“It is necessary that we start teaching how to play in Class III machines”

What novelties did you present in ELA?
Perhaps the most important game for us in the exhibition was “Sex and the City”, which was introduced last November in US and now we have it in Mexico. This game has brought extraordinary results wherever it has been installed, and we have expectations that it happens the same in Mexico. We will see it in casinos in no more than three or for weeks.

How do you evaluate the transition from Class II to Class III?
I think the transicion has caused the availability of some of the latest games, in which the market has invested a lot of money. Most providers invest in Class III platform today. So, the player has more chances to count on different types of entertainment. The market offer is very strong. As this market is so young, it is necessary that we teach how to play in this type of devices. This way, we will really see class III make progress.

How do you evaluate the event?
The event was much better than in previous years, in part due to the opening of the market. Other companies participated at the show with other concerns and more strenght. It made the event more valuable.

For how long have you been operating in Mexico and which is the firm’s position in this market?
IGT started operating before the beginning of the gambling activities. In 2004, the firm started a strategical relationship with two of its main current clients. The first machines were installed approximately in 2005. From that moment on, we have been very active with developments. We were the first to change to Class III and almost all our collection is already Class III. We do not have an accurate number of machines operating in the market due to the large illegal market, but we must have around 15% of the market share. We see that many of the machines that have arrived are second-handed, so they will have difficulty to compete with more modern equipments. Eventually, they will have to replace them. I think that during the year we will have more accurate numbers.