International Game Technology Launches its M-P Series

On May 29th, 2009, International Game Technology or IGT, one of the world's leading slot machine manufacturers, is betting that the time is right for gambling enthusiasts to start becoming familiar with electronic casino table games. The organization is beginning to aggressively advertise what it calls its M-P Series, a line of fully-automated electronic casino table games that are made to be attractive to gamers and at the same time match the dynamics of gaming floor design and efficiency.

IGT's product line includes electronic versions of blackjack and roulette, named Digital 21 and Roulette Evolution respectively, as well as Texas Holdem Poker and two variations of baccarat: the Golden Baccarat and Dragon Baccarat. The Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Michigan, earlier this year became the first casino property in the nation to offer Golden Baccarat.

The installation includes 4 player terminals which face an LCD monitor which shows a virtual casino dealer. The product's server can accommodate up to one hundred player stations. Tim Richards, the director of table games for IGT, said that the good thing about electronic casino table games is that you can feature more flexibility in the examples of bets that are offered. Electronic casino table gaming is nothing new, but gamers have been slow to accept the electronic gaming technology. It seems playing at a real casino dealer with a real casino dealer and playing with real chips and cards, is an interactive experience that a lot of players enjoy.

However, people are becoming familiar with touch-screen transactions in both business and retail market. This familiarity is slowly carrying over to casino gaming as well. Richards said that every player plays against the card hands the virtual casino dealer deals. He added that players bet according to the rules of a traditional baccarat game. There is a tie wager, player and banker wager aside from bets on pairs and three-of-a kind.

Players pay the same 5% commission for a bank wager like in the live game. Golden Baccarat affords players the same chance to enjoy a community setting like in a traditional table. Four Winds also offers IGT's Roulette Revolution available with 8 player stations. Richards said that they have launched Roulette Revolution prior to launching Golden Baccarat. He added that they have currently placed in around 20 sites all over the world. Richards acknowledged that the game of baccarat is the most well-known casino game in bigger gambling markets. The success the game has produced at the Four Winds Casino is being followed closely by the company. Poker enthusiasts were quick to accept electronic gaming with the help of PokerPro table experience.

Four Winds casino launched the nation's first fully automated poker room nearly two years ago. Convincing blackjack, roulette and baccarat players to migrate to electronic gaming is challenging but with the advancements in technology, it's a market that will surely experience grown in the years to come.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Kate Foster