Slot maker in deal with Boyd

Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003 | 11:18 a.m.

Alliance Gaming Corp. has entered into an agreement with Boyd Gaming Corp. to supply all of Boyd's casinos with "cashless" slot machines, slot accounting services and other related services.

Cashless machines can pay out paper tickets instead of coins. Some casinos say the machines are responsible for an increase in gambler play as well as a savings in labor costs.

The agreement calls for Boyd to offer about 14,000 cashless slot machines.

Under the terms of the deal, Boyd will install the slot accounting system to complement existing Alliance systems at Boyd casinos. Initial installations will begin at Boyd properties in Nevada, Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi and Louisiana upon regulatory approvals, Alliance said.

"When we began to look at consolidating our systems with one vendor, our primary goal was to be able to offer benefits to all of our players across the country," said Keith Smith, Boyd Gaming executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Offering a single system nationwide will allow the company to perform cross-property promotions and track customer behavior, said Robert Miodunski, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Gaming.

The agreement follows the news that Boyd will open its joint-venture resort in Atlantic City, the Borgata, with Alliance's slot marketing and casino management system.