Cash-strapped Atlantic City is betting on arcade gambling in order to entice millennials who have shown a willingness to visit casinos for the bars and clubs but aren’t very interested in slot machines.
New Jersey’s gambling mecca was recently introduced to “Danger Arena,” a skill-based gambling that combines the entertainment, engagement, and excitement of video games, esports, and gambling. It first debuted at Harrah’s on Wednesday, according to news website CBS Philly.
Danger Arena is a first person action game – similar to a PC, Xbox, or Playstation – where you have 45 seconds to shot the proverbial bad guys. Players can win between $1 and $5,000 at the video games.
“There are 10 thousand maps in the game,” GameCo CEO Blaine Graboyes explained. “We have a patent on the math model that controls the game and it works a lot like blackjack – even the best blackjack or poker player in the world sometimes gets a deal that’s not going to let them win the highest possible payout.”
He pointed out that Atlantic City is the first gaming destination in the US to get the games known as video gaming machines. Aside from Harrah’s, Caesars Atlantic City and Bally’s will also introduce the game created by GameCo. Inc., which the state Division of Gaming Enforcement approved in October.
GameCo expects to be in more casinos within the next 6 months.
David Rebuck, director of the gaming enforcement division, had earlier said that they are pleased “that the efforts of GameCo and division staff have culminated in this skill-based video game becoming available in Atlantic City before any other jurisdiction in the United States.”
Caesars Entertainment Regional President Rick Mazer said they are hoping that the arcade-style machines at Harrah’s will be able to attract the next generation of casino customers, who grew up playing video games.
“I think the slot manufacturers realized that there’s a need to evolve from the traditional based games to something that’s more exciting and skill based for this younger audience that’s coming of age,” Mazer said.
