Icr135 digital

CR135-p01-Front_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 16:38 Page 1

News

WWW.CASINOREVIEW-ONLINE.COM • JANUARY 2014 • EDITION 135

Europe

FRENCH CONNECTION FRANCE’S GOVERNMENT FINALLY RELAXES CASINO HOUR RESTRICTIONS 6-7

INNOVATION AT ICE

Creative spirit sets the London scene

IS IT THE END OF THE EUROVEGAS ROAD?

PREVIEW TO ICE 30-45

WORLD 3

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER FOR THE GLOBAL CASINO INDUSTRY

Malaysia’s Genting Group has announced how much it expects to put into its Las Vegas project. But it won’t start construction until it gets the nod from the Nevada authorities.

Report by Hugh Sorrill.

M UNITED STATES

LAS VEGAS DEVELOPMENT

Resorts World Las Vegas may start phased opening in 2015

ANALYSIS enting’s march into the global market place aims to see it develop from a highly respected brand in Asia, to a respected brand everywhere. The Genting name is being used a lot more frequently in respect of its international investments but what it really wants to leverage is the Resorts World brand, which it is attaching to the major IRs it either operates already or is in the process of developing.

IRs represent the major growth area at the moment - in Asia notably, especially with the possibilities expected for Japan. Taking on the stalled development in Las Vegas is a riskier option on the face of it, however, there are good reasons why Genting might have more success than others. Las Vegas is still synonymous with casino entertainment, and the number of Asian visitors there is rising every year and will only keep rising for the foreseeable future.

Genting’s brand in Asia is extremely strong, it has a loyal customer base, and the company has an active policy of marketing its other venues to them wherever they are. One shouldn’t expect visitors to Resorts World Las Vegas to be exclusively Asian, but they will expect Asian visitors to be there in significant numbers.

G

Genting to invest up to $4bn in Las Vegas alaysian gaming giant Genting, which bought the unfinished Echelon site at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip in March, has said it will spend between $3bn and $4bn (E2.2bn and E2.9bn) on redeveloping the plot as Resorts World Las Vegas.

The company bought the 35-hectare site where the Stardust was once located for $365m (E265m) from Boyd Gaming.

At a press conference at the Malaysian flagship Genting Highlands resort in December, chairman Lim Kok Thay said: “We’re at the planning stage at the moment. The group is undergoing regulatory investigations by the Nevada Gaming Board, which is one of the strictest you can get. I’m quite confident we’ll obtain

this licence, and only with that will we commence the construction.”

Assuming no bumps in that road, Genting hopes to have the first phase open some time in 2015, featuring 3,500 hotel rooms and several gaming floors totalling more than 16,250 sq m. There will also be luxury dining and retail outlets, plus additional convention space. Some commentators are suggesting 2016 might be a more a likely date.

Genting has been pursuing a determined path of global expansion - and the US market is a key target. The company already operates Resorts World New York, an electronic casino in Queens that has proven very successful, and was pressing hard to be allowed to develop a spec-

tacular resort casino in Miami, Florida. That project has foundered on the rocks of local politics; if that plan is not yet completely dead, it’s certainly struggling for breath.

The main issue is the compacts the state government has with tribal casino operators, especially the Seminole tribe, which runs the Seminole Hard Rock casino in Hollywood, Florida. The compact, which allows slots and gaming tables - but perversely not roulette, comes to an end in 2015 and will be subject to some fierce renegotiation. If the tribes can continue the compacts and include roulette, there may be some leeway that would allow a large non-tribal resort in Miami to be built. If there is the political will.

Genting chairman and CEO Lim Kok Thay

Earlier this year, Genting opened a casino resort on the Bahamian island of Bimini, just 80km or a 2.5-hour cruise, from Miami. There are also two casinos on the Bimini Superfast cruiser: however short the journey, it is an international trip, which is not going to appeal to everyone. But unlike the tribal venues in Florida, it can offer a full casino experience and right on the doorstep of a large market.

Please join us at ICE 2014 booth N4-210 for amazing daily offers!

CR135-p02-04-World_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 12:18 PM Page 1

News World

OPENINGS

The plans for EuroVegas may have evaporated in a cloud of acrimony but casino provision for one of Europe’s major capitals has just doubled with the opening of Casino Gran Madrid-Colón and a Casino Gran Vía.

Inside the new Casino Gran Madrid-Colón

Madrid’s casinos expand into the city

S SPAIN

pain’s newest casinos, both with bright futures, opened in December on the Paseo de Recoletos and Gran Vía, two of Madrid’s major streets. Both are extensions of the licences held by the Madrid Region’s two existing casinos, Casino Gran Madrid-Torrelodones, 30km to the north east, and Gran Casino de Aranjuez, almost 50km to the south.

Casino Gran MadridColón opened on December 16 on the four lower floors of a modernist but architecturally recognised building opposite the National Library of Spain. It was the first casino within the bounds of the city for 90 years.

The 4,124sqm venue employs 450 people, of which 250 are brand new jobs. The majority of those, 162, are on the gaming floor, and the average age is 26 -

2 | casinoreview January 2014

young in a country where youth unemployment is running at a chronic 56 per cent.

Casino Gran Madrid now employes nearly 1,000 people across its two locations.

Refurbishment of the building started in April 1 and took just under 200 days; it represents an investment of around E20m. The main room is located on the ground floor over an area of 1,732sqm. There is also a cafe-bar called Bond. The basement floor houses another machine gaming area and a cafe-bar called Rhum & Rhum Bar. The mezzanine floor covers 566sqm and houses the Restaurant Columbus, managed by the Sandoval brothers, creators of the “archaeology of flavours” dining concept. The ‘afterwork’ bar is also located on this floor and aims to be a leading venue for evenings

and nights out in Madrid.

The 780sqm first floor houses the salon privé along with staff areas.

Under the terms of its subsidiary licence, the casino is allowed to operate 27 gaming tables over a maximum floor area of 1,000sqm, plus 65 gaming machines. Just four table games are offered: American roulette, blackjack, punto banco and poker.

According to the operators, the venue has been designed with different atmospheres for different spaces exclusive microvoids and impossible geometries - all structured around a series of iconic items, including a vertical garden, ornamental trusses, interior trees of LED lights and two mosaics with over 40,000 tiles of Murano enamel reproducing a lithograph of one of

the most famous graphic artists Escher. A roof terrace also provides a space for smokers.

Paula Arriaga, deputy director general of Casino Gran Madrid, believes this opening is a way to combat the crisis that the gaming industry has suffered in Spain over several years.

She told local press: “In our case, the fall in business has been 50 per cent and we had to do something about it. To overcome the crisis, you have to invest.”

Of course, the massive investment that had been expected from Las Vegas Sands into the whole sector and into Madrid will not now be forthcoming. For Gran Casino Madrid, that is both a blessing and a curse.

“They would have been very strong competition,” said Arriga, “although we would have benefited from

tax advantages. Last year was the first in which we ended in the red and part of that was a fall of 20 per cent [in revenues] due to the smoking ban.”

Just two days after the opening on the Recoletos, and just 1km away, the Casino Gran Vía opened operated by the Comar Group, which has 10 casinos in Spain employing more than 1,200 people.

The E15m redevelopment of the historic 1924 building was undertaken by renowned casino architects Steelman Partners and will offer a more traditional gaming environment than Colón.

Javier García, director general of Grupo Comar, said: “Casino Gran Vía was born with the aim of contributing to the revitalisation of leisure and tourism in Madrid. The iconic building, the team of excellent profes-

CR135-p02-04-World_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 12:19 PM Page 2

YXYXYXY SPAIN / 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

ANALYSIS surprising number of European capitals do not have much in the way of casino provision by reason of historical accident and prejudice. The prospects for these two new venues in Madrid, the first for 90 years, are good: they are about as central to the action as it’s possible to be in this elegant city that, even in the depths of economic crisis, likes a bit of swank and a bit of show. Not only that but people living in Madrid don’t necessarily want to go out of it of an evening.

The venues will not now benefit from the 10 per tax rate they would have had if EuroVegas had gone ahead, but every cloud has a silver lining: they now have direct access to Spain’s wealthiest market.

A

RESORT CASINOS

SECURITY

Las Vegas Sands CEO reconsiders EU project

Nevada casino operator’s card system hacked

Just days after confirming that the ‘Eurovegas’ project had been shelved, Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson is reportedly now considering building integrated resorts across Europe.

Eurovegas: Gone but maybe not forgotten?

The elegant environment at Comar’s Casino Gran Vía

sionals, facilities and the exclusive design makes the Casino Gran Vía a leisure experience of reference in Europe.”

The building has a total area of 4,500 square meters spread over three floors.

The ground floor provides direct access from the Gran Vía without prior registration, and has a new cafe, reception area and game room with 65 slot machines.

Located on the first floor are a cocktail bar, lounge area and table games. On the second floor there is the “Asian Chamber” where a decorative oriental inspiration is featured, along with baccarat. This floor also houses the gaming tables with American roulette, blackjack and poker tables.

A traditional Basque restaurant and gourmet Champagnería are also located on the second floor.

UNITED STATES

J

ust 10 days after announcing Las Vegas Sands had scrapped plans to build a multi-billion dollar resort in Spain, Las Vegas Sands chairman and chief executive officer, Sheldon Adelson, has said he is considering building individual integrated resorts in major European cities.

According to a story from Bloomberg News, Adelson is looking at a different model of doing Singapore-like or Japanlike or even Korea-like individual IRs in individual cities. “We will just take the major cities in Europe and see whether or not there is a possibility to pursue that,” he commented in an interview in Herzliya, Israel, at the end of December.

Citing Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Athens and Paris as possible locations for new resorts, Adelson said that only cities with a tourism infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants, transportation and exhibition facilities, would be considered.

Adding that in Asia, it “looks like” Japan, Korea, possibly Vietnam, Taiwan, and Thailand will allow the establishment of integrated resorts.

The casino operator released a statement on December 13 confirming that it was shelving plans to invest more than $30bn (E21.8bn) to develop the so-called ‘Eurovegas’ project, a series of integrated resorts in Madrid. “We have reiterated time and again that our internal development process

would dictate the outcome of a proposed development in Spain,” said Adelson. “That process has been extremely thorough, and while the government and many others have worked diligently on this effort, we do not see a path in which the criteria needed to move forward with this large-scale development can be reached.

“Developing integrated resorts in Europe has been a vision of mine for years, but there is a time and place for everything and right now our focus is on encouraging Asian countries, like Japan and Korea, to dramatically enhance their tourism offering through the development of integrated resorts there,” he added.

UNITED STATES

ffinity Gaming has confirmed “an unauthorised intrusion” into the system that processes customer credit and debit cards for its casinos.

The Nevada-based casino operator issued a public notice of the data security incident in December, encouraging individuals who visited its gaming facilities between March 14 and October 16, 2013 to take steps to protect their identities and financial information, and said that it had established a confidential, toll-free inquiry line to assist its customers.

After being contacted by law enforcement on October 24 regarding fraudulent charges that may have been linked to a data breach in its system, Affinity initiated an investigation, supported by third-party data forensics experts who that its system has been fully secured and that its customer payments are protected.

The ongoing investigation has also determined that its system became infected by malware, which resulted in a compromise of credit card, and debit card, information from individuals who visited its gaming facilities throughout Nevada, the Midwest and Colorado.

In a recent statement, the company said that it is cooperating in the ongoing law enforcement investigation of the incident. Adding: “Affinity has also taken a number of measures to strengthen the security of our network and it has worked with legal and security vulnerability experts to help identify and implement additional appropriate safeguards.”

A

January 2014 casinoreview

| 3

CR135-p02-04-World_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 12:19 PM Page 3

News

BERMUDA / NIGERIA / UNITED STATES

World

Guillermo Arcani 24

HOTEL CASINO CARRASCO: STILL IN ITS EARLY DAYS SINCE REFURBISHMENT, THE MONTEVIDEO VENUE HAS SUFFERED A SETBACK WITH THE RESIGNATION OF ITS FLAMBUOYANT CEO.

TOURISM

MARKET

Las Vegas welcomes in the New Year

A PwC outlook report has said that Nigeria will be one of the fastest-growing African countries for gambling, with a predicted 16 per cent compound annual increase.

UNITED STATES

L ‘Nigeria’s gambling industry will have fastest growth’ NIGERIA

igeria is expected to become one of the fastestgrowing African countries for gambling in the next five years, according to an annual report from multinational professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Also looking at South Africa and Kenya, PwC said in its Gambling Outlook 2013-17 report that Nigeria will show a 16 per cent compound annual increase in gross gambling revenue to ZAR650m (E45.7m) in 2017.

Kenya follows with a predicted 12.5 per cent compound increase, while South Africa, currently the largest of the three, will be the

N

slowest with five per cent. In 2012, land-based casino gambling revenues in South Africa totalled $1.7bn (E1.2bn).

While LPMs, sports betting, bingo, and the national lottery are taken into consideration for South Africa, only casino gambling is measured for the other two countries. In Nigeria, casinos and the lottery are the only legal gambling activities - sports betting is not permitted.

Nigeria is set to launch Quick Lotto, a nationwide lottery, and CEO Ayo Arise, former chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, believes it will generate employment and tax revenue.

The addition of the Quick Lotto will assist in the projected increase in gambling revenue

in Nigeria.

In the report, the leader of gambling at PwC in Southern Africa, Nikki Forster, said that despite a slowing economy, gambling held up very well in South Africa in 2012. Adding that the overall casino market in Nigeria is limited due to the high cost of licences, which has discouraged companies from entering the market.

“Consequently, the casino market in Nigeria is only a fraction of the one in South Africa,” wrote Forster.

“In Kenya, gambling laws are much more open than in Nigeria or South Africa. Gambling is considered a leisure activity that generates tax revenue,” she continued.

Gross land-based casino gambling revenues totalled

LEGISLATION

Bermuda scraps gambling referendum plans legalise casinos, and said that the matter will be decided by a vote in Parliament. Premier ermuda is scrapping plans Craig Cannonier said that legisfor a gambling referen- lators will now address the issue dum and instead promis- through an upcoming bill amid ing to put forward a gambling reports that the referendum bill in parliament. process would be undermined The government announced and boycotted by the opposition in December that it is reversing party. However, the PLP has its pledge to hold a referendum fiercely denied these accusaon whether the island should tions and said that it supported BERMUDA

B

4 | casinoreview January 2014

holding a referendum. Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert said that the PLP is surprised that the Premier would delay debate on the Referendum Bill.

The decision is believed to mean that there will be a greater chance of legalising casinos in Bermuda, whereas a referendum was seen by some as having various possible outcomes.

ZAR16.4bn in South Africa in 2012, compared with ZAR310m in Nigeria and ZAR180m in Kenya. There are 37 licenced operating casinos in South Africa, compared with 13 in Kenya and only three in Nigeria.

Beyond the casino count itself, casinos in South Africa generally are larger, having more slot machines and table games than casinos in Kenya and Nigeria.

South Africa also has a much larger economy than the other two countries, which leads to more spending per gambling position.

The PwC report provides information on the gross gambling revenues, turnover and gambling taxes and levies, which is the amount gathered by provincial licensing authorities from legal gambling.

as Vegas held one of its biggest-ever New Year’s Eve celebrations, hosting numerous concerts and an eight-minute long fireworks show that was billed as the largest in the country.

According to tourism officials, 335,000 visitors spilled out onto the streets to join in the New Year’s celebration along the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown at the Fremont Street Experience. Fireworks were launched from the rooftops of seven hotel-casinos across the region.

The Minus5 Ice Bar Mandalay Bay started handing out free champagne for hourly toasts at 11am on December 31, and tourists were seen toting novelty drinks into casinos by noon.

Big-ticket musical acts Bruno Mars, John Legend and Maroon 5 helped lure in visitors from across the US and beyond - 5,000 more than last year, according to the latest estimates.

Occupancy rates at hotels across Las Vegas approached 100 per cent, with some $200 (E145) rooms going for $600 (E435). In an effort to maximise revenues during one of the most profitable times of the year, many casinos launched special ‘New Year’s Eve Eve’ events in an effort to persuade visitors to prolong their stay.

New Year’s Eve crowds in the city have doubled since 1990 but still lag other parties in New York City’s Times Square and Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Look w Look what‘s hat‘s b behind ehind tthe he ccurtain. urtain.

The T he NOVOMATIC NOVOMATIC world world of of gaming gaming unveiled unveiled at at ICE ICE 2014 2014 Entrance Entrance S4 S4 & S5 S5

International Sales: Jens Halle, Phone: +43 2252 606 234, sales@novomatic.com, www.austrian-gaming.com

www.novomatic.com ww w www ww w..nnoovvoom maattiic. c.ccoom

CR135-p06-12-Europe_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 16:50 Page 1

News Europe

REGULATORY REFORM

France finally breaks opening hours link

FRANCE

The French government has at last heard operators’ requests and relaxed some regulations that unnecessarily restricted the way they do business. Hugh Sorrill reports.

A

lmost a year after French operators wrote to the Prime Minister asking him to put pressure on ministries holding up reform of certain casino operating regulations, the government has finally reacted and relaxed certain criteria.

On December 14 the official Gazette published a decree from December 6, 2013 that allows casinos to open slot machines and table gaming areas separately provided that casinos with more than 75 machines open the tables for at least six hours a day and those with fewer than 75 machines open the tables for at least four hours a day.

The decree has been a long time in coming. The trial period was mandated in July 2011, started on August 1 that year and was due to be reviewed by the end of the financial year in September 2012.

Two ministries are responsible for gaming regulation in France, the interior ministry and the budget ministry. By December 2012 the interior ministry had done its work, however, the budget ministry was still holding back. It was at that point that the operators through their associations wrote

6 | casinoreview January 2014

to the Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault.

The only requirement on operators now is that slot machine operations may not start after the end of table game operations.

The decree also offers operators more flexibility in the number and type of table games and machines that they offer, provided they inform the authorities in respect of slot machines eight days in advance, and in respect of table games 15 days in advance. This is a significant relaxation of the rules.

New versions of traditional games have also been authorised such as blackjack with a “Lucky Ladies” side bet and a bad beat jackpot in cash game poker. In addition, the decree allows poker tournament operators slightly more flexibility. Casinos can now offer a one time rebuy even in tournaments organised initially without rebuy, provided the rebuy is limited to 20 per cent of the original buy-in.

Importantly, electronic versions of table games, including roulette, blackjack and Texas Hold’em will now be available to all operators.

The Syndicat des Casino Modernes de France (SCMF), one of the casino operator associations which has Partouche as its leading member, welcomed the new regulations but criticised the budget ministry for its delays.

Ari Sébag, SCMF president, said: “The publication of this text, at long last, is the result of long discussions with officials at the interior ministry, and we would like to thank [them] for allowing us to progress within a constructive environment. It is also proof that the three professional employers’ organisations can work together in pursuit of a common aim.”

French operators are renowned for a strong competitive streak, which has sometimes tipped over into very strong words. Those have now been directed at the budget ministry.

Sébag said: “We do regret… that the budget ministry, with which we were holding parallel discussions, has not been as willing to listen. However, we maintain the hope for a change in the taxation regime relating to our business in the near future.”

ANALYSIS rance is by some way the biggest casino gaming market in Europe but operates under an arcane and complex regulatory regime covering everything from the status of municipalities that would like to host a casino to where operators must buy their equipment. The regulations have developed over a long period and have accreted new provisions that at the time might have seemed appropriate but which are now overly restrictive. The general rule that regulations are added to rather than subtracted from applies here more than most places.There is a case for wholesale reform of the regulatory landscape in France, but unless politicians and officials really understand what casinos are and how they operate, operators may prefer to stay with the devil they know and fight the battles they can.

F

CR135-p06-12-Europe_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 16:51 Page 2

FRANCE / GIBRALTAR / HUNGARY / NETHERLANDS / UNITED YXYXYXY KINGDOM Ari Sébag

MORE TO COME: “WE DO REGRET THAT THE BUDGET MINISTRY, WITH WHICH WE WERE HOLDING PARALLEL DISCUSSIONS, HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO LISTEN.” REVENUES Ari Sébag, president of the Syndicat des Casino Modernes de France

French revenues continue to slip FRANCE

evenues at France’s 197 casinos fell in the 2012/13 financial year to the end of September by 4.25 per cent, the three operators’ trade associations have reported.

Aggregated revenues totalled E2.18bn in the period - a fall of 22.5 per cent from six years ago.

Slot machine revenues were down more than 4.5 per cent to E1.96bn, traversing the E2bn mark in the wrong direction, while table game revenues were down almost 1.5 per cent to E217m.

In a release, the associations said: “With the recent release of the decree modifying the regulations, the industry feels its concerns have partially been heard… but it reiterates its principal demands for the creation of a common regulatory authority for all gambling operators for a more balanced policy towards gambling; for amendments to the tax regime to allow it to invest once again; for an acceleration of regulatory decrees simplifying operations and frequent authorisations of new games.”

R

Partouche asks for debt payment plan Group Partouche is hoping to spread its debt over a 10-year repayment plan in an effort to stay afloat.

he French operator Groupe Partouche has been struggling to pay debts of around E230m, a sum it must find within two years or face an increase of E175m by 2015. With the prospect of potential action from its creditors, Partouche has acted boldly. It recently sold one of its four casinos in Belgium via its holding com-

T

spokeswoman for Dmitry Medvedev has denied that the Russian prime minister proposed the introduction of gambling to the city of Sochi, which is due to host the winter Olympic Games in February 2014. The suggestion, she said, was made by a member of the banking sector during a conference in the city.

Gambling is illegal in the vast majority of Russia, with the exception of four regional areas.

Remaining on the legal front, Youtube has agreed to co-operate with the Norwegian government in an

A

Boule is unique to French casinos, which cannot yet stem the revenue decline

FINANCIAL

FRANCE

EUROPE ROUNDUP

pany Belcasinos to online casino group Napoleon Games for E16.5m and plans to sell more of its assets in Spain and France in order to remain solvent.

The courts gave Partouche the option of waiving its debt repayments for six months from September 2013, giving it time to build a plan with its creditors to pay off its debt. The operator is hoping to extend its debt over 10

years with an average maturity of E23m per year.

If the operator’s biggest creditor, US investment fund Oaktree, rejects the offer, Partouche is likely to turn to the courts again where it is believed it will rule to spread the debt rather than place the company in receivership.

Partouche reported that gross gaming revenue for the financial year ending October 31 fell by 3.2 per cent to E436m

effort to restrict gambling advertisements in the nation.

Norway’s government runs a state monopoly and all forms of online gaming are illegal. After receiving a petition from the government, Youtube has agreed to block gambling adverts in the Norwegian language, with 122 videos having already been flagged by local regulators.

Also falling foul of the law are two Polish hackers recently condemned to five years and four months in prison for a blackmail-laced cyber attack.

Patryk Surmacki and Piotr Smirnow arranged a meeting with the owner of a Manchester-based online casino company and threatened to shut down his operation unless he handed over a 50% stake in the company. After the casino operator failed to comply, the two men conspired to deny customers access to the site in a move that cost the company around £32,000 (E38,251).

Finally, French gambling regulator ARJEL reported that its President, Jean-François Vilotte is to step down in January 2014. Vilotte has been leading ARJEL since 2009 and leaves to take up a post in the private sector.

January 2014 casinoreview

| 7

CR135-p06-12-Europe_Coinslot NEW 1/3/14 10:19 AM Page 3

News Europe

ICE: raising the numbers

70

ICE GROWTH: CLARION IS OPTIMISTIC THAT [ICE TOTALLY GAMING] WILL ACHIEVE THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF GROWTH FOR THE INTERNATIONAL B2B GAMING EVENT.”

EUROPE’S BIG 8 CASINO CONTRIBUTORS

INDUSTRY REPORT

FRANCE Revenues at France’s 195 casinos have drifted downwards in the past three years and at E2.3bn now stand some 2.6 per cent lower than 2010, compounding a further 18 per cent slump experienced since 2007, as restrictions on player identity checking and the 2008 smoking ban took hold.

There were more than 1.6 million fewer visits to France’s casinos in 2012 than in 2011, a 4.7 per cent decline, as a widespread economic malaise weighed on consumer confidence and competition from online gambling, first legalised in France in 2010, became entrenched.

European casino industry displaying signs of recovery EUROPE

Nearly five years on from the start of an economic downturn that has knocked the economic lives of millions off course, Europe’s casino industry has readjusted and is just beginning to navigate its way out of the extended downturn, according to the latest set of industry data from the European Casino Association.

tight focus on operational efficiencies and driving visitation is helping Europe’s casinos rebound from the eurozone crisis.

So writes Andrew Gellatly, coauthor of the European Casino Association’s (ECA) much-anticipated 2013 Casino Industry report.

The report takes an in-depth look into the state of the European casino sector in 2012. Although the year witnessed declines in casino revenues in 12 EU countries - and deep contractions in Greece, Italy and Switzerland - eight members, or 40 per cent of the ECA’s countries were able to grow their gross gaming revenues. All the casinos combined in the association’s 23 member countries generated consolidated gaming revenues of E6.58bn in 2012 - 6.5 per cent less than the year before.

“Some countries are picking up or stabilising and 40 per cent of our members reported increased gaming revenues in 2012,” said ECA chairman, Ron Goudsmit.

Goudsmit contends that casinos across Europe have been hit to varying degrees by smoking bans, competition from online rivals and slot arcades, as well as the widespread economic malaise. More than 80 per-

A

8 | casinoreview January 2014

cent of last year’s E6.58bn total was generated in just eight countries, with France’s 195 casinos contributing E2.34bn, or 35 per cent, while Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal accounted for between four and 10 per cent each.

Goudsmit added: “The European casino industry has seen difficult times with the introduction of smoking bans and the start of the economic crisis in 2008 and the ever growing competition, partly from less regulated or unregulated forms of gaming. But the industry has shown strong resilience over the years and companies have clearly responded to the need for change.

“Despite the ongoing times of uncertainty, it is promising to see that about 40 per cent of our member countries have shown an increase in gross gaming revenues in 2012 compared to the previous year. Obviously there is still a long way to go, but looking at the overall creativity that has gone into improving the business, as well as the increasing levels of service to our customers across the European casino industry, the upturn is encouraging.”

GERMANY Although their earnings declined, Germany’s casinos still carried some of the highest gaming tax burdens in the world in 2012, sending E280m to their respective treasuries, just two per cent less than a year before. Germany’s 73 casinos earned revenues of E625m in 2012, 3.8 per cent less than a year before and nearly five per cent below the 2010 figure of E657m, as consumer spending remained under pressure throughout Europe’s largest economy.

GREECE Greece’s nine casinos have seen their income slump in the economic crisis that has stricken the country, as nongaming spend has fallen away and their largely domestic customers have gambled less on each visit.

ITALY In Italy, overall spending on betting and gambling rose nine per cent to E87bn in 2012 from a year earlier, but the land-based casino sector saw its own total revenues shrink by 18 per cent to E364m, from E449m in the year before. A far-reaching expansion in betting and gambling offerings in the Italian market since 2006, and ongoing economic turmoil in the wider national economy, have led to several years of double digit declines in revenues for Italy’s four casinos,

but recent results have begun to suggest an easing of the sector’s contraction.

NETHERLANDS As tough economic conditions and competition from arcades and online gambling had their effects, revenues and visitation, as well as the jobs created and taxes paid to the state by monopoly operator Holland Casino, all declined in 2012 when compared to a year before. Total gaming revenues at Holland Casino’s 14 properties declined 3.4 per cent yearon-year from E526m to E508m in 2012, as slot revenues stayed flat and table game win slumped 6.6 per cent.

PORTUGAL The 2008 European economic crisis has decimated Portugal’s land-based casinos industry and the country’s 11 casinos saw their revenues plunge continuously from 2008 to the present. Total revenues of E290m were down 11 per cent on 2011, with the cumulative revenue decline from 2008 to the first half of 2013 topping 34 percent.

SPAIN Spain’s 43 casinos have seen their revenues shrink in the last six years as flat or declining economic growth and high unemployment has crushed consumer spending. That downward trend has been accelerated by Spain’s smoking ban and online competition. The state-owned national lottery and slot machines found in bars, arcades and gaming halls are by far the most popular gambling products in Spain. Between the two they accounted for 75 per cent of the total market’s E8.67bn gross gaming revenue in 2012.

SWITZERLAND The country’s 21 casinos saw total revenue of E612m in 2012, but not a single operator was able to maintain revenue at 2011 levels.

Source: European Casino Association

Put the future of bonusing in your players’ hands

Mix the thrills of video slots and video gaming when you bring the joystick-driven excitement of Video Reel Edge to your floor Video Reel Edge is the latest breakthrough from the innovators at IGT, generating a new form of gaming thrill for a new generation of players. In Video Reel Edge’s unique skills-based bonuses, your players grab hold of a radical joystick interface to show off their video game skills and control how much they win. It’s an adrenalinefuelled ride that’s sure to keep them coming back for more.

The transformation of bonusing has begun. Ask your IGT account manager for more information, or visit: www.IGT.com/VideoReelEdge www.igt.com/videoreeledge

© 2013 IGT. All rights reserved.

CR135-p06-12-Europe_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 16:30 Page 4

News Europe

ExCeL: tackling hacking

HACKED OFF: IT SECURITY EXPERT IAN REYNOLDS PLANS TO DEMONSTRATE A REAL TIME HACK IN ACTION AT ICE TOTALLY GAMING AS PART OF THE EXPO’S IT, DIGITAL & SECURITY THINK TANK.

NEW MARKETS

CASINO DEVELOPMENT

Discussions on Belfast casino move ahead

Genting casino to deliver major boost to Birmingham economy

Northern Ireland moves closer to opening its first casino as the Rank Group gets set to engage in further talks with Belfast City councillors over proposed plans.

NORTHERN IRELAND

urther discussions on proposed plans for Northern Ireland’s first casino are expected to take place at the beginning of 2014 as Rank Group confirms its interest in establishing the Belfast venue, local press has reported.

Although gambling laws in Northern Ireland don’t have provisions for the opening of a purpose-built casino, Rank has confirmed potential plans for the Belfast city multimillion-pound complex, which would include restaurants and a hotel and

F

reportedly create up to 200 jobs.

Representatives from the UKbased gaming company, which manages 55 casinos across Britain following the purchase of Gala Casinos, have already had preliminary discussions with Belfast City councillors when Rank Group’s strategy director Dan Waugh met Sinn Féin, Alliance and SDLP councillors in early December. Waugh is due to have private talks with Ulster Unionist and DUP representatives at City Hall early this year when a model of the complex

will be displayed as part of a presentation.

While taking into account the sensitivities surrounding attempts to set up in a city where there are no roulette wheels or blackjack tables, Waugh also said that discussions had proved positive. He commented that Rank wants to determine whether or not there is an appetite for a change in the Northern Ireland legislation, which would eventually allow for “a strictly regulated and monitored gaming operation to

anchor a broader entertainment centre with cinema, restaurants, bars and possibly a hotel, the likes of which are prevalent in most major cities in Europe.” At present, the city council provides licences only for amusement arcades where gambling legislation is concerned. It would be up to Nelson McCausland’s Department of Social Development to change the laws.

Waugh said Rank is designing a prototype model specifically for Belfast, which would create up to 200 skilled jobs specifically for people from “areas of social need in Belfast where long-term unemployed and young people not in employment, education or training are in the highest numbers” and generate significant economic benefits through taxes and business rates.

Plans to establish a casino in Northern Ireland, where there is already some opposition to demands for licensed poker clubs, are expected to be resisted. Retired Free Presbyterian minister David McIlveen is reported to have said he would be “horrified” if a casino opened.

ACQUISITION

Gala completes Gibraltar casino sale Gala Coral Group has completed the sale of its Gibraltar casino to Swiss gaming group Gryphon for an undisclosed sum. to the Gala Coral business over many years.”

Gryphon is a large international gaming company with a proven track record of he Gibraltar Casino occupies a prime operating high quality casinos in Europe location at the heart of the Ocean Vil- and internationally. lage Marina development and incorThe sale completes a wave of casino porates the largest bingo and gaming offloads by the company which completed machine operation in the region. its exit from the UK home market in NovemCarl Leaver, CEO of the Gala Coral ber when it sold its remaining four casinos Group, said: “This transaction is another based in Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff and successful step towards streamlining our Teesside and a cold casino licence in Dundee retail business and is a continuation of our to Double Diamond Gaming for an undisstrategy to focus on growing our core opera- closed sum. tions. I would like to thank all of our colThe four casinos were excluded from a sale leagues in the Gibraltar casino for their hard of 19 casinos to the Rank Group in May 2013, work and the contribution they have made following a Competition Commission ruling.

UNITED KINGDOM

T

10 | casinoreview January 2014

UNITED KINGDOM

R

esorts World, currently under construction in Birmingham, will generate £33m (E39.5m) for the local economy when it opens in 2015, according to an estimate by analysts PwC. In addition to a casino, the seven-storey building will include a four star hotel, 45 retail locations, bars, restaurants and a cinema.

The venue is currently under construction next to the LG Arena in Birmingham’s National Entertainment Centre. Once completed, the 538,000 square foot development will be owned and operated by Genting UK. PwC’s economic assessment estimates that the site will add a gross value of £58m (E70m) to the local area

and should pump £32.8m (E39.3m) a year into the local economy. The Solihull region of Birmingham, in which Resorts World is being constructed, should benefit from an extra £25m (E30m) in gross value each year.

Genting estimate that the project is creating 1,750 construction jobs and will support 1,100 staff when it opens to the public.

“We have spent several years working closely with the NEC Group and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to make Resorts World a reality,” said Peter Brooks, president and chief operating officer for Genting UK. “As an integrated destination complex we will be able to offer the recreational and business visitor to the NEC a truly unique and diverse leisure and entertainment experience. In doing so, we are delighted to be further strengthening the offer at the NEC and that we will be delivering significant economic benefits to the regional economy.”

Mesmerising video, pulsating audio and scintillating game play; all the essential elements that fuel an explosive gaming experience.

Core ingredients common throughout Aristocrat’s vast, dazzling array of new gaming concepts bursting onto the scene.

Innovations spanning sensational centre-pieces, proven performers and new ways of being entertained.

Prepare to be blown away by a blazing display of creativity on Stand S4-250 at ICE 2014.

Š 2014 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited. Aristocrat, the Aristocrat logo and all game names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited.

CR135-p06-12-Europe_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 16:45 Page 5

News Europe

Rimini 70

ENADA SPRING: THE RIMINI EVENT WILL NOW BE HELD OVER THREE DAYS TO ‘ALIGN ENADA WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS’ AND FINE TUNE VISITOR PROFILING.

TAXATION

Greek casinos owe state up to E30m HUNGARY

ILLEGAL OPS

GREECE

G

reece’s casinos owe the government between E100,000 and E30m each, according to data collected by Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Nikos Pantelis, local press has

reported.

Mostly ranging between E100,000 and E300,000, the debts vary from value-added tax that has not been paid to tax from casino entrance tickets that the businesses have failed to pay to the state. Loutraki casino in the west of

Athens, which recently filed for protection from its creditors, is said to owe around E30m.

It was reported in November that five casinos, which were estimated by Greece’s Gaming Commission to owe the state up to E40m in total, had been warned

by the Gaming Regulatory Authority to regulate their expired debts to the Greek state. The casinos of Loutraki, Rio, Corfu, Xanthi and Syros were told to submit memorandums on their expired debts to the state in order to keep their operating licences.

I

Casino Sopron relocates to larger premises With floor space at the casino’s older venue limited, management decided to look for suitable alternative premises and found a more suitable location on the main road from Austria to the city centre. The Mediterrano complex

offers visitors to Sopron new restaurant, coffee shop, dentist and beauty salon facilities, alongside its new gambling option.

The casino submitted its request to relocate to the Ministry of National Economics (the Ministry of

Finance) in July 2013, and the corresponding licence was granted in mid-November.

The new venue features a choice of popular gaming tables - American roulette, blackjack, poker - an extensive selection of slot

machines and a bar.

Since reopening on November 22, the casino has repeatedly recorded new highest attendance figures. Casino Sopron followed its soft opening with a celebratory Grand Opening Party on December 19.

SPORTS BETTING

OEG receives sports betting licence in Lithuania LITHUANIA

O

lympic Casino Group Baltija, a subsidiary of the Olympic Entertainment Group (OEG), has been issued with a licence to offer sports betting games in Lithuania.

OEG offers sports betting

under OlyBet trademark, which was launched in August 2013 and already has licences in Estonia and Latvia. OlyBet will start operations in Lithuania in the first quarter of 2014. In addition to the online sports betting platform, OEG will also expand its network of OlyBet Sports Bars into Lithuania.

12 | casinoreview January 2014

RUSSIA

R

RELOCATION

Casinos Austria International has opted to relocate its operation in the Hungarian border town of Sopron to new and larger premises. t was in a fit of raging dogma that the Hungarian government decided to ban slot machines outside of casinos and initiated the closure of all slot halls across Hungary in October 2012. And with that decision came an opening for opportunity for the last men standing: the country’s three surviving casinos - two in the capital Budapest and CAI’s Casino Sopron.

With the ban resulting in a significantly increased demand for its slot machines, Casino Sopron has acted swiftly and immediately, not just reshuffling its gaming floor and increasing its number of slots, but also relocating into larger premises.

Supreme Court won’t review Moscow’s casino bribery case

OEG chief executive officer, Madis Jääger, commented: “Lithuania already has a large sports betting community and we are really exited to be able to expand our sports betting operations into such an active market being the fifth operator to receive the sports betting licence in Lithuania. In order to

offer online sports betting services in Lithuania, operators must also have land-based sports betting venues. That makes expanding our sports betting operations truly fitting as our new OlyBet Sports Bars concept is unique to Lithuanian market and online solutions meet the highest standards of the industry.”

ussia’s Supreme Court has rejected a request to review the case of two former Interior Ministry officials charged with involvement in illegal casino operations, local press reported in early December.

Former officials Farit Temirgaliyev and Mikhail Kulikov were arrested in June 2011 and accused of taking more than $225,000 in bribes from the owners of illegal casinos in Moscow in exchange for warning them about upcoming police raids.

Police general Denis Nikandrov and Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin asked the court in November to reconsider, saying that the ruling derailed the investigation and cast doubts on the possibility of prosecuting other suspects in the highprofile case.

The presiding judge said that the ruling in the case could be appealed in the Supreme Court by convicted, acquitted and injured persons, as well as by their representatives.

However, the court ruled in December that it had no jurisdiction over investigators’ rights and lawful interests as they are not among the list of people “with the right to appeal court verdicts as a form of supervision,” meaning that investigators had no grounds for their appeal.

News of the gambling scandal broke out in spring 2011 after the Federal Security Service exposed a network of illegal casinos in the Moscow region. A total of 10 law-enforcement officers were arrested in connection with the case. They were later released, but the investigation into their involvement is still in progress.

www.wms.com/now

CR135-p14-16-Asia_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 14:31 Page 1

News

Asia & Oceania

INTEGRATED RESORTS

New partner reported fo South Hoi An project After Genting pulled out of one of the major proposed IR projects in Vietnam, a less ambitious proposal for the central region of the country seems to have attracted another strong contender. Hugh Sorrill reports

A VIETNAM

new joint partner for a South Hoi An hotel and casino resort in central Vietnam has been found, according to a report in the Vietnam Investment Review (VIR).

The planned integrated resort on reclaimed land in Thang Binh district, about 60km south of Da Nang, has been on the table for some time, largely backed by asset management firm VinaCapital; it had brought Genting into the frame but the Malaysian company decided in September 2012 that its interests lay elsewhere.

VIR’s source, a unnamed “senior official” at the Chu Lai Economic Zone Management Authority, said that a foreign company had been introduced to the

14 | casinoreview January 2014

authority by VinaCapital.

The source added: “This is not an appropriate time for me to unveil the name but it is a famous global player in the casino industry. It has good financial capacity and strong management experience, which makes it perfectly suited to run an integrated resort complex.”

Members of the authority have also apparently visited a casino resort complex owned by the operator abroad in order to assess its existing operations.

The South Hoi An project consists of several five-star hotels, villas and electronic gaming facilities initially over 1,555 hectares, reduced to 1,000 hectares after the withdrawal of

Genting to make it more attractive to potential investors.

Other concessions have been granted - pushing out full completion of the project until 2035 and the ability of the new partner to hold up to an 80 per cent stake.

The source said: “This will be an important change ensuring the successful development of the project.

After the province gets the nod from the government, we will amend the investment certificate for this project.”

That could happen within the next six months.

There are several modern casino projects under development in Vietnam, with plans for others on Van Don Island in the

north-east of the country, a prospect that has seen big name operators sniffing around, including Las Vegas Sands, Genting and Casinos Austria.

LVS has previously said it would only be interested in investing in Vietnam if locals were allowed to gamble rather than just tourists.

In this still Communist-run country, it was seen as an unlikely prospect, however, 2013 has seen a significant change in policy. The government announced in June that it would look more closely at the issue, and last month it said that some qualifying Vietnamese citizens would be allowed to gamble at the Van Don casino when it is built. Government officials

are known to have visited Singapore to look at how the system there works: Singaporeans may not gamble unless they pay a levy either S$100 (E57) per day or $2,000 (E1,150) for an annual pass.

Not only will allowing locals to gamble encourage the kind of outside investment the government wants in integrated resorts, it could also help stem the flow of people travelling, sometimes for hours, to the border with Cambodia to gamble in casinos there; even in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, NagaWorld gets significant business from Vietnam and facilitates it through offering complimentary shuttles from the main border posts.

CR135-p14-16-Asia_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 14:31 Page 2

MACAU / NEW ZEALAND / YXYXYXY VIETNAM South Hoi An

SOUTH HOI AN: “THIS WILL BE AN IMPORTANT CHANGE ENSURING THE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT.” FINANCIAL South Hoi An is already home to a number of luxury resorts

SkyCity anticipates H1 earnings drop

ASIA & OCEANIA ROUNDUP

T

he Australian state of Queensland has lifted a ban on using AUD$50 (E32.3) and AUD$100 (E64.7) bills when gambling on ‘pokies’ located within its borders. Previously, players could input no denomination larger than AUD$20 (E12.9). The move has been welcomed by local operator Echo Entertainment, which had lobbied for the legal change. The company has also moved to dampen criticism from anti-gambling organisations by noting that the limit on a single bet remains $100 (E64.7) - compared to $1000 (E647) in Victoria and $10,000 (E6,470) in New South Wales.

Australian nationals have also been making waves across the water in New Zealand, where Aussie David Lim emerged victorious at the New Zealand Poker Tour. After three days

d for t ANALYSIS ietnam has long been touted as the next interesting market in Asia, but it is taking its time to get going: the regulatory conditions in the country have not been quite right and that has put operators off making the substantial investments demanded by the proposed projects. The Communist government is, not unsurprisingly, rather ambivalent towards casinos and gambling so has been slow to come round to a workable position. But they see the reality of revenues and currency being lost abroad and it seems they are now willing to work with the industry to achieve the best possible outcome.

V

NEW ZEALAND

kyCity Entertainment Group has reported a dip in earnings for the first half of fiscal 2014, due primarily to the significant currency appreciation of the New Zealand dollar against the Australian dollar.

For the six months ended December 31, 2013, profits for the group, which operates five SkyCity casinos in Australian and News Zealand, is anticipated to be in the range of NZ$65m (E38.9m) to NZ$68m (E40.7m). This compares to NZ$72m (E43m) in the first half of 2013, excluding Christchurch casino, which was sold in December 2012.

“The result in this half year has been adversely impacted by the significant currency appreciation of the New Zealand dollar against the Australian dollar - up 18 per cent from 0.78 to 0.92,” SkyCity said in a trading update.

According to the group, electronic gaming machine revenues at its Auckland venue has firmed, and cost reduction initiatives across the business are leading to an improved EBITDA margin.

The South Australian economy,

S

meanwhile, has not shown any consistent signs of growth and, with the ongoing partial closure of the Adelaide Southern railway line due to electrification works, the property is experiencing a challenging trading environment.

SkyCity’s Darwin venue continues to show good non-gaming revenue growth, with high hotel occupancy and strong demand for the new Lagoon Resort. “Local gaming revenues have been somewhat soft, albeit offset by an improvement in the international business volumes in Darwin,” the company said.

In Hamilton, the softness experienced in the first quarter has shown some signs of improving in the second quarter, however, the first-half result in 2014 is expected to be less than the prior-year period.

The management integration of SkyCity’s second casino in Queenstown - The Wharf - is now complete with both casinos being refurbished in this half. International business growth continues to improve with higher Asian and Chinese visitation, following the opening of their first Horizon IB Salon in Queenstown.

of competition, he pipped fellow countryman Nathan Gubieski to the title at the Sky City Casino in Aukland.

The event formed part of PokerStars’ Australia New Zealand Poker Tour which continues in Perth on 20 February, 2014. The online poker operator has also announced the schedule for its Asia Pacific Poker Tour, which, for the first time, will include the Aussie Millions main event. The series consists of 13 events, beginning in Macau at the City of Dreams casino on 16 January, 2014 and concluding at the Sky City casino in Aukland on 23 November, 2014.

Meanwhile in Asia, James Packer’s Sri Lankan journey continues to bump along with the tax concessions granted for his proposed casino project in the country the subject of questions raised in Parliament.

And progress, it seems, is being made in the Philippines where Kazuo Okada’s investment group appears close to securing a second local partner for their planned $2bn casino resort in Manila - a deal which would enable him to bypass a limit on foreign ownership.

January 2014 casinoreview

| 15

CR135-p14-16-Asia_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 14:31 Page 3

News

Asia & Oceania

Baha Mar opens up to China 60

SARKIS IZMIRLIAN: “THIS IS A GREAT STEP FORWARD IN STIMULATING CHINESE TOURISM TO THE BAHAMAS...[MAKING] BAHA MAR MORE ACCESSIBLE TO CHINESE CUSTOMERS.”

INVESTMENT

SMOKING

Macau’s proposed Louis XIII hotel secures additional funding MACAU

The grand Louis

XIII casino project in Macau has moved one step closer to completion after acquiring a large dose of new capital.

hrough a variety of financial transactions, the holding company behind the Louis XIII casino project has raised $133.5m (E97.4m) to fund the building’s development. This latest round of investment follows a set of deals in January which raised an initial $411m (E300m).

Of the money raised, the majority has been gathered through a share placement worth around $94.6m (E69m) while the remainder was taken up as convertible bonds by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. During the first round of fund raising, the pension group had already purchased $130m ($95m) worth of bonds, which can be converted into shares at a later date. The shares were sold at HK$8.23 (E0.77), amounting to a dis-

T

count of around 15% on the listed price.

Forming another part of the ever-expanding Cotai Strip, the Louis XIII will be themed on the renaissance opulence of the famous French monarch. It’s most expensive suite will be priced at $130,000 (E9,489), a price fitting for a king, and its owners intend for it to become the most desirable hotel room in the world.

The resort is the brainchild of flamboyant businessman Stephen Hung, former co-head of investment banking for Asia at Merrill Lynch. Hung recently confirmed the design of Louis XIII would be undertaken by architect Peter Marino. Famous principally for his work on a number of flagship retail stores, Marino has designed what he describes as a, “royal red robe

Plans to reduce smoking in Macau casinos get underway

MACAU

T wrapped around a crystal core, rising up out of which is a 20 metre diamond.”

Construction has already begun on the building’s edifice, although the project still lacks formal government approval. Estimates for the total cost of the casino and hotel have recently increased to $1bn (E730m) and the additional money required to complete the project will be secured via bank loans. It is believed that the Louis XIII holding company are lay-

ing the groundwork for credit totalling HK$4bn (E377m).

The project is due for completion around the second quarter of 2016 and has been described by its creators as a seven star resort.

The hotel and casino are targeted at the world’s richest clients and will house 236 rooms, the cheapest of which will cost HK$10,000 (E941) a night. A planned retail quarter will feature outlets that see customers by appointment only.

PERFORMANCE

Macau toasts 2013 revenue increase MACAU

C

asino revenue growth in Macau, the world’s largest gaming market, accelerated last year, due primarily to the continued influx of visitors from the Chinese Mainland.

According to Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), gaming revenue from the six operators of China’s only legal casinos rose 18.6 per cent to MOP360.75bn (E32.8bn) last year.

Revenue for December in Macau jumped 18.5 per cent to MOP33.5bn (E3bn) from a year earlier, the city’s casino regulator said.

The Las Vegas Strip generated $5.8bn (E4.2bn) from January to November, while Macau’s casino revenue in the same period was about $41bn (E29.7bn).

16 | casinoreview January 2014

The former Portuguese colony’s oncestruggling casino market has thrived since the government ended a gambling monopoly a decade ago and let in foreign players such as Las Vegas Sands Corporation and Wynn Resorts.

Over recent months, casino operators

including Sands China and Galaxy Entertainment Group have been adding hotel rooms, shopping malls and entertainment shows to draw Chinese tourists, who accounted for more than 60 percent of Macau’s arrivals and have helped fuel a boom in the country’s only city where casinos are legal.

Growth will probably slow this year in the absence of new resort openings, according to Bloomberg Industries. “It’s going to be another strong year in 2014, while the growth rate is likely to be in mid-teens,” Grant Govertsen, a Macau, China-based analyst at Union Gaming Group, told Bloomberg.

“In absolute terms, it’s going to be magnificent growth because of the improved rail connection and infrastructure, as well as the addition of the Chimelong theme park on the neighbouring Hengqin island.”

he Macau Gaming Industry Workers Association supports plans to reduce smoking areas in Macau casinos. Vice president of the association, Leong Sun Iok, said that the call is a practical proposal that should be accepted until smoking is banned in casinos completely.

The Health Bureau says the six casino concessionaires and sub-concessionaires have jointly petitioned for permission to have smoking rooms - without gaming tables or slot machines inside - to replace their smoking areas. In a written statement issued in December, the bureau said that it would discuss the request with the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau and that they would seek a legal opinion on the matter together.

The government ordered a total of 16 casinos and slot machine parlours to reduce the size of their smoking areas after the failed a second round of tests of the air quality. The establishments that were still open had until December 10 to present their plans for reducing their smoking areas and say how they intend to improve air quality throughout their premises.

In contradiction to a statement issued by the Health Bureau (SSM), the secretary for social affairs and culture, Cheong U, suggested that all casinos that failed the air quality test had submitted their new floor plans within the legal time-frame. SSM is reportedly analysing the documents and Cheong said that the process will be completed at the end of January.

CR135-p18-19-Africa_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 10:36 AM Page 1

News

Africa & Middle East

MANUFACTURING

Slot machine manufacturing starts in South Africa SOUTH AFRICA

L South Africa’s first locally made slots will help to grow the street gaming market by providing machines at a price where they can make a return on investment.

Hugh Sorrill reports

ess than a year after Grand Parade Investments and Germany’s Merkur Gaming created a new joint venture company, Grand Merkur, to build gaming machines in South Africa, the first two units have rolled off the production line in Cape Town.

Full production is expected to start early in 2014.

The slots, assembled by the partnership’s contract manufacturer Tellumat, are the first ever to have been manufactured in the country and are destined for both casinos and the expanding Limited Payout Machine (LPM) market, in which Grand Parade is the leading operator in the region.

Grand Parade’s executive chairman Hassen Adams said: “This is just the start. We expect to create a significant number of new jobs and careers that will naturally provide significant economic multipliers for this country.”

Adams said the components had been procured locally for “a world-class product” that has already been successful in Europe.

Grand Parade’s director of gaming operations Alex Abercrombie added: “Initial local cost assessments for LPM parts and components have been completed by Tellumat and we are extremely happy with the results. We expect a significant saving against the pricing from our current LPM suppliers. We already have a significant LPM footprint through operator licences and we are

18 | casinoreview January 2014

looking to grow this portion of the business.”

Grand Merkur intends also to develop countryspecific gaming software generated by an in-house research and development department.

The LPM market in South Africa is still developing, and is still a long way from reaching the penetration and machine numbers allowed under the various provincial licences.

According to the PwC Gambling Outlook report issued in November, in 2012 the market saw Gross Gaming Revenues of almost R1.48bn (E104.5m) nationally, expected to rise by above 30 per cent in 2013 to around R1.92bn (E135.6m).

PwC predicts the market growth gradually slow over the next four years, however by the end of 2017, it should generate GGR of around R3.68bn (E260m).

It will only be able to achieve that, however, if operators are able to install the number of machines permitted; the cost of machines is a limiting factor in fulfilling the market - an issue that local manufacturing will help resolve.

Western Cape is the largest market, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

Grand Parade saw its three LPM brands - Grandslots (Western Cape), Kingdomslots (KwaZulu-Natal) and Grand Gaming Slots (Gauteng & Mpumalanga) generate GGR of R463.3m

Hassen Adams, executive chairman of Grand Parade Investments

(E32.7m) from more than 2,100 machines in the year to the end of June, an increase of 17.1 per cent over 2012.

When the Grand Merkur launch was announced, Thomas Niehenke, COO of Merkur Gaming’s parent company, said: “We are certain of filling a significant market niche with the joint venture. In addition we see strong business growth potential in the South African market in the amusement machines sector. Likewise, South Africa is an ideal country to reach out and serve further markets in Africa.”

ANALYSIS he South African street market is a niche: the customer base is not substantially wealthy but would still like to be able to play games on the best quality machines available. For LPM machine operators, even Grand Parade, which has made substantial investments in the sector, the sums don’t quite add up yet and that’s down to the cost of well made machines and robust software. Local manufacture takes out significant importation costs, such as transportation and tariffs. It also helps Grand Parade, which was established as a Black Economic Empowerment enterprise, offer training and highly skilled manufacturing within South Africa.

T

CR135-p18-19-Africa_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 10:37 AM Page 2

MALAWI / SOUTH AFRICA YXYXYXY Slot production starts in Cape Town

HASSEN ADAMS: “THIS IS JUST THE START. WE EXPECT TO CREATE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF NEW JOBS THAT WILL PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC MULTIPLIERS FOR THIS COUNTRY."

REFURBISHMENT

COMMUNITY

New era for Tsogo Sun hotel after multimillion rand refurb

Malawi casino helps fund new health clinic for local community

MALAWI

SOUTH AFRICA

T

he hotel, situated en route to Durban in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, provides an entertainment, leisure and hospitality destination together with the Golden Horse Casino, the only

casino in South Africa with its own horse race course.

Arisha Stanley, general manager of the Golden Horse Hotel, said: “With the refurbishment complete, we can take Southern Sun Pietermaritzburg into its new era and we look forward to the journey

ahead.

“As part of Tsogo Sun’s family we can provide greater benefits,” added Stanley.

Tsogo Sun’s portfolio includes 14 casinos and over 90 hotels. The hotel and gaming group delivered year-on-year growth in both hotel and casino revenues for the

six months ended September 30, 2013. Total income for the six months grew nine per cent to ZAR5.2bn (E0.37bn), driven by a six per cent increase in gaming win, a 17 per cent increase in hotel revenue and a 21 per cent growth in food and beverage revenue.

T

he Malawi Gaming Board and the Colony Club Casino in Blantyre - Malawi’s commercial hub and second city - have funded the opening of a new health clinic in the city that will take pressure off the main Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).

SPORTS BETTING

Sun International launches new sports betting platform SOUTH AFRICA

outh African gaming and hospitality group Sun International has launched a new sports betting platform, Sunbet.

The group had previously identified sports betting as a market with growth potential, and earlier this year acquired Powerbet Gaming, which owned and operated betting platform Voltbet.com, for ZAR30m (E2.1m).

That company has now been rebranded as Sunbet complete with a new website - and Sun International said it would be marketed to “sports-mad South

S

Africans”.

The platform will offer sports betting in rugby, cricket, soccer, tennis and US sports, as well as English football, while negotiations are under way to include horse racing.

Michael Farr, group general manager of brand and communications at Sun International, said: “The sports betting industry is in its infancy and offers high growth potential. It seems likely that, in time, online gaming will be legalised in South Africa and we believe this business will position us well for when this happens, both in terms of track record and in understanding our guests’

online preferences.”

With the exception of sports betting, online gambling is still illegal in South Africa. The National Gambling Amendment Act of 2008 legalised interactive gambling but has not yet been adopted.

“Many South Africans would like to bet on their favourite teams or individ-

Pressure on the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital will be relieved by the casino’s donation

uals but don’t necessarily gamble in casinos. SunBet gives them the platform to do just that,” Farr said. “We will also give customers the option to bet in current pop culture, betting on odds like who will win the 2013 Pop Idols or what colour dress will Charlize [Theron] wear to the Oscars.”

The Gateway Clinic, on the same street as the QECH will act as a district hospital for the millionstrong city and satellite communities, treating minor injuries and ailments.

According to gaming board CEO Master Maliro and Colony Club general manager Ahmed Moniem, the donation of 12m kwacha (E21,000) was used to refurbish the building housing the clinic as well as furnishing it and providing medical equipment. The money came from their corporate social responsibility funds.

January 2014 casinoreview

| 19

CR135-p20-22-NAmerica_Coinslot NEW 1/3/14 10:52 AM Page 1

News

North America

CASINO LICENCE

MGM and Wynn found suitable for Massachusetts licence

M MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts have been found suitable to operate in Massachusetts by the state’s gaming commission. But it’s not such good news for Caesars Entertainment

where lawyers, it seems, will be locking horns

UNITED STATES

GM Resorts has joined Wynn Resorts in being found suitable for a casino licence in the state of Massachusetts.

MGM received a unanimous vote from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) finding the company a suitable candidate for a casino licence in the Commonwealth. The decision moves MGM Springfield another step closer to being awarded the sole licence to operate a destination resort casino in Western Massachusetts.

The Commission’s 12-page decision follows the December 9 positive recommendation from its investigative division.

According to the decision: “The commission, by unanimous vote, finds that the applicant has satisfied its burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that it meets the standards for suitability.”

The next step in the licensing process for MGM is the submission of its full licence application. Following that submission, the company will be required to present its proposal in a public hearing before the commission.

That presentation will be followed by two community public hearings - one in Springfield and one in an abutting community which are expected to be set for January and February.

MGM officials have been working with Springfield’s community and business leaders, stakeholders and residents for almost two years to gain understanding and support for the project, which was endorsed by groups and individuals including neighbourhood associations,

20 | casinoreview January 2014

cultural and civic organisations and labour unions. In July, MGM Springfield was overwhelmingly approved by the city’s voters.

MGM Springfield was recently endorsed by regional chambers of commerce representing more than 2,500 businesses, finalised a marketing agreement with Six Flags New England, and reached surrounding community agreements with Ludlow, Agawam, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, and Chicopee. The approximately $800m (E581.5m) resort is proposed for 14.5 acres of land between Union and State streets, and Columbus Avenue and Main Street.

MGM joins Wynn Resorts onthe state’s suitability list. The recommendation is one less obstacle for Wynn to face as it seeks to win the sole eastern Massachusetts casino licence

allowed under the state’s 2011 gaming act. The commendation comes after four commission members signed off on a revised real estate deal for the proposed casino in December.

The Investigations and Enforcement Bureau raised concerns about Wynn’s business practices in Macau during a commission hearing in Boston, but said the operator was suitable for a licence on the condition that CEO and chairman Steve Wynn explained the company’s business practices there.

Both casino companies are awaiting a final decision from the MGC, which hopes to issue its first licence by late February.

The MGC anticipates that the resort-casino licences for Eastern Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts will be awarded in spring 2014.

MGM National Harbor wins Maryland licence

T

he MGM family is enjoying a good run on the casino licence front of late. MGM National Harbor, a subsidiary of MGM Resorts, has been awarded the licence to operate the sixth casino in the state of Maryland after a year-long competitive bid process.

The site for the $925m investment is located in Prince George’s County at National Harbor and will include a casino with 3,600 slots, 140 table games including poker; a 300 suite 4.5 star quality hotel with luxury spa and rooftop pool; high-end branded retail; fine and casual dining.

Maryland and local Prince George’s County residents are expected to benefit greatly from the destination gaming resort, with commission consultants reporting that MGM National Harbor would generate more revenue, more tax dollars and create more jobs (4,000 direct permanent roles) than the two other companies bidding for the same licence would.

MGM National Harbor president and COO, Lorenzo Creighton said: “By utilising our network of local employers and educational institutions, and by maintaining a strong relationship with our local workforce, we will deliver on our promise of economic development and growth in Prince George’s county and the broader region.”

CR135-p20-22-NAmerica_Coinslot NEW 1/3/14 10:32 AM Page 2

YXYXYXY CANADA / UNITED STATES Hard Rock, Biloxi 58

SOLID DEAL: TWIN RIVER IS BUYING THE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN BILOXI FOR $250M. THE SALE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE WITH FUNDS ALREADY SECURED.

US ROUNDUP

CASINO OPENING

Miami Valley welcomes thousands of visitors UNITED STATES

iami Valley Gaming, a joint venture between gaming and hospitality leader Delaware North Companies Gaming and Entertainment and Churchill Downs, officially opened its doors to thousands of residents from the Dayton and Cincinnati regions of Southwest Ohio on December 12.

Despite frigid morning temperatures, a large crowd of several thousand people became the first guests at Miami Valley Gaming, Ohio’s newest gaming venue. Located in Lebanon,

M

Caesars is suing MGC over ruling aesars Entertainment is suing Massachusetts’ gaming commission chairman, claiming the review of its $1bn casino development plan was biased.

According to Caesars, the ruling by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) that found it not suitable for a casino licence in the state had breached its civil rights.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Boston, the Las Vegas-based company challenged “the constitutionality, objectivity and fairness” of its treatment by Stephen Crosby, chairman of the MGC, and said the review of its $1bn (E0.73bn) casino development plan was biased because he had undisclosed ties to a landowner who favoured another applicant.

Caesars had been in the running for one of three casino licences in the New England state until October when it pulled out of a plan to develop a casino with the operator of Boston’s Suffolk Downs horse racing track.

approximately 50km northeast of Cincinnati, the new facility features 1,600 of the gaming industry’s newest video lottery terminals, a racing simulcast centre broadcasting races from around the country and a horse racing track, which opens in February to replace Lebanon Raceway.

“The local community has been continually supportive of Miami Valley Gaming, and we’re pleased we can finally welcome guests to this new, regional entertainment destination,” said Jim Simms, president and general manager of Miami Valley Gaming, who was joined by Churchill

s revenue reports and construction announcements send positive signals about the health of the US casino sector, industry stalwarts are expressing reservations concerning its new online markets. Vegas veteran Steve Wynn recently voiced his concerns, telling reporters that he is happy to simply let internet gaming take its own course. Speaking about the newly opened market in New Jersey he said: “I’m not sure as I stand here where

A

Downs and Delaware North executives and state and local government officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We hope that our comfortable restaurants, bars, gaming and racing and entertainment options will keep guests coming back. It is a great accomplishment to open our doors, and we hope that Miami Valley Gaming will only increase the region’s status as Ohio’s largest playground.”

The facility is expected to generate at least $24m (E17.4m) per year for local communities and provide more than 500 jobs in the region.

C

FINANCIAL

MGM to refinance debt UNITED STATES

M

GM Resorts announced in December that it was refinancing $500m (E362.6m) of the company’s debt.

The casino operator proposed issuing new debt due in March 2020 and said that it plans to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repaying a portion of its outstanding 5.875 per cent senior notes due February 2014 at maturity.

MGM said in a statement that the

debt would be “guaranteed by substantially all of the company’s wholly owned domestic subsidiaries which guarantee the company’s other senior indebtedness, and equal in right of payment with all existing or future senior unsecured indebtedness of the company and each guarantor.”

As of September 30, MGM Resorts had a little more than $13bn (E9.4bn) in long-term debt. “MGM’s proposed note issuance will push out debt maturities thereby improving the company’s liquidity position,” said Moody’s Investor Services vice president Peggy Holloway.

online gaming is going,” refusing to rule out a Wynn-sponsored online venture in the future.

Further down the Strip, Bally’s Las Vegas confirmed their construction of a new retail location at the entrance to their resort.

The Grand Bazaar Shops, designed to reflect a 21st Century interpretation of an open air market is scheduled to open in the Autumn of 2014.

Away from Nevada the positivity continued, as the Foxwoods resort in Connecticut reported a slot revenue increase of 2.1 per cent during November. When compared with the same period 12 months ago, figures improved from $43m (E31.4m) to $43.9m (E32.1m), contributing to the $11m (E8m) the company paid in state taxes last month.

January 2014 casinoreview

| 21

CR135-p20-22-NAmerica_Coinslot NEW 03/01/2014 12:22 Page 3

News

North America

Tribal Gaming at ICE 70

TRIBAL GAMING: ICE TOTALLY GAMING WILL STAGE THE FIRST TRIBAL GAMING SEMINAR AT THE LONDON SHOW ON WEDNESDAY 5 FEBRUARY EXPLORING THE KEY ISSUES.

DEVELOPMENT

PROMOTIONS

Vancouver mayor gives green light for casino expansion

Christmas in Vegas UNITED STATES

I

tion for the existing Edgewater Casino, with twice the floor space of the existing facility at the Plaza of Nations. aragon Gaming, the US-Canadian Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said casino developer, has received a the casino’s licence remains capped at 600 development permit to construct a slots and 75 tables. The city’s director of mixed-use resort in downtown Vancouver. planning, along with the city council, will The C$535m (E367.6m) project includes conduct a final review of the project before two hotel towers, a conference centre, it can go ahead. restaurants and a new and expanded locaParagon must adhere to restrictions on CANADA

P

REVENUES

the number of automated cash machines, hours of operation and the hours in which alcohol can be served. In addition, the building must be constructed in line with the highest environmental certification - the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold standard.

If the project meets the next round of approval, Paragon hopes to be open by 2016.

ACQUISITION

Foxwoods sees festive rise in slot revenue UNITED STATES

head of the opening of its festive Rink & Winter Patio, November slot revenue at Foxwoods Resort Casino was up 2.1 per cent from a year ago, improving to $43.9m (E31.8m) from the $43.0m (E31.2m) reported last year. Handle for the month was $510.0m (E369.9m), off 2.1 per cent from the $521.0m (E377.8m) wagered in November 2012.

Foxwoods also reported that its contribution to the Connecticut Special Revenue Fund for the month was $11.0m (E8m), bringing the cumulative contribution to the state since Foxwoods opened in 1992 to more than $3.56bn (E2.6bn).

The Foxwoods Rink & Winter Patio is a family-friendly winter wonderland attraction featuring an ice skating rink, fire pits for roasting smores and a 30-foot Christmas tree. Officially launching the holiday season at the venue, it offered several weekly events with a special focus including ‘Skate with Santa’. The resort casino celebrated the New Year by hosting a Miami Style party featuring steel drums, DJs and bars.

A

22 | casinoreview January 2014

Scott County snaps up Rhythm City Casino UNITED STATES

sle of Capri Casinos, the regional gaming and entertainment company with casinos across the east and south-eastern US, has announced it will sell the Rhythm City Casino in Davenport, Iowa, to Scott County Casino for approximately $51m (E37m) Led by Dan Kehl, Scott County said the transaction is expected to close early in 2014, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

“While there have been many participants in this long and sometimes arduous

I

process, the most valuable contribution came from our Rhythm City employees, who never lost their focus on providing a great experience for our customers,” said Virginia McDowell, president and chief executive officer of Isle of Capri.

In December, St Louis-based Isle of Capri reported an 8.2 per cent rise in second-quarter revenues to $241.6m (E175.6m). Net income for the group stood at $8m (E5.8m), compared to losses of $4.3m (E3.1m) in the prior-year quarter.

Rhythm City Casino features over 850 slots and 14 table games across 30,000sq.ft of space.

n effort to entice more visitors during the strip’s slowest time of the year, Las Vegas casinos pulled out all the stops to transform the hustle and bustle of a gaming hub into a festive winter wonderland for families.

Las Vegas may not be the first destination to spring to mind when considering a family Christmas holiday, but Nevada’s casinos put on increasingly elaborate events in an attempt to attract more tourists to the strip during the festive season.

Traditionally the slowest month in Las Vegas, December last year saw visitor numbers fall to 3m from 3.53m in March, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, with low numbers reported in November and January also.

Among those working to improve footfall was the Bellagio, which again this year transformed its conservatory into a faux winter wonderland featuring a 42-foot-tall Christmas tree, a life-sized candy house, a walk-through snow globe and topiary polar bears. Its fountains could also be found dancing to classic Christmas tunes in the famous water show.

The Venetian and The Palazzo were home to Winter in Venice, the third-annual celebration of the winter holiday season on the Las Vegas Strip, with 49 days of seasonal experiences throughout both resorts from November 18 until January 5. Keith Salwoski, spokesman for the Venetian and Palazzo, said that the winter extravaganza has helped convince families to seriously consider a holiday vacation to Las Vegas, changing the perception of the destination for the Christmas traveller.

John Caparella, president and chief operating officer of The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo, added: “The holidays are such a magical time for everyone and Winter in Venice offers the perfect place to truly enjoy this special time of year.”

The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas played its part to help draw tourists by doubling the size of its rooftop skating rink. Chief marketing officer Lisa Marchese said the casino was going for a “ski lodge perched over the Las Vegas Strip” aesthetic where skaters could huddle around fire pits and buy s’mores kits - traditional campfire treats of marshmallows, chocolate and crackers.

Born from fun.ÂŽ

All the fun, packed into one.

The new KONAMI SeleXionTM multigame offers players instant access to a variety of their favorite games to keep them entertained and playing longer. See how casinos can maximize their titles with limited oor space at ICE Stand #S11-110.

gaming.konami.com www.gaming.konami.com

CR135-p24-25-SAmerica_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 2:14 PM Page 1

News

South & Central America

MANAGEMENT

Guillermo Arcani will now advise potential investors in Uruguay

Still in its early days since a massive refurbishment, the Hotel Casino Carrasco in Montevideo has suffered another setback with the resignation of Guillermo Arcani, flamboyant CEO and figurehead of the project. Hugh Sorrill reports.

URUGUAY

Arcani resigns from Hotel Casino Carrasco

A

fter five years in charge of the project to renovate and recreate the Hotel Casino Carrasco in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo, Guillermo Arcani has resigned to take up new projects. His departure comes just nine months after the venue opened and before the hotel has been fully signed off.

In August, the operating company Carrasco Nobile was fined US$607,000 for non-completion according to the concession. In total the company has received $800,000 in penalties for failure to complete remedial and improvement work around the building.

Arcani said his decision was anything but “hurried” and that he had decided “even before the opening of

24 | casinoreview January 2014

the hotel to leave before the end of the first year”.

He said: “For me this ends a cycle that began in 2008, which was long and demanded a huge personal and professional effort.”

In respect of the final approval of the work he said: “The company has a very clear appreciation of the details it has to settle between now and March 7 when the hotel will have been open a year.”

Arcani, together with other local partners, is now to open a “financial boutique” to be called Latium, which will advise those who want to invest in Uruguay.

The city authorities have called for serious and urgent talks with Carracso Nóbile to discuss the implications of Arcani’s depar-

ture. City councillor Álvaro Viviano was concerned that his resignation “suggests a firm of this size is on a drifting path” and “adds to the concerns we already had”.

The luxury hotel and casino has not performed as well in its opening months as had been expected. Its majority owner Codere told investors it expects the hotel and casino to lose $7m in its first year of operation, more than it was expecting.

Codere itself has had an appalling year with substantial losses both in Argentina and in its home market of Spain. The company is reported to be in talks with Chilean operator Dreams and South African firm Sun International to sell its stake in the Uruguayan operation.

As yet, neither company has made an announcement however Arcani’s departure may well signify that a deal has been done.

In August Arcani commented: “Codere is in a situation of financial stress at its headquarters in Spain…

The solution does not depend on the sale or not of the hotel.”

He added: “We have nothing to do with what the parent company says. We know our goal is to make this operation as profitable as possible. We are independent of our shareholders; perhaps in a previous time when we were dependent on those funds, the situation would’ve been different, but we are now underway and the numbers are improving.”

ANALYSIS hile it is not unusual for project leaders to leave shortly after the project they have been working on has opened, the fact that Hotel Casino Carrasco - which opened late anyway - has not yet received its final approvals would suggest that Arcani is leaving a bit too early.

Codere needs to get lossmaking enterprises off its books but it is likely to be driving a hard bargain with Dreams and Sun International. Added political pressure may give the latter two companies a great deal in the end. New blood may be all that’s needed to get Hotel Casino Carrasco into profit-making ways.

W

CR135-p24-25-SAmerica_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 2:15 PM Page 2

YXYXYXY ARGENTINA / CHILE / URUGUAY Puerto Rico Convention Center 71

CARIBBEAN GAMING SHOW: TARGETING THE 200+ CASINOS IN THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS, EXHIBITORS WILL FILL MORE THAN 19,700 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE AT THE PUERTO RICO EXPO.

NEW LICENCE

New casino licence up for grabs in Chile CHILE

he Chilean Gaming Control Board has confirmed that the application process for a new casino licence will begin on 1 January, 2014. A vacancy has appeared in the country’s twenty-four casino cap thanks to an abdication by Termas de Chillan. The Ski Resort has opted to close its gambling facilities after witnessing a sharp drop in business.

Under Chilean law, all casinos must be integrated into a four or five star hotel that fits into a tourismboosting plan for the surrounding area. Teramas de Chillan’s remote location in the Southern Andes has not suited gamblers and the resort has seen declining visitor numbers.

The gaming board will publish details of the new licence in January and February before accepting applications up until the end of March.

During April to June the Resolution Board will submit each petition to a technical assessment and ensure that it meets all legal requirements. The process will end the following month when the Resolution Board deliver their final verdict.

Successful applications can be based in any part of the country, provided that region does not already have three casinos. New properties may also not be constructed within 70km of an existing venue and must not be located in the metropolitan region of the capital, Santiago.

T

LICENCE AGREEMENT

Buenos Aires judge suspends tax deal ARGENTINA

S

hortly after the legislature of the province of Chubut extended all of the casino licences belonging to local gaming company Casino Club, a Buneos Aires judge has suspended part of the new law meaning that a new agreement may have to be reached.

A new agreement relating to the extension of casino licences in Buenos Aires may now have to be reached after the local judge sus-

pended part of it.

A decision was made by the Chabut legislature to extend all of Casino Club’s, which is owned by entrepreneur Cristóbal López, as well as its operations in Chubut. Casino Club has the right to run the slot machines in the racino in downtown Buenos Aires and has a significant share of the floating casinos moored to the city harbour.

However, Judge Elena Liberatori has filed an injunction against the new law suspending clause 3.2 of the agreement which benefits

López and would have seen the casinos being let off billions of pesos in back taxes.

According to the new act, the city of Buenos Aires will receive additional ARS$300m (E34.1m) annually from casinos in the city, beginning in 2014. In addition, the agreement provides that the National Lottery will also transfer an additional fee to be paid by gaming operators, which will be the equivalent of three per cent of the net profits generated by both the floating casinos and the slots based in

the Palermo Racetrack. In return, the measure contained an exemption from the payment of gross income tax for the gambling establishments based within the city limits and clause 3.2 ruled that the casinos would no longer have to pay a debt of between RS$1.5bn (E0.17bn) and ARS$2.4bn (E0.27bn) in gross gaming back taxes.

The suspension of clause 3.2 of the agreement means that an entirely new agreement may have to be reached before the issue is finally resolved.

NEW OPENING

Casino at Hotel Sasso finally reopens

ARGENTINA

T

wo years after refurbishment work on the Hotel Sasso in the resort of Mar del Plata was undertaken, the casino in residence is to reopen.

The casino has finally received approval from the provincial authorities after unexplained delays, and little time will be wasted with the opening date set for January 2.

The casino will greet its new customers with eight roulette tables and six card tables and an unspecified number of gaming machines as well as as salon. Given the short notice, workers will be drawn for other casinos in the province to run the operation.

New employees will be trained up in time.

The building, located on Avenida De Workers close to the shore line, features the latest equipment and a sophisticated design, according to the Association of Casino Employees. It said: “The Casino at Hotel Sasso is a model building, designed to meet the needs of punters.”

Hotel Sasso in Mar del Plata

January 2014 casinoreview

| 25

CR135-p26-27-Comment_Coinslot NEW 03/01/2014 18:39 Page 1

Comment & Politics LONDON SHOW

The world’s eye is on London

2

008 was a significant year for the UK’s casino industry. Not only was it the year in which the government announced an unprecedented u-turn in its plans to develop new, so-called ‘super-casinos’ which would have injected some vital energy into the country’s leisure market, it was also the year in which the far-reaching and often crippling effects of the economic downturn became manifest.

The years following the crash of 2008 exacerbated the troubles of the UK’s casino market, COMMENT which had already become hampered by over-regJames Walker ulation, confused legislation and growing competition from other land-based and online gaming sectors. However, one factor that has remained constant during this tumultuous period is that manufacturers (both domestic and those serving the country from further afield) have continued to place an ever-strong focus on innovation in the casino industry. No matter whether we are talking about hardware, systems, gameplay or theming, it is hard to look back to 2008 and say we wished things were ‘the way they were back then’.

As many key casino markets across Europe strive to bolster their revenues in the wake of the economic downturn, 2014 is set to start with a bang, as manufacturers, distributors, innovators, tastemakers and analysts from around the world prepare to descend on the ExCeL Centre in Lon-

don for the annual ICE expo.

The industry has shown strong resilience over the years, and global events such as ICE remain one of the most important platforms for the casino industry - not just in terms of the fact that they represent vital B2B trade centres, but also in the sense that they help fly the flag for the industry as a whole.

Global casino exhibitions and conferences help build bridges (commercial or otherwise) within the industry, but they are also the ideal opportunity to demonstrate to regulators, legislators and governments around the world that the casino industry is not an industry to be feared - it is one to be encouraged.

As Andrew Gellatly, industry analyst and coauthor of the European Casino Association’s 2013 annual report, stated: “Europe’s casino industry has readjusted and is just beginning to navigate its way out of the extended downturn.” It is clear that the world’s eye will be on London in February, and here’s hoping the next six years will be defined not by uncertainty, but growth.

So what better stage to play it out on than ICE Totally Gaming. One of the most creative and inventive shows around; if you can’t get it there, you most probably can’t get it anywhere.

Welcome to London!

MEDIAWATCH

Casion mogul Sheldon Adelson establishes an Israeli business school as the American press make their influence felt at home and abroad.

W

ith online gambling now legal in New Jersey, local media outlet nj.com highlighted the barrage of online gaming advertisements appearing on the state’s billboards and television screens.

Casinos are spending lavishly to entice customers into the freshly opened market. ”We will empty out our pockets in marketing dollars in 2014 and sort of judge things a year from now, said Seth Palansky, a spokesman for Caesars.

Many Atlantic City casinos are banking on funds from these new online ventures to boost their ailing fortunes. It’s absolutely a pivotal year because we need to make continued progress in Atlantic City, said Governor Chris Christie.

Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom attended the opening day of Sheldon Adelson’s School of Entrepreneurshp. The learning

26 | casinoreview January 2014

centre at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya has been tasked with taking on some of the country’s brightest pupils to teach them business skills they can apply both at home and abroad.

The event was attended by a smattering of local dignitaries, including the Center’s president Professor Uriel Reichman,

Nobel Memorial Prize winner in economics Professor Robert Aumann, Chinese Ambassador to Israel Gao Yanping and Israeli Ambassador to China Matan Vilnai.

Casino mogul Adelson was also on hand to offer a few words of encouragement for the first intake of students. “There are several important characteristics: courage, faith in yourself, and above all, even when you fail, to learn from failure and get up and try again. You can teach these characteristics.

The New York Times has published a scathing analysis of the Italian VLT market, focussed particularly on the small town of Pavia. The American broadsheet estimates that Pavia has one gambling machine for every 104 of the city’s 68,300 residents.

Anti-gambling activist and psychologist Simon Feder labels the popularity of slot and video lot-

tery games in Italy as, “an antieconomy that impoverishes because it doesn’t spread money around, it just gobbles it up.”

However, Massimo Passamonti, the president of industry group Sistema Gioco Italia, points out that the number of people at risk of becoming problem gamblers in Italy is in line with the rest of Europe. He also revealed that his organisation has proposed that the Italian government reduce the number of gambling locations in the country.

Finally, the Las Vegas Review Journal features the story of veteran cabdriver Gerardo Gamboa, who found an unmarked brown paper bag in the back of his cab containing $300,000 in cash.

Investigators from the Las Vegas Police Department eventually linked the money to a unnamed, but reportedly well known poker player who collected the money from Gamboa in full.

CR135-p26-27-Comment_Coinslot NEW 1/3/14 10:48 AM Page 2

YXYXYXY COMMENT: KS@SJC.CO.UK

ECA REPORT: “DESPITE THE ONGOING TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY, IT IS PROMISING TO SEE THAT ABOUT 40 PC OF OUR MEMBER COUNTRIES HAVE SHOWN AN INCREASE IN GROSS GAMING REVENUES IN 2012.”

TRADE BODIES

TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

Seven new companies sign up for AGEM membership

Wynn Resorts, Station Casinos and Churchill Downs have joined almost a dozen other gaming industry companies on the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) board of directors.

T

New board members will support AGA’s ‘proactive gaming agenda’

“

This is a critical step in the AGA’s evolution as a representative of the entire gaming industry,” said AGA president and CEO Geoff Freeman. “We will continue to be passionate advocates for the enormous value the gaming industry provides and there

is increasing support for our agenda.”

The AGA’s 2014 agenda includes widespread promotion of the value the gaming industry provides to local communities, enhancements to the regulatory process that promote greater efficiency

and innovation, and a crackdown on entities that engage in gaming in an unlicensed and unregulated manner.

In addition to Wynn, Station Casinos and Churchill Downs, the AGA board includes Bally Technologies, MGM Resorts International,

International Game Technology, Las Vegas Sands, Caesars Entertainment, Isle of Capri Casinos, Aristocrat Leisure, Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada, Pinnacle Entertainment, Boyd Gaming Corporation and Penn National Gaming.

he Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) has bolstered its ranks with seven new companies. The international trade group now has a total of 131 members from 19 different countries.

The new members are software company Atrient; Eilers Research from Anaheim Hills,; The Gasser Chair Company; Vantiv Gaming Solutions; DigiTech Systems; law firm Jones Walkerand Sightline Payments.

LET’S CELEBRATE! Would you like to join the party?

Gaming Support will publish its latest innovations at ICE 2014; Europe’s biggest event in the gaming industry.

Please join us at our booth.

gamingsupport.com/booth N4-210

January 2014 casinoreview

| 27

Be part of the most influential business community in gaming - register f

Big names line up to unveil gaming solutions of tomorrow

I

CE 2014 will be the biggest business event in world gaming occupying 55,000 sqm, 12% more than in 2013. As befits, the world’s biggest ICE will feature all of gaming’s big players.

Whilst the line-up of exhibiting companies reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of the gaming world, ICE also attracts many start-ups and fledgling companies, ensuring that ICE remains fresh,

relevant, exciting and dynamic. Covering eight gaming sectors comprising betting, bingo, casino, lottery, mobile, online, social and street, ICE provides visitors with a unique opportunity to see the business from every possible gaming perspective and to engage with innovators from throughout the world. Jo Mayer, Marketing Director at ICE Totally Gaming

said: “Every landmark product and innovation in gaming has been shown at ICE. Our exhibitors invest in ICE to launch the gaming solutions of tomorrow. It is a unique opportunity for visitors to be ahead of the game and to benefit from that precious first-mover advantage.”

To see the full line-up of exhibiting companies visit www.icetotallygaming.com

ICE hosts first Tribal Gaming Seminar For the first time ICE will be hosting a Tribal Gaming Seminar taking place on Wednesday 5th February (South Gallery, Room 12).

The free-to-attend seminar, which is the result of close co-operation with Victor Rocha of Pechanga.net, will deal with key issues including an historical overview of Tribal gaming; a Tribal perspective on Internet gaming; a focus on California; how to partner with tribes and the misconceptions which exist about Tribal versus commercial gaming.

Summarising the background to the ground breaking event, Ewa Bakun, Head of Content, ICE Totally Gaming said: “A business success in the Indian Country requires an understanding of tribal sovereignty which dictates the decisions made by tribal governments, gaming commissions

and casinos. With more and more tribes attending ICE and Clarion’s other European events, we felt there was scope to create a platform for them to both educate the global industry on the intricacies of doing business in the Indian Country and to network with the iGaming experts to explore potential partnership opportunities.

“With the Tribal governments exploring strategies to adopt iGaming as the US opens up, ICE is an ideal place for the international community to understand the opportunities for collaboration with this lucrative and evolving industry, known to few outside North America.”

For more information visit www.icetotallygaming.com/seminars

ExCeL, London 4 - 6 Feb 2014

r for ICE at www.icetotallygaming.com

Keep connected via new ICE App

Agenda All the conference and free to attend seminar sessions to view and add to your agenda

What’s On Discover what’s on at this year’s ICE

12:20

Welcome to the ICE 2014 mo ...

Exhibitors All the ICE 2014 exhibiting companies, arrange meetings and add to your agenda

News and Social All the latest news and social media updates

My Event Create your own personalised agenda to make sure you don’t miss anything out

G

Floorplan Maps of ExCeL and the exhibitor floorplan showing position of all exhibitor stands 10:40 am

Thank you for downloading our brand new mobile app. We will be sending your log-in details shor...

ICE 2014

What’s On

Agenda

Floorplan

Exhibitors

Speakers

Information

News & Social

My Event

Networking

ExCeL, London 4th - 6th February 2014

aming professionals planning their visit to ICE will benefit from a new mobile event guide app, which has been developed specifically for what is the most complete business-to-business gaming event on the industry calendar.

The free app allows visitors to view the full event schedule, browse the latest product launches and develop a personal event planner that will remind users of appointments, business meetings, conferences and seminar sessions.The app also features a detailed

Information Everything you need to know from opening times, travel, accommodation and more

Totally Gaming

Why ICE Conferences is the best learning programme in gaming ttending ICE Totally Gaming, the world’s biggest gaming event, isn’t just an opportunity to see the totality of the international gaming experience all under one roof: it’s also a once a year chance to engage, network and learn from over 200 of gaming’s most eminent thought leaders courtesy of the ICE Conferences programme. Comprising eight dedicated streams put together by the ICE team of gaming experts, the programme

A

Speakers Full details on all the ICE conferences and seminar speakers

Networking Arrange meetings and send messages to other ICE attendees

interactive floor-plan that will help visitors navigate seamlessly around the 55,000 sqm of floor space occupied by ICE. Marketing Director Jo Mayer said: “This is a dynamic, mobile window on the world’s biggest gaming exhibition and an essential information tool for visitors wanting to make appointments at show and keep connected with all of the latest developments.”

The ICE app is available to download for free from the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Store.

covers gaming’s hottest topics and biggest growth areas, delivering a unique opportunity to benefit from over 40 hours of targeted learning and networking.

Featuring gaming’s most respected influencers including Mitch Garber, Harrie Temmink, Philip Graf and Luca Frigerio – to name but a few – ICE Conferences really is ‘like other conferences ...but in colour’.

Monday 3rd February: The 6th International Casino Conference. Tuesday 4th February: World Regulatory Briefing, CRM, Loyalty & Retention, Mobile Gaming: Wednesday 5th February : Cybercrime, Security and Regulatory Compliance in Gaming, Monetising Social Gaming, Game Design & Development, Next Generation Lotteries.

For more information and to book your place visit www.icetotallygaming. com/conferences 2013 - 22,247

ICE - Growth in attendance 2010 - 2013

2012 - 21,336 2010 - 18,676 7

2011 - 20,829

CR135-p30-31-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 1/3/14 2:11 PM Page 1

Preview

ICE 2014

IGT

BALLY

Go bold and blue at ICE 2014

Bally to run the gaming gamut at ICE

F Delegates at ICE 2014 will note that IGT’s new logo and brand positioning make their European debut at the show - demonstrating that the best content and most player excitement come from ‘Out of the Blue’.

lying into ICE with exciting new Premium titles, compelling interactive content, sophisticated system solutions and catchy new core titles, IGT’s prolific product line up will be impossible to miss in 2014.

Attendees to the London-show can look forward to the unveiling of IGT’s Premium title Venture to Never Isle.

Housed on IGT’s CenterStage Duo, this game features some of literature’s most loved characters and transcends the timeless tale of a land where people never age.

Fun is at full tilt with IGT’s new title, Jenga Tower of Money. Bringing to life the fun-for-all game of stacking and crashing, this toppling tower title features three scale-with-play jackpots and exciting base and bonus play.

The silver screen will come to casino floors via IGT’s blockbuster line-up of thrilling titles.

Packed with industry-first innovation, James Cameron’s Avatar Video Slots and James Cameron’s Avatar Treasures of Pandora will continue their world tour. Treasures of Pandora is housed on IGT’s new dazzling CrystalCore cabinet, boasting a 42-inch vertical LCD touchscreen display, 10-inch dynamic player panel and Super Button, the new hardware gives players a truly memorable gaming experience. Sex and the City Platinum, Back to the Future - Back in Time and Bridesmaids will all make waves on the tradeshow floor.

These three titles feature IGT-only

30 | casinoreview January 2014

Enhanced Content, allowing operators to ‘unlock’ new content over time - an attractive concept for players and operators alike.

IGT Interactive will reinforce its position as a leader in the interactive space with several new, exciting game releases including: Golden Goddess, Transformers Battle for Cybertron, Battleship and Monopoly Dream Life. These titles join IGT’s already expansive, widely-known portfolio of exciting cross-platform gaming thrills.

Show-goers should carve out time to see several of IGT’s ingenious systems products in action. Created to maximise efficiencies, optimise ROI, consolidate floor operations and enhance the player experience, IGT claims to be the onestop-shop for systems solutions. The gaming innovators will spotlight IGT Advantage, IGT Cloud, IGT Casinolink and the newly launched Tournament Manager 3.0.

IGT will bring “a bevy of thrills” with new games in the core category.

Skilled-based gaming will reach new heights in the all-new Video Reel Edge (VRE) product, Aladdin Prince of Adventure. In this highflying title, players will have the chance to influence their bonus winnings as they soar on a magic carpet, dodging obstacles and collecting coins. Winners Circle, Sumatran Storm and Prowling Panther are also IGT core must-sees.

STAND NO: N4-240

With the newly acquired SHFL and the cream of their already wide portfolio in tow, few companies can claim to match the depth and breadth of Bally’s offering at ICE 2014.

N

ew games, systems technologies, table games and cross platform solutions are all part of the package that visitors to London’s ExCel centre can expect to see from Bally’s at this year’s ICE Totally Gaming.

Toping the billing on the Bally stand are a slew of licensed games from the world of film, music and entertainment. The award winning Titanic video slots make their ICE debut this year, with the machine having received rave reviews around the world. It features a number of clips from James Cameron’s Oscar-winning blockbuster and a U-Spin Bonus Wheel shaped like a ship’s helm.

The Magic of David Copperfield will also be on show as part of their new licensed slot game themed around the famous magician. Intertwined with footage of Copperfield’s most captivating tricks are Mystery Wild Reels, Magic Mystery Wilds and a lifechanging progressive jackpot award. Players can win bonuses by competing against the Death Saw, which awards credits, the progressive jackpot, flying free games and levitation free games.

Also from the world of the silver screen, the Grease Pink Ladies slot machine will take players on a trip back to the 1950s in a sequel to Bally’s original Grease title. Visitors to the

Bally stand can get another slice of rock n’ roll in the ZZ Top Live from Texas game, which features live footage from the bearded band and a selection of their greatest hits.

Updates to Bally’s selection of for-sale content will also be on display at ICE, with new multigame suites on show. Each combines four popular titles in one platform, incorporating the new Dynamic MultiGame software, which allows operators to quickly add or remove items from a suite.

There are also two new additions to the Bally Pro Series cabinet family. The Alpha 2 Pro Series Wave features the industry’s first concave LCD monitors, while the Pro V55 Jumbo platform features a vertical touchscreen and stands almost threemeters tall.

New instalments in Bally’s series of proprietary table games will be also be appearing at ICE for the first time. Double Draw Poker and One for the Money will join the company’s first ever roulette side bet, Back 2 Black at the stand.

Having completed their purchase of SHFL since the last ICE expo in 2013, Bally now have a wider array of utilities to display.

The ChipStar roulette chip sorter, i-Score double-sided display, MD3 card shuffler and DeckMate 2 poker room card shuffler will all be showcased at this year’s event.

STAND NO: N4-240

CR135-p30-31-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 1/3/14 2:11 PM Page 2

YXYXYXY AUSTRIAN GAMING INDUSTRIES / INTELLIGENT GAMING / BALLY TECHNOLOGIES / IGT ICE Totally Gaming 2013

ICE 2014 HIGHLIGHTS: AGI FV 640 DOMINATOR | PINBALL ROULETTE BALLY TITANIC VIDEO SLOT | CHIP STAR IGT VENTURE TO NEVER ISLE | AVATAR VIDEO SLOTS INTELLIGENT GAMING NEON | PREMO

INTELLIGENT GAMING

AUSTRIAN GAMING INDUSTRIES

Driving the casino systems industry forward Intelligent Gaming, the rising star of the casino systems industry, is once again looking forward to launching a number of innovations at ICE.

S Austrian Gaming Industries (AGI) and its sister companies are preparing to cover a vast swathe of the show floor at the upcoming ICE Totally Gaming expo.

AGI covering all bases at ICE round 4,500 square metres of the ExCeL Centre in London will be occupied by companies from the Novomatic family, with a major portion of the south hall taken up by displays from the Astra Gaming Group, Admiral Sportwetten, JVH, Eurocoin and many more.

At the centre of these satellite companies is AGI, putting on one of the biggest displays at the show. They will be on hand to demonstrate a variety of gaming innovations, ranging from new gaming machines to updated management software.

A particular focus this year is roulette, with the Austrian company having developed a variety of unique variations on this classic table game. Among them is the freestanding Pinball Roulette game, which allows patrons to fire the ball into an enclosed wheel using a pinball style plunger.

“We are eagerly looking for-

A

ward to ICE once again as this, in exhibition terms, is the absolute highlight of the year,” said AGI managing director Jens Halle. “Last year’s ICE was very much a transitional event, due to the change of both date and venue, but it still managed to deliver a great experience for us as exhibitors and, most importantly, for visitors.”

AGI will also be talking visitors through its range of cabinets, among them the towering FV 640 Dominator. The machine features three 24 inch TFT displays, with the ability for the third screen to display the various different levels of casino jackpot using AGI’s PowerLink software.

The AGI stand will also feature detailed information on their jackpot, game and casino management programs, as well as the launch of new cash handling systems that can be also configured to handle cashless and ticket-in/ticket-out systems.

AGI will also be handling demonstrations of the new Novomatic Biometric Systems (NBS), a security system which recognises casino guests by storing and cross checking their biometric data. Operators can extend this technology beyond the casino to include hotels, restaurants, bars and many other services on their resorts. A location which was fully integrated with NBS could conceivably go completely cashless and simply scan a customer as they used a service and then charge the fee to their account.

“With the changes to the show’s layout for this year we confidently expect ICE to take another major step forward,” said Halle. He explained that the company plans to, “present new innovations that I am certain will be an integral part of tomorrow's gaming landscape.”

STAND NO: S8-150

ince Playtech’s acquisition of Intelligent Gaming was announced during ICE 2011, the UK-based company has significantly expanded its team, broadened its product range and increased its market share.

Intelligent Gaming managing director Martin Sykes provided an update: “Since it marks the anniversary of our acquisition, ICE is always a key milestone for us. I’m very proud of the progress we have made over the last 12 months and I expect another successful show. We have a bright, innovative team and work closely with our customers and Playtech colleagues to design new features and solutions. Our agility has always set us apart from our competitors and as we have grown, we have been careful to sustain this.

“During 2013, our Neon casino management system has expanded into new regions and specialist sectors,” Sykes added.

“We have implemented translations into a number of languages, developed web applications which support multi-site operations with no local servers or software and created a cruise-line system which consolidates casino data from multiple ships operating in multiple currencies. Alongside these exciting projects, we have continued to drive Neon forward, implementing a range of features and integrations which help operators to improve service and enhance revenues and efficiency. Highlights for ICE will include our advanced bonusing, analytics and mobile features all of which will be of interest to any progressive operator.”

Another innovation during 2013 was the introduction of the Premo on-premise mobile gaming platform. “Twelve months ago, we showcased an early version of Premo which allowed players to bet on a live roulette wheel and generated a lot of interest,” said Sykes. “For ICE 2014, the platform is now mature and deployed in the field, with a fast-growing game library which includes Roulette and Baccarat with Dice and Bingo following soon. Premo offers a world of potential for creating and managing gaming products which will appeal to tech-savvy players. We welcome operators to visit us to discuss how in-venue mobile gaming is evolving and how Premo will respond.”

Sykes also explained the role which Neon and Premo play within Playtech’s multi-channel solution.

“Playtech IMS is a unique solution which connects all forms of gaming across online, mobile, retail and broadcast channels,” he said.

“Neon and Premo are seamlessly connected to the IMS platform to provide enterprise CRM and a single wallet across all products and channels. A full demonstration of this integration will be offered at the show.”

Intelligent Gaming’s ongoing innovation has earned the company a nomination as Best Technology Provider for the International Gaming Awards, and this year company will be exhibiting its products on the Playtech stand.

STAND NO: N8-140

Please join us at ICE 2014 booth N4-210 for amazing daily offers!

January 2014 casinoreview

| 31

CR135-p30-44-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 15:17 Page 3

Preview

GAMING LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL / GTECH

ICE 2014

ICE Totally Gaming 2013

ICE 2014 HIGHLIGHTS: GLI MACHINE LEGALITY ADVICE | REGULATORY GUIDANCE GTECH SPHINX 3D | AXXIS 3D CABINET

GTECH

GTech promises an avalanche of new products for ICE outing A leading light in gaming technology, GTech is heading to ICE 2014 with a huge stable of new creations in tow.

Tech will be unveiling a wave of new innovations at the London show this year, chief among them being a gaming cabinet that provides full 3D without the need to wear bulky glasses.

Developed exclusively in the gaming industry for GTech, this technology is the brainchild of German engineer Christoph Grossmann and his company SeeFront. Adapting his work into an entertaining gaming experience, GTech have created Spinx 3D, an Egyptian themed title with dynamic visuals that will appear to sink and protrude from the screen. After debuting at G2E in 2013, ICE Totally Gaming will mark the European launch for the

G

Axxis 3D cabinet.

This year’s ICE will also witness the global launch of the Action Jackpots system, which links four progressive jackpots into a single machine. Similarly, the new linked progressive Volcano Island will also be on show.

Gaming machines based on popular entertainment brands have performed particularly well during 2013 and GTech’s range of licensed games will form a major part of their stand. Titles inspired

by PopCap’s video game series’ Bejewelled, Zuma and Plants vs.

Zombies will all be available to play on the MaXVusion cabinet.

The diversity multigame package is due for an upgrade and brand new suites will be available

to test at ICE. A broad selection of new core games will be on display, including the new Treasure Blast title, which combiners a dominant stacked symbol with activating wild symbols and player bonus control.

Mobile gaming is on the rise across the world and GTech are looking to capitalise on this market by adapting some of their most popular games for phones and tablets. These titles will feature at ICE alongside mobile poker, lottery and sports betting products.

Moving into operator software, the company’s Player Account Management platform will also be demonstrated. This scalable system can pull data from both first and third-party games as it pulls

together player reward schemes and financial data into one unified location.

Businesses operating around the world can also tailor the platform to integrate with their local gaming regulations.

Any ICE attendees impressed by the range of games available on GTech’s stands can quickly extend their portfolio by utilising the company’s Remote Game Server. The service allows new and existing customers to add GTech’s game

library directly into their thirdparty systems and portals.

Two new casino systems will receive their first airing at ICE 2014 in the form of Rub4Riches and JP2go.

The former is an instant reward scratch card that operates on the crystal.net player interface, while the latter is a standalone turnkey jackpot system designed to boost machine play.

STAND NO: N5-160

GAMING LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL

GLI bringing legal expertise to London With the legalities of gaming changing on a daily basis, Gambling Laboratories International are expecting an influx of inquisitive visitors at ICE Totally Gaming. aming Laboratories International (GLI) has been providing consultancy and laboratory testing for almost 25 years, covering online and landbased jurisdictions worldwide.

The company will be setting out their stall for this year’s ICE expo with representatives on hand to present a detailed look at the company’s various services.

The GLI stand will host visitors from a cross section of the entire gaming industry. Suppliers will be looking for guidance on the legality of their new machines using the company’s independent testing, inspection and certification services.

G

Operators, meanwhile, will be looking for clarity on the ever shifting world of gambling regulations, especially when it comes to the emerging regulatory regimes in Latin America. Gambling regulators regularly make use of GLI’s advisory services in helping them both craft and enforce a legal framework for their local jurisdiction.

GLI will also be taking visitors through their professional services, which include project management, technical services and the ability to advise on governance risk and compliance. The company also offers a series of training courses under the umbrella of the

32 | casinoreview January 2014

GLI University program.

GLI aids operators by providing a number of field services. Their portfolio includes physical and system risk assessments, communication testing, audit software, and the independent threat assessments.

“Whether you’re an operator, supplier or regulator, today’s gaming industry is like a global chess game,” said GLI’s Europe managing director Martin Britton. “It takes a long-term strategy to successfully navigate the nuances of regulations in land-based, lottery and online gaming. Because we have 21 locations around the world, GLI is uniquely suited to assist companies and government agencies successfully accomplish their goals.”

Britton discussed the company’s “unrivalled levels of independence, impartiality and integrity,” which will be on evidence when the company’s president of government affairs and general counsel, Kevin Mullaly, takes the stage as part of the World Regulatory Briefing which is being staged during the London show.

Lottery operators will also find expertise suitable to their field.

The company has worked with over 65 lotteries during its existence and continues to provide auditing, compliance, consulting and testing services to operators STAND NO: N6-220 worldwide.

Experience TRUE 3D™ at ICE 2014!

Award-winning technology at its best.

SPIELO

www.spielo.com Š 2013 GTECH. All rights reserved. All trademarks and logos noted herein are trademarks owned by, or licensed to GTECH Corporation.

CR135-p30-44-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 1/3/14 11:15 AM Page 4

Preview

KONAMI GAMING / PATIR DESIGN / TCS JOHN HUXLEY

ICE 2014

ICE Totally Gaming 2013

ICE 2014 HIGHLIGHTS: KONAMI SELEXION | PODIUM GOLIATH PATIR LAS VEGAS DIAMONDS COLLECTION TCS JOHN HUXLEY E-FX ELITE 2 | CHIPPER CHAMP 2

KONAMI GAMING

PATIR DESIGN

Konami aim to drive performance on the ICE show floor Konami’s ever expanding range of products and systems will be out in full force during ICE 2014.

apanese technology giant Konami and many of its distributers will be making their home at the ExCeL Centre next month, with the focus squarely on the company’s premier products.

“The highlight of the newly designed Konami booth will be SeleXion,” said Eduardo Aching, vice president of international sales. Unveiling the impressive Konami limeup, Aching was keen to highlight the machine’s unique features, including “a digital dynamic button panel that changes instantaneously with the selection of each game. The SeleXion platform is multi-lingual, multi-denominational and unlike the competitors’ products, allows the player to switch between up to ten games instantly.”

This machine will be joined

J

by even more updated hardware in the form of the Podium Goliath. Stand visitors will be able to try out the cabinet using a selection of games from the Konami KP3 and K2V suites. The machine is designed to be deliberately oversized in an attempt to attract maximum attention on the crowded casino floor.

Discussing the potential for the Goliath in European markets, Aching noted that Konami had, “experienced great success in driving performance premiums with Goliath in other markets. 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.”

On the systems side of their business, Konami will be

Patir takes a seat at ICE showing ICE attendees the new Synkros tournament product. “Last year, we demonstrated how Synkros gives casino operators the ability to grant player-on-demand True-Time Tournaments through our proprietary True-Time Windowing technology,” said Aching. “This year, we will demonstrate the new SynkStart tournaments for operators who also like to run group start tournaments.

Either way, Synkros gives operators the flexibility and power of the system-delivered bonusing tournaments to drive desired player behaviours, including property visits, incremental play and new

P player enrolment.”

Konami’s ICE presentation reflects a broad portfolio, but the company are keen to unite their various products under a unified concept.

Explaining the driving vision behind their latest creations, Aching said that he hoped, “our European customers and their players will experience how Konami products are ‘born from fun’ and can drive performance to the gaming floor.”

STAND NO: S11-110

TCS JOHN HUXLEY

TCS John Huxley to celebrate a year of success on the London stage A year of customer focussed innovation for the live gaming providers comes to a head at ICE 2014 for TCS John Huxley. uring 2013, TCSJohnHuxley focussed their development on producing products that improved the customer experience.

At ICE 2014 the fruits of those labours will be on display, with both hardware innovations and updated software versions available for demonstration.

A number of traditional gaming tables will be outfitted with TCSJohnHuxley’s new creations, including the e-FX Elite 2 and Chipper Champ 2. The latter, designed in collaboration with casino dealers, is a sequel to the Chipper Champ Plus and can sort up to 500 chips a minute.

The company’s ICE stand will also feature appearances from the A-Plus shuffler, which can handle six decks simultaneously. The device comes preprogrammed with software that

D

integrates with a variety of popular casino games, but can also be configured to work with an operator’s custom requirements.

On the combined software and hardware front, the Supernova Progressive Platform will be the primarily focus of TCSJohnHuxley’s display. The floor wide event and mystery progressive platform can be adapted to work with a huge variety of table games, allowing operators to customise the prizes and jackpots their games pay out. During 2013 TCSJohnHuxley delivered over 70 new Supernova tables to operators in South Africa and Australia, with the company reporting that side bets had doubled in some casinos since the installation.

Group CEO Cath Burns highlighted her company’s dedication to

34 | casinoreview January 2014

operators as the key catalyst for this success. “2013 saw a focus on customer driven innovation and input on key products in our range”, she said. “We have invested in infrastructure, products and people, creating teams to power innovation and further strengthen business partnerships.We will be showing these developments at ICE and demonstrating how this technology is already providing solutions to our customers across the globe.”

Among these developments is the e-FX Elite 2 winning number display system. Housed in an aluminium case, this second generation product includes features designed to boost ease of use and a new high resolution screen. The single or double sided digital displays can be configured to show any information a casino

atir Design produces a vast range of casino seating for operators of all sizes, including: the Las Vegas Diamonds collection, VIP casino chairs, live game chairs, poker and bingo chairs, barstools, lounge chairs and many more. A select slice of this huge product range will be on show at ICE 2014, with the German-based company heading to London for the show in February.

“Player seating is subject to wear and tear,” the company said. “Therefore it must be manufactured according to the highest quality standards and the fabrics used need to be exceptionally robust. At the same time the guest as well as the operator expects highly comfortable chairs. The comfort has a direct influence on the length of stay at the machine.”

The company prizes originality in its creations and plans to attract expo attendees with eyecatching designs that can be customised to fit the needs of individual operators. “Patir not only scores with original design and innovative highlights,” the group said. “Our company also offers competent and professional advice, short delivery times and first class service. Top product quality and excellent craftsmanship combined with maximum comfort levels and functionality are a matter of course for us.”

STAND NO: S6-130

wants to communicate to its patrons and also features a built in camera mount for CCTV monitoring or electronic gaming feeds.

A GALAXY OF SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS

SPIELO’s market-leading GALAXIS™ casino management systems provide superior service and support to all our customers. With modular solutions to streamline slot and table operations, centrally manage jackpots, and offer the most exciting player experiences through bonusing, why not experience the GALAXIS universe of systems solutions for yourself?

Visit us at ICE on booth N5-160 for a chance to win a product license!

SPIELO www.spielo.com

© 2013 GTECH. All rights reserved. All trademarks and logos noted herein are trademarks owned by, or licensed to GTECH Corporation.

CR135-p30-44-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 12:20 Page 5

Preview

APEX GAMING / ARISTOCRAT

ICE 2014

ICE Totally Gaming 2013

ICE 2014 HIGHLIGHTS: APEX APEX MOBILE SLOTS | APEX PLAYER STATION ARISTOCRAT E* SERIES T | PLAYER’S CHOICE T

ARISTOCRAT

Aristocrat plans a Euro spectacle Aristocrat’s gaming expertise has been traditionally focussed towards Australia and the United States, but ICE 2014 marks the beginning of a concerted European offensive.

O

ver the past year, Aristocrat has worked tirelessly to develop its European supply chain and can now distribute their hardware to the continent mere weeks, or even days, after they launch in the United States.

“Operators visiting September’s G2E in Las Vegas were treated to what was widely described as the company’s best showcase to date,” said European sales & marketing director, Donal Maguire. “Since then we’ve worked tirelessly to bring many of those concepts to the

European market at a far greater pace than has previously been possible.

Around 80 per cent of the games being shown at ICE 2014 will be instantly available.”

Among the newest hardware at ICE will be the E*SeriesT. The machine targets a more entertainment focussed player by employing high resolution graphics and tactical math models. E*Series versions of Aristocrat staples will also be on show, including Golden AmuletT, Silver TreasuresT and Sky RiderT. Stand visitors will also be able to try out Player’s

ChoiceT, the first widescreen multi-game series developed specifically for European and African casinos. Operators will have access to two starter packs which include some of Aristocrat’s most tried and tested software.

The company’s classics are also being made available as part of the Legends package, including titles such as BuffaloT, 5 DragonsT and Timber WolfT. Customers can choose to use either the Classic or Deluxe versions of these titles.

A fourth instalment of the WonderT series will

be available to play at ICE, alongside the recently released Wonder 4 Stars.

The new Wonder 4 Gold package includes four more Aristocrat games in this expanded format, with a complex set up that allow players to use four reel sets concurrently.

Standalone progressive jackpot games have proved a profitable vein for the company in the past and a wide array of new games and features in this sector will be on display at ICE. The recently released Jackpot Reel PowerT package has proved popular in its early instillations, with the

STAND NO: S4-250

The Pinnacle and its slant top brother the Pinnacle SL will also have pride of place on the Apex stand featuring some new inventions for this year’s show. Multi Magic Classic, Multi Magic I-VI and Red Hot Fruits XXL will all be available to test.

In time for the show, Apex have also updated

their ‘just-for-fun’ slot games for Android and iOS with a new tournament feature. Friends playing anywhere in the world can now join up and compete against each other to accrue the most chips over a set period of time.

On the hardware front, ICE 2014 will host a display

White TigerT title in particular demonstrating early success.

Many other Aristocrat games are scheduled to appear at ICE. “This lineup only begins to scratch the surface,” said Donal Maguire. Entries into the licensed games, online, downloadable, serverbased, social and street market industries will also be on show. It all adds up to what Maguire describes as, “the best collection of new games that I’ve witnessed in over a decade serving with Aristocrat.”

APEX GAMING

Mobile and modular gaming to deliver the the headlines for Apex Apex gaming are bringing a broad selection of new products to ICE 2014, with a particular focus on the ongoing mobile revolution. op of the tree for Apex at ICE this year will be their Mobile Slots product. Mobile gaming has typically been reserved for home or on the go, requiring interested casinos to invest in a costly infrastructure and licences that, in many places, simply do not exist.

This has motivated Apex to develop server based solutions that allow patrons to deliver mobile gambling while still on casino property.

Using an Android-based tablet, operators can configure the Apex Mobile Slots system to run any of the company’s top fifteen

T

games. Players can then continue to play their favourite titles while in the restaurant, bar or any other location where the devices have been made available.

Apex has also been innovating in the machine sector and they intend to demonstrate their new Apex Player Station at this year’s expo.

This modular machine allows operators to fit as many play stations as their casino demands around a single electronic roulette wheel.

The machines come loaded with four different games - roulette, baccarat, sic-bo and Apex’s own cre-

36 | casinoreview January 2014

ation Quikker. Quikker is a black-jack style game which allows players to bet on card colour and appearance in the same way that they would wager on the spin of a roulette wheel.

Operators also have the option of loading Apex’s entire line of slot games into the machine.

Speaking ahead of this year’s ICE Totally Gaming, the company’s founder and CEO Johannes Weissengruber said that Apex were, “very proud of the solutions that we will be showing. In particular, the Apex Mobile Slots and Apex Player Station.”

of the Shuffle King II, the automatic single-deck shuffler, which processes cards in thirty five seconds. Working with two separate decks effectively reduces the shuffle time to zero, as the second deck is prepared as the dealer runs the game.

STAND NO: S5-150

www.apex-gaming.com

sales@apex-gaming.com

CR135-p30-44-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 12:29 Page 6

Preview

ABBIATI CASINO EQUIPMENT / AMATIC INDUSTRIES / SUZO-HAPP

ICE 2014

ICE Totally Gaming 2013

ICE 2014 HIGHLIGHTS: ABBIATI CHIPS | PLAQUES AMATIC AMATIC NOW! | X4000 CABINET SUZO-HAPP MULTI-TOUCH TV TABLE | VISION PRO LINE

ABBIATI CASINO EQUIPMENT

SUZO-HAPP

Abbiati prepares for another successful ICE

Suzo-Happ plan a full house as partners and subsidiaries join the ICE show

Making their regular trip to London for the ICE expo, Abbiati is planning a display of innovative products to wow their European audience. s one of the world’s leading providers of casino currency and live gaming equipment, Abbiati has a broad range of products available to fill up its ICE stand. Casino chips, plaques and table game supplies will all form part of their display.

Giorgio Abbiati, CEO of Abbiati Casino Equipment, said that the “London show has always been the most challenging exhibition for our company and our team is eager to take part in another exciting show.”

The company is an expo regular, having exhibited at the event a number of times in the past. “Abbiati has exhibited at the ICE show for many years,” said Abbiati, “as we find this international exhibition the best place to present our products and services to the decision makers from many different areas and markets.”

A major focus of Abbiati’s product line are a selection of technologically charged casino chips, which can be equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips to allow for extremely accurate operator accounting and security.

A

The company will also be displaying its range of live gaming tables, built to fit casino floors of various shapes and sizes.

Featuring most prominently will be the ergonomically designed roulette wheels and winning number displays.

Poker has proved to be a growing market for Abbiati and its ICE display will reflect the continued emphasis the Italian company is placing on this sector. A dedicated range of chips has been designed exclusively for the poker audience, along with a selection of playing cards, chairs and poker tables at a variety of different price points.

Looking ahead to the show, Abbiati said that his company, “will once again have the opportunity to demonstrate its ability to manufacture personalised products and to face each new challenge the gaming market presents.”

“The security of chips, plaques and jetons has always been a goal for our company and as a witness of this we are always researching new materials and technologies to make our products safer against counterfeiting” said Abbiati.

From their base in Italy, the company has been traditionally strong in the European market, but recent years has seen them expand to markets worldwide. “High-end products with a big variety of innovative security features have contributed to acquire very important orders in the Asian market, where Abbiati has had a very significant expansion during the last year,” STAND NO: S12-130 explained the CEO.

the new X4000 cabinet. Having crafted an upgrade to the existing X3000, Amatic promise to deliver a clearer, brighter gaming experience.

It will be joined in the booth by the centrepiece of last year’s presentation, the Performer.

Returning to electronic roulette, the company has extended its Grand Jeu range of automatic wheels. These games have been Amatic’s speciality for a number of years and their portfolio includes products of all sizes.

Chief among Amatic’s display at ICE will be the Grand Jeu 22WS, which clusters seven play stations around a central wheel and the Grand Jeu Double, with ten screens positioned around two central wheels.

The company’s range of jackpot systems, designed with the SGB and VLT market in mind, will also be on display during the show.

uzo-Happ comes to ICE 2014 with a collection of associate companies in tow, each with its own varied line of products to display. The component and spare parts provider plans to mix the products of its distribution partners with its own creations to increase the range of solutions available on a single stand.

For the first time, Australian electronics manufacturer Transcity will be part of the Suzo Happ presentation, having been acquired by the Dutch company in September 2013.

Their marquee product, the Multitouch TV table, may well be the highlight of the whole stand. This touchscreen display can be divided up to four times to create sections of the screen with independent controls. This enables a sports better to watch the action and place wagers at the same time and opens up a huge range of options for casino game developers.

Suzo-Happ are the major distributors for a number of component manufacturers and many of these companies are planning to join their ICE stand in 2014. Innovate Technology will be on hand with their range of banknote readers, while touch screen creators ELO will also have a big presence.

Moving on to Suzo-Happ’s own stable of products, ICE attendees will be able to try out products from their new ‘pro’ range. The Vision Pro line of monitors will join the Printer Pro and Billiard Pro products at the booth, along with a selection of AES hoppers and the new Celebration topper.

STAND NO: S6-150

STAND NO: N8-110

AMATIC INDUSTRIES

Amatic debuts innovative software on London stage

A

Gaming technology provider Amatic Industries is placing the new A ‘ matic Now!’ system at the centre of its offering for ICE 2014.

ustrian firm Amatic will reveal its plan to spread games across multiple mediums as it launches a service that allows players to enjoy their games in any location. The company’s new software platform enables patrons to play the same game in a casino at the slot machine, from home at their PC or on the move via a mobile device.

During the ICE show, ‘Amatic Now!’ will be incorporated into the company’s electronic roulette products.

These machines have traditionally been limited to virtual roulette alone, but thanks to the new software any multiplayer unit can be primed with a wide variety of slot games.

Amatic will also be displaying the latest additions to its software library, including Billy’s Gang, 80 days and Casanova. Meanwhile, a number of their existing titles have been transferred online as the company looks to expand its internet offering.

On the hardware front, the focus for 2014 is

38 | casinoreview January 2014

S

sales@amatic.com www.amatic.com

CR135-p30-44-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 15:15 Page 7

Preview

ALFASTREET / GAMING SUPPORT / JCM

ICE 2014

ICE Totally Gaming 2013

ICE 2014 HIGHLIGHTS: ALFASTREET MECHANICAL DERBY GAMING SUPPORT JACKPOT CONTROLLER | SIGNAGE JCM IVIZION VALIDATOR | EBA-40 JCM

ALFASTREET

A better, smarter, faster JCM on the London showfloor

Alfastreet to launch revolutionary product at ICE Alfastreet are preparing to reveal the identity of a dynamic new machine as part of a celebration of 20 years of business.

Transaction experts JCM are looking to impress operators by demonstrating the future of cash handling technology. t ICE this year JCM is choosing to lead with its strongest foot forward and for that task they have chosen the iVizion bill validator.

Since its release, the iVizion has been selected as the bill validator of choice for over 80 per cent of the new casinos in North America. By demonstrating the product to ICE visitors, JCM hope to foster the same kind of loyalty in Europe.

For local customers looking for a more cost effective solution, JCM will be showing visitors the EBA-40, the latest model of their European Bill Acceptor. An upgrade from the EBA-3x series, the latest model

A

of their region-specific validator captures 10 times more data than the previous generation and is reported by JCM to offer the best counterfeit protection in the industry. The EBA-40 is optimised to take an optional ticket-in/ticket-out bar-sensor in order to capture business from the VLT industry.

ICE attendees can also get hands on with the iPro-RC, UBA and Vega-RC bill validators. This trio each boast a high standard of counterfeit protection and anti-stringing technology. The iPro and Vega in particular also have an optional recycling feature

which is designed to extend the uptime of each device.

For locations with a very high cash turnover, JCM will be providing a tour of the Transactional Bill Validator. It features the same anti-counterfeit technology as the iPro or the Vega coupled with a bulk note reader that can handle up to fifty bills at one time.

Combining any of these validators with JCM’s intelligent cash box adds a layer of security and accuracy to casino operations. This device transmits live data to a web portal that casino managers can

access from any location.

At the output end of their product line, JCM will be demonstrating an array of printers. These include the HSVL Transformer thermal printer, which boasts adjustable spindle arms designed to support the specific needs of a wide variety of operators. It will be joined at the booth by the thermal PayCheck .

n air of mystery surrounds the Alfastreet stand at ICE 2014 as they prepare to unveil a new gaming machine which has never been demonstrated in public. The company hope that this new product will maintain its reputation as a trend-setter, cultivated during a 20-year tenure in the industry.

Alfastreet believes that its new machine will change the face of electronic gaming, combining elements of the past and future in a unique fashion. Details on this new machine are scarce, but the company has revealed the product’s status as a successor to a very popular vintage machine.

The Slovenian machine designers are promising a device constructed from the best

A

STAND NO: N8-120

GAMING SUPPORT

Gaming Support plans ICE celebration Casino solutions provider Gaming Support value innovation in their product line above all else, so it’s no surprise to see the company bringing a selection of unique products to ICE 2014.

G

aming Support’s goal is to provide operational and engineering excellence to their clients and any visitor to their ICE stand will get a chance to experience the results of this mantra.

The company hope that their new products will challenge gaming operators to push the customer experience into exciting new arenas.

This includes the Jackpot Controller, one of the centrepieces of their ICE 2014 display. Working hand in hand with almost any slot machine on the market, this hardware device allows operators to manage their jackpots from a central location, linking hundreds or even thousands of machines together.

Building jackpot excitement relies not only on robust technology behind the scenes, but

40 | casinoreview January 2014

also the ability to translate that information to patrons.

Gaming Support will be showcasing their award winning media systems at the show, which currently link together to form a wide area network that covers over 700 gaming venues.

This works in tandem with the company’s range of signs and auxiliaries. Gaming Support can custom design signage to the customer’s exact specifications and pride themselves one delivering their work on time and beyond expectation.

At ICE 2014, Gaming Sup-

port are hoping to stand out from the crowd with an emphasis on ‘celebration’, one of their company’s bywords. A spokeswoman said they were hoping that visitors to their stand would leave understanding how the company could deliver a, “contribution to the festive mood at the operations of our clients and their patrons.”

materials that makes use of the latest technology. It will combine a user friendly layout with flawless operation and the familiar feeling of a old time favourite.

Alfastreet’s newest creation is a break from their usual strategy of evolving from past successes and the company are pitching their new gaming instrument as a revolution. This single terminal game will make use of all new touch screen controls, which will work alongside an ergonomic design and near infinite adaptability. Those looking for the full breakdown on Alfastreet’s newest creation will need to visit their stand to try the machine hands on.

The company’s presence extends beyond this single new announcement. Given its status as one of the world’s biggest gaming exhibitions, ICE Totally Gaming has been chosen as the venue for the company to celebrate its two decade milestone. A display has been prepared that is packed with surprises, all designed to help celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary. With both new products and a celebratory atmosphere in attendance, Alfastreet hopes that above all else visitors to their stand will feel welcome and comfortable as they enjoy the passion communicated by the company’s exciting new gaming machines.

STAND NO: N4-210

STAND NO: S11-130

www.gaminglabs.com

CR135-p30-44-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 12:51 Page 8

Preview

ICE 2014

ICE Totally Gaming 2013

ICE 2014 HIGHLIGHTS: E-GAMING MULTILOTTO SBG | VLT HARDWARE MATSUI MATSUI POKER CHIPS | ROULETTE WHEELS VNE THE VIKING | SUPER CHANGE VLT

E-GAMING

MATSUI EUROPE

E-Gaming hopes to enhance global growth from London showing

Matsui brings full range of casino equipment to London

Taking out a larger stand than ever before, E-Gaming are looking to expand their horizons at ICE Totally Gaming this year. nown primarily as a supplier of video lottery terminals in the Czech Republic, E-Gaming is intent on continuing its expansion into other territories as the year continues. During 2013 the Praguebased manufacturer brought their products to Slovakia, Romania, Spain, Belgium and Macedonia and in the run-up to ICE Totally Gaming have confirmed they are actively scouting for new clients in new locations.

Chief among those clients is Mexico, where the company recently established a subsidiary and completed some test installations. Looking ahead, the Czech firm are hoping to push deeper into Latin America.

E-Gaming’s success has been built on their ability to offer both VLTs and the infrastructure that supports them. The Multilotto Server Based Gaming system provides them with the ability to maintain a robust catalogue of games stored centrally on their own servers.

The system also permits multi-channel gaming, allowing operators to provide patrons with the same games across multiple devices. Players can move from terminal to tablet without having to give up their favourite game. Multilotto also includes support for multiplayer and progressive jackpots, linking together machines on the same casino floor.

Any game in the E-Gaming catalogue can

K

be loaded on to the machine via the internet. So long as the operator has an active connection they can refresh their game portfolio at any time, without having to touch the machines themselves. Titles on offer include digital versions of classic tables games, video poker, slots and the popular progressive jackpot games.

Multilotto is designed to be fully scalable and the company claim that it is suitable for casino floors of any size. Extensive operational modelling tools enable a casino manager to plan ahead and predict exactly what mix of games is best for their business.

This system will be on display at ICE 2014 where E-Gaming are also planning to demonstrate some of their newest software. This includes an online and mobile casino platform, which can support new video reel games as well as their existing suite.

New VLT hardware will also be on show, with machines designed specifically for the Spanish and Mexican markets. E-Gaming report that a small testing program, underway in Spain, has produced very positive results and that the games are in the last stages of the homologation process. A joint venture has been established with a Spanish distributer and the machines are now weeks away from hitting local businesses.

M

STAND NO: N2-150

VNE

The Viking makes its way to ICE with VNE

M

arket leading change machine manufacturers VNE are bringing their premier product to ICE 2014. The Viking is the latest in a series of change machines produced by the Italian company, who design hardware targeted primarily at their local market.

Using VNE’s technology the machine recycles up to 200 bank notes divided into two denominations. A total of 5,000 coins can be stored in two hoppers, which have been reinforced to support the large number of coins.

The Viking itself weighs 150kg, thanks in large part to the double steel protection in the machine’s front door. A biometric scanner also

42 | casinoreview January 2014

reduces the risk of unauthorised access.

Operators can monitor the change passing through their machines with software that reports both accounting and technical monitoring data, in real time, to an online portal.

The Viking will be accompanied at ICE by a number of VNE devices, including the Super Change VLT and the Queen Change, which accepts and dispenses barcode tickets.

“We are coming to ICE with a clear message. We are one step ahead of the change machine market,” said commercial director, Lorenza Verona.

STAND NO: S5-212

atsui are transporting a diverse selection of customisable casino equipment to ICE 2014, with products running the gamut from chips to roulette wheels.

Matsui prides itself on using the finest materials for its manufacturing process. Many of their ICE display pieces will have been built using microfibre synthetic layouts and all of their roulette wheels and tables are hand-crafted using topquality Japanese veneers.

Matsui poker chips are also designed to be the most durable on the market, making them a perfect choice for busy casino environments.

Included in the range of products on show this year will be a selection of premier decal plaques, which provide an expanded version of a traditional casino chip that still includes all of the company’s industry leading security options.

The company was founded in Japan 30 years ago, but have since expanded to cater to a worldwide casino audience.

STAND NO: S13-140

CR135-p30-44-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 13:23 Page 9

E-GAMING / MATSUI EUROPE / MERKUR GAMING / VNE ICE Totally Gaming 2013

ICE 2014 HIGHLIGHTS: MERKUR AVANTGARDE | ALL-IN-ONE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

MERKUR GAMING

Merkur to cover all bases at London’s ExCeL Centre German big-hitter Merkur Gaming are gearing up for their appearance at ICE Totally Gaming with new products that cover the entire gaming spectrum. ront and centre in Merkur’s presentation are a selection of new cabinet designs. Most prominently, the Avantgarde machine will be promoted as the latest in a portfolio that champions variety as one of its core principles. 3D games are becoming increasingly popular among game designers and this machine is designed specifically with this genre in mind. Merkur’s stand will also play host to their existing Privilege and Evolution cabinets, alongside the slant top Highflyer and its unique ‘floating’ upper monitor.

Merkur hope to seamlessly synchronise their hardware with software using the

F

new All-In-One management system. Visitors to the company’s ICE stand will be treated to a tour of the product’s features, which are designed to link casino, slot, arcade and business management into one central system.

The company has long been a leader in the server-based gaming and video lottery sectors and will be displaying their latest entries into these markets. Many of the machines will be hooked up to Merkur’s latest jackpots, which include wide-area and mystery systems.

German-based Merkur are rightly proud of their nation’s fine engineering tradition,

but that has not prevented them from adapting their work to the needs of international clients. Evidence of this will be on display at ICE, including a game based on the legendary Mexican comedian Cantinflas, produced exclusively for the Latin American market.

The Merkur 100 will also have its place on the company’s ICE stand. The banknote recycler stores currency in three separate containers, which can be individually configured to accept certain denominations.

Since its release, its creators have revealed hat over 120,000 units have been produced.

Merkur Gaming is a part of the Gausel-

mann group and two of its sister companies will share floor space with the German firm. Change machine manufactures GeWeTe will site alongside multi-platform digital game developers, Blueprint Gaming.

“The quantum leap in innovations is surely set to astonish the gaming world”, said Thomas Niehenke, COO of the Gauselmann Group. “There are so many reasons to come and stay on our stand. We are very much looking forward to the forthcoming ICE.”

STAND NO: N8-160

sales@gamesman.co.uk

www.gamesman.co.uk

January 2014 casinoreview

| 43

CR135-p30-44-ICE preview_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 12:36 Page 10

Preview

CASINO TECHNOLOGY / GAMESMAN

ICE 2014

ICE Totally Gaming 2013

ICE 2014 HIGHLIGHTS: CASINO TECHNOLOGY CASINO TECHNOLOGY INTERACTIVE GAMESMAN DYNAMIC/DOWNLOADABLE PUSH-BUTTON/ DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES

GAMESMAN

Gamesman go to ICE in confident mood Returning home after a year of international growth, Gamesman MD Mark Smith is relishing the opportunity to connect with the wider industry at this year’s ICE Totally Gaming. amesman, the UK headquartered precision components manufacturer for the international gaming machine and slots sector, is preparing to celebrate its’ 17th consecutive appearance at ICE and the first since its’ full integration as part of the Esterline Corporation.

A year on from the acquisition, which was announced at ICE 2013, Mark Smith, managing director of Gamesman, is delighted with the progress which has been made and equally confident about the future. He confirmed: “The first year has gone incredibly quickly which is probably indicative of how much has been achieved in that time. We have streamlined our sales activity in the US to make us more efficient and more responsive, we have started to see benefits from our

G

investment in China and we have leveraged off a wider pool of technical expertise from Esterline. There’s no doubt that Gamesman goes into ICE 2014 as a stronger business, with strong financial backing from our parent company and with the same hunger for further growth.”

Gamesman first attended ICE as an exhibitor in 1997 and to a large extent the exhibition is where it all started for the then fledgling business, as Mark Smith explained: “ICE is our home exhibition and will always have a special significance due in no small part to the platform it provided us to expand and enter new markets.

It is the best opportunity for our staff to get exposure to our customers and their products and see the fruits of their labour in their final application.

“ICE is an opportunity to really feel the

temperature of the business from an international perspective and I’m keen to understand the industry view on online gaming in North America. It’s also a great chance to talk and engage with our Asian customers as the region continues to grow in importance for us.

“I have always felt that Gamesman is a listening business whose first task is to understand a customers’ issues and then to provide the solution. We are looking forward to doing an awful lot of listening at ICE!” Gamesman’s product offering at ICE (Stand N6 240) includes a wide range of dynamic/downloadable push-button/display technologies, using LCD, OLED as well as touchscreen technologies.

STAND NO: N6-240

CASINO TECHNOLOGY

Milestone year stars at ICE for Casino Technology Gaming equipment manufacturer Casino Technology are commemorating their 15th anniversary in 2014. A year that begins with a London outing at ICE Totally Gaming.

s part of its 2014 celebration, Casino Technology will mark its 15th anniversary with a brand transformation that ties together their developing commitment to traditional and online gaming.

Milo Borissov, founder and CEO of Casino Technology, reflected on the company’s time: “We had an interesting journey so far full of exciting experience and challenging opportunities. Building bridges between the East and the West, adapting to the cultures and preferences of the players, today Casino Technology is recognised worldwide and stands up next to the leaders in the industry.”

A

44 | casinoreview January 2014

Since the company began trading in 1999 internet gambling has become a more and more vital part of the industry, and as such plans to launch a new division that will focus on the distribution of games across all land-based and online channels are already in place. Casino Technology Interactive will come into existence during 2014 with the remit of funnelling games into traditional slot machines, server based slots, as well as mobile and online devices. From the player’s perspective, this means that they can move from device to device and continue enjoying the same experience with the same games. This new product will be mar-

keted to operators as a way to ensure that their game portfolios reach as wide an audience as possible.

“We are mature enough and enthusiastic to build on our core experience of creating successful games and through our unique patented technologies to deliver the best gaming convergence experience to the player,” said Borissov. “The new challenges of the gaming technologies are the ideal perspective for us. More than ever they open a whole galaxy of new and unique opportunities for a team like ours - working with imagination, boldness and passion, always ready to experiment in order to reach beyond the boundaries of the familiar.”

Casino Technology is marking this gear shift with a new logo intended to capture a sense of continuity, innovation and the advance of technology. It is also designed to be symbolic of the company’s desire to destroy the borders between landbased and remote gaming.

Ahead of ICE 2014, vice president Rossi McKee was buoyant about the future of Casino Technology. “We plan new product releases, new clients promotions and new market expansions,” she said, “which will further enhance our positions worldwide.”

STAND NO: N10-140

FASCINATION is the key.

It is the passion of our game design teams to create games that are great entertainment, capture players’ attention, who then witness unforgettable pleasure in playing – in short: we focus on player fascination.

That is why we offer most diverse games with different themes, gripping win-line concepts and exciting features.

Visit us on booth N8-160!

Be MERKURious It‘s more than just a game.

MERKUR GAMING | Borsigstrasse 22 | D-32312 Luebbecke | Phone +49 (0) 5741 273 6930 | www.merkur-gaming.com sales@merkur-gaming.com www.merkur-gaming.com w ww ww w..me merk rku urr-g r-g -gam amin ing. in g co com | sales@me sales@merkur-gaming.com merk merk rkur ur-ggaam ur min ng. g com

CR135-p46-52-Supplier_Coinslot NEW 03/01/2014 17:31 Page 1

Supplier

News SYSTEMS

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Bally develops systems installation for SLS Casino

Bally extends partnership with Seminole casino Bally Technologies has put pen to paper on two new deals to extend long-term relationships with existing partners.

I

n Florida, the Seminole Coconut Creek casino has integrated Bally’s iView Display Manager with most of their 2,400 machines.

The installation of iView enables Seminole casino staff to transmit messages to their games and communicate information to patrons as they play.

Bally markets the iView as one of the most highly customisable display managers available, with operators able to precisely configure the location and design of their messages.

Information can be sent across many machines or to a single device.

The software can be used to launch instant bonuses and slot tournaments thanks to its synergy with Bally’s Elite Bonusing Suite, which has also been adopted by the Seminole Tribe. The suite provides a set of discrete marketing packages which can be

46 | casinoreview January 2014

used to automate a casino’s existing promotions and create new player offers designed to increase loyalty.

These installations are the latest in a series of partnerships between Bally and Seminole Coconut Creek.

The venue already uses Bally software to manage its slots, accounts and many other aspects of the casino.

“We have had a longstanding partnership with Seminole Gaming and are thrilled to take it to the next level with iView DM and the Elite Bonusing Suite,” said Ramesh Srinivasan, president and chief operating officer at Bally.

The company has also expanded its relationship with High 5 Games. The developer, which creates casino games for online and social markets, signed a deal in 2012 to produce land-based versions of its

titles in partnership with Bally Technologies. This pairing bore fruit in late 2013 with the installation of games such as Shadow Diamond and Ocean’s Glory in a number of locations.

Following the success of this initial venture, Bally has commissioned High 5 to produce a large number of further games over the coming years. The duo will also continue to debut some of their new titles through High 5 Casino’s online platform, following a successful experiment with Shadow Diamond in 2013.

“We are excited to continue and increase our partnership with Bally Technologies,” said Med Nadooshan, COO of High 5 Games. “This extensive agreement will allow us to provide many more topquality games for our landbased casino partners, with the same high standards they are accustomed to.”

B

ally Technologies has announced that SLS Hotel and Casino, the newest property on the Las Vegas Strip, has selected a wide array of the company’s innovative systems and interactive solutions.

“Bally’s commitment to configuring its systems and interactive solutions to fit the unique needs of customers makes them a perfect partner,” said SLS Hotel and Casino president and chief operating officer Rob Oseland.

The hotel and casino is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2014 with more than 1,600 guest rooms, 800 gaming machines and 80 table games.

The agreement includes floor-wide deployment of Bally’s award-winning iView Display Manager (DM) with Elite Bonusing Suite (EBS), enabling SLS to offer guests tremendous bonusing events such as DM Tournaments, U-Spin Bonusing, Flex Rewards, and Virtual Racing.

SLS will use Bally’s ACSC slot monitoring, marketing, player tracking and accounting solutions, as well as the state-of-the-

art Promotional Kiosk application, the automated dispatch and alert system Service Tracking Manager (STM), and Bally Business Intelligence to analyse and visualise data.

Additionally, SLS will utilise Bally’s open iGaming Platform to provide best-in-class content from a multitude of providers, along with the integration between iGaming and ACSC player tracking. The company’s iGaming platform is also designed for mobile integration and is ready to accommodate online gaming beyond poker, such as casino table games, video slots, and sports betting.

“The Bally product portfolio allows SLS Hotel and Casino to offer a broad loyalty program across our entire business operation,” Oseland said. “We want to provide our guests a one-of-a-kind experience to reward their loyalty at hotels, nightclubs and restaurants across the country, while having seamless integration with the new Las Vegas casino.

These integrated products will eventually allow for a single view of the player, positioning us well for the future.”

CR135-p46-52-Supplier_Coinslot NEW 03/01/2014 17:32 Page 2

BALLY TECHNOLOGIES / DLV / IGT SUPPLIER NEWS: JW@SJC.CO.UK

PREVIEW TO ICE 30-45 SUPPLIER NEWS 46-53 B2B LISTINGS 54-57 BUSINESS & CITYNEWS 58-65 VLT

IGT signs new VLT deal with Delaware State Lottery GT has signed a deal with the Delaware State Lottery to continue the provision of more than 3,500 video lottery terminals (VLTs) to Delaware, bringing fan-favourite games to the state.

The newly established agreement provides an additional five years of IGT content. A sample of the titles available to the Delaware lottery will be player favourites such as Stinkin’ Rich, White Orchid and Siberian Storm.

“The great content and highly recognisable titles create a fun, exciting play

I

experience for our players,” said Jim Loque, Delaware State Lottery deputy director. He added that the collaboration and reliability that the state lottery experienced during its partnership with IGT was the driving factor in its recommitment to the company for the next half decade.

This new contract includes terms of five years, with provisions in place that allow for an extension of terms for up to 11 years.

As IGT continues to grow its relationship with the state of Delaware, Tim

Shortall, the company’s vice president of North America Sales, eastern sales, said: “The extension of our agreement recognises that IGT is the trusted brand behind the games that players demand.”

IGT recently announced its fifth consecutive quarterly dividend increase - a 57 per cent rise compared to the dividend paid in the same quarter last year. This marks the 43rd consecutive quarter that the company has paid a dividend, which is currently the longest streak in the gaming industry.

DLV

DLV attracts big operators at SAGSE

T

he teams from DLV and DLV Peru were among the participants at the recent SAGSE Buenos Aires in the capital of Argentina, exhibiting everything that the company has achieved over the past year. Showcasing its entire work from 2013, the casino manufacturer and operator reported that its booth was “constantly full of visitors”, many of them big operators with casinos in South and Central America.

Especially popular at the show was DLV’s Hybrid machine, which the company said attracted the atten-

tion of SAGSE guests instantaneously. Also attracting a lot of interest from show visitors were DLV’s jackpot systems. Progressive systems are particularly popular in the countries surrounding that region, with players often queuing for a chance to play for the highest prize.

The high-quality graphics, as well as the variety of jackpot themes Vollinstars, Dragon Jackpot, Jewel Jackpot, Gauya Quest - help to attract players of all tastes, which is of importance to DLV’s newlyacquired partners.

www.eu.suzohapp.com

January 2014 casinoreview

| 47

CR135-p46-52-Supplier_Coinslot NEW 03/01/2014 17:51 Page 3

Supplier

ADVANTECH-INNOCORE / EAG / SG GAMING

News

The AGEM seven 27

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP: AGEM HAS BOLSTERED ITS RANKS WITH ANOTHER SEVEN NEW COMPANIES JOINING RAISING TO 131 THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS FROM 19 COUNTRIES.

EXHIBITIONS

CONTENT

EAG provides European focus for suppliers

Fresh content on tap for SG Gaming at ICE

A wide range of gaming and amusements companies are planning to exhibit at this year’s EAG International Expo, which this year takes place at the ExCeL centre two weeks before ICE. aking place two weeks ahead of ICE Totally Gaming 2014, London’s ExCeL centre will host the annual EAG International Expo, the Europeanfocused trade show for the gaming and amusements industry.

As ever, several leading gaming and leisure companies will be in attendance at EAG this year, including Novomatic subsidiary The Astra Gaming Group, Astro Systems, FutureLogic, Innovative Technology, NSM Music, Sound Leisure and Suzo-Happ.

EAG takes place on January 21-23, and the organisers of the show, said: “EAG International differs greatly from most of its contemporaries. As a show put on for the industry by the industry, it is focused exclusively on the needs of the industry and not on those of remote stakeholders.

Buying and selling is, of course, the lifeblood of business and for many buyers, EAG International is the event at which they will finalise their orders for the forthcoming season.

“Networking has always been an important reason to visit EAG International, and few would deny that they enjoy catching up on the latest news and gossip, as well as exchanging views on the current issues facing the industry. This year, the Triennial Review and government support for coastal towns are sure to be high on the

T

T agenda, along with VAT relief for tourism.”

EAG International chairman Martin Burlin said: “Our role is clearly to deliver an event which enables people to see and buy new products but equally important is the opportunity to discuss, share experiences and make sense of what is happening in our industry.

“Individual visits to EAG International have grown every year since its launch, and I’m pleased to confirm that for 2014 we will be welcoming 14 new exhibitors from the UK, China, Italy, Poland and Spain. Our focus is on the quality of the experience for each and every visitor and exhibitor.”

As far as new products are concerned, EAG International’s organisers have

revealed that many of the 180 or so represented manufacturers have indicated that they will be introducing new products at the show. Some, such as Sega Amusements Europe’s range of new games under its Transformers and Plants vs. Zombies franchises, will be European launches, whilst other companies, including Formula K and All Things Nice will be debuting completely new and innovative ranges.

“International visitors are becoming increasingly important to EAG International’s exhibitors, representing 28 per cent of the total in 2013. The organisers have confirmed that early registrations from overseas visitors indicate that this trend is likely to continue.

ADVANTECH-INNOCORE

Opening up new frontiers for gaming applications Advantech is well known as a leader in X86 embedded computing for the gaming industry, but the company’s growing range of RISCbased products is finding more and more applications in gaming. everaging the low cost and high performance of today’s RISC technology, the products bring new levels of cost effective and highly embeddable computing power.

Advantech’s RISC-based products use the same technology that is behind the revolution in mobile and embedded connected computing - technology that is used in applications from smartphones and tablets to set top boxes, home media players, auto infotainment and residential gateways.

Advantech’s products widely use the

L

48 | casinoreview January 2014

SG Gaming are bringing their latest raft of innovations to 2014’s ICE Totally Gaming, including a host of exclusive content.

ARM Cortex-A9 processors which are some of the latest and highest performance ARM processors from Freescale implementing the full richness of the widely supported ARMv7 architecture. A9 processors deliver an unprecedented package of features.

Advantech has two broad groups of products based on RISC architecture: module products in several industry standard formats and complete system level products. The modules are available in three main formats - RTX, SMARC, and Q7 - and

are ideal for customers who need a flexible I/O system which can be implemented on a carrier board.

The system level products are available with enclosures or as an embedded single board computer. These include digital signage controllers, networking devices, automation products.

Linux is the most widely supported operating system for these products, but Android and Windows Embedded board support packages are available for some products.

he SG Games stand at this year’s ICE expo will feature demonstrations of exclusive titles, platform developments and specialist field-base support.

The company has been able to assemble such a large display thanks in part to new acquisitions made by its parent organisation.

Parent company Scientific Games purchased both WMS Industries and their subsidiary Williams Interactive in October 2013, which has opened up large software libraries to SG’s existing clientele. At the stand, SG customers will also be the chance to try out new content that has become available to them during the past year.

“We are constantly pushing the boundaries of content innovation and redefining what is thought of as possible in the gaming industry. We’ll be showcasing our latest range of innovative titles at ICE which includes a sneak preview of our 2014 gaming machine portfolio and our cross-platform content offering, including some proven WMS titles. We’ll also be showing off our enhanced platform and cabinet innovations for 2014,” said Phil Horne, group managing director of SG Gaming for the United Kingdom.

A range of self-service betting terminals have been developed in collaboration with Best Gaming Technology and the devices will be on show as part of the company’s display. They will sit alongside SG Gaming’s own range of cabinets, including the T8, Infinity and newly released Clarity terminal.

“ICE will be the first time we are demonstrating our new self-service betting terminals that we are now offering to the LBO estate as an option,” said Horne. “SG Connect, our comprehensive field-based support service, will also be at our stand in force. With so much going on, it is an exciting time for our business.”

Technology that inspires 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.

Evolve with JCM Global at ICE Totally Gaming Stand N8-120 w w w. j c m g l o b a l . c om www.jcmglobal.com

CR135-p46-52-Supplier_Coinslot NEW 03/01/2014 17:39 Page 4

Supplier

ALFASTREET / GAMING LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL / LT GAME / SUZO-HAPP

News

REVIEW

PEOPLE

Alfastreet eying ICE and 2014

GLI appoints new business development manager for Italy

Slovenian manufacturer Alfastreet enters into the New Year with a look back at what made 2013 so successful and a look forward to 2014 beginning with ICE. aming manufacturer Alfastreet is heading to the upcoming ICE Totally Gaming exhibition in London on a high following what it described as a ‘very busy and highly successful’ 2013.

Discussing the year, in which the Slovenian manufacturer said it continued to refine its terminals both in design and function, Alfastreet explained that its approach to gaming equipment production had been ‘progressive’ during the period, highlighted primarily by the latest version of its Evergreen 8-station roulette R8 terminal. According to the firm, this edition incorporates every bit of experience gained during its 20-year history, and is com-

G

bined with the latest technologies available to the industry.

Also drawing praise alongside the Evergreen gaming machine is Alfastreet’s all-new WOF/’Big Six’ wheel, which quite literally towers above its entire product line-up.

Another highpoint in the year was the strengthening of the company’s international markets, which Alfastreet said has ‘welcomed its innovations’ and resulted in new installations in North and South America. According to the firm, Asia is continuing on a very steady pace, while its European markets are experiencing a renewed boost.

Overall, Alfastreet said 2013 has seen the industry, as well as the com-

pany, grow stronger, and forecasts from the team say this upward trend will continue in the years to follow.

“We are now anxiously awaiting the completion of the new machines that will be unveiled at the ICE exhibition in London,” a spokesperson said. “The new concept of a single terminal, the long-anticipated mechanical Derby and many other surprises will become the standards in their respective classes.”

“The orders for 2014 are already coming in and we plan to extend our presence in all world markets across the year, beginning at ICE, while fitting Alfastreet machines in spectacular installations on countless gaming floors,” he concluded.

G

FORECAST

SLOTS SUMMIT

Paradise sales via LT Game ‘due to soar’

French slot operators benefit from Suzo-Happ attendance

A

n asset management company led by two former bosses at China’s central bank has written a report talking up the prospects of Hong Kong-listed casino equipment maker Paradise Entertainment - owners of LT Game - with particular reference to LT Game’s live dealer electronic table games. The product is exempted from Macau’s cap on numbers of traditional live dealer tables.

The report by Hong Kong-based firm Oriental Patron suggests that Paradise’s sales - via its LT Game brand are due to “soar” this year. It states: “Paradise targets to quintuple the LMG (live multi game) sales in 2014 to 3,000 units with about 80 percent order confirmed.”

Referring to a Macau patent registered to a Paradise unit called Natural Noble, the report says that protected by the relevant patent (I/380), Paradise secured its monopoly position in the LMG segment, which has gained increasing popularity in Macau due to its live and multi-game features.

Paradise expects to boost its Macau market share for electronic gaming tables in 2014.

50 | casinoreview January 2014

uzo-Happ leapt at the chance to connect with its French customers by attending the final Slot Summit of 2013 at the Casino Enghienles-Bain in Paris, France. The Dutch component suppliers were keen to demonstrate their commitment to local businesses by exhibiting at the show.

“Casino operators need to understand what a fundamental difference component choice has on slots operations and thus on their bottom line,” said Harald Wagemaker, EMEA sales director for SuzoHapp. “We have the most indepth knowledge and product solutions and we invest in communicating with local operators by exhibiting at the Slot Summit alongside local gaming shows.”

S

One of the company’s most prized partners, Transact, joined Suzo-Happ at the show to demonstrate their range of printing solutions. Earlier in 2013, the two companies inked an agreement that saw SuzoHapp become the exclusive distributer for Transact products in most of the world.

The focus of their joint showing at the French Slot Summit was the Epic 950 thermal printer. The 950 is Transact’s premiere creation and is currently installed in over

half a million slot machines worldwide. The machine’s trademark is its TicketBurst feature that promises to prevent paper becoming jammed in the machine. It does this by printing the ticket before bursting it, a feature designed to operators both time and money.

aming Laboratories International (GLI) has named its new business development manager in Italy.

Joining the GLI Europe Development team is industry expert Simona Dutto who has spent the last 15 years of her career in the Italian gaming industry. The company believes Dutto, who will be based at the company’s lab in Bologna, brings an important mix and depth of experience to GLI. In her new role, Dutto will oversee GLI’s development efforts related to land-based and online gaming throughout Italy.

GLI director of European business development, James Illingworth, said: “With her experience and many contacts in Italy and throughout central Europe, she will be a welcome addition to the team.”

Most recently, Dutto served as international sales director for Stylgame. Previously she was AWP development manager for Spielo International, where she was responsible for implementing the AWP strategy in Italy. She has also served as manager of operations and as regional sales manager for Atronic; business development manager for TCS/John Huxley.

CR135-p46-52-Supplier_Coinslot NEW 03/01/2014 17:40 Page 5

YXYXY BALLY / MERKURYXYXYXY GAMING iGA Awards 66

IGA AWARDS: PRESENTATIONS WILL BE HELD ON 3 FEBRUARY IN LONDON’S SWANKY SAVOY HOTEL WHERE OVER 20 WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM THE INDUSTRY TOP PERFORMERS.

CRUISE SHIPS

PEOPLE

Merkur Gaming cruises the world

Bally appoint new AsiaPacific chief

S

rini Raghavan has been tasked with overseeing Bally’s games and systems activities in the AsiaPacific region. He takes over from Cath Burns, who recently departed the company to become CEO of TCS John Huxley. As part of the reshuffle, Kurt Gissane has been promoted to managing director of Asia-Pacific. He will manage day-to-day business operations from the company’s office in Macau.

M

any people have the dream of cruising the world, and this dream has been given extra spice for fans of Merkur Gaming.

MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise company and market leader in the Mediterranean, South Africa and Brazil, has chosen Merkur Gaming to liven up its casino on two of its cruise ships, MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica that are currently sailing along South American coats.

The combined dream of gaming and cruising is being experienced right now

for passengers in Europe and very soon in South America, too,” said Thomas Niehenke, chief operating officer of the Gauselmann Group. “What a perfect day cruising on a wonderful MSC ship, discov-

ering new lands or just relaxing during the day and then enjoying the gaming delights of Merkur Gaming by night.

Merkur Gaming lets you live your dream on a global scale.”

January 2014 casinoreview

| 51

CR135-p46-52-Supplier_Coinslot NEW 03/01/2014 17:42 Page 6

Supplier

EURO GAMES TECHNOLOGY / STYLGAME / WMS GAMING

News

ICE 2014

NEW FACES: A TOTAL OF 67 EXHIBITORS WILL BE DEBUTING AT ICE 2014 ENSURING THAT THE SHOW FLOOR WILL BE SEASONED WITH NEW COMPANIES AND NEW IDEAS. VIDEO POKER

DISTRIBUTION

WMS Gaming has been assigned a patent in the US for a video poker machine, while its subsidiary, Phantom EFX, is expanding its offices to keep up with gaming growth.

German distribution deal inked for StylGame

S

tylGame, producers of the Royal Stool line of casino seating and

WMS Gaming assigned US patent and subsidiary grows MS Gaming has been assigned a patent in the US for a multi-game video poker machine and system with asymmetrically accessible customisation features.

First filed on November 2, 2011, the patent application was assigned on December 24, 2013 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent was awarded to WMS Gaming staff and machine’s inventors, game designer, Dion Aoki, vice-president and design chief, Allon Englman, and senior director of games, Joel Jaffe.

The agency also released a notice that outlined the details of the patent, stating: “A gaming system with asymmetric customisation capabilities and a method of

W

enabling asymmetric customisation of a wagering game.

“A plurality of selectable gameplay features are provided for utilisation during the wagering game.

Players accessing the game-play features are unequally limited as to which features are available for modification, depending on means of access.

“All features, however, are available for game-play, regardless of means of access.”

In other company-related news, social game company and WMS subsidiary, Phantom EFX is moving to new offices.

The firm has been involved in two buyouts since the summer of 2012. Most notably, Phantom is set to open a 10,000 square foot addition to its office space at Technol-

ogy Parkway in Cedar Falls, Iowa, scheduled January 16. The new space will include an increasing number of employees who have multiplied since WMS Industries purchased privately owned Phantom in June 2012 for an undisclosed sum and then, in September 2013, New York-based Scientific Games bought WMS for $1.5bn (E1.1bn).

Phantom’s workforce has reportedly grown from 35 to 100 in approximately the last 10 months.

The company’s managing director, Aaron Schurman, co-founded the company in 1998 with partners Danny Stokes, Marty VanZee and Darin Beck. Beck sold his interest in the company in 2012, but Stokes and VanZee remain as director and director of mobile products, respectively. Schurman said that intensi-

fied interest in casino style games for mobile devices has helped to fuel Phantom’s whirlwind and led to the sale of the company in 2012.

Phantom, which has gained a lot of attention from Facebook, released Jackpot Party soon after the WMS acquisition and has reported huge success since.

Quickly becoming a top-10 grossing game for Facebook, Jackpot Party had more than 10m players and about one million players every day at last count, according to Schurman.

He added that Phantom’s new expansion is going to lead to additional expansion, which is already in talks right now. The company has game designs ready to go and is forming teams as quickly as it can find high-quality people.

INSTALLATION

EGT expects growth in Caribbean as Curacao installations are a hit Euro Games Technology (EGT) recently installed a large number of its Vega Vision+ Upright and Slant Top machines in Curacao’s Awasa Casino.

A

s well as their ergonomic and stylish design, the cabinets feature EGT’s latest Multigame Mixes, which offer a wide library of games. This first installation of EGT machines in Awasa Casino took place recently and has proved to be a success. “For a very short period they have

become the most popular machines in the casino you can see guests coming to play on them from early morning till the casino closes,” said EGT Panama director, Nadia Popova.

The second installation offers EGT latest Premier Series Software. The Premier Multigame mixes

52 | casinoreview January 2014

contain EGT most popular titles as well as some brand new ones, all featuring high-quality graphics and sound. Another highlight of this installation is that all EGT machines, regardless of the software, are connected to EGT Vega Jackpot System.

Looking ahead, Popova said: “We hold very good

positions in the Caribbean region and the consecutive installations prove that our selection of products is very suitable for this market. Our main strengths on a local level are the games that we provide and more specifically, the mathematics. We have a brilliant RD team that is analysing the specific

players’ preferences in all the different casinos. Thus we focus in sending the right games to every casino. This procedure allows us to take care of every customer in a unique way.”

She added: “My expectations for a future growth in the Caribbean region are extremely positive.”

gaming equipment, is expanding its presence in the German market, after signing a distribution deal with Joris Dubois and his company JD Supplies & Services.

The Royal Stool line is known for its ergonomically designed seating, which operates under the guiding mantra of ‘Play in Comfort’, however the company has also begun producing other casino equipment. Most notable among its expanding portfolio is the new Texas Hold’em Poker Division line of tables.

The products use a patented system of semi-rigid interchangeable panels which can be used to alter the size and layout of the playing surface.

“The German market is very challenging for both Casinos and Gaming halls,” says Dubois.

“My objective will be to make StylGame known to all slot managers in my area of competence and assure that they are all educated on the advantages of buying its products.”

www.casino-technology.com

CR135-p54-55-B2B_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 10:59 Page 1

Listings

Business2Business

CASINO OPENING

The Creek Casino Wetumpka has completed a grand opening ceremony on the banks of the Coosa River. The casino is operated by the Poarch Creek Indians and their tribal chairman, Buford L. Rolin, was on hand to oversee the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Alabama welcomes third Indian casino provides good jobs. I know I speak for our entire Tribe when I say we are very proud of that and wish the best for everyone involved in making Wind Creek a wonderful place to come.”

The new Creek Casino

APPOINTMENTS

LISTINGS

“

What a great day this is,” trbal chairman Buford Rolin said during a speech given to the assembled dignitaries. “This a beautiful place that is built on one of the prettiest rivers in Alabama. But Wind Creek is also a place that

NagaWorld appoints new COO

agaCorp, parent company of the NagaN World casino in Cambodia, has announced that Mark

Wetumpka features over 2,500 thousand games, including slot machines from Bally, IGT and Lightning Gaming. It also shares a plot with a yet to be completed 20 floor hotel, which is set to open in February, 2014.

Bally’s newest titles was the star of the show. The Titanic video slot was judge’s the first choice in every category, as casino slot directors were asked to vote for their favourite machine.

Titanic, based on James Cameron’s Oscar winning blockbuster, picked up the highest score for theme, graphics, audio and user experience.

Over the past year, Bally has won more than 80 awards for innovation.

Brown is to become the resort’s new chief operating officer. He will manage NagaWorld alongside the chief executive and help foster plans to develop a new casino in Vladivostok, Russia.

Brown moves on from his role as senior vice presiTCSJH lift Venetian Macau dent of strategic development for the Wynn in Las Vegas, having previous man- suppliers honour aged the Las Vegas Sands properties in Macau. he inaugural Supplier Excellence Awards at the Venetian Macau ended in victory for TCS John Huxley.

The company picked up the Innovation Award for the range of products they Titanic slot game wins had supplied to the casino during the Macao awards past year. “It is a great honour to receive t the recent Slot Game Sweeps awards this award from such a valued partner,” at the Macao Gaming show, one of said TCS John Huxley’s general man-

AWARDS

A

54 | casinoreview January 2014

T

With the creation of Wetumpka the state of Alabama now hosts three casinos, all of which are operated by the Poarch Creek tribe, the only federally recognise Native American group in the state.

ager for Asia, Rebecca Kingswell.

DISTRIBUTION

C

ouponing expert FutureLogic has inked a new distribution agreement that gives American Gaming & Electronics (AG&E) an exclusive license to distribute their products throughout the upper midwestern United States.

As well as being the sole provider of FutureLogic’s bill validators and printers to locations such as Minnesota and Michegan, AG&E will also act as a non-exclusive distributer to 14

CR135-p54-55-B2B_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 13:26 Page 2

B2B LISTINGS: JW@SJC.CO.UK

APPOINTMENTS AWARDS CHARITY CHANGE MACHINES DISTRIBUTION GAMING PLATFORMS HARDWARE JACKPOTS PAYMENT TECHNOLOGIES MULTIGAMES SYSTEMS REGULATION ROULETTE

Gamesman complete cancer charity fundraiser

CHARITY amesman managing director Mark Smith got into training for February’s ICE with a 10-mile walk from Selhurst Park, home of his beloved Crystal Palace Football Club to UK Premiership rivals Chelsea, helping to raise over £20,000 (E23,800) in memory of former school mate Dominic King who died from a rare form of Leukaemia in 1987, aged just 15.

Smith, who was one of 26 intrepid walkers, a troupe which included his nine-year-old son Daniel and Gamesman sales manager Martin Rigby, said: “First and foremost, a huge thank you from Daniel and myself for the very generous donations that we have received so far. The grand total from all of the walkers is now in excess of £20,000, which is a magnificent achievement. Chris Powlson and Liam Connery from Crystal Palace Football

G

Club deserve a special mention for their hard work and enthusiasm in helping to organise the event and supporting this initiative.”

He added: “I contacted the family of Dominic King, who died when we were at school together and they have been so moved by this fund-raising effort, all of these years after their tragic loss. Dominic’s oldest brother joined us at our first pit stop and enjoyed meeting the Crystals Cheerleaders three of whom did the entire walk raising over £1,500 (E1,790) for the cause.

“The Royal Marsden hospital, which cared for Dominic during his illness, has been delighted and impressed by our efforts and we will present their Cancer Charity with a final cheque at a Crystal Palace home game in the new year. My huge thanks to everyone within the international gaming industry who have donated so generously.”

other states. The deal will run for two years.

movie production company in Southern California.

Since its launch more than 25 years ago, IGT has awarded over $1bn in Nevada Megabucks jackpots.

JACKPOTS PLAYER SCOOPS $10m MEGABUCKS WIN

SYSTEMS

DRGT gets ready for extensive showing at ICE

Casinó Campione to host dedicated live-dealer studio

ystems technology provider DRGT will S be heading to ICE with their new drScreen product front and centre. This

volution Gaming, E which runs an online service

software allows operators to transmit information directly to the screen of a slot machine. Promotional information or account information can be sent to the cabinet, with players given the opportunity to respond. The use of this technology creates a conversation between the operator and player that is designed to create entirely new ways of casino marketing.

that enables customers to play table games operated by live dealers, will be constructing a second studio inside the Casinó Campione d’Italia. Currently, staff are streamed from their headquarters in Riga, Latvia.

Casinó Campione is one of Europe’s most popular gambling locations and was built on the site of Italy’s oldest casino in 2007. The venue will initially play host to Evolution’s roulette, blackjack and baccarat tables.

PAYMENT TECHNOLOGIES Aristocrat announces innovative payment card ristocrat has partnered with payment A provider Wave Crest to create an open-loop prepaid card. Casino patrons

n early December, IGT awarded more IMegabucks than $10m (E7.3m) to a winner of its progressive jackpot at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mark H. of Lauderhill, Florida has been a huge fan of IGT’s Megabucks slot game since its launch in 1986.

As the executive producer of recently released “All American Christmas Carol,” Mark H. is planning to invest the jackpot into his

can use this new device in conjunction with Aristocrat’s casino management systems, allowing the cards to integrate with loyalty programs operated

by Aristocrat’s Oasis 360 software. Wave Crest’s creation gives customers an FDIC protected way of storing their gambling bankroll.

http : //www.ltgame.com

Email : sales@hk1180.com

January 2014 casinoreview

| 55

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

When the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara wanted to launch it’s gambling tourism vision for the Black Sea resort of Batumi, it immediately turned to Casino Review appointing it as the exclusive media partner. The integrated above and below the line campaign run only through Casino Review exceeded expectations and resulted in 120 investors from 25 countries traveling to Batumi The EXCLUSIVE European media partner for the Association of Gamto do business. ing Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and the Official Publication of If you want more information on how International Casino Review the European Casino Association (ECA), the magazine is also used can work with you to help achieve your commercial objectives simby Reed Exhibitions to promote G2E Las Vegas and G2E Macau; ply contact Publisher John Sullivan at jsullivan@gbmedia.eu Monografie S.A to promote SAGSE Buenos Aires and by Clarion Events in support of its flagship London event, ICE Totally Gaming and EiG, Barcelona.

With such an extensive, worldwide distribution coupled with award winning production and content it’s no surprise that International Casino Review is the preferred media partner for so many leading industry associations, b2b events and commercial organisations throughout the world.

On average, each print copy of International Casino Review is read by

4.13

GLOBAL COVERAGE

readers

WESTERN EUROPE

10,072 59.8%

CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE

1,769 10.5% ASIA PACIFIC

1,465 8.7% MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA

539

3.2%

CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA

995

5.9%

CIRCULATION BREAKDOWN DIGITAL 12,783

CR135-p58-64-Business_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 11:33 AM Page 1

Business

TWIN RIVER WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS / HARD ROCK

& City News

BUSINESS NEWS: JW@SJC.CO.UK

TWIN RIVER

HARD ROCK

Hard Rock terminates Mexican franchise relationship

In a move to geographically expand its gaming operations, Twin River Worldwide Holdings has announced its intent to acquire the unfinished Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Mississippi for $250m.

H

Twin River to strengthen business with Hard Rock purchase

T

win River Worldwide Holdings, the parent company of Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island, announced in December that it is buying the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi for $250m.

Subject to approvals, the sale is expected to be completed in June and Twin River has already secured committed financing for the transaction.

“Growing the business both organically and through acquisition solidifies our presence in Rhode Island and strengthens the company at an important time in our history as we brace for the eventual impact of Massachusetts casinos and racinos,” said John E. Taylor, Jr., chairman of Twin River Worldwide Holdings.

The company has been seeking to diversify its revenue base to better withstand industry and marketplace challenges.

“Growing the business both organically and through acquisition solidifies our presence in Rhode Island and strengthens

58 | casinoreview January 2014

the company at an important time in our history as we brace for the eventual impact of Massachusetts casinos and racinos,” said Taylor.

“With a near laser focus on creating a positive guest experience at Twin River through the addition of table games and attentiveness to customer service, we’ve brought the business to financial stability in just three short years. We’re proud of the revenue we generate for the State and for the good paying jobs we provide, largely to Rhode Islanders. We now have the opportunity to broaden our focus to other markets which offer the opportunity for growth, and we see Mississippi in general and this property in particular as having exceptional value,” he continued.

Owned and operated by Premier Entertainment Biloxi, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation, The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino property features a casino with 1,342 slot

machines, 51 tables and four poker tables. The Hard Rock in Biloxi was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005 just days before opening. The property was restored and opened two years later.

Taylor added that the “deliberate growth strategy” is intended to well position Twin River Worldwide Holdings in the gaming industry as well as in the state of Rhode Island where it continues to build its corporate headquarters. He said that the company is focused on bringing lessons learned in other jurisdictions back to its flagship casino, Twin River.

The announcement is the latest in an active period of casino investment in South Mississippi. Although gross casino revenue for October was down three per cent from last year, there are several new casino hotels underway, with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi set to become fourth casino out of 12 coast casinos to be sold in just over two years.

ard Rock International, whose portfolio includes casinos in the US, China and Dominican Republic, has terminated its franchise relationship with Operadora DB Mexico, Hard Rock Cafe franchisee in Mexico. The termination comes after several years of disputes relating to non-compliance with franchise standards and franchise payment obligations and follows the outcome of arbitrations in Mexico and final adjudication by Mexican arbitrators under the oversight of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris.

A statement by Hard Rock International said that over the last decade, Operadora DB Mexico locations throughout Mexico have deteriorated dramatically and subsequently defaulted on obligations under the master franchise agreement. “The franchisee frequently failed to pay merchandise vendors and landlords, did not upkeep Hard Rock Cafe quality standards and defaulted on its obligations to pay royalty payments to Hard Rock International,” said the statement.

“This case sets a landmark precedent for franchise operators in Mexico, and demonstrates that in Mexico legal certainty is available for investors and laws are enforced,” said Luis Rubio, a partner with the law firm Greenberg Traurig in Mexico City who represented Hard Rock International. It acknowledges that a defaulting party can be penalised with not only closure of specific venues, but also the termination of an entire franchise system and business model.”

Prior to the current ICC ruling, Hard Rock International engaged in arbitration in 2008.

The ICC rendered final judgments, determining the limited scope of rights provided under the Hard Rock Cafe master franchise agreement and confirmed that Hard Rock International could continue its brand expansion into luxury hotels in Mexico, which had previously been challenged by Operadora DB Mexico.

Michael Beacham, vice president of franchise operations for Hard Rock International, said: “We look forward to reinvesting in the brand, growing it and bringing the high-standards of the Hard Rock Cafes back to Mexico.”

CR135-p58-64-Business_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 5:30 PM Page 2

Business

BAHA MAR / CASINOS AUSTRIA INTERNATIONAL / CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT

& City News

US casino sector on the rise 64

BUSINESS & CITY NEWS 58-65 SECTORS & SERVICES 66-67 EVENTS & DIARY 68-71

BAHA MAR

CASINOS AUSTRIA

Board changes at Casinos Austria

Baha Mar welcomes China visa waiver agreement aha Mar, the $3.5bn (E2.5bn) integrated casino resort development in the Bahamas, has welcomed the mutual agreement between Bahamian Government and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that will allow mutual 30-day access to Bahamian and Chinese passport holders without requiring a visa.

“This is a great step forward in stimulating Chinese tourism to the Bahamas, and diversifying the country’s global tourism base,” said Sarkis

B

Izmirlian, Baha Mar’s chairman and chief executive officer. “It’s particularly exciting for Baha Mar, which will be more accessible to Chinese customers seeking a world-class integrated resort experience amid the unique beauty of the Bahamian Riviera.”

Yuan Guisen, Chinese ambassador to the Bahamas, added: “The signing of the agreement will further facilitate the everbroadening co-operation in all fields and people-to-people exchanges between China and The Bahamas.”

The huge Baha Mar resort opens in December 2014

The agreement was signed on December 19 in a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nassau, and lays the foundation for attracting international visitors to Baha Mar when it opens in December 2014.

The Baha Mar Casino and Hotel, the centrepiece of the development, will feature a Las Vegas-style experience with 100,000sq.ft of casino space, 1,500 slots and 150 table games. Pending gaming regulatory changes currently under consideration by the Bahamian Parliament

would allow Baha Mar to offer many cutting-edge gaming amenities, including private VIP gaming salons, internet gaming, mobile gaming, in-play sports betting and the newest and most popular slot machines.

The resort will feature an elite collection of hotel brands with gaming, entertainment, private residences, shopping and natural attractions that reflect an authentic Bahamian experience.

Other amenities will include an 18-hole, 72-par

championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course; 200,000sq.ft of combined state-of-the-art convention facilities including a 2,000seat performing arts centre and an art gallery with the largest curated collection of Bahamian art; more than 30 restaurants, nightclubs and bars; two spas, including the 30,000sqf.t destination spa ESPA at Baha Mar; designer retail boutiques; a beachfront sanctuary with native Bahamian flora and fauna; 14 distinctive pool experiences; and a private island.

L

ong-planned board changes at Casinos Austria International Holding (CAI) have been confirmed at a meeting of the supervisory board that took place on December 12 in Vienna.

Chairman Karl Stoss and directors Bettina Glatz-Kremsner and Dietmar Hoscher have moved to the CAI supervisory board with immediate effect, while the acting authorised representatives, Alexander Tucek and Christoph Zurucker-Burda now form the executive management board, also with immediate effect.

MARKET REPORT

AQUISITIONS

Caesars outlines risks to its business

Caesars to buy Atlantic Club assets

C

Caesars Entertainment has outlined potential risks, including online gaming businesses of its own, which may adversely affect its land-based operations.

I

n a section entitled ‘Risks Related to Our Business’, Caesars Entertainment’s latest corporate filing warns investors that their online operators in New Jersey may adversely affect their landbased operations.

The report stated: “In particular, our business may be adversely impacted by the additional gaming and room capacity in Nevada and New Jersey and by the initiation and growth of online gaming in Nevada, New Jersey and other states. In addition, our operations located in New Jersey may be adversely

impacted by the expansion of gaming in Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania, and our operations located in Nevada may be adversely impacted by the expansion of gaming in California.”

The report went on to say that Caesear’s business may be adversely affected by competition from online gaming operations, including those of its own, which would have a negative effect on its results. “We face competition from online gaming, including online gaming operations run by Caesars and other participants in the

60 | casinoreview January 2014

online gaming industry.

Online poker is now permitted in Nevada and New Jersey. Caesars will, and other online providers do, offer online gaming options that compete with our live poker offerings in Nevada and New Jersey. Expansion of online gaming in Nevada, the commencement and expansion of online gaming in New Jersey and the introduction of online gaming in other jurisdictions may further compete with our operations.

Online gaming may reduce customer visitation and spend in our traditional casi-

nos in Nevada and New Jersey, which could have an adverse impact on our business and result of operations. Our Atlantic City properties may be further impacted because all casino games will be permitted online.”

A number of other risks related to Caesar’s business were also outlined, including win rates, legal proceedings and reduction in discretionary consumer spending resulting from the downturn in the national economy over the past few years.

aesars Entertainment has agreed to acquire the non-gaming assets of the Atlantic Club, including the real property, in a bankruptcy auction, pending approval of the bankruptcy court.

The current owner has indicated that it plans to close the facility on January 13. Caesars, which operates four casinos in Atlantic City - Bally’s, Caesars, Harrah’s and the Showboat - expects to close on the purchase of the property thereafter. It does not intend to resume gaming or hotel operations at the facility, and is evaluating options for the use of the assets, some of which may be used in the company’s other Atlantic City properties.

The Atlantic Club’s gaming assets are being acquired by Tropicana Entertainment. The sale will reduce the number of casinos in the resort to 11, marking the first casino to close since the Sands in 2006. According to reports, the two gaming companies will pay a combined $23.4m (E17m) for the business.

CR135-p58-64-Business_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 17:58 Page 3

Business

GAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES / MELCO CROWN / SJM

& City News

Madrid hosts the Ibero-American Gaming Summit 71

IBERO-AMERICAN GAMING SUMMIT: THE LATIN AMERICAN MARKET WILL BE THE FOCUS KEY FOCUS IN MADRID IN MAY WHEN THE IBERO-AMERICAN GAMING SUMMIT MAKES ITS DEBUT.

GAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES

FINANCIAL

Gaming and Leisure sails in to buy first casino

Melco Crown raises $340m in senior notes

M

Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI), the spin-off of Penn National Gaming, has entered into an agreement to acquire the real estate assets associated with the Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Illinois, US.

he casino and adjacent land cover approximately 78 acres and include a 157-room hotel and a 38,000 square foot casino with 27 gaming tables and 1,155 slot machines.

The resort, built in 2007, had approximately 1.7m guest visits during the past year.

The company has agreed to acquire the

T

real property for $140m (E101.8m). In addition, GLPI will provide Casino Queen with a $43m (E31.2m) term loan, which will completely refinance and retire all or substantially all of Casino Queen’s outstanding long-term debt obligations. As a condition of the purchase, GLPI will lease the property

back to Casino Queen on a triple net basis for approximately $14m (E10.2m) per year.

The transaction is subject to and requires approval from the Illinois Gaming Board and is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2014.

Peter Carlino, chairman and CEO of Gaming and

Leisure Properties, said: “This is our first acquisition as a standalone company and is representative of the robust opportunities that exist in the gaming asset markets that our company is targeting.

Gaming and Leisure Properties seeks to become a consolidator of choice and a leading provider of

unique financing solutions for highly levered regional gaming operators.

The Casino Queen adds a newly constructed asset with strong market share to our portfolio and further diversifies our operating partners, while strengthening our cash flow.”

Jeff Watson, President of Casino Queen, said: “This

transaction offers us the opportunity to reorganise our capital structure, with a long-term solution that provides stability for our employeeowners. Further, by unlocking the value in our real estate assets, we are able to focus on efficiently operating our business in a less restrictive, asset-lite environment.”

elco Crown Resorts has raised $340m (E246.6m) in senior notes via private placement to a group of local investors within the Philippines.

In a statement released in December, the company said that its wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, MCE Leisure, intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for capital expenditure, refinancing of debt and general corporate purpose.

Adding that it will issue the debt before January 31, subject to customary closing conditions.

The company said that the notes, which were offered via private placement to not more than 19 institutional lenders, carry a five per cent interest rate per year and will mature in 2019.

The comp any is building a $1.3bn (E0.4bn) casino and resort facility under the City of Dreams brand in Parañaque, south of Manila. Located on a 6.2 hectare site at the gateway of Entertainment City, within the Manila Bay area, MCE Leisure’s integrated resort complex will include mass market and VIP gaming facilities.

SOCIEDADE DE JOGOS DE MACAU

Macau casino ‘unaffected’ by hotel seizure he seizure by a creditor of the New Century Hotel in Macau will not affect the operation of the Greek Mythology Casino, which is located inside the hotel, reports suggest.

The New Century Hotel which is located on Taipa, the smaller of the two islands in the Chinese special administrative region of Macau - was seized by creditors in December for unpaid debts due to the owner of a Macau-based travel business.

In a later filing by Macau casino junket investor Amax to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the group, which has an equity

T

62 | casinoreview January 2014

interest in Greek Mythology, stated the casino’s operation was separated from that of the New Century Hotel in the form of a tenancy.

According to the Macau Daily Business, Hoi Cheng Nga, head of Energy Travel Agency, had sued Empresa Hoteleira de Macau Lda - the Macau-registered operator of New Century.

Within the grounds of the hotel is Greek Mythology Casino, which operates under the gaming concession of Stanley Ho Hung Sun’s Sociedade de Jogos de Macau.

Amax was quoted in the

Macau Daily Business as stating: “The company does not have any equity interest in the hotel while Greek Mythology is the tenant of the hotel for the floors to operate the casino.

“The company has discussed with a Macau lawyer and the legal advice from the Macau lawyer is that the judgement will not affect the continuous operation of Greek Mythology.”

In early December Amax stated that in the six months to September 30, 2013, its loss widened to HK$16m (E1.5m) from HK$15m (E1.4m) in the prior-year period.

CR135-p58-64-Business_Coinslot NEW 02/01/2014 12:49 Page 4

Business

AGA / CALIFORNIA / PENNSYLVANIA

& City News

Sky City 15

SKY CITY ENTERTAINMENT: SKY CITY REPORTS A DIP IN FISCAL 2014 FIRST HALF EARNINGS DUE TO CURRENCY APPRECIATION OF THE NZ DOLLAR AGAINST THE AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR.

AMERICAN GAMING ASSOCIATION

ONLINE GAMING

‘US casino industry is expanding and growing’

California online poker market worth up to $384m

The American Gaming Association’s 2013 survey; State of the States, highlights that 15 of 22 US states offering commercial casino gaming during 2011 saw revenues increase to the secondhighest in history during 2012. n a sign that most, but not all, gaming markets across the country are experiencing improved economic conditions, 15 of the 22 US states that had commercial casinos operating during 2011 saw their gross gaming revenues increase during 2012. The largest increases - Kansas (603.7 per cent), Maryland (142.6 per cent), Maine (66.9 per cent) and New York (43.1 per cent - were driven by the opening of new casinos or casinos that had their first full year of operations. The leading US casino market was Las Vegas where revenue receipts were $6.207bn, followed by Atlantic City with $3.052bn (E2.22bn).

The states with the largest declines in revenue, New Jersey (eight per cent) and Delaware (4.7 per cent), are both dealing with increased competition in the mid-Atlantic region, and New Jersey casinos also lost revenues due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

In the report, Frank Fahrenkopf, now former president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, said: “2012 marks three consecutive years of increasing growth rates for gross gaming revenue. In fact, revenue figures were the second-highest in history, which

I

I is excellent news for all of those involved in the US gaming industry.

“By almost all measures, our industry is expanding and growing, which is good for our employees and the communities where they live and work,” he added.

The report also highlights that Ohio’s first four casinos opened during 2012, making it the nation’s 23rd commercial casino state and adding more than $400m (E290.6m) to the national revenue total.

The US operating sector as a whole provided jobs for 332,000 people.

During 2012, the gaming equipment manufacturing and technology sector of the commercial gaming industry continued its growth, reporting positive gains in all key measures of economic activity. Direct economic output by the manufacturing sector rose to $13bn (E9.4bn) in 2012, an all-time high and 5.7 per cent higher than 2011 figures Around 31,200 people were employed in the manufacturing sector and total consumer spending on gambling at commercial casinos increased by 4.8 per cent in 2012 to $37.34bn (E27.13bn).

GAMING REVENUES

Pennsylvania table games revenue rises 14% in November evenue from table games play at the 12 Pennsylvania casinos was $63.7m (E46.3m) in November 2013, according to the latest report from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

That amount represents a 14.1 per cent increase in revenue from table games play during November of this year compared to enue amount trailing just November of 2012. It was the March 2013 total of also the second largest $67.4m (E49m). monthly table games revThe monthly report also

R

64 | casinoreview January 2014

Combined revenue from the play of slot machines and tables games during November was $253m (E184m), an increase of 2.2 per cent over last November’s total of $248m (E180m).

The 183-table Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem continues to lead the way in Pennsylvania, generatshows that more than ing gross revenues of $9.1m (E6.6m) in tax rev- $17.4m (E12.6m) in enue was generated from November 2013, comtable games in November. pared to $12.8m (E9.3m)

in the prior-year’s month.

Sands was followed by Parx Casino in Bensalem, which generated revenues of $9.6m (E7m) and SugarHouse Casino, which reported gross revenues of $7.5m (E5.4m). The only casino in Pennsylvania to report a dip in revenues was Presque Isle Downs, which saw its top line reach $970,581 (E705,000), down on the $1.3m (E944,000) booked in November 2012

f California legalises and regulates online poker, the market could generate revenue between $217m (E159m) and $263m (E192m) in its first year of operations and up to $384m (E280m) in year 10, according to a new study by Academicon and PokerScout.

The researchers analysed data on 4.6m real money online poker players in 2009 and 2010, near the peak of unregulated poker in the US. They found that 178,300 online poker players in California generated an average of $867 (E633) per year in revenue for the poker operators, creating a $155m (E113m) market. California players accounted for 16 per cent of US revenue and four per cent of worldwide revenue in online poker.

“Under regulation, online poker is expected to grow well beyond its previous peak,” said Professor Kahlil Philander, one of the authors of the study.

California is the single largest market in the US and can sustain a flourishing market on its own. However, as the other author of the study, Dr. Ingo Fiedler, points out, “The size of the market depends strongly on the decision to either limit the player pool to in-state residents or participate in a federal or international network of players.”

In the event of a Californiaonly player pool, revenue is expected to grow from $217m in the first year of operations to $263m in year ten - about $120m (E88m) below its potential. The study further points out that taxes will have an important impact on the market size.

www.patir.de info@patir.de

CR135-p66-67-Sectors_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 12:26 PM Page 1

Sectors

& Services

AWARDS

IGA nominations unveiled as top performers vie for honours The nominees for the seventh International Game Awards have been announced.

T

he International Game Awards will be presented on 3 February, 2014 in London’s swanky Savoy Hotel where over twenty winners will be chosen from a lengthy shortlist of industry top performers.

The categories range from operational excellence to responsible gaming, with the majority of awards focusing on suppliers. A number of prominent companies have picked up nominations:

ACCOUNTING

LISTINGS

Win Systems unveils WASS accounting software

66 | casinoreview January 2014

S

panish gaming developer Win Systems has created WASS, an all-encompassing slots accounting system that is designed to integrate with almost every gaming machine on the market. WASS supports Class II and Class III machines concurrently, allowing operators to link their entire machine portfolio together into one automated system.

WASS has been tested and approved by Gaming Laboratories International, along with certification bodies in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Panama.

Abbiati Casino Equipment has been nominated for the best Traditional Casino Equipment Suppliers of 2013, while the parent company of Austrian Gaming Industries, Novomatic, is nominated for Slot Manufacturer Online or Land Based.

Industry pioneers Bally Technologies are in the running for two categories, with the chance to add to their secondbest lifetime haul of six awards. The company has been shortlisted in both the Slot Manufacturer Online or Land Based and Technology Provider categories.

Sharing space in the slot manufacturer category are Casino Technology and IGT, whilethe technology honour includes nominees Intelligent Gaming and Gaming Laboratories International.

The land based and online arms of GTech have picked up nominations for Innovator of the Year and iGaming Software Supplier respectively, while this very

own title - International Casino Review, for those that can’t remember what they’re reading - has been nominated for Industry Publication of the Year.

Winners will be selected by a large board of judges that boasts representatives from across the industry. The group includes Andrew Love, Executive Chairman of the Ritz Club and Gigi Levy, the former CEO of 888. Other judges come from fields as diverse as regulation, marketing and psychology.

The event is not only about honouring the best and brightest from the gaming industry, the organisers also hope to raise money for a selection of worthy causes. Among the charitable groups supported on the night are CARE International, who provide aid to poverty stricken countries around the the world.

UK-based organisations, Children with Leukaemia and Breakthrough Breast Cancer, will also be receiving a donation, as will the Responsible Gambling Trust.

“By utilising polymer, UK banknotes can take advantage of improved security and durability measures,” said Dayna Patterson, marketing executive for payment solutions provider Innovative Technology.

“Evidence points to lower counterfeiting risks and overall higher security, as polymer allows additional security measures.”

renamed The AXIS when it reopens on 27 December, 2013. The company also confirmed a partnership with Live Nation Entertainment who have secured Britney Spears as the venue’s artist-in-residence for the next two years.

ENTERTAINMENT

Endemol invest in social gaming start-up

T

CURRENCY UK to introduce plastic notes in 2016

T

he Bank of England has announced plans to replace traditional paper bank notes with a plastic variant. A five pound note featuring the image of Winston Churchill will be the first to enter circulation in 2016.

INVESTMENT

Britney Spears to open renovated Planet Hollywood theatre

C

aesar’s Growth Partners has announced that the renovated theatre at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas is to be

he world’s largest independent production company, Endemol, has made a $13m (E9.5m) investment into social gaming developers Plumbee. The team behind Facebook app Mirrorball Slots has witnessed a dramatic player base increase for its online casino titles since its inception in 2011.

Plumbee’s games are generally free-toplay, with customers able to spend real money for extra chips or spins, but in partnership with Unibet they also operate the first ever real money Facebook game, Bonza Slots.

CR135-p66-67-Sectors_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 1:38 PM Page 2

SSECTORS & SERVICES NEWS: JW@SJC.CO.UK

ACCOUNTS ARCHITECTURE B2C BETTING CATERING FURNITURE LOTTERIES MEDIA ONLINE GAMING

LOTTERIES Chinese state lotteries show growth through November

T

he Ministry of Commerce for the People’s Republic of China is reporting that lottery tickets sales underwent a sharp increase during the month of November.

Total revenue rose 12.8 per cent to CNY23.71bn (E2.86bn).

Casino gambling remains illegal in China, with many of its citizens travelling into the nation’s special administrative region, Macau, to sample its flourishing casino industry.

MEDIA Mohegan chairman goes undercover for TV special

M

ohegan Tribal Councilor Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum masqueraded as a table dealer at the company’s properties in Connecticut and Ponoco Downs as part of the CBS show Undercover Boss.

Filming took place during Bozsum’s tenure as chairman of the tribal council.

The episode is scheduled to air on 10 January, 2014 from 8:00pm - 9:00pm ET/PT.

tiple sites. Seven online casinos are currently operational, each of which is linked with a local operator. The likes of Caesar’s Atlantic City and the Trump Plaza have already partnered with an online software provider, with a number of other deals awaiting approval.

OLYMPIC EXPANDS ONLINE PRESENCE

P

laytech, the international designer, developer and licensor of software and services for the online and landbased gaming industry, has announced the successful launch of its casino product with Olympic Entertainment Group’s (OEG) new brand, OlyBet. OEG is a leading gambling and entertainment service provider and a long-term licensee of Playtech.

This launch strengthens the relationship between the two companies as OEG expands its online operations into Estonia and Latvia with its new OlyBet brand with Playtech as its exclusive casino provider.

Kaido Ulejev, OlyBet general manager, said: “With the help of Playtech, we are launching something truly unique to support our land-based casino and sports bar operations, as OlyBet provides the region’s greatest selection of online casino games.”

NordicBet close access off to Scandinavian colleagues

O ONLINE GAMING Online gaming accounts New Jersey

A

total of 91,531 online gambling accounts have been registered since the industry launched in New Jersey during late November. It is not yet clear how many individuals this equates to, as many players will have created accounts at mul-

nline gaming operator NordicBet has announced that players outside of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands will no longer be able to access the site starting on January 2, 2014.

Players who lose access may create an account on Betsson, where their funds will be transferred. They will then have until February 2 to withdraw their money.

The announcement was considered especially bad news to casino players that enjoy access to unique WMS slot titles.

January 2014 casinoreview

| 67

CR135-p68-71-Events_Coinslot NEW 03/01/2014 18:01 Page 1

Events

LONDON / MADRID / PUERTO RICO / RIMINI

& Diary

FEBRUARY 4-6 ICE TOTALLY GAMING EXCEL CENTRE LONDON UK

ICE TOTALLY GAMING

ICE POSITIVE - New blood enhances ICE appeal A total of 67 exhibitors will be debuting at ICE 2014 ensuring that the show floor will be seasoned with new companies and new ideas. The question is which one will have the stand-out product or game changing innovation?

Kate Chambers provides an overview of why ICE is unique, why planning ahead is essential and how ICE can be a game changer for visitors seeking inspiration.

V

Why mouthwatering ICE is gaming’s sixth sense

I

CE 2013 was widely regarded as a success but what aspect pleased you in particular?

2013 was a hugely important edition of ICE Totally Gaming on a number of levels. Firstly we moved to our new, modern, purpose-built venue at London ExCeL and as part of that move we took up new dates in February. ExCeL represents an important new chapter for the event. It provides our stakeholders, both visitors and exhibitors, with a modern business environment and it also gives us the ability to grow, to expand and to meet the demand which exists within the international community of gaming innovators for space at ICE. If you take statistics as the measure for success or failure then ICE was a triumph. Our audited attendance of 22,247 unique attendees was a 4.3% increase on 2012, 8.6% up on 2011 and just under 18% up on 2010 – to achieve this in an economic downturn demonstrates how important ICE is to gaming in every form.

What main change will visitors notice?

ExCeL is a huge venue with the length of the halls being close to 700 metres. To address this we have taken over both the North and the South halls and reduced the length. The outcome is a squarer format but one which is 12% larger than in 2013. This will reduce the distances visitors have to walk and improve the visitor flow throughout the halls.

What can visitors expect to see at ICE? Visitors will experience the entire world of gaming covering betting, bingo, casino, lottery, mobile, online, street and social gaming in what is the world’s biggest gaming space comprising 55,000 sqm. We will have some 50 nations represented on the show floor and over 60% of exhibitors will be from outside the UK. What this delivers is a really comprehensive take on gaming from a global perspective and the ability to identify trends and products from every cor-

68 | casinoreview January 2014

ner of the world. No other event can deliver this which is why I’ve been referring to it as gaming’s sixth sense.

How important is the ICE Conference programme?

I think the conference programme is one of the aspects of our Totally Gaming week which sometimes gets overlooked. The eight strong programme, which opens with the International Casino Conference on Monday 5th February, comprises 40 hours of targeted learning and networking delivered by 200 of gaming’s most eminent thought leaders.

It is an opportunity to engage, network, and learn before meeting with the innovators and suppliers on the show floor who are interpreting trends, regulations and the latest thinking into commercial gaming solutions. It is a valuable part of what we offer and is widely recognised as the best learning programme in gaming.

What piece of advice would you offer visitors?

I think the key piece would be to plan ahead and identify which exhibitors you want to meet. Independent research we commissioned showed that exhibitors held on average 52 business meetings at ICE, a figure, which when applied across all 2013 exhibitors totals some 25,012 commercial gatherings. The challenge for visitors is to ensure that they are able to meet with the exhibitors they want to do business with and the best way to achieve this is to arrange meetings in advance of the exhibition opening rather than simply leaving it to chance on arrival. A good way to achieve this is to use our new mobile event app, which has been developed specifically for ICE. It allows visitors to view the full event schedule, browse the latest product launches and develop a personal event planner that will remind users of appointments, business meetings, conferences and seminar sessions. It’s an invaluable tool which will help visitors to plan their time at ICE and get the very most from attending the event.

isitors attending ICE Totally Gaming will have access to 67 new exhibitors drawn from across the international gaming community. Topping the league table of new exhibitors is host nation the United Kingdom with 15 new exhibitors, followed by Malta (9), Austria (4), Cyprus, Gibraltar and Greece (3). The first time exhibitors at ICE 2014 are drawn from a total of 30 countries, once again confirming the event’s unrivalled international credentials.

Underlining the significance of having such a healthy proportion of new exhibitors, Jo Mayer, Marketing Director responsible for ICE Totally Gaming, said: “Successful events such as ICE need to achieve the right balance between attracting the household names in a given sector and the new companies which will bring a fresh twist or interpretation to the gaming experience. One of the great things about ICE Totally Gaming is that it never fails to surprise and there is always a stand out product or innovation which appears on the show floor without any advance notice.

As event organisers we cannot understate the importance of this characteristic which keeps ICE fresh, dynamic and relevant to the 20,000 attendees who regularly support the event.”

CR135-p68-71-Events_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 3:59 PM Page 2

Events

& Diary

ICE CONFERENCES & SEMINARS

ICE to demonstrate live hack as part of Think Tank feature

ICE to host first Tribal Gaming Seminar

rganisers of the upcoming ICE Totally Gaming show (London ExCeL, 4-6 February, 2014) have announced the format and content for the first Tribal Gaming Seminar taking place on Wednesday 5 February (South Gallery Room 12). The free-to-attend seminar, which is the result of close co-operation with Victor Rocha of Pechanga.net, will deal with key issues including an historical overview of Tribal gaming, a Tribal perspective on Internet gaming, a focus on California, how to partner with tribes and the misconceptions which exist about Tribal versus commercial gaming.

Summarising the background to the ground breaking event, Clarion’s Ewa Bakun said: “A business success in the Indian Country requires an understand-

O

ing of tribal sovereignty which dictates the decisions made by tribal governments, gaming commissions and casinos. With more and more tribes attending ICE and Clarion’s other European events, we felt there was scope to create a platform for them to both educate the global industry on the intricacies of doing business in the Indian Country and to network with the iGaming experts to explore potential partnership opportunities.

“With the Tribal governments exploring strategies to adopt iGaming as the US opens up, ICE, the world’s largest gaming event, is an ideal place for the international community to understand the opportunities for collaboration with this lucrative and evolving industry, which is known to few outside North America.”

an Reynolds, an IT security consultant working for MTI, will be at ICE Totally Gaming to demonstrate a real time hack as part of the IT, Digital & Security Think Tank feature being held in the South Hall across all three days.

The Think Tank format comprises a topic per day, with seminar sessions dedicated to Digital Marketing (Day 1), Data and IT (Day 2) and closing with Security on Day 3. A total of 15 exhibitors will be holding the 30-minute thought leadership discussions and presentations, which are being staged in a custom-built seminar theatre with a capacity of 60.

Entry is free and on a first come basis.

I

With Indian nations growing in prominence, key representatives will gather at ICE to discuss issues relating to the future of tribal gaming in the United States.

India Seminar provides opening day taster

F

or the first time at ICE, India will take centre stage with a dedicated free to attend seminar focusing on the current state of the country’s gaming regulatory framework. Taking place on Tuesday 4 February in the South Gallery (Rooms 23-26) the aim of the seminar is to provide delegates with an objective and in-depth understanding of the state of play in what is one of the world’s largest untapped and potentially lucrative gaming markets.

Clarion is bringing key industry stakeholders from India to discuss and debate the key issues. Key note speakers include Justice Mudgal who will focus on the Status of Regulatory Readiness for Gaming in India; Mr Sugal Chand Jain, chairman emeritus, Sugal and Damani Group who will be examining the potential development of the lottery and gaming industry and Rajpal Singh, Director FICCI, who will be assessing the business environment for the gamin industry in India.

ICE Totally Gaming February 4-6, 2014 ExCel, London UK www.totallygaming.com

ENADA SPRING

Enada Spring adopts three-day format In order to align itself with other international trade shows for the amusements and gaming industry, the 26th annual Enada Spring expo will take place over three days - not four - next year. he 26th annual Enada Spring exhibition is set to take place in March with 400 companies already booked to exhibit at the 40,000sq.m event.

The event’s organisers said the decision to hold the event across three days - instead of the traditional four - would align Enada with other international trade shows and will allow a “fine-tuning” of visitor profiling in order to stimulate business relations.

“All the large licensees will attend, showing the key role of the Rimini event for the entire amusement world,” the organisers said. “As far as new slot machines are concerned, the [Italian gaming] sector is still awaiting the decree giving the go-ahead to

T

70 | casinoreview January 2014

the new generation of units, which will be considerably improved from the point of view of security. An ample reform is also planned for amusement machines, which enables the new solutions offered by the international market to also be used in Italy.”

For the first time next year, Enada Spring will run parallel with the European Pinball Championship, beginning on Friday, March 21 under the cupola of Rimini Fiera’s south foyer.

Enada Spring Expo March 19-21, 2014 Rimini Fiera, Rimini Italy www.enadaprimavera.it

CR135-p68-71-Events_Coinslot NEW 1/2/14 4:00 PM Page 3

ICE’s innovative marketing campaign

ICE TOTALLY GAMING: “WE ARE INVESTING HEAVILY IN OUR MOST EXPERIENTIAL CAMPAIGN TO DATE...[WITH] EXTENSIVE DIRECT MARKETING AND INNOVATIVE SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTIONS.”

IBERO-AMERICAN GAMING SUMMIT

| DIARY

Easing entry into the Latin American market

JANUARY 14-17 IMA 2014, Exhibition Centre, Dusseldorf, Germany www.ima-messe.com 21-23 EAG London 2014 ExCeL London

The Ibero-American Gaming Summit takes aim at Latin America for its inaugural event in Madrid later this spring. he Ibro-American Gaming Summit makes its debut on the gaming events stage in May hoping to draw together major industry players from across the world to discuss issues affecting the global gaming industry. The summit will have a particular focus on Latin America with the aim of assessing and fostering the future of gaming in the region.

The structure of the summit is divided into four sessions, beginning with a component on regulation. Attendees will be introduced to the latest legislative changes from around the world, particularly Latin America, alongside an analysis of state monopolies.

With the first summit taking place in Madrid, the conference will also focus on what foreign regulatory systems can learn from Spain’s gambling legislation. Speakers will detail the work that Spanish companies have been progressing in the region and discuss what shape furt her investment could take.

Turning inwards, organisers intend to take a

T

FEBRUARY 2014 4-6 ICE Totally Gaming ExCeL, London www.icetotallygaming.com

detailed look at the Spanish online market where analysis will be examined on its progress over the past two years, since its official inception in June 2012.

Finally, the event will consider the future of the gaming industry and what innovations may lie ahead in Spain and beyond. Again, summit organisers suggest that the most fertile ground for innovation exists in Latin America and visitors will be encouraged to consider how technology and regulatory systems currently at work in more established countries could be applied to this burgeoning market. A focus on responsible gambling and how both operators and lawmakers can ensure that best practices are followed at all times will be a key part of this session.

MARCH 2014 18 Latin America Casino Forum San Juan de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico www.cflatam.net 19-20 Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit Puerto Rico Convention Center, Puerto Rico www.caribbeangamingshow.com 19-21 ENADA Spring, Rimini, Italy www.enadaprimavera.it 23-24 FADJA Corferias, Bogota, Colombia www.fadja.com

Ibero-American Gaming Summit May 7, 2014 Casa de America, Madrid Spain www.enadaprimavera.it

25-27 FER-Interazar 2014, Spain www.ferinterazar.c

CARIBBEAN GAMING SHOW AND SUMMIT

APRIL 2014 6-8 Southern Gaming Summit and Bingo World Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, US www.sgsummit.com

Puerto Rico to host annual Caribbean Gaming Show The Caribbean Gaming Show will focus on quality over quantity for its fifth anniversary event.

MAY 2014

T

he Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit is scheduled to take place between 19-20 March, 2014 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. The expo hopes to connect visitors and exhibitors with the 200 plus casinos in operation across the islands. Over thirty five major gaming brands will be exhibiting at the show, including manu-

factures Bally Technologies and Aristocrat.

The event features a number of educational sessions sponsored by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, being held from from 9am until 1pm on both the 19 and 20 March. On the 1opening day these will run concurrently with an International Summit, featuring a series of panel dis-

Casino Review is the premier b2b publication for the international casino and gaming industry. With a combined print and digital circulation in excess of 14,000 per month, Casino Review has become the first choice read of casino operators, legislators and senior casino executives. Sign up for your free digital version at www.casinoreviewonline.com

Published by:

corporation ltd

GBmedia

cussions moderated by Richard Williamson from BMM Testlabs.

The Summit takes place entirely on the 19th and the main hall of the convention centre will not open until it concludes. At that time attendees will be invite to explore more than 19,700 square feet of booth space until the venue closes at 7pm.

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, Hugh Sorrill ADVERTISING Neil Judson Email: njudson@gbmedia.eu

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 Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit March 19-20, 2014 Puerto Rico Convention Center, Puerto Rico www.caribbeangamingshow.com

Tel: +44 (0)1204 396 397 Fax: +44 (0)1204 392 748 PRODUCTION Ad Production: Dave Roderick Email: gdk@sjc.co.uk Editorial Design: Gina Lloyd Email: gl@sjc.co.uk Editorial & Production Office: 20 New Road, Brighton BN1 1UF, UK Tel: +44 (0)1273 699 900 SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions: Sarah Haworth Email:

shaworth@gbmedia.eu Tel: +44 (0)1204 396 397 Fax: +44 (0)1204 392 748 Publishers GB Media Corporation Ltd, Bolton Technology Exchange, 33 Queensbrook, Bolton BL1 4AY, UK Tel: +44 (0)1204 396 397

14-16 Japan Gaming Congress (JgC) Tokyo, Japan www.japangamingcongress.com

YXYXYXY

Opinions expressed in this publication should not be regarded as the official view of GB Media Corporation Ltd, except where stated. Views, opinions and recommendations contained in this publication are put forward for consideration only.

No action should be taken in reliance upon any such views, opinions or recommendations. Neither GB Media Corporation Ltd nor contributors accept any responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person howsoever caused or arising as a result of or in consequence of action taken or refrained from in realiance on the contents of this publication.

Notes for contributors The Editorial Board welcomes the submission of articles for consideration by the editor with a view to publication. Articles submitted will not be returned and accordingly contributors making submissions should retain copies. Submission of an article will be held to imply that the article contains original unpublished work which GB Media Corporation Ltd may lawfully publish. All submissions are made at the owner’s risk. © GB Media Corporation Ltd 2013

Publisher: John Sullivan Email: jsullivan@gbmedia.eu

All rights strictly reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission is given, full acknowledgement of author, publisher and source must be given.

January 2014 casinoreview

| 71

INNOVATION THROUGH IMAGINATION Integrate your gaming world through cross-platform solutions that give you a single view of your player in the casino, on the go, and at home. Connect players through floor-wide promotions and tournaments that generate thrills. Choose from an array of industry-leading table products and branded games that make a connection with your players. Only from Your Bally Technologies, Your Partner in Innovation.

Make the Connection – Visit us at ICE #N7-140 and #S12-120 The Magic of David Copperfield: ©2014 David Copperfield’s Disappearing, Inc. All rights reserved. Titanic: TM & © 1997, 2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ZZ Top Live From Texas: © 2014 Tower Top Tours, Inc. under license from Bravado International Group. All rights reserved. NASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. © 2014 Bally Technologies. All rights reserved. Images are for illustration only and are subject to change.

BallyTech.com www.ballytech.com