Nevada half-way to ATM gaming?
Gaming regulators in Nevada are considering giving the go-ahead to plans to introduce debit card operated voucher machines across the state’s casinos.
Despite the technology being in existence, the authorities have long opposed the idea of having slot machines which can directly accept debit cards for the simple reason that players could lose all their money with a run of bad luck.
The new scheme, however, would be something of a compromise and allow players to use their cards to obtain cash-equivalent vouchers which can then be used to play the slots.
While the planned move has led to criticism from some gambling addiction groups, the industry claims that there is no reason why the new machines would lead to a growth in problems.
“We’re not really pushing the envelope here because gamblers already have access to nearby ATMs to withdraw cash,” Tom Sears, the head of Global Cash Access, the ATM supplier to casinos, told the Las Vegas Sun.
With casinos all for the machines given that they cut back on overheads, it looks likely that the move will go ahead, though some venues have announced that they would be willing to impose withdrawal limits on their machines.