Vol. 7 No. 1, January 2008

Satoshi Sakamoto and Steve Sutherland, Konami Gaming

This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Satoshi Sakamoto, CEO and chairman, and Steve Sutherland, the president of Konami Gaming, on the growth of his company in the past few years. For many years, Konami Gaming has been an also-ran in the slot manufacturers field. Decent games kept the company afloat but it lagged behind technologically. Several years ago, Sakamoto and Sutherland instituted a complete overhaul of the company that has resulted in new system technology, groundbreaking platforms and, most importantly, games that have achieved much success on the casino floor. They met with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros and Editor Frank Legato at their offices in Las Vegas in September.

By Frank Legato

Frank Legato is editor of Casino Connection and also editor of Global Gaming Business magazine. He has been writing on gaming topics since 1984, when he launched and served as editor of Casino Gaming magazine. Legato, a nationally recognized expert on slot machines, has served as editor and reporter for a variety of gaming publications, including Public Gaming, IGWB, Casino Journal, Casino Player, Strictly Slots and Atlantic City Insider. He has an B.A. in journalism and an M.A. in communications from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He is the author of the recently published book on gaming, How To Win Millions Playing Slot Machines... Or Lose Trying.