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Konami Gaming and Xailient Demonstrate Major Expansions to SYNK Vision at Las Vegas Global Gaming Expo
Konami Gaming Inc. and Xailient announced that SYNK Vision, the world’s only player facial recognition solution for Electronic Game Machines (EGM), has been expanded to provide instant recognition of casino players at table games. Konami will be demonstrating the solution at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas from October 8-10, 2024.
In 2023, the launch of SYNK Vision revolutionized player tracking and harm minimization by offering instant login capabilities for both carded (known) and optionally anonymous (unknown) players — eliminating the need for player loyalty cards, or other method of logging onto the player tracking system. Leveraging privacy-safe facial recognition technology from Xailient, Konami’s SYNK Vision addresses challenges such as identity fraud, duplicate player records, and gaps in player tracking data, even for anonymous users. By employing proprietary, secure facial recognition methods, SYNK Vision enables de-identified tracking of all players—whether carded or anonymous — closing loopholes in anti-money laundering procedures since all players are tracked and facilitating anonymous bonusing. Importantly, SYNK Vision is not limited to gaming environments; it can also recognize and reward players in non-gaming areas, offering a comprehensive solution that enhances the overall guest experience across various settings.
With the addition of SYNK Vision table games support, casinos can benefit from seamless player tracking at table games (both carded and refused name), for a consistent player experience across the property. SYNK Vision for tables uses smart cameras to detect players seated at the tables, integrating with the player ratings system to streamline operations and ensure accurate data entry. Artificial intelligence (AI) helps the casino staff by automating the tasks of player identification and player identity verification, removing opportunity for human error and speeding up the player experience from sit-down to buy-in.
“Table games staffs’ jobs keep getting harder, SYNK Vision returns the staff to their core role in customer service and entertainment faster. Staff enjoy interacting with players, but sometimes find the role of policing IDs, tracking AML an impediment to building rapport. This table game extension of SYNK Vision helps keep the fun,” said Tom Soukup, senior vice president & chief systems product officer at Konami Gaming Inc.
Smart cameras process AI inside the camera itself, instead of transmitting video for processing in servers or the cloud, and can easily be installed into EGM or on tables. This decentralized approach processing, known as “Edge AI”, dramatically reduces the costs associated with AI systems because existing networks and servers do not need to be upgraded. This approach also improves security and privacy.
Lars Oleson, chief executive officer of Xailient, said: “Edge AI is a game changer. Casinos can roll out this technology without major infrastructure upgrades, reducing cost, risk, and hassle. The bottom line is we can affordably deliver enhanced customer experience without sacrificing customer privacy. Together, we are setting the stage for the next generation of gaming experiences.”
SYNK Vision emphasizes secure identity management and harm minimization, ensuring a safer, more responsible, and personalized casino experience.
“In the Asia Pacific market, and Australia, under new regulatory constraints in particular, players’ secure and unique identity becomes key to good operational governance of casinos. Whether to ensure identity linked to AML transactions or identity of players redeeming promotional activity, SYNK Vision exclusively provides casinos with best practice technological solutions,” said Gerard Crosby, senior vice president & chief games product officer at Konami Gaming and director of Konami Australia Pty Ltd.
Jay Bertch, senior vice president & chief commercial officer at Konami Gaming, said: “Cards have known friction points, but the anonymous (or unknown player) is likely far larger than we can measure. Consider the situation that a player left their card in their room and are meeting friends for dinner. Will they play while they wait? Or, since they aren’t earning points, do they distract themselves with their phone? SYNK Vision removes that impediment to customer experience by enabling the player to ‘card-in’ via facial recognition.”
SYNK Vision is revolutionizing casino industry standards for harm minimization, secure identity management, and responsible gaming—realized through close strategic partnership between Konami Gaming and Xailient. SYNK Vision is testament to shared industry dedication to innovation and enhancing the overall casino experience.
G2E attendees are encouraged to visit booth #1256 at The Venetian Expo on October 8-10, 2024 to explore SYNK Vision and more Konami releases.
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Four Winds® Casinos Partners With OpenBet to Implement Neccton-Powered Player Protection Technology
Agreement increases OpenBet’s foothold in Michigan, Indiana and wider tribal casino community
OpenBet, a leading content, technology and services provider to the sports betting industry, has been selected by Four Winds Casinos to supply its player protection technology, powered by Neccton.
Four Winds Casinos, which is owned and operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, will benefit from Neccton’s unrivalled responsible gaming and anti-money laundering (AML) software at its premier gaming resorts across the Midwestern United States.
Neccton is part of OpenBet’s growing regulatory tech vertical and demonstrates the provider’s ongoing commitment to building a secure and sustainable industry. With academic research at its foundation, the software is renowned for its evidence-based interventions, including personalized pop-up messaging, limit setting functionality and valuable behavioral insights.
Four Winds Casinos becomes the latest operator to join OpenBet’s ever-increasing global customer base, which grew by more than 40% during the first half of 2024. The deal also reaffirms OpenBet’s strategic efforts to support the U.S. tribal casino community. The company currently delivers its compelling modular product suite to 14 tribes, and earlier this year invested in Player Account Management (PAM) platform provider Strive Gaming to increase opportunities within newly operating tribal markets.
Dr Michael Auer, Managing Director at OpenBet’s Neccton said, “Four Winds Casinos is an institution in Michigan and Indiana’s gaming landscape, whose commitment to player protection aligns with our goals and objectives. OpenBet has continually invested in strengthening its Protect pillar and with our Neccton technology always evolving with the latest data insights, Four Winds Casinos can be sure they are at the forefront of player protection.”
International Game Technology PLC announced that it will showcase a spectacular portfolio of games, cabinets and systems innovations at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 7-10, 2024. The event will serve as the global trade show debut for new products across all segments and an opportunity to highlight IGT’s excellence as an end-to-end global gaming supplier.
“IGT’s G2E 2024 portfolio emphasizes our expansion on exciting game themes and leading-edge solutions that have propelled IGT Global Gaming’s growth in key categories such as premium MLP, WAP, video poker, VLT and systems. From extending the Wheel of Fortune brand to additional product categories, to new Tiger and Dragon, Prosperity Link and Whitney Houston Slots themes, and our radically modernized IGT ADVANTAGE X solution, our G2E portfolio caters to our customers’ opportunities of today and the future,” said Nick Khin, IGT President of Global Gaming.
Some of the key highlights within IGT’s G2E booth will include:
Elevating Tiger and Dragon Success to New Heights
IGT’s Tiger and Dragon Multi-Level Progressive (MLP) slot game was a newcomer slot hit of the summer after landing three consecutive #1 finishes on Eilers-Krejcik’s NEW Games Premium Leased and Wide-Area Progressive (WAP) report. IGT is building on the success of the theme with the introduction of three new games: Tiger and Dragon Super Gong and Tiger and Dragon Super Bonus on the PeakCurve 49 cabinet, and Tiger and Dragon Super Arrow on the towering SkyRise cabinet. All three games include the engaging Tiger, Dragon, and Tiger and Dragon bonuses, and add “super” features by way of multipliers and “super arrow”.
Delivering Jackpots that Make You Want to Dance
IGT will shine a bright spotlight on Whitney Houston I Wanna Dance with Somebody Slots. Housed on the stunning Peak65 cabinet, this game leverages strong game mechanics and brings them to life via a spectacular brand. This is IGT’s second Whitney Houston-themed slot game following Whitney Houston Slots, which debuted in the #1 position on the Eilers-Krejcik’s NEW WAP games category. The game features a range of iconic Whitney Houston images, concert footage, and music, including smash hits such as “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” along with six compelling progressive jackpot levels.
Introducing the New Frontier of Casino Management System (CMS) design with IGT ADVANTAGE X
G2E will be the debut of IGT ADVANTAGE X, the latest iteration of the Company’s award-winning CMS technology. The new solution is designed for on-premises and cloud-based deployments and includes modern advancements in systems architecture. Key features of IGT ADVANTAGE X include its service-bus architecture, more accessible and actionable event data via IGT ADVANTAGE Data Link, centralized single sign-on, and multiple functions that will help operators deliver real-time, personalized offers that enhance the player experience. The IGT systems team will also showcase advancements to its Resort Wallet and IGTPay cashless solution by way of new advancements in account security, registration and on-machine slot marker technology.
Advancing High-Limit Play with New Mechanical Reel and Core Video Slot Content
At G2E, IGT will bring back its dedicated zone for high-limit slots, a segment of the market where IGT retains strong leadership. The area will feature mechanical reel games such as Cash Up Jackpots and Red White & Blue 2x3x5x Superstar Respin, and next-generation versions of player-favorite core video titles such as the Wolf Run Wild Moon, Twin Win Diamond, Twin Win Pearl, and Black Widow Grand games.
Extending Wheel of Fortune to Additional Product Categories and Hardware solutions
As previously announced, IGT will have G2E attendees cheering WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE! as the Company makes the legendary slot theme a centerpiece of its trade show exhibition. For the first time, IGT will extend the player-favorite brand to the video poker, ETGs and VLT product categories. These games pair the famous Wheel of Fortune brand with exciting gaming experiences like never before to complement IGT’s diverse Wheel of Fortune slots games portfolio. G2E will also be the trade show debut for 11 new Wheel of Fortune slots games, including the attention-grabbing Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Big Money game on the new Wheel of Fortune Trio cabinet and Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Reels Double Diamond on the DiamondRS Wheel cabinet.
As an end-to-end solutions provider, IGT will also feature new VLT solutions, including the all-new Sierra 27 VLT, Class II games, new historical horse racing content, as well as a range of market-attuned products for international markets.
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