TECH ADVANCES AND INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION HERALDED AT G2E

November 16, 2006 08:49 AM Eastern Time
BUSINESS WIRE
Panelists Reaffirm Their Commitment to Responsible Gaming
Global Gaming Expo 2006

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Technological advancements and the international expansion of gaming dominated the discussion at Wednesday’s G2E keynote panel as international industry leaders gave their insights on what will define the next generation of global gaming. Moderated by American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., the panel also discussed the continued importance of responsible gaming initiatives in the industry’s ongoing evolution.

Panelists for the keynote session included Peter Dean, CBE, chairman of the British Gambling Commission; Terry Lanni, chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE; T.J. Matthews, CEO of International Game Technology; Paul Oneile, CEO of Aristocrat Technologies; and Mark Yoseloff, chairman, president and CEO of Shuffle Master, Inc.

From server-based games to RFID tracking technology to Internet gaming, the industry leaders on Wednesday’s panel agreed technology is changing the way customers enjoy gaming entertainment and the way gaming companies conduct business. They emphasized, however, that new technologies on the gaming floor will not be adopted and become pervasive unless they can offer an improved entertainment experience for the customer.

“With server-based gaming, we’re moving from a stand-alone [slot machine] environment to a network environment,” said Matthews. “New technologies such as this need to take into account what customers are looking for and how this new environment can deliver an improved entertainment experience.”

Oneile pointed to multi-player slot machines as one of the new products that is designed to integrate into the new network environment. “Community games are much more than just an experiment,” he said. “We’re already seeing more community involvement in general, and I expect that will continue.”