The UK’s pub machine market will be equally split between new and rebuilt electro-mechanical models and digital machines in “three-to-five years,” according to G Squared.
The first digital Category C machine – specifically designed for pub operations – from G Squared, Andy Powell’s Kent-based company, was given its official debut at the ACOS show in London.
It was also the first all-new Category C machine produced by the company, which has made its name rebuilding, reprogramming and refurbishing electro-mechanical Category C machines in the past. Previously, Powell had produced an all-new machine but it was for the SWP category.
The first digital machine, he said, was in response to what he recognised as a technology “which has to come,” even though, right now, more than 90 per cent of the pub Category C market remained with the old spinning reels.
The result of the launch was that, during the first day of the show, the company’s stand was besieged by operators and retailers keen to see both the new offerings which the company has with rebuilt spinning reel machines and the new digital offering, Casino King. “Demand for digital is growing,” said Powell.
“The move to digital has to come over the new few years as our player base ages. The younger people are fully accustomed to a digital age and will accept digital machines much more readily than the current age group.”
G Squared joins the ranks of a growing number of specialist producers of the old-style spinning reel game, whether new or refurbished, who are broadening the base of their business by introducing digital machines. In Powell’s case, the product, Casino King, comes with a portfolio of nine games, with fresh titles to be added every quarter.
“We are not losing sight of the fact that, today, the electro-mechanical machine remains our ‘bread and butter’,” said Powell, “and we are fully committed to continuing to turn out high quality updates on equipment taken off site.” That process, he said, began with donor cabinets from customers going to a third-party for stripping down and refurbishment – recycling the cabinet – which then moves back to G Squared’s factory at Marston for its interior to be completely reworked, renewed and reprogrammed with a fresh game. Up next for the company, he said, was a version of his digital product for adult gaming centres.
Image: Andrew Powell with colleague Jessica Collins and the new Casino King.
