"We’re maintaining our heritage but constantly adapting, consolidating what works globally while exploring new directions"

At this year’s G2E Las Vegas, Abbiati once again showcased why it remains a trusted name in live casino equipment, combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. With over four decades of experience, the Italian manufacturer continues to evolve through innovation, from RFID-enabled chips and precision-engineered roulette wheels to advanced security and compliance tools.

In this conversation with Yogonet, Andrew Henson, Sales Manager at Abbiati, discusses the company’s growing focus on the Americas, its latest collaborations with strategic partners such as Walker Digital, Cartamundi, and Hawkins Holdings, and how it’s adapting to an increasingly technology-driven gaming landscape.

Henson also reflects on Abbiati’s approach to blending tradition with innovation, the importance of security and reliability in modern gaming, and what’s next on the company’s global roadmap.

What makes G2E an important platform for the company this year? And what were some of your main objectives for the show?

It’s mainly about the continued development of the Americas market. We’ve recently started a collaboration with Roger Hawkins, who is a key figure in driving our presence in the region. Our focus here is twofold: to remind existing customers of what we offer and to introduce ourselves to new clients.

This time around, you brought a varied portfolio of products, from certified roulettes to RFID chips. What were partners and operators most interested in learning about?

We’ve seen a lot of interest in our tables, particularly from the U.S. and Latin American markets. Wheels and displays remain important, but there’s a growing focus on security, currency, and chip packs, especially RFID technology and what it can offer.

Ahead of the event, Abbiati announced several collaborations with strategic partners such as Walker Digital and Cartamundi. How do these collaborations expand your company’s capabilities, and why are they important?

These partnerships extend our product portfolio, allowing us to offer a more turnkey solution to operators. When clients come on board, they often ask about a range of needs, and now we can meet those with a broader offering.

They also open new arenas for us to enter with our existing products. Increasingly, technology — especially around RFID, security, and compliance — is becoming crucial, and these collaborations give us a route into those markets.

Security and compliance are central concerns for casino operators, and this is something Abbiati consistently addresses. Can you tell us about some of the features you integrate, such as invisible laser technology, and how they meet evolving needs?

The focus of the laser technology is capturing results from the wheel in an undiluted way, minimizing player involvement. We also have an independent support for the wheel, ensuring it stays level and calibrated correctly. Any accidental or deliberate interference is immediately detected, so operators always know the equipment is functioning properly.

As for RFID, it’s about gathering detailed information on chips and currency, preventing counterfeit items from being introduced while also allowing operators to monitor players and tailor loyalty and rewards programs accordingly.

For new casinos or those looking to update their chip portfolios, it’s an ideal time to prepare for the future. They don’t have to integrate everything at once. They can start with RFID-ready investments and expand gradually across different products and denominations.

Let’s go back to your collaborations and the company’s roadmap in the Americas. Earlier this year, Abbiati announced a partnership with Hawkins Holdings. How is this collaboration helping your strategy and presence across the Americas?

Having Roger on board has been a big boost. He brings tremendous experience, knowledge of the American market, and a wide network of operator contacts. We already have a presence in Central and South America, but this collaboration helps us strengthen our focus and expand further, including into Canada and the U.S.

We’re still determining our next strategic steps in terms of investment, but we already have several opportunities and options we’re evaluating. This partnership really enhances our focus across the region.

Abbiati has over 40 years of experience and continues to balance tradition with technology. If you had to summarize the company’s message to attendees — how Abbiati blends legacy craftsmanship with innovation — how would you put it?

From a product development perspective, we have a solid foundation built on tradition, experience, and high-quality products for live gaming. At the same time, we’re integrating technology that meets today’s needs for security and compliance, while also responding to client feedback.

We’re maintaining our heritage but constantly adapting, consolidating what works globally while exploring new directions for the future.

What can we expect from Abbiati in the coming months? Are you exploring new product developments or launches?

Product development is always ongoing, though much of it is confidential until we’re ready to unveil it. We have several projects in the works. Next up, we’ll be present at the show in Manila this December and then at ICE in Barcelona. We plan to introduce several new ideas and opportunities at those events.