“We have been able to expand, particularly across Latin American markets”

What is the evaluation of this year?
When we published our Annual Report for 2011 we were extremely pleased that it was a record year for our Group. Of course, the figures for 2012 are not yet completed but we can already predict that, despite ongoing global economic difficulties, that the trend will be positive. In any case, we will be able to present headline figures for 2012 during the upcoming ICE Totally Gaming Show in London, from February 5th to 7th. We have been able to expand, particularly across Latin American markets, and that is as a result of our continued innovations to stimulate the market and the skills and dedication of our workforce.

What were the main challenges that you had to face within your major markets?
The economic difficulties that I mentioned were still present. But, as our Group’s President, Professor Johann F Graf has stated many times, “In difficult times one thing is always created: opportunity!”  Each market around the world presents its own challenges, sometimes market conditions and sometimes through regulation changes but, as always, our responsibility is to respond to those challenges, whatever they may be, and overcome them.

In your opinion, what was the most outstanding novelty (positively or negatively)?
There are many but, looking across the whole spectrum of the international gaming entertainment industry, we can see the continued rise of internet and remote gaming and look to some exciting new developments in that field. We can see, particularly in Latin America, moves to provide better regulatory environments that will help create jobs and wealth through the success of our industry and, of course, we can see our industry having a positive social impact as well run and well regulated gaming increases. There were also some down sides in hard to understand regulatory changes; importation regulations in Argentina, for example, and the sudden and unexprected closure of the Hungarian market.

What was the most innovative product or service launched this year by your company?
It would perhaps sound like a boast to say that there are too many to mention … but it would actually be the case! We have produced exciting new game cabinet this year, as well as many new games that I can see becoming iconic names for the future. So, it is hard to just pick one innovation but, as an illustration of the ingenuity and skill of our Research and Development team, I would say our unique product Pinball Roulette has been outstanding all around the world. Creating a product that is truly unique is of course extremely difficult but, in the case of Pinball Roulette, we produced an entirely new product that has made the entire industry really excited.

In your opinion, what is the country with the highest growth potential for next year and why?
It is difficult to pick out any one country but, speaking regionally, I would highlight the Americas: both the USA and the entire Latin American region. That does not at all mean that I am forgetting our ‘home’ markets in Europe, or our steady progression in Asia, but Latin America is right now the big ‘hot spot’ for our industry. It is really interesting to see how the region’s individual gaming markets have matured in recent times and I am sure that process will continue.

What are your company's plans for 2013?
As always, to progress and to expand!  We do that by innovating new products, by giving our customers the absolute best service – before, during and after sales, and by always being respectful of and sympathetic to the needs of the market; which is of course an import revenue generator for governments around the world.

How do you picture the gaming industry in 2013? Will it be similar to this year? Will there be a growth or slowdown?
My view is that, as the world’s economic landscape slowly begins to re-balance itself our industry – which is, let us not forget, a significant part of the wider entertainment industry – will again start to show some growth. It will vary from region to region and it may well be slow growth but I believe that we will see developments that are encouraging, not just on a case by case basis but rather as an indicator for longer term trends.