International Game Technology of Reno, Nevada ("IGT") and Access Systems Pty. Ltd. of Sydney, Australia recently signed an agreement to develop a global Internet gaming software alliance. Under the terms of the agreement, IGT will own a minority interest in Access and will assist in the marketing of the Company’s ACES Internet gaming system to major gaming operators in regulated and legalized Internet gaming markets.
Access Systems’ leading-edge ACES software technology provides gaming operators with a secure, scaleable and robust high volume transaction-processing platform. The ACES system supports a very broad range of games including, lotto, bingo, keno, slots, blackjack and roulette. Access Systems’ Games Development Kit allows its customers or other game developers to develop new games for the ACES system independent of Access. The Austrian Lotteries is a current customer of Access and is the first major lottery to offer interactive games over the Internet. The Austrian Lotteries began live operations in December 1998 using the ACES system.
"IGT has continually evaluated the developments and opportunities in the Internet gaming arena and the ACES system is the highest quality and most secure product in the marketplace," commented Tom Baker, President and Chief Operating Officer of IGT. "Equally important to IGT, is Access’ policy of licensing its ACES technology only to major gaming operators in regulated jurisdictions."
Stephen Mulcahy, Managing Director of Access, said, "IGT is the ideal strategic partner for Access. The agreement with IGT enables us to expand our business by increasing market accessibility via IGT’s worldwide distribution network. It also allows us to add considerable gaming content for our ACES system."
IGT concentrates on the design, development and manufacture of microprocessor-based gaming products and software systems in jurisdictions where gaming is legal. Access Systems distributes Internet gaming systems to major gaming operators in regulated jurisdictions with customers in Australia and Europe. Access licenses its ACES technology in regulated jurisdictions to licensed gaming operators, i.e., casinos, lotteries and lawful wagering operations.