Macau-based gaming technology company LT Game Limited* presented its latest AI-powered robot dealer “Samantha” during the three-day G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo, which ended yesterday, with company representatives telling the Post that the second-generation prototype has attracted interest from overseas markets including South Korea and Europe.
The humanoid robot dealer was showcased at LT Game’s booth during the gaming and integrated resort exhibition held at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo, where visitors gathered to observe demonstrations of the AI-assisted gaming system.
According to LT Game’s brochure on Samantha, the robot features adjustable ultra-fast rounds, which freely adjusts game speed and offers an 18-second ultra-fast round option. It also features a “high excitement and high throughput”, keeping players engaged and revenues moving steadily.
Speaking to the Post yesterday, LT Game IT Director David So said the company was currently focusing on refining the technology and exploring international market demand rather than introducing the product to Macau’s gaming industry right away. “We plan to sell it, but different markets have different needs”, So said, adding that the company has already received significant interest from overseas buyers following the exhibition, particularly from South Korea and several European countries.
So elaborated that the current version of “Samantha” represents the company’s second-generation robotic dealer system, following an earlier prototype developed around 10 to 15 years ago. “The first generation was more like a robotic arm”, he said, noting that high production costs during the earlier development stage limited the practicality of the technology at the time, making it mainly useful for promotional purposes.
“Back then, the price was really high, so it didn’t really make sense commercially”, So said. However, advances in robotics and AI technology over the past decade have significantly lowered costs and improved functionality, allowing the company to revisit the concept with a more advanced system, he said. He did not elaborate.
The latest generation features a full humanoid-style robotic setup with smoother and more human-like movements, alongside expanded software and backend integration capabilities, So said, adding: “Not only are the movements smoother and more human-like, but there are also a lot of backend applications, AI functions and application programming interfaces (APIs) integrated into it,” So noted.
Unlike the previous version, which was limited to handling baccarat, the new system has been designed with flexibility in mind, allowing developers to deploy different gaming skill sets depending on operational needs, So said. “If you want the robot to handle other games, you just need to implement another skill set”, So stressed.
Despite the public demonstrations, So clarified that the robot dealer is still in the prototype and testing stage, with the company continuing to fine-tune both the hardware and software systems. “We’re not selling it officially at the moment”, So said, adding: “We’re still testing the technology and trying to make the overall system more complete”.
When asked about a potential commercial release timeline, So said future deployment would depend largely on market demand and decisions made by the company’s sales team. “It depends on customer needs and the market”, he said.
The robotic dealer was among several AI and automation-focused technologies presented during this year’s Asian IR Expo and G2E Asia, aiming to reflect growing industry interest in smart gaming systems, automation and integrated resort technology solutions.
According to analysts, gaming technology companies continue exploring AI-assisted operations and automation, LT Game’s “Samantha” robot highlighted how robotics could play an increasing role in overseas gaming markets, even as the company continues refining the technology before any large-scale commercial rollout.
* LT Game, a subsidiary of Paradise Entertainment Limited, is one of the major gaming products and casino solutions providers in Macau and in the world, as well as Asia’s largest manufacturer of live gaming equipment. Paradise Entertainment Limited (HKEx: 1180) is a Hong Kong-listed investment holding company primarily focused on the Macau gaming market. – Gemini
LT Game’s AI-powered robot dealer “Samantha” deals cards during the three-day G2E Asia + Asian IR Expo at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo yesterday. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
