Caesars, Gamblit Gaming launch skill-based gaming

Caesars Entertainment Corp. and Gamblit Gaming on Thursday announced their first skill-based gaming experience in Las Vegas has debuted for its initial field trial phase at Planet Hollywood.

“Our partnership with Gamblit brings a unique experience to our casino floors and is an important step toward modernizing our customers gaming experience,” Caesars Entertainment President and CEO Mark Frissora said in a statement.

Gamblit’s social and interactive game tables, called the ModelG, can host between two and four players for a head-to-head gaming experience.

Each gaming terminal offers a unique, multi-player – multi-game machine with access to a shared 42-inch touch screen, plus a USB charging port, purse hook and two cup holders for each player.

The three game tables at Planet Hollywood will initially feature two games at launch, Gamblit Poker and Cannonbeard’s Treasure.

Gamblit Poker tests skill and speed, while allowing players to win up to 240 times their bet in a single hand. Each player starts with two cards, followed by a single deck of cards shown in rapid succession in the middle of the table. Players have to quickly virtually grab the cards they need in order to complete the best possible poker hand.

Cannonbeard’s Treasure engages players in a fast-paced game of cards, skill and naval warfare. Similar to blackjack but on a new level, the game challenges players to fill their hand without winning or busting, initiating a “burndown.” During the burndown, a set of additional cards will be dealt. The player who gets closest to the objective, without going over, wins a virtual chest of gold.

The games are situated in the center of the casino area, not far from Heart Bar. At midday Thursday, quite a few people were checking out the games, but no one was playing them.

A brand ambassador will be stationed near the machines to help answer questions.

“Our goal is to educate people about our new exciting offering. It marries the video gaming experience with the excitement of a casino atmosphere,” said Jennifer Forkish from Caesars.

Pending final regulatory approval, additional Gamblit games will be installed at Caesars Entertainment properties throughout much of Nevada including Caesars Palace, The Linq Hotel and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.

Harrah’s Resort Southern California will be the first to debut the skill-based gaming tables in the state of California.

Once field trials at these properties are complete, Caesars anticipates installing an additional 200 terminals throughout its U.S.-based properties.

Review-Journal writer Todd Prince contributed to this report.