
The system also lets casinos track individual gamblers' betting patterns so they can reward high-rollers and spot cheats. The device, which can be adapted to blackjack, roulette or other table games, has instant replay to help resolve disputes.
"I can't understand why no one else has done this yet," said Lindsay.
Won't the use of video displays and other techniques now seen on slots detract from card games - at least for serious players?
"We're looking for new players, not the hard-core players," said Lindsay, adding that traditional table game players tend to be among casinos' oldest patrons while slot players, drawn by all the new technology, are getting younger - and more numerous.
Dealers will still be in the table game - although Lindsay's company has other products that utilize "virtual" cards dealt to players, or that speed up deck shuffling so more hands can be played.
In other action, the Control Board:
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Wonder drug for men no success story
- CityCenter: One man’s concept of a real city
- Bellfield tolls again for UNLV in 76-71 win over Louisville
- Metro corrections officer remembered for his love of family
- Notebook: UNLV prospect Polee likes what he sees, and hears, at the Mack
- Live game blog: Bellfield, UNLV come through late, upset No. 16 Louisville
- Man, 18, arrested for DUI in crash that kills woman, 24
- Man fatally shot during robbery attempt of woman
- Bishop Gorman crushes Reed to head to state championship
- Pitino doesn’t consider loss to UNLV a total loss
Blogs
The Greene Room
MWC Winners and Losers: Week 13
The Kats Report
If the message is 'rock out,' then KISS is indeed a message band (1 Comment)
Could a savior of shuttered Las Vegas Art Museum be ... Peter Max? (6 Comments)
For Paul Stanley and KISS, rock and roll is not over (6 Comments)
Twenty years ago today, Human Nature took root on the farm (1 Comment)
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond’s triumphant return to the Flamingo
The Kats Report
'DWTS' champ Donny Osmond still deft afoot in return to Flamingo (8 Comments)
Calendar »
- 30 Mon
- 1 Tue
- 2 Wed
- 3 Thu
- 4 Fri
-
DJ showdown at Prive
Prive | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Rok Box with Mike Carbonell at Tabu
Tabú Ultralounge | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
DJ Riz at Jet
Jet | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Football specials at Diablo's
Diablos Cantina
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati








