Domenico Pastia, head of global product for IGT, looked around at the crowds during the recent Indian Gaming Association Tradeshow & Convention and seemed pleased to be there. He can spend time with the key leaders of tribes and the operational people who are critical to forging deals with IGT.
Pastia noted that Indian gaming executives and management are “more long-term driven than the standard customer and we appreciate that. It means a true partnership between us and them.”
It also helps when you have a product that dovetails with the needs of tribal operators.
IGT’s Rise55 cabinet was launched at IGA in 2025 and Pastia said it immediately found favor with tribal customers, thanks to its performance.
“We launched with a big unveiling of the title Magical Treasures Gold, which now has surpassed four-digit numbers in terms of penetration, largely with tribal customers,” Pastia said. “We then released the product for sale stateside and now we have a Wheel of Fortune version that works extremely well in the market.”
Pastia noted that tribal casinos are IGT’s most sophisticated market and that success with tribes often translates into other areas of gaming. IGT is also helped by impressive performance of the Rise55 cabinet, which stands out on gaming floors and has proven to be extremely popular and diverse.
“First, it’s a 55-inch cabinet. So with the larger stream, it’s really massive,” Pastia said. “It feels, as a player, to be a great experience.
“The other point is distinctive merchandising. I think it’s first fair to say it’s the first to market to use this video wall experience. … It’s one of the most successful we’ve launched. It has distinctive mechanics.”
The RISE55 was designed to showcase multi-level progressive games with crisp displays, enhanced lighting, and a desirable footprint for casino floors. Enhanced side lighting acts as a beacon that generates flow and illuminates the area, but a narrower bezel and the cabinet’s C-Curve help reduce glare.
The cabinet’s reduced footprint also makes it easier to fit on gaming floors. Featured slot games on the Rise55 include the Wheel of Fortune Cash Machine.
While very few players consciously flock to a slot game because of its cabinet, they’re equally critical to a game’s success.
“Both things are important,” Pastia said. “Early in the life cycle of the product, the hardware plays a major role. Down the line, the game is playing a major role and it’s a mathematical experience. The two things need to go hand in hand and you need both to be successful.”
Pastia also noted that another gaming-industry segment, social media influencers – of whom there were many oat IGA — are helpful when they find the Rise55 cabinet and other IGT products favorable. Noting their strong personalities — many influencers are recognized — and their burgeoning impact, Pastia said they perform an important function in the gaming-industry ecosystem.
“Players love to experience upfront the game before trying it, because once they put their money on the machine, it’s a financial commitment,” Pastia said. “And by seeing it on (social media) and seeing how the game works, they can get a sense of how it is.”
