{"id":112869,"date":"2019-08-21T22:11:37","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T05:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=112869"},"modified":"2023-01-03T05:43:07","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T11:43:07","slug":"synergy-blue-moves-hq-to-vegas-to-push-skill-based-games-to-casinos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/synergy-blue-moves-hq-to-vegas-to-push-skill-based-games-to-casinos\/","title":{"rendered":"Synergy Blue Moves Headquarters to Las Vegas as it Pushes Skill-Based Video Games to Casinos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Synergy Blue, a company that\u2019s looking to bring video game-style gaming to casinos announced on Wednesday that it has moved its headquarters to America\u2019s gambling capital.<\/p>\n

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With trackballs, joysticks, and guns, Synergy Blue games look like arcade games, but the company, which just moved its headquarters to Las Vegas, is looking to get them on casino floors in Sin City. (Image: Synergy Blue)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The move to Las Vegas comes just a couple months after the Nevada Gaming Commission approved the company\u2019s license to build and distribute games. Synergy Blue CEO Georg Washington told Casino.org that the company outgrew Palm Desert, Calif., and when looking for a new place, it just made sense to move to where the stakeholders and decision-makers reside.<\/p>\n

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\u201cNo one knows their own players, property, and target demographic opportunities better than a casino\u2019s own operations and marketing team,\u201d Washington said. \u201cWhile our team has extensive expertise in skill-influenced gambling, we recognize that it\u2019s the casino teams who are the experts of their own house. Our move to Vegas is another way of showing our dedication to establishing best practices and securing mutually beneficial relationships with both the casinos and their future patrons.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The company did not receive any incentives to make the move to Nevada, Washington said.<\/p>\n

Synergy Blue develops what they call HAWG \u2013 short for Hybrid Arcade Wager-based Gaming \u2013 platforms. The games feature light guns, trackballs, and joysticks and look like something that would look at home in a Dave & Busters or your local pizza parlor. However, each match or successful shot brings the player closer to a cash prize.<\/p>\n

Something for Everyone<\/h2>\n

Synergy Blue\u2019s move comes at a time when some in the gaming \u2013 as in gambling \u2013 industry are trying to find ways to get younger adults interested in casino games. Numerous reports have indicated that gambling-age millennials prefer more immersive or experiential activities. It\u2019s been a reason why some have pushed states to legalize sportsbooks<\/a> in an attempt to attract the 20-something crowd.<\/p>\n

While the company does offer games that would be more enticing to the younger set, he and his wife Amy, who serves as the company\u2019s chief marketing and strategy officer, told Casino.org<\/em> that they make sure their portfolio of skill-based games<\/a> includes something that attracts bettors of all ages.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s important for Georg Washington, who noted his Generation X background and his penchant for playing arcade games when he was younger.<\/p>\n

My expectation of what a game should be is different to what my parents\u2019 expectations are of what a game should be,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The games Synergy Blue has developed can be deployed at Class II and Class III casinos, Washington said. In addition, the company\u2019s machines come with several different return-to-player rates, which allows the casino to establish the RTP rate it wants.<\/p>\n

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After months of planning, building & moving we have a huge announcement to make! We've moved our headquarters to Las Vegas!! The entire #synergyblue<\/a> team is so excited to explore our new home and become part of this amazing city! #lasvegas<\/a> #casinos<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/jHT8iJyKFh<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/JaCqKubIzi<\/a><\/p>\n

— SynergyBlue (@SynergyBlue1) August 21, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n