"Our Customer First approach will continue to guide our actions throughout 2018"

Could you provide further insight into the products you are planning to debut at the exhibition?

At ICE 2018, IGT will present a diverse set of market-attuned solutions for our gaming, lottery, interactive and betting customers from all part of the world. ICE will serve as the international debut for several IGT products such as Ghostbusters 4D, the Money-Strike progressive, many new game titles for the CrystalCurve cabinet, and new diversity HD game bundles. ICE will also be the world debut for a few products that we plan to announce in the days leading up to the show.

What are operators and players to expect from you in terms of product development?

IGT customers can expect a robust portfolio of games and solutions that were created to address their specific business needs, and to cater to the unique demands of the markets where they operate. For an added layer of quality assurance, our products endure extensive internal and external performance testing. IGT is also granting our customers increased visibility to our product roadmaps across many product segments. When our customers invest in an IGT cabinet, it is important that they feel confident in the product roadmap that supports it.

Which destinations do you feel currently offer the most potential for gaming growth in Europe?

Europe represents a mature gaming market, yet the region still presents meaningful growth opportunities for IGT. For example, in 2018 there are several large casino openings planned in Cyprus. You can expect to see many IGT solutions within those resort-casinos. Additionally, I believe that Eastern European countries such as Romania and Bulgaria hold growth opportunities for IGT. Last year we initiated some positive momentum in Romania through our interactive business, and I believe that we will be able to build on that momentum throughout 2018. More broadly speaking, I believe the industry has still only scratched the surface of the business opportunities associated with omni-channel content, player insights and mobile technologies that enhance the land-based casino environment. Products such as IGT’s PlaySpot and Cardless Connect give players opportunities to engage with their favorite casino experiences in new and exciting ways, and in a manner consistent with how they consume other forms of entertainment. Similarly, the concept on anytime, anywhere onmi-channel content is more relevant than ever in a mature mobile gaming region such as Europe.

What discussions should drive the 2018 agenda at an industry-level? Which topics will be the focus, in your opinion?

As an industry, I believe we should maintain our focus on growth. This growth can come in many forms – the growth of the industry, the opening of new market opportunities, and the expansion of the core demographic of players that enjoys gaming entertainment.

Could you mention the strategies you are implementing in 2018 to outperform competitors and grow your market share?

Our Customer First approach will continue to guide our actions throughout 2018. We are closely aligned with our customers, and continue to bring as many IGT resources as close to our customers as we can. We will also continue our extensive internal and external product testing, and will remain focused on leveraging innovation and technology to help shape the future of gaming with our customers.