Has the Age of Traditional Slot Machines Taken Its Last Breath?
Although some gamblers still prefer traditional slot machines dispensing real coins, numerous casinos across the U.S. have already switched to coinless slots. Nowadays, many lucky winners receive bar-coded paper tickets instead of coins. The transition to coinless slots was motivated by new technological tools and gamblers who sought a cleaner casino experience. Some gaming operators agreed that their clients no longer wanted to clean their hands with disposable wipes after each time they play slots.
Certain gaming industry experts maintain that, although the transition to coins may cost casinos some of their regular customers, it is still worth it. Casino industry insiders estimate that gaming venues save up to 1.5% in slots operating costs thanks to the ticket machines. Also, casino managers maintain that coinless slot machines help cut labor costs and secure the staff from injuries, as they no longer have to count, weigh and reload the coins.
In 2000, International Gaming Technology (IGT), a prominent slot machine manufacturer, first introduced coinless slots in Las Vegas. The new trend gained such an increasing popularity that gaming facilities from Missouri to Maine, as well as the vast majority of Californian casinos, switched to ticket machines. Nevertheless, since the new slots cost approximately $15,000 apiece, the older coin slots will probably continue operating in more remote locations across the U.S.
