The Future of Gambling

This story was published more than 7 years ago.

It's no secret that the casino industry has been hurting within the United States since just before the Great Recession hit in 2007. Since that time, the two largest gambling markets (Las Vegas and Atlantic City) have experienced huge drop-offs in terms of gambling revenues, even though people are still coming to their respective cities.

A big problem for the industry appears to be the advancing age of their player base. While there are a healthy number of younger visitors coming to Vegas, the people playing the games are actually older. The average age of a visitor to Las Vegas is 45, but the number of people actually coming to gamble primarily was down to 9% in a recent survey by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

This led to casinos asking the question: Why aren't younger gamblers betting money in casinos?

A Change in Interests

While there is a certain allure to slot machines and table games, younger gamblers don't seem to be too enamored with the games. In part, this is related to the fact that casino games are almost exclusively focused on luck, rather than strategy. Because many younger adults have grown up with video games, they are used to experiences that test the skills that they've gathered from years of playing these games. Standard casino games simply cannot bring this experience in their current form.

The Future is Here

You can say that the casino industry is aging, but you certainly can't say that it's stupid. Developers and casino properties alike have realized that they have to change their game offerings in order to lure in millennials.

Companies like Gamblit are taking charge, developing a series of games that manage to bring social experiences, skill, and modern technology to casinos. During the 2016 Global Gaming Expo, the company showed off a variety of games that are a real sea change from what casino goers are used to.

The crux of this change is a series of games that are being deployed through the Gamblit Model G and Gamblit TriStation Machines. The Model G lays horizontally and allows up to four players the chance to play a game at the same time, while allowing for different games to be played. One example of this was a game where players crowded around the table to work together to match specific bottle caps in the middle of the table. Players needed to match a certain number of caps to win back their bet amounts, and more matches on top of that to walk away a winner.

Gamblit Social Game

The company has also worked to develop a series of games based off of mobile properties. The most recognizable of these is probably Jetpack Joyride, while games that resemble Fruit Ninja are also available.

Fruit Ninja

Other companies also had games aimed at younger audiences, as groups like GameCo had a first person shooter skill style game, and there were also games where players competed in Mario Kart style races in order to win cash prizes.

These games all proved to be hits during G2E, as there were dozens of people lined up to give them a go, and there's little doubt that younger players will be drawn in to them.

But What About the Established Groups?

While the companies above are certainly on the ball with trying to get younger players gambling, more established developers are also seeking to bring new players through the doors.

Companies like IGT are working on developing Virtual Reality titles for use in casinos, which will see players paying a set fee to participate in a tournament-style match. As it was explained to me, players will have the chance to pay to enter the tournament, play their round, and leave. Players will then be contacted if someone beats their score, giving participants the chance to come back and play again.

IGT VR

Another interesting change for betting games was a racing style of game put out by Konami, which had a racing game on display. This game saw players selecting races like you would in a virtual sports title, but the difference is that the race was then played out by miniature toy horses. This is certainly a different take on things, and at first I thought it was silly, but after sticking around the Konami space for a while I noticed that people were staying at the game for multiple rounds, which is interesting.

Konami Horse Race

The Coming Years

Danger Arena

While a lot of this technology was at the forefront of G2E, many of the companies were reluctant to spell out any firm plans to implement the games into casinos. It will be interesting to see when and where these new style games are deployed.

Without a doubt, the casino industry knows that it has to do something to lure in younger players, and I am really looking forward to seeing these games on the floor of my local casinos.

About the author

Dustin Jermalowicz // News Editor
Dustin Jermalowicz
Dustin has a long-standing passion for gambling. He has been writing professionally on the subject and breaking industry news for Casino Listings since 2011. His favorite casino games include Blackjack, Poker, and Hi/Lo. A proud native of Detroit, Dustin currently lives in Michigan.
8 replies • Last post

Comments

usbarbadosslim93 Recently online: 49 min ago
Forum AngelForum Angel
barbadosslim93's picture
Location: Michigan
Joined: 28 Jan 2011
Posts: 15132
Thanks given: 847
Thanks received: 2154
12 October 2016 - 3:46pm
#1

There's a lot to be optimistic here. I can't wait to see what they come out with!

auCL-Ed
StaffStaff
CL-Ed's picture
Location: Sydney
Joined: 7 Sep 2007
Posts: 10400
Thanks given: 6286
Thanks received: 5350
12 October 2016 - 11:42pm
#2

Very interesting. Though I'm not sure i want to wear a crusty pair of VR goggles after 1000s of other punters!

Always play it safe! Consult our list of rogue casinos and warnings before depositing at a new casino.
Post in our forums to earn CLchips which can be used to buy real prizes in our CLchips shop.

usbarbadosslim93 Recently online: 49 min ago
Forum AngelForum Angel
barbadosslim93's picture
Location: Michigan
Joined: 28 Jan 2011
Posts: 15132
Thanks given: 847
Thanks received: 2154
13 October 2016 - 1:19pm
#3

Funny you mention that Ed. VR headsets have these sanitation masks that go around the lining that touches your face. I call them eye condoms.

Amazon sells them, and there are cheaper ones too.

Right now I'm trying to convince my wife to let me get a Playstation VR headset. I really am fascinated at the possibilities with these things. I have tried both the Oculus and Vive, and found both to be good, but I was kind of thrown off by the screen door effect. The PSVR supposedly gets around this because it has an OLED display with a double layer, which somehow makes it appear as if the effect isn't there.

Whether or not VR will be successful in a casino is up for debate. The argument against it is that it takes up a lot of room, which could be used to have other games present. Of course, if there's nobody playing slots, you may as well throw something there to see if it draws an audience. I personally am much more excited for these Gamblit style games. I feel like they're really hitting the mark.

auCL-Ed
StaffStaff
CL-Ed's picture
Location: Sydney
Joined: 7 Sep 2007
Posts: 10400
Thanks given: 6286
Thanks received: 5350
14 October 2016 - 12:40am
#4

Eye condoms?!? Now that is a disturbing mental image! I guess it solves the sweaty headset issue though.

How does that bottle cap matching game work? Is it co-operative?

Always play it safe! Consult our list of rogue casinos and warnings before depositing at a new casino.
Post in our forums to earn CLchips which can be used to buy real prizes in our CLchips shop.

nzMattl
Card SharkCard Shark
Mattl's picture
Location: New Zealand
Joined: 1 Oct 2012
Posts: 103
Thanks given: 20
Thanks received: 94
17 October 2016 - 12:57pm
#5

Skill based games...wow! Going retro like the old video arcade days. Get a few mates together put a couple of bucks in each and highest score takes all except the casino handles the cash here.
Only problem with skill based games is someones always the best 😠

usbarbadosslim93 Recently online: 49 min ago
Forum AngelForum Angel
barbadosslim93's picture
Location: Michigan
Joined: 28 Jan 2011
Posts: 15132
Thanks given: 847
Thanks received: 2154
17 October 2016 - 1:01pm
#6

Yeah the cap matching game works by having each person put an individual bet down, and then you all work together to match the caps. If enough caps are matched you all win.

lvblck
Forum AngelForum Angel
Location: The North
Joined: 6 Apr 2016
Posts: 3878
Thanks given: 343
Thanks received: 1134
24 October 2016 - 1:37am
#7

Since technologies are constantly improving, I am definitely excited about what the future holds for gambling cause we all know ithat gaming industry is rapidly gaining popularity.

bgsharpe
Forum AngelForum Angel
sharpe's picture
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Joined: 4 Nov 2014
Posts: 7646
Thanks given: 4239
Thanks received: 1165
24 October 2016 - 1:20pm
#8
Mattl wrote:

Skill based games...wow! Going retro like the old video arcade days. Get a few mates together put a couple of bucks in each and highest score takes all except the casino handles the cash here.
Only problem with skill based games is someones always the best 😠

Fully agreed dude, and the way I play...usually they are all in the room better than me 😀