NFL fans in the Bay State have a new reason to play slot machines at local casinos. Aristocrat Gaming distributed ‘NFL Super Bowl Jackpots’ slot machines to casino floors nationwide, including to those in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts is home to three retail casinos, and Aristocrat Gaming has slot machines at all of them. However, it is not yet known which casinos carry the new game.
First-of-its-kind NFL-licensed slot machine
This is the first time the NFL has done a casino licensing deal, and Massachusetts casinos will be some of the properties that benefit. The Massachusetts slot machines enable players to select their favorite NFL teams during gameplay.
The three Massachusetts casinos all carry great in-person gambling options, and at least one should carry the NFL version of a slot machine. MGM Springfield in Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor in Everett and Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville could soon be the place for gamers to have some fun and win money with the help of their favorite NFL team. PlayMA contacted all three properties about the offerings but did not receive a response.
These NFL-themed slots will also initially be distributed at select casino locations in Nevada, California, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Florida, Oregon, and Arizona. This could help drive New England Patriots fans and football fans toward casino gaming.
Aristocrat Gaming CEO Hector Fernandez says a lot of time and effort was put in to make this a reality.
“After nearly two years of collaboration with the NFL and NFL Players Association, we finally get to see these game-changing machines in action,” said Fernandez. “A tremendous thank you to our teams around the world for their collective brilliance to make today possible.”
The game features include a wheel feature, a cash blitz, a clutch kick and a 2-minute drill. Players can customize their gaming experience by selecting their favorite team. The game will then load relevant imagery, videos of key game moments and even stadium anthems. There is also a chance at a $1 million progressive jackpot.
Aristocrat unveiled a first look at the machines last July and sent them to casinos in time for the 2023 NFL season. Fernandez says he believes the NFL-branded slot machines will encourage younger men to give slots a spin, where previously, slot machines have traditionally been the domain of older women.
NFL begins to embrace gambling
These new slot machines are symbolic of a significant reversal for the NFL. Sports betting and gambling have been taboo in NFL circles for decades. However, the 2018 Supreme Court decision paved the way for states to adopt sports wagering and partner with the American Gaming Association on responsible gambling initiatives.
Afterward, the NFL and other professional sports leagues changed their tune about gambling. Now, the NFL’s highly sought-after logo will appear on slot machines nationwide, designed and manufactured by Aristocrat Gaming.
The gaming company and the NFL first announced a multi-year partnership in 2021. The machines were first unveiled in late July before
The NFL has made a public commitment to responsible gaming and integrity. However, there have been struggles with players and other team staff breaking its rules about who can engage in sports gambling and where and when it can occur.
