“At ICE we showed a whole world of innovations for 2014”

Did ICE meet your expectations?
Our expectations were naturally high given ICE’s ‘sensational’ promotion. Our results were not just great; they too were sensational!

What products did you exhibit?
We offer complete gaming solutions and the products on display on our stand reflected this. We showed a whole world of innovations for 2014 under the motto ‘more than just a game’. The multitude of cabinet choice includes the Privilege Plus, Visions Plus, WB4 and the Evolution. 

The Highflyer with its two screens is perfect just to relax in front of, as its upper screen seems to be floating in the air. We are one of the few companies that can offer full VLT / SBG solutions. Furthermore, we introduced a brand new management system – the MERKUR ALL-IN-ONE. This software for the server-based gaming segment allows complete networking of all business processes for slots, arcade and casino management, highlighting all functionalities of a business management system. 

Various jackpot systems were on display and naturally the Merkur Dispenser 100 with the introduction of the Gold edition as the next, even more secure banknote recycler. All these solutions are more were on proud display on our stand alongside the innovations by our sister-companies Blueprint Gaming and GeWeTe. 

Did you launch any new products in London? What were the key features of the products you presented?
The ICE was the perfect setting for a whole series of major product launches:

Cabinets: Evolution SL and Avantgarde SLT for the perfect gaming experience in Full HD

• The Space Ball – a brand new player experience as the player is surrounded by the ‘Space Ball’. The player can better focus on the games and the surround sound is just unbeatable.

• New HD games are already integrated

• Merkur All-in-One was shown in Europe for the first time – one single end-to-end business solution for a wide range of arcade, casino and business management applications

• The Merkur Dispenser 100 Gold edition for ever more secure banknote recycling

What can you tell us about the Avantgarde gaming cabinet? How did operators react?
The Avantgarde SLT represents true progress in design and technology. It looks so different and attractive, indeed it is fresh, young and aspiring in its appearance. That is why everyone who came on our stand had to stop and awe at this new cabinet.

What do you feel next year holds for the industry?
In some countries more legal restriction is looming. The positive is that we see mainly more potentially growing markets than restrictive ones. Of course the internet and mobile gaming without any regulations will continue to have some impacts.

Why is it important for your company to exhibit in London?
ICE is the biggest gaming show in Europe and attracts visitors from all over the world. That is why it is a must.

How is the company positioned in Europe?
We are growing strongly our position in the individual European countries and the number of countries in Europe where we are market leader is increasing as well.

Which are your biggest markets?
For the street / AWP market, our main markets are in Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and of course our home market in Germany. We are also growing in the casino markets. Outside of Europe, we started 2-3 years ago in South America and it is a real success story.

What are your future plans?
This depends on the markets. For the next years, we see a great potential for our products in Asia and Africa.

What are your predictions for the gaming market in 2014?
The gaming market will be stable and in some regions we even can expect a substantial growth. Nevertheless, the highest growth we will see again in unregulated internet and mobile gaming activities.

What are your clients’ main concerns nowadays?
This is depending on the country where they are running the casinos. Restrictions are coming up from the legal framework, the economic situation in different countries, taxes are always a problem and of course the competition of internet and mobile gaming.

What is your opinion about Europe’s regulatory frameworks?
The regulatory frameworks are different in each country and as you can see in Germany a sufficient framework can be destroyed overnight.

How do you see the gaming industry in general?
It is the nicest industry which I can imagine and it will be the same over the next 10/20 years, hopefully 100 years. There will be big changes, but at least people like to be entertained and this is our profession.

What trends did you pick up on?
Internet and mobile gaming will become more and more relevant and the content we are offering to the costumer will have more and more entertainment functions. Beside this we have to consider that responsible gaming will become more and more a substantial issue.

What can you tell me about Daniel van Marissing’s resignation s and take-up of an external partner role? What are his new responsibilities?
Mr van Marissing will be distributing our products in defined countries like France and for sure this will be for both parties a fruitful cooperation.