By Clyde Mooney
The new Gaming Solutions branch of Tabcorp has announced another feather in its cap as it attempts to appeal to gaming venues in Victoria ahead of imminent changes to regulation.
As a result of the de-regulation that has brought about the end of the duopoly enjoyed in Victoria by Tabcorp and Tattersalls, venues have been left to source, service and manage their own gaming interests.
Unsurprisingly, many venue operators are neither eager nor equipped to absorb these additional complications, creating opportunities for independent solution providers and consultants.
Tabcorp Gaming Solutions (TGS) has recently partnered with IGT and is positioning itself as a no-hassle provider of gaming and associated services to Victorian licensed premises.
Parent company Tabcorp has operated in Victoria for decades and has established relationships with a large percentage of locations and industry suppliers.
“Customers of TGS will have the option of purchasing or working with the products of all gaming manufacturers due to Tabcorp’s ongoing relationship with all suppliers,” Steve Wooding, general manager of TGS told TheShout.
IGT are one of the largest manufacturers of poker machines in the world, and specialize in networking solutions that can not only increase profitability and information for operators, but can be used on any manufacturer’s machine.
The introduction of IGT’s networking and loyalty packages to Tabcorp’s suite of product solutions is therefore a key new point of sale for the burgeoning TGS.
Customers of TGS will have the option of purchasing or working with the products of all gaming manufacturers due to Tabcorp’s ongoing relationship with all suppliers.
Similarly, IGT products will be available through TGS without the necessity of being a registered TGS client.
Tabcorp recently split their casino and gaming interests, retaining around 100 employees for the new model of TGS.
The strategic partnership represents a ‘one-stop shop’ model by TGS, now able to provide all gaming services, from purchasing to floor management to loyalty programs.
TGS consider that their current product offering is in line with their intentions and do not intend to announce any further strategic partnerships such as the one with IGT.
According to Wooding, the other half of the former Victorian duopoly, Tattersalls, has no strategy beyond August next year for providing gaming services, and are currently selling their EGM interests to venues.
The potential for success of the TGS model could see the reverse of the intended effect of de-regulation occur, with Tabcorp’s interests potentially growing even beyond what was previously enjoyed.