LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino in San Diego, California, went "live" just before Christmas with the first IGT server based gaming system and machines ever installed.
IGT's server based gaming (sb(TM)) products now in operation at Barona include the sb(TM) system, 20 Game King sb(TM) machines and six video slot themes, all recently approved for use by the Barona Gaming Commission and certified by Gaming Laboratories Inc.
"This is the first step in a long process of submittals, development and live testing, in jurisdictions throughout the world, which we hope will lead to widespread acceptance and use of this new technology," said Steve Morro, President of IGT's Gaming Group. "Barona is a great partner that is forward thinking and committed to helping make these products successful for them and for their players."
"We believe that the future value of server based gaming for the operator will be directly related to its value to the casino player. We already analyze information from various sources with some pretty forward thinking predictive modeling. Our goal is to help IGT incorporate those capabilities into this product," said Lee Skelley, assistant general manager of casino operations at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. "For the first time, an up-to-the-second slot experience, customized to the players' expectations, will become possible."
Barona has been on the leading edge of new casino technological advancements since it opened as the first California casino to offer patrons Ticket-In/Ticket-Out and via its proprietary patron service system for the high denomination area.
"As server based gaming evolves on Barona's casino floor and our understanding of its potential becomes more clear, our focus will be to integrate all of Barona's well known customer-centric capabilities and CRM strategies with this innovative technology," said Chuck Hickey, director of slot operations at Barona.
Server based applications will allow casinos numerous operational advantages including downloading of game themes and machine configurations from one central computer, which will simplify the process that today is handled manually on each machine on a given casino floor.
Statements in this release, which are not historical facts, are "forward-looking" statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although IGT believes that the expectations reflected in any of its forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed. IGT's future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties. IGT does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
Information on risks and factors that could affect IGT's business and financial results are included in our public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About IGT
International Game Technology (http://www.igt.com/) is a global company specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales of computerized gaming machines and systems products.
About Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino
Blending the best of San Diego's most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las Vegas, the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino is San Diego's leading destination resort featuring 400 luxury guest rooms and suites, a 300,000 square foot casino, a lakefront wedding chapel, the AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by Golfweek Magazine. For Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit http://www.barona.com/ or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).
