by Guide Bill Burton

We all know that the casino companies are a big business. Their businessjust happens to be separating you from your money. They try to do this ina way that is both enjoyable and entertaining to you. They offer entertainmentwith a sliding scale for admission. Sometimes you actually come home withmore money than you started with. The entertainment comes in the form oftable games and slot machines. Most of the games such as Blackjack Crapsand Roulette have been around for years and are pretty much casino standards.Once there was a time when these games attributed for the majority of casinoprofits. However over the last ten years things have change drastically.

The slot machines now rule and accounts for over 70 percent of most casinos'profits. The casinos are competing to get you into their casinos to playtheir slots. It would not be feasible for casinos to design their own slotmachines so they look to the manufacturers to supply them with new games.There are several companies that manufacturer slot machines.

Just as the casinos are competing for your business, the slot makers arecompeting to get the casino's business. The way they do this is by designingmachines that are not only interesting to the players but ones that willbring in more profits for the casino. Over the last few years there havebeen many changes to slot machines to make them more profitable. The firstbig change came with the advent of dollar bill receptors to make it easierand FASTER for a player to get their money in the machine. No more wastingtime feeding those dirty coins into the slot. The casinos loved it.

Next the slot makers started designing machines that were multi-line andmulti-coin machines. At last years World Gaming Expo one company was givingaway T-shits that had a slogan reading, More Lines- More Coins- More Profits.That pretty much said it all. This year we saw the multi-denomination machinesthat pay out using vouchers eliminating the need for coins.

The coinless slots help the casino's profits in several ways. They don'thave to hire as many change people or people to empty the coins from themachines. When a machine pays out in vouchers a player is more inclined topay off the last few credits rather than cash out an have to take a voucherto the booth to collect a dollar or less.

While these changes help the casino's profits they don't have a big effecton most players. Players must still bring their money to the casino to playwith. Most players budget for a casino visit and if they run out of moneythey go home. There are a few players who find it necessary to take creditcard advances when they run out of money at the casino. I have written abouthow costly and foolish this can be. I also always advise that you;

NEVER TAKE MONEY TO THE CASINO THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE!

There are many people that have problems with huge credit card debt. Usingthem in the casino is a terrible idea. Fortunately it is somewhat of a hassleto get a credit card advance in the casino. You have to go to the cashier'scage and fill out the forms to get your money. This takes time and many playerswho consider it change their minds on the walk to the cage. Making it easierto do would present more problems for players who may get caught up in theexcitement of playing and find themselves short on money.

For this reason I was alarmed when I read that Innovative Gaming Corp. announcedthat they would make a credit card driven machine. They will use technologymaking it possible to use debit and credit cards right in the machine. Ithink this is one of the worst ideas I have heard of. I don't mind the casinosmaking a profit but I do think it would be irresponsible to make it easierfor players who might in a moment of weakness decide to charge a few morespins on their credit cards.

The issue of allowing players to use credit cards in the machine is questionableand most of the major slot makers are hesitant to get involved with it atthis time. One executive at Bally's, a leading slot maker said, It's beena morality issue. Bally developed a product in the mid-90's but no one wouldtouch it.

At this time Nevada law prohibits slot machines from excepting credit cards.I hope that this law remains in effect. There is enough money taken in bythe slots. The casinos do not need to prey on the weaker players who disciplineis weakened by the excitement of their games.

Should slots be able to accept credit cards?
Vote in the Poll.
Credit Card Slots

Until next time,remember:
Luck comes and goes...Knowledge stays forever.

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