I totally disagree with your thinking concerning the other casino strike programs. Four of the five casinos that still have strike machines have gone out of their way to keep the program going. When IGT backed out of the program they did it in such a way that the each of the remaining casinos had to reinvent the wheel. I’m talking about designing, approval, learning to work directly with the mint and the mint learning to work directly with the casino (Lead times, production times, shipping, priorities, etc.). In the past there were always two different mints to work with now there is only one. To keep the program going it has been an uphill battle for the four casinos. I think they will all tell you the stike program is a good program and a profitable one but at times it seems like they are practicing bleeding just trying to keep the program going. An important plus for each of the casinos currently having a strike program is having someone on the staff that likes the program and is willing to take on the extra work required to keep the program going. Remember this program operates entirely different than any of the other slot programs they have on the floor plus the strike program takes more up front money than any other slot programs on the floor. Last but not least the strike machines have a reputation of high maintenance which was very true with the old machines however the new machine in comparison requires less maintenance than the old machine but, it still requires more maintenance (refills) than the rest of the machines on the floor.
I can not applaud loud enough for all the casinos that still have the strike program and I think that as each of them find ways to improve their program the others will make similar improvements. It may take 2 years plus but, if the remaining casinos can keep their strike programs going I think we’ll see more casinos bringing back a strike program. I could go on and on but I think I’ve covered most of the main points

That is my two cents

Bill Brooks
SS - 208