Inside Asian Gaming

easy to read display that alerts the dealer if cards are missing or extra cards are present. Shuffle Master’s MD2 shuffler was described by the judges as not only reliable and offering a secure random shuffling of cards, but was also identified as a key factor in increasing staff productivity and reducing labour costs. “It’s very easy to use, never jams and certainly shuffles the cards better than I do,” was the feedback from a casino floor staffer polled by one of the judges. “The MD2 shuffler gives players confidence that the cards are well mixed together and that the casino is offering a fair game,” added a judge. “Shuffle Master provides immediate response to service calls, regular meetings to discuss new and innovative games/products and good follow-up on any outstanding issues. MD2 and the One2Six [ShuffleMaster’s multi-deck continuous shuffler] are integral components to ensure game integrity,”said the judge—a judgement backed by several others. Honourable Mention: TCSJOHNHUXLEY Chipper Champ Plus The fact TCS JOHNHUXLEY has sold more than 4,000 units of the Chipper Champ Plus across the world tells its own story. The equipment is ideal for high volume, fast play markets such as those in East Asia. The Chipper Champ Plus identifies and ‘quarantines’ suspect chips. It can sort 300 to 500 chips per minute, is simple to program without removing covers, features statistical and diagnostic reporting and is capable of integrated networking with other equipment using Internet Protocol technology. Best Table Gaming Peripheral This category includes RFID antennae, RFID chips/plaques and table displays. Tableperipheralsincludeapplicationsofsophisticatedtechnology such as radio frequency identification (RFID) chips and plaques. They also include tableside displays that help players—especially Asian baccarat table players—follow one of their favourite pastimes: namely, trying to identify patterns in betting and outcomes. Winner: Gaming Partners International – Bourgogne & Grasset RFID plaques Gaming Partners International (GPI) has been a key player in the development of the Macau gaming market, first supplying chips to the territory’s former monopoly operator Dr Stanley Ho more than four decades ago. GPI continues to dominate this key Asian market with its use Nominees: Manufacturer Title CSA Automated Baccarat Display Gaming Partners Bourgogne & International Grasset RFID plaques Matsui RFID chips Matsui MG Eye-MB chip authenticator 13