Slot monitoring operations damaged by hurricane

Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 | 11:06 a.m.

About 900 of the 2,300 slot machines operated by International Game Technology are in casinos damaged by Hurricane Katrina, the Reno slot manufacturer said Thursday.

But another 700 machines remain inoperable as well, since gaming operations monitoring sites in New Orleans and in Gulfport, Miss., were damaged by the storm and are inoperable.

In a release, IGT officials said the company is working with gaming regulators in Louisiana and Mississippi to get emergency approval for alternative monitoring sites that could be running by the end of the month.

The remaining 700 machines in the market are in stand-alone or tribal casino-linked operations, but the company cautioned that play levels are expected to remain soft as the area recovers from the effects of the storm.

At the time of the disaster, IGT had about 600 machines pending for sale and delivery by Sept. 30 to casinos shuttered by the storm. The company said sale of an additional 1,000 to 2,000 units is expected to be put on hold pending the reopening of the casinos.

The estimated book value of machines and assets in the affected area is estimated at $10 million.

IGT Chairman T.J. Matthews also said the company's 100 Gulf Coast area employees have been accounted for and escaped injury. The company has committed $1 million to assist in relief and recovery as well as an IGT employee relief program to assist employees who lost their homes and possessions.