But ergonomics and comfort are not the only dynamics at play .
“ The most important factor for me is comfort , but followed by look , and finally durability ,” says Alex Alvarado , vice president of casino operations at MGM National Harbor .
When a casino buys slot machines , it can almost immediately check if it made a good purchase based on revenue statistics , says Kelcey Allison , CEO of GSL Gaming Group , distributor for MGR Casino Chairs . But quantifying a chair is not so easy . Casinos can only know if the purchase worked after months or years , he says .
“ The chair must ‘ invite ’ the player , make him sit as long as possible and then play as long as possible ,” Allison says .
MGR
Indeed , hundreds of hours have been spent by researchers in understanding the relationship between the player and the chair .
“ The cabinet designs from the slot manufacturers have greatly changed the way people sit and play slots now ,” says Jim Keranen , vice president of sales and marketing for Patir Inc ., a Las Vegas-based casino chair manufacturer . A slot chair is a functional piece of art from that perspective , he adds . “ Being that it is functional , what are the specific needs of the casino operators ? How can we make their needs coincide with the designer ’ s vision ? How do we make sure these chairs will last for the next 15 years as well ?” Keranen says .
Unlike other furniture throughout a resort , casino chairs are subjected to continuous stress , many times with poor use and washed with aggressive cleaning agents , MGR Global Sales Chief Guido Rizzo says .
Moreover , each chair operates in a 24 / 7 environment , says Lance Weiss , executive director of KGM Seating Division , which developed a proprietary blended two-part injection molded foam which adds to the overall comfort and durability of its chairs .
In addition to testing for durability , Gasser utilizes aluminum components that resist rust , designs modular stools for quick in-field service , and offers selfreturn swivels so the chairs are always facing the machine , Buck says .
Then there is uniqueness . “ Casinos are requesting more custom slot stool designs that can create a lasting impression ,” he says .
At Gary Platt , artisans create the design from a preliminary sketch of a fully realized chair .
“ Like all artists , our designers have a process , which starts by considering the comfort level and its relationship to time on the device ,” Corrick says . “ We are very proud of how our creative teams work closely with our customers ’ design teams to create hand-crafted chairs .”
Take the Flamingo in Las Vegas , a Caesars Entertainment property . The casino employs the Gary Platt GX2 model on all of the main-floor slots . Players in the high-limit salon sit on the Sonoma model , and visitors to the casino ’ s bars can rest on the Monaco chair . The Flamingo transformation began last year with the Lido chair for the poker room .
Gary Platt
Bells and Whistles
In today ’ s environment — and in the future — seating becomes part of the experience .
“ There are now seats with built-in speakers and even vibration motors to create a more immersive playing event , something mirrored in seating for video gaming and entertainment ,” Schwartz says .
The future could bring a union of the seat and cabinet with integrated chairs .
“ We are working on anti-static , anti-bacterial and integrated cellphone charging seats ,” Allison says .
Manufacturers have utilized a variety of gimmicks including vibrating chairs , spin buttons , sound in the chairs and lighting , and these will be enhanced for the future . Also , memory and dual-density foam , flexible back plates , and screens in the back of the chair . In the future , expect wireless charging or electronic funds transfer through readers in the chair , says KGM President Jason Peters .
Gary Platt is incorporating several new technologies into its current sound chair platforms . “ We have fully incorporated sound , lighting and a shaker for the chair , all to better create a complete gaming experience for the player ,” Corrick says .
Some of MGM National Harbor ’ s premium slot machines provide more “ robust seating ” encounters , including surround sound , as well as vibration and movement . “ More immersive seats enhance the game and can ultimately make for a more enjoyable gaming experience ,” Alvarado says .
The integrated experience between the cabinet and chair has been increasingly of value to the player .
“ There ’ s more and more known technology going into the chairs , and it ’ s fascinating to see things repurposed into a new function for the slot machine ,” Keranen says . “ We believe that the sportsbook chair will evolve in the same fashion . This might be a little out there , but the slot chair industry has always been looking at how to make a home reclining chair that meets your dining room chair .”
Operators might look to stadium-minimalism seats for the space-conscious casino . Or the high-limit room bringing further elegance with more loungestyle seating for couples . “ The great part about working with our customers is learning the needs that their players pass on to them ,” Keranen says .
With the advancement of wireless tools , it will significantly accelerate the technology used in chairs . Peters says the goal is to find something to benefit the user without distracting them . “ Radio-frequency identification takes advantage of new technology without the chairs having to be integrated through the floor or attached to the base ,” he says .
“ We have found in casino after casino , in country after country , the more we focus on player comfort , the more we are able to directly impact increased time on a device , helping to drive revenue in both the slot and table games areas .”
— Joshua Corrick , Chief Commercial Officer , Gary Platt Manufacturing
2019 CASINO STYLE 45