ATLANTIC CITY:- The cost for the most expensive slot machine tokens in Atlantic City is about to double. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, scheduled to open this summer, has been given temporary approval to offer machines that accept $1,000 tokens. The most expensive token now in use is $500.
The $1,000 coins are in limited use in Las Vegas but will make their debut in Atlantic City at the Borgata. "There will be some players that will love to give this machine a shot," Paul Tjoumakaris, the casino's vice president of slot operations, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Of the casino's 3,640 slot machines, two will accept the $1,000 tokens, two will accept $500 tokens, 10 will take $100 denominations and 16 will accept $25 coins. The top payout for the $1,000 machines is $1 million.
The Casino Control Commission approved the new tokens in time for the Borgata's sccheduled opening in July. The commission will hear public comment on the proposal through July 18 before making a final decision. The Borgata proposed the $1,000 tokens four months ago. If the proposal is approved, there will be no upper limit on the cost of slot tokens.
"They exist in Las Vegas as a high-roller novelty, but we don't see it as a massive trend," said Rick Sorensen, spokesman for Reno-based IGT, a gambling machine manufacturer. "It's a nice, little niche offering."
Not all casinogoers are enthralled with the idea. "That's way out of my league," said Rose Heeghan, 72, of Margate. "I don't even play $1 slots."
The Borgata, located in the marina district, is the first new casino to open in Atlantic City in 13 years. It will also be the first casino in the city whose slots will accept only electronic credits or casino tokens and not U.S. coins.
The $1,000 coins are in limited use in Las Vegas but will make their debut in Atlantic City at the Borgata. "There will be some players that will love to give this machine a shot," Paul Tjoumakaris, the casino's vice president of slot operations, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Of the casino's 3,640 slot machines, two will accept the $1,000 tokens, two will accept $500 tokens, 10 will take $100 denominations and 16 will accept $25 coins. The top payout for the $1,000 machines is $1 million.
The Casino Control Commission approved the new tokens in time for the Borgata's sccheduled opening in July. The commission will hear public comment on the proposal through July 18 before making a final decision. The Borgata proposed the $1,000 tokens four months ago. If the proposal is approved, there will be no upper limit on the cost of slot tokens.
"They exist in Las Vegas as a high-roller novelty, but we don't see it as a massive trend," said Rick Sorensen, spokesman for Reno-based IGT, a gambling machine manufacturer. "It's a nice, little niche offering."
Not all casinogoers are enthralled with the idea. "That's way out of my league," said Rose Heeghan, 72, of Margate. "I don't even play $1 slots."
The Borgata, located in the marina district, is the first new casino to open in Atlantic City in 13 years. It will also be the first casino in the city whose slots will accept only electronic credits or casino tokens and not U.S. coins.
