ternet speed — because everything is linked up — is just so much faster than it was 10 years ago . The ability to port complex math models from Class III into Class II , and to create Class II unique math models , shows that the technology has really opened up . The game play itself is almost indistinguishable . If you put a bank of Class II games in the middle of a floor of Class III games , in a market that ’ s never had Class II , a player would never know the difference .”
“ I ’ ve been in Class II probably 18 years , and yes , ( technology ) has narrowed the gap ,” says Tim Minard , CEO of Eclipse Gaming . “ There have been significant improvements in technology . Class II has evolved into high-performing entertainment .”
Knute Knudson , who was a South Dakota lawmaker when IGRA was passed , joined International Game Technology in 1992 as vice president specializing in serving Native American markets . Over his 27 years at IGT , Knudson has witnessed the entire evolution of the Class II gaming machine . He says IGT and other suppliers have “ closed the gap ” in game play between Class II and Class III “ unequivocally .”
“ Some of the best ways to demonstrate that are play functionality , and specifically , game speed ,” Knudson says . “ For example , our Class II game will complete a play cycle in 2.5 seconds , which is exactly the play cycle for a Class III game .”
Adding Class II
The evolution of Class II technology has provided content for a growing market , as even tribes in markets that allow both Class II and Class III are increasing Class II in their game mix .
“ Markets like Oklahoma that have had Class II continue to add it ,” says Burke at AGS . “ And there ’ s a mandate that any part of their floor should be at least 50 percent Class II . The new markets are starting to try it that haven ’ t historically tried it — markets like Arizona , Indiana , the new Four
Winds property — and we ’ re hearing about a lot of new projects like that . They ’ re actually trying Class II for the first time in a lot of cases , which I think is great .”
“ And you find interest in just about all jurisdictions ,” adds IGT ’ s Knudson . “ There ’ s a variety of reasons for that , the first of which is , of course , the quality of the Class II , and the machine performance .”
Jesse DeBruin , vice president of gaming operations for Everi Holdings , notes that while Class II growth is not evident in all markets that include both classifications , the industry overall is increasing its footprint of Class II games .
“ In California over the past two-plus years , the majority of those tribes have renegotiated their compacts , and a lot of those tribes have reduced or eliminated our Class II footprint ,” DeBruin says , citing state removals of caps on Class III games as the primary reason .
“ However , we ’ re also seeing a lot of new Class II-only facilities go up ,” he says . “ You have Four Winds in Indiana . You have Texas casinos , you have Alabama casinos . You also have a lot of states where they consider Class II a significant part of the roadmap , and they want to continue to expand and grow Class II .”
Minard of Eclipse Gaming , a longtime Class II supplier with presence in some Class III markets , says the growth of Class II is not over . “ I believe that Class II will become continually more relevant ,” he says , “ as we continue to come up with more exciting and different games for that market .
“ The advantage of Class II is that there ’ s a ton of titles out there ; everybody ’ s developing , and there ’ s a lot of familiarity . But not every one of those games has a Class II version .”
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