Euroslot-APR09-PG27-32:Layout 1 24/03/2009 12:37 Page 32
FEATURE www.euroslot-online.com
Ales Gornjec
The Global Draw’s Phil Horne believes so. “Players SBGTM terminal, which uses a built-in pre-paid
are more familiar with digital technology than ever revenue share licence model and is designed to work
before. Whether it’s iPods, computers and the in most street gaming environments worldwide. If the
internet, digital television and radio or video games licence is not topped up after the agreed pre-paid
consoles, such technology is part and parcel of our revenue is achieved, the terminal suspends itself thus
everyday lives. benefiting from built-in control.”
“We find that even those players who are at first Governments are becoming more aware of SBG
reluctant to try video gaming products quickly come and are regulating accordingly. In Italy at the moment
round to the idea once they have had a go. That is the AAMS is examining a new law for Comma 6B
why it’s important for venues to spend time running machines and this is expected to be introduced by
demonstrations and interacting with their customers, next year. Comma 6B machines will supply Server
ensuring such products are being fully utilised.” Based Gaming services and will therefore reduce
Inspired’s Luke Alvarez agrees, “Whilst the video many of the currently existing limitations with regards
AWP sector is still in its infancy and it is undergoing a
big technological leap, players have become aware of
the benefits. Inspired offers everything in one
Players are more familiar
package, from hardware and software production, to
fully enabled customer support services.”
with digital technology
Nobody can deny the myriad benefits of SBG and
than ever before
the influence it has already had on the industry. It
would be fair to point out that the jukebox and
touchscreen sectors were possibly the true pioneers to issues such as central monitoring, proper taxation,
of downloading technology, but its possibilities for the money laundering and underage gaming.
casino sector are only just beginning to be realised. It would be fair to say that the future of coin-op
As Ales Gornjec at Hermes Softlab points out, will be server-based, wherever possible. Of course,
“SBG allows faster content deployment cycles and there are those machines that rely upon their electro-
implementation of additional game types like mechanical parts in order to convey player pleasure –
multiplayer games. SBG has also opened the path of but even they will likely be hooked up to a server in
binding to live casino games such as roulette, punto future via their coin mech or hopper in order to
banco and blackjack. In some cases easier additional provide valuable data.
functionalities like CRM integration can be provided by There can be no going back – the technology is out
using open protocols like S2S or G2S.” there and the benefits are too valuable to ignore. But
All that can hold SBG back now are the limitations going forward – where will we be in ten or twenty
placed upon it by different legislative landscapes. This years time? My prediction is that there will be a more
is a problem encountered by Inspired Gaming Group. common platform that is open for everyone to
“Regulation can slow things down in some contribute to. As Alec Gornjec at Hermes Softlab
territories,” says Luke Alvarez. “For example, current says, “SBG will work at its best when game content
legislation in the US limits the number of times developers’ access to platforms will become rather
machines can be modified, which inhibits SBG more common than the exception like today. For this
technology. a clear interfacing between content and platform is
“Network availability can also sometimes be a needed. Standardization process has not yet (or not
problem in emerging markets. To address this really) started in this area (only GSA G2S central class
challenge, we have developed a Pay As you Go Open so far).”
32
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