Slot Machine CEOs Discuss Growth and Innovation at Global Gaming Expo
Slot machines generated $10.7 billion in revenue across Nevada during 2025, capturing nearly 68 percent of the state’s total $15.8 billion gaming intake, according to figures released by the Gaming Control Board and a Southern California gaming research firm, thenevadaindependent.com reported. Across the United States, slot machines produced $91 billion last year, representing half of the $182 billion total reported by the wider U.S. casino industry.
Nationwide Slot Revenue Is Projected to Climb
Slot income has faced downward pressure over the last six years as the U.S. casino industry adopted other forms of legal gambling, including sports betting and table game innovations. Eilers & Krejcik Gaming reported that slots accounted for 57 percent of nationwide gaming revenue back in 2019. Despite that broader shift, firm CEO Todd Eilers projected that nationwide slot revenue would climb to $104 billion this year, marking a 4 percent increase over 2025 figures.
CEOs representing the four major slot machine manufacturers remain optimistic about long-term market growth, particularly in Nevada, where local casinos operated more than 126,000 slot games statewide in 2025. Slots supply a reliable revenue stream for the Las Vegas Strip, balancing out monthly revenue swings driven by high-end baccarat and other live table games. Most major gaming equipment providers base their U.S. operations or corporate headquarters inside Nevada. IGT CEO Hector Fernandez noted that the company runs its North American manufacturing out of Reno, emphasizing the firm’s commitment to maintaining its footprint in the state.
Four Companies Supply Most Casino Floor Games
According to Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, IGT, Aristocrat Technologies, Light and Wonder, and Konami Gaming stand as the top four market leaders, supplying a combined 82 percent of all games deployed on casino floors. Executives from these four companies addressed industry challenges and future trajectories during the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.
Economic headwinds and tariff uncertainties have prompted operators to evaluate investments more closely. Fernandez stated that economic variables have added complexity to supply chain planning without derailing product development roadmaps. Light and Wonder CEO Matt Wilson noted that while operators make cautious investment choices, the firm continues funding its studios and technology because strong content remains vital. Aristocrat Gaming CEO Craig Toner observed that operators continue prioritizing products that deliver measurable floor returns despite broader economic shifts. Konami Gaming President Tom Jingoli pointed out that rising living costs put pressure on discretionary budgets, pushing Konami to offer flexible sales programs tailored to individual casino needs.
Manufacturers Focus on Content Expansion and Innovation
Heading into 2027, the manufacturers are focusing heavily on content expansion, hardware innovation, and cross-channel distribution. Wilson highlighted plans to extend successful content across land-based gaming, iGaming, and social casino segments. Toner emphasized using data and analytics to help customers engage evolving player demographics. Jingoli pointed out Konami’s support for specialty markets in regulated jurisdictions that lack traditional slots, supplying math outcomes for bingo and historical horse racing. Fernandez pointed to IGT’s strategy of combining games, systems, and financial technology into a unified portfolio while scaling content across land-based and digital channels.
International expansion remains a priority, with industry attention fixed on the United Arab Emirates. Toner noted considerable industry interest in how the UAE market unfolds. Wilson identified the development of Wynn Al Marjan Island as a major achievement for the region. Jingoli and Fernandez both cited Asia, Japan, Brazil, and Europe as important international arenas where regulatory groundwork is being laid for future growth.
Future Outlook for the Nevada Equipment Sector
Regarding local expansion, Jingoli stated that Nevada’s gaming equipment market will likely remain flat outside of the new Hard Rock Las Vegas development. Fernandez countered that Nevada offers ongoing demand for cabinet refreshes, premium products, systems modernization, and financial technology solutions across its massive installed base. Toner and Wilson both stressed that existing operators continuously invest in technology and floor optimization to stay competitive, ensuring that equipment demand persists well beyond individual construction projects.