Our equipment adds things like a game-within-a-game, high-fidelity sound effects, special lighting and motion, promotional goodies, and other cool stuff for the players. For the casinos, there's data collection on game activity, tracking of players and their preferences, and the ability to offer custom-tailored promotions and specials that can be updated easily.

When a player walks into a casino, they expect to get more than just a chance to win some money. They expect entertainment value, and that's what we offer. If the players have more fun, they'll stay longer and spend more. The player enjoys the visit more, and the casino sees more revenue. Contrary to what a lot of people think, the casinos don't really want you to lose all your money gambling! (Well, maybe some of them do....) What they'd really like is for you to have a good time, spend a few bucks, and come back next week.

If you like the place well enough, and there's always something new to see and play, then you'll come in regularly and they've earned your repeat business. If you lose all your money, you probably won't come back. As casinos and other gaming opportunities open up around the country, the competition will get tougher, and the places that earn your repeat business will survive.

My job is product design engineering. I'm responsible for taking an idea from the concept stage, and turning it into functional electronic hardware. I draw schematic diagrams, pick out parts, balance costs vs. performance vs. availability vs. complexity, design mechanical parts, and generally anything else that's needed. I've been doing product design in small companies since I started working back in 1983, and I really enjoy the variety of things I get to do in the course of getting a new gizmo out the door.

If you've got specific questions for me at work, contact me at mforbes@acresgaming.com