Which recent trends do you think are the most important within the slots industry?
When talking about the slots industry as opposed to the iGaming segment, I believe the latest trends all have one aspect in common: they seek to differentiate an exciting gaming experience in a land-based venue from a virtual and remote gaming offer. For example, the fact that progressives remain exceptionally popular is, in part, owed to the live winning atmosphere on the casino floor whenever a player hits a jackpot.
At the same time, a prevailing trend in cabinet design has for a number of years been bigger, wider, XL – with the effect of augmenting the immersion aspect of the gaming entertainment experience. Casino management systems help create a holistic and highly personalised land-based customer journey, while at the same time closing the gap to the operator’s iGaming offer; acting as a cross-conversion interface towards the operator’s iGaming offer, which encourages customer traffic in both directions. Our industry has always been in constant motion, only the pace and diversity have accelerated.
Which markets are currently the most exciting on your radar? Chile, India and Ecuador are just some names mentioned by the industry recently.
Our focus is on all regulated Latin American markets, which means we monitor the developments in these markets very closely; to evaluate possible future growth potential within their respective local industry segments, subject to proper regulation. Further key growth regions that remain in our focus for further land-based and iGaming development are the US, Asia, Africa and of course the various European markets.
Casino management systems help create a holistic and highly personalised land-based customer journey, while at the same time closing the gap to the operator’s iGaming offer
Can you talk us through your recent new partnerships? Particularly your distribution agreement with Tecnet for the Philippines – what are your hopes for that market?
We are pleased to have brought on board Tecnet Asia, an experienced partner for the Philippine market. As a local industry expert, Tecnet is a reliable distribution partner with an excellent service infrastructure. The APAC region is of great importance for Novomatic’s further growth and the Philippines is one of the key gaming markets in the region.
Can you tell us about how operations are going at Crown Gaming México, given the recent appointment of a new Commercial Director?
Novomatic has been active in the Mexican market for more than 20 years, with a loyal customer base and a top-performing product portfolio that is well established with operators and players alike. With Enrique Manjarrez, we have now gained an outstanding sales and operations expert with – also – almost 20 years of experience in the gaming industry. We are looking forward to working with him and, with his many years of expertise, we will continue to leverage the unwavering growth potential of the Mexican market. His in-depth market knowledge and strategic focus will be an asset to our group subsidiary Crown Gaming México.
Finally, how do you reflect on your brand value increase within the Brand Value Study of the European Brand Institute, announced earlier this year?
The European Brand Institute annually evaluates the brand values of companies and this year certified Novomatic as having the highest increase in brand value among the companies based in Austria. We are naturally pleased about this, because this confirms not only the success of our brand strategy but also the great trust of customers in our products and services. And we are also pleased with our excellent ranking in the Sustainable Brand Rating, in which we currently occupy fourth place. Based on the increase in brand value, as well as the top ranking in the Sustainable Brand Rating, we see that we are on a sustainably successful path with our guiding principle, according to which success is only achieved by taking responsibility.
