Brick-and-mortar players in New Jersey who are apprehensive about gambling online now have an option. Now, all that’s needed to “hit the slots” from the comfort of home is a valid internet gambling account with Hard Rock, after on Monday Atlantic City’s Hard Rock casino unveiled the world’s first remote-controlled slot machines.

HardRockCasino.com partnered with Israel-based gaming solution provider Softweave Ltd for the groundbreaking innovative technology of Live Slots. The patented product combines the online and land base experience by allowing remote play on real physical slot machines using streamed video.

“It is a first-of-its-kind experience unavailable anywhere else on the planet”

Live Slots set-up:

On Monday, Atlantic City’s Hard Rock casino unveiled the first-of-its-kind 12-machine offering that is entirely activated and engaged by gamblers over the internet. In a secure and off-limits second-floor room, with a wall with peepholes, patrons at the former Trump Taj Mahal are able to see the machines. Allowing players to see the process once the machines are activated, is an array of cameras situated directly in front of the row of slots.

According to the Associated Press via USA Today, Senior Vice President of Online Gaming at Hard Rock International, Kresimir Spajic, explained…

“With Live Slots, you can control real, physical slot machines located at Hard Rock Atlantic City from anywhere in New Jersey using your PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device. It is a first-of-its-kind experience unavailable anywhere else on the planet.”

Natural progression:

President for the Boardwalk casino that reopened on June 27, 2018, Joe Lupo, said the one-of-a-kind slots are the “natural outgrowth” of live-dealer table games that over the past six years have grown in popularity in Atlantic City.

“Credibility and transparency have been paramount to seeing online gaming move forward,” Lupo said. “The difference between seeing a computer image as opposed to the kind of machine that a customer has been playing for years, it may be easier to understand.”

Dispelling the myth:

Whether in person or online, slots operate using random number generator (RNG) technology, where a microchip generates numbers all the time, even when nobody is playing the machine. The idea that when a player “pulls the handle’ the machine generates some random numbers and that that action determines whether a player wins or loses, is a misconception. In reality, the RNG supplies the machine with whatever set of random numbers it has generated and it does so 24/7.

To ensure the integrity and complete randomness of the games, the devices are subject to comprehensive investigation and testing by state gambling regulators.

New Jersey credentials:

According to an official press release…

…players who live in New Jersey and have a valid internet gambling account with HardRockCasino.com, can bet and spin Live Slots, which feature some land-based favorite games that are not available in the virtual world via your everyday online slot experience including 3x4x4x Double Times Pay, Hotter than Blaze, Spitfire Multipliers, Leprecoins and Buffalo.

“We are thrilled to present ground-breaking and innovative technology as real-money, online gaming continues to evolve in New Jersey,” said Lupo. “Similarly, to Live Table Games Dealers, Live Slots enables our players to have one seamless experience to earn Wild Card Rewards including hotel rooms, entertainment and dining at Hard Rock Atlantic City. Bridging the gap to provide a ‘Live’ experience to our online consumers is something we are not only excited for, but very proud to be the first in the world.”