Abstract
Slot machine games used to be very simple, often limited to just one spin of the reels, but have evolved to accommodate a variety of features that provide added excitement and the potential for greater wins. They also engage the players more by, quite often, requiring them to make choices. This paper presents one of these games, Bitz & Pizzas. This case study introduces a novel application of Operational Research (OR) and serves as evidence that as slot games, and their corresponding models, are becoming more sophisticated, the role of a well-trained OR professional is becoming more important and necessary in this industry. It also shows that OR practitioners are in touch with the needs of the gambling industry and understand current practices and legislation.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Noelia Oses
Noelia Oses is a freelance consultant for the slot machine industry. Her work focuses on developing probability models of slot games to calculate the probability distribution of the prizes and adjust the maximum percentage return in the long term or, in other words, to control the minimum house edge. Her research interests include applying OR, probability and stochastic processes techniques in this industry. Noelia has been a member of The OR Society (Birmingham, UK) since 1999. E-mail: [email protected].