Crane Payment Innovations (CPI) announced two new agreements renewing preferred-supplier agreements, with Merkur Gaming and Olympic Entertainment Group, making CPI’s SC Advance the default note acceptor at properties of both operators.
Merkur Gaming, a division of Germany’s Gauselmann GmbH, signed a three-year agreement choosing SC Advance as its global default note acceptor. “As an innovator and manufacturer of the highest-quality gaming entertainment products, we know how important it is to choose suppliers of the same distinction,” said Athanasios ‘Sakis’ Isaakidis, senior director of international sales at Merkur.
“That is why we have such a long history with CPI—and why the decision to strengthen our relationship through a preferred supplier agreement came so easily. Merkur is in what is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and challenging phases of its existence. We are expanding rapidly and wanted a partner that has already proven itself invaluable to our success.”
SC Advance, which belongs to the SC portfolio of note acceptors, will be installed on all gaming machines from Merkur as a default but with respect to unique customer requirements. Merkur’s growing estate will enhance the existing installed base of 1.5 million SC note acceptors worldwide, which the supplier credits to performance attributes that “make a direct impact on player satisfaction and, ultimately profitability—acceptance rate, jam rate, security and cost of ownership.
“The quality and reliability of SC Advance, of course, speaks for itself. But CPI is more than that,” said Sakis. “Over the years, we have come to expect—and have always received—the very best in after-sales service through their customer care program. There is never any lack of communication in service-related matters, a comfort factor for end users that is highly valued and sought after.
“Merkur has made it clear to the industry that they are expanding on all fronts, bringing their experience, expertise and exceptional products to new territories as well as a broader range of gaming segments,” said Anette Jauch, CPI sales director of Gaming-EMEA. “CPI is proud to be part of their journey and will continue to find ways to add even more value to our partnership as we grow together.”
In a separate press release, CPI announced that Baltic-state gaming operator Olympic Entertainment Group has extended its preferred supplier agreement with the company, under which SC Advance is designated the operator’s default note acceptor on both new and existing games for another three years.
“Our customers associate the Olympic name with quality and excellence, so it is only natural that we should continue to specify the SC Advance,” said Piret Barlo, purchasing manager for Olympic Entertainment Group. “The product aligns perfectly with our value proposition, and has proven its worth throughout the years by helping us to grow our business.”
Olympic first began specifying SC note acceptors in 2008 after they out-performed competitive products in a value-added trial.
“Since then, we have seen players return time and again to the games we equip with SC Advance,” said Barlo. “That’s because its acceptance and security—critical building blocks for a great gaming experience—are second to none. We are therefore pleased to renew our agreement with CPI for three more years.”
“It is essential that note acceptors, as the point of entry to games, work each and every time someone sits down to play,” said Jauch. “This is exactly what SC Advance does so well, and we are delighted that its performance has contributed to the great reputation Olympic has with its customers. We wish to thank our friends at Olympic for their continued loyalty, and we look forward to supporting their goals well into the future.”
