Pachinko machine maker Sammy Corp. will form a comprehensive business alliance with the world's largest slot machine manufacturer, International Game Technology (IGT) of the United States, the Sankei Shimbun newspaper reported Sunday.
With the tie-up, Sammy plans to launch full overseas operations, making use of the technological know-how of Japanese game maker Sega Corp., which it acquired in December, the daily said.
Sammy and IGT will reportedly sign a contract in Britain on Wednesday.
Under the alliance, Sammy will offer technological and marketing help to IGT with its pinball machine business in Japan.
Sammy will also supply Sega games such as an online horse-racing product to IGT overseas on an original-equipment-manufacturing basis, the paper said.
Sammy and IGT will jointly operate casinos in Japan if gambling laws are changed to allow them.
Meanwhile, Sammy is also gearing up for overseas business by introducing arcade video games in China, Russia and South America, according to the paper.
In the U.S., Sammy plans to develop and sell new types of arcade games by taking advantage of Sega's online gaming technology, it said.
In December, Sammy bought information service provider CSK Corp.'s entire equity stake in Sega for 45.33 billion yen, becoming the biggest shareholder in Sega with a 25.39 percent stake.
Sammy and Sega earlier scrapped a merger plan. Sammy said it decided to place Sega under its wing to expand its business amid the maturing pachinko market.
SOURCE: Miami Herald.
