Impact of the Information and Communication Technology Systems (ICT) on the Gaming Industry

These technologies bring the capacity to share and process information anywhere and, at the same time, afford  people the means to have access, to use and to share that information  anywhere.

The materialization in the application of ICT can be seen in the coming together of various technologies – technological convergence - , where the capacity of different network platforms to transport signals (voice, data, multimedia) enables one to receive those signals on one fixed or mobile device (smartphones, tablets,  gadgets, personal computers, TVs). It means that, with the ‘technological convergence’, the user has acces to telephone, TV and Internet services on the same device.

However, we must not consider the convergence an exclusive tecnological concept. In a wider sense,  we can also say that it is a driver of new forms of business activities. It stimulates the competition  in every market and boosts social, economic and organizational transformation processes.

 The question to ask is: How doICTs impact on our industry?

I think, in this sense, we are at a turning point.. We find ourselves facing a paradigm shift towards the creation of an open model  providing operators with a better integrated offer comprised of a  multiplicity of products – of  course within regulated markets that guarantee transparency and security in all transactions.

It is clear that there is a trend regarding the technological convergence in the gaming industry. For some time now it has been evident ca in the rise of the  remote gaming model together with Internet betting. This is an online gaming modality which is constantly growing and will continue expanding in  future, drawing in more players.

As a result, a new question arises: Will the traditional on site gaming model disappear?

Of course it will not disappear. The challenge is that casinos, gambling venues and bingo halls, as physical spaces of regulated gaming, will have to reinvent themselves, promoting an integrated offer of products including opportunities aforded by current technologies. A  more competitive business approach needs to be adopted, centred on better incorporating  ICT, assuming new risks and offering new forms of participation to the player. 

In this regard, it is a fallacy to think that the remote gaming model has as a unique expression in the shape of  Internet betting through well-known websites. The online gaming concept  has different technological expressions, without needing to be reduced only to the format of betting sites and/ or online casino sites. Nowadays, it is possible to have modalities of access to online gaming in closed environments, and whose operations are  well regulated. 

For example, for bingo games, there are terminals with touch screens, bill acceptors and ticket printers that enable the administration of a multi-site business model with multi-games among  interconnected online venues.  This technology transforms traditional gaming into a more dynamic and attractive working model, also allowing for player participation through Internet conection from remote sites. 

The Cloud Computingtechnology is also being offered by gaming manufacturers, as an alternative to  a wider catalogue of products. This means games that can  be played through devices such as smartphones, tablets and gadgets that enable the player to have Access, with comfort and without limits, from every corner of the gambling venue. And this enables the multi-site online gaming modality  since venues are interconnected with each other.

We could continue mentioning a myriad of alternatives available but it has become evident that technological solutions are not enough.  These online gaming platforms, in which many players can participate at the same time, involve systems of interactivity where transactions, the data base management and the control of the platform must be secured and regulated. 

It is essential, in order to achieve these safeguards and satisfy other emerging economic and legal requirements, that  regulatory entities properly involve themselves  in the analysis of these technologies. 

Proceses of change are already afoot – they have become imposible to ignore – cutting across boundaries  and penetrating  autonomous territories and thus hindering  the fight against illegal gaming. Rigurous procedures in granting licenses, strict requirements for operating companies and clear regulatory frameworks are the tools at our disposal for ensuring  the use of ICTs in a model that guarantees  transparency in chance-based games operations and properly protects bettors. . 

However, the regulatory mechanisms should also be  effective and flexible enough to allow for the application of e alternative solutions when previous ones become obsolete,  in pursuit of  new entertainment proposals and/or technological improvements. 

In this respect, Regulatory Entities face a key challenge: to work on the  design of a modern and efficient regulatory framework that, in future, can truly satisfy the expectations of the sector. The Latin American gaming industry needs that legal framework to keep on progressing. Technological solutions are available. Now the priority is to  set up a regulatory framework  enabling and safeguarding their incorporation.