NOTE: Submission to Australian Hotelier magazine - edited in final version due to space restrictions.

Feature spins and bonuses released by Konami
Konami Australia released two new games for the hotel market in August that were featured at the AGE, and were extremely popular with hotel guests attending the show.
Themed with a native American Indian chief, Indian Legend offers players the chance to triple their wins during the free games. The triple game feature kicks in when three or more wolves appear, triggering 15 free games. In addition, when 2 or more wolves appear, bonus wolves can randomly appear, awarding additional free games.
"Indian Legend is a high denomination game that created a lot of interest at the AGE," said Denis Muddle, Hotel Sales Agent for Konami Australia.
"We also released a 1¢, 2¢, or 5¢ game called Show Queen, for players that prefer free game style pokies. Show Queen is quite different in its theming and features, and we expect both games to perform well in NSW gaming venues," he told Hotelier.
Any three of more Las Vegas signs trigger the Show Queen Cabaret bonus. The Cabaret bonus spin displays a number of showgirls, and the prize is awarded on five up to a maximum of 15 showgirls appearing. The more Showgirls, the higher the bonus prize awarded. Also an additional bonus prize is awarded after every free game. The Free games will commence and play until three or more scattered Las Vegas signs occur. All bonus prizes and free game wins are added and awarded to the player at the end of the feature.
Other games shown aimed at the hotel market include Spice it Up, Mystic India, Sultan's Wish and some additional new Konxion games, [pronounced "Connection"], Ashanti Queen and Temple of the Sun - all of which will be released by the end of the year. Konxion games pay combinations whereever a particular symbol has a connection or is touching the same symbol in a specific pattern.

Pacific fires up at gaming show
Louise Heffernan, Regional Business Manager for NSW hotels, was ecstatic about the response to Pacific Gaming's portfolio of games exhibited at the AGE.
"We had an extremely successful show this year, and the response to our games was tremendous," she told Judi Kelly from Hotelier.
"It was also an opportunity to introduce our newly appointed General Manager Greg Hayim, who has been with Pacific for over three years as the Financial Controller."
A number of games were shown which have been submitted for approval with the LAB, which generated interest from publicans visiting the show.
Red Hot Chilli is an old favourite, offering five free games with scatters and substitutes, which has been revamped for the Emax platform as a 25 line game.
Carnival Dreams offers 10,15, 20 or 25 free games with all prizes multiplied up to 5 times. Free games can be won again during the feature, which is triggered with three or more scattered Carnival Girl symbols.
Firebird is a low denomination game with captivating graphics. The player receives 10, 12 or 15 free games when the feature is triggered, and all wins are doubled except for the egg bonus, where total credits bet are awarded.
Pacific are also very excited with the popularity of their dollar game Super Roller, and there has been continued interest from the hotel market with proven performers Voodoo Magic, Dem Bones and Tokyo Rose.

New pricing options for maxgaming's linked jackpot
Maxgaming have devised a new pricing structure for the hotel industry, with two different plans for The hotel statewide linked jackpot.
This hotel product currently has over 1200 machines on the network, with over 80 jackpots paid out in Stash jackpots daily
"A number of hoteliers were interested in our new pricing structure during the AGE, as we now offer both a fixed and variable plan," John Newson, maxgaming's Sales and Marketing Manager told Hotelier.
For high turnover hotels, the fixed daily fee plan is the most suitable. There is also a new variable plan for smaller hotels, which is linked to the turnover of participating machines and therefore more cost effective.
Hotels can also now acquire new equipment and machines from leading manufacturers with no upfront capital cost to meet the diverse gaming needs of hotel venues of all sizes. Benefits include attractive 6 month contract, themed point of sale pack, modern LCD displays with attractive graphics as well as game upgrades supplied to keep venues installations up to date.
With over 5% of the NSW hotel market now linked through maxgaming products and an overall 200% growth recorded in the last 12 months, maxgaming looks like being one of the major players in the NSW hotel market for a long time to come.

Ebet launches new gaming package for small venues
Gaming systems provider ebet launched a new product at the AGE for venues with up to 50 poker machines.
"Netcash generated a phenomenal amount of interest at the show," Chief Executive Tony Toohey told Judi Kelly.
"Most hoteliers are aware of the incidence of theft, both externally with criminals or potential internal fraud.and the requirements to provide a safe environment for both employees and patrons. Sometimes it is hard for smaller operators to implement the state-of-the-art technology that is available to larger venues, or those with group interests.
"Now, ebet provides a solution for the smaller operators to prevent large amounts of funds being withdrawn from any gaming machine," he said.
Essentially, with Netcash, no large amount of cash is available at any one time to the cashier - whether that be a hold-up, or a staff member with unauthorised access.
Netcash Transfer Secure provides a fully secure cash dispensing facility, that can only dispense moneys / credits that are transferred of a gaming machine at anyone time.
For instance, if an unauthorised person tried to cash out from the machine, the maximum amount would be $1000.
Tony Toohey and his team at ebet realised the need for an all-in-one gaming management package for smaller operators.
This is a product well suited to smaller hotels that have a limit of up to 30 machines.
Netcash is available in eight different versions, and is scaleable to suit those with limited budgets, as well as venues requiring more sophisticated monitoring solutions.
One of the key features of Netcash is its fraud control and protection. For instance, Transfer Secure has the ability to transfer funds from a machine to the Netcash terminal via password-protected functionality, and to dispense funds via selected, secure dispensing devices.
Netcash monitors the gaming floor, allowing the user to view at any time the number of machines in play mode, or whether they are online or offline. The comprehensive management software includes daily clearance and reconciliation reports, service requests, and records current soft meters and system events.
In addition, an entrance terminal allows players to win lucky door prizes, redeem bonus points and view their "cashless" account details.
The variety of modules available even allow operators with 15 machines to manage their gaming floor operations.

AGT hits the jackpot at AGE - releases numerous games for hoteliers
Not only did Ainsworth Game Technology shares climb dramatically during the Australasian Gaming Expo, they showcased a plethora of new product offerings for the NSW, QLD/NT and SA hotel markets - which will no doubt keep the sales departments busy in the months ahead.
By September 1, shares had climbed as high as $1.12 from $0.79, which was the closing price prior to the start of the AGE show, on the weekend Aug 29-31.
"We don't know any reason," said Mr Len Ainsworth, Chairman of AGT, who was at a loss to explain the sharp rise.
"We brought in the figures we said we would. We believe our prospects are very good. We're on target. I don't know what else to say."
AGT offers two different platforms for their games - the Ambassador premium gaming solution with a high resolution 29" flat screen monitor, dynamic paytable and simulated 3D graphics, and the competitive Celebrity range of machines, with a 21" screen, exciting animation and intelligent design with easy access to all cash-handling components.
The Ambassador Snow White proved a hit at the show with its four vertical lines of symbols, as opposed to the usual three found in most poker machines. Available to the NSW, QLD, and SA markets, it features 15, 20 or 25 free games with additional features to build a 4 high Castle symbol.
"We are pleased with the enormous amount of interest from Snow White," Todd Triebler, AGT's Marketing Manager, told Judi Kelly from Hotelier.
"In addition to having the usual 5 reel horizontal strips, the 4-high display will no doubt be popular, as it offers an enhancement of the usual 3-high screen display. Also, the mystical theme and enhanced graphics will no doubt attract players."
"For instance, a special ‘opening door' animation highlights the transition into the Free Game sequence. We like to make our players feel special and reward them when they trigger the free game sequence, and we believe that they will thoroughly enjoy their entire experience with this game," he said.
Golden Bite is another Ambassador game available to the NSW and QLD markets. During free games, when a number of Dogs substitute in the winning combination, the prize is multiplied by 2 up to 16 times, depending on the symbol substitution.
Apart from the new Ambassador and Celebrity games, AGT featured their Ozzy's Challenge triple-level jackpot. Offering frequent wins and multi-level prizes, Todd Triebler explained how this product can create a competitive edge with venue operators.
"Ozzy's Challenge offers the players the opportunity to win a jackpot at any time, which we believe is unlike most other products on the market," he told Hotelier.
Ancient Challenge and the Great Chase Challenge are two games for the NSW hotel market that have been submitted to the LAB for approval utilising the Ozzy's Challenge incentive. They were in demonstration mode at the AGE, creating a high level of interest.
"Although players like to win large jackpots, it's important to offer rewards frequently, as opposed to having to reach a minimum jackpot level. We believe that players enjoy this option, and hotel operators also see a flow-on effect, with an increase in play after a jackpot has been won in their venue."
New games released by AGT of note to hoteliers include:
NSW - Snow White, Golden Bite, Greek Empress, Sahara Dreams, Ritzy Riches, Exotic Orient, Honey Moon
QLD - Snow White, The Big Money, Golden Bite, Norse Legend
SA - Snow White, Lucky Rabbits

Aristocrat showcases 130 games at AGE
The Aristocrat stand at the 2004 Australian Gaming Expo displayed their latest product and service innovations, including over 130 electronic gaming machines.
One of the most popular attractions was Aristocrat's new product, Player's Choice, comprising four top-performing games and a range of denominations in one single, sleek cabinet. Players love the touch-screens and the easy credit transfer between all four games. This unique gaming concept is a great asset for any installation, but is particularly valuable for venues within capped markets and/or space limitations.
Pick A Box is a Hyperlink ® themed product that was launched at the AGE. Aristocrat has managed to capture the essence of the long-running and highly-recognised Aussie game show Pick A Box , and deliver it to gaming floors via our champion Hyperlink ® technology.
Pick A Box features custom-designed line and Reel Power ® base games, as well as thrilling 3D jackpot animation sequences complete with touch-screen functionality. Customised signage and accessories further expand on the Pick A Box premise. The Bob & Dolly and Grand Champion base games contain a revolutionary second screen feature that guarantees a win from one of four exciting jackpots.
Zorro, Aristocrat's exclusive licensed 25 line game, combines progressive jackpot technology with an exciting Zorro bonusing feature. The touch screen Card Feature game facilitates play for either large or small jackpots, as well as a guaranteed 500 credit prize. When players spin up the letters Z-O-R-R-O across all five reels, they are rewarded with one of five Bonus Zorro features with an opportunity to spin up to 5 free games and random credit multipliers. Zorro has shattered player records throughout N.S.W. and has proven enormously successful for Aristocrat.
Money Train II, which has been submitted for approval in Qld, is Aristocrat's most progressive Hyperlink ® product to date, and enjoyed a similarly high-profile unveiling at the AGE. The link incorporates touch-screen utilities and operator-selectable jackpots, and will be the first dual-monitor product for the Queensland market.
Money Train II is based on the original Money Train theme and utilises the high-success formula of Hyperlink ®, It's glittering new look is powered with high-impact signage and LCD top-box displays; rousing sound-bites; and a turbo-charged second-screen feature.
Aristocrat also launched a range of exciting new stand alone games at the AGE, including 15 Lions, Star Drifter, 5 Dragons, Prophecy, and Indian Princess.

Bluechip a winner for IGT
IGT's innovative new gaming machine, bluechip, was the showcase product for the company at this year's AGE, featuring a line-up of new games specifically designed for the Australian, New Zealand and Asia Pacific markets.
Possibly the most attractive product for the hotelier market are the Multistar packages. These feature three games in one machine providing the perfect answer to limited space or machine capping. Wild Card II is based on IGT's very popular card game, Taipan and King of The Castle satisfies the high denomination players, and IGT Bingo and IGT Power Bingo use the top LCD screen to great effect.
"bluechip delivers to players a new enriched playing experience. The product with its flashing toppers, dynamic graphics, dual LCD screens and stereo sound will take gaming entertainment to a new level in Hotels around Australia," said John Dorahy, NSW Hotels Sales Manager.
Also of particular interest to hoteliers is Lucky Star Sign, which demonstrates the visual power of the new bluechip platform. It features an interactive top screen, exceptional graphics and exciting player interactivity.
Before spinning the reels the player uses the touch LCD screen to select their "lucky" star sign. Three "lucky" star signs trigger the 12 free games feature. During the 12 free games, the LCD top box displays a cosmic wheel of star signs, each with a different multiplier of 2,3,5 and 10. The player's chosen luck star sign becomes the highest multiplier. This dynamic feature can be re-triggered.
Apache Spirit, offering a visually captivating indian theme with dual LCD screens, is a low denomination, 1c game that can be played with up to 20 credits. The feature, with 15 free games, can be re-triggered, and during free games the Apache symbol multiples the prize by 3 in a win. In addition, players can win up to a 27 times multiple per spin.

Stargames® releases latest interactive games!
Stargames unleashed a vast array of brand new games in the standalone and WMS Gaming® range at this year's Australasian Gaming Expo 2004.
The products on the Stargames display for NSW included the three themed Red Hot games, which are offered as 4-level standalone mystery progressive (hitting between $10 and $20).
On average, they hit when turnover reaches $375.
The Red Hot Dollars Link System available in Queensland is a multi-level jackpot system, designed to reward players regularly with free game features that can be re-triggered. Games include Red Hot Run, Red Hot Streak & Red Hot Winner. The Red Hot Run game offers 15 free games with three scatters. All wins are tripled during free games. Each game is offered with an LCD.
Other products included the Dancing Dollars mystery progressive link, which can accommodate any WMS Gaming game or Stargames standalone game.
The Jackpot Jungle progressive series offers three themed games with dynamic animations and free game features. Games include Australian Hunter, Amazon Hunter and African Hunter. This link can also accommodate WMS Gaming games.
Stargames, through it's cross-license agreement with WMS Gaming, demonstrated the depth of it's interactive games, which included Lightning Ridge, Wild Wildernessâ„¢, Rakin it In and King Cat.
Pyramid of Kingsâ„¢ offers an exciting bonus feature. Any line wins resulting from a free or bought game awards one free game. Further, any line wins resulting from the 3rd free game grants entry to the exciting Pyramid feature.
In addition to these new game releases, Stargames also showcased some old favourites like
Treasure Huntâ„¢, Showboat and Leprechaun's Goldâ„¢, which have all had outstanding results in majority of venues.

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