WH end talks over 888 takeover
Is Chris Christie blocking PokerStars
Dutch MP call for Curaรงao gambling investigation
InfinityGaming
www.gaming-awards.com | ISSUE FEBRUARY 2015
SPECIAL FOCUS
International Gaming Awards
contents InfinityGaming EDITOR’S LETTER
William Hill pull out of 888 deal.........................04-05 UK Bookmaker says price was too high
Jersey - New Kids on the Block..........................06-09 Christina Thakor-Rankin looks at the new option
Chris Christie.............................................................10-11 Is the NJ Governor behind blocking PokerStars?
04
NO DEAL
06
JERSEY REVIEW
14
ALL THE PICS FROM IGA8
45
CUSTOMER SERVICE TIPS
Welcome to the Savoy Hotel..............................12-13 The venue for the 8th IGA Awards
8th IGA Awards Special.........................................14-41 All the winners and fun at the Industry Oscars
Caesars new BFF with PokerStars?...................42-43 Casino giant says PokerStars should enter US sector
Customer Service tips......................................45-46 Marty Baird on his latest article on valet service
Dutch MP demands investigation....................46-47 Curacao comes under spotlight for gambling
Chineses going nowhere to gamble...............48-49 President makes worrying comments
City of Dreams Manila...........................................50-51 Opening of new resort
It’s time to get the App..........................................52-53 Your favourite magazine is now available on NEWSSATANDS
02
EDITOR’S LETTER Lana Thompson - Chief Editor
by
EDITORS NOTES Welcome to the February edition of the Infinity Gaming Magazine First of all we would like to say congratulations to all International Gaming Awards Winners. We have some great photos from the IGA evening at the Savoy Hotel. Once again we celebrated the career of one very special individual for the Outstanding Contribution Award which this year recognised Bill Cammegh. An amazing video presentation showed exactly why the founder of Cammegh Ltd received a standing ovation and brought a tear to the man’s eye. It was a moment that Bill said he will never forget, thank you all for making it so special for Bill Cammegh. I would like once again to thank you our industry experts contributing to Infinity Gaming Magazine with their knowledge and opinions. Huge thank you to Martin R Baird and our beautiful expert Tina Thakor-Rankin.
We would like to say, huge thank you to 7Red for donating the Mike Tyson signed gloves, along with our Charity Sponsor Mr Green, overall we raised in excess of £10,000 on the evening for Care International charity, you are all stars. Finally, dear readers, spring is nearly here and I am sure that we all desperate for some sunshine and getting out to the golf course, apart from those who live in exotic islands and don’t know what we are talking about. Looking forward seeing you all at the Women in Gaming event soon. Enjoy the magazine
Lana x
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Christina Thakor-Rankin Martin R. Baird CONTACT US
Clever Duck Media Newmarket 20 - Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Cannock Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK Tel: +44(0)1543 478 889 claire@cleverduckmedia.com PRODUCTION
Clever Duck Media Newmarket 20 - Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Cannock Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK PUBLISHING
Infinity Gaming Magazine is operated by © Clever Duck Media Ltd ® Company Reg. No. 687 1018 (Registered in England)
The Infinity Gaming
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in all external articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Infinity Gaming Magazine Any content provided by our feature writers or authors are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
InfinityGaming
ADVERTISING:
Sponsorship Opportunities Colin@gaming-awards.com Business Partnerships Svetlana@gaming-awards.com
ONLINE GAMING NEWS
William Hill end takeover talks with 888, bwin party next? Brian Mattingley, chief executive of 888, said: “The Company is in good health and continues to trade comfortably in line with expectations.” At first William Hill valued the company at £720 million, at 203p-a-share along with a 3p dividend but it is understood at least one major shareholder believed the online gambling firm was worth significantly more. News of the failed talks drove down 888 shares by 16%.
W
illiam Hill has pulled out of talks to acquire 888 Holdings because the UK largest bookie feels the price that 888 were asking for was
too high.
The news of the collapsed talks was announced by 888: “Due to a significant difference of opinion on value with a key stakeholder, it has not been possible to reach agreement on the terms of a possible offer and the Board of the Company has agreed with William Hill to terminate discussions.”
888 Holdings began life in 1997 by founding brothers Avi and Aaron Shaked, and Shay and Ron Ben-Yitzhak .The two families’ trusts continue control around 60% of the company. Some observers now believe that William Hill may turn their attention to bwin party entertainment who are rumoured to be in talks of a takeover back in November of last year, but no new developments have taken place since then. It is understood William Hill sees the future with consolidation and now with 888 Holdings out it could very well be the turn of bwin party.
Playtech snap up Yoyo Games
Playtech has announced the acquisition of UK-based Yoyo Games Limited for $16.4 million, Yoyo, which is headquartered in Dundee, is the home of Game Maker: Studio (“GMS”), a mobile driven cross-platform casual game development technology that enables developers to create games using a single programming code and then publish them to run natively across most common platforms, including iOS, Android, OS X, HTML5, PlayStation, Xbox, Ubuntu, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Windows RT. The entire Game Maker family of products has been downloaded more than five million times. GMS enables game developers to create cross-platform games in hours with a user-friendly intuitive platform. Given the simplicity of the platform and its capabilities, GMS has secured more than 750,000 registered games developers who currently use the platform on a freemium basis with chargeable add-ons.
FEATURE ARTICLE
New Kids on the Block – the other Jersey By Christina Thakor-Rankin Our superb feature writer Christina Thakor-Rankin looks at the new kids on the block, Jersey as it enters the regulatory industry for online gambling.
T
he recent changes to the UK gambling act have helped redefine gaming taxation from one of place of establishment, to place (or point) of consumption, thereby closing the gaming tax ‘loophole’, and, for those who rely primarily on the UK for their customer base, deeming the old offshore white list redundant. Not unsurprisingly then, the discussion dominating much of February has been the future of the ex UK white listed jurisdictions. In the midst of this came the news that the other channel island, Jersey, was throwing its hat into the off-shore regulatory ring. The question within the current climate then becomes two-fold: is there still a role for the ex-white list jurisdictions, and if so, how does a newcomer like Jersey even begin to compete with the heavy-weights who have so dominated the regulatory landscape for so long? Many outside of the sector would
say that point of consumption has been a long time coming. That an industry which seemingly has relatively modest cost of sales, to comparatively high profit margins, has for too long enjoyed the benefits of operating off-shore, avoiding UK taxation across a number of different fronts ranging from corporation,
to VAT to gaming tax, and generally reaping the wages of sin with lack of impunity or censure. Certainly, the annual results and share prices of the industry’s biggest poster
boys seems to support the old adage ‘you’ll never see a poor bookie’. And alas, if only this were true. The sad fact however is that, aside of those at the very top of the tree, for many running a clean gambling business can be a very hand to mouth existence, with many, despite securing funding, sound business strategy, solid operating practices, and the very best of intentions, going to the wall within the first 3 years. Contrary to perception, the costs of sales are not as low as one might think. In a saturated, me-too sector, differentiation (product, innovation or experience) carries a premium price, Changes in the world of technology and payments have pushed up essential and core operating costs. A fragmented and disparate localised regulatory landscape has had the dual impact of pushing up the cost
of doing business whilst simultaneously reducing the size of the customer base and liquidity, which in turn has reduced the appeal of the product. Equally, many incorrectly assume that a service business with no tangible product or supply chain other than the movement of cash can only ever make a profit based on the flawed premise that the ‘bookie always wins’. An honest operator does not always win. On the contrary, an honest operator who is focused on giving their customers a fair and safe experience is just as, if not more likely to be closer to a break even than a winning position. A fair and safe experience means games which pay-out and so have lower profit margins, and customers who are actively encouraged to manage their spend and play within their means, rather than let temptation get the better of them. On top of all this is the not insignificant cost of responsible marketing
and advertising, acquisition and retention in a saturated value driven market ruled by customer promiscuity and customer whimsy. Add in corporation tax and VAT, and the numbers start to look a little scary. Throw in the sector specific cost of regulation in the shape of licence costs and fees, and a further sector specific profit based tax and most companies are in the red before they even launch. In a climate where some of the world’s biggest non-gaming brands operating in a normal consumer driven market are doing their utmost to avoid taxation in order to stay competitive, it is hardly surprising that those which are subject to sector specific gaming tax would want to minimise operating costs where they can too. Put simply, if cutting costs was important before, it is even more so now that anyone who successfully operates in the UK market will be doing so in the shadow of a 15% levy on profit.
In this context, those off-shore jurisdictions which have traditionally allowed companies to reduce the cost of doing business in the UK now take on an even more important role. Point of consumption, has ironically made the lure of these jurisdictions more attractive, not less. To date the choice for operators seeking to make a tax saving of sorts has been a fairly simple one; prescriptive licensing or place of establishment. At the one end Alderney, compensating for its undemanding domiciliary requirements with tighter, more prescriptive, and some might even say onerous, licensing and operating requirements, compared to say Gibraltar, where a requirement to be closely quartered in jurisdiction, effectively outside the headmaster’s door, allows for a slightly freer and more flexible approach. And in between the Isle of Man and Malta with their own especial appeal to those whose interests lie as much, if not more so, within Asia and Europe, as the UK.
A
rguably operators have also had to align their choice of regulatory jurisdiction with their business model and strategy: for example, for those UK operators who could not be seen to be turning their back physically on the UK, the default regulator of choice was often Alderney, whilst those from outside of Europe simply needing a reputable regulator and tax efficient hub would have found a natural alignment with the Isle of Man, and so forth – but almost always within the boundaries of the respectability of the UK white-list. And thus it could have continued, expect for the fact that out of the ashes of the old white list, comes a new, seemingly catch-all regulator. A jurisdiction which whilst claiming the same respectability and reputational links with the UK as its nearest rivals, and the same tax advantages – seems to be aiming to bring a much more pragmatic approach to both operation and regulation in terms of costs of compliance. There is still a domiciliary requirement; there are still taxes; and there are still licence fees – but all of them carry significantly lower costs than their more established rivals. Undoubtedly, coming late to the party does mean that Jersey needs to do something to get itself noticed, and simply offering cut price licences will not of itself be incentive enough to those operators who pride themselves on running a tight ship. In order to attract the right type of operator, and avoid becoming (and genuinely no offence intended) notionally at least, the ‘European Curacao’, Jersey needs to be able to meet the same high regulatory standards as its rivals. And looking at the local gaming legislation, policy statement, licence
objectives and requirements – that is exactly what it intends to do. Within its ranks, Jersey not only has tangible experience of regulating learned at the knee of the progenitor of the UKGC, the old British Gaming Board, it can also boast a long-established land based sector featuring two of the industry’s biggest brands, as well as localised product offerings – which is, interestingly, more than can be said for some of its immediate jurisdictional rivals. Admittedly, it has yet to cut its teeth properly in the world of remote, but the fact that Jersey is a late entrant could prove to be more boon than burden. Firstly the principles and objectives behind licensing any form of gaming are fundamentally the same: fairness and integrity, social responsibility and player protection, and criminality. This is not new to Jersey. It already applies all of this in respect of its land based sector. From there it is but a short step to apply the same principles to remote – a channel which of its very nature allows for absolute oversight over a customer’s activity, logging every single action in a way land simply does not, making monitoring less subjective and more effective, than land. This experienced applied to new regulation and policy within the context of life lessons learned from other regulators, means that Jersey is potentially able to offer operators a solution which is both supportive and future-proof. For example the policy statement seems designed to cover all aspects and forms of gambling without prescriptive product or payments specific statements, and so already and without recourse to amendments, supports deviation, innovation and the unknown, whilst
the technical requirements acknowledge that we are living in a world where technology does and will continue to move faster than legislation and regulation. However in the end what may make Jersey such a potentially compelling proposition is not a heady cocktail of broad-based and flexible regulation coupled with very low and competitive licensing costs. What would make Jersey a compelling proposition is this married with the desire to prove itself and show the world that it is up to challenge of being a tier 1 regulator. Only time will tell whether Jersey will engage and perform as hoped. In the meantime, however we have a new regulator who is ready and willing to take on the old guard and shake things up a bit by re-focusing on those things that matter the most – common sense, cost, choice and consistency of standard. In that respect, from an operator’s perspective, this new kid on the block can only be a good thing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Christina Thakor-Rankin is Principal Consultant at 1710Gaming working with start-ups, investors, operators regulators, and industry groups internationally, covering all aspects of the gaming and gambling cycle - from initial research, licence and operational go-live, to new markets and opportunities, to customer engagement and experience. She has over 20 years industry experience and has previously held roles at William Hill, Blue Square, Tote (Sport) and Virgin Games managing multiple business disciplines, functions and teams.
US GAMING NEWS
I
Is Chris Christie blocking PokerStars?
s Chris Christie the governor of New Jersey the one who is blocking the entry of PokerStars into the online business there? Several news publications are pointing the finger at the governor in the stalled process that would bring in the world’s largest online poker operator to gain favour with anti-online gambling casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. With the Presidential elections not far off and Chris Christie believed to be seriously considering a run at the nomination for the Republican party, many local observers are saying the governor is doing his level best to block the entry of PokerStars in order to secure possible campaign donations from Adelson. However the governor office has totally denied the rumours he is doing anything to block PokerStars the whispers still remain and indeed grow following revelations in newspapers last week that Adelson had even loaned Christie his private jet. It was back in 2013 that PokerStars originally wanted to gain entry into the New Jersey online market with the potential purchase of the now closed Atlantic City’s Resorts Casino Hotel, so long as the online poker operator gained an online license the company was willing to invest another $10 million in building a purpose built poker room to the casino, hotel. But the online license did not happen and PokerStars were left out in the cold when online gambling started in New Jersey. At that time State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, a Democrat who sponsored the bill that legalized online gambling in the state, blamed the company’s inability to get licensed on Christie. “Christie put a stop to it,” said Lesniak. “With a high degree of confidence it’s apparent that’s exactly what has happened.” It was back in December 2013 that the DGE suspended PokerStars from gaining a license for up to two years with this announcement: Department of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has suspended their application for two years. “The Division of Gaming Enforcement has determined that the application of Rational Services Limited (Pok-
erStars) casino service industry licensure (CSIE) will be held in a suspended status for a period of two years,” the New Jersey DGE said in a statement. “The Division, within that period, may consider a request for relief to reactivate the application if significantly changed circumstances are demonstrated at which time the Division’s investigation of PokerStars and its affiliated entities and associated individuals will be resumed to assess suitability.” The suspension is in regard to the companies founder Isai Scheinberg, who is still under federal indictment from the US DOJ even though PokerStars have resolved their issues with the justice department Mr Scheinberg’s indictment remains on the federal law enforcement’s books. “The Division’s determination is based primarily on the unresolved federal indictment against Isai Scheinberg for the alleged violation of federal gambling statutes, namely, the Illegal Gambling Business Act and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, and the involvement of certain PokerStars executives with Internet gaming operations in the United States following the enactment of UIGEA,” the New Jersey DGE said in its statement. Now that Amaya Gaming has acquired PokerStars last year it was believed that their license would be approved earlier as Amaya Gaming already has a license to operate in the state. Sheldon Adelson has a strategy of slowing and delaying any progress of online gambling and specifically PokerStars as he sees it if the online gambling firm get into New Jersey there would not be a state anywhere that would be able to refuse the online gambling giant.
S E C T I O N T I T L E
GAMING AWARDS AT T H E
SAVOY HOTEL 2nd Februar y 2015
1 3
THE
C H A M PA G N E R E C E P T I O N 2nd Februar y 2015
S E C T I O N T I T L E
N 1 5
MAG A Z I N E
The Champagne Reception Party & Interviews
Above Interview with Eric Sherritt VP Operations Optimal Payments
1 6
S E C T I O N T I T L E
W
hen you have a chance to speak to some of the leading figures from the online and land based gambling industry Clever Duck Media and our interviewers Kirsty and Sara did not miss the opportunity. The team were on hand to turn on the lights and record some truly memorable moments from the Champagne Reception sponsored by online gaming software supplier Betsoft Gaming. The reception party was in full swing thanks to the superb tunes from our live group that got the whole room dancing. With champagne flowing and the music attendees were relaxed talking to our intrepid reporters about what their companies had planned for 2015 and beyond. As always with the International Gaming Awards there were some glamorous dresses by the ladies and all the men dressesd to impress. This is a night for the entire gambling industry to get together and celebrate their and others achievements. The setting for the 8th International Gaming Awards was once again the Savoy Hotel in London and attendees were treated to the highest level of service only one of the most exclusive hotels in the World can deliver. Everything was in place for what was going to be one of the best nights ever for the awards ceremony and all those in attendance.
1 7
Above Photos Relaxing at the Champagne Reception
MAG A Z I N E
Above Everywhere you looked great dresses and the men were well dressed too.
1 8
S E C T I O N T I T L E
Top Our live group got the evening started Left Networking is always a must Above A very busy Champagne Reception
1 9
MAG A Z I N E
Above & Left Everywhere you looked great dresses
2 0
S E C T I O N T I T L E
Top The Mr Green team Top Left Optimal Payments Below The Ritz Club are in the mood to party
2 1
MAG A Z I N E
Taking Care Industry supporting Care International
E
very year at the International Gaming Awards we encourage the entire gambling industry to come out and help support one of the hardest working and global reaching charities, the charity being Care International. Over the seven years now we have raised hundred of thousands of pounds for Care and other deserving charities. It is only with the help, support and encouragement of those attending are we able to support them, this year we were lucky to have Mr Green offer to be a charity sponsor giving up a Gold bar, a gold coin and a large pure silver coin to raise funds and also 7Red offered for the auction a personally signed and used boxing glove from 8 times Heavyweight Champion of the World Iron Mike Tyson. Here is a little about Care International and why the International Gaming Awards works all year round to support them: CARE fights poverty and injustice in 86 countries around the world to help the world’s poorest people find routes out of poverty. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives in the aftermath. CARE’s mission is to create lasting change in poor communities and put money where it is needed most:
working with women to create permanent social change. Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, increase access to quality healthcare and expand economic opportunity for all. CARE International is non-religious and non-political, allowing us to deliver humanitarian and development assistance to anyone in need regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, political view or sexual orientation. With more than 60 years’ practical and hands-on experience, our programmes tackle the deep-seated root causes of poverty, not just the consequences. More than 90 per cent of our 13,000-plus staff are locally-hired, and we increasingly look to work alongside local organisations. CARE’s vision for a world without poverty requires us to address the underlying causes of poverty, rather than to simply focus on its symptoms.
Above Auction items for Care International
94 pence in every pound goes towards our poverty fighting programmes - that’s one of the highest rates among all the UK aid agencies.
Poverty is the product of complex social processes that affect people’s dignity and security as well
as their material well-being. CARE seeks to understand all the factors that make people poor before choosing which ones to concentrate on in each individual project.
CARE and women CARE tackles the underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient. Recognising that women and girls suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on
2 2
2 3
Above Charlotte Jones - Care International awards the raffle winner
MAG A Z I N E
Ready for the Awards Live music & selfies
A
s the Champagne Reception comes to a close all those attending made their way to the main ballroom for the start of the Awards ceremony, where the 23 iconic Star Awards were waiting for those lucky few to be honoured for the achievements over the last 12 months. With live music from the IGA Band and the selifie sticks given out to the attendees many used them to good effect.
2 4
Category Sponsored by
Above Unibet wins Best In-Play Sports Operator Right Scientific Games wins Lottery Operator Below Optimla Payments wins Corporate Supplier
The Ritz Club 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BS +44 (0)20 7499 1818 www.theritzclub.com @TheRitzClub
Outstanding Contribution Award S E C T I O N T I T L E
Bill Cammegh
Presenting the Award
Watching the award video
On Stage
Mr Andrew Love, the Executive Chairman of the Ritz Club & Chairman of the International Gaming Awards Judges goes on stage to present the outstanding contribution award to Bill Cammegh
Bill Cammegh sits and watches the IGA8 video presentation of his life story, from rise in difficult times during war time Britain to becoming the founding father of the world recognised and respected Cammegh Ltd company.
The Outstanding recipient and his sons take to the stage to accept his award. He was visibly moved by the 5 minute standing ovation the whole Savoy Ballroom gave to him.
2 7
Right The IGA live band Above The popular IGA Magazine Bottom The winning bidder for the Silver coin
Left Fight breaks out! Above Selfie time Right Surprised
2 8
Above A photo of a photo! Right That magazine is so popular Below Thanks to the winning biders of the gold bar and gold coin
2 9
MAG A Z I N E
Category Sponsored by
Above 7Red wins Mobile operator
Category Sponsored by
3 0
S E C T I O N T I T L E
C
ongratulations to 7red, Cherry Casino and Unibet for winning, awards were presented by Betsoft Gaming, Playtech and Optimal Payments as the respective sponsors of the categories.
Category Sponsored by
3 1
“
It was a fantastic feeling when you wait and then hear your company name announced as the winner
Above Bet Construct wins Innovator of the Year Category Sponsored by
Right Hippodrome Casino wins European Casino Operator of the Year
3 2
Category Sponsored by
Above Rank Group wins Socially Responsible Operator
3 3
MAG A Z I N E
Winning an award You got to thank people
G
alaxy Entertainment Group wins best VIP Room of the Year for Galaxy Macau. With also on this page Leo Vegas wins best online Slots Operator of the Year. Presented by Bet Construct.
Category Sponsored by
3 4
Categories Sponsored by
Top Net Entertainment wins Slots Provider Supplier presented by Sponsor Mr Green. Above Play’n Go win Mobile Product of the Year Left Mecca Bingo wins Online Bingo Operator
“
This was a great moment for all the team for all their hard work over the last twelve months
Category Sponsored by
Above TCSJohnHuxley win Casino Equipment Supplier award from Bob Drake - Galaxy Entertainment
Above EMP Corp win Payment Solutions Provider
Category Sponsored by 3 6
Top PokerStars win Online Poker Operator from Yggdrasil Gaming Sponsor
Category Sponsored by
Above Playtech wins iGaming Software Provider presented by Sponsor Mr Green
3 7
MAG A Z I N E
And The Winners are The Final few but some big names
T
he hardest part of award ceremonies is waiting till the last few awards to see if you have conqured, watching all those before you go on stage and wondering if you will be next is always a nervous time. But for Rational Group, Mr Green, SafeCharge & Galaxy Entertainment it was well worth the wait.
3 8
Categories Sponsored by
Top Left SafeCharge wins Technology Provider/ Supplier presented by the Ritz Club Below Rational Group win Socially Responsible Operator online, presented by Playtech Top Left First Page Galaxy Entertainment wins Casino Operator Asia/Australia Bottom Left First Page Mr Green wins Casino Operator online.
The now traditional winners photograph of all the category winners from the evening. It seems the excitement of winning was all a bit too much for some and could not hold their excitement. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists and thank you so much for a fantastic photo.
MAG A Z I N E
4 0
S E C T I O N T I T L E
4 1
Trusted & Secure Online Payments
One single solution with 100’s of payment methods (Easy REST API integration) Available in 200+ countries & territories, in 15 languages and 22 different currencies (with more to come) Risk free (“No chargeback” guarantee) and complimentary risk management
www.optimalpayments.com Copyright © Optimal Payments Plc. All rights reserved. Optimal Payments Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900015) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Optimal Payments Merchant Services Limited is licensed by the Financial Supervision Commission of the Isle of Man (Ref. 1357) to carry out money transmission services. NETELLER and Net+ are registered trademarks of Optimal Payments Plc. Net+ prepaid cards are issued by Optimal Payments Limited, pursuant to a licence from MasterCard International Inc. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Inc.
US GAMING NEWS
Caesars Ent. say let PokerStars in the US
A
fter years of supporting the “Bad Actors” clause in online gambling in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware effectively blocking the entry of PokerStars into the US market, Caesars Entertainment have now come out and said they think PokerStars should be allowed into the sector following Amaya Gaming purchasing the online poker giant. Jan Jones Blackhurst the Executive Vice President of Communications & Government Relations for Caesars, said recently that Amaya/PokerStars “should be considered for legalization in the U.S.” Why Jan Jones came out and said this is a mystery, surely this was not a personal comment, but whatever the reason the door has now been
left open for PokerStars to push for any potential movement in Californian legislation towards online poker in the state, along with PokerStars continued attempts to gain licensing in New Jersey.
ing operators in what is still a small market in the US saying that the bad actor clause should be effectively rescinded now Amaya Gaming has the reins means that PokerStars moves just a little closer to getting back in the US online gambling industry.
With one of the largest online gam-
Caesars win bankruptcy location hearing
C
aesars Entertainment won the court battle against creditors in to where the bankruptcy hearings should be held after federal bankruptcy judge Kevin Gross ruled they should be in Chicago rather than Delaware.
the bankruptcy filing earlier this month.
However the judge blasted the casino operator which had been busy prior to entering chapter 11 by moving around preferred assets into a separate company saving them from being touched by angry creditors.
Following his ruling to allow Caesars to have the case heard in Chicago which has different bankruptcy laws than Delaware allowing for owners and senior management not to be liable for operational financial matters involved in bankruptcy hearings, the judge said, “Caesars, its owners, and their “suspect” dealings will be “under a magnifying glass” there.
The judge said he understood “serious” creditors’ allegations that the debtor’s owners “engaged in a series of self-dealing transactions” that transferred substantial assets out of the reach of Caesars creditors before
Caesars said it was pleased with the venue decision. A spokesman said the pre-bankruptcy transactions were done to “improve” the unit’s financial condition, with advice from independent legal and financial
advisers. “We look forward to a full hearing on these issues in the Chicago court,” he said. Many creditors are furious about the way Caesars Entertainment moved around prime assets prior to placing Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. with $18.4 billion in debt, into bankruptcy protection. Most see this as putting all the companies bad eggs in one basket and then putting the good ones in a separate one out of reach of creditors. Although Caesars deny any wrong doing, many observers feel that it is unfair on most investors and creditors that will not see a penny on the funds they invested.
ARTICLE
Is Your Casino’s Valet Service Driving Guests Away? Our feature writer Martin Baird in his February article looks at hotel and casino valet service and making sure your customers do not drive off before you even get the keys from them.
By Martin R. Baird
T
he old adage that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression is true. And it couldn’t be more true for casinos when guests drive up to their property and use the valet service. For many guests, valet employees provide that first important impression that can play an important role in a customer’s decision to return and play again. Here are some areas to monitor in the valet department. Provide Fast Service. We all know that some people arrive at a casino filled with eternal hope that this will be the big one, the day they hit the jackpot and never have to work again. That could be the mind-set when a guest drives up. They want valet service in the worst way. All that stands between them and glory is that little ticket for their car. So they want the service to be
FAST and that is what they should get. Monitoring how quickly and efficiently valet employees do their jobs might be a good idea. Polish Appearance, Greetings. How do valet employees dress? They should look – and behave – like someone a guest can entrust with their $67,000 SUV. Valet employees should keep their appearance impeccable at all times. How do they greet guests? Guests should be greeted as if they are soon-to-be millionaires, not like the valet is doing them a favor. Employees should flash a smile and offer a warm welcome. This business of mumbling with a hand outstretched for a tip simply won’t do. It never hurts to make a flattering comment about the guest’s vehicle – that car or truck they love. And use the guest’s name if they are a regular customer. Guests like to be recognized.
ARTICLE
(Continued) Create A Positive Feeling. Here’s a key question. Do valet employees make such a positive impression that the guest has a better “feeling” about the casino? Valet service can actually affect how a person feels when they walk in the door. If management wants guests to step into the casino smiling, valet service can make a huge contribution to that cause. Valets are ambassadors of the casino at all times.
periences they had with the valet department.
Be Fast Second Time Around. People want to get into the casino fast. The same is true when it’s time to leave. Most people know the odds are not in their favor that they will win when they play at a casino. But some have inflated expectations, and it’s a sad feeling for them to hang around outside waiting for their car. Valet service should always be quick.
Martin R. Baird Bio
Make Overall Impression Upbeat. First impressions are important, but so are last impressions. It’s entirely possible that guests remember their last impression the longest. Those final minutes getting a car can play back in a guest’s head for hours after they leave. They see the person that didn’t smile at them. They think about the empty cans they had to step over when they entered their car. They lament about valet employees talking to each other instead of doing their jobs. Win or lose, every casino guest should go home with a positive overall impression of the casino and the staff based on the ex-
Valet service is important. If valet employees don’t provide exceptional service to each and every guest, they could, in fact, be driving customers away.
Martin R. Baird is chief executive officer of Robinson & Associates, Inc., a Boise, Idaho-based consulting firm to the global gaming industry that is dedicated to helping casinos improve their guest service so they can compete and generate future growth and profitability. Robinson & Associates is the world leader in casino guest experience measurement, management and improvement. For more information, visit the company’s Web sites at
Or Read on App Store
http://casinocustomerservice.com and http://www.advocatedevelopmentsystem.com or
contact the company at 208-991-2037. Robinson & Associates is a member of the Casino Management Association and an associate member of the National Indian Gaming Association.
EUROPEAN GAMING NEWS
Playtech unveils industry-first Virtual Sports features
P
laytech has unveiled a series of never-before-seen industry-first features within an expanded Virtual Sports portfolio including a new, fully simulated football game, allowing for realistic betting and gameplay. Playtech’s Virtual Sports multi-channel package is available online, in retail, mobile and satellite, across any device and includes full sports simulations, a feature unique to the Playtech offering. Playtech licensees are able to choose from a host of sports including football, horse-racing, greyhounds, velodrome, and speedway with tennis, basketball and trotting, complete with league and tournament and in-play betting, available later this year. Each game employs leading-edge graphics based on feature film motion capture technology, shot on location, and using professional sportsmen and women. Realistic odds and an increase in betting options, multiple
Dutch MP calls for Curaçao gambling investigation
languages with local language commentaries and in-game branding provide both operators, and their players, with the ultimate virtual sports experience. Elliott Norris, Head of Virtual Sports, Playtech, said: “The portfolio we are able to offer today, and showcase at ICE 2015, is the best the industry has ever seen. The graphics are mindblowing and we are the only company able to offer full sports simulations meaning that betting and gameplay are as realistic as possible. “Our new football and tennis products, due for release in the coming months, are a cut above anything else available on the market and, from the positive feedback we’ve received from licensees and their players across multiple regulated markets, we are delighted with the outcome,” Norris added.
A Dutch MP in the Socialist Party wants the Dutch Ministry to investigate the close relationship Curaçao government officials have with the gambling industry there. Ronald van Raak is asking the Minister of Kingdom Relations, Ronald Plasterk and the Dutch Minister of Justice, Ivo Opstelten to investigate the current situation in Curaçao where he says people are gambling Curaçao millions of guilders on the island and it is becoming more every day. The MP says that the gambling industry there is heavily involved in money laundering and are paying government officials to keep away from the business and out of jail. So the MP Ronald van Raak now wants the Netherlands to launch an investigation into party financing and the involvement of the gambling industry in the politics of the island. No word has come from either the Justice Minister or the Minister for Kingdom relations on whether they will look in to the matter the MP has brought up.
ASIA GAMING NEWS
Chinese President will block nationals from gambling overseas
W
orrying times are ahead for international casino operators following comments from Chinese President Xi Jinping who has said that Chinese nationals will be spending much less in casinos both in Macau, Singapore, Philippines and the US. “Some foreign countries see our nation as an enormous market, and we have investigated a series of cases,” said Hua Jingfeng, a deputy bureau chief at the Ministry of Public Security. “A fair number of neighboring countries have casinos, and they have set up offices in China to attract and drum up interest from Chinese citizens to go abroad and gamble. This will also be an area that we will crack down on.” The feeling from the Chinese president who is seeing many casino operators spending billions in new
casino resorts in countries around China is that do not expect our nationals to go spending their money there as it will not happen.
continue to increase revenues and prop up US casino operations that have seen falling revenues over recent years.
Many operators have seen their casinos enjoy triple revenues because of travelling Chinese nationals, this is something the president wants to stamp out and along with telling Macau operators to focus more on leisure and tourism than just gambling.
Companies such as Sands, Wynn and MGM will be worried about the latest words from the Chinese President and hope that his words will not be as devastating as they sound. With gaming revenues in Macau contracting for the first time since foreign companies were allowed to open casino resorts in 2002. Revenues have plummeted 30% in December alone and 2015 looks like being another bad year with continuing falling revenues.
He said that Chinese gamblers won’t be going to Macau as much to gamble, as Xi’s government has sworn to cut down on advertisements — sometimes in the form of text messages promoting Macau casinos. With visa restrictions will be tightened. This is all bad news for casino operators hoping that Macau and their other overseas casino resorts will
The need for Japan to legalise gambling will be all the more important now to operators who seek to defend their positions in the Asian market.
ASIA GAMING NEWS
City of Dreams Manila opens to award winning start
T
he launch of City of Dreams Manila saw over 30,000 visitors experience Manila’s firstever world-class entertainmentinspired leisure destination. The landmark event was officiated by Melco Crown Entertainment’s Co-Chairman and CEO Mr. Lawrence Ho, Co-Chairman Mr. James Packer, government dignitaries and VIP guests to officially launch the over $1 billion resort at Manila’s latest tourist destination, Entertainment City. City of Dreams Manila has been developed by integrated casino resort developer MCE Leisure in cooperation with SM Group’s Belle Corporation, and is under the sole management and operation by MCE Leisure Philippines, a subsidiary of Melco Crown Resorts Corporation which is a subsidiary of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited. Mr. Cristino Naguiat Jr, Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR said: “The magnificence of the City of Dreams Manila grand launch last night was testimony to how Melco Crown Entertainment has opened up a new chapter of entertainment experience in the Philippines. I am confident that the new benchmark set by this entertainment-inspired resort will help Entertainment City and Manila to being one of the leading premier leisure destina-
tions in Asia.” Thousands of excited visitors witnessed Melco Crown Entertainment’s Co-Chairman and CEO Mr. Lawrence Ho and Mrs. Sharen Ho; Co-Chairman Mr. James Packer; and Mr. Clarence Chung, Chairman & President of Melco Crown Philippines as they were joined by Mr. Cristino Naguiat Jr, Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR, Mr. Henry Sy Jr, Chairman of SM Prime Holdings, turning the ceremonial keys – opening the ‘Fortune Egg’ of City of Dreams Manila and cascading a ‘Dream Cloud’ of mechanical butterflies – to officially mark the
launch of the integrated resort. Celebrations of Manila’s newest world-class gaming and entertainment destination started with a glamorous red carpet entrance of celebrities and socialites preceded a prestigious gala dinner event attended by government officials, business partners and VIP guests. Meanwhile, a crowd of over 5,000
movers and shakers partied at the sell-out ‘Concert of Dreams’ and were wowed by a stellar line-up of international and Philippines’ stars, with headliners Ne-Yo, international R&B heartthrob, and Kelly Rowland, the Grammy-award winning singer, who was formerly part of one of the most successful female groups of all time, Destiny’s Child, supported by a host of top local artists including Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Kyla and Jed Madela. Earlier in the day hundreds of representatives from international and regional media joined the assembled ranks of Philippines media corps, to attend a special press conference and interview opportunities with Mr. Lawrence Ho and Mr. James Packer, where the audience enjoyed the impressive talk-around-town TV promotional film, starring Hollywood superstars Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, and produced by the internationally-acclaimed RatPac Entertainment producer and director Brett Ratner. Prior to the opening, City of Dreams was announced as the Best Integrated Resort of 2015 at the 8th International Gaming Awards.
INFORMATION
The iGaming Post News site The iGaming Post is an online, international, daily newspaper for the gaming industry. It strives to cover all the latest headlines, delivering them seamlessly through smartphones, laptops and tablets all day, every day. The iGaming Post prides itself in reaching out to global readers, from online poker players to the industry executives. To find out how your company can advertise contact our sales team
Social Media Between The Infinity Gaming Magazine, The iGaming Post and the International Gaming Awards our network of followers on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin account for over 10,000 industry professionals and customers interested in the gambling industry. To find out how your company can advertise contact our sales team
The App Store iOS & Android Just search for us in the App stores “infinity gaming magazine�
Subscribe to the iGaming Post & The Infinity Gaming Magazine for FREE reaching more than 10,000 global industry readers. Advertising in the magazine and news site can help your business get seen by the decision makers that count. With the iOS and Android App our publications reach a potential 500 million readership. To find out more about advertising contact: media@cleverduckmedia.com
GAMING NEWS
Per Norman new President and CEO of Mr Green
P
er Norman has been appointed new CEO of Mr Green & Co AB (publ), listed on AktieTorget. He will assume his position after the Annual General Meeting on 23 April 2015. Per Norman has extensive experience from such positions as CEO and Deputy CEO of Boxer, SES-Sirius and MTG, and he has been a Board member of Mr Green & Co AB since 2014. Per Norman has also acted as adviser for the Mr Green Group since 2012, held Board assignments in the Group’s Maltese companies, and been responsible for the IPO process when Mr Green & Co AB was listed on AktieTorget. “With Per Norman as our CEO, we will acquire a leader who knows the company well and can continue to
develop the company, while also leveraging Mr Green & Co’s entrepreneurial culture,” says Tommy Trollborg, Chairman of the Board of Mr Green & Co. “It is a great honour to be entrusted with the development of Mr Green & Co and our subsidiaries. I am pas-
sionate about our tradition of giving visitors the best gaming experience in the industry,” says Per Norman, incoming CEO of Mr Green & Co. As previously announced, the Nomination Committee of Mr Green & Co AB will propose the appointment of current CEO, Mikael Pawlo, to the company’s Board.
Intertain acquire Gamesys bingo & slot sites
G
amesys has sold major parts of their business to growing online operator Intertain in a deal worth over £425 million. The Intertain Group has acquired both Gamesys bingo site Jackpotjoy and slot website RealMoney Starspins and the final cost could increase dependant on the performance of the two brands over the next three years. “Our stated vision is to focus on the female demographic, in regulated markets,” John Kennedy FitzGerald, chief executive officer of Intertain, said in a statement. “This acquisition is consistent with this vision.’ The Toronto based firm is quickly chasing it’s country neighbour
Amaya Gaming with large acquisitions following the $126-million pickup of online casino player Vera&John group late last year along with the $82.4-million acquisition of Mandalay Media, which owned some of the U.K’s most popular bingo websites, including Costa Bingo, Sing Bingo, City Bingo and Fancy Bingo. It looks as if there is another big
player coming into the market that has seen multiple acquisitions over the last 12 months creating a handful of large gaming companies.
GREAT PLACE TO PLAY GREAT PLACE TO WORK If you have a passion for excellence, there could well be a place for you on The Rational Group team. The Rational Group employs industry-leading practices in customer service, product development, payment security, game integrity and player fund protection, and also holds more online poker licenses than any other e-gaming company. We apply the same high standards to looking after our people: The Rational Group is currently ranked the 14th best large company to work at in the UK by the Great Place to Work Institute.
The Rational Group operates gaming and related businesses and brands including PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and the European Poker Tour. These brands collectively form the largest poker business in the world comprising online poker games and tournaments, live poker competitions and poker programming created for television and online audiences.
NO AGENCIES – DIRECT APPLICATIONS ONLY For full details of our vacancies and details on how to apply, please visit www.rationalgroup.com/about-us/careers Rational Services Ltd, Douglas Bay Complex, King Edward Road, Onchan, IM3 1DZ