Exclusive interview with Rick Meitzler, President and CEO of Novomatic Americas

"Novomatic can offer one of the top kiosk products for the US sports betting market"

"2020 lies ahead, and that marks our 40th anniversary. Everyone can look forward to that being a premiere event for Novomatic –especially our customers," says Rick Meitzler.
2019-10-04
Reading time 4:17 min
At G2E, the firm will show brand-new games and game mixes, progressive jackpots, system solutions and ETG’s for the U.S. and surrounding markets. Meitzler anticipates a special sports lounge at the booth with the self-service sports betting kiosk Novomatic ActionBook. myACP casino management system will see the premiere of Novo Rewards, the US player recognition kiosk, and there will be special novelties for the Illinois and Pennsylvania VGT markets.

What makes G2E Las Vegas 2019 special?

G2E is not only the largest U.S. gaming show, but also takes place in the heart of U.S. gaming. This combination has a certain appeal not only for people working in the gaming industry, but also for those who want to be entertained for a few hours or days. It is also the perfect place to exchange ideas with colleagues and industry professionals, be inspired and develop new ideas. G2E is the best place to show our new products that we will present to U.S. Commercial, Tribal, and VGT operators as well as many international customers.

What are G2E attendants going to find at Novomatic booth this year?

At booth #1259, we will show an extensive product portfolio that showcases brand new games and game mixes, progressive jackpots, sports betting kiosks, system solutions and ETG’s for the U.S. and surrounding markets. Among them are a selection of new games, like Dragon Hits as well as Prize of the Nile and Prized Panda – both part of the PAY DAY Progressive Series. The Thunder Cash Link will show popular themes like Emperor's China, The Great Conqueror and Empress of the Pyramids. The Money Party Link will premiere Juicy Juicy and Fruity Fruity while the stunning Samurai Beauty is being introduced to U.S. customers with a giant video wall and choreographed content.

Cabinets like the Panthera Curve 1.43, V.I.P. Lounge Curve 1.43, and V.I.P. Lounge 2.32 continue to bring top performance to North American gaming floors. These and other popular Novomatic cabinets, like the Panthera 2.27 will also present a variety of multi-game editions for the international and the Latin American markets. And the ETG system, Novo Line Novo Unity II will be featured, including the latest in side-betting capabilities.

Especially for the Illinois and Pennsylvania VGT markets, we will present a variety of game mixes and cabinets as well as the new player recognition features of the modular myACP casino management systemincluding the premiere of Novo Rewards, the U.S. player recognition kiosk. 

In a special sports lounge on the Novomatic booth, customers will see the Novomatic ActionBook, and discover the many benefits of this self-service sports betting kiosk. And executives of Greentube Interactive will be available at the booth to discuss online and social gaming products and solutions.

Prior to G2E 2018 you announced the appointment of Felipe Ludeña as International Sports Betting Director and at the trade show you exhibited the NovoPrime Sports system with Sportradar and a sportsbook solution with Kambi. How would you describe the performance of each product? How much has Novomatic's sports betting business unit evolved in the Americas in the past year?

Yes, with the addition of Felipe Ludeña we have managed to gain an accomplished expert in the field of sports betting internationally. The cooperation with various partners is well underway and we see more and more synergies. This means, in particular for the sports betting segment in the U.S., that we can offer one of the top kiosk products in the market. This demonstrates both excellent cooperation with the named partners, and the appeal with our U.S. sports betting customers. We continue to improve in the breadth of our offer and in terms of product quality.

Harald Neumann is one of the speakers at 'Casino Floor Innovations: The Slot Machine Is Still King' panel. What should G2E audience expect from this presentation?

As you know, Harald Neumann is not just the CEO of Novomatic AG, he is an expert and a visionary with gaming product and market knowledge. You may be quite curious about his comments and his view on the industry.

Lawrence Levy is now Ainsworth's CEO. Jens Einhaus took over Novomatic sales management duties for Europe and the Americas, while Sonya Nikolova is in charge of Africa and Asia. How did operators react to this change? What do Einhaus and Nikolova brings to these new roles and task divisions?

The response from customers is consistently positive after the initial four months. With Sonya and Jens, Novomatic has installed two seasoned professionals in key sales management positions. Both know the customers and the market needs, and given their product knowledge, can offer the right solution from Novomatic. The good foundation that Lawrence built helps greatly, because healthy structures, clean processes and the benefits of synergies make the process work easier and are the basis for a successful business.

Harald Neumann and yourself are judges of the Global Gaming Awards. Why are these types of recognitions relevant for the industry? Is there a lot to value this year?

Harald Neumann is due to his holistic view of the gaming industry, an ideal member in this jury. This does not only apply to markets and products, but also to general issues such as regulation and Corporate Responsibility. I myself, am honored to be nominated for an award, and to be a judge I will do my best to employ my industry experience as a judge.

What is next for Novomatic?

There is a lot to do. First of all, getting everything ready for G2E in Las Vegas, followed by some regional events. At the same time, we are focused on the ICE 2020 both in terms of development, and on many new products that our international and U.S. customers can look forward to. We continue along our path and will present products that fit perfectly on every gaming floor – worldwide. And of course, 2020 lies ahead – and that marks our 40th anniversary. Everyone can look forward to that being a premiere event for Novomatic –especially our customers.

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