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Poker... 
As a poker player, both live and on-line, I would hope that these tables never replace live gaming, but there is a concern that they just might, as follows...
Once upon a time there was a great uproar about Ticket-In, Ticket-Out (TITO) replacing real coins being passed through a slot machine. Many a die-hard said they would refuse to play the new machines, or venture in to those casinos that switched over. While I do not have insight into the statistical data, I tend to believe that the introduction of TITO and displacement of coin-op slot machines, has not affected player action on slot machines.
Although it is my earnest hope that these poker machines do not catch-on, I can see where cost aware executives would like it to replace live-action poker. I believe that they are doing so as a function of an entire generation, if not two generations (not sure how to count them) that are completely comfortable with:
Electronic gaming, and
On-line social interaction
However, I also think there is a fine line that executives (and developers) need to be mindful of and that is to what extent do they allow the players to not be aware of each other's physical presence? If playing this game approaches being the same as playing on-line, then why visit the casino at all? From what I can see, the near immediate access to money by cashing-in is about the only advantage over on-line poker.
If given the choice of playing live action over these, I will pick the live action. However, if these are the only game in-town, then having played on-line previously (and being fairly comfortable with that action) then I can see playing poker on them as winning there is as possible as winning in live action and without the potential to get money, would any of us play?
I will miss the Excalibur card room. Spinning the wheel for an aces-cracked hand was always interesting. But with a little programming, this feature can still be offered!
Jim
Poker...
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