IAG December 2015

Industry
profile
IAG: What do you see as the major
differences in the slots markets of Australia,
the US and Asia?
KJ: The Asian slot market is still small in
terms of world market, less than 100,000
machines. If you look at the North American
market its about 900,000 and Australia
200,000 today. The US market growth was
astonishing over the last 10 years as more
North American states introduced casinos.
Australia has been relatively stagnant in
machine volume growth – it’s mainly a
replacement market and Asia has slow and
steady growth.
TV themes play a large role in the game
themes of slot machines for the US market,
Asia is very much about the Chinese theme
today and games in Australia have stayed fairly
traditional. Some Asian themes have even
carried around the world in popularity, since
every large city in the world has a Chinatown.
Return to player percentages from the game
maths and the additional promotions seem
to be varying in the different markets. Recent
reports from the US generally show higher
house percentage returns.
“The Macau slot market has driven volatility and jackpots causing
manufacturers to offer more range in their development studios
so as to cover Asia. Choy Sun Doa to 88 Fortunes and the Fa Fa Fa
to Duo Fu Duo Cai links are all products of this … Duo Fu Duo Cai
is one of the most outstanding products in this industry I have
seen in my 36 year history.”
IAG: There’s been a lot of M&A activity in
the industry in the last few years, including
with Scientific Games. What are your
thoughts on that?
KJ: The M&A is offering opportunities for
companies to become larger industry players
and offer a greater range of products and
services to their valuable clients. Scientific
Games has been one of these allowing
customers to partner in all aspects on their
gaming requirements and to work with the
company to bring products that entertain
their players. It’s exciting to work in a
company with many product lines and which
understands both electronic and live casino
products and environments.
IAG: The Duo Fu Duo Cai link has been a
great success in Asia and indeed around
the world. What factors do you feel have
led to this?
KJ: Duo Fu Duo Cai is one of the most
outstanding products in this industry I have
seen in my 36 year history. Great games
and concepts are derived from specialized
teams focusing on good math packages.
Duo Fu Duo Cai is one of the most complex
game math design packages I have seen
in my history in gaming. Volatility has
rewarded players with fun and excitement
on DFDC allowing more winners and greater
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inside asian gaming December 2015