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Taking the pulse of technology Technology is changing all aspects of our lives, sometimes faster than we’re ready for, and the gaming industry is no exception. Even processes that have always been entrusted to human hands are now getting extra help from artificial technology.
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ur focus section in this edition of Asia Gaming Briefings delves into some of the innovations that are being brought to the casino space and how they can help optimize performance. We look at the various merits of systems used to monitor table games, such as radio frequency identification and camera sensors. Both are able to collect and analyze vast quantities of information from the game as it is played, helping casinos manage staff and tables, as well as collect valuable player data. We also take a look at the developments in serverbased gaming and the potential to shake up the slot machine industry, which has traditionally lagged in Asia. Server-based systems can create operational efficiencies, but perhaps more importantly, they throw the spotlight on the provision of quality content, providing a greater variety for the player. Some argue this may be the way to tempt that elusive millennial gamer onto the casino floor. Staying with gaming products, we provide an update on electronic table games, which bridge the divide between man and machines. ETGs have gained strong traction in Macau, where a cap on actual table numbers provided a catalyst for growth. However, that expansion appears
Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2018
to now to be slowing and the focus is switching to other Asian jurisdictions. We look at the potential for growth and the latest trends. In the online world, the mind-boggling topline numbers of money wagered in Asia, has many companies salivating. However, as a largely unregulated market, operators venturing in will find many challenges they have not had to contend with in Europe. We speak to several experts already operating in the field to ask what the key problems are and how they can affect the bottom line. One of the main issues is payment processing, which means many are still heavily reliant on the agent system, similar to the junket system in the land-based world. As a result there is a strong focus on how cryptocurrencies could be adopted to alleviate some of the major issues. Our tech-focused section therefore would not be complete without a look at the ultimate disruptive technology - blockchain and crypto. Asia is already ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing crypto, with Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam accounting for a phenomenal 80 percent of global bitcoin trading. We argue therefore that crypto and online gaming in Asia may be a match made in heaven and even serve as a catalyst for more widespread adoption elsewhere in the world.
