Self-Service

Gaming innovation sizzles at Vegas expo

The gaming industry serves as an innovation lab for the retail, hospitality and other industry sectors that host self service.

An attendee places a bet at a sports betting kiosk at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas. Photo: American Gaming Association.

October 16, 2023 by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The excitement that has taken hold of the gaming industry in recent years was on full display at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas last week as more than 25,000 attendees representing more than 125 countries got a first-hand look at gaming innovation.

The 269,000 square feet of exhibition space hosted 368 exhibitions, 128 of which were new, featuring immersive technologies, according to the American Gaming Association, which hosted the event.

Beyond casinos, the gaming industry continues to expand in the retail and hospitality sectors driven by the growth of legalized gaming in recent years.

For the third straight year, sports betting kiosks were omnipresent on the trade show floor, as year-to-date commercial sports betting revenue by July reached $5.46 billion, exceeding the same period in the previous year by 63.1%,according to the AGA.

In addition to sports betting, the trade show presented a wealth of self service innovation for the retail and hospitality sectors.

Following are highlights from the trade show floor in alphabetical order.

Axiomtek Gaming

Zachary Chen presents the countertop restaurant payment kiosk at the Axiomtek Gaming exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Axiomtek Gaming, a Taipei City, Taiwan-based manufacturer of PC-based industrial products, presented all-in-one gaming platforms, gaming motherboards, double-sided monitors, player tracking systems and intelligent video mixer solutions.

The company also presented a countertop payment kiosk for restaurants that features a 21.5-inch display screen that allows the customer to order and pay using a credit card, bill acceptor, a coin acceptor, a barcode scanner and an optional RFID reader for tap-to-pay.

Bet Booth

Michael Orlando shows the sports betting kiosk at the Bet Booth exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Bet Booth, a Las Vegas based software and technology provider, presented a self-serve betting kiosk designed for non-traditional gaming sites, allowing customers with government-issued identification to sign up and place bets on the company's online sports gaming site within 60 seconds.

The kiosk performs account registration with both facial and fingerprint recognition.

Cash deposits and withdrawals can be made at the kiosk.

Customers can also place bets with the company's mobile app on iOS and Android devices.

The machine has earned GLI-20 and GLI-33 certification from Gaming Laboratories International.

Betson Enterprises/Goldfinger

Jacob Milak, Brian Murphy, Joe Colomer and Carl Frazier present Goldfinger monitors at the Beston Enterprises exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Goldfinger, a John's Island, South Carolina-based manufacturer of touch monitors for the gaming, entertainment, retail, digital signage, transportation and health care industries, launched several products at the Betson Enterprises exhibit, including:

• The 10.1-inch button deck features customizable inserts and LED lights.
• The 22-inch pixel PCAP monitor.
• The 24-inch round PCAP monitor.
• The 27-inch dual PCAP monitor with synced video.
• The 35.3-inch PCAP monitor with 4K resolution.
• The 43-inch C Curve PCAP monitor.
• The 43-inch J Curve PCAP monitor.
• The 58.4-inch Stretch monitor.

Cadrex Gaming Solutions

Laura Deal shows the gaming solutions at the Cadrex Gaming Solutions exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Cadrex Gaming Solutions, a Bloomingdale, Illinois-based provider of slot cabinets and gaming components, presented its standard kiosk cabinets that support a 24-inch LED edge-lit (floating) and a 22-inch flush mount LCD touchscreens.

The center panel is engineered to order and house all required peripherals and devices, which include bill acceptors, bill recyclers, roll printers, ticket printers, player tracking, magstripe card readers, card dispensers, barcode readers and more.

The company also offers a countertop betting terminal that uses interchangeable button decks and player tracking panels, and can be configured with ups-stacking bill acceptors and standard roll printers.

CountR GmbH

Kai Bunger and Mike Sawyer introduce the Gold Cash It Out kiosk at the CounR exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

CountR GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of self-service kiosks for ticket-in-ticket out, currency redemption and currency issuing, presented its Gold Cash It Out kiosk in its Cashio line, offering cashless redemption and purchase (issuing and loading) of TITO tickets, carded cashless, bill breaking, alternative ticket formats, e-wallet, bank transfers and more.

The machine also has a note dispenser, a ticket printer, a ticket acceptor, a coin tray and a display screen for advertising and messaging as well as virus prevention screen coating.

Gold Cash It Out can integrate with route gaming, sports betting, bingo software as part of an omnichannel system.

CountR also demonstrated a kiosk that offers a cryptocurrency acceptance feature that allows players to exchange cash for cryptocurrency and vice versa.

CPI

Evan Groat shows the Pinto TITO kiosk at the CPI exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

CPI, part of Crane NXT, an industrial technology company, presented the Pinto TITO kiosk used in the United Kingdom for casinos, stadiums and retail.

The kiosk comes with a touchscreen and an Alio Pro card reader, which has PIN on glass capability and contactless payment acceptance. Users can pay using swipe, chip and contactless payments which leverage the company's payment processing and cloud-based device management platform.

Gorilla Glass and outer casing enable the kiosk to resist vandalism and daily wear and tear.

In addition to stadiums, casinos and retail applications, the Pinto kiosk can be used for electric vehicle charging payment terminals and for vending machines.

Gan

Jan Roos and Blake Riley present the Gan sports betting kiosk at the Gan exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Gan Sports, a global supplier of internet gambling software-as-a-service solutions predominantly to the U.S. land-based casino industry, presented its sports betting kiosk made with United Tote hardware.

Gan's Gamestack gambling enterprise software system that enables omnichannel sports betting via retail kiosks or personal mobile devices while on-property.

Gan also provides marketing and customer services.

Grover Gaming Inc.

Mark Gill presents the redemption kiosk at the Grover Gaming exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Grover Gaming Inc., a Greenville, North Carolina-based software development and design manufacturer specializing in lottery products, charitable gaming and software licensing, demonstrated its redemption kiosk which allows a player to insert their ticket and get cash without having to see an attendant to redeem their winnings.

The redemption kiosk has improved security and increased net revenue to the charities of over 15% in some locations.

Just Baked Smart Bistro

Robert Mara demonstrates the hot food vending machine at the Just Baked Smart Bistro exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Just Baked Smart Bistro, a division of Automated Retail Technologies, presented the Vistar launch menu of food products the machine heats and serves in 60 seconds.

The machine features a 50-inch touch display, is ADA compliant and can hold 64 food servings.

The Vistar launch menu from Vistar, the nationwide vend product wholesaler, includes 11 meals with manufacturer suggested price points of $4.99 to $8.99.

The company teams with partners serving workplace cafeterias or breakrooms, college campuses, hospitals, highway rest areas, entertainment venues/casinos, hospitality/hotels and airports.

K22

Megan Albertus presents the GLI kiosk line at the K22 exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

K22, a Dallas-based provider of a sports betting platform, presented its GLI line of self-serve kiosks offering cash dispensing and TITO integration that is designed to replace a traditional sportsbook.

The kiosk's AI camera enables anti-money-laundering and risk management strategies without encroaching on customer privacy. The kiosks also integrate with mobile devices, wearables, handhelds and smart TV screens.

The K22 trading platform can work with any operating system and can integrate with CMS and loyalty programs.

The Lucky 22 button allows bettors with a way to wager selection and placement.

Metal Grand Master Technology Co. Ltd.

Jerry Lai presents the sports betting kiosks at the Metal Grand Master Technology Co. exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Metal Grand Master Technology Co. Ltd., a Taoyuan City, Taiwan-based kiosk manufacturer of sports betting kiosks, slot machines and video lottery terminals, presented its new self-serve kiosks.

The MGM-K24 features 24-inch dual-touch monitors, a sound system and multi-color lighting effects. Peripherals include a bill acceptor, a ticket printer, a card reader and a scanner.

The MGM-K27 features 27-inch dual touch monitors.

Novomatic Americas

Notovomatic Americas presents its loyalty rewards kiosk. Photo: Novomatic Americas.

Novomatic Americas introduced its ActionBook Edge which complements the ActionBook Compact 1.27 table-top kiosk, and the twin-screen version, ActionBook Plus 2.27.

The company also introduced biometric technologies for the management of player recognition and access as part of its Novosion casino management system that includes accounting, jackpots, player tracking, cashless and TITO transactions.

The company also presented its rewards loyalty kiosk that allows the player to check in to the kiosk by entering their phone number and begin to collect loyalty points. The player can then can redeem loyalty points while playing games on the kiosk.

NRT Technology Inc.

NRT Technology presented the S1 sports betting kiosk at the NRT Technology exhibit. Photo: NRT Technology.

NRT Technology Inc. introduced its sports betting kiosks and retail kiosks in addition to its open architecture software and marketing platform.

The company's casino cash handling, redemption and jackpot kiosks are powered by its proprietary CHS enterprise management system.

The sports-betting kiosks feature facial recognition cameras, 2- by 21.4-inch LCD touchscreens with 4K display and a card reader. The kiosks also have a full payment infrastructure and anti-money-laundering compliance in place.

In addition to gaming and sports betting, the company has retail and hospitality kiosks.

The company's "smartsend" service uses allows users to send funds instantly to a bank account, prepaid card or mobile wallet.

Par Technology Corp.

Sam Constantino presents the Wave POS kiosk at the Par Technology Corp. exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Par Technology Corp. presented its EverServ 650 POS solutions for restaurants, featuring a 15- or 15.6-inch projected capacitive touchscreen powered by the Intel Kaby Lake Celeron processor.

Options include a magnetic stripe reader, biometric reader, Wi-Fi, VESA wall mount, rear 10- and 12-inch customer displays, touch and non-touch monitors and a 2- by 20-inch line display.

A pedestal is available for use with counter or panel-only versions.

Passport Technology Inc.

Sara Tredwell presents the Lush kiosk and printer at the Passport Technology Inc. exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Passport Technology Inc., based in Glendale, California, presented a suite of kiosks, including a jackpot payout kiosk, note recyclers note dispenser, coin dispenser, printer and handheld terminal device.

The company also demonstrated its Lush platform, an omnichannel loyalty solution with third-party plug-and-play capability that integrates with digital and physical touchpoints via a web interface.

Customizable loyalty and engagement options include draw and win, earn and shop, interactive games, custom promotions and an advertising service.

Pavilion Payments

Tiona Petty presents the LSK 4100 kiosk at the Pavilion Payments exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Pavilion Payments presented is LSK 4100 kiosk that includes an ATM, TITO, bill breaking, jackpot processing and e-check and cash advances.

When it comes time to pay out for jackpot winnings, the slot attendant can dispense cash or vouchers from any Pavilion Payments VIP kiosks or the cage. W2G tax forms can be printed from the kiosk, emailed or texted directly to the guest, eliminating bulky dedicated jackpot workstations and long wait times.

The company's VIP Mobility software allows patrons to scan a QR code to transfer their desired amount of funds from either their VIP Preferred account or through consumer payment platforms.

Pyramid Technologies Inc.

Tomislav Jeras presents the Platinum bill acceptor at the Pyramid Technologies exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Pyramid Technologies Inc., a Mesa, Arizona developer and manufacturer of payment and printing technologies and equipment, presented a prototype of its Platinum bill acceptor. Features include:

• A lockable, removable cash box for secure cash handling.
• State-of-the-art acceptance algorithms that increase acceptance rates.
• Automatic self-calibration.
• A mechanical anti-stringing and optical anti-stringing solution that prevents theft attempts.
• USB on-board which enables any thumb drive and any cable to download firmware updates or plug Platinum into the machine, requiring no proprietary cables.
• Barcode scanner on-board.
• Can handle bills up to 78 mm wide for foreign applications.

Quixant

Jason Bunzey presents the Qinetic sports betting kiosk with a 32-inch screen at the Quixant exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Quixant, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based developer of hardware and software solutions, launched its Intel-based IQON product, a fanless, all-in-one platform to enhance the customer experience while ensuring regulatory compliance of major gaming jurisdictions, including GLI-11.

The company also presented its Qinetic for the sports betting industry and its Quantum for the gaming industry, both of which offer a suite of peripherals to meet individual customer requirements.

Standard Qinetic display configurations include dual 23.8-inch FHD, dual 27-inch FHD and 32-inch flat FHD. Options include mechanical buttons, player facing camera on dual models, an integrated 2D barcode reader and a coin acceptor.

Standard Qinetic core configurations include a stereo audio, support for up to two thermal roll printers, LED lighting, optional coin handling with locking tray, optional web camera for facial recognition, support for bill validators with dedicated access door and optional jackpot and attendant keys.

Sapient

Keith Sheehey of Sapient and Mike DeMarco of Imageholders present a voice interactive self-order kiosk at the Sapient exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Sapient, a provider of AI enabled human interaction technology, presented Queenie, a digital signage assistant for food ordering on an Imageholders kiosk and an Actineon computer. The AI-enabled assistant allows restaurant customers to place orders with their voices and has been installed on kiosks, drive thru signage and mobile phones.

Sapient software offers synthetic speech, speech recognition, language recognition, sentiment analysis, machine learning and data mining.

The language recognition allows the user to use the language of their choice among 95 languages while the speech recognition converts spoken words to text.

The technology can also be used for sports betting or ordering transportation.

Stark/Nucleus

Ninoslav Lazarevic and Ivan Soce present the Stark kiosk at the Nucleus exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Stark, a Bosnia and Herzegovina-based manufacturer, presented its sports betting kiosk at the Nucleus exhibit. Nucleus, based in Serbia, provides betting and gaming software.

The Stark kiosk is available in dual-, single- and portrait screen versions enabling four video outputs.

Peripherals for the T-1000 model include coin acceptor, bill acceptor, printer, barcode scanner and card reader.

Peripherals for the T-800 model also include bill recyclers and pay-in/pay-out capability.

Customers can choose from a number of colors.

Suzohapp, a Mount Prospect, Illinois based provider of OEM, aftermarket and cash automation products, is distributing the Stark sports betting kiosks in the U.S.

Suzohapp

Tiffany Sadler presents the sports betting kiosk at the Suzohapp exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Suzohapp, a Mount Prospect, Illinois based provider of OEM, aftermarket and cash automation products, presented a sports betting kiosks in addition to amusement games, printers, monitors and other products.

The SBT 1000 sports betting kiosk features seven colors of LEDs selectable through switches, baked-on powder coatings, a software accessible low paper sensor, a printer and peripheral power saving features as well as a GLI-20 certified cabinet designed to pass GLI-33 compliance.

The SH1950 video topper features a 19.5-inch wide viewing angle panel covered by an acrylic front plate.

The company also introduced its Running Rich Grand Prix race game that offers a traditional slot chair, a 27-inch topper, a 32-inch non-touch screen, a 32-inch player touchscreen and a 10-inch player control screen.

Zytronic PLC

Andrew Morrison introduces "floating" buttons for self service equipment at the Zytronic exhibit. Photo: Networld Media Group.

Zytronic PLC, a U.K.-based manufacturer of touch sensors, introduced its "floating" touch buttons for interactive displays.

The company presented a 23.6-inch round LCD interactive table featuring a multitouch sensor glass surface shaped to incorporate four independent player areas, each with its own transparent floating and invisibility-powered mechanical bash button which can also be used to browse and order beverages via on-screen menus.

One 19.4-inch stretched display features a full multitouch-enabled sensor interface. Its transparent glass surround creates a floating button deck. The fully transparent and touch-interactive raised glass bash button is accompanied by a perimeter joggle wheel. The laminated raised structure has no moving parts to create a fully sealed interactive button and joggle wheel with a no-wear-out mechanism that is resistant to liquid spillages.

A second 19.4-inch stretched display features a full multitouch-enabled sensor interface with a hexagon fade graphic print surround. The floating mechanical bash button is mounted within the active area of the display and touchscreen while still maintaining full touch capability around the floating button.

The bash button can operate independently of the touch sensor and has an incorporated halo LED ring.

Zytronic displays are used in ATMs, digital signage, self-service kiosks and gaming machines as well as by industrial and medical OEMs.

About Elliot Maras

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Elliot Maras is the editor of Kiosk Marketplace and Vending Times. He brings three decades covering unattended retail and commercial foodservice.