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FOR THE GAMING PROFESSIONAL WORLDWIDE

G2E REVIEW n WSOP n ONLINE n MACAU n LATINO AMERICA
November 2012
FOR THE GAMING PROFESSIONAL WORLDWIDE

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2012
www.casinointernational-online.com
NEWS
Editor’s letter
STATESIDE
Sharon Harris brings the US news
LATINO AMERICA
Ricki Chavez Munoz looks at this
gaming hotspot to bring all the news
MACAU BUSINESS
The pick of the bunch from Asia’s
finest business magazine
BALLY
A look back at an exceptional G2E for
Bally Technologies
G2E REPORT
The place to be in October was the
Sands Expo for G2E; if you weren’t
there, read all about it here…
SHFL STEPS UP
Why the name change? Shuff- sorry,
SHFL explains, and looks back at G2E
A BIG PRODUCTION
Sean Chaffin looks at the increasingly
elaborate setup of the WSOP
ONLINE
Matt Broughton brings the news and
interview you want to read from the
online world
Managing Editor: Jon Bruford
[Contact details above]
International Editor: Ricki Chavez-Munoz
Tel: +44 1202 418547
cwiberoamerica@yahoo.co.uk
Contributing Editor: Barnaby Page
casinointernational@barnabypage.com
Online Section Editor: Matt Broughton
mrbroughton@hotmail.com
Publishing Director: Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk
Administration:
casino@datateam.co.uk
CORRESPONDENTS
USA correspondent: Sharon Harris
+1 609 601 7890
sharonhar@aol.com
G2E was fantastic, the best
for years. A great buzz
about the place, and you
could even forgive it being
in the truly dreadful Sands Expo.
Rumours abound that the show will
be on the move again soon, I hope they are true.
One thing that never fails to disappoint on visits to
Vegas though, the card-rattling masses on the Strip
hawking their escort wares. How can a world-renowned
destination have such tawdry tat – and ultimately, such
a source of litter – on the streets day after day?
Oh, and to answer my question in last month’s column:
loads of Japanese visitors, lots of Aussies, and
plenty of English.
Jon Bruford, Managing Editor
jonbruford@yahoo.co.uk
+44 1584 877177
www.casinointernational-online.com/facebook
www.casinointernational-online.com/twitter
p24: Bally’s successful G2E
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Published by:
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NEWS
In Vegas, the hot new game
is rooms and restaurants
Despite consumer caution, casinos are refurbishing to gain market share
While times have not always been
good in Las Vegas of late, and the
economic slowdown has stalled
much new construction, competition
for the consumer dollars that remain
is encouraging casino operators to
invest heavily in revamping their
properties – especially beyond the
gaming floor.
At the MGM Grand, for example, a
$160m remodelling of
accommodation in the main tower
that began a year ago covers 3570
rooms and 642 suites. An in-house
team designed the new-style rooms
with an emphasis on environmental
responsibility leading to the inclusion
of features such as LED lighting,
improved thermostats and solar
shades, and biodegradable bath
supplies.
Luxury hasn’t been ignored either,
however, with the venue now offering
Stay Well rooms and suites with
features such as light therapy and
vitamin-infused shower water. And
next on the calendar for MGM Grand
is the opening next spring of
Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and
Nightclub.
Palms Casino Resort has also
been redesigning its 428 tower
rooms as part of a $50m refurb.
Klai Juba and Seed Design were
brought in to create a new look
described as “sensual and edgy”,
with wall-to-wall 16-foot murals above
guest beds. Technology in each room
includes a 46-inch Samsung HD LED
Perhaps the most
impactful aspect
of the D is right
outside on
Fremont Street:
an interactive
video display
television with a media hub to allow
connections with laptops, cameras,
media players and game systems.
And, as at MGM, plans don’t stop
there. Developments next to come
include a new centre bar on the
casino floor and culinary ventures
such as a sports bar and pan-Asian
restaurant, while the casino resort
has also launched the Ghostbar
Dayclub, a Saturday-afternoon event.
Caesars Entertainment,
meanwhile, is going a step further
with a complete relaunch of its
Imperial Palace property on the Strip.
A transformation programme starting
this month and scheduled for
completion in about a year will see it
become The Quad Resort & Casino.
The same is happening at the
former Fitzgeralds Casino & Hotel,
which has been reinvented as the D
Las Vegas.
A new lobby leads guests to a twolevel
casino with current slots and
table games on the first floor
contrasting with a vintage gaming
experience on the second, featuring
coin-operated slots. Food and
beverage offers include two new
bars, one inside the casino and the
other on Fremont Street, as well as
the first non-Michigan location for
Detroit’s American Coney Island
restaurant chain. And in the hotel
accommodation, 624 guest rooms
and 14 suites have been remodelled.
But perhaps the most impactful
aspect of the D is right outside on
the street, where an interactive video
display designed by Cirque du
Soleil’s Roger Parent and called Face
to Face comprises 40 large LED
screens streaming colourful content
throughout the day and night. Next to
this, LEDs on an escalator leading to
the second floor encourage patrons
to head inside.
“We’re incredibly excited to be part
of a new era in downtown Las
Vegas,” said the D’s CEO Derek
Stevens. “The D’s renovations reflect
the high energy and friendly
atmosphere of Fremont Street, and
we want everyone to have a blast
when they stay and play with us.”
And Golden Gate Hotel & Casino is
also undergoing sweeping change.
The very first venue in Vegas, which
opened in 1906, says that a new
five-storey, 35,000-square-foot
addition marks its first major
expansion in five decades.
That new space includes 14 hotel
suites designed as tributes to
notable past guests like Frank
Sinatra and Dean Martin; two
penthouses on a vintage showgirl
Caesars is going
a step further
than many with a
complete
relaunch of its
Imperial Palace
theme; an expanded casino floor with
a 1920s-style high-limit gaming room;
and a new lobby featuring historic
artefacts from the hotel’s early days
and lit by an antique sign.
As at the D, modern technology is
also helping the Golden Gate
celebrate its past, with the restored
original facade complemented by a
digital marquee and LED lights that
the venue says represent 1920sstyle
pinstripes.
“The expansion and renovation of
the Golden Gate preserves and
enhances a Las Vegas legacy – not
only this classic 106-year-old building,
but the Las Vegas spirit and the
mystique it embodies,” said
President and Co-owner Mark
Brandenburg. “Throughout the
renovations, our goal was clear:
remain true to our vintage Vegas
character and deliver an experience
that is original, people-centric and
bursting with energy.”
4 JUNE 2012

NEWS
NEWS
Genting grows UK estate with Sheffield launch
35,000-square-foot Genting Club is the operator’s first in the county of Yorkshire
Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis opened
Genting’s new venue in the northern English city of
Sheffield, where she was born.
After nine months of development, the Genting Club
situated beneath a local landmark car park encompasses
35,000 square feet over two floors, including the main
gaming floor, Poker room, three bars, and late-night lounge
with touchscreen tables that allow patrons to learn
Blackjack and Roulette as well as play games and DJ.
The new location is also highlighting its food offer. The
160-cover Fahrenheit Bar and Grill is named after the
Josper Grills used to prepare some dishes, which can
reach temperatures of 1000 degrees, while the pan-Asian
menu in the Hou Mei Asian cafe is available round the
clock.
The Sheffield casino is the first in Britain to feature
Malaysia-headquartered Genting’s Hou Mei brand, already
in use in Asia.
And, with an employee roster of more than 150, Genting
Club Sheffield is also the first casino that Britain’s largest
operator has opened in Yorkshire.
Casino hotels switch on
to interactive TV service
LodgeNet says it’s now rolling out to
15,000 guest rooms across the US
LodgeNet Interactive says it has already signed
contracts covering more than 15,000 rooms for its
Envision interactive TV product following its decision to
target the casino hotel market.
Six gaming locations are currently being outfitted
with Envision: the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino (1623
rooms) in Reno; the Colorado Belle Resort (1164
rooms) and Edgewater Casino Resort (1053 rooms),
both in Laughlin, Nevada; Turning Stone Resort Casino
in Verona, New York (605 rooms); the Isle of Capri
Casino Hotel Lake Charles in Westlake, Louisiana (493
rooms); and the Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in
Salamanca, New York (413 rooms).
“Owners and operators in the gaming space are
catching the vision of how the Envision platform and
apps can improve their bottom line and enhance the
total destination experience – especially when
integrated with our LodgeNet Mobile App,” said Rich
Battista, President and CEO of LodgeNet.
“Whether it’s promoting on-site events, extracting
more revenue from their guest rooms or helping guests
enjoy all the events and amenities the property has to
offer, gaming operators can use Envision to cross the
boundaries of space and time in delivering the
information and services their guests want, when they
want it – through whatever screen they are watching at
the time.”
Worldwide, LodgeNet serves around 1.6m hotel
rooms.
GLI puts compliance
data into the cloud
New tool will let operators and regulators
efficiently check the status of machines
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) is now betatesting
GLiCloud, a service that lets online and landbased
operators as well as regulators track their
inventory of technology and games, and cross-refer it
with data on regulatory compliance.
For example, if a certain machine model is present
on a slot floor, GLiCloud will let users access the GLI
database to determine which components that
machine uses and whether they have been approved
by the relevant territory’s regulator.
Because it is cloud-based, it is accessible from any
computing device and also from mobile handsets using
the GLI Mobile service.
“Regulators around the world came to us asking if
we could develop a way to help them track the
enormous number of products on their floor, with a
simple solution that taps into our global database so
that the information is always up-to-date, accurate and
in real time,” said GLI President and CEO James
Maida.
“GLiCloud delivers on that promise, and because it
links to our new GLI Mobile, regulators now have the
power of a global database in the palm of their hand.”
GLI says the new technology will save operators and
regulators time and money in evaluating the
compliance of slot floors, as well as eliminating the
risk of human error.
After testing is complete, the full release of GLiCloud
is expected within six months.
6 NOVEMBER 2012

NEWS EXTRA
Philippines to
ignite industry
Manila Bay is the next gaming
hotspot – you heard it here first
Operators are betting big on Asia, but with
a relatively limited number of gaming
developments in the region, Manila Bay is
set to become an international casino
hotspot. Bloomberry Resorts announced
at an October press event that its Solaire Casino
Resort is on track to launch by March 2013.
Pagcor, the Philippine state-run gaming body, will
see its Entertainment City come to life over the next
five years. The agency has issued four operating
licenses to Bloomberry Resorts; a joint venture
between Alliance Group and Genting; a joint venture
between property magnate Andrew Tan and Japanese
‘pachinko king’ Kazuo Okada; and a joint venture
between Belle Corp and Melco Crown.
Bradley Stone, President of Global Gaming Assets
Management, which will manage the Solaire property,
explained that the casino to set to compete with top
resorts in Macau and Las Vegas. The company has
poached top casino executives, including Michael
French of City of Dreams as COO, Xingyu Chen of
Wynn Resorts as CFO and Gregory Dauenhauer of
Marina Bay Sands as Vice President of IT.
Sitting at the heart of Manila’s Entertainment City,
Solaire will be the catalyst that brings the project to
life. The $1.2 billion property will launch a five-star
hotel with 500 rooms, suites and villas, and 18,500m 2
of gaming space featuring 1,200 slots and 300 tables.
It will occupy around half the 16-hectares allocated to
Bloomberry within the district’s total 120-hectre area.
“Our goal is simply to raise the bar for
entertainment offerings in Manila as it is our
ambitious vision to be the ultimate gaming resort in
the country,” said French.
In an attempt to copy the success of the VIP market
in Macau, around three-quarters of the casino will be
dedicated to the mass market, whilst the remaining
quarter will be setup exclusively for VIPs. To lure highrollers
from around Asia, Stone said the resort will
provide private jets and helicopters to fly in players.
“This is a master-planned building, sensitive to the
market segments we are going after,” commented
Stone, “The general public wants good parking that’s
accessible to the casino floor, have the right slot
product, ticket in, ticket out, cash out. With the VIP
market, it’s important to build relationships.”
“The ante for VIP service is about personalisation,”
added Adrian Ort, who will head up the property’s nongaming
amenities, “Depending on the level of the VIP,
there is a helipad and a host who speaks the guest’s
language. If the VIPs fly on their ticket, we fetch them a
limousine. We take care of what they like to have.”
The Philippine government lowered tax rates to
attract foreign investment into the project and
enables junkets and VIPs to receive higher
commissions. In addition, the country benefits from
low inflation, improved credit rating, strong currency
and an emerging middle-class.
“Where gaming is concerned, there is a void that
needs to be filled for the huge world gaming market,
particularly by offering an alternative for the large and
growing Southeast Asian market,” commented Enrique
Razon, Bloomberry Chairman & President, “Many
foreigners have been buying into Bloomberg. There’s a
confidence from the foreign market in this project and
in the country.”
The Tiger Resorts project, developed by the Tan and
Okada group, will occupy 40-hectres of the district.
With a $2 billion investment, the project will integrate
gaming, commercial and residential operations.
Dubbed ‘Manila Bay Resorts’, construction is almost a
year in development and slated to open in 2014.
Following the success of Resorts World Manila,
Genting Group of Hong Kong along with Alliance
Group, will invest $1.2 billion into the district over the
next three years to develop Resorts World Bayshore.
Site development will begin this year and see the
project rise on a 30-hectre area along Roxas Boulevard.
Speaking at the Philippine Business Conference &
Expo in October, David Chua, President of Genting
Hong Kong, said he is “totally convinced” that “the
Philippines is the right place, the Filipinos are the
right people and now is the right time” to invest.
Belle Corp, owned by Filipino retail guru and the
country’s richest man Henry Sy, together with Melco
Crown, will pour a further $1 billion into the district.
The group has been allocated 10-hectares and is due
to start construction next year.
According to Pagcor estimates, planned projects
under the four gaming licenses would attract over 1m
new tourists every year, generate up to 40,000 direct
and 150,000 indirect jobs and revenue of up to $11
billion after 5 years. If that happens, Manila would
overtake Las Vegas in terms of gambling revenue.
www.innovategaming.com

STATESIDE
Stateside
Sharon Harris takes comfort in an honest day’s work
for an honest dollar
Wynn revealed
that by using up
to $200 million of
Macau profits in
Las Vegas, he
could improve his
buildings and
avoid staff layoffs
Another G2E goes into the record books.
Attendees seemed to show more
optimism this year, and American
Gaming Association (AGA) CEO Frank J.
Fahrenkopf Jr. cited preliminary numbers
better than at any time since 2008. Either there is
cautionary confidence or the industry is adjusting to
conditions as they are. I am not sure.
One of my favorite industry friends was absent,
having just received his layoff notice. On the flip side,
another longtime friend has finally found fulltime
industry work after almost two years of unemployment.
He worked in executive positions for more than 25
years before being let go from his prior job right after
G2E 2010. Imagine his excitement when he was
recently hired for a management position close to his
home, giving him a new lease on life.
I believe that most people want to at least hold a
job and put in an honest day’s work for an honest
dollar. I also believe people who work harder and
smarter deserve greater rewards than people who
don’t, but the job must actually exist.
During the G2E, I dined at one of the Wynn resort’s
restaurants. Like all past and present Steve Wynn
properties, the Wynn is drop dead gorgeous, as is
Encore, its adjacent sister site. From the moment Wynn
changed Las Vegas forever by opening the Mirage in
1989, he became the iconic master of the magnificent
and a major employer who believes in his employees.
The week after the show, Wynn sat down for a twopart
exclusive interview with Nevada TV anchor Jon
Ralston, who had just moderated the G2E “State of
the Industry” panel. Wynn described terrible business
conditions, but explained how he has adjusted,
thanks to his so-called “luck.”
Wynn revealed that by using up to $200 million of
Macau profits in Las Vegas, he could improve his
buildings and avoid staff layoffs. Wynn insisted that
these international profits have paid to reinforce
employee satisfaction with benefits and cost of living
pay increases. He insists that ultimately translates
into good customer service. Over 45 years, Wynn has
created 250,000 direct jobs and tens of thousands of
indirect jobs. He currently employs 12,000 in Las
Vegas and 8,000 in Macau.
Wynn also described an invitation to join a
development venture of a new property and
convention center on 34 acres across the Strip from
his hotels. He stated that another 10,000 direct and
30,000 indirect jobs would have resulted, but Wynn
rejected the offer. Why? He refuses to risk the capital
because of the uncertain American business climate.
A Democrat and 2008 Obama voter, Wynn has since
become an Obama critic. He lamented that he and
others, not only in gaming but in many industries, have
basically frozen their hiring and development plans.
“…Guys like me are job creators…every business
guy I know in the country is frightened of Barack
Obama and the way he thinks,” he said.
When many of you read this, the American election
will be over. If results don’t go the way Wynn wants,
what will the overall impact be? If he is right that
gaming operators and their suppliers are holding
back from hiring, will the industry grow?
It is not a hypothetical. My friend’s daughter has
dealt poker in a Philadelphia casino for over a year.
Working part-time and in her 30s, the daughter
needs more income and benefits. However, the work
is not there, or at least her casino employer is
choosing to use more part-timers. I have heard the
same complaint in Atlantic City.
Is this work pattern is the wave of the future. Does it
matter who is president when it comes to advocating
economics that facilitate job growth? Or, does the
Senate, under Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid
of Nevada, and the House, under Republican Speaker
John Boehner of Ohio, hold more sway on taxes and
the business climate? Reid has not brought a national
budget to a vote in years. And, Boehner has also been
unsuccessful in doing much.
As a New Jersey resident, I don’t live in a “swing
state” where the demographics pretty much
determine the outcome. This is frustrating because I
want my ballot to have equal value as those voters in
the “swing battleground states”, regardless of my
choice. Taking comfort where I can, I will utilize my
voting power to elect federal legislators who think of
their country’s needs first before their own.
If they do, maybe Wynn will start hiring again.
8 NOVEMBER 2012

Latino America
Ricki Chavez Munoz reports on what’s happening in South America
Estamos a unas
semanas de la
exposición más
grande e importante
de Latinoamérica,
SAGSE Buenos Aires 2012, los
días 13-15 de noviembre, y Monografie: Jorge Gallinger, Giorgio
como siempre sentimos esa
Gennari y Alan Burak
inquieta emoción de dirigirnos
hacia este gran país, Como siempre también, el presidente de la
empresa organizadora, Giorgio Gennari, coloca a Monografie a
la vanguardia del sector y este año es patrocinador del Avant-
Premiere de la película, “Lo que usted siempre quiso saber sobre
el juego en Argentina”, dirigida por Miguel Rodríguez Arias.
Desde Buenos Aires, Monografie ha invitado a directivos y
ejecutivos del sector a la premiere de este documental inédito
que se realizará el martes 6 de noviembre a las 19:30 horas en el
cine Lorca, en la Av. Corrientes 1428, Capital federal, Buenos
Aires. La participación no tiene costo, pero los interesados
deben estar registrados en la lista al ingreso, dirigiéndose:
Pilar@monografie.com ¡Y ahí nos vemos en Buenos Aires!
Saludos,
Ricki.
México legaliza las máquinas tragamonedas
Con fecha diecisiete de octubre 2012, el presidente de
México, Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa, ha rubricado el
Decreto “por el que se reforman y adicionan diversos artículos
del Reglamento de la Ley Federal de Juegos y Sorteos”,
conjuntamente con el Secretario de Gobernación, Alejandro
Alfonso Poiré Romero, de facto han legalizado la operación de
It’s just a few weeks before the largest and most important
expo in Latin America, SAGSE Buenos Aires 2012 (Nov
13,14,15), and as always we feel that certain sweet feeling
as a preamble to visiting this great country. As always
also, Giorgio Gennari, president of Monografie,
organizers of the event, places his company at the forefront of
the industry and this year is sponsor of the Avant-Premiere of
the movie Lo que usted siempre quiso saber sobre el juego en
Argentina (Everything you always wanted to know about
Gaming in Argentina) directed by Miguel Rodriguez Arias.
From Buenos Aires, Monografie has sent invitations to
directors and industry executives to attend the premiere
showing of this new documentary on Tuesday, November 6 at
7:30 pm at Lorca cinema on 1428 Ave. Corrientes, Buenos
Aires. There is no charge to industry guests but those
interested must be registered previously and this can be done
by emailing: Pilar@monografie.com See you all in Buenos
Aires!
Cheers,
Ricki.
Mexico legalises slot machines
Dated 17th October 2012, Mexican President Felipe de
Jesus Calderon Hinojosa has signed a Decree to reform and
amend various articles of the Federal Gaming Law. With the
Secretary of State, Alejandro Alfonso Poire Romero, together
they have legalised in practice the operation of slot machines
in venues with licences from the Gaming Regulator, a
department of the State Office (the Segob), to operate remote
betting and lotteries.
10 NOVEMBER 2012

LATINO AMERICA
máquinas tragamonedas en establecimientos con permisos
para la operación de centros de apuestas remotas y salas de
sorteos de números, otorgados por la Dirección General de
Juegos y Sorteos, dependencia de la Secretaria de
Gobernación.
En su capacidad ejecutiva, esta administración saliente de
México trata dentro de sus facultades imponer cierto orden
dentro de una industria que a gritos busca salir del
entrampamiento generado por el ex presidente Vicente Fox y
el ex Secretario de la Segob, Santiago Creel, quienes con un
reglamento en el 2004 para la Ley de 1947, otorgaron
permisos para la operación de múltiples salas de juego a un
puñado de empresas.
Desde entonces, se han establecido en México casinos
con permisos de la Segob, con permisos de terceros y con
permisos amañados o falsos, y mientras algunas
operaciones cumplían con la Ley de 1947, otras operaban
juegos mediante la discreción brindada por la Segob, causando
la elasticidad o lesión de la Ley de forma directa o indirecta.
En efecto, el Reglamento de 2004, por su naturaleza
discriminatoria a favor de unos cuantos grupos de poder, no
tuvo la inteligencia de modernizar la vieja Ley ni en la emisión
de permisos ni en el control sobre los negocios autorizados. Si
bien es cierto que los promotores del Reglamento buscaron una
salida a la ineficacia del Congreso para emitir una nueva ley de
casinos, esta salida fue tendenciosa y antojadiza.
In his executive capacity the
President’s administration has
tried to bring a certain order to
an industry still attempting to
struggle free of the constraints
imposed by ex-President Vicente
Fox and the ex-Secretary of State
Santiago Creel. They introduced
a gaming regulation in 2004,
added to the existing Gaming
Law of 1947, authorising the
operation of multiple gaming
rooms by a handful of
companies.
Since then casinos have been
established in Mexico with
licences from the Segob, licences
from third parties, fixed licences and false licences. While
some operators comply with the 1947 Law others operate
gambling under the discretion of the Segob, allowing for
elasticity or separation from the Law either directly or
indirectly. In effect the 2004 regulation discriminated in
favour of groups in power and had not the intelligence to
modernise the old Law either in the emission of licences or in
the control of the authorised operations.
Now the Mexican administration that finishes its term in a
few weeks has virtually legalised slot machines but has not
had the courage to go a step further to regulate table games
that include card games like Blackjack, Baccarat or Poker, and
Roulette, prohibited under the 1947 law. The Presidential
Decree has clarified what slot machines are, but has
complicated matters with the exclusion - as slot machines - of
betting terminals or other machines for sports betting or
lotteries, unless they are authorised by the Segob and
identified as such in the casinos or slots operations.
Chile’s Enjoy negotiates investment in
casino Hotel Company
Towards the end of October Chile’s premier hotel casino
operator Enjoy advised the local Securities and Exchange
Commission of its intention to buy a 45% shareholding of an
unnamed Latin American hotel-casino company for US$310
million. Enjoy’s formal notice of the signing of a Memorandum
of Understanding with the proposed seller caused some
trepidation in the local SE where Enjoy’s titles dropped on
Thursday 25.
The cause of the market loss by Enjoy was due to news of
financing the proposed acquisition with a new capital issue of
75,000 million pesos, some US$157 million, although there
was no further news about the mechanics of the operation
owing to a non-disclosure agreement.
Enjoy has called an Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting
with a view to increase the company’s share capital for
November 12. The company’s half year report had revenue at
US$150 million for 2012, an increase of 18% on the previous
year’s equivalent period.
12 NOVEMBER 2012

LATINO AMERICA
Ahora, esta administración que termina su gobierno en unas
semanas mas crea un precedente para la operación de slots y el
desarrollo del juego de máquinas electrónicas en el país, pero no
ha tenido la audacia de ir mas lejos para permitir la autorización
de la operación de juegos en vivo, al margen de que la Ley de
1947, donde se prohíbe los juegos de naipes y ruleta.
Enjoy negocia compra de sociedad en US
$310 millones
La noticia que Enjoy, líder en operaciones de casinos y
hoteles con negocios en su país sede y Argentina, comunicara a
la Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (SVS) la suscripción
de un memorándum de entendimiento con una sociedad
propietaria y operadora de hotel y casino en Latinoamérica,
para la adquisición del 45% del capital de esta, causaron un
revuelo en el mercado donde los títulos de Enjoy cerraron con
una pérdida el día jueves 25.
Indicando que según el acuerdo de confidencialidad, no
puede proporcionar información adicional sobre la adquisición
hasta no haber alcanzado los acuerdos definitivos, Enjoy dijo
que financiará la operación con un aumento de capital de
75.000 millones de pesos, unos US $157 millones, para lo cual
a compañía convocó a una junta de accionistas para el 12 de
noviembre.
Enjoy, que reportó ventas por unos US $150 millones en S1
2012, logrando un incremento del 18% sobre el periodo igual del
año pasado, ha indicado también que el valor de la adquisición
se ha establecido en US $310 millones, y que financiaría esta
operación financiera mediante un aumento de capital.
Turks & Caicos: Circle Holdings invertirá
US $70 millones
El gobierno de Turks y Caicos anunció la firma de un
memorando de entendimiento con la empresa constructora
Circle Holdings Ltd., para la construcción de un nuevo complejo
hotelero con una inversión de US $70 millones, que incluirá un
casino y un embarcadero para yates de lujo, además de un
centro comercial y de diversión.
Con este propósito, Circle Holdings ha comprado de los
agentes de liquidación, el otrora Third Turtle Inn, el primer
hotel y bar restaurante en la costa norte de la isla
Providenciales, que estaba cerrado desde 1989. La propiedad de
unas seis hectáreas tiene más de 200 metros de playa y unos
400 metros disponibles para el embarcadero.
El Gobernador Interino, Patrick Boyle, quien firmó el
memorando el viernes pasado con Circle Holdings, dijo: “Esta
noticia confirma lo que el gobernador y yo hemos dicho por
varios meses, que la economía de Turks y Caicos es un gran
lugar para hacer negocio. La noticia es magnifica porque
alguien de comprobado record se ha posicionado aquí en TCI
para combinar su esfuerzo con inversionistas en bienes raíces
para traer su conocimiento y experiencia a un nuevo proyecto”.
Según informes sobre la propuesta presentada al gobierno, el
complejo generaría de 300-400 empleos directos, además de
beneficios sociales y unos US $9 millones en ingresos anuales.
US$70 million Hotel and Casino Project
The Turks and Caicos government has signed a
memorandum of understanding with developer Circle
Holdings Ltd on a planned US$70 million hotel, casino and
marina project, the government announced Sunday. The
project will be a low-density, high-end hotel, with a residential
component, a marina and a retail and entertainment complex.
It will be located on the site of the former Third Turtle Inn on
the north shore of Providenciales.
The Government has, in accordance with its published
Investment Policy, concluded that the Development is ‘A’
ranked, due to its proposed 300-400 direct jobs and
anticipated revenues of around $9 million per year, as well as
its social benefits. The project will spearhead a new type of
development around Turtle Cove offering a public promenade
along the marina featuring a casino, boutique, and
restaurants. The marina intends to rival the best in the region
and to put Providenciales back on the map for top yachting
and fishing enthusiasts.
Circle recently acquired the 17-acre site out of receivership.
It has 775 feet of frontage on the Third Turtle beach, with
1,300 feet of marina frontage. The site, with spectacular
ocean views, was originally the location of the Third Turtle
Inn. The Inn has been closed since 1989. Circle Holdings now
has until 31 Dec 2013 to apply for Outline Planning
Permission for the construction of the Development, with the
Development being completed within 40 months of obtaining
the Detailed Development Permission.
“This announcement confirms what the governor and I have
been saying for a number of months now – the economy of
the Turks and Caicos Islands is a great place for business,”
said Acting Governor Patrick Boyle, who signed the
memorandum on Friday. “It is terrific news that someone with
such a proven track record right here in the TCI wishes to
combine forces with seasoned real estate investors and bring
his knowledge and experience to a new development. Growing
the economy here is a balance between established businesses
investing and reinvesting and attracting overseas investment.”
“I am very excited about this project, no less by the
unequivocal support it has received from all quadrants of
the society, particularly from neighbours and business
owners at Turtle Cove, and from the TCI government,” said
Vasco Borges, managing partner of the project, who has
resided and worked in real estate development and
hospitality in the Turks & Caicos Islands since 2005.
“When one walks the site, it is evident why the first
developers on Providenciales chose the Third Turtle beach
as their home. It is unique in combining a half-moon white
powder beach with marina facilities. We will now take the
necessary time to design a property that best conserves and
enhances nature’s beauty, and is well within the existing
height and density restrictions”.
Buenos Aires advances slots online
gaming control
Following on Governor Daniel Scioli’s plans to consolidate
Buenos Aires Province’s control on all provincial slots, Cabinet
14 NOVEMBER 2012

LATINO AMERICA
Vasco Borges, director y socio del proyecto dijo: “Estoy muy
emocionado con este proyecto, sobre todo por el respaldo total
que ha recibido de todos los estratos
de la sociedad, particularmente de
los vecinos, los propietarios de los
negocios en Turtle Cove y del
gobierno de TCI”.
El proyecto, situado en la isla
Providenciales, más comúnmente conocida como “Provo”, que es
la isla más desarrollada turísticamente en Turks y Caicos y
cuenta con el aeropuerto internacional del archipiélago,
incluirá un paseo público junto a la marina para yates de lujo
que contará con casino, boutique y restaurantes. Los
desarrolladores esperan que la marina coloque a la isla en el
mapa caribeño para yatistas y aficionados a la pesca del
segmento más alto.
Buenos Aires avanza proyecto de
estatización del juego online
Siguiendo con los planes de Daniel Scioli, gobernador de la
provincia de Buenos Aires, el jefe de Gabinete bonaerense,
Alberto Pérez, se reunió con el presidente del grupo Banco
Provincia, Santiago Montoya, a mediados de octubre pasado,
con el fin de avanzar en el proyecto de estatización de las
apuestas online.
El negocio, que a la fecha es explotado por Boldt, le cuesta al
Estado provincial en comisiones que le paga a esta empresa
entre $280 y $360 millones de pesos argentinos al año (US
$59-76 millones), e iba a una licitación internacional, cuando
en agosto pasado, el gobernador Scioli cancelo el llamado con
la firma del decreto 624.
Chief Alberto Perez met the president of Banco Provincia,
Santiago Montoya, to discuss the project to finally control all
provincial slots and betting with an online system managed by
the Province.
At present control of all Buenos Aires Province slots is done
by local firm Boldt with costs for the service paid by the
Province at the rate of between US$59-76 million yearly. As
the contract has been renewed over the past few years, this
service was up for an international tender when Buenos Aires
Governor Scioli decided to cancel the tender through a
byelaw.
Montoya said: “This process will enable the Province to
recover the strategic business resources steadily providing
more efficiency in the management and control of gaming
and betting online, which is at present handled by the private
sector. We have projected considerable administrational
savings by year 2013”.
If the provincial control of the Buenos Aires slots comes
into being Montoya will be in control of 4.400 lottery
terminals through a system that will enable agency sales up to
10 minutes before each lottery is drawn. On the matter of the
international tender, Boldt and US based Gtech Corporation
have lodged a Habeas Corpus injunction with the local
magistrates against the Buenos Aires Province government for
costs incurred in the tender cancelled by governor Scioli.
Montoya dijo: “Este proceso le permitirá a la Provincia ir
recuperando de forma paulatina los recursos estratégicos del
negocio y le aportará una mayor eficiencia en la gestión y en el
control del juego online, hoy en manos privadas, con la
perspectiva de lograr en 2013 una baja sensible en los costos
administrativos”.
Si se concreta la estatización, Montoya estará a cargo de las
4.400 terminales con un sistema online que permiten que las
agencias puedan tomar apuestas hasta 10 minutos antes del
cierre de cada sorteo. Por otro lado, las empresas Boldt y Gtech
Corporation, de Norteamérica, han interpuesto un recurso de
amparo contra el Gobierno de Buenos Aires por su frustrada
participación en el cancelado llamado a licitación.

By Muhammad Cohen
Bet on the future
Bad news about growth in VIP gaming revenue may really be good
news for casinos, investors and the government
Observers unnerved by slowing
growth in gaming revenue may be
missing the point - the biggest
shift in the market since the
opening of the Venetian Macao,
has begun.
These changes will almost certainly result in
greater profits for casinos and may ease the
concerns of the governments here and in
Beijing about overdependence on VIP gaming.
This year’s gross gaming revenue figures tell a
tale of two markets. While year-on-year monthly
growth in VIP gaming revenue has fallen to
single digits and even into negative territory at
times, growth in mass-market gaming revenue is
powering ahead at an annual rate of more than
20 percent. These trends are forecast to
continue until the first half of next year.
With VIP revenue accounting for more than
70 percent of gross gaming revenue, the
slowdown has eroded the confidence of
investors. The sluggish ramp-up of Sands China
Ltd’s Sands Cotai Central, which opened its
second phase last month, has added to the
worries. Amid the decelerating growth, all six
casino operators are embarking on new
multibillion-dollar casino projects or are
expecting to do so within the next 12 months,
giving investors further reason to be nervous.
But instead of being anxious about any
slowdown or drop in VIP revenue and gross
gaming revenue, investors should be cheering
the rise of the mass market. “Macau casinos
can continue to experience solid profit
growth on the strength of the mass-market
customer, even if VIP revenue remains soft,”
says Grant Govertsen of research firm Union
Gaming Group.
“The key is that for every dollar of massmarket
gaming revenue generated by a casino
in Macau, roughly 40
cents drops to the
bottom line as profit.
This compares to just
10 cents of every
dollar for VIP, meaning
that mass-market play
is four times as
profitable as VIP. With
this in mind, it can be
calculated that more
profits are already
generated from the
mass-market segment,
even though it has
typically accounted for
just 30 percent or fewer of the gaming
revenue dollars.”
Steady expansion
Skyrocketing VIP play has masked massmarket
growth in recent years. VIP revenue
grew by 70 percent in 2010 and by 45 percent
last year, pushing mass-market revenue below
30 percent of gross gaming revenue for the first
time since 2004.
But while VIP revenue exploded before
slowing this year, mass-market revenue kept
expanding steadily.
“In fact, mass-market revenues have grown 30
percent or better over the last 11 quarters,” Mr
Govertsen says. “So the growth rate has been
stable, even though the base of revenues has
become much larger. The VIP slowdown has
certainly made the strength in [the] mass
market more noticeable.”
As mass-market play comes to form a larger
piece of the gaming revenue pie, casino profits
can rise, even if gross gaming revenue falls.
Moreover, the shift to the mass market will
probably boost non-gaming revenue and
18 NOVEMBER 2012

MACAU BUSINESS
promote the economic diversification that the
governments here and in Beijing say they want.
“The key to the mass market’s continued
growth is developing differentiated world-class
resorts supported by continued improvements
to infrastructure, which makes Macau more
convenient to visit,” Galaxy Entertainment
Group Ltd’s chief financial officer, Robert
Drake, tells Macau Business.
“This would include us offering a diverse
array of non-gaming amenities that attracts
new visitation, drives repeat visitation and
increases the length of stay.”
Galaxy Entertainment announced in April
that Galaxy Macau had begun building its
second phase. The HK$16 billion (US$2.1
billion) project will add 1,300 hotel rooms to
the Cotai resort and double its number of
shops.
Tied to GDP
“It’s chicken and egg,” HSBC regional gaming
analyst Sean Monaghan says of mass-market
growth and non-gaming attractions. “You have
to build them to get the people. The more you
build, the more diverse the patrons and the
more viable the non-gaming amenities.”
Mr Monaghan is the principal author of an
HSBC report which forecasts that this year
mass-market gaming revenue will grow by
nearly 30 percent and VIP gaming revenue by 5
percent, and that next year mass-market
revenue will grow by 25 percent and VIP
revenue by 7 percent.
The report says VIP gaming revenue will track
growth in mainland gross domestic product in
the long run, while mass-market gaming
revenue has the potential to grow at twice the
rate of mainland GDP.
“The resilience of mass gaming is changing
the profitability of casinos and buffering the
weakness in VIP,” Mr Monaghan says.
“On a long-term basis, we forecast mass
gaming will grow to 50 percent of Macau gross
gaming revenue in 2020 from 27 percent in
2011. This change in market mix is expected to
drive margins, earnings and valuations.”
“Obviously no casino is going to turn away
VIP business. However, we think [the] mass
market is a much better customer,” Mr
Govertsen of Union Gaming says.
“Not only is the mass-market customer more
profitable, there is less associated volatility and
there is more visibility. They are more
predictable in their visitation patterns than a
VIP player.”
Percentage game
Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd told Macau
Business in a written statement it has been
“focusing on its mass-market strategy, which is
believed to provide a more stable, loyal and
profitable customer base for the foreseeable
future.”
Melco Crown says growth in mass-market
revenue at City of Dreams, its flagship resort in
Cotai, is running ahead of market trends
despite the opening of neighbouring Sands
Cotai Central. Melco Crown has even
reallocated tables from the VIP market to the
mass market to meet demand.
“Two-thirds of EBITDA [earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation]
at City of Dreams is generated by non-VIP
sources, mostly mass-market gaming,” it says.
Melco Crown’s Studio City resort, now under
construction in Cotai, is also intended mainly
for the mass market. “That means a market-wide
shift towards mass-market plays to our core
strength as a company,” the gaming operator
says.
“Mass-market growth helps to ensure
sustainable growth through revenue
diversification,” says University of Macau
gaming specialist Ricardo Siu Chi Sen.
He forecasts mass-market growth may be less
affected by unexpected policy changes so
20 NOVEMBER 2012

MACAU BUSINESS
investors can predict it better. “And, yes, massmarket
growth will help high reported hotel
room occupancy and high check-in rates,” he
says.
Gaming Market Advisors principal Andrew
Klebanow notes “there is a great deal of
competition for VIP play, and that competition
will continue to grow.”
“Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines will
all compete with Macau for a portion of the
junket market, and they may do so by offering
more generous commissions.”
Commissions here are capped at 1.25
percent of rolling chip volume.
Over the horizon
“There are also a finite amount of Chinese
millionaires who have a high propensity to
gamble, and we are now starting to see the
limits of that market,” the veteran industry
executive turned consultant says. “Mass-market
growth represents the greatest opportunity for
Macau gaming. There are still huge swaths of
the Chinese population that have not
experienced the gaming and entertainment
experience in Macau. As the high-speed rail
network becomes operational, the mass market
will have greater access to Macau.”
HSBC’s Mr Monaghan divides the Chinese
market into regions. He estimates that
Guangdong, the provinces immediately
surrounding it and Hong Kong
together account for 74 percent of
gross gaming revenue here. The rest of
the mainland accounts for only 14
percent of gross gaming revenue and 7
percent of visitors.
“While market penetration in mass
gaming is high within Macau’s core
market, penetration across other China
regions remains inherently low,” Mr
Monaghan says. “We believe Macau
casino resorts are enhancing their marketing
programmes, targeting the mass market and
making better use of travel groups throughout
China.”
Mr Klebanow says: “More significant is the
potential growth of the premium mass market.
These are people who have the wherewithal to
gamble at high levels but do not use or need a
junket operator.”
The shift toward mass-market play neatly fits
with the calls by the governments here and in
Beijing for diversification of the economy.
“Indeed, in the past two years, the government’s
position to urge the casino operators to
develop more non-gaming facilities is a signal
for supporting the mass-market growth,” the
University of Macau’s Mr Siu says.
“And, of course, this helps diversification.
Mass-market players may not just focus on
gambling, but on non-gaming activities.”
More pie
While Cirque du Soleil’s “Zaia” show and
the Playboy Club at the Venetian Macao
closed early this year, the number of nongaming
attractions for the mass market has
increased in Cotai during the past two
years.
These attractions include “The House of
Dancing Water” show and Club Cubic at City of
Dreams, the cineplex and skytop wave pool at
Galaxy Macau, and more retail offering,
restaurants and bars in the Cotai resorts run by
Galaxy Entertainment, Melco Crown and Sands
China.
“Without a doubt there is high degree of
correlation between the number of massmarket
customers and the various non-gaming
revenue segments,” Mr Govertsen says.
“These customers have to eat, they have to
sleep, and they also might want to be
entertained. Quite simply, the greater the
number of visitors to Macau, the greater the
non-gaming revenue pie will grow. That said, it
will always represent just a tiny fraction of the
total casino resort revenue mix, which is a
function of gaming revenues being so large.”
“The successful development of a large
leisure and tourism market is an essential
component to support the shift in the Chinese
economy to be more focused on driving
domestic consumption,” Galaxy
Entertainment’s Mr Drake says.
“The growth of [the] mass market in tourism,
leisure and travel will continue to assist Macau
in diversifying its economy and continue its
ascension into a global resort destination. The
best is yet to come.”

BALLY TECHNOLOGIES
Bally’s new premium
brands dominate G2E
floor
A superb line-up of new titles and some exciting new
licenses made Bally Technologies’ G2E stand a mustsee
for visitors this year
Bally’s G2E stand is never a
disappointment to visitors, brimming with
new titles, cabinets, and so much more; it
is an illustration of Bally’s rise to
prominence as a comprehensive gaming
solutions provider, not just a slot manufacturer. That
said, the slots on show at G2E were arguably their
strongest to date.
For the North American market, few licenses have
the allure that NASCAR does. Bally have incorporated
some of the greatest drivers of the moment into the
slot experience, with Dale Earnhardt Jr, Clint Bowyer,
Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick to drop a few names
into the mix. Players can choose their favourite driver
and the whole player display area changes according
to their choice, with custom colours, a personalized
welcome message, and branding for each driver. It’s a
relatively small touch, but for players, the details
make all the difference. The NASCAR video slot is
delivered on Bally’s stunning ALPHA 2 Pro Series
V22/32 cabinet, which includes an extraordinary 32”
For the North American
market, few licenses have the
allure that NASCAR does
vertical touchscreen display. It’s best experienced in
the sublimely comfortable Pro Sound Chair, where
the player can become immersed in the sounds of
their favourite sport. The bonus games are
electrifying, utilising Bally’s U-Spin technology, and
the new U-Race play mechanic; the game’s designers
have gone all-out to make this as inclusive an
experience as possible for players.
Front and centre for Bally was the new Pawn Stars
slot, which uses the real-life ‘characters’ from the
worldwide hit HISTORY channel reality TV show of
the same name: Rick, Corey, the Old Man, and
Chumlee come to life. Players can choose to play as
their favourite star from the show, with custom-made
videos and fantastic bonus games where players can
24 NOVEMBER 2012

BALLY TECHNOLOGIES
picked the winning driver when the
race ends win a casino-configurable
prize, be it free play, merchandise, or
other operator selected rewards.
Also on the floor, players delighted
to Cash Wizard sequel Tiki Magic, on
the ALPHA 2 Pro Series 22/32
cabinet; featuring Bally’s first 1080p
high-resolution game, and the new U-
Launch play mechanic. Combine this
with the Pro Sound Chair and you
have another gameplay-rich
experience that will draw players in
from across the floor.
buy, sell and negotiate items for credits. Like
NASCAR, it’s a really immersive experience, a great
blend of interaction and traditional slot-style gaming.
And it’s presented on the Pro Wheel cabinet, which is
a guaranteed eye-catcher on the slot floor.
The NASCAR experience doesn’t end with the
video slot – Bally have also developed Virtual Racing
NASCAR, a floor-wide community bonusing event
that any player on a casino floor can enjoy. Using
Bally’s Elite Bonusing Suite Virtual Racing app,
players can select one of eight famous drivers on the
iVIEW or iVIEW DM interface; the Virtual Racing
promotional tool is a proven winner on U.S. casino
floors, pushing coin-in, carded play, player’s club
sign-ups, and generating a real buzz everywhere it’s
reached so far, and combining it with the NASCAR
license will prove an even bigger success. Players who
While the Pro Series 22/32 has been
shown to great effect with a host of
new titles and technologies, one of the
big ‘wow’ moments for visitors came
when they saw the new Pro Series V22
with Digital Tower cabinet. It’s
launching with the mega-successful
Hot Shot Progressive, and features a
huge 42” vertical touchscreen atop a
22” high definition LCD screen. With
its dual wheels, it looks absolutely
incredible, and its launch is being
supported with a raft of high quality,
proven top-performing titles.
…it can be the
golden egg of
ultimate customer
retention…
Bally Technologies has proven one
of the industry’s leaders in innovation
be it in systems, online platforms,
casino applications, and much more.
At the heart of the company’s
interactive division is the iGaming
platform, which is essentially an online
gaming portal offering casino
operators the ability to augment landbased
casino gaming with mobile,
social, and online play-for-free or
wager-based gaming. In short, it can
be the golden egg of ultimate
customer retention, providing
operators a single view of their player.
And because it uses open architecture,
customers can choose from a
multitude of providers to get the exact
game mix they want – so both
operator and player win.
If you weren’t at G2E and missed
everything Bally Technologies has to
offer, don’t worry too much – they’ll
be at ICE in February too…
NOVEMBER 2012 25

G2E 2012
G2E
Upbeat, buzzing, great new technology –
shame it’s at Sands Expo.
2012
There was so much to enjoy at G2E
2012, you could almost forgive the
venue – almost. Last year, Sands
Expo had some novelty value, people
were enjoying the ease of access to
the venue, most visitors had just walked there
from their hotels. This year, the cracks were
starting to show; most people seemed to talk
about the building being condemned, or the
bouncy floors, which one exhibitor told us is as
a result of too many columns being removed
from the car parking floor below; none of which
inspires any confidence. Rumours abound
about the expo moving to Mandalay Bay, which
would probably work quite well, though
perhaps with a little scaling down.
But this year’s event… There was buzz, there
was even a sense of, dare we say it, exuberance.
We saw some really excellent technology, some
of the most interesting stuff for a few years, and
not just slots. In fact, there was a sense of fun
about the place; it almost had a similar
atmosphere to ICE.
One of G2E 2012’s major highlights was, for
us, SPIELO International’s new slot titles
based on PopCap Games’ unbelievably popular
online games Bejeweled, Plants vs. Zombies,
and Zuma. Finally, a slot manufacturer has
looked at what is being played for fun and tried
to bring that identity and playability to the
gaming floor. The cabinets look absolutely
amazing, Plants vs. Zombies and Zuma in
particular; the branding is spot-on, the colours
and design are simply perfection. What SPIELO
International has with these titles is brand
recognition across a huge range of ages, but
most notably with younger adult gamers who
have grown up with free internet play. It gives
them the potential to cross-promote to bricks
and mortar casinos down the line with free-play
options delivered to players via the casino’s
own web-site, with play-triggered incentives to
visit the actual casino… It’s the doorway to a
new level of interactive gaming where slot
players have an even more engaging mix of skill
play and traditional slot play; the potential for
these titles is absolutely huge, and we art
Casino International can’t wait to see how they
grow.
SPIELO International President and CEO
Walter Bugno said of the titles: “SPIELO
International immediately recognized the
strength behind PopCap’s casual games, which
are known for their creativity, humor, and
attention to detail. They’re played by billions of
people worldwide, and appeal equally to both
men and women.
“We know our customers want compelling
and entertaining content that will intrigue
current players while also growing the player
base, so we’ve worked closely with PopCap to
stay true to the spirit of their brands and create
terrifically fun and engaging new slot gaming
experiences.”
Elsewhere on the gaming floor SPIELO
International has added to the incredibly
successful Deal or No Deal family with Deal or
No Deal Join ’N Play 2, which SPIELO
International says is bigger, quicker and better,
with guaranteed bonus hits every eight minutes
and mystery bonuses triggering more often. It’s
another superior piece of branding which will
appeal to customers worldwide.
On the systems side, SPIELO International
launched Proactive Diagnostics, an application
for the INTELLIGEN Central System, at the
show, a product that uses predictive analysis to
predict problems before they occur – and so
offering cost savings and improved efficiency.
Proactive Diagnostics predicts gaming
machine and site controller faults before they
happen, and its intuitive user interface means
operators always have a clear and
comprehensive picture of the health of their
gaming operation.
Austrian company Amatic has been working
with gaming cabinet maker Cole Kepro
International in order to offer a Multi-Game
product to operators in kit form, a really novel
idea for visitors to G2E, and a valuable addition
to the company’s near-20-year history of
creating multigame products.
Also on show were electronic terminals for
Turbo Card Roulette, which is being marketed
by INAG. The Turbo Card Roulette is an
ingenious alternative roulette solution.
Mr. Thomas Engstberger, sales manager at
AMATIC Industries, said of the exhibition: “We
are focusing on our great, in-depth knowledge
and experience in Multi Game here in the
United States. We have the right game for each
and every player and thus we were very pleased
from the feedback at the G2E.”
26 NOVEMBER 2012

G2E 2012
IGT had a huge, imposing stand but it didn’t
dominate the room, standing apart the way it
always did at the convention centre – it
became more a part of the event and benefitted
from that. Standout product on the slots side
certainly included their Dolly Parton video
slots, and the rather superb CSI slots. As you’d
expect, they’re all in beautifully designed
cabinets, branded to perfection and will no
doubt prove huge hits on the slot floor.
Arguably the star of the show, though, was the
Family Guy slot. Fun and funny, superbly
branded slot machine, this will appeal to a new
breed of player.
The company also included incentives to
G2E visitors to attend their stand – and repeat
visit, taking part in fun events like a video
poker tournament, where the winner took away
an iPad 3, or the Auction Action contest, which
players partook by downloading IGT’s new
Service Window app, and competed in realtime
auctions. Kicking off with 10,000 bid
points, players could get more by visiting the
stand and scanning QR codes.
And we haven’t even touched on the systems
side! Staci Alonso, IGT VP of Marketing, said of
the event: “IGT had one of our best G2E’s ever
this year. Our combination of big titles and big
experiences brought new levels of excitement to
our customers and players. With games like
Dolly Parton, CSI, Family Guy, Sex and the City
Out on the Town and Star Wars Trilogy, we are
bringing millions and millions of fans to the
casino. Plus our new market-attuned line up
featuring Big Dragon Lounge, Tango de Oro
and Latin Treasures OnCore Progressives, to
name a few, are games designed for players in
Latin America, Asian and Europe. These
bilingual games feature the game play and
content that appeal to these regions.
“The excitement continued with our systems
portfolio. The systems apps infrastructure
displayed in the IGT Mini Casino showed new
ways operators can interact with players directly
at the slot game. Operators had a chance to
experience this themselves by entering to win
prizes through Auction Action, an application
used through the Service Window that lets
players bid on items with their points. This
was along with our innovative, award-winning
casino management products sbX, Advantage
and Casinolink products.
“DoubleDown Interactive was a blockbuster
hit at the show, with numerous casinos
inquiring how they could become part of the
IGT land-based Double Down solution, which
provides social gaming to their players today
including slots, multi-player poker, bingo and
video poker right on the casino’s website.
“As far as successes are concerned, I feel that
we absolutely had a banner year at G2E. The
energy in the IGT booth was vibrant, fun and
non-stop. We believe our customers were able
to really experience everything that IGT had to
offer this year, from our megahit game titles to
our innovative systems through the mini-casino
set-up, to our social solution through the
DoubleDown Casino. It was a great G2E.”
Roulette specialists Cammegh showed their
commitment to the US market at this year’s
G2E with a wider range of products on their
largest G2E stand to date – which looked
fabulous.
Cammegh are well known for their product
innovation and this year was no exception. The
Eyecard is now configured for both Baccarat
and Blackjack, with the pioneering version that
now reads all players and dealer cards. The
exciting new camera based recognition system
can read and display the cards in play on a
table, bringing new purpose and flexibility to
the BillBoard display system.
Roulette side bets are becoming ever more
talked about and this is another area where
Cammegh continue to innovate. Orders were
placed at the show for the BMM approved
roulette side bets “Aurora”, “Lucky Symbols” and
“Doubleshot”. These side bets utilise the new
bonus features generated by the Mercury 360.
Richard Cammegh said: “G2E Las Vegas
continues to be ever more important to
Cammegh as our innovative, high quality
products gain recognition throughout the
American markets. We were pleasantly
surprised by the number of visitors who
commented on the quality of our Mercury 360
and 32” BillBoard installation in the Venetian.
Certainly those at the Venetian are delighted.”
Giesecke & Devrient bought their BPS M5
note processing system, which can handle up to
4000 banknotes entered at the same time
thanks to the large feed compartment, dealing
with 33 notes per second – an incredible
120,000 notes per hour. And it’s designed to
operate 24/7!
G&D’s Jim Goodwin extolled the virtues of
the system in the casino sector. He told us: “I
have customers who had three or four
competing machines in the room, with 25 fulltime
staff, and replaced the competitor’s
equipment and reduced staffing needs by eight
to ten people.
“One customer had 25 people in the count
room, they lowered that to 14 people; they had
500 hours of overtime per month. One of our
machines went in and they cut their staff
requirements by 11 people – and cut out all
overtime. It pays for itself pretty quickly.
“It’s also a machine that will last at least ten
years – though we have customers who
installed their machines in 1997 that are still
running today, 15 years later. You won’t have to
replace our machines every 3-5 years.”
Merkur Gaming had one strong message for
visitors: We’re Back. Rolf Falke, CEO told Casino
International: “The emphasis is clearly
changing; before, Merkur Gaming was oriented
toward arcades, street markets, and we are
dominant in those areas. But as the world
grows, so are we. We decided to diversify into
other markets and other products, not least
because the AWP market is actually quite
limited in terms of the number of countries you
can get in to. If you want to go further, it has
to be in other markets with other products, so
there is a growing emphasis in the company to
do that. We’re getting more and more into the
international casino market, not just as a
manufacturer but also as an operator.
“Merkur is one part of the Gauselmann
Group. Since Atronic left the company a few
years ago, there has been a gap, a hole for the
last two or three years, and we were not
presented as we should be, as one of the
biggest operators or manufacturers. But the
message here is, we’re back. We’re back with
new products and something to say, we’re back
in the international casino business, which is a
sector that will become more and more
important for us. That’s one of the reasons we
appointed Daniel von Marissing, he’s very well
known in the industry.”
You’ll be able to read more about Merkur’s
return in a forthcoming issue of Casino
International…
28 NOVEMBER 2012

G2E 2012
DLV had some interesting machines on show,
including Jewel Jackpot 3 which made its debut
at G2E. Oksana Sushinska explained: “DLV
presented Jewel Jackpot 3 for the first time at
G2E. It is a jackpot system that caused huge
interest as a new product, and it also exhibited
the Gauya Quest mystery progressive jackpot
system, which there is a huge demand for.
Gauya Quest is in the DWS cabinet, and we
have Diamond Games running on them.
“Feedback from visitors has been very good,
so many companies come here with such
diverse products. You can see what’s new for all
the companies here; G2E is a different
exhibition to ICE or SAGSE, it’s really very big.
“Mostly we’re here because we are working in
the South American market – we will be
looking at North America in the future, but not
right now.”
FutureLogic has been evolving its product
suite over the last few years and now they’re
really ready to rock. PromoNet has evolved into
more than just a couponing system, it now has
online aspects too. Annete Jauch elaborated…
“PromoNet has evolved into an online offer as
well. What we have is, if a player has reached
his trigger in a bricks and mortar casino, he
gets a ticket out, which has a barcode the
player can spend on their iPad or iPhone, for
example. That barcode takes them directly to a
web site, say an online gaming site for their
favourite casino.
You can even direct a player into various
online offers a casino has; you can send them
straight to a VIP offer if they’re a valuable
player.
“Also with PromoNet online… A player is on
a slot machine at a casino, they reach a trigger,
they get a coupon which says ‘scan this ticket
and claim your prizes’; the player can keep
playing, scan with their phone, choose their
prize, then either – if they’re still playing –
send it to the machine’s printer, or if they have
finished at the slot machine, they can send it to
their own email address, print it out and bring
it back to the casino at a later date. It gives the
player the opportunity to choose their prize at
the start, so they can pick from anything the
casino wants to offer at that trigger level.”
And that’s not all – TableXchange is ready to
roll, too, the device that brings cashless
transactions to table games. Annette added:
“We are also launching TableXchange here; it’s
going in to testing and approval by the end of
the year, to start trial installations in the US
early in 2013. We’re excited to get the product
into the international arena, but we are going
to focus on the USA first.
Aruze Gaming… Where do we start? Some
of the most exciting slot product at the show,
arguably neck-and-neck with Spielo’s new
licenses. Stepper product Catch the Money is
simply jaw-dropping, with Dancing Reels
technology – reels are moving in all different
directions, it’s dynamic, it’s fun, it’s really a
spectacle!
Everywhere we went in Vegas, we saw Aruze’s
Paradise Fishing slot, and everywhere it was full.
At the show, the new Amazon Fishing was
pulling them in, using the same reel-style
controller for bonus games. Aruze make fun,
engaging games that people can’t help but
enjoy, and this was more than in evidence on
their stand.
Aruze’s Steve Walther said of the show: “G2E
has been absolutely phenomenal for us. The
traffic is increased, and people are hungry for
more that’s different to what they’re getting
from the main manufacturers. It’s great for
operators to have more choice; nobody’s doing
with their product what we are. Nobody does
what we do, and the buzz is getting out there.
Even our competitors are looking closely at
what we’re doing, which is a great compliment.”
Also of huge note on their stand was the
Innovator Deluxe line; Aruze has the most
wonderful stepper products since… Well,
possibly ever. If you haven’t seen them yet, we
say simply: you must. The Innovator Deluxe
slots used Radiant Reels on the front, with
lights and all sorts of eye-catching things going
on; best of all though, is the interactive top box,
so the game action jumps between the reels
below and the top box. It’s so effective and
makes for a genuinely interactive and exciting
experience.
At the heart of Inspired’s stand was the new
generation of their gaming platform, which
fuels the server-based and VLT markets they are
doing so very well in. Core Edge is the new thin
version of the Open SBG platform, which
means customers have a flexible form factor –
and that’s something you can read about in a
future issue of CI.
CEO Luke Alvarez explained to CI the
company’s plans for new markets, and for the
US. Luke said: “We just finished out financial
year and we’ve had a storming set of results.
The business has become very international,
and it has grown significantly with emerging
positions in Asia and Latin America. We’re
trying to go into marjets with a strategy of
going into a small number of markets and
recreating what we have in the UK but with a
local flavour – that’s 20,000 server-based slots
and VLT devices, a few thousand electronic
table games in casinos, and virtual sports and
high-frequency numbers games broadcast and
online into betting and lottery shops. We see
that as a solid business, we have that in the UK,
and we’ve built it in Italy. We’ve entered a
couple of Latin American markets in the last
year, and we’re seeing a lot of growth there.
We’re also live with Virtual Racing in China in
one province and we’re looking forward to
rolling that out further next year.
“Our focus for the US is electronic table
gaming; it’s still a niche segment here, but
we’ve brought Sabre in its four-wheel electronic
roulette form, which we’ve had great success
with in the UK. We’ve also deployed the same
product with success in Asia; now we’re
bringing it to the US, which has always been a
traditional table game market; it’s been slower
to adopt electronic but now there’s a gathering
momentum for the product and operators want
it. We trialled in Atlantic City, in Revel, and we
have a number of other trials agreed there too,
as well as in other jurisdictions too. With our
distributors, DigiDeal and TCS, doing great
things we’re expecting to see it in fully
regulated markets and tribal markets very
soon.”
Alfastreet are so well known with their
electronic gaming solutions worldwide, with
the single terminal conquering the gaming
world thanks to the company’s simultaneous
betting innovation. There are lots of multigame
30 NOVEMBER 2012

G2E 2012
products out there, but Alfastreet say they were
first on the market with simultaneous betting,
which in jurisdictions where such gambling is
legal, is gold. Simultaneous betting allows the
player to choose 2 games and play them at the
same time at the same screen. This is definitely
a hit among the players, but most importantly,
it shows Alfastreet’s progressive thinking and
vision.
The company is also experiencing great
success in Asia and South America, with
terminals in Singapore, Phillippines, Malaysia,
Vietnam and Cambodia, plus an exclusive deal
signed with a major Latin American operator –
and another with a major cruise line operator.
On the back of a great year, G2E was
Alfastreet’s opportunity to exhibit with a local
partner in Las Vegas – so don’t be surprised if
we’re reporting on their success in North
America this time next year.
Interblock had one of the show’s big ‘WOW!’
moments within their VIP hologram gaming
lounge, with an absolutely stunning
demonstration of a gamig application of
Musion’s projection technology. Strictly
speaking, it’s not a holographic projection as it
uses a thin metalized screen, but the images
produced on it are as close to 3D as we have
ever seen without the use of glasses. Absolutely
crisp, high definition… It was pretty amazing to
see, and part of the display was showing how
the technology might be used in a live dealer
scenario in a casino. Mr. Ian O’Connell,
Director at Musion, said of working with
Interblock: “We’re delighted Interblock has
recognised the huge potential Musion offers
both gaming establishments and players. With
holographic technology, Interblock has created
a professional, engaging gaming platform
destined to be the future of gaming
entertainment.
“With Musion at its heart, players can enjoy
an intimate, exciting experience that’s brought
to life by a technology that is the definition of
cutting edge. Interblock is the perfect gaming
partner due to the company’s focus on
excellence, luxury experiences and market
leading technology.”
Just as appealing though, were Interblock’s
G4D Organic range – new striking designs of
automated gaming solutions with a really
appealing, retro Americana look and fantastic
signage on top. They’ve made the most striking
multiplayer electronic gaming installations in
the industry even more attractive.
Aristocrat exhibited dozens of new products
at G2E, including:
The popular Wonder 4 series has expanded
to a new Wonder 4 Special Edition collection
for late 2012. It includes Buffalo, the #1
themed product, plus Indian Dreaming, Wild
Patagonia and Golden Zodiac. It also launches
a new set of games like 50 Lions, Wicked
Winnings II, 5 Dragons Deluxe, and Timberwolf.
Other new machine groupings are Mr.
Cashman, with its three new game series:
Cashman Live, Mr. Cashman VIRIDIAN WS and
Cashman Fever. The new Legends Series
premiered in the VIRIDIAN WS cabinet.
The nLive virtual casino allows consumers to
enjoy games from their favorite casino brand all
day, every day, from non-casino locations, using
their desktop, laptop or mobile device. It
expands a casino’s options for marketing casino
specials, upcoming events, new games, and
more. The nLive sites are customized to the
casino brands.
The Oasis 360 casino management system
has been ranked as best player tracking system
by Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs. The Oasis
360 presently monitors equipment in more
than 285 casinos, the most in North America.
The nRich bonusing engine technology is a
module of Aristocrat’s sophisticated Oasis 360
casino management system that rewards the
player over player groups, using the player’s
Average Daily Theoretical win. The nRich has a
meter display right on the screen, informing
the player of a potential bonus.
The nLiveLink lets club members enroll and
monitor their balances online. It eases
operators’ marketing location and online
communications and promotions. Data analysis
is enhanced for both land-based and online
activity, promoting customized offers.
The VERVEhd cabinet has innovative math
and jackpot. Players have multiple choices of
betting options, with the jackpot scaled to the
player’s bet, providing the chance to win up to
a $2.5 million top jackpot.
TransAct is getting great traction with the
Epicentral product, its couponing suite that
allows operators to market into the customer’s
hands. Melissa Chiauro took CI through the
product and their exhibit, saying: “We’ve done a
slot demo this year to make the product even
easier to understand for customers. It really
illustrates the power of Epicentral. Here we
have a hot unrated player, say, with $50 coin-in
in a certain length of time; the coupon that
comes out when his $50 goes in within, say, 20
minutes, is that we’re going to pick up your
$20 bar tab, but you need to sign up for a
player’s card first – it’s to encourage time-ondevice
and also to encourage player’s card signups
to develop loyalty. Of course, the promotion
can be anything the operator wants.
“You can use a new player’s card as a
promotion too, for example, so it’s a one-time
only rule within Epicentral that the first time
the player’s card is put in the player is
automatically rewarded.
And the tool is working for casinos already, as
Melissa told us: “We have Epicentral installed
and the casino in question wanted to use it to
increase carded play; it’s a local market casino,
and around 120 days in to using Epicentral
their carded play increased by about 30 per
cent, which is very strong. We have several
other installations happening too.” The proof is
in the figures, folks, and those figures are pretty
impressive.
MEI brought its comprehensive cash
management solution to G2E visitors, the
combination of SC Advance and EASITRAX Soft
Count. By networking the slot floor to the soft
count room, these award-winning products
raise the bar for value and performance
expectations while maximizing operator
profitability.
SC Advance features enhanced recognition
32 NOVEMBER 2012

SHFL
What’s in a
name?
In a bold and confident move, Shuffle Master recently rebranded itself
as SHFL entertainment, highlighting the breadth of their product
offering outside their traditional shuffler base
One of the big stories to come out of this
year’s G2E was Shuffle Master’s rebirth as
SHFL entertainment, reflecting the
company’s shift toward multiple revenue
streams outside their world-renowned
product base of shufflers. They’re as well-known now
for their table game innovations or, in some territories,
their slots, as they are shufflers. And so a star is born.
SHFL’s CEO, Gavin Isaacs, has led the company
into a new era with a focus on people, relationships
and technology, building on the solid base left by his
predecessor and bringing his own touch to the
gaming giant.
Gavin discussed the new name to investors during
the UBS and Deutsche Bank Gaming Investment
Forum at G2E, emphasizing how the new name
incorporates SHFL’s mission and its impact in the
casino gaming industry.
“We have built a solid reputation over the past 30
years as a leading provider of casino gaming solutions
to our customers all over the world. We believe that our
image and name should pay homage to our roots, while
at the same time encompass who we are today and
accurately reflect all that we have to offer now and in
the future,” said Isaacs. “We are truly an entertainment
company, providing products that encourage and
support a dynamic gaming experience for players and
innovative solutions for our customers.”
According to Isaacs: “‘SHFL’ pays tribute to the
name of the company chosen by our founder, John
Breeding, and the Company’s legacy product, card
shufflers. ‘SHFL’ is the Company’s NASDAQ ticker
symbol, which was selected by the company when it
was publicly listed, an important milestone in our
history. ‘entertainment‘ embodies what we provide to
the industry with our expanded product lines, namely
proprietary table games, e-tables, slot machines,
utility products, and iGaming solutions.”
Isaacs also cited SHFL entertainment’s broad and
expanding portfolio of content, its entrance into new
markets and new verticals like iGaming, and the
Company’s financial stability. In September, SHFL
entertainment announced recurring revenue growth
for the fifteenth consecutive quarter and zero net
debt for the first time in eight years.
For customer information, SHFL’s previous website
(www.shufflemaster.com) will forward to the new site
(www.shfl.com), as will all shufflemaster.com email
addresses.
Gavin Isaacs
NOVEMBER 2012 33

SHFL
SHFL’s G2E
It’s not all about the name for SHFL at G2E – there was plenty of
great product on show too…
With the name change emphasizing
SHFL’s broader product offering,
their G2E stand displayed for
customers new innovations in each
of the five product categories in
which SHFL is involved. And as the stand proclaimed,
it’s all about ‘A Better Game’ for both operator and
player…
“With over 50 products on display, our G2E lineup
will demonstrate why Shuffle Master is not only a
driving force in gaming technology and innovation,
but also how our diverse product mix sets us apart as
a supplier and a partner to our customers,” said
Gavin Isaacs, Chief Executive Officer of SHFL
entertainment.
SHFL’s single cabinet video strategy and deep
portfolio of content highlights how it has been
steadily gaining floor share in a growing number of
markets around the globe.
Some of the emphasis was on the company’s slot
titles, with more than 25 new and proven titles, with
The Flintstones front and centre following its global
debut at AGE in Australia in August. It’s a three-level
standalone progressive, for a low denomiation market
with a suite of exciting base games and attractive
jackpot prizes. Each bonus feature evokes classic
scenes from the original TV show, such as the ten-pin
challenge at Bedrock Bowl, the family night out at
The Drive-In and the antics of Fred Flintstone’s
lovable pet dinosaur in Dino’s Dig. The Flintstones
also introduces Shuffle Master’s new “mini-reel”
34 NOVEMBER 2012

SHFL
feature trigger that ignites the player’s anticipation
during game play.
Upon its introduction at the Australian Gaming
Expo, Adrian Halpenny, President of Shuffle Master
Australasia, commented: “We are thrilled to be able to
offer such an iconic brand as The Flintstones. Our
game development team worked very hard to deliver a
final product that demonstrated meticulous attention
to detail in order to maintain the high quality and
authenticity of the television series. As a result, The
Flintstones is a breakthrough product that is not only
highly enjoyable to play as a traditional gaming
machine, but also brings the much-loved characters
to life with entertaining and engaging features.”
Another familiar name on the SHFL slots was Pink
Panther Returns, alongside equally strong slots like
Cats, Hats & Bats, Hubble, Bubble & Trubble, Epic
Quest, Random Magic, Karnak, Duo Fu Duo Cai
Linked Progressive. All of the titles offer unique
features like new mathematical models, new jackpot
triggers, and new themes.
A real highlight of the show overall was SHFL’s
Blackjack side bets on show. House Money looks like
an absolute banker;
players win the side
bet if they get a
straight, pair, straightflush
or Ace-King
suited in their first two
cards; then the player
has the option to add
their winnings to the
standard Blackjack
wager, and play
continues.
SHFL also unveiled
the DeckMate 2 poker
room shuffler, which
offers significant
performance and
security improvements
over its predecessor,
NOVEMBER 2012 35

SHFL
the DeckMate. Debuting in 2002, the DeckMate
poker shuffler has been a staple in the poker market
and one of the best-selling shufflers of all time. At 22
seconds, the DeckMate 2’s shuffle time is twice as fast
as the original and it features optical card
recognition, which increases game security and
integrity. A new shuffling method reduces wear on
cards and minimizes the need for frequent shuffler
maintenance. Other exciting features include an onboard
timer, which allows operators to call the
“clock”, and a remote touchscreen display with an
intuitive user interface for card verification.
That’s not all; visitors to the SHFL stand also saw
probably their finest e-Table suite to date, with new
features for the Rapid line, combining a live dealer
with touchscreen betting.
“We consider this the most significant iteration of
the Rapid product line with upgraded hardware and
software completely modernizing the experience,”
Gavin Isaacs said. “From both an aesthetic and
functional point of view, we are confident that the
new Rapid Fusion is a highly competitive and
superior e-Table innovation.”
Rapid Fusion includes a multigame feature for
optimal flexibility – and takes it a step further. In
addition to allowing players to switch
between baccarat, roulette, or sic bo without ever
having to leave their seats, Rapid Fusion allows for
concurrent play of four games at the same time. The
user-friendly interface features tabs, which show table
status, countdown, wagers, and results from each
game and allow for fast switching between games.
In terms of intellectual property, SHFL has one of
the industry’s great libraries and it’s exciting to see
some of the great table game brands available online
for operators to include in their online gaming
portfolio. Legendary titles Ultimate Texas Hold’em,
Three Card Poker, Casino War, and Let it Ride can
now be embedded into an operator’s website with
only a few lines of code; the free-to-play offering can
integrate casino rewards points to help drive people
into brick-and-mortar casinos and encourage new
user sign-ups, or be directly integrated into a
customer’s existing free-to-play social offering.
36 NOVEMBER 2012

G2E 2012
technology, faster bill-to-bill speed, improved
barcode recognition and the increased capacity
to accept up to 100 different currencies and
denominations. SC Advance also has the
industry’s best acceptance rate for valid streetgrade
notes, including those that are wet,
crinkled or torn.
Because enhancements are localized to the
acceptor head, SC Advance can easily upgrade
legacy CASHFLOW SC units, making it a more
affordable upgrade.
The company says more customers are now
also implementing EASITRAX Soft Count, a
product extension that expands the reach of
note acceptors from the slot floor into the soft
count room. The addition of EASITRAX to SC
Advance or CASHFLOW SC creates a
comprehensive software/hardware system
designed to streamline the cash management
process. Since it was introduced in 2008,
EASITRAX Soft Count has been installed in
nearly 80,000 games worldwide, a number
projected to surpass 85,000 by the end of
2012.
Executive Director Marcus Prater reported
that the Association of Gaming Equipment
Manufacturers (AGEM) has tripled its
membership from 32 to 119 companies since
2008. The corporate, nonprofit trade group
works closely with the American Gaming
Association (AGA). Director of Europe Tracy
Cohen is based in London.
Prater says, “Few manufacturers in regulated
jurisdictions are not AGEM members. Our
newest members are peripheral companies in
other business categories. As the machines go,
so goes the supplier side.”
Annual revenues determine the three yearly
dues levels:
Gold ($10,000)- $150 million in sales
Silver ($5,000)- $50-$150 million in sales
Bronze ($2,500)- $0-$50 million in sales
Since 2011, AGEM has participated in
regulatory and legislative events. Prater often
accompanies groups to rework any language
that impacts AGEM members. Together, they
aim to improve the overall regulatory and
legislative environment. Ohio is a recent
example of how AGEM contributed to the final
language for the four Ohio casino properties.
“Earlier involvement is preferable. A smooth
project will be favorable to expansion,” Prater
says.
GLI continues to create useful, thoughtful,
customer-oriented tools that streamline the
submissions process, refining a complex and
usually time-consuming (not to mention
expensive) into something much more
affordable, quicker and easier.
Point.Click.Submit. is the tool to speed
entrance into the testing process, for example;
Point.Click.Transfer.
meanwhile, also saves time,
money – and paperwork, as it
allows a supplier to transfer
previously certified
submissions into other
jurisdictions, all from your
computer.
Then there’s GLI Verify, a
tool that allows regulators to
take the lab onto the gaming
floor, enabling quick
verification of games and
systems in situ, so they know
what’s on the floor is what
was verified in the lab. The
company says with this tool
you can also generate SHA-1
signatures on files, folders, CD, CompactFlash
and DVD.
On top of this, the company also announced
during the event that it was beta-testing
GLiCloud, a cloud-based technology which will
enable regulators to track the software and
hardware on the gaming floor comprising slot
machines, and relate their components to their
regulatory approval status. An automated
process, GLiCloud eliminates human error.
GLiCloud is designed to link with GLI Mobile,
allowing regulators to take the power of the GLI
lab with them anywhere with real-time access
to critical information.
For Novomatic G2E 2012 proved another
major success, with an upswing in visitors and
tangible business from across all the Americas:
the Latin American continent and also the
gaming States of the US itself.
The AGI team were joined by Reel Games
Inc. of Florida who have taken on the
responsibility of introducing the Novomatic
brand across the continental US.
As you might expect, the Novomatic booth
was packed full of innovations with the majority
of games shown in the two most popular
Novomatic cabinets: the grand casino slant top
NOVOSTAR SL and the very latest upright
attraction Super-V+ Gaminator III. Extra wide
screens for an in-depth gaming experience,
elegant style and top quality design make these
cabinets attractive highlights on every casino
floor and provide the perfect housing for a
thrilling game library.
The games themselves provided many
attractions for G2E’s visitors. The Premium-V+
Gaminator multi-game mix encompassed a total
of 41 Coolfire II games. The show machines
were also connected to a Rise of the Dragon
mystery jackpot for extra jackpot thrills. The
latest Super-V+ Gaminator multi-game mixes
(numbers 61 to 66 and 67) highlighted a
multitude of different game themes and
concepts to appeal to the widest range of
player preferences.
The Novomatic Reel Tournament was
presented with the Super-V+ Gaminator Multi-
Game-Mix T1. As an exciting marketing tool for
all sorts of casino promotion programmes it
allows operators to offer their guests – with the
push of a button - live tournaments in real time
on an unlimited number of connected
machines. The system’s tournament controller
makes it possible for the operator to choose
from a variety of games and to offer different
win modes, tournament settings and valuable
promotional extras; and, most significantly, all
without any software changes or game down
time.
One of the highlights of the Las Vegas show
was a spectacular range of NOVOLINE games
and systems: Single games, multi-games and
multiplayers. The NOVO LINE INTERACTIVE
games cover a great variety of thrilling themes.
The system is server-based ready and ‘future
proof’, providing an ideal basis for a later
connection to a server-based gaming
environment.
Jens Halle, Managing Director AGI, who has
recently undergone a strategic re-location to
Fort Lauderdale in Florida was very satisfied
with this year’s G2E show: “The Las Vegas show
is traditionally one of the most important
events of the annual show calendar and
particularly now with this earlier and generally
more convenient October date we expected to
see a great number of business partners,
customers and also new contacts in Las Vegas. I
have to say that we were not disappointed! As
we move ahead in intensifying our commitment
to the US and Latin American regions, I am
extremely encouraged by the customer
response that we saw in Las Vegas. All of our
team as well as our Latin American subsidiary
representatives, our colleagues from Octavian
and our US partner Reel Games reported many
new contacts and business possibilities. Our
task now is to follow up and ensure that these
possibilities become realities and so strongly
38 NOVEMBER 2012

G2E 2012
enhance Novomatic’s position across a wide
range of markets.”
Ana Carolina Gonçalves - R&D Director, Copag
Copag attended G2E on the back of a year
showing increasing growth for the card
company in the US market. Expo visitors were
treated to a look at Copag’s US market-exclusive
100% plastic cards, plus their world-renowned
casino cards, alongside retail options. The
company said that the show was a great
opportunity to meet potential customers from
markets they are not yet working in, like
Australia, and stated that their products were
very well received.
In fact, the US has Copag’s only international
office, in Miami where it has been since 2002,
serving the large consumer market in the US.
Copag bring to their customers the chance to
play with the same cards used in large casinos
and poker tournaments on PokerStars all over
the world.
Copag has big plans, but they’re keeping
tight-lipped until 2013 – watch this space for
more information.
Since Casino Technology released the
Penthouse brand, Vice President Rossi McKee
reports its positive reception among players
and operators. Testing was completed in July
2012, and machines have been installed in
Bulgaria, They were scheduled for installation
in Panama by mid-October. In the future,
Mexico will come on board shortly and in a
southern California Indian casino by the end of
2012.
“We are negotiating with Asian customers.
Our brand is important because it offers
international recognition,” says McKee.
On display was the new Penthouse
multigame unit-two within the same set-in a
new, improved cabinet. The games are available
in pink or blue. New features of the multi-level
progressive include player interface lighting,
toppers, slot stands and graphics.
For 2013, new game concepts will
incorporate Penthouse-based themed video
and interactive features that benefit players.
Casino Technology also has licenses for
additional new games. Motormania is a themed
multigame of five choices. Gamopolis’s
projected 23 games will each have multiple
games which a player may select by theme.
Casino Technology has launched a remote
game server and online platform in Europe. All
Casino Technology games may be used on it.
Based on patented architecture, players can
play on multiple devices like phones, iPads and
computers.
The patented PlayMe automatic roulette
piano is both a player and automatic piano that
is already on location overseas. This multiplayer
station has a patented solution with betting
terminals and automatic roulette wheel built
into the lid of a grand piano
Quixant’s star continues to rise, and they
enjoyed a stellar G2E, a show packed with
business opportunities. Quixant representatives
were joined by several key individuals from
AMD’s embedded team at the show,
demonstrating the strong technology
partnership between AMD and Quixant.
Gary Mullins, Sales Director of Quixant,
commented “Visitors to our stand were able to
witness the clear benefits Quixant’s leading
edge gaming platforms provide. Our advanced
PCI Express gaming logic, compact packaging,
low heat generation, comprehensive software
support and 100% focus on gaming are all key
Quixant advantages. AMD is famous for its
AMD Radeon graphics technology, used by the
world’s leading slot manufacturers. Quixant’s
close technical partnership with AMD allows us
to deliver the benefits of AMD’s latest APU and
GPU technology combined together in
complete computer platforms for gaming. We
also emphasized our philosophy of working as a
partner with customers rather than just as a
supplier, providing support along every step of
their journey. With the success of this year’s
show we have decided
to commit to a 170%
larger stand for G2E
2013.”
Showcasing the QXi-
4000 for the first time
at a major trade show
alongside the flagship
QX-40 and established
QXi-200, Quixant
continues to cement its
reputation and to push
the boundaries of
performance, featureset
and affordability of
its gaming platform
range. Also on demonstration at the stand were
Quixant’s new DisplayPort monitors utilizing
Multi Stream Transport (MST) technology to
daisy-chain multiple HD displays from a single
DisplayPort connector. Quixant showed this
technology driving 10 independent screens
from a single QX-40.
EGT enjoyed G2E too, with visitors paying
close attention to the new Premier product line
cabinets, the P-22/26 and P-22/22. Ergonomic
design, widescreen monitors, and great
multigame offerings on the company’s own
Exciter II platform, they should prove a success
in all the markets EGT currently work. EGT also
showcased the Premier Multi-2 Multigame,
with 28 games, many of which are new.
The company’s Vega-R8 electronic roulette
was, of course, on the stand, working in
conjunction with Vega-PS terminals, a multiwheel
product with 22” and 24” widescreen
monitors. They’re compatible with EGT’s
Roulette Center and wheels by top
manufacturers Abbiati, Cammegh and
TCSJOHNHUXLEY. The machines can be
linked to up to three roulette wheels
simultaneously, displaying live video and
statistics of each wheel on the individual
monitors.
EGT’s Cat 4 Cash Multi-Level Progressive
Jackpot System also drew appreciative glances
from customers, a product which has already
proven itself a success for EGT.
Last but not least came the United Mystery
Jackpot System, which can be connected to
more than 100 machines of ANY brand and
features three levels of Mystery jackpot.
“The G2E Show in Las Vegas is one of the
biggest and most important events in the
casino industry,” commented Stanislav Stanev,
EGT Sales & Marketing Director. ”We, from
EGT, are proud to present our products at the
show every year and I am glad to say that we
can announce another successful presentation
of our company at G2E 2012. Our products
were extremely well accepted by visitors.”
40 NOVEMBER 2012

G2E 2012
WMS has had arguably the best collection of
slots of any of the major slot manufacturers in
recent years, and while the competition has
caught up to WMS, they still had an incredibly
strong product array at G2E. Highlights for us
were the new Blade cabinet, boasting sleek
looks and a really small footprint; and Colossal
Reels, which we first saw last year, but which
continues to impress. Colossal Reels uses two
reel sets, one traditional and one oversized, and
wild symbols move between reels. It looks
brilliant and brings a new dimension to slots
for customers.
With over 100 games on the stand, it’s hard
to know where to look sometimes. Luckily, the
company’s new licensed product really stood
out: Kiss, Cheers, Spider Man, and Willy Wonka
and The Chocolate Factory all have huge
worldwide recognition, and all look terrific on a
gaming floor. Add to this the Monopoly range –
with new addition Prime Real Estate – and the
fab Gone With the Wind slot, to name a few,
and you have a really rosy-looking 2013 for the
company.
Cummins-Allison celebrates 125 years of
supplying coin, currency, check and ticket
processing systems internationally, with whollyowned
subsidiaries in Canada, the United
Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and France. An
extensive sales and service network has more
than 50 North American offices and
representation in over 70 countries.
Cummins-Allison introduced its
groundbreaking compact desktop JetScan iFX
i100 and i200 ticket processing technology.
They scan and image casino tickets and
currency at 1,200 items per minute and track
currency serial numbers.
Both machines eliminate copying,
microfilming and storing physical tickets while
cutting the presort cash and tickets step before
processing. A common platform simplifies
employee training and provides built-in
redundancy within the property.
Customers may send images to their own
systems or use Cummins-Allison’s centralized
Image Management Software for future
research, sorting or review.
The i100’s standard currency scanning and
counting feature totals 1,600 notes per minute.
This labor and processing cost saver also
reduces equipment and service costs.
The compact JetScan iFX i400 multi-pocket
sorter has casino ticket bar code recognition. It
processes and sorts 1,000 documents mixed
tickets and cash on a desktop multi-pocket
sorter per minute.
The JetScan iFX i406 model – part of the
JetScan iFX i400 line – processes Canadian
dollars, Euros and U.S. dollars. Global casinos
can process multiple currencies on the same
sorting machine. All i400 models have either
horizontal or vertical configurations for three,
five, seven or nine pockets.
JCM’s iVIZION continues to evolve as the
company builds a suite around its flagship
product. On their stand, the talk was of
combiningiVIZION with the Intelligent Cash
Box version 2.5, to create something really
special; ICB 2.5 allows customers to access
reports any time, anywhere, and from any
browser, plus auto report notification with
email, and a new, user-friendly interface. The
language package includes English, Spanish,
Simplified Chinese, Italian and German.
Add to these the Sentry 2.0 display bezel,
exclusive to iVIZION, with high contrast, highresolution
two-colour LCD graphics. Messages
can display in four languages, with Simplified
Chinese, English, French and German, or any
combination of two languages.
Elsewhere on the stand, demos were being
given of JCM’s bump pay technology, the Mobile
Wager Wallet, where the customer’s mobile phone
acts as their play wallet; it uses established
technology in other industries, and it’s a marvel
as to how no-one has brought it to the gaming
floor yet. But now, JCM has added NRT to the
equation, so there’s also a redemption ATM kiosk
in the mix. Customers can add funds or redeem a
win at the ATM, easing the pressure on the
casino’s payout booth.
And of course there’s the exciting iV8, the
table game bill validator for low denomination
note currencies – such as Macau – which could
add up to an hour’s extra play per table, per
day. That’s some serious coin; expect this one to
fly in Asia during 2013.
Established in 1998, the international
Gaming Standards Association (GSA) trade
association mission is to create benefits for
gaming manufacturers, suppliers, operators,
and regulators. The group identifies, defines,
develops, promotes and implements open
standards, benefitting the gaming industry
through innovation, education, and
communication. GSA’s members represent a
diverse global cross section of the gaming
industry.
According to GSA President Peter DeRaedt,
2012 has been successful for improving
standards. GSA’s unique Game to Game System
(G2S) facilitates the gaming industry’s move
from serial connections, accessible only by a
single local system, to a networked connection.
Products undergo rigorous testing prior to G2S
certification.
DeRaedt claims its time-saving process will
expedite game releases to the marketplace.
SPIELO International’s INTELLIGEN Central
System has earned the first G2S certificate.
As Macau gaming expands, GSA is
coordinating with the Macau Polytechnic
Institute (MPI) curriculum. DeRaedt describes
a “knowledge transfer program” that
significantly motivates innovation. School
officials have already worked with GSA, and
they will return for their final information
exchange in April 2013.
The first students will graduate with a B.S. in
Computer Science with Gaming Technology in
2013. GSA aims to promote standards and
information throughout Asia and the rest of the
world.
Looking ahead, the GSA is developing a tool
that enables G2S Automatic Compliance
Verification (CVT). Member companies
Aristocrat Technologies, Bally Technologies,
BMM Test Labs, IGT, Spielo International and
WMS Gaming will support this development.
Under GSA’s supervision, Radical Blue Gaming
of Reno will create the CVT. Its goal is to
quickly and easily verify compliance with the
G2S protocol standard.
Gasser Chair Company, the 65-year-old
family-owned Ohio manufacturer displayed its
innovative, new Coltrane gaming stool.
President Mark Gasser says, “The Coltrane’s
advanced materials and ergonomic engineering
create an especially comfortable seating
experience. This series of chair’s efficiency,
durability and serviceability is favorable because
we may better serve our operating customers.”
42 NOVEMBER 2012

G2E 2012
DRGT steps out…
Server-free innovators step away from
Sands Expo with Palazzo suite
The innovative solutions of DRGT continue
to raise the bar of systems solutions in the
gaming market. The fact that DRGT solutions
are serverless offers a whole new world of
benefits for operators. Indeed, operators are
changing the way they see systems. Systems
are no longer a complex subject matter but a
great new marketing channel. For example,
drScreen enables targeted marketing directly
on the slot screen before the player’s eyes.
The modular, flexible solutions from DRGT
are cost-efficient and enable operators to
implement what they need when they need it.
Furthermore, DRGT systems connect to any
gaming machine – no matter the age or
manufacture. Thus, DRGT systems are perfect
for the smallest to the largest gaming
location.
Within the space of 12 months, the
number of gaming machines globally
connected by DRGT has risen from
8,000 to over 20,000. Naturally
DRGT was present in Las Vegas to
inform the global market of new
exciting possibilities. This year the
DRGT management decided a new,
innovative way to reach out to the
market - by renting a suite at the
Palazzo Hotel right near to the Las
Vegas Convention Center. There was
ample room in a relaxed, friendly
environment for visitors to learn the benefits
of fitting DRGT in their location(s).
Mr. Jurgen De Munck, CEO and co-founder
of DRGT, explains the choice of location: “We
at DRGT are selling complex solutions that
once implemented greatly simplify the casino
floor management. Thus, we need time to
explain the whole world of DRGT systems
solutions. We said to ourselves – we are
serverless, thus this year in Las Vegas we were
‘showless’ and hired a suite very close to the
exhibition.”
Mr. Georg Steiner, Senior Development
Director at DRGT, added: “This setting was an
excellent environment for meet and greet our
customers. We place great emphasis on
exhibitions and have already attended a great
deal as exhibitor this year. At the forthcoming
ICE in London, we have secured a large 130
m 2 stand in a central position.”
The Coltrane’s unique
features include molded,
ergonomically-contoured
foam cushions. The
backrest foam has lumbar
support and its shape
contours to the body. Seat
foam also provides a front
edge that offers better leg
circulation.
Other new technologies
included Gasser Chair’s
unique Easy-Change seat and backrest system,
their Comfort Zone FlexBack technology and a
new exclusive 360-degree memory return swivel
that was designed without using any springs.
The Coltrane’s integrated backrest hand pull,
and lighter weight, durable aluminum base with
mega-glides, eases its movement by either
customers or casino employees.
Gasser describes beneficial company
promotions for existing customers. He says, “We
have a trade-in program for our chairs on
location less than 10 years. Customers may
want to change their décor and this green
program is an incentive. They also benefit by
being able to use their old furniture up until
the new furniture actually arrives.”
Gasser Chair also takes back its own 20 to
30-year-old products to be refurbished or
properly recycled. Gasser claims, “Many
customers find compelling advantages to
selecting factory-refurbished seating.”
Recently, Gasser Chair secured seating
contracts at Caesar’s new Horseshoe casinos in
Cleveland and Cincinnati
Crane Payment Solutions, with the wellknown
CashCode, NRI and Money Controls
brands under its umbrella, had their oneCheck
cash management system on show at G2E. Now
available with FutureLogic’s Gen 2 Universal
printer, as well as Transact’s EPIC 950 printer,
this technology will be used in several new
upcoming casino locations. Also revealed at the
show was oneCheck SQLdatabase Release 9
with the daily emailable dashboard
functionality.
Also of note on the stand was the oneTrack
cash management system, an RFID-based
technology which provides soft count and cash
management solution to improve efficiency; the
Money Controls Ardac Elite, the industry’s first
bill validator with full scan technology and last
bill image.
“Crane Payment Solutions is all about
excellent local service & support, and
innovative product features which exceed the
customer’s expectations and stay ahead of
technology and trends. G2E provided us with a
platform to get the feedback from both
operators and industry partners. It’s great to
see our oneCheck technology becoming
increasingly popular and being adopted by
industry,” said Nishit Shah, Product Manager
Gaming. “This year, it was amazing to see the
diversity of our customers visiting from all over
the world; it simply reinforces our strong
market positions”.
GPI had a lot of new equipment and
technology on show, including new B&G
Premium chips that boast advancements in
manufacturing and a much greater range of
design possibilities, which of course means
better branding opportunities and security.
Casinos have the ability to create a highly
customizable chip that can incorporate their
logo or other key elements into the mold
making B&G Premium Chips an excellent
alternative to standard mold designs. Also on
the stand was the new J2 jeton, which GPI says
is a groundbreaker, combining the aesthetics
and security of European jetons with the
handling of an American style chip. Featuring
color edge spots that allow easy identification
when in racks or stacks, the J2 can include a
wide range of decal and printing options not
available on traditional jetons, including
holograms, diffraction foils and more.
Speaking of security, GPI also exhibited the
4C-UV, which uses standard UV frequency light
to reveal a full-color photograph on the chip
decal; combined with GPI’s MicroDots, you
have a simple, very high level of security against
counterfeiters. MicroDots combines the
NOVEMBER 2012 43

G2E 2012
authentication properties of security
holograms offering a higher level of counterfeit
resistance and can be used on chip decals or in
transparent chip materials. A larger size also
offers the option to add a micro-punched code
of up to eight digits for an even higher level of
chip authentication.
GPI’s great RFID poker table was also on
show, a product that improves rounds per hour
while eliminating rake, round-up and other
calculation errors. Available with an optional
progressive jackpot, GPI’s RFID poker solution
automates the chip counting and pot
calculation process thus reducing downtime
between rounds.
Also of note was the RFID Total Money
Management Solution (TMMS) that combines
the efficiencies of RFID with JCM’s iV8 highspeed
table bill validator. By streamlining table
cash and chip transactions to increase rounds
per hour, TMMS provides greater currency
security through instant cash and chip
authentication and transaction balancing,
while reducing manual counting procedures to
provide labor savings and accounting
efficiencies.
There is more, but there’s just not space to
go into it all here. Expect more on GPI’s gaming
solutions in a forthcoming issue.
DigiDeal had another successful show at this
year’s G2E, showcasing a variety of its most
popular products, but what received the most
attention was its new DTS-A platform with AVA
System. The DTS-A is DigiDeal’s most versatile
platform yet offering both hosted and fully
automated operation. It is a combination of
DigiDeal’s DTS-X and DTS-V platforms and is
loaded with new features that make gameplay
more efficient and convenient for casino
operators and more fun for players. The new
five-player platform allows operators to easily
switch between multiple game themes and fits
in the same compact footprint of a standard
BlackJack table. Each player position is
equipped with multiple language options and
its own bill validator, ticket printer, and
individual player tracking. And for the ultimate
in a standalone game system, there’s AVA. AVA is
the perfect “Automated Virtual Attendant” that
can be paired with the DTS-A. AVA offers
multiple host appearance options and
languages. These friendly and energetic hosts
are always on duty, welcoming players to the
table, responding to game situations and
outcomes, and supporting players throughout
game play. Operators can select from a set of
background displays or customize their own.
The other big hit at this year’s show was
DigiDeal’s new single deck shuffler, DigiShuffle.
It is the first in a series of shufflers for
DigiDeal, designed for maximum dependability
and affordability. The DigiShuffle can
effectively and quickly deliver a certified
random shuffle. Dealers rotate between two
decks so there’s always a freshly shuffled deck
available. Automatic shuffling of any style or
brand of card is available with the push of a
button. A shuffled deck is automatically
presented for easy dealer access.
Celebrity sightings are not uncommon at
G2E, and this year was no exception; the star
that got the most attention though, was David
Hasselhoff, who attended to publicise the
release of branded slot and scratchcard games
with OpenBet and MX Digital. Aimed primarily
at the bingo and casino markets and available
in numerous different skins, the main concept
of the games will be to help David Hasselhoff’s
character along his eternal quest of becoming a
millionaire celebrity including humorous twists
along the way. Various free spins and a super
wild feature will also boost player retention and
chances of winning the main prize.
The Hoff will be united with various other
celebrities on the OpenBet platform, including
44 NOVEMBER 2012

the rest of the cast of Baywatch and the mighty
Hulk Hogan. Partnering with companies such
as MX Digital, allows OpenBet to ensure that its
content remains fresh and gives access to a
world of showbiz celebrities.
David Loveday at OpenBet, said: “The Hoff
brand was an instant success with OpenBet
Casino and bingo customers. His iconic
character lends itself perfectly to a wide range
of players who enjoy playing celebrity-endorsed
games. Working with the very best partners in
the industry enables us to bring fresh,
innovative and most importantly, fun content to
our customers.”
Back at G2E after a three-year hiatus, during
which they hosted their own very successful
solo event at The Palms, TCSJOHNHUXLEY
continues to develop and strengthen as a
company. The breadth of product they have
available now is a stark contrast to just seven or
eight years ago; now they can genuinely lay
claim to being pretty much a full-service
gaming company (slots aside, of course) with
product that excites, stimulates and translates
into a better gaming experience for customers
and operators. Solid games, often coupled with
some of the best new technology you’ll find in
the industry, comes together in a great show
experience.
For example, Gaming Floor Live is a real-time
game optimization system designed to maximize
key performance areas and profitability across
all games. Unlike any other product on the
market, the system automatically captures live
table game data, which provides vital
information to maximize turnover, maintain
house advantage, reduce operating costs and
understand opportunity costs.
The gorgeous-looking Tablet Roulette is a
server-based solution offering tablet and
mobile device gaming in a live environment.
The system allows customers to play live tables
on a touch screen tablet or mobile device
throughout the gaming venue, including
outside traditional gaming areas, law allowing.
BaccPo is another table game innovation,
where Blackjack works alongside a simple hand
ranking system similar to Baccarat – plus the
adversarial elements of Poker. Unlike traditional
Baccarat, BaccPo is not governed by a tableau
of fixed rules, bringing a level of skill into play;
it can be spread as a casino (house) game as
well as a peer-to-peer table game. Hand play is
also much quicker than Blackjack, which means
more excitement and enjoyment for the player,
and ultimately more repeat customers for the
casino.
Finally, Dragon 21 brings an Asian flavour to
Blackjack, as a hybrid live table game with two
hands, Tiger and Dragon. Players can bet on
either hand at the beginning of the game (or
on a tie), and each hand plays out a Blackjack
hand using simple rules (hit on anything 16 or
lower). The hand closest to 21 wins, and a hand
may win even if it is over 21.
G2E 2012
Konami Gaming, Inc. introduced SYNKROS,
the latest evolution of its Konami Casino
Management System (KCMS). The new modular
marketing and analytical tool provides more
entertainment and bonusing for an enhanced
player experience. Real-time data capture and
reporting offers immediate opportunities to
make expedient, productive marketing
decisions that reward winning players, offer
incentives for players who meet predetermined
criteria and provide instant information to
players right on the screen or on a mobile
device.
Working as an integrated system, SYNKROS
runs on an Oracle database and uses a TCP/IPbased
network floor. Data collected has lifetime
availability.
SYNKROS has multiple components Super
Series Floor Wide Bonusing offers a multithemed
community progressive game with
property branding opportunities. The action is
visible throughout the casino floor for added
excitement. The marketing department can
determine frequency and prize values.
True-Time Windowing has a special
compartmentalizing feature that allows a
portion of the screen to be segmented for
bonus games, including notices and ads. This
added element increases player interaction.
Currently, True Time Windowing is available via
SYNKROS on Konami, IGT and Spielo games.
Draw Poker Bonusing, True-Time
Tournaments, a library of 20 BonuStream
bonus game animations, the all new Synk Box
and a new Konami Enterprise Intelligence (KEI)
analytics module complete the SYNKROS
package.
Suzo-Happ’s stand was dizzying, even though
it represented only a small proportion of the
company’s actual offering. Front and centre was
the Celebration Topper, an ingenious piece of
kit which acknowledges a hand pay jackpot
with a confetti launcher, 8-watt stereo sound
celebration,
videos on a 15.6”
LCD screen and
flashing LEDs.
Celebration
Topper interfaces
directly into the
game’s SAS line,
and is
programmable to
your level of
hand-pay.
Celebration
videos come
standard, or can be customized.
Another product under Suzo’s wing is Airistar
Filters, which help take care of smoke, odours,
dust and air impurities, filtered out by Airistar’s
unique multiple-stage purification processes.
The entire line of Airistar Filters cleans the air
and protects guests and employees from
second-hand smoke, dust, allergens, and a host
of volatile organic compounds. Certain models
tuck easily away into custom cabinets that
double as marketing display units.
Canny casino operators can now make their
front-of-house and back-of-house areas more
comfortable, efficient and cost-effective with
LED lights by QTBrightek, also available from
Suzo-Happ. From spotlights to light tubes, from
flat ceiling light panels to high bay lamps,
QTBrightek LED lights have been proven to
give more light with less energy and without
noise, flickering, or mercury. Brighter floor
NOVEMBER 2012 45

G2E 2012
areas, cost savings and a greener casino
operation are all possible with QTBrightek LED
lights.
Abbiati CEO Giorgio Abbiati said of G2E
2012: “The main goal of this year was to attract
as many new clients as possible from all
Americas’ regions, especially from Central and
South Americas. That goal was successfully
reached as we did receive lots of valuable visits
followed with a number of significant requests,
which, we are positive, will turn into successful
collaborations.”
He explained that the Company finds this
international show an ideal place to present
their products and services to the decision
makers from many different areas and markets.
Commercial Director Terry Clarke added:
“G2E show is a great possibility to demonstrate
how Abbiati products had continued to
improve during the years, using new innovative
materials, designs and applied technologies.
Presenting our line of products to visitors,
we’ve demonstrated once again our flexibility
and ability to manufacture any customized
equipment.”
During the show, the Italian manufacturer
underlined the high quality of their products
along with the multiple security features which
are used in the manufacturing process of
Abbiati chips, plaques and jetons. “High-end
products with a big variety of innovative
security features have contributed to the
acquisition of very important orders in the
Asian market, where the Abbiati Company has
had a very significant expansion during the last
year,” said Giorgio Abbiati. “The confidence
received from the clients was due to the
security of the company and its innovative
products.”
Having received approval to supply chips,
plaques and jetons in Nevada last year, Abbiati
applied and was approved as a supplier for
Singapore casino operators for the same – and
G2E gave Abbiati a chance to engage with
more potential Asian customers, as Terry
concludes: “The fast growing Asian market is
one of the key areas for our company. We were
glad to meet some of the Asian operators at the
show, and we are working on orders for some at
the moment.”
Locaid is the largest location compliance
and geofencing provider to the gaming
industry. Locaid opened in 2005 and launched
its platform in early 2011.
According to President/CEO Rip Gerber “We
have more location traffic than anyone else in
the world. The U.S. has 280,000 cell towers.
Locaid triangulates with providers to pinpoint
locations. Clients may opt-in or opt-out at any
time to protect privacy. A brand must be
trusted.”
Locaid delivers the largest reach, with more
than 380 million devices locatable, over nine
billion connected devices worldwide via IP
location, the highest uptime (99.999%), the
most location features and capabilities
(including geofencing, landline, consent and
privacy registration, global CID, wifi location
and more). Gerber predicts a future growth of
50 billion connected devices.
Gerber also claims that 40% of Locaid
customers work with marketers to help
determine who they are, where they are and
what they want.
Locaid’s patented and award-winning
Location-as-a-Service (LaaS) platform currently
serves over 200 enterprises in multiple
industries. Globally-recognized organizations
such as VISA, FedEx, Wells Fargo, Nielsen and
Coca-Cola use Locaid.
Within the gaming industry, Cantor Gaming,
William Hill, GTECH and Stations Casinos are
all currently using Locaid locations for mobile
gaming, geofencing and location compliance.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB)
has specifically named Locaid as the approved
third party location source by for smartphone
gaming apps in the state of Nevada.
Morse Watchmans exhibited its popular
KeyWatcher Touch key control cabinets’
modular design. It expands the number of
potential combinations and layout of
components.
The KeyAnywhere feature adds greater
flexibility and control. Any key may be returned
to any KeyWatcher unit within an organization,
while detailing which keys are in or out of the
unit. Its bright 7” touchscreen eases client
interfacing, running programs and remote
functions for up to 10 KeyWatcher sites. All
approved users are automatically synchronized
across the system.
KeyWatcher Touch offers a choice of
language and enhanced security. An unlimited
number of recipients may be alerted via email
of any security lapses. Time out or other
restrictions may be programmed for different
employees.
For component integration, KeyWatcher
TrueTouch client software enhances the
administration and control of the KeyWatcher
Touch system. Using a network connection or
USB, KeyWatcher TrueTouch is installed on any
dedicated computer. It offers Auto-sync for
automatic updates of KeyWatcher systems. The
“Profiles” feature expedites programming of
users and colored reports maximize readability.
The client’s software server is the main
interface, performing all transaction
synchronizations and maintaining the SQL
database. Both access control systems and
customized client control software interface
with the server application.
For extra security, tamper-proof KeyRings
ease key replacement without cutting the ring
apart. Color-coated hubs quickly click into
place.
NEWave’s compliance back-of-the-house
function software conforms to U.S. federal, state
and tribal rules and regulations. Legally, federal
regulations supersede both state and tribal
rules, but do not negate them.
“Our independent compliance software
programs perform a benign audit accounting.
Windows-based, it is adaptable to any browser.
Easy to run, our affordable software receives
total support from our headquarters,” states
Chairman/Founder Jim Bach.
The 30-60 day process includes a site survey
and then package configuration for individual
jurisdictions. Users receive training prior to a
“go live experience.”
The multiple components NEWave software
components include:
myDocument Manager Suite-This collection
automates the document flow, managing form
routing and approval and digitally stores
specialized gaming documentation scanned
from NEWave’s other suites. It also provides an
end-to-end document solution for departments
like HR, purchasing, security and more.
myDocument also consolidates all audits across
multiple properties.
myCompliance Manager Suite-This program
completes, files and archives all federal, state
and locally-mandated forms to determine any
money laundering, suspicious activity and
taxes. It consolidates all audits across multiple
properties. The myCompliance products also
validate identification documents, verify tax
identification numbers and provide alerts for
the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or
other watch lists.
myRevenue Manager Suite-A few keystrokes
locates missing funds in jackpot/fill slips, table
fills/credits, scrip, tax forms, cashier tickets,
kiosk tickets and gaming slips. Operators are
notified of any exceptions for easy
reconciliation, recording or corrective action
right from the workstation. All scanned and
read documents are securely stored in a digital
archive for expedient reporting, retrieval and
reprinting.
Gary Platt’s longtime executive Bob Yabroff
has passed the leadership torch to new President
Skip Davis, who will oversee the Reno-based
company. Gary Platt employs 65 at the main
facility and one sales associate in Las Vegas.
Davis, a nine-year employee, formerly served
46 NOVEMBER 2012

as the company’s vice president of
operations/COO in Reno. He aims to continue
the corporate mission of providing quality
seating while building lasting customer
relationships.
“Our new chair styles and custom designs
provide our customers with quality. They
recognize that our higher-end seating will
entice their customers to stay longer. We’re not
sitting still with our product line…we’re having
fun making quality chairs,” Davis says.
New Gary Platt seating features include:
Recessed insert handles-Fitted into the back
of the chair, the solid design eases movement
between locations.
New designs – These include decorative
scalloped footrests, wider seat cushions for
larger customers and arm rests on specific
chairs.
Sound chairs – These full-surround sound
seats introduce regular speakers and high
quality musical components. Customers Bally
Technologies, IGT, Aristocrat and Spielo all use
their own proprietary features.
Four-legged stationary table games chairs do
not swivel. “As our first customers of this chair,
Boyd Gaming motivated its development,” says
Davis.
He wants to work jointly with designers. The
Designer Chair Series offers customized
choices that use exciting fabrics for chair seats
and backs, durable understructure finishes and
a limitless choice of embroidery options for
seat backs.
What casino operator has not felt restricted
by the available music options? Until recently,
set music was their only choice, regardless of
the customer demographics at different times
of the day.
No more. Prescriptive Music creates music
presentations appropriate for particular spaces
and customer demographics. According to
Founder/COO Allen Klevens, “The sensory
motivates customers to take action by staying,
eating and gambling. Music is an art, not a
science. Casinos spend money on food, lighting
and other property elements, but have paid less
attention to music. They are finally realizing
music’s importance, taking it from the
background to the foreground of their
operations. Operators can determine what,
when and where to play it.”
Customers buy the hardware and proprietary
software, with a setup fee starting at $500. The
monthly fee, starting at $40, includes payments
to the three licensing organizations-ASCAP,
SESAC and BMI.
From the company’s Los Angeles
headquarters, Prescriptive Music can create a
new playlist in 24 hours. Orders may be
emailed in and are changed internally.
Although individual sites could revise their own
lists, Klevens claims most do not. Technical
support is available 24 hours a day to
accommodate customers.
The company currently services 5,000
customers in the U.S., U.K, China, Macau, The
G2E 2012
Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, Australia,
Canada, Mexico, Germany and Ireland.
Prescriptive supplies all North American fullservice
Marriott hotels and 70% of Four
Seasons.
Advantech-Innocore enjoyed a solid and
successful G2E, raising awareness of the force
the company now represents, being part of the
world’s largest industrial PC manufacturer.
Most potential – and existing – customers now
see the benefits of this large organization, in
the areas of technology, service and sales. Koen
Stomph, Advantech-Innocore Sales Director
Gaming Europe said “Also our showing of a
wide range of industrial displays was well
received, a logical tie-up with the platform
range people regard so well. The many
confirmations from companies involved in
ongoing projects that we are definitely the
driving force was good to notice. It becomes
clearer every day why Advantech is in that
global no. 1 position; commitment and leading
technology, available to the gaming industry in
many forms”.
Koen added: “2012 has been a good year for
Advantech-Innocore when looking at new
projects won and pipeline growth following
that. The last quarter of 2012 had been more
difficult as expected, with some specific
European markets decreasing or even closing.
But we are confident ICE 2013 will have that
good vibe again, indicating a positive turn of
the European industry.”
In Summary
Sharon Harris on G2E 2012…
Prior to the opening ribbon cutting, the
2012 G2E convention had already returned
to its highest exhibit space threshold in four
years, matching the 2008 square footage. The
430 exhibitors, using 262,000 square feet,
was a 5% increase from 2011.
American Gaming Association CEO Frank J.
Fahrenkopf Jr. described a slow recovery.
Revenues in 18 of 21 commercial state
jurisdictions through July 2012 increased.
Much of it comes from expansion, including
the openings of two of Ohio’s four proposed
casinos.
Gaming questions will appear on three
state ballots: Maryland, Oregon and Rhode
Island. Both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
view gaming as a state issue. No federal laws
are expected to directly affect American
commercial casinos.
In Asia, Macau casinos, some owned by
Nevada operators, may soon confront their
own competition from Vietnam, Cambodia,
Laos and others.
Regulations, taxes and revenues continue
to be key issues. Fahrenkopf claimed the goal
is not reducing regulations, but to make
them smarter. The big issue this year for
American operators is the possibility of any
online gaming legalization. Fahrenkopf
believes that online poker legislation would
require that states opt in to participate
rather than opt out.
The industry wants clarity. The December
2011 Department of Justice ruling that the
1961 Wire Act, which banned
telecommunications across state lines or
internationally, only applies to sports
wagering. Several states have already initiated
plans to participate in some way. Some
industry members want Congressional action
to prevent a patchwork of state programs.
Senators Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and John Kyl
(R-Arizona) are working on bipartisan
legislation.
Launched in 2011, the successful and
growing Global Gaming Women
(www.GlobalGamingWomen.org) initiative
provides numerous educational events,
networking opportunities, mentoring and
other resource tools to foster women’s career
growth in the international gaming industry.
During the annual “State of the Industry”
seminar, panelists came to several
conclusions:
The industry faces a “new normal” and
must figure out how to do more with less.
Suppliers must determine which products
most attract customers.
Internet gaming remains a focus, but there
is no clear consensus yet of what to do.
The picture is mixed. 2012 has been a
better year, but remains difficult. Convention
bookings for 2013 are up.
Social media and innovative technology are
crucial. Games will have to be more skillbased
to appeal to more technologically
astute younger players. Marketing
departments must be more creative. Younger
customers often act more spontaneously and
reject advance planning
While unable to plan five years out with
confidence, the industry must remain vigilant
against tax hikes to balance state budgets,
rising costs and other negative situations.
NOVEMBER 2012 47

WSOP
A big
production
Producing the biggest spectacle in poker is no easy task, as Sean
Chaffin reports…
With over five dozen major poker
tournaments, constant cash games,
tens of thousands of players, and a
massive staff to prepare, producing
the World Series of Poker is a task.
But the WSOP staff and personnel at the Rio Hotel
and Casino make it look easy, and the success and
growth of the tournament series shows that hard
work continues to pay off.
Things were no different this summer, and big
names making big finishes capped a record-setting
World Series. From Phil Hellmuth’s 12th bracelet, Phil
Ivey making five straight final tables, and Michael
“The Grinder” Mizrachi becoming the $50,000
Players Championship’s first two-time winner, the
2012 WSOP was definitely something to remember.
The big events included the $1 million buy-in Big
One for One Drop that featured an $18.3 million
payday for poker pro Antonio Esfandiari.
not interested in giving away trade secrets about
what goes in to producing the annual event.
However, they did offer Casino International some
insight into their work throughout the year. Caesars
Vice President of Corporate Communications Seth
Palansky plays a major role each year in
coordinating the WSOP’s communication efforts and
contacts with media.
“The World Series of Poker tournament in Las
Vegas requires a team of folks to focus on the event
year-round,” Palansky says “Obviously, there is more
to do during the event and as it approaches, but what
really makes the event achieve its goals each year, is
the work that is being put in now and in the coming
months to set the event up to be in the best position
to succeed. There’s a lot of work that goes into the
dates, the space allotment for the infrastructure, the
schedule, the events to add, the events to remove, and
the timing of events during each 24-hour cycle.”
Despite the economic downturn, the event’s prize
pool topped $200 million for the first time with a
total of 74,766 entries in 61 events. The total prize
pool – $222 million – was an increase of 15.6
percent over the previous record of 2011’s $192
million. In the 43-year history of the WSOP, the
tournament has now awarded more than $1.6 billion
in prize money.
“We’re still in poker’s golden age, at least when
WSOP gold bracelets are on the line,” said WSOP
Executive Director Ty Stewart. “We can’t thank the
players enough for their continued support of the
WSOP and for once again putting a bad beat on
market conditions.”
Planning and preparation
As the biggest and most successful poker
tournament series in the world, WSOP officials were
48 NOVEMBER 2012

WSOP
Before players even take their seats at the tables,
major planning has been underway for months
regarding the tournament structures, payouts,
surveillance, the dealers (and their recruitment),
cashiers, chips, cards, tables, felts, chairs, and much
more. Every consideration is taken into account to
make sure that the month-and-a-half long poker
spectacle runs as smoothly as possible.
“There are literally thousands of different moving
parts that require a team to be constantly
communicating and connecting with one another on
a regular basis to ensure no detail has been
overlooked and everything needed has been
accounted for,” Palansky says.
Player input
A major part of the WSOP’s planning focuses on
players and making it the best experience possible.
That includes making use of player input to make the
series better each year.
“It’s very simple. The players provide the best point
of view on what needs fine-tuning each year, and
they are very helpful in providing suggestions,
guidance and impactful changes,” Palansky says. “We
always have players weigh in on things like structures,
payouts, starting chip stacks, length of play each day,
number and length of breaks, etc. So sometimes we
are soliciting feedback, other times we are getting
feedback through phone calls, emails, in-person
meetings, Tweets, letters and real-event experiences.”
Palansky says that the WSOP staff can make use of
player advice no matter how an issue arises. WSOP
officials say one of their hopes is that any change will
serve as a better way to do something that is in the
best interest of the majority of the stakeholders
involved. Palansky credits player recommendations
with some major improvements made in recent years.
“We’ll go about trying to implement it if it is
feasible,” he says of player input. “The World Series of
Poker really owes a lot to the players for how the
payouts and structures of our events are. They have
been the ones to provide the necessary feedback to
fine-tune them and help keep them the best in the
business in terms of value.”
Beyond casual recommendations by way of Twitter,
email, and conversations, the WSOP also fields a
player advisory council, which is charged with
making recommendations for the tournaments.
As for the style of tournaments, the WSOP also
looks at popular formats and other ideas from players
who may want to add in something new. For example,
this year an “antes only” style event and a fourhanded
tournament were added to offer something
new and different. However, Holdem remains the
most popular game and the WSOP offers numerous
tournaments to cater to that popularity.
In recent years, the series has scheduled several
smaller buy-in tournaments (as low as $1,000 and
satellites for only $100) to cater to weekend warrior
poker players hoping to live the dream and win a big
payday. The efforts have been rewarding. These events
have created massive fields – a perfect fit for average
players looking spend a couple days in Vegas with the
chance to bring home some big money.
Getting the word out
As poker has grown since the amazing 2003 run of
Chris Moneymaker, so have the number of fans who
follow the game. This has created an avalanche of
multimedia opportunities for fans to follow the
action, and the WSOP is no exception. While online
poker played a major role in creating a poker boom,
Black Friday in the U.S. (when the federal government
cracked down on the game) led to the cancellation of
much poker programming. ESPN also decided to
ditch much of the live poker programming that had
proven so popular in 2011.
Faced with this, Caesars revamped WSOP.com to
better serve poker fans. The site features news, online
updates, chip counts, and photos of every
tournament during the series. Twitter has also proven
a popular tool in keeping up with the series. In 2012,
longtime poker reporter Jessica Welman was added as
managing editor of the World Series official website.
While ESPN remains a key broadcasting partner, the
WSOP made the decision to ramp up its online
webcasts this year. Every final table was shown nearlive,
many with live commentary by longtime
broadcaster David Tuchman, who was often joined by
professional players providing insight.
“The multi-camera set up was a huge
improvement in my mind,” says Welman. “Many
poker livestreams are limited by just an overhead
shot and a flop cam, so to be able to come in for
close ups, have cameras on the floor, and give the
NOVEMBER 2012 49

WSOP
stream the feel of a televised poker show was
something I take a lot of pride in. Obviously, the
implementation of commentary was a big step as
well and I think our expanded efforts with the One
Drop coverage gives you an idea of what our
streams may look like come 2013.”
$18.3 million winner, poker pro
Antonio Esfandiari
The additional coverage is just another way that
WSOP officials are catering to poker fans and players
– and continue to build the brand.
“From what I can tell, the reception has been
pretty positive. Poker fans are always excited to see
coverage beyond just live updates and I think
stepping it up with a veteran commentator like David
Tuchman really helped enhance the experience for
WSOP fans this summer,” Welman adds. “The players
at the final table were all pretty excited that their
friends and family could watch along at home. My
favorite moments were when players would bust from
the final table then graciously agree to come in the
booth and talk with Tuchman about the event. A
great example of that was the $5,000 Limit Holdem
Championship, where this close-knit group of
players all stuck around, came in the booth, and
really participated in making that stream one of the
most informative and entertaining ones we put
together this summer.”
As the final table of the Main Event, the play of the
“November Nine” was moved to Oct. 28-30 this year
due to the U.S. presidential election, World Series
officials are pleased with how the events continue to
grow and reach new audiences. The webcasts also
proved a major success this year.
“There were increases in every category of
viewership from unique visitors to total site visits,”
Welman says. “What category really stands out to me
is that we saw the number of hours people tuned into
the stream more than double, which means not only
were more people tuning in, but the average length of
time they spent watching the stream went up
substantially as well.”
ESPN will have its cameras back at the Rio in late
October to film the final days of action as players
battle it out for the $8.5 million first prize, the gold
bracelet, and the prestige that goes with winning the
biggest tournament in poker. As the WSOP continues
to extend its brand to Europe and now Australia, the
event’s growth from a handful of players at Binion’s
Horseshoe in 1970 to the mammoth poker spectacle
of today is truly a stunning phenomenon. Casino
impresario Benny Binion always believed the event’s
success would come through catering to players
– and the World Series of Poker continues to carry on
that tradition.
Check out Sean Chaffin’s new book, RAISING
THE STAKES: True Tales of Gambling, Wagering
and Poker Faces, available as an eBook and in
paperback at www.RaisingtheStakesbook.com,
Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com. The book
features some crazy tales of gambling and poker
from underground casinos to cockfights in Puerto
Rico. Sean is also editor of
www.PokerTraditions.com, a site about poker
history, lore, and people. If you have a gambling
or poker story idea, contact Sean by email at
seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net, or follow Sean on
Twitter: @PokerTraditions
50 NOVEMBER 2012

ONLINE NEWS
Inspired signs six
Italian operators
Inspired Gaming Group, the supplier of the
advanced virtual sports products, has
announced its arrival as the leading provider
of online and retail virtual sports betting in
Italy. Inspired has signed virtual sports license
deals with six major Italian operators: SNAI,
Sisal, Eurobet, Intralot, Cogetech, and
Lottomatica.
Steve Rogers, Managing Director of
Inspired’s Virtual Sports division, commented:
“Virtual sports are a very lucrative part of the
product offer for operators. Our virtual
products are in high demand from retail and
online concessionaires in Italy who understand
the value in being able to offer a high
frequency stream of betting opportunities to
their customers.”
The new legislation legalising fixed-odds
bets on simulated sporting events online and
in betting shops and corners in Italy was
submitted by AAMS to the European
Commission on 17 January 2012 and was
ratified on 17 April 2012. Inspired is already
one of three leading suppliers to the relatively
new VLT market in Italy, with contracts for over
10,000 terminals with leading
concessionaires. The contracts with circa 90
percent of Italian operators will see Inspired’s
virtual sports become a key product for
leading operators in Italy.
Buzz launches
ZonePlay into
Eastern Europe
with Favbet
In-play betting specialist Buzz
has announced the signing of a
deal to provide its flagship
product ZonePlay via a partnership with leading Eastern
European gaming brand Favbet.
The opportunity will see ZonePlay become available
to customers throughout Ukraine, Russia and beyond
through Favbet.com, and also delivered via Favbet’s
growing chain of retail partners. ZonePlay will add an
exciting, innovative product to the existing in-play
options on Favbet.com, while its introduction to the
retail side of the business will attract customers to their
venues, and encourage bettors to stay there throughout
live sporting events.
Buzz Sports’ Chief Commercial Officer, Ian Williams,
said: “This deal further extends the reach of the
ZonePlay brand into yet another new territory, and
Favbet are the perfect partner as they understand the
Eastern European market better than anybody. We are
looking forward to being a key part of their growth
plans, both online and through their growing network of
betting shops.”
52 NOVEMBER 2012

ONLINE NEWS
Microgaming enters
Swedish market
Microgaming has announced that it has
gone live with a new operator,
Kombispel, through a first-time
agreement with Genera Networks.
Genera Networks, a leading games provider
in the regulated Swedish market, is supplying
Kombispel with Microgaming’s innovative and
industry leading bingo, scratchcard and lottery
games. This is the first time that Microgaming
has set up an arrangement with a member of
the World Lottery Association (WLA) and builds
the foundation to a new network. The union of
HoGaming Launches
Live Casino for Tablet
HoGaming has launched a new product
for tablet devices, enabling players to
partake in casino favourites such as
Roulette, Blackjack and Baccarat on their
handheld devices whilst enjoying the live dealer
experience of a land-based casino.
The launch of the company’s Live Dealer
casino capitalizes on advancements in mobile
technology and the rollout of 4G networks by
telecommunications companies. Also by their
very nature, touch screen devices are perfectly
suited to the online casino gaming
environment.
HoGaming’s CEO, Peter Kjaer, said: “More
and more people are using their tablet devices,
which have become nearly as powerful as a
laptop or desktop PC. Now players can enjoy a
few hands of blackjack and baccarat or
place bets on roulette with a live dealer
all on a device that fits in the palm of
their hand. We see mobile gaming as a
massive growth area with enormous
potential over the next few years.
HoGaming is positioning itself at the
these key industry players allows operators of
Genera Networks access to a new world of
games through Microgaming’s highly
successful and ever-popular portfolio of
products.
Roger Raatgever, CEO of Microgaming, said:
“well as providing us with a portal into the
Swedish market, which we had not yet entered,
we are excited to see how we can strengthen
Genera Networks’ offering. After the first month
our content is already proving as popular with
Swedish players as it is elsewhere.”
forefront of this development with its Live
Dealer Casino product on mobile devices. Later
in this quarter we will also present a full mobile
solution for smartphones.”
HoGaming Live dealer solutions power some
of the most well-known brands online, such as
Stan James, BetVictor and Mybet. The
company has been at the forefront of Live
Dealer casino gaming in Asia for the past 10
years and their land-based casino heritage and
experience is now being brought to the
European online casino sector.
The launch of the Live Dealer Casino for
tablet devices comes hard on the heels of an
announcement that the company is set to open
a European studio – their largest yet.
Lawyer launches
iGaming Counsel
The global legal and regulatory landscape of the
iGaming industry today seems to be more complex,
inconsistent and fragmented than at any time in its
history. In recognising this, Stuart Tilly has teamed up
with his former Bodog UK colleague, Dhruti Gore, to
establish iGaming Counsel (www.igamingcounsel.com), a
London based advisory firm, dedicated to helping
businesses operating in the online gaming industry deal
with the legal, regulatory and commercial challenges that
continually present themselves.
Stuart qualified at magic circle law firm, Allen & Overy
LLP, but has worked as in-house legal advisor to both
SportingBet and Bodog UK since 2005. Dhruti, also a
practising solicitor, earned her stripes at Nabarro LLP,
specialising in corporate and commercial advisory, before
joining Stuart at Bodog UK last year.
Stuart, who also holds a current Personal
Management Licence issued by the UK Gambling
Commission, commented: “The online gaming industry
poses ever evolving challenges in almost every aspect of
the business. The treatment of online gaming can differ
vastly from one jurisdiction to the next and we believe it’s
vital for any business in this industry to have the correct
strategic approach coupled with a global vision to achieve
long term success in one of the most fast paced,
challenging and competitive industries world-wide”.
Genting Alderney
signs with
ComTrade
Genting Alderney, part of Genting Group - the third
largest casino operator in the World, has
announced that it has signed a licence agreement
with Global IT solutions and software engineering
services provider ComTrade.
The agreement will enable Genting to deploy
ComTrade’s leading iGaming platform and will provide a
single customer view and wallet across all products and
channels including online, social and mobile games. The
gaming platform will also enable Genting to integrate
best-of-breed products and content from suppliers across
the globe and deliver localised games to individual
markets. Operators will have the ability to reward players
based on their total value across all products and in
doing so, can optimise lifetime value, duration and churn
rates to complete the CRM cycle.
54 NOVEMBER 2012

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AS REAL AS IT GETS

ONLINE NEWS
Hippodrome partners with
PokerStars and Microgaming
London’s new Hippodrome Casino has struck
deals with two of the biggest names in online
gaming, PokerStars and Microgaming. The
deals will create an online presence for the
Hippodrome and enhance the new casino’s live
poker room offering. PokerStars will refurbish and
re-brand the poker deck at the Hippodrome Casino
to create the UK’s first PokerStars’ poker room. In
2013, the Hippodrome will become home to a
range of new PokerStars’ sponsored tournaments
and special events which the site will promote to
its customer base of 50 million registered players.
PokerStars has also taken a minority stakeholding
in the Hippodrome Casino as part of the deal.
Microgaming will build
www.hippodromecasino.com, which will be
operated by Betway Group and introduce a suite of
games and mobile gaming applications. Online
poker on the site will be provided by Pokerstars.
Simon Thomas, founder and chairman of the
Hippodrome Casino, said: “We are delighted to
welcome PokerStars and Microgaming into the
Hippodrome Casino family. They bring unrivalled
online profile and expertise that will allow us to
harness the true potential of a bricks-and-mortar
venue and its online presence.”
Guy Templer, Group Strategy Director for
PokerStars, said: “The Hippodrome has
dramatically raised the quality bar for the UK
casino industry. Together we will give poker players
the same great poker experience, live 24/7 in the
heart of London that they get from PokerStars
online. We are looking forward to unveiling some
great new live events for the UK poker market in
2013.”
Microgaming Go Mobile
Microgaming has announced the launch of
a dedicated brand, Microgaming Go, and
further innovations in the development of
the biggest offering of games available on mobile,
across all platforms. Microgaming Go has now
expanded its offering on its HTML5 and Android Air
products with the addition of six new languages to
include Spanish, Danish, German, Swedish,
Russian, and Dutch. The new languages reflect the
growing demand for advanced mobile products in
regulated markets and means that Microgaming
operators will now be able to offer mobile
solutions to a much broader player demographic.
The unveiling of Microgaming Go coincides with
the launch of Mega Moolah for HTML5, extending
the range of Microgaming’s HTML5 games
currently available. Mega Moolah Progressive
Jackpot video slot is the biggest progressive
jackpot in the Microgaming Jackpot stable.
Neill Whyte, Head of Product Channels at
Microgaming, says: “We are delighted to launch
Microgaming Go, which encompasses our leading
mobile gaming solutions. As more and more
devices support HTML5, it is vital that
Microgaming is able to supply the best products to
operators via a
dedicated brand.
As part of this
we’re pleased to
introduce six new
languages and our
Mega Moolah
Progressive
Jackpot video slot to our mobile suite. We are
looking forward to introducing more innovations
and game content over the coming months.”
Featurespace hits
fraud and churn
Featurespace has launched two new next
generation solutions to help businesses
address key issues around fraud and
customer churn. Snowdon delivers real-time fraud
prevention that helps organisations reduce risk
while aggressively growing their business. Nevis
enables businesses to protect their investment in
customers by identifying and preventing churn
before it starts.
Both solutions harness the power of
Featurespace’s unique behavioural change
recognition engine, ARIC (Adaptive, Real-time,
Individual, Change-recognition), which employs
innovative behavioural change algorithms,
developed and constantly enhanced by Cambridge
University’s Signal Processing and
Communications Laboratory.
56 NOVEMBER 2012

Microgaming license
Battlestar Galactica
Microgaming has announced the signing of a licensing agreement with
NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products to create video slot
games based on the hit Syfy series, Battlestar Galactica.
One of television’s most critically acclaimed programmes, Battlestar
Galactica, reached over 14 million viewers worldwide during its final season.
The programme has strong international appeal based on its gritty realism
and intense storytelling as well as an outstanding cast of actors.
Roger Raatgever, CEO of Microgaming, says: “We are thrilled to be creating
video slots which are light years ahead of the rest, based on one of the best
television programmes of our time. We know we will do the Battlestar
Galactica brand justice and that we will not only please our own base of
players but exceed the expectations of the show’s fans. We plan to use our
market leading software and years of expertise in the gaming industry to
ensure that our video game slot will match the success of the show.”
ONLINE NEWS
Deal or No Deal Evolves
Evolution Gaming has announced
an exclusive three-year
international agreement
(excluding the UK) with Endemol
Games to launch the Deal or No Deal
brand into the online live dealer
market. The exclusive global deal sees
Evolution develop new live dealer casino games with the Deal or No Deal
brand, which will be distributed across their extensive network.
Jens von Bahr, Evolution CEO, said: “As you can imagine, we are extremely
excited to be working with Endemol, a company that is very strong both
commercially and creatively, and which has a portfolio of fantastic worldwide
brands. Deal or No Deal for the live online market is the first milestone in
what we expect to be a long and fruitful partnership. There are many more
brands and multi-channel opportunities for us to explore together.”
He added: “Branded content is an important part of our strategy moving
forward – and there’s no better way to start than by launching one of the
most celebrated big-money-prize TV show brands into the online live arena.”
The news comes on top of an already significant extension of the Evolution
product range. In a period of around eight weeks the Live Dealer gaming
leader will have launched the world’s first live slot game (which itself
integrates a mini game show with a live presenter), iPad versions of its Live
Roulette and Live Blackjack games, Live Casino Hold’em poker, and a Live
Roulette solution broadcast on Italian TV for Italy’s largest gaming operator.
TLC88.com to add Bodog
Poker Network to Asia offering
TLC88.com, the Asian-facing communitybased
gaming site, will add poker to its
casino and sports betting product via
the Bodog Poker Network, as CEO Nick Lee
explains: “In Asia offline gambling is viewed
very much as an engaging, social pursuit and
the success of TLC88 has been to bring that
sense of sharing and fun to the internet. The
other important factor is trust, which we have
built with the gaming community over the 10
years we have been in business.
“Poker is in its infancy in Asia but unlike
most Western-focused games lends itself
well to the concepts of sharing and
community, so familiar to Asian gamblers.
Bodog is different to the other poker rooms
and works better for players who are new to
the game as many of our customers will be.”
Bodog Poker Network CEO, Jonas Odman,
added: “We always felt the best place for the
Network was Asia as we are confident our
product is the fairest place to play online
poker which especially appealing to those
who are looking to learn the game and have
fun while doing so. TLC88.com has cleverly
built a great brand in the Asian market and
we hope we can help them continue that
success for a long time.”
Paf signs with
Microgaming Poker
Network
Land-based operator Paf are the latest to sign a deal
which will see them join the Microgaming Poker
Network (MPN). Founded in 1966, Paf was set up by
a group of charitable organisations and donates all of its
profit to good causes on the land Islands. The jurisdiction’s
branches of Save the Children and Red Cross are
beneficiaries, along with numerous other local causes.
Paf poker players can look forward to joining a network
with a healthy ecology thanks to Microgaming’s special
True Value allocation method and a development focus
that is friendly to recreational players.
Anders Wiklund, Director of Paf.com, said: “The
long-term vision and security of a network is of the
utmost importance to our players, and we are sure
that the Microgaming Poker Network will deliver on
this front. Their product combined with a strong
support for our strategy execution made our choice
very easy. We look forward to working with them into
the future.”
NOVEMBER 2012 57

ONLINE PAYMENTS
Local to the world
Payments within online gaming will face two key challenges over the next
three years: aligning regulations across borders and the local utilisation of
payments. So argues EntroPay’s Commercial Director, Andrea McGeachin
As the iGaming
industry continues to
expand into new
geographic
territories, the need
for operators and service
providers to be fully localised to the markets they
serve becomes a vital ingredient for success and
relevance. Specifically, payments within online
gaming will face two key challenges over the next
three years: aligning regulations across borders and
the local utilisation of payments.
In today’s iGaming market, payment service
providers (PSP), just like the operators they serve,
need to be fully aware of what is happening around
the world but specifically at the local market level,
especially where there are evolving regulatory issues.
They have to stay abreast of the status of local
iGaming regulations and make sure they are
compliant and communicate a clear, trustworthy and
secure payments proposition – if they don’t, they will
“Payments are an
extension of an online
gaming company’s brand
and can be a valuable tool
for building awareness
and loyalty”
simply miss the potential of that market.
Within these markets, payment service providers
need to look at how they manage the transaction
process themselves. Getting closer to each individual
customer is key to this to indentify from where they
are transacting and what card or payment method
they are using – from there, intelligence systems can
be used to route the customer via the most effective
avenue to increase the chances of a successful
deposit. Intelligence routing such as this is a process
that needs to be monitored closely, meaning that the
online gaming operator and the PSP must work very
much hand in hand.
Indeed, there are many factors that pose challenges
to the payments sector of the online gaming industry
and these will evolve in-line with the industry’s own
growth as it expands into new market territories and
onto new platforms, as we’re seeing with
mobile/tablet and social gaming. However, for the
foreseeable future to 2015, there are two distinct
challenges that the industry must address if it is to
manage its international expansion effectively: the
aligning of regulations across borders and the local
utilisation of payments.
REGULATION
Ongoing regulatory changes in the EU, US, LATAM
and Asia Pacific will increase the operational
complexity of doing business,
which will inevitably increase
operational costs. Companies
must find the right balance
between absorbing these costs
and passing them onto the
consumer, and payment providers can play an
integral role in helping to find the right solution.
Those providers who can deliver a platform that
provides fraud controls and risk management across
different territories while streamlining the payment
process will become strategic partners to online
gaming operators.
“Addressing local
traditions and cultural
factors is key to engaging
and exciting consumers
and producing gaming
experiences that people
will spend their time and
money on”
58 NOVEMBER 2012

ONLINE PAYMENTS
successfully address the
region’s general reluctance
to complete online
transactions due to
security fears, account
restrictions or an
inaccessibility to credit
cards.
With this comes the need to simplify and
standardise the payment process across regions,
while offering consumers greater speed and
convenience. Online gaming operators must provide
a user experience that makes consumers feel
confident and secure. This stems from how operators
As mentioned earlier, getting closer to the
customer in the markets you serve into is vital in
maintaining an effective payments process that
embraces all of the necessary components of
security, verification and accessibility without
detracting from the usability of the solution. The
fragmented regulatory landscape in iGaming
globally makes this a complex task, with operators
having to adapt accordingly to each different
market they enter to remain compliant with
regulation, whilst also giving the market
demographic payment solutions that are relevant to
their culture and the technology they have access
to. This brings us to the concept of localising what
you do and what you offer to be relevant to each
market you serve. This matters just as much for
payment providers as it does for operators.
“Online gaming operators
must provide a user
experience that makes
consumers feel confident
and secure”
LOCALISATION
Addressing local traditions and cultural factors is
key to engaging and exciting consumers and
producing gaming experiences that people will spend
their time and money on. Online gaming companies
will need to know who their consumers are,
understand their changing needs and behaviours,
and use payment methods that support the local
perspective equally well. As a result, there will be
greater pressure on payment providers to meet
increasingly high standards but it does also present
significant opportunities to expand their product
base and offerings.
Localisation of payment services is imperative
across regions. For example, online gaming spend is
expected to grow at a much faster rate in Asia
Pacific than in the EU, US, or LATAM in the next
five years; however, such growth is contingent on
companies offering payment methods that
“Payment service
providers need to be fully
aware of what is
happening around the
world, but specifically at
the local market level”
present and market their sites, the software behind it
and the way in which payments are presented and
processed. Payments are an extension of an online
gaming company’s brand and can be a valuable tool
for building awareness and loyalty. Gaming
companies that recognise that truth now will likely
be in a much stronger market position come 2015.
Ultimately, localisation breeds relevance, and in
such a fast changing marketplace that is developing
during times of real technological advance, the
ability to accurately target players in each market
you serve with the right products and services will
become an integral component of any successful
business strategy.
Andrea McGeachin
Commercial Director, EntroPay
Andrea is responsible for managing the sales
team and maintaining and growing revenues
from EntroPay. This includes increasing market
share within the igaming industry and looking to
grow in new industries and geographies. Prior to
joining EntroPay, Andrea was commercial
director at Ukash.
EntroPay works with most of the top 50
iGaming operators to optimise their payment
processes and enhance the overall player
experience. They help companies implement
best practices that have been shown to increase
deposits while boosting operational efficiency.
Their payment solutions increase approval rates
and recapture lost customers, while
strengthening customer loyalty by offering
players instant payouts and more convenient
payment and withdrawal options.
NOVEMBER 2012 59

ROLLER
High Roller
Paddy Power recently announced the launch of a new brand built
around the only real-money casino app designed exclusively for iPad and
iPhone: ROLLER. Matt Broughton caught up with Managing Director,
Nick Abrahams.
In late September Paddy Power announced Roller,
a product/brand aimed specifically at realmoney
casino gamers on Apple’s premium
touchscreen devices. In the release, Nick
Abrahams, MD for Roller said: “There’s an
estimated nine million iPad and iPhone users in the
UK, and this market is set to grow. Yet until now there
has been no actual real money casino app available
that makes use of the potential of these devices.
Customers like apps – they offer a more seamless
experience - which is why they’ve become a part of
everyday life. The apps customers told us they enjoy
the most are the ones that make best use of the
device’s unique capabilities to give a better
experience. That’s what Roller is all about –
delivering a better, realmoney
mobile casino
experience.”
Roller itself was
developed in
conjunction with Viaden
Gaming, experts in app
design for Apple’s
devices. It features 19
casino games including
roulette, blackjack and
slots, with the games making use of the interactive
nature of the device, such as touchscreen ‘spin the
wheel’ functionality for roulette and an interactive
slot bonus round that uses the accelerometer in the
device to provide ‘tilt’ functionality.
Being specifically designed for iPhone and iPad
means the app also features high quality graphics and
full integration of the player’s music library to
promise a better user experience on mobile or tablet
than has previously been possible.
Casino International Online caught up with Nick
to talk about this exciting new brand:
Casino International Online (CIO): Please tell
us a bit about your own background.
Nick Abrahams (NA): I’m a relative internet
gambling veteran, having spent six years at Betfair
from 2004 before moving to Paddy Power in 2011. At
Betfair I worked across a few different areas, helping
launch a variety of different gaming verticals,
devising some of their Exchange Games and Zero
Lounge Casino products ending up as Head of
Commercial Strategy and Analysis for the business.
Prior to that I’d spent some time in strategy
consulting and ran my own casino affiliate business.
CIO: How did Roller come into being?
NA: The idea essentially came from the
disappointing experiences I’d had trying to use realmoney
casino products on my iPhone and iPad and
then hearing the same experience being reflected
back by customers. We had customers telling us “I
prefer using my iPad to my PC when I’m at home” but
the industry wasn’t catering for these customers in
any successful format. In terms of coming up with the
brand, we spent a good number of weeks batting
around names and identities until we hit upon Roller
as you see it today. I was looking back on some of the
others from the early stages – Roller as a brand
shines out compared to our early efforts.
CIO: What advantages/opportunities does the
Paddy Power connection bring to Roller?
NA: Clearly having the backing, know-how and
scale of an organisation like Paddy Power makes a
60 NOVEMBER 2012

ROLLER
massive difference to getting something like this off
the ground. Equally, we know that trust is
consistently one of the key barriers for online
gambling customers and having the well-known and
hugely well respected Paddy Power brand puts us in a
great position verses some of our competitors.
CIO: Why do you think the sector has been so
slow to bring iPad/iPhone-specific real money
products to market?
NA: Really interesting question, which broadly
comes down to a couple of reasons. Firstly I think
people are, legitimately, concerned about the App
Store rules and approval process. It takes a big
investment to get a quality product to market – this
isn’t something that you can get two guys in a garage
to knock up over 6 months - and business are rightly
worried that Apple might just say “no”. Secondly, I
think people have struggled with the idea of having a
product that can only operate in fully-regulated
markets. A lot of other casino business operate across
a variety of different regions and it’s a difficult
decision for them to launch a product that they know
won’t be available for a significant portion of their
customer base.
CIO: What makes this specific project
interesting to you?
NA: The interesting aspect has been delivering a
product and brand from concept to launch in a new
channel. When we started there weren’t any realmoney
casino products in the App Store. Therefore it
was a case of designing a product that sets the
benchmark in terms of usability and design, rather
than just looking at competitor’s offerings and
tweaking it. We have tried to put a big emphasis on
innovation and implementing features that wouldn’t
necessarily work on a desktop product – some will
work, some won’t, but the not knowing’s part of what
makes it interesting.
CIO: Please give us some examples of how the
product makes use of…
Touchscreen
NA: This is solely a mobile/tablet product, so
everything is done via the touchscreen. However,
we’ve made it a bit more interesting than that; for
example, you swipe down on the slots to spin the
reels and swipe the screen to thrown the ball in
Roller Roulette.
Accelerometer
NA: Hotel of Horror – one of our flagship slots
games – utilises the accelerometer in the bonus
round where the user has to tilt the cart to escape
the haunted graveyard.
Music libraries
NA: Whilst I’ve become particularly attached to
‘Burnt Toast’ as we tested Roller [one of the built in
background music tracks] we know people want to
listen to their own music whilst playing at the tables,
so we put one click access to your iTunes library in
each of our games. It’s another one of those features
that’s theoretically possible on a PC, but is made so
much easier and cleaner on a mobile device
CIO: How different are customers’ expectations
for iPad/iPhone apps over traditional online
offerings?
NA: The easiest but worst thing you can do is say
“this is what works on a PC, I’m going to do the same
but port it to a mobile platform”. That might be what
customers would have accepted (and expected) three
years ago, but the bar has been raised hugely over
the past 18 months and users simply will not invest in
your app. There is a whole article to be written on
this very subject, but I think there a couple of key
points to dwell on. Firstly, think about how a
customer is going to use the product; a typical
session on an iPhone is going to be very different to a
typical session on a PC and the user experience has
to reflect that. Secondly, how users expect to interact
with Apps is very different to how they expect to
interact with a website; if you’re trying to put
everything on a single page you’re going to struggle.
CIO: What are your favourite elements of the
product personally?
NOVEMBER 2012 61

ROLLER
NA: This is going to be a brand that focuses on the
UK at first, but we’ll be actively exploring taking the
offering into other regulated markets as and when
the time’s right.
NA: I’m still a sucker for the Roller Roulette game
after all these months of testing it! There’s something
incredibly satisfying about the way the wheel moves
under your finger like you’re spinning a record and
then getting the speed of the ball exactly the level
you want it. It feels intuitive from the word go and
really does immerse the user in a casino environment.
CIO: Other than the fact it’s on ipad/phone,
what makes this product stand out from
competing products?
NA: Outside of the specific features mentioned
earlier, it’s essentially that it looks, feels and plays like
it’s a really well designed and crafted app - that’s all
possible because it is an App. This is in contrast to
our competitors’ Apps which are websites displaying
in a ‘wrapper’. There’s nothing wrong with that
approach, but it’s a noticeably different experience
when you’re playing the games. In addition, I
think we have taken a really interesting route with
the brand by spending time working up the
identity for the product, looking across virtually
all of the 100+ brands in the market. It turns out
that 90% of them are pretty much
interchangeable – bright reds and greens, men in
tuxedos and flashing lights. We wanted to take a
more subtle and a more stylish approach, which
we thought would fit better with the kind of
consumer who typically owns this kind of device
CIO: How does Roller approach social media
and its integration into products?
NA: We’ve been building up our social media
presence over the past few months as we prepared for
launch and we’ve put social media right at the heart
of our big PR piece launching shortly. Watch this
space…
CIO: What are the immediate plans for other
platform support?
NA: We’ve currently got a really strong selection of
HTML5 games that you’ll be directed to if you access
the website from an Android device. We’d love to be
able to make the App available across other stores and
I’m sure we’ll be looking into this further over the
coming months, but current policy on gambling from
the Google Play store makes things quite difficult
CIO: Will this product reach out to other
territories?
CIO: What else do you think is achievable on
these tablet formats that people are missing?
NA: Up until now the real-money casino industry
hasn’t really embraced the technology available,
choosing to just transplant the desktop experience
(or in some cases the mobile phone experience) on
to the tablet. Whilst this has worked reasonably well
from a revenue perspective, customers are used to
playing these slick, beautiful, innovative games from
the App Stores that feel like they were completely
built around the iPad. There’s huge potential to
utilise the mobile device in interesting ways, be it
the camera, accelerometer, GPS, multi-touch
controls, microphone, etc. that you just don’t have
on a PC. We think we’ve made a great start with v1
of Roller Casino, but there’s a huge amount more
that we can still do.
CIO: Where do you see mobile gambling going
in the next few years?
NA: We’re already seeing percentages of bets being
placed on mobile across the UK bookmakers in the
30-40% range. This trend for migration from PC to
mobile devices is inevitably going to continue as
ownership gets even higher and customers become
more and more comfortable with mCommerce. Sports
has been the first battleground, but it’s going to be
the gaming products that we’re going to see
exploding over the next 2-3 years.
Roller is currently available in the UK only
from the Apple App Store
http://www.itunes.co.uk/apps/rollercasino.
Further information can be found at
rollercasino.com, on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RollerCasino and on Twitter
@rollercasinouk with #rollercasino. A HTML5
version is available at rollercasino.mobi for other
smartphone users and customers in the Republic
of Ireland.
62 NOVEMBER 2012

WHO’S WHO
Who’s who: Rob Gustafsson
This month: Rob Gustafsson, MD, Bodog88
How/when did you first get involved with the
gaming industry?
I have to put the blame at Patrik Selin’s door when he
was at Ongame / Pokerroom. Before this I barely even
knew online gaming existed and certainly not that it
was an industry about to explode across the world.
What attracts you to this sector?
It’s always evolving & never sits still; as soon as you’ve
created something new you need to be moving on to
the next thing, or at least trying to work out what
that might be.
What were you doing prior to the gaming
industry?
Before this I was in media. We were just a handful of
guys with an idea of how to re-invent the newspaper
and we came out with what is now the biggest
newspaper in the world: The Metro.
What are you responsible for at Bodog88?
As MD I oversee all aspects of the business but the
casino is around 80% of the business so obviously we
concentrate a lot of resource on that. I am lucky in
having a very strong team around me too and that is
reflected in our growth
What have been the biggest changes you’ve seen
in your time?
We’ve changed everything in a very short time – we
made plenty of mistakes when we first came into the
market but now we have a great product and
direction. But to pinpoint one thing it would have to
be starting our live dealer studio from scratch to
launch
What are the biggest positive factors for
your sector right now?
Our growth has been staggering and we will
shortly be rolling out our first B2B clients for
both poker and casino which is a completely
new direction for the brand as a whole.
Moving into new markets like Thailand &
Vietnam has also been very exciting as you
have to adapt your product for each country
& not attempt a ‘one size fits all’ as some have
done in the past
And the negatives ones – the obstacles to growth?
Legalities are a constant obstacle to our whole
industry, for every operator in every part of the world,
and Asia is no different. In time I think the industry
Favourite…
Movie: Slightly
unoriginal but it
has to be The
Godfather
Band: Hmmm, why
not… Swedish
House Mafia
Book: Anything by
Haruki Murakami
Pastime:
Discovering the
world and the fact
that
understanding
Asia is a major
part of my job is a
huge bonus
Pizza topping: Mozzarella and rucola salad
will be respected in Asia in the same way it currently
is in the UK but how long that will take is anybody’s
guess
Looking at your entire career, what do you think
was your smartest move?
Probably when I sold my Bwin stocks and then - of
course - when I joined Bodog.
And dumbest one?
Uprooting my whole family to take on a market I
knew very little about and hoping for the best.
Turned out OK thankfully!
Where do you hope you’ll be, professionally, in
ten years’ time?
Really want to stay in the Bodog family (but not keep
on working 80 to 90 hours a week). Might be more in
an advisory guise.
If you’d never embarked on this career, what
other line(s) of work would you have liked to
pursue?
Originally I wanted to
be a teacher and then
a skateboard pro, but
seriously I would have
continued in the
media industry.
NOVEMBER 2012 63

Wait no longer?
Online gaming may at last be coming to the U.S. and to more
European territories, writes Barnaby Page – but the news might not be
so good for those pinning their hopes on social
More details are emerging of the
Reid/Kyl bill which would
legalise online Poker in the US
– and will give a significant
first-mover advantage to
existing land-based operators.
It calls for each state to actively opt in to
legalised e-gaming via a majority vote in each
chamber of that state’s legislature. Once a state
has opted in, Native American tribal lands
within it can also choose to opt in.
Regulation will be the responsibility of an
Office of Online Poker Oversight (OOPO),
within the Department of Commerce. However,
many duties will be devolved to state regulators,
effectively giving the Nevada Gaming Control
Board significant control over the online Poker
business. If tribes wish to act as operators, they
will not be able to regulate themselves.
For two years, licences will be limited to
current land-based casino operators, although
not all that apply will necessarily be authorised.
Companies that were involved in the provision
of Internet gaming in the US after it was
effectively banned by the UIGEA law in 2006
will be excluded from the market for five years.
Poker will be taxed at 16 percent, of which 14
percent will go to the individual states and
tribes concerned, and two percent to the
federal government. However, it is unclear
whether this tax will be on wagers or on gross
gaming revenue.
And if the bill becomes law, it will be far from
an e-gaming free-for-all in the US. For example,
state governments will be expressly prohibited
from operating online casino or slot games,
although they will be allowed to continue to sell
lottery tickets over the Internet. International
pooling of liquidity by Poker operators will also
be prohibited, as will access to e-gaming via
computers or terminals in public places.
However, the controversial plan revealed in
an earlier draft to confiscate from consumers
the proceeds of wins on illegal e-gaming sites
has been dropped.
The bill is provisionally entitled the Internet
Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer
Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of
2012. It “strengthens” UIGEA in that it bans all
online gaming other than Poker.
Dutch courage
In the Netherlands, likewise, it seems that
legalised online gaming could at last be
drawing close.
More than half of the 40 online operators
warned in June to stop targeting Dutch
consumers have complied, according to regulator
the Dutch Gaming Authority (DGA). It says that
companies which earlier accounted for around
70 percent of the Dutch e-gaming market have
already stopped serving it or “have indicated that
on very short notice they will do so”.
The June warning told operators to stop using
.nl Web domains and to stop advertising in
Dutch media, or face fines. It followed a March
ruling in the country’s high court that
operators, rather than Internet service
providers, are responsible for ensuring that
Dutch consumers do not play on their Websites.
Now, says the DGA, those that have complied
with the warning are “more likely” than others
to be licensed if the Netherlands legalises e-
gaming. That process had got as far as the
drafting of regulations before the Dutch
government collapsed in April, but it is believed
that the justice ministry is now working on it
again and could release draft laws in early 2013.
It is speculated that Denmark’s rules, which tax
land-based casinos at a higher rate than online
operators, could be a model.
Currently, the government-controlled De
Lotto is the only legal gambling provider in the
Netherlands.
Elswhere in Europe, meanwhile, Hungary
looks set to regulate e-gaming as a way to
recoup the tax revenue it has lost from
sensationally banning nearly all slot machines
(although those in the country’s few casinos
will be permitted to remain).
Socially inadequate
Social gaming is highly vulnerable to
regulation, according to Global Betting and
Gaming Consultants (GBGC). Commenting on
a recent London conference, it said that
because of the low conversion rate from for-fun
play to real-money play, and the low revenue
per user when compared to online gambling,
social gaming could be hurt if it becomes
subject to regulations developed for e-gaming
such as “licensing by jurisdiction, independent
checks on technical standards, and know-yourcustomer
verification”.
Added the firm: “At present Facebook and
Apple are acting as quasi-regulators of the social
gaming sector, determining the requirements
and approving what can be run through their
platforms. But if individual jurisdictions begin
to look at social gaming and regulate it
individually, then social gaming will face the
same problems that have afflicted e-gaming.
“There are the increased licensing costs of
complying with multiple regulations, different
taxes being applied, and possible restrictions
on the type of games that can be offered. All of
this could restrict the liquidity, as it has done
with online Poker, and upon which some social
games do depend.”
Any requirement for external testing could
also impose significant costs, according to
GBGC, particularly since social games are
frequently updated.
NOVEMBER 2012 64

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