“In Las Vegas, we will exhibit a line of playing cards made especially for the US”

You invited customers to the Football World Cup. Who participated? What was the experience like?
We had the unique chance to invite two of Copag’s best customers: Jorge Santos(Winner Group Cirsa) and Esteban Carrillo (GrupPeralada)to enjoy the unique emotion to see a World Cup semi-final. This initiative had the support of APEX Brazil, which was responsible for the infrastructure that enabled us to comfortably receive our customers. Watching aWorld Cup at home is priceless, and I am sure that our customers will never forget it. It won’t be the last time that we invite our customers to join us at similar events. 

You started the year with your debut at ICE as exhibitors. What has 2014 been like for you so far? Have you closed new distribution deals? What installations or sale agreements would you like to highlight?
This year has been very positive for us. We are continuing to grow in the market, and we are more and more visible every day. We are even starting to work with our customers directly, without the distributors’ support.  The market required it and in my view it allows us to develop a closer relationship with the customer, which will be beneficial for both Copag and our customers. We are working with the largest Latin American and European casino groups. And we continue working hard on the American and African market. Copag keeps on growing every day!

How are you preparing for G2E Las Vegas? What products will you exhibit there?
We will showcase our well-known collection of cards for casinos, already present in the best worldwide casinos, with our 100% plastic cards and 330g cardboard. We will also exhibit our collection of cards made especially for the United States, which has been very successful for years. Every day it is more important to have specific products for each channel, and obviously, the American market is very important for our company. We have had an office dedicated to sales in the US for more than ten years. 

In your opinion, what technological innovation has most impacted Copag’s business in recent years? And what can we expect for the near future regarding technology applied to casino cards?
Technology has been very important for our group. That’s why we do not see it as something bad but as a challenge and a possibility to further develop Copag products. Nowadays we have incorporated much technology in our cards, but we think that we are still a bit far from finding something interesting for the casino market. I think players still want to feel the cards. But, sincerely, I think that the future holds a combination of technology and real playing cards. 

Beyond G2E Las Vegas, what are the company’s plans for the rest of the year?
This year we will attend SAGSE in Argentina. Additionally, we are already working on ourreturn to ICE 2015, where we will have a newer and bigger booth. I am sure that 2015 will be much better than the current year.