Australian Casinos 2000 and Beyond

Introduction | Why Gaming Has Expanded so Rapidly | So, who is the current market for all these games of chance and why do they play? | What then does all this mean for the casino of the year 2000 and beyond? | Can this current formula survive the future in Australia? | What though of the internal product of the casino? | What other things will change? | Why is this? | Will this be allowed to continue till the eventual extinction of table games? Is a casino still a casino if it doesn’t offer table games? | Conclusion |

Firstly, I don’t believe gambling on the Internet or via Pay TV will be serious threats over the next 5 to 15 years. Why? Not because of technological constraints but more because of the psychological profile of the gambler. Impulsive, energy driven, egotists, seeking informal social contact and escape. The professional or the addict may be happy to wager via computer or television but I seriously doubt that the masses will be drawn to these medium.

What is much more likely is that casinos and gambling venues will enhance the experiences unique to themselves. Much like cinemas and movie houses did with the advent of VCR’s and video hire shops.

Thus for gaming machines we will see the Mega-links with huge cash jackpots and interactive signage. Machines themselves may be grouped and themed to provide an interactive experience. For example, machine manufacturers are already testing concepts like themed “Adventure Slots”. In this instance an area is created incorporating an Inca theme with rocks, boulders, statues, gold figurines, “earthquakes”, and gaming machines all intertwined with visual and aural stimuli to create a gaming experience. Another example of this is a “Road Racer” group of gaming machines where the theme is a racing car set. The machine chairs vibrate and the engines roar as players play the games and numbered cars traverse a course based on the play being generated from each particular machine.

The winner of the race is rewarded with mystery prizes or cash as well as Grand Prix flags waving and simulated crowds roaring approval. Such concepts are designed to accentuate the gaming machine experience and convert it into a more memorable and exciting escape from reality. Other manufacturers are turning to enhanced game graphics and sounds to excite their audience. A combination of the two will without doubt be used in the gaming machine of the future.