The 13 Gulf Coast casinos that were ravaged by the storm operated just under 17,500 slot machines, most of which are now damaged beyond repair. Some are even lying on the bottom of the sea.

Much of the damage was caused by water, which destroyed the machines’ electrical components, although many also perished in the fierce 135 mph winds of the hurricane.

Ed Rogich, on behalf of International Game Technology, the industry leader in slot machine production, said that despite the possibility that the company may have to produce the bulk of a probable 19,000 replacement machines, IGT was unconcerned.

“We’ll work along their time frame and we’ll meet any demand they ask,” said Rogich. The positive words reflect an upturn in fortunes for gaming equipment manufactures such as IGT, who have suffered in recent times due to a lack of sales opportunities. Ironically, given the devastation Katrina caused, it may be just what this particular industry needed.