Casino Apr 07 P30-43 3/28/07 9:52 am Page 34
SHOW REPORT
with ACE Interactive and we've got more diverse Crab, Craps), and hybrid machines (for example,
offerings than we’ve ever had. We’re a gaming Roulette with Dice, one at each end of a lozenge-
provider, not just a slot manufacturer." shaped configuration of 12 player stations). Stations
Speaking of ACE Interactive, this is the Swedish also boast sensors to detect the presence of potential
company that Aristocrat bought in 2006 with an eye players, enlivening the display to lure in customers,
to the future. ACE are specialists in server-based and also the potential for biometric fingerprint
gaming, though their background is actually in scanning. Incredible!
lotteries. Aristocrat saw the potential of their lottery Interblock's G3 range, their more standard
technology for casinos and bought them; judging by machines, were also represented, but the show
ICE, it was a very smart acquisition. belonged to Organic.
ACE is all about open server-based gaming, WagerWorks exhibited as part of ICEi, next to its
something many companies are talking about, but parent company IGT, which was in ICE. The traffic to
according to Claes Peyron, Head of Sales and WagerWorks' stand was heavy throughout the show,
Marketing, ACE has the edge as their offering is the understandable as they were presenting seven new
most modern out there. He said: "We've got very games. We didn't get a chance to speak to them at
strong emphasis on openness. When we talk about ICE, but after the show, Paul Mathews, company
future proofing – everybody talks about future
proofing modern systems – our definition is that it’s
the provision of a system that is open enough and
flexible enough to cater for future needs in that you
Above: Ace Interactive’s VLT terminal.
can as easily as possible place for future sales
Below: WagerWorks stand, including channels, our future sales channels as easily as
Baywatch Babes.
possible add third-party applications and third-party
Bottom: Phil Wesel of MEI
content. When it comes to openness and future
with Sophie Hadden of the Ceres
proofing that’s what we mean – we’ve used modern
Partnership.
technology to be as open and flexible as possible."
Right: Interblock’s Organic
concept in the flesh
They are still developing product for the casino
market as it's an entirely new set of regulations for
them to learn and apply, but ACE has a VLT product
that is tried and tested. It's not going to be very long
before they make a big splash on the casino floor.
Their corner of the Aristocrat stand saw a display
of their very impressive iVT machines, which is their
VLT product. It's very nicely designed, intuitive,
robust. An innovation on display was the ability to President, said: “This year was the first time that
abort a game halfway through, collect a ticket and WagerWorks had exhibited at ICEi with our own
potentially transfer the game to a mobile gaming stand, adjacent to its parent company IGT. The pre-
device, so you don't even need to take the ticket to promotion leading up to the show and the stand
another machine to continue playing. Very smart design proved to be a resounding success and
indeed. The back-office software looks superb too, resulted in WagerWorks attracting a number of
with far greater potential than simply switching quality prospects. Attending the show was an effective
games around from a hard drive. marketing tool and we have booked the same stand
Interblock's stand was simply awesome. Its very position for 2008. WagerWorks launched seven new
design made it stand out in the auditorium, truly games at ICEi, however, that is just the start of an
reflecting the games exhibited on it. It was an exciting year of development, with many more game
extension of the Organic (G4) range, a wonderfully releases and a major new technology announcement
different and unusual set of gaming solutions for planned for the forthcoming six months.”
casinos. Their automated roulette machines are Following a busy 2006, MEI arrived in London
breathtaking; imagine roulette designed by HR Giger, feeling confident, and no wonder. Their free, no-
and you're somewhere close to how different obligation trials of the SC-83 bill acceptor yielded
Interblock's product is. What's impressive is the fabulous results, with some casino operators in
depth of the concept. It's not just a sales pitch, it Europe specifying they would only use the SC83 from
absorbed everything on the stand, including the then on. That's some endorsement, and all stemming
beautifully-presented sales literature and every from a trial offer.
surface in sight. the machines are designed with soft, At ICE, MEI were showing some interesting new
welcoming lines, not the clean, brushed surfaces we product. ATEI also saw some MEI action, with their
are used to seeing. Is it too radical for the industry? MEI GEO, geared more toward the amusement
Not if the traffic on the stand is anything to go by, market, announced. It's a stackerless bill acceptor,
this aesthetic breath of fresh air could be the start of ideal for smaller operations and at an attractive price.
a new direction. It hits the UK in May and Europe in June.
Products, apart from Roulette, include Cards On the casino side, there were three new entrants
(Baccarat and Blackjack), Dice (Sic-Bo, Fish-Shrimp- of note. First is a training DVD for the CASHFLOW SC
34 APRIL 2007
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