gine then reviews the player database for a match .
Other refinements to SYNKROS include system-based mystery and musthit-by progressives that can be run on a variety of machines , progressives and bonuses tailored to different player tiers , and one of the newest additions , called SYNK 31 .
The latter is a compliance and anti-money laundering tool . “ Since we are collecting all the cash transaction data in SYNKROS , we developed the SYNK 31 package to keep track of suspicious activity , possible money laundering , actually even do TINChecks to make sure that someone is not using someone else ’ s Social Security Number ,” Soukup explains .
SYNK 31 is one of the system developments that came directly from operator feedback . Konami regularly holds Advisory Board meetings with customers , who suggest the topics . “ We ask them what their needs are , and then based on their input , we ’ ll put a project on the roadmap ,” says Soukup .
Looking Ahead
As Konami moves forward , the company is spreading into several new product categories , including more recurring-revenue products , internet gaming , VLTs , Class II and historical horse racing .
“ When we were in the design phase of the Dimension Series product prepandemic ,” recalls Sutherland , “ there was a recognition that the company ’ s focus has been on the Class III gaming direct sale market for most years , since the foundation of the company . But around 2018 , there was a recognition that we are now a global company , and we needed to enter five additional product market segments — to truly invest in the recurring revenue market , the iGaming market , the historical horse racing market , VLTs and Class II .
“ Our first entry into the recurring revenue / participation market was on the Dimension series , and it was after our first install of the Dimension product line where we were at dinner at Barona casino .” He says Dimension was operational about 12 hours before it was turned off in the first of the Covid-19 shutdowns .
“ I ’ m happy to report that we ’ ve now successfully entered that market , and we ’ ve achieved a very strong base ,” Sutherland says . “ The key question today is : How do we continue to invest in that market and take greater market share ?
“ We ’ ve entered the iGaming business . We don ’ t advertise it a lot , but we do very well there . Likewise , we have successfully entered the historical horse racing market . How do we take greater market share going forward ? We ’ re taking those actions . We also made the decision during the pandemic to make a soft entry into the video lottery market . So , we have entered the VLT market in New York state . How do we continue to grow our business in that market ? Those actions are under way . It requires investment .”
He adds that Konami has made a soft entry into the Class II market . “ We need to make the investment to take advantage of that , and we ’ re committed to do that , but in a very methodical manner ,” he says . “ We ’ re focused on the customers , and growing this business going forward by providing reliable products that provide value to the customer base .”
“ Our core effort is still on Class III ,” adds Crosby . “ Our primary focus is to make sure we ’ re making the greatest content we can . But expansion is obviously important . Konami ’ s iGaming business is growing significantly , and there are a lot of opportunities there . We ’ re in the early stages of VLT and Class II , and we ’ ve successfully entered HHR . Then , there are new markets — in Europe , there ’ s a lot of opportunity for growth , and there ’ s opportunity for growth in Asia and South America .”
In the end , “ it ’ s all about content ,” Jingoli says . “ We ’ re driving the company forward in both games and systems . We ’ re excited about where the company is today , and where we ’ re going to be in the short , mid and long term .”