Euroslot-APR09-PG27-32:Layout 1 24/03/2009 12:37 Page 28
FEATURE www.euroslot-online.com
Phil Horne from
through SBG,” says Davies. “In terms of game leading game content will create a unique, all-round
The Global Draw
content, the platform provides us with the capability gaming experience at Rileys Clubs.”
to introduce exciting and different ways for end users To support this venture, Barcrest Group has
to play. Once concept we are looking to utilise is ‘peer appointed the UK’s Independent Operators’
to peer’ tournaments. These would be real time Association (IOA) to strengthen ties between the two
tournaments, played between players who could be in organisations, with members of the IOA Group
different sites, competing against each other at the appointed to operate and service the Triple 7
same time. In terms of products, we are currently machines.  John Powell, Chairman of the IOA Group,
introducing a new digital advertising solution that has commented: “We are delighted to be taking this
been specifically developed for the pub sector.” journey with Barcrest Group. It’s a completely
Inspired also offers a wide portfolio of products on different way to do business but it brings benefits and
its Open SBG platform: Wide Area Gaming, VLT, new opportunities.”
Slots, Linked Casino Table Games, Bingo, Virtual SBG is undoubtedly a completely different way to
Sports and B2/B3. “There is no doubt that SBG do business and one that changes the operators’ role
products found in the LBOs have proved very in many ways. Because the machine communicates
successful and have grown in popularity over the past directly with whoever is controlling the platform, all
few years,” says Alvarez. “Our market-leading sorts of valuable data can be collected, analysed and
Rainmaker terminal continues to be a favourite with used to improve the service. And in addition to this,
bookmakers. New content such as B3 jackpot slots
have shown good growth since their introduction
available games. Only through rigorous performance along with new B2 table game variants such as
testing do we then select the best and most Blackjack and Texas Hold’em Poker. SBG functionality
appropriate games for our players,” says Peter Davies, in effect changes the question from what is the latest
Business Development Director. ‘hot’ machine to what is the latest ‘hot’ content.”
Inspired calls its SBG platform “open” in order to
highlight that it has no tie-ins with any particular
content developer. “Inspired’s Open SBG platform
In the future gaming
means that not only do we offer real-time content providers will specialize
downloads and remote terminal monitoring and
maintenance, but the ‘open’ nature of it allows us to
either as game terminal
work with a range of the best content developers in providers or gaming
the industry,” says Alvarez.
“Open platforms are the only way for the industry
software platform providers
to thrive as they allow operators to choose content
from different manufacturers and offer the latest But it is not just the leading operators who have
games to maximise revenue and encourage repeat found success in developing SBG platforms. Some of
play. Implementing Open SBG will transform the game designers are themselves offering their own
operators’ returns by delivering more compelling terminals with game updates. The concept of video
content to consumers. Manufacturers who restrict gaming terminals, with regular updates is not a new
themselves to proprietary systems that only one. Companies such as Novomatic, have been
accommodate their own games are not taking the supplying multigame terminals with great success for
needs of the operator and consumer into account,” he a number of years. The difference with SBG, is that
adds. instead of having to physically visit the machine to
Ales Gornjec, Business Development Manager for update the game – this can now be done remotely. All
Gaming at Hermes Softlab (an SBG service provider) that remains is the necessity to empty the cashbox.
is certain that SBG will ultimately change the face of Barcrest is one company that is experiencing
gaming altogether. “We believe that in the future success with its SBG platform. The company recently
gaming providers will specialize either as game signed a landmark deal with the UK’s leading snooker
terminal providers or gaming software platform club operator Rileys for the supply of Category B4
providers and content specialists,” he says. “This will video gaming content for its estate of over 150 clubs.
enable operators to freely choose game content The Triple 7 cabinet, in bespoke ‘Vegas Nights’ livery,
without being locked to either their platform or will deliver the games using the ICONIC sb server-
gaming terminal provider.” based gaming system.
SBG also allows operators greater freedom to enter ICONIC sb, Barcrest Group’s comprehensive, fully
new markets. “It has allowed us to increase the reach integrated server-based gaming solution will provide
of our business model rather than specifically change Rileys with centralised management of gaming
it,” says The Global Draw’s Phil Horne. “We terminals, enabling it to maximise machine income.
introduced server-based gaming to the British betting ICONIC sb will deliver content at the touch of a button
market in the late 1990s and we are still very much as new Category B4 games are developed and enable
the market leader today. The considerable experience ticket-in ticket-out operation.
gained by our business in this sector has paved the Peter Hooker, Operations and Commercial Director
way for expansion into new domestic and at Rileys says, “We are excited to be revitalising our
international markets using the same server-based gaming offer in such a revolutionary way, using the
platform.” best of modern technology, and delighted to be
“Gamestec is working toward expanding the range working with Barcrest Group as our partners.
of products and content that will become available ICONIC sb, the stunning Triple 7 Cabinet and
28
APRIL 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40