It appears that online auction house eBay has entered the gambling business.
Slot machines featuring a selection of eBay's items as jackpot winnings can now be found in Winds Casino in New Buffalo, MI.
Technabob notes, "The machines have icons for popular auction categories such as electronics, motors, collectibles and fashion, but they only take (and occasionally dole out) cold hard cash. And while there won't be any money showing up in your PayPal account, all of the players on the system can win a free spin at the same time, so I guess that's better than nothing."
Will eBay have its own casinos soon?
Big Brand Gambling
eBay Slot Machines
Trend Themes
1. Online Gambling - Opportunity for eBay to expand into the online gambling industry by leveraging their existing user base.
2. Branded Slot Machines - Growing trend of incorporating popular brands and icons into slot machine designs to attract consumers.
3. Shared Jackpots - Increasing popularity of shared jackpots where multiple players can win free spins or other rewards simultaneously.
Industry Implications
1. Online Gambling - eBay can explore opportunities to disrupt the online gambling industry by offering their own casino platform.
2. Gaming and Entertainment - Growing demand for branded slot machines creates opportunities for manufacturers and developers in the gaming and entertainment industry.
3. Casino and Gaming Resorts - Casinos can adopt the concept of shared jackpots to enhance the gaming experience and attract more players.