Vegas Golden Knights Unveil Stanley Cup Banner with a Giant Slot Machine Ceremony

The Vegas Golden Knights' pregame banner-raising ceremony for the '23-'24 season was a uniquely Las Vegas spectacle that incorporated the city's casino culture into the celebration. Captain Mark Stone, stationed on the ice, pulled a lever on a 12-foot-tall slot machine prop, and it displayed three Stanley Cups in a row on vertically situated flat-screen TVs, simulating a slot machine win. The Stanley Cup banner was then ejected from the top of the slot machine like a winning casino voucher.

However, this show-stopping moment wasn't entirely driven by chance, unlike real slot machines in casinos. It was a meticulously orchestrated performance powered by human beings and technology. The wheel animations displayed on the screens were activated by a button operated by Golden Knights VP Andrew Abrams, who stood in the Zamboni tunnel. The accompanying slot machine sounds were controlled by the arena DJ, and a rigging crew hoisted the Stanley Cup banner based on cues called out by Tyler Ferraro, the team's senior manager of entertainment experience, who sat in the stands.

This elaborate and innovative pregame ceremony demonstrated the Golden Knights' commitment to providing an extraordinary entertainment experience for their fans. The team's pregame shows have become a tradition, featuring theatrical performances and special effects centered around an actor dressed as a sword-wielding golden knight.

The success of these pregame shows and the creativity behind them are a testament to the organization's dedication to entertaining fans in a city known for its captivating spectacles. As the Golden Knights continue to excel on and off the ice, their unique blend of hockey and entertainment has solidified their place in the heart of Las Vegas.