AGS is throwing a multistate series of fiestas for its new Mariachi Fortunes Trio slots, aiming to bring the game theme alive and drive player excitement on participating casino floors.
That’s a dramatic move from the tradition of simply introducing games at trade shows such as G2E and IGA. “More and more businesses, including suppliers, are recognizing how important the social aspect of these products is and how important it is to generate live floor energy that players and operators can instantly engage with,” said Chris Mason, director of product management for AGS.
“It’s not just about showing a new game anymore; it’s about creating moments that drive immediate coin-in and stickiness,” he added. “It’s about working closely with our casino partners to present the game in a way that gives it the best chance to attract players. When it performs well, we both win.”
The two Mariachi Fortunes Trio games, Fiesta de los Vivos (Festival of the Living) and Fiesta de las Calacas (Festival of the Skeletons), debuted for players July 22 with a daytime party at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Southern California and a nighttime bash at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians own and operate both casinos.
The two-city, two-state, same-day launch was a first for AGS, said Nikki Davis, vice president of marketing. Additional events across the country are in the works. She said the campaign, featuring themed décor, mariachi performers, and VIP player activations, is designed to drive immediate coin-in while giving operators fresh promotional opportunities.
The Mariachi Fortunes Trio games evolved from AGS’s Piñata Pays family, introduced in 2023 and already among the company’s most successful premium titles. Product manager Ben Kongpipattanakarn said the new games tweak the triple metamorphic hold-and-spin mechanics of their predecessors, providing players with a “familiar yet new” experience. “Operators looking for bankable themes backed by proven math models will find these games easy to place and promote,” he added. “They’re vibrant, loud, and built for visual heat.”
Mason described the Mariachi Fortunes Trio target audience as “very broad right now” because so many players enjoy games with hold-and-spin, cash-on-reels, and three-pot mechanics. “It’s not just for core players,” Mason said. “It appeals to jackpot chasers, timed-session players, and theme-driven guests. And with two themes in the launch family, operators can offer variety while maintaining familiarity across one or more banks.”
Players can select credits worth 1, 2, 5 or 10 cents each; grand and major jackpots can be linked with other machines, while minor and mini jackpots are scalable. A high-limit version is not yet available, but Kongpipattanakarn said one is a “natural evolution” for popular games. Per-credit denominations in those cases could range from 10 cents to $50, “accompanied by jackpots that reflect the level of investment.” AGS teams are testing high-limit math models based on operator demand, he added.
Mariachi Fortunes Trio games are available in two cabinets, the Spectra SL75+ and the Spectra SL49+. The Spectra SL75+ is unique in allowing operators to choose from more than 80 games within the AGS library, premium or core. That flexibility makes the SL75+ ideal for even the most diverse slot floors, he continued, because it allows operators to mix and match games with the same bank to align with specific strategies, whether that involves introducing new brands, balancing volatility, or offering a broader denom mix.
“We’ve identified a gap in the market, and that’s where we’re trying to capitalize with the SL75+,” Kongpipattanakarn said. “It’s the pinnacle of flexibility. We’ve proven that games on a bigger cabinet, which stand out on an operator’s floor, do perform better. We’re aiming to provide operators diversity and access to the breadth and depth of our entire portfolio.”
Mason said the SL75+ gives a game a larger presence and more perceived value, thus generating more play. “Same title but different cabinet – it’s not a small difference,” Mason said. “The SL75+ doesn’t just enhance the look; it changes how the game is experienced.”
Mason said the Yaamava’ and Palms launching parties were just the beginning for the introduction of Mariachi Fortunes Trio, reflecting the company’s high expectations for the family.
“We believe wholeheartedly that this game has tweaked the mechanics and success of the Piñata Pays product, and will be equally, if not more, successful,” he said. “Customers have been driving the excitement and helping us push this initiative along.”
