InfinityGaming www.gaming-awards.com | ISSUE JUNE 2015
Bwin.Party Suitors line up for bidding war
WATCH OUT
FOR THE LATEST NEWS IN THE INDUSTRY
THE ONLY MAGAZINE YOU NEED GAMING + ARTICLES + business + global + ONLINE + NEWS+ APPS + AWARDS + etc
2
jUNE 2015
14 MANAGING INNOVATION? John Edmunds feature article
08 VAHE BALOULIAN CEO of BetConstruct speaks to Infinity
INTERNET GAMBLING? No Problem. Professor Nelson Rose superb article
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.
INFINITY GAMING
24
JUNE 2015
4 EDITOR NOTES Lana welcomes you to the June edition of Infinity Gaming Magazine.
6 OUR WRITERS Meet our feature writers, the superb writers on our rosta.
18 ONLINE GAMBLING Not to blame for problem gambling
23 LOCK SCREENS
36
Could see adverts on your smartphone
24 INTERNET GAMBLING Professor Nelson Rose with another superb
WOMEN IN GAMING AWARDS The 6th Annual awards we look at last years winners
article on gaming law.
31 POKERSTARS Will be in NJ before end of year
20
GLASS CEILING Christina Thakor-Rankin looks at the mythical ceiling and does it exist?
35 PENNSYLVANIA Penn National says the state needs online gambling
41 HOOTERS SOLD LV Casino & Hotel sold
43 CNDY CRUSH Tough times ahead
INFINITY GAMING
3
4
jUNE 2015
A note from the editor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christina Thakor-Rankin Martin R. Baird John Edmunds Andrew Tottenham JJ Woods Professor Nelson Rose
Get ready it’s nearly
CONTACT US Clever Duck Media Newmarket 20 Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK Tel: +44(0)1543 478 889 claire@cleverduckmedia.com
time for the 6th Annual Women in Gaming Awards. Lana Thompson - Editor
Welcome to the June edition of the Infinity Gaming Magazine and we nearly all set for the 6th WIG! As we hurtle towards the summer it
Gaming App world. More on that in the
must be time for the 6th Annual Women
next edition.
in Gaming Awards and cannot wait to meet all those super innovative ladies
As always we have the very latest news
on the 5th June. It is going to be a great
from around the world in the magazine
evening and of course lots of fun too.
and next month also will be all the winners and photos from the 6th WIG.
So, “To Infinity and Beyond!”
Business Partnerships Svetlana@gaming-awards.com
of luck. Regards, Inside the magazine we have our great rosta of writers again bringing you the
Lana
very latest in the gaming industry both online and land based and next month we welcome a new writer covering the
INFINITY GAMING
Company Reg. No. 687 1018 (Registered in England) V.A.T reg. no 972 6372 91
Enjoy the magazine.
this year for the second year in a row! I want to wish all our finalists the best
PUBLISHING Infinity Gaming Magazine is operated by © Clever Duck Media Ltd ®
ADVERTISING: Sponsorship Opportunities Colin@cleverduckmedia.com
If you got your ticket then congratulations as I am told we are sold out again
PRODUCTION Clever Duck Media Newmarket 20 Centrix@Keys Keys Park Road Staffordshire WS12 2HA UK
the Editor
6
jUNE 2015
Infinity Gaming Magazine
A magazine is only as good as the content inside and with some of the leading specialists within th prducts, technology and current affairs with the sector the Infinity Gaming Magazine is delighted t
Martin R. Baird 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 http:// casinocustomerservice.com and 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.
With over 16 years’ industry experience building high-performance teams and successful businesses around the world, John Edmunds is passionate about enabling people and technology deliver superior business results. As Chief Marketing Officer at FutureLogic, John was at the heart of FutureLogic’s digital transformation from hardware supplier to software solutions provider and subsequent acquisition by JCM Global. As an experienced thought-leader, strategist and writer, John is a regular contributor
to numerous gaming publications and has been guest speaker on technology discussion panels and industry forums in Buenos Aires, Las Vegas, London and Toronto. John works with technology companies in the US and UK helping deliver superior business results and connecting start-ups and lower middle-market firms with private equity development and growth capital. John can be reached on +1.818.398.8028 or johnedmunds1975@gmail.com.
JJ Woods Director of Operations founded and set up Atlantic Casino Consultants which consults Worldwide, He is also an expert on the Irish Gaming Market and the impending Casino Legislation. He was born in Ireland but left in the Seventies to live in London and for a career in Banking that lasted nearly four years after which he joined the Casino Industry in London where he trained and has over the last 30 years been involved
in the setting up, design, management, and opening of Casinos Worldwide.
John Edmunds
JJ Woods
general manager and CEO
INFINITY GAMING
JJ is also an Author on Gaming and has written for several magazines, spoken at gaming conferences was selected as a Judge for the World Gaming Industry awards and has appeared on TV and Radio discussing Gaming issues. He can be contacted through the website... www. atlanticcasinoconsultants.com
JUNE 2015
Contributing Writers
he gaming industry. With specialised articles covering customer service, the gaming law, new to showcase our superb line-up of contributing writers.
Christina Thakor-Rankin Christina is Principal Consultant at 1710 Gaming Ltd, a specialist betting and gaming consultancy, delivering a range of services including licensing and compliance (incl. regulation, money laundering and social responsibility), business start-up, training and strategic re-engineering, project management, research, business analysis and development, to start-ups and established multi-national
operators and providers, gambling regulators, law enforcement and government agencies, media, and specialist interest groups and associations within the sector, in both established and emerging markets across the world.
Prof. Rose is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on gambling law, and is a consultant and expert witness for governments, industry and players. His latest books, INTERNET GAMING LAW (1st and 2nd editions), BLACKJACK AND THE LAW, GAMING LAW: CASES AND MATERIALS and GAMING LAW IN A NUTSHELL are available through his website, www.GAMBLINGANDTHELAW.com.
#191 © Copyright 2013, I. Nelson Rose, Encino, California. All rights reserved worldwide. Gambling and the Law® is a registered trademark of Professor I. Nelson Rose, www.GamblingAndTheLaw.com.
www.1710gaming.com
Professor I. Nelson Rose
Would you like to feature here? Infinity Gaming Magazine is always looking for new feature writers, if you have something to say and feel the global gaming industry would be interested then drop us a line and we can explain the benefits of working with a global reaching industry publication.
Fore more details on becoming a feature writer contact Paul Jordan our Editor at madia@cleverduckmedia.com
general manager and CEO
INFINITY GAMING
7
8
jUNE 2015
Interview with Vahe Baloulian CEO of BetConstruct
My best advice to anyone starting out in the online gaming sector or indeed any business is “Don’t follow a trend, create one.”
Vahe thank you for talking to us today, can we start by asking you for our International readers what is your role with BetConstruct and what does the company do?
vice offices on almost every continent.
We kind of dated for a long time beAfter working with the company as an
fore making the move. For the last few
executive consultant for years, I have
years I’ve also worked as an adviser to
been asked to assume the position of
BetConstruct’s executive chairman, the
the Chief Executive.
company’s co-founder. When speaking
BetConstruct is an award-winning developer and provider of online and land-based betting and gaming solu-
been clients of my consulting business.
about the company’s culture, I mean it
What made you decide to take up the position of CEO?
tions, including market-leading Sports-
internally and externally. Internally, for example, it is preached and practiced that employees should work at Bet-
book, Live Dealer Casino, RNG Casino
Above all, the company’s culture and
Construct only if they love what they
Suite, Poker, Skill Games, Virtual Betting,
the founders’ approach to business.
do and love what the company does.
Financial Betting and Fantasy Sports. It’s
BetConstruct is a customer-driven com-
Otherwise, it is a waste of valuable time
a forward-looking company with almost
pany, which is quite rare in this indus-
and resources for both. Externally, it
1000 employees, over 120 partners,
try. I have been a technology vendor
is the partners and the trust they have
and a growing number of sales and ser-
to BetConstruct, and then they have
placed in us that are treasured the most.
INFINITY GAMING
JUNE 2015
VAHE BALOULIAN The experienced CEO of BetConstruct knows where his company is going and how to get there.
BetConstruct has been going since 2001, how has the company grown over the last 14 years?
them out to international markets. Bet-
sino studio has also seen new additions.
Construct is a profitable organization
We introduced Fantasy Sports. The list
because of this measured approach.
goes on. And of course, the Spring platform, a result of innovative approach
It was an exceedingly focused growth from being an operator to becoming a supplier of sports betting products
What has seen the biggest expansion in the company’s portfolio of games?
and services and then expanding into
and technical ingenuity, brings everything together.
The industry is highly competitive, what gives BetConstruct an edge of its rivals?
other verticals. Although we have been
I cannot name just one. We have
in this business for a long time now,
achieved unprecedented growth in
we didn’t come out with a splash on
our in-play betting offering, covering
a first day hoping to survive on a mo-
around 20,000 live matches per month.
It is a combination of the quality of our
mentum created by it. We made sure
Our casino content has grown to almost
products and services, the breadth of
that our products can sustain the test of
2000 games, including 3rd party titles.
our offerings, the unrelenting attention
the industry’s most demanding opera-
Portfolio of games streamed in multiple
to our partners and their requirements
tors and suppliers before we brought
languages from our own live dealer ca-
and goals, and, of course, the most tal-
INFINITY GAMING
9
10
jUNE 2015
Vahe Baloulian CEO of BetConstruct
BETCONSTRUCT The BetConstruct team celebrate winning at the 8th International Gaming Awards in February.
-ented team of achievers that we were
into a store where none of the products
Long-term, I trust and hope that Mr.
able to assemble.
have price tags. I don’t like asking for
Adelson and his surrogates will lose. I
price and receiving “well, it depends”
have heard them defending their cause
We develop all our core products. We
answer. Therefore, the goal of straight-
at different venues. It’s a very uncom-
don’t buy and sell companies, avoid-
forward transparent pricing is to elimi-
fortable experience to watch otherwise
ing the clash of cultures and integration
nate the frustration and confirm that we
upright adults lie as a favour to their
nightmares. Having organically grown
are open to talk business candidly and
benefactor or because they have been
and experienced very challenging pe-
from the start. We have seen superb re-
hired to do so or because they have
riods in our history, we appreciate the
sults because of this simple change in
been duped into believing the untruth.
difficulties other companies are facing
the way we treat our potential partners.
One can misrepresent reality, propagate
in today’s arduous business environment. That’s why we are not squeamish about working with companies of any size, from small operators and start-ups to the largest gaming groups. Creating a level playing field and help-
fear, and be taken seriously only for so
Vahe, you have been in the online business for a long time, an industry veteran for sure. From when you started out would you say it is more difficult now to be successful or back then?
ing maintain a diversified gaming mar-
long. Short-term, it is going to be a tough fight. Not least, because of the selfdefeating arguments that the industry is using in favour of regulation. In my opinion, legalization is not about money
ket is the reason why we don’t overprice
Now is more difficult because the rules
for the government. It is about freedom
our state-of-the-art products out of the
of the game have changed, supply and
to play games online, something that
new entrants’ reach and don’t require
demand traded places, and companies
has been proven can be done without
our partners to pay minimum monthly
have matured. However, since wisdom
harming oneself and others.
fees, unless these are mandated by a
does not always accompany maturity,
third-party supplier.
some of the companies become too arrogant, complacent, and find themselves
The company is very transparent with services and pricing on the website unlike many of your competitors, does the company do that to show how competitive you are?
Potential clients can learn about our competitive prices even if we don’t publish them on the site. Regretfully, as a rule, getting the pricing information takes time, effort and can be quite annoying. Often it is similar to walking
INFINITY GAMING
Why is it that some people think prohibition is a good thing?
fighting for their seats in the front row. And to take their place the newcomers
Well, because those who think that pro-
don’t even have to be very innovative.
hibition is a good thing – by definition,
They just have to do what these mature
don’t think much.
companies did when they were young.
You have been involved in the US online poker business for some time prior to BetConstruct, how do you see the short term future and long term future for online in the US given that currently the RAWA bill is doing the rounds backed by Sheldon Adelson?
California is a hot topic with rumours of changing times ahead and possibly PokerStars being allowed in but Racetracks not. As someone who is very involved in California what is your thoughts? It is sad that in the land of the free we are discussing how to prevent this or
JUNE 2015
11
that entity from offering something that
Absolutely. The decisions to participate
You mentioned software, service and
will be legal, once regulated.
in the prestigious competitions like IGA
sales. Sales team can’t sell for long un-
demonstrate how confident we are now
less their representation is endorsed
I think that the argument against Poker-
in what we have to offer. Awards are im-
by actual delivery of technology and
Stars will wither away and they will be
portant because they energize the team
service. In this industry reputation is of
allowed in, even if with a certain pen-
and push us to continue to live up to
paramount importance.
alty.
the recognition and trust the industry peers placed in us and our products.
As for the Racetracks, if there is a coalition of cardrooms and tribes, why there can’t be a coalition of racetracks and tribes? I would expect that there are some legal or other reasons prevent-
How far can the company grow and what makes BetConstruct such a strong player, is it the software, the service or great sales?
ing this but whatever these reasons are
What is the company’s focus, is it Europe or expanding markets like Asia and or America? Last year, in addition to our European offices, we have opened sales and service centres in Latin America, USA and
they are created by people and if they
We have just started. There are many
South Africa. These three regions are
make no sense they should be done
challenges ahead and amazing things
very important. However, we have a
away with.
that we are planning to accomplish. We
large sales team which makes an effort
measure growth not only by revenues,
to present our products in any region
number of partners, and other data. We
where we can find partners looking
look at how our employees have grown
to benefit from our solutions. Only in
and developed as specialists, how the
2015 we are sponsoring, exhibiting and
new ideas that they give birth to posi-
speaking at about 30 industry events on
tively influence our industry.
every continent.
BetConstruct won Innovator of the Year at the 8th International Gaming Awards earlier this year, does that show how far the company has risen over recent times?
INFINITY GAMING
12
jUNE 2015
888 Holdings make bid for bwin.party Struggling online gaming giant now the target for two suitors and possibly a third?
Online gaming operator 888 Holdings
after a rise in share following the an-
has entered the bidding war with GVC
nouncements is at £873 million, with
Holdings to purchase struggling online
888 Holdings worth £585 million and
gaming giant bwin.party. After many
GVC valued at £281 million. Indeed GVC
weeks of speculation 888 has said it
said their proposal is a reverse takeover
has made a proposal to bwin.party for
given the size of the company involved.
all the shares of the company. Ever since the merger back in 2011 beA deal would have “significant indus-
tween Party Gaming & Bwin the com-
trial logic,” 888 said Monday, just a few
pany has seen falling revenues and loss
days after GVC said it submitted a pro-
of market share.
posal to acquire Bwin.party, whose best known brands include partypoker, par-
Now that 888 have entered the race
tycasino and FoxyBingo.
for bwin.party some observers believe Amaya Gaming may now come in with
However both companies that have
an offer, however no announcement has
now announced their interest are much
been made yet.
smaller in market value to bwin, which
INFINITY GAMING
JUNE 2015
The Riviera great sale The great bargain sale is on at the shut-
if it is not sold it will be
tered Riviera Casino & Hotel, the 60
demolished along with
year old resort that closed down on
the resort that famous
May 4th is now offering memorabilia
names such as Frank
from the casino and hotel along with
Sinatra and Liberace
roulette tables and mini-bars to anyone
performed at.
who wants to buy them. The
sale
continues
Even the letter “R” which adorned the
through mid-June or
entrance doors are up for sale at $350 a
until everything is sold.
go. More items available are pool loungers, double beds, baby grand pianos
Demolition of the re-
and even flat screen televisions are just
sort is scheduled for
a few of the 1 million items up for sale.
later this year and will be replaced by an ex-
Entrance is now open for $10 per per-
tended
son to buy anything in the Riviera and
centre.
convention
NJ: The battle for power at Revel continues The former Revel Hotel and Casino bat-
New Jersey Authorities say fire detec-
tle for power continues after New Jer-
tion and suppression systems need
sey authorities said to ACR Energy that
to be continuously powered in the
they cannot shut down the electricity to
47-story building, the second-tallest in
the resort again.
New Jersey. The fire department says fighting a fire at Revel without electric-
A notice was served to the power com-
ity to bring firefighters to upper floors,
pany this week stating that they must
or water in the pipes will be virtually
provide service to the building and not
impossible. A red warning beacon atop
cut the power again.
the building also needs to be lit to keep aircraft from crashing into it at night or
New owner of the Revel Glenn Straub
in bad weather.
and ACR are in dispute over unpaid electricity bills and future utility servic-
Straub’s lawyer, Stuart Moskovitz told
es to the former Revel. ACR cut power
The Associated Press on Thursday that
to the building on 9th April for 2 weeks
ACR claims to own and operate an en-
and Straub brought in temporary gen-
ergy distribution network inside Revel’s
erators. A deal was then brought in for
infrastructure. Because of that, the state
ACR to turn back on the power for two
considers ACR to be the “owner” when
weeks while both sides tried to reach
it comes to fire safety regulations, and
an agreement, that time frame has now
ordered the company to keep the power
expired.
on.
INFINITY GAMING
13
14
jUNE 2015
Can Innovation Be Managed? John Edmunds June article asks the question can you actually manage innovation within the business and indeed at what cost? My previous article ‘Is Commoditiza-
business leaders can develop a culture
many leaders fail. Some attempt to help
tion a Threat to Your Business?’ outlined
of innovation and creativity and in do-
their teams flourish by granting almost
how aggressive competitor activity and
ing so differentiate their business value
unlimited freedoms, only to discover
the introduction of low-cost alternative
proposition from competitor offerings.
that they have created chaos, not high
products can rapidly commoditize tech-
performance. Others try to force their
nology providers’ core products, putting
Palmisano (former IBM CEO) was clear
employees’
businesses under considerable threat. It
about the need for innovation to avoid
scribed programs and activities, which
gave business leaders a very simple and
commoditization, but it was the Aus-
usually yields mediocre results at best.
stark choice: to become commoditized
trian economist, Schumpeter who, in
In its study on leading innovation, Har-
and fight for survival or avoid it through
the 1930s, first identified innovation
vard Business Review described the
some form of strategic response. Re-
as a significant factor in economic
search I conducted with high-tech
growth. Schumpeter’s book ‘Capitalism,
businesses such as Cisco, Dell, HP, IBM,
Socialism and Democracy’, first fully
Microsoft, Verizon and Vodafone, dem-
developed the concept of creative de-
onstrated that amongst all the business
struction, where something new brings
strategies adopted by these businesses,
about the demise of whatever existed
innovation and creativity were most
before it. When facing the challenge
commonly seen as the antidote to com-
of unleashing innovation and creative
moditization. This article looks at how
destruction within their organisation,
Either you innovate or you’re in commodity hell. If you do what everyone does, you have a low-margin business. That’s not where you want to be”.
INFINITY GAMING
creativity
through
pre-
JOHN EDMUNDS Industry veteran and gaming consultant John Edmunds offers some tips on success
JUNE 2015
challenge of leading innovation as a
the innovation process; Impact of the in-
thor of ‘Out Think: How Innovative
fundamental tension, or paradox, inher-
novation output; Measures to assess the
Leaders Drive Exceptional Outcomes’,
ent in the leader’s role: ‘leaders need
activities in an innovation process; and
defines creativity as the capability or
to unleash individuals’ talents, yet
Availability of factors that facilitate such
act of conceiving something original
also harness all those diverse talents
a process). Drew Marshall however, sim-
or unusual, while innovation is the im-
to yield a useful and cohesive result.’
plified it down to one key measurable
plementation or creation of something
difference – focus. Innovation is solely
new that has realized value to others.
So how can we manage this paradox and
concerned with the work required to
‘Innovation isn’t a mysterious black
build a culture of innovation and crea-
make an idea viable, introducing change
box, by focusing on the process [of in-
tivity to stay ahead of the competition?
into relatively stable systems, and is
novation], and not the heroically crea-
therefore
measureable.
tive individual, we can build innovation
‘Creative types’ may argue that creativ-
Creativity however as HBR described
at scale. Sometimes the best way to
ity and innovation cannot be measured,
it, is about ‘unleashing the potential’
spark innovation is by allowing activ-
but business performance and the man-
of the mind to conceive new ideas and
ity within the organisation that devi-
agement of development capital de-
is therefore unfocused and subjective,
ates from the norm but that may lead
mands clarity of objectives and rigorous
making it harder to measure. Leaders of-
to positive outcomes.’ The innovation
measurement to identify what success
ten chase creativity but what they really
process therefore can be scalable, a
looks like. A fundamental requirement
need to pursue is innovation or as The-
creative individual is not. Once lead-
for being able to manage innovation
odore Levitt put it ‘What is often lack-
ers understand the difference between
therefore is to be able to measure and
ing is not creativity in the idea-creating
creativity and innovation, they can work
assess the various aspects of the pro-
sense but innovation in the action-pro-
on inspiring both in their organisations.
cess of innovation and its outcome. In
ducing sense, i.e. putting ideas to work.’
completely
their review of literature on innovation
So how can we create a culture which is
management Edison, Ali and Torkar
Unfortunately, business leaders fre-
inclusive of the different thinking styles
found 232 metrics to measure, catego-
quently interchange creativity and in-
and behaviours required to implement
rized along five dimensions (Inputs to
novation, without understanding what
both innovation and creativity?
the innovation process; Outputs from
separates the two. Shawn Hunter, au-
About John Edmunds Dr Rugg-Gunn found that in the five broad domains of human personality, (Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism), creative people tended to score more highly With over 16 years’ industry experience building high-performance teams and successful businesses around than most for (i) Openness to Experience (defined as having a good imagination, experiencing and valuing the world, John Edmunds is passionate about enabling people and technology deliver superior business refeelings and experimenting new ideas) Neuroticism (defined asdigital the intensity and feelings of sults. As Chief Marketing Officer atwith FutureLogic, Johnand was(ii) at the heart of FutureLogic’s transformation negative emotions fromsolutions negativeprovider beliefsand about life in general). They scored much less well for Confrom hardware supplierarising to software subsequent acquisition by JCM Global. As an expescientiousness wherestrategist the focus iswriter, on goals distraction, order and control. Conversely, these are exrienced thought-leader, and Johnwithout is a regular contributor to numerous gaming publications actly the skills of technology the good innovator whose role is to project plan and take great ideas to market. and has been guestrequired speaker on discussion panels anditindustry forums in Buenos Aires, Las Vegas, London and Toronto. Dr. Rugg-Gunn surmised that creative people are more likely to think in a divergent way, generatingworks a large of companies ideas withinunusual combinations that superior don’t always leadresults to a and solution. John withquantity technology the US and UK helping deliver business con- In contrast, start-ups innovative people use convergent thought processes to discriminate between necting and lower middle-market firms with private equity development and growth capital.the Johnbest idea and the also-rans and are therefore more concerned about implementation and commercialization. can be reached on +1.818.398.8028 or johnedmunds1975@gmail.com. To be of value, applied creativity must always lead to innovation – linking a great idea with an actual customer need (or, better yet, the needs of a whole market) through a process of design thinking. It is too easy to spend considerable development resources without really understanding actual customer needs.
INFINITY GAMING
15
The Ritz Club 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BS +44 (0)20 7499 1818 www.theritzclub.com @TheRitzClub
JUNE 2015
Can Innovation Be Managed? John Edmunds June article
This distinction can be seen in a number
Drucker asserted ‘Every organisation machines.
of high profile corporate failures. Nokia
must prepare for the abandonment of
once led the world in creative solutions
everything it does’, so leaders should Organisations need to foster both crea-
for mobile phones but was overtaken by
consider innovation with a new process, tivity and innovation. How to develop
the Apple iPhone and Google Android.
method, business mode, partnership, and foster a culture of innovation and
Similarly RIM’s domination of business
route to market or marketing method. creativity is therefore a strategic im-
mobile email with Blackberry was short
Paying attention to companies that perative. Driving business results by
lived. However, Kodak’s failure in capi-
are consistently innovative in their in- running ideas through an innovation
talising on the move to digital photog-
dustries is always good practice. Some process puts creative ideas to work – for
raphy was less about a lack of creativity
of the most powerful innovations you companies and their customers. As Mar-
and much more about slow innovation.
can make are in business methods and shall concludes, ‘Creativity is the price
Kodak invented the digital camera but
customer services as exploited by Dell, of admission, but it’s innovation that
failed to invest in its own creative out-
eBay and Amazon. Square for example, pays the bills’.
put, fearing that it would cannibalise
noticed the economy was becoming
their traditional business.
mobile-based and paperless, helping millions of mobile vendors and small
It is also very easy to think of innova-
business owners move away from cash
tion as just a new product, but as Peter
payments and expensive credit card
INFINITY GAMING
17
18
jUNE 2015
New paper shows online gambling not to blame for problem gambling
Respected doctor says online gambling does not create problem gamblingward while he is in office.
A well respected doctor of phycology Dr Sally Gainsbury has said that online gambling in itself does not cause problem gambling. Her paper which was published by the Centre for Gambling Education & Research, Southern Cross University in Australia conflicts with the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling which says that online gambling is the “crack cocaine” of gambling. The paper takes a thorough review of
line may have lower rates of gambling
the research so far conducted on the
problems.”
subject, and suggests that online gambling and that of live gambling is not
Dr. Gainsbury says that even though the
fully understood and requires more in-
research shows that internet gambling
tense research.
does not appear to be a significant cause of disordered gambling, the “use
Her research suggest problem gambling
of Internet gambling is more common
originates primarily from live gambling
among highly involved gamblers and
and transfers to online gambling with
for some Internet gamblers, this me-
the gambler already having problems
dium appears to significantly contribute
before taking part in online gambling.
to gambling problems.”
“Evidence is emerging that Internet
It appears in her research that gamblers
gambling is not only not predictive of
who are already highly addicted to live
gambling problems,” the doctor states,
gambling transfer those attributes over
“but that when other variables are con-
to online gambling and do not necessar-
trolled for individuals who gamble, on-
ily acquire them from online gambling.
INFINITY GAMING
JUNE 2015
19
Okada’s casino resort in Manila fined for delays Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) the state regulator for gaming has given Japanese tycoon Kazuo Okada till mid-July to justify why his casino resort in Manila is way behind in construction or will suspend the issued casino license for the resort. The £1 billion resort has already missed two deadlines to complete first in December 2013 and then in March this year with no reason offered for the delays. Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment who is an affiliate of Tokyo-
another extension it will again have to
The Tiger project is one of 4 $1-billion
based Universal Entertainment has
stump up another bond of $2.23 mil-
casinos planned at Manila Bay as the
already had a $2.23 million assurance
lion and could lose that if it fails again
Southeast Asian nation seeks to rival
bond confiscated by PAGCOR for the
to meet the deadline.
Las Vegas and Macau as a gaming des-
delays already and should the firm get
tination.
There’s a Lot to Like at this year’s Australasian The Australasian Gaming Expo is less
pedestrian crossings and outdoor walk-
than 100 days away and the event or-
ways.
ganisers and exhibitors are ready for an even better show this year. Some of the
And visitors will again be boarding the
improvements over last year are:
complimentary ferry service from Darling Harbour to Glebe Island – a free
•More exhibitor space – over 7,500
Sydney Harbour Cruise on all 3 event
square metres of stands.
days!
Complimentary shuttle buses
will also operate from Central Station •23 new exhibitors – from “Barista in a
and Pyrmont; and from Sydney Airport.
Box” to “Portable Partitions”. Again this year Australasian Gaming •More café space – a new café area in
Expo will also be offering three lucky
Hall 4.
visitors the opportunity to win a trip for two to visit the world’s largest Gaming
•Improved AGE app – with live updates
Expo, G2E, held in Las Vegas in October.
and tailored messages.
(See the AGE web site for details).
•Taxi commissionaire – outside Hall 3 to
This year’s Australasian Gaming Expo
help organise taxi services.
will be Tuesday 11 until Thursday 13 August at the Sydney Exhibition Cen-
•Shuttle bus from James Craig Road – so
tre @ Glebe Island. Register at the AGE
pedestrians can get to the venue.
web site or call the Gaming Expo Help Line on 02 9211 7430.
•Venue improvements – better electrical power, better air conditioning, new
INFINITY GAMING
20
jUNE 2015
Women and the Great Gambling Glass Ceiling By Christina Thakor-Rankin
T
his is a question which comes up
Go to any land-based betting or gaming
different to any other industry or sec-
again and again and is a little like asking
venue anywhere in the regulated world
tor in the world - banking, travel, fashion,
is the glass half full, or is it half empty?
and there will be as many female employ-
retail, finance, etc. etc.? This phenom-
ees as there are males. Look at the gender
enon of a greater number of men at the
The fact is that for those who do achieve
profile of those who work in the sector’s
top is sector-neutral – labelling it as a
their career ambitions there is no ceil-
people, marketing, CRM, product develop-
glass ceiling does no-one any favours.
ing,
may
ment, customer support, payments and se-
hurdles
curity, project management and BA, com-
In fact the term ‘glass ceiling’ can be quite
along the way, based on any number
pliance, financial and legal teams - there is
damaging, and carries far more negative
of things, but no one over-riding –ism.
no obvious or visible bias. And within the
connotations than positive. For those who
have
glass been
or
otherwise.
challenges
There and
world of regulation, some of the world’s
do make it to the top, being perceived
For those who have not yet achieved what
most successful and high profile juris-
as having ‘beaten the men at their own
they have set out to do, there may be a
dictions, including the UK, Denmark and
game’ can conjure up images of a ‘hard-
ceiling – but not one necessarily associ-
Pennsylvania, are headed up by women.
faced alpha-female’ with more testos-
ated with gender specifically – and especially not in the betting and gaming sector.
terone than a Premiership dressing room At a senior level the balance may well tip
who have had to give up all allusions of
in the favour of men, but how is this any
femininity and have a less than sympathetic view of their female colleagues. This is dangerous because anyone portrayed in this hard manner is unlikely to be viewed as an appealing or sympathetic role – something which all sectors, not just gaming, need more of. For those who make it to the top and refuse to compromise their femininity, there are still the inevitable whispers of positive discrimination and meeting quotas, ‘knicker –dropping’, or having the right connections in the right places. And finally for those who are successful and cannot be conveniently pigeon-holed into either of the above there is the tag of ‘breaking the mould’ – a one off, a rar-
GLASS CEILING
ity – which implicitly suggests that this is in no way the norm and not something others should expect for themselves.
For those who have not yet achieved what they have set out to do, there may be a ceiling – but not one necessarily associated with gender specifically
INFINITY GAMING
JUNE 2015
In fact the term ‘glass ceiling’ can be quite damaging, and carries far more negative connotations than positive. All of the above is, of course absolute
comfort in attack as a form of defence,
vironment, circumstances, events and
rot. I know this because over the years I
or those who are resentful or envious of
personalities involved – and just like in
have had every label, tag and descriptor
the success of others.
life - a little bit of luck sometimes makes
thrown at me, by both men and women
a big difference.
– depending on their perspective and
And that is where most antagonistic
the point they have been trying to make
sentiment comes from in my experi-
For those determined to believe in them
at the time – not always good, and not
ence. Those who are threatened, re-
for whatever reason - glass ceilings will
always bad.
sentful or envious of others have a
and do exist, but to label a whole sec-
simple choice – admit to having feel-
tor with what is essentially a personal
I do not say for one second that there
ings which do not show them in the
perspective and view of life would be
are no challenges to women in the
best light, or hide behind an ‘–isms’
unfair.
workplace. Nor would I suggest that we
and generalisations which allow them
live in a utopia of equal opportunities
to criticise via the neutral term ‘wom-
In my experience there are no ‘–ism’
and no discrimination – because the re-
en’ rather than the personal term ‘her’.
based barriers to success in the betting
ality is, we don’t. There is discrimination
and gaming sector, and if I ever catch
and, sadly there always will be, for the
myself doubting this, I only have to look
simple reason that we will never ever
Betting and gaming just like any other
be completely free of either ignorance,
area of life has challenges. And those
or those who feel threatened and find
challenges will vary according to the en-
in the mirror.
INFINITY GAMING
21
22
jUNE 2015
INFINITY GAMING
GAMING APP NEWS
JUNE 2015
Lock Screen to have adverts?
V
ancouver based app firm Adenda have hit gold they think with a new tool for apps
that allows access to the lock screen on any Android phone. As we all know the lock screen is there to stop us making silly mistake calls while in our pocket or bag and also to protect from theft as a passcode is needed. However Adenda along with Marketing company Urban Airship have come up with the ability to send animations, information and even adverts to the lock screen device. Now the company say that the new
Adenda has one live app at present in
software it does need to have the
tool can be used to better engage
the market with the lock screen tool
permission of each user to unlock
the player with their apps but it also
and so far about 10% of users have
access.
could mean taking ads out of the app
allowed the access to the lock screen. One thing is for sure this new tool
itself and insert them onto your lock screen in order to make the game app
Of course there are huge possibilities
from Adenda will be popular with
a more better experience without
for the tool for advertisers and game
advertisers and app companies but
ads.
developers to draw customers to the
the success will come from users al-
game or promotions; however as the
lowing access to the lock screen.
lock screen is part of the Android
Japan & South Korea lead games app revenues
A
ccording to a new report
than those in the UK.
from mobile intelligence firm App Annie mobile
playing mobile games in Q1 2015. In contrast, Android smartphone us-
App Annie explained in the report.
ers in Europe and the United States
gaming in Asia leads the way for
“This significant difference between
tended to spend more time in apps
app developers with countries such
Western and Asian markets is also
from the Social and Media & Video
as Japan and South Korea for time
reflected in the amount of time that
categories than in games.”
spent playing gaming apps and for
users spent in games. Games ranked
money spent playing them.
as the second highest category by
One amazing stat to come from the
time spent per Android smartphone
report is that in Japan and South
The new report shows that Asia is
users in Japan and South Korea in
Korea 90% of total revenues comes
well in front and is driving the app
Q1 2015, behind only the Communi-
from game apps, while in the US it is
development sector far more so
cation category.”
80% and the UK it is down to 80%.
that the west. The report says the
Showing how important a market
Japanese players spend three times
“In Japan, Android smartphone users
Japan and South Korea is for both
more a month playing apps than US
spent around 4x as much time per
of iOS and Google Play app store
players and over seven times more
month as users in the United States
revenues.
INFINITY GAMING
23
24
jUNE 2015
Internet Gambling? No Problems #195 © Copyright 2015, I. Nelson Rose, Encino, California. All rights reserved worldwide. Gambling and the Law® is a registered trademark of Professor I. Nelson Rose, www.GamblingAndTheLaw.com.
Professor I. Nelson Rose
The casino industry is one of the most heavily regulated businesses in the world. But even if they did not have that
enue from banking games.
Craps in
there have been with slot machines as
government oversight, casino owners
casinos is not street craps: Players are
opposed to voting machines. Yes, there
would still be among the most careful
betting against a fund of money, a bank.
have been some well-publicized prob-
business operators in the world.
Casinos act as the house, fading all of
lems. But given the hundreds of billions
the bets of their customers.
of times buttons have been pushed and
The reason is simple: It’s their money that’s at stake.
handles pulled on gaming devices, the A cheat at poker steals from other play-
incidents are extremely rare.
ers. A cheat at blackjack steals from the In lotteries, parimutuel betting and
casino.
round (non-banking) games like poker,
If the states really wanted to make voting fast, accurate and secure, they
gamblers wager against each other, with
To see how careful the casino industry
should turn the running of elections
the operator taking a piece off the top.
is compared with something that we
over to casinos.
would normally think is more important, Casinos make almost all of their rev-
INFINITY GAMING
look at the relatively few malfunctions
This doesn’t mean gaming device man-
JUNE 2015
In practice, regulators rarely impose even substantial fines, let alone suspend or revoke licenses. But the threat is always there. The risk of being
Delaware and Nevada have, in fact,
block access to minors and persons lo-
announced that they have come to an
cated out of such State; and appropriate
greater with internet
agreement to take bets from each other.
data security standards to prevent un-
It will be interesting to see how they
authorized access by any person whose
gaming
deal with the fact that not all operators
age and current location has not been
will be licensed in both states. And the
verified in accordance with such State’s
tax rates are different.
law or regulations . . .”
ufacturers and operators couldn’t be
The Nevada bill also included this lan-
Similar language applies to bets made
even more careful. In England, where
guage:
between and among tribal Internet
closed down is even
the jackpots are smaller, casinos have
gaming operations.
to pay off “winners,” when there is a
“The Legislature hereby finds and de-
malfunction.
Not surprisingly, British
clares that . . . A comprehensive regu-
There is no similar language in the UI-
casinos have even fewer slot machine
latory structure, coupled with strict
GEA about other interstate or even in-
malfunctions. But casinos in the U.S. do
licensing standards, will ensure the pro-
ternational Internet gaming.
seem to care who is the legitimate win-
tection of consumers, including minors
did not mean that Congress did not care
ner more than some election officials
and vulnerable persons, prevent fraud,
about age and location verification for
seem to.
guard against underage and problem
non-tribal, cross-border bets. It simply
gambling, avoid unauthorized use by
forgot to put it in. Remember, the UIGEA
Casinos also face the theoretical risk
persons located in jurisdictions that do
was put together overnight by the Re-
of losing not just money but their most
not authorize interactive gaming and
publican leadership of Congress, with-
valuable asset: their licenses.
aid in law enforcement efforts.”
out any hearings, or even having been
But this
proof-read. In practice, regulators rarely impose
Politically, it was very important that the
even substantial fines, let alone sus-
first state-licensed Internet gaming op-
The UIGEA does require that an Internet
pend or revoke licenses. But the threat
erators met those standards. But was it
wager not violate the laws of the juris-
is always there.
also required by law?
dictions where the operator is located,
The risk of being closed down is even
The Unlawful Internet Gambling En-
Act also requires compliance with the
greater with Internet gaming.
forcement Act (“UIGEA”) expressly al-
laws where the gambler makes the wa-
lows online wagers to be sent intra-state,
ger. Every state has restrictions on com-
On February 21, 2013, Governor Brian
but only if the bettor and operator are in
mercial gambling, and sets minimum
Sandoval signed a bill explicitly allow-
the same state, the state has made the
ages for legal games.
ing Nevada to enter agreements with
bet legal, and verifications are in place:
that is, where the bet is accepted. The
other states to allow cross-border betting. This will permit pooling of players
“. . . age and location verification re-
in states where Internet poker is legal.
quirements reasonably designed to
INFINITY GAMING
25
26
jUNE 2015
There are complex legal questions
But the laws meant to protect children
whether these often archaic state stat-
from what society regards as morally
utes apply to an Internet operator who
suspect industries often do not require
The standards will undoubtedly be fixed
is outside the state.
a specific intent. In fact, they can be
over time. But, in the real world, as long
strict liability.
as an operator is doing everything pos-
And challenges
have been filed that laws against gambling do not even apply to poker, which
register or get their payments accepted.
sible to keep out minors and bettors
is arguably a contest of skill. But state-
The best known of these involve serving
from places where online gambling is
licensed online poker rooms and casi-
alcoholic beverages to a minor. Even if
forbidden, the most they face is a fairly
nos are going to be very careful before
a bartender does everything reasonably
small fine.
they accept wagers from someone out-
possible to verify the patron’s age, the
side their state’s borders.
bar owner could end up paying a fine.
Changes in the law trail changes in
In Nevada, a licensed casino can raise the defense that it reasonably thought the minor was of legal age. But, in New Jersey a court upheld a fine imposed on an Atlantic City casino for allowing two minors in the gambling area, even though the casino was not at fault. Internet gaming operators have to be extra-careful
about
protecting minors and compulsive gamblers from themselves, preventing hacking, and society. So, not only do we have anti-
making sure that no one can make a
gambling laws that pre-date the inven-
bet from a state or nation where online
tion of the Internet, we even have some
betting is illegal. There are states which
that predate the telephone. And hidden
impose strict liability, meaning an op-
among these ancient statutes are legal
erator is sometimes guilty of violating
landmines.
local anti-gambling laws, even if they have done everything superhumanly
No U.S. operator would intentionally
possible to prevent someone from that
register someone who is from a state
locale from making a bet.
where Internet gaming is illegal. There are no reported cases involving anti-
Are the online operators doing enough?
gambling laws where someone in the
There have been complaints, both from
state or country bets with a licensed
players in Nevada who could not sign up
foreign operator after that operator
with Ultimate Poker’s Nevada-licensed
took steps to avoid taking bets from
Internet poker room, and from critics
that state or country. And many anti-
who say the geo-location safeguards
gambling laws require a specific intent,
are inadequate. But there have been
like that the operator “knowingly” ac-
even more complaints from players who
cepted the bets.
would like to bet legally with Nevada’s licensed online operators, but can’t
INFINITY GAMING
Internet gaming operators have to be extra-careful about protecting minors and compulsive gamblers from themselves, preventing hacking, and making sure that no one can make a bet from a state or nation where online betting is illegal.
The International
GAMING APP AWARDS
LONDON - 2015 NOMINATIONS OPENING SOON
GAMING NEWS
JUNE 2015
on track to be in NJ by Q3 says boss
P
okerStars is still expected to
I said on the last call in terms of New
said the company is “very pleased
make its debut in New Jersey
Jersey; I think that we’re seeing more
with the efforts and what we see” in
by the third quarter of 2015
markets take the trend toward regula-
the Golden State, we are “very, very
said CEO of Amaya Gaming and
tion here and outside of the Europe
excited about” the “momentum.”
owner of PokerStars David Baazov.
Union as well, which I think is going to be important to see, and we would
There was no dates mentioned for
During the companies Q1 results the
expect to see more colour on that
California on when the state would
boss of Amaya Gaming said Poker-
this calendar year,” David Baazov said
ever regulate online gambling but
Stars is “still on track” to be up and
the analysts on the call.
for sure Amaya Gaming like so many
running in the third quarter of this year. “I think we’re still on track from what
other operators want to be involved In regard to the companies at-
from the start in what will be the
tempts to be a part of online poker
biggest business by state so far for
in California once regulated Baazov
online gambling.
Ladbrokes Chairman to leave company
P
eter Erskine the Chairman of
their competitor has done so well.
Ladbrokes for six years is to step down from the strug-
Richard Glynn to a new CEO, Jim Mullen. I feel that now, with stron-
Peter Erskine said: “Since becoming
ger foundations in place and with
gling bookmaker. In a statement Mr
chairman six years ago, Ladbrokes
our new CEO looking to build on the
Erskine said he would step down be-
has undertaken the necessary and
changes made, it is the right time
fore the end of the year, this follows
difficult journey to modernise much
for there to be a change in chairman
just one month from the departure
of our business operations to enable
to one who will be able to see out
of former CEO Richard Glynn and
us to compete more effectively in a
the entirety of the next stage of the
the appointment of Jim Mullen.
rapidly changing digital market and
journey.”
a challenging retail and political enHe has been Chairman since 2009
vironment. In that time real progress
Non-Executive director John Kelly
and oversaw the struggling book-
has been made.
and founder and former CEO of Gala
makers efoorts to compete with
Coral, will be responsible to find a
their main rival William Hill espe-
“In recent months I, and the board,
cially in the digital space where
have overseen the transition from
successor to Mr Erskine.
INFINITY GAMING
31
32
jUNE 2015
Simple Things Make A Huge Difference By Martin R. Baird
It’s a shame that good customer service
a seriously unpleasant experience with
ommending employees be observant
is so uncommon it rates high-profile
another airline, then described how Jet-
and quick to serve when they put two
coverage in a major media outlet when
Blue got everything right. The following
and two together. For example, antici-
it happens. Great service should be so
direct quotes are from Andersen.
pate when a guest will finish his drink
ubiquitous that poor service becomes the exception.
and have a fresh one ready. “I watched as the flight attendant was unfailingly kind and respectful
The other key component of great ser-
Erika Andersen is a popular busi-
to every passenger.” At casinos, the
vice to point out here is that little word
ness blogger for Forbes.com and the
customer is king and guests simply
“smile.” It may be little but it is pow-
headline over one of her posts really
must be treated with respect and in
erful.
grabbed my attention: “I Love JetBlue
a kind manner at all times. just want
– Customer Service Done Right.” WOW,
to be treated the way everyone else
you can’t buy that kind of positive cov-
wants to be treated. Offering this com-
erage! Andersen fully embraced a par-
mon courtesy to guests makes them
ticular company for its service and she
feel comfortable and at home.
did it in a very public way. I seriously
that is precisely what casinos should
doubt JetBlue asked her to write about
want to achieve because they are as
them, so that makes Andersen the ulti-
much in the hospitality business as
mate advocate for the airline.
they are in the entertainment business.
I was astounded again when I read the
“(The attendant) handed me my com-
first sentence in her blog: “The differ-
puter bag and gave the woman next to
ence between great customer service
me her purse, all without being asked
and terrible customer service is often so
and with a smile.” In baseball parlance,
simple.” How many years have I been
that JetBlue attendant hit a double.
saying this to casinos? More than 20.
First, she anticipated what her custom-
And I keep saying it because it’s true.
ers would need and fulfilled that need
And
before the passengers even spoke up. After making that statement, Andersen
Thinking ahead for guests is a hallmark
went on to explain just how correct she
of outstanding casino customer service.
was about simple things making a huge
I’m not suggesting employees spy on
difference with service. She started with
players on the floor. I am strongly rec-
INFINITY GAMING
A friendly smile always makes
I’m not suggesting employees spy on players on the gamingfloor. I am strongly recommending employees be observant and quick to serve when they put two and two together.
JUNE 2015
It always
ment. Clearly, JetBlue has made service
Andersen cut to the chase by pointing
brightens their day. Smiles are appreci-
the company’s mantra, not the training
out that service contributes to the bot-
ated and they are extremely important.
technique de jour. The kind of service
tom line. When someone decides they
a casino guest feel good.
Andersen experienced evolves over
want to play at a casino, you want them
“The difference in my experience (be-
time and becomes ingrained with all
to think of your property FIRST. Memo-
tween JetBlue and the other airline)
employees. Everyone buys in. Every-
rable service contributes to a fun gam-
was 100% in the attitude of the cus-
one adheres to it day after day, week af-
ing experience and a fun gaming experi-
tomer-facing employee.” My hat is off
ter week, month after month, year after
ence puts you top of mind. Top of mind
to you, Erika Andersen. Attitude makes
year.
means guests return to your casino
all the difference.
Casino employees
again and again. Need I say more?
won’t – make that can’t – be observant,
“I suspect they hire for it, train for it
anticipate, think ahead, serve quick-
and reward it.” This is a continuation
ly, smile and do all the other things
of the DNA quote. I believe Andersen
that create memorable service if they
is correct. She refers to the three fun-
show up for work with a poor attitude.
damentals of rolling out quality service
Think positive thoughts, practice deep
and I apply them here to gaming prop-
breathing, meditate, play with the kids
erties:
or the dog before you leave for work –
people and match them with appropri-
do whatever is necessary to get into a
ate jobs (2) even though they hire tal-
happy frame of mind before you start
ented employees, casinos still need to
your shift. Guests can easily spot a sour
train them to provide great service and
mood.
(3) please, please, please reward em-
(1) casinos should hire good
ployees when they demonstrate the desired behavior. Everyone loves to be
Casinos always want to know the ROI for their customer service training investment, but the service contributes to the
“JetBlue has figured out how to build
recognized for a job well done. Posi-
a positive, friendly, respectful way of
tive feedback is a strong motivator for
interacting with customers into the
future behavior.
bottom line. When
dersen’s reference to DNA. It’s all about
“I tell my assistant to look first for
a customer wants
building a customer service culture at
JetBlue flights whenever he’s making
your casino, weaving service into the
travel arrangements for me.” Casinos
very fiber of your casino’s being. That
always want to know the ROI for their
takes serious, never-ending commit-
customer service training investment.
DNA of their company.” Focus on An-
to gamble you want them to think of you first. INFINITY GAMING
33
GAMING NEWS
MGM boss is against RAWA
JUNE 2015
Penn say online gambling is needed
F
ollowing the furor over reported comments from MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren that he and his company could care less about a federal ban on internet gambling the boss has come out and explained his stance. In a statement to Jon Ralston of Ralston Reports he said: The company “wholeheartedly” opposes the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA), Murren stated, adding that RAWA “won’t stop online gaming” and that the absence of regulated online gambling options only results in “illegal overseas sites” continuing to “put consumers at risk. The statement is intended to clarify the article in the Las Vegas Review Journal which seemed to say that Murren was less than bothered if online gambling was to be banned with the title of the piece saying, “Murren: Sky won’t fall on MGM if online gambling banned.” In the article Murren never said he was impartial to the ban but the article did use comments that seemed to point that way. At present MGM has an online gambling presence in New Jersey only with a 50/50 deal with the Borgata which is one of the most successful online platforms in the state. The company has no involvement with online gambling in either Nevada or Delaware.
Penn National says that online gambling in Pennsylvania is critical to protecting gaming revenues in the state. With the competition of land based casinos in neighbouring states Pennsylvania needs regulated online gambling said Eric Shippers the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Penn National at a House Gaming Oversight Committee hearing recently. Taxes for the state are in danger of declining unless online gambling is introduced said Mr Shippers whose company operate the Hollywood Casino in Grantville. “We firmly believe” that Internet gaming “is another vital tool to enable our industry to continue to evolve and protect what we’ve built here,” Schippers said to the committee. In his testimony he said that revenues from online gambling in the first year for Pennsylvania could top $250 million and rising to $350 million by year three.
INFINITY GAMING
35
36
jUNE 2015
WOMEN IN GAMING AWARDS WINNERS 201 01
04
07
02
05
08
03
06
09
01
Industry Pride of the Year
04
Hodan Fourie & Michaela Michaylova PokerStars & Unibet
02
03
Affiliate Manager of the Year
05
Excellence in Customer Service
07
Innovator of the Year
Melissa Zalbeigi
Emma Loveday
Betsson
News UK
Hidden Talent of the Year
08
Inspiration of the Year
Melanie Hainzer
Elizabeth Dutton
Cath Riley
Leo Vegas
Playtech
Grosvenor Casinos
Affiliate Team of the Year
06
Industry Achiever of the Year
09
Leader of the Year (iGaming)
Carly Sawers
Joanne Jones
Maria Hedengren
PokerStars
The Ritz Club
NetEntertainment
INFINITY GAMING
JUNE 2015
14 - WHO WILL BE THE WINNERS THIS YEAR? 10
13
11
15
12
15
10
11
12
Leader of the Year(land based)
13
14
Team of the Year (iGaming)
Dubravka Burda
Linda Arbman
GTECH
Mr Green
Star of the Future
14
Team of the Year (Land Based)
Bea Stevens
Fiona Regan & the HR Team
Aspers
Grosvenor Casinos
Marketing Excellence Award
15
Nora Felin
ners 2014. Will you be standing proud
Mr Green
on the 5th June at the 6th Annual
The roll of honour for WIG Win-
event?
INFINITY GAMING
37
GAMING NEWS
JUNE 2015
Amaya/GVC in bid for bwin.party
F
ollowing the announcement
in November that Playtech may even
for a battle for control of the busi-
of 888 wanting to buy bwin.
make an offer and then Ladbrokes
ness which was merged in 2011 from
party two other prospective
and William Hill all looked at the pos-
Bwin & PartyGaming that never really
buyers have teamed up to make a
sibility before pulling out of making
was successful as a joint company
joint bid for the once giant online
any offer.
and has seen revenues and profits
gambling firm. It is understood that
fall over recent years. However as
Amaya Gaming and GVC
separate entities both
Holdings are preparing
were successful and any
a joint bid to break up
bidder or bidders believe
the company with Ama-
that splitting the giant up
ya interested primarily
again would bring success
in bwin.party’s poker
to the ailing firm.
business and possibly sports betting arm.
Ever since Jason Ader and his investment vehicle
It is thought that the
SpringOwl that owns
offer of €1.5 billion
5.25% of bwin.party came
would come from a
on board in 2014 rumours
mixture of cash from
have been swirling that
Amaya Gaming and
the company will be bro-
GVC shares. The move
ken up as Ader believes
comes after online
the value for shareholders
gaming operator 888
is in separating the assets.
Holdings announced its own ambitions to take bwin.party.
Previously the strategy from Amaya
With news of 888 Holdings and now
This follows months of specualation
and GVC was to make separate offers
Amaya/GVC possibly involved in a
on exactly who was going to come
but a combined offer would make
bidding war shares have risen in
in for bwin.party. It was though back
more sense and now the scene is set
bwin.party by nearly 9%.
Government want ground back from Casino’ di Venezia
T
he local government in
for Land asked the court to order
The total ground rent amounts to
Venice has launched court
the three companies to pay overdue
€582,343.55 annually with a 15%
proceedings to re-possess
groundrent and return the sites.
increase after each 10 years.
All the sites had an agreement of 99
The renting companies have been
sites in Vittoriosa which was once used by Casino’ Di Venezia.
year leases but in the agreement if
trying to move around the rental
The Ministry for Economic Af-
the companies fail to pay the rent
agreement by using new company
fairs said it has filed an applica-
for two years the government can
names say one gaming insider but
tion against Port Cottonera Hotel
cancel the agreement and demand
the government has had enough and
Development Co. Limited, Galleys
the land back which is exactly what
wants to re-possess the land.
Development Co. Ltd and Vittoriosa
they are asking for.
Gaming Limited. The Commissioner
INFINITY GAMING
39
GAMING NEWS
JUNE 2015
LV Hooters Casino & Hotel sold
H
ooters Casino Hotel has been sold for $53.8 million by Trinity Hotel Investments based in New York. The Las Vegas Hooters is located next to the Tropicana which was also recently purchase by Penn National Gaming for $360 million and many observers believe that the two casino resorts will money spent on them to be more competitive in Nevada. Trinity Hotel Investments purchase is the first development they will have in Las Vegas and is understood will change the name from Hooters which five years ago filed for bankruptcy having $63 million in assets but $178 million in debts. However it is understood the name of the hotel and casino will change the restaurant based inside will remain as it is the most successful Hooters restaurant in the US for the company. It was in 2006 that the Hooters Casino and Hotel opened to a large fan fair of celebrities but shortly after the resort fell into financial difficulties.
Adelson group says Pennsylvania opposed to online The Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling run by casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson conducted a telephone survey in Pennsylvania and published the results in an attempt to sway public opinion there as the state conducts public hearings in to the possibility of legalising internet gambling.
The Riviera great sale The great bargain sale is on at the shuttered Riviera Casino & Hotel, the 60 year old resort that closed down on May 4th is now offering memorabilia from the casino and hotel along with roulette tables and mini-bars to anyone who wants to buy them. Even the letter “R� which adorned the entrance doors are up for sale at $350 a go. More items available are pool loungers, double beds, baby grand pianos and even flat screen televisions are just a few of the 1 million items up for sale.
With the group publishing their results showing that 73% of the 513 respondents saying they oppose online gambling in the state, with just 27% in favour, however observers say the poll is tainted because of the way the questions were worded and also the amount of those surveyed is not a fair reflection of state voters.
Entrance is now open for $10 per person to buy anything in the Riviera and if it is not sold it will be demolished along with the resort that famous names such as Frank Sinatra and Liberace performed at.
In another attempt to put pressure on state legislators the telephone poll asked if voters would reelect their state legislators should online gambling be voted down in the state 54% said they would vote to support their legislator again IF online gambling is still illegal in Pennsylvania.
Demolition of the resort is scheduled for later this year and will be replaced by an extended convention centre.
The sale continues through mid-June or until everything is sold.
INFINITY GAMING
41
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
GAMING APP NEWS
JUNE 2015
Candy Crush maker King report “softer” times ahead
T
he company that produces Candy Crush Saga, King Digital Entertainment has said its revenues for the second quarter are not as good as expected because of the strength of the US Dollar compared to other foreign currencies which will impact on revenues. King said that its gross bookings forecast for Q2 which is the indicator used for revenues stood at $490 million to $520 million and warned that the following quarters could be softer but still expected growth in the last part of the year. The dollar has surged about 9% against a whole host of major currencies in the first three months of the year. News of the revenues warning for Q2 was no surprise for analyst’s but is a disappointment following good Q1 results of $164.1 million compared to $127.2 million on the previous year, however revenues were down in Q1 to $569.5 million but still surpassed analyst predictions of $563.4 million. King went public in March 2014 and its rival competitor Zynga reported increased revenues for its Q1 on the back of the popularity of game “Words With Friends” which was featured on popular TV comedy Big Bang Theory.
Sportnco launches first sports betting app for Windows
Blizzard hits 30 million Blizzard has announced they have over 30 million users now for their collectible card battle game Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft. In a message from their Twitter account Blizzard said that the milestone had been reached ahead of time. The game was launched in beta form over two years ago in 2013, with the full launch in March 2014. With the game enjoying a huge surge in popularity since then with its own Hearthstone World Championship featuring a total prize fund of $250k. With an Android tablet version of the game launched back in December 2014, and the iPhone and Android smartphone versions finally arriving last month, all looks up and up for Blizzard and their hit game.
Sportnco who is connected to the French Pari has announced the launch of it first ever sports betting app for Windows phones. The company has already launched two smartphone apps for IOs and Android is now completing the hat trick with the Windows application. The company has a history of delivering sports betting apps for customers such as ZEturf, Eurotiercé, JOA, NetBet, Feelingbet and Genybet
INFINITY GAMING
43