Pirated and copied machines are hurting the gaming industry and operators should steer clear of rogue suppliers - this is the message from Gareth Hope of International Slot Machine Sales.
During the recent Romanian Entertainment Arena Expo, the Romanian authorities carried out spot checks on all equipment displayed at the show to ensure its authenticity. This prompted ISMS, a leading supplier of pre-owned and refurbished gaming equipment, to warn operators against purchasing poorly manufactured and pirated machines.
"We should not confuse professional companies that supply accredited and tested cabinets for custom software or promotional devices with ‘pirates’ who provide copies or fake cabinets designed to look like major manufacturers’ models," said Hope.
The main problem, he explained, is that people manufacturing these machines often base their designs on high quality, high performing, well-known brands.
"Casino operators get duped into buying these machines, which are often presented at a quarter of the normal market value and sometimes with the same game software as the correct models."
The companies do not spend the same amount of time and money investing in the craftsmanship of the cabinet, with most featuring sub-standard components, he continued. Operators are also stung by inferior pirated games, leading to problems with mathematics, selecting different denominations and language settings.
"ISMS cautions operators against keeping pirated games on their gaming floor as it can lead to legal problems with regulators, exposure to manufacture audits and, above all else, a poorer experience for players," said Hope. "Players who are familiar with certain gaming machines will relate the poor experience to the venue, reducing the operator’s player retention rates.
"It might look like a good option for new start-ups and operators looking to make the most of free space, but pirated machines do not usually perform as well as the originals. In the long run the cheaper inferior machines break down more often, require more regular maintenance and are more expensive to repair as they will not be supported by the proper manufacturer."
