Casino life November 2013 by SB IT Support

November 2013

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Editorial: Editor in Chief: Glyn Thomas Mob: +380 952 705 596 glyn@ace123.com Associate Editor North America David Mckee dmckee@ace123.com Europe - Damien Connelly dconnelly@ace123.com Special Assignment Correspondent: Jack Bulavsky jackbulavsky@yahoo.com S Europe - Andrew Behan abehan@ace123.com UK - Alan Campbell yankeecampbell@yahoo.com Latin America & Asia Correspondent: Janice Chaka Janice@ace123.com Online Gaming Editor: Sam Miranda sam@ace123.com

Production: Designer: Stewart Hyde design@ace123.com www.totaldesignworks.com Subscriptions: Helen Holmes subs@ace123.com Web & IT: Sudip Banjeree sb@ace123.com Journal Manager: Chris Sanson csanson@ace123.com Publisher: Peter White Tel: +44 (0) 1892 740869 Mob: +44 (0) 7973 273714 pwhite@ace123.com

Editor’s page

his was my 12th G2E, my 8th with Casino Life and I have to confess it was one of the best. The worst, but probably the most memorable, I recall, was a few weeks after 9/11 when visitors were sparse and if you had a non-US accent you were lauded for turning up; for making the effort to travel, by all and sundry. The mood was sombre. Now we have an industry that has bounced back from not only a crisis of confidence caused by 9/11 and the recent financial chaos but has matured significantly. Only a few years ago people doubted whether the gaming industry could keep pace with the technology in the entertainment and leisure industries but that has not been the case. R&D by the top manufacturers has been obviously held in camera with the results only being seen in bursts as one and then another pushes to the fore. So a few years ago the show belonged to WMS – when they stamped their authority and unleashed Community Gaming amongst other innovations. Since then, Bally countered and their interactivity on screen set new benchmarks. This year IGT have risen to the challenge and launched a range of new games under their new brand with a series of announcements of contracts won that previously were kept hush, hush. That of course is not to deny that the other manufacturers have not equally triumphed but these are just three examples. One commonality throughout is that very few slot manufacturers are falling behind. Each may be carving their own niche – in look and feel, by geography or volatility but all are rising to the challenge. Where some have faltered they have quickly become an acquisition and such consolidation is bound to keep occurring. Going back to my opening statement though and the reason for this being such a good show was that everywhere you looked was confidence and smiles – and let’s face it everyone loves nostalgia. At G2E it was as if every booth looked back to the eighties in some way. Fun has come back and long may that continue. Back to this issue and we start with a bang as we look at the HIT group; Caesars Entertainment are growing in every direction; Genting Reading have balanced Gaming and Leisure to keep all their players happy; IGT’s Sabby Gill is in the spotlight; Richard Hadrill chats to our Jack Bulavsky… and much more besides. I’m getting ready for Russian Gaming Week in Minsk. If you are going I hope to see you there!

Glyn Thomas

Contents 3 Guest Editor Michael Silberling President International Operations Caesars Entertainment 4 No Problems, Just Solutions Dimitrij Piciga, President of the Hit management board talks to Peter White about the company’s history and ambitions. 12 Breathless! David McKee talks to Jan Jones Blackhurst 18

Nil Satis – Nisi Optimum* *Nothing but the best is good enough Jimmy Howard, General Manager, Genting Club talks with Glyn Thomas, Editor in Chief

IGT in the Spotlight Sabby Gill, Senior Vice President International Sales, International Game Technology talks to Glyn Thomas Editor Chief Casino Life.

Prosperous Innovation Richard Haddrill, chairman of the board at Bally Technologies, takes time out to talk to Jack Bulavsky during a busy G2E Las Vegas

Great Luck! Casino Life magazines Peter White met up with Joe during the G2e Show to chat about his new venture with the Great Luck LLC

Russian Gaming Week Glyn Thomas chats with Diana Kenchadze Coordinator of the Russian Gaming Week show ahead of this year’s exhibition

44 The Sun shines in Sofia Peter White reports back from this year’s Bulgarian Entertainment & Gaming Exhibition 48 SPOTLIGHT new products Gaming Support installs Supper Roulette at UK operator, London Clubs International 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.

Guest Editor

ambling has undergone a technological revolution. From the customer’s perspective, they are increasingly literate, comfortable and discerning with e-commerce and on line gaming and as the power of the technology grows and provides a much richer on-line experience, the distinctions between the real and the on-line offer needs to be redefined. For the British land-based industry, faced with higher costs, higher taxes and greater regulatory restrictions than our on-line competitors, the challenge is how do we attract customers off the couch and into casinos? A former British government minister, Richard Caborn, said in a parliamentary hearing that casinos are ‘the safest place to gamble’. That is true and the introduction of initiatives like the Playing Safe programme into UK casino gambling will reinforce that position, but ‘safety’ has never been a USP to bring in the crowds. The answer for me must lay in the way we craft the customer experience. The emphasis has its roots in the Caesars mission of ‘Inspiring Grown Ups to Play’ Our approach must be recreationally holistic. It needs to be about the excellence of service; the bespoke personal attentiveness; the quality, diversity and value of our food, beverage and entertainment offers; the uniqueness of an integrated leisure experience where grown –ups can feel their leisure needs are not just recognised but where they are surprised and delighted. We need to show that though the internet is a convenient utility with some great products, there is a time and place to enjoy a much more warm blooded approach to leisure. The industry’s future lays in embedding itself in the recreational psyche of the public as the first choice for a broad based, safe and grown – up leisure experience. Our own on-line virtual products do offer take-away tasters reflective of the main event but fundamentally we are social animals and the success of our land based businesses lays in recognising that. We want people not only to wager on the lap top and the smart phone but also to come out to play. Michael Silberling President International Operations Caesars Entertainment

No Problems, Just Solutions

Dimitrij Piciga, President of the Hit management board talks to Peter White about the company’s history and ambitions

uring the 29 years since the organisation was founded the Hit Group has amassed a great deal of experience and success in providing top quality leisure entertainment to the people of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, along with their neighbours such as Italy and as well as tourists from all over Europe and world. With the 30th anniversary barely a year ahead, Casino Life recently met up with the new President of the Management Board of the Hit Company Dimitrij Piciga to hear his thoughts and opinions & plans for the organisation in the years ahead. If we look back to the period over 29 years ago, what was the business of the Hit company like at the beginning and how many casinos and gaming venues along with hotels and restaurants is the Hit Group operating now? The very beginning of what represents and consists of the Hit Group today goes back to the beginning of the eighties, while the moment marking the form, content and mission of the Hit Company took place when the first casino in Nova Gorica was opened, more precisely on 22 December 1984 in the then Park Hotel, i.e. the present Park Gaming and Entertainment Centre. In that period Casinò Roulette Salon (that is how the casino was called), offered to the guests entertainment while gambling on one gaming table (boule) and thirty slot machines. Today the Hit Group consists of the Hit

parent company as well as several subsidiaries, together managing seven gaming-entertainment centres, a casino, two gaming halls, two integrated tourist resorts, six hotels and more than twenty restaurants and bars. A really enviable offer, isn’t it? This year one of Europe’s most popular casinos venues that accommodates 946 state-of-the-art slot machines and 83 gaming tables the Perla Nova Gorica, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. By opening the Perla Gaming and Entertainment Centre in 1993, following the model of the American Las Vegas, the Hit Company realized its idea to offer their guests various, attractive form of entertainment different from the offer in the existing European casinos. Thus, Perla became the first integrated gaming-entertainment centre in Europe, where games of chance are inseparably connected with other possibilities of spending free time – from entertainment, concerts, social evenings with dance, enogastronomic events, thematic evenings, to relaxation in the wellness and spa centre, getting to know cultural and natural specialities in the Perla’s surrounding and finally, opportunities for different sport activities. Altogether 14.5 million registered visits of the casino since its opening prove that Perla truly won hearts of the guests, mostly Italians, but also from all over the world. Many of them would know neither Nova Gorica nor Slovenia, if there wasn’t Perla. And we are especially proud of that.

What gaming systems and equipment installed over recent years, as well as any other additional services and offer in the gaming and entertainment centres have made the biggest significant difference? There are several changes that I have noticed myself as well as our guests over the recent years. For example, the players have fast get used to the changed game method brought by the change of gaming tokens on the slot machines with gaming tickets. The game on slot machines, offer of which is regularly updated with new developments, has become faster, yet ,at the same time, more controlled. The anti-smoking law has also influenced a lot the operation of Hit casinos in Slovenia, however, we’ve been able to adjust and offer to the guests a possibility to smoke and play at the same time in the so-called Open Air Casino. Daily habits of guests have also contributed to the transformation of the games offer (Texas Hold’em Poker, Hit Draw Poker, Punto banco …) as well as other services within centres - for example, Perla may boast one of the most stateof-the-art wellness centre in its wider surrounding. We also try to provide to the guests a multi-day stay full of experience, not only in the comfort of Hit’s centres, but also by getting to know tourist destinations in which we operate – our tourist agencies Hit tours and Hit tours DMC take care especially of that. And what is the most important among all: in all these years, the employees

of the Hit Company have known how to deal with guests, i.e. with attention, care, working pleasantly and professionally. Could you provide an insight into the organisations approach to its Privilege and rewards program? The programme is designed on the idea of remuneration and building of satisfaction and good relations with guests of different Hit’s business units. Thus, the Privilege Club at the same time connects the offer of our business units and enables the guests to collect the points in order to change them, according to their wish, for any of our services (night stays, catering services, visits of concerts and entertainment programmes, services in the wellness centre … ) in Hit’s business units they know well. We also prepare special benefits and promotions for them bringing numerous positive responses. Do you operate tournaments and prize games at the Hit Group gaming facilities? Tournaments and prize games are traditional additional contents not only variegating the atmosphere in casinos but also stimulating the guests to visits, since they bring an additional challenge while gambling. Tournaments on the slot machines as well as on the gaming tables, especially in the ‘privée’, are regularly on the calendar

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of events in Hit’s casinos. In the recent years, especially due to a big media attention and high prizes, poker tournaments have represented a big boom. By opening one of the biggest poker rooms in Europe we’ve attracted numerous new players to come to Perla, who otherwise like to return to Perla due to a good organization of tournaments and the centre rich offer. Is the conference centre an area of development in attracting corporate events and as well as providing a very amenable location for Corporations AGM’s? The conference offer in Nova Gorica is extremely various and absolutely flexible regarding the needs and wishes of guests in organization of events for business or any other purposes. We also use the conference premises for important business opportunities, press conferences, organization of evenings at special opportunities, in the company of the best guests ... Thanks to the conference offer of the Perla centre, Nova Gorica has often welcomed important events and guests, also from the world of actors. Let us remind that last year, when, in cooperation with the European Casino Association (ECA), we organized their Annual General Assembly, a special challenge from professional, logistical and content point of view, which will be remembered by the participants, as well numerous others before and after them, at the possibilities that Nova Gorica and its

surrounding offers as a tourist destination. Entertainment is also a big factor with the Group’s Casinos, what are the facilities for staging concerts and do you provide a busy schedule of different entertainment and entertainers or do you have a number of regular resident singers and bands? Right on the 20th anniversary of Perla we altogether look at the wide range of events, performers, singers, dance groups, animators...who performed on the Perla’s stage: more than 10,000 musicians, music and dance groups, cabaret singers, animators and ice dancers. Among Perla’s guests we can find world famous stars, well-known voices and faces of Italian music … also in other centres (Park, Korona, Mond, Mestral …), entertainment programmes represent one of the key steps before the competition. These are of different kind, from big concerts to events when also the guests perform on the stage and discover their own talents. Many stars performed several times on the Hit’s stages and it is a special confirmation for us also the fact that they can’t wait to perform in our centres again. Has the Casino operation ever considered franchised themed restaurant’s to complement and provide an additional mix of options to cater for your ever widening variety of patrons?

It is a fact that in Hit’s gastronomic offer there is a wide range of possibilities, from the most exclusive restaurants, where the best Hit’s chefs, sommeliers and waiters provide for unforgettable enogastronomic experience, to the restaurants where the guests can afford a fast and cheap healthy meal. The quality of services proved by our satisfied guests is still the best guarantee for a successful operation. Looking more widely, obviously the connection with the wellknown trademarks is deemed to be one of the most frequent business practices, also in tourism. We took this in consideration in one of the Hit’s destination, i.e. Kranjska Gora, when we entrusted the management of hotels to the Swiss company Sophos Hotels, which sees the opportunities for the development of this destination also in the opportunity to include our hotels in one of the world famous hotel chains. Can you explain a little more about the Hit Group, and its development strategy to cope with the gaming relaxations that have taken place in neighbouring countries such as Italy? The business operation, especially of the Hit Company, parent company of the Hit Group, depends in a larger extent from the primary Italian market. However, Italy is deeply affected by recession, which can be noticed also in our guests who like to return to Hit’s

centres, but less often, and they pay more attention when spending money. The competition is becoming increasingly fierce, moreover, in the recent years the Italian market has become more liberated and the competitive bidders can direct the assets into marketing promotions with a more suitable fiscal policy. The situation is anything but enviable requiring efficient answers. Our common challenge is now a successful implementation of plans of financial and organizational restructuring of the company that would provide for a successful breakthrough in a new company growth, implementation of the planned development projects and improvement of the company’s competitiveness, by taking all the planned measures and by a close cooperation of all participants. Can you confirm whether the Slovenian Government is considering reviewing the current gaming legislation, and in that review is an option for opening up the industry to competition, so then it follows that it would not be unsurprising to gain a bid from a major overseas operator for the buyout of the Hit Company would follow shortly after any such legislation was ratified in law. The existing Slovenian gaming legislation is a bit obsolete and set for the golden years of Slovenian gambling that already passed. Thus, we truly need

changes enabling the actors on the Slovenian gambling market to work in a more competitive business environment. With a suitable updating of the Slovenian gambling legislation, one of the key solutions for turning the company into growth, more attractive opportunities for investors and connecting with internationally renowned tourist actors are offered – this also applies to the Hit Company. I understand you have extensive experience in the Leisure industry that involved the Presidency of the Slovenian Tourist Board. My career is inseparably connected with tourism since its start: business experience that I gained throughout the years working in well-known Slovenian tourist companies, challenges in Slovenia and abroad had a significant influence also on the decision on management of the Slovenian Tourist Board. Tourism is a branch of the future that has extremely changed in the recent years – no wonder, as all living habits of all us. Deciding how, where and when we will spend our free time is becoming faster and less planned … Last but not least, in this moment, Slovenia is an ideal solution for all those who would like to experience a lot of good

things in an extremely short time. However, we must not forget that the guests are becoming more and more conscious what they want for their money and so we are in the Hit Company. What aspects of your role do you find most satisfying? Especially new ideas and new achievements give me a great pleasure in everyday work challenges. With active and courageous decisions, achieving small and big wins in overcoming problems is therefore even more rewarding. Have you a favourite quote or phrase? Only the sky is the limit! There are no problems, only solutions. Finally, when you are not at work – how do you relax? Well-being is essential for being always active in everyday life. I go jogging regularly and I try to spend my free time, which is otherwise very limited, with my family as good as I can. I like to visit the local market and I am also inspired by visiting mountains and travelling, combined also with taking part in sport events, e.g. football games.

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Breathless!

David McKee talks to Jan Jones Blackhurst

or a company that has $23.5 billion in debt, Caesars Entertainment is growing at a nearfrenetic tempo. Strategic partnerships have enabled it to penetrate new American markets and it has big hopes overseas. Although it recently sold its land in Macao, Caesars has expressed its interest in having one of Japan’s first casinos (provided that the Diet approves casino gambling) and is pursuing one in Inchon, South Korea. It’s also working busily on: The Linq, a massive mall-cum-amusement park in Las Vegas, redoing the old Barbary Coast as a Gansevoort-branded boutique hotel, converting one Caesars Palace tower to a Nobu-branded hotel, going live with its World Series of Poker i-gaming site, flirting with a Toronto-area casino, building a convention center in Atlantic City. Caesars is also jostling for one of three casino licenses in Massachusetts, has recently opened a casino with mogul Dan Gilbert in Cincinnati that is performing well and is trying to build a chain of Caesars-branded luxury hotels across China. And that’s just a partial tally. Casino Life sat down with Caesars Vice President of Communication & Government Relations Jan Jones Blackhurst, to try and catch up with Caesars’ breakneck pace. When it comes to expansion, some companies are very choosy. Why does Caesars pursue such an aggressive strategy? We always have. You’ve got some of the big companies – the Wynns, the Sheldons, not MGM so much – who are only interested in the multi-billion-dollar investment where they’re coming into a huge market, defining that market and taking big risks for big returns. Caesars has historically been interested in regional markets and destination markets, understanding that, as you grow your network you grow your customer base, increase your loyalty. So what not be of interest to a Sheldon

[Adelson] – a $300 million to $400 million market – is of great interest to Caesars because of cross-market play and the network of casinos that we’ve put in place. Which international jurisdictions are showing the most promise? Taiwan moved to allow casinos on outer islands but they have yet to move on implementing the [regulations]. There’s a lot of discussion about Japan right now. It remains to be seen whether that can happen on an expedited path. China is not an issue until 2020. There are interesting opportunities in Europe. It just depends on when the market moves and the economy stabilizes, although you see companies like Melco [Crown Entertainment] and others making big bets in Russia … that’s a challenged environment, I’ll put it that way. What are the European opportunities? It will be interesting to see what happens with Slovenia. It is changing their gaming laws. Holland just took over Holland Casinos. So as a lot of these countries that were really government-run and –owned look to liberalize the laws and allow private operators, that may generate some interest and without huge capital investment. Sheldon is still pursuing his Spain opportunity, which is a much bigger project [$22 billion]. The European casinos really are casinos: They’re very small. They’re not entertainment centers. In Japan … … you’re talking huge investments, two or three licenses, multi-billion-investment. Does Caesars have the liquidity to play in that pool? I don’t think there’s any question. First of all, we’ve got $2 billion in cash. Secondly, for an opportunity like that there’s going to be many, many lenders who

are interested in that market. With Caesars it’d be a question because – and it’s going to be for everyone – it’s going to be more difficult to go into Japan without a Japanese partner. It’s the culture. They would feel more comfortable if their own nationals were benefiting as well. We’ve seen China take a bit of umbrage at the fact that they quickly gave away all those licenses to nondomestic operators. It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about Caesars’ plan to build hotels in mainland China. What’s the status of that? We’re still pursuing the Hainan opportunity and that’s primarily where our focus is. If another, similar opportunity came along, we would consider it. We’re just being more selective. Closer to home, what are Nobu and Gansevoort intended to do for Caesars’ image as a hotelier? What it really does is recognize is that there is a younger demographic that is increasingly becoming your target customer. Having the Gansevoort, Nobu, some of those more edgy brands become more important to keep Caesars really competitive with a broad spectrum of customers. It’s rumored that the Octavius Tower is already scheduled for a makeover. Is anything going to be done there and, if so, what?

This year we’re looking at investing a lot of capital in all of our properties, just in refurbishment, upgrading the room project, making sure that the other amenities that are appropriate for the changing market. We think that The Linq is going to be hugely successful and attract a younger customer, a Caesars network customer. In Detroit, Dan Gilbert’s bought Greektown and you’re sitting directly across the river at Caesars Windsor. Do you have any plans to liquidate that property? Not at all. Where we’re collaborators in Ohio and will be partners in Maryland, in this circumstance we’ll be competitors. What’s the prospect for reviving casino expansion in Toronto? That’s more difficult. The Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation was very clear that they were only interested if it was a willing host city and right now it just doesn’t appear that Toronto is a willing host. Now Vaughan [Ontario] is having that conversation and could be considered to be easily a suburb of Toronto, so that may be an opportunity. But you always have to wait and see how the politics play out. What’s endgame for London Clubs? Those have been on the market in the past. Are they still in play? Right now we’re just looking at operating. They’re refurbishing Leicester Square and there may be some

talk of rebranding, although I’m not sure where that is. We’ve looked at other opportunities that may make sense to expand in Europe with London Clubs. It’s just waiting for the right opportunity. There are no immediate plans right now. What’s the company’s comfort level with the current political situation in Egypt, where London Clubs owns two casinos? [Laughs] We don’t have a comfort level. We are trying to get along in the country. We’ve been constantly closed down because of the politics. But right now there are no plans to close the properties permanently. Compared to expectations, how are the Ohio casinos performing? We were a little surprised with the level of play in Ohio. The properties are coming along. They’re really nice. They are in urban cores, so some of our slot play has been less than anticipated. But it’s a project in progress. We still really like the market. There’s huge upside. We’re just taking the time understanding our customer and growing our entertainment. Would you agree with what Penn National said recently, that it’s a question of taking two to four years to grow these markets to their potential? I think that’s correct: introducing new customers to your play and expanding your product offerings and

understanding what your customer is looking for. But they’re very good markets and we’re glad to be there. What are they key selling points for Suffolk Downs as you prepare to go before the voters and then the Massachusetts Gaming Commission? It’s a number of issues. First of all, Suffolk Downs is a wonderful location. A lot of the sustainable gardens and parklands that will be generated as a result of the project is wonderful for that area. East Boston and Revere, as Boston has grown, have missed out on a lot of the development opportunities and this really brings economic development into that area of Boston, and it then becomes the catalyst for redevelopment of that entire area. Those residents have waited a long time for that. Also, as you look at the Massachusetts Gaming Act, part of its purpose is to sustain racing. Suffolk Downs has a proud tradition of being able to maintain that and make it a part of the bigger project. It’s in the region’s best interest. There’s no question that the location best integrates will all of Boston. Our goal isn’t to bring customers to Suffolk, it’s to bring tourists to Boston. So we’re purposely building fewer rooms so we can work with existing hoteliers in purchasing rooms from them. Same thing with restaurants, performing arts – we don’t want to be an island, we want to be a collaborator that takes the tourist that’s coming to Boston, extends their stay, and brings a new tourist who likes gaming entertainment and has another reason to travel.

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Internet gambling goes live in New Jersey on November 26. What are your revenue projections for that? They believe that there’s significant upside. The beauty of New Jersey is that, up to now, everyone’s anticipating numbers but because there’s no data that supports those assumptions it’s just guesses. This will be the first time that someone will be able to quantify what the market potential is. Illegal Internet play in the U.S. is close to $3 billion. A portion of that is certainly sports betting. That being said, when you have legitimate sites and legal operators, and you can market, I don’t think anyone knows what the real potential is. It was noted recently that, despite everything that’s happened in the last seven years, Atlantic City is still a $3 billion a year market. Is Caesars comfortable having four casinos in that market or might one or more of those be in play? Certainly the market has been in decline for the last few years. We believe a lot of that is the result of the market becoming a convenience market and not sustaining its position as a destination. They’re taking steps now to change that. They’ve cleaned up the Boardwalk. They’re marketing the destination. You’re beginning to see new capital go into the facilities there. They’re expanding their entertainment offerings. I’m not sure right now that Atlantic City can sustain any more casinos or hotel rooms, but as you find new reasons for customers to come, it may begin to build back the market. The convention/

meeting facility that we’re building next to Harrah’s has a tremendous upside in bringing the business traveler back to Atlantic City. Only two percent of the conventions in that region come to Atlantic City and it’s actually not dissimilar to Las Vegas: well-suited to meetings and conventions because of the room synergies. Atlantic City is a work in progress but we have some upsides that we see coming, and hope we’re right and that the market will begin to build again. Is Caesars still looking for a joint-venture partner for Gulfstream Park in Florida? Well, it’s really up in the air what Florida’s even going to do with gaming. The government commissioned that [Spectrum Gaming Group] study to look at the Florida market and Spectrum, it’s sort of alleged that their studies showed there was no upside to regional casinos. But then the government delayed issuing the findings. We still like Florida as a market. We like the regional opportunities, just because putting casinos in Miami can be very complicated and fraught with problems. Is CZR a good bet for investors and why? It is. You’ve seen it in the movement of the stock. As we continue to expand, invest in our properties, The Linq, Baltimore, hopefully we’re successful in Massachusetts as we look for ways to grow our revenues and continue to refinance and pay down the debt, you’re going to see a company that’s well worth the investment.

Nil Satis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nisi Optimum* Jimmy Howard, General Manager, Genting Club talks with Glyn Thomas *Nothing but the best is good enough

Could we commence this interview with an introduction from you, from when you joined the industry to the present day? What a delving question so early on! I trained in a Private Casino, The Carlton, in Liverpool circa 1983 and joined Sun International in South Africa in 1985. I stayed in South Africa for 18 years, progressing through the ranks until I was made Casino Manager of the Morula Sun Casino near Pretoria in1996 and then was offered the opportunity of opening a brand new operation in Port Elizabeth, the Boardwalk in 2000. In 2003 Stanley Casinos Senior Management visited South African operations and I was offered a position of General Manager of the, then, Reading Sporting Club. Following consultation with the family, we

decided it was the right time to return to the UK and so I accepted the offer. Since arriving back in the UK I managed the club in Reading, then a refurbishment and post trading period in Bournemouth and then came back to Reading for another extensive refurbishment and post trading period. Stanleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s were then opening a brand new operation in Nottingham and , due to previous experience, I was fortunate enough to be offered an 18month contract to see the recruitment and opening phases through. During this phase Stanleysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; were acquired by Genting, and during the latter part of the contract I was requested to move to Genting Club Westcliff, where I stayed until Jan 2012. At the beginning of 2012 Reading was facing a major refurbishment, with new strategies pencilled in to counter the impact of an

imminent increase in competition, and I was invited to re-join the club to steer it through the transition and beyond. For the record though, I trained in Liverpool, but I’m an Evertonian, and have little to do with the dark-side of the City. What would you say are some of the unique aspects about Genting Club Reading? As you can see from above for the past 13 years I have been heavily involved in either new operations or extensive refurbishments and I can honestly say that aesthetically the Reading design is the best I have seen. The huge windows inserted into the double-height front of the building adds natural light throughout. The stunning bar design, as well as having a restaurant now raised above the gaming floor have all worked together to present a club that can genuinely be used for entertainment and leisure only, however this compliments the gaming aspects which are also stunningly presented. Although an ex-smoker of some 12 years, I also appreciate the superb smoking facilities located at the rear of the bar area, you will find quite often groups sat and socialising out there enjoying a glass of wine, with shelter and heating provided as needed. The kitchen has been supplemented by a charcoal-fired ‘Josper Grill’ and we have created the menu around this item – the quality and taste of the steak we offer is top-notch, and as far as I am aware we now offer the best value steak in the whole of Reading, a USP we are proud of. One of the new additions to the gaming floor has been Blackjack Aces. Can you tell us more? BJ Aces as a Wide Area Progressive designed and owned by Genting UK has certainly caught the imagination of the BJ players. Very simple and easy to play, it differs from past Progressive elements by offering a pay-table linked to staking, I know as a group we have exceeded our initial targets and I was thrilled to have a 10% Jackpot of £8000+ won in the club a few weeks ago.

With Poker continuing to increase in popularity, how is the Casino catering for this global phenomenon? We keep close to the players and listen to what they are saying – if we can find mutually beneficial changes to environment, structure, ambience etc., then we certainly explore how best to effect the changes. Informal and formal focus groups have helped us understand the desires and needs of our poker players, and we are also examining Card Room Advocates – i.e. regular players we have that we can use to assist and welcome novice players to ensure first time players are not ‘scared-off’. Your casino has undergone an extensive refurbishment. How has this helped your casino? Part of my job in Reading is to raise the profile of the club and to de-mystify what ‘casinos’ are all about. Having a club that allows groups and individuals enter, enjoy the bar, restaurant, sport etc., without having ‘Gaming’ forced upon them is my best tactic to achieve this. For established patrons, having put significant distance between the leisure aspects and gaming floor has created a more comfortable and relaxing gaming experience, which of course was vitally important to us. Creating a defined restaurant within the club has also helped immensely with F&B sales up 300% during the first Christmas Trading period, and 2013 bookings looking even better than that. How do you embrace the local community? The same strategy I implemented in Westcliff has been introduced in Reading – We never say no to any charitable approach. Be it fundraising activities within the club, donations for raffles or donations for auction prizes, we simply believe that there is always something we can do to help. As a result of this we have been openly applauded by the Mayor of Reading, have been involved in numerous charitable events and all of my staff have thoroughly enjoyed times where they can be seen for what they are – genuinely nice people.

With regard to the style of the refurbishment - how much influence did you and your team have with the interior designers? Back at the beginning of the project I was involved from an operational expertise perspective, not particularly design content. This continued throughout the programme where operational impact on either customers or staff fell within my remit for input, sometimes quietly, and sometimes not-so. It was in hindsight, for one reason or another, one of the most hands-on project I have been involved with, but the end result has been lauded by all, so the gain was well worth the pain. The designers to be fair, were fantastic with me and always had an open ear to my observations. The end product accolades however must go to the design team, not the operational team – what they have created is simply super. What gaming systems and equipment installed in the Casino have made the biggest significant difference in recent years, and what EGM’s have been the most successful? The most obvious significant system that applies to us in Reading applies across Genting UK – our Loyalty Programme is more technologically advanced than our competitors in that it allows customers to convert loyalty points which playing on EGM;s and Slots without having to move from their favourite machines. MWR has, as we all know, increased revenues and game margins, and FOBT’s in some locations have been

out-performing the Jackpot Slots, in Reading however this proved not to be the case and we reverted back to the full 20 Jackpot Slots available to us. Automated Poker shufflers are currently being trialled to test for a positive ROI. Winning Numbers Displays being linked to servers have also proved to be of great use, not all from a marketing perspective but from game speed and table limit analysis which allows management to monitor game performance and adjust minimums in real time as required. This is a new concept yet to be fully introduced, but I see no reason why this will not end up being a valuable management tool. Live entertainment has been an important contributory factor especially in recent years in Casinos how much of a factor has that been with the new and refurbished casinos design and layout? The impact of noise level from Live Entertainment on the gaming floor has long been an issue in most clubs, with artists tending to want to play ‘louder’ than most GM’s are comfortable with. I am aware of some competitors that have overcome this by offering dedicated rooms/showbars etc, however this then loses the ambience that a live act can create across a club as a whole, especially where diners in a restaurant have frequented the club with the intention of watching/enjoying the show. When, at the very early planning stages, we were discussing the /reading plans this was one of the major discussion points. The end result for Reading was wrapped up in the decision to

remove the second floor offices to create a magnificent ‘wow’ aspect, and this in turn allowed placement of speakers to semi-isolate music levels in this area, but also allowed the music to be ambient across the rest of the club. It is one of the most effective and utilised of all of the design features of the project as a whole. Which, amongst all the impressive initiatives and developments at Genting UK, excite you the most? Without exaggerating, I truly believe that the Genting Reading Club is the best design/development yet, however I also love what Genting has done to my old haunt in Westcliff. Derby is super as is Sheffield and I’m also impressed with Southport. The Colony in London is also brilliant; Reading used the same design company as them. Have you a favourite quote or saying? Yes, quite a few actually, but one that my management team use is relating to young people entering the industry in any area of employment ‘just give them a hug’. Young people come and go far, far too quickly, and because we don’t see the world through those wide eyes anymore doesn’t mean we should forget just how intimidating new work places, new people and new careers can be. I’m lucky enough to have my 2 boys having just joined the working classes, and when they tell me what they see and how they feel it brings home to me the importance of just being nice to people – we were all insecure once and a comforting/encouraging

‘arm’ over the shoulder can work wonders. Also, the crest of Everton Football Club states ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’, which is a creed I’ve also adopted in my professional life – ‘Nothing but the best is good enough’ When not at work what hobbies or past times do you enjoy most. I’m an ex runner, having completed umpteen halfmarathons (PB 1hr40.45) and 2 Marathons, the most recent being London in 2010, my knees have finally retired the rest of my body. So it’s back to a bit of walking, squash, reading, cooking and travelling. I love seeing new places and experiencing anything new. Have been fortunate enough to eat in some very fine restaurants and enjoy some very fine hotels, but the most important aspect is always the company you share your experiences with. And finally what does the next 12 months hold for Genting Club Reading? It’s a curious market in Reading at the moment with a new competitor added to the mix. As at now however we are above expectations in all Key Areas and I see no reason why the club will not continue to deliver a healthy profit back to the owners. Certainly it will be more of the same, but as is ever the case with me, and those that know me will identify with what follows, I will be planning to throw some curveballs along the way and test the mettle of those around us.

Visit us at G2e Booth 4331

in the Spotlight Sabby Gill, Senior Vice President International Sales, International Game Technology talks to Glyn Thomas

Congratulations on your new position, Mr Gill. While you already have been intimately involved with IGT’s success to date, how do you envision your role evolving going forward and what is your focus for 2013/2014? Thank you for the recognition. IGT’s international business has been a key strategic focus with a number of major investments having taken place. We have made significant internal investments in infrastructure, resources, tools and key appointments – highlighting our continued commitment to our customers and operators globally. As our business grows we see a lot more possibility to share best practices and synergies across the company. My role is to ensure that we fully utilise all of IGT wherever possible and ensure that we get all the required support to make each and everyone of our customers as successful as possible. There are a number of key opportunities and growth initiatives that will require us to continue our focus on effectively driving sales, whether that be continued deployment of market attuned games, convergence strategy across our land based and online operations, or our continued dominance in the VLT market across the international markets that we have performed so well in - predominantly North America and Canada. Having a single point within IGT that can drive this home for the company is imperative and I am excited about the opportunity being presented and the untapped potential we have within International. IGT recently achieved record-setting results. What do those results tell you about the course of development the organisation has been on since the board appointed Patti Hart CEO in 2009? IGT has been through a major transformation in every part of the organisation. It was very much a regionally

run organisation with little communication and/or direction from Corporate. I would say that we never really took advantage of our size. That has been the biggest change since Patti’s appointment, there are no more silos and everyone thinks beyond the boundaries of their specific roles. This has driven attention towards putting the ‘customer first’ and changed the organisation tremendously. I can, with hand on heart, say that we are truly global in the way we walk, talk and think about our operators. We enable best practice wherever possible and wherever it makes sense. When local markets require special treatment due to regulatory or statutory needs, we are now better positioned to take advantage of this than ever before. There are also many more things that have happened to align the organisation from a product management, studios, game development perspective as well. However, the things I have highlighted are in front of the operators day in, day out. The IGT logo that has proven so durable over 30 years has now gone - replaced with a sharp edged, eye catching “Spotlight” design. Many would say that is another very big move by the board. How did it develop and how has it been received? This is so much more than a logo change. IGT’s new communications strategy, brand look, voice and feel are perfectly aligned with our proven business strategy to create best-in-class content and to distribute it anywhere, anytime. IGT has been steadily shaping the “gameosphere” of tomorrow by innovating and delivering industry firsts and bests since day one. Wide Area Progressive (WAP), Ticket-in-Ticket-Out (TITO), Multi-Layer Display (MLD), sbX server technology, Cloud capability, Wheel of Fortune® slots and DoubleDown

Casino – each has transformed the industry in its own right. The courage to push forward where others sit complacently embraces the challenges of the future gaming world, where entertainment knows no borders. We are not changing who we are. Our Brand’s next chapter is built upon what has made us great. The spirit of innovation shines through our new games on the G2E floor, as we roll out new technologies and products proudly sporting our new global visual identity. We know that we all win when players engage more. Whether it’s the gaming experience that players of all ages crave or optimized solutions designed for operators’ success on the global stage, IGT will continue to deliver beyond expectations. What was the reaction to the IGT products at this year’s G2E? Avatar tended to dominate for obvious reasons but there was so much more besides including our favourite – Back to the Future. To be honest we got great feedback across the board. Avatar was, as you noticed, a major attraction but all of our premium themes attracted a lot of attention and especially those that featured the new ‘unlockable’ content – which Avatar, Back to the Future, Sex And The City, Bridesmaids and True Blood have. The addition of Atari Centepede to our skillsbased bonus Video Reel Edge system was very well received too – I think we’ve tapped into many a misspent childhood with that! The introduction of titles developed initially for the Australian market created a lot of interest; the simple high volatility progressives really resonated well with the audience. Also worth noting would be Legend of Gaucho, Mystical Mermaid Returns, Into the Wild, and Lady Swan. Our game development teams always amaze me with their work, but I really think this year, they pulled out all the stops and given us a great range of games appeal across every market and every player type. How have you seen the markets from C & S America EMEA change over the last 2 years? Parts of C & S America have seen convincing growth but both economic development and regulation are hugely varied. Every country offers a different opportunity. The level of disposable income has grown meaning there is a real opportunity in these markets. This opportunity has been reflected by the number of manufacturers now entering the market and the choice available to casino operators.

Similarly to EMEA, convergence is a key focus in the market, and a key focus for IGT too. Over the last two years we’ve seen that the industry as a whole is offering a more social experience. This is reflected with more diverse floors and integration between online and land-based games. In EMEA skill-based gaming with unlockable content and advanced game-play is really coming to the fore. In matters of regulation, jurisdictions in South America evolve at a different pace. We can make a distinction between the Andean Region (Peru and Colombia), and countries such as Argentina, Chile and Uruguay . On-line reporting system, for example, was implemented in Peru in 2012, and will be implemented in Colombia by January 2014. Server-based technology and Bonusing were approved in Peru in 2013. Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have shown openness to newer technologies, like sbX and Cloud, where installations of these products have recently taken place. On line gaming is not legal yet, however, it has been put in the short-term agenda in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay With respect to grey markets, brokers market is pervasive throughout the Andean region, whereas in Argentina it has been discouraged due to importation restrictions. In Chile and Uruguay there has been strong official offensive against AWP type machines. Which specific IGT games and other products drew the most attention from your customers during G2e this year, and what were the key features that were the deciding factor in their individual popularity? Avatar was a big draw at G2E – it’s a great example of the innovation that IGT is fostering. It includes the ability to customise the players gaming experience by picking their character and music as well as being able to create a player profile that can be saved for future play. The game is hosted on an impressive 42” vertical CrystalCore cabinet with a 3D touchscreen and boasts a max bet bonus feature that creates 7,776 ways to win – an industry first. Back to the Future was also another high profile title that drew attention from our customer base. The game features two great bonuses plus an impressive progressive jackpot. It also includes five reels, 30 paylines, and a 300-credit max bet delivering a premium customer experience. We also announced PowerBucks, a Wide Area Progressive (WAP) jackpot product. Unlike existing WAP

products, the ultra-inventive PowerBucks allows players to win jackpots with a variety of bet levels, not just max bet wager. Additionally, with players pouring into the jackpot pool from multiple play points, jackpots can hit at a much higher frequency than ever before. With the recently announced IGT deal struck with Caesars Entertainment Corp to supply 7,000 AVP ® Video Poker terminals, could you explain to our readership what is involved in this mega deal? IGT will supply Caesars with 7,000 AVP Video Poker terminals. The contract with includes 3,600 G20 Uprights, 2,400 Universal Slant cabinets and 1,000 G20 Bar Tops and the new machines will replace existing units in Caesars Entertainment-operated resorts across the country. It’s a pretty impressive deal for IGT to be involved with and is part of the largest gaming reinvestment the company has made in 10 years. The deal is an expansion of our long-standing relationship and highlights IGT’s position as an industry leader in providing reliable, player-favored content to casino operators. Do you foresee similar major deals with Casino operators World Wide? We are always on the lookout and will continue to invest in all areas of our company and subsidiaries to remain at the top of the industry and enhance shareholder value. It is all about value and ROI. What are the key innovations right now at IGT that most excite you and why? Plus, is the company maintaining its high level of investment in R&D or will there be a period of consolidation? IGT is doing an amazing job of leading the evolution of gaming in regards to convergence and this has come through our continued focus on R&D. We are taking active steps to make our offering of top-performing and well-known games available anytime, anywhere. For digital natives gaming means consoles - with exciting and dynamic graphics, hugely varied game play of variable difficulties and online gaming with friends. We recognise this and are driving innovations in our games. At G2E we release Avatar that includes unlocked content, customisable options and never before seen bonuses. These are features designed to focus directly on the player and have been developed through the feedback we get.

The key to R&D at IGT is convergence and this can only be achieved through robust systems. Casinos continue to build on the momentum that social gaming has created and foster ‘relational gaming’, acting as a social destination for groups of all ages to arrive, socialise and interact as they play. The R&D that IGT is constantly doing will make this a reality for all casino operators. Where do you see the greatest growth for IGT over the next year? IGT’s goal is to provide a seamless gaming experience, from land-based to mobile to social gaming, to meet the needs of the this evolving market. IGT has already begun to produce games that make social interaction a fundamental element – an imperative if new audiences are to be encouraged into the casino. Relational gaming is also hugely important. Casino operators are realising the importance of encouraging the social interaction within the casino floor, be it through slot tournaments or through a player being able to log into their Facebook account from the machine to share their big wins…it’s about keeping the player engaged. Through our new games, like Avatar and Back to the Future, we are building the relationship between the player and the floor. With increased convergence IGT players will be able to access their favourite games wherever, whenever and on the device of their choice. It’s all about content, content, content Finally, what are the greatest challenges facing the organisation? The macroeconomics are improving but continue to be a struggle for operators in EMEA, however, rather than challenges it is the opportunities that we should be embracing. At IGT we are using our size to our advantage. We invest over $220 million per year into research and development, and we continue to be the leader in slot machine development and sales. It’s investment like this that ensures that we stay on the cutting edge of innovation. Bearing in mind your new game offerings… where is my hover board? Making its way to Na’vi land…!

Prosperous Innovation 30

Richard Haddrill, chairman of the board at Bally Technologies, takes time out to talk to Jack Bulavsky during a busy G2E Las Vegas

ichard (Dick) Haddrill became Chairman of the Board of Bally Technologies, Inc. in December 2012 after serving eight years as the Chief Executive Officer. He joined Bally as CEO in October 2004 and has served on its Board of Directors since April 2003. Prior to coming to Bally Technologies, Haddrill was CEO for five years at Manhattan Associates, Inc., a leader in software solutions to the supply chain industry throughout the world. During his tenure there, the company expanded its product offerings and market share, more than tripled revenues, and increased its share price more than eight fold. Haddrill previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Powerhouse Technologies, Inc., a technology and gaming company. Powerhouse was acquired by Anchor Gaming, a publicly traded gaming company that was acquired by International Game Technology (IGT) in 2001. Among his many responsibilities, Haddrill is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Gaming Association (AGA). What does G2E mean to Bally Technologies? It’s a great internal event for the company in that all departments are involved in getting ready for the show. G2E is an opportunity to proudly present our products and spend time with customers, old and new. This year, we’re excited to show our customers how we can connect their entire gaming world through our games, systems solution, and i-Gaming and mobile offerings. You came to Bally 10 years ago. What has changed? On the first day of the show, an investor told me that walking the floor today versus eight years ago illuminates the fact that the Bally product line is so much more technologically diverse and so state of the art. Our position in the industry is much broader with a greater offering of games, systems, and interactive products. How have you been able to do that and stay ahead in the technology? Some years ago I learned that the faster the rules change the better it is for those willing to accept change. I like that because it allows us to add value

for our customers and if we’re strong against our competition, which we are, we succeed. To stay on top, we must innovate. We have to bring new technology to market faster and we have to make our games better and more entertaining. So the pressure is there because there is more competition for the gaming dollar in North America. And that competition means we have to provide a stronger value proposition for the casinos and that means innovate, innovate, and innovate some more. We’ve been pretty good at that. Besides the technology, what else do you do to stay ahead of the competition? Well, that’s the internal “secret sauce” that we have and I can’t share that with you. But it’s the developers and their understanding of the math and graphics that go into our many products. We deliver enhanced sound and chairs that vibrate when players trigger a bonus. We graphics on our innovative curved Pro Series™ Wave cabinet screens that immerse players in the game experience. Machines are now able to hold so much more capacity and that capacity generates sharper graphics and more complex bonuses. We bring this all together. Remember: innovate, innovate, innovate. With all this innovation, what have you learned about your customers and what they want to play? As you know, customers and what they like to play vary by market. Bally was first into Illinois and we have the leading market share there. We were late entering Italy so our product is taking longer to take hold. Therefore, speed to market is one issue that allows players to get used to your game and they become loyal to those games. It’s up to us to understand what games Europe and Asia want and then get those games to them. France still likes steppers more than videos but that is slowly changing. And no matter where you go, a local player is different than a tourist, which is at the forefront of the Las Vegas market. We do know that our games such as Michael Jackson, TITANIC™, and The Magic Of David Copperfield™ are global brands that play anywhere. We are constantly learning. Is Bally Technologies becoming more active outside North America?

Yes. Ten years ago, we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t international and revenue in that category was only about five percent. As the U.S. market became more saturated, we moved more aggressively into Asia, Australia, Europe, and Africa. Europe is still only three percent of our revenue, but international revenue is up to 20 percent and it can go much higher. We know that the global demographics for gaming are great. Asians enjoy gaming and Western Europe has an aging demographic that has a tendency to spend a higher percentage of their disposable income on gaming. This is good, not only for us, but for the industry overall. As AGA board chairman, what do your members have to say about the international market? Many AGA members have international operations and there is discussion about adding members from outside North America. Keep in mind that when the AGA began 18 years ago, the main mission was to protect the industry from federal attack and from those who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand the industry or just wanted to tax it

or ban it. Today gaming is across the breadth of the country and accepted as a common form of entertainment. So now we advocate. We focus on integrity, such as Internet gaming, and make sure that states that do expand do it in a positive manner for our members and for players. Further, we are driving the benefits of AGA membership deeper into all member companies and getting everyone to share ideas about marketing, compliance, and any number of other different arenas. But back to the international market. Yes, we are discussing adding international members, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see it happening in the near future. What can you tell me about the pending acquisition of SHFL entertainment? The deal is quite exciting because of the strategic fit. SHFL entertainment can bring us international experience, table technology to add to our leading systems, and allow us to leverage SHFL technology across multiple platforms such as tables, games, systems, and Internet gaming.

Great Luck Rocks the Gaming World with Its Unparalleled Global Gaming Solution Casino Life magazines Peter White met up with Joe Valandra during the G2e Show to chat about his new venture with the Great Luck LLC 35

oe Valandra is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe located on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Joe is concurrently the CEO of Great Luck, LLC, a new interactive gaming, Class II focused (i-Gaming) enterprise; the Managing Director of VAdvisors, LLC, a specialty advisory firm; and Managing Director of MYNEXUS, LLC, a 3-D virtual world “Social Network” e-commerce experience. Joe’s experience includes serving as a Vice President of development for a major casino management company and the CEO & Chairman of a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of bingo and pull-tab gaming products and equipment. He also served for two years as the Chief of Staff of the National Indian Gaming Commission in Washington, DC. Joe is a graduate of the University of South Dakota Business School and the University of Minnesota Law School. Could we begin this interview with an outline of your role at Great Luck and the extensive experience & knowledge that you bring to the organisation? I am the Chairman & CEO responsible for all development and operations as well as for strategic planning. I have over 30 years of experience in the areas of investment banking; executive management of public, private and government operations; development of strategies for restructuring. In the area of gaming, I have particular expertise in Tribal gaming, Internet gaming, and gaming manufacturing. I also have served for two years as the Chief of Staff of the National Indian Gaming Commission in Washington, DC. Security especially with transactions is a vitally important part of any online operation, what provisions has Great Luck, in place to insure against such high-‐tech hackers?

Great Luck has incorporated in its technology the highest standards of security. Our technical team comes from a background of MMOG (Massively Multiplay Online Games) development for the online game industry. With that background, we have adopted the same standards Nevada for security and other vital functions such as geolocation, age verification and other anti-fraud measures. Great Luck is committed to the highest security standards for all aspects of its platform and games. It is our objective to provide a gaming experience that is fun, legal, and safe – anytime, anywhere. How does Virtual Private Network Assisted Play System (VPNAPS) Work? Great Luck is the first Class II bingo technology in the U.S. that can be accessed from any location through a browser-based gateway to a virtual private network (VPN) ; the VPN connection then allows the player to engage a proxy to play Class II games for money (VPN Aided Class II Gaming). We affectionately call this technology “VPNAPS”, which will aid the play of Class II games using the VPN connection through any webbrowser-enabled device. It is designed and engineered to maintain absolute legal compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The VPNAPS collection of “technological aids” will allow the VPNAPS to function as follows: (1) the electronic hardware and software components will permit a video or digital representation of the Class II game play and results to be displayed in real time to the VPNAPS proxy of the remote game participant, as if the proxy were playing an “electronic” Class II gaming device at the tribal gaming facility itself; (2) the VPN hardware & software components will permit a remote communications channel between game participants and their VPNAPS proxy located on

The gaming industryÂ´s one-and-only performer!

Indian lands, monitored by a person also located thereon, who will receive instructions from the game participant regarding play of bingo games on the VPNAPS; and (3) the “Proxy Player” element of the VPNAPS will allow the VPNAPS proxy to play the bingo game on behalf of the game participant in real time and reveal and report on a time delayed basis to the game participant the results of the game play. Who can licence Great Luck’s VPNAPS Technology? The Great Luck technology is being offered to the universe of gaming activity. Our first target is Class II bingo offered by Tribal gaming operations in the USA. The basis of the Great Luck technology is proxy play that is available to any sovereign government with the proper legal and regulatory structures in place. That said, our Marketing Partner’s program also offers non-Tribal entities the opportunity to reap the benefits of the VPNAPS technology as well as to receive a qualified commission for those players who originate through their landing pages. Therefore, the technology advantages both Tribal and non-Tribal entities. What is it about Great Luck that you believe will make this venture successful? For the past several years the spectre of online gaming has hung over the entire industry. iGaming is either the death or the rebirth, no one knows which, we do know that it is unavoidable. We know that the VPNAPS will bring the entire gaming universe within technological possibilities without borders. Great Luck builds on the tradition of innovation that has enabled Tribal gaming to grow to a $29.2 Billion powerhouse.

Great Luck’s patented VPNAPS technology enables legal proxy play to Class II bingo in the USA and the world. Casino Life understands you have already your first deployment later this year? Our Tribal partner is the Alturas Indian Rancheria. The Tribe is planning to launch Desert Rose Bingo powered by Great Luck VPNAPS technology in the 4th quarter. How would you describe the player experience? Great Luck has brought Class II bingo to a browser-based experience. The Class II bingo games offered have been enhanced with the extensive know-how gained from our top-notch MMOG technical team. The graphics, sound, and overall experience are unique. We see ourselves as pushing the envelope to change the way Class II gaming is experienced in the future. Why does Great Luck think it’s the right time for this initiative to work? With the launching of online gaming in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey, there is no doubt that real money play via a browser is the future. Great Luck’s technology will enable any sovereign government to offer legal fully regulated games. Together with our Marketing Partners Program, Great Luck technology brings a first-rate platform along with a unique gaming experience that is safe, legal, and fun for players in the USA and around the world to enjoy. The market is projected to be measured in Billions of dollars. What mechanisms does Great Luck have in place to ensure responsible gaming?

Great Luck is fully compliant with all regulations and rules established by our Tribal partner – the Alturas Indian Rancheria. The technology screens all voluntary-listed problem-gamer lists as part of the registration process. In addition, the Great Luck technology monitors play and complies with Tribal rules for reporting an indication of problem gaming allowing the operations to take all appropriate steps. Those individuals needing assistance are further provided with information on resources that can offer help.

For those Casino & Gaming operations that currently weighing up there options for online providers what would you like to say to them as to why there choice should be on the Great Luck i-gaming platform? Great Luck has stepped outside the box of traditional casino development and online game play. Our view of the world incorporates the best of MMOG technology into the casino gaming world, thereby creating a game changing vision.

How does the System safeguard players financial information? The Great Luck system does not store any user specific financial information. Any financial information will be tokenized and stored by processors and banks in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

What are the company’s main goals for 2013/2014? Great Luck’s vision the creation of a Marketing Partners network utilizing our VPNAPS platform. The Marketing Partners program brings the benefits of our one-of-a-kind technology to both Tribal and non-Tribal entities that wish to provide our gaming experience to customers in the USA and around the world.

Is Great Luck in compliance with the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which limits online gaming transaction? The legal basis for the Great Luck business model is either exempt from or complies with safe harbours within UIGEA. Great Luck has assembled a first-rate legal team with extensive experience in Tribal and non-Tribal gaming law, banking, and patent protection. Our customers can feel confident that they are participating in a legal gaming experience. What’s the best piece of business advice you have ever been given? Don’t be afraid to finish what you start.

Which markets will Great Luck be focusing on most strongly in the next couple of years and why? Great Luck is looking to build its Marketing Partner Program around the world. Where we go will be dependent on the jurisdictions and Marketing Partners that decide to take advantage of the competitive benefits of our technology and distinct gaming experience. For more information about Great Luck, LLC visit www.greatluck.com. Try the play-for-free version of our distinctive game experience using VPNAPS technology at www.bingo.greatluck.com

For Sale

FOR SALE: Four Abbiati roulette tables complete with wheels, two high blackjack tables, five black tables (two of these tables are reversible into poker tables). The furniture is used and would need a little reconditioning to look new, we are including all of the spare parts, cushions, boards and table legs etc. The tables are a stunning rose wood and come compete with chips, chip holders and roulette balls. There are up to 80 of the Italian made chairs available, as seen in the pictures. Finally. we also have four paltronic monitors for sale. Conatct tavington1@me.com for more details or to arrange a viewing.

RUSSIAN GAME WEEK

Glyn Thomas chats with Diana Kenchadze, RGW Coordinator ahead of this years exhibition As this is the first time you are entering Belarusian market, what do you feel in anticipation of the exhibition Russian Gaming Week? Yes, this is a busy season for us now, because this is our first exhibition in Minsk – it’s a new market with great potential, so we want to make sure that everything is perfect. Finally, there is no limits for us (I mean prohibitions in legislation in the Russian Federation), and we can show the full range of new gaming equipment over the past few years. Exhibition in Belarus will be a landmark event for the whole gaming community. The audience in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia and Belarus has managed to miss such shows. Finally, we will recall success, glamor, glitter, scope, energy of those activities that earlier, before the restrictions, were held on the territory of the former Soviet Union and enjoyed great popularity. For the first time Belarus will go before all the countries as a gambling oasis in the desert of gaming industry of the eastern European region. The exhibition will open its doors to everyone who is eager to build a business here.

What’s new for Russian Week 2013 from previous years? I would like to stress that the exhibition will be much different from events we have held in recent times. In a word – it will be more powerful, dynamic and ambitious. This is due to the fact that this year it will focus on both offline and online casino, which was not previously due to prohibition of gambling business in Russia. In Minsk, we will finally present manufacturers of gaming equipment, software, furniture and accessories for casinos, poker tables, roulettes, and junket agencies. In addition, the exhibition will contain a large number of activities and participants will have a possibility to spend time with maximum efficiency. This includes a grand party “Minsk is the new Vegas!” and championship “Best casino dealer in Belarus”, and a business tour for participants in the framework of new project “Business tourism”. We have never done it before. For those whom have never attended Russian Gaming Week please can you provide details of what they can expect to see and learn about options

and opportunities for their organisations in Russia whether a manufacture supplier or Casino operator? This year, visitors of Russian Gaming Week`Minsk will see the products of leading manufacturers of gaming equipment from Latvia - DLV, Belarus - Belatra Games; manufacturers of online games - 2winpower; also with companies that produce furniture, poker tables, roulettes. Online casino platform Cas.EXE will be featured as well. We expect a lot of land-based operators of casino from Belarus, Russian gambling areas, Kazakhstan. In general, the audience of RGW’Minsk will be rather diverse: land-based operators working in legal markets, poker operators from Ukraine, where this business is now in its most active phase, Georgian and Armenian casino operators, bookmakers from Russia and, of course, Russian super affiliates. This year Minsk will provide unlimited opportunities for manufacturers and operators of casinos and open access to new products and latest trends. Have you seen much change over the years in the geographic visitor numbers and regions? Of course, there is a change, we can judge by the exhibition in Moscow. If we compare the number of exhibitors and visitors in 2012-2013, we can safely say that the number has increased at least by 2-3 times. Every year the number of foreign exhibitors increases and now companies from England, Italy, Malta, Costa Rica, Latvia, Serbia, Armenia are presented at the exhibition. How dependent is the Russian Gaming Week event on the support of the major European and International manufacturers & suppliers, and do you see an increase in size of involvement from organisations in Europe as well as overseas in the years ahead? As I said before, the number of participants increases every year, and for 2014 we are even planning to increase the exhibition twofold. When it comes to European and international manufacturers and suppliers, I believe that every exhibition aims to attract such participants, it is a good indicator of image. And we always try to attract to our events as much foreign experts as possible, as well as major marketers for exchange of experiences. We are constantly improving foreign database, visiting the world’s best industry conferences and exhibitions, we aim to focus and look

up for the best practices, to apply Western trends. Mobile Gaming especially Sports Betting is also expanding all over the World. Does the show cater for this market? Yes, sports betting is widely represented at Moscow exhibition Russian Gaming Week, as bookmaking business is one of statute-permitted segments in Russia today. Therefore, this market is very interesting for foreign participants. By way of example, I can give our last show held in Moscow in June, sector of betting occupied about 80% of exhibition area. Those companies that come as visitors have told that they established a large number of important contacts, so next year they are sure to join as exhibitors. Registering for attendance at shows can be time consuming how easy is it to register for Russian Gaming Week 2013? This is very easy to register for events of Russian Gaming Week, just fill out a simple form with contact information and get the registration confirmation. We try to make the registration process as easy as possible and more convenient both for our exhibitors and visitors, because we value their time. And finally in your opinion why is Russian Gaming Week a must attend event? I believe that Russian Gaming Week’Minsk 2013 is a great opportunity to learn about new trends in the market of gambling. Here having no prohibitions and restrictions on gaming business exhibition presents a full range of gaming products of the CIS market and far abroad. In addition, exhibition Russian Gaming Week will include a conference that will answer all the pressing issues of the region. Conference experts will discuss the following topics: • Review of Belarusian gambling business and its prospects; • Belarusian Las Vegas: how closing business in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan impacts on business in Belarus; • Responsible gambling and how to deal with addiction; • Latest trends and innovations, or how to increase profitability; methods of increasing profitability of casino and gaming halls; • CRM / Tracking Systems, Social Games, iGaming; • Loyalty program and players’ segmentation • Junket tourism.

Balkans Entertainment & Gaming Expo 2013

Peter White reports back from Central Europe’s popular Gaming exhibition and conference held each year in the city of Sofia

he most important exhibition for leisure, gaming and entertainment industry in the Balkans gathers together exhibitors and visitors from around the world for sixth consecutive year. Exhibiting companies present products and services used in the operation of hotels, entertainment centers, shopping centers, restaurants, bars, casinos, etc. along with additional products from the marketing sector, digital technologies, mobile applications, security and control systems, vending equipment and others. During the days 22nd and 23rd of October for the sixth consecutive year there was held the Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo (BEGE EXPO). Traditionally Sofia became a center of gaming and entertainment businesses on the Balkans, bringing Bulgarian and foreign companies together to present their latest products and services for the region to an audience of more than 2,000 visitors. The event was officially opened by Ognemir Mitev – chairmen of the State commission on gambling and Angel Iribozov - Chairman of the Management Board of BTAMOGI. The Bulgarian industry was represented by leading manufacturers and distributors of entertainment and gaming equipment and software solutions. The leading Bulgarian manufacturer Casino Technology introduced the newest versions from the multigame series GAMOPOLIS HIGHWAY, along with the latest developments of the server-based and online solutions. The distributor of gaming equipment Casino Trade BG presented for the first time to the local market the G5 HD Mini Roulete ™ - an innovative 8-seat roulette, produced by the Slovenian company Interblock. Among the rest of Bulgarian companies offering successful solutions to the business were: Decart, AlfaStreet Trade BG, Casino Game Innovation, Rodiz, Avangard Technology, Simona Cards, Avant-X Technoolgy. From the entertainment sector that were: Interservice Uzunovi, Mini Golf Ltd, Microintellect and

KB Distribution. More and more international leaders are presenting at BEGE Expo and some of them are participating at the show for second, third or fourth consecutive year. In 2013 their latest innovations presented the following companies: APEX Gaming Technology, Abbiati, Advansys, Betconstruct, Fininvest, Future Gaming, Gaming Support, Interblock, Vermantia, Microgaming, Suzo-Happ, SB Tech, Spielo International, Syswin Solutions and StylGame. Entertainment sector was presented by the Advanced Technology Research, SEGA and Sound Leisure. At BEGE Expo 2013 there was held the second edition of the contest Miss Gaming BEGE. The crown was given to the charming blonde Kristiyana Rangelova, representing Casino Hrisantema. Her runners-up were Nikol Georgieva - Miss Palms Bet (second), and Anastasia Andreeva - Miss Sesame (third), while “The audience’s choice” became Miss Casino Ritz Plovdiv - Mihaela Vasileva. The Miss Gaming BEGE winners were announced at the BEGE Expo party hold at Playground, Paradise Center, where all the exhibitors and partners of BEGE Expo, celebrated its successful sixth edition. The party was made in more unconventional format allowing the guests to enjoy both the musical program of fashionable Bulgarian performers but also to the special bowling tournament, along with any other entertainments offered by the leisure center. The first place in the bowling tournament took the team of the Slovenian company Fininvest, followed by the teams of Kamenitza (second) and Casino Game Innovation (third). The exhibition ended successfully with positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors. The 6th edition of BEGE Expo proved once again as a very important initiative that supports the development of industry in the region, helps manufacturers and distributors to reach more customers and provides valuable information from the source about the Eastern European gaming industry and market.

ExCeL, London 4 - 6 Feb 2014

Totally Gaming

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SPOTLIGHT – New products

DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH FOR LCI

Gaming Support installs Super Roulette at UK operator, London Clubs International

his summer, Gaming Support installed its ‘Super Roulette Jackpot’ system with integrated casino signs in nine UK properties of London Clubs International (“LCI”). LCI is owned by Caesars Entertainment and is one of Europe’s leading casino operators. “We deployed the new progressive in 9 of our UK properties on our various electronic roulette platforms, with relative ease. Customer response is very positive and we have seen double digit volume growth on the progressive linked terminals. We are looking forward to working with Gaming Support to develop additional products that are unique and that drive customer demand.” Corey Plummer, Group Operations Director, Caesars UK. The ‘Super Roulette Jackpot’ system has been developed by Gaming Support, and currently works on electronic roulette machines. This jackpot

solution includes a media system integrated into each overhead sign and incorporates the latest innovation in casino signs from Gaming Support – transparent signs – created especially for locations that do not want a room ‘broken up’ by signage. Another feature of the Gaming Support ‘super roulette jackpot’ system is its ability to link multiple properties together through its WAN (wide area network) capability. “We are very happy with the very positive results of the progressive jackpot. It helps LCI to deliver an even better service and the ‘Super Roulette System’ adds excitement to the floor”, stated Rene Akker, account manager for Gaming Support. ‘We continue to monitor ourselves and the market and make changes to our existing product line and roll-out new products, we feel the necessity to keep on track so we can continue to meet or exceed our customer’s needs and expectation.”