Server Based Gaming for Casinos: Priority, Costs and Predictions

May 21, 2008 - PRLog -- Groundbreaking advances in casino technology, unpredictable consumer spending patterns, heightened competition and a heap of casino industry challenges are making casino operators paths to profits complicated to say the least.

Against this backdrop of tricky industry issues, along comes a technology so significant, it is set to alter casino slot floor operations forever. Server based, networked and downloadable gaming systems are impacting casino slot floors right now and the roll out of this new technology will leave a trail of casinos struggling to keep up with the biggest shift in casino technology since ticketing systems were introduced some years ago.

The questions on the lips of the casino operators right now are how important is this technology to me, what are the real costs of implementing new gaming systems and when will this impending replacement cycle begin?

Commenting on the importance of this new technology to operators Dan Ahrens, Casino and Gaming Fund states “It has to be top priority, it’s mandatory if an operator wants to keep up with the competition. Server based gaming is the reality that will be installed over the next few years”. Perhaps revealing that Server Based systems technology is fast climbing up the agenda for Casino operators.

“Time, development and cooperation are key components” states Chuck Hickey, Director of Slot Operations at the Barona Valley Ranch and speaker at the forthcoming Server Based Gaming for Casinos Summit in Las Vegas this June 25th – 26th. Giving a more reserved approach Hickey continues “Time to try different paths, development of applications along those paths and cooperation with operators to develop the vision of those applications are what will make SBG the eventual success that most everyone predicts”

So it seems that SBG is a priority that is climbing to the top of casino operators agendas albeit with touch of apprehension from the Casinos part. One thing is certain from both developers of new technologies to pioneering operators – change is most certainly on its way and casino operators need to be prepared for it.

So what are the real costs of implementing this technology? What do casino operators need to take into account when looking to implement a new slot system?

“Networking costs are the biggest immediate costs” Hickey says “designing and installing the Ethernet floor from wiring to switches - pulling the fiber or wire and putting in the switches is just a start”. Highlighting the need for well adept human resources Hickey explains “Talent to maintain and trouble shoot such a network add to the on-going manpower costs of recruiting and maintaining the IT staff necessary.” Supporting the drive towards implementation Ahrens comments “it’s been proven over and over again that the most profitable gaming floors are that ones that change machines often and respond to customers desires for the latest incentive-laden games. A well designed, SBG floor should pay for itself in a matter of time.”

But what about the future? How will Server Based technologies roll out over the next 12 – 18 months?

Hickey offers his thoughts on the future of this technology “Much has yet to be worked out with the direction of SBG” and continues “the development of the marketable advantage may well provide the impetus to get SBG rolling”

Ahrens supports this view but believes that the roll out of this technology will occur within the next 12 – 18 months “Casino operators won’t want to be left behind their competitors and we’ll see a snowball effect as SBG is accepted on a large scale.      

Contact:
Ravi Virpal
CasinoTechToday
+44 (0)20 7375 7162
ravi@casinotechtoday.com

Website: www.casinotechtoday.com/sbg/