Nevada Approves Skill-Based Slot Machines

Brian Sandoval has long stressed the importance of maintaining Nevada’s reputation as an “epicenter for gaming innovation and development” and true to his words the Nevada Governor recently gave final approval to a bill designed to modernize its lucrative slots market.
Originally proposed by the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), Senate Bill 9 is an innovative new piece of legislation designed to make slots more appealing to a younger, more tech-savvy audience by enabling skilled-based features, a move deemed necessary as the lucrative slots market has began to wane in recent times. SB 9 first gained unanimous support in both the Senate (20-0) and the Assembly (41-0) before Sandoval finally signed it into law, and commenting on the development, Sandoval said:
“In order for our state to sustain its edge in an increasingly competitive gaming industry, we must continue to expand, evolve, and embrace the potentials found in the 21st century. This bill allows gaming manufacturers to use cutting-edge technology to meet the challenges prompted by a younger, more technologically engaged visitor demographic.”
Slot machines offer a significant edge for the house, and naturally have proved a lucrative source of income for casinos, whilst appealing to gamblers looking for potentially large payouts without the need for a strategy. Gaming law, however, requires skill-based games to provide equal payouts for all players, something which was not possible for standard ‘luck-based slots’, but will soon be allowed with the introduction of skill-based slots. Although exactly how the new slots may work is unknown, analysts have speculated it could involve featuring special interactive bonuses in which a player can use his skills to win a higher payback on his money.
Following news of the success of Senate Bill 9, Marcus Prater, AGEM Executive Director said: “The slot floor will not transform overnight, but this will allow our industry to capitalize on radical new gaming concepts and technologies and give AGEM members the ability to unleash a new level of creativity for their casino customers.”