New Slot Machines Get Social Networking

The Las Vegas Sun newspaper report on a new generation of computerized slot machines that have giant screens, more options, faster game play and, most interestingly, SOCIAL NETWORKING. According to the article, the new one-armed bandits:

"Are linked so multiple gamblers can participate in one another's bonus round or compete against one another for prizes. This development follows the popularity of video games allowing players to compete with one another, in person or through the Internet."

The machines also offer "opt-in" game tournaments -- sort of like Xbox Live -- where players can join random games in progress and compete against other players.