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LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The fear that players will eventually only gamble at home due to changes to technology and possible legalization of online gaming in the U.S. are overblown, according to gaming industry experts.
"Casinos will be ready when (legalized) Internet gaming hits the U.S.," said Tom Doyle, vice president, product management at Bally Technologies Inc. in Las Vegas. "It's going to be part of the overall experience."
Doyle said there will always be people who want the live experience of gambling in a casino. In fact, the growing trend of offering free play online can enhance a company's land-based operations.
"It's a matter of retention," said Vahe Baloulian of eGaming Partners Inc. in Los Angeles. "It's also a matter of bringing new clients in by using online gaming."
Baloulian said many novice gamblers play online because they don't feel comfortable playing in a casino for real money.
"Once they learn for free, then it trickles down to live games," he said. "We see it in Europe, where free play is used to teach them the game and then invite them to the casino."
Baloulian said there were several business models casinos could use to build brand recognition, and connect with current and new players. One is to create a website that is supported by advertising that allows them to play for free, while another model is to charge monthly membership fees which can support a prize pool.
Another business model was to reward players for time spent on their website, he said.
Read entire article here.
"Casinos will be ready when (legalized) Internet gaming hits the U.S.," said Tom Doyle, vice president, product management at Bally Technologies Inc. in Las Vegas. "It's going to be part of the overall experience."
Doyle said there will always be people who want the live experience of gambling in a casino. In fact, the growing trend of offering free play online can enhance a company's land-based operations.
"It's a matter of retention," said Vahe Baloulian of eGaming Partners Inc. in Los Angeles. "It's also a matter of bringing new clients in by using online gaming."
Baloulian said many novice gamblers play online because they don't feel comfortable playing in a casino for real money.
"Once they learn for free, then it trickles down to live games," he said. "We see it in Europe, where free play is used to teach them the game and then invite them to the casino."
Baloulian said there were several business models casinos could use to build brand recognition, and connect with current and new players. One is to create a website that is supported by advertising that allows them to play for free, while another model is to charge monthly membership fees which can support a prize pool.
Another business model was to reward players for time spent on their website, he said.
Read entire article here.