Last week the American Gaming Association released its 2010 “State of the States” survey of casino entertainment in the United States.
The report, widely regarded in the industry as the most comprehensive resource of its kind, always includes interesting statistics. Here are some of the highlights:
Well more than half (59 percent) of respondents revealed they prefer slot machines to any other game on the casino floor. Blackjack was the favorite of 18 percent, followed by poker (7 percent), roulette (6 percent) and craps (5 percent).
In 2009 there were 832,988 electronic gaming machines at commercial casinos, tribal casinos and non-casino locations in 38 states.
It comes as no shock that Nevada had the largest number of machines with 191,110, but the states which are second and third on the list may come as a surprise: California with 67,672 units and Oklahoma with 54,897.
All of California’s machines are located in tribal (Native American) operated properties as are the majority of slots in Oklahoma.
Just how valuable to casino owners are slots? In Colorado, Iowa and South Dakota more than 90 percent of the gaming revenue generated comes from one-armed bandits.
Indiana reported 85.4 percent of its gaming revenues were derived from electronic gaming machines, while Illinois came in at 81.3 percent.
The only states where the strength of table games and other means of placing wagers had an impact were New Jersey, which derived 69 percent of gaming revenue from slots, and Nevada at a nationwide low of 65.7 percent.
Among survey respondents, 25 percent said they liked playing slot machines more than table games because “I’m not going to be embarrassed because they are less complicated and have fewer rules.” Another 24 percent said “there is less pressure and I can play at my own pace.”
Curiously, only 3 percent said they play slots because there is a chance for a big jackpot, while another 3 percent said the machines are their casino games of choice because they are the best way to earn loyalty card points and rewards.
When asked “How do slot machines today compare with older games in terms of being interesting and engaging for you as a player?” 47 percent of respondents said “much more or somewhat more.”
In reference to the same question, however, here are responses that should get the attention of the gaming device manufacturers who have invested millions of dollars in new product research and development:
Twenty-three percent of the people surveyed said today’s machines are “much less or somewhat less” interesting and engaging than the older games, while another 23 percent said they are the same as always.
Some other engaging information from the report includes 91 percent of people surveyed said they set a budget when they go casino gambling, and 48 percent revealed they budget less than $100.
