Industry News
ITL’s Live Collect – maximising the operational efficiency of gaming machines
Following successful closed trials Innovative Technology Ltd (ITL) are pleased to bring Live Collect to the wider gaming market. Live Collect enables operators to optimise cash handling and revolutionise collection efficiency by accessing real-time data and detailed status reports across multiple sites for full machine audit traceability.
Efficient collections, optimising machine utilisation, exceptional float level management and eliminating shrinkage are amongst the many benefits that Live Collect offers. It also facilitates remote updates for the cash handling peripherals in the case of new currency datasets or firmware and this proactive, preventative system also provides operators with security, fault and maintenance alerts.
Andy Bullock, Senior Business Development Manager commented, “Live Collect is compatible with a number of manufactures’ machines, with various options to suit different applications. Live Collect can be tailored to suit specific requirements and at the top level, uses the cash handling features of both the NV11 & SMART Coin System in a smart connected way. ITL’s SMART Coin System (SCS) is a state-of-the-art bulk coin validator, mixed coin hopper and recycler in one which validates, discriminates and stores mixed coins. This secure unit has a market leading coin hopper capacity which reduces coin starvation, collection costs and the need for multiple hoppers whilst ensuring cash is fully accounted for.”
“Live Collect fully utilises the features of the SCS and can bring the operator a host of additional benefits. Cash levels in the validator cashbox, hopper and recycler are visible in real time and can be used to schedule more efficient collection & refill visits, significantly reducing machine collection times even further, resulting in a more productive use of staff time.”
Andy continued, “Live Collect uses algorithms to suggest new float levels for each machine to minimise the amount of cash tied up in machine floats – a key feature that is particularly attractive to our gaming customers. Live Collect is simple to integrate and can be utilised across the whole machine estate, so updates can be pushed out remotely from one central location. Time consuming, expensive currency and firmware updates are a thing of the past and can be installed at the click of a button!”
Operators can login to the secure online Live Collect portal which can be accessed from any location, providing a greater insight into machine activity, traceability and performance. The Live Collect portal can be accessed by account managers, collectors, installers and service engineers enabling data and information to be readily available and shared. Key reports and tracking information gives operators detailed knowledge – right down to individual machine performance in every location. It improves the relationship between operators and retailers in terms of being able to identify machine performance across the entire machine estate.
Andy concluded, “We have already successfully installed Live Collect in over 100 machines across the UK. Using this closed loop system, all cash is accounted for and we have already seen shrinkage eliminated at these sites, generating real efficiency benefits and cost savings. In addition, customers can take advantage of our Pay & Play app which allows customers to transfer funds to enabled gaming machines using their mobile. This app is used in conjunction with Live Collect gives customers a cashless payment option. With the mobile app you can set your own limits and deposit funds securely using your debit card – ideal for customers who are not carrying cash.”
Industry News
SKS365 keeps investing in people: GROW People Management Program took the next level
11 experienced people managers from the SKS365 group’s 4 locations gathered last week in Belgrade for the new GROW People Management Program. From 15 th to 19 th of April, through trainings, discussions, and social connections, people had the opportunity to further grow individually and as a team, while enjoying Belgrade’s city center and rivers.
Created in 2023 with the purpose of building foundation people management skills across the organization, GROW initiative evolved this year by including a new, advanced program for experienced people managers to further consolidate their skills and prepare for future opportunities.
Building and fostering connections, sharing experiences, and enjoying team building experiences – all these activities have been part of the GROWpmp agenda for the 11 people managers coming from Commercial, Product and Development, Finance, and Sportsbook departments of the group’s 4 locations – Malta, Italy, Austria, Serbia.
GROWpmp included a variety of topics that people managers in SKS365 recognized as the key areas for management development. Topics such as influence through communication, team effectiveness, DEI, through to presentation skills and business topics like understanding finance and management reporting, were delivered with the support of external professionals and internal experts, while designed and organized by the SKS365 People & Culture team.
Industry News
Kindred’s Share of Revenue from High-risk Players Shows Slight Increase
Kindred Group plc’s (Kindred) share of revenue from high-risk players showed a slight increase to 3.2% (Q4 2023 3.1%) in the first quarter of 2024. Compared to the first quarter of 2023, the high-risk revenue share decreased marginally. The percentage of detected customers who exhibited improved behaviour after interventions came in at 87.1% (compared to 87.4% in Q4 2023 and 83.0% in Q1 2023). This sustained trajectory in the improvement effect after interventions, observed over an extended period, serves as a testament to the strong dedication and collective efforts throughout the company. It reflects Kindred’s ongoing commitment to fostering positive change within the industry.
“We continue to see our share of revenue from high-risk players fluctuate quarter to quarter, and we are working closely with all teams across the company to support customers towards a more sustainable gambling experience. However, it is encouraging to see that our Journey towards Zero data has steadily decreased since 2020. A similar trend can be seen across the healthier gambling behaviour effect after interventions. This tells us two things: our work is paying off, but we need to continue to push ourselves to propel a sustainable progression,” Alexander Westrell, Director of Communications at Kindred Group, said.
“It was very encouraging to witness the open and transparent discussions at the Sustainable Gambling Conference in London on 20 March, where those with lived experience shared their important stories. Also, it is evident that technology is moving forward, and will provide greater opportunities to detect and intervene in the future. We hope to see more regulators engage with the industry and with experts to secure a more sustainable industry for everyone,” Alexander Westrell added.
Industry News
PENN Entertainment Names Aaron LaBerge as Chief Technology Officer
PENN Entertainment announced that Aaron LaBerge has been named Chief Technology Officer (CTO) effective July 1, 2024, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Mr. LaBerge will report directly to PENN CEO & President Jay Snowden.
In his new role, Mr. LaBerge will be responsible for driving the technology strategy and execution for PENN, while leading the multinational team of technologists and serving as the key business leader for the company’s Interactive division.
Mr. LaBerge spent more than 20 years at The Walt Disney Company, in two stints separated by five and a half years as a technology entrepreneur. He was most recently President & Chief Technology Officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN where he was responsible for driving all technology and product development in support of The Walt Disney Company’s two media divisions. In that role, he helped set the vision and strategic leadership for how Disney uses technology to enable storytelling and innovation, drive its business, and create unparalleled consumer experiences with entertainment and sports content.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Aaron’s caliber join our PENN executive team. Having overseen a global organization of thousands of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists, and data scientists that created some of the largest scale and most successful media properties in the world, there is no better candidate to lead our Technology and Interactive division into its future. I know Aaron is looking forward to working with Todd George, our head of operations, and our entire Executive Team to continue growing our position as a leader in online gaming, sports betting, and digital sports media,” Mr. Snowden said.
“I’m excited to join another talented team at PENN Interactive and lead our technology strategy. PENN Entertainment is at the forefront of the fast-changing gaming and sports media industry. I plan to use my experience from Disney and ESPN to help make ESPN BET an essential piece of the sports fan experience. Together, we’ll push the limits and redefine how fans interact with sports and gaming,” Mr. LaBerge said.
Prior to his most recent role at the Walt Disney Company, Mr. LaBerge was Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ESPN from 2015 to 2018. At ESPN he played an instrumental role in the growth of ESPN’s consumer-facing digital media products and services – leading many of ESPN’s most ambitious and challenging projects and helping establish ESPN’s position as the leader in digital sports and innovative sports technology development. He was a key architect in the design, development, and engineering of ESPN’s state-of-the-art facilities in Bristol, CT; Los Angeles, CA; Charlotte, NC; and Austin, TX, as well as data centers and infrastructure that connect those facilities around the world, as well as the technology design and development to support the launch of the multi-platform SEC Network.
Between 2007 and 2012, LaBerge was co-founder and CEO of Fanzter, Inc. – a venture-funded consumer software and digital product development company. At Fanzter, he directed all day-to-day operations and led the development and launch of a variety of consumer-focused internet and mobile products, ground-breaking social and commerce technologies and more.
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