The emergence of skill-based slot machines could eventually see players competing against one another for cash prizes, according to Group Chief Executive of Gaming at Scientific Games, Derik Mooberry. Just don’t expect to see them in Macau anytime soon.
Speaking exclusively to WGM in a lengthy discussion about the future of electronic gaming in Asia and beyond, Mr Mooberry predicted skill-based games could vastly change the landscape for operators and suppliers looking to appeal to a broader market.
Although still in their infancy, a number of companies showed off their first forays into the world of skill-based games at last year’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas – including Scientific Games who have developed a prototype based on the arcade classic Space Invaders.
But Moobery predicted this new sector of the industry will look very different by the time it gains genuine traction on casino floors.
“It’s going to depend on the regulation in each market to define what skill is and what’s allowed,” he said. “Our Space Invaders game, in its regular mode it plays like a normal slot with reel spins, paying lines and payouts but the skill element comes in during the bonus round. In the bonus round you have the choice to take the free games experience and get the randomized payout or you can take a skill-based experience where you literally play the Space Invaders game and based on how well you play it, that will determine your credits. We think that’s a nice, gradual transition into full skill.
“But in the future you will see games that are competition games – people playing against each other where maybe the operator takes a fee for hosting it. It could be electronic in nature. I think those sorts of things will evolve along with it, but as for which ones become more popular? That’s going to be the question the consumer must decide. They will determine what they want to play.”
Video games have so far proved a popular base for those developing this first wave of skill-based games with Guitar Hero, Angry Birds and Candy Crush among the themes.
However, it may still be some time before we see any on the casino floors of Macau. Nevada and New Jersey recently became the first US states to implement regulation governing skill-based games but much like online poker and Daily Fantasy Sports before them, other states and jurisdictions have so far offered varying levels of enthusiasm.
“Inherently, regulators want to innovate too but at the end of the day, each regulator around the world will look at it differently,” said Mooberry. “There will be some that want to be on the forefront and others that prefer to watch and see what happens elsewhere. And that’s okay.”
