Pokies Makers targeting Female Audience at 2016 G2E

Every year, poker machine manufacturers from all over the globe gather in Las Vegas for the world’s largest gambling industry convention, the Global Gaming Expo. Aside from Super Bowl Sunday and March Madness, it’s one of the city’s busiest times, and it’s happening all week at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, where a distinct theme is being exuded – pokies for women.

It’s no secret that the female audience is already the number one target of manufacturers. Statistics have shown time and again that more women play the pokies – or slots, as they’re called in North America – than men. The ladies most often visit the casino for excitement and entertainment, and generally prefer not to spend too much time thinking about risky decisions.

Poker machines provide that experience with fast-paced action and simple press-to-play buttons. The only thing pokies makers have to do is come up with strong designs, attractive themes and eye-candy graphics.

That’s exactly what today’s top developers are bringing to the table at the 2016 Global Gaming Expo (G2E), with gender-specific pokies for women that revolve around hit television shows like ABC’s “The Bachelor”, and the sweat-inducing country music star, “Tim McGraw”.

KNTV News was on hand to get a look at the new floor models at G2E this week, and spoke with representatives of several pokies makers, as well as the attendees who turned out to see what the new year will bring to casinos across the globe. It’s clear that one thing we’ll definitely see is more pokies for women.

Scientific Games – The Bachelor Pokies

The Bachelor Slot by Scientific Games – courtesy KNTV 13 Action News

“If you look at the slot payer demographic,” explained Scientific Games Executive Director of Corporate Relations, Laura Olson-Reyes, “more women actually play slot games then men.”

It was that very reasoning that led Scientific Games development crew to bring “The Bachelor” to life in a brand new poker machine. It has all the iconic features the TV show’s audience would expect, including special bonus rounds like the Limousine Arrival, Rose Ceremony, Destination Date and, of course, the Fantasy Suite.

“It’s all about romance. It’s all about love. It’s all about roses and rings,” said Olson-Reyes, explaining how the show’s female-dominated audience will no doubt be attracted to the popular theme.

Aristocrat – Tim McGraw Pokies

And from Australia-based pokies makers Aristocrat, who held the grand opening ceremony of its new Las Vegas headquarters this week, the ladies are sure to be drawn to the magnetism of a hunky new superstar pokies made just for them.

Tim McGraw Slot by Aristocrat – courtesy KNTV 13 Action News

“We were excited to announce our new Tim McGraw slot machine,” said Aristocrat North America’s Chief Commercial Officer, Maureen Sweeny, who coincidentally just won the prestigious title of North America Executive of the Year at the 2016 Global Gaming Awards on Monday.

There was a lot of excitement surrounding this poker machine, in particular – no surprise since it features one of today’s hottest male vocal artists. When KNTV asked one woman in attendance if the Tim McGraw pokies sparked her interest, she immediately smiled, nodding enthusiastically.

“It looks pretty good,” she said. “That’s why everybody is sitting here playing it. They’re all filled up!” she said, motioning to the lack of available seats. “It must be a good game.”

But like most of the new poker machines on exhibit in Las Vegas this week, it won’t be until sometime next year before they actually hit casino floors.

“For the Tim McGraw game…” said Sweeny, “it will be coming out in the middle of 2017.”

And in response to one question about Aristocrat’s upcoming pokies for women, Sweeny was forced to disappoint female audiences all around the world when she confirmed that no, winning “a date with Tim McGraw” is not one of the prizes. He is, after all, married to Faith Hill.