The biggest producer of slot machines on the planet has simply obtained a patent that will enable prospects to entry crypto funds for playing.

In response to data from the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace, Worldwide Recreation Expertise, or IGT, received a patent at this time for a system that will allow gamblers to switch crypto from their accounts right into a “gaming institution account.” The patent submitting exhibits funds in Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Money (BCH) and Ether (ETH) as examples for customers transferring crypto from their non-public wallets to wallets related to on line casino accounts.

“IGT secured this patent to bolster its industry-leading patent portfolio in anticipation of any potential future path in regulated gaming involving cryptocurrency,” said spokesperson Phil O’Shaughnessy.

The patent information comes the identical day that IGT announced that it had gained regulatory approval in Nevada for gamers to make use of its Resort Pockets to make cashless deposits for enjoying the slots. The corporate referenced the present pandemic when explaining the system, claiming it provided a “reduced-contact, safer” gaming expertise. This transfer would seemingly eradicate the necessity for a lot of to make use of Bitcoin ATMs in casinos, as gamers wouldn’t must money out their crypto to play the gaming machines.

Las Vegas casinos have been a few of the earliest adopters of crypto. In 2014, The D Las Vegas On line casino Resort and the Golden Gate Resort and On line casino announced they’d settle for BTC of their outlets, however not on the gaming flooring. Final 12 months, nevertheless, demand surged amongst Successful Poker Community gamers looking for Bitcoin payouts, with the community reporting that it was distributing greater than $160 million month-to-month.

Primarily based in the UK, IGT as soon as controlled greater than 70% of the U.S. slot machine market, however as of 2019 that lead had shrunk to 33.2%, which remains to be forward of runners-up Scientific Video games and Aristocrat. In response to a International Slot Machines Market Report filed in 2019, the slot machine market is expected to develop at a compound annual progress fee of roughly 5.5% over the following 4 years, reaching greater than $4 billion by 2024.

Cointelegraph reached out to IGT, however had not obtained a response on the time of publication. This text will likely be up to date ought to the corporate reply.