Soon, gamblers in Nevada and Massachusetts could be playing Space Invaders (or Angry Birds) on a skill-based slot machines.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission released draft regulations on Thursday governing new skill-based slot machines. Skill slots are the latest innovation in the design of gaming machines. They are meant to attract millennials, because revenues figures show a decline in interest level among the younger generation of gamblers .
So far, the State of Nevada is the only U.S. state to approve skill-based slot machines. The new machines are still in development and have not made it onto Las Vegas Strip casinos’ slots row yet. Industry analysts believes skill slots will make a tremendous impact on the gaming industry.
Slot Machines for Millennials
Marcus Prater, the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers’ executive direction, said the new laws and innovative new designs have the millennial generation in mind. Prater said, “This is something totally new. Players have never had the option, in any market in the world, to influence the outcome of the game.”
Unlike previous generations, most American millennials grew up with gaming consoles in their homes. They like gaming on their smartphones and home computers, but do not like slot machines. The main reason is they see slot machines as boring, because they are based purely on luck.
Game design companies and Las Vegas casinos showed Nevada state legislators revenue and tourism stats showing millennials stay away from slot machines, by and large. This convinced Nevada lawmakers to pass a new law in the spring of 2015, and developers soon after began designing new ways to gamble on slot machines.
Wide Range of Results
No one is yet certain what the new slot machines are going to offer, but gaming media has speculated based on conversations with the designers themselves. A common suggestion is games with a potential expected return between 88% and 98%, depending on the player’s skill. Traditional Las Vegas slots have an average house edge of 93%.
It is uncertain whether skill will be a constant part of the game or not. Most experts suggest the main game in a slot machine will be like traditional slots — a game of pure chance. When bonus games are triggered, those games will have skill elements, much like a video game.
98% Expected Return for Optimal Play
If you’re good at the skill elements, the house edge could range into the 98% range, which is similar to (though still worse than) the casino advantage on games like craps and baccarat. The expected return for better players will be better than American roulette, table games like 3-Card Poker, and most slot machines.
For players without the expertise to play optimally, the house edge is likely to be worse than most luck-based slot machines. Older generation players are likely to continue playing their old-style machines. Anyone who doesn’t want the pressure of skill gaming is likely to play traditional slots.
How to Beat Skill-Based Slot Machines
Meanwhile, slot machines are likely to have how-to guides like a video game or computer game would. Scam artists have written books on slot machine strategy before, but these advice guides will offer actual real-world strategy.
The games should appeal to more than the millennial generation. Many should appeal to Generation X gamblers, because some of the games offer Gen X favorites like “Space Invaders” and “Pac Man“. These games will be part of bonus rounds in which good play will trigger bonus coins.
Angry Birds Slots?
Others designers are designing arcade-style games like pinball and “Guitar Hero” into their systems. Still others are designing specifically for those who love smartphone gaming. These developers are producing bonus games based on popular smartphone brands like “Angry Birds” and “Words with Friends.”
It could lead to a whole new round of licensed slots. In the past, IGT and its competitors have produced licensed slots based on TV shows like I Love Lucy and The Beverly Hillbillies, movie franchises like Lord of the Rings and Dirty Dancing, and other pop culture elements like KISS, Monopoly, and Wheel of Fortune. The licensed slots of the future might be based on popular video games, online games, and mobile gaming apps.
Massachusetts Skill Slots Regulations
Massachusetts included provisions for skill-based games in its 2011 law licensing gambling in the state. Thursday’s policy guide included regulations for skill-based slots. Massachusetts modeled its regulations on those passed by Nevada state legislature last year.
