Macau casino operator and gaming machine developer Paradise Entertainment Ltd says it expects a substantial revenue surge in 2H18 as it prepares to deploy a raft of new equipment into Macau’s casinos.
Speaking to Inside Asian Gaming this week, Paradise Entertainment’s Investor Relations Manager Bob Shen said the company was currently finalizing discussions with Macau’s “Big 6” concessionaires as well as multiple satellite casino operators regarding new Technical Standards governing Dealer-Operated Electronic Table Games (DETG) announced by the government in December.
The Technical Standards, which set out the specific technical requirements for ETGs deployed in Macau, are the first to focus specifically on the live dealer games developed by Paradise for the Macau market. Technical Standards Version 1.0 came into effect on 1 January 2018 but provides a two-year grace period through 31 December 2019 for necessary updates to be made.
According to Shen, operators are expected to make their decisions within the next few months whether to upgrade their current machines or have Paradise replace them completely.
“We have agreed to fully comply with the government’s Technical Standards so we are now working closely with the Big 6 and satellites to determine whether to upgrade the software or hardware or to replace terminals,” Shen said. “That presents a good opportunity for us.”
Paradise is also set to deploy its new casino management system and currency exchange machines in 2H18, having spent the past six months trialing them inside its own properties – Casino Kam Pek Paradise and Casino Waldo. According to Shen, Paradise increased its R&D spend to MOP$47 million in 2017 and will increase that figure again in 2018.
“We will have a lot of new products hitting the market in the second half of this year, so it’s going to be an important time for us,” he told IAG.