Inside AGE 2022

42 | I NSIDE AGE | #1 AUG 2022 | asgam.com s u p p o r t i n g p u b l i c h e a l t h i n i t i a t i v e s a n d e n s u r i n g financial survival. The pandemic continues to remain a front of mind topic, however the local market is fortunately well down the recovery path and we all continue to evolve on this journey. There is an air of expectation for suppliers to put their best foot forward and demonstrate that ingenuity and resourcefulness for which our local industry is recognised. If you look to the way suppliers and venues have all adapted over the past two years there is a collective wisdom in the Au s t r a l i a n ma r ke t t h a t i s certainly worth acknowledging. IAGE : How has COVID-19 c h a n g e d t h e f o c u s f o r suppliers? Do Australia’s pubs, clubs and casinos have different expectations today? AB: In my opinion, COVID-19 changed the wor l d , but i n some ways changed nothing. Let’s start at the end user of our products and service – the patron/customer/player who suffered the most disruption of all, confined to home-base for long periods of time due to lockdown and spending a lot less time at their favourite venue. While these customers are now more concerned about hygiene and COVID control at venues, they are still seeking the very best player experience and service and I am pleased to say, they are receiving that. Clubs, hotels, and casinos have endured great hardship t h r o u g h t h e C O V I D - 1 9 pandemi c . I never thought I wou l d see t he day when venues closed their doors for an extended period of time. Notwithstanding that disruption, they have done a magnificent job looking after customers while meeting the new public health rules that have been applied by government across the region. As suppliers, we have done our best to respond to the unusual needs of our venue partners through COVID, and now we must support their recovery and long-term success with great products and service. AH: I must say, even on the backdrop of cost control during 2020 and 2021, all suppliers maintained their investment in what is principally the core contributors of their business. For Light & Wonder, we ensured ou r R&D t eams cont i nued deve l op i ng to our p l anned product roadmaps in readiness for an industry when it re- opened. One observation of COVID-19 was the readiness of pubs, clubs and casinos to share in detail their operations challenges. This was equally met by the willingness of suppliers to try and provide solutions in quick turnaround. I expect this will be a continued theme at AGE 2022. IAGE: Australia is unique in that it has a thriving pubs and clubs industry as well as a very strong casino industry. From a supplier point of view, what are the main differences between the two industries? AH: Ac t ua l l y I ’d say the re are three distinct industries because they all have a unique business model and regulatory frameworks they operate in. You have community gaming with clubs, privately owned gaming establishments with pubs and a sophisticated casino industry that was predominantly publicly listed entities.