During the bonus round, the cousins were offered a choice: luck or skill. Reina and Tiffany placed a bet of a few cents and then pressed the play button.Īfter a few spins on Space Invaders, something interesting happened. It had 60 lines and a three-level stand-alone jackpot. Like most skill-based slot machines, the initial gameplay was similar to a regular slot.

This slot machine is a hybrid of sorts, combining traditional gambling with an interactive element that makes it different from the rest.

The game, Space Invaders, was a skills-based slot machine based on the traditional arcade game Reina had played on her Atari when she was young. But which machine would they choose? They scanned the casino floor until a machine caught Reina’s eye. Tired of their Mimosas, Reina and Tiffany decided to spend the free cash. “I was bored and looking for something to do,” Reina said, “Then I remembered a free slots coupon I had gotten in the mail from a casino near me.” Two hours later, Reina and her cousin, Tiffany, were at the bar of one of the newest Oklahoma casinos, drinking and having a good time. Skill-Based Play: An Oklahoma Casino Example

To further understand what is meant by this statement, consider Reina’s experience. Just how much skill is involved in these types of slots is the big misunderstanding behind skill-based slot machines. Skill-based game makers aim to marry the two into interactive slots that are attractive to all. While gamblers thrive off of the thrill of winning/losing, a gamer is more attracted to the theme, competition, and the ability to progress in a game. Skill-based slot machines still involve betting and chance (otherwise, it wouldn’t be gambling.) However, they also allow the player to have control over what happens during some parts of the gameplay.

So, what if anything, will influence someone in their 20s or 30s to hit the casino instead of hitting the nightclub playing games online with their friends? There are two things, actually: adding an element of skill and making game playing a social event. Although most casino floors have remained the same for decades, many casinos are finding that in order to entice younger gamers, gambling technology must change. Skills-based slot machines are now popping up in Las Vegas casinos, Oklahoma casinos, and on gaming websites worldwide.

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