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Slot machine giant gets the nod of approval from the Gaming Control Board
The emerging market for hand held, mobile gambling devices for use within Nevada land gaming properties is attracting some big guns, including slot machine leader International Gaming Technologies (IGT) reports Associated Press this week.
The company has won an endorsement from Nevada regulators to compete for the business in the form of a Gaming Control Board recommendation that the Reno-based slot manufacturer be licensed as an operator of mobile gambling systems. The board's parent state Gaming Commission will have the final say at an August 24 hearing.
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IGT's move follows licensing in May of Cantor Gaming as the state's first licensed manufacturer and distributor of the wireless gadgets. Cantor led the 2005 legislative effort to allow wireless gambling in Nevada.
The board recommended IGT's new licensing after Amy Monette, director of the company's research laboratory, said market studies show many gamblers are interested in something that won't keep them "chained to a slot machine, so to speak."
Regulations passed in March, based on the 2005 legislation, made Nevada the first state to allow wireless gambling in any public area of a casino, including restaurants, lounges and poolsides. Hotel rooms or other locations that can't be supervised are off-limits.
Advocates say the move will better use resort space that is increasingly being devoted to non-gambling activity, such as shopping, dining and night-clubbing. Under state and federal law, the new systems must not link in any way to Internet betting.
Monette told regulators that IGT research shows that about half of the gamblers asked about the devices said they'd try them. She added that there's strong interest among some major casinos, while others are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Biometric fingerprint readers have been discussed as a way to ensure minors aren't gambling, but Monette said some of the surveyed players view the print readers as "an invasion of privacy."
"Do they realize a surveillance camera is on them every second?" said Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander, referring to the elaborate security systems in casinos. Monette said other security systems are being studied that would ensure the devices are being used properly and to reduce player frustration that might stop them from gambling.
The wireless devices can be linked to a main casino server that verifies the gambler is the person who checked out one of the devices at a casino. Players could establish betting limits in advance by depositing money on account.
Technology-savvy gamblers in their 20s to mid-40s are seen as the likely market. Rules allow a range of games, including poker, blackjack, horse race betting, slots, roulette and keno. IGT's prototypes range from a small device to a 10-by-12-inch laptop.
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