The Amazing Race Multi-Level Progressives brings the Emmy award-winning reality competition show to life on the casino floor.

Slot Giants Bring
New Technologies,
Games To Midwest

By Julie Thelen

Each year, slot machine manufacturers invest a lot of time and resources in creating the latest, most technologically advanced products and games for the market. Let’s take a look at the new cutting-edge technologies and games that three slot giants – Bally Technologies, IGT and WMS Gaming – have introduced recently or will introduce soon.

Bally Technologies
With a history dating back to 1932, Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies designs, manufactures, operates and distributes advanced gaming devices, systems and technology solutions worldwide. Bally’s product line includes reel-spinning slot machines, video slots, wide-area progressives, and Class II, lottery and central determination games and platforms. Bally has recently introduced two exciting innovative technologies—SpinNation Series (including U-Spin) and DualVision—to its current offerings.

Nothing excites players like wheel games. Nothing compares to the anticipation of spinning the wheel, and
the thrill of landing on that coveted top-award space. Bally’s SpinNation series takes the world’s most popular game feature and adds state-of-the-art light, sound and visual effects. Each game in the SpinNation Series features a spectacular top box with a large spinning wheel, creating a dazzling multimedia display that excites players and attracts attention like nothing else.

Featuring popular titles from Bally’s proven library of games, the SpinNation Series has all the features players love: big progressives, game-in-game bonus rounds, low denomination, high denomination and of course, the Wheel Spin Bonus.

Bally’s SpinNation Series offers innovative technology, proven performance, plus the most popular bonus feature in history. Featured SpinNation games include:

• Hot Shot Progressive Cash WheelTM
• Cash WheelTM
• Monte Carlo RoyaleTM
• Cash Spin
• Vegas HitsTM
• Monte Carlo Spin and WinTM

U-SPIN gesture-control technology is a part of Bally’s new SpinNation series of wheel-spinning games. USPIN gives players a completely new level of interaction and control. Now players can physically spin a virtual wheel exactly as if they were spinning a physical wheel.

State-of-the-art touch-screen technology and realistic physics allows U-SPIN to respond to the slightest movements – putting thrill of spinning a real wheel at the players’ fingertips. Two stars of the show will be Bally’s breakthrough Cash Spin and Vegas Hits™ video slots, which are creating a huge buzz throughout the gaming industry.

The rate in which we are installing Cash Spin is the fastest we’ve ever seen with any game,” says Gavin
Isaacs, Bally’s Chief Operating Officer. “Watching the players’ reactions at the first installations of Cash Spin has been very rewarding for us. When they find out they can actually spin the wheel on the touch screen, the excitement is contagious.”

In related news, the company announced that Cash Spin has won its third prestigious gaming award. The
groundbreaking game won first place in the 2010 “Gaming & Technology Awards” at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) last November. Recently, Cash Spin was one of 10 products selected out of 47 submissions in the “2010 Slot Floor Technology Awards,” and the game took a top spot in the “Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Technology Products Awards” for 2010.

Also catching attention is DualVision, a revolutionary new shared-gaming experience for two. Bally Technologies is the first company to offer DualVision. An experience unlike any other – a comfortable two-person bench seat and an extra-wide video display create friendly competition. Perfect for two people who want to share their luck and their bankroll. Or for one player who wants to play two games at once. DualVision will launch with Two for the MoneyTM, followed by Meet Me in the MiddleTM. More
games are being developed.

In addition to introducing new games with brand new technology, Bally is changing up its current popular
offerings to make them even better. Since its debut in 2004, Hot Shot Progressive has been one of Bally’s
most successful games ever. Hot Shot’s unique “Game-in-Game” play mechanics has enthralled players from the start, with its unique way to win exciting progressive jackpots using mini versions of classic Bally reel-spinning slots. What sets the new Hot Shot Progressive ™ 15-Reel Video Slot version apart is its 3 X 5, 15-line reel grid. Three game-in-game scatter symbols trigger the exciting progressive bonus. Players get one spin on each of the three miniature versions of classic Bally three-reel Blazing 7s® -themed steppers. Players have a chance to play up to 15 game-in-games with a single spin. Plus, if a player spins all game-in-games without a win, they get another chance to re-spin all three mini game-in-games for a guaranteed win. These games continue to re-spin until a winning combination appears. Hot Shot Progressive 15-Reel is a
single-denomination video slot that features 40 lines with a 200-credit max bet. It features both configurable credits and configurable denominations ranging from one cent up to $1,000. The game’s top award is 10,000 credits X the total bet.

Innovative technology. Better games. That’s Bally. For more information, visit BallyTech.com.

International Game Technology (IGT)
Since 1981, IGT has specialized in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales of computerized gaming equipment, software and systems worldwide.

The MegaJackpots® line of games from IGT has produced hundreds of millionaires and has awarded more than $5 billion in major jackpots. MegaJackpots® consists of dozens of systems in a wide range of denominations – from Star Wars™ to Wheel of Fortune®. Let’s take a look at a couple of IGT’s hottest MegaJackpots games: Sex and the City™ Multi-Level Progressives and The Amazing Race™ Multi-Level Progressives.

The well-known HBO® television series now wears the MegaJackpots® label. Sex and the City™ Multi-Level Progressives is the first MegaJackpots® product to offer MultiPLAY, a game brand exclusive to IGT. It’s also the first game to feature IGT’s new sound chair with award-winning, high performance
sound that creates a rich, immersive game experience.

Sex and the City™ MLP has strong brand recognition, and players will love watching their favorite moments
from the shows play out in video clips during the bonus features. Five character-specific, progressive-level
pick bonus games allow players to choose one to three boxes that reveal credits or the progressive award. Four themed bonus games also provide fun player interaction and fabulous awards. Mr. Big talks players through the bonus play steps and congratulates players on their wins. Bonus play is initiated when three Sex and the City™ scatter symbols appear in any location on the reels in any of the four base games. The 12-stop virtual wheel appears in the top box, and Mr. Big tells players to spin the wheel. When the wheel stops, the bonus game launches and plays out on the base game screen.

With MultiPLAY, players get four times the base game action. Each game features five reels and 30 paylines, plus a 20-credit side bet. Players determine how many games they want to play at once by the amount they wager. To play all four games, players wager 200 credits with a bet multiplier of 1X. Players can wager up to three credits per line on all four games, for a max bet of 600 credits.

When all four games are in play, bonus play hits frequently – every 25 games on average.

With all the fun, interactive bonuses and iconic Sex and the City™ show scenes and graphics, winning never looked or so good.

Go on a global dash for cash with the new The Amazing Race™ Multi-Level Progressives. This exciting addition to the MegaJackpots® brand of products brings the Emmy® award winning reality competition show to life on the casino floor as players dig, fly and compete for big wins and four in-house progressive jackpots. It’s also one of the first games to feature IGT ’s new MEGAfx Surround Chair that provides high-performance sound to create an immersive experience.

The Amazing Race™ MLP parlays the popular television brand into engaging gaming entertainment. Show

host Phil Keoghan guides players through base game and bonus round play while themed graphics and music

complete the experience. The MLP features one instant player bonus and two community play bonuses. The first community play bonus, Ticket Challenge, recreates a popular competition from the hit show’s debut season. Players rapidly touch the game screen to “dig” through a sand dune to reveal credit values and, ultimately, the hidden ticket. In the second community play bonus, The Amazing Race™ Group Feature, players accumulate miles and credits to complete legs of the race and win progressive jackpots.

In addition to these hot MegaJackpots games, IGT has recently added other exciting games its lineup.

Kodiak King™ Video Slots, a hot new game from IGT , is a roaring thrill. Kodiak King Video Slots are part of the

Bettor Chance™ games family, offering a side bet that makes players eligible for an additional 1,024 ways to win. This fierce new game also includes a Free Games bonus with increased Stacked Wilds® and a retrigger feature that will have players growling with excitement each time they hit a bonus. Raaaaar.

When it comes to slot machine royalty, Penny Palace™ Video Slots takes the crown. Penny Palace Video Slots feature 15 independent reels, 30 paylines and a penny-filled party. Penny-shaped symbols flip and spin as you win some cool cash. This game also features locking wilds, which means the top Penny Palace symbols turn wild and lock for the remaining free spins for a chance at bigger wins. This regal game also features a retriggering Free Games bonus in which you score a free spin each time the bonus symbol lands.

If you’re a MultiWay Xtra® fan, be sure to check out the hot new Pamplona ™ Video Slot. MultiWay Xtra® means 1,024 ways to win. Plus, picturesque graphics and sounds modeled after Spain ’s famous bull fighting scene make this one a fascinating Spectacle.

The Pamplona slot lets the player make the decisions when it comes to Free Games. Multiplier ranges are different for each of the five Free Games selections offered. The higher the amount of Free Games selected, the lower the multiplier amount. If the player chooses fewer Free Games, a bigger multiplier amount is awarded. Random multipliers revealed in the middle of the reel area garner excitement and anticipation.

Kitty Glitter™ is the most popular video slot theme of all time, and for a good reason: it’s an absolutely purrrfect

gaming experience. It’s jampacked with game features players across the country are raving about. Kitty Glitter Video Slots offer 30 paylines of cat-tastic fun, flexible bet options, and a one-of-a-kind Free Games feature. When the Diamond symbols accumulate, they turn the cat symbols wild, making this game truly rewarding. Plus, it’s played on the hottest new machine models in casinos today: the G20 Upright, G22 Slant, S MLD® and G MLD®. That means crisp graphics, awesome animation and the most comfortable gaming experience available in the market.

These models were designed to ensure player convenience. Check out Kitty Glitter Video Slots today – you’ll soon discover why this one is the cat’s meow. To learn more about the people behind IGT and how IGT creates its games, visit http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/igt /slotline_2010spring/ For more information, visit www.IGT.com.

WMS Gaming
WMS Gaming has been a leading innovator of electronic game entertainment for more than 60 years. Through imagination, talent and technology, WMS strives to create and provide the world’s most compelling gaming experiences. Its portfolio includes a variety of exciting 5x3 and 5x4 video and mechanical reel slot machines, as well as Transmissive Reels® Gaming, Adaptive Gaming®, Community Gaming® and Sensory Immersion Gaming product categories that each feature a foundational, game-enhancing technology. The most popular games in the WMS line include The Wizard of Oz™, Reel ‘em In!® Compete to Win!®, Star Trek™, Lucky Penny, WMS ’ MONOPOLY™ line, Goldfish2, Reel Rich Devil®, Survivor™ and Hot Hot Super Respin™. WMS expects its upcoming The Price is Right® and The Lord of the Rings® releases to be very popular as well.

Let’s take a look at some of the exciting slots WMS has released recently, as well as those that will be released soon.

Play GOLDFISH® RACE FOR THE GOLD ™, and you may win up to four progressive awards at once. Follow-up to the player-popular Goldfish, this four-level, mystery-triggered Local Area Progressive builds on the success of the original with the player-favorite fish dropping from the top screen of this Bluebird®2 exclusive to enhance winning combinations. At the end of any winning spin, players are eligible for one of five separate fish bonuses awarding random wilds, multipliers and more. You never know which award could be waiting after any winning spin. And during the Free Spin Bonus, one of the five fish bonuses occurs after every winning spin. On top of the amazing in-game features lies the main event: the Race for the Gold bonus. Players select shells to move fish toward the finish line in this engaging interactive bonus round, with the potential to win all four Local Area Progressive awards at once. Players are in for a fun and exciting underwater adventure with Goldfish Race for the Gold. I•Play brings together the popular win celebrations and large symbols of G+® with a new, simple interface designed to enhance the gaming experience for games that require interaction from players. Launching with three exciting themes in 2010, the series was designed to be easy to understand for players at all levels and to create great moments of anticipation.

The two themes at launch, Jackpot Block Party™ and AIRPLANE!™, feature exciting game play unique to each theme. In Jackpot Block Party, players can trigger a picking bonus where up to four credit amounts are awarded on each pick. Players continue picking presents, triggering minibonuses along the way, until the “party pooper” present is discovered and the bonus round ends. In AIRPLANE!, players enjoy classic elements from the cult-favorite motion picture as they enjoy expanding wilds, a picking bonus and more. AIRPLANE! © & ™ 2009 Paramount Pictures. All rights reserved.

WMS is proud to introduce Max Win™, the industry’s first 5x4 Mechanical Reel Bonus Bank. Thanks to its Transmissive Reels® technology, this BLUEBIRD®2 exclusive series includes a special reveal feature unique to WMS and three Max Win bonus features that can trigger during the base game, as well as during the Free Spin Bonus round. The Max Win bonus feature may occur at the end of a 2x total bet or higher winning spin that does not trigger a Bonus winning combination. When the feature is triggered, Max Win will award players up to three bonus features, which can be combined to give players additional chances at big wins:

1. Max Win Credits - Awards up to 5x total bet for every mushroom reel symbol appearing on screen at the time of the Max Win Feature.

2. Max Win Wilds - Awards a random number of wilds that will be randomly placed in any position on the reels.

3. Max Win Multipliers – Awards a random win multiplier up to 6x. Launching with four exciting new themes – Royal Unicorn™ and Golden Maoi™ with frequent stacked Wild symbols, and Snow Leopard™ and Panda Riches™ featuring stacked random reveals – these games are sure to maximize player excitement on the casino floor.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT® PLINKO® and PUNCH A BUNCH®. You have never seen THE PRICE IS RIGHT like this! WMS has added this classic brand to its product library and combined Community Gaming®, Transmissive Reels® Gaming and Sensory Immersion Gaming technology in one game for the first time. Launching with PLINKO and PUNCH A BUNCH base themes, this blend of three foundational technologies features many elements from the classic television show in an all-new format. From the theme-specific bonuses to the shared “Come On Down” features, there’s something for every slot player. However, the fun doesn’t stop there. The randomly triggered “Showcase Showdown” has one player spinning THE PRICE IS RIGHT wheel for a progressive award, so all eligible players on the bank can win. See this slot in action at www.wms.com/news. The Price is Right, Plinko, Punch-ABunch and all other game elements are trademarks of FremantleMedia Operations BV. ©2010 FremantleMedia North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

THE WIZARD OF OZ™ RUBY SLIPPERS™ is the sequel to the award-winning player favorite, The Wizard of Oz™.

Close your eyes, put on your ruby slippers, click your heels together and make a wish for your next The Wizard of Oz™ gaming experience. This new Sensory Immersion Gaming slot allows players to see, hear and feel every step of the adventure with Dorothy and your other favorite characters. Next-generation graphics and the BOSE® 3Space® audio system will envelop players in an entirely new adventure in the Land of Oz. Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion star as bonus symbols, with 45 different ways to trigger the bonus. There’s the Crystal Ball Bonus, a credit bang-up round; the Find the Broom Bonus, a picking bonus where players seek the wicked witch’s treasure; and the Emerald City Free Spin Bonus, where bonus-triggering characters add a Wild Reel, multipliers or more.

Return to the Land of Oz to experience bonuses, respins, free spins and big wins as you travel through another exciting The Wizard of Oz™ Sensory Immersion Gaming adventure. Check out more on this hot WMS slot at www.wms.com/rubyslippers. THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Turner Entertainment Co. Judy Garland as Dorothy from THE WIZARD OF OZ. (s10) BOSE® and 3SPACE® are registered trademarks of Bose Corporation.

You can see these exciting WMS slots in action by visiting www.youtube.com/wmsslots. Stay up to date on all things WMS . Follow WMS on Twitter @WMSGamingNews or subscribe to www.youtube.com/wmsslots today. So what are you waiting for? Visit your favorite Midwest casino soon to check out these new intriguing games. Win or lose, you’re sure to have fun.

 

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