World Gaming plc, one of the leading software suppliers in the interactive gaming industry, released its prototype gaming kiosk this week and is hoping to carve a niche with the machine.
The prototype was released at the International Casino Exhibition in London. World Gaming's director of development support, Martin Glaeser, said the debut of the device came after months of planning and development.
World Gaming said it plans to target cruise ships, resorts, pubs and other high traffic areas. If progression of the product continues, Glaeser, who is spearheading the project, said the kiosks could be available for public use before the end of the second quarter of this year.
"We hope to be able to have it ready for sale by the time of the next major show," he said.
Glaeser said his team will have to work urgently to roll out the fully developed product.
"This industry is all about getting into new markets as fast as you can," he said. "We will have a lot of people trying to catch up with us now that we have released the prototype."
PC Kiosk, a division of NetBooth Corp., developed the kiosk, which resembles a modern-looking, compact ATM. NetBooth has been developing and designing kiosks for the North American market for some time now. Once the terminal was provided, World Gaming was able to plug its latest software and gaming options into make the device to make it wager ready.
The kiosk includes World Gaming's latest suite of software, version 3, which includes casino games, sports betting, pari-mutuel wagering, bingo and lottery. Glaeser said the devices will be targeted at a wide range of companies, including the travel and tourism industries. But none of the them will be sold in unregulated areas, he said.
"We will insist that the machines are being placed in a lawful manner," he said. "We are not limiting ourselves geographically in any way, we will be marketing these worldwide."
In addition to being equipped for gaming, the kiosks will include an Internet browser. With the browser, Glaeser said, customers will be able to use the machines to cater to their needs.
"A sporting venue may have a schedule of future events and an ability for fans to purchase tickets right there," he said.
Other options, Glaeser said, could include publishing a map of a resort on a machine that is located on a property's beach. In a press release regarding the kiosks, World Gaming's CEO, Michael Aymong, said there has been an increased demand from land-based operators of all kinds to provide "alternative gaming environments such as a kiosk. We often hear that there is a need to provide easy and convenient access to gaming entertainment. This is an important initiative for the company."
The introduction of the kiosk by World Gaming is a bold move for a company that continues to try to rebound from a troubled past. Glaeser said anyone in the industry who feels World Gaming is still suffering from internal trouble should take note of the kiosk.
"A company in trouble wouldn't be rolling out a product like this," he said. "There is nothing like this out there, and no one else is talking about developing anything like this. I think that will all change now."