GGRAsia – Mobile, 3D tech highlights for IGT at G2E Asia

Mobile, 3D tech highlights for IGT at G2E Asia

May 19, 2016 Newsdesk G2E Asia 2016, Trends & Tech

Global gaming supplier International Game Technology Plc (IGT) presented a broad portfolio of gaming products and systems at this year’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia, held in Macau from May 17 to 19.

One was the OnPremise mobile betting solution, featuring a new baccarat back-betting function. The application utilises embedded technology that the company says enables casino patrons “to play at multiple live tables simultaneously through their smartphone or tablet from any permitted area within a casino”.

“We’ve been showing the product [OnPremise] to all the major operators here [in Macau] with one sort of simple view: one is to determine if what we’re showing generates some interest and the second is to see if we can partner with one or more operators to be able to take the product to the [gaming] regulator,” IGT International chief executive, Walter Bugno, told GGRAsia.

Mr Bugno said the product is “innovative” because it creates the ability for a player to bet on a live table inside the casino floor without being at the table. “The player is still inside the boundaries of the casino, but does not have to be at the table. So, it’s not online or interactive gaming, it is live gaming with a mobile device,” said the executive.

The OnPremise features “back betting with side bets capabilities,” said IGT, which “can seamlessly integrate into existing players’ club programmes and enables players to earn rewards for OnPremise play”. The player can bet at several tables while within the casino boundaries but once outside those boundaries the application turns into a free-to-play gaming platform.

The company says the OnPremise solution will provide casino operators “opportunities that go beyond the limits of physical expansion [of the floor]”.

“We’ve got lots of very positive feedback,” said Mr Bugno, acknowledging that in a few markets in Asia it will take an extra effort to get regulatory approval.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done in bringing it [the OnPremises solution] to this market but we think that for Asia – and for baccarat in particular with the concept of back betting – it’s an application that is extremely valuable,” Mr Bugno told GGRAsia.

The executive said IGT got “incredible feedback” from a number of operators in Asia, including from Cambodia, Malaysia and the Philippines. “They are very keen on taking it on board relatively quickly,” he added.

Glasses-free 3D

IGT is also pushing to expand throughout the Asian market those of its slot products that use 3D technology.

“We’re ecstatic with the response we have had globally to our 3D product,” Mr Bugno said at a conference panel at G2E Asia, adding that it was one of the company’s “biggest innovations” in recent times.

At G2E Asia, IGT showcased the 3D technology slot titles ‘Dreams of Asia’, ‘Sphinx’ and ‘Aladdin’s Fortune’ on the Axxis 3D cabinet.

The three-title product is not yet available in the Macau market, but is currently going through the approval process. IGT has received orders for a total of eight 3D cabinets for the Philippines market; four at Solaire Resort and Casino – operated by Bloomberry Resorts Corp – and four at Resorts World Manila, a casino resort owned by Travellers International Hotel Group Inc.

IGT has also installed a few units at Resorts World Genting, Malaysia’s only licensed casino, located in Genting Highlands and operated by Genting Malaysia Bhd. With new orders already made, the gaming supplier expects to install a total of 34 cabinets at Genting Highlands in the near future.

IGT’s so-called ‘True 3D’ technology utilises integrated eye-tracking to make images appear to jump off the screen or stretch into the distance – all in high resolution. It features two embedded cameras that allow the integrated eye-tracking system to detect a player’s position and continuously adjust the image accordingly. The image is then processed and displayed so that the 3D picture matches the player’s line of sight, allowing freedom of movement in all directions – all without the need for special glasses.

“It will be a niche, it’s an important and growing niche, but it’s one that gives a good return both to the operator and to the developer,” said Mr Bugno.