MAKE A PLAN AND TAKE A LIST WHEN YOU GO TO THE AGE SHOW WITH YOUR GAMING BUDGET CHEQUE BOOK IN YOUR HAND.

The new release games are coming through thick and fast before the AGE Show giving us all plenty of machine purchase and game conversion options that fit with our different player markets. At a trade show with so much new product available, it’s always easy to get carried away with the “sizzle” when what you really need to look for is the “steak”. Some planning before you go to the trade show might mean much greater profits in the long run.

There are a few things to look at across your gaming floor that will give you the bones of a plan. Here are a few to investigate:

• If you need some game conversions to freshen up a manufacturers games, and are also planning on purchasing machines make sure you know which games you need converted. These can be used during negotiations with your rep on a new machine purchase and considerably reduce the cost of the conversions. On your gaming floor you get the advantage of adding for example 2 new machines and 3 new game conversions giving you 5 fresh games for your players at the cost of two new machines. Remember your customers are mostly focused on games, not machines.
• Work out where your gaming market gaps are: new markets that could be attracted with different products such as MTGMs, new premium products that your competitors don’t have yet (go and have a look at other clubs in the area), if you have a strong gaming system look at some of your demographics compared to last year and see if there has been a change in customers
• Work out what your pub/club is currently making money from in gaming: consider successful product lines that may need to be increased, existing areas of the floor that need some updating. These days, for example, often the high denom games haven’t been changed for a while.
• Finally, and most importantly, outline to the CEO what you are looking at potentially buying, advise which markets you are targeting, and give them an estimated cost. You may be able to get a budget approved before you get there. It doesn’t have to be specific because there might be something launched at the show that you haven’t seen: after investigating your gaming results you could suggest that the data supports the purchase of a 3-4 machine link that will interest our top tier gaming players because of the high top jackpot but keep smaller day players entertained with entertaining features for approx. $X?. When you go to the show you know what to look for and compare.

Manufacturer	Game	Market Fit
Aristocrat	New Lightning Link games: Wild Chuco and Bengal Treasures. Not released yet for Lightning Cash – Released	Suits most player types with entertaining features for day players and appealing jackpots for top tiers
IGT	Cash Climb: New premium link. Ideal for 3-4 machine purchase. Currently 3 strong games (‘Heavenly Treasures, ‘Top o Ta Morning’, Flames of Sparta’) all ranking high in clubs. – Released	20K jackpot for bigger players to chase but interesting games and lots of smaller jackpots and bonuses for regular patrons
Konami	New Concerto machine looks great and they have a number of high ranking games ‘Purrfect Pirate’, ‘Mystic Wolf’ and ‘Savanna Gold’ – Released	Great entertaining games for regular customers who want a good run for their money and ‘time on device’
Aristocrat	‘5 Dragons Empire’: Five different math versions of ‘5 Dragons’ in one machine including a new high denom version. Talk to your rep about the new purchase plans. – Just Released	Great game for the ‘5 Dragons’ fans and a high denom version that will be popular with top tier players
Scientific Games	Lock It Link: has been very popular on gaming floors since its release. Two games available now and two new games – coming soon	Great appeal for the medium tier player.
IGT/Maxgaming	Megabucks Gold – new multi game pack for Megabucks statewide link which allows you to add the new Crystal machine to refresh the link – coming soon	The biggest jackpot in the State attracts the biggest players. A good one to have available for players particularly if your competitors don’t have it.
Ainsworth	New Win Storm games: ‘Ultimate Thunder’ Wild Wins’ and Hail ‘n Diamonds’ all ranking well as 2 cent games – Released	2 cent games for the regular medium tier player.
Aristocrat/ Maxgaming	Good Fortune State wide link – well known dual game packs with a 100K+ jackpot. Two game versions available. – Just released	Regular players
Scientific Games	‘Heartland-Locked and Loaded’ – SAP version of Lock It Link. Coming soon	Great appeal for the medium tier player and female top tier players
Aruze	Solid performing new games: ‘Imperial Phoenix’, ‘Vegas Ca$h Cocktail Girl’, ‘Stackin Bull’	Great games for smaller players that keep them entertained.