The slot machine industry’s largest manufacturers in the past year have invested billions of research and development dollars in interactive gaming prototypes, social media casino efforts and systems, hoping to capitalize on the potential for legalized Internet gambling in the United States.

Multimedia Games, meanwhile, is growing the company the old fashioned way: It’s building actual slot machines.

The manufacturer could give rivals International Game Technology, Bally Technologies and WMS Industries competition for the casino floor by next year.

One analyst recently came away from meetings with company executives convinced the manufacturer is poised for years of increased game sales as it moves into major markets, including Nevada.

What has held Multimedia Games back is that it can sell slot machines only in roughly 40 percent of U.S. casino markets, primarily those run by Indian tribes.

Not that Indian gaming is a bad base.

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