Newest slot machines make debut at World Gaming Expo

Lisa Snedeker

Friday, Oct. 20, 2000 | 11:09 a.m.

Television's Alex Trebek and Regis Philbin, who know a lot about the games people play, are lending their images to interactive slot machines.

The new nickel slots incorporate a video screen displaying the game show hosts -- and allow gamblers to hear their voices beckoning people to try their luck.

The slots are among several technologically advanced machines debuting at the 14th annual World Gaming Congress and Expo this week in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The event, closed to the public, was expected to draw some 28,000 people to check out the newest industry products displayed by some 700 exhibitors. It ends today.

Philbin wasn't on hand to tout the "Regis Cash Club" machine, but Trebek showed off the "Double Jeopardy" slot bearing his likeness.

"It's kind of strange seeing -- and hearing -- yourself replicated on so many machines in a row," Trebek said.

Analysts say video-enhanced slot machines are the hot trend in the industry, and that coinless, cashless machines are on the horizon.

"The gaming equipment segment of the industry has entered a very progressive stage," said Jason Ader, Bear Stearns gaming, lodging and leisure analyst.

Industry leader International Game Technology's other slot machines based on game shows include "Wheel of Fortune," "Family Feud" and the "$1,000,000 Pyramid."

For those more interested in '70s sitcoms, there are machines based on "The Addams Family," the "Beverly Hillbillies," "I Dream of Jeanie" and "Bewitched."

"We've had great success in combining recognizable themes with slot games," said Ed Rogich, IGT's marketing vice president. "What grew out of the 'Wheel of Fortune' success led to the recipe for new games using nostalgic themes that ties into the demographic that we're looking to entertain."

New slot themes are necessary if gambling is to compete with other entertainment in the city, and attract younger, more computer-literate players, Rogich said.

"In the old days, people came to Las Vegas to gamble," he said. "Now they come for all the other things like restaurants and shopping."

As part of the expo, IGT is also previewing its version of ticket printers on slots. The "EZ Pay Ticket System," recently approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, allows the machine to pay part of a gambler's winnings in coins and the balance with a ticket.

"It reduces the down time on machines," Rogich said.

Video poker fans will soon be able to find machines that play up to 100 hands at a time, Rogich said. "The new technology is taking us to new platforms."

One feature of some nickel slots, though, isn't winning raves. While gamblers can drop in one nickel or as many as 45, on some machines a player must bet the maximum, or $2.25, to win the jackpot.

"This is just an industry sleight of hand to the degree that it's really getting to the point of false advertising," said Bill Thompson, a gaming industry consultant and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "It's sucking people in."