Keeping technology fresh
THERE has been no shortage of remarkable innovations in the gaming industry over the past decade.
In fact, there are too many to mention because the casino business has been quick to embrace change and new technology in recent times. Operators have been eager to streamline and strengthen their businesses and manufacturers and developers have been inventive in providing the tools that enable them to do so.
There can be few industries that have been transformed so rapidly by new technology as the casino industry. Some of the latest developments could barely have been imagined even just a few short years ago.
It is therefore difficult to pick out one innovation that has been more important than the others during the last decade, but InterGaming asked some industry players to do just that.
“Although I could rattle off any number of significant innovations, they were from well before the last 10 years,” said Tom Nieman, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at payment solutions specialist JCM Global. “I’m thinking of the likes of virtual reels, bill validators, TITO, etc.
“But as far as the last 10 years is concerned, I am not sure it qualifies as an innovation, but the introduction of the smartphone is bringing the concept of gambling to the masses - social gaming, mobile sports wagering, lottery ticket purchases, etc. “All this demystifies gambling, making it more mainstream that ever before. The more mainstream gaming, the greater acceptance of the concept of casinos. In the last 10 years, we have witnessed an incredible expansion of casino gaming in North America, in Macau, in Europe and in Latin America.
“The idea of casino gambling is no longer an area of illegal activity conducted by immoral people. We are a mainstream form of entertainment like movies, concerts, etc. And that is good for everyone.”
Read the full article in the February issue of InterGaming
