Casino Life volume 14 issue 122

Volume 14 Issue 122

www.amatic.com | sales@amatic.com

Editorial: Editor in Chief: Glyn Thomas Mob: +44 (0) 7727 969 299 glyn@ace123.com Features Editor:

Damien Connelly

dconnelly@ace123.com Associate Editor Asia: Bill Healey bill@ace123.com

Associate Editor North America David Mckee

dmckee@ace123.com Special Assignment Correspondent: Sophie Behan

sophielbehan@gmail.com International Casino & Gaming Correspondent: JJ Woods

jjsilks@eircom.net Technology Correspondent: Rebecca Green

rebecca@ace123.com

Production: Designer: Stewart Hyde

stewart@totaldesignworks.com www.totaldesignworks.com

Subscriptions: Helen Holmes subs@ace123.com

Web & IT: Sudip Banjeree sb@ace123.com

Editor’s page Welcome to Casino Life...

...It’s time for G2E but look overhead outside the Venetian and you will just see the contrails of the Red Arrows passing by. It’s our treat – don’t mention it - as it accompanies our distinctly British flavour for this issue starting with a foreword by Simon Thomas, CEO at The Hippodrome. Admiring the panoply of entertainment on offer in Vegas he quite rightly pours scorn on the failures of the British establishment to embrace the concept and thus entertainment complexes based around casinos find it hard to flourish in the UK under the current legislation.

Another Brit at the helm is Roger Marris who runs a tight ship at The Ritz and follows a 3C rule that has kept him and the venue at the forefront of casino offerings not only in London – but the world.

Next up is Tim Greenwood HR Director at Aspers Group (yes, you’ve guessed it – also British) who explains the Aspers approach to training and recruitment and even tries to put a finger on just why the British settle into casino jobs so well abroad. It can’t all be down to having a trusted accent, surely?

It’s been a long time since I interviewed AMATIC Industries Thomas Engstberger so it was good to catch up and find out how their 25th anniversary year is progressing. Next up, I chat to Goran Sovilj, Executive VP Gaming & Amusement EMEA and the never-aging Mike Sigona, Global Gaming Product Manager & Business Development Manager Europe SUZOHAPP. I hope to have a longer title one day but in the meantime learned that the best way to guarantee a supply chain is to manufacture your own goods for distribution. Works well for them and their customers.

Marie J Maher advocates Leaving Your Comfort Zone to advance your career within the gaming industry and talks to some candidates that have practised just that. Many have been successful by following the mantra that ”taking risks leads to big rewards”.

Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive Officer, Gamcare next talks about the real issue of problem gambling in the UK and how her organisation is working with both land-based and online operators to make a difference.

We briefly report back on the Scandinavian Gaming Summit that evoked memories of a similar event a few years back in Laufen – or perhaps it’s me. Finally to close off we provide a taster for some of the industry spotlights to expect at G2E. Peter is joined by Bill Healey for this year’s G2E Las Vegas whilst I’m in Jo’burg for ICE Africa ... and we’d be happy to meet up, so please drop us a line

Publisher: Peter White

Tel: +44 (0) 1892 740869

Mob: +44 (0) 7973 273714 pwhite@ace123.com

Glyn Thomas Editor in Chief

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Contents 3

Editors page

5 Guest Comment Simon Thomas, CEO, The Hippodrome Casino, London 6 The term “Best of the Best” must apply to The Ritz Club in London Roger Marris, Chief Executive, of The Ritz Club shares his thoughts with Casino Life Magazine. By Steve Karoul 18 Discover all that is possible Peter White chats to Tim Greenwood HR Director at Aspers Group 23 Focus on the Future Glyn Thomas chats to AMATIC Industries Thomas Engstberger 28 The global component and cash management company for the gaming industry Glyn Thomas Interview with SUZOHAPP’s Goran Sovilj, and Mike Sigona 33 Leaving Your Comfort Zone Advancing your career within the gaming industry. Marie J Maher, Ph.D. 37 Providing Treatment & Support Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive Officer, Gamcare talks to Peter White 42 Scandinavian Gaming Show Review

By Damien Connelly 43 Life Changing Expirence Boxing Legend Frank Bruno presents 14 year old boy with life changing gift 43 Ball of Fun CHIPS has a ball for it’s 500th presentation with Strictly’s Anton Du Beke 46 G2E Las Vegas Preview 2018

By: Rebecca Green • Zytronic • TransAct Technologies • Interblock • SG Games • WinSystems • Aristocrat

Editorial Policy: The views and opinions expressed in Casino Life remain principally the views of contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or publishers.

The publishers wish to avoid inaccuracies and, whilst every precaution has been taken to ensure that information contained in this publication is accurate, no liability is accepted by the editor or publishers for errors or omissions, however caused.

Unless otherwise stated, articles appearing in this publication remain the copyright of the publishers and may not be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s written consent.

Printed in the UK by MPC Ltd.

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It’s time.

Guest Comment Simon Thomas, CEO, The Hippodrome Casino, London

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s much as I enjoy the G2E expo, which showcases so much of the global industry’s ingenuity and global innovation, I get my real kicks from drifting through the casinos on the Strip and Downtown.

Vegas is rightly hailed as the world’s playground and here we may see this in all its forms, from games of competition (UFC bouts at the MGM Grand, the poker room at the Bellagio); to games of chance (the gaming floors themselves); games of make believe (Penn & Teller at the Rio); and games of vertigo (the roller-coaster at NYNY, Cirque du Soleil).

It was Las Vegas that gave the world the Integrated Resort Casino – perhaps the grandest articulation of grown-up play.

The Hippodrome, my casino in Leicester Square, London, in the heart of the renowned playground known as the West End, is licensed as a casino. But we do not allow this definition to restrict our purpose.

Taking a leaf out of the Vegas playbook, our mission is the pursuit of play. In addition to gambling we too have competition (the best place in Britain to watch NFL – from the draft through to Superbowl), we offer make believe (the infamous Lola’s Underground Casino with London’s best craps tables) and we are about to bring Channing Tatum’s mega-hit Magic Mike Live from Vegas to a very excited London.

We also have a few games of chance; sadly, too few.

Anachronistic regulations limit the number and range of games that we can offer customers. Britain’s gambling policy unwittingly favours convenience over destination; the transaction of gambling over the experience.

Our flirtation with destination gaming ended dramatically in 2007 when the (unelected) House of Lords vetoed legislation for a resort casino approved by the (elected) House of Commons.

The opportunity has now passed to Cyprus and Catalonia, where Europe’s first resort casinos are finally in development.

Perhaps it is time to revisit plans for a resort casino over

Simon Thomas, CEO, The Hippodrome Casino, London

here (provision exists in primary legislation) and, while we’re at it, modernise regulations more generally. We may just need to borrow a bit of Vegas stardust to make it play with the public and politicians.

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The term “Best of the Best” must apply to The Ritz Club in London Roger Marris, Chief Executive, of The Ritz Club shares his thoughts with Casino Life Magazine. By Steve Karoul

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any people often debate who has the best job in the casino industry – Is it the CEO’s or owners of the largest casinos in the world or is it the CEO of a small boutique casino? That is a tough question to answer. However, one thing is for sure and that is The Ritz Club located in the former ballroom of The Ritz London is one of the world’s finest casinos. The Ritz London, located in the heart of the city, is one of the most iconic hotels in the world, first opened in 1906 by Swiss hotelier César Ritz, the former manager of the Savoy Hotel and founder of Paris’s Hôtel Ritz. It is an impeccable hotel and The Ritz Club, which opened in 1978, shares that same reputation. The Ritz Club is one of the most luxurious and exclusive private member’s club to be found anywhere in the world with a unique membership that caters solely to VIPs with mostly international clientele.

So, who is the individual responsible for day-to-day operations at The Ritz Club? His name is Roger Marris.

First, I want to thank Roger for taking the time from his incredibly busy schedule to talk with Casino Life Magazine.

Many of our readers are obviously familiar

you got started in the casino industry leading up to your present position as Chief Executive of The Ritz Club?

I was born in Scotland, graduated with a degree in Law & Politics from the University of Aberdeen, then served as an officer in the British Army for several years. When I left the army, I moved overseas and worked outside the gaming industry for a while, fostering an appetite for international business. It was during this time that I gained valuable insights into how other international brands are managed, particularly those in the Far East. My career with The Ritz Club began in 2005 as the former Managing Director of The Ritz Online Casino when it operated from 2005-2007 (the company was sold in 2007). Prior to coming back to The Ritz Club as Chief Executive in 2011, I was working in a global executive role for a FTSE250 business, a role that took advantage of my strategic operational and management skills in a multi-channel business.

with both The Ritz London and The Ritz Club. Who in gaming would not be familiar with one of the top casinos in the world? However, many people are not familiar with the gentleman who runs it, which will be the focus of today’s interview. Second, many readers are just beginning their casino careers and many others are looking for opportunities for advancement, so understanding the mindset and thought process of one the top casino executives in the world is a real treat. People want to learn and often look for mentors in the casino industry.

Consequently, an interview such as this serves multiple purposes. It allows us to learn more about the casino but more importantly it affords a unique opportunity to have a long-distance mentor relationship via an educational type of article.

vision of the Club and the company’s unique principles and values, which were originally established by our owners when The Ritz Club opened in September 1998. Alongside the usual day-to-day activities of a CEO, I spend a large part of my time meeting with our customers either in London or overseas. I understand the value of leading from the front and I’m very happy to use myself as the face of The Ritz Club – I genuinely believe that it is the task of any leader to get his/her people from where they are to where they have not been.

Roger, please tell our readers about yourself and how

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How do you view yourself and your role as Chief Executive of one of the world’s most prestigious casinos in the world?

As Chief Executive of The Ritz Club my role is to guide and provide inspiration to the management team and staff and to continue the ongoing

How would you describe your management style and how do you utilise that to keep both service standards high and staff morale high at the same time?

Operationally my approach is very hands on, I am very much a people person and I work very closely with the marketing, compliance and gaming operation teams.

Roger Marris, Chief Executive, of The Ritz Club

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Per Jaldung with Yared Gabretensaye, GM in Malmö

Everything we do at The Ritz Club is in keeping with our heritage and strategic vision and very much on brand.

It goes without saying that we have to remain competitive particularly in terms of marketing. However it is our integrity, reputation and high standards of service and operating procedures, (which are consistently and constantly upheld and our highly skilled and experienced staff) that sets us apart from the competition. We are a “family business” and have enjoyed incredible support and continued investment from our owners, which allows us to

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be ‘top of our game’.

The Ritz Club is renowned for having some of the biggest punters in the world as members. How do you view a membership club versus a normal non-membership casino? What are the key differentiators and what, in particular, sets The Ritz Club apart from your competition?

Membership of The Ritz Club allows high net worth players attain and maintain anonymity. We know all our members

appreciated the gesture. These members are more than customers. We’re a private company but it’s run like a large family business.

Members, who play at the level of casino play we offer, have expectations. We need to know and understand their preferences so they become comfortable and familiar with our services. No matter what they request, we customise their needs. Privacy? Done. Want to go shopping in Paris?

We’ll make all the arrangements. Is there a certain sporting event or show they want to see? We can facilitate that.

Does the member want a specific table or game or dealer?

That will be arranged along with placing the table exactly where the customer requests. Once players get to know what membership of The Ritz Club really means, a bond is created between us, which is extremely important to these high net worth individuals. It’s what also sets us apart from our competitors along with our beautiful interiors and very British high standards of attentive personal service.

We all know that many big punters also have big egos and are used to getting their way in their own businesses. How does one say “No” to a multi-millionaire or billionaire punter and still keep him or her as a loyal member or customer of The Ritz Club?

We work in a highly regulated environment and having to say “no” and explain the reason behind our decisions is an important and necessary part of our business today.

Compliance by Default is one of the core brand values of The Ritz Club. We have adopted a 3C’s strategy that focuses on putting our customers first and ensures that we operate with the highest levels of integrity. Building

extremely well and spend a considerable amount of time nurturing and valuing these relationships. Foremost, we’re a people business. We can’t assume that our members will always be there just because we’re here. There are never any assumptions and we maintain steady friendships such as remembering birthdays and anniversaries, not just for the Club member but also for the entire family.

Not that long ago, I learned that one of our members was going to be in London on business during his birthday and arranged to take him and his family to lunch. He sincerely

customer trust and confidence are key themes as we continue to develop our forward strategy at The Ritz Club.

We recognise that customer interaction around such sensitive subjects as problem gambling, with the type of player who frequents the high-end Mayfair casinos, has to be delivered in a particular manner.

We will do all that we can to put customer interests first; placing great emphasis on evaluating our compliance processes which give confidence; and in turn support and retain sustainable business over the long term.

Most of The Ritz Club members are international and you are British. How have you personally changed, developed or educated yourself to be able to both better interact with your international customers as well as provide better service?

Having had the opportunity to have lived and worked overseas from the beginning of my career, I have always

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found it easy to embrace ethnicities and cultures. London and the Ritz brand are all about being British, that’s what our customers expect and want to experience. We are fortunate enough to work in a multinational and multicultural environment and many of our staff are multilingual. Our employees also understand privacy, security and absolute discretion, that’s why we have members coming to our five-star brand.

Regulatory compliance will always be a matter of critical

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importance for casino operators. Do you think that things are getting better or more restrictive and what can be done to help improve this situation and relations with Regulators?

The Ritz Club has shown leadership and commitment to continuous improvement by reengineering our compliance function and culture to put player protection, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) at the core of our business. Our approach has been to create a framework based around our 3C’s model:

responsibility in practice.

We have placed greater emphasis on Know Your Customer (KYC) in order to keep Terrorism and Crime out of gaming and we have obtained specific and independently evidenced information from our customers and their guests, with regards to Source of Funds (SOF) and Source

1: Customers’ interest first; 2: Compliance, and then; 3: Commercial decision-making

of Wealth (SOW). Continuous customer due diligence monitoring is an important part of daily processes.

Once the company is satisfied with Customer and Compliance steps, only then will a commercial decision take place. Further initiatives have included improving internal and external communication across the business and implementing training to support these business processes.

We have a very good dialogue with the regulator and one particular area that I’m very keen to continue the conversation around is player protection.

The care and protection of our customers forms an integral part of our overall strategy and the recently awarded GamCare certification highlights The Ritz Club’s continuous commitment to player protection and our excellent standards of awareness have demonstrated a clear knowledge and understanding of corporate social

If you were a mentor to new managers just starting their careers in the casino industry, what advice would you give to them to help them to further develop their skills and improve their careers?

First and foremost we are a people business so it is very important to develop and hone excellent customer

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relations skills.

Due to the fast pace of change and the way in which the industry is adapting, to technology, new managers will need to develop strategic operational and management skills for a multi-channel business to stay ahead of the game. It is an exciting time to be starting a career in such a dynamic environment. No two days are the same and it is important to be flexible and adaptable to the various demands that may be placed on you by high net worth individuals/VIP players. The London gaming scene is changing and there is a need to reflect and consider where the high-end marketplace is evolving towards including identifying future gaming trends and requirements.

You will need to anticipate the needs of members, customers and act upon them proactively showing high levels of initiative. You must encourage innovation in order to provide solutions that will help in achieving and

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delivering better and faster results with courtesy, respect and dedication while remaining focused on customers/ members needs.

We haven’t talked too much about the Ritz Hotel or The Ritz Club but in closing is there anything that you would like to share with our readers about either operation?

I’ve been involved in several flagship brands in my professional career, but none have been so quintessentially British on a global scale, nor the epitome of elegance as The Ritz.

The Ritz London is an iconic global brand and during my stewardship as CEO of The Ritz Club, we have established an excellent working relationship with the Hotel, it’s senior management team and staff. We are also blessed in having one of the world’s most iconic hotels as part of our “family” and whose facilities our members can enjoy.

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As I’ve said many times before we are a people business and it is essential that our service and products are flawless and consistent and provide our members with unique experiences – this is what sets us apart from the competition. I have been constantly impressed by the friendliness of staff and the wonderful comments that I have received from our members and guests about the generosity of spirit, the great atmosphere, outstanding service and the warm welcome they receive when they come to The Ritz Club. We have a lifetime’s experience in providing a discreet and scrupulously honest service and that makes The Ritz Club a trusted brand. The Ritz Club embodies the timeless sense of style that many aspire to a style common to many leading British luxury brands but so rarely found amongst casino ventures.

Quite simply, there are many casinos, but very few have the stature, heritage and traditional qualities of The Ritz Club.

Steve Karoul is a recognized casino consultant with over 38 years of hands-on experience with the best casinos both within the United States and internationally. He is also an authority on all aspects of Casino Marketing, Asian Casino Marketing and Casino Junkets. Steve has lived in numerous countries and has conducted casino marketing activities in well over 125 countries around the world. He is an author, a lecturer and an educator who often injects his own hands on experiences and openly shares his ideas and thoughts with fellow industry executives. Telephone + (1-860) 536-1828 or skaroul@euroasiacasino.com or see www.euroasiacasino.com

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Aspers Westfield Stratford City

Discover all that is possible

Peter White chats to Tim Greenwood, HR Director at Aspers Group Can we commence this interview with a brief introduction from yourself about your career to date and your role at Aspers?

I have been the HR Director of Aspers Group for over eight years now. I have always worked in Human Resources and in various different sectors. I had a previous stint as HR Director of Caesars in the UK and I still refer to it “as my time at London Clubs”.

I work with a small team of HR Managers who have responsibility for HR matters in our casinos around the country (Stratford, Milton Keynes, Newcastle and Northampton) and also have management reports who are responsible for Learning and Development and Internal Communications.

Have you found from interviews with candidates that there is often a big disparity between perceived views of the Casino industry and the reality?

It is still the case that the majority of candidates who come along for an interview haven’t visited a casino before, or

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if they have, then it has been when they were abroad on holiday. Their initial perceptions may still be shaped by what they have seen in a James Bond movie or read in a fiction book. Most of our guests are simply looking for a fun night out and gambling might be just part of the experience they are looking for.

What are the entry level jobs into the Casino industry?

Aspers and the industry as a whole run training schools to develop trainees into croupiers, but there are many other entry level jobs as well – bar and restaurant, guest services, cash-desk and security – just to name a few.

One of the beauties of starting a career in casinos is that a lack of formal qualifications isn’t necessarily a barrier to entry. A positive “can-do” attitude is a must; we always aim to put our guests and their experience at the heart of everything we do – so being willing to go that extra mile for our guests to provide an extra special Aspers experience will take you a very, very long way.

How should potential candidates look to research and prepare for interviews for these roles?

Having a look at the company website is always a good idea along with our posts on social media. I would also recommend that a candidate visit a local casino and see for themselves what it’s like. If you can put yourself in the shoes of a guest for a minute, it can make a big difference to the way you both perceive your job and perform it.

A career in the Casino industry will require flexibility.

What is your advice to those who want a career in this sector as most roles are not 9-5?

It is hardly surprising that we want most of our colleagues working at our busiest times – that tends to be evenings, nights and weekends. It’s not a 9-5 environment but this isn’t just a casino thing and I think it’s easy to lose sight of how work has changed in the broader economy. Millions of people carry out night-work and it is on the increase, retailers extending their late night opening hours and the dramatic increase in online shopping has resulted in more warehousing operations running 24/7. When compared to other industries we’re really not that different in our need for colleague flexibility.

Is speed of thought, attention to detail and a good understanding of maths amongst some of the key qualities that assist with many of the table gaming roles?

Yes, but you certainly don’t have to be a maths genius! Pay-out calculations will be based on standard multiplication tables and once you have these committed to memory, the job becomes a great deal (excuse the pun)

easier; practice makes perfect. Aside from the maths, an equally important quality is being a natural when it comes to engaging with guests – when a colleague genuinely enjoys this part of the job it makes for a much better experience for both colleague and guest!

Have you examples from those whom have started their careers at Aspers and have been promoted a number of times?

Absolutely! We produce an internal enews every week and always feature a case study of a member of the team who has been promoted numerous times – we’re never short of individuals to feature in this section either. Examples that immediately spring to mind are a poker dealer who has progressed to a Customer Service Manager and a Customer Service Host who is now an F&B Manager responsible for a large team. We also have several examples of employees who have transferred to one of our other properties to take advantage of new career opportunities which of course we fully support and encourage. We also have lots of examples of colleagues who have moved from the frontline to more office based group roles such as a Cashier who is now an integral part of the Group Compliance department.

All those involved with Casino Life have met Brits during their travels working at Casinos overseas, so is this truly a career that can and does develop overseas?

I think that the quality of UK Casino training and the people that work in UK casinos has an outstanding international reputation. Plenty of Brits take the decision to do a spell in casinos on cruise ships and see the world.

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We have several members of the team that have done just that, returning some years later to take up work in a casino closer to home.

What is the average length of service for a new recruit to expect before they get the opportunity to obtain the level of General Manager?

That would all depend on how ambitious the individual was and what opportunities came their way that they decided to grab. We certainly have a pathway for this to be achieved and various supervisory and managerial stepping stones to help an individual get there.

What is involved with the training and education of new recruits?

Our induction process for new recruits is split into three distinct stages; Aspers Check-In, which consists of an intensive 2 day induction, providing an overview of the business, our culture, vision (To be everyone’s first choice for Casinos) and our expectations; this is usually delivered by one of our Learning and Development team. The second stage is what we call ‘Prepare for Take-Off’ which gets into the finer details of the relevant department the new recruits are joining and their specific roles. The third and final stage is called ‘Passport to Success’ which guides them through their 6 month probationary period.

Review points take place at 30, 60 and 90 days, this has proven very effective in helping individuals adapt to their new role. It also identitfies any additional support or guidance needed to help them perform their role better, and generally makes them feel like they really are part of the Aspers family.

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Does Aspers assist employees with further education courses that will assist their career development?

Aspers invests heavily in training and development at all levels within the business. Too many to be mentioned here, but to name a few, we recently ran a Management Development Programme which was delivered and coordinated by the Academy of Leadership and Management. The aim of this programme is to develop our highest performers into our General Managers of the future. Those who have successfully completed this programme received an ILM level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management. We also make full use of our apprenticeship levy, with more than 15 colleagues currently undertaking an apprenticeship to develop and advance their career opportunities. For those who are new to a supervisory/managerial role we have developed a range of ‘Getting Started with…’ modules which are proving popular. They cover a range of topics from coaching to feedback and presentations; vital skills for someone entering a managerial role for the first time.

We work with local educational resources to offer courses and qualifications in English Language functional skills Level 1 or Level 2 to colleagues where English is not their first language.

How many years can they expect to be in these roles before they are considered for promotion?

I don’t like to use the phrase ‘how long is a piece of string?’ but this can vary dramatically from a few months to a couple of years – depending on the individual and what their career aspirations happen to be. We have had colleagues join us as croupiers who have been promoted

Class of 2017 - just some of the Aspers team who successfully received their ILM level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management

to supervisor and then a manager within a few short years.

I think the important thing is to enjoy the journey and not obsess too much about the length of time it has taken to get there. Aspers will provide the support to help you achieve your goals, so long as you are willing to work hard and stay focussed.

What are amongst the main qualities Aspers are looking for in those wanting to start in the industry and those that are moving from one Casino operator to Aspers?

Our vision is to be everyone’s first choice for casinos and that includes first choice as an employer. We also have a big focus on wanting the guest experience to be fun in an Aspers Casino. We want employees to have engaging personalities and enjoy helping guests to have a great time when they are with us. If we can find candidates who really put the guest first then we have a great place to start from. If a candidate has the right attitude towards a guest and the experience they have when coming to one

of our casinos, we can certainly develop the rest!

What are amongst your prime objectives from a recruitment standpoint over the coming years?

Recruitment for casino operators in the UK over the next few years will be particularly challenging. Employment and job vacancies are at all-time highs and the Brexit effect is already here with fewer EU citizens coming to the UK each month. In this increasingly competitive market our aim has to be to create the best possible working environment; we want colleagues to feel part of a family. We put an emphasis on acknowledging hard work and commitment through our reward and recognition programme. Providing L&D investment and opportunities is also one of our key objectives. Like any other business, retention is key for us, 30% of our workforce has been with us for 5 years or longer – we value loyalty and would like to see these percentages increase over the years to come as colleagues decide that Aspers is their casino of choice.

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Ron Babini and Thomas Engstberger from AMATIC Industries at ICE

Focus on the Future AMATIC Industries Thomas Engstberger Feature interview by Glyn Thomas

We would like to commence this interview with Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary and the celebrations commenced at during ICE Totally Gaming.

How have you celebrated this achievement?

Thank you for your kind words. We are naturally proud to have reached this company milestone and were able to celebrate this with many of our customers and partners at the beginning of the year at ICE. At AMATIC we focus on the future and even though this is a big occasion, it is not our style to continue to talk about this. We are looking to the next years and the next innovations we will be bringing to the market.

How is 2018 performing for AMATIC Industries?

At AMATIC we are a family-owned and managed company.

We look to bring consistent solutions to our customers and do not look at short-term quarter-based gains. That is the advantage we have being a private company. Our market is extremely competitive and I believe technology has a bigger effect on our business than many others. But coming back to your question, we are pleased with our business results and are confident that we have a business model that promises long-term success. We create our own games and began from day one with the focus on MULTI GAME. Our latest gaming cabinets – the Performer Grand Arc (PGA) and the Amarox C24 have touched the nerve of the present time in their design. We have great experience in electronic roulette. Furthermore, we have

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continued to build our business in the online gaming market and have seen strong growth for our AMANET games.

What in your opinion have been amongst the most impressive features of the Performer Grand Arc that has made it so popular with players?

I would say it is the right mix of classic AMATIC hardware with the popular MULTI GAME choice. It is all about getting the balance right between the two. That is our focus. We work very closely with our customers throughout the globe. We analyse the market to see what features players are looking for that are not yet available.

This led to the creation of the PGA. Players want to feel comfortable. A gaming machine is not just a cabinet to provide games. It has to fulfill several requirements – for example with the right payment systems and the right jurisdictional approvals. Yet a gaming machine can awaken emotions that can literally draw in the player. This is something that is very hard to measure and requires much experience and knowledge of our industry. This is for sure a real strength of AMATIC.

What has been the reaction at exhibitions from visitors to your booth to your latest Roulette Grand Jeu 24HX? Electronic roulette is a major pillar to our business and we have many years of experience and success with our AMATIC Roulette Grand Jeu models. Our latest – the Roulette Grand Jeu 24HX – brings even more technology and security. It is fitted with 24” Full HD PCAP touchscreen monitors and based on the in-house developed powerful HARDROX hardware platform – thus we believe that a great roulette gaming experience is guaranteed. It provides space for up to 8 players around the table.

Furthermore it can be connected with numerous terminals and slot cabinets to allow many more players to join the live roulette. With its beautiful design, made of the finest materials and incorporating only the best electronic components, the Grand Jeu 24HX is built for 24/7 play.

Players often comment on how much they like the design – something that is very important to us. The Roulette Grand Jeu 24HX 8 is available in its traditional mahogany wood style. Operators can also choose a more modern style in exciting colours.

Photo courtesy of Onyx Casino Debrecen, Hungary

Can you explain to our readers the features and benefits from installing the new ‘HARDROX (HX)’ hardware platform in their Casinos and Gaming establishments?

HARDROX (HX) is the name of our latest gaming platform. A constantly growing number of games that include more and more graphics in high definition can only be successful if players can instantly access them. There is nothing more frustrating for players to have to wait for a game to load. Speed is the essence here for AMATIC – thanks to its HARDROX platform.

The new HARDROX (HX) hardware platform convinces through its enhanced performance, stability and security and makes the game experience even greater.

What are the main features AMAROX 24 that make it unique?

The AMAROX C24 was inspired by the success of its bigger brother, the PGA. Here again we looked to introduce a new design to the upright cabinet sector. We brought together a number of factors that linked together make this gaming machine unique. This includes its ergonomic and playerfriendly design, its dimensions, its LED lighting, the layout of the monitors, the push buttons and payment systems and - last but not least - its new and more powerful HARDROX hardware platform.

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Can you tell us about the recently launched AMANET video slots into its online casino platform?

AMANET is our online gaming division that offers a rich and constantly growing portfolio of complete in-house developed online games which all come in HTML5 format.

Indeed, the HTML5 technology ensures easy playability on all platforms without any software download requirement.

Each game has been successfully tried and tested in the land-based gaming segment before entering the AMANET portfolio. This is our recipe for success in the online gaming market. It is multilingual and approved by multiple jurisdictions. Today, operators can choose from more

Fidel Molina of COMATEL and Leopold Öller of AMATIC Industries

than 80 online games in the AMANET library, including renowned AMATIC casino slots like ‘Arising Phoenix’, ‘All Ways Fruits’, ‘Bells On Fire’, ‘Billy’s Game’, ‘Enchanted Cleopatra’ or ‘Hot Scatter’, just to name a few.

JEU to the Spanish market, which must have been a very proud achievement for the company?

Yes, indeed. My colleague Leopold Öller, who is responsible for the Spanish market, works very closely with our long-standing partner Comatel, based in Valencia.

How has business been for AMANET this year?

We have seen major growth for AMANET this year with a number of new approvals being granted such as in the UK, Romania and Colombia. Indeed, the number of Online Casinos that have integrated AMANET online games into their portfolio has grown positively in the past 12 months. We have a dual game strategy – offering our popular games from the landbased sector and creating games specifically for the online market. This dual approach has proven to be successful.

We are very proud of this achievement and this goes to show how popular our electronic roulette is in Spain.

You recently achieved a new milestone in the history of AMATIC Industries – with the delivery of the 1000th ROULETTE GRAND

How is AMATIC’s MULTI GAME package evolving and can you provide details of the latest new games that have been introduced over the last year?

MULTI GAME is the heart of our business and has been our focus since AMATIC was founded 25 years ago. We believe very much in creating all games from scratch by ourselves – then these are true AMATIC games. We are not in the market for brandled games. We create the games based on our own knowledge and experience and each year we introduce a range of new games – usually between ten and twenty. Thus,

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our games portfolio continues to grow and our customers can look forward to having new game titles to offer their customers, the players.

How is AMATIC perceived in Central and South America?

Your timing for this question is perfect as I have just returned from the SAGSE show in Argentina where we were exhibiting with our local partner Oasis Entertainment. We welcomed a number of operators to our stand and were pleased to see and hear that AMATIC is a well-known and respected brand there. This is the case for a number of countries in Latin America and therefore an excellent basis to grow our business there.

So I guess you will be travelling quite a bit during the coming months?

We place great emphasis in understanding customer needs and matching that with our product range. If you work for AMATIC Industries in sales, then travelling plays an important role. We are an international company and hence we travel on a global basis.

What do you plan for the rest of the year? Will you launch any products?

We will be visiting the G2E Las Vegas show and then come back to Europe in preparation for exhibiting at the BEGE show in Bulgaria in November. Our focus after that will then be the ICE 2019 as we are working hard to ensure that our latest hardware and software innovations can be released at this show.

How do you see the gaming industry today? What changes would you implement to make this industry more efficient?

The gaming market today is more varied and available to players than it ever was. There are many types of gaming – from land-based through to online. Local legislation differs not only from country to country but sometimes from region to region. Thus, gaming is becoming increasingly complex and the requirements manufacturers have to fulfill as well. Customer preferences from each gaming segment from around the world have to be taken into account. Legislation often plays a key role for gaming developments. We’d like to see such legal decisions being made on a wider basis – this would remove some of the

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complexities we are faced with.

Recent years have seen the major manufacturers of slot machines and multiplayers either being acquired or merged, changing the world map of the gaming industry.

What has been AMATIC Industries approach in these times to this phenomenon?

Mergers and acquisitions are things that happen in all industries. You are right – the past years have seen big changes in our industry. One thing we should never forget is that we all earn our money thanks to the players enjoying their time on our gaming solutions. Player enjoyment has to remain the key. We believe we can best achieve this by remaining innovative and independent.

We know our markets; we know our capacities. We are here for the long term. It is not seldom that our customers express their thanks that we stick to our philosophy of independence – the mergers and acquisitions have often resulted in less choice for the player. Choice is key and we are always happy when customers choose AMATIC! Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’d like to conclude this interview by expressing our sincere thanks from the entire AMATIC team to our customers and partners around the world. We have celebrated 25 years in business this year. Our focus remains on the future. We are well placed with our land-based and online solutions and year-on-year we build upon and expand our MULTI GAME portfolio.

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The global component and cash management company for the gaming industry Glyn Thomas Interview with Goran Sovilj, Executive VP Gaming & Amusement EMEA and Mike Sigona, Global Gaming Product Manager & Business Development Manager Europe SUZOHAPP

SUZOHAPP is a popular choice of suppliers for gaming establishments worldwide. What are the key drivers of SUZOHAPP’s success over all its years in the Casino industry?

GS: Our product range is vast – we currently offer over 50,000 components. We have a long history in the Gaming industry – over 60 years – so we know and understand our customers very well. We also adapt quickly to changing market environments and customer needs. Our adaptability is what keeps us relevant.

Goran Sovilj

Your catalogue showcases many options involving cash and coin handling. Is that the primary focus of your product range in the Gaming sector?

GS: Cash Handling is of strategic importance to the Gaming industry and, thus, to SUZOHAPP’s Gaming portfolio as well. Our Gaming customers also appreciate our LCD range and the high level of customization we are able to deliver to meet varying customer requirements.

Our push buttons give us the opportunity to showcase the latest innovations with offerings like our Digital Panel Systems, LCD Button Decks, LCD push buttons and mechanical push buttons. At the G2E, we will unveil our new push button which we can assure you will be received with great enthusiasm.

Is SUZOHAPP a global company or is it still looking at geographic expansion?

GS: SUZOHAPP is global. We have 5 production facilities and 35 offices in 19 countries. We are continually innovating and looking for opportunities to grow our business and are keeping a close eye on how things are evolving in Asia, especially Japan, as well as in Brazil.

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How is SUZOHAPP helping operators deliver on the entertainment expectations of casino visitors in the era of ticket in / ticket out.

GS: The era of ticket in / ticket out (TITO) is still ongoing.

We still see a high demand from casinos that prefer its ease of use, in addition to having the option to use a printer to give selected players a bonus through coupons

over “no winning coin drop noise”.

We have partnered with Nanoptix to offer the Paycheck 4 and NextGen as part of our TITO offering.

How does SUZOHAPP approach customer care?

GS: The long-term satisfaction of all of our customers is of utmost importance to us. Throughout the entire purchasing process, we have a capable team of professionals ready to serve our customers.

And we do not stop at the sale.

We want our customers to feel supported long after the sale is complete, which is why our dedicated sales reps are always available for questions, as well as our excellent team of customer service representatives. Our aim is to offer best-inclass customer service every day to everyone.

How do you work with your suppliers to ensure high quality products? How do you make sure your suppliers are delivering the latest and best products at a competitive price?

GS: We became our own suppliers! We manufacture most of the products that we also distribute and sell globally. We continually improve our engineering, manufacturing, service and distribution capabilities to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our valued customers. We are really proud of our global engineering center of excellence which is tasked with developing our company’s core technology and leading the introduction of innovative technologies.

What other innovations can visitors to your booths at shows such as G2E Las Vegas expect to see?

GS: In light of the Supreme Court ruling legalizing sports betting, we will show a wide range of Sports Betting Solutions. This means that any online Gaming company that has a desire to go land-based could and should partner up with us due to our vast components range, our global manufacturing and assembly capabilities, our global coverage and the global service we are able to provide.

In recent years, the innovation in Gaming content and display technology has advanced rapidly. How does SUZOHAPP ensure it remains at the forefront of this competitive sector?

GS: SUZOHAPP is a key supplier of tens of thousands of displays to the Gaming industry each year, from small sizes in LCD button desks to displays for slots and electronic table games to LCD toppers and large-scale LCDs. Our OEM team is recognized for helping our customers understand industry trends and roadmaps from the panel manufacturers, as well as explaining the details behind the various touch technologies to ensure a proper fit with customer requirements. We recently added Mike Sigona, formerly with Elo Touch Solutions, to our team.

Mike brings over 25 years of experience in displays and touch. Our own VisionPro monitor line meets the market trends in both common sizes and increasing demand for decorative LEDs, both internal and external floating

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designs. VisionProTM monitors are fully customizable and can be delivered quickly. We also offer Elo touch monitors, the high-quality standard in the market, at highly competitive prices since we move such a high volume of them.

SUZOHAPP is the long-standing partner of Elo Touchscreens. What makes Elo products stand out so much in the market?

MS: Elo is the world’s largest producer of commercial-grade touch displays, over 20 million installations, producing nearly 2,000 units per day.

They are unique in producing the PCAP touch technology in their own factory – from electronics boards, PCAP chips and device drivers to metalwork and tooling, and tuning by their own engineers. It is a complete monitor solution where touch was integrated from the start, not added to a non-touch monitor.

We have seen other offerings in the market which seem to be fighting only on price by lowering quality, such as using unbranded touch technology.

Elo quality is never in doubt.

Given its position as a supplier to the medical market, Elo’s processes and production pass the demanding standards of that market. Plus, Elo’s 2GS all-glass PCAP technology is unique in the Gaming market - no plastic films are used in the mid-range sizes which means better optics and longevity with no yellowing with heat, no risk of plastic delaminations, peeling ITO, or other quality issues that we see in the market recently.

Toppers, such as the Xenon LED and Ringo Compact, are popular with Casinos. Do you have plans to launch further

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Mike Sigona

new designs of toppers and, if so, will they have LEDs? MS: Customized toppers, with and without LCDs and decorative LEDs, are a major part of our business. Our SUZOHAPPowned factory in China has over 25 plastic moulding machines, plus PCB stuffing, mechanical and electrical engineers, and dozens of assembly stations available for production of customized toppers.

Besides some sample toppers being shown at G2E, please inquire about our full capability, including units which are too large to display in the stand, produced for some of the top 5 players in the industry.

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The look and feel of the game(s) described and/or displayed herein and the individual components and displays of such game(s) are trade dress of Scientific Games Corp. and its Subsidiaries. © 2018 Scientific Games Corp. and its Subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

SUZOHAPP recently exhibited at AGE Sydney where you displayed the Nanoptix advanced printing solutions, PayCheck® NextGen™, the PayCheck Terminal & the PayCheck® 4™.

What customer feedback have you received for Nanoptix so far? What are the key benefits of the Nanoptix product line?

MS: We were extremely pleased with the feedback we received on the Nanoptix units at the show. Notably, the PayCheck® NextGen™ is the fastest printer in Gaming. And only the PayCheck® 4™ thermal printer can print a ticket in just 0.6 seconds! In fact, the PayCheck® 4™ is so lightning fast, there’s no need to rely on a “burst”, like some other printers do. The PayCheck® NextGen™ features include integrated anti-jamming, longest print head life, multiple USB ports, MicroSD reader, HDMI, Bluetooth, truly hot swappable, standard 400 ticket tray (600, 800 extensions), and coupon ready.

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32

Leaving Your Comfort Zone

Advancing your career within the gaming industry. Marie J Maher, Ph.D.

M

y love of the casino and hospitality industries runs deep. Having done Organizational Development work in the casino gaming industry for many years, I can honestly say that the industry itself, and certainly the leaders within it, are unusually dynamic and forward thinking. I have often said that each property is like an entire community; bakers, printers, chefs, accountants, advertising experts, gaming gurus, leadership at its very best, and much more flourish under the roof of these venues.

I came to gaming myself through a circuitous route. My Doctorate is in Business Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Development. Additionally, I have two Master’s Degrees in Behavioral studies.

I have taught for seven different institutions of higher learning and have run several companies at CEO level.

When I began doing organizational development work in gaming operations, I was astounded at the wealth of expertise that can be found in each operation. Soon, I totally immersed myself and this became my specialty field. Since then I have developed casino gaming college certification programs and taught in same, as well as earning a Certificate in Gaming Management myself. But it took hard work and more education to reach my current level of knowledge of the industry. I had to leave my existing comfort level of success in order to strive for more in casino gaming.

Marie J Maher, Ph.D

Now that I am a top international recruiter for the gaming and hospitality industries working globally to find leadership talent, people ask me continually about how to succeed and advance in leadership within the industry. I’d like to address this question here. Let’s talk first about the importance of understanding the totality of this business in order to advance into senior leadership.

More than most types of business organizations, gaming requires knowledge beyond one’s own job. For example, if I am running the food and beverage operations in a gaming resort, I need to understand the vital role casino

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George Goldhoff, President and CEO PURE Canadian Gaming

George Goldhoff, President and CEO PURE Canadian Gaming

games play in relation to dining and patrons. If I were the Human Resources Director, I would need to understand the challenges faced by my team members on the gaming floor, in the food and beverage operations, and within the hotel and guest service positions. Gaming venues are high intensity workplaces with continual guest services interactions. Understanding of the games, the related comps and privileges, dining and lodging relationship, marketing choices, and ancillary support services is vital.

Working with a “silo” mentality, focusing upon only your own department or function, is very counterproductive in gaming.

I encourage all executives who aspire to senior leadership positions to diversify their knowledge and step out of their own knowledge base early on. Attend seminars on slot math, and learn about components of table drop and surveillance consideration. Step out of your comfort zone!

Casino gaming more than many other fields, requires the ability to move fluidly and continually adjust.

The exciting opportunities to advance from within exist within all gaming properties, but that will not happen to you unless you reach for it.

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Highly regarded George Goldhoff, President and CEO of PURE Canadian Gaming is an exemplary leader in the international gaming industry, and he put in the hard work to get there. As he says about his own journey “Taking risks lead to big rewards. It was 1996, I was the manager of the highest grossing, privately held restaurant in the world, located in one of the most vibrant cities, surrounded by consummate professionals, paid handsomely, recently married and about to have a second child. I resigned my position and enrolled at Columbia University’s Business School to ensure I was preparing myself for greater professional achievements.

I look back and say “what was I thinking!?” I had a safe and prestigious role. What I did know, was that if I wanted to grow, I needed to take a personal risk and invest in myself. I was out of my comfort zone, surrounded by bright, thoughtful, driven men and women discussing and studying innovation, finance and the latest business trends. Ultimately, deep down in my heart, I knew that there is so much to gain by becoming uncomfortable and taking this calculated risk. If you are ready to get out of your safety zone, start small, don’t do it alone and do it on a regular basis.”

Conrad Granito, GM Muckleshoot Casino Washington USA Conrad Granito, GM of Muckleshoot Casino, a tribal property in Washington State USA, has a similar perspective about leaving ones comfort zone. He says this : “To have a successful career not only in gaming but in any industry, it is important that the individual take responsibility for their advancement and the learning the necessary skills they will need to succeed. The only way to do this is to make the concerted effort to do and learn things outside your personal comfort zone. If you are going to grow as a person and become a value to an organization, you need to be well-rounded and can see the whole field. With those skills you can work to be the ‘go to person’ who assists in making positive things happen.”

Conrad Granito, GM Muckleshoot Casino Washington USA

When a an individual comes to me and asks me what they can do to become a leader in this field, I ask them, “What have you done to learn as many aspects of the gaming industry as you can?” Often they are surprised at this, stating that their own path ( finance, gaming floor, marketing, F&B, etc.,) has produced many excellent leaders in the industry. While this may be true, the more depth of knowledge you have, the more you extend past your personal comfort zone, the better opportunity you will have to reach the top of this industry.

Does this mean you must come from the gaming industry to rise to the top? In most cases, the answer is usually yes. Strong leadership in related fields – such as hospitality or entertainment, can make the switch possible in the right circumstances. For example, a senior hotelier may well make the switch to a gaming resort property and then into the gaming industry itself. Similarly, Food and Beverage is an excellent portal to enter gaming life.

But, I find my client properties who are seeking senior leadership are looking for industry experience across the board. If you want to step into that CEO or GM role, you need generalized gaming industry knowledge as well as advanced education.

College education was once very hard to obtain while

working full-time. Now, with the advent of fully accredited college degrees being available online, this is an investment you can make for a terrific future. If you feel that seeking a degree is something that isn’t right for you, certainly seek certifications in your field. These too are available online in most cases.

Definitely attend seminars and trade shows. Earn your certifications and mix with other leaders in the industry.

This will give you the opportunity to mentor and be mentored. Gaming is definitely a community around the world. I have found it to be a warm and welcoming community of individuals who appreciate each other and the excitement we all strive to create.

Beyond these basic qualifications, you must indicate your willingness and enthusiasm to seek out opportunities and show your commitment to your employer and to the industry. Take on that task force role, offer to mentor another team member, demonstrate leadership in life and business, bring your positivity to work with you every day, walk the gaming floor and make eye contact with your guests, pick up a piece of paper from the carpet, shake the hand of the janitor in your building, and carry yourself daily as the leader you want to be. You can offer to assist at job fairs, speak to students, and represent your property to the community.

In closing, being expert in your own field of knowledge will likely not be enough to raise you to the CEO or GM position. Strive to become very knowledgeable about the industry overall. Exciting times await us all as we advance further into sports betting, interactive gaming and so much more. Read your trade publications and love your work. I will be excited to speak with you when I have that next senior leadership position available for recruitment!

It will be my pleasure to write regular articles on aspects of organizational development in gaming on an ongoing basis in Casino Life. I welcome your comments which you can send to marie@mariejmaher.com.

Marie J. Maher Ph.D. is the owner of Marie Maher Consulting and Recruiting By Marie Maher. Visit her website www.recruitingbymariemaher and feel free to write to her: marie@mariejmaher.com

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1st - 7th November 2018

Let’s talk about Responsible Gambling Responsible Gambling Week is a national, cross-industry awareness campaign promoting responsible gambling, led by the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling.

ResponsibleGamblingWeek.org @RGWeek18 #RGWeek18

Providing Treatment & Support Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive Officer, Gamcare talks to Casino Life For those of our readership not familiar with the charity ‘GamCare’, could we commence this interview with an explanation starting with when it was established and how it is funded?

GamCare was established in April 1997 with the intention of helping and supporting those affected by problem gambling, and also to help the gambling industry to better understand how they can bring social responsibility into the heart of their businesses.

There has certainly been a change in the landscape of the gambling industry since then, however our core focus is still the same. We provide information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling across Great Britain, and we also work to minimise gamblingrelated harms by providing a range of training, consultancy and targeted outreach work.

The National Gambling HelpLine and our network of treatment services are currently funded by GambleAware, and we also receive donations from industry, individuals, trusts and foundations towards our wider work.

What is your background prior to taking this role?

I joined GamCare in January 2018 and my background prior to that was quite varied. I’ve worked mainly in substance misuse and with families with complex needs.

I have experience with both adults and young people, in the community, in custody and across charities, local authorities and the NHS. I have also worked in the commercial sector, and find it useful to be able to see how different sectors function.

I’d been in senior roles for some years, so my background has prepared me well for this role as I have a good understanding of charity governance and of managing change and complexity. I’m also the chair of a small charity close to where I live, which helps give me a Board perspective on things.

Can you outline your aims and ambitions for this role?

I’ve got huge ambitions for the role! I’m very passionate

Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive Officer GamCare

about it, as are my team, and we’ve got lots of plans for now and for the longer-term.

Our biggest priority is always ensuring that the people who need our help can access support and treatment easily, free of charge. Currently, it’s estimated that around 2% of the people affected by problem gambling are seeking support. We are working hard to reduce

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the barriers people may experience in reaching out for help, in order to triple the number of people we support over the next three years.

We are also aiming to increase our engagement with ‘hard to reach’ groups, as while they don’t frequently access our services, their need may be more acute.

This includes those within the criminal justice system, BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) groups, as well as women.

This goes hand in hand with increasing the range of treatment options we can provide. The more choice we can offer to our clients, within a solid evidence base, the better. Our treatment options are high-quality, and our outcomes are very good, so when people do engage with us we can certainly help them. However, we do want to encourage people to engage with us sooner; many of the people accessing our services are at a crisis point, and we recognise the need for earlier interventions.

Increasing awareness of problem gambling, and the ways that people can access support, is key. This encompasses at-risk gamblers too – we want to prevent problems from escalating any further. We have captured all this and more in our new organisational strategy.

It’s going to be a busy few years!

Left to right: Tracey Crouch MP Anna Hemmings CEO GamCare

How closely do you work with land-based and online Casino operators?

We have good relationships with lots of operators, and we provide training and our current Certification to several casinos. We also have good relationships with the National Casino Forum, Playing Safe and the SENSE scheme, which we are keen to grow.

We have recently reviewed our training and Certification, with a view to pushing innovation in social responsibility and player protection across the board. Look out for some new developments in that area in the next few months.

What responsible gambling measures have you seen in the land-based casino sector that have impressed you?

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Depending on the size and operation of the casino, there will be a blend of data-driven systems and controls and human interaction which forms part of good customer service. Ultimately, there needs to be a willingness to understand social responsibility and to work hard to safeguard customers.

For responsible gambling measures to be effective, we feel that they must be completely integrated into the business, part of the organisational culture. The tone ‘from the top’ needs to be clear, and social responsibility needs to be part of everyone’s day to day, not just a job for the compliance team.

What more could land-based casinos do to enhance responsible gambling amongst their customers?

Collectively, we need to work to make gambling activities

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on our Forum, with around 2,000 new threads started each year. More than 10,000 people also connected to our services via our NetLine last year, receiving one-to-one support via web chat. We also provide a self-assessment tool via our website, which more than 20,000 people use over the course of a year to try to understand the areas they may need to focus on with regards to their own gambling behaviour.

Our website is an extremely important part of our service, and it is currently in need of a refresh. This is something we will be focussing on in the next year, in consultation with our teams and our service users.

as safe as possible. This means a mixture of approaches – helping customers understand the tools which are available to them to help them stay in control of their gambling, providing information about risks in a clear and accessible way, and ensuring that if someone wants to take a break they can step away easily for as long as they want to.

Lots of operators are also proactively working to understand markers of harm for their customers, so that they can interact with those customers appropriately and signpost them to support if they need it. A better understanding of problem gambling and how to motivate behaviour change is helpful for operators – that’s why we have launched a new training course focused on this, which is receiving great feedback from staff teams who now feel empowered to take the lead in safeguarding their customers, and in turn providing better customer service.

GamCare is also working with several self-exclusion schemes, including SENSE, to look at how we get people who have concerns about their gambling to our Advisers on the National Gambling HelpLine as seamlessly as possible. Our new training is a precursor to being able to transfer calls directly to the HelpLine so those customers receive the help they need quickly and easily.

The website is very often the first point of contact, and gamcare.org.uk is clearly formed of vast insight into those affected by problem gambling?

Yes, it is, and we get more than 2 million unique visitors every year now. More than 30,000 people are registered

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How does the Charity promote itself to gamblers, especially those that seek advice?

Raising awareness of our services is one of our biggest challenges. We promote ourselves in as many ways as possible, including in venues (such as machine stickers, on screens and via posters and leaflets) and on gambling sites, plus a mixture of print and digital promotion channels. We also promote local face to face services through our partner network and their contacts, and we’re actively working to get more Local Authorities engaged as they have great local access to harder to reach groups.

We are also now able to offer direct transfers to the National Gambling HelpLine from customer service teams once those teams have received our training.

Are you in partnership with Responsible Gambling Week?

Yes, we are supporting the Week and will also be hosting free training at various national locations as part of our Youth Outreach Programme during the week.

Do you think society should have a better understanding and appreciation of addictions than they do currently, and do you think more can be done to educate and inform the public?

It’s important that we work hard to raise awareness of problem gambling, especially as there are not the visible signs you get with drug or alcohol misuse and it can therefore remain a hidden problem for longer.

As I mentioned, we are encouraging people to seek support sooner, but also to talk more openly about gambling. The more we discuss what gambling is, what the risks are and how to manage them, the more we can raise awareness of what a problem might look like and how people can tackle this.

Like many mental health issues, people affected by gambling problems often suffer in silence and become very isolated – the more we get people talking and understanding the issue, the better.

Earlier intervention is one of your key objectives. What strategies are you looking to implement with gambling establishments online and land-based to assist with getting early intervention?

We need more visibility – more awareness of the problem and more awareness that help is available. We are working to help everyone understand that the quicker someone finds help, the less the impact of a gambling problem will be felt by them, their family and their community.

Not everyone will want or need long-term treatment, sometimes a briefer intervention can be more helpful. We will work with each client to understand where they are in their own journey, so we can tailor treatment to give them the best possible outcomes.

We have good short form screening tools available and we are keen that a broad range of services who may encounter those affected by problem gambling use these tools to refer into treatment services. We can provide training on how to use these tools and empower people to have meaningful conversations about gambling so that those affected can make positive changes. As I mentioned, along with our ‘Motivating Behavioural Change’ training,

operators can now refer customers directly to our Advisers on the National Gambling HelpLine.

We also have a successful youth outreach programme which provides free workshops for young people to help them gain awareness knowledge and skills to make safer choices around gambling, understand more about problem gambling, and ensure they know where to access support should they or someone they know need it. We also offer free training to professionals working with young people to ensure that they recognise risk factors, signs and symptoms, can interact with young people about gambling and problem gambling, and likewise know where to access support should they need it. Promotion for this programme is very helpful.

For those wishing to find out more about GamCare, how can they contact the organisation as well as obtain a copy of the GamCare Strategy Report 2018 /21?

Visit www.gamcare.org.uk to view our full strategy document, email info@gamcare.org.uk or call us on 020 7801 7000 for more information.

The National Gambling HelpLine is available from 8am – Midnight every day on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via www.gamcare.org.uk/netline If companies need a copy of our updated logo, including our ‘Problem Gambling Support’ logo, email info@gamcare.org.uk to arrange this.

Looking for the best?

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There is never a fee unless you hire.

Costs are moderate and satisfaction is high Visit our website: www.recruitingbymariemaher.com Contact Dr. Marie Maher: marie@mariejmaher.com

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Scandinavian Gaming Show Review

S

30 thousand. 10.2 million. 949,761. 24.1%. 1252. 1982.

3 of the top 5. 19.88 million. By: Damien Connelly

tockholm’s skärgården (archipelago) made up of c.30,000 islands, islets and reefs. Sweden population July 2018. Stockholm population 2017. Percent of Swedish people with a foreign background 2017: “Foreign background include foreign-born and Swedish-born with two foreign-born parents”. The year Stockholm was founded. The year ABBA split up.

Worldwide Broadband Speed League 2018. Nordic countries take three of the top five positions, with Sweden ranked number two in the world.

International tourist arrivals forecast for 2028.

Sources: Statistics Sweden. Visit Sweden. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Cable. World Travel & Tourism Council.

Eventus International organised the first Scandinavian Gaming Show, held 5-6 September in Stockholm.

Stockholm is wonderfully located, encompassing the beautiful Stockholm archipelago.

Stockholm, and indeed Sweden, has a diverse population with 24.1% of the country’s 10.2 million people of foreign background. This diversity translates to international tourist arrivals, which is seeing its Chinese market averaging 40% growth.

Sweden is on our radar because in January 2019 it will legalise online gambling for licensed operators…except for the licensed, incumbent land-based operator, Casino Cosmopol AB…which will also not be allowed to offer sports betting, even though it is a subsidiary of Svenska Spel…which does offer sports betting.

As Simon Thomas from The Hippodrome Casino notes on page 5 of this issue of Casino Life, “Perhaps it is time to…modernise (gambling) regulations more generally.”

While Simon is referring to the UK, I think the same logical arguments to modernise gambling laws can be applied to many countries, including Sweden.

Returning to the Scandinavian Gaming Show, it was a good networking event. Attendees met with industry contacts they knew already. For myself, that included Per Jaldung and Nina Ehnhage from Casino Cosmopol, and Michael Mrak from Casinos Austria. It also allowed attendees to make new contacts, which for me included David Webb from Bet Construct and Adam Noble from Play’n GO.

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Left to right: Daniel Gruederich, CEO Sportsbookcloud, Per Jaldung CEO European Casino Association, Jenny Nilzon CEO Swedish Gambling Association, Johann Sigurdsson, Business Development Consultant, Microgaming

Many educational presentations and panel discussions were held during the two days of the Scandinavian Gaming Show. I learned commercially valuable information from the various speakers, including that data will grow 40% annually to reach 44 zettabytes by 2020. This growth will make data capture, storage, analysis, privacy, and commercialisation an increasing challenge for operators — important, as ours is an industry of both ‘soft and hard’ data.

[For those interested, one zettabyte is 102, which is more zeros than my little brain can handle.]

From the legal team at Kastell, a great overview of commercial changes the new gambling laws will bring in. This will include fines of up to 10% of any operator’s Swedish business. Perhaps more soberingly for all those aggressive online-only operators, any breach could be a criminal act that could result in jail time for offenders.

Intriguingly, Sweden has already seen some court actions and corporate personnel changes. With the new laws coming into effect 1 January 2019, one thing is certain – exciting changes will happen in Sweden.

Life Changing Experience Boxing legend Frank Bruno presents 14-year-old local boy with life changing gift

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14-year-old boy, who has cerebral palsy, has been presented with his very own light-weight wheelchair by boxing legend Frank Bruno, courtesy of CHIPS Charity and Genting UK at Resorts World Birmingham.

Finn Lusty, from Cheltenham, lives with his mum, step dad and three siblings and has a huge passion for sport.

Finn has cerebral palsy spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy that causes muscle stiffness which makes walking difficult and as a result, is a full-time wheelchair user.

Finn has recently outgrown his wheelchair and following a bike accident in 2017, has become even more reliant on his wheelchair.

The new chair provided by CHIPS and Genting UK will enable him to enjoy his passion for sport and as a result of the mountain bike wheels on the chair, Finn will now be able to access sports fields and referee football games, as well as participate in other wheelchair sports.

The wheelchair was purchased with funds raised by employees at Genting UK who ran the Rock and Roll Madrid Marathon and Half Marathon in April 2017. £20,000 was raised in total by ten runners from Genting Casino UK and the money was donated to CHIPS – a charity founded on behalf of the Casino and Gaming Industry, to raise money for specialised wheelchairs to give to young people with disabilities.

Frank Bruno, said: “I was delighted to have been asked

by Genting UK and CHIPS to present Finn with a brand-new wheelchair.

“As a former sportsman myself, I believe every young person should have the opportunity to participate in sport and it’s amazing to hear this wheelchair will give Finn the

opportunity to get more involved in something he’s so passionate about.”

Vickie Lusty, Finn’s mother, said: “The new wheelchair that we have received from CHIPS is the chair of Finn’s dreams and has modifications that will help to make his life so much easier. I have never heard anyone else trying so hard at life and he is only 14 years old. He is breaking the rules of disability and you will see him on a podium one today!

“I want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to CHIPS and Genting UK, you have provided him with something that it would have been impossible for us to provide and by doing that you have helped heal my heart just a little bit.”

Mark Sergeant, Group Managing Director at Genting Casino, said, “I’m incredibly proud of the staff members at Genting UK who raised money for CHIPS by taking part in the Rock and Roll Madrid Marathon and Half Marathon.”

“As a teenager, Finn deserves his own independence and with this new, lightweight wheelchair it’s brilliant to know that Finn will now be able to participate in wheelchair sports, something I know he’s very passionate about.”

Linda Lindsay, CHIPS Charity co-founder said, “It’s great to see a sporting legend such as Frank Bruno present Finn with his very own lightweight wheelchair that really is going to help change his life. Finn deserves to enjoy his passion for sport and the wheelchair will really help him gain the access to wheelchair sports.”

“I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the fundraising and making the presentation possible.”

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Ball of fun

CHIPS has a ball for it’s 500th presentation with Strictly’s Anton Du Beke

he UK gaming industry took centre stage recently as CHIPS presented the 500th powered wheelchair thanks to donations made by a wide range of organisations from across the sector including Beacon Bingo, Cashino, Clarion Gaming, NRM and The Rank Group.

In a presentation at London’s Reform Club, Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke took time out of a busy schedule to present the 500th powered wheelchair to 10-year old Abbi Bennett who lives with Ulrich’s Muscular Dystrophy which affects her lower limbs and severely limits her mobility. Abbi, who travelled to London from her home in Bournville, Birmingham is the latest recipient to benefit from CHIPS’ fundraising which totals over £2m, a figure that has allowed it to purchase the bespoke powered wheelchairs that the NHS cannot provide and that the parents cannot afford.

Talking at the

founder Linda Lindsay, said: “We’re delighted to have achieved this incredible milestone and in doing so provide Abbi with the gift of freedom which so many of us take for granted. This wheelchair, which cost £7,000, will provide her with the freedom to move around easily and safely and includes a state-of-the-art hi/lo facility allowing her to talk to her friends and family face-to-face rather than always on a lower level. We could not have reached this milestone figure without the amazing generosity of the UK industry. We are very grateful and sincerely hope that this will continue, so that we can help more wonderful and deserving youngsters like Abbi.

“I’ve attended virtually every one of the 500 CHIPS wheelchair presentations and have seen how the chairs quite literally change lives, not just the children’s but the whole family as well as carers, teachers and friends. To reach 500 is incredibly exciting and we’re very humbled

presentation Anton said: “These wheelchairs are life-changing and it’s been an honour to be part of this wonderful achievement with CHIPS! I really love working with smaller charities such as CHIPS where you see the impact of their work, even though they’re small charities they make a massive difference. To be part of today has been incredible, I’ve met Abbi - who’s a little beauty - and that wheelchair has made such a difference to her life already. It’s wonderful to see how she’s completely independent not waiting for someone to push her or carry her, she’s just off on her own path! That sense of giving a fuller life to a child is so important and the freedom and independence it brings, is just unbelievable.”

Commenting on the 500th presentation, CHIPS’ co-

to have had Anton mark this momentous occasion and help Abbi onto the next stage of her adventure.”

CHIPS sets the highest fundraising standards with 100% of monies raised going towards the provision of powered wheelchairs for children throughout the United Kingdom. Linda explained: “Every chair we provide brings great joy not only to the individual child who is able to interact and socialise with friends but also to the family unit. The sad fact is that the demand for specialised chairs that the NHS can’t provide, far exceeds what CHIPS can supply. However, today marks a huge achievement for the charity and with more companies pledging their support to us each year, we hope to reach the next 500 even sooner and continue to bring freedom to youngsters throughout the UK.”

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Preview of G2E 2018 Zytrionic • Transact • Interblock • SG Games • Winsystems • Aristocrat

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SPOTLIGHT

Cutting Edge Technology On Display at Zytronic Booth Zytronic to demonstrate interactive touch displays with embedded mechanical controls at G2E 2018

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ntegrating mechanical controls into the active touch area blends tactile response with touch interactivity, opens new design possibilities for casino and skill game developers Zytronic, a leading manufacturer of durable, customised Projected Capacitive Technology (PCT™

and MPCT™) touch sensors for the gaming industry, is delivering an industry first at G2E with the demonstration of tactile buttons and dials within the touch area of its touchscreens. In addition to the integrated mechanical capabilities, the company will also demonstrate its new ZXY500 touch controller which has made it possible to

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also incorporate wireless capabilities such as NFC payment processing and Qi-based wireless mobile phone charging, and in addition enabling near borderless touch display designs.

Commenting, Ian Crosby, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Zytronic, said, “Players love the tactility of a physical control, particularly for skill based gaming, as well as the flexibility and dynamism of a touchscreen interface.

Through Zytronic’s innovative sensing technology designers can now bring the two experiences completely together, fitting a multitude of tactile buttons or physical dials in the active area of the touchscreen. This is just the latest example of the many ways in which we innovate so that pay-to-play game designers can create designs that are unique and different.”

On its booth at G2E, Zytronic will run a live game on a bespoke interactive table, which features four physical tactile controls located in apertures in the projected capacitive touch surface. This capability is a result of Zytronic’s unique manufacturing processes and full control over touch controller design, which allow the touch sensing electrodes to be plotted around the aperture and custom firmware to be created, running on the new ZXY500 touch controller, which together enable full touch

functionality around the physical button. Zytronic touch sensors can accommodate a range of different mechanical controls, from a simple push button to place a bet to a dial whose position is detected through the touch sensor.

Zytronic will be exhibiting its ZXY500 family of Multitouch controllers at G2E for the first time. Designed specifically for use with Zytronic touch sensors, the ZXY500 achieves exceptional performance and noise immunity on displays up to 85” diagonal and beyond, thanks to its high drive signal and proprietary sensing algorithms.

As a result, sensors driven through this controller can be compatible with technologies such as RFID, NFC and Qi charging which emit wireless signals that interfere with the operation of conventional projected capacitive touchscreens. Additionally, the new projected capacitive touch controllers enable near borderless touch displays to be developed, creating stunning, slimline player interface designs, and also helping to minimise the ‘footprint’ of game machines – increasingly important on crowded casino floors. Features such as payment through the screen and integrated mobile phone charging stations can now be included in the console, improving convenience for the player and potentially extending their stay at the machine.

Sandton Convention Centre South Africa 24-25 October 2018

It’s time.

To share ideas ICE Africa is the best opportunity of the year to exchange ideas, insight and information with gaming professionals from throughout the world.

To explore best practice Learn from the industry experts on issues such as gaming compliance, social responsibility, training and staff development.

To innovate Gaming’s leading innovators will be using ICE Africa to show their latest take on the products and services that will change your business.

To build your network No other event in Africa will bring together the continent’s influencers and key decision makers.

To get a competitive advantage Capitalize on the historic decision to bring the world famous ICE brand to Africa.

For more information and to register, visit iceafrica.za.com

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SPOTLIGHT

TransAct looks back on 2018 and looks forward to G2E

Asia Pacific Gaming Team

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ith G2E on the horizon, TransAct is pleased to present its leading printer and system solutions for casino, gaming and lottery. TransAct continues to go from strength to strength with an ever-increasing demand for its marketleading range of Epic printers. In preparation for the show, the Company reflects on its recent accomplishments and shares a preview of the products they will display at G2E this year.

TransAct has seen a 267 percent growth in international casino and gaming sales for the second quarter of 2018 as compared to the prior year. As a reflection of this growth, MGM Cotai opened equipped with TransAct’s Epic 950 casino printers across the entire floor, a deal which also saw the existing MGM Macau property remove and replace all the incumbent printers and replace them with Epic 950. This was a major win for the Company and comes on the back of five of the last six new openings in Cotai installed with TransAct across the floor.

“The solid growth in our international sales reflects the rapid and significant progress that we have made in Europe following our decision to transition sales across the continent from a distribution model to a direct sales model,” said Tracey Chernay, TransAct’s Sr. VP of Global Casino, Gaming and Lottery. “With this important transition, TransAct is better leveraging our world class customer service and our proven solutions portfolio to grow our business. Given our progress, we remain confident that our international shipments will show continued strength over the balance of 2018 and G2E will help us use this current momentum to continue this phenomenal growth into 2019 and beyond.”

In addition, TransAct continues to gain market share in the North American casino and gaming sectors resulting in a 77 percent year-over-year increase in overall casino and gaming revenue. The North American net sales also increased 30 percent over the prior quarter, driven by an increased preference for the Company’s products by gaming operators.

“We expect our casino and gaming business will continue to be a strong driver of growth for the Company as we extend our industry leadership in both the North American and international markets,” said Chernay.

TransAct looks forward to sharing its products at G2E and connecting with fellow professionals in the gaming field. The Company will display the Epic Edge™ TITO printer, which is built on the proven long-term performance of the Epic 950. The Epic Edge is the nextgeneration casino ticket printer that offers operators an

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enhanced 300 DPI print resolution, delivering a 50 percent improvement over current printers. As a result, the Epic Edge can produce eye catching tickets and razor-sharp barcodes, increasing the ticket acceptance through the bill validator and reducing attendant calls. It also includes an adjustable ticket bucket that accommodates standard tickets and smaller, paper-saving tickets. To further help slot machine operators, the firmware’s update port has been upgraded to USB. In addition, a micro SD card slot allows quick and easy firmware updates, increasing convenience and saving time. Additional unique features include a single rugged outer chassis with Serial, USB and Netplex ports, and a faster ServerPort™ connection.

Alongside the Epic Edge, TransAct will showcase the Epic 950, which is the industry standard in TITO printing. One of the many highlights of the Epic 950 is its ability to support new features for legacy firmware—at no additional cost. The printer also fully supports dynamic graphics, allowing to store images in the printer’s memory for easy and convenient printing. Currently installed in over 750,000 slots throughout hundreds of casinos and gaming operations worldwide, the Epic 950 has proven itself time and time again across the world and continues to win an ever-growing following of loyal users with its robustness and reliability.

Attendees at the show will also have a chance to learn about the latest iteration of Epicentral, which is the gaming industry’s only enterprise-level promotion and bonusing software suite that can target customers in real-time while they play their favorite slot machine or electronic table game. With infinite possibilities, Epicentral allows users to run multiple promotions at the same time, create games within games, offer multi-user/multisite promotions, run different promotions on different slot game banks, segment players by tier and promote to different levels of carded players. This one-of-a kind solution also offers the ability to redeem, print or reprint bonuses at multiple locations as well as an enhanced user interface and more reporting options.

With sports betting becoming such a hot topic in the USA, TransAct would be happy to demonstrate the company’s Epic 880 which is the default printer used in established sports betting markets across the world.

Known for its reliability and flexibility, the Epic 880 is used extensively across gaming sectors where the most dependable robust product is required.

The gaming team will be on hand at Stand 2423 and will be happy to talk through the range of products to G2E attendees. For more information, visit transact-tech.com

November 21-22 Sofia, Bulgaria

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SPOTLIGHT

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Interblock to Exhibit Its Comprehensive Collection of Cutting-Edge ETG Solutions at G2E 2018

uxury gaming manufacturer and electronic table game (ETG) industry leader, Interblock®, will present its comprehensive portfolio of automated, video and dealer assist product lines that will revolutionize the way the gaming sector perceives ETG’s on booth #1239 at the 2018 Global Gaming Expo.

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“We feel strongly that innovation will continue to be our reputation at this year’s G2E. A combination of next generation Stadium offerings and our revolutionary Universal Cabinet have been designed to appeal to large and small casinos alike,” said John Connelly, Interblock Global CEO. Interblock’s award-winning stadium configurations will

be one such product demonstrating the company’s latest enhancements.

With compelling audio and visual effects, side bets the Diamond product line gives ultimate flexibility to operators and provides an enhanced gaming experience. Any desired number of play stations can be connected to a single unit. Its live craps table, launched at G2E 2017, allows a player to throw the dice on a craps table within a stadium environment. Tournament-mode will also be active on various game types within the Stadium as well as its ability to connect to external Interblock generators.

Interblock’s number-one selling product-line, MiniStar, will launch new game forms and features at G2E on its blackjack, bacarrat, craps and roulette games. The compact Roulette ETG delivers more than 120 results per hour and provides all of the features and functionalities available on Interblock’s Diamond product line in a smaller footprint and a lower price point. MiniStar Roulette will feature a new ball-chasing light and sound effects designed to elevate the player experience. LED lights on the wheel and amplifying sound effects will chase the ball until it drops into a pocket.

MiniStar Dice will also be on Interblock’s display. This

Universal Cabinet is revolutionary to the gaming industry and will change the way a typical casino floor is configured moving forward.

The multi-game StarBar is a play station designed for

product is composed of Interblock’s new micro-dice generator and play stations that are closely situated around it, providing excellent dice visibility for the player.

It offers most of Interblock’s Diamond Craps features, but in a smaller footprint.

The IBX eTABLE is a cashless video gaming table that can integrate with existing Hotel and Cruise ship systems.

It offers roulette, baccarat, multi-hand blackjack, Texas Hold’em and tournament mode for Texas Hold’em games.

The IBX eTABLES can also connect online players to the same platform via the Internet through their PC or mobile device.

Interblock’s breakthrough form-factor, Universal Cabinet, is a standalone unit with slot-like hardware designed to support a variety of games. Available in both video and automated formats, the product will demonstrate craps, roulette, blackjack and baccarat games and its ability to connect to external Interblock generators.

the bar top. StarBar allows players to interact with up to four games simultaneously. A variety of different games are available at the player’s fingertips including, craps, blackjack, multi-hand blackjack, roulette, video poker and more.

Diamond Video Blackjack will feature an enhanced Virtual Dealer with fast-deal graphics that have reduced waiting time for participating players resulting in more hands per hour. Each play station offers 27-inch high definition screens that allow players to play up to three industry-leading side bets at a time.

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SPOTLIGHT

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Scientific Games Takes Entertainment To The Next Level At G2E 2018

cientific Games showcases the most innovative gaming entertainment content, platforms and services including sports betting solutions Scientific Games Corporation will create a dynamic environment to show its customers how it is evolving entertainment when it comes to casino, lottery, digital and sports betting at the 2018 Global Gaming Expo (“G2E”) October 8-11 in booth #1126 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas.

“Our team at Scientific Games is evolving entertainment to help our customers compete in a dynamic and rapidly-changing world,” said Barry Cottle, Scientific Games’ President and CEO. “At G2E, we’ll premiere new products that reflect the tech megatrends of our time and showcase the world’s leading sports betting platforms.

These products are part of our experiential gaming ecosystem that combines great games that players love, robust data and innovations to provide wagering across all gaming environments.”

When visitors enter the Scientific Games experience at the show, they will be transported to an interactive theater that will connect them with the Company’s experts and get a first-hand look at new games, platforms and systems.

They will also see how all of the innovative products and systems work seamlessly together on the floor and create opportunities to play anywhere, anytime.

Scientific Games’ stellar performance and commitment to player-centric content and innovation have resulted in the Company being shortlisted for seven Global Gaming Awards: Land-Based Industry Supplier of the Year, Digital

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Industry Supplier, Land-Based Product of the Year, Digital Product of the Year and Slot of the Year. Both Cottle and Scientific Games’ Matt Davey were shortlisted for Executive of the Year.

Championing New U.S. Sports Betting Opportunities Scientific Games is ready to help customers level up with the world’s top sports betting solutions and ignite a fast-to-market, full-stack sports portfolio. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on PASPA in May, Scientific Games has been uniquely positioned to provide a full service sports betting product suite with unparalleled speed. At G2E, the Company will highlight its innovative roadmap to help get sports betting up and running quickly and set a foundation for continued growth and player engagement

in the exploding U.S. market.

G2E is the perfect venue to showcase OpenBet™, the industry’s leading sports betting technology. Scientific Games can partner with operators to offer a one-stop sports portfolio, which includes sports betting, retail terminals, portal, mobile betting, sportsbook operations, in-venue, and managed trading services. Scientific Games is completely equipped to offer turnkey services and support customers in growing their business to take advantage of this exciting new gaming entertainment opportunity.

Creating Games Players Love At the heart of Scientific Games is a drive to create games that players love, and the Company is using that drive to build a state-of-the-art entertainment ecosystem that delivers thrilling content across all gaming verticals from slots to social games, from the casino floor to mobile, and from sports to lottery games and technologies.

Treasure™ and Jin Ji Bao Xi - Rising Fortunes®.

• Classic movie fans will love two new games based on iconic movies: MUNCHKINLAND™ featuring THE WIZARD OF OZ™ showcased on the new, immersive Gamefield 2.0™ cabinet; and WILLY WONKA™ LOOMPALAND™ starring the OOMPA LOOMPAS of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY™ on the popular Gamescape® cabinet.

• The Company will also feature new table games and utilities, such as I Luv Suits Poker™, Vegas Blackjack Fever, and a new version of HIC HOLD’EM POKER™.

• Scientific Games Digital Open Gaming System (OGS) offers more than 2,000 online game titles from the Company’s nine in-house game studios and multiple third-party providers. The OGS portfolio boasts perennial proprietary favorites and world-famous licensed brands.

Some of the dynamic games and products the Company will share at G2E this year include:

The Casino of the Future

• BOND. JAMES BOND. When it comes to innovation, no series demonstrates Scientific Games’ cutting edge-approach like the JAMES BOND™ series. The Company will showcase platforms and innovative game mechanics through new titles that evoke the adrenaline and intrigue synonymous with the most famous British Secret Service agent ever, such as DIE ANOTHER DAY™, GOLDENEYE™ and LIVE AND LET DIE™. DIE ANOTHER

To bring it all together, Scientific Games is showing its customers how it is evolving entertainment by transforming the traditional casino into a dynamic space that offers unique social experiences, fosters player interaction and creates immersive environments. By imagining how players will experience the casino of the future, Scientific Games is evolving land-based gaming and innovating a connected system from casino to mobile to home.

DAY™ is sure to be the talk of G2E as the cabinet uses an illusion technique called Pepper’s ghost to create an exciting show for players.

• The next era of casino gaming will be clear when visitors see the new MONOPOLY Top Hat Roulette™. This twist on this classic theme features a circular construction which creates a thrilling social experience for players.

• The new TwinStar® Wave XL cabinet, which builds on the celebrated ALPHA Pro Wave® legacy, offering a bigger and better player experience. This cabinet showcases a curved, 49-inch, 4k resolution, ultrahigh-definition display, generating the kind of graphics only seen in high-end home theatres. Games available on this cabinet include enhanced versions of player favorites such as Dragon Spin Age of Fire™ and Cash Wizard™ World, in addition to Jin Ji Bao Xi™- Endless

As the number one provider of gaming systems, Scientific Games will demonstrate its unrivaled cardless, cashless, connected player experience and will also unveil a Table Ecosystem of real-time ratings and table game analytics for superior operational performance.

Beyond dynamic games, the Company offers systems that create a better player experience and a more profitable and informed operator. From the iVIEW® 4, which offers cardless loyalty enablement and a cashless wallet to Praxis Analytics®, offering intelligent and predictive data that support marketing, loyalty and customer engagement, Scientific Games will demonstrate how all the products and systems integrate on the gaming floor.

Revolutionary Lottery Games and Technologies Breakthrough lottery products, backed by trusted, secure Scientific Games technologies, will also be on

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display at G2E, including the SCiQ® intelligent instant game ecosystem set to revolutionize the lottery retail environment. The Company will also showcase PlayCentral® HD, a self-service lottery experience featuring the breakthrough SG Vision prototype that allows for rapid introduction of new products and technologies. Scientific Games will also show lotteries how to drive retail sales and

Download the Bingo Life App today!

Compatible with Android iOS and Mobile

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with a next generation loyalty solution, simulated iLottery demos from the Company’s portfolio of eInstant and eDraw games, and its player-engaging suite of interactive games.

The 007 Gun Logo and related James Bond Trademarks © 1962-2018 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation.

The 007 Gun Logo and related James Bond Trademarks are trademarks of Danjaq, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Hawaiian Island Creations and HIC are registered trademarks. All © and TMs are licensed and used with permission of Coral Head, Inc. All rights reserved.

MONOPOLY is a trademark of Hasbro. Used with permission. ©2018 Hasbro. All rights reserved.

THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Turner Entertainment Co. (s18) Judy Garland as Dorothy from THE WIZARD OF OZ. (s18) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and all related characters and elements © and ™ Warner Bros.

Entertainment Inc. (s18) All ® notices signify marks registered in the United States. © 2018 Scientific Games Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

SPOTLIGHT

Win Systems triples its presence in G2E Las Vegas 2018 to showcase impressing new launches

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in Systems, the leading technology supplier for the gaming and entertainment industry, is ready one more year for G2E Las Vegas (stand #2848) from 9th to 11th October. The manufacturer will show its wide product range, including casino management systems, electronic roulette and slot machines, in a booth that will be three times bigger than previous years.

Win Systems will bring to the trade-show its Wigos, the most powerful casino management systems in the market. Delegates interested in its features and operation can request a demonstration by senior staff members of the company. There will be additional space for Wigos apps and tools, like Intellia, a business intelligence tool allowing floor managers to enhance the decision-making process based on real time information; WinStats, an app that allows casino managers to access key statistics of

the casino at any time from their cellular phone, and the innovative app for players WinUp, fully customized with casino image and contents.

Win Systems will also exhibit its slot solutions under GameStar, introducing for the first time its newest slanttop model GameStar ST3, a slot machine that combines comfort from slant-top with latest design trends and playability from upright slot machines. Thanks to its HD screens, high definition graphics and its superior 2.1 sound system, GameStar ST3 is expected to become one of the next market sensations. GameStar will also premiere the new Symbol driven jackpot Power Gong, with 3 exciting games that will delight both players and operators.

The supplier will also show its complete collection of premium Gold Club electronic roulette, including its newest products Gold Club Ventura with 6 player positions, and the Chinese Roulette, a new roulette game based on the traditional one but including elements and

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betting options inspired in the mystical Chinese culture.

Gold Club electronic roulette allow casinos to maximize monetization of floor space thanks to its compact and premium design, combined with superior performing software.

Eric Benchimol, CEO of Win Systems, said: “G2E is one of the most relevant trade-shows in our sector. We have been working very hard during the year to show new products that will allow us offering the best solutions to casinos of all types and sizes.

Our objective is providing both to our current and future clients a global solution for their businesses. This year we keep growing very fast in America, and this tradeshow is very important to continue working on the several on-going projects we have, also to develop new business opportunities.”

After the success last year with the event, Win Systems will organize again in 2018 “The Great Pack party” together with 2 other companies. The dinner and party will be the first night of Las Vegas trade-show, Tuesday October 9th, in the Hyde Club of Hotel Bellagio. Personal invitation is required.

To organize a meeting please send an email to marketing@winsysgroup.com or call +34 935 308 049

Totally Gaming Slot Summit 14-15 November, London UK

A dedicated meeting for casino professionals Join interactive discussions and share ideas within a closed forum focused on challenges for the casino industry

Visit www.TotallyGamingSummit.com for more information 58

SPOTLIGHT

Aristocrat and VGT Bring Innovative Cabinets, Games, Licenses, System Products to G2E 2018

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or customers of Aristocrat and VGT, it’s all about what’s inside – what’s inside the game, the cabinet, the system, and the company itself – that makes all the difference. In booth #1141 at G2E 2018, Aristocrat and VGT will highlight that what’s inside the heart of the organization is its sharp focus on customer-centricity and the innovations they create as a result of that focus.

“Everything we do at Aristocrat and VGT is customerdriven and aimed at helping our customers create the most entertaining experience possible for each of their guests. We are passionately committed to creating products for every customer preference, and we are absolutely thrilled to showcase our latest innovations at G2E 2018,” said Matt Wilson, Managing Director Americas.

Attendees’ experience on the Aristocrat side of the booth will be brimming with the latest innovations that give robust support to each of its cabinets along with further extensions of legendary, proprietary titles.

Aristocrat will also show a new spin on innovative play including metamorphic wheels, Hold & Spin™ Multiplay, and persistent wilds.

Aristocrat has deep and broad support for each of its cabinets. Appearing on flame55 is the all-new Buffalo Diamond™ 10th Anniversary Edition, released to mark the 10th anniversary of North America’s most popular game, Buffalo™. Adding to the flame55 library is an allnew version of The Big Bang Theory™ along with the new Billions™ Slot Game, based on Showtime’s hit TV drama.

Next, the new WESTWORLD™ slot game bursts onto the scene on flame55 with a unique play experience that allows players to experience two separate base games either simultaneously or through an integration of the two games.

Next, Aristocrat’s exciting Edge X™ cabinet will

demonstrate how the future of large-form cabinets will be shaped by these innovative products. Titles on Edge X include the new titles Madonna, Mad Max: Fury Road™, Farmville™, and the latest in the incredibly successful The Walking Dead franchise, The Walking Dead III™ slot game.

Aristocrat also remains firmly committed to its RELM™ and RELM XL™ stepper cabinets, and the booth will be filled with new stepper titles and game themes. New game themes for RELM include Buffalo Gold™, 5 Dragons Gold™,

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Gold Stacks 88™, and Wicked Winnings II™, bringing some of Aristocrat’s most popular video titles to the stepper player.

The new Helix XT™ is the latest portrait cabinet from Aristocrat complete with curved 4K monitor, and top products for the cabinet include Mighty Cash – Double Up™, Ultimate Wheel Blast™ with its industry first “metamorphic” wheels, Really Wicked Winnings™, and Sun & Moon Gold™.

Next, the legendary and ground-breaking Lightning Link™ slot game is the inspiration for the all-new Dollar Storm™, with a firstof-its kind multi-level progressive action game that combines with a $100,000 MSP jackpot. Aristocrat will also showcase the power of its Lightning Link Lounge™ concept and its sister gaming experience concept, Dragon Link Den™ for the popular Dragon Link™ game.

VGT will showcase a mix of classic content leveraging the Aristocrat library of playerfavorite titles and custom content created specifically for Class II operators. VGT will

The serious business of sport

show the new Helix XT™ cabinet with new Class II titles including Dancing Foo™, Lunar Festival™, and Buffalo Xtreme™. The Arc™ Single cabinet will feature new titles and game themes including Buffalo Gold™ and the Fortune Series – Jin Shi™, and Jin Long™.

Aristocrat’s Oasis 360™ system solutions will be highlighting a multitude of products focused on developing a deeper connection with operators to help them be more competitive, efficient, and innovative. Solutions include Oasis Loyalty™, a multi-site single card marketing and rewards solution; ONE LINK™, our floorwide bonusing, media, and progressive management solution; Drinks On Tap™, an award-winning mobile drink-ordering system; and Oasis 360 Loyalty Kiosk™, with a fully integrated enterprise suite of cuttingedge bonusing, reporting, card reprinting and marketing promotions.

Come to Aristocrat’s booth #1141 at G2E and discover for yourself that it’s all about what’s inside.

November 27-28, 2018 Convene, 117 W 46th Street New York NY, USA

Business Strategies Tactics

Sports Betting USA. The definitive event from the title winning team at Clarion Gaming.

@SportsBet_USA

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Goals Gameplans

To reserve space and register to attend visit: sportsbettingusaconference.com

CONNECTING INDUSTRY LEADERS AT THE HEART OF GAMING IT ALL STARTS HERE Set yourself up for success at Global Gaming Expo (G2E)—the largest gathering of global, commercial and tribal gaming professionals in North America. Take advantage of new educational content that is fast-paced and actionable and experience first-hand the new products and innovative technologies showcased on the expo floor. G2E has everything you need for your casino floor and across your entire operation—from traditional casino fare to sports betting, non-gaming amenities and digital products—G2E is where your business growth is accelerated.

2018

REGISTER TODAY AT: GLOBALGAMINGEXPO.COM EDUCATION OCTOBER 8-11 EXPO HALL OCTOBER 9-11 SANDS EXPO, LAS VEGAS

YOUR NEXT TA B L E J AC K P OT

SYSTEM!

drTable • drAccounting • drCashless • drTicket • drPlayerTracking • drScreen drBonusing • drJackpots • drReports • drWideArea • drTournament

www.drgt.com • info@drgt.com

VISIT US AT BOOTH 4405