Gaming device maker International Game Technology (IGT) has announced the rollout of its first multistate progressive jackpot network. IGT already links certain slot machines across Nevada but the new Powerbucks wide area progressive jackpot network links slots in casinos operated by Boyd Gaming and Caesars Entertainment in New Jersey with machines in Deadwood, South Dakota. Caesars operates four casinos in Atlantic City, while Boyd owns a 50% stake in Atlantic City’s market-leading Borgata casino.
IGT hopes to expand the Powerbucks rollout to link its New Jersey machines with those in Nevada. That would mark Nevada’s second interstate gambling agreement, the other being the landmark online poker liquidity sharing deal Nevada entered into with Delaware this February. IGT and rival device maker Bally Technologies helped push Nevada gaming regulators to pass the necessary Powerbucks legislation in September and similar legislation was approved in New Jersey in February. IGT hopes Delaware, Louisiana and Mississippi will soon join the Powerbucks party, along with other casino firms in eligible states.
Organizers hope that the Powerbucks jackpots will eventually come to rival the nine-digit prizes currently being doled out by multistate lottery games like PowerBall and Mega Millions. The Nevada regulations allow for “other games” to participate in the multistate jackpot fun, suggesting products like keno may soon be added to the mix. IGT VP of global sales Eric Tom said Powerbucks “enables our customers to attract more players to casinos with the promise of more jackpots.” Caesars senior VP of gaming Melissa Price said Caesars and IGT were “creating a whole new level of excitement around winning.”
