Sun coverage
United Coin Machine Co., which operates slot machines in Nevada bars and stores, is adding new bells and whistles to its games to try to compete with full-fledged casinos.
The company has developed and is manufacturing new PowerVision multi-game, multi-denomination machines that feature video poker, slot games, bingo and keno with new types of bonus rounds and graphics. The company hopes to liven up players' gaming experience to better compete with casinos.
The Interactive Gamblers Bonus Advantage system, for instance, includes a large wall-mounted video screen that alerts everyone in a bar when someone hits a jackpot. Another system gives players a chance to compete in a bonus round that features spinning prize wheels, pig races, dog races and a balloon burst.
The new system allows slot and keno players to take part in promotions typically associated with video poker.
Other products allow players to instantly sign up for the Gamblers Bonus slot players club, which allows bar owners to track and better distribute comps and improves their cash cash flow by allowing them to collect their gaming winnings daily instead of weekly.
Steve Arntzen, CEO of United Coin, said the company is building 200 new PowerVision machines based on initial customer interest. The company will use them to replace aging units now in service.
Within three years, United Coin hopes the new machines make up a third of its inventory. The company operates 4,500 machines at about 450 locations around the state.