While slot machines have traditionally generated most casino revenues, table games—once thought to be phasing out—are holding their ground. Recent insights from a panel discussion at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention in San Diego emphasized the resilience of table games, driven by their enduring status in casinos, the introduction of side bets that increase volatility and the house edge, and the growing familiarity of new players with electronic table games (ETGs).
Moderated by Nasr Sattar, executive vice president at NRT Technology Corp, the discussion featured industry experts including Matt Reback, CEO of Galaxy Gaming; Ari Mizrachi, senior vice president for Tangam Systems; and Jon Hanlin, president of global tables at Light & Wonder.
Reback highlighted the vibrant atmosphere of the gaming pit, especially during peak times, noting, “The pit is the energy centre of a casino on a Friday or Saturday night.” He emphasized the tactile experience players seek, expressing their desire to physically engage with chips and cards.
Mizrachi provided data showing that half of table game players now also engage with slots, a significant increase from earlier decades. “Twenty years ago, only about 10% of table players played slots,” he noted, underscoring the evolving nature of consumer preferences in the industry. He attributed this shift to a demand for volatility, pointing to the popularity of Hanlon’s new game, Double Down Madness, which offers an energized twist on traditional blackjack.
Double Down Madness enables players to double down on any hand and allows hitting after doubling, introducing higher stakes with its “push 22” side bet that pays 11-to-1 when the dealer hits 22. This innovation raises the average house edge significantly from the conventional 1% to between 4.8% and 5.7%, depending on house rules. Mizrachi pointed out that side bets like Lucky Ladies and 21+3 have gained acceptance among players despite their higher house edge, reflecting a growing appetite for engaging and volatile gameplay.
The discussion also addressed the steady presence of electronic table games on casino floors. Hanlon remarked, “ETGs have always been plateaued,” maintaining a consistent footprint and serving as an entry point for players to learn traditional games in a less intimidating setting.
He noted advancements like the Virtual Pit, which allows players to engage in a social gaming environment by playing their own set of cards against others in a virtual format, thus merging the live and electronic gaming experiences.
Mizrachi raised concerns about some jurisdictions categorizing ETGs as slot machines, which can alienate high-stakes players, particularly when substantial wins require tax forms that disrupt gameplay. He stressed that limiting ETGs to 2X odds on games like craps could deter live table players.
Online table games were discussed as another avenue for casinos, offering instant data collection capabilities that could improve operational efficiency. Hanlon pointed out that while casinos have not heavily invested in generating this data in live settings, advancements in artificial intelligence might change the landscape by making data analytics more accessible and cost-effective.
The panelists collectively affirmed the enduring appeal of table games. Reback encapsulated this sentiment, stating, “Table games will always be around because there are people who love to go places and talk to people.” These insights reaffirm that table games remain a vibrant component of the gaming industry.
