Bally Tech to build second studio

Chennai: The Chennai-based Bally Technologies India Private (BTL) — the 100 per cent subsidiary and development centre of the $830 million gaming company Bally Technologies (US) — will soon be setting up its second studio to increase production of gaming software. The company would be investing over $32 million in 2008.

Speaking to the media after the inauguration of its second facility here recently, the Chief Operating Officer of Bally Technologies, Mr Gavin Isaacs, said the company would double its operations in India before the end of this year. The additional studio would help produce more gaming software for Bally’s global market, he said.

Bally global

Bally Technologies has 12 studios around the world and the studio at its Chennai facility was the only one in Asia, he said. So far Bally has invested over $16 million in India since it started its operations in October 2005.

Bally US is into two major lines of businesses — developing gaming software and casino management systems — catering to regulated gaming markets across the world. On an average the company develops about 60 gaming software a year. While each license costs around $2,000, the hardware consisting of the gaming console costs around $12,000.

India operations

BTL is a 100 per cent EoU (export-oriented unit) operating under Software Technology Park of India (STPI) and is the largest software centre of Bally Technologies outside the US, he said. Since its inception it has been focussing on developing casino management systems, application software to run the gaming business, covering finance, hospitality and entertainment.

Recently, it began its foray into developing gaming software. Its first game, ‘Chinese Kitchen’, was released during the recently held International Casino Exhibition (ICE) in London, said the Managing Director of BTL, Mr Srini Raghavan.

The move to the new office is in tune with the increased flow of development work and the consequent headcount growth. The company also has plans to expand its Bangalore operations. The expansion programme would enable the company to produce up to eight games during 2008, he added.

Moreover, the gaming market is picking up well in emerging markets like China, Singapore and Vietnam, besides Australia and Japan, and expanding the Indian operations would help support the parent company to enhance its business. “From the technology perspective, India will be the hub for the growth in emerging markets,” Mr Raghavan said.