Not all slot cabinets are created equal.
The latest proof of this industry maxim? Two new products from Konami expected to premiere at this week’s Global Gaming Expo 2019 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.
Both are part of a push by Konami and other vendors to provide casino operators with slot cabinets that are both user-friendly and revenue-generating. Each of the offerings incorporates merchandising into the design, meaning operators can leverage seatbacks and digital toppers for extra ROI.
The first cabinet, whose name has not yet been released, represents Konami’s maiden voyage into J-curve displays. The cabinet features a 49-inch 4K Ultra HD video display and incorporates a host of user-friendly features such as wired and wireless phone charging stations, USB ports, bag hooks, and a generous player dash that can accommodate a variety of personal effects.
The cabinet is perfect for high-profile linked progressives; already, it has proven to be a success in the Australian market with a game called “All Aboard”.
According to Tom Jingoli, Konami’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, slot cabinets have become an important part of the casino experience. Specifically, he says, they have become more than just delivery mechanisms; they now help define the overall player experience.
“This cabinet is a striking combination of sleek entertainment, premium packaging, and player comfort, backed by a rich library of original titles,” Jingoli said in a statement this week. “Everything, including its shape, screens, betting surface, and available merchandising, has been engineered to maximize both player experience and operational results.”
The new J-curve cabinet will be launching with an iteration of Konami’s iconic Silent Hill horror video game with a for-wager slot experience. The game will include scenes, sounds, and characters from the popular franchise, which debuted in 1999.
Another key cabinet on the floor of G2E 2019 will be the brand-new KX 43, with its 43-inch screen, 4k graphics, dual spin buttons, high-performance sound system, and vibrant Asian-inspired art elements.
This product will premiere on six unique linked progressives, with titles such as Fortune Mint, among others.
Konami’s product gurus are excited about the opportunities that both cabinets should generate. For players, the digs will be different and exciting, serving up new opportunities to win big and one-of-a-kind comforts that few other slot machines in casinos currently offer. For operators, while the new cabinets give players what they want, the products also offer unprecedented opportunities to generate profits from advertisements and merchandising.
Greg Colella, Konami’s vice president of games product management, says that, with the right strategy and execution, operators could turn the new products into some of the most powerful marketing vehicles in the entire casino.
“Cabinets that allow players to truly relax and enjoy themselves with the least amount of friction provide the greatest revenue potential for industry operators,” Colella said. “So long as the cost investment is competitive and within reason for its slot category, smart player-centric conveniences can easily support greater return on investment.”
No article about Konami slot cabinets would be complete without at least nodding to Concerto Opus, which, with a 65-inch display, is one of the biggest standard cabinets on the market today. Exclusive game releases for this product at G2E will include a jackpot game called “Treasure Lounge”.
