Poised to Expand

Ainsworth is looking to build its presence in Macau with a range of slots developed specifically for the local market

From October 2012, all new slot games in Macau are required to feature playerselectable dual-language (Chinese and English). All the major manufacturers exhibiting at G2E Asia in May showcased their latest dual-language titles, but the only stand where every single game on display appeared to be dual-language was that of Ainsworth Game Technology.

It’s the first time the company has designed games specifically for the region, with strong Asian themes in evidence throughout its stand. In highlight was Treasure Storm, packed with three linked progressives, two standalone progressives and an engaging free games feature. Available with an eye-catching signage package, Treasure Storm is a 40-/50-line game targeted at the 5 and 10 Hong Kong cent denomination segments. The progressive can pay out over HK$1 million at the top level and hits frequently at the lower levels. The initial launch of Treasure Storm comes with a choice of three base games: 888 Blue Dragon, 888 Red Dragon and 888 Yellow Dragon.

Ainsworth is offering all its games with jackpots. Other big Asian themes at its G2E Asia stand included the mystery jackpot Snake Mystery, created to commemorate the Year of the Snake in 2013, and the high-denom linked progressive Fortune Ox, featuring a HK$2.5 million jackpot. Available in the unique triple-screen Super A560 cabinet, Fortune Ox provides increased startup value options plus rapid-hitting bonus prizes and frequent free game features.

Then there’s Ainsworth’s 3-level standalone progressive, Thunder Dragon, which, according to the company, is a market first concept wherein scatter combinations not only trigger the free games feature, but also simultaneously reveal any one of three big standalone progressive levels.

Another unique concept on display was the Double Shot Oriental game package which gives players a choice of four different features once the feature is triggered. Ainsworth also showed off new Asian-themed titles for its popular 4-level standalone progressive series, Quad Shot, including Dragon Charm, Jade Emperor and Wings of Fortune.

New South Wales-based Ainsworth Game Technology was founded in 1995 by the legendary Len Ainsworth, long acknowledged as one of the fathers of slots in Australia and the man who established industry heavyweight Aristocrat. Over the past few years, Ainsworth has greatly increased its share of the Australian market and grown international sales, particularly Poised to Expand Ainsworth is looking to build its presence in Macau with a range of slots developed specifically for the local market in the US. In April, the company announced it had joined forces with Bally in a content sharing agreement designed to help power both companies’ expansion into online and remote gaming. The deal will see Ainsworth provide a variety of games for Bally Technologies’ iGaming Platform and Remote Gaming Server for distribution in regulated markets in the United States and elsewhere.

Underlying Ainsworth’s recent success is the strong performance of its robust A560 family of cabinets. The latest in the line, the A560st, is available in two different modular versions—single 23” LCD and Dual 23”/27” LCD. According to the company, the A560st offers state-of-the-art technology with its powerful Quadtronic processor, compact storage and premium sound system. On the front end, there is an intuitive player interface supporting a 15-button play deck with a programmable button option.

Ainsworth is confident of success in Asia over the coming months. As CEO Danny Gladstone states, “With the strong success of brands such as Double Hit & Quad Shot series combined with our continued commitment for providing high performing, innovative and engaging games to the Asian market, Ainsworth looks forward to an outstanding year.”