NEW TECHNOLOGY – CHANGING GAMING

A round-up of some of the innovative highlights evident at the recent trade shows

 

IT’S one thing we at InterGaming seem to bang on about all the time, but technology really is constantly changing the face of gaming.

This was evident once again at last month’s giant ICE trade show (and at G2E Las Vegas last year) in London, where new ideas and products once again seemed to abound. It is dificult to pick a few out of so many and we cannot have seen everything due to the size of the shows, but some developments caught our eye.

 

The iDROP from Apex Gaming in Austria, which has already been installed in venues including the new casino in Leuna, Germany, has been described by the casino’s operator, Merkur Casino, as a “technical revolution for casino cash management.”

The system basically means that playing with tickets and cash has been extended to live gaming, so a cash desk is no longer required. Live gaming tables are fitted with the iDROP unit, which comprises of a bill validator, ticket printer and touchscreen display.

The dealer accepts cash and tickets directly at the table and changes these for chips. When players want to cash in their chips, the dealer simply prints a ticket for their value. Players can then use the tickets wherever they want, be it a different gaming table or on the slot machines or electronic multiplayers.

Obviously, this provides the player with greatly increased flexibility, convenience and freedom. Tickets from slots can be used on the live gaming table and the other way around. There is no  need for a cash desk as tickets can be exchanged for cash at a redemption machine.

For the operator, the benefits are far−reaching. All aspects of the gaming floor, including slot machines, electronic roulette and live gaming, are connected to the iDROP system. The drop content in the tables is available on all tables in real time.

The result is that the operator requires less than half of the chips that would normally be required. As players are not buying and cashing in chips at the cash desk, all the chips remain on the tables.

Also catching the eye was the new all−in−one plaVorm package from Quixant. The system offers gaming machine manufacturers a complete hardware and low−level software solution, enabling them to focus entirely on game content and development, which is what really matters to them.

The manufacturers previously had to develop their own logic boxes, which was dificult and expensive. “They had to buy the components themselves and bolt them all together,” said Quixant’s sales and marketing director Gary Mullins. “This proved quite problematic with gaming companies finding themselves trying to manage a very dificult situation.

“No sooner was the logic box approved than they would find parts had been discontinued.

It was not uncommon for gaming companies to have to buy thousands of parts and put them in stock. But now they have a choice.”

Quixant can supply the total solution and the manufacturer can just get on with developing games. In this age of mergers and acquisitions, the manufacturers have been looking at their costs and coming to the realisation that one of their biggest costs is design and support of their logic box.

Many have already taken advantage of the Quixant solution with several more key players coming online this year. Gaming Floor Live from TCS John Huxley is not entirely new but it is a product and a concept that is developing all the time and this was again evident at ICE.

GFL is a complete network plaVorm and floor−wide management system that draws data in real−time from every aspect of the table and feeds it into the casino’s management system.

The plaVorm gives operators the opportunity to connect and quantify every table on the casino floor. A constant flow of gaming data feeds into the system offering never before accessed insights to the performance of the dealers, tables and game speeds, highlighting areas and processes that can be improved upon in real−time.

GFL also delivers high levels of security for the gaming floor and provides the ability to control all media throughout the venue and multiple locations.

Because it is designed as a modular system, it is scalable and offers multiple configurations geared to create an increase of the casino floor’s revenue and customer satisfaction. Using a robust, universal plaVorm with newly developed protocols, enabled equipment from any manufacturers feed important data into the system for analysis.

GTECH’s OnPremise mobile solutions promised to increase revenues and offer more gaming without increasing floor space. The integrated solution enables players to play slots and table games for real money, place sports bets and manage all interactions linked to their account,  all from their mobile devices.

“Providing real money game play on players’ personal smartphones and tablets brings more choice to customers without cannibalising existing revenues or alienating loyal players says GTECH. “As well as extending the gaming experience to a new generation, it enables casinos to offer customers the opportunity to play while enjoying other amenities.

“This will protect existing revenue streams, create additional revenue and build loyalty by enabling customers to engage with casino brands both on and off the premises.”

GTECH OnPremise offers more than just mobile games. It is a complete, integrated solution that comes with a player account management system, cashier services and reporting capabilities and it can integrate with a casino’s existing loyalty and customer management plaVorm.

“Providing real money game play on players’ personal smartphones and tablets brings more choice to customers without cannibalising existing revenues or alienating loyal players says GTECH. “As well as extending the gaming experience to a new generation, it enables casinos to offer customers the opportunity to play while enjoying other amenities.

“This will protect existing revenue streams, create additional revenue and build loyalty by enabling customers to engage with casino brands both on and off the premises.”

GTECH OnPremise offers more than just mobile games. It is a complete, integrated solution that comes with a player account management system, cashier services and reporting capabilities and it can integrate with a casino’s existing loyalty and customer management plaVorm.

Phrazzes brings two revolutionary ideas to the slot floor that directly address both problems. An alphanumeric slot gaming concept, it enables players’ touchscreen input of a phrase they create with numbers, letters and symbols a spouse or child name, team, band, anything.

The characters making up their lucky phrase populate the virtual reels, and they “spin and win” by matching some or all of those characters. With text, Twitter and Instagram being the  way more and more people communicate, you could certainly say this is trending. And it can easily be adapted to virtually any language and any currency.

For operators it is an added revenue benefit without an added cost. Operators can start collecting advertising income every time a sponsored Phrazze is played. In addition to normal machine payouts, players can earn “extras” from the sponsor when they match some or all of the characters.

Think sponsored Phrazzes like “FLYVIRGIN” with players winning club passes, upgrades and free tickets; “AMAZON” winning gift cards and prime memberships; “MANU” winning shirts, tickets or lunch with their favourite player. That is non−gaming revenue operators never considered.

Phrazzes is very player−centric, letting them choose much more than a machine, a denomination and a number of lines. The concept was introduced by two former insurance industry executives who enjoy gambling, but were looking for something truly new. The concept has been developed alongside an alphanumeric lottery game also called Phrazzes and the pair are looking to license both concepts.