Casino Bad Homburg now specifies the MEI CASHFLOW SC83 banknote reader on slot machine purchases. The renowned German casino made the decision after the results of a successful value-added trial (VAT) that ran several months on a number of slot machines.

“The positive market feedback regarding the MEI CASHFLOW SC83 set high expectations,” said Mr. Armin Weldner, Casino Bad Homburg slot manager.  “Not only were our expectations fulfilled by the VAT, they were surpassed. We now specify MEI on all future slot machine purchases. “We need to spend as much time as we can focusing on the customer. The MEI banknote readers allow us to do just that.  Having a reliable bill validator saves us precious time that was previous spent on maintenance.”

MEI and game operators use a VAT to define the length of the comparison and the measurements that will ultimately lead to a complete evaluation. Bill validators can then be compared on key performance measurements, such as “cash in the box”, acceptance rate, jam performance and ease of use.

“We are thrilled that the success we have enjoyed with VATs in Europe has reached Germany,” said Mr. Mark Greenawalt, director of MEI Gaming in Europe and Africa.  “The recognition of the value associated with the CASHFLOW SC is a tremendous source of pride for all of us at MEI.  It makes it all the more special that a casino with the history of Bad Homburg was the first to specify MEI in Germany. We would like to thank Bad Homburg casino management for investing in the VAT and, ultimately, MEI.”

CashCode, now exhibiting under it’s parent company’s moniker of Crane Payment Solutions,  the manufacturer of bill validators and currency handling devices for countries worldwide is launching its next generation FrontLoad validator at this year’s G2E show Booth 2010.  The product named CashCode oneTM clearly articulates one of its key value propositions; to deliver innovative payment solutions that improve the customer experience while reducing Total Cost of Ownership.

In the past, OEMs and Operators had to inventory and support various models and parts for various countries into which they sold their machines. Some countries required different power interfaces (12v/24v), as well as unique models depending and the width of currency being validated. CashCode has removed all the variances out. With oneTM, one model will handle any of the supported protocols, interfaces, currencies, etc.  This newest solution is truly unique in the industry and will definitely reduce OEM and Operator logistical costs.

What started at the World of Games gaming show of 2006 in Moscow with a vivid display of counterfeit Novomatic gaming machines being crushed by a Caterpillar, and found its continuation last year in Bucharest, has become an international crusade against copying piracy led by the Austrian Novomatic gaming group: with concrete results in Russia.

Product piracy and copyright infringement are prevalent at the international trade shows of
the gaming industry, especially so in Eastern Europe. All major OEMs are increasingly and adversely afflicted by the problem. Product piracy and the infringement of intellectual property rights have never before been practiced so impertinently and publicly as in recent times. Counterfeit machines are often publicly presented on neighbouring exhibition stands right beside the original product, component parts and cabinets offered on diverse websites and the game software and concepts either stolen or badly copied.

Successful measures
Two years ago the Novomatic Group of Companies started an unique campaign against this international intellectual property piracy and has since persisted in its efforts to prosecute the svengali of these criminal activities. Basic condition for a successful battle was the registry of industrial property rights in the form of trademarks, patents or designs, in order to be able to effectively enforce such claims. This is the strategy that Novomatic has been consequently implementing in recent years.

No ‚Safe Haven‘ for pirates
In the meantime this policy has indeed brought clear results. The latest success in the prosecution of copyright infringement was achieved in close cooperation between Novomatic, international law firms and local police authorities.

In spring 2008 the operator of a factory in the Russian capital Moscow who had specialized in the manufacture of counterfeit Gaminator® gaming machines was convicted. Forged components were acquired from various sources, assembled, the machines tagged with fake documents and serial plates and sold to Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, the Baltic countries and former Yugoslavia. With 30 employees and a monthly production volume of up to 200 machines the convicted company, Safe Games LLC, had generated considerable turnover and inflicted an equally high economic loss on the original equipment manufacturer Novomatic, which was claimed in the course of the action.

Considering the bad health of the accused entrepreneur, the court sentenced her leniantly to a monetary penalty as well as a probation period of two years of imprisonment. All seized machines and components were destroyed.

A new crime dimension
The biggest coup against product piracy was accomplished by the Russian authorities at the end of September in Kazan, capital city of the Constituent Republic of Tatarstan. Investigators were quite astonished when they discovered a complete factory in the biggest raid yet against product piracy. In the course of the top-secret operation special forces stormed the production halls and immediately confiscated the seized gaming equipment. At the offices a frightened employee was forced to open the safe in front of the officers – which produced large quantities of cash and business documents. With monthly production capacities of up to 2,500 machines the factory presents a completely new dimension of product piracy in the international gaming industry.
 
As is the case for many legitimate gaming equipment manufacturers, the employment of technical means to prevent one-to-one copying of Novomatic software has resulted in most pirate offerings attempting to "look" like the originals, however with different software and mathematics so that the pirate copies do not "feel" like the originals - detracting from the player's overall experience. To add insult to injury, it is not uncommon to find pirate copy products that do not offer players a fair chance of winning. Nothing could be more harmful to an industry that remains highly dependant on its public image and reputation. Intellectual property piracy amounts to nothing other than the theft of ideas. There can simply be no justification or rationalization for the illegitimate actions of those individuals and companies that undertake product piracy.
The investigation results in Russia prove the paramount importance of the continuing fight against product piracy in the gaming industry. These results also demonstrate, to what extent the consistent protection of intellectual property and the effective cooperation with the local investigating authorities put the screws on product piracy.

After a hectic summer with installations in Kazakhstan, Kuwait and Legoland California, Elton Games have had an equally busy autumn.

The latest locations for our Gold Cup automatic attendant free derby game are London’s famous Trocadero and Funtasia Waterpark near Dublin, Ireland.  In addition to these two games we have recently installed a 12 player Camel Racing derby at the Carnival City Casino in Johannesburg, South Africa, our third game to go to South Africa in the last 18 months, and the fourth is leaving our factory in the next month! Purchased by HB Leisure for the Golf Reef City Theme Park, this 12 player Safari themed derby will be installed in time for Christmas. 

Manufacturers of the World Famous Elton Derby and 6 Player Fully Automatic Gold Cup.  Elton have sold over 300 games in 57 countries worldwide and counting,  Elton's customers include: Europa Park, Port Aventura, Tivoli Gardens, Legoland California, Circus Circus, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Alton Towers.

Astra Games, part of the Novomatic Group of Companies, have once again enforced their commitment to the UK B3 sector with the launch of the next generation of “Slotto” games, multi-game compendium “Slotto Gambler”. “Slotto Gambler” includes five new games and was born from fusing the ingenious concepts currently flowing from Astra’s design team with the evergreen popularity of some of Astra’s top-performing game themes. “Slotto” has gone super!

Arguably the brand most synonymous with B3 success, “Slotto” transcended traditional market sectors by proving successful in a variety of gaming locations, from Adult Gaming Centres through to Betting Shop terminals. It is this formula which has been reproduced and enhanced in “Slotto Gambler”, as explained by Astra’s Managing Director Zane Mersich:

“The design team placed a number of different ideas in to the melting pot and devised a multi game compendium that offers great variety with consistent features. All the games on Slotto Gambler allow wins to be gambled up to £500, plus the “Lucky Loser” bonus win. This adds greater depth to the game whilst still retaining simplicity of play.”

“Slotto Gambler” features five £500 maximum win new games:

•    Party Games Slotto Super Gambler
•    Reel King Double Action
•    Bullion Bars 500 Gambler
•    Feeling Fruity Gambler
•    Win Wizard Gambler

Slotto Gambler had its inaugural outing at Preview 2009, supported by very strong test figures and impressive on site feedback that led to volume orders, a desirable consequence of Astra’s positive approach and pro-active strategy.

“It was very satisfying to hear such positive remarks from our customers at Preview 2009, proving that the hard work and forward looking attitude of the team at Astra will indeed pay dividends for both ourselves and our customers. “Slotto Gambler” is the first fruits of this year’s labour, I look forward to presenting the whole range at INE/ATEI 2009.”

Slotto Gambler is available from distribution now.