My Visit IGT...Great!

[Youngjedi]

Hi Everyone,

I was in Reno last week and got a chance to visit a relative who works for IGT. He gave me and my friend a tour of the manufacturing plant and I was quite impressed. The machines looked great (I even got a chance to play the Star Wars Slot Machine in Reno and won a few bucks at a casino that afternoon). Some interesting facts:

All the machines manufactured go to Reno. The ones that are used, are refurbished and sent to Vegas.

Wheel Of Fortune is the top machine at this time

Most casinos don't bother with coins any more. They use a ticket/Credit system. I didn't like that, I like the sound the Coins make as they drop out.

All-in-All, a great trip!

[arbycoffee]

Super cool!!

[Chrisdice]

If we (Bally's) wins this law suit IGT will have to pay us royalties on every wheel game they have. Thats some pretty big bucks. Maybe I'll get a Christmas bonus this year.
http://www.casino-slot-gambling.com/.../ballytech.htm

[arbycoffee]

wow !! big bucks

[Bilko44]

About 15 years ago, when I was writing a book on American casino slot machines (never published it), I visited the IGT manufacturing facility in Reno. At the time I was not into pachis but was told during my plant tour that IGT Reno made slots for the Asian market.

The person showing us around said that the games played differently (yep. they were pachislos) and that the Japanese liked their slots with sexier artwork on the the game backglass. The artwork resembled that seen on the American casino slot "Wild Thing".

As to Chris's comment about the pending Wheel of Fortune patent infringement lawsuit, I will be pulling for IGT as I am a stockholder in their company.

IGT has a habit of buying out the competition and, in particular, companies that make components of a slot machine such as bill accepters, game concepts, video technology and game management software.

At this point in time, I think Bally and Aristocrat have a lot of popular games on the US market but the big surprise waiting in the wings is the IGT video slot which will configure itself to each player's favorite game preferences.

Just insert your players card and, viola, you will see a touch screen with the slot and poker games that you play the most. No more waiting for your favorite game to open up. Just plop in to a vacant seat and the machine can morph into the game you select. Scary, isn't it?

[arbycoffee]

some guy will see large numbers

[Youngjedi]

The newest thing the're working on now is server based video slots. The Casino will be able to change the type of games and payoffs directly from a main terminal in the casino. My cousin said that they are hoping to have that for 2008, but they are still working things out with the gaming commission.

Also, The pachislos aren't made in Reno at this time. They make them in a factory in Australia. I was hoping to get a spin luck from him, but for some reason, he wouldn't let me take home any games...Bummer.