Inside Asian Gaming

September 2015 inside asian gaming 71 Tech Talk on each card. Among the SUPER ANGEL EYE’s most notable improvements are its superior security features and braking mechanism. “With the ANGEL EYE, card security is ensured by means of a special code read by the shoe. On the SUPER ANGEL EYE we have taken card security further by innovating the technology in order to enforce the measure against dishonesty or cheats in the casino,” points out Mr Shigeta. As for the upgraded braking mechanism, “a stopper activates to prevent extra cards coming out. For example, if a dealer believes six “For customers it is more secure, more convenient and accurate,” explains Angel Playing Cards President and Chief Executive Officer Yasushi Shigeta. “Most of the properties in Macau have already switched to the SUPER ANGEL EYE, as well as one casino in the Philippines, both the Singapore casinos, and we are now in negotiations with Australia and other places also.” cards were dealt, but it was only five, the stopper prevents an extra card from being taken out of the shoe.” The company’s relentless research activities encompass the development of new features for its shoe, as well as improvements of the paper and ink used in the manufacture of playing cards. Angel unveiled a new bespoke facility last year at Japan’s fabled Kansai Science City—home to R&D and production for such brands as Panasonic, Kyocera, Nintendo and Suntory—with a grand opening held in March this year. “It’s located between Osaka and Kyoto. We have a factory, laboratory and sales people all in one place, which helps speed everything up,” says Mr Shigeta. Meanwhile, the company’s existing facility in Shiga prefecture remains in operation as part of its ongoing efforts to have a solid contingency plan to prevent supply chain disruption. Those efforts also saw Angel establish a dedicated warehouse for its playing cards in its biggest market, Macau. “It opened in March. We keep stock there, and along with our two factories in Japan, it helps ensure uninterrupted supply even in emergency cases,” states Mr Shigeta. “Our market in Asia and Australia is increasing,” he adds. To keep up with the demand, Angel is expanding in the region. It opened an office in Singapore on 1st June. “It’s starting out with five people who will take care of Southeast Asia except Macau. That includes the Philippines, Malaysia and Cambodia. We have also set up a service and support office in Sydney serving the Australia and New Zealand markets. That office is a subsidiary of Angel Playing Cards Singapore Pte. Ltd.” Mr Shigeta sees a lot of opportunity for Angel’s continued growth. “In future we will serve Korea and also Japan if casinos are legalized there. That’ll be done through the Japan office. We also still have a US office, through which we supply to the major Las Vegas casinos.” Angel unveiled a new bespoke facility last year at Japan’s fabled Kansai Science City—home to R&D and production for such brands as Panasonic, Kyocera, Nintendo and Suntory—with a grand opening held in March this year.