The site connects buyers and sellers of machines, spare parts, and other gaming equipment through a simple, streamlined, and reliable online marketplace. Based on your proven ability and extensive experience in the sector, what would you say have been the three or four main favorable changes you have seen in the land-based gaming offering in the last 20 years?
In the past 20 years, many changes have occurred in the gaming industry that we sometimes overlook, as they are dynamic and continually enhance the gaming experience for players while facilitating the operation of land-based casinos. One of the main changes is the evolution of game mechanics. We have transitioned from free games and multipliers to more engaging mechanics with attractive elements that make the gaming experience more exciting. In the last year, games featuring metamorphic animations have attracted more players and are becoming favorites in casinos. Another meaningful change in gaming has been the configuration of games. Players now typically must play a fixed number of lines to achieve the best gaming experience. Previously, players could opt to play a single line, but this was not profitable for either the player or the operator, as it limited opportunities for both. Games that have incorporated these elements have proven to be high-performing and are favored by players. From a technological perspective, the evolution of gaming cabinets has been remarkable. We have seen improvements in screen resolution and size, as well as enhancements in graphics, animations, and sound. Ergonomic designs have also been introduced to provide players with greater comfort, allowing them to enjoy the gaming experience more fully. These improvements have helped land-based casinos maintain their status as the main attraction for players, encouraging regular visits to these establishments.
After more than 18 years at Aristocrat Gaming, you decided to take on a new professional challenge at SlotCycle. Why did you accept this company’s proposal? Could you tell us more about this gaming equipment transaction service?
SlotCycle is a fresh and exciting proposal that aligns with the technological evolution we are experiencing today. I see it as a highly attractive opportunity for international markets, especially in Latin America. Through SlotCycle, casinos will gain access to refurbished equipment with region-specific games at lower prices, all while ensuring proven high performance. This will undoubtedly have a positive impact on operators’ work and players’ preferences by providing new and better game options. Part of SlotCycle’s mission is to modernize the industry’s approach to gaming equipment management. We are introducing transparency, trust, and security into the gaming sector’s business practices concerning the full lifecycle of casino machines. Our site connects buyers and sellers of machines, spare parts, and other gaming equipment through a simple, streamlined, and reliable online marketplace. By combining our digital platform with our 35,000-square-foot facility, we offer a comprehensive suite of services to manage the lifecycle of slot machines, parts, and other gaming equipment, addressing the needs of both buyers and sellers. Additionally, we have formed strategic alliances with several machine manufacturers to distribute their products in an authorized manner in international markets, and we are looking to expand these partnerships to broaden the product offerings on SlotCycle.com.
The Las Vegas gaming model has been reinventing itself over time to develop its own identity as a global entertainment mecca. How has the arrival of international sporting events boosted the land-based gaming segment in Las Vegas?
In the past year, Las Vegas has once again solidified its status as the mecca of entertainment with the arrival of the Super Bowl and Formula 1. Previously, this was achieved through the introduction of the NFL team, the Raiders, and the NHL’s Golden Knights. It is important to note that these milestones were reached by overcoming existing paradigms regarding the feasibility of hosting high-level sporting events in the city. There was a common misconception that the integrity of sporting events would be compromised by taking place in Las Vegas; however, no studies or data supported this belief. On the contrary, in February 2016, the University of Nevada, through the International Gaming Institute led by Bo Bernhard, published a study that changed this perspective and provided assurance to sports organizations considering Las Vegas. This important document paved the way for these events and concluded with a key point for the gaming industry: “Nevada has a strong regulatory and compliance structure.” That regulatory framework makes land-based gambling in Las Vegas dynamic and attractive, helping to draw in new generations of players and visitors who previously did not engage with the games offered by casinos. Therefore, this is why we are now seeing machines with sports or musical themes, as well as table games that incorporate additional elements such as extra bets and accumulated prizes. The technology behind sports betting has also become increasingly sophisticated, enhancing the venues where these events are held and broadcast. Las Vegas has evolved into an innovative city in many aspects of entertainment and gambling, serving as a model that other cities in the United States and around the world with casinos are beginning to follow, as they seek to offer additional entertainment and enjoyment to their visitors.
What is your opinion on the current state of gaming in Mexico, a strong market, but one whose legislation remains delayed?
Unfortunately, in Mexico, the industry has been affected over the past year by the lack of current regulations that adapt to our technological and social conditions. On one hand, we see how Las Vegas promotes a solid regulatory and compliance structure to manage its industry legally and effectively. Several countries in Latin America, such as Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Panama, and Uruguay, have followed this path. In contrast, Mexico has a gaming law established in 1947, with regulations from 2002 that have recently been abruptly modified, altering the industry’s conditions and affecting its legality.
Do you think that the new government of Claudia Sheinbaum (who will take office as President of Mexico on October 1st, 2024) will be favorable to the evolution of the gaming sector, both in its regulations and in its business environment? What is the responsibility of suppliers such as SlotCycle when it comes to demanding a better situation for the industry in this country?
I believe that the government under Claudia Sheinbaum has a significant opportunity to enact a new Federal Law on Games and Sweepstakes during this six-year term. Such a law could adequately regulate the industry and promote the creation of an autonomous body to oversee gambling in the long term. In this new law, all participants must be considered -players, regulators, operators, and suppliers-, ensuring that the regulations provide solid foundations for a transparent and organized industry. This approach would promote responsible gambling and minimize opportunities for corruption. Suppliers with international experience, such as SlotCycle, can contribute directly to this project by explaining the benefits of a regulated industry. They can also share academic resources and collaborate with officials to provide training for operators. Instead of viewing this as a claim, suppliers have the chance to be allies of the Mexican government, offering a broader vision of the industry and its operations.
How important is, in your opinion, the development of meetings that bring together all the actors in the industry, such as G&M Events Mexico (October 23-24th, 2024, at Codere’s Hipodromo de las Americas)? What are your expectations for the future of land-based gaming in this territory?
These events contribute directly to the improvement of the gaming industry and help more people understand the importance of the regulations and compliance measures necessary for a sustainable industry. Ideally, government officials should have access to such events to broaden their perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of the industry. These spaces also facilitate the orderly development of business with reliable and responsible suppliers. Mexico has significant potential as a land-based gambling market. The current offerings can be improved in a way that benefits all stakeholders if there are more solid and clear legal foundations that allow for local and foreign investment in this industry. We need to look at what is happening in other jurisdictions. States in the United States such as California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have all benefited from gambling, as have countries in Latin America and other parts of the world. It is time for Mexico to take that step and establish itself as a serious market for gambling, both in-person and online.
