Licensed slot machines lead the pack at G2E Las Vegas

2016-09-28

Reading time 1:52 min

Gaming giants are betting big on licensed slot machines and it seems to be paying off. On Tuesday, the 2016 Global Gaming Expo opened its doors to prove that slot machines are still a star on the casino floor. On the political side, the American Gaming Association reiterated its commitment to legalizing sports betting in the U.S.

The international trade show gathered the best of gaming. Exhibitors with bigger booths this year included: Scientific Games, IGT, Aristocrat, Novomatic, Merkur, Ortiz Gaming, Konami, Aruze, Ainsworth, Everi, EGT, Interblock and AGS.

Among the highlights of day one were:

Tim McGraw at Aristocrat’s booth: country singer dropped in from the ceiling on a platform with his new slot machine, which he signed boldly across the front.

Inspired's Shaquille O'Neal appearance a Slam Dunk: Hundreds of G2E fans flocked to Inspired Gaming Group's interactive booth for a chance to welcome Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal to the largest gaming expo in the world. O'Neal has partnered with Inspired Gaming to become the newest face of Inspired's Rush Basketball virtual sports gaming product that will be available as soon as 2017.

Penn and Teller at Everi’s stand: Penn and Teller were at the Everi booth for the launch of their new Penn and Teller slot machine.

Vanna White celebrates IGT’s 20-year partnership with Wheel of Fortune: Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman presented Wheel of Fortune icon and hostess Vanna White

Soup Nazi presents Scientfic Games’ Seinfeld slot: Beloved Actor Larry Thomas donned his iconic chef's jacket while unveiling a new Seinfeld-themed slot machine at the Scientific Games booth.

AGA pushing to legalize sports betting

For his annual State of Gaming press conference Tuesday, Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of American Gaming Association (AGA), welcomed Rick Parry, Chair of the Sports Betting Integrity Panel, and Dr. David Forrest, the Professor of Economics at the University of Liverpool Management School and Honorary Professor at Macau Polytechnic Institute.

With revenue at an all-time high at $240 billion in gaming, Freeman stated that geographic growth is limited and sports betting is the new frontier.

Dr. David Forrest mused that prohibiting sports betting has never been successful, as people will find a way to bet illegally if they want. But with the legalization and regulation of sports betting, it will be easier to ensure that criminal activity does not exist.

Rick Parry discussed the success of sports betting in the United Kingdom and how that can be attributed to the laws put into place to protect the integrity of sports while allowing viewers to interact through gaming. He noted that the key is to continue learning and evolving with the market and the times.

The session concluded with Geoff Freeman stating that he believes sports betting will be legalized within three to five years.