As the global hub of the gaming industry, Las Vegas once again provided the perfect setting to showcase the latest innovations and trends at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E). From October 8 to 10, around 350 industry players from more than 100 countries gathered at “The Venetian Expo” to introduce their latest product solutions to gaming enthusiasts from around the world. As one of the few German companies, the Merkur Group was also present in the gambling metropolis to exhibit its impressive product portfolio to the international trade audience on a 625-square-meter exhibition platform.

“The Latin American gaming market, despite facing significant regulatory challenges, remains a crucial pillar of our international distribution network. The G2E, as one of the most important flagship trade fairs in the industry, provides the ideal venue to present our forward-looking product range and engage in meaningful dialogue with our LATAM customers. Moreover, the expo offers tremendous potential to increase the visibility of the Merkur sun logo on international markets, thereby further strengthening the brand beyond Europe’s borders,” said Jürgen Stühmeyer, Management Board member, Merkur Sales.

The main focus of Merkur Gaming’s product showcase was its Linked Progressive Jackpot Systems, which are particularly in demand within the global industry. The German gaming expert introduced two new systems – Link Wave and Clash Link – both of which quickly became crowd favorites at the expo. These jackpot systems stand out thanks to their exciting features, which make the gaming experience even more thrilling and diverse. The new Mod Ex cabinet family also attracted significant attention. Visitors were particularly impressed by the modularity of the cabinet, which allows customers to configure their preferred device with a variety of monitor, body, and base options.

In keeping with tradition, several other subsidiaries of the German Merkur Group traveled to “Sin City” to showcase their diverse and forward-thinking portfolios. The cash-handling specialists from GeWeTe once again demonstrated the strengths of their versatile and high-performance product range, which enables efficient and easy cash management at gaming locations. Additionally, the British subsidiary Bede Gaming presented its flexible iGaming solutions, while edict egaming captured attendees’ attention with its unique approach to game aggregation. For the first time, the two strategic partners Spintec and Gaming Arts also joined the Merkur booth, enhancing the trade show experience with their innovative gaming portfolios.

“The G2E 2024 has exceeded our expectations in every way. The new booth concept, which includes a larger footprint and stylish new design elements, was met with tremendous approval. Thanks to our outstanding product lineup – most notably the Linked Progressive Jackpot Systems Link Wave and Clash Link, as well as the Mod Ex cabinet family – we were able to impress visitors not only with our aesthetic presentation but also with our innovative products. The resulting fruitful and promising discussions leave us with a positive outlook on the trade fair and confidence in the future,” said Athanasios “Sakis” Isaakidis, Chief Executive International at Merkur Gaming.

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Context Networks Inc., a programmatic advertising platform that leverages private blockchain technology to deliver advertising solutions for the gaming industry, has entered into an API Agreement with Aristocrat Technologies, a global leader in gaming technology, as part of Aristocrat’s Developer Partnership Program. This agreement will allow Context Networks to integrate its Contextual Promotions Media Network (CPMN) with Aristocrat’s future casino management system, Oasis 360 v15.3. The integration will enable operators to deliver personalized promotions across multiple platforms, including Aristocrat’s OneLink digital signage, LED table signs, and nCompass media displays.

As a Developer Partner, Context Networks will work with Aristocrat to ensure the CPMN is fully tested and compatible with Aristocrat’s systems. This testing process provides gaming operators the assurance that Context’s solution has been evaluated on Aristocrat’s platform, meeting the high standards required in the industry. The API integration will enable the development of apps that allow players to interact with gamified offers, redeem digital coupons, and share promotions via social media or messaging apps, elevating the joy and power of play to a new level.

“This API Agreement is an important first step toward a deeper relationship with Aristocrat. By becoming part of Aristocrat’s Developer Partnership Program, we ensure that our CPMN solution is ‘Context Ready’ for Oasis 360 v15.3 and beyond. This partnership will help gaming operators enhance player engagement and introduce new revenue opportunities, with the assurance that our solution has been tested and approved by a leading gaming technology provider,” said Matthew Olden, CEO of Context Networks.

The API Agreement focuses on Aristocrat’s upcoming Oasis 360 v15.3, currently under development. By leveraging Aristocrat’s future API capabilities, Context Networks’ CPMN will offer gaming operators a turnkey, cloud-hosted advertising solution that allows for dynamic, context-based promotions without additional hardware or software investments. This integration gives gaming operators an innovative tool to engage players and drive non-gaming revenue streams.

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For players, the partnership brings the potential for a new layer of interaction and engagement. Gamified offers, delivered in real-time through the CPMN, will enhance the gaming experience by providing unique and dynamic promotions. Players can participate in personalized, interactive games linked to advertisements to win rewards from brands they know and love. With the ability to redeem offers at their convenience or share them via social media, the CPMN brings added value and excitement to every gaming session.

The gaming industry is at a pivotal crossroads where data security and operational reliability are more critical than ever. As casinos increasingly leverage advanced software to enhance operations and guest experiences, the decision between cloud-based and on-premise solutions becomes paramount. Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) advocates strongly for on-premise installations, not just for enhanced data protection but also to navigate the growing trend of cloud service providers and major businesses withdrawing support from gaming companies.

Many cloud providers and businesses, including major banks, have recently made decisions not to support gaming companies. This unsettling trend means that after substantial investments in cloud systems, the operators risk having these essential services abruptly withdrawn. Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI, shares a personal experience: “One of our banks informed us they would not extend our business because we work with casinos. Fortunately, we had other banking options, but this highlights a significant risk for the industry.”

The inconsistency of support from cloud vendors poses a critical question: Is that the kind of vendor relationship gaming companies want? “I’ve sometimes heard of cloud vendors saying they will make an exception,” Cardno continues. “But will you get the best service? Will you have a dedicated team that understands your business, or will you constantly be educating people on why the gaming industry is different? More importantly, does this action help the industry?”

By choosing on-premise solutions, casinos retain full control over their data and operations, eliminating the risk of sudden service withdrawals. This control is vital in an industry where data breaches or service interruptions can lead to significant financial and reputational damage.

A representative from a leading casino, who wishes to remain anonymous, echoed this sentiment: “When evaluating the risks, it was clear that keeping our data on-premise offered the best protection and stability. We avoid the uncertainties associated with cloud providers who may not fully support our industry.”

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QCI’s commitment to protecting the casino industry’s data ensures that its on-premise solutions provide unmatched security, reliability, and control. For any casino looking to prioritize security and minimize exposure to cloud-based risks—including the risk of service withdrawal—on-premise installation is the clear choice.