Interview to Nicolas Diénot, Area Sales Manager Mediterranean, Latin America & Caribbean

GPI bet in SAGSE on the union of poker and RFID technology

Nicolas Diénot, Area Sales Manager Mediterranean, Latin America & Caribbean of GPI.

Argentina | 11/02/2008

(Argentina, exclusive Yogonet.com).- Nicolas Diénot, Area Sales Manager Mediterranean, Latin America & Caribbean of GPI, talked in exclusive to Yogonet.com within SAGSE Buenos Aires and showcased its new RFID poker table that the firm presented at the show.

What products did GPI present in SAGSE Buenos Aires?

We introduced an RFID poker table, with well-known RFID chips, but this time, applied to all Texas hold’em poker. This way, it allows accelerating the game because it is not necessary to count chips and capture the percentage for the house.

What has been the feedback of the product from the public?

It sourprised a lot because it is something new, which has not been seen here so far. Several casinos already have chips in this technology and are considering to incorporate the product for its casino. Once again, it is a proof of the potential and the qualities of RFID, which we are also showing in a cashier system, where the customer may sell or buy chips and the casino acknowledges if there are legal chips. Besides, we have an associated system where we send information of the takings in the surveillance system, and which allows to add more security to the gambling venue.

Which is the strategy for the new product to enter in the different markets?

The Argentinian and Chilean markets will surely be the most important ones because there are important casinos with capacity for this type of technology, so we see the short-term potential. We are very satisfied with the event in general because it brought new international visitors from far-away countries, that this year were more numerous than in previous years. We showed them the latest technology available as well as the traditional one.

What balance can GPI make of the current year?

We can make an extremely positive balance with regards to our position in the Chilean market, because there was a potential of new casinos to be opened, and we achieved to have a very good penetration with regards to new box chips. I would say that we complied with our goals for 2008 and we have a positive perspective for 2009, because casinos haven’t opened yet. With regards to Argentina, the big opening of the year was Santa Fe, where we reached RFID, and for 2009 we are negotiating sales.

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