Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | March 2010 have been listening to and implementing feedback on areas for improvement for over 10 years,” said one of the judges. “There is a high level of confidence in Angel’s production techniques and security aspects that, along with sound company processes, mitigate most of the risks associated with card scams in casinos.” Honourable Mention: United States Playing Card Company – KEM casino plastic cards USPCC supplies the full range of its respected card brands to the Asian market, including exceptionally high quality KEM® brand plastic cards noted for their virtually error-free shuffle and durability in high play volume markets such as Macau. The cards for Macau use a standard index on the playing side, while those supplied to casinos in Europe and the US commonly use a jumbo-size index. Best Table Utility Product This category includes shoes, shufflers and chippers. Winner: Shuffle Master MD2 Shuffler The MD2 multi-deck batch shuffler’s card recognition system has the ability to read and verify every card being shuffled. Its patented platform and gripper system dramatically reduces card wear-and-tear and ensures quieter machine operation. It features an 22 Supplier Awards gaming floor at City of Dreams in Macau as well as the Hard Rock Casino upstairs. During 2009, MGM Grand Macau placed orders with Orion Art for new, speciality link and denomination signage. Honourable Mention: Shuffle Master – Pink Panther The judges were impressed with the originality of the sign support for what is already a highly original linked jackpot game. The Pink Panther top box features a giant three-reel display that activates during a bonus feature, with a jackpot indicator below it. The top box also features retro styling in keeping with the original 1960s and 1970s Pink Panther cartoon series on which the slot game is based. The familiar Henry Mancini music used in the opening titles of the film series and cartoon series, plus incidental music from the cartoons, plays during the bonus sequence. KEM plastic cards Nominees: Manufacturer Title Angel Angel Eye Shoe Shuffle Master MD2 Shuffler TCS JOHNHUXLEY Chipper Champ Plus USPCC Bee Electronic Baccarat Dealing Shoe TABLE GAMING SUPPLIES Nominees: Manufacturer Title Angel Playing Casino Angel Cards pre-shuffled cards Gemaco Gem Pro Casino playing cards United States KEM casino plastic cards Playing Card Company The MD2 Shuffler Electronic gaming equipment tends to represent the most high value and technically complex part of a casino’s inventory. But modern live tables are by no means the low-tech environments they were a few decades ago. Many of the benefits of digital technology and networking that have so transformed the slots and multiplayer segments are also having an impact on table gaming. The benefits of technology can be seen even in what appears on the surface to be a relatively low-tech, traditional casino supply product such as playing cards. Many casino grade cards now have highly complex manufacturing processes to reduce the risk of shoe malfunction or dealing errors. Best Table Gaming Essential This category includes dice, cards, chips/plaques, roulette wheels and rakes. In the baccarat-focused markets of Asia, it’s not surprising that operators unanimously chose playing cards as their nominated products in the Table Gaming Essential section. Winner: Casino Angel pre-shuffled cards Angel pre-shuffled cards emerged as the majority winner. Japan’s Angel Playing Cards is dominant in the key Asian jurisdiction of Macau, where the company is estimated to have 90% of the market. The judges praised the quality of Angel’s pre-shuffled product, with one operator reporting a 99.9% error free record. “Angel Cards used in concert with the Angel Eye card shoe mitigate the risk of introducing foreign cards, reduce tableau errors and provide card-by-card tracking for surveillance purposes,” stated one of the judges. ‘Tableau’ is a reference to game rules that govern when dealing staff should or should not draw the next card. Players reportedly also like the cards. “No complaints from the customers about the Angel cards… great quality, great to squeeze and easy to read,”was the feedback from players via the operators. “Angel have a pro-active relationship with this company and