How did you first get involved with the amusements industry?

As a physicist my background in high-energy physics, and betting and games is full of high energy, quick changes and funny clients.

Why? What attracted you to this sector?

The fun and entertainment which we are also trying to deliver through our terminal to our clients. We are constantly improving and investing in the development of our products but also living the partnership: partnership for us means participation in the return, in good and bad times.

Do you think it has changed much since then?

What we were hearing constantly from our clients is that for various reasons the supply industry to bookmakers has signally failed in offering successful self-service betting terminals (SSBTs) to the industry and that BGT have an enormous opportunity to act upon the competitive advantage we currently enjoy.

We have passed the trialling stage and our contracted clients now include William Hill, Coral Racing, Totesport UK, Paddy Power and Jenningsbet/Better Bet, together with an overall deal for members of the Bookmakers Technology Consortium (BTC). We have never had an unsuccessful trial yet and we are confident that we will continue to roll out both with existing and prospective customers.

Within the UK the speed of a national rollout is determined by how quickly each customer can move. Some mid-cap chains have seen an opportunity of capturing market share by being quicker in “time to market”.

What are the biggest positive factors for the sector right now – the drivers of growth and development?

The land-based market is seeing a strong trend towards kiosk systems in sport bars, gas stations and smaller LBO premises where food and drinks are served and the sport events can be watched live while drinking beer with friends. In this instance community and cash are key to sports betters.

And what are the negative ones – the obstacles to growth?

In the UK we see no competitors at the moment; some of them have tried, but have already withdrawn from the market because it is difficult in the UK in terms of clients’ specified needs; but there will be competition to come and we are looking forward to it. I would estimate that we are about 18 months ahead of all our competitors. 

Looking at your whole career, what do you reckon was your smartest move (large or small)?

BGT has been the pioneer focusing on self-service betting terminals and bringing a global trend into the bookmaking industry. And there is still enormous growth…

And your dumbest one?

We started using satellite technology, but as the Internet grid develops, in most of our estate we are now using IP streaming on our content-delivery network, where BGT takes the burden of all technology and monetary hurdles.

Where do you hope you’ll be, professionally, in ten years’ time?

Rich and happy...but seriously, I see the BGT.live terminals, wherever they are sited, taking more than 70 percent of all sport bets, especially football and in-running bets, within the next three to four years in UK betting shops.

Even horse racing is becoming more stunning on our terminals because via the BGT.live Terminal the punter can place his bet on in-running horses and has access to added-value content including statistical and actual information from the horse or greyhound race.

It is about fun and entertainment for the punter, providing him with a product that settles every few minutes, and giving him the chance to make his own choice on the basis of a superior usability. Also, the costs that the bookies will save will bring better odds to the punters.

I see BGT focusing on our technology strength and our client relationships, working hand-in-hand with our existing clients to deliver the very best solutions to them. We are already very busy for the coming year so we will not promise more than we can deliver, thereby not making mistakes that our competitors did; our target is our name, providing the best gaming technology available in the market.

This is an opportunity at a very early stage of the market for land-based interactive terminals, and BGT regards itself more as partner to the bookmaking industry than a supplier, not charging for a software licence upfront or a single feature request, and then delivering something with the motto “fire and forget”.

And finally – if you’d never embarked on this career, what other line(s) of work would you have liked to pursue?

Well, I have a degree in technical physics, so there would have been other opportunities, but I guess the focus on fun and entertainment is slightly different.

Curriculum vitae

Born: 1969, Wels, Austria

Education:

1994 diploma in technical physics, Technical University of Vienna

1995 MBA, Stern School of Business, New York University

1997 doctorate in technical physics, Technical University of Vienna

Career:

1991-93 research physicist, BMW, Munich (summer training programme while studying)

1992 technical assistant, Aircont, Sao Paulo

1996-98 manager of corporate R&D and strategic alliances, Elin, Vienna

1998-99 VP of business development, VA Technology (engineering company), Vienna

1999-2000 senior VP of business development and marketing, Tech Wabag (water-treatment specialist), Vienna

2000 founded Paysafecard.com

2008 founded Best Gaming Technology

Personal interests: Skiing, squash, hiking, mountain climbing, guitar

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