Aloha Strikers.

After the Orleans pulled their strike machines, and all the speculation was swirling as to why they did it, I emailed a Director of Slot operations that I know personally in the Boyd organization. I know him from my Stardust days and he went to the Orleans when Stardust closed. I asked him straight up if there were problems with IGT, if it is the price of silver, people complaining at the cage, etc. Here is his direct quote response:

"Dave,

Good to hear from you and hope everything is going well. As for the Silver Strike games I personally have not heard of any problem with IGT and as we know the price of Silver has gone up but I don't think to such a point that it would affect the decision of keeping the machines. If this does happen then I would assume new coins would be minted with a higher dollar value to reflect the increase of the price of Silver.

Usually the decision to pull games is based on the popularity of the games and/or how profitable the games are and generally it is based on popularity since if the games are popular they also tend to be profitable. As for the decision at the Orleans I am not sure since I am no longer there and now reside at the (xxxxxxx) Hotel and Casino."

He is now a Director of Slot operations at another Boyd property while he waits for Echelon Place to open (the Orleans already had a slot director) and I left the hotel and his name off because I don't want him to get barraged with questions and get him upset with me.

Based on his response, and based on the fact that he's a Director of Slot operations, I don't think there is a problem with IGT, at least within the Boyd group. It seems like a simple case of popularity. If you think about it, the Orleans is across the freeway from the strip, and probably did not get much strike play. If I hear anything further, I will share it.

Dave.
SS - 1029