The profit picture involves much more than just coin in and out of a machine. The service aspect of the machine to include down time and attention needed by staff. It seems staffing is a major factor with the casinos since they all seem to be eliminating coins or tokens. This is a major project and expense. It must be worth it in staffing savings.

IGT/Anchor has always provided poor service. This is not a major part of their product line. Problems obtaining strikes in a prescribed period of time to machine malfunctions I'm sure makes the strike machine a headache to slot managers. The so clled new machine is long over due. The pictures I've seen show a paper receipt capability. Will it arrive in time? Will casinos that have removed the strike machines install the new machines? Time will tell. I beleive if IGT/Anchor devoted morre time with a sales and service contacts familiar with strikes these problems could also be minimized. This same person or persons could do some sales work to get new machines out there in casinos that have never had them or have removed them.

Here is one more negative thought. Since the new machines can dispense other items as well as strikes what is to prevent strikes to be mixed in a machine with other items? Can you imagine having to win a watch, ring, necklace before a strike is dispensed? What an increse in cost per strike this could be.

As a final thought I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the chip collecting community.

Tom