Grand Vision gaming: New VGM shown across Montana
By Cole Boehler
The heavy advance advertising and mailed invitations directed the serious and curious to be at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula Thursday, April 16, as well as at five other locations around the state in April. We were in Missoula so stopped at the Hilton.
A marquee in the lobby directed us down the hall to room where Grand Vision Gaming was hosting a showcase for the newest gaming machine being manufactured right here in Montana, for Montana operators and players.
The event was to begin at 4 p.m. and we walked in almost promptly at 4:05. Theroom was crowded and we immediately recognized several Missoula licensees in attendance; several dozen we didn't know.
The attendees were clumped near the seven machines arrayed around the room, some bunches getting detailed explanations from Grand Vision Gaming company principles, others feeling out the machine's function on their own.
Of course, there was an open bar in one corner and a spread of catered food in another which, incidentally, was cleaned out by about 6 p.m., testimony to the excellent attendance.
Present from GVG were Steve Arntzen, Tim Carson, Heidi Schmalz and Merle Frank, all partners in the new manufacturing venture. Bruce Wilson, GVG sales manager, was also there. Their enthusiasm was palpable as each demonstrated the new slant-top to interested potential buyers. The machine can be purchased by any Montana licensee and is in no way exclusive to any firm.
At one point we caught Carson without a gaggle of customers around him and asked how the demo was going. He smiled, sighed and said, "Overwhelming." The "road show" had been in Kalispell two nights previous and Carson said there the turnout was every bit as good.
He said the first production run of nearly 500 of the GVG machines, due to be approved in June and completed in July, was sold out but a considerable quantity of orders were being taken for the next batch.
It has been several years since the number of new games and machines available to Montana gaming businesses has been so prolific, dating back to when multi-game boxes first came on the market.
Currently there is the Grand Vision platform to be released soon, while Spielo is hoping for approval and release of their brand new machine early this summer. Fleetwood Gaming just conducted a customer open house where they showed an array of new machines and software upgrades that have had recent approval, some of those currently submitted and others near development completion.
The Montana Tavern Times has been told Summit Gaming and IGT are also close to approval of several upgrades.
It seems ironic that during a major recession, and amidst reports of downturns in gaming machine play in many areas of Montana, that the state's licensed manufacturers are now stepping up development and availability of dozens of new games meant to enhance the player experience.
According to Carson, when the location operators and machine owners need to be paying more attention than ever to filling seats and keeping seats filled, that is precisely the time operators need to be sure they have the most competitive gear available on their floor. From his perspective, this is the right time to make some investments in equipment and upgrades.
"All the new machines and games are aimed at increasing player entertainment value, but we're focused now more than ever on machines retaining a better margin. That entails having the right programs and game mix, but also providing the best customer service in town. It's all about keeping seats filled and your equipment working for you."
Grand Vision Gaming began showing it's new machine around the state Monday, April 13 in Kalispell at the Outlaw Inn, followed by the show in Missoula April 15 at the Hilton and another April 16 at Butte's Best Western Plaza Inn. On April 20, the GVG crew was out on the road again, this time in Helena at Jorgenson's. That stop was followed by a Great Falls show April 22 at the Heritage Inn and finally the troupe wound up back home in Billings at the Hilton Garden Inn April 28.
Grand Vision Gaming was launched last fall by Carson, formerly president of Summit Gaming and now president of route vendor Amusement Services, Arntzen of route vendor Century Gaming, Grant Lincoln of Century and United Coin in Nevada, Heidi Schmalz of Century and Merle Frank, former operations manager at Summit.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April 2009, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W Granite, Suite 102, Butte MT. 59701