Inside Asian Gaming

31 30 top priority for Cadillac Jack during 2007 is to increase our presence throughout the inter- national gaming community.” Multi-game innovation CASINO TECHNOLOGY Casino Technology has been enjoying robust growth outside its core Central and Eastern European markets with popular products that range from video slots to electronic roulette games to jackpot and management systems. With the Bulgaria-based manufacturer recently establishing itself inmarkets as far as Latin America and Asia, ICE 2007 has become an increasingly valuable stage for showcas- ing its innovative wares. The London show saw the launch of the Multi Gemini, which takes Casino Technolo- gy’s successful Gemini series to a new level with an advanced multi-functional cabinet, an array of interactive features, and a highly flexible SAS-compatible platform that offers second-screen options, multi-denomination- al and cashless play and a variety of jackpots. Bonuses, free games and multipliers are among the highlights of Multi Gemini’s four initial titles — “Golden Elephant, Silk Quest, Purple Hot” and “Gold of Babylon III”— each designed in its own way to satisfy different player preferences. A ‘classic blend’ EURO GAMES TECHNOLOGY Euro Games Technology continues to build on its video slot expertise with new products like the sleek new 19-inch dual-screen Vega Vision cabinet, fitted with life-like stereo sound, enhanced 3D-simulation and SAS- compatibility so that it easily interfaces with all casino management systems. EGT used the show to show off Vega Vision’s hot new “Rise of Ra” title, a 15-line multi-denom game geared for high volatility and featuring a highly animated scatter-pay feature. Another highlight at EGT’s stand was a new jackpot system, the latest in the compa- ny’s Classic Blend line, which allows multiple game terminals to participate in a network of up to 16 independent progressive jack- pots and supports up to four levels of mys- tery jackpots. Classic Blend Jackpot enjoys all the hallmarks of its popular product line: attractive graphics, high-quality sound and configurable LCD informational displays to enhance player communication and maxi- mize a casino’s marketing and promotional opportunities. Classic Blend Jackpot also provides valu- able management tools like PCbased set-up, information storage and detailed reporting. Solutions, solutions GAMING SUPPORT Gaming Support professed itself “pleasantly surprised” by the interest the Rotterdam- based supplier exhibited at ICE for two new additions to its broad range of solutions for the casino floor. The first of these, BonusBox, is all about generating more bang for a casino’s market- ing spend. BonusBox allows an operator to attach merchandise prizes to any live slot ma- chine. It interfaces with player tracking and casino management systems — like Gam- ing Support’s own BaseSys Accounting Sys- tem to give operators control not only over which prizes are awarded to which custom- ers, but the ability to quickly introduce and vary prizes in any number of competitive or promotional configurations, with the added value that their reward programs can be tracked and analyzed for effective- ness. Gaming Support also introduced a new table game, Shut Dice, which is designed to enhance the community” gaming factor that is so important to every casino’s enter- tainment proposition. Shut Dice is house- banked and adaptable to any standard card table. The object of the game is to predict the number or numbers that are not rolled on a set of die marked differently from one to six. Building on leadership NOVOMATIC GROUP/AUSTRIAN GAMING INDUSTRIES Global slot powerhouse AGI did not disap- point at ICE 2007, releasing an array of excit- ing new titles on the Cool Fire II, the forward- thinking platform first unveiled in 2006. Eight new video titles have been released on AGI’s innovative Multigaminator. While in the single games segment, leading the Cool Fire II march is“Bingo+,”a fun variant of keno with a bonus draw feature. Multiplayer technology, the gaming ma- chine revolution AGI helped launch, was an- other ICE highlight. The server-based Novo Unity now pow- ers some 5,000 of terminals and has been upgraded with new management tools, a dealer interface and multiple screen designs. Novo TouchBet Live, powered by the Unity, has been bolstered with Live-Baccarat and Live-Sic Bo editions. Each is SAS-compatible, TITO- and smart card-enabled, is configu- rable for up to 250 stations and supports as many as 10 languages. Together with the automated-wheel Novo Multi-Roulette, Novo Flying-Roulette (which employs a plasmascreen display wheel) and the versatile Novo Multi-Table Roulette, with its choice of live, automated or display wheel, AGI’s reputation as a leader in electronic multiplayer technology has never been more solid. High-tech legacy VIDEOBET Playtech subsidiaryVideobet brought to ICE a wealth of advanced server-based game con- cepts and delivery systems,all ample proof of the company’s high-tech line age. Videobet’s open SB platform is easily integrated into existing infrastructures us- ing SAS protocol, and at the high-end of the product range offers a centralized manage- ment system that is cashless-enabled and features real-time functionalities that include content downloads to each terminal and au- tomatic updates. Then there’s a unique Cross-Platform network which offers the considerable add- ed value via player-tracking of game play at home on the Web or from mobile devices, and all from a single player account. Videobet’s sleek, player-friendly game stations include the K-45 — with dualscreen TFT monitors available in 17 or 19 inches, stereo sound and multi-currency and TITO support — the touchscreen Butterfly and a 19-inch VGA dual-screen slant top. Europe is a key market for this young dynamo going forward, but the Far East and South America are of great interest as well. “Our future plans promote a widespread geographic diversification,” said Marketing Communications Manager Ornit Gilman. Blazing new tech trails TCS JOHN HUXLEY TCS John Huxley, long recognized as a lead- er in bringing new technologies to market, raised its game at ICE ’07 with several stun- ning industry firsts. TouchTable MultiPLAY Roulette, devel- oped in partnership with TouchTable AB of Sweden, combines live roulette with a 56- inch Quad HD LCD layout that simulates the traditional game’s full-sized playing surface as you’ve never seen it — completely elec- tronic and touch-screen activated with au- tomated calculation of bets, winnings, pay- outs and chip handling. The game provides a uniquely interactive experience and is con- figurable in formats that let up to 21 players in on the action. TouchTable also supports revenue-building side bets and progressive jackpots. Also introduced at the show was Acc- uPLAY Blackjack, a touch-screen variation on the TouchTable roulette theme that employs an infrared technology called “In- telligent Verification Platform” for a unique and highly interactive player experience. AccuPLAY significantly boosts hands per hour and can accommodate side bets and progressive jackpots, with the added value of remote and online links. AccuPLAY also provides a full range of management and analysis tools. Look for Huxley also to be blazing new trails in high-performance RFID technology through a distribution and service agreement recently concluded with Eurasiatrak. By James Rutherford, International Editor of International Gaming & Wagering Business magazine. Reprinted with permission from IGWB.