Inside Asian Gaming

38 While the casino industry ponders the future of downloadable technology, a number of VLT jurisdic- tions have already embraced the tenants of central system control and are putting it to good use. In New York State, where video lottery gaming is in its infancy, race-tracks with VLTs are monitored cen- trally by a system designed by Multimedia Games Inc. “All sites are connected to the same system,” said Gary L. Loebig, executive vice president for sales at Multimedia. “They’re connected via land lines and satellite, so the system is redundant and double redundant. Down time is almost negligible. We monitor every transaction. With central determination, it’s all about control.” And, said Loebig, VLT markets are on their way to downloadability. “VLT markets will probably beat the casinos in downloadability,” he said, pointing out that in New York downloadable capability was built into the original product. Downloadable gaming is also where Todd Elsasser, technical compliance director for Cyberview Technol- ogy, sees the VLT market going. “Downloadable is tailor made for the video lottery,” said Elsasser,pointing to Cyberview’s server-based and downloadable products.“Look at Oregon,with fiveVLTs in a bar or a tavern.In Oregon it would cost a fortune to individually monitor all those remote sites. “The biggest thing is security. The games have to be bulletproof. Control of the lottery has to be secure.That’s where we get into a lot of new stuff, with remote diagnos- tics.” John Grochowski VLTs may lead downloadable revolution ments in other gaming venues around the globe, and we create plans to bring popular themes and game types to their markets.We recently introduced the first widearea pro- gressive ‘Wheel of Gold’ game to Delaware. We are constantly looking at ways to increase revenue to lottery operations by offering ex- citing multi-game products in bar and tavern markets as well.” VLT markets have picked up tricks from Indian gaming markets, too, with multi-state linked progressive jackpots such as those common in Native American casinos. In 2006, Spielo introduced its multi-state progressive system, Cashola. “We have 28 of those here,” said Dover Downs’ Keener. “We’re part of a link of 240 games, here in Delaware, West Virginia, and Rhode Island. They do well. The size of the jackpot runs up because of the quantity fac- tor.There’s a buzz about that.” Keeping current Meanwhile, content providers are doing their best to drive play with up-to-date games. That’s a challenge manufacturers must meet to keep floor space. In Delaware, Johnson said the lottery replaces games with below-aver- age performance with games from manufac- turers with above average performance. With the pressure to perform,it’s no won- der WMS is turning to Bluebird and CPU-NXT, IGT is rolling out Wheel of Gold progressives, Bally is placing CineVision and Spielo has Cashola in lottery markets. “VLT markets are growing in quality and variety of product,” said Bally’s Bullis. “We were just awarded 20 percent of games in Oregon for 2007, and 100 percent of the Bally units will be CineVision. That comes to 2,300 units. We’re going from zero percent of the market to 20 percent, and we’re very proud to offer them the combination of our multi- ple game library coupled with the CineVision technology.” The latest and greatest games and the latest and greatest technology—that’s the key to competitiveness in VLT markets, for manufacturers and the lotteries themselves alike. By John Grochowski.Reprintedwith permission from International Gaming & Wagering Busi- ness magazine John Grochowski is an Illinois-based reporter and freelance writer. Multimedia Games’ MGAMe is one component of a system designed to help VLT operators in New York and elsewhere manage and monitor games from a centralized location.