Casino Life Issue 157 Volume 19

NORTHERN STAR YARED

GABRETENSAYE,

CASINO

Welcome...

Publisher: Peter White Tel: +44 (0) 1892 740869 Mob: +44 (0) 7973 273714 peter@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

Editorial: Editor in Chief : David McKee dmckee6@comcast.net

Editor EMEA: Damien Connelly damien@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

Associate Editor Asia: Bill Healey bill@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

Victor H. Royer International Features Editor victor@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

Associate Editor EMEA: Aydin Guney aydin.guney@outsourcedigital media.com

International Correspondent: Lyudmyla Kyrychenko lyudmyla.kyrychenko@outsource digitalmedia.com

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Accounts: Helen Holmes accounts@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

IT Director: Pasha Kuzminskiy pasha@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

Given that the gaming industry is making money hand over fist these days, you’d think that would be enough. But I was recently asked whether the legal gambling age in Nevada (and elsewhere) should be lowered to 18. Since this called for a wiser head than mine, I turned to University of Nevada-Las Vegas Distinguished Fellow Alan Feldman. He’s been in the industry longer than I, having worked with Mirage Resorts, then at MGM Resorts International.

Are casinos all for a lower gambling age? Hardly, says Alan. “Here in Nevada the gaming industry would have stood firm against that. They know that’s not a winning issue.” He adds, “I guess you could make an economic argument about money. But what exactly are you trying to achieve by going at people who are still every much in the minimumwage category of their lives?”

“In the past 30 years there’s been quite a bit of research on gambling and youth,” Feldman said, “and lowering the gambling age below 21 would be a very bad idea. The brain is not fully formed yet. Even 21 might be a little bit young. It’s a bit nebulous but 21 is at least a moment at which brain development is more advanced than in an 18 or 19 year old. Problem gambling affects youth disproportionately. We see people under 21 in the higher incidence of harm from gambling than those above 21.”

What of lotteries and Vegas nightclubs, where 18 years of age is the threshold for admittance? “The lotteries have this widely held perception that they are harmless. We could argue about whether the lottery is harmless. It obviously isn’t to a small number of people. The larger issue is whether or not lotteries are setting in motion a larger cycle of gambling that ends up in a very harmful situation.”

As for nightclubs, “My knowledge comes from my own kids, one of whom was involved in their management. They don’t really want to have people who are under 21. They just aren’t the kind of customers most of these places are really looking for. Then you get into the problem of someone who is underage mixing with people who are of age and there are just bound to be problems as far as alcohol service.”

“My preference would be that the age would be raised in any state where it’s 18, of any activity,” Alan concluded. “I’m also of the view that tobacco should be restricted more tightly than it is and tobacco is a known addictive product. Ninety-eight percent of the people who use it properly become addicted.”

Strong words? Definitely. But well worth hearing when coming from such a seasoned industry veteran.

David McKee Editor

The magazine for the owners and management of international casinos

To Buffet or Not To Buffet W

hat can be learned from other industries to cross-transfer into casino resorts to improve the customer experience? I discussed last time how our industry is adapting to new operating models to optimise customer engagement and satisfaction. One point that is triggering discussions among operators and customers is the buffet – or lack of. Buffets seem to be getting replaced by food halls, with operators using the pandemic as the primary explainer to customers as to why their beloved buffet has been removed. Ask customers and they often say how they really liked the buffet. Ask operators and many consider them a lossmaking, inefficient space.

It’s a tricky one. A good buffet makes a big difference. It can be a differentiator that drives footfall to land-based properties as customers actively choose the property with the buffet over other F&B options in the neighbourhood. But getting and maintaining a good buffet is a skilled art rather than a science – buffets are easier to get wrong than to get right. Even in EMEA casino resorts, which are smaller than the properties in North America, a good buffet can deliver over 100,000 covers in a year. And with the cost of living presenting an increasing challenge, a buffet can be a welcome option for specific cohorts who frequent casinos. I always use the quality and excellent price of food in casino resorts as an explainer to people when I tell them I work in the casino industry – and how operators such as Casino Cosmopol have a very significant focus on responsible gaming. Casino resorts are still seen in EMEA as being a bit too far on the ‘dark side’, and great F&B options such as buffets (as well as excellent live entertainment) help to nudge the needle of people’s perceptions of casinos.

ICE London Was A Blast

I know a lot of people attended ICE London, with records set. It was a great show and all of our team reveled in being at an in-person exhibition and learning about developments and innovations that we’ll soon see in casinos and resorts across the EMEA region.

Raucous Caucasus

As our industry grows and adapts, we at Casino Life are too. Our newest media is Casino Life Georgia –that’s the country in the Caucasus, not the state in America. Casino Life Georgia is the new temporary home of Casino Life Ukraine. It will be printed and published in Georgia, with our print editions delivered to all of the land-based casinos across Georgia. Casino Life Georgia is a media partnership between the publishers of Casino Life Ukraine and the operators of the Tbilisi Gaming Fest exhibition and conference. Casino Life Georgia will be published and printed in Georgian, and its digital edition will have translated content in both Ukrainian and English and be hosted on the Casino Life Ukraine website.

Please join our LinkedIn Group and engage with our high-quality, industry-relevant community.

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1813053/

Damien Connelly

Editor EMEA

Damien Connelly, Editor EMEA

Yes, it’s the ‘B’ word.

Guest comment by Arjan Korstjens

Organizing a conference, in my case the European Casino Operations Summit, is not easy. As an experienced conference chair, speaker, moderator or panelist I always come when all the work is done, and I just have to hop on a podium and talk. But no, organizing is something different. Fortunately the lead for this conference is in the capable hands of Lucien Wijsman, who has been doing this for more than a decade. So I am just the sidekick, but nevertheless…

On the other hand I also would have never guessed it would be so much fun, seeing it come together. We had set ambitious goals: controversial topics, top-of-the-line speakers and a pan-European group of delegates. With pride I can tell you we pulled that off, already now, more than a month before the start. We have our wanted controversial topics: a presentation and a panel on diversity, equality and inclusivity (DEI); four slots on responsible gaming and duty of care; two keynotes on the future of land-based casinos; strategic marketing presentations; gambling on E-sports. You name it! And our speakers…Erwin van Lambaart, Martina Åkerlund, Professor Anthony Lucas, Georg Gubo, Kelly Kehn and Laurent Lassiaz are only

a few of the more than 30 renowned speakers.

The pan-European goal also has been reached. We will have delegates, speakers, and sponsors from over 20 countries, ranging from Ireland to Turkey and from Scandinavia to Malta. To complete this perfect picture (yes, I still am a marketing guy), you might ask where we pull this off: This year, after being in Riga, Latvia, we are going to Bucharest, Romania. We will be in the city center, in the Radisson Blu. Want to see who will be speaking and about what? Please visit https://casinooperationssummit.net/event/bucharestromania/programme

I look forward to seeing you there!

PS: Delegate passes are only available for operators. B2B providers can be present as a sponsor.

PPS: This is the first and only conference that is for all casino operators. We do not make a division between online or land-based. Our agenda and audience covers both channels.

COS 2023 takes place from April 25 to 27 in Bucharest, Romania

Organizers of the Casino Operations Summit, Arjan Korstjens and Lucien Wijsman

A cosmopolitan man for Cosmopol

Yared Gabretensaye, General Manager, Casino Cosmopol speaks with David McKee and Peter White

Gaming is a transcontinental and cosmopolitan industry but few of its executives can boast a more globetrotting resumé than Yared Gabretensaye does. General manager of Casino Cosmopol in Malmo and overseer of table games at all Cosmopol-branded properties in Sweden, he’s worked on at least three continents, as well as the oceans. And he’s not done yet.

But for the time being, Gabretensaye has found stability and contentment in Malmo, where his tenure is entering its third decade. No one could blame him for not wanting to leave. For starters, Casino Cosmopol Malmo is located on the grounds of historic Kungsparken, at the hub of the city. It’s not a mammoth facility, even by European standards, but it doesn’t stint on charm and in Gabretensaye it has a steady hand at the tiller.

Yared, first I want to thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Please tell our readers a bit more about yourself, and your role at Casino Cosmopol Malmo?

I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and after high school I moved to Italy where I stayed for a year before moving on to Canada in 1987. A couple of years later, I signed up for a dealer-training course and started working at Casino ABS in Edmonton, Alberta. It started

out as the perfect part-time job while studying at the university. Little did I know then that it would turn out to be a career of over 30 years and still counting.

With a few years’ experience from casinos in Edmonton and Vancouver, I decided to work in casinos on board cruise ships for a short period of time. That short while lasted well over eight years, starting out in the Caribbean and eventually to many other continents. In addition to the work experience, I learnt a lot about different cultures and built a network with people from all over the world.

In 2001, I left the cruise ships and moved to Sweden, where I have lived with my wife and our two children for the last 22 years. Currently I am the general manager at Casino Cosmopol in Malmo and also serve as vice president of table games reaching across all three properties in Sweden.

How was 2022 for Casino Cosmopol Malmo and how is 2023 so far?

2022 was the first full year of operation since the pandemic. Prior to that, all of our properties were closed for business between March 2020 and July 2021. I would describe 2022 as the year of recovery and re-stabilization. We lost a lot of experienced staff during the pandemic and therefore we had to recruit and train new colleagues while struggling to meet the staffing needs for day-to-day operations.

We still had Covid-related restrictions and extra measures in place during the first couple of months in 2022. That was also a time of trials and adjustments to a new organization launched post-pandemic. All operational staff and managers had to acquire new skills while some administrative positions were centralized or mostly working from home.

Creating a multi-competent work force proved to be a success. Most of the staff appreciate the possibility of working in several positions during a single shift. We have also observed that there is a greater sense of camaraderie and teamwork, since more people understand the purpose and function of the various positions.

Another major post-pandemic change was the adjustment of our opening hours, making our casinos one-shift operations. Our casino in Malmo went from 15-hour days to 10-hour days during the weekdays and 12 hours on the weekends.

2023 started with a significant decline in the number of visitors to our casino. Over 50 percent of total visits

fall on Fridays and Saturdays, while the rest of the week is much quieter. With spring and summer ahead, we hope to see a positive change in this trend.

In the years ahead, we are committed to improve the customer experience. We aim to achieve this by offering a good mix of casino games, the best service we can provide our guests and focusing on responsible gaming.

What developments at Casino Cosmopol Malmo over the next year or so excite you most?

I would say the introduction of cashless solutions. Sweden is on the verge of becoming a cashless society with most financial transactions currently conducted digitally. With a cashless system we will be able to provide faster and better service that meets the expectations of our guests. In addition, it will improve our ability to comply with regulatory demands, and to reduce operational costs related to administration and storage of currency.

Unfortunately, we haven’t found tailor-made cashless solutions yet but our IT experts are working together with our business partners and suppliers to address the issue.

Environmental concerns are always an important factor in the present day. How has Casino Cosmopol Malmo contributed to lowering its carbon footprint in its operations?

Environmental sustainability is an important pillar that

is a part of our core strategy. As part of the stateowned Svenska Spel group, we are committed to contribute to the short- and long-term environmental goals outlined by our corporate headquarters. To that end, Svenska Spel strives to contribute to the United Nations sustainability development goals number 12 and 13 in Agenda 2030. More details on this can be found in our annual report but to give an idea of what we focus on locally, I will list some examples below. Activities that contribute to lower the carbon footprint in our local operations in Malmö include …

• Switching to green electricity produced from resources such as solar and wind.

• Reducing the interval of deliveries of goods to the casino as well as recycling and waste removal from the casino.

• Our lighting system was upgraded to LED to reduce our daily consumption of electricity.

• We implemented sorting stations in all staff areas, and removed unsorted waste baskets from offices and hallways.

• We terminated the use of plastic and paper cups.

• We installed motion detectors and timers to control lighting throughout the property.

Extraordinary. You also have an impressive bar area, good quality food and high-quality customer service. Is the combined sum greater than the individual parts?

I believe the combined sum is greater than the individual parts. An impressive bar area will soon lose its charm if the service is not good and tasteless food will remain tasteless even when served professionally.

What aspects of your role do you find most satisfying?

What I find most satisfying is the collective work we do to achieve our goals on responsible gaming. I am proud of the work that our responsible-gaming ambassadors do on the gaming floor, talking to the guests and providing relevant information. Behind the scenes, our parent company sponsors independent research on responsible gaming, conducted by a professor at the University of Lund. In a world where most companies are focused on profit margins, I pride myself to be a part of an organiation that puts social responsibility ahead of economic profit. It gives me a reason to sleep well at night.

In your career, what would you consider to be the highlights up to now?

One thing that sticks out is a joint task I had the pleasure of working on together with Jeroen Bosman from Holland Casino. In 2006 we were asked by the European Casino Association to organize the European Dealer Championship to promote the skills and abilities of professional casino workers in Europe. We launched the first event in Torrequebrada, Spain, in 2007 and continued organizing the annual event for the coming nine years in various member countries. I am proud to see that the championship is still relevant today, growing in size and popularity.

Do you provide online games to your guests, and website visitors?

Unfortunately, our license does not permit us to provide online games currently.

How many slots do you have in the casino in total and what is your replacement cycle on updating the range of machines during the course of the year?

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In Malmo we have around 245 slots and, on average, we replace 10 percent of the machines each year. In addition to that, we convert the games on some slot machines, if the current games are not popular amongst our guests.

How has the introduction of electronic roulette and blackjack terminals been received by your patrons?

In Malmö our electronic tables games have become a good complement to live tables. Not quite as popular as the live roulette tables but a very good alternative, especially for those who wish to play with lower minimum bets.

How large a part of the all-round package does entertainment play in the successful operation of the Casino Cosmopol Malmo venue?

Our goal is to establish the casino as an entertainment option rather than a gambling hall. As such, food and beverage, and entertainment offerings are of great importance. In recent years, we have shifted more towards partnership with external event organizers rather than planning our own events. It has been a successful model to work with and we plan to continue.

What kind of acts perform at Casino Cosmopol Malmo? Are the performers local or national or even international?

I would say that most of the acts that have performed here are local. However, over the past 20 years we have had many national and international acts, including stand-up comedians and jazz artists.

Does the casino provide patrons with poker tournaments?

We provide smaller poker tournaments three times a week throughout the year. In addition to that, we have super weekend tournaments once every three months and two bigger tournaments each year, including our signature tournament, the Malmö Open, at the end of the summer season.

Does the casino have a players’ club? Please tell our readers how you have it structured to help and benefit your casino players.

We do have club membership that entitles our members to certain benefits in our restaurants and events. We also have a news bulletin exclusive to club members, providing them with the latest news on new products and other relevant information. There are no tier levels, point systems or any other added incentives to the membership.

Finally, when you are not at work, how do you relax?

I enjoy watching sports on my free time and I play amateur football a couple of times a week. Other favorites are taking long walks with the family dog, listening to podcasts and spending time with the family.

Sustained Excellence

Interview with Tony Taeubel, Senior Vice President at Boyd Gaming, General Manager, Suncoast Casino by Victor H. Royer

Casino Life Magazine recently had the opportunity to interview Tony Taeubel, senior vice president of Boyd Gaming, and general manager of the Suncoast Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Suncoast Hotel & Casino is located in an affluent, northwest suburb of the Las Vegas valley, Summerlin. It is surrounded by golf, shopping, and incredible views of the Las Vegas Valley and the nearby Spring Mountains. The property offers exclusive restaurants, gaming, deluxe accommodations, a salon/spa, an award-winning bowling center, luxury movie theaters, bingo and a 500-seat showroom, and 25,000 square feet of convention space.

The hotel has 388 newly remodeled, deluxe, guest rooms at 550 square feet and 39 newly remodeled, lavish, guest suites ranging from 1,100 to 2,300 square feet. All rooms are non-smoking and have fulllength windows that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding vistas.

The 80,000-square-foot casino has all the hottest new games in slots and table games, as well as a popular 600-seat bingo hall, with smoking and non-smoking rooms. There are several excellent restaurants, as well as a Subway sandwich shop open daily.

Tony joined Boyd Gaming in January 2004 as vice president and general manager of the Stardust Hotel

& Casino. A gaming industry veteran of more than 37 years, Tony has been general manager of The Orleans Hotel & Casino, of Gold Coast Hotel & Casino and of Stardust Resort & Casino. Prior to Stardust and Boyd Gaming, he was the chief operating officer of gaming operations for Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia, Mississippi (a Choctaw Gaming property), and general manager of Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs, in Iowa. For six years, Tony was also a Nevada Gaming Control Board agent. He graduated from the University of Nevada-Reno with degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice, as well as earning his MBA from UNLV. Tony is married with three children, ages 30, 27 and 20.

Boyd Gaming is known primarily in the North American market. please tell our readers more about Boyd Gaming’s presence in Las Vegas, as well as in the U.S.

Boyd Gaming has 28 properties across the United States in Nevada, Lousiana, Mississippi, Iowa, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio. Boyd is also invested in online gaming and offers sports betting in legalized markets. Boyd owns five percent of FanDuel, so this is our partner in most of the non-Nevada sports books, as well as the Fremont Hotel in downtown Las Vegas. In addition, Boyd developed and operates the Sky River tribal casino in Elk Grove, California.

Suncoast Casino Resort in Las Vegas, a Boyd Gaming property

How has the direction and vision statement for Boyd Gaming in Las Vegas changed since the pandemic? Or has it?

The pandemic certainly made us take a closer look at our operations, to find ways to be more efficient, effective and productive. The ways of operating as we did in the past required new perspectives and operating paradigms. For example, buffets in our company (and many of our competitors) have been eliminated and therefore paved the way for food halls, and other interesting food concepts. Additionally, our company focused a great deal of our resources and reinvestment into our best players, which has definitely reaped rewards the past several years, based on our results to date.

Suncoast Casino is an established property in the Boyd Gaming family here in Las Vegas. Please tell us more about that casino and your involvement in its operations.

I am responsible for the vision and direction of the property, the mentoring of our executives, and the monthly results. The Suncoast clientele is the most aged in our company, based on our location in Summerlin, which is a well-known and affluent retirement community. One of my goals is to transform the property to also appeal to younger guests, as we add certain amenities including new, trendy and popular restaurants. Entertainment is also something we are looking at, to bring a new and varied clientele to the Suncoast.

Please tell us about the newest leadership appointments at Boyd Gaming, and at Suncoast Casino. In which roles they now serve within the company and at that property?

Two of my recent assistant general managers were recently promoted to general managers within Boyd. Chris Joy is now the GM of Aliante Hotel, Casino & Spa. Rick Goldstein is now the GM of the Cannery Hotel & Casino. Boyd Gaming prides itself on promoting women and minorities into management ranks, and six key leaders at Suncoast are Keno Ackerman, director of marketing and bingo, Michelle Bodendorfer, director of slots, Nicki Szyndler, director of catering, Cynthia Fields, director of human resources, Chris Carlson, director of sales, Becky Herman, bowling center manager, and Marshall Smith, hotel manager.

How do you see Boyd Gaming positioned in the current and future gaming market?

Boyd is well situated in Las Vegas to take advantage of the population growth and across the country to continue to expand online, as well as in sports betting operations as jurisdictions approve these betting options. Based on the company’s low debt levels,

Hotel suites at Suncoast Casino

The plush new bedroom suites at the Suncoast

Brigg’s Oyster Bar at the Suncoast Casino

we continue to evaluate merger-and-acquisition opportunities but only when they make financial sense and will grow our business. In the meantime, we continue to reinvest in our existing properties to ensure that they are well-positioned to take advantage of their existing market dynamics and to remain competitive.

Has there been an operational-perspective change – or any significant shift in casino operations – since the pandemic? Meaning other than the naturally required changes to general operations?

We took a very close look on how our business is structured, from labor to our expenses, and established priorities that maximize our overall profitability. We analyzed everything from our hours of operation, to casino, hotel, and restaurant offerings, and the overall structure and dynamics, to be sure they make sense and have the initiatives to stand on their own, and make a profit.

Please tell us more about the gaming floor at Suncoast, and in general at Boyd Gaming properties in Las Vegas. Which games – or type of games – are

SC Prime Steakhouse at the Suncoast Casino

among the most popular in the local and regional markets?

The Suncoast slot floor is very competitive with our neighbors, and offers a wide variety of revenue-share games such as Buffalo, Dragonlink and Lightning Link, as well as many of the popular video poker platforms. On the table-game side, we offer craps, blackjack, roulette, Texas hold-em, pai gow poker, three-card poker and high-card flush.

What is the percentage mix of slots versus table games at Boyd Gaming properties in Las Vegas?

How many slots and table games do you have on the floor at Suncoast?

Typically in the gaming business, slot revenue makes up between 70 to 85 percent of the total gaming revenue. It’s no different at Boyd. All of our properties fall within this range and the Suncoast floor is predominately a slot-game-based casino. Units tend to fluctuate, but as of this writing Suncoast has just over 1,400 slot units, and 21 tables on the casino floor.

What is new and innovative about the Suncoast?

We are always reinventing our business operations and looking for advantages, so I will not disclose some of the items on which we are currently working. However, from an amenity standpoint, we are opening a new Asian restaurant on March 31st called Taste of Asia.

Award-winning restaurant operator Karrie Hung (current owner of Noodle Asia at Venetian and past owner/ operator of Ping Pang Pong at the Gold Coast) is our partner in this establishment.

In addition, we are starting construction shortly on a new high-limit slot room, which will contain a new bar and lounge area. Additionally, a new steakhouse concept should open at the end of 2023 or early 2024. Suncoast has also developed a new concept called The Cove at Suncoast, which is a new and exciting pool/resort area (with a brand new jacuzzi/spa) that invites locals to visit as well. The Cove at Suncoast will open in mid-April.

Boyd has well-known poker rooms – please tell us more about live poker in Las Vegas, and what plans – if any – there are for this live game, and a poker room, at Suncoast Casino.

The Orleans Hotel & Casino has a successful poker room and thrives because of the volume of guests it’s able to attract. At this time, no other poker rooms are planned for Boyd locally, or at Suncoast.

Please tell us more about the hotel facilities, dining and other non-gaming attractions at Boyd Gaming properties in Las Vegas, and at the Suncoast Casino in particular.

Recently, Boyd Gaming opened the Fremont Food Hall, which offers a look into how we are positioning the quick-serve dining options within our company. Obviously, all properties have different structures and opportunities, but our focus is to add a number of new, quick-serve options into our properties in the near term.

Suncoast dining offers Du-par’s Café, 90 Ninety Gastropub, Brigg’s Oyster Co., The Game Sportsbar, Subway, SC Prime Steakhouse and Seafood, Bagel Corner Deli & Bakery, as well as the Bowling Snack Bar. Taste of Asia will open shortly and our new steakhouse is in development.

From the perspective of casino operations, how do you see the Las Vegas gaming market in 2023 and going into 2024?

Compared to business volumes and trends in 2022, our business is holding similar to last year, and we see good things for Las Vegas this year and going forward.

What are the differences, if any, between the Strip market and the locals and regional markets? Do you see, or expect, any specific or perceived operational or marketing shifts within them?

Certainly, locals casinos have to market differently than the Strip casinos because there are not hundreds of thousands of people walking by each day. So marketing is more targeted, and direct mail/gift offers are more focused in our market. Relationships are also very important, because these players come to the property every day or two to three times a week, so they feel more like family over time.

Are there any other items, or news, that you’d like to share with our readers about Boyd Gaming properties in Las Vegas?

Boyd Gaming is a family-centric company that values longevity for its team members as well as for its customers. It’s a good place to work and play.

Finally, in your career in gaming, and with Boyd Gaming, what would you consider to be the highlights?

Well, I have taken pride in mentoring many individuals so they can be promoted and prosper in their careers

and within the industry. That’s the rewarding aspect of management for me as I look back on my nearly four decades in our business. I have had many interesting experiences in the industry, working for the Gaming Control Board from 1987 to 1993, as well as many jurisdictions and types of casino businesses. It’s been quite an exciting journey.

On behalf of Casino Life Magazine and Outsource Digital Media, I would like to thank you, Tony, for your time, and for sharing this with us and our many readers worldwide.

The outdoor pool deck and Cove at Suncoast

Building better futures –one year at a time

To mark its first year and the raising of £2m for good causes, Ambassadeurs Group celebrated with a special performance by the world-famous Kingdom Choir Photography by David Loftus

The Kingdom Choir

When Ambassadeurs Group (AG) was set up in early 2022, the leadership team had a clear idea about what they wanted to achieve in the first year. They shaped a group around a core purpose of raising standards and giving back, with an overarching aim of building better futures for their people, planet, members, and communities. In the first 12 months as a group, which includes the iconic Les Ambasadeurs Club in Mayfair, as well as brands in e-commerce, hospitality, travel, and entertainment, it raised £2m for good causes and had started to roll out a model for charitable alliances.

To celebrate, the world-famous Kingdom Choir put on a special performance for staff, friends and representatives of many of the charities that have been supported by the Group. The anniversary evening was a chance for Kevin McGowen, CEO of AG, to reflect on the genesis of the Group, and how its corporate philanthropy and community engagement is already making a difference. “We had an opportunity to raise standards and build better futures for everyone,” he said. “We are grateful to everyone who is with us on this journey and teaching us the right ways to do it to make an impact.”

The money raised is for good causes linked to the four pillars around which activity is based. These are: Safer Gambling; Our Community; Education; Mental Health & Well-Being. “By organizing our efforts in this way, we are able to make a difference – and also have the flexibility to support other causes on an at-needs basis,” explained Tracy Damestani, AG’s chief corporate affairs officer. “It has proved to be a winning strategy.”

Key highlights of the past year include:

• £500,000 raised during Safer Gambling Week –extended to a month at AG – for research, education and treatment-listed charities

• £300,000 raised through the Summer of Sharing for educational groups

• £110,000 donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee for the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and the Pakistan Floods Appeal

• £75,000 donated to Disasters Emergency Committee for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal

• £10,000 donated to the Royal British Legion’s 2022 Poppy Appeal and the Felix Project’s Empty Plate Appeal

• £5,000 donated to both The Girls’ Network and The Abbey Centre on Equal Pay Day

• £35,000-plus raised for the Prince’s Trust RISE

• £35,000 donated to local charities over Christmas 2022

• 250 box-seat tickets to music, sporting events and Disney on Ice donated to community charities

Alliances help develop deep community ties

In addition, three charity alliances totaling £265,000 have already been signed with Cool Earth, The Felix Project and The Playground Theatre – with more being lined up for later in 2023. “The alliances are a key part of our approach,” explained Damestani. “They are a way of us mapping against those four pillars of our corporate philanthropy and community engagement. For example, The Playground Theatre is not just about performing arts, it is also embedded in its local community in west London, where it provides outreach projects to support people who have mental health issues.”

The word 'alliance' is deliberate because it hints at the mutual benefit to both organizations. For AG, its alliances are carefully chosen and then it is not a case of simply donating money. Each alliance is carefully planned out and there is an active program that AG remains engaged with, whether that is about

increasing outreach projects such as those at Playground Theatre, supporting a pilot program in the rainforests for Cool Earth or helping ensure London schoolchildren receive nutritious food through The Felix Project.

Raising standards starts – and continues – with the casino

For a Group that has its heart in the casino industry, the idea of raising standards and supporting good causes was not an entirely new one. Les Ambassadeurs Club, the casino for ultra-highnet-worth individuals in London’s Mayfair, had already taken an industry-leading position by committing one percent of its gross gaming yield in 2022 to GambleAware. The contribution was to support research, education and treatment (RET) to help reduce the risk of gambling harms. This contribution, which goes directly to Gamble Aware, has been increased in 2023 to 1.1 percent of gross gaming yield (GGY), with an additional 0.1 percent of GGY earmarked for gaming research, an area where more focus is expected.

For McGowen, this commitment is about more than simple disruption of the industry. It is about

championing safer gambling practices and raising standards across the industry to support anyone at risk of gambling harm: “We said that we were determined to go above and beyond the letter, and spirit of the Gambling Commission’s licensing guidance in this respect. We were delighted to be able to increase our commitment in a tangible way, and one that we know will make a significant difference to the safer gambling funding body.”

It is through the generosity of the casino’s customers and members that AG is able to raise money for good causes. McGowen described it as a “win-win” situation; members like to give back and they are now seeing tangible ways in which they are contributing to society through their generosity. “We never forget that we are in the privileged position to be able to give back to good causes because of our members,” said McGowen. Some of the ways money is raised are through large campaigns such as the Summer of Sharing, others are more consistent, such as giving through the Jackpot Zone. All of this is possible because of the drive of the leadership team and the enthusiasm of the staff – the WorkFamily.

Good causes start at home

In October 2022, more than one-third of the Group were awarded an earnings increase of up to 25 percent. This increase that primarily impacted the heart-of-house staff – kitchen and hospitality workers – took basic pay to £12 an hour, a new standard for the living wage and internally known as Living Wage PLUS. This is further boosted by the additional benefits that come to all AG WorkFamily through the good-cause campaigns such as the Summer of Sharing. “It always starts with our WorkFamily,” said McGowen. “Our heart-of-house team provide the best support to our customer-facing staff. These collective team efforts continuously deliver a world-class experience to our members.”

The WorkFamily has also volunteered for some of the alliances such as The Felix Project, as well as organizations such as The Abbey Centre in Westminster and Thrive in Battersea – both of which help with mental health and well-being in their local communities. Some of the WorkFamily joined in the AG anniversary celebration and the Kingdom Choir concert, which was held at the Palace at Hamilton House. The British gospel choir, led by conductor

Karen Gibson, is known for its performance at the 2018 royal wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle.

Founded in 1994, it has been delighting audiences for almost three decades with rousing performances of classic songs such as “Stand By Me,” “Respect,” and “Something Inside So Strong,” as well as their own material including their new release, “Not Giving Up.”

What’s next for the Group

The choir was an obvious choice to celebrate AG’s anniversary and look ahead to the coming year.

“We wanted to mark the occasion in a special way and we were really lucky to be able to secure them for this special performance,” said Damestani. One

of the Group’s advisers, Paul Pacifico, introduced the choir to AG – he is a champion of independent musicians and the former CEO of the Association of Independent Music.

“Not only was the evening joy-filled and fun, the choir helped amplify so many of our key messages, particularly around community engagement. We are proud that they are London neighbors,” said Pacifico.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2023, McGowen said: “We will be growing the number of charitable alliances and continue to raise money for good causes. These donations come from the generosity of Club members, spurred on by the efforts of the AG WorkFamily who get behind AG initiatives.”

Winning in Style!

Playing 21STUD® at the Boston Billiard Club and Casino (Photo Credit: Chris Boncoddo)

Style!

Interview with Brandon “Buzz” Zyxnfryx, CEO - ZFX Gaming, Inventor of 21STUD®

by: Victor H. Royer

Casino Life Magazine recently had the opportunity to interview Brandon “Buzz” Zyxnfryx, CEO and founder of ZFX Gaming, and inventor of the new table game 21STUD®. Brandon has been in the gaming industry for more than 15 years. Active as a senior software developer for FIS Global, a Fortune 500 financial-products and services company, based out of Jacksonville, Florida, since 2014, he also excels as the owner of ZFX Gaming LLC since 2018.

ZFX Gaming is notably the developer of 21STUD®, a game that features elements of both blackjack and Casino War. It has seen play in numerous casinos located across the New England region of the U.S. and is soon to be played in California. A free-to-play version can also be found on both Google Play and the App Store.

Zyxnfryx looks forward to continued success in gaining a nationwide presence for patented casino game, 21STUD®. He hopes to soon have it recognized on the major casino floors of Las Vegas, Britain, Europe and in casinos worldwide.

Zyxnfryx has previously gained expertise in engineering as a quality assurance engineer and technical support engineer between 2007 and 2011. He garnered experience as a poker dealer at Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire, from 2011 to 2014, as casino floor manager at Aquasino in Lynn, Massachusetts, between 2012 and 2014, and as a two-time World Series of Poker dealer for the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas between 2014 and 2016.

To achieve his professional goals, Zyxnfryx obtained an Associate of Science degree in computer information systems at Quinsigamond Community College in 2003. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interactive Media & Game Development at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2007.

Brandon, first I want to thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Please tell our readers more about your role at ZFX Gaming. Victor, first let me say that I am very excited to be sharing this interview with you! I love my role with ZFX Gaming. As the original developer, my role is to help support 21STUD® by focusing all my efforts on achieving a nationwide recognition, at both the industry and consumer levels, for what I believe is the polar-opposite flavor of blackjack as we understand it today.

Looking back, I recall that moment of inspiration when I came up with what would become 21STUD® – two-card blackjack, with no hitting or splitting for either the player or the dealer.

The question you might have is, why would you remove the draw? The answer: match bets. Players absolutely love placing match bets during a round of play at a blackjack table. So much so that players in a single group will eagerly place chips on each others’ betting positions in order to get a piece of their action.

It is a natural progression to see the value in adding a secondary match bet by using both of the dealer’s cards. However, the ability for a player to take additional cards, and potentially bust, would complicate this idea. By removing the draw and split we could solve this complication, and instead award bonus prizes during those times where the player would normally be taking an action – especially splitting a pair of aces.

The point of 21STUD® is to remove player action intentionally, such that anyone – regardless of experience – will always have an entry point into table games. This will also double the frequency of reinforcing behavior, and betting, in a way that rewards the player emotionally, while at the same time increasing the overall volume and speed of the game.

At the personal level, I am driven by the belief that newer gamblers today would prefer and pay for the choice of being able to play a blackjack game without the fear of social anxiety. By removing the card draw – and applying the three bonus bets – the end result is an entirely new experience that people at any level can enjoy. Overall there are a number of reasons why a casino might want to offer a “friendly alternative” to 21, so much so that I am personally invested in the success of this product.

Your game – 21STUD® – is about to be launched in California, at the Eagle Mountain Casino, in late spring of 2023. Please tell us more how this came about and where the Eagle Mountain Casino is located.

The newly constructed Eagle Mountain Casino is located at 1850 S. West Street in Porterville, California. It is an 18-and-older, full-service casino that is owned and operated by the Tule River Tribe. It’s easy to get to and enjoy, so please visit their web site at this link: https://www.eaglemtncasino.com/about-us/

The decision for moving forward with a field trial started with the GTGC/GGPC conference, held by Richard Marcus, at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the conclusion of the table games conference, 21STUD® received a second-place award

Brandon “Buzz” Zyxnfryx, CEO - ZFX Gaming, Inventor of 21STUD®

for “Best New Table Game” in terms of player appeal, ease of understanding and potential commercial success. Ronald Washington Jr., the assistant table games manager for Eagle Mountain Casino, had connected with me prior to the conference. He informed me that they were interested in the game and wanted to include it as one of the many exciting things to be offered at the new facility. They are expecting to be open very soon in the coming months.

As briefly as you can, please tell our readers how to play 21STUD®.

The act of playing 21STUD® is conducted by the player making the decision of how much money they want to risk on the outcome of being dealt a series of matching cards, or having a higher two-card total.

Once the bets have been placed, each player receives two cards face-up and the dealer receives two cards face-down. If the player is dealt a pair, they win the first bonus bet – the Mirror Match.

After payouts are complete, the dealer will flip the leftmost card marked with a (1). If any player card matches the first-revealed card, that player wins the Match 1 bonus.

Then, the Dealer will reveal the rightmost card marked with a (2). If any player’s card matches the second-revealed card, that player wins the Match 2 bonus. Finally, the base wager is paid 3:2 when the player is dealt “21” – or a pair of aces. Otherwise it is paid even money when the two-card total is higher than the dealer’s. There is no push.

What is new and innovative about 21STUD®?

21STUD® is a curious thing to both the industry and the consumer alike. For the industry it’s a solution which allows placing up to three match bets per individual hand. The game plays faster, requires less shuffling and captures a wider audience.

To the consumer it’s a “straight up” version of 21 that offers more ways to get a blackjack. There are no mistakes and no “busting.” It’s very easy to understand and players are accepting of the “no push” terms, so long as it is limited to non-blackjack ties.

By removing game mechanics, 21STUD® lowers complexity and reduces friction, which results in an increased chance that a guest is willing to exchange money for chips. Furthermore, the flow of execution is structured such that every deal of a hand or flip of

Certificate of Achievement – Second-Place Winner - 21 STUD® GTGC/GGPC Conference 2022

a card results in the player anticipating an outcome. This is further reinforced by utilizing a bonus payout structure with prizes large and frequent enough to keep the Player engaged.

How is 21STUD® distributed?

In January 2023, ZFX Gaming signed an agreement which gives the exclusive distribution rights of 21STUD® to INAG – the WORLD'S GREATEST CARD BASED GAMING COMPANY, owned and managed by Sir Mark Jones. For more information concerning pricing and availability in your gaming jurisdiction, please contact our distributor by visiting https://www.inag11.com or feel free to send an email directly to me at bz@zfxgames.com and I’ll get you connected.

Is a real-money full-play and full-pay version of 21STUD® available for online casinos?

ZFX Gaming is actively working with SCCG Management, owned and operated by Stephen A. Crystal, to enter the iGaming space. https://sccgmanagement.com/

As of today, 21STUD® is not currently available for online casino play, but there is always the free-to-play app which can be downloaded to your mobile device at www.zfxgames.com/21stud

When using the mobile app, you can discover realmoney locations offering 21STUD® by touching the map icon under the Options menu.

Is a real-money full-play and full-pay version of 21STUD® available as an electronic table game for land-based casinos?

21STUD® has been patented for manufacture as an ETG and is protected by U.S. Patent number 10,878,664. However, 21STUD® is not currently available for play as an ETG. While I believe that table games are best served by the handling of chips and a touch of felt, there is opportunity for growth in this area as we see increased levels of brand recognition and land-based installations of traditional felt.

What is your perspective on the current status of American and international gaming? How do you see the future of table games, as compared to the rise in electronic gaming?

When you mentioned international gaming, that reminds me of how different my gaming experience was when I

GAME-PLAY INFO

21STUD® is a relaxing, “no-bust” version of blackjack where there is no such thing as a “wrong play.”

The player wins if the initial two-card total exceeds the dealer’s total.

If a player is dealt a “21” or a pair of aces, they are always awarded a prize of 3:2.

Otherwise, a player’s total must be higher to win — which is paid at even money.

Bonus bets are also available which award prizes when the player is dealt a pair or when a player’s cards match the value of a revealed dealer card.

“No hits, no splits … two cards - that’s it!”

To begin a round of play

Players must make an initial wager, in addition to any bonus wagers, prior to any card being dealt. Bonus wagers are optional. After betting is complete, the dealer will complete the hand and award prizes or collect bets as appropriate. No further player action is required after the initial betting is made.

Bonus Payouts

Mirror Match payouts

Wins if the player’s two cards match each other in value.

• Suited Aces 40 to 1

• Suited Pair 25 to 1

• Colored Pair 12 to 1

• Mixed Pair 5 to 1

Match Flip Card payouts

Win if either player card matches the revealed dealer card

• Two Suited Matches 22 to 1

• One Suited, one Non-Suited 15 to 1

• One Suited Match 11 to 1

• Two Non-Suited Matches 8 to 1

• One Non-Suited Match 4 to 1

was overseas, and played at the Spielbanken Bayern in Bad Weissee, Germany. In the pubs, the slot machines used a cool-down system to limit the transfer of money in both directions. Plus after an hour, the game will literally pause for five minutes. You won’t see that in America today. Then again, you don’t exactly see slot machines in the American bars either, although New Hampshire gaming is quickly growing with the recent implementation of historical horse racing.

Anyway, the actual casino in Bad Weissee did not have those cool-down restrictions, plus there was

a strict dress code to play in the Groß Spiels (Great Games, i.e., table games). I can’t think of any dress codes to play table games in America today. And then we have the recent growth in sports betting and iGaming as a whole industry. Mobile phones have become a huge enabler for both Internet gambling and cashless payments.

Regarding the future of table games, there will always be a place for felt, chips and a friendly dealer. Machines cannot substitute for this, the same way cash will always be welcomed at a casino. It’s simply a part of the overall process, and there will always be a place for it.

It is also important to consider that there aren’t many new table games being released and players

notice when a new game is on the floor. Given this, casino operators should be considering new options as they become available to them.

Is 21STUD® available as a stand-alone slot machine game?

A slot machine version of this game could be a very interesting idea! This would be completely different from the table game, of course, as well as from the ETG version of the table game. But the concept and principles would be the same. It seems that 21STUD® can be an incredible game for a video slot machine.

For example, the topmost video reel on the screen would have the two-card “Dealer’s Reel” for the dealer’s hand, which would “spin” along with all the other reels. Underneath would be all the “Player’s Reels,” each reel with four, two-card hands on each line. So there would be five player reels and one dealer’s reel, and this would then be an incredibly fun slot machine game! Players could wager on any one or more of the player’s reels, along with the side bets.

I believe this was your idea, Victor, so if any slot manufacturers are interested, I’ll send them your way and you can explain more how this would work. But it’s a grand idea indeed.

21 STUD® game table with the inventor, Brandon “Buzz” Zyxnfryx (Photo: Chris Boncoddo)

Is 21STUD® available in the British and European and South American markets? And for cruise lines? Or will it be?

21STUD® is not currently available for real-money play in British, European or South American markets. I did speak with Norwegian Cruise Lines and they advised me that until 200 or more installations are made in the U.S., they would not consider any new table games for their ships. Given this, I would revisit the question of cruise lines again once the company has realized 200-plus installations. But I will definitely ask them again once I hit the 100-plus mark!

How does ZFX Gaming consider the future of cashless gaming? Is this something that ZFX Gaming is actively pursuing in relation to 21STUD®?

As I mentioned earlier, cash is an important part of the casino-going process, as the acquisition and handling of newfound money is what attracts players. But once a gaming session has started, that gives way to the convenience of cashless gaming as a means of extending play. Once 21STUD® sees higher rates of adoption and installation, I might be able to focus my attention on cashless-gaming initiatives. The future is full of possibility.

Are there any other new games being developed by ZFX Gaming at this time?

Victor, I believe that the premise and need for 21STUD® in the casinos is so important that I cannot bring myself to consider making any other games at this time. As earlier stated, it is my focused objective to get nationwide recognition for the game. However, I’ll admit that there is a three-dice craps alternative I was toying with, but that’s still in the early phases. Stay tuned.

Finally, in your career with ZFX Gaming, what would you consider to be the highlights so far?

Apart from the current excitement with the launch of 21STUD® at the Eagle Mountain Casino and now the news of a trial at the Win-River Resort and Casino, my other great joy has been seeing 21STUD® play at Encore Boston Harbor in 2022. This was one of the most important milestones on my journey toward success. I got to watch as the game came to life and people interacted with it for the very first time. It was the most surreal experience and it felt wonderful.

The Win-River Resort & Casino, located at 2100 Redding Rancheria Road in Redding, California, has confirmed that a trial of 21STUD® is scheduled to begin as of April 15 2023.

Please visit their Web Site at: https://www.winriver.com

Additionally, ZFX Gaming and INAG will be present at the upcoming Indian Gaming Tradeshow in San Diego, California, from March 27-30. For more details, please visit: https://www.indiangamingtradeshow.com/

Please join us at Booth #855 and contact inag11@aol. com or bz@zfxgames.com to schedule a demo today.

This led me in a direction where I was able to attend the GTGC/GGPC conference and achieve our second-place finish, out of 15 entries.

When we consider that 21STUD® has now seen multiple installations, and is backed by both brick-and-mortar and digital distributors, with more installations on the way, there is indeed a future for 21STUD®. It will continue to demonstrate itself as the original two-card blackjack with no hitting or splitting.

On behalf of Casino Life Magazine and Outsource Digital Media, I would like to thank you, Buzz, for your time, and for sharing this with us and our readers worldwide.

Time for consolidation, dialogue and effective steps

In a time of anti-casino pushback, a proactive, industry-wide response is needed

Recently, there has been much speculation around the gambling market. Despite the success of the licensed brands, which managed to maintain their business even despite the war, and paid billions of hryvnias of license fees and taxes to the state budget, the market continues to be mercilessly criticized. The ambiguous situation that has developed today in the legal gambling market causes concern.

Criticism of legal organizers is constantly increasing. Currently, it is on one of the highest levels since the legalization of gambling in Ukraine.

Despite all the gains in the legal gambling market, calls to make gambling illegal again are becoming more frequent and louder. From a logical point of view, it is impossible to understand why this is happening, because for a little more than two years of operation, the legal gambling organizers paid billions

of hryvnias into the state budget, created thousands of jobs and showed a patriotic attitude in actions not words, donating almost one billion hryvnias for the needs of the army and civilian population.

Taking into account the contrast between the real actions of representatives of legal gambling, and the current social and political context that has developed around the industry, members of the Ukrainian Gambling Council prepared a collective appeal to the top political leadership and government institutions. They proposed to take appropriate measures to stabilize the situation.

In our opinion, these steps will make it possible to preserve the industry, which annually generates hundreds of millions of hryvnias of revenue for the state budget, and will give impetus to its further development. In particular, the UGC members that signed the appeal ask the following:

First, to adopt the draft Law on Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Laws of Ukraine on Taxation of Income from the Organization and Conduct of Gambling and Lotteries (registration number 2713-d dated 19 June 2020).

Second, to adopt the draft Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On approval of the Procedure for the Operation of the State Online Monitoring System.”

Third, ensure the creation and putting into operation of the State Online Monitoring System simultaneously with the adoption of the draft Law 2713-d.

We believe that these steps can significantly affect the functioning of the industry and provide much more benefit to the state than imposing restrictions or completely banning legal gambling. We hope that the position of representatives of the Ukrainian Gambling Council will be heard and taken into account when making relevant decisions by representatives of government institutions.

ASIA’S HUB TO CONNECT THE GAMIN G INDUSTRY AND DRIVE BUSINESS

VISITOR PREREGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN 觀眾預登記 現已開始

Update Report on Gaming Legislation in Sri Lanka, Botswana and Nigeria

Sri Lanka

Gambling and games of chance in Sri Lanka were unregulated until 2010, at which time the government adopted the first Casino Business Act. Under it, a number of operators obtained licenses for development of hotels with land-based casinos therein. After changes in the political arena of the country in 2015, a new administration imposed heavy limitations on operators while stating that it allows organization of games of chance. Under an act from 2015, existing licenses to operators willing to develop luxury hotels with casinos were revoked and taxes were increased on betting activities.

Based on publicly available data, this present administration does not intend to issue new licenses to operators in the territory but undertakes to honor those issued in the previous term—except the ones for casino development which were revoked. With respect to the online gambling, it is not regulated and

Botswana

Gambling has been legal in Botswana since the 1960s. The current Gambling Act from 2012 replaced two laws regulating gaming in the nation, those being the Lotteries & Betting Act and the Casino Act. The national licensing and regulatory authority is the Botswana Gambling Authority, whereby the Botswana Casino Control Board is responsible for all the casino, and all the slots operations within its jurisdiction.

The Gambling Act defines private (only nonprofit) and public lotteries, and regulates land-based gambling activities. Online gaming remains completely unregulated with the government not banning anyone in participating in gambling activities through worldknown Internet casinos. As for lotteries, a public national lottery still has not been formed.

people may access most of online gambling sites. Generally, the main issue is limited access of the general population to the Internet, which limits the reach of this method of play. The government is not taking any action to prevent people from accessing these websites. Bearing in mind the current situation, it is expected that no significant change will occur, since new investors in this sector are not welcome in the country.

There are more than few brick-and-mortar casinos and game halls in the territory. It remains to be seen in which direction future development of new platforms will go.

The Bucharest Edition

COS 2023

April 25, 26 and 27

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

THE NETWORKING EVENT OF THE YEAR

3 DAYS OF CONFERENCE, NETWORKING BREAKS AND EVENING PROGRAMS

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+50 DIFFERENT ONLINE/ MULTICHANNEL AND LANDBASED CASINO OPERATORS

Nigeria

Nigeria, with a population of about 185 million people, is Africa's most populous country and the seventhmost-populated country in the world. As such it represents an interesting market for any type of business. Gambling in Nigeria has been popular for ages (especially among younger population) but actual steps in the direction of regulation and legalization occurred in the 1990s, when the government decriminalized some aspects of games of chance to gain new tax revenue.

The competent authority for licensing and supervising activities is the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC). The NLRC can issue three types of gambling licenses: (i) the Lottery License; (ii) online and offline sports betting licenses; and (iii) promotional permits. The application for a license consists of an application letter, a non-refundable application fee, a registry excerpt proving business incorporation and a detailed business plan or proposal of the proposed casino, its financial capability, and its technical structure.

Under the National Lottery Act 2005, the distinction was made between games of skill (legal) and games of chance (mostly illegal). Thus, forms of gambling which are permitted in the territory include the lottery,

DISCLAIMER:

land-based casinos and sports betting, whereas roulette, dice games, and non-skilled card games are considered illegal. Slot machines are permitted but only in licensed premises.

As noted earlier, online gambling is not regulated and is considered illegal, and as such does not create any revenue for the treasury. At the same time, the government is not succeeding in preventing players from accessing global Internet casinos in the territory. It remains to be seen how soon new solutions will be implemented and what they will be. Bear in mind the size of the country itself and of the gambling market. In addition, the government is currently dealing with promoting responsible playing while not regulating (and taxing) a massive part of the gambling market.

Law Firm Anđelović, Siketić & Tomić d.o.o. wish to avoid inaccuracies and, whilst every precaution has been taken to ensure that information contained in this report is accurate, no liability is accepted for errors or omissions, however caused.

SUZOHAPP Expands its Sales Team

SUZOHAPP is pleased to announce that it is enlarging its sales team. Last week, the organization welcomed two new members – Shauna Reeves as an inside sales representative and Charles Harris as an OEM gaming sales executive.

Shauna brings with her over 10 years of sales experience. Most recently, she worked in the electrical-distribution industry where she handled both simple and complex customer needs. She carried a large and diverse bag of products which required her to understand all aspects of her customers’ business. Shauna’s strength is her ability to build long-lasting, trusting relationships with clients.

Charles will focus on SUZOHAPP’s core OEM Gaming business. Before joining SUZOHAPP, he was

an OEM account manager at Velasea, a full-service OEM distributor that handles complex integrations around physical security, retail analytics, computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI). It was in this role that he was introduced to the gaming industry, as casinos were a key consumer of the solutions he sold. Charles’ strength is his ability to become a true partner for his customers – working hard to find their best solution.

“Through continued investment in our sales team, we can better serve and support our current customers, and identify and cultivate new customer relationships,” said Todd Sims, vice president of sales – Americas. “Our sales team is strong, experienced and well positioned for the growth we expect in the future.”

Gaming Ignition through Artificial Intelligence

By Raymond Chan

OpenAI has created a buzz, not just in the gaming industry but in every business sector at a global scale. While AI has existed for decades, the $20 billion, Microsoft OpenAI, the creator of the ChatGPT artificial intelligence chatbot, has surpassed previous AI systems with its useful applications in tasks like

content creation, business-proposal generation and programming-code writing, all at a super-low cost.

The use of AI in digital gaming is expanding rapidly and OpenAI's products are coming at the forefront of this trend. OpenAI's advanced AI capabilities, specifically GPT-3, provide game developers with the tools they need to create digital games that are more

Raymond Chan

Feature: Raymond Chan

engaging, interactive and offer players a truly unique gaming experience.

For example, AI tools like MidJourney can greatly enhance the process of creating digital content for gaming by providing game developers with the ability to generate high-quality game content and graphics quickly and efficiently. DALL-E can be used to generate unique and eye-catching graphics, and visual elements, such as symbols and animations, that can be used to create immersive and engaging slot games. Artomatix is another choice that can be used to generate game art and animations, such as characters, environments, and special effects, which can add an extra layer of excitement to slot games.

These AI tools can help game developers to create digital games for casinos that are engaging, interactive and offer players a unique gaming experience. By automating many of the time-consuming and repetitive tasks involved in game development, these tools can free up time and resources that can be better spent on other aspects of game development, such as game balance and player engagement.

Another key benefit of using AI in game development is its ability to drive player engagement at a more affordable cost. AI algorithms can be used to analyze player data and provide insights into player preferences, helping game developers create games that are more tailored to player needs and preferences. OpenAI's machine-learning algorithms can be used to create game logic that adapts to players' behavior in real time, providing a dynamic and responsive gaming experience. This can be done easily by building a simple application layer (API) to call the OpenAI engine for results, and order him/her to interact in a more personalized gaming experience that can increase player engagement through immersive experiences and drive growth in the gaming industry.

In addition, OpenAI's language-processing capabilities can be used to create games that respond to player input in real time, providing a more personalized and interactive player experience. This can help increase player engagement and provide a more immersive gaming experience.

The availability of these low-cost AI tools has leveled the playing field for startups in the digital gaming market. Startups can now compete with big game studios by using AI tools to generate highquality game content and graphics at a fraction of the cost. Furthermore, capital is flooding into the area,

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• OpenAI's language processing allows instant responses to players for a personalized and interactive experience.

• Low-cost AI tools level the playing field and allow startups to compete with big studios by generating quality content at a lower cost, fueled by the incoming capital.

• Responsible AI adoption is important to ensure AI use aligns with values and avoids overreliance on AI. IP created by AI should also be addressed properly.

further fueling the fire and helping AI stand out in a crowded market.

However, businesses need to approach the adoption of AI with caution, as it still presents practical challenges. Companies must ensure that their use of AI aligns with their values and avoid becoming dependent on it. The intellectual property created by AI machines must also be addressed in a responsible and accountable manner.

The innovations and liberation of AI are igniting the gaming businesses of all areas, and the potential impact is truly exciting. It can transform traditional organizations, and inspire new startups to drive the innovation, and to meet the new needs and wants of customers. We are hoping for the introduction of new, low-cost AI technology that can present a new path for the industry to compete with upstarts, access new customer segments and bring new business opportunities to win new fans.