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Austria’s Novomatic AG and its majority-owned Australian partner Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd made a strong showing at last month’s Global Gaming Expo Asia in Manila. Companies used the platform to demonstrate what they say are their latest and greatest slot products, newly certified and ready for deployment across Philippine casinos. At this point, operators are closely looking to acquire new content to maintain engagement among players, especially individuals from international markets with proven track records.
Novomatic’s star attraction was the Xtension Link Evolution, recently certified by Gaming Laboratories International for the Philippine market. The game runs on the company’s 330C Diamond X 1.55J cabinet, featuring a 55-inch J-curve monitor and a full touch-deck button panel. Inside, players get two offerings: Mighty Squad and Fu Flow. Both are multi-denomination selectable and use the three-pot mechanic that’s become popular across the industry right now. Sales manager Michael Barsin explained that the games offer perceived persistence with various bonuses, blending base game wins with feature wins in a 243-ways format. In general, matching symbols (three or more specifically) as a combination will result in a winning outcome if the combination is obtained via adjacent reels starting from left to right.
Barsin confirmed that the first installations of Xtension Link Evolution will hit Philippine floors in January 2026 with one of the country’s largest operators. The timing suggests Novomatic is positioning itself to capture market share early in the new year when casinos refresh their machine banks.
Black Edition II Targets Mid-Range Appeal
Novomatic also gave emphasis to its Black Edition II XL 3.32 cabinet from the 837 series, presented as the middle-range option for this market. This range of products comprises A, B, and E versions, with the B model featuring a 32-inch screen and the A model a 27-inch display. Barsin noted these cabinets will primarily run Novomatic’s popular multi-game packages. The current offering, Novo Line Interactive Edition X4, packs multiple titles including the classics: Book of Ra, Lord of the Ocean, Lucky Lady’s Charm, Sizzling Hot, Dolphins Pearl, and Chicago.
That Chicago game caught attention because it’s particularly popular with Korean players, who represent a major tourist segment flowing into Philippine casinos right now. The multi-game approach gives operators flexibility, and Barsin pointed out the ability to layer on mystery jackpots. Those can work property-wide across a bank of machines or even link machines across different locations through the operator’s casino management system. It’s a practical feature that lets casinos maximize player engagement without major hardware overhauls.
Ainsworth’s A-Star Raptor Makes Its Case
Ainsworth brought its AGT A849 A-Star Raptor cabinet to the show, the 49-inch curved-screen version that Barsin described as the company’s primary offering for the Philippines. This machine handles both Australia-originating dual-screen content and mostly portrait U.S. content, making it future-proof for whatever Ainsworth develops next. Operators buying this model will get the versatility that matches the diverse content preferences in the Philippine market.
The demo featured San Fa, a globally popular series with dragon, panda, tiger, and rabbit themes. All use the three-pot mechanic and have performed strongly in North America, Latin America, Australia, and already in the Philippines. Barsin emphasized Ainsworth’s strategy of bringing games from both Australia and the U.S. to meet local tastes, which is why the Raptor cabinet serves as the flagship product here.
New Machines, Same Market Dynamics
Philippine casinos operate in a competitive environment where fresh content keeps floors busy and revenue steady. Novomatic and Ainsworth’s focus on multi-denomination games, mystery jackpots, and proven themes like Chicago and San Fa shows they’re reading the market correctly. Installations starting next month will test how these machines perform against local player preferences and competing content from other suppliers.
Source: GGR Asia
