Are video lottery terminals now the street market gaming machines of choice for regulators?
The introduction of video lottery terminals has breathed new life into several street gaming markets around the world, offering new opportunities for operators, suppliers and, not least, the players. Perhaps their biggest contribution to the gaming landscape, however, is the degree of control that they provide for both regulators and operators. It is this, rather than the quality of new games or the new jackpots they boast, that is likely to drive their increased use in the years ahead. Jurisdictions seeking to open and manage their street markets in a secure and responsible way are turning to VLTs as their preferred option.
Martin Lucas of Inspired Gaming described a VLT programme as a “no-brainer” for regulators because of the advantages it provides.
“One of the key advantages of a VLT programme is auditable and controlled gaming, so you’re providing a safe and controlled gaming environment for players,” he said. “If you’re a regulator, this is the first thing you’re looking for – you want a centralised system that allows total control for the regulator - and Italy is an example of that. You want to be able to audit everything, which means synchronised data collection, and you also need a regulated and fair environment to promote player confidence and keep players away from the illegal market. Just choosing a centralised system gives the regulator a massive, massive advantage.”
Such systems enable regulators to collect new taxes, protect vulnerable players and target illegal gambling markets, he added.
“The advantage over the AWP is obvious – it’s the full control of the device,” said David Mixa of Czech VLT manufacturer and operator Synot. “The street markets in the countries Synot operates can be tricky. Some players are very flexible when it comes to tricks to cheat the machines – they drill holes to get access to the wires or note acceptors, steal money from the cash box etc. With standalone machines, the operator does not have many possibilities to stop them doing it, but with VLT machines, where you can set a number of alarms covering various problematic parts, the operator immediately knows when something is going wrong and can react.
Read the full article in the March issue of InterGame.
