Worldwide Sport Expertise Plc obtained a patent on Tuesday that would let gamblers use bitcoin at slot machines.
Worldwide Sport Expertise Plc, the world’s largest maker of slot machines, could also be taking a look at providing cryptocurrency as a fee possibility on on line casino video games like Megabucks and Wheel of Fortune.
On Tuesday, the corporate obtained a patent for a option to switch cryptocurrency between a participant’s gaming-establishment account and an exterior cryptocurrency account. Meaning gamers may transfer Bitcoin into their digital wallets on a slot machine utilizing their telephones.
“IGT secured this patent to bolster its industry-leading patent portfolio in anticipation of any attainable future course in regulated gaming involving cryptocurrency,” mentioned firm spokesman Phil O’Shaughnessy.
Such a transfer would assist casinos cater to youthful gamblers. The Covid-19 pandemic has elevated curiosity in Bitcoin, particularly amongst millennials, with about 44% of them planning to purchase the foreign money within the subsequent 5 years, based on the Tokenist’s October survey. At Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, a 3rd of company are between the ages of 21 and 40, based on IGT.
Driving cryptocurrencies’ recognition is the latest rally in costs. Bitcoin greater than quadrupled in value final 12 months and just lately hit a brand new excessive. Whereas Bitcoin isn’t extensively utilized in transactions, some customers have been recognized to purchase costly automobiles, homes and boats with the cryptocurrency. It’s additionally used on on-line poker websites and in a slew of playing apps.
Till now, cryptocurrency lovers have needed to convert their holdings into money at particular crypto ATMs on on line casino flooring earlier than wagering. However final 12 months, the Nevada Gaming Fee made it simpler for casinos to introduce cashless programs, letting gamers switch funds from smartphones to gaming machines instantly. On Tuesday, IGT introduced that it’s gained regulatory approval for utilizing cashless wallets on slot machines. It lets gamers use a Resort Pockets loyalty card to deposit funds into slot machines.
(Updates with remark from IGT in third paragraph.)
–With help from Susan Decker and Christopher Palmeri.
