XpertX wins Keno jobs in Nevada

Fresh from winning contracts from three major Nevada casinos, Reno's XpertX Inc.

looks for a new round of business from gaming properties in other states.

International markets also are expected to become increasingly important for the developer of Keno systems, says Eric Thomassian, its president and chief software engineer.

Privately held XpertX landed a contract to install its Keno system at Wynn Las Vegas, which is scheduled to open next spring.

XpertX in recent weeks also has completed installation of Keno systems at The Siena Hotel Spa Casino in Reno and the Harrah's property at Laughlin the last Harrah's casino in the state to install XpertX software.

The next round of growth, Thomassian said last week,may come from the company's Web-based product,www.KenoUSA.com.

That product allows Keno players to watch on-line and in real time as numbers are drawn at one of 25 casinos around the state.

Mikohn Gaming of Las Vegas, which distributes XpertX products outside of Nevada, has agreed to seek regulatory approvals to begin distribution of www.KenoUSA.com to casinos in other states, Thomassian said.

Mikohn also is developing international markets for XpertX products, which range from the software that allows casino operators to track Keno results to the display boards where players track the game.

Several significant international sales, Thomassian said,"are very close to being done." Nevada gaming officials,meanwhile, appear to be close to a decision on another key product for XpertX a linked progressive Keno game, something on the lines of the networks of slot machines operated by International Game Technology.

And Thomassian said a touch-screen Keno game developed by the company introduced at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas a few weeks ago is ready for field installation.

The company employs approximately 15 people, several of whom have been with the company since shortly after it was founded by Thomassian and a now-retired partner in 1991.

The experience of its staff has provided a competitive edge to XpertX, Thomassian said.

"Customers really like dealing with the same people," he said.