A Sheffield-based firm that specialises in state-of-the-art surveillance packages is celebrating after landing a lucrative deal to supply casinos in North America with their high-tech products.
Synectics, which is headquartered in Broadfield Close, will install their surveillance software at the world-renowned Fallsview Casino, which overlooks the Horseshoe Falls in Canada, and at its sister site at the Casino Niagara.
Working alongside a locally-based integration partner, Zuvid Surveillance Systems, Synectics will be the new provider of surveillance management systems at the luxury entertainment resorts.
Popularity of casinos across North America continues to rise
Both the Fallsview Casino and the Casino Niagara recently re-opened their doors again after being closed since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Customers will be delighted to see the resorts open again as the popularity of casinos across North America continues to rise. You don’t just have to travel to Las Vegas to enjoy live roulette, blackjack, or slot machines.
The pandemic witnessed the increase in the use of online casinos as people were unable to attend live venues. This is a somewhat new phenomenon in North America as betting laws have only significantly changed in their favour in recent years. But the use of online casinos has been legal in the UK for many years, under the regulatory authority of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, with the likes of Grosvenor Casinos, William Hill or STS Casino welcoming many clients to enjoy its online offerings every day.
State-of-the-art Synergy software platform to be implemented
Based on its market-leading Synergy software platform, a five-year support contract has already been agreed with the Fallsview Casino Resort, which is operated by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, following the completion of the instalment of the surveillance equipment in early 2022.
Director of surveillance at Niagara Casinos, Mike Stanciu, said: “We selected Synergy due to the impressive ability to bring a number of fragmented processes and systems into a centralised, easy to use Command and Control space.
“Synergy’s ability to deliver an efficient product will be beneficial to the overall success of our department and our properties. Their intuitive front end makes it easy for operators to find the cameras they are looking for, review incidents and provide appropriate evidence when required.”
Luxury resorts begin to recover following the pandemic
Paul Webb, chief executive of Synectics, added: “These are some of the first new major projects awarded in the sector since the start of the pandemic and, as footfall and revenues in North American casinos have recovered strongly in recent months, it should indicate a relatively straightforward recovery in the gaming surveillance market in North America going forward.”
However, Mr Webb believes that recovery in the Asian market might take longer. He said: “Continuing travel restrictions mean the market in Asia remains challenging, and any recovery there is not expected until next year.”
Big Asian market resorts include the gaming capital of Macau, which is an island off Hong Kong. Macau has been hit by COVID restrictions but also by pressure from China. The Chinese Government has been unhappy about large amounts of cash leaving the country with wealthy players who then spend it in Macau.
Who is Synectics teaming up with?
Fallsview Casino Resort was built on a cliff overlooking the world-famous Horseshoe Falls at the cost of $1 billion, opening its doors to the public for the first time on June 10, 2004. The resort remains the biggest single investment ever made by the Government of Ontario in the Niagara region and is the largest gaming resort facility in Canada.
Fallsview offers a world-class casino with over 3,500 slot machines and 130 gaming tables. The resort also boasts a 372-room luxury hotel, full-service spa, fitness centre, shops, restaurants, the 1500-seat Avalon Theatre, as well as a new 5,000-seat Entertainment Centre and over 30,000 sq. feet of meeting and convention space.
You get a sense of the scale of the deal that Synectics has been able to strike with the resort. The casino is a well-respected name in the gaming industry, and you can expect to read about more company success for Synectics in the near future.