Merkur Gaming and Independent Gaming join in a global technology collaboration to produce Bluestar

Speaking at the opening of the 2016 Australasian Gaming Show (AGE) in Sydney, Australia, Lawrence Shepherd, founder and managing director of Independent Gaming unveiled the result of a technology co-operation between his company and Germany’s Merkur Gaming.

Lawrence Shepherd said proudly: “I predict that Independent Gaming’s all new bench – upright poker machine, Bluestar, will be as much of an icon for Australian gaming as Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House are for tourism.” The brand new Bluestar (the product name is derived from a feature of Independent Gaming’s company logo), is an innovative bench – upright poker machine; the result of a lengthy technology collaboration between Independent Gaming, Australia’s only fully independent gaming manufacturer and a company with a 30 years history of success and Germany’s undisputed marketer leader in both gaming technology and tradition, Merkur Gaming, a member of the Gauselmann Group. The technical collaboration between Independent Gaming and Merkur Gaming uses a modified to Australian requirements Merkurstar cabinet, manufactured in Germany, and Independent Gaming’s market specific Australian technology to house an entirely new game range created specifically for local players. The combined German/Australian technology that is packed into the all new Bluestar has giant 25” crystal screens enhanced by the machine’s attractive neon light show and the sound system that Merkur Gaming call Wow sound capability. Bluestar is already, after the enthusiastic reception given by first day attendees at AGE, being described as ‘a game changer’ for the Australian market. Charles Hiten, Merkur Gaming’s Chief Executive for the Americas, stressed the international possibilities that have been created by the agreement with Independent Gaming. He said: “This intercontinental collaboration agreement demonstrates that Merkur Gaming is not at all bound by conventional thinking. By making available our market leading innovation and our manufacturing ability, and by working hand-in-hand with Independent Gaming to achieve the Australian market specific product that they needed we have, together, worked from concept to reality … and the results are truly stunning. Merkur’s international sales director and head of international product management, Athanasios (Sakis) Isaakidis added: “I can clearly see that the great co-operation that was forged during the creation of Bluester opens up new possibilities for both companies and, as we evaluate the overwhelmingly positive reaction to Independent Gaming’s new flagship product, we have already been able to initiate discussions with Lawrence Shepherd and his team on several other fronts; including the many areas of added attraction that could be made possible by the use of Independent Gaming’s world famous FlexiLink and other jackpots system capabilities. Really, I see the strong relationship with Independent Gaming as a win-win as we continue down the path of technology innovation, literally, around the world.” Lawrence Shepherd concluded by stating: “Developing Bluestar has been a long intensive and process but by working together so closely with the excellent team at Merkur Gaming we have created something that is truly special. Given our relative geographic positions in the world I can see that what we have established is a true World Co-operation! So, on behalf of Independent Gaming and, most importantly, on behalf of Australia’s operators and players, I want to thank Merkur Gaming for bringing their tradition of innovation and their never failing ‘can do’ attitude to the successful outcome of this project and we look forward to our co-operation in the future.”