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Coinless Slots Coming to Kansas City, Missouri21 May 2002MISSOURI – As reported by the Kansas City Star: "Ameristar Casino in St. Charles earlier this month became the first Missouri riverboat to offer slot machines that pay off with a bar-coded paper receipt that can be cashed, or inserted in other coinless machines just like cash. "Bob Sobczyk, vice president of slot operations for Las Vegas-based Ameristar Casinos Inc., said no date has been set for the debut of coinless gaming at Ameristar in Kansas City. But it's coming. "…`We're kind of learning along with our guests,' he said, finding out, for instance, that coinless players want their machines clustered in one spot rather than scattered. "The issue is important because the conversion process will be slow and expensive. "…Sobczyk said slot machines typically cost about $10,000 apiece, and the coinless features add another $1,500 or so. "…Coinless gambling doesn't overlook that sweetest of music to slot players -- a cascade of jackpot coins clanking into a metal tray. Game software comes complete with a soundtrack that plays while the ticket is being printed. "…Going coinless is a bottom-line decision. Coin handling is one of the most labor-intensive tasks on a casino floor -- collecting, counting, cashiering and banking the things; unclogging them when they stick; and keeping games' coin hoppers full…" |