Driving a new era of security in gaming

6th August 2015

Siobhan O'Gorman

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Within the global gaming equipment sector, reducing instances of theft and fraud while maintaining compliance with changing industry requirements are key concerns. Given the high traffic environments to which gaming machines are often exposed, integrating the appropriate security controls is crucial to loss prevention. As a result, gaming equipment manufacturers are increasing their design focus on physical security solutions.

Companies like Austrian Gaming Industries for instance, a wholly owned Novomatic subsidiary and Europe’s largest and most prolific gaming machine manufacturer, are implementing Southco’s engineered access hardware solutions to enhance the security and durability of its machines.

Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Austria, the Novomatic group comprises affiliated companies in 45 countries and exports high-tech gaming equipment to more than 80 countries. Recognised in the industry for its ongoing commitment to research and technology, Novomatic has become a pioneer in the gaming hardware field.

Southco has partnered with Novomatic to design a complete solution for physical security around its R4 rotary latch for the company’s ‘Dominator’ slot machine. The R4’s intuitive, two-stage locking operation secures the two major access points on the machine.

When combined with Southco’s AC actuators and cables, the R4 series provides a complete solution for remote latching. Southco’s rotary latch system uses these three components to create remote, manual actuation and improved security. To operate the system, a service technician simply has to trigger the actuator and the attached cable activates the rotary latch, allowing the door or panel to open so routine maintenance can be performed. The door closes just as easily, with simple push-to-close operation.

Originally designed to satisfy the high strength and tolerance needs of automotive entry door applications, the R4 series secures heavy-duty gaming equipment panels and lids with ease. The concealed nature of the latch allows it to be mounted inside the enclosure, hiding latch points. This improves security while, at the same time, enhancing industrial design.

Southco’s durable, push-to-close rotary latch solutions are being selected by major gaming and self-service equipment manufacturers as an integral part of their security value propositions due to the enhanced security and industrial design benefits they provide.

“We found a single-stage lock was not secure enough to add real value so we selected Southco’s two-stage locking R4, which has been very successful,” said Alexander Geischläger, Product Engineer, Novomatic.

“At Novomatic we pride ourselves on our eagerness to innovate,” commented Geischläger. “We have added value to our popular ‘Dominator’ cabinet through the enhancement of the machine security and stability. Access control is of paramount importance to the industry, so investment is vital. One of the steps we have taken is to partner with Southco, a world leader in self-service access control solutions.”