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Harrah's will get rid of IGT's participation slots
Harrah’s has decided to
retire certain slot machines from its properties, a movement that for some people
could create an irreparable fracture between the two companies. However, some observers
don’t necessarily see Harrah’s action as a cause of friction or conflict
between the Las Vegas hotel and casino Operator and slot machine maker
International Game Technology, for them, it is all about money, and as we know,
a company such Harrah’s need billions to remain profitable and solid enough to
keep attracting potential investors. But even when Harrah's spokesman Gary
Thompson confirmed the decision, he didn't mention exactly how many slots had
been removed from Harrah’s properties, including some
Harrah’s will only retire its participation slot machines and games in which the casino operator has to share, sometimes up to 20% of the winnings, with the slot manufacturer. Several sources have mentioned that Harrah's, which reported a net loss of almost $100 million in the second quarter, wanted to reduce the percentage of revenues shared with slot makers and other partners.
During the last few weeks many participation slot machines have vanished from Harrah's-controlled casino floors, including the Paris Las Vegas, Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino, Flamingo Las Vegas and especially at Bally's Hotel and Casino. The games and games withdrawn are all owned by International Game Technology, including the popular Wheel of Fortune game. Harrah's has replaced all the slots with nonparticipation slot machines as a way to increase the gaming revenue in the next quarter.
"We try to offer our customers the games they like to play, which we determine through volume of play and regular surveys of our guests" said Gary Thompson.
Analysts believe that Harrah's would negotiate a revenue share reduction with IGT, however,  IGT's earnings depend directly from the participation slots revenue; a situation that has taken several analysts to think that IGT and other slot companies can get in trouble if other casino operators start taking the same direction as Harrah's.
I've started a petition to save some of these slots, because it's downright ridiculous they are getting rid of them. If anyone is interested, I've included the link in this comment. Hopefully you'll sign it if you want to save these slots (particularly the WOF slots)!