Legislation

US – New Jersey to increase jackpots with multi-jurisdictional WAP

By Phil - 28 February 2014

New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement has given approval for International Game Technology to operate a multi-jurisdictional wide area progressive slot system with several US states said to be interested in linking up to the WAP.

The IGT PowerBucks system will link Atlantic City casinos to progressive jackpots in other states.

Director of the DGE, David Rebuck, said: “I commend the staff of the Division and IGT for their efforts in establishing a system for the first powerball-type slot machines through interstate slot play. This is an exciting time for New Jersey as we expand the gaming opportunities available in the Atlantic City casinos.”
One reason so many large jackpots have been awarded in Atlantic City is because the casinos offer wide area progressives. Wide area progressives refer to slot machines that are located in two or more casinos that have been linked together to generate very high awards that increase as patrons play them. Slot machines of this type have been available in New Jersey casinos since 1989.

“We hope to now see even larger progressive jackpots with the links to wide area progressives in other states.” Mr. Rebuck added. “With competition from surrounding states, the increase in slot machine jackpots will make Atlantic City more appealing to players.”

Joe Sigrist, IGT VP of Game Development and Global Product Management said “IGT’s PowerBucks completely transforms the jackpot experience – creating more winners, more frequently. Imagine the excitement of progressive game play across multiple states, watching the jackpot build as players in the hottest casinos are joined together in their quest for the big win. PowerBucks expands possibilities for both casinos and players, and as IGT continues to lead and transform gaming entertainment, we applaud the gaming industry for advancing the slot experience.”

The Division and other participating jurisdictions are in the process of reviewing the internal controls and the Division is confident in the integrity of these wide area systems. Such machines would not be available in Delaware or New York casinos, which only offer video lottery terminals rather than slot machines, or in Pennsylvania which does not offer wide area progressive slot machines.

Some states would be unable to participate in the jackpot link-up. Casinos in New York and Delaware have video lottery terminals, not slot machines, and there are no wide area progressive slots (WAPs) in Pennsylvania. On the other hand, South Dakota has already approved the system although has yet to finalise its own regulations.

The DGE has published standards for a linked Multi State Progressive System (MSPS). These include maximum odds; 150m to one and base amount, reset amount and incrementation rate of the multi-state jackpot award. Each MSPS also must comply with DGE rules for WAP links.