Philadelphia-based gaming equipment supplier developing player protection products

April 30, 2020 12:00 PM
  • Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports
April 30, 2020 12:00 PM
  • Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports

After the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic closed Pennsylvania’s gaming industry, including casino supplier KGM Gaming, the company turned its efforts toward producing medical face shields for Philadelphia-area hospitals.

Story continues below

With states and tribal governments now beginning to consider how to reopen casinos that have been shuttered for the last six weeks, KGM is developing a social protection product line that would function as an extra barrier between players as operators look to implement social distancing protocols.

KGM said it has a patent pending on gaming-area social protection panels that are transparent and can be installed onto slot machine banks, cashier stations, other gaming areas, and food service outlets. KGM also provides easy-to-install sanitizing station endcaps for slot machine banks.

The Philadelphia-based company produces casino seating, slot bases, millwork, and interior and exterior casino signage products to be used with Ainsworth Technologies’ slot machines.

KGM Vice President of Operations Jack McNamara said casinos are seeking products that will provide additional levels of protection for customers and employees. As a U.S.-based manufacturing company, McNamara said KGM can quickly produce the materials.

Courtesy KGM Gaming / Panels with sanitizing stations

“It was important for KGM to develop products to meet the needs of our customers in these unprecedented times,” McNamara said. “We all want things to get back to normal, and with this new product line, KGM is able to provide the comfort and safety customers need to feel confident to reenter casinos.”

The panels, he said, are easy to mount and easily removable for access to gaming machines, and can be used with any gaming device.

McNamara said the panels provide a barrier between players at each gaming device, providing a sense of protection for anyone sitting and playing.

The product line also includes cashier protection panels available with a variety of styles and easy installation options. The panels provide an additional barrier between the cashier and the customer.

Sanitizing station endcaps are designed to be mounted to any slot bank and feature compartments for protective gloves, antiseptic wipes, face masks, a designated space for a mounted bulk hand sanitizer dispenser, and an optional waste disposal bin.

The endcap also includes a non-illuminated sign at the top and will have painted finishes that are customizable to match the surrounding decor.

KGM Gaming, which employs 49 workers, serves as the exclusive distributor for Ainsworth in the Northeast U.S. market, covering 11 states. The company is also the North American manufacturer and distributor for Alfastreet Games.

KGM Gaming also has a satellite office in Pleasantville, New Jersey.

Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgaming.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.