“ So , I think casinos will continue to look for both Class II and Class III , where they can . I think Class II is certainly here to stay , longterm . I think it ’ s going to continue to be of critical importance to tribes . It really allows them to maintain their independence ... You still have some jurisdictions out there and some states out there that have zero compacts , and it ’ s purely Class II — Texas , Alabama — so , from a macro level , Class II will continue to be of critical importance to customers .”
“ Class II will continue to grow as a percentage of the overall slot product ,” agrees IGT ’ s Knudson . “ While I don ’ t think you will see double-digit increases on an annual basis , I think it ’ s possible we could see increases on an annual basis in Class II .”
“ We were happy to see a few Class II-only properties opening up just in this last year , like Four Winds South Bend in Indiana and Prairie Flower in Iowa ,” adds VGT ’ s Starr . “ While there is an expansion of Class II-only properties , we have seen more Class III facilities giving Class II a trial . As we continue to improve Class II quality , more Class III properties continue to add Class II games .”
“ I think there ’ s still this stigma and this thought that technology in Class II is old and antiquated ,” says Burke at AGS , “ so , I think a lot of people just aren ’ t aware of how far it ’ s come .
“ I see it growing . I see it becoming a way for tribes to expand their businesses . I think you should see big California operators start to explore smaller Class II facilities on their reservations . The technology is there to do that . The business is there to do that . So , I think that as they mature their businesses , Class II is a natural way to grow it .”
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