Mrs. Sonia Nikolova: BEGE expo is a very important initiative that supports Bulgarian manufacturers

Interview with Mrs. Sonia Nikolova, Director Business Development of Casino Technology during the 5th edition of BEGE Expo...

- Hello, Mrs. Nikolova, could you briefly present your new products and technologies that you are demonstrating this year at BEGE Expo?

First of all I would like to thank you for the invitation for this interview and for the initiative of BEGE Expo team to take interviews from all exhibitors. I think this enhances the success of the event and the wide public resonance, corresponding to the importance of the Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo.
Casino Technology is the biggest manufacturer in Bulgaria with established reputation on both Bulgarian and international markets for over 12 years and products sold successfully on five continents. Our focus in product development has always been market-oriented; we study in depth the specifics of local markets and customer demand, the legislative and technical requirements striving to provide innovative and high quality products with comprehensive service to casino operators. Our team mostly consists from Bulgarian specialists who are genuinely motivated and challenged to create innovative, diverse and high-technology products. Those are equally successful both on the local and the international markets, building confidence in Bulgarian industry and increasing reputation of Casino Technology as a reliable partner for many international projects.
At this year's BEGE expo we are presenting several new lines of gaming equipment consistent with the latest trends in local and international markets. First there comes super successful game concept that we started developing at the end of 2009 - GAMOPOLIS™ - City of the games. This is a multigame based on a powerful hardware platform, featuring wide variety of game concepts. All the international versions of the multigame are sold in many countries and gaining increasing interest far beyond Europe. The product is realised on the markets in Central and Latin America, and Asia, which is an absolute success for a Bulgarian casino product. In 2012 GAMOPOLIS™ City of games has grown further and now it supports up to 40 game titles in one set, which gives much better choice to both operators and end customers. Our primary goal in offering such a diversity is to raise the interest and meet the expectations of different types of players who are seeking different types of entertainment and betting options.
At BEGE expo we are introducing a brand new technological concept within the series, offering a special version of the multigame, accommodated in a very advanced cabinet - SENSA FLEX™, where the main monitor of the machine has a curved shape, simulating the rotation of mechanical slot reels.
Another product line on focus this year is our landmark series, which is produced under the license of the world famous adult entertainment and lifestyle brand PENTHOUSE™.
In the development PENTHOUSE SLOTS™ we used the original video content and concept of the brand, which is very popular across the Atlantic.
Local markets are paying more and more attention to this trend, as it is no secret that the most successful concepts in the entertainment industry come from the US. The product is really a landmark for us, because this is the first time when a Bulgarian company successfully implements such kind of project in collaboration with a major international company, which is a recognition for us both as a product developer and reliable technological partner.
Currently the PENTHOUSE SLOTS™ has been successfully launched around the markets in South and North America, and Asia and we strongly believe that it will receive the right assessment and support from the Balkan markets too. We already have the first signs of this and we are truly happy with the results.
In the meanwhile here at BEGE we are proudly announcing the launch of another line of branded products, which is a joint project with one of the biggest music companies on the Balkans PAYNER. The new development PLANETA PAYNER SLOTS™ is based on original video and music content, featuring some of the most popular and top chart hits released by PAYNER. Combined with our innovative approach in game design and product development for specific markets such as the Balkans, brought us to the final result, which is expected to be such a great success in the gaming field, as are the PAYNER products in the show business.
Through this product, we provide the next gaming concept combining art and technology, which casino customers really enjoy and the feedback we get at our BEGE stand is really positive. We believe that such an innovative concept create a range of new marketing opportunities for the gaming and entertainment locations in Bulgaria. Although the product should be offered exclusively in licensed casinos and sites, there's a real potential for massive success as the pop-folk music is very popular all around the Balkans and we believe that PLANETA PAYNER SLOTS™ will give the audience a new way of entertainment fully comparable with the popularity of the brand.

- Speaking further about PLANETA PAYNER SLOTS™, what is the most important for you in terms of presentation and success of this new product. Is there any other technology that you are going to use for promoting the concept?

I think the concept of creating a successful product depends entirely on the approach used in its development with the aim to satisfy specific demands and needs of the market and the end users. With this in mind we tried to satisfy the operators demand for high-tech, quality and competitive product, which they can use as a powerful tool for attracting customers and creating new kind of atmosphere on the slot floor. 
It is absolutely essential, given that the younger audience has new kind of expectations, formed in multifunctional environment, tending to listen to its favourite music, while playing games and using the latest technologies. So with our latest branded products we have secured all this at the technical level. Another thing adding to potential success of the products is that their concept integrates the expectations of several different types of clients and helps to bring the casual atmosphere of the night-life and show business on the traditional casino floor. This would motivate the Bulgarian casino business to use this product and create new environment in the gaming locations providing greater diversification of the offered services.

- And one last question related to the expo. What are your general impressions of this year's edition of BEGE and especially in terms of the new technologies presented by the rest of companies?

As I said BEGE expo is a very important initiative that supports Bulgarian manufacturers. Very few people know that Bulgarian gaming providers have a long-term recognized contribution to the gaming industry in Eastern Europe, and for several years now also in Western Europe, where by technology and quality of the products we compete with the biggest global companies in the industry, with more than 70 years of history.
We are nicely surprised by the organization and marketing provided of this forum; there is good attendance, especially from entrepreneurs in the tourist and amusement sectors, which gives us a good business opportunities. Regarding the rest of exhibitors, I am glad that here are presented many Bulgarian companies who being well-known on the international markets, brought the attention of many foreign customers to Bulgaria. This proves once again that such a forum is an ambassador and effective distribution channel for the whole production of technological equipment in Bulgaria and I think it reinforces the image of the country as a very good business environment.

Interviewer: Milena Savcheva