Manufacturers analyzed the Latin American slots market in EY!10

Francisco Ledesma, general manager of Gaming & Technology Colombia S.A., distributing company from IGT, and president of the National Games of Chance Society (SONAJA), was moderator at the conference. Ledesma started the talk with two questions: Which are the growth perspectives and Which are the most stable markets.

According to Sebastián Salat, President of WMS, the most stable markets are Chile and Peru, at a legislative and regulatory level. Besides, Miguel Mikasinovic from Novomatic Mexico, commented: “Argentina has little regulation and that is one of the problems that the industry faces to achieve growth. In order to evolve, a market must be transparent, and so it is necessary to have proper rules and verification”. Álvaro Nores from Aristocrat added that we will continue seeing a sustained growth in Mexico, a least for two more years.

When asked about which are the factors that lead to market stagnation, Ricardo Regner pointed the lack of regulation and control, as well as disloyal competence. Eduardo Aching, from Konami, added: “A market without regulation is what blocks the market growth”.

With regards to the markets that do not have a proper regulation, Miguel Mikasinovic indicated: “Without regulation there is not growth, at least in the long term. A clear example is Brazil”. Salat assured: “The main obstacle is the lack of political will. When there is not political will, although the industry pushes, there is no way to get anywhere. In Chile and Peru, for example, both elements gathered”.

With regards to the situation of the Colombian market, Nores explained that it currently represents a problem, but in the future it may be an opportunity. “Colombia has old machines, but it will have to evolve. It still has a future with a medium growth in the region, following Peru example.”

Sonaja president also asked about the things an operator should priorize when choosing his machines. “The secret is in the games. There are games that work and others that don’t. The operator faces a dilemma of choosing something that works within a so varied offer”, said the executive from Novomatic Mexico. He then added: “According to my experience, big brands are what they are because of a reason. I would assure big brands first and I would experiment with the rest”.