A new research report shows that slot-machine sales outside of the U.S. and Canada will soon reach their highest level in nearly 10 years, thanks mainly to new casino openings in Asia.
The annual forecast by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC, projects that slot sales outside the U.S. and Canada will reach 72,400 units this year, the highest since 2009, when sales hit 73,340. The two largest slot suppliers, International Game Technology and Scientific Games, are projected to see sales growth of 4 percent and 5 percent, respectively, in the report.
The study projects that replacement slot sales will rise 1.1 percent to 58,296 units while new demand will expand 43 percent to 14,117 units. New sales are being “driven by large-scale integrated resort openings in Macau and the Philippines,” the report said.
The Eilers & Krejcik forecast predicts a 7.5 percent drop-off in sales after resort openings in Asia next year.
“In 2018, we anticipate a significant decline in new and expansionary activity across the Asia-Pacific region which will not be offset by modest growth in replacement sales,” the report said.
