p26-36 IGE 2009 2/3/09 10:50 Page 34
IGE 2009 REVIEW
say, two rolls of 50C or two rolls of 2 Euro, whatever, that PGIC has used that we have go and revisit to see
and I want some loose notes, and it comes out, and how they fit in to the IGT portfolio. Our intention is
they can do the next shift. not to go and break something that is working today.
"We are talking to many casinos at the moment – this If the customer is happy and is getting the service, it’s
is the missing link in the whole system. The front office, not our intention to go and break it down. It is really
in the casino, is cashless. But there is still a lot of cash to see how we can broaden the offering."
around – tipping waiters, selling things, restaurants, Their stand featured a staggering 310 slot
bars. We have a solution for that – we call it the retail machines, and of course among those were a sample
solution, and we are installing it now in casinos." of IGT's new cabinet range, a testament to the
For smaller operators there's a new bill breaker too, company's desire to always develop, innovate and,
at a competitive price. hopefully, to inspire customers. The new Advanced
Interblock had their wonderful Organic stand Video Platform was also in evidence, a platform the
once more, all soft edges and pleasing aesthetics, new cabinets are designed to take full advantage of.
with their automated gaming innovations in the MD of Ainsworth UK, Peter Walford, said of the
centre. They've now added a multigame principle to show: "It’s a great show – a little bit slower than it has
their modular gaming offerings, with a twin centre been in previous years, but we have had some good
unit with two different games taking place in sealed customers come through to look at our range of
modules. Players can then choose which they want to games which have been launched here for the
play, giving more choice and more fun! As Matija European market."
Kostic, Head of Technical Communications, explains: Ainsworth are working toward expanding their
"Our first gaming machine allowed players the choice European presence in coming years, and set about
to play either roulette or a dice gaming machine, but this task with a selection of 30, 40 and 50 line games;
any combination that the customer requires is there's also a new multigame range with an Asian
available – either double roulette, double dice, or a theme, along with two other multigames which are
combination – or even our Keno gaming machine." the company's most successful games transferred to a
Interblock has also introduced a Player Information multigame platform.
Display to help entice players to machines. On the Apex Gaming stand, Johannes
Also on show was a seven-player version of the Weissengruber showed us their new cabinet, the easy-
Top: James Boje with IGT’s IGA Slot
striking mechanical Blackjack they showed last year, on-the-eye i-Port, so named because it has interactive
Manufacturer award. Above: The ever-
plus a gaming terminal which is software driven, games within, programmed in Java. The player enters
busy IGT stand. Below: Johannes shows
rather than relying on a mechanical random number the feature game, within which further games choices
us the newest Apex slot. Bottom: Casino generator. It's designed with Interblock's usual eye on are selected, and this feature game is modeled in a
Technology’s striking stand attractive visuals and player comfort. real 3D framework. It looks great, and the game
Casino Technology were showing off their new selection is also solid. It works on the company's new
Tangra Touch slant-top cabinet, and it is every bit as gaming platform, and the cabinet features two 20"
attractive as the Bulgarian company’s customers have 16:10 touchscreen monitors.
come to expect. It’s packed with features, boasts a The cabinet is also incredibly slim, and, Johannes
very wide viewing angle, a second monitor in the top says, the cabinet cannot be accurately copied
box along with an additional 7” display for player because of how it is constructed.
tracking or multimedia use, and good storng 2.1 MEI has consistently had strong international
sound. It all runs on their powerful new motherboard, exhibition presences as they work at proving tot he
Tough Rider. gaming industry that their product is what a casino
WagerWorks, a subsidiary of IGT, is talking about needs. London was no different, with a large area
the potential for intellectual property sharing devoted to product, and plenty of engineering staff on
between itself and its parent company, which could board to explain to customers the benefits of their lines.
prove a winner for both. Imagine an online game A surprising amount of product on show was for
which proves a huge success adapted to work in a the AWP market, but Easitrax Softcount was
land-based casino, and vice versa. As server-based prominent, and it's a product they plan to take into
gaming develops, gameplay itself will become more international markets in Europe, Asia and further.
important and good gaming developers will be a The product can help casinos make huge time
company's most prized asset; working this way could savings with each drop – one casino has told the
put IGT ahead of the competition in many ways. company they save 90 minutes using Easitrax each
And on to IGT itself. The big news before the show time they do a drop, which is incredible.
was the acquisition of PGI and its assets, which MEI's Andrew Reichlin was enthusiastic about the
expands IGT's customer base on the systems side show: "It seems to be a pretty good population of
significantly. Some former PGI staff were on hand to people, well-attended especially given the market
speak with customers at the show. James Boje, MD for conditions. We have had a steady flow of people on
IGT Europe, told us that, for the moment, the status the booth – it has been good."
quo for the companies remains. "We need to look at Bally had some very exciting new product, not least
it, in terms of reviewing agreements and there are their intriguing 'Communitive Gaming' idea, in which a
developer agreements in place with companies – it’s gaming machine has a couch-style seat in front of it so
broader than our customer base. There are channels couples visiting a casino can sit and play together
34 MARCH 2009
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