LEVEL UP SLOTS
Mike Darley on Skill-Based Gaming and Next Gaming’s Next Move
By Lisa Roberton-Dziedzic
Mike Darley’s career in gaming is the kind of real-world success story players love—built on hard work, on-the-floor experience, and a knack for spotting what’s next. After trading a high school classroom for the casinos of Lake Tahoe, Darley climbed the ranks from cashier to dealer to supervisor, ultimately stepping into senior leadership roles. Nearly two decades with Harrah’s (now Caesars Entertainment) gave him a front-row education in every corner of casino operations, from the energy of the pit to the strategy of the boardroom. That ground-up foundation not only sharpened his understanding of player behavior but also shaped the thoughtful, playerfocused leadership style he carries into every new venture.
After his tenure at Harrah’s, Darley took on leadership positions at Trump Casinos and Majestic Star, eventually serving as CEO and overseeing properties across Las Vegas, Mississippi, Colorado and Indiana. Each role added a layer of operational expertise and strategic thinking, preparing him for the next phase of his career: steering a company focused on the emerging world of skill-based gaming.
Today, Darley serves as CEO of Next Gaming, a company that has carved a niche in the evolving landscape of casino entertainment. Founded in 2006 by Terry Caudill—owner of the iconic Four Queens Hotel Casino and Binion’s Gambling Hall in Downtown Las Vegas— Next Gaming knows exactly what keeps players coming back: thrilling gameplay, unforgettable moments and games that stick in your memory. Under Darley’s leadership, the company blends innovative skill-based and traditional slots with beloved arcade classics like Asteroids, Centipede, Arkanoid, Grumpy Cat and Bust-A-Move. And it doesn’t stop at the casino floor—Next Gaming is expanding online, letting players enjoy their favorite games anytime, anywhere. With a mix of nostalgia, cutting-edge design and player-focused innovation, Darley is bridging the gap between classic casino action and the next generation of skill-based gaming.
Strictly Slots recently sat down with Mike at the G2E show to discuss his decades-long career, the rise of skill-based gaming and how Next Gaming is transforming player engagement both on the casino floor and online. From strategic licensing to creating games that resonate across generations, Darley offers a fresh perspective on the past, present and future of interactive casino entertainment.
CP: With nearly two decades of casino experience, how did those early roles shape your leadership and player-focused approach at Next Gaming?
MD: I was fortunate to work virtually every job inside a casino—from the count room and cashiering to dealing, supervising table games, hosting players and ultimately running operations. I originally moved to Lake Tahoe after leaving a high school teaching job, started at Harrah’s as a cashier, and worked my way onto the tables as a dealer and later a supervisor. Over nearly two decades with Harrah’s, I held leadership roles across multiple jurisdictions, eventually opening properties in Mississippi and serving as director of table games and slots in Indiana.
From there, I moved into senior leadership roles at Trump Casinos and later Majestic Star, where I served as general manager and eventually CEO, overseeing properties in Las Vegas, Tunica, Black Hawk and Indiana.
Those early years taught me every aspect of casino operations and, more importantly, gave me a firsthand understanding of players—from the pit to the executive suite. That experience directly shapes my approach at Next Gaming: creating products that resonate emotionally with players.
Many companies have entered—and exited—the skill-based gaming market. What drove Next Gaming to pursue this niche, and what has sustained your strategy over the past decade?
When I joined Next Gaming nearly a decade ago, the company was focused on traditional slot development. As skill-based gaming emerged, we saw an opportunity to differentiate rather than follow the same path as everyone else. Our strategy was to tap into iconic arcade titles that already had strong emotional connections with players—brands like Asteroids, Centipede, Tempest, BUST-A-MOVE, Arkanoid and Space Invaders from Atari and Taito. Leveraging nostalgia while delivering skillforward gameplay allowed us to create experiences that resonate across generations.
While many competitors have exited the space, we’ve stayed small, lean and focused. Owning Binion’s and Four Queens gives us direct access to player feedback, letting us refine games continuously on the casino floor. That hands-on approach has helped us evolve our titles to be more casual and player friendly, without losing the themes and mechanics players love.
This philosophy naturally led us into online gaming. Through our partnership with Skillz, players can now enjoy real-money skill-based experiences like BUST-A-MOVE tournaments on their phones. Our approach is simple: deliver games that players enjoy, keep evolving based on feedback and meet players wherever they are—on the casino floor or online.
Skill-based slots mix traditional mechanics with player skill. How do you design games that appeal to both casual players and experienced gamers?
We offer multiple difficulty levels—easy, medium and hard. Casual players can enjoy easy mode, play at their own pace, and feel rewarded, while experienced players can challenge themselves with higher pay-outs and excitement. Players can also adjust their bet size, controlling risk and pace.
The goal is flexibility: someone can start with a casual game like, BUST-A-MOVE, then move to more intense titles like Asteroids, Arkanoid or Z-Force for a high-stimulation experience. We design games to cater to a wide range of skill levels, letting players enjoy progression, feel accomplishment and stay engaged— whether they’re new to skill-based slots or seasoned gamers.
Skill-based online platforms like Skillz operate differently than traditional slots. How does that matchmaking system enhance the player experience?
The Skillz platform matches players based on ability level, so beginners aren’t competing against highly skilled players. The system evaluates performance and pairs each player with someone of comparable skill, which prevents frustration and keeps players engaged. When real money is involved, players need to feel they have a fair chance to win and experience those moments of success and celebration that keep them coming back.
Next Gaming’s lineup includes iconic titles. What was the strategy behind licensing nostalgic arcade brands?
Our strategy was to create games with emotional resonance, not just solid mechanics. While many companies in the skill-based space focused on original concepts, we wanted recognizable brands that connect across generations. Younger players love the fast, tactile style of play and older players are drawn to these games because they played them growing up—they remember the arcade, the mall, asking their parents for quarters. That nostalgia is powerful.
By combining recognizable IP with player-friendly mechanics, we’re appealing to a broad demographic, both on the casino floor and online, and working toward a full omnichannel experience.
You’ve added features like difficulty levels, tutorials and pause functions. What drove those changes, and how have they influenced performance?
Player feedback has been invaluable. Traditional slot players are used to sitting down and simply pressing a button—there’s no learning curve. With skill-based games, we realized many players weren’t willing to dig through help screens or figure out mechanics on their own. So, we built tutorials directly into the game experience. The top screen now walks players through gameplay as they play and even helps attract curious passersby who can immediately see how the game works.
Not every player wants that—just as some people don’t enjoy blackjack or certain slot themes. But those who want a more interactive experience, who want to feel involved in the outcome, are our core audience.
We’ve also introduced levels, like online games, giving players a sense of progression without guaranteeing mastery. We’re refining how we present achievements—power-ups used, performance by level, wins versus wagers—so players better understand and feel rewarded for their progress, even within the randomness of an RNG.
Ultimately, players want fresh experiences. Online titles like BUST-AMOVE Battle, BUST-A- MOVE Blast and BUST-A-MOVE Adventure iterate continuously to keep players engaged with fresh experiences.
How do you plan to attract the next generation of players?
The key is listening to them. Our strategy is to build new games within familiar brands—if players love Bub and Bob (from Bubble Bobble), they’ll stick with it, while others may gravitate to a different title that matches their skills or preferences. Online play is especially important: short, engaging rounds let players compete against others at their level, experience outcomes quickly and feel rewarded.
We also offer tournaments and larger prizes, giving players choice and excitement. By continuously releasing new games and keeping experiences fresh, we meet younger players where they are—online and on the casino floor—and keep them engaged over time.
With online casinos growing rapidly, Next Gaming is exploring ways to bring skill-based slots to digital platforms. How does the player experience differ online versus in a physical casino?
Everyone has a phone in their hand all the time, so online play is a natural way to reach players, especially younger ones who are accustomed to gaming on mobile devices. The online experience allows players to enjoy skill-based games anytime, whether for a quick break or longer sessions and even for free.
We just released BUST-A-MOVE Battle, now available to download in the Apple store, on the Skillz platform, which lets players compete online with the same engaging, skill-based gameplay they enjoy on the casino floor. Online, it’s about convenience, accessibility and keeping players connected with our brands wherever they are.
