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US – Borgata basketball shootout could change slots forever

By - 17 February 2015

A game of basketball in Atlantic City could change the landscape for casino-style gaming across the world.

In an industry first, the Borgata is being allowed to redefine casino gambling by introducing a new style of betting based on skill rather than lady luck with a basketball contest where players will shoot baskets for money. Similar to poker, the casino will pitch players against players rather than the house. There will be a buy in followed by 90-second rounds leading to a final round-of-16. The top four will split $10,000, with the winner getting $5,000. All entrants need is a valid Borgata players’ club card.

The groundbreaking new game, which has been approved by The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (Division) as part of its “New Jersey First” program is the first of its kind anywhere in the country.

Borgata President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Balance, said: “As Atlantic City’s market-leading resort destination, we believe that it is important that Borgata continue to play a dynamic role in the implementation of original and revolutionary programs. We appreciate the progressive thinking of the Division as well as their encouragement as we begin to introduce social and skill-based gaming options to a new generation of players.”

“New Jersey First” is a regulatory program employed by the Division to promote the revitalization of the gaming and tourism industries in Atlantic City. It allows gaming products, which are submitted to New Jersey prior to (or simultaneously with) any other jurisdiction or testing lab, to be tested and, if approved by the Division, put on the casino floor within 14 days.

The $10,000 Guaranteed Basketball Free Throw Tournament features a $20 buy-in (1 rebuy permitted) and consists of three rounds each 90 seconds in length. Participants will compete to play in the final round of 16 in bracket format. The winner of each pairing will advance to the next level of the bracket until a champion is crowned. The top 4 participants from the final round will be awarded a collective prize pool of $10,000.

Joe Lupo, Senior Vice President of the Borgagta, said: “This is a first step, something we’ve never been able to do until now. A year from now, you’ll probably see a lot more of these skill-based tournaments or even games on the casino floor.”

The New Jersey First initiative which aims to adopt and enact new gambling products before other states could change gaming forever. The New Jersey Division has already asked game developers’ for proposals to conduct real-money gambling on skill-based slot games.

A statement from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement said: “The Division is currently authorised to approve skill-based games and is eager to receive skill-based game submissions for review. Social and skill-based gaming options such as Candy Crush and Words with Friends type games appeal to a new generation of players. Both the casino regulators and industry are trying to find ways to incorporate this type of play into the casino wagering environment.”

The aim is to bring games to the slot floor that will appeal to a new generation of players brought up on arcade, Xbox and PlayStation style games and more recently social gaming.

David Rebuck, Director of New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement, said: “More and more we’ve been watching the social gaming arena and hearing about the opportunities it presents. We thought, why aren’t these companies coming to us?’ We are ready, willing and able, under existing law, to deal with this. This is not theoretical anymore; this is real.”

Mr. Rebuck added that New Jersey has ‘the fastest time to market for electronic gaming equipment anywhere in the country. “Bring your innovative skill-based games to New Jersey and we will work with you to get them approved quickly,” he said.

The Nevada state Senate committee is also considering a bill that would let gaming regulators allow more skill, as opposed to chance, on the slot floor.

With Las Vegas following suit, North America’s big two could change the whole ball game.
Game developers have already designed video game-like products with IGT’s Big Buck hunter using an arcade style gun to point at a bonus screen, Aruze’s Paradise Fishing bringing fishing rods to life via a joystick and Bally’s Skee-Ball focussing on the popular arcade game Skee-Ball, to name but a few. Gamblit Gaming has developed products that resemble popular games such as Angry Birds. Whilst skill has been introduced, skilled players don’t necessarily win more. The new regulation in both New Jersey and Nevada would change all that.

Nevada’s legislators seem open to more skill on the casino floor. Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett said that ‘slots simply need to change’ and that ‘this means adding skill and social elements to the slot mix.’

Caesars spokesman Gary Thompson believes skill-based games will be a ‘big part of the industry’s future.’ He said that millennials would much rather play games were there’s an element of skill, competition or socialising.

If Nevada and New Jersey pave the way to skill-based slots, the rest of the world could well follow suit. And if that happens, it can all be traced back to the casino industry’s first game of skill; the basket ball shoot out at the Borgata.

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