Asian gamblers prefer electronic table games after casino reopenings

During the Singapore Summit, experts said there had been an increase in the use of electronic table games compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asia.- At the last SG Asia Summit, Jim Preston, product director of electronic table systems for Australasia at Scientific Games Corp, said that people in Asia are taking to playing electronic table games (ETG) instead of live table games.

Preston said the change has come as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic because players think ETG are safer and easier to clean. Gamblers also believe ETGs better guarantee social distancing protocols.

According to reports, the new preference for electronic table games have been seen most clearly at Singapore casinos, but venues in Macau and Vietnam have also seen a change.

In March, Macau’s casino regulator allowed players to stand at gaming tables again provided they are at least 1 metre (3.3 feet) apart.

At that time, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau noted that standing betting is “a popular activity among Asian players who often like to take part in the action at a table already full of seated players.”

However, things could have changed in the wake of a new wave of Covid-19 cases in Asia, leading to people being more conscious of the risks of close contact.

Andrew Lim, Weike Gaming Technology regional sales manager, told GGRAsia that casino operators also favour electronic table games because of their lower long-term costs.

Lim said: “We foresee this trend may continue during and even beyond this pandemic and operators do also see the many advantages associated with ETGs despite higher initial setup cost.”