Nevada slot makers favored by New York race tracks

While MGM Mirage, Wynn Resorts and the Navegante Group wait for New York’s governor to decide who gets to operate 4,500 video lottery terminals at the famous Aqueduct Raceway, Nevada slot makers are also seeing a lift from the Empire State.

One gaming analyst said New York race track casinos favor games provided by Reno-based International Game Technology and Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies.

Games provided by the two companies, according to Goldman Sachs gaming analyst Steven Kent, are grabbing more and more of the available casino floor space at the state’s racetracks.

Kent said developments over the next six to 18 months could greatly change the New York gambling landscape, giving another lift to the predominantly Nevada-based gaming equipment industry.

The first development will most likely be electronic table games, including roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and craps reaching the floors by the beginning of next year.

“The (New York) Lottery ruled that the games are legal under current law and manufacturers are currently in the development state to make them compatible with the lottery system,” Kent told investors. “These games will allow the facilities to better compete with the casinos in Pennsylvania.”

The second development, possibly by the end of 2010, would be a change allowing New York racinos to use a random number generator to determine game outcomes.

“This would give the racinos the ability to use a wider number of games and also have traditional video poker, where some skill is involved,” Kent said.