Japan resorts ‘will be integrated like never before in gaming and hospitality’

February 5, 2019 9:51 PM
February 5, 2019 9:51 PM


(Remarks from AGEM Executive Director Marcus Prater at ICE London 2019)

It’s a pleasure to be here today as Executive Director for the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM). We are a non-profit international trade association based in Las Vegas representing manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, lotteries, systems, table games, online technology, sports betting, key components and support products and services for the gaming industry.

When you enter a casino anywhere in the world, our members have created everything you see on the floor – and much of what you don’t see. Along the way, today’s slot, systems, table game and payment companies have created the technology foundation for the entire global gaming industry. We are represented on this panel today because the Japanese resorts will, without question, serve as the shining stars of gaming technology when they open, and the gaming technology providers look forward to fulfilling our mission in a process that will certainly be the most complex undertaking in our industry’s history.

AGEM has been active in the Japanese market for the past 3 years through input directly to the IR Promotion Committee and as participants at the Japan Gaming Congress. Plus, direct member relations, starting with AGEM companies based in Japan such as Konami, Sega Sammy, JCM Global, Aruze, Matsui Gaming and Glory. Other leading slot companies such as IGT, Scientific Games and Novomatic have also created a local presence in Japan.

When the first integrated resorts initially open, they truly will be integrated like never before in gaming and hospitality. With such a small percentage of the overall space dedicated to the casino floor, the resorts will be expansive in all of the other entertainment, hospitality and tourism offerings and linked seamlessly together by environment and technology.

On the casino floor, you will see the greatest collection of games and gambling experiences ever assembled – the best of the best, machines by the thousands that will entertain Japanese players and visitors from all over the globe. Well-known brands and cultural themes from within Japan will make their way onto machines on the casino floor from day one. Tables, both live and electronic, will offer a wide variety of game types and denominations. Electronic games considered futuristic today will be perfected and globally popular by the time the Japanese IRs open. Everything will be linked to the most sophisticated casino management system ever introduced as gaming suppliers initiate a dream partnering with some of the world’s most technologically advanced companies born and based in Japan.

Responsible gaming will also be a key focus on the casino floor that technology will help solve, and Japan stands to benefit from all of responsible gaming research and development work that is already underway in jurisdictions throughout the world. AGEM, led in this area by Director of Responsible Gaming Connie Jones, has been an industry leader in the area of responsible gaming since the organization’s inception in 2000.

In closing, AGEM looks forward to the establishment of the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission later this year and offers its assistance in any way to the Office of Integrated Resort Regime Promotion as this group continues its fact-finding mission and overall search for best practices from existing markets and companies throughout the world. Thank you again for the opportunity to address you today.