Convention attendees mill around the G2E expo hall at The Venetian checking out the latest casino games, services and technology. (Image: courtesy of G2E)

The annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E) is a gathering for the casino industry to show off new games while discussing issues they face. Ironically, some of the progress isn’t moving the experience forward all that much.

G2E is broken into two parts. There are panel discussions during the four-day event when executives discuss everything from security to designing the casino floor. The expo hall is where casino operators shop for everything from new games to things like gaming chips, chairs, and food to serve guests.

More than 25,000 people from 117 countries attended the annual event. We spent a few days there checking out the new games and listening to the gaming industry discuss the future. While it’s all a blur today, there were a handful of standout items to share.

1. Licensed Games Are Dead, Long Live Licensed Games!

Slot machines branded with licensed intellectual property (IP) from movies, TV shows, and music used to be a major part of the casino floor. That has dried up a lot as gaming manufacturers have focused on their own creatives for the games.

Not everyone is moving on from the popular brand names. Some of the most popular licensed games will still be on casino floors. For example, Light and Wonder has another Wizard Of Oz slot machine coming to casinos next year.

Meanwhile, IGT is expanding its use of the Wheel of Fortune brand beyond slot machines. The company introduced electronic table games (ETGs) that feature a huge bright Wheel of Fortune.

Wheel of Fortune video poker might be the most fun version of the extended brand. The 3, 5, or 10-play machines will give players letters randomly. When the board is filled the player gets to spin the wheel. Sorry wordsmiths, there’s no skill involved here.

2. Casino Guests Are Getting Younger

G2E is put on by the American Gaming Association (AGA). During his keynote, AGA’s President and CEO touted that the average age of casino guests is dropping.

In 2019 the average age of a casino guest was 50 years old. Last year the average age was 42.

While games with licensed brands appeal to older players, there are always new games and different ideas that might appeal to younger players who have plenty of life ahead of them.

3. Get Ready for Amusement Games for Money

Interblock is an electronic table game (ETG) manufacturer. You may be familiar with Stadium Gaming installations and solo table games.

This year the company introduced a slew of “amusement” style games. Marble Run is a gambling version of the marble racing games the world watched online while being shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Interblock set up their booth at G2E like a giant vault, where they let people see and play their games, but not photograph them. (Image: Dan Michalski / akfxoqsd.shop)

The company also had unique roulette games, a large wheel where ping pong-sized balls drop down a rotating Plinko-style board.

Unfortunately, video and photos were prohibited, and approved content won’t be available until after G2E is officially over. These games should reach casinos mid-next year.

4. Coming Soon: More of the Same

While companies like Interblock are offering innovative games never seen before there will be plenty of new games in casinos that are running back popular games from the past.

Everi is including amusement games in a couple of new titles. The base game for the new Pop-A-Shot and Skee Ball slot machines both bring popular amusement games to slot machines. Along with the new Press Your Luck game they also use the popular Cash Machine mechanics.

Just about all of the large slot machine manufacturers have new versions of old themes. In addition to companies using the licensed IP for new games slot makers like AGS are playing the hits with their own popular themes.

The company showed off a slew of new Rakin’ Bacon slot machines during the expo. They even had the pig, Cornsquealius, DJing at the booth for a while.

Pigs are so hot right now. Light & Wonder will have new versions of Huff N Puff coming to casinos.

5. More Bartop Video Poker Games

IGT introduced Peak Bartop machines a few years ago. These machines are now the standards at casinos bars.

Next year the company will be including a slew of video poker games that have been on the casino floor to some of the bartop machines. Games like Hot Roll, Split Card, 3 Way-Action, and more will be available on bartop machines for the first time. Unfortunately, my favorite video poker variant, Dreamcard, won’t be available.

Bartop machines and video poker variants typically have some of the worst paytables in a casino. While the house edge is high for video poker it could still be lower than other bartop games like keno and slots.