Royally Flushed

Here’s a very smart move from Harrah’s Entertainment.  They’ve collaborated with WMS Gaming, makers of the wildly-popular Wizard of Oz machines, (you know, the ones I can never play!) and will introduce a special TOTAL REWARDS® version of WMS Gaming’s new Star Trek machine beginning this week in Las Vegas. 

Here’s the skinny from a joint press release dated December 1, 2008 (Emphasis mine) – “Players who are members of Harrah’s TOTAL REWARDS® program will be able to use their cards to create a personalized and differentiated gaming experience on the STAR TREK themed gaming machines at most of the company’s casinos in North America, as Harrah’s moves forward with a market-by-market implementation plan, subject to additional jurisdictional regulatory approvals.

“This server-enabled, networked gaming platform provides players with the unique ability to personalize their game play, allowing them to save their play status and unlock additional bonus rounds and game episodes over time. ” (more…)

Want to know what’s happening in Las Vegas right now?  Is the Mirage Volcano open yet?  Are renovations at New York New York completed?  Where can I play “Bigger Bang” slots?  For answers to these questions plus lots of other great info, head over to Five Hundy by Midnight and tap into the latest podcast from hosts Tim and Michele Dressen as they share their views on Vegas from a recent “stealth” trip to The Strip.  (They’ll explain in the podcast what “stealth” is all about.)

As you would expect given the state of the economy, they found Vegas to be a lot less crowded than usual over the Thanksgiving holiday.  From the short cab line at the airport to the less-than-busy intersection near The Flamingo casino and Margaritaville bar and restaurant, it was obvious to them that fewer and fewer tourists are making their way to Vegas these days. 

The "Pig-A-Pult" bonus screen from the new "Bigger Bang" slot game from WMS Gaming.

For those of us who enjoy gaming, a highlight of this week’s podcast is their review of the several new slot games they played on their trip.  Games including “Bigger Bang” at Caesars Palace and Bill’s, “Star Trek,” “Happy Days” and the” Cliffhanger” version of the popular “Price Is Right” game are discussed.  The “Bigger Bang” machine is a “group slots” game (and yes, that does sound funny when you say it out loud) and it’s the newest version of WMS Gaming’s popular “Big Bang Piggy Bankin’” slot game and that’s why it’s called “Bigger Bang.”  There’s also a good update on the reported demise (false) of Wheel of Fortune™ machines at properties on The Strip.

You’ll find much more of interest in the very entertaining one-hour-plus show including a call-in segment featuring listener restaurant reviews and updates on hotel room rates so listen to it here.

It comes as no surprise that Blazing 7s™ from Ballys is a customer slots favorite.

The iconic Bally’s Blazing 7s machine and Vision Gaming’s old-time favorite, Pot of Gold, were named as two of the games casino slots managers “can’t pull” off their floors due to customer popularity. This question – ”What old school slot or video poker games are so popular with players that you just can’t pull them off your floor?” — is asked and answered at the website belonging to popular industry-insider magazine, “Slot Manager.”

The site has lots of interesting information and categories including “Hot Topics” where you’ll find the question-and-answer forum, a “New Products & Games” section, and great articles and columns by industry pros.  (more…)