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At Cashless Slots: You've Got Mail and a Jackpot

``An Indian casino in New York has developed a slot machine that'll enable gamblers to, among other things, message other patrons in the gambling hall.

``The Oneida Indian Nation has a patent pending on the e-mail-ish technology, which it trotted out last month in Las Vegas at the World Gaming Expo.

```It's kind of like a buddy list on the Internet,' said Frank Riolo, chief operating officer of the 285-room Turning Stone Casino Resort.

``New software on the machines also will allow Turning Stone gamblers to make reservations at the casino's eight restaurants and schedule tee times at its three golf courses. All features should be online in six months.

``…'Riolo's boss, Oneida leader Ray Halbritter, has long wanted gamblers to be able to multitask so they can stay ensconced at their machines. `Mr. Halbritter said, 'I don't want guests to go to the phone to make a reservation. I want them to be able to do it at the machine. I'd rather have them online than in line.'

Cashless machines reduce costs, too. For example, Turning Stone has three machine technicians; a similarly sized cash-based place might have 20. And Turning Stone doesn't need the setup and labor to buy, count and wrap coins…"

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