The long-planned multi-state progressive jackpot link is up and running between Nevada and New Jersey. The system originally connected 600 slots in Nevada to 100 in Atlantic City through Bally’s Cash Connection link, although three of the 11 casinos in Atlantic City originally on the network—Revel, Showboat and Trump Plaza—will have closed as of next week. In planning for two years, the system received approval of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement last month, and went live August 20.
“The division is pleased to have been at the forefront of passing regulations and reaching out to other jurisdictions to enable this expanded gaming opportunity for Atlantic City,” said DGE Director David Rebuck. “Much like multi-state lotteries, this new technology and cooperative regulatory agreements will allow combined progressive jackpots to grow, which should be very appealing to players looking for the opportunity to play for huge jackpots.”
When the Cash Connection interstate wide-area progressive link went live, jackpot totals for Nevada and New Jersey were combined for an immediately larger reward. The combined link started with a primary amount of $2,206,417.70 and continues to grow. The multistate link features Bally’s hit games including Titanic, The Magic of David Copperfield, Betty Boop’s Fortune Teller, Jackpot Empire, Hot Shot Progressive and more.
“Bally is excited to offer players in Nevada and New Jersey an enhanced progressive experience with the possibility of larger, more exciting rewards,” said Bally Technologies Senior Vice President of North American Sales and Corporate Marketing Robert Parente. “We believe that this is a great opportunity for the gaming industry: for casino operators, the potential for higher rewards drives player demand, while players will be thrilled at the chance to win an even larger jackpot.”
Meanwhile, Nevada has officially joined IGT’s Powerbucks commercial multi-state wide-area progressive link. Powerbucks’ networked games in Nevada casinos are now linked to casinos in New Jersey and Deadwood, South Dakota.
“The addition of Nevada to the Powerbucks link is a truly transformative milestone for the gaming industry and one that marks IGT’s continued leadership in the WAP space,” said Joe Sigirst, IGT VP of product development and global product management. “As the largest commercial gaming jurisdiction in the U.S., Nevada gives the Powerbucks network the critical mass needed to grow jackpot liquidity at an accelerated rate.”
Currently, players can find Powerbucks games at Boyd Gaming and Caesars Entertainment properties in Nevada and New Jersey and at several casinos in Deadwood, South Dakota. As more properties and jurisdictions continue to join the link, the volume of eligible Powerbucks players grows, even furthering the jackpot fervor.
“The new and expanded Powerbucks is a great addition to our Nevada properties, as well as Borgata in Atlantic City, giving players an exciting new reason to visit a Boyd Gaming casino,” said Paul Chakmak, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Boyd Gaming. “By linking Powerbucks games together across the country, IGT and Boyd Gaming are giving players the potential for bigger jackpots and more opportunities to become an instant millionaire at a Boyd Gaming property.”
