Matsui, a specialist in casino currency, is investigating new markets, particularly the potential to obtain a license as a provider of casino technology in the rapidly developing region of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
David Holt, the managing director of Matsui Europe Ltd, expressed this interest regarding their live gaming offerings during a conversation with GGRAsia at the recent Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia in Macau. Shigeki Machida, managing director at Matsui Asia Ltd, joined him for the discussion.
Mr. Holt remarked, “This is a market to keep an eye on as it continues to evolve.”
He suggested that casino patrons in the UAE may show a preference for the elongated plaque format of casino currency, which is also widely used in European gaming establishments.
The UAE’s inaugural confirmed casino project is Wynn Al Marjan Island, located in Ras Al Kaimah and developed through a collaboration between Wynn Resorts Ltd and local partners.
Several gaming technology providers, such as Aristocrat, International Game Technology Plc, and Novomatic AG, have already secured licenses to operate in the UAE, granted by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority of the nation.
According to Mr. Holt, there is a noticeable shift among gaming operators towards casino-currency plaques crafted with techniques typically reserved for smaller, round casino chips.
This trend has been observed not just in Europe, but also in Asia, he mentioned. “Many more” operators are now choosing plaques designed like chips instead of the conventional design.
The newly designed plaques are “manufactured using the same methods as chips, through injection moulding,” allowing for the “first, second, third colors” of these new plaques to precisely match the colors of the chips used in the casino. He noted that “traditional acrylic plaques are not produced using these methods.”
Moreover, high denominations that have traditionally been represented by oblong plaques can now be created with ‘plaques’ that are actually ‘round’, Mr. Holt explained.
“We’ve developed new molds for both oval and rectangular plaques,” he added. “This is based on customer feedback, so we adapted our production accordingly.”
Matsui has been manufacturing its products in South Korea for three decades.
Mr. Machida highlighted the robust plastics industry in South Korea, emphasizing its advanced technology in injection and molding of high-specification products.
Additionally, he indicated that in the “last three to four years,” the demand for plaques made using chip manufacturing techniques has notably increased.