TABLE GAMIING
they have the chance. We are watching both sides closely and are already well into the development of a single gaming platform that will offer the best from both worlds.” At Spain’s Fournier, the supplier of playing cards,
Export Director Javier Berasategui also sees some more specific trends emerging in table gaming. “During the last decade we have seen a few changes in the table games market. On the one hand we have seen new games introduced such as the now ubiquitous Texas Hold ’Em and different variations of poker games against the house. “On the other hand, casino operators have also
brought more attention to security, game protection and game speed in the last ten years. For instance shuffling machines and deck checkers are now more widespread than a decade ago, especially in larger casinos, and pre-shuffled cards are more and more demanded. Baccarat games are also better protected now with the introduction of devices such as our Intelligent Shoe. “We believe that the need to make the game more
player retention.” Table gaming may also be feeling the effects of a
more fundamental change in the ways that people play and interact. As Elektroncek/Interblock’s Zvipelj puts it: “What we are observing is two worlds colliding: on one hand the Internet, computers and technology are transforming our traditional habits and make people less social, on the other hand there is still the appeal of the live environment and the social or community factor (‘us against the house’). “My personal prediction is that neither side will completely take over – Internet gaming will not cause casinos to die out, but there will be a synergy between them, meaning that people during the week will use the technology to create those magic moments for them without actually going anywhere, but they will still want the live experience whenever
Racing Card Derby As table games go digital, one perhaps unanticipated side effect is
the potential for generating extra revenue from player-facing screens. It’s an opportunity that’s highlighted by Australian firm Racing Card Derby, which produces the game of the same name – unusual in that it is an original table game, not based on a classic. Says the company: “Advertising non-casino related products and
services within casinos until now has been virtually impossible.” But with Racing Card Derby, there are two advertisement slots built into the game’s animation and displayed in the background on players’ screens. Casinos can use these to promote their own offer – including non- gaming elements such as food and beverage – or sell the advertising positions to third parties. The game has regulatory approval in the Philippines and Nevada, and also has applications in progress for Macau, Mississippi, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and Queensland as well as US tribal territories.
32 MARCH 2012
secure will bring new devices and applications that will help to eliminate human error and potential cheating. These devices will help and guide the dealers in their job so the level of qualification required from a dealer will not be that high. On the other hand, we expect more and more land-based casinos to complement their offer with an online operation so a customer that cannot go to a certain casino will at least have the opportunity to live a virtual experience.”
But in common with other vendors, he agrees
that technological developments will not overwhelm the essence of table gaming. “Some people thought in the beginning that electronic tables would replace traditional gaming but after some time we can tell that rather than being a replacement it has been a complement, as the majority of the players prefer the atmosphere of the traditional live gaming with real dealers, chips, cards – which give to a casino the unique and joyous ambience that no other gambling place can offer to a customer.”
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