The old-school, one-armed bandits known as slot machines are getting a modern-day makeover to attract a new, younger generation of Las Vegas gamblers—or, that is, gamers.

Under legislation signed earlier this month by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, newfangled slot machines will no longer be the luck of a draw but will have a skills-based element to them. That skill would be akin to shooting aliens, driving cars or performing other acts in a video game setting.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see some video game partnership licensing deals," Chris Moyer, a spokesman with the American Gaming Association, said in a telephone interview with Ars.

Moyer added: "You can imagine a lot of the popular video games making their way into the casino floors."

The governor said that, indeed, the legislation was designed to capture a new generation of gamblers.

"This bill allows gaming manufacturers to use cutting-edge technology to meet the challenges prompted by a younger, more technologically engaged visitor demographic. Passing this legislation into law is an important step forward in providing new opportunities for this critical industry to progress while ensuring that Nevada remains the global epicenter for gaming innovation and development," Sandoval said.

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, a key proponent of the legislation, said skilled gamers could cash in. The association said (PDF) that a machine's normal 88 percent payback might increase to 98 percent "if you’re particularly skilled at shooting down enemy planes in the bonus round or outracing your friends in a road rally."

The governor's signature means it's up to Nevada gaming regulators to formulate rules covering the games. The new games could make their way to the state's casino floors perhaps by year's end, Moyer said.

The American Gaming Association, Moyer said, is pushing for similar legislation in the 40 US states that have casinos.