While the casino design conference scheduled for November 2009 in Las Vegas may not immediately affect the online-casino world, you can bet that some of the ideas and plans discussed will have some long-term influence on the Web-based world of gambling. Keep in mind that operators of online casinos are trying to recreate the live-casino experience in some ways, so the look and feel of live casinos is important to the Internet companies as well.
What’s on the agenda for Global Gaming Expo this year? Action kicks off on November 16 with an introductory session that asks what the state of casino design is and where it’s going. The key idea for this session is the “holding pattern” that new casino design has been relegated to because of a slow and hazardous economic picture. Those in attendance will hear from industry professionals from around the world.
In addition to the very technical information that designers will hear, speakers and presenters are going to focus on how casino floors are laid out and what amenities the regular customer expects. Here’s a fascinating description from the conference menu on www.globalgamingexpo.com:
“Not all casinos are created equal. In slots-only jurisdictions, the challenge is making machines accessible without overwhelming your patron. In Asia, where tables are king, the challenge is to make them seem singular and welcoming. New technologies such as server-based gaming also will influence the more flexible and fascinating casino floor of tomorrow. Learn where the future lies during this session.”
Notice the difference between the focus on casinos in areas outside of Asia. It seems slot machines and video poker machines are king in some parts of the world while table games rule the roost in Asia. In the future, you can bet that this information will find its way from the design of live casinos to the plans and projects of online companies. After all, if these Web-based casinos want to stay in business they will have to attract customers from various locations, using online layouts that meet the customer’s desires.
An associated conference will take place at the same time under the Advanced Gaming Institute banner. According to the information provided by organizers this meeting will concentrate on legal issues of land trusts for casino companies as well as on the design and placement of slot machines.
New technology used in slot machines will be a topic of interest to owners of live casinos and online companies. It’s quite interesting to note that one session will focus on returning to the basics of gaming, with less emphasis put on the “extras” that some regular gamblers aren’t interested in.
How all of this will translate to the online-gaming world remains to be seen. But the successful Web-based companies will have their ear turned to Las Vegas in November if they can’t actually attend this important gathering.
By Jim Hale
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Tags: casino design, global gaming expo, jim hale, las vegas