Transcript of interview with Buddy Frank by David G. Schwartz, January 3, 2017

Buddy Frank grew up in Reno, Nevada and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno. Frank worked in television news before getting into the gaming industry as a public relations manager at Fitzgeralds Reno in 1986 where he would also later become director of marketing and director of slot operations. Frank then moved to the Eldorado Hotel & Casino in 1995 where he became the director of slot operations as well; he would later join the Atlantis Casino Resort in 1998 to become executive director of slot operations. He joined Stateline & Silver Smith Casino Resort in 2000 as executive director of gaming development and eventually went to Viejas Casino in 2002 as vice president of slot operations. Frank joined Pechanga Resort & Casino in 2007 as vice president of slot operations and retired from that position in late 2015. Frank currently serves as a consultant on slot operations. The interview with Buddy Frank begins with a discussion on the progression of his career in slot operations, including the positions he held in both Nevada and California casino properties. Frank discusses topics regarding the utilization of free play as a marketing strategy and the use of Ethernet technology in slot machines. He then describes his philosophy on how to lay out a slot floor with an emphasis on local players before providing an anecdote related to the importance of infrastructure in casinos. Frank then gives his perspective on what makes both a good and bad slot manager, and he later provides input on what customers are looking for in slot play. The interview then moves into how much slots have changed since his start in the business and later transitions into a discussion on millennials, skill-based gaming, and the future of slot machines. The interview concludes with Frank’s advice to young people who want to go into the slot industry.