New Game Review

by Frank Legato

5 Treasures Explosion

Scientific Games

This game on SG’s new Kascada premium curved-monitor portrait cabinet is a followup to the hit game Duo Fu Duo Cai. 5 Treasures Explosion features a player-selectable freespin round added to the familiar Fu Babies Bonus, in which players pick to match three Fu Babies that correspond to one of four jackpots.

The base game is a five-reel, 243-ways-to-win scatter game. Randomly before the reels spin, a number of positions are replaced with Bonus Replacement and/or Wild Replacement symbols. Reels 1, 2, and 3 are replaced with Bonus Replacement symbols, a Red Door symbol, and/or a Gold Door symbol. Reels 2, 3, and 4 are replaced with Wild Replacement symbols, a Red Fu, and/or a Gold Fu symbol.

One or more scattered Red Fu and/or Gold Fu symbols triggers the Fu Babies Bonus. If the bonus triggers with at least one Gold Fu symbol, the Fu Babies Gold Bonus will be activated. Players pick from 12 golden Lucky Coins until three matching Fu Babies symbols are revealed. Each Fu Babies symbol corresponds to the Mini, Minor, Major or Grand jackpot.

The top prize can be placed on the Cash Connection wide-area progressive link with a $400,000 reset level or the Reel Adventures link with a $200,000 top reset level. During the Fu Babies Gold Bonus, jackpots will upgrade to the Gold Jackpots. When playing 588 credits or more the Grand will transform into the “Explosion Jackpot.” The value displayed in the corresponding meter is awarded. The chances of winning a jackpot increases with higher bet levels. Three or more scattered Red Door and/or Gold Door symbols trigger six free spins. If the bonus triggers with at least one Gold Door symbol, then the Gold Free Spins Bonus will be activated. During the bonus, three or more scattered Red Door symbols award six additional free spins. Before the bonus initiates, players select one of five free game/wild symbol combinations, picking the volatility of the bonus.

Manufacturer: Scientific Games Platform: Kascada, TwinStar V75 Format: Five-reel, 243-ways-to-win video slot Denomination: .01 Max Bet: 1,000 Top Award: Progressive; $400,000 or $200,000 reset Hit Frequency: 31.51% Theoretical Hold: 4%-15%

Triple Double Gems / Triple Double Patriot

Everi Holdings

These partnered three-reel mechanical offerings provide the classic reel experience, with multiplying wild symbols and a simple bay table featuring bar symbols, multiple “7” combinations and multiplying wild symbols.

Both launch titles, Triple Double Patriot and Triple Double Gems, display the entire pay table, old-school, on the top box of the Skyline reel-spinning cabinet.

Triple Double Gems and Triple Double Patriot are linkable progressive games with proven math models featuring frequent occurrences of the multiplying wilds.

Each symbol has a multiplier version including progressive triggering wild symbols that combine to award a large range of wins. Both themes feature enhanced multiplier features and bet options with available player selectable denominations.

Each game features four different-colored “7” combinations, with progressives for the top four line jackpots. Both games have 2X and 3X wild symbols that multiply the pay in winning combinations.

Both games feature a top progressive resetting at $25,000, for three 3X wild symbols on the single payline.

Manufacturer: Everi Holdings Platform: Player Classic, Skyline Format: Three-reel, single-line stepper Denomination: 1.00 Max Bet: 3.00 Top Award: Progressive; resets at $25,000 Hit Frequency: 30% Theoretical Hold: 4%-12%

Shi Fu Jinbi

Gaming Arts

Gaming Arts recently launched its Shi Fu Jinbi series on its Phocus S104 hybrid and Phocus U104 upright cabinets. The two launch games are Shi Fu Koala and Shi Fu Panda. Aside from the main character, the two titles, which both feature multiple persistent features, are basically the same.

The base games are both five-reel, 243-ways-to-win formats. In the base game on each, when the Yin Yang symbol appears on the first and third reels only, it substitutes for all symbols except Gold, Silver and Bronze. When the Yin Yang symbol appears on the top or middle row, it moves down one row for each consecutive spin until it reaches the bottom.

When a Gold, Silver or Bronze symbol appears on reel 5, it increments a repeat-win “Lucky Pot.” Yin Yang symbols with a Gold, Silver or Bronze symbol on reel 5 trigger free games and activate the Lucky Pot. The Lucky Pot is rewarded each time a Collect symbol lands on a free spin, and resets after it is hit. Two or five additional free games can be retriggered.

Each game is available with a three-level mystery progressive, displayed on the optional Phocus LCD topper. Each jackpot displays a “Must Hit By” amount. The “Stage 1” jackpot resets at $75 and must hit by $100. “Stage 2” resets at $400 and must hit by $500; and the top “Stage 3” prize resets at $1,500 and must hit by $2,000.

Manufacturer: Gaming Arts Platform: Phocus Format: Five-reel, 243-ways-to-win video slot Denomination: .01 Max Bet: 888 Top Award: $2,000 Hit Frequency: Approximately 40% Theoretical Hold: 4%-12%

Ocean Spin Kingdom’s Treasures

Konami Gaming, Inc.

This is one of the two inaugural games in Konami’s new premium linked progressive series Ocean Spin. (The other game is titled Pirate’s Treasure.)

Kingdom’s Treasures features a 75-line base game, with a fixed minimum 75-credit bet and a max bet of 375. During the primary game and attract modes of a bank of two or more of the games, the main mermaid character swims across the 49-inched curved monitors of the Dimension 49J cabinets, in synchronized animation between games.

When the player lands three or more scatter symbols, the top monitors of all the games in the bank synchronize into essentially a giant horizontal wheel bonus, the common Ocean Spin feature. Credit prizes, free spins and four jackpots, topped by a $10,000 progressive, flash across the tops of all the monitors until one stops at the top of the player’s screen to award that amount.

Six or more coin symbols on a spin trigger the Wheel Bonus. The top of the screen displays a bonus wheel of multipliers with a base credit amount in the middle. The wheel can multiply the award up to 500X.

There is a separate free-spin feature in each Ocean Spin base game. In Kingdom’s Treasures, the player can win up to 30 free games. If the Wheel Bonus is triggered on a free spin, the feature completes the remaining spins before the bonus wheel spins.

Manufacturer: Konami Gaming, Inc. Platform: KXP Format: Five-reel, 75-line video slot Denomination: .01, .02, .05, .10, .25, .50, 1.00, 2.00, 5.00 Max Bet: 375 Top Award: Progressive; resets at $10,000 Hit Frequency: 35.9% Theoretical Hold: 6.01%-9.93%

by Frank Legato

Twitching and Streaming

Isee that the Twitch streaming platform has launched “The Slot Squad,” a “Twitch TV” channel that features six hosts culled from Michigan “streamers” who are “well versed in the gaming world and bring their own interest and entertainment to the table,” according to a press release.

The Twitch channel is presented as a way for Michigan residents to familiarize themselves with online slot games available at the state’s recently legalized internet gaming sites. The distinguished streamer-hosts sit in front of a big screen that displays a streaming slot game, and they cheer on their game while consciously trying to be flashy characters.

Dressed in hoodies, cowboy hats and other costumes related to the games being streamed, they go through gyrations to show you how excited they are, pumping fists, dancing, shouting “Let’s go!” or “Are you ready?” and giving a good “Woohoo!” to any win of more than a few credits.

It’s the online version of the “slot influencer” culture that has caused so much excitement as the “influencers” travel around to casinos and live-stream their slot play. In all of these types of streaming shows, the hosts are trying to get me as excited as they are about the streaming slot games.

I’m not. I’m not playing the games. I’m not winning money. I don’t care if the streamer-host is making money.

And I’m sorry, but a lot of the “Slot Squad” members simply try too hard to be clever. When I’m in an actual casino, if someone beside me is dressing up like the game, yelling and screaming, slinging the “F” bomb, burping and making fart jokes (yes, one of the hosts actually thought that was clever), I’m going to be about a mile away from that person before you can say “Who is this nutball?”

Of course, on the internet, you can’t escape the guy. He’s in your face, trying desperately to be clever while a game streams behind him.

Am I a dinosaur because I’m not on board with the Slot Squad? Or because I actually don’t do Twitch? (I do twitch, but that’s a nervous condition. Brought on by people in front of streaming slot games acting like idiots.)

I’m guessing only people like me who predate the internet feel like a foreigner when considering streaming services, influencers, or being even a little bit interested in following someone on Instagram as they make a bologna sandwich at 3 in the morning. Try to understand. I’m someone who remembers factory-like rows of slot machines, populated by rather grim players who had to crack open rolls of quarters before playing, and maintained stone-faced silence as they worked to beat the big house edge on the slots—which all had physical, spinning reels. I’m still trying to get used to this as it’s translated into an internet experience with a perky host. When I think of gambling, I think of bellying up to the craps table, throwing down money and chips, cheering a hot roll... you know, actual interaction. Alternatively, I’m concentrating on a video poker game, during which I want absolutely no interaction with anyone. (Well, except the cocktail server.) So I’m a dinosaur. Let’s move on. It says here that the Venetian Macao just got slammed with a back-tax bill related to its gondolas. You know, the gondolas in the Venetian’s Canal Shoppes “canal,” where customers can enjoy a romantic ride reminiscent of the charming canals of Venice, floating along in an authentic Venice gondola captained by a hilariously stereotypical Italian gondola pusher, complete with the referee-striped shirt, widebrimmed hat and big Mario mustachio. OK, they don’t all have big Mario mustachios. I made that up. Fact is, few if any of them do. But I’ll bet some of their union brothers back in the Old Country do. (International Brotherhood of Gondola Pushers, AFL/CIO/OSOLEMIO.) (Sorry.) And before you ask, no, I was never a gondola pusher. I may look the part, but I’ve got a weak back. (Ever since about a week back.) (Sorry again.) The Macau Daily Post reported that the Venetian will have to pay MOP 18.9 million (US$2.3 million) in back taxes for gondola rides at its hotel, after the Court of Final Appeal determined that the rides are a tourism activity, and therefore, tourism taxes apply.

The Post didn’t say, but if not a tourist attraction, what did the Venetian claim the gondola rides were? Transportation between Hugo Boss and Foot Locker?

You know, I can never seem to flag down a gondola when I need one. Especially in Central Park West during rush hour.

At least I can always find the Slot Squad.

CANNAE HOLDINGS INVESTS IN SIGHTLINE PAYMENTS

Cannae Holdings, Inc. announced a $32 million investment in Sightline Payments, a dynamic fintech company that is enabling the next generation of cashless, mobile and omnichannel payment solutions for the gaming, lottery, sports betting, entertainCannae Chairman ment and hospitality

Bill Foley ecosystems, as part of a completed $100 million funding round. “Sightline Payments’ seasoned leadership team has a proven track record and a vision to capitalize on many of the highest growth sectors in

Sightline CEO the entertainment industry, and

Joe Pappano I look forward to working sideby-side with them to achieve their goals,” said William P. Foley II, chairman of Cannae. “Sightline is the only fintech company specializing in the gaming industry. Their solutions will provide the first true omnichannel solution for gaming—connecting a customer’s sports betting account, online casino accounts, and integrated casino resort loyalty accounts together for use across any and all of those verticals.”

Foley, who also owns the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, says that the advantage Sightline has is its simplicity.

“Sightline’s Play+ solution is the only platform that spans the entirety of the gaming operation, from digital to the casino floor and across the essential non-gaming activity of the modern integrated casino resort,” he says. “When an account is created, patrons receive a single, FDIC-insured account that can work seamlessly across all channels, verticals, properties, and jurisdictions.”

Sightline CEO Joe Pappano says that Play+ will encourage customer loyalty.

“Research by both the AGA and Paysafe indicates that a consumer’s top priority when choosing a sportsbook is the ease of payments and quick and easy deposits,” he points out. “Through our discussions with operators nationally, we stress to them the importance of payments in loyalty and retention, particularly given the high cost of player acquisition for them.”

With more than five years of experience on the casino floor, Pappano says Play+ is now a mature system, accepted by players.

“Play+ was designed from the beginning as an omnichannel solution, with integrations in place with the top digital platform and all of the key CMS providers,” he says. “We first brought slots live in the market over five years ago, then the Supreme Court invalidated PASPA and the rapid expansion of mobile sports led to our explosive growth in the digital channel. Now we are supporting our casino partners to bring these channels and verticals together and extend the cashless experience across the entire digital and integrated casino resort experience.”

FSB REACHES AGREEMENT WITH GERMAN iGAMING GROUP

stack migration including data from OGaming’s previous platform provider to FSB and built the requisite regulatory features for German compliance including dual-wallet integration.

“This demonstrates the agility and flexibility of our next-generation technology and the deep reservoirs of committed talent we have.” Leading sports betting and iGaming technology provider FSB has further extended its jurisdictional footprint after announcing that it Dave McDowell, has reached an agreement to CEO of FSB be the platform provider for the German iGaming group OGaming.

The landmark deal further widens FSB’s sportsbook and PAM presence on dot-com and regional platforms and means that OGaming’s international and local properties, previously supported by a major Tier 1 provider, are now fully powered by FSB’s full tech-stack platform.

The full onboarding of the OGaming network from their original supplier to FSB was completed a mere two months after an agreement was reached between the multi-brand organization and awardwinning platform.

This rapid and challenging migration was only possible due to the agile and contemporary nature of the FSB technology stack.

With full data transfer and regulatory compliance also achieved within this condensed time frame, FSB continues to expand its global footprint in regulated territories within various continents.

“This partnership with OGaming is significant for FSB as it further grows our global jurisdictional presence, marks our arrival as a major platform provider across Europe and proves that we can win significant business from our key competitors,” said Dave McDowell, CEO of FSB.

“What I’m particularly proud of is the incredibly fast turnaround of this operation. Within just two months we’ve managed to complete the full-

SCIENTIFIC GAMES LAUNCHES MURAL CABINET

Scientific Games Corp. has officially unveiled its new “Mural” cabinet, which the company calls “the most visually dramatic gaming cabinet in the company’s range of industry-leading products.”

The Mural cabinet features dual 55-inch, 4Kresolution curved monitors, creating an eye-catching attraction for casino floors. The new cabinet launch comes on the heels of the company’s introduction of Kascada, the next generation of its topselling TwinStar J43 cabinet.

“Our mission is to create unparalleled player experiences,” said Matt Wilson, executive vice president and CEO, gaming, for Scientific Games. “The Mural cabinet is a new form factor for us. Its name is a nod to not just the size of the display, but to the beauty of the imagery you see in the game.

“The cabinet’s design required our teams to work collaboratively to get every element right. Our cabinet design has evolved into a much more holistic process where we’re taking insights from players, inputs from our partners and working across our teams to ensure nothing is left to chance. The Mural cabinet is the evolution of the gaming floor, and we could not be more excited to unveil it.”

The company’s engineering team, with members working across offices in Chicago, Las Vegas, Reno and the United Kingdom, led the cabinet’s design with coordination from game design, commercial teams, field service and support teams. It is the company’s first cabinet to be designed almost solely through virtual collaboration, with a select few engineers in the Las Vegas office building the first prototypes in person.

IGT COMPLETES SALE OF SENIOR NOTES

Gaming and lottery supplier International Game Technology PLC has reported that it has satisfied all conditions for the redemption of its 6.25 percent senior secured notes due 2022 after completing the sale of new US$750 million 4.125 percent senior secured notes due 2026.

The new notes will now be listed on the Official List of Euronext Dublin and admitted to trading on the Global Exchange Market of Euronext Dublin.

IGT reported when announcing the notes that it intends to use the net proceeds of the sale of the notes to redeem its 6.25 percent senior secured notes due 2022, with the redemption expected to take place immediately.

AINSWORTH COMPLETES DEBT RESTRUCTURING

Australian slot supplier Ainsworth Game Technology announced the completion of a loan restructuring to refinance existing debt, and better position the company for its continued recovery and growth strategy. Ainsworth COO

The $35 million credit Ryan Comstock structure was facilitated by Western Alliance Bank, marking the first time Ainsworth has chosen a U.S.-based banking institution to manage its credit needs.

The company says the decision demonstrates Ainsworth’s commitment to the important American market and its valued customer partners in the region. Ainsworth has been focused on growth in the U.S. and Latin America over the past decade, highlighted by the establishment in 2016 of its North American headquarters in Las Vegas.

Over the past several years, more than 70 percent of the company’s revenue has been generated in the Americas, and Ainsworth has successfully entered a number of new North American markets including Class II tribal gaming and historical horse racing.

“The refinancing provides certainty and flexibility to achieve our expected growth plans and rollout of the group’s innovative and new gaming products,” said Ainsworth Chief Operating Officer Ryan Comstock. “The new credit arrangements are expected to assist to create stronger banking relationships, in Las Vegas, to support the key North and Latin American markets.”

EXACTA, SG SIGN HHR AGREEMENT US THRILLRIDES PRESENTS UNICOASTER ROULETTE

Exacta Systems announced that it signed an agreement with supplier Scientific Games Corporation to bring SG game content, featured on the company’s game cabinets, onto the Exacta historical horse racing (HHR) system.

“Exacta Systems is thrilled to partner with Scientific Games for the historical horse racing market,” said Jeremy Stein, CEO of Exacta Systems. “Given that their games are top performers in casinos throughout North America, we expect them to be very popular with our customers in HHR.”

Bob Parente, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Scientific Games, commented, “We are excited about our integration with Exacta Systems. It is a terrific opportunity to bring Scientific Games’ worldclass content to historical horse racing in Virginia.” US Thrillrides, an entertainment design and consulting company based in Orlando, Florida, is now taking orders for its unique amusement park ride, Unicoaster Roulette, “the game you can ride.”

As entertainment options continue to reopen around the world, customers should be intrigued by the one-of-a-kind attraction, which resembles a giant roulette wheel. US Thrillrides describes the ride as “an irresistible combination of cutting-edge thrills and the exhilaration of winning the jackpot.”

In 2020, the Covid-19 crisis crippled the gaming industry, changed the rules and delayed the release of untold big-name projects. During that unwelcome pause, longtime innovator Bill Kitchen of US Thrillrides was fine-tuning the Unicoaster concept into the next musthave for casino resorts. Unicoaster Roulette is a patented ride that combines the tried and tested concepts seen in places like the Mall of America (Nickelodeon’s Brain Surge) and the American Dream (Jimmy Neutron’s Atom Smasher) with a gaming theme.

AGA PROMOTES THREE TO VICE PRESIDENT POSITIONS

The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the promotion of three senior leaders across the organization to drive industry priorities including responsibility, advocacy and gaming regulation, and the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) franchise: • Cait DeBaun has been promoted to vice president, strategic communications and responsibility. • Jessica Feil has been promoted to vice president, government relations and gaming policy counsel. • Meredith Pallante has been promoted to vice president, Jessica Feil global events.

All three joined the AGA in 2019 and previously held senior director titles.

DeBaun joined the AGA to focus on advancing the industry’s commitment to responsibility. She has been instrumental in activating the Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering, creating the Have a Game Plan. Bet Responsibly. public service campaign, and leading both the Responsible Gambling Collaborative and the association’s Responsibility Committee.

Feil is an attorney with a history in gaming policy. She manages state policy and regulatory engagement for the association, contributing to core government relations efforts including the advancement of legal sports wagering. Feil leads the association working groups on payments modernization, state affairs and NextGen gaming policy.

Pallante joined the AGA to manage G2E, the world’s leading gaming trade show, and extensions of that portfolio including G2E Asia. She will oversee all global industry events for the association, leveraging her experience as an organizer of the Las Vegas-based trade show CES.

LOTTERY.COM NAMES KATIE LEVER AS CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER

Lottery.com, a leading platform that allows its users to play the lottery online, an- Katie Lever nounced that Katie Lever has been appointed the company’s first chief legal officer. Lever will be supported by gaming compliance experts on the board of advisors, Mark Lipparelli and Ron Hopkinson. The company is seeking to continue its expansion efforts and will leverage the combined legal and compliance expertise of these industry professionals to build the future of digital gaming.

Lever previously served as general counsel to some of the gaming industry’s largest global suppliers, including through the mergers of SHFL entertainment, Inc., Bally Technologies, Inc., Scientific Games Corp. and, most recently, as chief legal counsel to Drew Las Vegas, a planned $4 billion integrated resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. She is a recognized gaming law specialist and an expert in compliance and government relations. Lever is a board member of Global Gaming Women and a director and audit chair of Bank of George. Her track record also includes serving as the first executive vice president and general counsel for Everi Holdings Inc.

MGM NAMES SENIOR VP OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

MGM Resorts International announced that Jeff Mochal has joined the company as senior vice president of corporate communications. Mochal will oversee the company’s corporate communications and strate- Jeff Mochal gic positioning, leading issues management strategy and proactive media relations, internal communications and social impact and sustainability messaging strategies for issues affecting MGM Resorts on a global scale.

With decades of experience in corporate communications, Mochal joins MGM Resorts from LPL Financial, where, as senior vice president of marketing and communication, he led public and media relations, employee and adviser communication, corporate social responsibility, research marketing, new store sales marketing, and crisis and issues management.

EVERI’S KILBURN TO RETIRE; CEO RUMBOLZ NAMED CHAIRMAN

Everi Holdings Inc. announced that E. Miles Kilburn, chairman of the board of directors of Everi, has informed the company he will retire from the board and will not stand for reelection at the Mike Rumbolz company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held on May 19.

The board has appointed Everi CEO Michael D. Rumbolz to become chairman upon Kilburn’s retirement. The board also named Ronald V. Congemi, a member of the board for the last eight years, as lead independent director, effective immediately.

The board intends to review the opportunity to fill the open director position created by Kilburn’s retirement through the addition of a new director that would continue to advance the gender, cultural and professional diversity of its current composition and that would bring additional gaming, financial technology, digital and leadership experience to the board.

Upon Kilburn’s retirement in May, Rumbolz will jointly serve as chairman of the board and chief executive officer. Rumbolz has served as Everi’s CEO since April 1, 2020, having previously served as president and CEO from May 2016 through March 2020. Previously, he served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Cash Systems, Inc., a provider of cash access services to the gaming industry, acquired by Everi in 2008.

GLI NAMES BUNEVITH DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SOLUTIONS

Leading gaming testing company Gaming Laboratories International has named iGaming innovator and leader Joe Bunevith as the company’s director of client solutions. In this role, Joe Bunevith he will work closely with GLI’s sales, compliance and engineering teams on issues relating to new technologies, client onboarding, new jurisdictions and business solutions.

Bunevith has extensive experience in developing fantasy sports online game platforms. Most recently, he served as director of interactive gaming for Synergy Blue in Las Vegas.

GGB

May 2021

Index of Advertisers

AGEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 AGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Analog Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Aristocrat Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Casino Player Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Emerging Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Everi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Fantini Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Gaming Tech Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 GAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Global Gaming Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10, 49 iGaming Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 HBG Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 IGT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 IGT PlayDigital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 J Carcamo & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 NIGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Reed Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23