IGT Game King Video Slot Machine Cabinet Styles
On the gaming floor of nearly any casino you will find all kinds of slot machines by IGT (International Game Technology) and many other manufacturers.
The Game King, which came out in the mid 1990’s, has been a very popular and successful video platform for IGT. The Game King has been used primarily for video poker and video keno, but in some states such as Oregon and Minnesota, it’s also been used for video reel games.
The IGT Game King, as with most platforms, has been produced in various cabinet styles to meet the needs of casino operators; uprights, slant tops and drop-in bar tops.
Upright Cabinet
The upright Game King cabinet, which sits on a wood or metal stand, comes in various sizes and styles. There are versions with a 13” monitor, a 17” monitor, or a 19” monitor; the top of the upright cabinet has either, no top box, a round top box, a low square top box, or a high square top box.
The type of top box used, if any, is dependent on a number of factors; the type of game (poker, keno, video reels, etc.), where the game will be located on the gaming floor and casino preference.
No Top Box
Typically, the Game King used for video poker and video keno use just the base cabinet without a top box.
This type of cabinet is used because the addition of the top box is not necessary; the poker pay table is displayed on-screen.
This cabinet is ideal for an area where the slot manager wants to maintain a sight line through the area because they are low profile.
Low Square Top Box
Occasionally a casino will utilize Game King cabinets with the low square top box, known as a “chop top”, if they want a slightly taller game while still allowing a line of site across that part of the gaming floor.
The top box, mounted on the base cabinet, will display artwork or the pay table for the game.
This cabinet style, while not as low profile as the Game King without a top box, still presents a moderately low profile.
Round Top Box or High Square Top Box
Game King cabinets with a round or a high square top box are normally used with a video reel along a wall or in a high stakes slot area.
They are also used for some video poker games in a high stakes area.
This cabinet style has a high profile and tends to block line of sight if used anywhere other than along a wall.
Sometimes the slot manager will find it useful to place these cabinets in the middle of the floor in a large casino to reduce the “warehouse” or “slot barn” effect, or to just break up an area.
Slant Top Cabinet
The slant top Game King cabinet, which sits directly on the casino floor, comes with a 13” monitor, a 17” monitor, or a 19” monitor.
This cabinet is used primarily for video poker but is also used for video keno and video reel games.
It has a variety of top boxes available, but the most used versions are the square or arched top box.
Some specialty games may use a special top box for bonus features.
The slant top cabinet has a fairly low profile and allows for an unimpeded line of sight.
Drop-In Bar Top Cabinet
The drop-in bar top Game King cabinet is used at a bar, almost exclusively for video poker.
Most of the cabinet is embedded in the bar millwork which allows the player to sit comfortably at the bar.
