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Mr. Einstein Luther has been a part of the NOVOMATIC Africa team since 2004 and at the end of January 2022, he celebrates 30 years within the Gaming Industry. We at NOVOMATIC Africa are incredibly grateful for his service and the many ways in which he has contributed toward the success of the business. We interviewed Einstein on some of the highlights of working within the Gaming Industry and learn about his journey in NOVOMATIC.
You joined NOVOMATIC in 2004, but you have been a part of the Gaming Industry for 30 years…tell us more about your journey within the Industry before NOVOMATIC?
“ I started as a technician at the Carousel Casino in Sun International, I worked there for 5 years. As new Gaming laws passed in 1996, new opportunities emerged for manufacturers to be based locally. I was a part of the African team of one of the established gaming manufacturers for 7 years and had the opportunity to network and travel within the business. My work entailed traveling extensively throughout the African continent. I attended several ICE Conferences and gained extensive experience within the gaming industry before moving to NOVOMATIC as a Technical and Compliance Manager in 2004 “
Tell us more about your current role as Business and Product Compliance Manager at NOVOMATIC South Africa, what are your responsibilities, and who are the stakeholders you work with?
“When my journey with NOVOMATIC Africa had commenced, the team was small and dynamic. We worked across all different aspects of the business, which resulted in accrued experience in the different departments. This is how the team has grown over the years, so has my portfolio. Presently I am in charge of Business and Product Compliance within NOVOMATIC Africa group, which is fundamental for conducting business in the gaming industry”
“Some of the stakeholders I engage with are regulators, laboratories, authorities as well as our own Research and Development teams and compliance divisions of NOVOMATIC group. Planning, managing, and obtaining test Laboratory reports, approvals, product, and business licenses, and entering new markets are aspects of my daily tasks. I find it incredibly challenging and exciting as I enjoy problem-solving – it’s also rewarding in terms of learning and upscaling my knowledge of the industry. The business outreach of NOVOMATIC Africa group defines wider compliance horizons as we target all regulated and emerging gaming markets on the African continent and surrounding islands
What has been your biggest achievement/success in your role within NOVOMATIC?
“Apart from the importance of compliance, we have to do business! It is always a challenging objective to establish a solid footprint in a very competitive market environment. During the years of 2006-2008, we had to launch a new product to the LPM market in order to secure the future of the NOVOMATIC brand in South Africa. We at NOVOMATIC Africa, together with our competent engineers in Austria had paved the road in the LPM segment by developing an ultimate novelty in the game and slot machine design. We broke into the market very successfully and secured our place as the market leader in the LPM sector in South Africa. A position which we still hold today. Today I am really proud and humbled to have been part of this process. We came as enthusiastic pioneers, inspired by the idea to contribute to the success of a great innovative European company, passing throughout all project stages including testing the first prototypes in the North of Johannesburg, trialing different themes, games, and product configurations, facing ups and downs until we’ve reached the pinnacle to dominate the market and lead the trends as NOVOMATIC Africa Group !”
What’s your favorite part of the role?
“I am a problem solver! Compliance is primarily the implementation and execution of regulative and statutory norms throughout the business. In the gaming industry, similar to the banking sector, nothing is to be started and completed until compliance has adhered to the applicable standards and statutory laws. I enjoy being a part of this and making it happen – reading, understanding and solving problems until everything fits the rules and suffices the requirements. It is within my responsibility to ensure, that the company core initiatives and projects stay on the right path from a product and business compliance perspective, which I really find satisfactory especially when achieving the aimed results.”
What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned in your career?
“I had the honor and opportunity to meet and work with the Executive Board of NOVOMATIC. During one of our meetings in South Africa, I was taught that anyone can see a problem…but not everybody could solve it. We should be the firemen of fires!
I always ask myself - can you be a part of the solution, can you take the responsibility on your shoulders? Obviously, my carrier achievements could only reflect if I had learned that lesson. However, during the years I’ve concluded for myself that 99% of problems have solutions, and I want to be a part of that. Standing on the sidelines only recognizing problems is not for me - I am a problem solver and enjoy doing that…whether it be a sales, technical or compliance issue, I enjoy understanding the nature of the issue, researching solutions, and testing them. You often have to be patient and negotiate and persevere, but the successful resolution always gives me great motivation and satisfaction”
For you, what have been the greatest developments in the field over the last 30 years?
“Gaming has changed over the last 30 years as technology has changed. I recall my first London ICE exhibition - it was massive – big installations and thousands of machines. Now exhibitions display more cyber and digital platforms and products. There is so much moving and evolving in the market…Sports betting, online betting for example are just in the infant stages in South Africa and will accelerate in the years to come, also mobile gaming. The gaming industry has never slowed down its development even though COVID. It always amazes me the new features, smart solutions and the way technology has elevated the industry over the years…we at NOVOMATIC are always ahead and ready for the change”
Being a part of the NOVOMATIC team for 18 years and working with both the head office in Austria and within Africa, I am sure you have made many connections and built friendships - what are your thoughts of the company culture and people within NOVOMATIC?
“We are a multinational company, with offices worldwide and it’s an absolute blessing to work with this team. They are so hard-working, focused, dedicated to achieving. Everyone puts in the time and effort in reaching the goals and keeping the momentum going – I am really inspired by my team and their ambitions. I have made many connections and friendships, which I value and appreciate. NOVOMATIC never backs down to a challenge. I enjoy being a part of this awesome team !”
What’s Next? What are you looking forward to for 2022, any interesting projects you are working on, or new developments within the Industry?
“In 2021 NOVOMATIC Africa has undergone restructuring and presently has a raft of versatile objectives for the future. We strive to diminish the negative effect of the Covid crisis on the industry by embracing best practices to support our customers and give them very strong leverage to maximize their results. NOVOMATIC is very resilient by having a 360-degree gaming portfolio and this is where our solid strength lies. We are ready to launch a number of revolutionary products for our fellow African customers and friends. The innovation with NOVOMATIC never stops and we will continue to promote it to the industry !”
30 years is a massive achievement, a lot of hard work and challenges with even more satisfaction and enthusiasm. We at NOVOMATIC Africa look forward to continuing our collaboration with Einstein, learning from his experience and wisdom, and being inspired by his passion and dedication to the company.
About NOVOMATIC
The NOVOMATIC AG Group is one of the biggest international producers and operators of gaming technologies and employs around 21,000 staff worldwide. Founded by entrepreneur Professor Johann F. Graf in 1980, the Group has locations in more than 45 countries and exports high-tech electronic gaming equipment and solutions to about 90 countries. The Group operates around 214,000 gaming terminals and video lottery terminals (VLTs) in its some 1,900 plus gaming operations as well as via rental concepts.
Through its numerous international subsidiaries, the NOVOMATIC AG Group is fully active in all segments of the gaming industry and thus offers a diversified Omni-channel product portfolio to its partners and clients around the world. This product range includes land-based gaming products and services, management systems and cash management, online/mobile and social gaming solutions as well as sports betting solutions together with a range of sophisticated ancillary products and services. Find out more at www.novomatic.com
