June 2015 Infinity Gaming Magazine

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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-

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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