This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of World Gaming magazine.
Slot machines are big business when it comes to gambling revenue. In places like the US and Australia, slot revenue has been significantly higher than table game revenue over the last 20 years. The slots are not as ingrained in the Macau culture, but they are starting to make a big impact – and experts predict that the industry will continue to increase.
This prediction is certainly borne out by the statistics: slot turnover in Macau in the last five years has grown by 876%. This is an incredible figure by anyone’s standards and shows that the slots are here to stay. Why then are they so popular and what do they offer? That is an easy question if you answer it from the casino’s perspective. They take up a small amount of room, one staff member can oversee countless machines, and they are safe and reliable.
From a player’s perspective they also have plenty of appeal. Some players don’t like the loud noisy action of table games, which can be a slightly daunting place for the uninitiated. In contrast, the slots are suited to an individual style of play. They offer players a private form of gambling, especially if you find yourself a nice quite corner. Most casinos also offer excellent Players Clubs Programs. Once players sign up to these they reap the rewards for playing the slots.
The other attractive side to slot machines is the chance to win a huge jackpot from a relatively small investment. You certainly don’t get that on a baccarat table. It is also a favourite with a lot of women gamblers, who seem to be more attracted to the slots than table games. The slots have offered a gambling option to a market that in the past has preferred to stroll around the shops and spas, rather than play on the main gaming floor. Many wives of baccarat gamblers are pleased to have a pastime that they can enjoy themselves.
The slots have come a long way over the last ten years – with some of the designs and graphics simply breathtaking. There are also great features as well as jackpots that keep the players coming back for more. If luck is on your side you can end up with free games and bonuses that can see you rack up the credits.
