Barcrest rolls out new technology

UNITED KINGDOM -- As reported by the Crain's Manchester Business: "Ashton-based Barcrest Group is about to take on its major rival with new technology which is revolutionising the gaming machine market.

"Server-based gaming (SBG) allows a casino or amusement arcade operator to run more than one type of game on each machine.

"It also means an operator can upload new games automatically, receive instant performance data remotely and change games to suit different customers at different times of the day, instead of having to manage each machine individually.

"The technology is already very popular with manufacturers in the US, the home of Barcrest's owner, International Gaming Technologies, which controls 70 per cent of the North American casino slots market and has a market capitalisation of $14.5bn.

"...Barcrest has just released a new SBG machine called Iconic to target the UK and European markets, and it is currently undergoing domestic trials with Mecca Bingo and Riva Gaming.

"...At the end of February, IGT pledged to invest £1bn in research and development (R&D) over next five years, which should give Barcrest a huge competitive edge, according to one expert..."