Contents
1. AGE ONLINE
Gaming & Gaming-related
- GTA Advertorial
- Konami Australia Pty Ltd
- SG Gaming ANZ Pty Ltd
- IGT (Australia) Pty Ltd
- Aruze Gaming Australia Pty Ltd
- Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd
- MAX Gaming Holdings Pty Ltd
- ATM Plus - Banktech Group
- Global Gaming Utopia - Banktech Group
- Choice Paper & Imaging
POS systems & Data
- Impact Data
- Next Payments
- POSCOM Point of Sale
- Intrust Super
- Leigh Barrett & Associates
- InnQuest Australia Pty Ltd
- Letizza Pizza Bases (Jilldan Pty Ltd)
- Nightlife Music
- Big Screen Video
- Rhinoplay Pty Ltd
- Mint FF&E
2. A Moveable Feast: Adapting to a COVID-19 WORLD
3. News
The most popular stories of the past two months - as determined by our readers.
Editors Rant
They say your sense of the passage of time is derived from the laying down of new memories. This is the explanation given as to why older people tend to feel time ‘flying by’, as people tend to establish fewer truly new memories in later life. This also explains why life may seem to move very slowly and deliberately at the moment, as we deal with hard-hitting and cumulative information on the most ‘memorable’ global event in generations.
Since last month Victoria has slipped into the clutches of an outbreak that has already eclipsed Australia’s total tally for the first wave, and Melbourne has gone into the tightest restrictions since the pandemic began. Other states have closed their borders again lest the latest outbreak take hold there also, while New South Wales has been teetering on the edge of a dramatic escalation of case numbers, stemming from people coming from Victoria.
Finding the country’s two largest state economies now locked down or fearing it may be about to happen (again), the hospitality industry is noticeably ill at ease. The next few weeks will be key to the question of whether or not Australia is on the mend.
In late May, following an update to the NSW Government Public Health Order on large gatherings, the GTA (Gaming Technologies Association) made the reluctant decision to postpone this year’s AGE (Australasian Gaming Expo) to 2021.
I have been covering the AGE in-depth for the past nine years, and know the significance of the event – both for the hundreds of exhibitors, but also for thousands of hospitality professionals from pubs, clubs and casinos, looking for insights on the coming year in hospitality.
On this basis, we determined to offer as much as we could of what would have been AGE 2020 online, in the hope some of the business that would have occurred still can.
This edition of our new Webazine format contains everything about themselves supplied by (would-have-been) exhibitors. These companies are eager to discuss pub business, at a time when new and information are words every business needs to remember.
Cheers,
Clyde
clydem@pubtic.com.au
PUBLISHED BY:
The Information Collective
Granville NSW 2142
Australia
PUBLISHING EDITOR:
Clyde Mooney
clyde@pubtic.com.au
GRAPHIC DESIGN:
Therese Lloyd
PRODUCTION:
Clyde Mooney
NATIONAL SALES:
Peter Wiedemann
Disclaimer:
This publication is published by The Information Collective Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). The Publisher accepts no liability, to the extent permitted by law, for materials appearing in this publication supplied by outside parties. All material is protected by Australian intellectual property laws. Duplication of any part of the publication is prohibited without the written consent of the Publisher.
Reference to products or services in the publication does not amount to the Publisher’s endorsement. Views expressed in the publication do not necessarily represent those of the Publisher, its agents or employees. Use of the information contained within this publication is the sole risk of the person using the information. All terms, conditions, warranties, assurances, statements and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services, whether express or implied, are expressly excluded, save for those which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia, or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any subsequent statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. The Publisher will not be liable, to the extent permitted by law, for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential (including but not limited to economic loss, or loss of profit, revenue or opportunity) or and indirect loss or damage, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication.
Copyright © 2020 - The Information Collective Pty Ltd
Preamble
GAMING TECHNOLOGIES ASSOCIATION
CEO CHRIS MUIR
Unprecedented in its 31-year history, the Australasian Gaming Expo was forced to postpone in 2020 due to the rules around large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chris Muir, CEO of event organisers the Gaming Technologies Association (GTA), spoke with PubTIC editor Clyde Mooney on a few of the challenges this year has presented for the industry, exhibitors and the GTA.
Chris Muir, GTA CEO
Gaming
Konami Australia
Operating your venue under COVID restrictions can be a challenge.
Konami understands the market requirements on the road to recovery and has re-aligned their product roadmap to suit.
Almost two years ago the All Aboard series was launched into casinos, clubs, and hotels across Australia and New Zealand, and Konami has now released its first All Aboard Multi-game – All Aboard Express – in response to market changes during COVID.
A Multi-Game with three popular All Aboard titles – Dynamite Dollars, Piggy Pays, and Go West – it was released in the same week as our latest standalone All Aboard game, Prosperous Panda, and both have been shown great performance in the first month.
Konami will be expanding its multigame library with a second All Aboard Multigame due for release in 2020 that will be approved for the Concerto and Concerto Stack cabinets, followed by a Money Trails multigame.
Should you want to discuss further options available to you,
please contact your Konami Sales Representative or call our office (02) 9666 3111.
Gaming
SG GAMING
Following the retirement of hotel gaming legend Ray Brown in March, SG Gaming welcomed David Grey to the role of Hotel Sales Executive. David has been part of the SG family for over 7 years and has an extensive career in gaming having held previous roles in compliance and gaming with the then NSW Liquor Administration Board and JDA Hotels.
The company continues to focus a significant part of its game design efforts on producing uniquely hotel-focused games to bring hoteliers an extra competitive edge. These games are an exciting mix of classic styles and big brand products designed to entertain and delight hotel players.
One of Australia’s most iconic high-denomination gaming brands is back, bigger and better in Drifting Sands™ X. This new take on the old classic Drifting Sands™ game is a wonderful revamp for the DualosX cabinet. Combining contemporary game design techniques with highly recognisable classic features, Drifting Sands X celebrates the artwork and sounds of the original Egyptian theme evolving into a modern-day masterpiece. Drifting Sands X has improved feature hit rates, fresh treatment of the original popular features and attractive prizes added onto symbols, to reignite the passion of loyal fans of the past as well as attract a new audience hungry for a thrilling and highly-rewarding gameplay experience.
The Chief is the latest instalment in the Hot Hot Jackpots™ series, which has been designed specifically with hotel gamers in mind. Together with the unique Action Spins™ Wheel feature that can deliver repeating wins and multiple jackpot prizes, The Chief also awards a new style of Free Game that multiplies wins up to 8x for the opportunity to rake in really exciting wins. This fiery standalone progressive series is loaded with scorching game play to make this series the hottest games in town.
No pub gaming room is complete without Monopoly Hotel Tycoon™! Continuing to be one of SG’s strongest-performing games in the hotel segment, Monopoly Hotel Tycoon brings the world’s favourite board game to life. Offering a welcomed alternative to the all-too-common hold-and-spin style games flooding the market, this latest iteration of the long popular Monopoly game brand has multiple entertaining features with a frequent hit rate underpinned by the widely appealing Free Parking Repeat Win feature that has made this game an enduring success.
The MONOPOLY name and logo, the distinctive design of the game board, the four corner squares, the MR. MONOPOLY name and character as well as each of the distinctive elements of the board and the playing pieces are trademarks of Hasbro for its property trading game and game equipment.© 2020 Hasbro. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
SG Gaming
David Grey - Hotel Sales
Ph. +61 410 536 146
Drifting Sands X, DualosX, Hot Hot Jackpots, Scientific Games, SG Gaming, The Chief, are marks owned in the United States or elsewhere by, or under license to or from Scientific Games Corporation or one or more of its directly or indirectly owned subsidiaries.
© 2020 Scientific Games. All Rights Reserved.
Gaming
IGT AUSTRALIA
IGT’s new, adapted solutions for today’s reality
With the very different times our industry is faced with today, IGT’s performance-driven game design strategy has evolved. IGT games have been attuned to the current environment and deliver more entertainment for players while offering venues stronger performance and revenues.
At AGE 2020, visitors would have experienced two new game themes that provide players with more frequent features for a greater entertainment experience:
- Fortune Palace™, due in August, evolves IGT’s strong performing Fortune Coin™ game and launches with 2 games: Fortune Palace Imperial Prince™ and Imperial Princess™. The rapid hitting jackpot kicks off at $500 and caps at $1,000 providing operators with reduced jackpot liability and players with a guaranteed bonus or credit prize during the jackpot feature.
- Fortune Lines™ is due in October, and combines a twist on ‘Hold N Spin’ with a traditional game focused on line wins, and launches with 2 games: Egyptian Storm® and Dynasty Treasures™. It flips IGT’s Hyper Hits® game by showing players prizes on reel 1 (instead of reel 5) to create more excitement and the potential for wins.
Other games that demonstrate IGT’s new strategy are:
- Fireball® - delivering familiar ‘hold n spin’ gameplay but with a completely new twist, where line wins and the feature can be triggered together. Available with three classic performing games but with a new ‘express’ player experience, Fireball has a lower cost to cover – just 25 credits - and more frequent feature hits.
- Mighty Strike™ - is an evolution of IGT’s successful Fortune Gong® – with two new games: Immortal Shogun™ and Black Knight™, which feature a 3x5 line format and new math for a more volatile player experience. It also adds $1 (all jurisdictions) and $2 (NSW only) denoms to the normal 1c - 10c options.
- Multistar Brilliant Diamonds™ - due in November, with six new games. Value and choice in one cabinet.
IGT has reacted swiftly to the new business environment, developing new systems solutions for its ADVANTAGE CLUB® customers:
- IGT iSolate™ intelligently disables the machines either side as soon as a player starts a gaming session on one machine. Once the player finishes their playing session, the machines either side are re-activated and a page is sent to a nearby gaming attendant to sanitise the machine before the next player arrives.
- IGT’s Cardless Connect is soon to be approved, and removes the need for a physical card, instead moving that functionality to the mobile phone – to drive stronger player uptake.
These form part of IGT’s drive to provide our customers’ customer with a ‘frictionless’ experience, making it easier to interact with clubs and hotels.
Sales contacts
NSW: Tony Luu – Hotel Business Manager NSW – 0488 424 996 | tony.luu@igt.com
QLD: Craig Harley – QLD State Manager – 0409 039 461 | craig.harley@igt.com
SA/NT: Bill Maglaris – State Sales Manager SA/NT – 0411 283 265 | bill.maglaris@igt.com
VIC/TAS: Theo Toklis – State Sales manager VIC/TAS – 0434 476 964 | theo.toklis@igt.com
Gaming
ARUZE GAMING
A great proposition for Hotels.
Aruze Gaming has successfully operated in Australia for over 31 years, and whilst it is unfortunate that the AGE 2020 had to be cancelled, Aruze has pushed on with product approvals in all Australian states!
The award-winning Muso Triple27, which won the Best Slot Product at the G2E Las Vegas 2018, was launched in Australia in early 2019. The Muso Triple-27 creates a stunning light display with its never before seen 360-degree LED backlighting.
Aruze Gaming Australia provides state of the art technology to the hotel market.
Currently in Australia Aruze has titles like Bound for Riches (both SAP & Link), Wild Tales, Cannonball series of games, Vegas Riches and African Blaze that are performing well above market average.
Our terms of sale make a purchase of an Aruze Muso Triple-27 the best ROI in the market. Machines are available for approx. $16,000 +GST and we also give a much longer Warranty period to support our customers and their spend – 3 years game warranty for most products sold.
Aruze Gaming are designers and suppliers of gaming solutions with global branches in America, Australia, Macau and South Africa.
For more information go to www.aruzegaming.com, or email us at sales@aruzegaming.com.au
Gaming
AINSWORTH
AINSWORTH’s A-STAR™ is here!
As we emerge from the shadows of COVID-19 it’s time to revamp your gaming floors with the brand new captivating A-STAR™ cabinet by Ainsworth.
The A-STAR™ takes Ainsworth to the next level with a meticulously crafted cabinet that encompasses a sleek, modern, modular design, a spectacular dual screen format, dynamic LED lighting, and a state-of-the-art LCD touchscreen button deck.
The new A-STAR™ cabinet flaunts a unique and elegant design that integrates effortlessly with any décor. This cabinet takes design to a whole new level with an ultra-thin form factor, providing genuine space integration and an element of futuristic luxury, elevating their surroundings with stellar picture quality and newly added gaming features.
The A-STAR™ has launched with the exclusive new brand Pan Chang™!
Pan Chang™, a Chinese traditional decorative knot, is also the Buddhist conception of continuity and the origin of all things. The series introduces the ‘Pan Chang’ Feature; a collection of ‘Pan Chang’ symbols where credit prizes, bonus prizes and the major progressive can be won. With three games approved in the brands portfolio - Long and Happy Life, Endless Fortune and Guan Yu it is sure to bring excitement to any gaming floor.
Complementing Pan Chang™, the next exclusive A-STAR™ brand is Rise Up™! Rise Up™ encapsulates a multi-ladder feature with two jackpot progressive levels and two scalable bonus prizes. The Rise Up™ feature includes multiple awards during the ladder feature with chances to win the progressive jackpots. An additional free games feature provides an attractive feature hit rate desirable to players. Born Free and Wizards Wand are the first two games in this brand and are sure to keep players enthralled.
Ainsworth continues to develop its product portfolio with advanced technology and software that delivers aesthetically pleasing art and engaging content. The launch of A-STAR™ and two strong brands, Pan Chang™ and Rise Up™ aims to support current customer gaming floors and diversify business models.
Gaming-Related
MAX GAMING
A new way of doing business with MAX Performance Solutions
As Australia’s leading gaming services provider, MAX provides the most comprehensive suite of end-to-end products and solutions aimed at driving growth for pubs. From all aspects of gaming floor support and gaming systems, to monitoring and maintenance, we have the scale, experience and tools to help set you up for success.
MAX’s Performance Solutions business is all about helping to unlock the full potential of gaming venues and supporting them to operate as effectively as possible. Our focus is on providing you with the information and tools you need to make important decisions that are right for you and your business.
Adam Floyd, Head of MAX Performance Solutions, explains how MAX works with hotels.
“We‘ve worked with the hotel industry and our customers to provide venues with more choice and greater flexibility when it comes to operating their gaming floor. We provide a choice of capital investment options, a range of core inclusions to better manage your gaming machine product, and a selection of optional value-added extras.
“We understand that on the back of COVID-19 and as we navigate through different stages of reopening, venues may look to us for support. Our streamlined approach has been built to be more cost-effective than ever and focuses purely on increasing the performance of your gaming floor.”
The MAX Performance Solutions offer for Queensland and New South Wales hotels has been designed to:
- Provide greater efficiencies for your pub
- Meet the specific operational and financial requirements of your business
- Deliver capital savings and improve cash flow
- Support your management team by proving the right advice and insight
- Minimise your risk
“Essentially, the Performance Solutions offer consists of three key elements,” added Floyd.
- A choice of capital investment options:
a) Customers can choose between no upfront purchase of your existing gaming floor or buy back at the end or term, OR
b) Upfront capital through the purchase of your gaming floor with a guaranteed buy back value at the end of term - A range of core inclusions – including market-leading product recommendations and unrivalled data and insights capability
- A selection of optional value-added extras – including comprehensive marketing support and venue design
“So whatever your business needs – whether you’re looking for capital to reinvest into your pub, need independent product recommendation, or would like to know how your venue measures up against the competition, we can certainly help you build a solution to meet your individual requirements.”
To learn more about MAX Performance Solutions and how we can help take your venue to the next level visit www.max.com.au.
Gaming
ATM PLUS
ATMPlus – Banktech is the bridge between cash and digital payments
Banktech prides itself on delivering more and has re-designed the ATM to bring it and your venue into the digital age.
Your customers’ payment needs continue to change and while dispensing cash will always be a core ATM service, your patrons will continue searching for different payment options.
“We are transitioning the ATM into the digital age”, says Henry Kiwarkis, GM Sales at Banktech.
“We have taken a traditional ATM and added new hardware and software to offer a much wider range of transactions to eventually include depositing funds into mobile wallets, paying bills, withdrawal of cash from cryptocurrency accounts – even converting foreign exchange. The possibilities are endless.”
We understand what’s important to pubs and clubs and strive to provide quality products to suit the industry’s growing needs.
ATMPlus innovative technology provides a higher quality of service to your patrons while increasing your foot traffic, earns your venue additional revenue, and attracts new patrons seeking digital services.
- Pay with points: Allow your patrons to pay ATM fees using their loyalty points.
- Make cardless withdrawals
- Top up digital wallets
ATMPlus plus features currently include:
Since offering the use of cash to top up digital wallets Banktech has also begun working with a number of sports betting and other digital wallet companies to allow your customers to top up their digital accounts with cash or withdraw funds from their account. Additionally, the withdrawal of cryptocurrencies is not far away either!
ATMPlus improves your customers’ experience by providing unique services that help streamline your operation with fast and reliable service and equipment, allowing you to focus your attention on the day to day operation of your business.
We have a number of Clubs where members have the option to pay their ATM fees using loyalty points.
“This is proving to be very successful for us and we have a number of other venues ready to come on board,” says Kiwarkis.
Banktech’s ATMPlus has a variety of extras available including a barcode scanner, note acceptor and RFID reader to help bring your venue to the future of payments.
Banktech’s reputation for reliability with a 99 per cent uptime, exceptional service and support is backed up with nationwide field service 365 days a year as well as experienced in-house 24/7 helpdesk support.
In these ever-changing times, now is the time to bring your venue into the digital age. For more information click here or call 1800 08 09 10.
Gaming-Related
GLOBAL GAMING - UTOPIA
Global Gaming – Utopia: gaming systems that deliver
Utopia’s Global Gaming System simplifies the management of your venue by seamlessly integrating front and back of house operations with a scalable solution that meets your business needs.
Servicing pubs for over thirty years, this gaming system has proved an invaluable gaming management tool for over 900 venues. Its popularity is now extending into registered clubs in NSW who have been looking for a genuine option for a comprehensive gaming system.
The Global CCU (Central Control Unit) is the core of the system, with a number of add-on modules, including Global Eye, Globaly Loyalty and Omin VISION.
The CCU allows you to monitor all EGMs in real-time and facilitates credit transfers and payouts. Venue managers can also track active player information, hot machines and produce shift and daily reports.
TITO enabled, Global CCU also connects to cash redemption terminals, smart safes and automated payouts.
Importantly, Global CCU provides the ability to lock machines at the end of trade and automate backup and archiving of data.
The Global CCU automates hand pay dockets, greatly reducing human error in processing. It simplifies the total management of your venue, from payout management to a total venue marketing solution.
The Global Loyalty module, known as Maxetag, provides an easy-to-use loyalty program. Tiering, value-added promotions and better customer engagements are features of Maxetag. You can also control your promotional budget by selecting your own rewards and customise venue-wide promotions. Maxetag also links to an interactive foyer terminal that your customers will also find easy to use.
Venue managers are also able to better track their customers’ behaviour and trends, providing a better insight into ROI on promotional and marketing spend.
Another popular feature of Maxetag is that it provides the ability to advertise on EGM PIMs and on the foyer terminal.
The Global Eye analytical tool provides live analytics reports. See daily trading in real time with data broken down by Hot Machines, Room Configuration, EGMs in play both indoor and outdoor.
Want more from your reporting? Omni VISION is a remote reporting tool. A secure cloud-based portal, you can monitor all Banktech and Utopia devices as well as EGMs in one place and across a group of venues. Omni VISION monitors cash levels and tracks alerts on all Banktech and Utopia devices. It also generates reports and business insights for all EGMs connected to Utopia's Global gaming system.
Utopia’s Global Gaming is a respected gaming system; users count us as one of their critical business tools.
For more information call the Utopia team on 1800 200 201 or visit www.utopiagaming.com.au
Gaming-Related
CHOICE PAPER
Choice Paper is a Australian family-owned and operated business – the preferred supplier to the gaming, hospitality and retail Industry, and Australia’s largest supplier of Thermal TITO Tickets.
We provide quality thermal rolls, plain and pre-printed, bond and multi-ply rolls, ribbons, office printers/toners, gaming cards, voucher books, TAB & Keno Rolls and custom printing requirements.
Choice Paper has been servicing the industry for over 17 years. Some of our clients include The Star Casino, Crown Casino, Leagues and RSL Clubs, Tabcorp, MAX Gaming and many large hotel groups, such as Laundy, Merivale, Nelson Meers, Redcape and Australian Venue Co.
Contact us today and let Choice Paper be the one stop shop for your paper consumables.
Melanie Attard
1300 278 000
