Casino Life Issue 165 Volume 20

The magazine for the owners and management of international casinos

Volume 20: Issue 165

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

Las Vegas has just seen the latest iteration of the J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant & Leisure Management Access Forum and it was a Who’s Who of the U.S. gaming industry. For the most part. Las Vegas Sands couldn’t be troubled to send its CEO or CFO, leaving Vice President Daniel Briggs to face the assembled stock boffins.

Judging by Briggs’ presentation, Sands isn’t coming back to America anytime soon. Although it would begin construction yesterday in New York City, given the chance, that’s now dependent on the cost of capital, the entry fee – and whether iGaming is legalized. Meanwhile, the company is suddenly realistic about Texas, fearing another six years without casino legalizations in the Lone Star State, thanks to mossbacks in the Legislature.

Las Vegas Correspondent: Ryan Slattery RyanSlats@gmail.com

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

Production:

Designer: Stewart Hyde stewart@de5ign.co.uk www.de5ign.co.uk

Accounts: Helen Holmes accounts@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

IT Director: Pasha Kuzminskiy pasha@outsourcedigitalmedia.com

MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle and CFO Jonathan Halkyard were bullish about their new Marriott alliance, although online travel agencies will be less enthused. Formula One was good for MGM casinos at the high end, but the execs think it could be even better, should middle- and lower-end customers be dealt into the fun.

Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg felt exactly the same way. He also saw improvements in convention business and international traffic (which Hornbuckle and Halkyard said was back to 85 percent of prepandemic levels). The higher-end customer, once predominantly Asian, is now more domestic, more varied.

Non-Vegas U.S. casinos – at least those run by Caesars – were described by Reeg as “resilient,” especially in New Orleans. There, an inprogress rebranding of Harrah’s New Orleans is already driving improved performance.

Steady as she goes was the mantra of Boyd Gaming, which is charting a risk-averse course, one with which I cannot disagree. Their priority is reinvestment in Boyd’s existing casinos, rather than chasing after mergers and acquisitions, let alone higher debt. And, despite our splashy coverage of new rival Durango Resort, Boyd bosses say they’re seeing little or no impact from the newcomer.

Penn Entertainment, which had a bad taste of the Las Vegas Strip at the doomed Tropicana, knows that Vegas mega resorts are not in its DNA. However, it is adding a second tower to Sin City’s M Resort, one of four sensibly priced capex projects that Penn has going across the country.

What Penn CEO Jay Snowden mostly wanted to talk about was ESPN Bet, which has been the primary topic of Penn-related conversation for the past six months. Snowden reported that demand was very strong and that user share percentage was better than handle share (which sounds like a fancy way of saying ESPN bettors are pikers). This year the money’s going into iGaming, according to Snowden, but it’s nice to know that brick-andmortar gambling hasn’t fallen completely off of Penn’s radar.

Daypart Your Guest Operations to Increase Asset Utilization

Grow your EBITDA … and sweat your existing assets more – there’s a trend sweeping the UK – read a BBC article about the growth of DayClubs here

One of the activities I created and worked on during my retailconsultancy life was dayparting retail operations. My background was working with brands and operators in FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods), big-box grocery and convenience retail, gaming, and TMT (Technology Media Telecom). During my Casino Life years I’ve been helping casinos move the needle on their non-gaming revenues. The opportunities for growth from such revenues are limited only by the ambitions of each operator and their senior executives. Truly, the opportunities are both real and potentially really amazing. Mohegan Sun will discover this with its Freedom Plaza integrated resort, which is being hatched with realty developer Soloviev Group. You can discover more about in our recent, exclusive, video interview with Michael Hershman, CEO of Soloviev: https://www.youtube.com/@ casinolifesportsbettingope8253/videos

Las Vegas shows the way

For years, non-gaming revenues, dayclubs and pool parties have reinvigorated Las Vegas, and helped the town reinvent itself again. They reset and redefine guest expectations, and perceptions.

The focus switch to MICE and concerts years ago tied in with the broader entertainment industry since forever, and a recently-found interest in sporting events, hosting sports teams, and building stadiums continues to manifest this.

Get in touch with Outsource Digital Media to learn how we could help your operations.

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

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

Damien Connelly,

A Rio Revival

Renovations and partnerships enhance the iconic resort. By Ryan Slattery

Lights. Canteen. Action. The Rio Hotel & Casino’s revival is in full swing, and it’s a dream come true for Dreamscape founder and CEO Eric Birnbaum. His company acquired the property from Caesars Entertainment in 2019 and is now breathing new life into the historic, just-off-the-Strip property.

Since taking over operations on October 2, 203, Dreamscape has already made a flashy statement by replacing and synchronizing the building’s exterior LED lights. It is renovating all 1,500 rooms in the resort’s Ipanema Tower, opening the new Canteen Food Hall and refurbishing the pool. The Rio has also become a Hyatt-affiliated hotel, allowing World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points for qualifying stays. As we

learned in a conversation with Birnbaum, there is much more in store. Here’s what the Dreamscape CEO told Casino Life about the plans for the property …

What is the overall vision for the property?

We are looking to completely revitalize the resort and restore it back to its original glory when Anthony Marnell first opened it in 1990. So much so that we have hired Marnell Companies to help us with the design and construction, to ensure we stay true to the spirit of its creation. We began the transition last July, taking down the old neon on the building. We have fully refurbished the exterior with new LED lighting and a fresh coat of paint.

Shortly after that we started the renovation of all

1,500 rooms in the Ipanema Tower and finished the complete refurbishment in January. Then we began demolition [of the buffet] and construction of the new Canteen Food Hall, which just opened with six new restaurants. Now as we move forward, we have started new enhancements that include the arrival area, lobby, gaming floor (including our 500 new slot machines), sports book, and multiple food and beverage outlets throughout the resort.

The remodel is well underway, with the most noticeable being the new LED lighting on the building. Why was this one of the first renovations made?

The light installation brings life, energy and excitement

to The Rio for Las Vegas visitors to experience off-Strip. We partnered with legendary lighting designers Chris Kuroda and Andrew Giffin. The expansive installation features over three miles of programmable LEDs to create an ever-evolving light show that can be seen across the Las Vegas Valley. Convincing Chris to work with us has been one of the best things we have done and the lighting looks absolutely amazing. Chris is best known for his work with the renowned jam band Phish, spanning over 35 years and almost 1,800 live shows. When visitors are able to see the building firsthand, they will know exactly why he is such an icon.

The suites in the Ipanema Tower have already been remodeled. Can you describe the design?

The standard, oversized, 580-square-foot guest rooms have been significantly upgraded with all new furnishings and fittings, a tub-to-shower conversion, and separate living and sleeping zones. The custom furnishings are versatile, catering to both work and play, featuring a state-of-the-art, 65-inch television, a sectional sofa with a queen-size pull-out bed, and a walk-in shower. The newly remodeled rooms provide resort guests with the ideal place to recharge, work or play.

The new design aims to showcase the iconic architecture and foundation of the property while delivering an elevated yet approachable luxury experience for guests. The Ipanema Tower designs draw inspiration from contemporary and stylish apartments near Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, referencing the collected furnishings, sense of handcraft and timeless flamboyance of Brazilian design. The art collection focuses on Brazilian artists and/or subjects while lending a more authentic art sensibility than average hotel art.

With the Ipanema Tower renovations complete, what’s in store for the other hotel towers?

The Masquerade Tower is scheduled to be refreshed starting this spring, with an estimated completion by late summer. It will then go into a complete remodel sometime starting in 2025.

Food halls have become a new trend and Canteen delivers in a big way. Kiosks make ordering easy and the prices are affordable. Tell us how it came together.

Just like our past guests, we all loved the Carnival

World Buffet. But by the time we took over operations, the world had changed, especially postCovid. Although nostalgic, we recognized that Las Vegas visitors were looking for a new type of culinary experience that gave them similar choices to a buffet, but also focused more on quality and especially doing it in a safe environment. We are very focused on providing value to our guests, and we think the Canteen Food Hall provides everything our guests would want at a more affordable price and in an approachable space. We couldn’t be happier with the six new dining destinations at Canteen. And do not ask me which is my favorite. I love them all. The six culinary concepts are: Tender Crush, Nama Nama sushi, Attaboy Burger, Southland Burrito Co., Shogun Ramen and Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks.

You inherited several restaurants. Can you give us an update on which ones are staying and what new venues are on the way?

We recently announced Luckley Tavern & Grill by Las Vegas industry veteran Oliver Wharton and his company, A Perfect Bite. This will replace the popular All-American Bar & Grill. Luckley will be located in the center of the casino floor, right in the middle all of the action. We have either signed or are in active discussions with multiple restaurants that we believe

will enhance the Rio experience and provide new choices for our guests. For now, you will just have to wait to hear what they are, but we look forward to announcing each new concept in the months ahead.

What is Luckley?

Luckley Tavern & Grill will be an enticing, new, American-dining venture, set to debut in late May 2024. The restaurant draws inspiration from the idyllic Cotswold hills of the English countryside, and interestingly enough, that is the home of A Perfect Bite founder Oliver Wharton’s family. Luckley will be right in the heart of the Rio casino floor and will offer both lunch and dinner. This place is going to have an amazing bar featuring an eclectic selection of draft beers, good wines and some very creative cocktails.

Is Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho remaining at the property?

Burro Borracho is open and serving guests daily. Having such an approachable personality as Guy Fieri at the helm of one of our restaurants aligns with our vision to provide unique and accessible cuisine to Rio guests.

Will the sports book be remodeled?

Yes, a sports book update is currently in the design

process. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to share at this point as we have just started the reimagination of the space.

What are the plans for Masquerade Village?

That is also being discussed as we speak. We have met with multiple interested parties, and many of the creative and unique ideas on what could potentially be done there are being considered.

Will VooDoo see a revamp?

Yes, VooDoo Steak is open and still provides what I believe is the best view of the Las Vegas Strip. Both the steakhouse and VooDoo Lounge directly above it are scheduled for a complete refresh this year, but they will continue to provide Las Vegas visitors with great food 51 stories in the sky.

Hearing there are some exciting changes coming to the Wine Cellar. Can you explain?

The Wine Cellar is coming back. It will be open by the end of March. It is one of Las Vegas’s best-kept secrets, but from the number of people who ask me if we are reopening that space it is clearly not a secret to everyone. You can expect more of the same when it reopens, including a great selection of wines served in what could easily be confused with a wine cellar in Italy. But we are bringing a new twist to the cellar. For the first time, the Wine Cellar will provide an extensive selection of tequila, whiskey and specialty bourbons.

What can we expect on the entertainment side?

At this time, we’re not scheduled to make any changes to our entertainment. Penn & Teller just celebrated 23 years at Rio and we have extended their historic run though 2026. The Comedy Cellar continues to entertain guests and bring in some of the best comedy in the city. And Chippendales provides guests and visitors alike with a true Las Vegas experience.

You’ve launched the new Rio Rewards program. How does that work?

We want to be the resort where people want to stay and play, so we created Rio Rewards, which is one of the most lucrative rewards programs in Las Vegas. It offers players more value per dollar spent than almost anywhere in the entire Las Vegas Valley. We set out with a goal to be the top gaming destination for locals and visitors alike, and it has been met with nothing but

positive feedback so far. Rio Rewards features four unique tiers: Rouge, Azul (10,000 points), Gold (50,000 points) and Platinum (250,000 points). All offer multiple benefits, including special pricing on hotel accommodations, complimentary show tickets, early check-in, monthly dining credit and much more.

The pool was renovated as well, correct?

Yes, the 15,000-square-foot pool deck renovations are complete. The renovation features new landscaping, multicolored chairs and umbrellas, and a design inspired by the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. And yes, the waterfalls are back and better than ever.

Rio also has one of the largest convention centers in Las Vegas. What improvements have you done there?

Rio’s convention center has more than 220,000 square feet of renovated function space. The upgrades, including a revamped carpet design and new digital signage, not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to the overall functionality and flexibility of the convention facilities. It is one of the most versatile meeting spaces in the entire city. We believe that once meeting planners see this upgraded facility, they will feel the exact same way.

Dreamscape CEO Eric Birnbaum

In Fighting Trim

Valley Forge Resort Casino may be small by U.S. standards but, as Vice President Ron Bailey attests, it packs a wallop. By David McKee

Although outgunned by larger casinos in the crowded Philadelphia market, Valley Forge Resort Casino has always punched above its weight. The Boyd Gaming property, acquired in 2018, is part of a small subclass of Pennsylvania casinos. So-called “Class III” or resort-oriented properties are strictly limited in terms of slot machines and table games.

Yet, despite this, Valley Forge Casino – which lies immediately across the street from the national historic park of the same name – has always been competitive with the other casinos in the area. It recently surpassed larger Harrah’s Philadelphia in its monthly gross.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic ended, Valley Forge’s destiny has been in the hands of General Manager Ron Bailey, a Boyd vice president. A longtime veteran of the hospitality industry, Bailey has is no stranger to the Boyd corporate ladder, having previously steered Sam’s Town Shreveport.

In his spare time he practices jiujitsu, as well as cooking and trail riding. We spoke to him from his office at Valley Forge Resort Casino, the casino that comes closest to being able to honestly say “George Washington slept here.” Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Congratulations, Valley Forge has been outperforming of late. What’s the secret? For 2023, i-gaming played a large role in a lot of the success. FanDuel ran our online casino but Boyd Gaming bought Pala Interactive. So in May, Stardust Casino, which is our brand in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, moved onto the Pala – now Boyd – Interactive platform. That was very seamless and continues to grow. Same-store business as well. Overall for the property we had success for a lot of 2023.

In a market with five casinos, how do you differentiate yourselves?

We’re a Class III casino, so we’re significantly smaller than most in the Philadelphia region. We’re a boutique hotel-casino resort. So one of the things that we really focus on is relationships. Our senior leadership is always presents. Our customers always know who we are. We interact with them on a regular basis. We’re very in touch with our customer base and are able to pivot or make changes based on what’s happening on our area.

What’s your player demographic?

A large portion of our revenue comes from within 20 miles of the property. So we’re very much a local casino. Our demographic could be similar to the Philadelphia market. However, from a sports betting standpoint we probably skew a little bit younger but from a gaming perspective, whether it’s tables or slots, we have a very diverse customer base, from mid-20s all the way up to the eighties or nineties.

Given that Valley Forge is one of the few resortcasinos in Pennsylvania, what constraints does that put on your gambling offerings and other amenities?

The constraints are that we have 850 slot machines and 50 table games, and we’re not growing that. However, it allows us to change our mix pretty frequently. I’ve been at the property for almost three years and we’ve changed over a quarter of our slot floor, whether it’s new themes to existing boxes or purchased capital or leased machines. From a resort standpoint, having a pool, having a hotel, having 100,000 square feet of meeting space – we certainly have a broader customer base than other places may have. We have a lot of unrated play at the property. The type of group business that we bring in, certainly we get a lot of unrated play from those people.

Vallley Forge Resort Casino General Manager Ron Bailey

As for rated play, how important is your loyalty program?

Boyd Rewards is kind of critical to our success. Having Big Brother in Las Vegas and having so many opportunities for our customers to use the power of that brand, it’s critical to our success. A lot of our frequent customers enjoy not only enjoy playing with us but also the ability to go to other properties, whether it’s a sporting event or a concert or even a golf tournament at other properties and utilizing that. We found over the past several years that crossproperty play is a critical component to customer satisfaction.

With five casinos contending for the same customer pool, how intense do the promotional wars become?

I don’t think that we really get into promotional wars as far as what our strategy is. Our strategy is very targeted and very focused. Our goal is not to cowherd a bunch of customers into the building. We want to put the right customer in the building at the right time, making sure that we’re taking care of our very best customers. The days of doing a car promotion or giving away a car on the casino floor is not necessarily our strategy but we may give an offer like that to our very best customers or having promotions that are are rewarding the frequent players.

How much convention business does Valley Forge do?

It’s a big, big part of our business model. Not all of the Boyd properties that have as much convention space. We do have several properties in the brand that do. We have a very, very aggressive sales team that continues to book. Not only has the business grown over the past several years but the profitability of the business has grown as well. We have a very good sales team. I have an excellent director of sales and they continue to push to grow the business, not just for ’24 but for ’25, ’26 and out.

Parx Casino, your biggest competitor, has gone smoke-free. Valley Forge has not. Why not?

It’s something that we continue to look at. As we moved out of the pandemic, we did change our floor, which was 50 percent smoking. We cut that back when we reopened, so we’re about 40 percent smoking right now. It’s something we’re going to reevaluate. Right

now, that’s where we’re comfortable but it’s something that we take feedback from our customers. We work on just trying to have a comfortable experience for everyone. When you walk on the casino floor you don’t have to be in the smoking area. It’s actually in the back of the casino. Our tables, other than our high-limit pit, are all non-smoking. When you walk into the casino, whether you go the left, to the right that’s all nonsmoking, and when you hit the table games those are all non-smoking as well.

Do you oppose the move in the Legislature to close the smoking loophole for casinos?

We kind of stay, at least me in my role, stay kind of out of that. We have many customers that like the smoking and we certainly have customers that are on the other side of that. If legislation changes, we’ll certainly adapt to that.

For those seeking a resort experience, what does Valley Forge offer?

We have a resort-style pool. We do events. We’ll have some concerts, live music. We also have a steakhouse, our food hall and, obviously, we also have rooms and suites throughout the property.

What is your dining repertory?

We have a food court that has three outlets in it. We

also have a breakfast venue that’s open on weekends. We also have Revolution Chop House, which is our steakhouse.

Has your proximity to the national park helped business?

Absolutely. Having Valley Forge National Park, now having TopGolf right next door to us, the King of Prussia Mall and also Town Center, it allows us to keep this area very sticky. We certainly love to keep people at the property but also having partnerships with different areas allows us to make sure that people are enjoying the whole area. Back to the convention side: When we’re trying to sell Valley Forge Casino Resort, we’re also selling the area and we’re letting folks know that your customers that you’re bringing have plenty to do while they’re here. Also, for the gaming customer, we actually have as partnership with TopGolf where customers can use their points and give them gift cards to go over and play at TopGolf.

Do you see much custom from shoppers?

We do. That’s a big advantage. Across America there’s a lot of malls that are kind of closing but that place keeps crushing. Our customers love it. The selection of stores there – there’s a lot of stores there, a lot of highend restaurants – and so we find that our customer base enjoys that King of Prussia Mall space plus Town Center, which is less than a mile.

Does your customer base come for the gambling and then enjoys the amenities or it is the other way around?

It’s primarily customers that are coming to game. Having other ways to entertain themselves is secondary, outside of the convention business. In the convention business, they’re coming to conduct whatever business that they have but they want to be able to – especially if it’s a group that’s checking in Sunday and checking out Thursday – they want to have something to do outside of that. Do they gamble? Absolutely. But do they go to TopGolf and hit some balls? Yes. Also the mall and Valley Forge National Park. Being next to them, from people just going to take pictures and go on walks, there’s a lot of opportunity for that area as well, which we promote.

How big of a draw is your FanDuel sports book?

It’s the juggernaut. It is really is the king and we love the partnership with FanDuel. The draw that that they have, especially during major sporting events – football really crushes – it really does well. It’s the Little Engine That Could: We actually have a small sports book but it’s very busy, very steady and we enjoy the business it provides us.

Are you able to get a disproportionate share of online sports betting thanks to FanDuel?

Absolutely. Again, they are dominant in the market on online sports betting as well. It helps us because cashing out, if you want cash directly, you have to come to Valley Forge to cash out from your online bets.

Are there any changes or upgrades in the offing?

We are going through a room remodel, starting this summer. We’re looking to redo our food court. We’re going to turn that into a food hall and we’re just finishing the design phase of that. We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to make a couple more announcements in the next few months.

Thank you. It’s a pleasure.

Growing by Leaps and Bounds

Casino Life speaks with Pasino.ch Managing Director Rupert Ecker. By Peter White

Over his two decades in the iGaming industry, Rupert Ecker has become on of the leading figures in the field. The managing director of Groupe Partouche’s Pasino.ch, Ecker’s career has taken him to his native Germany, to Austria, then Malta, South Africa, Gibraltar and finally Switzerland. There, he presides over a flourishing online casino. Our Peter White caught up with him recently. Their conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Could you give us an introduction in to your background in iGaming?

I have worked in the iGaming industry for the last 18 years for providers of poker, sports books and casino operators. It all started with the Danish poker operator Mermaid Poker. A few more highlights were four and a half years at Vera&John in Malta, BetVictor in Gibraltar and Betsson Group in Malta. Finally I landed in Switzerland in 2019 to bring Grand Casino Luzern online as online director. Now for over two years I’ve been managing director of the Swiss online casino PASINO.ch. Together with Casino du Lac Meyrin, we are part of Europe’s leading casino operator, Groupe Partouche.

How did you get started in gaming?

The CEO of Mermaid Poker asked me in 2006 if I would be interested in publicizing Mermaid in the German-speaking market. We made a plan and were able to secure a large market share within a short space of time. We became very successful in the late 2000s with the Mermaid Poker Challenge all over Europe. It combined live and online events. It was a great start in the iGaming industry, which I still love.

What was the development and expansion process involved over the last two years with Pasino.ch?

We have built up a strong team that optimally implements our marketing activities, retention, customer service and responsible gaming in all areas in order to offer our customers an outstanding range of games. We are ISO 27001-certified and have just been granted the license to operate for another 20 years, which we received from the Swiss Federal Council at the end of 2024. I am very proud of my team, which is made up of some experienced iGaming experts and many young, ambitious employees. With 42 percent growth in 2023, we are ideally positioned in Switzerland and this performance will now be further expanded. We also got off to a strong start in 2024.

What are the biggest challenges during your first year with developing Pasino.ch in the regulated Swiss iGaming market?

I have significantly reorganized the team and shaped it into a high performing, process-oriented and customer-focused one. I did this with full commitment to ensure not only profitability but also strong growth. During this time, I not only had the support of Groupe Partouche but also that of my wife, to whom I have now been married for 18 years. This support has given me the strength to work passionately on our success in intense times.

What are amongst your prime objectives over the next 12 to 24 months?

Our objective is clear: We will continue to drive forward our strong growth of recent years. We will constantly improve our product and work passionately every day to realize our goals. Groupe Partouche and PASINO.ch are focused on offering the best possible service, and on being at the forefront of everything we do.

What are the unique factors that distinguish Pasino.ch from its competitors in Switzerland?

My team and I have a lot of experience in the iGaming industry, and I have gathered some of the top people of the industry around me. We will use this experience to further expand our position in Switzerland.

Does Pasino.ch provide patrons of Casino Du Lac with promotions and incentives?

Yes, we work very closely with land-based Casino du Lac. We constantly have promotions that benefit both our online casino and land-based customers. We offer top Swiss quality in our casino and look back on over 50 years of experience as a proud part of the Group Partouche.

Whom are your partner companies involved with Pasino.ch from platform to games, and from live streaming to payment-solutions provider?

We offer the most popular games in Switzerland in the regulated Swiss online-casino market and we have the leading game providers Greentube, Pragmatic Play, Evolution, Playn’Go, and many of the up-and-coming providers such as ELK, Wazdan, Hölle, and many more. Our technology partner for

the platform is Gamanza, and of course we offer the most popular payment methods and the Swiss payment method TWINT to our customers.

In addition, we have various TV formats on TELESWIZZ and on STAR TV, which we produce in-house with the expertise of Groupe Partouche, with Swiss presenters and high-end technology from Paris. Furthermore, we offer the unique Swiss Facebook Live Roulette, which is also produced in-house and streamed every Monday in SwissGerman and French exclusive at PASINO’s Facebook account.

How does Pasino.ch communicate with patrons the importance of responsible gambling?

Responsible gaming is one of the cornerstones of Swiss legislation and is meticulously implemented by our team in Geneva. The ESBK constantly monitors our social concept, processes and correct implementation. We are proud to say that at PASINO. ch all players can gamble safely and, should a player ever gamble too much, we have detailed systems in place to take immediate action, and our experienced staff will help take the appropriate measures to protect players.

If you didn’t have to work, why would you come into the office?

I simply enjoy working in the iGaming industry and at PASINO.ch in particular. Seeing how we grow

month by month, how my team is constantly learning and growing with the challenges is wonderful. And of course, we have an excellent kitchen at Casino du Lac and all our employees enjoy the best delicacies every day. Once you visit us, you'll want to come back again and again.

Do you visit many of the industry exhibitions and conferences in the course of year, and if so, which ones are you favorites and why?

Yes, I've been to ICE and LAC in London every year since 2011. SBC is also always on my diary. My favorites are definitely ICE and SBC. ICE will be moving to Barcelona and this year I'm already looking forward to SBC Lisbon. Being there and meeting all my colleagues, partners, and now friends is always a highlight.

What do you see as key for player engagement and retention?

Offering the best gaming experience is key. After a successful acquisition, you have to offer the customer something that binds them to you. This includes our loyalty program, our VIP management and our very well-structured CRM program. It is important that the player feels that we are always there for them, that we offer them the best promotions and have offers that make them choose us as their next Swiss online casino. In all of this, we must never forget to find the sweet spot between marketing and responsibility for the player. This is the only way to ensure that a player enjoys playing. PASINO.ch is the online casino in Switzerland where players feel comfortable.

ABOUT PASINO.CH:

Pasino.ch is the online gaming site of the Casino Du Lac in Geneva. It was the first casino in French-speaking Switzerland to go digital. The objective of our online casino is to guarantee a safe and reliable gaming environment focused on entertainment, and supervised by experienced professionals to satisfy all types of customers.

Do Your Homework A

Top mistakes people make at the blackjack table, Part Three. By Al O’Grady

s a blackjack dealer for a number of years, I can honestly say that nothing would surprise me at the tables. I am not going to be arrogant enough to say that I have seen it all. No one has. But I can say that I see players making mistakes all of the time and they can be summarized in the next few pages.. Give yourself an assessment and look at these points. I guarantee that one or more of these applies to you. The good news is that it can be corrected. If I could be your personal blackjack coach, I would have you focus on this list. There are no guarantees in life but if you get to the point where none of these items applies to you, you will definitely be a force to be reckoned with at the casino. These points are in no particular order as they can each have a negative impact in their own way.

Not learning basic strategy

This is a top 10 list unto itself. As I said at the outset, these points are in no specific order, but not learning basic strategy is one of the biggest mistakes of all. Basic strategy is not that hard to learn. You do not need to memorize every combination. Start by learning the rationale. Once you understand the rationale, you are easily 90 percent there. There are some specific situations that require homework to learn, but think of it as investing in yourself. It will pay off in the long run. Seven of the following points have to do with doubling or splitting but the first three are huge, general mistakes.

Hitting a bust hand against a dealer’s bust card

This is the quickest tell to the dealer and advanced players at the table that you are a novice player. If the dealer has a 3, 4, 5 or 6, you need to automatically start thinking that the dealer will bust. If you have 1216, you have a very weak hand. Your best play is to stick and hope the dealer goes over 21. If you have a 12 against a dealer’s 6, and you take a card and you get a 10, you lose. If you stick and that same 10 goes to the dealer who has 16, not only do you

win, so does the whole table. This is the quickest and easiest mistake that can be corrected.

The soft 18

The soft 18 (A-7) is the most misplayed hand of all. Most people think that 18 is a strong hand. It is not. The only way you win on an 18 is if the dealer gets a 17 or busts. Look at basic-strategy charts. The soft 18 is a double-down opportunity against a dealer’s bust card. Even if the dealer has an up card of 9, 10 or A, you have a free chance to improve without busting. There are seven cards that either maintain or improve your hand. Assuming a balanced deck (each card has an equal opportunity of coming out), that will happen almost 54 percent of the time. There are times to go on offense and there are times to go on defense. The soft 18 is a time to go on offense.

Sticking on 16 against the 7

I actually understand why people do this but it is not the percentage play. If you look at basic-strategy charts, it clearly states to hit the 16 against a dealer’s 7. Those that go against the grain are hoping the dealer’s down card is between 5-9, putting the dealer into a bust situation and the dealer busts on subsequent cards being drawn. You need to understand basic strategy. These situations have undergone millions of hands through computer simulation. The thing about blackjack is that you can do everything right and still lose. You can also do everything wrong and still win. Players that stick on 16 against a dealer’s 7 are going through a self-fulfilling prophecy. It works for them and they continue to do it. Unfortunately, it is the wrong play in the long run.

The remaining points all have to do with splitting or doubling down. Let’s start by looking at splitting mistakes.

Splitting 10s

Are you kidding me? Why would you ever break up a winning hand? If I could get 20 on every hand, I would quit my job, play blackjack 24-7 and retire independently wealthy in short order. People that do this think they can get two 10s and get two hands of 20. Really? What happens if you get a 4 on one hand and a 6 on the other? You have just given away a 90 percent winner for two garbage hands where

you have doubled your bet. This is the quickest way to lose money. Please, do not split 10s. Having said that, believe it or not but there are times when splitting 10s is the correct move. This is done by professional card counters but only when the count is at a certain level and the dealer has specific up cards. This is a very specific situation, and let’s face it, you are not at this level—so do not split 10s.

Not knowing when to split in general

Just because you can do something does not mean that you should. Just because you have a pair does not mean you have to split it. Take the time to invest in yourself. The strategy is simple. Always split 8s and Aces; never split 5s or 10s; only split 4s against a dealer’s up card of 5 or 6; split 9s against everything except a dealer’s 7, 10, or Ace; everything else (pairs of 2s, 3s, 6s or 7s) only split if the dealer’s up card is 7 or less. That’s it. Splitting is a powerful tool for the player, as is doubling down. But just like splitting, you need to pick your spots when it comes to doubling.

Doubling on 12

This is in the same category as splitting 10s. Every dealer will be rolling his/her eyes or laughing their ass off at a player that does this. Assuming a balanced shoe, 30 percent of the cards are 10s. That means almost a third of the time you will lose twice as much money immediately after one card. When doubling down, you will only get one card. Let’s assume you

don’t bust with a 10 but you get an Ace, 2, 3 or a 4. Again, that is 30 percent of the deck if it is a balanced shoe. If the dealer makes a hand (17-21), you will lose twice as much. Yes, theoretically, you can make twice as much if you get an 8 or a 9, assuming the dealer doesn’t get a 20 or 21, but the downside of this play simply outweighs any upside. This is a losing move.

Knowing what soft hands to double

Just because you can double down, does not mean you should. This will take some homework, but again it is worth the time and effort in the long run. Not all soft hands are double-down hands. Look at the basic-strategy charts. With a soft 18, you double against the dealer’s 2-6; a soft 17, 3-6; a soft 15 and 16 against a dealer’s 4-6, and a soft 13 and 14 against a dealer’s 5 or 6. Have you spotted the pattern? Understand the rationale and you will be able to make the right bet at the right time.

Not doubling against the ace

Remember what I said about playing this game scared? This is a classic case. A number of players do not double down against the dealer’s ace. Why?

Now in all fairness to some, if you are a professional card counter, there are times not to double against

the ace if the card count is at a certain level. But assuming you are not a professional card counter and assuming a balanced shoe, there are more upsides to double down on an 11 against a dealer’s ace. Basicstrategy charts will substantiate this. Remember, these charts are a result of millions of hands going through computer simulation. The only thing holding you back on this is fear.

Doubling for less

Again, this is another case of playing scared. The math simply does not work on this. If you have a double-down situation, you are a mathematical favorite to win more than half the time. You have to capitalize on these situations. It is not often when you have an advantage over the casino and you have to strike while the iron is hot. Yes, there will be times when you double down and lose, and you lose twice as much money. Yes, it hurts but in the long run you will be a winner. If you are playing scared, you are playing losing blackjack and that’s what the casino is banking on.

Not re-splitting or doubling after a split

Simply put, the way you make money in this game is through splitting and doubling down. You must take any and all opportunities when they arise. That means when you split 8s and you get another 8, split them again. After you split your 7s against a 6 and you get a 4, you must double down. Players that do not resplit or do not double down after splitting are either playing scared or they are playing games that are too expensive for their bankroll. Bet more when you have an advantage. By not doing it, you are leaving money on the table with a missed opportunity.

Well, that’s it. These are the most common mistakes I see players making. I cannot guarantee that if you stop making them that you will be a winning player, but I can guarantee that if you don’t make any of these mistakes you will be a very tough player for the casino and you will be playing winning blackjack. Good luck—and don’t forget to tip the dealer.

Al O’Grady has been a blackjack dealer for over seven years. He is a freelance writer with an Economics degree and is currently pursuing a degree in Mathematics.

Al O’Grady

How to Grow Business and Attract New Partners

Affiliate marketing has long become a profitable online business that competes with traditional entrepreneurship.

Thanks to modern tools, you can quickly increase traffic to your resource and make money by redirecting traffic to another site. Using the example of the bookmaker company 1xBet, we will tell you how to join a number of partners and receive high income.

How does the affiliate program work?

Affiliate marketing can be called sales with the help of partners, who can be owners of websites or popular pages on social networks, Internet marketers, famous bloggers, traffic arbitrageurs and many other active Internet users. After agreeing with a large company, the partners’ media resources become platforms for promoting their products or services.

Do you feel like you have the potential to become a member of the global bookmaker 1xBet affiliate program? Then apply! Its main condition is maximum information content. Provide detailed information

about yourself and your resources. Create an account, wait for your application to be confirmed and promote various company content on your media resources.

What content are we talking about?

● Affiliate links: unique links that track each partner's activity and allow you to determine who brought the client to the 1xBet platform.

● Advertising banners and materials: banners, text ads and other advertising materials that can be placed on your resources. They help attract visitors' attention and direct them to the bookmaker's platform.

Types of traffic in advertising

If you are involved in traffic arbitrage, it is important to understand what types of traffic exist.

● Targeted advertising. This is a type of online advertising that uses methods and settings to search for the target audience in accordance with specified parameters. Targeted advertising allows you to determine who sees your content.

● Contextual advertising. This type of traffic comes from search engines when a user searches for information using specific keywords. Such online advertising allows you to attract customers interested in your offer.

● Push notifications. These are messages sent to users' devices through a browser or mobile application. They can be used to drive traffic to your site.

● SEO (search engine optimization). This is a set of processes that allow you to improve your website for ranking in search engines. This method will help attract a larger audience, increase sales and make the company more recognizable. Proper content optimization allows you to attract visitors from search engines for free.

● Newsletters. Email and SMS campaigns can effectively drive traffic if targeted to the right audience.

● Blogs. If you have a blog, posts can drive traffic from search engines and social media.

● Teasers. Small clickable ads that generate interest.

Traffic monetization

If you've successfully driven traffic to your site through arbitrage, it's important to know how to monetize it.

● Selling advertising space. If your site attracts a large audience, you can sell advertising space to other gaming and betting-related companies.

● Own rates and services. Use all your creativity and generate content yourself. Provide your visitors with expert predictions and analytics, or organize your own bets.

1xPartners affiliate program

The bookmaker company 1xBet invites everyone to take advantage of the favorable conditions of the 1xPartners program, which provides solid and stable income to its partners. The affiliate program is a process of continuous improvement. Publish new marketing materials and exciting content, adapting to changing market conditions. To attract players more easily to the 1xBet platform, advertise regular promotions and bonuses the bookmaker offers. You will always have access to a huge library of promotional materials from which you can choose the most engaging content for your audience. The company will provide you with a personal manager who will advise you on traffic optimization, advertising

strategy and other important nuances. The more players you refer to 1xBet, the higher your commission amount will be.

1xBet launched its affiliate program in 2016. 1xPartners is now available in 69 languages and in numerous countries across four continents. Regardless of where they live, people can become 1xBet affiliates and start making an income from driving traffic to its site without needing any extra software.

1xPartners has expanded the number of countries from which we have clients to 150. This has allowed us to increase the number of active affiliates by 130 percent and the number of our partners to 200,000. We have automatic weekly commission payments and over 250 payment methods – all for the convenience of our partners.

Favorable commission using RevShare system

Affiliate programs offer a variety of reward models for partners, but the most profitable is RevShare when the partner receives a certain percentage of the player’s spending on the bookmaker’s platform. Other payment options include a percentage of the deposit, bets or turnover. The 1xBet partner will receive up to 40 percent for referred players.

With our program, you receive not only a stable income but also confidence in the future – often, cooperation with 1xBet lasts for many years. By joining 1xBet, you get the guarantee that you have chosen a reliable company that has been a leader in the betting industry for 16 years and will not close overnight. 1xBet also offers each partner individual conditions, which can be discussed with a personal manager.

World partners trust

Are you ready to start making money with affiliate marketing? Join the 1xBet affiliate program today and start earning up to 40 percent commission on all referred players! Don't put off your earnings until tomorrow. Get richer today with a global bookmaker and official partner of FC Barcelona, Paris SaintGermain, LOSC Lille, La Liga, Serie A, and other world-famous sports brands and organizations. 1xBet has also repeatedly become a nominee and winner of the prestigious professional awards IGA, SBC, G2E Asia and EGR Nordics Awards.

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Betting on Reliability

Denis Urazbakhtin Head of Partnerships, Gaming for Sumsub, discusses the importance of anti-money-laundering measures. By Peter White

For those whom are unfamiliar with Sumsub, could we commence this interview with an introduction of the company and its services?

Sumsub is a full-cycle, verification platform that secures the whole user journey. With Sumsub’s customizable, know-your-customer/know-your business, transaction-monitoring and fraud-prevention

solutions, you can orchestrate your verification process, welcome more customers worldwide, meet compliance requirements, reduce costs, and protect your business. Sumsub has over 2,000 clients across gaming, as well as fintech, crypto, transportation, trading and e-commerce.

Sumsub enables gaming businesses to onboard new players from over 220 countries and territories

in full compliance — all in less than 30 seconds. Users operating in markets such as the UK, The Netherlands, Brazil, Nigeria, Ghana, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Argentina can skip ID scans altogether with ‘Non-Doc Verification,’ where all that’s needed is an ID number, bank app or governmental app.

Anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) financial-transaction legislation has tightened up since our last interview with Jacob Sever, Chief Innovation Officer of Sumsub, back in 2021. What has been Sumsub’s reaction to these new measures?

The regulatory landscape is becoming increasingly complex and online gaming poses a risk for money laundering. Hence, casino AML-compliance software is essential to monitor transactions and prevent illegal activities.

In 2022, the UK-based Entain Group was fined a staggering £17 million (USD $21 million) for failures in social responsibility and AML at its online and land-based gambling businesses. The following year, the Federal Court of Australia imposed an AUD $450 million (USD $300 million) fine on Crown Resorts for violating the country’s Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing Act of 2006 (the “AML/ CFT Act”).

Aside from heavy regulatory penalties, the gambling industry also faces significant losses due to fraud. According to Statista, casino and sports betting apps lost around $1.2 billion between January 2022 and February 2023 alone. The online gambling market is predicted to reach USD $153.57 billion by 2030, further attracting money launderers, fraudsters and other financial criminals. That’s why all gambling operators should bet on a reliable KYC solution.

In sectors like fintech and many other industries, KYC checks are carried out during the registration phase of a user’s journey. In iGaming – across 90 percent of jurisdictions – KYC checks are carried out once funds are being withdrawn.

However, our internal insights show that the majority of fraud in gaming — such as bonus abuse, multiple accounting and affiliate fraud — can occur even before the KYC stage. This highlights how fraud prevention is extremely important, particularly for the sector.

Furthermore, with more countries legalizing

gambling, compliance for operators has become more complex and expensive to manage. Additionally, illicit actors have become more skilled, making detection without advanced AI-based tools increasingly challenging when compared to just a few years ago. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and criminal tactics evolve, investing in robust AI-powered solutions is crucial for effective risk mitigation in an evolving gambling landscape.

In the autumn of 2023, Sumsub launched the first full-cycle verification and anti-fraud solution for the gaming industry. Can you explain what are the key features and advantages of this verification platform?

For context, KYC compliance in gaming involves a set of verification processes that include player ID verification for gaming, as well as age checks. These procedures ensure that an online casino meets legal and regulatory requirements. The gaming industry faces various risks, including identity theft and payment fraud. Gaming-fraud-prevention solutions like Sumsub must be in place to mitigate these risks and protect both players and operators.

Our new solution is the first to integrate user verification, anti-fraud, and compliance in gaming enabling both platforms and operators to seamlessly cover the entire player lifecycle, and to maximize revenue while staying compliant with all regulations and guidelines.

Currently, many providers on the market tend to offer tools which solve particular use cases and address certain parts of a player’s journey. We are, in turn, offering a solution that is complete and ‘all-inone,’ in the sense that it covers all aspects of the user journey, and everything related to fraud and compliance that an iGaming business might need for their users.

The solution’s four pillars to ensure full-cycle verification include: Fast and secure player onboarding; fraud prevention; player-risk profiling and analytics; responsible gaming (RG) compliance.

Can you explain each of the products the company provides for identity verification: user verification; business verification; transaction monitoring; case management?

Of course. User Verification: We verify users anywhere in the world with ease. Smooth onboarding and

compliance have finally come together.

Business Verification: We can streamline your verification flow and welcome more companies to your business at record speeds.

Transaction Monitoring: We keep you compliant with regulatory requirements by monitoring transactions and detecting suspicious activity.

Fraud Prevention solution: AI-driven product that provides accuracy, proactive action, and comprehensive protection against all forms of fraud.

For patrons, their online gaming experience needs to be seamless. Any protractive series of questions can lose an organization’s customers. What is Sumsub’s approach to the age-and-addressverification process?

Age verification is an essential component of responsible gaming, designed to prevent underage individuals from participating in gaming activities for which they are not legally eligible. This process is a critical aspect of compliance, requiring age verification for access to gaming platforms.

It involves two steps. There is ID check: The system automatically extracts date of birth data from submitted documents, restricting access to users who don’t meet your requirements. Liveness and face matching: Facial biometrics create a scan of the user's face to compare with the submitted photo ID. This ensures that the user is truly present.

If a business falls under AML regulations, they must not only verify user identity but also establish proof of address. This allows businesses to effectively cut off residents from restricted jurisdictions. Address verification is a requirement in most jurisdictions with a few exceptions, such as Hong Kong. This typically obligates financial services, fintechs, payment and e-money institutions, and other similar businesses to verify proof of address. Proof of address (PoA) is evidence that a user truly resides at their claimed address. Common documents include:

• Bank statements

• Utility bills for gas, electricity, water, Internet, etc., linked to the property

• Letters from a recognized public authority or public servant/any government-issued correspondence

• Current lease agreement with signatures of the landlord and the tenant

• Credit card statement

• House-purchase deed.

Does your platform employ AI?

We provide an AI-powered, full-cycle solution, including identity verification, anti-fraud and compliance. We employ our ‘AI Lab’ throughout the KYC process, from document fast-fail to liveness checks and age estimation. It takes a picture as input and outputs an array of scores. For example, the Face Liveness model determines whether a selfie image is genuine, while the Document Readability model assures us that a document is clear and free of visual artifacts.

During liveness checks, our deepfake-detection software employs machine-learning algorithms and forensic analysis to detect anomalies in manipulated media. As deepfake technology advances, so does the sophistication of detection methods, resulting in an ongoing cat-and-mouse game between fraudsters and detectors.

In terms of ongoing fraud monitoring, our AIpowered Transaction Monitoring automatically detects suspicious activity and generates ready-to-file suspicious activity reports (SAR/STRs), saving you time and resources.

What is your experience of the gambling sector to date?

Internal-compliance teams often need to carry out manual compliance checks, sifting through huge amounts of documents, leading to drop-offs and sub-standard user experiences. Instead, we help them with automated verification to speed up onboarding for players in multiple markets such as Brazil, Romania, Greece, Germany, Chile and more.

In the gaming industry, the scarcity of vendors offering truly customized solutions is evident. Typically, these vendors merely repurpose existing solutions for industries such as fintech — a strategy that’s proven costly and also ineffective due to the lack of tailoring to the specific profiles of gaming users. Based on conversations with our clients and prospects, gaming businesses have desperately called for a solution that fills this gap.

For instance, gaming firms will want to ensure users in Europe are allocated a larger deposit amount compared to counterparts in LATAM or Africa. Our solution also addresses specific verification needs in gaming including age estimation, proof of address and proof of funds.

We are pioneering new markets, working with some of the biggest players in the industry such as Kaizen Gaming. We are providing smooth onboarding experiences for players across several countries and continents. This year, we expect to see more demand in having solutions that not only tailor profiles to individual gaming users but also introduce geographic customization and localizations.

How does Sumsub help organizations with the complexities that go with compliance and the anti-fraud challenges?

To prevent fraud, iGaming businesses can seek out third-party platform, like ours, that can introduce anti-fraud systems easily for them. These will control onboarding and user behavior on their web and mobile applications.

A well-rounded fraud-detection software can detect any kind of fraud, and help companies verify personal documents and business data in the same place. Its functions include user verification, behavioural analysis, screening against global watchlists and internal blocklists, investigation of suspicious cases, and more. Automation can help detect fraudulent activity at every touchpoint of the customer journey

How many jurisdictions worldwide does your player-onboarding services have full compliance? All of them. Our player-onboarding services ensure full compliance across all jurisdictions apart from sanctioned ones worldwide. We proactively monitor and adapt to all significant compliance developments, staying ahead of the curve. This goes beyond AML processes which aren't largely specific to gambling, but also encompassing responsible gambling practices – which are more specific to the sector.

Fraud prevention is massively important. How does your system help prevent it?

Our AI-driven transaction monitoring efficiently identifies suspicious behaviour and produces

suspicious activity reports (SAR/STRs) for immediate filing, streamlining your fraud monitoring efforts, and conserving valuable time and resources.

Across iGaming, our fraud prevention measures actively combat various scams, including bonus abuse and account takeover, in real-time through specific rules, thereby mitigating reputation risks, and minimizing fraud-related losses.

What are the latest features on the dashboard?

We pride ourselves in anticipating the needs of the market and work on creating solutions that address upcoming needs. We launched a number of exciting new products last year:

• Non-document verification – enabling clients to replace their entire KYC process. Instantly onboard users in 10-plus countries including the US using just their ID document number and a Liveness Check

• Global Database Verification – also streamlining onboarding for billions of users without requesting documents

• Deepfake detector solution – integrated into our liveness solution and enhanced to align with the latest AI technology, making sure no fraudster passes the check.

• Travel Rule – product facilitates secure information transfers between VASPs in accordance with compliance requirements, enabling crypto firms to both send and receive Travel Rule messages for corresponding transactions.

How was ICE London 2024 for Sumsub?

Absolutely amazing, the biggest ICE London we have ever seen. Barcelona definitely has a tough challenge of exceeding this year's event.

What other exhibitions and conferences is Sumsub attending during the rest of 2024?

You can find us at a number of other conferences throughout the year, including SIGMA Africa in South Africa, SIGMA Americas in Brazil and SIGMA Europe in Malta. We’ll also be at conferences like SBC, iGaming Next, ASEAN Gaming Summit and many more! Keep an eye on our socials for more information about the exhibitions we’ll be attending.

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Truly International

IGT’s multi-level progressive games take Europe by storm

einforcing its commitment to delivering innovative content and hardware, International Game Technology continues to evolve its performanceproven multi-level progressive (MLP) portfolio for Europe. Building on the success of IGT’s awardwinning Prosperity Link, which continues to engage players around the globe, the company has invested significantly in developing new MLP themes and multi-game packages that will drive play into the future.

R“IGT remains dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of operators throughout Europe as reflected by our latest evolution of MLP themes,” said Petko Ivanov, IGT’s director of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Given the fast-growing popularity of MLPs over the past few years, IGT has increased its research, development and product road maps for this segment. A large part of our process for Europe

is market attunement; we want IGT products to stand out on our customers’ floors, and help them meet and exceed their goals.”

Expanding the MLP Experience

Earlier this year at ICE London, IGT showcased its latest top-performing games in its MLP portfolio. Certain to follow the success of Prosperity Link and captivate players across Europe, standout themes included Egyptian Link, Mystery of the Lamp and Magic Treasures.

Integrating the successful play mechanics of Prosperity Link, IGT’s Mystery of the Lamp — which debuted in North America last year to exceptional performance results — has topped the charts on Eilers-Fantini’s list of “Top Indexing” new premium games, performing at over 2.8 times the floor average. Mystery of the Lamp combines an engaging persistence feature and the lock-and-respin

mechanic. Now available in Western Europe, Mystery of the Lamp is delivering solid early performance results in the region.

With a striking presentation, Mystery of the Lamp is available in two vibrant themes, Treasures Oasis and Enchanted Palace, and on two form factors, the new PeakCurve49 cabinet and the popular PeakSlant49 cabinet. Offering seamless integration of aesthetics and convenience, the PeakCurve49 cabinet is distinguished by a sleek, lower-profile, open-back concept and a player-tested, C-curve 49-inch LCD screen, with a modern, 27-inch topper. Certain to stand out on the gaming floor, the PeakCurve49 also incorporates LED lighting, a user-friendly 13.3inch Dynamic Player Panel (DPP), a wireless phone charger and a USB charging port.

Further building on player-preferred mechanics

combined with attractive jackpots, another highlight in IGT’s latest MLP portfolio is Magic Treasures, featuring two complementary partner themes, Dragon and Tiger. A captivating game available on the PeakSlant49 and PeakCurve49 cabinets, Magic Treasures features an Asian-inspired art package, and offers the popular persistence-pot feature with three exciting bonus options. It has quickly become one of IGT’s top performers in its MLP portfolio.

Rounding out IGT’s library of standout MLPs for Europe is Egyptian Link. Another top performer in IGT’s impressive MLP portfolio, Egyptian Link is available in two themes, Ramosis’ Treasures and Nefturi’s Treasures. It features the nonstop action of various combined, free games and bonuses that can lead to big-win possibilities through four linkedprogressive levels.

Elevated Multi-Game Opportunities

Complementing its high-performing MLP portfolio, IGT continues to evolve its unique, regionally attuned, multi-game solutions to meet the needs of players and operators in specific markets throughout EMEA. Last year at ICE London, IGT introduced UK operators to the IGT UNITE multi-game chooser, featuring the award-winning Prosperity Link MLP. Offering the ultimate multi-game experience, tailored to player preferences, the IGT UNITE multi-game chooser conveniently combines the Company’s indemand core content, including fruit, bonus, jackpot and table games, plus compelling MLP titles on one machine.

This year, IGT will continue its multi-game momentum and provide operators with a new way to entertain players with the introduction of the market-attuned IGT UNITE multi-game pack for Eastern Europe featuring Egyptian Link. “We are thrilled to introduce the latest evolution of our multi-game offering and bring the high-energy excitement of Egyptian Link to players in Eastern Europe,” continued Ivanov. “As demonstrated by IGT UNITE, we are constantly transforming our product lines to provide compelling, new solutions that will align with players’ evolving needs and empower operators to deliver entertaining themes in a unique market.”

With an attentiongrabbing design, IGT’s UNITE multi-game chooser is available on the Company’s proven “Peak” family of cabinets, including the PeakSlant32 cabinet. The industry’s first cabinet to feature three seamlessly integrated 32-inch high-definition displays, the innovative PeakSlant32 incorporates a large dynamic player panel with a 13.3-inch multitouch display and a wireless charging pad for the ultimate player experience.

Petko Ivanov, IGT Director of Sales

The Best New Table Game in Las Vegas?

Knockout 52 scores a big win in Sin City.

By Peter White

Casino Life is thrilled to be chatting with Frank Mugnolo and Peter Mastroianni, the creators of Knockout 52. They’re fresh off their historic win at the Global Table Games Conference. They’ve created a brandnew table game that's turning heads in Las Vegas. It’s called Knockout 52.

Gentlemen, thanks for taking the time. I heard you made history.

Mugnolo: We did make history, thanks. We created a brand-new, first-place-winning table game that, for the first time in history, is not a variant of an existing table game. We took the top prize at the Global Table Games Conference, held at the Sahara Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Was this your first time at Global Table Games Conference? Is it an event you would recommend to others and if so, why?

Mastroianni: Neither of us is a stranger to this competition or to table games. Each of us had games at the past two conferences that were received well. But once we combined forces, our one-two punch combination literally led to a Knockout 52 table game. The competition was intense. The other table games in the competition were all top-notch. It is certainly an event table game enthusiasts should attend.

You must be both very proud and excited with the news that Knockout 52 will have a field trial at The Strat on the Las Vegas Strip.

Mugnolo: The Strat is Vegas royalty. It is an honor

and a privilege to have our game showcased at such a prestigious casino, right on the Las Vegas Strip. The action is fun and exciting, just like The Strat. We believe players everywhere will enjoy the gameplay.

Have you always been fans of casino table games?

Mastroianni: Each of us is a long-time fan of classic table games. There’s nothing like sitting around a casino table, meeting new people, interacting with live, personable dealers. Frank has been a successful table-game inventor for many years. Currently, he has two games, Muggsy’s Corner and 2G’s, placed on over 40 tables in several casinos.

Please can you explain to our readers Knockout 52?

Mugnolo: Knockout 52 is a fun, fast-paced, easy-tolearn table game. Here is how to play: Up to 52 cards are dealt into designated card spaces, laid out in four rounds, from Ace to King. Players wager on the round (one through four) that the knockout will happen. As cards are dealt, players will often say or shout the card numbers in unison “Ace! Two! Three! Four!” until the card drawn matches the underlying card space.

That is a knockout. We like to say, “Put Knockout 52 on your casino floor and listen to the crowd roar!” The anticipation when every card is turned is the X-factor. It’s like nothing else at the casino.

One of the primary requirements when promoting a new table game to a casino is that players, dealers and casino managers must be able to grasp the game very quickly. Is Knockout 52 easy to learn?

Mugnolo: Yes. Knockout 52 takes a minute to learn. It is easy for players to understand and bet, easy for dealers to deal and pay, and easy for pit bosses and surveillance to track. Knockout 52 is both simple to learn and exciting to play.

The other major factor in a casino’s consideration when deciding on trialing the new game is based on the response to the question of “What’s the house edge?”

Mastroianni: Knockout 52 has a house edge that ranges from three percent to five percent. The blended house edge gives players the ability to increase their risk tolerance for significant rewards. Payouts go up to 50 to one.

Do you have computer analysis of the game results?

Mastroianni: The math has been certified to regulatory standards by BMM Test Labs, an industry leader. All the calculations are available on our website, www.Knockout52.com.

What, in your opinion, are amongst the key aspects of Knockout 52 that make this a game casinos should field test?

Mugnolo: Knockout 52 is a unique table game experience. It is a fast-paced game with more than 60 hands dealt per hour. It will energize your casino’s floor. Players will be shouting out the cards with the dealer and cheering for a knockout. Other patrons at the casino will be excited just being close to the action. Once word gets out, players will come to your casino to play Knockout 52.

How can our readers find out more about your company and game?

Mastroianni: Please visit Knockout52.com for more information. In April 2024, we will be exhibiting at two industry events: the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention in Anaheim, and the East Coast Gaming Congress in Atlantic City. Plus, look for our casino launches at The Strat in Las Vegas, Firekeepers Casino in Michigan, Par-A-Dice Casino in Illinois and many more.

IS KNOCKOUT 52 THE NEXT BIG THING?

Richard Marcus, you’re a casino table game protection consultant and trainer. You’re also the founder of the Global Table Games & Game Protection Conference. Tell us about the buzz surrounding Knockout 52's historic win. The buzz is huge, Peter. Knockout 52 just won “Best New Table Game” and it’s the first-ever winner that’s a completely original concept — not another variation of poker, blackjack, roulette, craps or baccarat. This is a watershed moment for table games. Knockout 52’s fresh, exciting gameplay could revitalize the entire industry. I’m incredibly excited to see Knockout 52 in casinos worldwide — it has the potential to become a global sensation. Spread the word. Table games are thrilling again.

SPORTS BETTING OPERATOR

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Dive into the SUZOHAPP Marketplace

It’s your go-to destination for purchasing overstocked components in the gaming industry

At the recent ICE show, SUZOHAPP unveiled the new SUZOHAPP Marketplace, a cutting-edge global trade platform for casino operators and OEMs.

Visitors have been impressed with the platform, which offers a seamless way to buy and sell components with the support of SUZOHAPP’s top-tier distributionmanagement team.

Check out this unique platform, designed to empower you in making efficient, sustainable purchases of overstocked products, helping to reduce

the industry’s landfill footprint. Explore a wide range of items for sale, submit inquiries for products of interest and even request items not currently listed on the platform.

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Good Causes, Good Casino

Aspers rolls out the red carpet for local charities

On March 7, Aspers Casino welcomed all recipients of this year’s 2024 Good Causes Fund.

Since Aspers opened in Stratford Westfield in 2011, it has demonstrated its continued commitment and support towards the local community by donating over £1 million to its Good Causes Fund, which it will continue to support next year. Aspers has pledged a further £100,000. Aspers prides itself on being part of the communities in which it operates and helping these worthy causes.

Luke Perkins, general manager at Aspers Stratford,

hosted the event alongside many of the team at Aspers including James Elston the group operations director.

Perkins said, “We will also be supporting the charities not only financially but, where possible, with our time from various departments at Stratford. It is such an honor to meet all these fantastic organizations which make such a vital contribution to our local community, I look forward to working with all the charities and volunteers over the next 12 months, and beyond.”

The event created an ideal opportunity for the team

at Aspers to meet the recipients as well as hear firsthand how their funding makes a difference, and how their time can also provide ongoing support, bringing together the local community.

In addition to these organizations, Aspers was also thrilled to welcome Deputy Mayor Charlene Mclean, cabinet member for resident engagement and participation, alongside Shah and Patricia from the London Borough Newham Council. Both have been instrumental in planning and supporting schemes which were applicable for consideration.

Below is a list of the charities that Aspers is supporting this year as part of its Good Causes Fund.

• Ankh Place CIC

• West Silverton Foundation

• Drop-in Bereavement

• Royal Docks Learning & Activity

• Subco Trust

• Renewal Programme

• Rosetta Arts

• Immediate Theatre

• Modern Arts London CIC

• Re-Matters

• The New Black Film Collective

• Actively SeeK.I.N.G - CIC

• Newham Disability Rep Forum

• Newham All Star Sports Academy

ABOUT ASPERS

Aspers operates four land-based casinos within the UK: Westfield Stratford City, Newcastle, Northampton and Milton Keynes. The group is a 50/50 joint venture between Aspinall Investment Holdings Ltd. and Crown Resorts of Australia.

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From Autopilot to Co-Pilot

The role of humans in AI-driven businesses.

By Raymond Chan

Think of AI as a supersmart helper that can do amazing things for your business. It can handle tasks quickly, learn from data and even make some decisions. But just like a train needs a driver, AI needs people to set the tracks. When we build tools that let us control AI, we can use it to make our businesses stronger and ready for anything.

Why Human Control of AI Matters

Artificial intelligence is a powerful engine — it can take us to amazing places but we need to steer it in the right direction. The goal of using AI isn’t to let it take over but rather to harness its abilities to improve our lives.

For instance, think about self-driving cars. These AI-powered vehicles aren’t just about cutting-edge technology; they’re about giving us the freedom to use our time in the car for work, relaxation or enjoyment, rather than focusing on the road.

Let’s consider another example from the creative world of cinema. AI can analyze countless scripts and performances to provide fresh inspiration for movie directors, helping them to dream up new stories, and create unique experiences for their audience. It’s not about AI writing the next blockbuster on its own but about sparking the imagination of talented humans.

However, it’s crucial that we don’t let AI run without a sense of direction. Unchecked, AI might make choices that don’t truly benefit people. It

might optimize for efficiency or profit but miss out on what we really value, like community, fairness or environmental sustainability. Just like any powerful tool, we want to make sure it’s used for good and not exploited by those with harmful intentions.

That's why the owners and operators of AI — be they businesses, governments or individuals — need

Raymond Chan

Feature: Raymond Chan

to have a say in how AI systems serve us. They need to set boundaries and rules to ensure that AI’s immense capabilities are not misused. This is where the development of tools to maintain control over AI comes into play.

Crafting the Tools for Human-AI Synergy

In the burgeoning era of AI, constructing the right tools for human-AI interaction is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. These tools are dual-natured, encompassing both human interaction and AI reflection. Their design is complex and demands careful thought, but the investment is imperative as AI becomes an integral part of business operations.

The Human Interaction Piece: This is the interface that serves as a bridge between humans and machines. It’s how we communicate our needs, instructions and feedback to AI. These interfaces can take various forms, depending on the context and the users involved. Some might be text-based, where users type commands or queries and receive written responses. Others might be voice-activated, allowing for a more natural, conversational flow of information. And in some cases, particularly where nuanced or complex physical tasks are involved, motion capture and gesture recognition might come into play, translating human movements into digital commands. The key to designing these interfaces is to make them intuitive and accessible. They should require minimal training to use effectively, allowing people from different backgrounds and with various levels of technical expertise to interact with AI seamlessly.

The AI Reflection Piece: While communication is critical, it’s equally important for humans to understand how AI makes decisions. This transparency allows for the early detection of potential issues before they escalate into significant problems. The AI reflection piece comprises tools that monitor AI’s decision-making processes, providing insights into the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind its actions. These tools can include dashboards that visualize AI’s thought processes, logging systems that track decision making over time and alert mechanisms that notify humans when AI encounters uncertain scenarios or when its actions deviate from expected patterns.

Designing these systems for reflection is challenging because AI’s decision making can be

ABOUT RAYMOND CHAN

Raymond is a software engineer by profession with a track record in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship. He co-founded two prosperous startups, TGG Interactive and Global Gaming Group in Asia, where he served as director and CEO to lead the customer intelligence and electronic gaming businesses from 2007 to 2018. Earlier in his career, Raymond was a founding member of the business intelligence team at E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and played a pivotal role in designing the TiVo customer intelligence system in Silicon Valley.

highly complex and not always easily translated into human-understandable terms. This is especially true for AI systems that use machine learning and deep learning, where decisions are made based on vast amounts of data and intricate algorithms.

Nonetheless, the effort to create these tools is crucial. They serve as the checks and balances in the AI-human partnership, enabling businesses to maintain control, ensure accountability, and uphold ethical standards. As we embrace the AI era, which has indeed arrived, dedicating resources to the development of these tools is not just a recommendation — it’s an essential strategy for any forward-thinking business.

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