slot players get more room on floor
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Changes to a casino floor’s layout started about 10 years ago and is now a common sight at Las Vegas casinos. Gone are the days of a gambling hall lined with rows of small slot machines and players sitting shoulder-to-shoulder. Now, the casino floors allows for players to stretch out as they play the tall, vibrant slot machine with massive digital screens.
Changes to a casino floor’s layout started about 10 years ago and is now a common sight at Las Vegas casinos. New technology allows multi-game and multi-$ denomination functionality, so there are less machines on the floor and more space to add other amenities. The push from consumers for new dining and entertainment experiences has also required more room. Mike Gatten, senior vice president of slot strategy at MGM Resorts International, credits new technology as the driving force behind the changes. He says the advancements in technology that have allowed them to offer more games with less slot machines also have changed the slot machine”s profile.
Players enjoy being separated from machines. Less machines are more productive, according to Charlie Lombardo, a retired Las Vegas gaming executive.
Clark County brought in $688.7 million in slot machine wins in August from 88,375 slot machines. In August 2019, the state's slot wins were reported to be $478.4 million from 103,260 machines, which is 40 percent higher than August 2018. Industry members say it's due to advancements in technology and fewer machines means more money.
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of a new layout in casinos. Many operators took games off the floor to allow for at least 6 feet of space between players. The rise of electronic table games has also contributed to the changes. IGT's chief operating officer of gaming said customers are sharing feedback that indicates a turn away from straight banks. They consider flexibility when doing research and development. iGT’s chief Operating Officer of Gaming said people are more mindful about social distancing since the pand epidemic.
Nick Khin, IGT’s chief operating officer of gaming, says players” preferences have changed since the pandemic.
The D Las Vegas reduced the floor count of slot machines by 150 six years ago. The new strategy is based on the psychology of a customer's choice. It's about getting the right utilization, the correct mix and knowing what customers want. Industry leaders say the trend may be limited to Las Angeles. Tribal and regional casinos need to maximize utilization. Gatten of MGM Resorts expects the strategy to stick around. If there are three machines in a row with the same game and the middle is receiving less play, floor operators reconfigure it into a pod so each player can have an “end” spot.
