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WWW.CASINOREVIEW-ONLINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2013 • EDITION 133

North America NEW YORK NEW MARKET CASINOS FINALLY PASS THE GRADE IN NY STATE 20-23 Is Japan finally going to legalise casinos?

TURNING JAPANESE

WORLD NEWS 2-4

G2E 2013 REVIEW 28-45

A full report on the key products and players at Las Vegas

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER FOR THE GLOBAL CASINO INDUSTRY

CASINO RESORT

Crown Sydney gets the go-ahead from NSW

A AUSTRALIA

James Packer’s gamble on a second casino for Sydney combined with a six-star hotel has paid off.

As Hugh Sorrill reports, he will be building into and for an everexpanding Chinese market.

fter months of fierce and edgy competition and discussion, the New South Wales government has formally approved the development of Sydney’s second casino to be operated by Crown Resorts.

Following the three-stage Unsolicited Proposals process, the government has signed a binding agreement with James Packer’s company to allow the casino as part of a six-star hotel and resort complex on the harbourside Barangaroo area. There are strict conditions attached to the agreement: the casino will be open only to VIP residents and members; there will be no slot machines and no low-limit bets.

The casino will pay gaming tax of 29 per cent and will guarantee licence fee and gaming tax payments of at least A$1bn (E695m) over the first 15 years of full operation.

Now the deal is done, there are a few procedural matters that have to take place. The government will quickly introduce enabling legislation to amend the Casino Control Act 1992, which limited Sydney to one casino. The company must also obtain planning consent for its ambitious plans and, when the time

comes, the necessary licences from the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority.

The statement from the Premier Barry O’Farrell’s office said: “The NSW government has accepted this unsolicited proposal because the independent assessment committee found a competitive casino market would deliver increased tourism and broader economic benefits for NSW.” The project is expected to create around 1,250 jobs after construction and add an annual $442m (E307m) to the Gross State Product by 2025, as well as stimulate international tourism.

Speaking to Macquarie Radio in Sydney, Packer said: “It’s a development we’re hugely proud, happy and thrilled the Premier has endorsed - and reading some of the statements from the Labor Party, they have been very positive as well.

The fact that we could get bi-partisan support goes to show that the opportunity for Sydney is huge.”

The company is also supported by the unions and by indigenous employment programmes with which it will work to develop specific training courses and job

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opportunities.

Packer wants the casino to start operating the moment The Star’s licence exclusivity expires on November 15, 2019.

International tourism - especially from China - is central to the success of the plans, he said.

“People underestimate the change in the world that’s going to happen from the rise of China. In 2000 there were approximately 10m overseas trips made Chinese.

Last year it was 70m; it’s forecast to be 100m trips in 2015 and someone told me the other day it could be 200m in 2020. This is going to change the world like the internet changed the world. This doesn’t happen very often.”

He added that Sydney doesn’t have the facilities to cater to the increasing demand, and that in these days relying on New South Wales and Australia’s natural attractions isn’t enough.

“Australian tourism has underperformed dramatically,” said Packer.

“If we sit here and think everything’s going great, we’re kidding ourselves.

The natural attractions are magnificent but people also want man-made

attractions… People do not want to spend all of the holidays in the outback looking at Ayers Rock.”

He continued: “Australian tourism arrivals are about 6m a year… If we can get 2m more of the 200m Chinese tourists in 2020, it makes a huge difference.”

Under the agreement, Crown Resorts is committed to building a six-star iconic hotel with a range of luxury rooms, villas and super villas, an “architecturally dramatic” lobby area, spa facilities, signature restaurants with celebrity chefs, a destination cocktail bar as well as meeting and convention space both indoors and outdoor.

“We believe, with our internationally renowned architects Wilkinson Eyre, that we can create a hotel resort that will feature on postcards and in travel magazine globally,” said Packer. “Sydney is one of the world’s great cities. It deserves one of the world’s great hotels. I am going to do everything I can to try and make Crown Sydney the best hotel in the world. Crown will build a landmark for Sydney, an architectural icon to rival some of the world’s best buildings.”

UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY

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News World

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

New Las Vegas Arena designs unveiled

The arena will offer a variety of trendy hangouts

UNITED STATES

Having announced five months ago that it was partnering with AEG in what will be Las Vegas’s largest arena, MGM Resorts and its partners have revealed the first renderings.

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he four years following the financial crisis saw most construction in Las Vegas come to a halt - something that has barely happened since the city was founded.

Now the pace of change is picking up again with Caesar’s Linq project on its way to completion and the important new Las Vegas Arena (LVA) in which MGM Resorts has a strong involvement set to break ground in spring next year.

The company and its joint venture partner,AEG, have released the first images of the new 20,000-seat arena, which intends to host NBA and NHL fixtures as well as boxing, martial arts, family

2 | casinoreview November 2013

shows, award ceremonies and other events.

The arena will be squeezed between the Monte Carlo and New York New York accessed from The Strip and Frank Sinatra road and built over what are mostly car parks currently.

Architect Populous says the arena will connect the contrasting influences of Las Vegas.

Populous’s Brad Clark said: “The design of the arena ensures we will create a truly striking entertainment venue for Las Vegas representing the colour, drama and excitement the city exudes. The arena will be an extension of the

Strip’s high energy; our job with the design was to stay authentic to that spirit.”

The eastern side of the LVA will feature an expansive glass façade with a video overlay giving on to a vast interior atrium. It will also have a balcony with an exterior performance stage. From the west - and the arena will be clearly seen from I-15 Las Vegas Freeway - undulating bands of a metal skin will reflect the colours and layers of the desert and the Spring Mountains, with the solid surface helping to protect against the heat of the sun. Outdoor balconies will extend along the Rue

de Monte Carlo facing out towards the Strip.

Inside, the arena will be state-of-the-art with premium seating and hospitality areas, as well as bunker suites and clubs and VIP areas.

Dan Beckerman, president and CEO of AEG, said: “As with areas such as Staples Center in Los Angeles, London’s the O2, MercedesBenz Arena in Shanghai… this new arena is destined to be one of the most recognis-

able, respected and iconic venues in our industry…

There will be an offering to appeal to the widest audience, from casino operators and their guests to international travellers and local residents. This will be world-class in every sense.”

The arena is expected to cost around $350m (E261m) and is being financed by equity contributions from MGM Resorts and AEG and from privately funded thirdparty debt financing.

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CAMBODIA / CHILE / ITALY / JAPAN / MACAU / UNITED STATES

ICR NEWS SECTIONS: WORLD 2-5 EUROPE 6-13 ASIA & OCEANIA 14-17 AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST 18-19 NORTH AMERICA 20-23 SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA 24-25 COMMENT & POLITICS 26-27

NEW TERRITORIES From the freeway, the LVA will reflect the desert, the mountains and the sun

Has Japan moved one step closer to a regulated casino industry?

JAPAN

Japan’s IR Alliance has concluded a landmark session in which it resolved to promote a bill would lead to a legalised casino industry.

he Diet Member Alliance for Promotion of International Tourism Industry (IR Alliance) has agreed to propose a bill that would lead to the legalisation of casinos in Japan.

Speaking at its 21st General Meeting in Tokyo,Alliance chairman Hiroyuki Hosoda declared: “The time has come. After this meeting and taking the

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applicable procedures in each party, we should submit the bill to the current Diet session.”

Hosada did, however, move quickly to temper hopes that the bill might be approved during the current session. The IR Alliance legislation has a “mountain full of key bills to be deliberated,”he said, and may well be carried over for further debate. The aim, it was intimated, was to work towards passage of the bill in the ordinary Diet session next year.

Casino legislation has been a matter of great debate in Japan’s political circles. In a country so keen on pachinko, and so close to the clinking coins of Macau’s machines, the absence of casinos in Japan has always been an oddity to

those outside of the country.

However, the Japan Restoration Party (JRP) had proposed its own version of the casino bill and by the conclusion of this latest gathering on 7 November the IR Alliance had resolved to submit a modified version of JRP’s suggested legislation before the end of the current Diet session on 6 December, 2013.

Iwaya Takeshi, general secretary of the Alliance, also explained that the promotion bill being proposed would establish only the basic regulations. If passed, the national government would be tasked with establishing the implementation law.

Small steps, maybe, but huge strides for the casino industry worldwide.

FINANCIALS

ANALYSIS GM Resorts has sailed extremely close to the wind in the last few years, often due to sheer bad luck. Its timing to start the CityCenter project couldn’t have been worse: it took on a huge level of debt just as the market stagnated in the wake of the financial crisis and had to complete the build under worse terms or lose the lot. Only now is CityCenter starting to turn the corner. Although fortunate to have at least a small share of the vast revenues generated in Macau, MGM hasn’t really been able to ride that market like other firms. It owns more properties on the Strip than anyone else and the improvement there has helped but even with better revenues, interest payments put the profitability bar high. So given its debtburden, why invest in the Las Vegas Arena now? Without all the details of the deal it’s difficult to know what the company has put in, but land - almost prime land will be its biggest contribution, which doesn’t require a huge input of cash or added debt on the books. There is a need for a large, new arena in the city; this project won’t transform MGM’s fortunes but it will go towards making them a bit better.

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Galaxy earnings up 24 per cent MACAU

An increase in visitors from Mainland China has helped Galaxy Entertainment Group achieve record results in the third quarter of the year.

alaxy Entertainment Group, the Macau-focused casino operator, has reported a 24 per cent rise in thirdquarter profits as Chinese visitors spent more at its two flagship casinos.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation increased to HK$3.2bn (E307.8m) for the three months ended September 30.

Group revenue rose 16 per cent to HK$16.3bn (E1.6bn), bolstered by an increase in VIP turnover at the Galaxy Macau and StarWorld Macau venue.

Galaxy, through its subsidiary, Galaxy Casino, has held a Macau gaming concession since 2002. The group cited improved rail connections, high quality service, increased hotel supply and new attractions as principal factors in its growing top line, as visitors from Mainland China continue to flock to Asia’s booming gaming hub.

In July the Hong Kong-based company completed the HK$3.25bn (E312.6m) purchase of the Grand Waldo complex in Macau to increase its presence in Cotai.

The company said in August that it would take six to nine months to relaunch the Grand Waldo casino, which is

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adjacent to Galaxy Macau.

The phase-two expansion at the existing Galaxy Macau resort, will add as many as 500 gaming tables and 1,300 rooms from the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels by mid2015.

According to Galaxy chairman Lui Chewoo, the plans for Phase 2 of Galaxy Macau remain on schedule, and will further fulfil the group’s promise of “providing customers with quality facilities and service”.

“We continue to build our high quality Galaxy brand and strive to be globally recognised as Asia’s leading gaming and entertainment corporation,” Che-woo said.

“Our service philosophy is to provide our guests with a memorable customer experience by offering the highest quality resort facilities and by delivering a ‘World Class, Asian Heart’ service. Our efforts to deliver on our vision have translated into another set of record quarterly results.”

“Looking ahead, Macau and the region are set to prosper for many years to come as major infrastructure works come on stream that will greatly improve access to Macau from Mainland China and transform travel within the region.

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News World

South Africa set to rise 18

AFRICAN MARKET: “THE SOUTH AFRICAN GAMBLING INDUSTRY IS VIBRANT AND EXCITING, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME FACING THE CHALLENGE OF A CHANGING REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT.”

CAMBODIA

ITALY

Cambodian slots operator Entertainment Gaming Asia has booked a loss of $309m (E230.4m) in the third quarter of the year

Gambling fraud reports double in Italy ITALY

A new report published by the Bank of Italy reveals that fraudulent activity in the Italian gambling sector has more than doubled over the last year.

CAMBODIA

Entertainment Gaming swing to loss ntertainment Gaming Asia (EGA), operator of the Dreamworld and NagaWorld brands in Cambodia, swung to a loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. In the three-month period to September 30, revenues for the group totalled $5.7m (E4.3), down nine per cent on the $6.2m (E4.6m) posted in the previous year, primarily due to lower sales of gaming products Losses for the company, which offloaded its gaming chip manufacturing division, Dolphin Products, in March, totalled to $309m (E230.4), compared with a profit of $43m (E32.1m) in the third quarter of 2012.

EGA recorded $4.1m (E3.1m) in revenue for slot operations in the third quarter of 2013, essentially unchanged with the third quarter of 2012. Incremental revenue from Dreamworld Poipet, a standalone slot hall in an existing casino in Cambodia which officially opened in May 2013, offset declines in other slot operations during the quarter.

Elsewhere in the country, EGA’s

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NagaWorld operations contributed $3m (E2.2m) in revenue, down from $3.2m (E2.4m) in the prior-year period. The decrease was due to lower player traffic levels primarily as a result of events related to the national Cambodian elections held in July 2013.

In the Philippines, slot operations revenue declined due to higher jackpot payouts and increasing competition in the market.

According to EGA, the increase in net loss from continuing operations was primarily the result of lower slot operations revenue from NagaWorld, lower revenue and ramping up of production efficiencies for the gaming products division and foreign currency losses compared to gains in the prior year period.

The increase in net loss from continuing operations was partially offset by higher gross profit for the company’s Philippine slot operations, primarily due to an increase in fully depreciated gaming assets and slightly lower operat-

ing expenses in the third quarter of 2013.

Commenting on the results, Clarence Chung, chairman and chief executive officer of EGA, said: “Gaming operations revenue improved slightly for the third quarter compared to the prior year period due to incremental revenue contribution from Dreamworld Poipet and improvement in Dreamworld Pailin, which offset declines in other slot operations.

“Dreamworld Poipet, a slot hall which we developed in an established regional gaming market in Cambodia, posted quarterly sequential improvement and contributed positive EBITDA to the quarter. Since the opening in May 2013, we have been focused on the implementation of targeted marketing programmes to develop and expand a quality player base with a goal to capture a meaningful share of this vibrant market.”

Chung added: “Slot operations performance in the quarter was negatively impacted primarily by a decrease in revenue for our opera-

tions in NagaWorld and in the Philippines. In NagaWorld, we experienced lower player traffic levels as a result of events related to the national Cambodian elections held in July 2013 and, in the Philippines, we had higher jackpot payouts and increased competition from a major casino resort which opened in Manila earlier in the year.”

In early November 2013, EGA added semi-live multi-game electronic gaming tables with 30 seats, increasing the machine base from 58 to 88 seats. The company placed these machines on a revenue sharing basis, resulting in minimal capital investment to us.

“For Dreamworld Pailin, we have completed the repositioning of the operations to a leasing model,” Chung said. “Under the new operating model, we have leased 10 gaming tables to a thirdparty operator. We believe this will allow us to leverage the operator’s existing player network in Thailand and provide us with an increase in quality player traffic.”

CHILE

Chile’s lower house proposes legalising underground slots CHILE

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he Chilean Chamber of Deputies is proposing changes to the law that would legalise slot parlours, just weeks after the Senate announced plans to crack down on the same underground gaming halls.

Dedicated slot parlours and

isolated machines in small businesses have become increasingly prevalent during recent years. Members of Chile’s lower house argue that regulation is required to protect the legal gaming industry and groups at risk from problem gambling.

The news follows a concerted effort by the Chilean Association of Casinos (ACCJ)

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to eliminate them. In a report released earlier this year, the ACCJ reported that tax revenue from the gaming industry had fallen 20 per cent over the past year, pointing the finger of blame squarely at the growth of illegal slot parlours during that same period. In July 2013 they took legal action against Renato Hamel, head of the Chilean Gambling Control

Board, for failing to curtail the problem.

Underground operators have been able to avoid prosecution by describing their machines as games of skill, which are not illegal outside of the pre-approved casinos. The suggestion that slots be legalised will now pass from Chamber of Deputies to the Senate.

eports of fraudulent activity in the Italian gambling sector including money laundering, chip dumping and identity theft more than doubled last year, according to a new report from the Bank of Italy.

The increase was partially attributed to betting and gaming operators paying closer attention to their obligations to co-operate with the bank. Italy’s licensed gambling operators are required to inform the authorities when they suspect wrongdoing by punters.

Sports betting has been identified in the report as a prime tool for criminals seeking to launder money, by, for example, making bets on all outcomes of a match so as to win on at least one and recover a small amount of clean money.

Another area of concern is the increased possibilities for moving large amounts of money online to offshore operators without an Italian license. In its report, the Bank of Italy stated that such transfers were compatible with EU law, but worked to the disadvantage of those countries keeping a closer control on gambling and money laundering.

According to the latest statistics from trade association Associazione Nazionale SAPAR, which is itself a division of Italy’s broadbased entertainment industry association, AGIS, there were 1,264 VLT and slot venues in operation across the country in 2012, along with 564 gaming halls, 1,652 betting shops and 6,545 arcades.

“Online gambling in Italy is operated only by licensed operators,” SAPAR said. “Nevertheless there are many foreign providers who offer gambling in Italy even they have no license released by the Italian authority. As a consequence an unfair competition happens in the industry and no solution has been so far found.”

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MARKET PROSPECTS

The changing game in G As Greek casinos continue to search for paths out of the crisis, Club Hotel Casino Loutraki could be on a road to nowhere while others are striding into pastures new. Hugh Sorrill reports.

T GREECE

he court hearing at which Club Hotel Casino Loutraki (CHCL) will argue its case for entry into bankruptcy protection measures, which was scheduled for October 9 then for October 23, has been postponed a second time and will now take place on December 11.

In the meantime, the joint venture is operating under temporary relief, meaning its creditors, which include the Greek state, cannot force the company into formal bankruptcy.

CHCL is applying for Article 99 of the Greek bankruptcy code, which would give it extended

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breathing space to come to arrangements dealing with its debts and a mediator to facilitate it. However, Article 99 protection is rarely granted: since it came into force in 2011, of the 1,100 applications made, fewer than one in ten have been allowed. Casino Rio in Porto Rio made the same move earlier this year but failed in its application.

CHCL is understood to owe the state around E27m in unpaid taxes, in addition to other debts to both suppliers and workers.

The company hopes the court will allow it to enter Article 99 protection with

the principal aim of converting the operator to a public limited company giving it the ability to enlarge its share capital.

The venue is 86 per cent owned by a fractious Israeli-led consortium and 14 per cent by the town of Loutraki, which cannot by law own shares in a public limited company.

The Article 99 bid is opposed by both the municipal and national governments. Nevertheless, the protection CHCL is enjoying before the hearing is giving it more time to try and persuade its creditors to support the plan.

If no agreement can be reached, the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) will be under pressure to revoke CHCL’s operating licence for non-payment of taxes. A question of unfair competition also arises if one casino is not paying tax while others are.

Elsewhere in Greece, there is more positive news. In October, the HGC granted Casino Xanthi, owned by the same operator as Casino Rio and Casino Corfu, permission to transfer its licence within the north-eastern region of Thrace, saying the licence terms specify only

the region not the precise location.

The most likely destination is the city of Alexandroupolis not far from the border with Turkey and within striking distance of the Istanbul market three hours away by car. With Casino Rio still struggling and Xanthi itself not in the best of health, it is unlikely that the current owners will have enough capital themselves to make the move.

However, the prospect of an easy licence transfer to a better location could make the operation a more saleable prospect for those that want it.

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YXYXYXY FRANCE / GREECE / HOLLAND / NORWAY / POLAND / RUSSIA / SPAIN / UNITED KINGDOM Greek casinos: a solution to the problem?

GREECE: “CASINOS ARE NOT GOING TO SOLVE GREECE’S PROBLEMS, BUT THEY CAN AT LEAST HELP...”

RELOCATION

Olympic destination for Casino Mont Parnes?

GREECE

he mountaintop Casino Mont Parnes north of Athens could be in a new location, possibly an ex-Olympic venue, in 2015 after Regency Casinos’ proposal to move off Mount Parnitha met a warm response.

Regency CEO Ian Gosling told International Casino Review: “The HGC decision allowing Casino

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n Greece

Xanthi to transfer its licence within Thrace is potentially game changing and certainly sets a good precedent for us.”

Casino Mont Parnes is still 49 per cent owned by the state, so any moves to make it more profitable and its shares more valuable as it approaches its troikamandated privatisation will be welcomed.

“We’ve taken a very philosophical approach with the government,

explaining our reasons in detail and we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction we’ve had,” said Gosling. “Since we went public with our plans, we’ve also had various locations in the Attica region approach us including hotels. One option is also to look at former Olympic venues and move towards an Integrated Resort approach. In principle I don’t foresee any real hurdles.”

CASINO OPENING

ANALYSIS MORE MOBILE CASINOS GOOD FOR GREECE

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asinos are not going to solve Greece’s problems but they can at least help not only through the taxes they pay or should pay - but also through the well-paid employment they each offer to hundreds of people. With the prospect of at least a decade of public penury, simply allowing casinos to transfer their licences, if they wish and within reason, to better locations is a wise move, be it to capture more tourist spend or give easier access to locals with the disposable income.

The Greek market will change significantly in the next few years, with closures and takeovers almost guaranteed. Even this tiny bit more flexibility raises the value of casinos to their shareholders and potential buyers and will improve casinos’ viability.

Casino Gran Canaria reopens to boost revenues SPAIN

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he EUR5m Casino Gran Canaria has now reopened in the Buenos Aires Hotel located in Playa del Ingles, a popular holiday resort on the south coast of the Canary island.

The licence had been in operation at the Hotel Tamariuind St. Augustine since 1978 but its owners, Melia Hotels and la Sociedad Automáticos Canarios, wanted to move to a larger venue to help improve revenues. Despite now being much closer to its competitors, Ramos Oscar Gimenez, regional director Meliá International Hotels, said that the business, like every other in the gaming industry, has suffered from the economic crisis, but still can maintain healthy profit margins.

The workforce at the new venue has expanded by 20 per cent to 50 employees, with most of the staff from the previous venue remaining the same. Now that the Casino Tamarind has closed its doors, the new facilities are being used to train the staff on the new games.

The Casino Gran Canaria features a 1,200sq.ft gaming floor with two distinct areas: a machine room with the latest technologies, and a live games area with blackjack, French roulette and poker.

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News Europe

Rank results 64

RANK WEATHER: UK OPERATOR RANK SUFFERED A 7 PER CENT FALL IN ITS CASINOS DURING THE SUMMER DUE TO “EXCEPTIONALLY HOT WEATHER.”

STAKES AND PRIZE LEVELS

REFURBISHMENT

£500,000 facelift for Genting Blackpool

UK stakes and prize limits rise ‘responsibly’ G UNITED KINGDOM

The UK government has raised stakes and prizes on gaming machines in a bid to encourage socially responsible growth in the casino sector.

The rise now means that casino slot machines have moved from £2 and £4,000 to £5 and £10,000.

ayouts on slot machines are set to rise it was announced in a triennial review of gaming machine stake and prize limits from the UK government in October.

The consultation proposed an increase in the maximum stake from £2 to £5 and sought views on a range of limits from £4,000 (current limit) to £7,000, £10,000 and £15,000. An increase in stake and prize limits to £5 and £10,000 respectively was favoured by the casino industry on the basis that this would allow operators to access a wider choice of games and attract new customers.

The report said: “NCiF (National Casino Industry Forum) argued that it would be costly to develop games at a £5-£7,000 ratio because it would require manufacturers to develop new and

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unique software specifically for the UK market, while a £15,000 maximum prize was appealing but not preferable to the industry.

The casino industry preferred a maximum limit of £50,000 for linked progressive jackpots.”

The casino sector argued that an uplift in stake and prize limits to category B1 machines would not on its own provide sufficient benefit to the sector. The industry submitted that wider reform including relaxing the limits on machine numbers in 1968 Act casinos would be necessary to drive growth in the sector and to make more sophisticated player protection technology a cost effective proposition.

It was argued that relaxing restrictions on the maximum number of gaming machines in casinos for a

specified period - and permitting players to use debit cards on gaming machines would allow the sector to generate sufficient data to better understand machine gaming behaviour.

Amending the law governing remote gambling terminals in casinos, and relaxing restrictions on the number of linked jackpots that can be offered, were also advocated by the industry, while some casino operators called for machine to table ratios to be normalised to 5:1 for all casinos.

In the report, the government said it recognises that access to higher stake and prize gaming machines can support socially responsible growth in the casino sector. “We welcome the industry’s commitment to explore and ultimately deliver enhanced player protection measures which

will help build public confidence in the casino sector and its commitment to minimising the harm caused by its products.

“The government notes the foundations being laid

by NCiF and its members in this regard through the development of the Playing Safe code. We also note the recent launch of the industry led ‘P3’ initiative, which represents cross-industry efforts to explore harm minimisation, and includes some of the UK’s largest casino operators among its members. It will, however, be important to see these proposals move from aspiration to reality, driving operational change in businesses. We would also reiterate the importance of the industry starting to gather proper data now to inform consideration of impacts at any future triennial review.”

BUDGET CUTS

DEBT REPAYMENTS

Holland Casino must make further cuts to reduce debt

Partouche applies for pause in debt repayments

NETHERLANDS

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he Dutch gaming monopoly faces additional cost cutting measures after Holland Casino reported a further decline in its financial fortunes. Around 1,200 jobs have been cut since the company began restructuring in 2008 and a further 150 must be shed as

part of a direct supervision program.

Holland Casino now relies heavily on credit and the banks are demanding further cost cutting to safeguard their investment.

This has forced chief executive Willem-Jan van den Dijssel to reduce staffing costs by 18 percent.

Over the past year, their debt has increased from 60m to 100m due to costs

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incurred in the restructuring and a decrease in turnover of around 30 per cent.

These new austerity measures arrive amid news that Holland Casino is to come under closer scrutiny from the Gaming Authority due to a change in their marketing strategy. The Authority is concerned that a renewed focus on casino patrons may encourage problem gambling.

FRANCE

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rance’s second largest casino, Groupe Partouche, has applied to Paris’ commercial court for a temporary halt to its mounting debt repayments.

The company submitted a request for creditor protection to the Tribunal de Commerce de Paris which would allow it to take a short break

from tackling debt that amounts to €233.7m.

Partouche hopes that a brief stay in repayments will allow it to source funds from willing creditors and resist the slip into insolvency. The company, which operates almost 50 casinos across the country, has been struggling with debt for 5 years and endured a yearly income fall of almost 150 per cent.

UNITED KINGDOM

enting Club Blackpool is currently undergoing a £500,000 (E587,000) refurbishment.

The work is expected to continue until mid-November, with the venue remaining open throughout the entire renovation.

The casino, which has been in operation for 25 years, sits inside a listed building on the town’s North Shore. Genting regional director Graeme Fletcher emphasised that the renovation work will preserve the structure’s period features, while also “enhancing the facilities on offer to locals and visitors alike”.

Among the facilities currently under construction is the new Fahrenheit bar and restaurant, alongside a redesigned reception area.

The natural focus of the work is the casino floor. “At the heart of the casino will be the gaming floor where the knowledgeable team are trained to the highest standards in order to provide first class customer service,” Fletcher said.

The refurbishment is also designed to support Genting Club Blackpool’s continued integration with the local community. The casino employs over 70 full and parttime staff and supports local charities including the Deaf Poker Society and Rainbows Children’s Hospice.

“This is an exciting development for Blackpool,” Fletcher added, “and we look forward to welcoming regular and new customers to celebrate our refurbishment with us.”

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BEGE 2013 71

BULGARIA: “DESPITE GENERATING 120 BGN FOR THE STATE, HIGHERTACES AND INCREASINGLY COMPLEX REGULATIONS HAVE RESULTED IN A 45% SHRINK IN THE GAMING SECTOR OVERALL.”

GAMING RESORTS

Co-investor in Russian gaming resort investigated Insisting that the allegations will in no way affect the Primorye Gaming Project, Summit Ascent Holdings has confirmed that Oleg Drozdov, one of the investors in the Russian resort, has been detained for questioning following allegations of business malpractices.

RUSSIA

leg Drozdov, one of the investors developing a gaming and resort project in the Primorye region of Russia, is being investigated following an allegation of business malpractices.

In response to a report that appeared in the Russian newspaper, Kommersant on

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November 7, Hong Kongbased Summit Ascent Holdings confirmed that Drozdov had been detained for questioning by the Russian law enforcement authorities in relation to the construction of a solid waste treatment facility.

Promptly after becoming aware of the newspaper report, the company requested a temporary halt in trading of its shares on

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, with effect from November 8, to enable the company to establish the facts and release an announcement in relation to the allegation.

Management has since spoken to the attorney advocate acting for Drozdov, Sergey I Bondar, who has confirmed that Drozdov has been detained for questioning by the Russian law

enforcement authorities. It was also confirmed that the investigation relates to an allegation of business malpractices in relation to the construction by OOO Vladivostokservis of a solid waste treatment facility in 2009/2010. The amount involved is alleged to be approximately US$11.2m. It was also confirmed that the investigation does not relate, in any way, to the Primorye Gaming Project or to Oriental Regent or FGCE. An investigation is still ongoing and no formal charges have yet been pressed against Drozdov.

The company said it has also received direct assurances from First Vice Governor Sidorov, of the Primorsky Administration which administers the Gambling Zone of the Primorye Region, that the investigation and allegations relating to Drozdov will not, in any way, affect the Primorye Gaming Project or the company's investment in the Primorye Gaming Zone. Adding that the event will not affect the management and operations of FGCE, the project company for the Primoye Gaming Project.

Pending completion of a work permit application, John Wang, deputy chairman and executive director of the company, has been designated to be the general director of FGCE. It has been part of the closing arrangements of the transaction that, despite being an indirect minority shareholder, Drozdov will not have any executive duties and will not act as a director of any of the operating companies involved in the Primorye Gaming Project due to the fact that he has no prior experience in the gaming industry and intends to devote his time to his other business pursuits.

Drozdov is an indirect minority shareholder in Oriental Regent, an investment holding company that owns First Gambling Company of the East, which is developing the Primorye Gaming Project. Oriental Regent is 46 per cent owned by a subsidiary of Summit Ascent, five per cent by a subsidiary of Melco International Development, 19 per cent by a subsidiary of Firich Enterprise and 30 per cent by Elegant City, which is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and wholly owned by Drozdov.

CASINO OPENING

Century Casinos launches second casino in Warsaw POLAND

C

asinos Poland, a, 66 per cent-owned subsidiary of Century Casinos, has successfully launched a second casino in Warsaw, Poland.

The international casino entertainment company is currently operating nine casinos under the Casinos

Poland brand in most major cities all over the country. Casinos Poland has relocated its second casino licence in Poland`’s capital Warsaw, from “an unfavorable location” to the Marriott building in order to improve its offer in the country’s main gaming market. The entrance to the new venue is next to Warsaw’s main train sta-

10 | casinoreview November 2013

tion and a popular shopping mall, providing for substantial pedestrian traffic directly in front of the new casino location.

During the opening party in early November, guests were served local gastronomic specialties and entertained with live music and a lottery. The casino is currently offering four gaming tables and

about 30 slot machines, with the number of machines due to be doubled within the next few months.

Century Casinos is continuing to pursue other international projects in various stages of development, adding to its portfolio of casino in Canada, the Caribbean and aboard 12 luxury cruise vessels.

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LCI installation 55

JACKPOT SYSTEMS: LONDON CLUBS INTERNATIONAL ENJOYS DOUBLE-DIGIT VOLUME GROWTH FOLLOWING THE INSTALLATION OF JACKPOT SYSTEMS WITH INTEGRATED CASINO SIGNS. LEGAL Heliodoro Giner

ECA launches new antimoney laundering task force

O

EUROPEAN UNION

The European Casino Association has launched a new anti-money laundering task force to assist the industry in its continued efforts to combat fraud.

n November 12, representatives of the European Casino Association (ECA) held a meeting in the Grand Casino Brussels, Belgium, to launch a new antimoney laundering (AML) task force that will be responsible for communicating ECA’s efforts towards the fight against money laundering by putting together pan-European money laundering risk-assessment best practices and so-called “suspicious money laundering behaviours” in casinos.

Heliodoro Giner, general secretary of the Spanish Casino Association and ECA board member, responsible for AML, spoke at the event, and emphasised the “different AML implementation systems in place in the different EU Member States, and the need to communicate our common strategy in order to best tackle and enforce European AML regulations”.

At the meeting, the AML group discussed the newly revised Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and the key changes to be expected with the upcoming revi-

sion of the Third European AML Directive.

AML obligations, under the current EU Directive, require identification of customers, verification mechanisms and customer due diligence. They also stipulate the need to track the transactions of suspicious clients, and require enhanced risk assessment in cases where money laundering is suspected.

“The ECA advocates for these rules to be applied to the entire gambling sector, i.e. including sports betting and online gambling,” commented Giner, who called on the EU to continue to ensure the revision of the EU AML directive is consistent with the worldwide FATF standards by raising the threshold for customer due diligence to €3,000 per single transaction, rather than €2,000.

Giner explained that, just like the other sectors covered by AML regulations, the ECA has called on the public authorities to provide companies with lists of so-called “politically exposed persons” (PEPs) -

REGULATORS

persons that are considered to be at risk in terms of money laundering and therefore require enhanced due diligence from companies.

During the event, expert representatives from Belgium, Sweden and The Netherlands gave presentations of their national AML policies and implementation systems.

Key issues were addressed, ranging from the need to ensure policy makers understand that casinos are often best placed to identify the real risks of money laundering in casinos.

“With this new ECA AML task force, the ECA trusts it will not only be able to embrace the numerous challenges casinos face in their implementation mechanisms of AML rules, but will also be in a position to communicate better its members’ commitment towards fighting money laundering activities in their casinos,” the association said.

The ECA represents the interests of approximately 800 casinos and 55,000 employees across Europe.

ONLINE GAMING

IAGR elects new officers at Oslo conference Norway to

liberalise online gaming laws

Among a record attendance, the International Association of Gaming Regulators announced its 2013-2014 officers at the 2013 annual business meeting held in Oslo, Norway recently.

NORWAY

hief executive of the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore, Lau Peet Meng, was inducted as president during the International Association of Gaming Regulators’ (IAGR) annual business meeting, which was held from September 29-October 2 in Oslo, Norway in conjunction with its annual conference.

The association’s first conference in Oslo also saw Bir-

C

gitte Sand of Denmark, who is the director of the Danish Gambling Authority, elected to the office of vice president of IAGR. Treasurer A.G. Burnett, chairman of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, and Secretary Trude Felde, senior advisor of the Norwegian Gambling and Foundation Authority, retained their respective offices for the next year. The rest of the board of trustees remains unchanged.

On the plans ahead for IAGR for the coming year, Lau said: “IAGR is well placed to make a significant impact

12 | casinoreview November 2013

on the rapidly developing gaming industry worldwide.

As the only international organisation representing gambling regulators from all over the world, we have a unique opportunity to be a collective voice for regulators. We will continue to engage the industry and our stakeholders to learn how best we can each put in place the appropriate regulations and guidelines that to ensure that the industry conducts its business with proper regard for the vulnerable in society and the protection of their

customers. We will press on with our efforts to develop common platforms like the Multi-Jurisdiction Business Form that can provide a highquality and easy-to-use form for our members, and one that can also potentially help businesses minimise the hassle of using different forms across various jurisdictions.”

The conference this year set a new attendance record for over 200 attendees from 33 countries. IAGR will hold its next annual conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US in October 2014.

NORWAY

T

he new coalition government in Norway has said that it plans to liberalise the country’s online gambling sector and allow market access to foreign operators.

According to reports emerging from the region, online gaming and mobile gaming - which includes video poker and casino games only - will be introduced in November.

Playing hours will be restricted to 7am to 3am, and there will be strict daily and monthly loss limits for consumers.

Previous attempts to enforce a US-style ban on online gaming failed in Norway, due primarily to the fact that the country’s banking system does not process enough of the transactions and alternative payment processors are freely available, allowing its citizens to exploit the legal grey area.

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Asia & Oceania

LEGISLATION

Legislation putting the New Zealand International Convention Centre deal between SkyCity and the government into effect has been passed in Parliament, despite attempts from the Green Party to amend the bill.

New Zealand Parliament passes SkyCity bill NEW ZEALAND

T

he passing of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) legislation gives effect to the Project and Licensing Agreement signed by SkyCity Entertainment Group and the New Zealand government on July 5. The bill will see SkyCity invest NZ$402m to design, build, own and operate the complex in Auckland, targeted for completion September 30, 2017, allowing the entertainment group to expand its gaming operations.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei released a series of amendments to the bill in early November, seeking to reduce the harm that the party believes will result from the expansion of gambling opportunities the legislation allows. “The extra pokies SkyCity gets in the

14 | casinoreview November 2013

deal are the equivalent of a whole new casino. This casino would actually be the third biggest casino in New Zealand if it was taken separately,” said Turei.

SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison commented that the passing of the legislation represents an important milestone in the transformation of SkyCity.

“The passage of the legislation through Parliament allows us to proceed with developing a world-class convention centre in Auckland. This will be a vital piece of national tourism infrastructure that will reinforce Auckland as a leading international city by attracting high value events and visitors to Auckland and New Zealand,” said Morrison.

“The NZICC will drive

economic growth, jobs, high value international tourism and will become a catalyst for further tourism and entertainment development in the ‘Victoria’ precinct and the Auckland CBD. SkyCity is fully funding the project, meaning that the NZICC will be delivered without requiring funding from taxpayers or Auckland ratepayers,” he added.

In return for the $402m investment, the legislation extends SkyCity’s Auckland casino licence to 2048 and provides for an increase in gaming product and other gaming concessions; 230 gaming machines, 40 gaming tables, a further 12 gaming tables that can each be substituted for 20 automated table game terminals, the introduction of

cashless card based gaming, the extension of Ticket In Ticket Out technology and at least 780 new car parks. The agreement also includes SkyCity introducing further and additional host responsibility measures.

“After many years of negotiation with the New Zealand government, we are delighted to now be able to move ahead with this very exciting development,” Morrison said.

“These [gaming] concessions will become fully operative once SkyCity enters into a binding building works contract for the NZICC which is expected to be in the second half of calendar year 2014.

“The estimated threeyear construction period will require 1,000 construc-

tion jobs and will result in SkyCity employing an additional 800 New Zealanders when the NZICC is fully operational, over and above the more than 3,500 people we currently employ in Auckland today.”

The group said it would announce the appointments of the project director and the key consultant team over the coming weeks.

This team will include the architects and designers, engineers, project managers and urban and town planners for the development.

“This high-powered team will be made up of the best of New Zealand’s leading construction industry professionals partnered where appropriate with world leading convention centre design experts,” said Morrison.

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AUSTRALIA / INDIA / MACAU / NEW ZEALAND / SRI LANKA Nigel Morrison, SkyCity

NIGEL MORRISON: “THE NZICC WILL DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH, JOBS, HIGH VALUE INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND WILL BECOME A CATALYST FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.....”

CASINO BID

ANALYSIS CROWN SYDNEY

ASIA & OCEANIA ROUNDUP

Echo Entertainment launches Queensland casino bid

JAMES PACKER HAS FINALLY GOT HIS JEWEL IN THE CROWN A NEW CASINO IN SYDNEY. NOW, ALL THAT’S LEFT IS TO PULL IN THE CHINESE PUNTERS?

apan could see its ban on casino gambling finally lifted after a multiparty group of lawmakers agreed to submit a legalisation bill to the current session of parliament, reports continue to speculate. Iwaya Tsutomu, a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic party who is part of the pro-casino group, recently said that Tokyo’s selection as host of the 2020 Olympic Games had driven new energy into legalisation of casino gambling in the country. With the world’s third-largest economy, Japan has plenty of potential too and casinos in Tokyo and other cities could attract the wealthy gamblers from China who currently flock to the gambling mecca,

AUSTRALIA

Echo Entertainment has firmly set its sights on redeveloping two of its Queensland casinos after pledging to spend more than AUS$1.5bn as the state attempts to draw in more international high rollers. ne of Australia’s largest publicly listed gambling companies, Echo Entertainment group has pledged to spend more than AUS$1.5bn redeveloping its Brisbane and Gold Coast casinos.

After failing to put a stop to Jamie Packer’s progressing Barangaroo Casino development plans in Sydney, the group’s attention “is now firmly on Queensland”, Echo chairman John O’Neil told investors at the group’s recent shareholder meeting at its flagship casino, The Star. He added at the meeting in Sydney that the group “could not have moved faster” in committing a significant investment upgrade in Sydney.

Echo has announced plans to redevelop its Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast and build a new casino in Brisbane to replace its existing Treasury Casino, which has reached its capacity. The Jupiters development would include a six-star hotel to attract international high rollers, while the heritage-listed Treasury building would be turned into a luxury hotel.

As Queensland attempts to attract more tourists from Asia, the opportunity would see Echo, which also operates Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre in Northern Australia, take a leading role in the state’s bid to becoming a gambling epicentre and could see the number of casinos in the state increase to seven.

Short, medium and long-term plans have been developed for both properties and Echo chief executive John Redmond said the group sees “significant growth opportunities” in both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. “We are extremely excited about the opportunity before us in Brisbane, and see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity and a very substantial opportunity for the shareholders of Echo Entertainment Group,” said Redmond.

He also told investors the scale of its total investment will ultimately be determined by a number of factors that may impact on its ability to make an appropriate return.

O

J

J

ames Packer is absolutely correct in his assertion that the expected trebling of travellers from China within seven years will have a huge impact on international tourism. As the market expands, the casino industry has an important opportunity not only to tap into its expected share but also lead the highend offer. Casinos are a positive attraction for Chinese tourists, and the promise of the cash they will generate will in most cases be enough to guarantee the funding of the expansion in luxury hotel and resort accommodation that the market will also demand.

Capacity has to grow. We are already seeing the impact in Macau but even with the rapid expansion of facilities on Cotai over the next few years, it will not be nearly enough. Factor in the Philippines, and still the demand is unlikely to be met.

The other developing markets across Asia will take up some of the slack but the numbers are huge. The effects and the market will in time ripple out across the whole world. Australia is currently a relatively small market for Chinese gambling tourists but to Australian casinos, they already represent a major customer base. Doing more to meet the demand will be good for all players in the market, even those that may feel intimidated by Crown’s plans.

James Packer: “Thrilled” at the endorsement

Macau. Galaxy Entertainment leads the way in market share gains as its share rose 2.5 per cent to 21.1 per cent in October compared to September, while SJM’s market share rose 1.4 per cent to 26.7 per cent. At Sands China, however, market share fell 1.9 per cent in October, followed by a 1.2 per cent decline by Wynn Macau and a 0.9 per cent decline by MGM China to an 8.5 per cent market share. Sands China is to open a new premium mass gaming area at Sands Cotai Central on Cotai early next year, its parent Las Vegas Sands said. The firm reported in June that a similar zone at The Venetian Macao was generating the equivalent of $20,000 per table per day and more than $300m in annual revenue. Las Vegas Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson said that in the light of the Macau government’s controls on the number of new live dealer tables allowed in the market, Sands China - in common with other operators - would “take the lower-performing tables from other properties” to improve yields.

Elsewhere, PokerTek has added to Macau’s largest poker room to meet the growing interest and demand for poker in Asia, installing 60 PokerPro gaming positions at PokerStars Live Macau.

Speaking about the partnership, PokerTek CEO, Mark Roberson said that Macau is a key market for the continued growth of the company’s etable business.

November 2013 casinoreview

| 15

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Asia & Oceania

Japan’s IR Alliance

CASINOS IN JAPAN?: JAPAN’S IR ALLIANCE HAS STEPPED INTO THE GAMING DEBATE AND CONFIRMED ITS RESOLVE TO SUPPORT A BILL TO LEGALISE CASINOS IN THE COUNTRY. CASINO DEVELOPMENT

FINANCIALS

Crown Sri Lanka discussions confirmed

Record month for Macau’s casino industry

The Sri Lankan Parliament and Sri Lankan Board of Investment are in the process of considering whether to grant investment approvals that would allow Crown Resorts to develop a $400m “must-see” landmark resort in Colombo.

Macau casino revenue rose to a new record, jumping 32 per cent to US$4.6bn in pre-tax winnings in the month of October and beating the previous high in March.

SRI LANKA

ustralian casino group Crown Resorts has announced that it is in detailed discussions with the Sri Lankan Government and potential joint venture partners regarding the development of a five-star integrated resort in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

It is intended that the integrated resort, to be branded “Crown Sri Lanka”, will be a “must-see” landmark located on Beira Lake in the Colombo resort district. Crown Sri Lanka is intended to be contemporary and iconic in design and will provide a luxury resort experience that the Crown brand is renowned for throughout Asia. Crown Sri Lanka will be a five-star facility with approximately 450 rooms and suites, signature dining experiences and entertainment offerings, conferencing and event spaces,

A

gaming areas, retail outlets and a specially designed water feature attraction.

Both the Sri Lankan Parliament and the Sri Lankan Board of Investment are in the process of considering whether it is appropriate to grant investment approvals for the project which is a key step in the development of the Crown Sri Lanka integrated resort. In addition, the project is subject to final agreement between the potential joint venture parties and receipt of a number of other approvals.

It is anticipated that, should it proceed, the total project cost to the joint venture would be approximately US$400m. James Packer, chairman of Crown, said: “Sri Lanka is a beautiful and unique country with huge tourism potential, I have great confidence in the country's future and believe as a destination that it is Sri

MACAU

M Lanka’s time to shine in Asia.

A Crown integrated resort would help redefine luxury tourism in Sri Lanka and play a significant role in helping to drive increased international in-bound tourism especially from India and China.

“It is expected that the resort would employ around 2,500 Sri Lankans and Crown’s record on training and education is first-class.

We have committed ourselves to providing careers and employment pathways for Sri Lanka’s youth from around the country should

this project proceed,” continued Packer.

Crown stated that it will provide further details regarding the proposed joint venture project if a final agreement is reached and the neces Crown Sri Lanka would not be the first joint venture resort in the company’s portfolio.

The group currently own a 34 per cent stake in Melco Crown Entertainment on the Cotai Strip in Macau, along with partial stakes in a number of UK, the US and Australasian gaming companies.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Goan river casinos accused of environmental breaches INDIA

I

ndia’s National Green Tribunal (NGT), a government body which protects the people’s right to a clean environment, is demanding action from a series of offshore casinos in Goa. The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) was instructed by the NGT to investigate suspected violations of Indian clean air and water acts. After visiting the casinos, which moor themselves on the bank of the Mandovi River, the GSPCB filed a report which listed such diverse violations as operating an unlicensed

diesel generator and not submitting details of monthly sewage output.

The casinos have been told to act on the issues brought to light by the report. The GSPCB has threatened criminal proceedings or a possible revocation of consent to operate if the casinos do not comply with their demands.

Concern was raised about the environmental status of the offshore

16 | casinoreview November 2013

acau’s casino industry beat its singlemonth gaming revenue record when the market produced US$4.6bn in pre-tax winnings in October, exceeding the previous record of $3.92bn set in March this year. The Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau said recently that the results were a 31.7 per cent increase over the October 2012 total.

Macau produced a record $38bn in gaming revenues in 2012. Through October, the region almost topped that amount, producing $37.13bn in just 10 months.

Gaming revenues in the Chinese region, which currently has more than three dozen large and small casinos, are up 18.4 per cent over the same 10 months of 2012 and the market’s growth could exceed 20 per cent by the time the year is out, analysts said. The results from October, coupled with projections for the last two months of the year, indicate that the region will produce seven times more gaming revenues than Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International all operate hotel-casinos in Macau and are in the process of expanding their reach into the market. Las Vegas Sands is finishing another phase of the multiple hotel Sands Cotai Central and is spending $2.7bn to build a 3,000room Parisian-themed hotel-casino on Macau’s Cotai Strip region. Wynn is spending $4bn on the Wynn Palace on Cotai; MGM Resorts is spending $2.6bn on a Cotai resort.

In the third quarter, Macau revenues of $2.34bn from Las Vegas Sands’ four developments accounted for more than 65 per cent of the company’s overall third quarter revenues; Wynn Resorts’ two Macau casinos collected $997.6m, which accounted for almost 72 per cent of the company’s overall revenue total; while MGM Resorts collected $808m in revenues from the MGM Macau, almost 33 per cent of the company’s overall quarterly revenues.

casinos in September, and in response the NGT directed Goa’s state government not to issue any more licences to casinos on the Mandovi. The order also included a request to prevent the existing operators from dumping any further waste into the river.

Goa’s chief minister, Manohar Parrikar responded dismissively to this initial order, arguing that it had no practical bearing on the situation.

The government, he contended, had already ceased issuing new casino permits and that a separate government agency had responsibility for policing environmental issues relating to offshore casinos.

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Africa & Middle East

The Carnival City Casino in Gauteng province

MARKET PROSPECTS

Mature South African marke to grow steadily says report SOUTH AFRICA

An annual snapshot and forecast of gambling in South Africa by PwC shows that Africa’s largest and most well established gambling and casino market is growing at a good rate that is likely to be sustainable, reports Hugh Sorrill.

A

fter growing 10.5 per cent in 2012, South Africa casino revenues are set to climb albeit at slower rates over the next four years, according to a new report by business consultants PwC. In the second Betting on Africa report, published in November, principal author Nikki Forster said that casino revenues were R16.41bn (E1.18bn) last year and would grow by a much more modest 2.6 per cent in 2013. However, she forecasts it will then pick up next year and the following years for a mean annual growth of about five per cent, leading to estimated casino gross gaming revenues in 2017 of R20.9bn

18 | casinoreview November 2013

(E1.51bn), a total rise of about 17 per cent.

Forster said: “The South African gambling industry is vibrant and exciting, while at the same time facing the challenge of a changing regulatory environment and the impact of reduced consumer spending during an economic downturn.”

Casinos were by far the largest contributor to the national GGR in 2012, accounting for 78 per cent of the total. The sector is also the most mature and almost at capacity with 38 of the 40 possible casinos licensed and 37 actually operating.

New casino openings will not therefore be major drivers in the market in the

future; instead operators are investing in existing facilities and licences to grow their businesses.

Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous province, generated the highest casino GGR at R7.2bn (E520.7m) in 2012, more than 44 per cent of the total, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape respectively. Together these three provinces accounted for 76.8 per cent of casino GGR in 2012.

Online gambling is currently illegal in South Africa, however, the legislative framework to license it has been in place now for five years. As access to the internet increases, so will

the pressures to regulate and tax online casino, says the report, especially given that upwards of 40 illegal online betting sites are believed to be operating in the country already.

South Africa’s street gaming market, in the form of centrally monitored Limited Payout Machines (LPMs), still remains a long way below its potential, with only 10,000 machines installed in bars, clubs and restaurants out of an initial permitted roll-out of 25,000 with another 25,000 capacity already authorised.

LPMs accounted for only seven per cent of national GGR in 2012, bringing in R1.48bn (E107.1m).

Forster said: “As LPM machines continue to be installed in new locations and with the possibility of increases in the maximum bet and maximum payout, there is still ample room for growth in this sector of the market. We project that LPM gross gambling revenue will expand at a 20 per cent compound annual rate to R3.7bn [E267.7m] in 2017.”

She concluded: “The outlook for the industry remains positive and the further rollout of limited payout and bingo machines and the possible introduction of online gambling will further contribute to the expected growth in revenues.”

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KENYA / SOUTH AFRICA

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BIG AFRICA SUMMIT: THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT ADDRESSED ISSUES IN GAMING TECHNOLOGY AND HOW THEY WILL IMPACT THE ONLINE SECTOR.

Casino in

FINANCIAL

REVENUES

‘Low growth in the economy subdues Sun International trading’

GGR expansion also for Kenya

Amid casino slowdown, hotel and gaming group Sun International has reported a slight increase in revenue in its latest third quarter financial results.

SOUTH AFRICA

KENYA

S

rket ort

outh Africa’s Sun International reported a three per cent increase in revenue to R2.544bn for the quarter ended September 30, compared to R2.464bn during the same period last year.

Casino revenue fell one per cent to R2.018bn, with room revenue up 34 per cent to R246m.

The hotel and gaming group said that the September quarter last year had been “exceptionally strong” for its casinos, which made comparisons less meaningful.

“Of more relevance, the slowdown in casino revenue experienced in the second half of the previous financial year has continued in the quarter to September 2013. Casino revenue from the core South African operations is showing almost no growth while at Monticello casino revenue was down 11% (23% in local currency) as a result of the anti-smoking laws introduced in Chile on 1 March 2013. In contrast to the gaming side of the business, hospitality revenues grew strongly for the quarter with room revenue up 34% and food, beverage and other revenue up 15%. The African operations delivered strong growth in both gaming and hospitality, in particular Namibia, Nigeria, and Zambia.”

T The group said its Cape operations in South Africa have performed well, which is a reflection of increased tourism to the region, at least in part as a consequence of the weakening Rand. Given the current low growth in the South African economy, the group anticipates that trading in its core casino properties will be subdued.

It added that good progress is being made with regard to the implementation of the group’s strategic objectives as set out in its 2013 integrated annual report, both with respect to operational issues as well as strategic initiatives in South Africa and Latin America. “The benefits from these will, however, only flow through in the 2015 financial year,” it said.

ANALYSIS asinos in Africa are not going to be huge earners for the foreseeable future: even where substantial growth is forecast, it starts from a low base.

South Africa is a slight exception but even there, margins and profits are very low compared to other markets. The reason is simple: across Africa there are relatively very few people who can afford casino entertainment other than tourists and the well-to-do locals. The challenge, therefore, is how will Africa enhance its standing in the global gaming community?

C

EXPANSION

Tsogo Sun plans major Suncoast investment SOUTH AFRICA

T

he gaming, hotel and entertainment group Tsogo Sun are looking to radically expand their Durban beachfront property, an investment that comes as South Africa’s overall economy continues to struggle.

Despite this, gaming continues to resist the negative trend with a recent PriceWaterhouseCoopers report revealing that gambling revenues have increased more than ever before over the past five years.

Tsogo’s new development

he PwC report also touched on the market in Kenya, where almost all forms of gambling are permitted, including online and mobile gambling: however, the value of the market is tiny by comparison to South Africa.

The study said Kenyan gross gaming revenue growth slowed in 2012 to from almost 31 per cent in 2011 to 5.9 per cent in 2012 as the economy moderated. GGR in 2012 was R180m (E13m). A pick-up in economic growth in 2013 is expected to lead to a return to double-digit growth but the government has also announced a withholding tax of 20 per cent on gambling winnings.

Forster said: “In other countries, such taxes have often had a dampening effect on wagering and we expect that will occur in Kenya as well.”

However, prospects for the years ahead look good with a rebounding economy and continued growth in tourism. PwC expects Kenya’s casino GGR to rise to about R325m (E23.5m) by 2017, a mean annual growth of 12.5 per cent.

would include 1500 additional parking spaces alongside a new retail and restaurant complex.

Key to the application the company put before the KwaZuluNatal Gaming and Betting Board was an ‘iconic elevated outdoor pool and serviced leisure entertainment deck.’

This is not the first time that Tsogo has attempted to extend Suncoast Casino, but all previous attempts were made during the reign of Durban’s previous administration. There remains an existing dispute with the city concerning a former expansion

proposal, but Tsogo and the city council have agreed to consider the applications independently.

“We have the financial resources and, once the regulatory approvals are in place, we can begin construction,” said Tsogo Sun chief executive Marcel von Aulock. “Suncoast is our second-biggest operation after Montecasino in Joburg. We have a major presence on the Durban beachfront, which includes the Garden Court hotels, the Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani and the Suncoast Casino.”

Inside the Millionaires Casino in Mombasa

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North America

UNITED STATES

NEW MARKET

New York legalises casino gamb The seven tribal casinos in New York State will now be joined by up to seven statesanctioned destination resorts after a solid majority of voters approved a constitutional amendment, reports Hugh Sorrill.

ew York State has approved the legalisation of casino gambling in a referendum held on November 5.

Just under 22 per cent of eligible voters took part but carried the proposal with 57 per cent.

The plan for up to seven large casino resorts was pushed by Governor Andrew Cuomo and required an amendment of the state constitution. The measure received its strongest support in New York City, where all the metropolitan counties bar New York County (Manhattan) voted yes. Adjacent counties were also overwhelmingly in favour, as were most of the areas where the first four destination resorts are likely to be built.

The proposals had been gathering increasing support in recent months with the question reworded in the summer to emphasise how casinos would promote jobs and proceeds to the state

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would be used to aid schools and reduce property taxes - key pledges in Cuomo’s election campaign in 2010. A statewide poll in June showed only 48 per cent support for casino legalisation.

Governor Cuomo said: “Since taking office, my administration has focused on reviving the state’s economy and today’s vote will further pave the way for the creation of new jobs, construction and increased tourism in communities across the state.”

Cuomo is aiming to tap into the roughly $1.2bn (E887m) that he says is spent by state residents in casinos elsewhere. His budget office calculates the state could take in as much as $430m (E318m) in casino fees and taxes every year, with more than half earmarked for education.

The process of determining who will build what and where now begins: two are expected for the Catskill Mountains north of New York City; one will go to Albany or Saratoga Springs and one near Binghamton on the border with Pennsylvania. Interested compa-

nies have already begun tabling proposals.

After the first wave is open, the bidding process for the remaining three will begin - and with New York City and its suburbs the likely location for all of them, they will be a significant prize for the winner.

Neither New York City or State is devoid of casino-like gaming experiences, with electronic gaming available at racetrack racinos and at Genting’s Resorts World New York in Queens. There are also several tribal casinos and bingo halls dotted around the state, including the Seneca tribe’s Niagara Falls Casino, which opened in August.

Geoff Freeman, chairman of the American Gaming Association, said: “We applaud the vote… The gaming industry represents an engine of economic growth and a driver of innovation.”

He added: “New Yorkers have lived with commercial casinos for nearly a decade and have experienced the positive ways the gaming industry contributes to their well being.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo has achieved a major policy objective with the legalisation of casinos in New York State

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ALABAMA / CINCINNATTI / EAST BOSTON / MASSACHUSETTS / NEW YORK STATE Goeff Freeman, AGA

NEW YORK EXPERIENCE: “NEW YORKERS HAVE LIVED WITH COMMERCIAL CASINOS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE POSITIVE WAYS THE GAMING INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTES TO THEIR WELL BEING.” BALLOT The Suffolk Downs casino project is now at risk, even without the Caesars name over the door

Suffolk Downs loses East Boston vote UNITED STATES

NORTH AMERICA ROUNDUP ust a few days after Caersars was dropped from a racino plan in Suffolk Downs, the casino operator’s executive vice president Jan Jones confirmed that it will sever its agreement with Gansevoort Hotel Group to develop Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall and Saloon into a lavish hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

Massachusetts investigators reportedly uncovered an investor in New Gansevoort who was alleged to have ties to organised crime in Russia.

erty from $2.26bn in 2010 to $870m. While the tax reduction will boost profit for the casino’s owners’ Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts, it will reduce revenue for the city. The two operators will be refunded around $48.8m for the 2009 and 2010 tax years, or by about 61 per cent, as well as interest.

Tax from the Borgata, previously accounted for around 16 per cent of Atlantic City’s $14.4bn tax.

Meanwhile, the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement has awarded more online gaming licences to the Tropicana, Golden Nugget Atlantic City and the two properties owned

by Trump Entertainment Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort

Caesars will continue with the project, which is to be renamed, with Jones stating that the international gaming company looks forward to welcoming guests on schedule in early 2014.

Gansevoort president Michael Achenbaum said that the group has agreed to end its role in the Las Vegas project in order to minimise any controversy for Caesars. Adding: “We would have expected a serious government agency to act on the basis of substantiated fact, not rumour or innuendo previously printed in gossip columns. No new facts have arisen since we passed the internal gaming compliance process of Caesars prior to the execution of our agreements.”

Elsewhere, The Borgata in Atlantic City has been granted a 61 per cent reduction in property tax, reflecting the decline at the casino resort. The Tax Court of New Jersey has reduced the value of the prop-

and Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino.

More licences are expected to be issued as New Jersey prepares for the November 26 launch of online gambling.

The Tropicana has partnered with GameSys to offer its online platform. Noel Hayden, founder and CEO Gamesys, commented: “Tropicana Atlantic City is a great partner for Gamesys as internet gaming comes to New Jersey.”

The Golden Nugget will offer online gambling under its own brand using Bally Technologies as its provider, while Trump will partner with Ultimate Gaming.

Trump Entertainment Resorts CEO Robert Griffin said: “We are very pleased to acknowledge that Trump Plaza and Trump Taj Mahal have received the third and fourth internet gaming permits in the state of New Jersey. This is very positive for the company and the Atlantic City market.”

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ambling ANALYSIS he casino map of the eastern United States continues a process of radical change that will continue to put pressure on the traditional regional gaming hub, Atlantic City. Since the first tribal venues of the 1980s through to the legalisation of table games in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland, casinos have been getting closer to people - and New York City, the largest city in the United States, has been a major source of players.

Demand may have risen but supply is likely to have matched or outstripped it.

When New York State’s casinos are up and running in about seven years’ time, the competition will increase even more. It won’t do Atlantic City any good, unless it can regain its status as a destination, but Pennsylvania may also start to feel a negative impact.

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he ballot on November 5 saw voters in East Boston reject a proposal by Suffolk Downs racetrack for a casino by 56 to 44 per cent. However, voters in neighbouring Revere voted in favour by 61 to 39 per cent. The venue straddles both communities and needed the approval of both to proceed with its plans.

The project is one of three competing for a sole casino licence for the Eastern Massachusetts area. It is up against plans by Foxwoods in Milford, about 50km to the south west of Boston, and by Wynn Resorts for a resort in Everett on the north side of the Charles River in the Boston conglomeration, which won 86 per cent approval in June.

Caesars Entertainment pulled out of the Suffolk Downs project in October after the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) recommended not granting Caesars a licence because of its huge corporate debts and some, in its view, questionable business relationships. However the MGC has said that Suffolk itself is a suitable candidate.

Given the split decision, Suffolk Downs CEO Chip Tuttle has said he will now explore whether a casino might be built on the 21 hectares located in Revere.

The MGC will make its final decision in March next year.

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News

North America

G2E 2013

G2E 2013: IT WAS THE LARGEST DISPLAY OF GAMING INNOVATION ON THE LAS VEGAS SHOWFLOOR SINCE 2008. REVIEW FEATURES THE KEY PLAYERS AND PRODUCTS AT THE SHOW.

REDEVELOPMENT

STUDY

Pinnacle Entertainment introduces new gaming destination

East Longmeadow awards $10,000 contract for casino impact study

Set to open in May 2014, Pinnacle Entertainment’s Ohio-based $300m Belterra Park Gaming and Entertainment Centre will create immediate economic profit, as well as benefit guests who enjoy the Belterra Casino Resort in Indiana.

UNITED STATES

innacle Entertainment has announced the name of its Cincinnati, Ohio-based racetrack now under extensive redevelopment.

Set to open in May 2014, pending regulatory approvals, the 122-acre Belterra Park Gaming and Entertainment Centre represents an expected investment of more than US$300m for Pinnacle Entertainment inclusive of land and licensing fees.

Anthony Sanfilippo, chief executive officer of Pinnacle Entertainment, commented: “We have thoughtfully designed Belterra Park, integrating quality thoroughbred horse racing with a beautiful gaming entertainment facility.

P

We have confidence this investment in Ohio is complementary to the portfolio of Pinnacle Entertainment properties and specifically a benefit to our guests who enjoy Belterra Casino Resort located an hour away in Florence, Indiana.”

Belterra Park will provide an entertainment destination featuring live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, 1,600 video lottery terminals and

six restaurants, a VIP lounge, ample parking and more. The racing facility will feature a one-mile dirt track and Ohio's only turf track. A new Grandstand is included in the project, along with an OTB Racebook - River Downs Club, a new paddock, jockey's quarters and 17 new barns.

The economic impact of Belterra Park Gaming and Entertainment Centre will

be immediate with an expected 700 permanent jobs created and anticipated annual payroll and benefits topping $23m. The more than $300m investment will generate 350 construction jobs during the renovation.

“The development plans for Belterra Park allow us to honour the tradition of River Downs while growing our customer base in the market through enhanced offerings for our guests,” said Belterra Park vice president and general manager Kevin Kaufman. He added: “We expect to provide the best total racing, dining and entertainment experience in the region and we're thrilled to share this dynamic destination with our guests and the Cincinnati community when we open next May.”

UNITED STATES

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he Board of Selectmen has awarded a $10,000 consulting contract to former Springfield Mayor and Governor s Council member, Michael Albano to conduct a casino economic impact study. The town invited “qualified firms” to submit fixed fee proposals to gather data and study the economic effects of a casino in a neighbouring community on public safety, housing, social services, schools, roads and businesses. The study is specific to the proposed MGM casino in Springfield’s South End, as East Longmeadow is not considered a neighbouring community to the proposed Mohegan Sun

casino in Palmer.

Springfield residents already voted in favour of MGM s host agreement with strong backing from Mayor Domenic Sarno.

Most communities in Western Massachusetts have opted to use the services of Springfield s Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to do the same work and help negotiate mitigation fees for individual communities with the casino giants. The Planning Commission is being paid by both companies via the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to study the data in local cities and towns.

The final report is due November 26 and Albano said a preliminary review of the issues indicates the impact on East Longmeadow will be significant.

CASINO OPENING

New Alabama casino on track Wind Creek Wetumpka, the new luxury casino and hotel that is replacing the current Creek Casino Wetumpka at the same location in Alabama, is on schedule to open in December.

UNITED STATES

ocated on the banks of the Coosa River, Wind Creek Wetumpka, due to open on December 17, is the sister property of Wind Creek Atmore, one of a handful of Alabama resorts to earn an AAA Four-Diamond rating. Both properties are owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and operated by PCI Gaming, the Tribe’s gaming enterprise.

Property manager, Cody

L

Williamson, commented: “The construction was a monumental effort. It took more than 800 workers putting in a total of 1.4m hours to build the structure we see here today. We used 2,500 tons of steel and more than 18,000 cubic yards of concrete alone in the construction. The scale of Wind Creek Wetumpka and the scope of its economic impact are considerable.”

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nections that will enable employees adjust settings such as temperature, music or television entertainment from mobile devices.

The total cost for the project is reported to be around US$250m, with the casino portion estimated to cost $150m to $200m. Since starting construction in August 2012, the casino has involved itself with the community, recently holding a job fair at the Wetumpka Civic Wind Creek Wetumpka, which Wetumpka. Showing members of Centre, which resulted in almost was built by Flinto Construction, the media around the new luxury 600 job offers. It is expected that will feature five restaurants, a casino and hotel on a pre-opening there will be about 1,000 employstate-of-the-art, 16,000-gallon tour recently, Williamson said that ees at the casino’s opening, includshark tank, several deluxe meeting the casino floor will feature only ing the current workforce. spaces and an 85,000 square foot gaming machines. Special features The adjoining luxury hotel with gaming floor with 2,520 machines, of the casino include an air system its 283 appointed accommodawhich is an increase from the 1,182 designed to help clear away ciga- tions will open in late January or currently at Creek Casino rette smoke and electronic con- early February next year.

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News

South America

CASINO LICENCE

Casino closure provokes n interest in central Chile

Casino operators and municipal authorities are jockeying for position in Bío Bío province as the closure of the C month creates a potentially valuable new opportunity. Hugh Sorrill reports.

CHILE

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ome of Chile’s major casino operators are eyeing the prospects of a casino licence in the Bío Bío region after the Casino Termas de Chillán, the smallest casino in Chile by revenue, closed its doors permanently in early October and asked the Superintendent of Casinos (SCJ) to cancel its licence.

The casino was located in a ski resort hotel in the mountains 75km to the south of east of the state capital Chillán and has consistently been at the bottom of the league table of the casinos opened under the 2005 Gambling Act. The casino was run by a local group Somontur Hotels, which had no prior casino operating experi-

24 | casinoreview November 2013

ence, and has struggled not only to attract customers but also obey the terms of its licence. In 2011, the casino generated gross gaming revenues of about US$900,000m (E674,000), but in 2012 those fell to about US$600,000 (E374,000). Revenues were improving this year to north of US$800,000 (E599,000), however, the operator found itself repeatedly in breach of its licence, which led to fines in August and September alone of around $65,000 (E48,000), about half of its revenues in the period. It was sanctioned for a number of offences ranging from failing to offer the minimum number of games, to failing to ensure that entry controls were in place, or that the CCTV was functioning correctly, or that staff were employed directly by the operator.

According to the 2005 Act, the

SCJ can only initiate the tender process in the first two months of the calendar year after it has approved the resignation of a licence. No one expects it will decide other than to approve Somontur’s request, however, the time-scale for interested parties to present proposals may be too short.

If they delay their decision until after the turn of the year, the tender process would be postponed until 2015.

The city of Chillán - with a population of above 200,000 in the conurbation - is the 12th largest in Chile and a prime target for a casino development.

City mayor Sergio Zarzar has said he has already been contacted by Enjoy Group and Marina del Sol as well as other operators.

He said: “The casino for the

province of Bío Bío should always have been in Chillán for the simple reason that it is the capital of a province with more than 400,000 inhabitants. There is a lot of interest in gaming here and a large floating population.”

His comments sparked a reaction from Fernando Chavez the mayor of Pinto, the neighbouring commune in which Casino Termas de Chillán was located. He said: “The fact that the first casino to operate under the new law opened in Pinto should give us priority in the upcoming tender process… I too have been contacted by entrepreneurs and have discussed the possibility of opening a large casino in the town, but unlike Chillán our negotiations have remained discreet and not been communicated to the press.”

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CHILE / MEXICO

YXYXYXY Mexican flies the flag

NEW LAWS: THE MEXICO GAMING ASSOCIATION WELCOMED NEW LAWS, MAKING IT CLEARER FOR OPERATORS...

Casino Termas de Chillán closed down in early October

CASINO OPENING

LEGISLATION

Thunderbird plans new San Jose casino

Mexican Gaming Association welcomes change in law MEXICO

CHILE

T

s new

sure of the Casino Termas de Chillán last

ANALYSIS ountain resort casinos are highly seasonal and can struggle. Casino Termas de Chillán is the first of the new-era casinos to close - and for many of the same reasons that Casino Davos in Switzerland, also in high in ski resort, failed to do enough business to survive. The Chilean operation was disrupted by more than just a difficult location, a poor economy or competition, however; it also suffered from the operator’s inexperience that put it in contravention of its licence.

One of the real successes of the 2005 Act is Chile’s Superintendent of Casinos, an effective and efficient regulator that won’t allow standards to slip.

M

hunderbird Resorts is opening a new casino located in San Jose, Chile.

Currently under construction, the new Fiesta Casino will operate on a long-term lease and is expected to open by Q2 2014 with approximately 118 slot machines, 28 table positions and 70 food and beverage positions. “The casino will implement our Las Vegas style casino format in an area where no similar product offering exists,” said Thunderbird in a statement. A Panamanian bank will loan the group’s Costa Rica affiliate approximately USD$2.8m to fund the project’s capital requirements including construction and equipment purchases.

It is believed that the new project will attract mid- to upperend clients by offering a more entertainment-oriented environment than other gaming facilities in the area. The group has operated in Costa Rica since 2003 and owns 50 per cent of its businesses there, except for the flagship casino located in the Holiday Inn Express Hotel at the San Jose International Airport of which it owns 56 per cent.

“This new venue follows our strategy to build the company in our current markets where we can grow while only adding nominal country management and parent-level expense. This is our second venue to open under this strategy, the first of which was Chinandega in Nicaragua, which opened in Q3 2012.”

A

reform in Mexico’s gaming law

by President Enrique Peña Nieto has been welcomed by members of the Mexican Gaming Association, which said that the new decree created a much clearer legislative framework for operators.

Having been in effect since late October, the ruling bans casino licence holders from renting out their permits to other operators and states that operators can no longer assign the rights to operate gaming establishments to third parties. It also places a 25-year limit for gaming licences and grants the Mexican Gaming Control Board increased power when it comes to ending the licences of operators found to be operating illegally.

The Presidential decree was pri-

marily enacted to avoid an imminent ruling of Mexico’s Supreme Court regarding the legalisation of slot machines. In October 2012, former President Felipe Calderon had changed gaming regulation to clarify that slot machines were banned, except those that had been given permission to operate by the government. However, the Chamber of Deputies challenged the ruling before the Supreme Court, arguing that the country’s gaming laws prohibits slot machines without any kind of distinction.

With President Nieto’s reform, the Supreme Court will no longer have the legal requirement to discuss the legality of Calderon’s order, which means that slot machines in casinos can continue to operate.

SOUTH AMERICA ROUND UP lobal hospitality and leisure group Thunderbird Resorts is busy currently. Having opened another facility in Chile, the company is now planning to open a new casino in San Jose, Costa Rica.

According to Thunderbird, ground has broken on the Fiesta Casino, which will operate under a long-term lease and is expected to be opened in the second quarter of 2014.

The casino will feature approximately 118 slot machines, 28 table positions and 70 food and beverage positions.

Fiesta Casino will implement Thunderbird’s Las Vegas-style casino format in an area where no similar product offering exists.

The government of Guatemala, meanwhile, is looking at setting up a new Gaming Control Board which would regulate the growing gaming industry in the country. The Economic Committee of Congress is understood to be looking at ways to regulate lotteries, bingo halls and casinos, and the new gaming control board would, according to the findings of the committee, be the best way to control the industry.

Elsewhere, Casinos Austria

G

International is to buy the remaining shares of Entretenimiento y Juegos de Azar (ENJASA), giving it full control and ownership of the Argentinian operator. The group agreed to the deal after discussions with the local government of Salta and agreeing to promote tourism and the entertainment sector in the province.

And back in Chile, revenues reveal a downward trend. Latest figures released show that revenues have shown a fall. In September, the 17 new-era casinos (now 16 with the closure of Termas de Chillán) generated gross gaming revenues of US$36.5m (E27.3m), down 29.6 per cent on the same month in 2012.

The number of visitors fell more than 26 per cent in the month to just under 451,300, although average spend per head was up 1.2 per cent to 40,778 pesos (E59).

Total gross gaming revenues in the first nine months totalled US$368.1m (E275.2m), down 15.4 per cent on a year earlier.

The sharp fall in revenues is almost entirely due to a smoking ban that came into force in March.

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Comment & Analysis

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS

ANNIVERSARY

Promoting a step change in customer loyalty

CTBA recognises 25 years of Indian gaming

A

FutureLogic’s chief marketing executive, John Edmunds, discussed the future of bricks-andmortar ticket printing at a forward-focused panel during this year’s G2E in Las Vegas.

Recognising 25 years of Indian gaming, the

mong the programme of talks on offer at this year’s G2E was a panel focused on ‘Casinos of the Future’, featuring insight from FutureLogic’s chief marketing and sales officer, John Edmunds, who sat alongside representatives from Bally Technologies, WMS, and Leap Forward Gaming.

At the heart of the panel’s discussion was the growing influence of technology on customer loyalty.

Edmunds has a unique perspective on the advances in printing and couponing, and he believes that their technology still has a huge role to play.

“Our research shows that patrons read 100 per cent of the coupons issued from the slot machine at which they are playing,” he said. “This makes machine printouts an invaluable method of conveying messages to a customer. What’s more, new technology allows for personalised messages.”

Edmunds challenged marketing executives to, “customise rewards, promotions and incentives for individual players, based on their play behaviour and transactions at the slot machine”.

The content of these personalised coupons, according to Edmunds, could be anything from instant loyalty rewards to an incentive to join the player’s club. Even basic prizes, such as free credits for breaching a wagering threshold, can be tailored around a specific patron.

The seamless movement of players between online and bricks-and-mortar was one of the key themes of the debate, and the panel was keen to emphasise ways in which technology can facilitate the kind of smooth transition that benefits both industries.

In the digital age, printing might seem like an archaic form of communication. However, rather than competing with internet gaming, Edmunds suggested that the technology offered could lead to further integration between the two spheres. Customers could be rewarded with QR codes that are redeemable online. Any kind of information could conceivably be programmed into one of these codes, opening up a huge breadth of possibilities.

The rapid and tactile response of printing is already attractive to the customer, but the crux of Edmunds’ point at G2E was that modern technology now enables those coupons to deliver marketing content that responds immediately to the patron’s actions.

“Behavioural-based marketing enables casinos to customise the player experience to individual preferences,” he said. “This makes new and anonymous player feel like VIPs - leading to a step change in customer loyalty.”

he Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) has proven to be one of the most progressive economic tools for many tribes, particularly in California, changing the face of gaming in the US. “It’s the one federal Indian policy - amidst a host of failed policies that the federal government has tried to implement over the years that has truly helped promote and strengthen economic development and self-determination among tribal governments,” said Robert Smith, chairman of the California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA).

“While the policy has its limitations, IGRA allows America to live up to its promise to American Indians and fulfills the visions of Presidents Obama and Reagan, respectively, to ‘honour treaties and recognise tribes’ inherent sovereignty and right to self-government under US law’ and to restore tribal governments to their rightful place among the governments of this nation and to enable tribal governments, along with state and local governments to resume control over their affairs.”

While Indian nations have always had the right as sovereign governments to exercise governmental authority over its lands and people, including gaming, IGRA served as a compromise to allow states some regulatory control.

“Before IGRA was enacted, many tribes were not treated equally in many policy arenas or even con-

26 | casinoreview November 2013

California Tribal Business Alliance said that despite limitations, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act has helped promote and strengthen economic development and selfdetermination among tribal governments.

T

sulted on federal policies that would impact them,” said Leslie Lohse, vicechair of CTBA and tribal council treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians of California since 1998. “Although it has not benefited all tribes to the same degree, it has allowed tribes to escape poverty and despair and gain footing on such policy discussions.”

As part of the compromise, IGRA established three classes of games with different regulatory rules for each. Class I gaming includes traditional Indian gaming or social gaming for minimal prizes and is not subject to government oversight. Class II gaming includes “player banked” card games and bingo and allows tribes to retain authority as long as the state in which the Tribe is located permits such gaming. Class III gaming, which is restricted, includes highstakes casino-style gambling, including slot machines, blackjack, craps and roulette, as well as electronic games.

“Self-determination is critical, and in order for tribes to protect their inherent rights and prevent their economic development ventures from being trampled on, embracing IGRA is imperative to the preservation of Indian sovereignty and self-reliance for current and future generations,” said Cita Welch, treasurer of CTBA and vice chair of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians.

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Review

G2E 2013

G2E 2013: THE KEY PLAYERS AND PRODUCTS TO EMERGE FROM THIS YEAR’S LAS VEGAS EXTRAVAGANZA. ICR REVIEWS THE LEADING COMPANIES ON THE SANDS SHOWFLOOR .

BALLY TECHNOLOGIES

Connecting the gaming world

V US gaming group Bally Technologies continues to acquire highprofile licences in an effort to help operators bolster their top line. At G2E Las Vegas this year, the company presented a range of new branded slots, including Titanic, David Copperfield, ZZ Top and Grease, in addition to its extensive systems catalogue.

isitors to Bally Technologies’ booth at G2E 2013 saw firsthand how the company connects the gaming world through cross-platform solutions that give operators a single view of their player in the casino, both on the go and at home.

In Bally’s expansive 15,300sq.ft exhibit, casino operators learned how Bally connects players through floor-wide systems-based promotions and tournaments, and saw new world-class licensed branded games Titanic, The Magic of David Copperfield and ZZ Top Live from Texas that make a connection with players.

Bally’s Titanic video slots deliver a fully interactive and cinematic experience centred on the iconic starcrossed lovers from James Cameron’s Titanic - one of the highest-grossing films in history. Featuring scenes from the film and music from the blockbuster phenomenon, Titanic integrates many of Bally’s proven play mechanics, three mystery features, and a wide-area progressive top award. The main attraction U-Spin Bonus Wheel, resembling a ship’s helm, awards credits as well as one guaranteed feature Heart of the Ocean Free Games, Make It Count Free Games, or The Safe Bonus.

The world’s greatest illusionist delivers an extraordinary experience in The Magic of David Copperfield video slots, featuring Mystery Wild Reels, Magic Mystery Wilds and a wide-area progressive top award.

Magical bonuses are unleashed through the ‘Death Saw’, which awards credits, the progressive jackpot, Flying Free Games, or Levitation Free Games showing incredible video of illusions from Copperfield’s legendary performances.

28 | casinoreview November 2013

In ZZ Top Live from Texas, meanwhile, classic rock meets modern slot play as the famous American blues-rock trio delivers a host of bonuses, play mechanics, and progressives. The game awards Just Got Paid mystery credit prizes or wheel spins to win credits or one of three free-games bonuses Live from Texas, Sharp Dressed Man, or Cheap Sunglasses. Three any-bet progressives add to the excitement. ZZ Top Live from Texas headlines some of the band’s greatest hits, including Sharp Dressed Man, Cheap Sunglasses, Just Got Paid, Legs, and Gimme All Your Lovin’ as well as loads of concert footage that will keep players rockin’.

Rizzo, Frenchy, Marty, and Jan deliver the power of ‘pink’ in Grease Pink Ladies. The new product features three bonus experiences, random wilds, multipliers and a gigantic top award. Players experience the Pink Rules, Hand Jive Kisses, and Frenchy Heartbreaker bonuses, complete with clips and music from the 1978 film. “[We] continue to see the results of our commitment to R&D across games products, systems and interactive technology,” said Bally Technologies’ president and chief executive officer Ramesh Srinivasan. “In the past four years Bally has earned more than 60 awards for innovation. We believe our new brands, platforms, and ability to provide a single view of the player will continue that trend.”

Also at G2E, Bally was demonstrating new and proven platforms that connect exciting gameplay with new play mechanics.

The group’s game portfolio for the Pro Series cabinets

again expands as the company unveiled a host of new games featuring engaging play mechanics, clever themes and animated graphics that deliver an exceptional play experience. More than 260 of these games and more than 10 new play mechanics were revealed at G2E for the global Class 3, Class 2, central determination, lottery, and video-lottery markets.

On the systems side, Bally showcases a variety of its advanced systems solutions that not only increase revenue operating efficiencies and drive floorwide excitement, but connect players to rewards and promotions through multiple channels - land based, mobile, and online.

A highlight was the Bally Enterprise Progressive System (BEPS), enabling casinos to manage and audit their progressives from one central location.

Secure, robust, and easy to use - BEPS is perfect for replacing or consolidating existing progressive system and controller offerings into one powerful system.

Adding excitement and activity to Bally’s Systems exhibit at the Las Vegas expo was the award-winning Elite Bonusing Suite, including Virtual Racing, Virtual Racing NASCAR, and DM Tournaments, which have powered five world recordsetting events.

At this year’s show, Bally unveiled a new addition to its EBS portfolio - Bonus Tournaments. This pioneering DM Tournaments feature enables casinos to run floor-wide tournaments in which both the base game and the tournament game can be played at the same time, ensuring that there is no interruption in playerwagering activity.

Laura Olson-Reyes, senior director of marketing and corporate communications for Bally

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BALLY TECHNOLOGIES / KONAMI GAMING / MERKURYXYXYXY GAMING

G2E HIGHLIGHTS: BALLY TITANIC | MAGIC OF DAVID COPPERFIELD KONAMI PODIUM MONUMENT | TITAN 360 MERKUR SLANT TOP CABINET | MERKUR CASH DISPENSER KONAMI GAMING

MERKUR GAMING

Konami presented a robust catalogue of diverse, imaginative new products at this year’s G2E Las Vegas, including the Podium Monument, Rapid Revolver, Titan 360, and SeleXion cabinets.

Konami’s Matt Reback

G

Konami Gaming embraces ‘born from fun’ principles t G2E this year, Konami Gaming was focused on showing the industry that it is a company ‘born from fun’, and built to perform.

Visitors to the Konami booth experienced a wide range of innovative, new products that demonstrated the Konami principle: games that are fun to play, perform, and games that perform are fun for operators to have on their floors.

“G2E 2013 was our first year with our new booth design, and people responded very well from a concept perspective,” said Matt Reback vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas-based company. “Our catalogue is deeper than it has been for many years - we have more games than and new innovations than ever before. Traffic-wise, the show floor was extremely busy.”

One key centrepiece to the Konami stand was the Titan 360, which debuted at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City over the summer. This limited edition, special release product was designed and released to highlight Konami’s ability to leverage its robust amusement and arcade heritage. The gigantic multi-station gaming experience drew the atten-

A

Merkur turns up the heat

tion of show attendees and was described by many visitors to the booth as one of the most impressive new products at the show this year Konami’s booth also featured the Podium Monument, which is the latest member of the Podium family. This new cabinet has a standard Podium base but is enhanced with an oversized top box complete with a vertically mounted 32-inch monitor and internally lit bezel for greater attraction and entertainment.

“The Podium Monument will be available with the full library of KP3 titles as well as an all new four-level progressive, Quick Strike Quad,” Reback said. “We will also offer exclusive Podium Monument themes like Snow Stars and new Rock Around The Clock themes which capitalise on the tall vertical top box to deliver eye-popping entertainment.”

According to Reback, the Rapid Revolver attracted a great deal of attention at the show. In this new cabinet, Konami presents two distinct styles of gaming concepts fused into one cabinet.

The Rapid Revolver boasts a combination of a video reel primary game experience with six spinning reels, stacked and vertically-

mounted in an oversized top box and surrounded by synchronised high-impact sound and lighting.

“The combination of innovative spinning reels in the top box and powerful 3D graphics in the base game were designed to stand out on a casino floor and grab the attention of casino guests,” he said.

The SeleXion multigame cabinet instantaneously switches between games and/or denominations.

SeleXion includes a dynamic button panel and scrolling, multigame attract mode designed to alert customers to the special functions available. Each SeleXion cabinet can feature up to 10 games with three denominations per game.

“The Gigantic Wheel of Winning mystery progressive product is so big, we needed a cabinet the size of the Podium Goliath to fit this exciting game,” said Reback.

“When the mystery event is triggered, players spin the Gigantic Wheel and are awarded the corresponding prize for where the wheel stops. Featuring a two-level standalone progressive, this mystery bonus game is compatible with most KP3 titles and includes an operator configurable ‘double-up feature’ where the player has a

true 50/50 chance at doubling their winnings.”

On the systems side, Synkros True-Time Tournaments was recently recognised as one of the year’s most innovative systems products based on its ability to offer operators player ondemand tournaments via Konami’s proprietary True-Time Windowing technology.

“Operators appreciate the power offered by a system-delivered bonusing tournament that awards entries to players who demonstrate any of the unlimited desired behaviours, including property visits, earning points, celebrating a birthday at the property, or signing up for a new card,” Reback noted.

This year, Konami also unveiled a new synchronised start version of our True-Time Tournament product, called SynkStart.

This enhancement will provide additional flexibility for casino operators who appreciate the value offered by group start player invite slot tournaments.

“Synkros has seen some high-profile deals and there are some other in the works,” said Reback. “Overall, G2E was a really, really great show.”

auselmann Group affiliate Merkur Gaming demonstrated a spectacular range of new innovations for players and operators alike on an impressive and spacious stand that was in excess of 600sq.m at G2E Las Vegas this year.

Among its new products was Merkur’s new slant-top cabinet. Filled with state-ofthe-art technology and boasting new features and a sleek ergonomic design, the new slant-top represents the future of gaming cabinets.

With over a decade of experience as an operator of VLTs worldwide, Merkur is well placed to innovate with its new management tool for the VLT market. The new VLT tool has been developed for optimum efficiency and robustness in daily management, but it is also scalable and adaptable, thereby fulfilling the needs of a growing operation.

Alongside the new slant-top and VLT management system, Merkur showcased other leading cabinet models, a range of new games and the wellregarded and reliable Merkur Cash Dispenser.

Additionally, online game platform specialists Edict presented a number of online gaming solutions.

Thomas Niehenke, Gauselmann Group chief operating officer, at G2E 2013

November 2013 casinoreview

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Review

GTECH / NOVOMATIC GROUP OF COMPANIES

G2E 2013

G2E Las Vegas 2013

G2E HIGHLIGHTS: GTECH SPHINX 3D | AXISS CABINET NOVOMATIC DOMINATOR CABINET | NOVOSTAR SL | SUPER V+ GAMINATOR

NOVOMATIC GROUP OF COMPANIES

GTECH

GTech: digging deep in the field of innovation

Novomatic impresses at G2E Vegas The expansive offerings of the Novomatic Group took pride of place in this year’s expanded G2E show in Las Vegas. ringing in international subsidiaries from across the globe, Novomatic gathered together a wide array of products to display to potential customers at this year’s G2E Las Vegas. Teams from Novomatic Americas and Austrian Gaming Industries (AGI) were a major contributor to the event.

For the first time in a number of years, G2E experienced a large growth in floor space, reflecting an increased sense of optimism within the gaming industry.

“This year’s G2E in Las Vegas was notable for its very positive atmosphere from both exhibitors and show visitors,” noted Jens Halle, managing director of AGI and CEO of Novomatic Americas. The company was keen to capitalise on that renewed buoyancy, bringing with them cabinets, signage and online products.

Chief among the gaming hardware on show was the new Dominator cabinet.

Displaying it for the first time in the US, Novomatic demonstrated its ability to run a number of single or multi-game configurations from the server-based Novo Line Interactive platform.

Each of the machines on show had been hooked up to the Amazeland Community Jackpot and mystery

B

progressive Magic Joker Jackpot.

The display demonstrated how Novomatic can deploy almost an entire gaming ecosystem from its own production line. Showing even more breadth were the Octavian ACP online casino management system and Admiral’s Absolute Vision video content delivery manager.

The Novostar SL, Novo Super Vision, and Super-V+ Gaminator III were also on display at the company’s booth in Las Vegas. The trio of classic machines featured multi-games from the SuperV+ Gaminator and Premium-V+ Gaminator mixes and single games from the Coolfire II platform. Booth visitors were able to test titles such as Marilyn Jackpot, Ancient Wilds, Ancient Treasures and Ancient Giants. The Novomatic booth also featured a phalanx of Super-V+ Gaminator US-multigame mixes alongside the Novomatic Reel Tournament.

The group showcased a number of multiplayer games on show as part of the Novo Line Novo Unity II multiplayer arena. Using Novostarand Novo-Bar terminals, visitors could play games such as Novo MultiRoulette, which features an automated roulette wheel at

30 | casinoreview November 2013

the centre of the arena.

Further multiplayer products included fully animated versions of Baccarat, Black Jack, Texas Hold’Em Poker and many more. Players were able to choose any one these games from their own dedicated terminal. This theme of player freedom was further emphasised by the Novomatic Remote Play system, which allows a wide range of floor games to be accessed from secure tablets placed anywhere on a casino property. The system is designed to work in places like restaurants, smoking areas, and bars where the presence of large machines is not feasible.

One of Novomatic’s most famous creations is Pinball Roulette, and both the singlezero and double-zero versions were on display at G2E. The machine combines traditional roulette with a pinball launching mechanism.

Halle said: “It was pleasing to see the number of visitors, from Asia, Europe, Latin America and all across the US itself that we received, and I was very pleased with the universally positive reactions that were shown. All of the various Novomatic teams at G2E worked very hard and were delighted by the warm reception that visitors gave our product range.”

GTech unveiled a range of new innovations at G2E 2013, including the Sphinx 3D game, a new poker platform and mobile solutions, along will a full library of mobile games targeted at North American players.

G

Tech, with its gaming product brand, Spielo, brought gaming to life at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas from September 24-26.

The highlight of the company’s booth was the launch of Sphinx 3D, a thrilling Egyptian adventure featuring glasses-free True 3D on the brand new Axxis cabinet. Indeed, the colour-fidelity, brightness, and 3D depth were a focal point of attention.

Sphinx 3D is the first title in GTech’s new True 3D product line, which uses a glassesfree 3D display designed exclusively for GTech for the gaming industry by SeeFront.

It uses a unique, patented autostereoscopic technology with integrated eye-tracking to make images jump off the screen or stretch into infinity in high resolution.

Without wearing special or additional glasses, players can explore the on-screen vistas, change viewing angles without disrupting the 3D experience, and be amazed by wilds stacked on the z-axis that seem to rotate toward and jump out at them.

A five-reel, 30-line game, Sphinx 3D features an action-packed base game and a total of seven bonuses: two in the base game and five dedicated bonuses that players can select as part of the Sphinx Bonus selection.

The wow factor isn’t limited to the industry-unique 3D experience. The new AXXIS cabinet is designed to create a sense of personal space, maximise player comfort, and immerse the player in the game with a stateof-the-art multimedia chair including rumble, surround-sound, and sliding mechanism for easy entry and adjustable player seating position for ultimate comfort.

Sphinx 3D is only the first product to be launched out of a full complement of cabinets, games, systems, and software, including products for both land-based and iGaming operations.

Back in June of this year, Spielo International’s parent company, Lottomatica Group, changed its name to GTech. As part of this change, the company’s formerly sep-

Sylvia Dietz, senior director of global marketing for GTech, showcases the innovative Sphinx 3D slot

arate business units, including Spielo International, are being brought together under the GTech corporate brand name to become a unified, customer-facing structure.

Also at G2E, GTech revealed its new Poker Platform, along with its Mobile Poker for iPad tablets, featuring ergonomic thumb-based game play. This new playing experience is offered on GTech’s newly launched Interactive Platform.

The new Poker Platform has been completely re-designed and rewritten to include additional features, with further releases scheduled over the coming months. It is scalable and flexible, giving customers the ability to tailor it to their specific needs and player base. The new platform has all the features of a modern and robust poker platform, and it has been designed to address the changing dynamics of online poker.

Special emphasis has been placed on preparing the platform for multiple channels and networks. It is accessible through mobile browsers and through the Apple Store, and is iOS7 and iOS6 compatible.

GTech also showcased its complete portfolio of mobile games for players on the go, including Las Vegas-style casino games, bingo, sports betting, lottery, and poker. In response to the ever-growing importance of mobile specifically in North America, the group has prioritised the development of top-performing games for mobile devices, including player favourites from the popular Spielo casino games library.

“GTech’s new thumb-based tablet features and rebuilt Poker Platform provide tangible proof of the company’s commitment to making all of our games available for mobile,” said GTech senior vice president of iGaming, Matteo Monteverdi. “We arguably have the widest in-house-built mobile portfolio in the gaming space, with an offering that includes casino, bingo, poker, sports betting, and lottery, with the technology to drive them all from a single player account management system.”

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Review

FUTURELOGIC / IGT

G2E 2013

G2E Las Vegas 2013

G2E HIGHLIGHTS: FUTURELOGIC GEN 3 EVOLUTION PRINTER | PROMONET IGT AVATAR VIDEO SLOT | WHEEL OF FORTUNE

IGT

Avatar video slots lead the way IGT soared into G2E 2013 with its bold new brand, James Cameron’s Avatar video slots, and a whole host of new innovations.

GT’s bold new brand identity was impossible to miss at G2E 2013, and the innovative backbone that has driven the Las Vegas-based company’s success to date was stronger than ever at the Sands Expo show.

IGT lifted the curtain to reveal a host of new MegaJackpots titles, top-performing core games, industry-first products and captivating new content.

Taking centre stage on the company’s booth was the launch of two new IGT MegaJackpots titles: James Cameron’s Avatar Video Slots and James Cameron’s

hardware, a new lighting package for our SAVP threereel game and video Wheel of Fortune games. Each of these hits a different customer segment and really builds on the trust that IGT has developed with our players and creating engaging gaming experiences.”

Change was the name of the game at IGT’s G2E booth, as the group launched Tournament Manager 3.0 and thrilling new titles in the ultra-configurable Game Changer series.

Tournament Manager 3.0 is IGT’s first gaming technology that allows operators to facilitate automated video poker tournaments any time on any IGT AVP terminal.

Video Slots is housed on numerous additions had been Until now, IGT’s successful IGT's new 42-inch vertical, added to the company’s port- Tournament Manager tech3D, touch-screen Crystal- folio in time for G2E this year. nology could only be utilised Core cabinet.

“Wheel of Fortune is one to administer traditional slot Boris Hallerbach, senior of our bedrock products that machine tournaments. manager of MegaJackpots players love,” he told InternaWith Tournament Manproduct management for IGT, tional Casino Review. “We ager 3.0 operators can run said Wheel of Fortune have three different con- more efficient and exciting remains one of IGT’s hottest cepts joining our MegaJack- tournaments, increase game properties, and noted that pots platform: triple-reel uptime, reduce costs, Boris Hallerbach, senior manager of MegaJackpots product management for IGT, demonstrates the group’s new Avatar video slots series

I

Avatar - Treasure of Pandora.

Inspired by the highestgrossing movie of all time, both titles seek to redefine the player experience with never-before-seen technology, stunning visuals, mindblowing bonus content and thrilling new math.

Treasures of Pandora

increase value, and enhance player experiences. With real-time, customisable leaderboards the thrill of competition can now be felt on every corner of the casino floor.

IGT launched three new, dynamic titles in the Game Changer category including: Card Up! Dragon and Phoenix, SanXing and Seaside Park. Already a hit in casinos around the globe, these fresh new titles allow operators to add an eyecatching, mystery progressive MegaJackpots title to any IGT core game.

These hot-off-thefactory floor titles afford operators added optimisation flexibility and potential for profitability and offer players a top quality gaming experience. With a vast variety of player-favourite base games to choose from, each mystery progressive title allows operators to create a gaming experience that is best suited for their customer base.

FUTURELOGIC

FutureLogic celebrates 30 years of innovation at G2E

F

Innovation remains a key watchword for FutureLogic, as the company celebrates 30 years of trading in 2013.

utureLogic, the California-based developer of innovative ticket printing and couponing solutions, celebrated 30 years in business at this year’s G2E. Founded in 1983, FutureLogic has established a leadership position in ticket in, ticket out (TITO) printing and couponing solutions through technological innovation and outstanding customer service.

Following in the footsteps of the PSA-66ST, Gen2, and Gen2 Universal, the Gen3 Evolution printer is the latest generation of thermal ticket and promotional couponing printer from FutureLogic.

Featuring the industry’s largest standard paper capacity of 450 tickets, a low paper sensor that eliminates paper waste by taking the ticket stack down to the last ticket, and at up to 8IPS, the Gen3 Evolution printer is the fastest printer in gaming, printing and presenting a ticket/coupon in less than one second.

Moreover, operators can easily update firmware in a flash, by simply connecting a preloaded thumb drive to a printer while it’s still in the

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slot machine, yielding a significantly reduced down time for each and every slot machine on the casino floor. Designed with promotional couponing in mind, the Gen3 Evolution printer offers an optional on-board promotional system module that creates separate and secure processing environments for both TITO and promotional couponing.

This optional module also makes precision grayscale printing a possibility through an advance temperature control technology, yielding the highest resolution output for printing eyecatching promotional coupons.

Promotional couponing is the casino marketing technology of tomorrow - and, as the marketing material says, FutureLogic’s PromoNet couponing solution offers casino operators the answer today. The PromoNet solution’s unique features allow casinos to identify and reward high value players instantly, right at the game without any delays. The PromoNet solution also enables casinos to create, analyse, and modify highly customised promotions for optimum effectiveness and to conduct business analytics and generate reports - all of which helps casinos improve their bottom line.

“At FutureLogic we strive to put customers first in all that we do,” said John Edmunds, chief marketing officer (pictured here with the company’s Anette Jauch). This means direct global sales and support coupled with in-depth local knowledge.”

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SHFL ENTERTAINMENT / STYLGAME

G2E 2013

G2E Las Vegas 2013

G2E HIGHLIGHTS: SHFL ENTERTAINMENT DOUBLE DRAW POKER | COMMISSION FREE DRAGON BONUS BACCARAT STYLGAME ROYAL STOOL | POKER DIVISION TABLE LINE SHFL ENTERTAINMENT

The only way to play SHFL Entertainment showcased a wide variety of its awardwinning games and products, along with innovative new offerings at the 2013 Global Gaming Expo. oasting another successful G2E Las Vegas, SHFL Entertainment featured products from all five of its categories - proprietary table games, utility products, slot machines, e-Tables, and iGaming.

The company debuted its most robust line-up of proprietary table games at G2E this year, showcasing 10 dynamic new titles. Double Draw Poker, a poker variant, was a must-see at the show. The player starts by making equal ante and bonus bets before receiving their cards. They may then either fold or make a “draw” bet equal to the ante amount; if the latter, the player may discard up to three cards and will receive an equal amount of replacement cards in return. At this point, the player may fold or make a second “draw” bet for an amount equal to the ante and choose to discard zero or one card, and receive the same in return. A two pair or better will pay even money on the ante and “draw” bets; the bonus bet pays according to a pay table.

Also debuting at this year’s show was Commission Free Dragon Bonus Baccarat, which is played identically to the standard game of baccarat, with the added twist that the banker bets push if the banker hand wins with a three-card total of seven, while winning banker bets are not charged commission.

SHFL also unveiled its first-ever side bet for roulette in Las Vegas.

The Back 2 Back bonus bet lets players win up to 1,000 to 1 on a single spin of the wheel. Players make an optional wager that the previous number will repeat; if it does, the player wins a random prize of 10x, 50x or even 1,000x their bet.

Working in conjunction with SHFL’s Nexus Command progressive hardware, meanwhile, SHFL’s network-based Game Manager 2 progressive management software

Deron Hunsberger, senior vice president of sales for SHFL in the Americas

STYLGAME

In comfort and style

T

S

for table games made a return to G2E this year. This software enables multi-level jackpots and fully configurable multiple reserve pools, allowing players to compete for multiple real-time incrementing meters with just one wager.

Another innovative element in the company’s progressive table game technology is the new Infinilink progressive system, which offers a new way to link a progressive jackpot among many different games. Games featuring the Infinilink progressive play the same as they always have, except, when the progressive wager is made, it qualifies for normal and Infinilink payouts, and a portion of that wager is credited to the Infinilink meter.

In SHFL’s utility segment, an exciting new card shuffler concept utilising state-of-the-art technology was also unveiled at the show.

Under wraps until G2E, the goal of this new innovation is to provide casino operators with greater flexibility on underutilised tables.

The cutting-edge DeckMate 2 poker room shuffler was also a highlighted utility product at G2E, offering a myriad of exciting features, including a shuffle time of 22

34 | casinoreview November 2013

seconds, an innovative new shuffling method, an on-board timer, and a remote touchscreen display.

SHFL featured over 20 slot titles at G2E this year, further showcasing its diverse portfolio of exciting titles, compelling bonus features, and multiple denominations.

SHFL’s rich portfolio of regionalised slot content underscores the company’s success in growing its international footprint.

The company’s smash hit, the Duo Fu Duo Cai progressive jackpot link, return to this year’s Las Vegas show with proven performers 88 Fortunes and 5 Treasures.

These titles feature SHFL’s exclusive All Up design, which offers players higher rewards for higher bets using gold symbols.

In addition, the company's newest e-Table innovation, TableMaster Fusion, made its US tradeshow debut at G2E this year.

Featuring a high-definition 72-inch LCD display with attractive virtual dealers, 22-inch widescreen player terminals with touchscreen betting, enhanced graphics, and multiple blackjack side bets, TableMaster Fusion is a significant overhaul to its long-standing, successful predecessor.

tylGame, the Spilimbergo, Italy-based manufacturer of the Royal Stool line of casino seating, brought together its domestic and US divisions for this year’s G2E Las Vegas show, as it showcased a wide range of new innovations.

Group CEO Luigi Iulita and DeAnna Franklin, managing director of sales and development (pictured), were both on hand to demonstrate the benefits of StylGame’s ergonomic ‘Play in Comfort’ seating system, which is available in two versions: Basic and Top. The revolutionary patented system significantly contributes in increasing dwell time on device and coin-in for Slots, considerably improving the comfort for the player and allowing them to fully enjoy the playing experience.

Play in Comfort Basic allows operators to regulate the seat’s height, optimising it based on the playing panel’s position thanks to the exclusive patented Royal Stool RH mechanism.

Play in Comfort Top consists of a slot base for slot machines, combined with a chair from the Royal Stool line of products according to the ideal ergonomic configuration elaborated by StylGame.

The slot base can be fixed or adjustable in height, and its particular feature is the large ergonomic leg space.

Another unique characteristic of the Play in Comfort Top system is the ease in the movement of the slot

machine that does not require it to be lifted. The machine can be slid in or out of the base support by simply using an automated/ mechanical cart.

The innovative Tower Shift sliding machine hook, meanwhile, is ideal for slant tops and special slot machines. Tower Shift helps to achieve the ideal ergonomic configuration by letting the players easily move towards or away from the slot machine to optimise their playing position.

Any seat model from the Royal Stool line of products can be placed on the Tower Shift or Tower Shift Plus frames based on customers’ specific requests.

The seat can be further optimised with the exclusive swivel and height regulating mechanism RH360r.

StylGame is also dedicated to project designing and manufacturing highly technological interactive seats that are customisable in their design and use of materials, based on customers’ requirements.

At G2E 2013, two models were presented. The first seat gives a massage thanks to an air-controlled system that progressively relaxes muscles and has a loud speaker audio system incorporated. The second allows movement and inclination for the seat that can be oriented in all directions, with a very compact motorised system, incorporated in the seat itself, making it an alternative to the traditional motorising systems.

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PATIR DESIGN / TCS JOHN HUXLEY

G2E 2013

G2E Las Vegas 2013

G2E HIGHLIGHTS: PATIR COBRA GAMINATOR CHAIR TCS JOHN HUXLEY XIA PLATFORM | SUPERNOVA PROGRESSIVE | GAMING FLOOR LIVE TCS JOHN HUXLEY Todd Cravens, CEO for the Americas, and Cath Burns, group CEO for TCS John Huxley

TCS John Huxley: committed to growth With an emphasis on leading edge technology, TCS John Huxley’s new product range underpins the company’s commitment to business partnerships, innovation and growth.

CS John Huxley, the world-leading manufacturer and supplier of gaming equipment and table game technology, showcased its latest product portfolio at G2E. Having spent the past 12 months investing in infrastructure, products and people, the company is now delivering the first stage of its strategic plan.

“2012 was a significant year for us,” said group CEO, Cath Burns. “We’ve positioned for growth, we’ve listened to our customers and we’ve invested in our infrastructure, our products and our people.

This puts us in a good position as a company for growth.”

TCS John Huxley continues to invest in innovation and people. Todd Cravens was appointed CEO for the Americas to drive the busi-

T

ness forward. Jared Mayberry has been appointed lead director of product and development, based in Macau, to further strengthen business partnerships and drive innovation. This continued focus on Asia-Pacific and its extraordinary growth has resulted in an expansion to the teams there.

“We have created teams that are driving research and development. This new talent integrating with our existing team is powering and focusing our product direction going forward,” said Burns. “We are listening to our customers and developing products and services for the expanding Asian market. This innovation also brings benefits to the wider global market.”

The result of this is our new innovation platform Xia, which will deliver the

following applications: Supernova Progressive, floor wide bonusing; Gaming Floor Live, real-time optimisation tools; e-FX Displays, messaging communications system; and a wide range of generic and proprietary games. This core platform provides operators with the infrastructure for a full suite of live gaming systems and servicing solutions. The first roll-out of the new Xia platform is taking placing in Macau consisting of a significant Gaming Floor Live installation.

The Supernova Progressive platform, launched fully in the US for G2E 2013 has also seen success this year. Over 50 tables have been rolled out in South Africa alone. Offering a floor wide progressive and game bonusing system for use on all live table games,

the advanced jackpot engine provides unique features and options allowing total flexibility and operator control.

“All of the properties where we’ve installed the system have reported significant increase in play, with one casino reporting an additional 10,000 side bets wagered over a weekend,” said Cravens. “There is no doubt Supernova is attracting players, creating great

excitement and increasing revenues. We expect the same success in the US.” TCS John Huxley see its newest innovations - Gaming Floor Live, Supernova Progressive and the Xia Platform - provide the company with the foundations to grow. “With one common platform, we are developing compelling applications that provide effective efficiency solutions and drive customers’ revenues,” said

Cravens. “Our focus is our customers, our products and our people. We already have strong relationships with many of our customers, but we are actively building these partnerships and constantly evolving to meet their business requirements to increase their bottom line. We’re committed to delivering innovative products and extraordinary service and we work on this every day.”

PATIR DESIGN

Patir delivers Cobra Gaminator chair to market

T

he casino seating experts at Patir Design demonstrated the company’s versatile range of seating for casino and leisure environments at G2E 2013.

Patir has been exhibiting at G2E since 2006, and this year showcased its Cobra Gaminator chair in the US for the first time.

“We launched the chair at ICE earlier this year,” said export manager, Suleyman Yilmaz. “We are a key supplier to the group.”

The Cobra Gaminator chair is fully com-

36 | casinoreview November 2013

patible with Austrian Gaming Industries’ Gaminator cabinets. The sliding chair ensures players of all sizes can enjoy full comfort, while it also includes integrated surround sound-style speakers.

According to Yilmaz, G2E remains the ideal show for meeting clients not only from the US, but also Europe and South America. “Decision makers from around the world visit the show,” he said.

Patir is currently planning another large stand at ICE 2014.

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GAMING PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL / GAMING SUPPORT / UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA

G2E 2013

G2E Las Vegas 2013

G2E HIGHLIGHTS: GPI PAULSON CHIPS | J3 JETON GAMING SUPPORT BONUSBOX | IPAD APP UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA GAMING CERTIFIED COURSE PROGRAMMES

GAMING PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL

UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA

UNR promotes gaming courses at G2E Casino currency and table games giant GPI showcased a variety of new products at G2E 2013 with automation a key focus. ith a stack of new products to unveil, Gaming Partners International Corporation (GPI) joined the crowds at G2E 2013 to display its latest innovations in casino currency.

GPI’s booth featured a selection of products focused on boosting the automation and security of chips, plaques and jetons.

Using new manufacturing techniques for the company’s Paulson brand of chips, GPI is now able to embed a valuation into the chip’s mould, making them easier for casino staff to sort and harder for counterfeiters to reproduce.

GPI also explained the expansion of the 4C-UV security features. Operators can now order 4C-UV products in small run orders without the

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GPI showcases newly expanded portfolio

need for a custom design.

The B&G range received an upgrade in the form of new materials for its plaques and jetons, alongside extended customisation options. GPI prominently featured the new J3 jeton from B&G, which includes the potential to include both RFID and EM detection inside the same chip.

“We have expanded our J3s by adding some new edge spot options, which give our operators more design choices,” said Maricela Maciel, director of global marketing for the Las Vegas-based group. “They can also have a larger decal, while EM detection provides an internal safeguard.”

Moving beyond currency, there were new gaming tables and cards on show. The Paulson Value Table is a lower cost version of the regular GPI

tables. Each table still permits a wide range of material options, but is designed to be affordable to operators with a lower budget.

GPI has also expanded their range of playing cards with its latest offering, the Paulson plastic cards, which also made an appearance at G2E. These are available in both standard and bridge size and join their existing collection of paper cards.

Advances in technology have made keeping track of inhouse currency possible at the table, and GPI is at the forefront of that revolution. The company’s booth at this year’s G2E featured a trio of new RFID products that allow operators to track their chips in real time.

The RFID Tray Inventory Module is an optional addition

to any of the company’s existing RFID chip trays. This new module automates areas of the table that would usually be operated manually and can process casino currency which includes RFID technology tracked by GPI’s Chip Inventory Module.

Similarly, the RFID Plaque Box keeps operators up to date with the movement of their high-value plaques from minute to minute. Visitors to the GPI booth were able to test the box’s ability to work in concert with the GPI RFID Dual Chip Tray, which was also available for demonstration. This new product removes the need for manual rack counts and can also be integrated with the Chip Inventory Module for complete tracking of all casino currency.

longside the many cabinet manufacturers and casino facility providers at this year’s G2E Las Vegas, the University of Nevada, Reno was one of the few educational institutions to occupy a booth and promote its range of courses for industry professionals.

To cater to the fast paced gaming industry, the university offers a wide variety of certified course programmes. Week-long seminars and management programmes are run on campus, while it is possible to opt for in-house contracts that facilitate learning in a corporate environment.

University of Nevada, Reno demonstrated the range of gaming courses on offer, including topics as diverse as the management of table games to social media and human resources. These are some of the classes available via online learning, which allow gaming professionals to complete them from any location.

The university was also on hand to talk about its suite of gaming management programmes. The week-long courses can be taken on set themes or customised to meet the needs of a specific group of students.

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GAMING SUPPORT

Full connectivity from Gaming Support

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aming Support was on hand to demonstrate the many ways the company can help gaming venue operators improve their floor performance at G2E 2013.

“This year we presented a range of new products,” said Don Baugh, CEO and general manager of the company’s US division (pictured, left, with director of

sales, Floris Slingenberg).

“It has been a big year for us and we have had great traffic to our booth.

“One of our main focuses of the show was our new iPad apps. All of our products - such as BonusBox - are going to be configurable by an iPad.” Baugh added: “The next product, we have is a new jackpot controller for progressive jackpots or

38 | casinoreview November 2013

mystery jackpots. It replaces a new existing unit that we had and comes in at a lower price point. By the end of the year we expect to have all the approvals for the US from GLI. We also have an iPad app for this controller. The idea is to make the process simpler. It’s easy to install, intuitive and has an easy-to-use interface.”

Technology that inspires

w w w. j c m g l o b a l . c om

For nearly 60 years, JCM Global has been creating leading and award-winning transaction technologies that have evolved entire industries and inspired businesses to be better, smarter and faster. Now, there is a new generation of technology from JCM to inspire you, including even more advanced bill validation, advanced printing capabilities, real-time controls for the entire operation, and digital displays unlike anything you’ve seen before. A world of inspiring technologies, all from one company.

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COPAQ / JCM GLOBAL / LT GAME

G2E 2013

G2E Las Vegas 2013

G2E HIGHLIGHTS: COPAQ PLASTIC PLAYING CARDS JCM GLOBAL IVIZION | DYNAMIC NETWORK APPLICATIONS LT GAME E-BACCARAT TABLE | LIVE MULTI-GAME SYSTEM

JCM GLOBAL

LT GAME

JCM: helping the casino industry to Evolve

LT Game unveils E-Baccarat table

JCM Global continues to push the envelope of innovation with its ever-expanding range of cash handling solutions and hi-tech applications. ransaction technologies supplier JCM Global continues to evolve the gaming industry with a range of diverse technologies that help casinos do business better, smarter and faster all around the casino floor. This year at G2E, in the company’s hometown of Las Vegas, JCM showcased a wide range of innovative products and solutions.

Already recognised as one of the leading bill validators in the industry’s history, iVizion has further evolved since its launch with a set of tools that empower casino operators to do much more, and in real time. iVizion’s bundled enhancement tools - called Dynamic Network Applications (DNA) - was recently named a Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Technology Product and empowers operators with real-time reports and alerts, and can enable regulators to instantly verify peripheral devices, software versions, view reports and more.

“When we first introduced

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iVizion a few shows ago, it was clear that it presented so many new possibilities due to the technology built into it,” Tom Nieman (pictured), vice president of global marketing for JCM, told International Casino Review. “We called iVizion a ‘foundation’, and DNA represents the fulfilment of building up that technology.

And now those applications can function to interface with the validator. This two-way communication enables operators to update the version software, it can update the algorithm and it can do things like get ready for the introduction of new banknotes.”

In the pit, meanwhile, JCM’s iV8 table game bill validator was developed specifically for the high-volume table game marketplace.

Unlike manual counting at the table, iV8 counts and validates currency at eight notes per second, and can instantly and dramatically increase the number of games played per hour.

Around the property, operators can evolve their market-

ing messages with the power and flexibility of JCM’s wide range of digital media options.

From ePosters to large format displays and a new tile display format that allows operators to configure custom display designs, JCM’s digital displays help operators communicate in a more compelling and dynamic media with customers throughout the entire operation.

The company’s Mobile Wage Wallet (MW2) also continues to evolve with new and even more powerful capabilities that allow customers to use their mobile phones as ewallets, carrying cash, player club cards and promotional offerings electronically in a secure, password-protected environment.

Also at G2E, JCM presented its Sentry 2 bezel that communicates in up to four languages; its award-winning PayCheck 4 and HSVL thermal printers; the ICB 2 intelligent cash box; BlueWave upload tool; and the iPRO and iPRORC, UBA, TBV and Vega and Vega-RC bill validators.

COPAQ

US drive on Copaq agenda

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opag has reported strong positive feedback to its line of playing cards at this year’s G2E. The Brazilian card manufacturer welcomed visitors to their booth from as far afield as Australia and Curacao, but the company’s focus was primarily on the thousands of attendees from the US. “We see that we have a stronger presence in the US market each year,” said Rafael Lisboa, international key account for Copag. “The company produces a range of 100 per cent plastic playing cards exclusively for the US market and is the official supplier to 12 live PokerStars events in the country.”

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T Games’ newly developed E-Baccarat table was on display at the company’s G2E booth this year.

E-Baccarat allows eight players to play baccarat on the table in the same time. As with conventional baccarat, the players can enjoy the excitement of flipping the cards and the atmosphere of playing on the tables, and the payout will be done by the system automatically.

With the E-baccarat table, the casino operator can minimise the human error of the dealer and also enhance the productivity of table game.

Macau-based LT Game said it strives to be one of the best providers of the products in the global gaming industry. The group’s Live Multi Game System has live dealers, supports multiple tables and has a terminal based multi-game selection system.

“Through the integration of the most advanced live multi game system, HD touchscreen for betting, massage sofa and a number of service functions, this gaming terminal was developed as a private and exclusive entertainment area, far beyond the traditional gaming machine or electronic betting terminals providing single entertainment feature,” the company said.

“This product can bring guests full range of luxury and independent entertainment.”

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www.patir.de info@patir.de

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ARISTOCRAT / CASINO TECHNOLOGY / EURO GAMES TECHNOLOGY

G2E 2013

G2E Las Vegas 2013

G2E HIGHLIGHTS: ARISTOCRAT BATMAN SLOT | WALKING DEAD SLOT CASINO TECHNOLOGY GAMOPOLIS HIGHWAY | PENTHOUSE SLOT EGT PREMIER CABINET | STORK MULTIPLAYER

EURO GAMES TECHNOLOGY

Live and virtual gaming shared the spotlight at the EGT booth during this year’s G2E. uro Games Technology (EGT) came to G2E with a twopronged approach this year, as the Bulgarian company focused on delivering results both live and online channels.

Visitors to the Las Vegas expo came from around the world and represented a broad range of gaming disciplines.

Over recent months, EGT has been synchronising its latest releases across both live and online platforms, and as such welcomed both bricks-and-mortar operators and online representa-

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Dual focus for EGT in Vegas tives to the company’s booth.

Taking pride of place in this strategy was a new addition to the Premier series of cabinets. The Premier P24/32Up is an ergonomically designed machine which can support 24-inch and 32-

inch monitors. Software development for this new hardware is still ongoing. It currently runs on the Exciter II platform, but EGT is still at work fine-tuning a new custom built jackpot system designed specifically for the P-24/32Up.

CASINO TECHNOLOGY

Casino Technology celebrate Gamopolis success at G2E

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t this year’s G2E, Casino Technology chose to focus on its most successful output from the past year, the Gamopolis Series.

The new Gamopolis Highway occupied centre stage, featuring over 150 games. The Casino Technology stand also housed the Gamopolis Multiskin, which adds extra player features and flexible options for operators.

Casino Technology also displayed a version of their Gamopolis system developed specifically for tablets.

Both the portable and server-based versions of the system were displayed using the Server Games Technology software.

From a business perspective, Casino Technology was focussed on

42 | casinoreview November 2013

Many companies at G2E were demonstrating new multiplayer products to the market, and EGT was no exception. Another new Premier machine, the Multi4 Multigame, supports a library of 45 separate games.

Among the selection were

some brand new keno and card titles, along with support for various mathematical models. The Multi-4 features virtual roulette, but it can also be hooked up to an automatic wheel on the casino floor so that players can physically place bets.

The Multi-4 Multigame runs on a customised P24/24 upright cabinet which now features a new adjustable OLED keyboard and Multimedia Topper.

Games are divided into categories to allow patrons to quickly filter through the 45 available titles.

Away from the Premier series, the EGT booth also featured a new design for the Stork multiplayer terminals. The Stork machines are designed with flexibility in mind so that they can be configured to suit each individual gaming floor. These new versions now support a four-sided 32-inch statistics display and allow for simultaneous play on up to three roulette wheels and various

blackjack games.

The second major portion of EGT’s booth was dedicated to their fledgling internet gaming output.

EGT Online Gaming debuted at the beginning of 2013 and has so far proved popular with customers.

The company is focusing on what they know, porting existing games online in a way that closely resembles the experience of playing in a live casino.

“The G2E 2013 hosted a great number of innovations and new tendencies, and EGT is proud to be among the companies who contributed to this,” said Silvia Mincheva (pictured), EGT’s PR and marketing manager.

As with many other companies searching for new customers at G2E this year, representatives from Latin America were highly sought after and EGT are continuing to court potential customers from South America and beyond.

ARISTOCRAT Casino Technology’s Nevena Aleksieva

Transforming the game New game, system and online offerings at G2E proved that Aristocrat continues to transform the casino industry landscape. ristocrat is marking 60 years of creating some of the world’s greatest gaming experiences, and at G2E 2013 the company introduced several game, system and online offerings.

New technology initiatives included gameplay mechanics, bonus rounds on classic games and the new ESeries (Entertainment Series) line of games. The company also introduced several immersive new games themes, which encompass new creative offerings that signal the beginning of a new era at Aristocrat.

The group showed more than 200 games at G2E. Some of the highlights included Batman, the classic TV series slot game powered by Wonder Wheels, and The Walking Dead slot game, based on season one of AMC’s hit TV series.

The new E-Series pre-

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opportunities a little further south. “We found this G2E edition very successful for our company in terms of establishing a lot of new contacts and closing very crucial deals with some of the biggest operators in Latin America,” said PR manager, Angela Alexandrova.

The company’s offering was bolstered by the addition of the Penthouse Slots and Wonders of the World suites, which added to the library of games already on show. Casino Technology hopes to pique the interest of a broader range of customers with these new titles.

Looking beyond G2E, the company is looking to establish itself in new markets. Chile, Colombia and Uruguay are areas which display a large amount of potential.

miered at G2E to very positive customer reviews, Aristocrat said. The E-Series features games created to appeal to players who enjoy a more entertainment-based experience, where lower volatility, bonus rounds and other features provide a different kind of entertaining gaming experience.

Aristocrat’s new E-Serlies delivers games customdesigned to be fun, visually alluring and perfect for this under-served market. To bring the series to fruition, the company hired the best designers in the business to partner with in developing this product. E-Series games feature highly stylised poker symbols and elegant artwork adorns all the reel symbols.

The E-Series comes to market on the back of the high-flying Sky Rider theme, and its two base titles, Golden

Amulet and Silver Treasures.

During G2E, Aristocrat’s nLive virtual casino solution was named winner of Gaming and Leisure’s Innovation Award. nLive is a custom B2B online gaming solution with online wagering, social gaming and managed services offerings.

Adam West, the iconic star of the original Batman television series, was promoting Aristocrat’s latest slot innovation

Octavian Online Systems Solution

The modular and highly tuneable casino management system ACP brings a great choice of functionalities for gaming operations of all sizes.

w w w. o c t a v i a n . c o m . a r www.octavian.com.ar

AUSTRIAN GAMING INDUSTRIES GMBH Wiener Strasse 158 2352 Gumpoldskirchen Austria Phone: +43 2252 606 870 443 Fax: +43 2252 607 001

OCTAVIAN DE ARGENTINA S.A. San José 83 Piso 3 C1076AAA Buenos Aires Argentina Phone: +54 11 4383 4131 Fax: +54 11 4383 4131

AGI GAMING COLOMBIA S.A.S. Autopista Norte N. 122 - 35 Lc 2 Edificio Mezco Colombia Phone: +57 1 2130 388 Fax: +57 1 2141 571

Please note that Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH (AGI) has acquired the Octavian companies listed above and certain assets and/or rights to offer ACP and other Octavian products. AGI and the companies mentioned above including their products are not related to Octavian International Ltd. (UK) which is under administration.

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ALFASTREET / GAMING LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL / WMS GAMING

G2E 2013

G2E Las Vegas 2013

G2E HIGHLIGHTS: ALFASTREET WOF GLI GLI SCALE | GLI CLOUD WMS GAMING BLADE | X-REELS | MONSTER PROGRESSIVES

WMS GAMING

ALFASTREET

Blade takes centre stage for WMS he WMS Gaming booth at G2E featured a range of innovative new products and systems, with the company placing strong focus on its Blade™ cabinet.

A new stepper version of the Blade cabinet introduces genuine mechanical reels into the existing cabinet, alongside a working pull handle, both of which provide the feel of a traditional slot machine.

The Blade stepper cabinet also features a simplified interface and streamlined mechanics, which provide players with a traditional gaming experience. The machine also runs on the CPUNXT™3 operating platform - the same system that supports the video Blade cabinet.

WMS announced at G2E that the Blade stepper cabinet would ship with three themes targeted at highdenomination floor space and three for low-denomination areas.

The company also added more than 45 new themes to the video Blade cabinet’s existing library of 14 games. Many of these themes feature exciting and innovative features developed by WMS, such as the X-Reels™ and Monster Progressives themes.

G2E visitors were able to

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test the new Colossal Reels™ games on the Blade cabinet’s high definition displays.

WMS was also debuting the Gold Fish™ 3 theme on the Blade cabinet, powered by the CPU-NXT3 platform. The Gold Fish 3 game is a further addition to the already popular Gold Fish series and now features a unique reel interface and bonus wheel.

The WMS booth featured a number of new Blade cabinet games targeted at specific international audiences as well. In

particular there were titles aimed at the burgeoning Asian market, including those that will use the Winning Fortune™ Local Area Progressive system.

With WMS introducing a variety of new games at a regular pace, many of their customers have opted for the Portfolio Performance Plan, which allows operators to refresh their floors with certain new titles as they are released, and which is designed to maintain the high performance powered by the Blade cabinet.

Eva Garcia Sanchez, international marketing communication specialist, and Julien Drouet, senior director of product management for WMS

From left to right: Alfastreet’s Monica Ladd, Albert Radman and Ana Zlender

Wheels in motion for Alfastreet

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his year’s G2E in Las Vegas was hailed as an opportunity for Alfastreet to present its newest products to clients and partners from all over the world.

“The direct feedback from the people that work with us and deal with our machines is the most important input we can get, and that helps us to determine the future development of our machines as well as measures the work we have done so far,” the company said.

The centrepiece of this year’s Alfastreet booth was the new WOF, which, according to the company, “gathered acclaim from everybody

and immediately boosted the demand from our clients worldwide”.

“Combined with our full range of gaming products, it set once again the standard for performance, reliability, high level of customisation possibilities, the unique, timeless design and quality that sets Alfastreet’s products apart from all competitors.”

This year the Slovenian company presented its products with an extended team of representatives. “It’s been a very busy week and we welcomed many friends and customers, that could experience what they already know about

ABBIATI CASINO EQUIPMENT

Abbiati celebrates a successful trip to Las Vegas bbiati Casino Equipment of Italy has reported a strong showing at this year’s G2E Las Vegas.

The company was particularly pleased to receive representatives from the Asian market, who may have been enticed by Abbiati’s specially targeted baccarat table. This new RFID product integrates with the Perfect Pay

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Table Network and is designed for modular application of additional equipment, such as shuffling machines and electronic displays.

Central American and US casinos representatives also visited the company’s booth to examine Abbiati’s extended range of products, which included the new Contemporary

44 | casinoreview November 2013

Wheel, which fires an invisible Class 1A laser across the roulette wheel.

The booth’s popularity was bolstered

by PokerTek, which Abbiati hosted during the show. The group were on hand to demonstrate how their server-based multiplayer games had been installed into a Blackjack table specially designed by their Italian partners.

Abbiati’s Reda Seiliute

our machines - uncompromising quality, maximum ergonomics and comfort for the player not to mention the refined styling, that will make the machine look great on casino floors anywhere in the world,” the company said in the wake of the Las Vegas expo.

“The show was very successful. We are pleased to see that the relations with our existing partners are solid and we are receiving requests for new cooperation on daily basis.

We also noticed that gaming is generally gathering momentum and there are new markets and new opportunities that are being explored.”

www.egt-bg.com

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News

ACQUISITION

The combination following Scientific Games’ acquisition of WMS creates a gaming company with the world, it seems, at its feet.

So how will the industry’s new dream team work?

Scientific Games completes acquisition of WMS

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cientific Games Corporation has completed the acquisition of WMS Industries, combining businesses offering lottery games, gaming machines and game content, systems, sports betting technology, and social, mobile and interactive content and services.

Lorne Weil, Scientific Games’ chairman and chief executive officer, commented: “The acquisition of WMS is transformational for Scientific Games as it creates a leading company in the gaming industry with innovative content, world-

class technology and an expansive geographical footprint, able to supply an extensive range of products and services to customers throughout the world.”

An excited Weil, announcing the deal to the industry, was focused clearly on the core strengths of the former two entities: “We are able to draw on each organisation’s core strengths to offer enhanced capabilities, systems and content.” To this end, the objectivefor Scientific Games was evident: “A broader portfolio of products and services

to our customers, expanded opportunities for our employees and deliver meaningful long-term value for our shareholders.”

WMS was acquired for approximately US$1.5bn in cash. In connection with the merger, Scientific Games entered into a new $2.6bn credit facility, consisting of a $2.3bn term loan facility and a $300m revolving credit facility that was undrawn at closing. The term loan facility was used, in part, to finance the acquisition, to pay off existing indebtedness and to pay

fees and expenses relating to the merger and related financing.

The acquisition by Scientific Games, which was approved by WMS stockholders in May, was also unanimously approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Weil commented: “We are pleased to have received unanimous approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission and thank the commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board for their diligence in reviewing and approving our transaction.”

PRODUCT LAUNCHES

Konami beef up their Argentinean stock

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AGSE in Buenos Aires this year was the platform selected by Konami Gaming to reinforce its message of product development.

And Konami made the trip to Argentina with a statement of intent: taking an expanded catalogue of products, including a host of games that drive performance on the gaming floor.

The company took the new multigame SeleXion, a new cabinet called Podium Goliath, Dragon’s Victory which is a new progressive link, and the new SYNKROS systems technology.

Even before the event, Konami were confident of their showing as Eduardo Aching, Vice President, International Sales, declared: “We are going to Argentina to show the market how Konami products are Born from Fun and can drive performance

46 | casinoreview November 2013

on the gaming floor.”

Displayed for the first time in South America, Aching said that the Podium Goliath, a bigger version of the company’s Podium cabinet will provide operators with the ‘flexibility to provide Konami’s high performing video game titles in an oversized cabinet’.

“We have had great success in driving performance premiums with the Goliath in other markets,” explained Aching. “The cabinet is designed for maximum flexibility with respect to available game themes, and we have proven that players enjoy playing on this larger format box.

The company also included the next generation of linked progressive games at SAGSE, which included Dragon’s Victory, a multi-game that leverages Konami’s latest operating system, KP3.

“The KP3 platform provides Konami the opportunity to develop a broader library for the Latin American market and provide new content faster to the region.”

The new platform comes with great hopes for Konami who expect it to deliver their multi-game product called SeleXion, which gives operators the flexibility to place up to 10 games in one reliable box, and features a digital button deck that changes with the selection of each game. The SeleXion platform is multi-lingual and multidenominational and allows the player the opportunity to switch between games instantly.

“Our systems products give operators the ability to provide player-on-demand and group start tournaments through our proprietary True-Time Windowing technology,” Aching concluded.

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GAMING SUPPORT / KONAMI GAMING / MERKUR GAMING / SCIENTIFIC GAMES / WMSYXYXYXY GAMING SUPPLIER NEWS: JW@SJC.CO.UK

G2E REVIEW 28-45 SUPPLIER NEWS 46-53 B2B LISTINGS 54-56 BUSINESS NEWS 60-65 SECTORS & SERVICES 66-67 EVENTS 68-71 VLTS

SYSTEMS

Merkur unveils new Italian strategy

W New installations in the UK and Africa provide real Bonus to Gaming Support efforts Announcing recent installations at casinos in the UK and Africa, Gaming Support said that it is continuing to monitor itself and the market and as it pushes forward to meet ever changing customer demands.

esigner and manufacturer of technology solutions for the global gaming industry, Gaming Support has announced the installations of its BonusBox and Super Roulette Jackpot system at casinos in the UK and Africa recently.

This summer, the company installed its Super Roulette Jackpot system with integrated casino signs in nine UK properties of London Clubs International (LCI), which is owned by Caesars Entertainment.

“We deployed the new progressive in nine of our UK properties on our various electronic roulette platforms, with relative ease,” said Corey Plummer, group operations director, Cae-

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sars UK. “Customer response is very positive and we have seen double digit volume growth on the progressive linked terminals.”

Developed by Gaming Support, the Super Roulette Jackpot system currently works on electronic roulette machines.

The jackpot solution includes a media system integrated into each overhead sign and incorporates the latest innovation in casino signs from Gaming Support created especially for locations that do not want a room broken up by signage. Another feature of the Gaming Support jackpot system is its ability to link multiple properties together through its wide area network capability.

“We are very happy with the very positive results of the progressive jackpot. It helps LCI to deliver an even better service and the super roulette system adds excitement to the floor,” commented Rene Akker, account manager for Gaming Support. “We continue to monitor ourselves and the market and make changes to our existing product line and roll-out new products.

We feel the necessity to keep on track so we can continue to meet or exceed our customers’ needs and expectations,” added Akker.

The recent completion of Gaming Support’s latest BonusBox installation in Casinos de Angola marks another BonusBox installation in Africa for the company.

“We are very pleased with the performance of the BonusBox. Right after the start of our promotions the results were in line with our objectives. More than having additional or extra turnover our objectives were to leverage some games that weren't performing at all,” said Tiago Vilela de Sousa, marketing manager. “Our customers, apparently, enjoy playing them as well.”

Prizes are viewed in the BonusBox and dispensed at the game, allowing operators the freedom to award prizes of various size and value to keep players entertained. It also supports property branding and promotions and has fully customisable audio, lighting and background insert.

ith a new law due at the start of 2014, Gauselmann Group subsidiary Merkur has unveiled its new strategy for the Italian market.

As well as focusing on the manufacturing and marketing of AWPs and games, Merkur Italy Group will continue with its expansion in AWP renting and maintain its share in the new concessionaire NTS. It will also continue with the development of its online platform. Following these changes, the group has decided to finalise an agreement with Sisal to transfer the branch with 75 shops of the Merkur-win brand.

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November 2013 casinoreview

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GAUSELMANN GROUP / JCM GLOBAL / NOVOMATIC GROUP

News

AGEM continues to strengthen 61

AGEM ON THE RISE: GAMING EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS ENJOYED A GOOD SEPTEMBER RECORDING A THIRD CONSECUTIVE INCREASE ON THE KEY PERFORMANCE INDEX.

VLT

VALIDATORS

Novomatic signs long-term Loteria Romana deal

JCM exhibits broad product portfolio at SAGSE

The Novomatic Group has made the leap into the emerging Romanian market with a contract that will take it to the heart of the country’s video lottery sector. he Novomatic Group has signed a 15-year deal with Romania’s state lottery firm Loteria Romana to supply 10,000 state-of-the-art video lottery terminals and the relevant video lottery system, including a jackpot system, maintenance services, spare parts, and logistics.

The agreement will run nationwide at locations provided by Loteria Romana. On the commercial side, the Bucharest deal will ensure that the joint revenues after joint expenses will be shared between the partners on a 50/50 basis.

The video lottery system is to be implemented within a specified time schedule and that the installation of the VLTs is to be in accordance with the rollout plan and secured by a bank guarantee to the tune of EUR20m. Loteria Romana will also be granted a proportionate minimum revenue guarantee of EUR75m.

A statement from Novomatic said it has established a company in Romania to manage the project, while the first VLTs incorporating Novomatic’s most successful games, together with the relevant

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need to contribute any additional investments to this partnership and we cooperate with a very experienced international partner in this sector.

“In addition, through an audit Loteria Romana will have the contractual possibility to verify in particular the video lottery system and the win determination at any time in a transparent and substantiated way. This ensures us the economically best possible operation of Video Lottery Terminals in the future. We really appreciate this possibility to work with Novomatic,” he added.

Ryszard Presch, chief operating officer of Novomatic AG and managing director of Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH (AGI), commented: “For our Group of Companies this agreement is a very important step in the expansion of our market position in the VLT business. This long-term agreement is an endorsement of our competence in this sector and system, will go into operation with Novomatic is a unique oppor- highlights once again our leading starting 1 December, 2013. tunity to put our video lottery role in the international VLT marDiscussing the landmark deal, activities on a new and fair basis ket. I am confident that this coAdrian Manolache, CEO of Loteria under a long-term perspective in operation will be successful for Romana, said: “This agreement the future. Loteria Romana will not both sides.”

APPOINTMENT

New CFO appointed at Gauselmann

T

he family-owned Gauselmann Group, which last month underlined its commitment to the UK street market by taking a substantial stake in Sceptre Leisure, has announced that a new chief financial officer will join the group from January 1, 2014.

Alexander Vleeming, 39, who holds a master degree in international taxation, will take over the financial responsibility for the internationally active group. He originally joined the Gauselmann Group in 2008 after working for the Dutch-Ger-

48 | casinoreview November 2013

man Chamber of Commerce in The Hague.

Vleeming replaces Ulrich Wüseke who leaves the company at his own request on December 31 after nearly 16 years in order to spend more time on consultancy activities.

“By appointing Mr Vleeming as CFO we ensure continuity in the financial responsibilities of the Gauselmann Group and create space for new ideas at the same time,” said the company’s Armin Gauselmann.

he 21st edition of the SAGSE gaming expo took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 12-14.

Among the many exhibitors setting out stalls in Argentina was JCM, the transaction technology manufacturer, which displayed a variety of products centred on the efficient processing of worldwide currency.

In particular, JCM was demonstrating its two marquee products, the iVizion and iPro bill validators. The iVizion includes Contact Image Sensor technology which captures a full image of both sides of a note or ticket, allowing f o r detailed checks that contribute to a 99 per cent acceptance rate.

The iVizion also features a suite of counterfeit protection measures designed to prevent fake bills from passing into an operator’s cash flow. Each device has an RFID ICB cashbox which transfers encrypted data to an online portal for remote monitoring.

Although less powerful than the iVizion, JCM market the iPro validator as a more flexible solution.

They are 100 per cent compatible with JCM’s UBA connections and feature a strong emphasis on antistringing technology. The path of any bill that enters the iPro is sealed, a process designed to keep dust, liquid, or light from contaminating the bill or disrupting the sensors.

T

sales@apex-gaming.com www.apex-gaming.com

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DALLMEIER / FUTURELOGIC / GLI / IGT

News

US holds its own 62

REVENUES: LATEST STATISTICS FROM THE UNITED STATES SHOW THAT GAMING REVENUE IN 2011 INCREASED BY 0.89 PER CENT TO A TOTAL OF $89.04BN. AGREEMENT

PERIPHERALS

FutureLogic and IGT sign 3-year tech agreement utureLogic and International Game Technology have signed a three-year extension to their worldwide global technology agreement. Under terms of the new deal, which came into effect at the beginning of October, FutureLogic’s GEN3 Evolution printer will be specified as the preferred printer in all of IGT’s gaming platforms worldwide through 2016.

“Reliability is a core principle in IGT’s transformation of the gaming industry. We value FutureLogic as a global technology partner based on the performance and reliability of its printers combined with its outstanding level of service and support,” said John Chamberlain, IGT director of platform product management. “We specifically selected the GEN3 Evolution printer from FutureLogic because it provides our customers features that help to reduce operating costs and increase machine uptime.”

“Our partnership with IGT started in 1999 when FutureLogic developed and launched its first TITO printer, the PSA-66ST, in collaboration with IGT designers for the introduction of EZ PayT,” said Nick Micalizzi, FutureLogic’s VP sales & marketing, North America. “We are pleased with IGT’s decision to extend our global agreement and select Futurelogic as their preferred printer partner for all their gaming machines worldwide. We look forward to a lasting partnership.”

JACKPOTS

Dallmeier launches mini box camera

F

IGT creates three millionaires in seven days

I

GT has awarded a series of major payouts from its long-running MegaJackpots platform.

The company has handed out major payouts to lucky patrons since 1986, having turned 1,500 unwitting casino-goers into millionaires over the years.

Twenty-four of these have come since January 2013, with three more

added in a single week. At the Hard Rock and Casino in Las Vegas (pictured) on October 15, the player picked up more than $2.4m (E1.7m), while the following night at the Montbleu Resort Casino and Spa in Stateline, Nevada, another player gathered $1.4m (E1m).

One week later, a third jackpot winner was created at the Meskwaki

Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama, Iowa. The newest IGT funded millionaire won a grand total of $2m (E1.5m).

IGT has handed out over $6bn (E4.4bn) in jackpots since it originally rolled out the programme in 27 years ago. All three of their most recent rewards were triggered on the company’s Wheel of Fortune machines.

GAMING LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL

GLI introduces online testing and cloud tools or nearly 25 years, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has been leading the way in providing independent testing, inspection and certification services to the global gaming industry.

Part of GLI’s leadership continues to be the creation of new tools for regulators, suppliers and operators that make doing business faster, easier and more cost-efficient.

On display for the first time at the company’s G2E booth in Las Vegas this year were two new landmark tools: GLI SCALE and GLI Cloud.

The new supplier software tool, GLI SCALE - which stands for Simulated Communication Automated Load Engine - has been designed to test systems that are being evaluated by GLI for regulatory and operational compliance.

GLI is intended for load testing of online systems and automated

F

generation of accounting and tilt conditions for end-to-end reconciliation for systems. It is an embedded processor design that responds to SAS polling commands from an online system. Utilising a proprietary scripting language, GLI engineers are able to simulate activity that would ordinarily require an EGM. GLI SCALE is connected via a serial cable to the interface card(s) and controlled via a web browser interface and can currently support 12 interface cards.

Also on display at the Las Vegas expo was GLI Cloud, which works in concert with the online web portal GLI Access and GLI Mobile to give operators instant access to their entire casino inventory, from anywhere, anytime.

GLI Cloud is a modern inventory management and tracking system

50 | casinoreview November 2013

that makes it easy for operators and regulators everywhere to track the software and hardware that comprises the casino floor. Powered by GLI Access and easily accessible with GLI Mobile, GLI Cloud allows operators and regulators to quickly and instantly check regulatory status of every component on the entire casino floor, all in real time.

Ian Hughes, GLI vice president of global services, commented: “At GLI, we are advancing technology to benefit the complete range of the customers we serve - regulators, suppliers and operators.

“GLI SCALE and GLI Cloud were born out of our incessant desire to make doing business faster, more efficient and more cost-effective, and we are confident the industry will immediately see the benefit these two new pieces of technology bring to daily operations.”

Christie Eickelman, senior director of worldwide marketing for GLI

allmeier placed its focus on space at G2E this year as it unveiled its latest line of products. And true to its promise, and with a width of 50mm and a weight from 180g, the MDF4220HD is definitely a space saver.

The mini box camera with a 1.3 megapixel CMOS image sensor provides HD video in realtime (720p/30), using the H.264 codec.

The MDF4220HD is a hybrid camera that can send HD video over IP and analogue SD video via BNC simultaneously.

Equipped with a ¼ins tripod socket located on the top and bottom side, it fits all standard brackets with UNC threaded screws. Due to its compact design and the included mounting brackets, the mini box camera is also ideally suited for installations in ATMs. It is also characterised by its wide dynamic range and ability to capture images with high colour fidelity and detailed reproduction, even in scenes with a wide range of contrast and strong backlighting. The low light performance also allows clear and low noise images in low light conditions.

D

info@intelligentgaming.net www.intelligentgaming.net

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News

Aiming for a Chinese take-away 65

SOUTH KOREA: PARADISE AND SEGA SAMMY TEAM UP TO OUTLINE PLANS FOR A £1.7BN LUXURY CASINO RESORT TO LURE THE CHINESE PUNTER.

INSTALLATIONS

Aristocrat Technologies has announced new installations at California’s Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino, which is a longtime Oasis 360 partner of the gaming technology supplier. n the wake of a highly successful G2E for the company, Aristocrat Technologies has announced two installations at Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California.

The gaming technology

I

Aristocrat extends US reach with dream Californian conversion

supplier has completed a major serial-to-ethernet upgrade conversion, which will allow Tachi Palace to deliver better and more advanced customer service and bonusing options to its customers. And with power

of ethernet behind driving the casino floor, Tachi Palace purchased several new Oasis 360 modules and technologies that will deliver more bonusing to players and business intelligence to the property.

The new modules and technologies include nCompass Lite and Media Windows for 2, 010 EGMs, Marketing Manager, Quick Funds, Playersoft and 4 Winds Interactive interfaces, SpeedMedia, nRich, Ricochet Rewards, Splashdown Countdown, Play n Win and Jackpot Announcer, SpeedGames, SpeedSkins and nVision.

Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino general manager, Willie Barrios commented: “California is a very competitive marketplace, and our existing Oasis 360 system has been very good for us. We wanted to upgrade our floor to Ethernet for two reasons.

First, the upgrade provides

even more excitement on the floor with the bonusing engines that Ethernet powers. Next, it gives us the business intelligence and behind-the-scenes technology to reward our players in a very personal way.”

Aristocrat’s vice president of system sales and marketing, Kelly Shaw said: “Tachi Palace has been a fantastic Oasis 360 partner for many years.” Aristocrat’s Oasis 360 was rated the Most Widely Used System in the 2013 Goldman Sachs Slot Manager Survey.

Aristocrat will also create an nLive virtual casino for its Oasis 360 partner, which is the first California-based property to contract for an nLive virtual casino. The Tachi Palace nLive free-play virtual casino will be designed to match the individual branding of the landbased casino.

The casino’s website will be connected to the property’s land-based casino through Aristocrat’s nLiveLink technology, which will allow Tachi Palace to reward its players for their play both in-casino and online. Barrios explained: “Our players have been telling us they want to continue their fun online when they are away from our casino, and we found the perfect solution with Aristocrat’s nLive.”

GAMING MACHINE COMPONENTS

Suzo-Happ prepared for Italian legal shift

S

www.ltgame.com 52 | casinoreview November 2013

sales@hk1180.com

uzo-Happ joined their long time partners Comestero at the ENADA Rome Expo in October to demonstrate new products developed for the changing Italian market.

Chief among them was the Flow hopper, which has been updated to comply with the incoming Comma 6a regulations. A number of Italian manufacturers have already fitted

Suzo-Happ AES components that can be upgraded to the new standard once the law comes into effect.

HARDWARE

G2E records broken for Advantech

A

dvantech-Innocore is on a high following the company’s display at this year’s G2E in Las Vegas.

A record number of customer meetings were arranged at the show, and “unprecedented” sales opportunities have been reported.

Advantech’s success was built on the back of two new products that made their debut at G2E. The DPX-S435 is the first gaming motherboard to support Intel’s Xeon processors. Its advanced hardware allows for high power CPU performance of the kind usually associated with servers.

The board is able to support a wide range of Intel’s fourth Generation Core processors, allowing users to invest in a CPU that meets their needs without breaking the bank.

Also on show was the newly minted DPXE130 motherboard, which is designed specifically to align with upcoming changes to Italian gaming regulations.

Both the DPX boards were displayed alongside a broad selection of digital signage controllers, LCD monitors, embedded motherboards and more.

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ADVANTECH-INNOCORE / ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES / INTELLIGENT GAMING / SUZO-HAPP

Premo will be officially lauched at ICE 2014

MOBILE GAMING

Intelligent toasts Premo success In casinos with high peak demand, Intelligent Gaming’s Premo platform enables operators to provide a new gaming channel which leverages existing equipment and human resources. remo, Intelligent Gaming’s on-site mobile gaming platform has made a flying start, offering iPad roulette to London’s VIP market.

The Premo game library now includes baccarat, craps, sic bo and bingo, and the Playtech company plans to launch a range of new games in 2014.

Premo connects to a range of devices, including roulette wheel readers, elec-

P

tronic card shoes and camera-based card recognition solutions, enabling players to bet on live tables in any licensed gaming area. The system also provides a random number generator to deliver automated versions of the games.

Strategic account manager, Tom Arnold, commented on this initial success: “In a casino with high peak demand, Premo enables the operator to pro-

vide a new channel which leverages existing equipment and human resources,” he said. “Areas of the casino such as bars, smoking areas and restaurants are now becoming gaming areas.

“At the same time we control the gaming area and prevent use outside licensed zones. As players leave the permitted area, they will be warned and the game will ultimately automatically lock down.

Premo offers the player a more flexible experience which appeals to a younger demographic and gives players the choice of where and how they wish to play.”

Carl Rushton, director of products and architecture for Intelligent Gaming, explained how Premo has benefitted from the company’s broader experience.

“We already connect our casino management systems to a wide range of table

devices and Premo integrates with Neon, Playtech IMS and third-party systems for player and wallet services,” he said. “We are also able to deploy components of Neon, including our iPad Manager App in standalone Premo installations, enabling the operator to monitor the action and view the location of each device.”

Rushton continued: “In designing Premo, Intelligent Gaming has built on

Playtech’s unrivalled expertise in developing interoperable mobile gaming apps.

Retail operators are now able to offer a high-end tablet gaming solution while multichannel operators can offer a consistent and seamless gaming experience.”

Premo will be officially launched at ICE 2014 and showcased on the Playtech stand alongside Neon, Intelligent Gaming’s enterprise-level casino management system.

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Listings

Business2Business

Avatar hits Valley view casino floor F

ollowing its official launch at G2E Las Vegas, Valley View Casino Hotel in Valley Center, California, has become one of the first casinos in the US to welcome IGT’s new, award-winning James Cameron’s Avatar Video Slots to its casino floor. According to the company, Ffns flocked to the resort to be some of the first players to journey to Pandora, take fight alongside Na’vi warriors and soar with banshees. The iconic Tree of Souls, seen at G2E, and two Na’vi warriors were on-hand for this grand celebration.

APPOINTMENTS

LISTINGS

Novomatic unveils new executive hire

54 | casinoreview November 2013

N

ovomatic’s Americas subsidiary has appointed Rick Meitzler as vice president of sales in North America.

Meitzler began his career at Bally Technologies, spending more than 30 years working his way up through engineering and sales roles. He has previously helped to bring Ainsworth Game Technologies in the North America, before returning to Bally as director of sales for the Midwest US.

AWARDS MEI wins operations excellence award

M

EI, the Malvern, Pennsylvania-based automatic payment solutions company, has announced that its manufacturing facility, MEI Queretaro MX, El Marques,

located in Queretaro, Mexico was awarded a 2013 Shingo Silver Medallion.

The award recognises “organisations that demonstrate strong use of tools and techniques, have mature systems that drive improvement, and are aligning thinking and organizational behaviour with the correct principles of operational excellence”.

Commenting on the award, Tash Kassam, chief operations officer for MEI, said: “We believe customers prefer to source their payment technology needs from a partner that not only exceeds their operational needs, but does so in a sustainable way.

Kassam added: “The end goal was not necessarily to win the prize, as much as it was to create a structured approach to operational excellence.

Having begun the dedicated journey, our operations team decided to apply for the prize and were elated to see our dedicated efforts recognised.”

CASINO SEATING Investing in style

O

hio-based Gasser Chair Company showcased its full range of casino seating solutions at G2E 2013 in September.

Group president Mark Gasser (pictured) and his team were on hand to demonstrate the benefits of the company’s latest seating for the gaming and hospitality sectors, including the Coltrane and the Player’s Choice series.

Innovative features of the Coltrane provide for maximum comfort and support, as well as ease of maintenance, including moulded, ergonomically contoured foam cushions; seat foam with a front edge shaped for better leg circulation; Gasser’s unique EasyChange seat and backrest system; the company’s unique Comfort Zone FlexBack technology; and a new, Gasserexclusive, 360-degree memory return swivel.

The Coltrane also has an integrated hand pull on the backrest and a durable aluminium base with mega-glides, which allows it to weigh around 25 per cent less than many other gaming stools.

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YXYXYXY SUPPLIER NEWS: JW@SJC.CO.UK

APPOINTMENTS AWARDS CASINO SEATING CHANGE MACHINES CLASS III GAMES GAMING PLATFORMS HARDWARE JACKPOTS MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS MULTIGAMES PROMOTIONS REGULATION ROULETTE JACKPOTS

REGULATION

Double-digit volume growth for LCI

GLI becomes the first certified test lab in Columbia

London Clubs International has installed jackpot systems with integrated casino signs from Gaming Support at nine of its UK venues.

G

aming Support installed its Super Roulette Jackpot system with integrated casino signs in nine UK properties of London Clubs International (LCI).

LCI is owned by Caesars Entertainment and is one of Europe’s leading casino operators.

“We deployed the new progressive in nine of our UK properties on our various electronic roulette platforms, with relative ease,” said Corey Plummer, group operations director for Caesars UK. “Customer response is very positive and we have seen double-digit volume growth on the progressive linked terminals. We are looking forward to working with Gaming Support to develop additional products that are unique and that drive customer demand.”

The Super Roulette Jackpot system has been developed by

he Columbian gaming and lottery regulation entity, COLJUEGOS, has accredited GLI as a gaming test lab in the country.

With the focus on Latin America growing ever more intense, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has continued to position itself as a major player in helping to support burgeoning regulation in the region.

GLI is the first company to gain this kind of approval from COLJUEGOS, which is currently in the process of crafting Columbia’s new gaming regulations. The South American state is set to adopt a number of processes employed by a number of older regulatory systems.

A certification process will be put into place for the first time, alongside technical standards for gaming machines. Once the new legislation comes into effect machines will need to be interconnected to aid tax collection and regulation enforcement.

GLI intends to play a key role in ensuring the smooth adoption of these new standards. The group has been operating in Latin America for over 15 years and has pledged to work with regulators to keep their legislation up to date and with supplies to ensure that they conform to standards in a cost-efficient fashion.

T Gaming Support and currently works on electronic roulette machines. This jackpot solution includes a media system integrated into each overhead sign and incorporates the latest innovation in casino signs from Gaming Support - transparent signs created especially for locations that do not want a room ‘broken up’ by signage.

Another feature of the Gaming Support Super Roulette Jackpot system is its ability to link multiple properties together through its wide area network capability.

with a storage capacity of up to 34 notes of each type.

GeWeTe managing director Aristidis Tsikouras, commented: “[ENADA] gave us the opportunity to highlight the ‘made in Germany’ tailored solutions specifically for the Italian AWP and VLT market.”

CLASS III GAMES Aristocrat launches Flashdance

CHANGE MACHINES GeWeTe provides Italian specific solutions at ENADA

G

erman change machine manufacturer GeWeTe displayed its full suite of solutions at Rome’s recent ENADA exhibition, with a range of products it said was created ‘specifically to support Italian operators in each market segment’.

For the VLT and arcade markets, the Gauselmann Group-subsidiary highlighted ‘Cash Center’ and ‘Mega Cash Recycler’, as well as the Merkur Dispenser 100, which can pay out three separate denominations

F

lashdance is the latest Class III game from Aristocrat. The 50-line, five-level progressive video slot game is based on the iconic romantic comedy from the 1980s.

The game features characters from the movie, along with songs from the legendary soundtrack. Hi-definition sound and a surround sound iChair completely immerses players in the game.

Housed in the award-winning Viridian WS cabinet, the Flashdance graphics and animation stretches out across the 21.5inch LCD widescreen all the way to the 31.5-inch LCD feature top box.

GAMING PLATFORMS

access technology.

The remote access features built into all of VNE’s latest machines allow for a programmable set of five access levels. These vary between simply opening the door of the machine to performing a manual change refill.

HUMAN RESOURCES Executive VP leaves GPI

G

aming Partners International (GPI) has announced that executive vice president, Laura McAllister Cox, has left the company.

After 15 years at GPI, Cox has moved on to become a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, Attorneys at Law. GPI has relied upon Greenbery Traurig for legal advice many times in the past, and it is expected that Cox will continue to play an influential role in the firm’s future through her new position.

INSTALLATIONS Amatic and Reel enshrine partnership in Aruba

F

ollowing their partnership announcement at this year’s G2E in Las Vegas, Amatic Industries and Reel Games have confirmed the completion of their first joint installation. New machines are now 100 percent live at the Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa. Included in the installation on the Caribbean island is a range of Amatic’s new Performer 22 upright video slots, alongside a custom designed multi-game mix. Sales manager for Amatic.

Quixant unveils latest platform at G2E

Q

uixant, designer and manufacturer of gaming platforms, showcased its latest industry innovation at this year’s G2E in Las Vegas.

The company’s new all-in-one gaming platform, the QXi-300 was on display alongside the company’s latest PCI Express-based gaming logic and nonvolatile memory. It is available in Dual-Core or Quad-Core configurations clocked at up to 2.0GHz.

HARDWARE All change for VNE at Enada expo

I

talian change machine manufacturer VNE was one of a select group of change machine manufacturers who exhibited at Enada expo in Rome, Italy, in October.

The company was on hand to display a range of machines, with a particular focus on the possibilities created by the remote

Atomic Gaming announces Mozambique installation for Interblock

I

nterblock’s African supplier Atomic Gaming announced the completion of a nine station G4 Organic Live RouletteT installation at the Polana Casino in Mozambique.

Tina Bodill, marketing manager at Atomic Gaming, said the installation now means operators can enjoy the ‘full advantage of accurate player tracking and game data registered on the gaming system’.

“It also means players at the venue can enjoy the ‘personal touch of a croupier’ while experiencing the benefit and personalisation of the electronic terminal,” she continued.

November 2013 casinoreview

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Listings

Business2Business

Scientific Games buys WMS

SG’S COMPLETES WMS ACQUISITION: “A BROADER PORTFOLIO OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO OUR CUSTOMERS...EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR EMPLOYEES...”

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

APPOINTMENT

Italian game creators acquired by MD International

M

D International has announced the acquisition of game developer and designer Magic Dreams Group.

The deal has been made possible thanks to input from two unnamed private equity firms.

Magic Dreams Group is Italy’s oldest creator of electronic games machines. The company designs its systems from the ground up, working on every step from cabinet design to software development. Over the course of its 20-year history Magic Dreams have expanded glob-

MULTIGAMES DLV showcases latest innovations at G2E

L

atvian gaming software and equipment manufacturer DLV demonstrated its newest products at this year’s G2E in Las Vegas.

Visitors to the Sands Expo were able to interact with the company’s new Hybrid cabinet, Diamond HD. The ‘tower light’ cabinet features two wide-angle 24-inch screens and support for Elo and 3M touchscreens.

On the software front, DLV were demonstrating its Diamond Games Pre-

mium VI suite of multigame titles. Fifteen different games with five, 10, or 20 paylines were running at the booth, with five of them brand new additions to the Diamond Games collection.

The Vollinstars progressive jackpot system was also on show. Either acting as a standalone service or an integrated net-

56 | casinoreview November 2013

ally and are now active in Europe, Latin America, South East Asia and Africa.

Following the deal, MD International said it intends to continue the activities of Magic Dreams, including its forays into online gaming. Luca Gerardini, former general manager, has been named the managing director of the company.

The acquisition also includes Magic Dreams subsidiaries Omniludo and Super Slot, along with its national and international commercial network.

The company’s headquarters will remain in its current location in Pusterla, Italy. work of games, the games grant players ‘lives’ as they climb up the three levels of jackpot bonus game.

ONLINE CASINOS GTech partners with Net Entertainment

Clarion Events appoint new marketing director CE Totally Gaming has a new marketing director in the form of senior events specialist Jo Mayer.

Mayer has over 18-years experience marketing major events including the award winning Ecobuild and as Head of Marketing for UBM Live. She will be part of the Clarion team attending G2E and EiG in Barcelona.

Mayer, who reports to portfolio director, Kate Chambers, stated: "This is an exciting time to be involved with the brands as we launch the Brasilian Gaming Congress, develop the Corporate Intelligence division and deploy the Sensational ICE campaign for 2014. My aim is to consolidate our undoubted strengths in the market, harness the power of digital and social media and work closely with all of our many stakeholders.”

Heralding the appointment, Kate Chambers said: “I am delighted to welcome Jo to the team after what has been an exhaustive recruitment process. Jo has the experience, skill set and 'can do' approach to make a real difference, particularly as we look to expand the portfolio and bring new products to market.”

I

ROULETTE Interblock unveils micro roulette

I

nterblock unveiled its latest casino innovation at the Balkan Entertainment and

G

Tech’s World Lottery Association (WLA) customers will soon benefit from an enlarged stable of online casino games, after the company signed a new agreement with Net Entertainment.

The deal follows an earlier agreement in July between Net Entertainment and GTech subsidiary, Lottomatica Scommesse.

“As our lottery customers create or expand their online casino gaming programmes, they are seeking proven, successful products that they can implement seamlessly and quickly,” said Renato Ascoli, general manager of GTech and president of GTech’s products and services division.

DLV external relations co-ordinator, Julia Barbakadze

PROMOTIONS

Gaming Expo 2013 in Bulgaria this month.

Taking centre stage was its G5 HD Mini Roulette machine which is the smallest of its type to seat 8 people.

Transact signs Little River contract

Facing the Elements

T

L

ransAct Technologies has entered into an agreement with the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan, to install the company’s Epicentral promotion and bonusing system on all of the casino’s 1,650 slot machines.

to the Venetian Macau earlier this year, Dragon Element differs from traditional roulette in that the numbers around the table are sequential, the ball spins automatically and a cover uses LCD technology to turn opaque during spinning and then clear after players get a second chance to bet when the ball stops.

The UK-based company also highlighted its growing presence in the technology systems sector.

Similar to Cammegh’s EyeBall product used on roulette, the EyeCard camera analyses and provides results information for face-up card games - such as blackjack - using camera card reading technology.

Mounted on top of a Billboard display screen, and trained on the card table, EyeCard enables viewers to see the dealer’s card not as real time film but in animation form for a slick, entertaining addition to the game and an attraction for passers-by to get involved.

EyeCard is also a means to obtain the

ongstanding G2E exhibitor Cammegh was demonstrating its expanded lineup of roulette wheels at the Las Vegas expo this year.

One highlight on the company’s stand was Dragon Element Roulette. Introduced

Andrew Cammegh

card information as dealt in baccarat, and it automatically updates the traditional baccarat scoreboard.

www.macaogamingshow.com

enquiry@macaogamingshow.com

WHY INTERNATIONAL CASINO REVIEW IS THE INDUSTRY’S MEDIA PARTNER OF CHOICE! B

C

A

THE BEST WAY TO REACH OPERATORS A

C

84.2%

2%

Operators

Regulators/Government/Law

Global Circulation

Readership breakdown by sector

B

16,844

13.8% Suppliers

A READERSHIP OF INFLUENCERS AND DECISION MAKERS A

C

30.1%

20.4%

C-Levels (chairman, president, CEO, partners)

C

D

46.6%

2.9%

D

A

USA/CANADA/CARIBBEAN

Senior management (Operational managers, sales/ marketing/PR managers…)

B

Managing directors/ general managers

B

2,004 11.9%

Readership breakdown by job title

Others (senior game designers, financial directors…)

B

C

D

A

INCREASING CROSS CHANNEL READERSHIP A

C

62.9%

2.5%

B

D

16%

18.6%

Land based casino Readership breakdown by type of gaming

Slot halls/Street gaming

PRINT 4,061

Lottery

Online/Mobile

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AGEM / BALLY / MGM G

& City News

WYNN RESORTS

It’s a Wynn win as Q3 profits and revenues rise Reporting a 62 per cent rise in third-quarter profit, Wynn Resorts said that its Macau operations, which saw a 9.6 per cent revenue increase, helped drive a healthy rise for the period. Good times ahead, it seems, for the US operator.

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n its third quarter 2013 results, Wynn Resorts reported a profit of US$182m, up from $112m on a year earlier. Excluding preopening costs, property charges, and other items, earnings rose to $1.84 from $1.48. The company reported third quarter net revenues of $1,390.1m, compared to $1,298.5m in the corresponding quarter of 2012. Analysts polled

by Thomson Reuters recently projected earnings of $1.65 a share on revenue of $1.36bn.

The gambling boom in Macau is being cited as the driving force behind the company’s success.

“The increase was driven by a 9.6 per cent revenue increase from our Macau operations and 1.1 per cent higher revenues from our Las Vegas operations,” said Lewis Fanger, vice president of Wynn Resorts. Net revenues for Macau operations in the third quarter were $997.6m, a 9.6 per cent increase from the $910.5m generated in the third quarter of 2012.

60 | casinoreview November 2013

For the quarter ended September 30, 2013, net revenues for the company’s Las Vegas operations were $392.5m, a 1.1 per cent increase from $388.0m in the third quarter of 2012. Net casino revenues in the third quarter of 2013 were $161.6m, a 3.9 per cent increase from the same quarter of 2012. Table games drop of $676.3m was down 0.9 per cent compared to $682.3m in the 2012 quarter.

The company currently has 501 tables (273 VIP tables, 218 mass market tables and 10 poker tables) and 884 slot machines at Wynn Macau. Table games turnover in the VIP segment was $30.3bn for the third quarter of 2013, a 9.8 per cent increase from $27.6bn in the third quarter of 2012. Table games win in the mass market segment increased by 13.5 per cent in the third quarter to $239.8m.

Slot machine handle of $1.2bn for the third quarter of 2013 was 18.5 per cent above the prior-

year quarter, and slot win increased 2.4 per cent compared to the prior-year period. Win per unit per day was 11.2 per cent higher at $689, compared to $620 in the third quarter of 2012. The average number of slots in the 2013 third quarter declined by 75 machines versus the 2012 period due to various changes designed to enhance the comfort of the casino floor.

Wynn Resorts also announced that the company has approved a cash dividend for the quarter of $1.00 per common share. This dividend will be payable on November 21, 2013, to stockholders of record on November 7, 2013.

According to data compiled by the Seasonal Investor, Wynn Resorts gained more often in the quarter than its competitor Las Vegas Sands, not only producing higher median returns but doing so with less volatility and a lower correlation to the broader market.

ANALYSIS WYNN PALACE PROJECT IN MACAU ON PACE ynn Resorts is currently constructing Wynn Palace, a fullscale integrated resort containing a 1,700-room hotel, performance lake, meeting space, casino, spa, retail offerings, and food and beverage outlets on Cotai in Macau.

In February 2013, it started prefoundation work and continues to remain on pace with the construction schedule. Additionally, in July 2013, the company signed a $2.6bn guaranteed maximum price contract for the project’s construction. The total budget, including construction costs, capitalised interest, land, and pre-opening expenses, is $4bn.

It expects to open the resort on Cotai in the first half of 2016. During the third quarter of 2013, the company invested approximately $109.9m in its Cotai project, taking the total investment to date to $519m.

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BALLY / MGM GRAND / MGM RESORTS / PARADISE GROUP / RANK GROUP / SASKGAMING / SEGA SAMMY / SHFL ENTERTAINMENT / WYNN RESORTS YXYXYXY Table Games Conference 66

BUSINESS & CITY NEWS 60-65 SECTORS & SERVICES 66-67 EVENTS & DIARY 68-71

AGEM

GAUSELMANN GROUP

Positive numbers for AGEM in September Index

Gauselmann Group announces Sceptre Leisure investment

September’s AGEM Index contains some positive results for a number of leading gaming companies. eptember witnessed the third consecutive month in which the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers’ (AGEM) 18 members contributed to a month-to-month increase that left the key performance index at 186.32 points, up 44.6 per cent on this time last year.

Over the nine recorded months of the year, seven of them saw gains over the previous month. Twelve AGEM members reported an increase in stock prices in September, with Crane Company taking the lead with a jump of 7.4 per cent to $61.67 (E45).

Multimedia Games contributed negative 0.72 points to the AGEM Index after seeing its stock fall 12 per cent to $34.55 (E25.2). Of the six companies who made a negative contribution in September, half of those had seen their stock prices fall by less than half a percent.

All this positive news was reflected at this year’s G2E, which saw more than 27,000 people descend on Las Vegas for five days of displays, conferences, and panels. AGEM noticed a few intriguing themes affecting its members’ output at the expo - in particular,

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the broad range of new games based on licensed content.

Movies proved particularly popular, with new Avatar, Bridesmaids, and Jurassic Park titles from International Game Technology (IGT), alongside Titanic, Grease, ZZ Top, and David Copperfield games by Bally Technologies.

G2E also saw a number of major software systems demonstrated by some of AGEM’s members. IGT revealed Tournament Manager 3.0, which allows for live poker to be played at a video terminal. The company also demonstrated how patrons are able to order beverages, valet, security and many other services with their On Demand Suite.

LICENSING

Foxwoods drops MGM name

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he MGM Grand name will no longer be displayed on a hotel tower in the Foxwoods Connecticut casino complex.

In a statement released last month, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and MGM Resorts International announced the dissolution of their previous licensing agreement for the use of the MGM Grand brand at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Stating: “The parties have agreed that there will be a six-month period for Foxwoods

to transition from using the MGM Grand brand.”

MGM spokesman Clark Dumont said the Las Vegas-based company doesn’t want to confuse consumers as it attempts to win a licence to open a casino in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The licensing agreement was signed in 2006 as MGM was looking to increase its brand awareness on the East Coast. The tower displaying its name opened two years later at a cost of US$700m.

The Gauselmann Group has made another big step in the European gaming and amusement market with the announcement that it has now become a substantial minority shareholder in Sceptre Leisure, the UK’s second largest, and largest independent, AWP operator.

auselmann began its entry into the UK market in 2008, with the purchase of a controlling interest in Blueprint Gaming, a developer of multi-platform digital games. The next move was made in October last year with the group’s largest investment ever, when it purchased the Praesepe Group for approximately EUR100m. With over 170 entertainment centres and bingo clubs in the UK, the Gauselmann Group said it is now perfectly placed in the Adult Gaming Centre and bingo club market through the Praesepe Group.

“Our next logical step has been to invest in Category C, the traditional and very popular pub market”, explained Jürgen Stühmeyer, member of the board for sales at the Gauselmann Group. “Sceptre Leisure plays a major role in this British pub market sector which remains a very important segment for AWPs. We are very proud to be a part of Sceptre Leisure and very excited about future prospects”, he added.

Ken Turner, managing director of Sceptre Leisure, said he is very pleased to welcome the Gauselmann Group as substantial minority shareholders. “The synergies of this investment made clear sense to both Sceptre Leisure and the Gauselmann Group. The feedback from our customers of the installed Genie gaming machines is excellent. The Gauselmann Group has the experience, innovative prowess and naturally the financial strength to develop just what we need. Furthermore, the ‘made in Germany’ quality brings a new breath of life into the product offering in the market place. Our communication will now be even closer, creating an even greater chance of success for us. Players in the UK will benefit in pubs and clubs from this deal with yet better products available from the Gauselmann Group.”

A statement from Guaselmann welcomed the speed at which it gaming products have been accepted into the UK gaming and amusement market. “It was only last year in 2012 that the Genie gaming machine was developed specifically for the UK market and premiered at ICE 2013. The management at Sceptre Leisure was so impressed by both the machine design and game content that a purchase order for 1,000 machines was placed there and then. The first deliveries were made already in April of this year and now several hundred are in operation with the rest to follow very soon,” it explained.

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& City News

ExCel in London awaits ICE 69

LET THE SHOW COMMENCE: REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR JANUARY’S ICE TOTALLY GAMING EXPO IN LONDON AS A FULL SCHEDULE OF PRE-SHOW EVENTS ARE UNVEILED TO VISITORS.

MGM RESORTS

SHFL/BALLY

SHFL schedules meeting to vote on Bally merger

MGM Resorts International has reported a consolidated net revenue increase of nine per cent year-on-year and a 24 per cent growth in adjusted property EBITDA driven by strength in Macau and Las Vegas.

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MGM China helps drive Grand goals forward n its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, MGM Resorts International posted double-digit EBITDA growth and increased margins, led by strength at MGM China and its Las Vegas Strip properties. Loss per share improved to ($0.07), compared to ($0.37) in the third quarter of 2012.

Jim Murren, MGM Resorts International chairman and CEO, commented: “These results are reflective of the continued market share gains from programs such as M life and our focus on interna-

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tional marketing strategies combined with our best in class collection of resorts and amenities.”

Consolidated net revenue increased nine per cent over the prior year quarter to $2.5bn, while consolidated casino revenue increased 13 per cent. The company’s wholly owned Las Vegas Strip resorts earned adjusted property EBITDA of $280m, a 12 per cent increase compared to the prior year quarter. Consolidated operating income increased to $248m compared to $137m in the

same period last year.

Casino revenue related to wholly owned domestic resorts increased three per cent compared to the 2012 quarter. Table games revenue increased 10 per cent and the overall table games hold percentage in the third quarter of 2013 was 21.5 per cent compared to 20.4 per cent. Slots revenue increased one per cent with a three per cent increase at the company’s Las Vegas Strip resorts. We continue to execute on our goals of improving the com-

pany's free cash flow,” said Dan D'Arrigo, MGM Resorts International Executive vice president, CFO and treasurer. “This is evidenced by our year to date EBITDA growth of 17 per cent as well as an expected reduction in our cash interest expense this year of approximately $220m. We continue to be opportunistic in accessing the capital markets as indicated by our recent CityCenter refinancing, which will lower its annual cash interest expense by approximately $80m.”

HFL entertainment has scheduled a special meeting on November 19 of its shareholders to consider and vote on the proposal to approve and adopt the previously announced agreement and plan of merger by Bally Technologies.

The merger, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2013, is subject to the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of SHFL’s common stock and the receipt of required gaming approvals.

It was announced in July that SHFL had entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger with Bally Technologies, pursuant to which Bally agreed to acquire the company at a per share price of US$23.25 in cash for total consideration of approximately $1.3bn.

US GAMING REVENUE

Gaming revenue grows slightly for the second consecutive year he 2013-2014 edition of Casino City’s North American Gaming Almanac CD, released at the end of October by Casino City Press, reports that in 2011, gaming revenue in the US increased by 0.89 per cent, for a total of $89.04bn.

Other key findings in the US included: Casino and card room gaming accounted for 42 per cent

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of total US gaming revenue, tribal gaming for 30 per cent, lotteries for 25 per cent, and race and sports wagering for three per cent.

In terms of total gaming revenue, the top two state performers, Nevada and California, were almost neck-on-neck with totals of $9.9bn and $9.89bn respectively. New York, Pennsylvania and Florida rounded out the top

62 | casinoreview November 2013

five with totals of $5.32bn, $4.38bn, and $4.31bn respectively.

The state of Alabama experienced the most gaming revenue growth, followed in order by Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Arizona.

New Jersey experienced a decline of 6.9 per cent in total gaming revenue.

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SASKGAMING: “THIS SITUATION IS NOT UNIQUE TO SASKGAMING. THE ENTIRE GAMING INDUSTRY IN CANADA HAS REACHED A MATURE STAGE IN THE CYCLE EXPERIENCING FLATTENING OR DECLINING REVENUES.”

RANK GROUP SASK GAMING

Hot weather causes revenue decline for Rank

T SaskGaming announces restructuring Posting an increase in its 2012 annual net income, SaskGaming, the owner and operator of Saskatchewan’s Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw, has announced a restructuring, ‘positioning the organisation for continued success in a mature market’. wner and operator of Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, SaskGaming has announced an organisational restructuring resulting in job loss for 55 out-of-scope employees in management and administration. It added that inscope position numbers are not affected.

“The new corporate structure aligns to industry standards and positions the organisation for continued success in a mature market,” SaskGaming president and CEO Twyla Meredith said. “Overall, SaskGaming is centralising management of the two casinos and becoming more efficient in corporate administration, so the majority of the organisation is focused on the business and serving the guest on the gaming floor.

It’s about getting back to basics and providing excellent guest service at Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw.” Casino Regina was the first fullservice gaming facility in Saskatchewan when it opened its doors in 1996, followed by the opening of Casino Moose Jaw in 2002. As the first of their kind in the market, the casinos regularly experienced double-digit growth in their early years. Since then, the market has matured and both casi-

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nos have experienced flattening revenue over the past few years, and declining revenue in 2013, requiring aggressive expense management.

“This situation is not unique to SaskGaming,” Meredith said. “The entire gaming industry in Canada has reached a mature stage in the market cycle, experiencing flattening or declining revenues. It was time to take a close look at our organisation, how we do things and how we are structured. Job loss is a sad reality that occurs as organisations evolve in order to remain successful in the long term.”

In April the group reported net income before transfers of US$52.6m in 2012, an increase of $0.9m (1.7 per cent) from 2011. To support the province’s commitment to the First Nations Trust and Community Initiatives Fund, 50 per cent of its net income, totalling $26.3m, was transferred to the General Revenue Fund.

Additionally, the corporation declared a dividend distribution of $21.0m to Crown Investments Corporation.

64 | casinoreview November 2013

The Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act prescribes that 25 per cent of SaskGaming’s profit be provided to each of the First Nations Trust and Community Initiatives Fund (CIF). By agreement, a portion of the profits allocated to the CIF are provided to the Métis Development Fund.

The provincial government regulates SaskGaming through the regulatory authority and supervision of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. The group’s madate is to offer casino entertainment in a socially-responsible way, generating quality employment, economic benefit to the community and profit for Saskatchewan people in partnership with First Nations.

Each year, SaskGaming’s casinos entertain more than three million people and in 2012, it set a record attendance of 3.6m guest visits in Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw, a 2.4 per cent increase above its 3.5m guest visits in 2011.

Meredith commented: “In 2012, we concentrated on modernising gaming operations to support increased efficiency and effectiveness. Enhancements at Casino Regina included centralised cash desks, an automated parking system and a new ticketing system for the show lounge.”

ANALYSIS SASKGAMING LAUNCHES RESPONSIBLE GAMING PROGRAMME askGaming is changing its approach to responsible gambling at Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw with the adoption of GameSense, an internationally-recognised responsible gambling programme that raises awareness about gambling tools and supports. GameSense, which will be introduced in phases, was developed by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and is now being adopted by SaskGaming for use at Casino Regina and Casino Moose Jaw. It combines responsible play education with information on the risks associated with gambling.

SaskGaming president and CEO Twyla Meredith explained that the GameSense tools will provide this information in an innovative way, and its trained advisors are also available to offer personal and confidential support and resources.

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he heat wave in July saw British operator Rank report a seven per cent decline in like-for-like revenues for the 15 weeks to October 13.

In its interim management statement, Rank said that the decline was “caused by the exceptionally hot weather in July adversely affecting customer visits” across the group’s venues, a lower casino win margin in London and a disappointing performance in Mecca’s venues and digital channel. However, the group added that the acquired casinos have performed well and integration has been completed without issue.

Total group revenues increased by 15 per cent as a result of the continuing contribution from the 19 recently acquired casinos.

As a result of the disappointing start to the year, management is taking both revenue improvement and cost reduction actions to mitigate the impact of the revenue decline, particularly in the Mecca brand. The impact of these actions is expected to commence in the second half of the financial year. Accordingly, the board anticipates operating profit for the full year to be marginally below market expectations.

However, the board expects the first half of the financial year to be materially below that reported in the corresponding period last year with a stronger second half as the benefits of management actions and the impact of its current capital investment programme in the 19 acquired casinos flow through.

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Enada Rome 70

ENADA 2013: THE ITALIAN ORGANISERS BASK IN THEIR GLORY BUT BEMOAN THE LACK OF CREDIBLE ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTRY’S LEGISLATORS.

PARADISE GROUP / SEGA SAMMY

Paradise Group and Sega Sammy plan South Korea resort Paradise Group and Sega Sammy have teamed up with plans to build a $1.7bn luxury casino resort in South Korea – ‘one of the biggest in South Korea’ - to lure wealthy Chinese gamblers. aradise Group, one of South Korea’s largest casino operators, and Japanese gaming company Sega Sammy plan to invest $1.7bn to build a luxury resort to attract the rising number of Chinese gamblers flocking to the country.

The pair said in a statement recently that they will build a foreignersonly casino in the coastal city of Incheon, in the northwest of the country near the capital Seoul and a short flight away from gamblers in China and

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Japan.

South Korea, which bans locals from entering its casinos bar one located in a remote province, is currently attracting the attention of major casino operators like Las Vegas Sands and Caesars Entertainment. Sands CEO Sheldon Alderson said recently that his company was looking into opportunities there, while Japan's Universal Entertainment Corporation and a consortium of Caesars and Lippo had also applied for licences to build casinos

in Incheon, but the government rejected their bids in June.

Sega Sammy announced in July that it is planning to develop and operate the resort in the International Business Centre (IBC-1) adjacent to Incheon International Airport by establishing a joint venture Paradise SegaSammy with Paradise Group.

According to Sega Sammy, the facility in IBC1 is expected to open in 2016, but Paradise SegaSammy acquired Par-

adise Casino Incheon, which is already operated by the Paradise Group, in advance on July 1, 2013.

The purpose of the acqui-

facility scale at IBC-1 after utilising the licence of Paradise Casino Incheon.

The resort would be one of the biggest in South Korea and expects to attract 160,000 visitors a day, of which two-thirds are likely to be Chinese, the head of the project, Choi Jong-hwan, said in a statement. The number of Chinese tourists to South Korea jumped nearly 50 sition was to develop per cent year-on-year in Republic of Korea’s first the first nine months of large-scale resort com- 2013, the official Yonhap plex established with a news agency said casino by expanding the recently.

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Konrad Hechtbauer is the Director of the Project & Application Development Team and as such has been heading the planning and realisation of casino projects around the world for more than ten years.

“Dallmeier has planned and realised the world’s largest video surveillance systems for casinos. The experience we have gained through those projects is continuously used in our product development. Therefore, also small casinos are able to benefit from innovative and proved solutions.”

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Sectors

& Services TABLE GAMES

Wynn Resorts VP to deliver Table Games Conference keynote

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Raving s Cutting Edge Table Games Conference, to be held November 18-20 at Paris Las Vegas, will tackle a unique set of table game topics led by a keynote address by Debra Nutton, executive vice president of casino operations at Wynn Resorts.

Nutton, a table games operations expert who joined Wynn this year after spending over two decades at MGM Resorts International, will give an in-depth answer to the question of, “is it time for women to take the reins of table game strategy and operations?” Nutton replaces Gavin Isaacs, CEO of SHFL entertainment, who is restricted from public speaking pending the completion of the SHFL/Bally Technologies merger.

“Debi Nutton has shattered one of the toughest glass ceilings in our industry and will be able to point out the opportunities missed and the management potential wasted if the extent of your table game gender diversity

LISTINGS

APPOINTMENTS

66 | casinoreview November 2013

Paf to appoint new director of communications

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he director of communications at Paf Betting, Inger Holmström, is to step down after reaching the Swedish retirement age. She will be replaced by 38-year-old Anders Sim, a former journalist who has been promoted internally from the position of head of press. “It has been a privilege to have had the chance to work closely with Inger and learn from her extensive experience within PR and communication,” said CEO Anders Ingves.

MARK LIPPARELLI JOINS CAMS

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ark Lipparelli has been hired in an advisory role at Central Account Management System (CAMS). Lipparelli will aid the company, which pro-

program is female dealers and party pit dancers,” said Dennis Conrad, president and chief strategist, Raving Consulting Company, which co-produces the event with BNP Media Gaming Group.

Nutton will headline a programme that includes 10 breakout sessions over 2.5 days and an additional keynote by Robin Powell, principal of The Talisman Group,and creator of EZ Baccarat, the winner of the 2008 Casino Journal Best New Table Games Competition, which will again be a primary feature of the event.

Other new topics from this November s conference include, ‘why we are growing and more profitable - the table game operators roundtable,’ ‘the inventors/operators roundtable, when self-interests collide: inventors and operators discuss how to make a new table game successful’ and ‘what you can learn from table game players who are smarter than all of us.’

duces software to help operators manage their player-base, in tailoring its products to comply with newly regulated gaming markets. He arrives at CAMS following four years with the Nevada State Gaming Control Board where he played a key role in defining their newly crafted regulations.

B2C Amaya announces WagerLogic sale

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maya Gaming Group is to sell its business-to-consumer gaming subsidiary WagerLogic for $70m (E50.8m). Following the sale, the two companies are expected to broker a new services agreement whereby Amaya will continue to provide its former charges with the software, services, and content. Wager-

Logic operates a number of major online casino brands, including InterPoker and InterCasino.

BETTING SG Gaming extends Ladbrokes gaming partnership

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cientific Games announced that its SG Gaming UK division has extended its exclusive server-based gaming machine supply contract with Ladbrokes until March 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, the gaming product provider will be responsible for the supply and service of gaming machines across 2,250 of Ladbroke’s UK shops.

“Machine performance continues to be crucial to our overall strategy, and our partnership with SG Gaming has been very successful,” said Nick Rust, UK and Ireland director at Ladbrokes. “This new agreement marks the next phase of our partnership to help ensure Ladbrokes stays at the forefront of

the gaming machine marketplace.”

LICENCE Optimal Payments cleared to operate in New Jersey

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ransaction processor Optimal Payments has been approved by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement to operate in the state. “We are excited to be approved,” said Joel Leonoff, CEO of Optimal Payments. “We look forward to leveraging our vast experience and expertise to help facilitate online payments for our partners in New Jersey.”

LIVE DEALERS Grosvenor looks ahead with new deal

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rosvenor Casinos has signed a deal with Evolution

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YXYXYXY SECTORS & SERVICES NEWS: JW@SJC.CO.UK

B2C BETTING LICENCE LIVE DEALERS ONLINE GAMING POKER TOURNAMENTS TABLE GAMES TRADING VIRTUAL SPORTS

support base to enable Ainsworth to embark upon an expanded interactive strategy.”

This latest deal forms part of Ainsworth’s push to become a prominent figure in the online gaming industry.

binary options trading platform and have tapped KMi consultants to identify opportunities in the UK, Ireland and wider Euro-

pean region. Incorporated in 2008, many of Tradologic’s founding members were gaming industry veterans and CEO Keith McDonnell predicted that binary options trading would be the “next big thing” in iGaming.

POKER VIRTUAL TOURNAMENT SPORTS Dusk Till Dawn to host Genting Poker Series

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he second season of the Genting Poker Series has announced an eighth stop at Dusk Till Dawn (DTD) poker room in Nottingham, UK. The

Gaming that will see the UK casino operator double the capacity of its live offer, while also allowing for future expansion.

The partnership means that Grosvenor customers can now play at any of the four dedicated Grosvenor Casinos live tables Live Roulette, Blackjack, Blackjack Gold and Baccarat - 24 hours a day. Players will also be able to enjoy the Grosvenor Casinos experience every time they play and interact with the dedicated team, which includes native speaking English dealers.

Grosvenor Casinos recently announced that like-for-like revenue in the 15 weeks to October 13 declined by seven per cent,

while total revenues increased 35 per cent as a result of the 19 casinos acquired in May this year.

Ainsworth and ComTrade sign online agreement

50-table card room had previously collaborated with Genting to create a branded online poker client. DTD will host a £100,000 guaranteed event from 9-12 January, 2014 with a buy-in of £440. “The GPS series is all about grass roots poker, with many opportunities for the man in the street to qualify and win life changing money,” said DTD owner Rob Young.

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TRADING

ONLINE GAMING

achine developer Ainsworth Game Technology has entered into a supply agreement with ComTrade Gaming to convert its live products into a suite of online casino titles. ComTrade operate the gCore server, a scalable online platform which Ainsworth CEO Danny Gladstone said provided, “a technology package and

Tradologic scout for gaming potential

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rading software developers Tradologic are looking to enter the gaming industry and have turned to KMi Gaming for help. Tradologic operate a

Inspired takes virtual sports to G2E

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nspired Gaming Group took its full product range to G2E Las Vegas, including its advanced virtual sports platform and its new BetBox Bet Management System (BMS) for virtual sports betting in street venues and casinos.

Inspired’s range of eight virtual sports and four high-frequency numbers games represents one of the widest portfolios available on the market and is available for every gaming channel, including over-the-counter betting,

casino table gaming, VLT gaming machines, online and mobile.

Also at G2E, Inspired was showcasing its leading VLT products and platform, slots games, and electronic table gaming products.

BETTING

Spielo hails successful start to Coral partnership

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Tech’s gaming product brand, Spielo, hailed a successful start to its B2/B3 gaming offering partnership with UK bookmaker Coral.

“Brilliant Fruits is off to a strong start at Coral betting shops, and initial results suggest that performance will only continue to grow,” said Richard Barr, head of content at Coral Betting.

“Spielo’s Brilliant Fruits game has been available on Coral’s 7,000-plus gaming terminals since late September, and is significantly enhancing our multigame line-up. It provides our players with an internationally-proven game that’s tailored to their preferences,” he added.

Brilliant Fruits is one of the first games being imported from GTech’s Spielo-branded casino game portfolio to British B2/B3 gaming platforms.

Described as a fruit-themed slot game with stacked symbols, Brilliant Fruits has a strong math model that has led to its excellent track record in international markets according to the company.

A statement from Spielo said that it is turning the challenges of the British B2/B3 market into growth opportunities through its extensive library of internationally proven games, and is collaborating with supplier Betdigital to port Brilliant Fruits to the UK market.

This version of the game is based on GTech’s proven international knowhow, as well as Betdigital’s local knowledge of British players’ preferences.

“Being selected as GTech’s development partner for the UK market was a real honour for us and ratified all our hard work and success in the UK B2/B3 market to date,” said Heath Samples, CEO, Betdigital.

Marcel Heutmekers, GTech Vice President, Commercial Gaming, said: “All parties involved have benefited from developing and marketing Brilliant Fruits in the UK. We are now planning to extend the partnership with Coral and Betdigital, with more games in the pipeline.”

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Events

JOHANNESBURG / LONDON / MACAU / ROME / SOFIA

& Diary ICE TOTALLY GAMING FEBRUARY 4-6 2014 EXCEL CENTRE LONDON

ICE TOTALLY GAMING

Tickets are now available for ICE Totally Gaming 2014 as the organisers reveal a cluster of pre-show networking events targeting at regulators from around the world.

M

Ticket registration open and networking summit announced for ICE 2014

ince pies may have only just begun to creep onto supermarket shelves, but the gaming world is already gearing up for 2014. Ticket registration has opened for the ICE Totally Gaming expo with four months to go until the event begins.

London’s ExCeL Centre will be transformed into an arcade of gaming exhibits during February 4-6, with attendance expected to top the 22,247 visitors to last year’s event. ICE are reporting that preregistration is up 14 per cent over the previous year.

With the gaming economy recovering from global recession, there is an expectation that attendance from outside the UK will also increase. Organisers Clarion Events reported that 54 per cent of visitors had travelled from overseas to the last edition.

And Clarion are hoping that many of those travelling from farther a field will move their schedules forward after the announcement of a high level networking event to be held in the run up to the expo.

The World Regulatory Assembly at ICE hopes to connect industry representatives from across the globe in a series of events

organised in conjunction with IAGA, ECA, NCF, and IAGR. The Assembly will begin with a pre-show cocktail evening on Monday at an as yet unannounced ‘iconic’ London location.

“The Assembly cocktails, which will be a relaxed, informal and prestigious early evening networking event, is a natural progression on from the Awards evening,” said ICE portfolio director, Kate Chambers.

The centrepiece of the program comes the next day, as ICE opens its doors to ticket holders. A World Regulatory Briefing will present attendees with a full day’s worth of information on regulatory updates in key worldwide jurisdictions.

Later in the day the Regulators’ Lunch presents attendees from all points on the globe with a series of keynote talks from influential industry figures. Tuesday concludes with a Legal Masterclass taking place on the show floor. These free seminars and surgeries will cover a wide variety of contemporary topics from all across the gaming industry.

Chambers said that the expo had planned events which were, “tailored to meet the

needs of their members and guests.”

ICE Totally Gaming has earnt its place at the head table: in 2013 the expo spread 481 exhibitors across 60,267 square metres.

The theme for next year’s event is ‘sensational’ and newly appointed marketing director, Jo Mayer, claims that preparations for ICE 2014 are meeting that expectation.

She reported that attendance looks set to increase, “despite the fact the 2013 campaign opened earlier in order to help communicate our relocation to ExCeL. All of the signs are very positive,” she said.

But the expo organisers have a clear aim in mind: delivering key content to their visitors. “My aim is to create a programme of events which meet the business and networking needs of our visitors,” noted Chambers. “The Assembly provides a focused series of events which will help them to achieve the very most from the time invested participating in ICE Totally Gaming.”

ICE Totally Gaming February 4-6, 2014 ExCel, London, UK www.icetotallygaming.com

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& Diary

BIG AFRICA SUMMIT 4-6 NOVEMBER MACAO GAMING SUMMIT 14-16 NOVEMBER ICE TOTALLY GAMING 4-6 FEBRUARY

SHOWS

SUMMIT

ENADA Rome reveals certain disquiet among Italian operators

The Big Africa Summit 2013 focuses on technology

he Big Africa Summit 2013 in Johannesburg, T from November 4-6, addressed essential issues in gaming technology, including the latest changes,

imini Fiera, organiser of the ENADA,was clearly bullish about the success of its recent expo, although not all was as it had wished. The hall was busy, the aisles were active and the response was positive, but the trade show’s 41st edition lacked a strong licensee presence - an absence which drew much disappointment from the organisers and trade bodies alike.

Throughout the event, the subject of Italian gaming regulation was never far from discussion and, just as in the UK show some years ago, a cloud of uncertainty hung over the halls of the Fiera di Roma this year. And why? Well, the status of gambling regulations in Italy remains unclear; but the market responded in feisty spirit. Booths were filled with broad range of products.

The definitive outcome from discussions during the

R

expo was a desire for the Italian government to produce clear regulations applied fairly across the entire nation.

Italian industry association SAPAR, instrumental in the organisation of ENADA Rome, warned that a lack of clarity from lawmakers risked, as chairman Raffaele Curcio put it: “Giving way to demagogy and not remaining bound to reality, compromising an entire economic system.”

Curcio also made comment on the controversial lack of licensees at the event and underlined the desire of gaming companies to comply with any new regulations. “We are accustomed to respecting the rules,” he said, “but we want them to be equal throughout Italy, clear and shared, and above all useful for favouring companies’ investments.”

The next event on the ENADA calendar is the spring expo at Rimini Fiera in Rimini, Italy from 19-21 March, 2014.

and how they will impact the online gaming industry.

The summit also addressed the improvements that technology can offer to the gaming industry in areas of operations, revenues and cost control. It looked at the next five years of the online gambling industry, giving attendees a picture of what the industry will look like, what the challenges will be and what innovations are expected to help and hurt online gaming sites.

Other items on the agenda included the growth of social gaming, and how sites can monetise it, new ways to cultivate profitable relationships with consumers and various new solutions for payment processing.

These issues were addressed through a series of expert presentations by leaders in the online gaming market, giving attendees a practical, detailed understanding of the latest technology, insights, strategies and solutions for all parts of the gaming industry.

Big Africa Summit 2013 November 4-6 Johannesburg, South Africa

MACAO GAMING SUMMIT

Gaming Summit announces Macao speaker line-up With the Macao Gaming Summit just around the corner, a number of gaming luminaries are lining up discuss Asia’s burning issues.

M

omentum is gathering on the Cotai Strip as the Venetian casino prepares for the newcomer to the world events stage. The inaugural Macao Gaming Summit is slated to take place at the Venetian Macao from 14-16 November, 2013 and a slew of big-name speakers have been confirmed for the event.

The theme of the summit is “Capitalizing on Asian Gaming Growth”. Macao continues to be one of the most fertile regions for gaming investment, with a variety of company’s reporting big returns on their Macao holdings during the recent spate of financial reports.

A number of distinguished speakers will be on hand to discuss the issue in more depth. The chairman of the California Gambling Control Commission, Richard Lopez, will present the Keynote speech on ‘Challenges for International Cooper-

70 | casinoreview November 2013

ation between Regulatory Agencies on Cross Border Issues’.

Another representative from California, Commissioner Richard Schuetz, will also be speaking on the ‘Expansion of Internet Gaming in California and the United States’.

Experts are arriving from both the West and East. Heading the bill for Asian speakers is Professor Zeng Zhonglu from the Macao Polytechnic Institute. He will be presenting his research report on the Macao gaming industry. Meanwhile, his colleague, Dr Wang Changbin, will delve into the regulation of gaming machines in Macao.

Among the other speakers will be Tony Tong’s (Guangdong Dena Law Firm) presentation on VIP club finance and Yap Wai-Ming from Standford Law Corporation discussing the lessons learned from the fledgling gambling industry in Singapore.

In addition to the many talks, a growing list of companies have signed up to exhibit their products. Key figures in the worldwide gaming industry will also meet to discuss major issues in a number of panels scheduled to take place across the show’s three day run.

The Macao Gaming Summit has been organised by the Macau Gaming Equipment Manufacturers Association and the International Masters of Gaming Law. The Macao Government Tourist Office has also lent a hand, sponsoring all of the conference’s official social events.

Macao Gaming Summit November 14-16 Venetian Macao, Macao www.macaogamingshow.com

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BEGE 2013

SUE ROSSITER: ... ADAMANT THAT EXCESSIVE TAXATION AND LICENSING FEES WERE THE KEY FACTORS CONSTRAINING THE GROWTH OF THE GAMING INDUSTRY.

BEGE

Eastern European Gaming Summit urges progress With gaming luminaries gathering in Bulgaria for the BEGE, the Eastern European Gaming Summit was perfectly positioned to debate key issues affecting the local and worldwide gaming industries.

| DIARY NOVEMBER 6-7 Social Gambling Conference Dexter House, London, UK www.socialgamblingconference.com 12-14 SAGSE Buenos Aires 2013 Centro Costa Salguero, Buenos Aires, Argentina www.monografie.com/sagse_ bsas 14-16 Macao Gaming Show CotaiExpo at Venetian Macau, Macau www.macaogamingshow.com 18-20 Table Games Conference Paris Las Vegas, USA www.tablegamesconf.com

FEBRUARY 2014 4-6 ICE Totally Gaming ExCeL, London www.icetotallygaming.com

MARCH 2014 18 Latin America Casino Forum San Juan de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico www.cflatam.net

s part of the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Exhibition, the Easter European Gaming Summit set out to tackle issues that affected not just the Balkan area, but the entire globe. BEGE and the Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling put together a wide ranging program of speakers drawing on themes from gaming regulation to corporate co-operation.

The ongoing tension between online and land based gaming was a major topic of conversation, not least because its particular status in host country Bulgaria. The Balkan state has undergone a violent change in regulations recently which have dramatically affected the industry.

Angel Iribozov, chairman of the Bulgarian Gaming Association, presented a study on the nation’s gaming industry.

He noted that despite generating 120m BGN for the state, higher taxes and increasingly complex regulations have

A

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resulted in a 45% shrink in the gaming sector overall.

The EEGS opening speaker was Morten Ronde, chief executive for the Danish Online Gaming Association, who presented a review of gaming regulations across Europe. The tone of his talk was a similarly frustration, directed at a lack of progress.

Joseph Borg, senior advisor for WH Partners, told the attendees that a “competitive environment is a key to success.” He emphasised that blocking and blacklisting websites is not a productive method of regulating the online gaming industry. He was followed by the director of projects and policy for the Remote Gaming Association, Sue Rossiter. She was adamant that excessive taxation and licensing fees were the key factors constraining the growth of the gaming industry.

Focusing more tightly on the local area, other aspects of the Summit EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Ken Scott Email: ks@sjc.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1273 699 900 Sections Editor: James Walker Email: jw@sjc.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1273 699 900 Reporters: Joseph Ewens, Jennifer Riddall ADVERTISING Neil Judson Email: njudson@gbmedia.eu

touched on topics affecting Eastern Europe right now. The impending Croatian regulation was speculated on intensely, while the divisive Bulgarian Gaming Act was heatedly discussed.

A series of Expert’s Panels were convened with visitors from across the world to deliver their thoughts on the major issues facing gaming today. There was discussion about how European regulators could leverage their experience in helping the US foster fledgling intrastate laws. Panelists also debated whether or not it was reasonable to police online sites using the same criteria as those applied to bricks-and-mortar gaming.

Regulators also had their say in a special panel dedicated to legal issues across Eastern Europe. The primary point of contention was whether or not online operators felt there was a solid enough legal and commercial bedrock to enter the Balkan market.

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19-20 Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit Puerto Rico Convention Center, Puerto Rico www.caribbeangamingshow. com 23-24 FADJA Corferias, Bogota, Colombia www.fadja.com

APRIL 2014 6-8 Southern Gaming Summit and Bingo World Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, US www.sgsummit.com

MAY 2014 7-8 SAGSE Central America and Caribbean El Panama Hotel, Panama www.sagsecc.com 11-14 Indian Gaming 2014 San Diego Convention Center, US www.indiangaming.org

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