Weike signs new distributor for South Korea

Singapore-based electronic casino games and systems specialist Weike Gaming Technology (S) Pte Ltd has signed a new distributor of its products in the South Korea market.

The firm gave the news to GGRAsia on the third and final day of the Macao Gaming Show 2014, held at the Venetian Macao.

Weike’s new South Korea distributor – Brain Group and Technology, known in the industry simply as BG&T – is based in the capital Seoul and also represents a number of other major casino equipment brands.

Weike Gaming already has products in several South Korean casinos. But the timing of the new deal reflects the new sales opportunities available in the north Asian jurisdiction – even though local players are only allowed to gamble in one property there.

Genting casino brand is to enter South Korea’s gaming market next year via a partnership on Jeju Island between Genting Hong Kong Ltd and mainland China real estate developer Landing International Development Ltd, the latter announced on Thursday.

“There are definitely opportunities opening up in Korea at the present time,” Peter Kup-Ferroth (pictured), vice president of product marketing for Weike Gaming Technology (S) Pte Ltd, told GGRAsia.

“Our distributors are in discussions regarding Jeju,” he added.

“We are focused on making sure we expand our presence across Asia. Our products are well suited to the Asian markets,” he explained.

Ray Poh, chief operating officer of the company, said in an interview with GGRAsia in September that Weike was spending “all our time and energy” in studying the habits and preferences of players in the region.

Mr Kup-Ferroth added that the firm was hopeful of having its latest products approved to Macau’s latest electronic gaming machine technical rules – known as the 1.1 standards – next month.

“That will include our Victory link [slot product, also pictured] on the Infinity X cabinet,” he added.

“Legendary Arch is the first game but there will be multiple games that will go in the link.”

The second game – also on display at Macao Gaming Show – is called Fortune Meow and features a character popular in Chinese culture – the Fortune Cat, with its raised paw symbolising good luck.

Speaking of the Victory link, Mr Kup-Ferroth stated: “It’s a 4-level progressive and we have a number of different jackpot profiles that go with this. On a 10-cent [minimum bet] product, our top level start up [jackpot range] will be denominated from 100,000 dollars to a million dollars.”

The marketing executive added: “Our focus for 2015 will be our linked slot products, a nice [slot machine] standalone product line, and our roulette and baccarat products, which are gaining traction in the marketplace.”

“We are placing a few more of our roulettes…that should, we hope, be available to 1.1 standards in February. It will be submitted next month for approval,” said Mr Kup-Ferroth.

He added: “The roulette market in Macau is one of the bigger markets. There are other markets in the region, but here is where we are gaining traction on the floors.”

MACAO GAMING SHOW 2014 GUIDE – CONTENTS