If you ever wonder what casinos are like from the inside, check out the latest issue of Casino Journal magazine. The monthly magazine is filled with short articles about the casino industry, and plenty of ads telling you what you should buy if you own a casino.
As you can imagine, casino managers and CFO's are inundated with salespeople, advertisements, and new ideas expounded as the best of the best at gaming trade shows. Of course much of what is offered is just a tiny spin from what was offered at the last show. I love the annual gaming show in Vegas, but how many new slot machines do we really need each year?
In just the latest issue of Casino Journal (celebrating their 25th Anniversary), there are no less than a dozen ads and articles about new slot machines and designs, and these baby's aren't cheap anymore. Slot machines used to be single-function propositions and clubs would have them on the gaming floor for a decade or more. I'm not sure that's such a bad thing. Players get used to favorite machines and look for them every trip. Yes, I look for new themes and new games, but I still have favorites.
Am I the only one that thinks having a new mix of 100 different slots every month or two on a floor built for 1000 games is way too much? I haven't had time to get used to "Beat the Field," The Hangover, Batman, or Ghostbusters, and now I've got to learn Elvis, Michael Jackson "King of Pop" and Grease. I'm dizzy.
And, no matter how confused I as a player am, consider what it's like picking new machines and trying to keep up with the neighboring casinos, especially when every machine is five-figures+!
Comments
Al,
Please write an article about how to pick a machine. I never play them because they have become more difficult to understand. One level is a thing of the past. Most are three levels, five levels, progressive etc. Why should I, an occasional gambler, pump my money into a machine I do not easily understand. Most people now gamble this way. Casinos are making a bundle on these people who seem to relish the fact that the casino is taking their money–they thrive on it. How does one pick out the best slot machine for maximum return or minimum losses on your gambling investment??