Slots are giving way to table games in Maryland.

July 8, 2015

Slot machines are not as popular with young players as they are with older generation. Consequently, their income reduces and Maryland casinos decided to remove part of them giving room to table games. Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Maryland Live and Hollywood Casino Perryville – the largest casinos of the state – removed 1,350 slots for 15 months, which is about 16 percent from the total number of machines. They are intending to use this space in a more profitable way, opening more table games and other entertainments alongside with restaurants.

Similar situation in Nevada

The situation with slot machines in not only characteristic for the state of Maryland, as it is similar throughout the country. The decrease was noticed in Nevada from 217,000 slots in 2001 to 175,000 in 2015. This reduction also left its trace on the decrease of profit in 20% between 2007 and 2014.

There is an opinion that these problems appeared because of high taxes of 57-61%, whereas table games have only 20%.

Meanwhile, MGM company plans to open a new $12 billion Nation Harbor Casino, where the establishment will offer 3,600 slots and 140 table games.

As you can see, slot fans has nothing to worry about.

Two states – two way-outs

A special bill was signed by the governor of Nevada to develop new type of slots, which will be interactive. This is what younger generation wants; they don’t want just to believe in fortune, but to reveal their skills. There is also an intention to launch “gaming zones” with these interactive slots within.

This approach was not supported by Maryland, as they preferred to launch new slots based on the plot of TV shows, e.g., “CSI”, “Game of Thrones”, “Sex and the City.”

It also introduced Giant Jackpot of $100,000 and the sum of $97,797,57 has already found its owner on May 31 on a 60-cent bet.