Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | March 2011 30 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 covers cards and dice. In the table gaming-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 In Asia, a large casino can use 10,000 card decks in a single day. Even a 0.1% inaccuracy rate in card printing or general manufacture would mean 10 faulty decks per day. That’s too many from a casino management’s viewpoint and from a regulator’s perspective. The accuracy of Angel’s pre-shuffled casino grade products makes thecompany the leader in the segment in Asia. Singapore’s two integrated resorts both exclusively chose Angel, and the company continues to dominate the Macau market. Honourable Mention: United States Playing Card Company – KEM casino plastic cards Best Table Utility Product This category includes shoes, shufflers and chippers. Winner: Shuffle Master – MD2 Shuffler The MD2 Shuffler continues to set high standards in the regional industry for its ability to cope with high volumes of tableplay accurately and securely. It combines multi- deck batch shuffling with optical recognition of every card that passes through it. Its patented platform and gripper system dramatically reduces card wear-and-tear and ensures q u i e t e r m a c h i n e operation. Honourable Mention: Angel – Angel Eye Shoe Best Table Gaming Peripheral Table peripherals include applications of sophisticated technology such as radio frequency identification (RFID) chips and plaques. They also include tableside displays that help players— especially Asian baccarat table players—follow one of their favourite pastimes: namely, trying to identify patterns in betting and outcomes. Supplier Awards Nominees: Manufacturer Title Angel Playing Cards Casino Angel pre-shuffled cards Gemaco Gem Pro Casino playing cards United States Playing KEM casino plastic Card Company cards TABLE GAMING SUPPLIES The MD2 Shuffler Winner: Gaming Support – JackpotJunction XL/CastNET Gaming Support’s JackpotJunction XL/CastNET has arguably helped to move the market for casino signage forward by offering a modular and server-based system that integrates the management of all signs and sign functions across a whole floor. The system went live at the opening of Resorts World Sentosa in February last Casino Angel pre- shuffled cards KEM plastic cards Nominees: Manufacturer Title Angel Angel Eye Shoe Shuffle Master Easy Chipper Shuffle Master MD2 Shuffler TCS JOHNHUXLEY Chipper Champ Plus USPCC Bee Electronic Baccarat Dealing Shoe JackpotJunction XL in action Angel Eye Shoe year. It followed the successful introduction of the product at City of Dreams in Macau in 2009. Honourable Mention: Paltronics – One Link Media System One Link Media System