GMB - How you
see the potencial Brazilian market in the face of gambling legalization and how
is the company preparing to get into? Do you have expansion plans in Brazil in
case of approval of any of the laws?
David Orrick - For Merkur Gaming is a Tier One manufacturer that has a very definite
interest in, and a set of specific objectives for, the development and
expansion of its business throughout Latin America. Obviously, in the light of
recent moves towards a new law in Brazil that has the aim of creating a
properly regulated, fully legal, gaming industry this is a future development
that we are watching very carefully.
We have done our research, we have made our contacts and, once the law is in place, we will move to be involved as a leading supplier. This will be hugely assisted by the reputation for innovation and high quality products that Merkur Gaming has achieved in other Latin American markets.
We will move to become involved in Brazil, of course, but only once the necessary law has been put in place and thus once the specifics of such matters as manufacturer licensing and game approvals are known. Brazil represents a huge market opportunity, one that has been a long time in creation, and we can say that, for sure, Merkur Gaming will be a part of it as a major supplier to and co-operative force with a fully legal Brazilian gaming structure: but only once the time is right.
Where is
LatinAmerica within the global context for the Merkur business?
Merkur Gaming regards the entire Latin American region of top level
importance. The success that our company enjoys and the development and market
expansion that we have undertaken in recent times is entirely fitting for a
company that this year celebrates 60 years of gaming entertainment innovation
and a solid global profile. The dynamic and vibrant landscape that Latin
American gaming presents is thus of key importance to Merkur Gaming.
What are
the impressions of the latest Juegos Miami edition?
One year on from its launch, Juegos Miami had
clearly grown and developed, successfully attracting more support from both
exhibitors and attendees based on the success of the launch event. There are
still lessons to be learned and new initiatives to be incorporated but the
evidence of Juegos Miami II indicates that there is a clearly an appetite for
this hybrid event concept, one that has clearly earned its place on the
calendar, now and in years to come. Additionally, the number of attendees from
Brazil gave Juegos Miami an extra dimension and the many discussions that were
held regarding the, hopefully soon, passing of the new enabling law were one of
the highlights of the event.
How was
company's growth in the last year? What objectives had been raised?
Merkur Gaming continues to grow and to gain new successes around the
world. The company’s annual report for 2016 will show growth on all fronts: in
turnover and profits, in the number of staff employed and in the new market
opportunities that have been successfully created.
What
products do you plan to surprise the market in the next months? Is there
something running for 2018?
Planning for the remainder of this year and onwards into 2018 is already
well underway but perhaps now is not the correct moment to be publicly
discussing new innovations so far ahead! Suffice it to say that, after the
traditionally quiet summer period, we will have a major presence at G2E in Las
Vegas … by which time our planning for ICE Totally Gaming 2018 in London will
be nearing completion. As you could expect, Merkur Gaming will have new
innovations and new gaming solutions at both of these global events and, as
always, we intend to bring to the industry attractions that will captivate and
enthrall one and all.
Of the
latest releases, which ones had the best market penetration?
Over
the past year Merkur Gaming Americas has made many launches across Latin
America. The creation of a new company in Argentina at the beginning of 2017,
the strengthening of our teams through the region, the introduction of new
products such as our Merkurstar upright cabinet and the huge success of our
unique slant top Avantgarde (and that latter product’s newest evolution, the
Avantgarde Trio) that have been warmly welcomed by key operators throughout the
region together with the latest full HD game releases that have accompanied the
cabinets, all of these factors have combined to record landmark successes for
our brand, our teams and for the gaming operations that are our customers.
