As numerous old video machines reach the end of their existence, Alberta is studying the advantages of acquiring new gambling machines in a move to lure more players will one-of-a kind graphics and touch screens and interesting game play.
The AGLC (Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission), facing sliding gaming revenues and stiff gaming competition from web casinos, is studying its options to upgrade their high revenue earning video keno and super 8 gaming machines that are installed in restaurants and bars all throughout Alberta.
Lynn Hutchings-Mah, Alberta Commission's spokeswoman, said that the lottery machines are just like other gaming machines that need to be replace when it is not performing to the AGLC's standards. But AGLC critics said that the newest gaming technology in the market is being used to lure an increasing number of young gamers and encouraged to play for a longer amount of time and spend more of their extra money.
Dr. Gary Smith, a gaming research specialist working with the Alberta Gaming Research Institute, Dr. Gary Smith, said that groups that manufacture VLT (Video Lottery Machines) utilize the latest technology in the market to attract new gamers and earn more profit. Dr. Smith said that changes in gambling technology are bigger every year.
The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission announced their intention to upgrade its set of 6,000 video lottery machines due to sliding revenues on May 22nd, 2010.
The commission's newest fiscal report stated that it was reducing its estimated gambling revenue for the year 2010 to $1.3 billion dollars, a loss of two hundred million dollars. The AGLC blamed the revenue loss on the economic crisis, which has affected the spending power of gamers.
By Louis Blechdom
published [19-07]
