Skill-based gaming is becoming increasingly popular at online gambling sites, and land-based casinos are starting to take note of the trend.
The Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City is now offering players the opportunity to engage in skill-based games like basketball for the chance to earn generous prizes.
Challenging The Traditional View of Casinos
Among younger demographics, gambling at casinos is seen as an activity for older people – but casino operators want to challenge this notion. Casinos have been called a ‘day care for the elderly’, which – understandably – would turn any young person off.
So, casino operators are working hard to develop new games and activities that will appeal to younger visitors. As video games and social games experience a surge in popularity, it has become apparent that these are the types of skill-based games that younger, more modern players would be interested in.
Skill Games at Brick and Mortar Casinos
The Borgata Hotel Casino has announced that it will be introducing skill games to its casino floor. The operator has seen declining revenue in recent years, and aims to attract a younger demographic to help boost businesses. The first step that the casino is taking is the installation of basketball nets.
The Borgata will be hosting a free-throw tournament with a grand prize of $10 000 for the winner. Already, 400 people have signed up, each paying a $20 registration fee – so, skill games certainly have the potential to be lucrative for casinos.
The casino operator has yet to decide on its other skill-based games, but is talking to games developers to brainstorm ideas.
Skill-Based Games At Online Casinos
For years now, online casinos have been offering skill-based slots. These are video slots that feature skill-based bonus rounds, allowing players to use various skills in order to increase their winnings. This concept is quite popular in online slots games, and they attract plenty of newer players.
"I grew up playing Atari and Nintendo, and I want to believe my skill in these games has some effect on the outcome," said Geoff Freeman, head of the American Gambling Association, in a report on Yahoo.
An example of an online slots game with a skill-based bonus is IGT’s Centipede. In this title, the base game plays out like any other video slots game. It is when the player triggers the bonus game that they are able to exercise their skill.
The bonus plays out just like a classic game of centipede, and players must shoot down enemies to increase their prize.
