Digital Slot Machines are the Future of Casino Gambling

PureDepth Inc. began as a company dedicated to developing tools which would help the U.S. Navy and Air Force plot 3-D maps of war zones. This technology was considered top-secret and was licensed for use by the government.

Enter International Game Technology Incorporated, the world's largest maker of slot machines.

In October, the small firm signed a contract with IGT to produce a line of totally realistic digital video displays. Many experts agree that this move will completely digitize slot machines and totally change the direction of an industry which rakes in over $85 billion a year.

So how will it work? Well, programmers will have the abiity to control almost every aspect of the game. Not only will they be able to affect cost and payout, but they will literally be able to change the images which appear on the reels of the slots.

For example, let's say that a famous boxer is about to have a title fight and crowds of people have flocked to Vegas for the event. Using this advanced technology, operators will be able to communicate directly with computer chips in the machine and actually change the cherries on the reels to images of the boxer.

Penny slots could be changed to dollar slots, and a lone slot machine could be altered in an instant to become a progressive. Literally anything would be possible.

This may sound incredible, but keep in mind that this technology will hit the casinos later this year. Expect the effects of this to be felt early and often within the gambling industry.

Of course, with such all-encompassing control of the slots, there are bound to be those who accuse the casinos of using the technology to rig the outcomes of the game. Or maybe a player is gambling on a high-dollar slot and suddenly finds that it's been changed to a penny machine.

No doubt there are going to be some bumps along the way as both customers and casinos get used to these modern marvels of technology. But in the end, gambling as you know it will be changed forever. Get ready.

Digital Slot Machines are the Future of Casino Gambling