NEW DAWN - G3

Transcription

NEW DAWN - G3

THE BUSINESS FOR GAMES
www.G3imagazine.com
GLOBAL GAMES AND GAMING MAGAZINE I MAY 2012
MARKET REPORT
FIRST ARMENIA STUDY
PIQUING INTEREST
REVELLING IN A
NEW DAWN
ATLANTIC CITY OPENING
ISLE OF MAN
CAN THE ISLAND SUPPORT A
‘SUPER CASINO’ DEVELOPMENT?
EXCLUSIVE
HURLING STONES AT THE SKY
THE PHILIPPINES REPORT
DOWIPAND,LIPHOONAE ORD
TO YOUR
W
IPOD TOUCH TO VIE
UE
ISS
THE LATEST
G3 LAUNCHES INDUSTRY’S FIRST GAMING MAGAZINE APP
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By working with Large Animal Games to develop the
Lucky Cruise social casino, we are introducing entirely
new audiences to the casino gaming experience, thereby
demonstrating our ability to adapt our proven slot content
to the social gaming space, which we believe will be an
important driver in further engaging our land-based
customers’ current players and in attracting new players
to their facilities.
Orrin Edidin, President WMS Gaming - Pg 28
Contents
MAY 2012
REVELLING IN A NEW DAWN
G3 charts the excitement surrounding the opening of the Revel
casino resort and also anxiety for the future of the venue
Page 38
THE REAL POKER STARS IN FRANCE - PAGE 42
GALAXY TRIPLES PROFITS
PAGCOR FOUR YEAR GOAL
The opening of the Galaxy Macau
helps parent to extraordinary gains
PAGCOR aims for the second position
in the South East Asian gaming charts
PAGE 9
PAGE 16
IOM - NEW TIDE OF GAMING OPPORTUNITIES - PAGE 50
GOAN BOUYANCY THREAT
AUSTRIA’S BELGIAN DEAL
Changes to Goa’s licensing regime
could bring the industry to its knees
Casinos Austria International launches
website for domestic Belgian players
PAGE 12
PAGE 20
ARMENIA REPORT - PIQUING INTEREST - PAGE 56
ITALIAN GAMING FOCUS
Exclusive interviews from the
street and VLT sector - Pg 69
PENN STATE IN SECOND SPOT
Pennsylvania’s gaming expansion
has paid dividends - Pg 34
LATEST SANDS OPENING - P36
THE PHILIPPINES - SE ASIA MARKET REPORT - PAGE 62
May 2012 PAGE 3
Viewpoint
MAY 2012
MY ENEMY’S
DOTCOM IS
MY FRIEND
The interconnection of online and
traditional land-based gaming is
turning into a fascinating live
experiment, mixing regulation, taxes,
entrepreneurial opportunity and risk.
Chairing one of the panels at the ECA
conference at ICE in London, the topic
addressed this combination
of the medias, land-based
and online, asking a panel of
CASINO D’EVIAN
predominately operators if
IS ADAMANT THAT
they considered there to be a
positive outcome.
THE STANCE OF
Overwhelmingly the answer
was yes, but the caveats
MANY OPERATORS
were big ones. How do you
IN FRANCE TO
take your brand into an
international marketplace,
CHALLENGE THE
promote to a wider audience
BIG ONLINE
while competing with
established online giants.
GAMING
COMPANIES IS
FOLLY.
Starting positively, the
debate navigated to a point
at which the likelihood of a
casino operator, no matter
how large, taking its
business into competition with
bwin.party, PokerStars and 888.com,
was thought unpractical at all levels.
There had to be investment in a web
presence that set itself realistic targets.
Legislation also plays a crucial role,
determining the scale and type of
licensing opportunity. Restricting
markets to single monopolies obviously
provides advantages, while tying the
licence to land-based operations
restricts competition and offers
traditional gaming operators a route to
market. Belgium is interesting right
now as this link is working both ways,
with individual casinos setting up their
own websites; casinos such as Namur
linking themselves with existing online
providers PokerStars; and recently there
has been an online gaming company
buying a land-based licence in order to
offer its services into the Belgian online
gaming market.
Speaking this month to Casino Director,
Eric Perrin during the PokerStars event
at Casino d’Evian, he was adamant
that the stance of many operators to
challenge the big online gaming
companies was folly. His position was
clear, the disciplines are totally
different. Just as online gaming
companies know little to know about
running a land-based operation, how
can traditional gaming operators hope
to compete with online networks.
Mr. Perrin believes that the future is in
cooperation. Combining the marketing
reach and big brand pull of the online
giants with the talents of land-based to
offer an out-of-home experience to a
new but gaming savvy audience. There
was, however, a clear recognition that
you can’t offer this audience the same
experience, it has to be closely linked
to their digital gaming environment. To
this end the Casino d’Evian presents a
series of new technologies that have
only recently (during the recession)
been installed. It’s been a risky
proposition, but is obviously paying
dividends for Casino d’Evian.
Lewis Pek Editor - Tel: +44 (0) 1942 879 291, Email: [email protected]
John Slattery Commercial Director - Tel: +44 (0)7917 166471, Email: [email protected]
Phil Martin News Editor - Tel: +44 (0)161 236 6669 Email: [email protected]
Karen Southall G3 Spain - Associate Editor, Email: [email protected]
John Carroll G3 Germany, Email: [email protected]
Lisa Nichols Sub Editor, Gareth Irwin Senior Designer, Paul Jolleys Production Manager,
John Malin, David Addison, Bepi Mottes, Alexandre Rotenberg Contributors, Jennifer Pek Subscriptions Manager
John Pek Commercial Administrator, Cover Image Lightemotion - Revel Casino, Atlantic City, US
May 2012 PAGE 4
For sales enquiries contact: John Slattery, Tel: +44 (0)7917 166471 - Email: [email protected]
For editorial enquiries contact: Lewis Pek, Tel: +44 (0)1942 879 291 - Email: [email protected]
Gaming Publishing Limited, Samson House, 457 Manchester Road, Manchester M29 7BR, UK
Calendar
MAY - OCTOBER 2012
MAY 2012
ELA MEXICO
Date:
May 16-17, 2012
Location:
Centro Banamex, Av. Conscipto 311,
Col. Lomas de Sotelo, Del. Miguel
Hidalgo, 11200 Mexico D.F.
Show times:
Wednesday-Thursday 12:00-19:00.
Organiser:
Expoazar SA
Calle Elvira Mendez
Edificio Vallarino, 6th Floor,
Apartado 0816-05874, Panama City
Panama
Email: [email protected]
G2E ASIA 2012 (MACAU)
Date:
May 22-24, 2012
Location:
Venetian Casino and Hotel, Macau
Organiser:
Reed Exhibition Hong Kong,
39/F Hopewell Centre
183 Queen's Road East
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2965 1686
Email:
[email protected]
Web: www.g2eAsia.com
IGAMING SUPER SHOW
(IRELAND)
Date:
May 22-25, 2012
Location:
The RDS Dublin, Simmonscourt
(Halls 8), Ireland
Organiser:
iGaming Business
Tel: +44 (0) 207 954 3417
Web: www.igamingsupershow.com
JUNE 2012
MALTA IGAMING SEMINAR
Date: June 5-6, 2012
Location:
The Hilton Resort, Malta
Programme:
June 5th - 09:00 - 20:00+
June 6th - 10:00 - 14:30+
Organiser:
Swan Events, 2nd floor, Wellington
house
15a Leyton Green, Harpenden, Herts
AL5 2TG United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1582 767 254
Web:
ww.maltaigamingseminar.com
May 2012 PAGE 6
CIJUEGO PERU 2012
Date:
June 6-7, 2012
Location:
Hotel Westin Liberatador, Lima, Peru
Conference times:
09:00 - 12:00.
Organiser:
3A Producciones
Carrera 61 # 7 - 64 Oficina 102 B
Canavralego II Etapa
Cali, Colombia
Tel:+57 2 553 7681
Web: www.cijuego.com/peru
CANADIAN GAMING
SUMMIT 2012
Date:
June 11-13, 2012
Location:
Scotiabank Convention Centre,
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Organiser:
MediaEDGE Communications
5255 Yonge Street, Suite 1000
Toronto, Ontario M2N 6P4, Canada
Tel: +416 512 8186
Fax: 416 512 8344
Web: canadiangamingsummit.com
SAGSE GAMING
PANAMA 2012
Date:
June 27-28, 2012
Location:
ATLAPA Convention Center, Panama
City – Panama
Organiser:
Monografie SA, Avenida Alvear 1883
Loc. 21, Buenos Aires, Argentina
1129
Show times:
15:00 - 20:00.
Tel: +54 11 4805 4623
Fax: +54 11 4805 4791
Web: www.sagsepanama.com
JULY 2012
WORLD GAMING
EXECUTIVE SUMMIT 2012 &
GLOBAL LOTTERIES (SPAIN)
Date:
July 10-12, 2012
Location:
W Hotel, Barcelona, Spain
Organiser:
Terrapinn Ltd, Wren House, 43
Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8EL
Contact:
Sarah Pegden
Tel: +44 207 827 4171
Fax: +44 207 242 1508
Web: terrapinn.com/2012/wges
SALEX 2012 (BRAZIL)
Date:
July 24-26, 2012
Location:
Transamerica Expo Center,
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Organiser:
Games News Magazine, Rua Tome de
Souza 479, Alto de Lapa, Sao Paulo
Brazil CEP 05079-000
Tel: +55 11 3836 3271
Fax: +55 11 3641 2725
Web: www.salex.com.br
AUGUST 2012
AUSTRALIAN GAMING EXPO
2012
Date:
August 21-23, 2012
Location:
Sydney Convention & Exhibition
Centre
Organiser:
Gaming Technologies Association
Level 34, 50 Bridge Street
Sydney, Australia, NSW 2000
Tel: +61 2 8216 0931
Fax: +61 2 8216 0701
Web: www.austgamingexpo.com
SEPTEMBER 2012
ENTERTAINMENT ARENA
EXPO 2012 (ROMANIA)
Date:
September 12-14, 2012
Location:
Polivalent Hall, Bucharest, Romania
Organiser:
Anton Vlad, Expo 24 Romania
10 Cornelia St, Sector 4
Bucharest, Romania
Show times:
September 12-13: 10:00 - 17:00.
September 14: 10:00 - 15:00
Tel: +40 21 335 6681
Fax: +40 21 335 6680
Web: www.earena.ro
EUROPEAN CONFERENCE
ON GAMBLING STUDIES &
POLICY ISSUES (GREECE)
Date:
Location:
Club Hotel Casino Loutraki, Loutraki,
Organiser:
Pieter Remmers, Assissa,
Consultancy, PO Box 9150
Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1006 AD
Tel: +31 20 689 5989
Web: www.easg.org
CARIBBEAN GAMING SHOW
& CONFERENCE
(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Date:
Location:
Sans Souci Ports Convention Center,
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Organiser:
C&GS Group, Calle Mercator 424
San Borja, Lima, Peru
Tel: +51 981074807
Web: caribbeangamingshow.com
OCTOBER 2012
G2E 2012 (LAS VEGAS, US)
Date:
October 2-4, 2012
Location:
Sands Expo and Convention Center,
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Organiser:
Reed Exhibitions
Show times:
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Tel: +1 203-840-5626
Email:
[email protected]
Web: www.globalgamingexpo.com
EUROPEAN IGAMING
CONGRESS AND EXPO 2012
(SPAIN)
Date:
October 16-18, 2012
Location:
Fira Barcelona, Spain
Organiser:
Clarion Events
Contact:
Ewa Bakun
Tel: +44 (0) 207 384 8116
Email:
[email protected]
Web: www.eigexpo.com
ENADA ROME 2011 (ITALY)
Date:
October 17-19, 2012
Location:
New Rome Trade Fair, Via Eiffel snc,
00148 Ponte Galeria, Rome, Italy
Show times:
From 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Organiser:
Rimini Fiera Spa, Via Emilia 155,
Rimini 47900
Contact:
Carmen Zeolla
Tel: +39 0541 744 261
Web: www.en.enada.it
May 2012 PAGE 7
News
INTERNATIONAL UPDATE
DIE STEIGENDE ANZAHL CHINESISCHER
VIP-Spieler führte dazu, dass Crown, der im
Besitz von James Packer befindliche
Betreiber mit Sitz in Australien, bei seinen
führenden australischen Casinos, Crown in
Melbourne und Burswood in Perth, trotz
schwacher Verbraucherausgaben und trotz
Beeinträchtigungen durch
Renovierungsarbeiten ein Wachstum im
zweistelligen Bereich verzeichnen konnte.
DIE SPEKTAKULÄRE MARKTEINFÜHRUNG
von Galaxy Macau hat es der Galaxy
Entertainment Group erlaubt ihre Gewinne
auf HK$ 3 Mrd. (US $ 387 Mio. in 2011) zu
verdreifachen, die vollen Jahreseinnahmen
zu verdoppeln, und einen Anstieg des EBITDA um 158 Prozent zu erreichen, was für
das Unternehmen ein Rekordjahr bedeutet.
Dr. Che-woo Lui, Präsident von GEG
bemerkte: „Unsere außerordentlichen
Ergebnisse im vierten Quartal haben für den
Abschluss eines weiteren Rekordjahres für
die Galaxy Entertainment Group gesorgt,
was den beispielhaftes Management auf
der Grundlage unserer erfolgreichen "World
Class, Asian Heart"-Philosophie zu verdanken ist. Das Highlight des Jahres war
der erfolgreiche Start von Galaxy Macau.“
DIE KÜSTENSTADT GREAT YARMOUTH
wird am 27. April die Entscheidung treffen,
welcher Betreiber die Lizenz erhalten wird,
um die Vision des Stadtrates von einem
großen Casino zu realisieren. Dann nämlich
benennt der Lizenzierungsausschuss des
Stadtrates entweder Albert Jones oder
Patrick Duffy als Lizenznehmer, womit ein
fünf Jahre währender Prozess sein Ende
finden wird.
GENTING WILL £4 MIO. IN DIE
umfangreiche Renovierung seines Genting
Club in Manchester investieren, um die
bestehenden Einrichtungen an diesem
Standort auf den neuesten Stand zu bringen
und zu erweitern. Der Entertainment- und
Spielkomplex, früher als Circus Casino
bekannt, bleibt während der Arbeiten
geöffnet, die im Oktober abgeschlossen
werden sollen.
DIE BEIDEN RESSORTS IN SINGAPUR
generierten in den Monaten von April 2011
bis Januar 2012 Steuereinnahmen in Höhe
von sage und schreibe $ 900 Mio. Während
die Anzahl der Besuche einheimischer
Personen des Ressorts World Sentosa im
Jahre 2011 136.434 betrug, lag sie bei Sands
Marina Bay mit 137.259 lokalen Besuchern
im gleichen Jahr etwas darüber.
KONAMI GAMING UND DRGT HABEN
eine Vereinbarung unterzeichnet, in der es
um den Vertrieb, den Service und den
Verkauf von Konami-Glücksspielautomaten
an DRGT in drei europäischen
Schlüsselländern, Deutschland, Belgien und
Luxemburg geht.
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES BETRITT
zum ersten Mal den US VLT-Markt, nachdem das Unternehmen kürzlich von der
South Dakota Lottery die Genehmigungen
für sein Produkt Player’s World erhielt. Die
Erlangung der Genehmigung ist ein weiterer Meilenstein in der offensiven
Geschäftsstrategie von Aristocrat America,
die das Unternehmen über die letzten zehn
Jahr immer weiter vorangetrieben hat.
Galaxy triples its profits
The opening of Galaxy Macau
has enabled its parent company
to post extraordinary profits
The spectacular launch of Galaxy Macau,
has helped operator Galaxy Entertainment
Group triple its profits to HK$3bn
(US$387m in 2011), doubling full year
revenue and recording a 158 per cent rise
in EBITDA, pushing it to a record year.
Dr. Che-woo Lui, Chairman of GEG said:
“Our exceptional fourth quarter results
completed another record year for Galaxy
Entertainment Group, reflecting
exemplary management, underpinned by
“We have every
confidence that the
Group is uniquely
well positioned to
take advantage of
Macau’s enormous
growth potential
and play a leading
role in helping
Macau achieve its
goal of becoming
one of the leading
tourism
destinations in
Asia, and indeed,
the world.”
DR. CHE WOO.
our successful 'World Class, Asian Heart'
philosophy. The highlight of the year was
the successful opening of Galaxy Macau.
We are extremely pleased that Galaxy
Macau generated revenue of $16bn and
Adjusted EBITDA of $2.6bn in just seven
and a half months. Not only has Asia’s
newest and most exciting integrated resort
been a game changer for Macau, but it
has also elevated GEG to a whole new
level of profitability and cash generation.
“This bodes well for the Group's
prospects this year and beyond as we rollout our development strategy for Cotai’s
largest contiguous casino resort permitted
landbank,” said Dr. Che-woo Lui.
Crown keeps its China for
best double-digit growth
The 600 gaming table, 1,200 slot venue
brought in HK$7.6bn in revenue in the
fourth quarter and recently launched The
Pavilion, a new gaming area for the
premium mass gaming market.
An increase in Chinese VIP
players has seen Crown, the
Australia-based operator
owned by James Packer,
record double-digit growth at
its leading Australian casinos,
Crown in Melbourne and
Burswood in Perth, in the face
of soft consumer spending
and disruption caused by
renovation.
Galaxy’s Chief Executive Officer, Francis
Lui Yiu Tung, commented: “The market
will only get larger. We welcome other
properties in Cotai. We always ramp up
the game, so we’re positioned very well
into the future.”
Net profit reached A$274.4m
for the six months to
December 31, showing a huge
increase of 79 per cent from
the corresponding period last
year. Revenue for the half
year increased 24 per cent to
$1.49bn. Crown Chief
Executive Rowen Craigie said:
“Overall, the results for
Crown's wholly owned
Australian casinos, Crown
Melbourne and Burswood,
were reasonable, given the
challenging operating
Galaxy also said that it is ‘well positioned’
for phase two of its Cotai project, but
didn’t reveal any further information.
environment and the state of
the consumer economy.
Across the Crown Melbourne
and Burswood properties,
main floors generated revenue
growth of 5.5 per cent.”
He highlighted higher win
rates against VIPs at its
Australian casinos as being
key saying Crown would
continue to market to new
Chinese high-rollers to offset
competition from Singapore.
Dr. Che-woo Lui further added: “I am also
immensely proud of StarWorld’s
continuing success. Our flagship property
on the Macau Peninsula achieved another
record year building on its already market
leading ROI. It completed the year with its
14th consecutive quarter of Adjusted
EBITDA growth, registered its highest ever
VIP and mass gaming volumes and
continues to grow after the opening of
Galaxy Macau. StarWorld’s growth was
driven by its innovative and outstanding
product and service offer, and was
reinforced by synergies arising from the
opening of Galaxy Macau and shared
transport links.”
May 2012 PAGE 9
News
FÜR DIE AM WENIGSTEN PROFITABLEN
Yarmouth to name the ‘one’
Great Yarmouth Council is set to
announce the winner of its
large casino licence tender
PAGCOR (PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND
Gaming Corporation) der staatliche philippinische Glücksspielanbieter, prophezeit,
dass die Bruttoeinnahmen aus Glückspielen,
die in seinen integrierten Hotel- und
Casinobetrieben in Manila Bay generiert
werden, die aus Vegas und Singapur übertreffen werden, was die Einrichtung in nur vier
Jahren zum zweitprofitabelsten Casino
machen würde.
The seaside town of Great Yarmouth will
find out which operator will take forward
the council’s vision of a large casino
licence on April 27 when the borough
council’s licensing committee will name
either Albert Jones or Patrick Duffy as the
chosen licensee, bringing a five year
process to its conclusion.
Both are local businessmen; Mr. Jones
owns and operates the town’s Pleasure
Beach, whilst Mr. Duffy already runs the
existing Palace Casino venue.
As one of only eight localities to win the
chance to develop one of the new style
‘large’ licences complete with 150 £4,000
jackpot slots, Great Yarmouth was
expected to attract some international
interest or at least some interest from
established casino groups in the UK. The
fact that it has come down to two local
names has surprised the council.
Yarmouth Labour councillor Mick Castle
said: “With neither Norwich nor
Cambridge going for a large casino
licence, Yarmouth is still well placed to be
the casino capital for the east of
England.”
Charles Reynolds, cabinet member for
tourism, added: “The process has taken a
long time, but I do understand that there
have been a lot of i’s to dot and t’s to
cross. We have got two well-established
local businessmen competing for this; we
are getting to the end and the prospects
look very exciting.”
Mr. Jones wants to bring a casino facility
to the town’s Pleasure beach, which has
been open since 1909. His Pleasure &
Leisure Corporation wants to include a
casino as part of an entertainment
complex called ‘The Edge’ which will
comprise a cinema, bowling alley and
hotel as well as the casino itself. The plan
is to build this entertainment complex on
land that it already owns, directly
adjacent to the south of the current
Pleasure Beach site.
Mr. Duffy meanwhile wants to extend his
existing casino to provide a 3,000sq.ft
floor space, an arena and conference
centre, a multi-screen cinema, a quality
hotel, shops and restaurants.
The coastal town has missed out on its
original aim of being the first ‘large’
May 2012 PAGE 10
Casinos Ontarios ist das Aus gekommen. Sie
werden geschlossen, während die Ontario
Lottery and Gaming Corporation eine
enorme "Programmerweiterung" ankündigt,
die bis 2017 jedes Jahr $ 1,3 Mrd. an
Steuerneinnahmen generieren soll und die
Entstehung eines neuen Casinos im
Großraum Toronto vorsieht.
DAS FRANZÖSISCHE INNENMINISTERIUM
“The process has
taken a long time,
but I do understand
that there have
been a lot of i’s to
dot and t’s to cross.
We have got two
well-established
local businessmen
competing for this;
we are getting to
the end and the
prospects look very
exciting.”
CHARLES
REYNOLDS, Cabinet
Member for
Tourism.
casino to open. By the time the chosen
operator is even unveiled, Newham’s
Asper’s casino will have been open for
five months. In Hull, Apollo has been
named as the licence holder having been
the only applicant to join the bidding
process whilst Genting has won out in the
bid to operate the Solihull licence at the
NEC Exhibition Centre near Birmingham.
Genting has just been given the final
planning approval by Solihull Council
planners, which will now see Genting
Solihull develop Resort World@The NEC
with a 24-hour centre housing a cinema,
hotel, restaurants, bars, conference centre
and a discount factory outlet as well as a
casino.
Genting plans revamp of
central Manchester Club
Genting is to invest £4m into
an extensive renovation of its
Manchester's Genting Club,
which promises to update and
expand the venue’s existing
facilities.
The entertainment and
gaming complex - formerly
called the Circus Casino - will
stay open for the duration of
the refurbishment, which is
scheduled for completion in
October.
Work will include the creation
of a new VIP Salle Privee for
high-stakes gaming and a
more open reception area, as
well as expanded restaurant
and bar areas nearer to the
entrance. Elsewhere, a stage
will be installed in order to
facilitate more entertainment
and conferencing events. The
gewährte Ende März fünf neue Lizenzen,
womit die nationale Gesamtzahl auf 199
stieg. Drei der neuen Lizenzen gingen in die
Provinz Var im Südosten Frankreichs und die
beiden anderen in die Provinz Somme im
Norden des Landes.
CASINOS AUSTRIA WIRD IM BEREICH
des Online-Pokertisch in Belgien in Zukunft
mitmischen, nachdem die Online-Sparte
win2day eine A+ Lizenz erhalten hat, die es
ihr erlaubt Kunden in Belgien Online-Poker
und Online-Glücksspiele anzubieten.
Obwohl die Domain www.win2day.be noch
nicht live gegangen ist, nimmt sie direkt
durch die Website von Viage, Casinos
Austrias Casino-Entertainment-Einrichtung in
Brüssel den Verkehr auf.
DAS BULGARISCHE PARLAMENT HAT
jetzt das lang erwartete Glücksspielgesetz
verabschiedet, in dem es um die
Regulierung von Online-Glücksspielen in
Bulgarien und gestiegene Anforderungen in
Bezug auf Investitionen und die Kontrolle von
Glücksspielanbietern und Herstellern geht.
Die Legalisierung von Online-Spielen ist eine
bedeutende Veränderung, die Bulgarien in
die Reihen derjenigen Länder aufnimmt, die
solche Aktivitäten regulieren und die Qualität
der Dienstleistungen für den Kunden sicherstellen.
INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY
wurde als strategischer Partner von PlayCity
Casino genannt, ein alternatives
Entertainment-Unternehmen mit 20
Standorten mit Glücksspielautomaten in
ganz Mexiko. „IGT-Spiele sind die profitabelsten Glücksspielautomaten in Mexiko. Daher
wird uns dieses Strategieabkommen in die
Lage versetzen, unseren Kunden im ganzen
Land Spaß und unterhaltsames Spielerleben
anzubieten,“ sagte Emilio Vega Jimenez,
Betriebsleiter bei PlayCity Casino.
Genting Club will also provide
interactive table surfaces in
the bar and lounge.
Genting Club Manchester
general manager Debbie
Phillips said: “We already
have some of the best gaming
facilities in the city, and we
wanted to improve these for
the benefit of all our
customers.”
NACH DER ANKÜNDIGUNG, DASS
Einheimische die Casinoeinrichtungen nicht
betreten dürfen und dass neue, höhere
Kosten für Lizenzgebühren sowie ein
höheres Steuerniveau beschlossen werden,
ist das finanzielle Überleben der
Casinobranche in Goa bedroht. Obwohl die
Eintrittskosten von Rs 2000 auf Rs500
gesenkt wurden, werden die neuen
Initiativen, die als Teil des Etats für 2012/2013
angekündigt wurden, als schädlich für die
Branche angesehen.
News
UN INCREMENTO DE LOS JUGADORES
Goan buoyancy threatened
Changes to Goa’s licensing
regime could bring the regional
casino industry to its knees
The financial viability of Goa’s casino
industry is under threat following
announcements that locals will not be
allowed into casino properties alongside
the introduction of new, higher costs for
licencing fees and a higher level of
taxation. Despite the cost of entry being
reduced from Rs 2000 to Rs500, the new
initiatives, announced as part of the 2012
to 2013 budget, are seen as being
damaging to the industry. The state
government is increasing gaming tax by
five per cent to 15 per cent. It is also
increasing the annual fee on casinos from
15 lakh to 2.5 crore for onshore casinos
and from 5 crore to 6.5 crore for offshore
casino and increasing the minimum age
of entry to 21. Goa has 19 onshore and
offshore casinos.
Casino Association of Goa executive
Shrinivas Nayak said the increase in tax
could bring the industry to its knees.
“The increase of annual licences fees
from 15 lakh to 2.5 crore for onshore
BMM growing in
Asia-Pacific region
Testing company BMM International has
seen its Australia Asia-Pacific (APAC)
regional businesses, led by BMM Australia,
grow significantly in 2011. Martin Storm,
President and CEO of BMM International,
said: “This is a particularly impressive
performance by the Australian, Macau and
Singapore teams because our standards
and targets are so high, even after many
consecutive years of growth. Importantly,
we invested in resources and infrastructure
to service more regulators, manufacturers
and certify more products in 2012.”
Kirk White, Executive VP Operations,
Australia Asia-Pacific, added: “Over the past
12 months we have grown our client base
significantly in addition to strengthening our
regulatory relationships within the
Australian and Asia-Pacific regulated
gaming markets. Our business growth in
Australia, and more recently throughout
Asia, has been very satisfying and we
expect this to continue throughout 2012. For
BMM it’s all about meeting our goals in
quality, performance, transparency and
continuing our commitment to the industry.”
May 2012 PAGE 12
VIP chinos ha permitido a Crown, el operador con base en Australia propiedad de
James Packer, registrar un crecimiento
por encima del 10 por ciento en sus principales casinos australianos, Crown en
Melbourne y Burswood en Perth, a pesar
del bajo gasto de los consumidores y las
perturbaciones provocadas por la renovación.
EL ESPECTACULAR LANZAMIENTO DE
"The government
wants to promote
tourism but
discourages highspending tourists.
Parrikar is shutting
down existing
tourism for new
tourism.”
SHRINIVAS NAYAK,
Executive, Casino
Association of Goa.
casinos is unjustified and is like a slap on
investor faces,” he said. “The casino
industry already pays about 85 to 90 crore
per annum to the government, which is
the highest compared to any industry.”
Mr. Nayak said the move will lead to
many people casinos forcing its staff into
unemployment.
Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar
signed the initiatives in at the start of
April, saying that passes would be issued
by the district collector to potentially
allow rich locals into casinos.
Mr. Nayak though slammed the locals
ban as pointless and unwanted. “Less
than five per cent of the customers who
arrive at casinos are from Goa,” he
explained. “Some casinos will open
backdoors for the locals. What will you
do if you get a guest who wants to see
what a casino looks like? Will you stand
on the shore and tell him to go to the
casino and see for himself because you
are barred? There is no logic.”
Singapore’s licences pay
dividends for tax revenue
Singapore’s two integrated
resorts generated a whopping
$900m in tax revenues
between the months of April
2011 to January 2012.
In terms of visits by unique
local customers, Resorts World
Sentosa attracted 136,434 in
2011 whilst Sands Marina Bay
saw slightly higher attendance
with 137,259 unique local
visits over the year.
Acting Minister for the
Ministry of Community
Development, Youth and
Sports (MCYS) Chan Chun
Sing revealed there was an
overlap of around 30 per cent
of locals who had visited both
casino properties, estimating
that this meant around
200,000 Singaporeans had
visited the two casinos during
2011.
The Ministry is examining the
introduction of what it terms
‘circuit-breakers’ and
increasing third-party
exclusion for a small group of
problem gamblers. It will
study problem gambling
techniques in Holland, Austria
and Australia to do this.
Galaxy Macau ha ayudado al operador
Galaxy Entertainment Group a triplicar
sus beneficios hasta alcanzar los 3000
millones de HK$3 (387 millones de US$
en 2011), lo que supone doblar los ingresos anuales y registrar un aumento del
158 por ciento en EBITDA, algo que lo catapulta hasta cifras de año récord. El Dr.
Che-woo Lui, Presidente de GEG, afirmó:
«Nuestros excepcionales resultados del
cuarto trimestre pusieron el broche de
oro a otro año récord para Galaxy
Entertainment Group, lo que refleja una
actitud ejemplar por parte de la dirección
y enfatizada por nuestra exitosa filosofía
"Categoría mundial, corazón asiático". El
plato fuerte del año fue la exitosa inauguración de Galaxy Macau».
EL 27 DE ABRIL, COINCIDIENDO CON LA
reunión del Comité de licencias municipales, en la ciudad costera de Great
Yarmouth se conocerá qué operador llevará adelante la idea del consistorio
municipal de otorgar una licencia para
un gran casino. Uno de los dos, Albert
Jones o Patrick Duffy, será el elegido para
la licencia, lo que abrirá un proceso de
cinco años hasta la conclusión del
proyecto.
GENTING SE DISPONE A INVERTIR 4
millones de libras esterlinas en una
amplia renovación de su Genting Club de
Manchester que promete actualizar y
ampliar las instalaciones ya existentes.
Este complejo de entretenimiento y juego,
anteriormente conocido como Circus
Casino, se mantendrá abierto durante las
obras, cuya conclusión está prevista para
octubre.
LA VIABILIDAD FINANCIERA DEL SECTOR
de los casinos de Goa (India) está bajo
amenaza tras los anuncios de que los
habitantes locales no tendrán permitida
la entrada en recintos de casino, junto
con la introducción de unos nuevos
costes superiores a modo de tasas de
obtención de licencia y un nivel impositivo
más elevado. A pesar de que el coste de
la entrada se ha reducido de 2000 a 500
rupias, las nuevas iniciativas, anunciadas
como parte de los presupuestos 20122013, se consideran como perjudiciales
para el sector.
LOS DOS COMPLEJOS INTEGRADOS DE
Singapur han generado la enorme cantidad de 900 millones de $ en ingresos fiscales entre los meses de abril de 2011 y
enero de 2012. En términos de visitas por
parte de clientes únicos locales, Resorts
World Sentosa atrajo a 136 434 en 2011,
mientras que Sands Marina Bay registró
una asistencia ligeramente superior, con
137 259 visitantes únicos locales a lo
largo del año.
News
HA LLEGADO LA HORA FINAL PARA LOS
Falling at the border fences
Survival of the fittest in the
Canadian slots market sees the
axe fall in Greater Ontario Area
casinos de peor rendimiento de Ontario,
que están cerrando sus puertas a vez que
la Corporación de Juego y Loterías de
Ontario anuncia una amplia «expansión
del programa» que tiene previsto generar
1300 millones de $ cada año en
impuestos allá por el año 2017 y supondrá el desarrollo de un nuevo casino en la
región de Toronto.
PAGCOR (CORPORACIÓN DE JUEGO Y
The axe has fallen on Ontario’s poorest
performing casinos, which are being
closed as the Ontario Lottery and Gaming
Corporation announces a huge
‘programming expansion,’ which will
generate $1.3bn each year in tax by 2017,
and see a new casino developed in the
Greater Toronto Area.
Entretenimiento de Filipinas), el operador
del juego filipino operado por el Estado,
prevé que los ingresos brutos del juego
generados en sus complejos integrados
de hotel y casino en la bahía de Manila
superarán los de Las Vegas y Singapur, lo
que lo convertirá en el segundo casino
más rentable del mundo en el plazo de
cuatro años.
The lottery company confirmed it is
permanently closing its slot machine
operations at racetracks in the three
border communities of Windsor, Fort Erie
and Sarnia.
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES ESTÁ
OLG chairman Rod Phillips said that with
profit falling at the border casinos from
$800m in 2001 to $100m in 2011, their
viability in attracting nearby US players
was being called into question. Around 80
per cent of players had travelled across
the border from Detroit, but with the US
city opening three venues of its own, that
figure has dropped.
OLG President and CEO Rod Phillips said:
“While this was a difficult decision to
make, it was necessary. Fewer Americans
are crossing the border to play slot
machines at border sites. With OLG’s plan
to modernise the province’s lottery and
gaming sector, we will create some 2,300
net new industry jobs and about 4,000
service sector jobs. Gaming will be more
convenient for customers, profitable for
Ontario taxpayers and safer with the
expansion of our gold standard approach
to Responsible Gaming. In order to be
more responsive to our customers as we
modernise our business, we will expand,
relocate and contract OLG gaming sites.
These three site closures are difficult, but
are an important first step.”
OLG chairman Paul Godfrey said of the
new casino: “We are looking across all
Ontario. There will be gaming zone
developments where these kind of
facilities will be looked at but always in
consultation with the municipal council.
If a municipal council says to us they
don't want it, they won’t get it.”
The plan is for the new venue to generate
40 per cent of the $1.3bn each year in
tax. As well as suggesting a new project
in the Greater Toronto Area, the
‘modernising’ review suggests another
could be opened in Ottawa with the plan
being to have 29 casinos by 2018 with
expansions and consolidations.
May 2012 PAGE 14
“While this was a
difficult decision to
make, it was
necessary. Fewer
Americans are
crossing the border
to play slot
machines at border
sites.”
ROD PHILLIPS,
CEO and OLG
President.
By 2018 there will be 29 casinos
throughout the province — that includes
expansions and consolidations, said OLG
President and CEO Rod Phillips added:
“Overall, the plan creates 2,300 net new
jobs and a GTA facility would be a
significant portion of those.”
The operator is currently responsible for
23,000 slot machines, 500 gaming tables,
27 gaming facilities and 10,000 lottery
terminals.
Junkets to bring another
Singapore growth phase
The next step in growing
gaming revenues in Singapore
has just been taken with the
Casino Regulatory Authority
issuing its first junket-operator
licenses to two agents.
Genting Singapore, operator of
Resorts World Sentosa, has
stolen a led on its casino rival
Marina Bay Sands, by being
giving approval to work with
the two junket operators
having endorsed Malaysian
junket promoters Huang Yu
Kiung and Low Chong Aun.
The junket promoters referred
to as ‘international market
agents,’ have been granted a
one year licence, but can start
organising junkets
immediately. A further 12
applicants were rejected,
although the Casino
Regulatory Authority said it
was considering approving
more applications. Analysts
believe the approval of
junkets is key to the next
phase of growth for
Singapore’s casino sector.
A spokesman said Resorts
World Singapore was
‘delighted’ by the approval of
junket licenses. “The addition
of junket business for the
overseas VIP market will
bring a progressive new
source of high net-worth play
into our environment,” the
operator said. “This will bring
economic benefits for both
Resorts World Sentosa and
Singapore.”
OCBC Investment Research
analyst Carey Wong, added:
“The move is positive in the
sense that we now know for
sure that junkets are welcome
in Singapore, and their
experiences will help pave the
way for more approvals to
come. But without knowing
who these junkets are and
what parties they represent, it
is hard to figure out what sort
of impact they could have for
now. There are also a lot of
kinks that need to be ironed
out by the junket and casino
operators.”
realizando su primera introducción en el
mercado estadounidense de los terminales de videolotería tras haber recibido
recientemente de Loterías de Dakota del
Sur las aprobaciones necesarias para su
producto Player’s World. La obtención de
la aprobación es otro hito en la agresiva
estrategia empresarial de Aristocrat para
Estados Unidos, que ha supuesto un
importante impulso para la empresa
durante la pasada década.
EL MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR DE
Francia ha otorgado cinco licencias
nuevas a finales de marzo, lo que
aumenta el total nacional a 199. Tres de
ellas han ido a parar a la provincia de
Var, en el sureste de Francia, y dos a
Somme, al norte del país.
CASINOS AUSTRIA SE DISPONE A
sumarse a la mesa de póquer online de
Bélgica a resultas de la aprobación de su
división online win2day como titular de
una licencia A+, lo que le permite ofrecer
póquer online y juegos online a sus
clientes de Bélgica. Aunque todavía no
está activo, el dominio www.win2day.be
redirige el tráfico directamente a través
del sitio web de Viage, las instalaciones
recreativas de casino de Casinos Austria
en Bruselas.
EL PARLAMENTO BÚLGARO HA
aprobado por fin la tan esperada legislación sobre el juego, que supone la regulación del juego online en Bulgaria y el
incremento de los requisitos de inversión y
control para los operadores y fabricantes
del mercado del juego. La legalización del
juego remoto es un cambio importante
que coloca a Bulgaria entre los países
que tienen regulada esta actividad, lo que
garantiza la calidad de los servicios
prestados a los clientes.
I DUE RESORT INTEGRATI DI SINGAPORE
hanno generato introiti fiscali per un totale
di $900m, tra i mesi di aprile 2011 e gennaio 2012. Per ciò che riguarda le presenze dei clienti del luogo, Resorts World
Sentosa ha registrato 136.434 presenze
nel 2011, mentre Sands Marina Bay ha
attratto 137.259 clienti del luogo nel corso
dell'anno.
News
UN MAGGIORE NUMERO DI CLIENTI VIP
PAGCOR sets four year goal
PAGCOR to expand its business
in a bid to challenge for second
spot in gaming’s hierarchy
IL PARLAMENTO BULGARO HA
finalmente approvato la legge sui giochi
d'azzardo, che regola i giochi on-line in
Bulgaria, e che ha accentuato i controlli su
questo settore per aziende di gaming e
case produttrici. La legalizzazione del gaming a distanza rappresenta un cambiamento importante, e fa della Bulgaria uno
dei paesi che regolano questa attività ed
assicurano la qualità dei servizi ai clienti.
PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and
Gaming Corporation) the Philippine’s
state run gaming operator is predicting
that Gross Gaming Revenues generated at
its integrated hotel and casino
developments in Manila Bay will surpass
those from Vegas and Singapore, making
it the world’s second most profitable
casino destination within four years.
PAGCOR chairman Cristino Naguiat
believes that the Entertainment City
project will bring in US$10bn by 2016,
when all four of its split-license casinos
are fully operational. Eventually he
believes the project has the potential to
attract over 1m annual visitors and claim
at least a 10 per cent slice of the
US$120bn-a-year global casino industry.
With package tours, he predicts that The
Philippines will overtake Las Vegas and
Singapore, earning up to $12bn a year,
twice as much as Singapore and Las
Vegas. “This is easily achievable
considering that Singapore’s gaming
revenues reached $5.5bn in 2011 and is
targeted to hit $7bn this year,” he said.
“In Singapore, what do you do after
shopping? In the Philippines, we have
beaches. We have so much to offer.”
Resorts World Manila, the Philippines’
largest casino, confirmed at the start of
the year that it will develop a second
casino to be called Resorts World
Bayshore within Entertainment City in
partnership with Alliance Global Group at
a cost of US$1.1bn. The existing Resorts
World property is set to record visitation
levels of 5m and should announce record
profits this year.
The other operators developing in
Entertainment City are Belle Corp,
Universal Entertainment and Bloomberry
Resorts and Hotels. Belle Corp is set to
open US$1bn integrated casino and resort
facility Belle Grande Manila Bay this year.
With investment set at a minimum of
$1bn from each of the developments, the
overall Entertainment City will boasts a
capacity to accommodate 1m visitors.
The Manila bay project has also attracted
interest from Macau operators with Melco
Crown Entertainment strongly linked with
a US$1bn investment in the bay. To help
its chances of becoming the second most
profitable casino market in the world Mr.
Naguiat has said that the four cooperators will finance a P6bn toll road
May 2012 PAGE 16
cinesi ha portato a un aumento record del
fatturato di Crown, l'azienda australiana di
proprietà della James Packer, nei due casinò principali, Crown a Melbourne e
Burswood a Perth, nonostante una diminuzione della spesa dei clienti e i disturbi
causati dai lavori di ristrutturazione.
LA CITTÀ BALNEARE DI GREAT
“Any development
that involves
attracting tourists is
beneficial to our
program to boost
the tourism sector.
Pagcor’s
Entertainment City
would be beneficial
to Philippine
tourism.”
RAMON JIMENEZ,
Philippines Tourism
Secretary.
linking the three terminals of the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport.
PAGCOR’s GGR is being tipped to grow by
25 per cent to P45bn from P36bn in 2011
with the renegotiation of licences
expected to give the agency a bigger slice
of revenues. The key has been the
government’s eagerness to link gaming
with tourism. Senate President Juan
Ponce Enrile commented: “The gaming
industry, which is tied up with tourism, is
a very big source of employment and
other opportunities so I think we should
foster it. Otherwise, we will retard our
efforts to give our people a better life.
PAGCOR initially enhanced the creation of
hotels in Manila, kick-starting the creation
of the gaming industry. Today, it has
grown so that we are now competing
with the gaming centres of the world like
Las Vegas, Macau and other areas.”
Aristocrat launches its
first VLTs into US market
Aristocrat Technologies is
making its first entry into the
US VLT marketplace, having
recently received approvals for
its Player’s World product from
the South Dakota Lottery.
Earning the approval is
another milestone in Aristocrat
Americas’ aggressive business
strategy that has propelled the
company forward over the
past decade.
Aristocrat Americas COO
Seamus McGill said: “We are
confident players will quickly
recognise our Player’s World
By Demand product as a fun
game to play, and that
operators will quickly realise
the game is a player
favourite,” he said.
Aristocrat and its distributor,
Moss Gaming, will move
immediately to place Player’s
World By Demand games
throughout South Dakota,
where the product has
generated significant interest
from operators. Player’s World
By Demand brings six highly
successful low-line games in
three different player-selectable
denominations under one
umbrella in Aristocrat's first
ever multi-game product
package. Utilising Aristocrat’s
Easy Play Interface, players
can select their game and
denomination of choice on
screen with the option of
changing games and
denominations whenever they
wish.
Yarmouth scoprirà il 27 aprile l'azienda che
porterà avanti il progetto del consiglio
comunale, che prevede l'apertura di un
grande casinò. In quella data, il comitato
comunale preposto alle licenze darà l'incarico a Albert Jones oppure a Patrick Duffy,
portando a termine un processo durato
cinque anni.
GENTING PREVEDE DI INVESTIRE 4
milioni di sterline per la ristrutturazione del
proprio club a Manchester, rinnovando ed
espandendo le proprie risorse attuali. Il
complesso dedicato ai divertimenti e ai
giochi - un tempo conosciuto col nome di
Circus Casino - rimarrà aperto durante i
lavori di ristrutturazione, che si prevede termineranno in ottobre.
LA SOLVIBILITÀ FINANZIARIA DELL'
industria dei casinò a Goa è minacciata
dalle recenti rivelazioni riguardanti il fatto
che la gente del luogo non potrà avere
accesso ai casinò. Inoltre sono stati
introdotti dei nuovi costi per ottenere le
licenze e la pressione fiscale è aumentata.
Nonostante il biglietto d'ingresso sia stato
ridotto da Rs 2000 a Rs500, le nuove iniziative, che fanno parte del budget 2012 –
2013, sono considerate deleterie per questo
settore.
INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY
ha sido designada como socio estratégico
por PlayCity Casino, una empresa de
entretenimiento y juego alternativo que
cuenta con 20 instalaciones de tragaperras distribuidas por todo México. «Los juegos de IGT se encuentran entre las tragaperras de mejor rendimiento en México,
por lo que este acuerdo estratégico nos
permitirá suministrar diversión y experiencias de juego y entretenimiento a nuestros
clientes jugadores por todo el país», afirmó
Emilio Vega Jiménez, Director de
Operaciones de PlayCity Casino.
KONAMI GAMING E DRGT HANNO
firmato un accordo che prevede la distribuzione, la manutenzione e la vendita di
slot machines Konami a DRGT in tre importanti paesi europei – la Germania, il Belgio
e Lussemburgo.
News
I CASINÒ CON LE PEGGIORI
Easing way for Chinese play
Australia could move to relax
border controls to allow greater
numbers of Chinese players
Relaxing the nation’s tourist visa system
would allow more Chinese high rollers to
visit Australia, meaning they would spend
more money in its casinos and boost the
economy further by staying longer.
Australia’s 13 casinos, along with the
Australasian Casino Association, are also
pressing the government for a new system
whereby tourists willing to pay would be
allowed special priority processing by
immigration and customs officials in
Australian airports.
Last year saw record numbers of Chinese
visit Australia with 558,600 Chinese
visitors representing a 17 per cent
increase on the previous year. Chinese
visitors spent more than $3.8bn in
Australian casinos during 2011,
representing an increase of 15 per cent on
2010. Casinos in Sydney, Melbourne,
Perth, Adelaide and Darwin are all
upgrading their VIP facilities at a
combined cost of A$4.6bn as they attempt
to attract some of the astounding sums of
PAGCOR (PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND
Gaming Corporation), l'azienda statale filippina di gaming, prevede che le entrate
lorde generate dai casinò/hotel di Manila
Bay supereranno quelle di Vegas e
Singapore, e faranno di questa area la seconda destinazione al mondo per ciò che
riguarda i casinò, entro quattro anni.
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES È SUL
“Wherever possible,
the Immigration
Department offers
streamlined
processing to lowrisk clients, including
some independent
travellers and also
group travellers
from China through
a special scheme
arranged with the
People’s Republic.
CHRIS BOWEN,
Immigration
Minister.
money being spent by Chinese gamblers
in Macau. In a submission to the Federal
Government's Asian Century review, the
casinos are asking for multi-visit visas
and longer term visas for Chinese tourists,
clear and transparent decisions by
Immigration in visa applications for
Chinese tourists, an increase in the
number of Australian consulates opened
in China’s major cities, online visa
application accessible for Chinese visitors,
a user-pays faster immigration and
customs processing service at airports,
direct flights from China to Australia, and
more Australians learning Asian
languages.
Five new licences granted
Weike build strong
library of products for French casino sector
Singapore-based gaming company, Weike
Gaming Technology, continues to build its
strong game library, with the recent
release of two new game titles: Warrior
Mulan and Samurai King.
Andrew Masen, Weike’s VP of Slot
Gaming, commented: “We have now
established a core of successful games
that continues to develop a loyal following
with players that has been providing
outstanding performance numbers for our
operators. We are committed to building
on that strong foundation, in developing
and regularly releasing new and exciting
games.”
Gus Noble, Weike’s Senior Sales manager
in Macau, added: “We are very excited
about the success of Weike Games in
Macau, and the constant release of new
games to continue to build on our initial
success. One of our games, Oriental
Temptation, has produced record weekly
turnover and net win numbers for a major
casino in Macau.”
May 2012 PAGE 18
prestazioni dell'Ontario sono destinati alla
chiusura, dopo che l'ente che regola le lotterie e i giochi d'azzardo in Ontario ha
annunciato un grande ‘programma di
espansione’, che genererà 1,3 miliardi di
dollari in entrate fiscali annuali, entro il
2017; questo programma prevede la
costruzione di un nuovo casinò nei pressi di
Toronto.
The French Ministry of the
Interior issued five new
licences at the end of March
increasing the national total to
199 with three going to the Var
province in south east France
and two in Somme in the
north of the country.
Vikings Casino has been
awarded three of the licences
with one going to Joa Groupe
and one to an independent
businessman, Sébastien
Guivarch. Mr. Guivarch will
open a 50 slot venue complete
with a bowling alley by the
end of the year in Mer-lesBains. His investment on the
Picardy coast facing the
English Channel will amount
to €5m.
Vikings will develop a 50
machine venue further east
but still on the Picardy coast at
Fort-Mahon-Plage with an
opening scheduled for 2013.
Vikings will also build two
new casinos in Fréjus and
Sanary-sur-Mer. Each of these
will have 100 slots each. Luc
Le Borgne, General Director of
Vikings stated that the three
new licences will take the
group’s total to 10 casinos and
its estate of slots up by 50 per
cent to 750, making it the fifth
biggest operator in France.
Politicians in Sanary-sur-Mer
sued Joa Groupe in the
Administrative Courts for
pulling out of its development
in 2009 at the height of the
economic downturn. Having
generated around €42m in
Gross Gaming Revenue in
2011, Vikings is prepared to
invest more than €23m in its
three new properties. Laurent
Lassiaz, President of Joa,
based in Lyon, confirmed that
it will be opening a €23m, 75
slot casino in Seyne-sur-Mer
also in Var in a project that
will also see the construction
of a 700 seat theatre.
punto di fare la sua comparsa sul mercato
americano delle video lotterie, dopo che la
South Dakota Lottery ha approvato il suo
Player’s World. Questo successo rappresenta un'altra pietra miliare dell’aggressiva
strategia commerciale dell'azienda
Aristocrat in America, che ha fatto crescere
la società nel corso degli ultimi 10 anni.
Il ministero degli interni francese ha emesso 59 licenze alla fine di marzo, portando il
totale nazionale a 199; tre sono andate alla
provincia di Var, nel sud-est della Francia, e
due alla provincia di Somme, nel nord del
paese.
CASINOS AUSTRIA ENTRERÀ NEL
mercato del poker on-line in Belgio, dopo la
concessione di una licenza A+ alla sua
divisione on-line win2day. Questo permetterà all'azienda di offrire poker e giochi
d'azzardo on-line ai clienti del Belgio.
Nonostante non sia ancora attivato, il
dominio www.win2day.be conduce direttamente al sito web di Viage, il casinò della
Casinos Austria a Bruxelles.
L’AZIENDA INTERNATIONAL GAME
Technology ha instaurato un accordo di collaborazione strategica con PlayCity Casino,
un'azienda di gaming alternativo, con 20
locali in tutto il Messico. “I giochi IGT sono le
slot machines con le migliori prestazioni in
Messico, e questo è il motivo per cui questo
accordo strategico ci permetterà di offrire
un'esperienza di gaming divertente ai nostri
clienti in tutto il paese,” ha affermato Emilio
Vega Jimenez, direttore operativo di
PlayCity Casino.
LO SPETTACOLARE LANCIO DI GALAXY
Macau ha aiutato il gruppo Galaxy
Entertainment a triplicare i profitti, raggiungendo HK$3 miliardi (US$387m nel 2011),
raddoppiando gli introiti annuali e registrando un aumento del 158% nelle entrate
al lordo degli interessi, tasse, deprezzamenti e ammortizzazione; si è trattato di un
anno record. Dr. Che-woo Lui, presidente di
GEG, ha affermato: “I risultati eccezionali
dell'ultimo trimestre hanno confermato un
altro anno eccezionale per il gruppo Galaxy
Entertainment. Ciò è il risultato di una gestione esemplare, sostenuta dalla nostra
filosofia 'Classe mondiale, cuore asiatico’.
L'apertura di Galaxy Macau ha rappresentato il momento clou dell’anno.”
News
Austrians join Belgium deal
OPENBET HAS SIGNED A MULTI-YEAR,
Casinos Austria International
launches website for Belgian
players linked to Viage licence
Casinos Austria is to join the online poker
table in Belgium following the approval of
its online division win2day for an A+
license, allowing it to offer online poker
and online gambling games to customers
in Belgium.
Although not live yet the domain
www.win2day.be takes traffic straight
through to the website of Viage, Casinos
Austria’s casino entertainment facility in
Brussels. Win2day.at is the multichannel
gaming platform run jointly by Austrian
Lotteries and Casinos Austria. Win2day is
the fourth operator to receive an A+
license, alongside PartyPoker, Partouche
and Casino777. Win2day currently
operates the only Austria-only poker
room, which was launched in February
2003 to replace the existing WebClub.at,
which had already been online since
1998. The Austrian site is built using
GTECH G2 software.
Another online operator Goldenpalace.be
has been granted a B operator licence
having been promoted from the
provisional whitelist under the domain
gpwin.be and is based on the Ongame
Pokertek proves
robust performer
Annual revenue for PokerTek increased 10
per cent to US$6.5m in 2011 as growth in
the US, Europe and other international
markets was partially offset by a reduction
in Mexico. Changes to the environment in
Mexico forced the company to remove
tables. Fourth quarter revenue decreased
16 per cent to $1.3m in 2011 compared to
$1.6m in 2010 due primarily to Mexico.
Mark Roberson, CEO and CFO, said:
“Operating results for 2011 strengthened
significantly as we increased penetration in
our target markets, expanded our gross
margins and continued to focus on
reducing expenses. For the quarter, results
from continuing operations improved as
contribution from our target markets and
reductions in our operating expenses
offset the removal of games in Mexico
where we await regulatory clarification.”
May 2012 PAGE 20
The troubled Viage
location in the
Belgian capital has
gained approval for
an A+ licence,
allowing its to offer
online poker and
additional casino
games to
customers.
Network. The B+ license is for bricks
and mortar businesses that are already
operating gambling halls in Belgium.
Goldenpalace.be is one of 10 operators
with a B+ license.
French-born Partouche, which operates
four land-based casino in Belgium, has
already launched Partouche.be whilst
Casino de Namur has teamed up with
PokerStars via its Circus Groupe division
to offer Pokerstars.be.
Lucien Barriere thwarts a
transfer scam in Trouville
The Lucien Barrière casino in
Trouville-Sur-Mer, Normandy,
north west France was the
victim of an attempted
swindle, which could have
cost the venue €400,000.
On March 14, an employee of
Société Générale in Paris
received a phone call from a
man impersonating an
employee at the casino,
attempting to transfer
€396,000 of winnings to a
company in Georgia called
Virgo Holdings Corporate. A
document carrying the
casino’s branding and forged
signatures of the three leading
managers/directors of the
casino was sent through. An
employee of the bank received
several phone calls from
people claiming to be various
members of staff at the casino,
wanting to ensure the transfer
had been completed.
Suspecting a scam, the director
of the bank blocked the
transfer before contacting the
casino directly and reported
the matter to the judicial
police.
A police officer said: “This
type of scam has been
prevalent for around three
years in France. Several large
listed companies have already
fallen victim to it.”
multi-million pound new contract
extending its overall long-term relationship
with Ladbrokes in a deal that will see
OpenBet continue to supply Ladbrokes with
its sportsbook software and also sees
‘Ladbrokes commit to OpenBet’s ‘Online
Product Roadmap.’
Ladbrokes has also signed up to OpenBet’s
Remote Gaming Interface (RGI), giving
them access to a portfolio of content.
The OpenBet Sportsbook offers Ladbrokes
a flexible betting structure that can support
any sporting or non-sporting event via the
Internet, telephone, mobile, retail and
interactive TV, all through one centrallymanaged book. OpenBet’s platform
provides operators with a complete endto-end solution that gives operators control
over the whole betting process. Ladbrokes
has also committed to OpenBet’s Online
Product Roadmap which will deliver
improved overall online sportsbook
performance, reliability and scalability.
OpenBet Casino gives Ladbrokes the ability
to create a bespoke offering from over
1,200 games, including content from
OpenBet’s unique portfolio and games
delivered through OpenBet’s RGI which
enables third party game suppliers to
make their content available seamlessly.
Richard Glynn, Ladbrokes CEO said: “We’re
pleased to extend our long-standing
relationship with OpenBet through a more
flexible agreement which offers revenue
opportunities to both parties and increases
the range of games we offer. This is
another step on the road to developing a
unique Ladbrokes customer experience.”
LOTTOMATICA’S GTECH CORPORATION
has signed a five-year contract extension
with the Oregon Lottery to continue
providing online/instants system
technology, self-service lottery products
and services, as well as new multimedia
messaging display units. The contract
extension will run through November 30,
2020, and is expected to generate total
revenues for Gtech of approximately
US$50m, commencing in the fourth quarter
of 2015. The Oregon Lottery has been a
valued Gtech customer since the Lottery’s
inception in 1985.
“We are very proud of our partnership with
the Oregon Lottery, which dates back to the
startup of the Lottery in 1985,” said Gtech
President and CEO Jaymin B. Patel. Under
the terms of the contract extension, the firm
will provide a wide array of digital
advertising display units, increasing the
Oregon Lottery’s brand and jackpot
awareness across retailers throughout the
state. Gtech will continue providing
services for the Lottery’s Enterprise Series
central system; 3,500 online terminals; as
well as for its 400 Lottery To Go machines
and 3,500 Ticket-Scan machines.
Additionally, it will continue to provide
marketing support and field services.
News
MARC ATTAL, MANAGING
Rank ends talks with Gala
Rank terminates takeover talks
with Gala Coral that would
have created a new UK leader
The Rank Group, which owns the
Grosvenor and G Casino brands in Britian
as well as the Mecca Bingo brand, has
terminated talks with rival gambling
company Gala Coral regarding a deal
which would have made Rank the biggest
gambling operator in the UK.
Rank confirmed that it has been in
discussions to buy Gala since January for
a reported £250m but that it has now
pulled out of any deal. Chief Executive
Ian Burke revealed that the proposed
terms would not have delivered value to
shareholders and that the path forward
for Rank would see it concentrate on
expanding its own business.
Mr. Burke said: ‘'Rank remains
committed to delivering sustainable
growth in shareholder value; the
proposed terms of the potential
acquisition did not achieve this objective.
We will now concentrate on delivering
our organic growth plans, including the
delivery of 12 more G casinos by 2015.”
Rank was being tipped for reinvestment
following its eight per cent rise in firsthalf pre-tax profit, having succeeded in
attracting a younger customer base to its
iGaming Malta
announces dates
Organisers of The Malta iGaming Seminar
(MiGS|12) have announced that this year’s
event will take place on June 5th and 6th
at the Hilton Malta. Now in its fourth year,
MiGS has established itself as a ‘must
attend’ event for senior level executives
representing every facet of the global
iGaming industry. The event’s organisation
and structure is designed to facilitate
networking, fact finding and securing
advice from industry leaders. Content for
the panel sessions is driven by attendee
requests, so lively and topical debate is
guaranteed. MiGS|12 is organised by
gaming events specialist Swan Events and
supported by a number of leading
businesses, including BMIT, Greentube,
Megabyte Ltd and RE/MAX Malta.
May 2012 PAGE 22
Rank’s failure to
agree a price with
Gala has seen
London Clubs
International
appoint Goldman
Sachs to counsel
on a possible deal
involving its 13
casinos including
several high-end
Mayfair properties
and the Playboy
brand. LCI is
currently owned by
Caesars
Entertainment.
Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo halls
with more bars and restaurants.
“We have attracted significantly more
customers under 35 and more women,”
Mr. Burke said. Attendance at Rank’s
casinos increased by 61,000 to 762,000
customers whilst visitors to Mecca Bingo
increased by 50,000 to 770,000.
A takeover of Gala would have seen Rank
add 24 casinos to its existing estate of 35
casinos easily surpassing Genting as the
biggest UK casino operator. The deal
would have allowed debt-burdened Gala
Coral to concentrate on its bingo and
bookmaking brands.
WMS joins growing list of
Nevada online potentials
WMS Gaming has submitted
an application to the State
Gaming Control Board (SGCB)
for an interactive gaming
licence in the State of Nevada.
Orrin Edidin, President of
WMS, said: “The filing of
WMS' interactive gaming
application with the SGCB in
Nevada represents an
important milestone in our
efforts to support our
customers' needs with a full
array of products and
managed services in the
online and interactive arenas.
By leveraging our
understanding of players'
entertainment needs and
preferences with our expertise
in creating compelling content
and solutions, we have made
significant progress in our
development of a technology
and entertainment content
base that will help our
customers unlock the
emerging opportunities
provided through online
capabilities.
“With the success and
experience we have in online
and interactive gaming through our award-winning
UK-based JackpotParty.com
online casino; our popular,
player-appealing Lucky Cruise
social casino found on
Facebook and our classic slot
content for mobile and other
casual play users - WMS is
well positioned to help our
customers move forward with
confidence,” Edidin added.
Director for SPIELO
International Casino
Systems, has appointed Lai
Fatt Chiang as General
Manager of Casino Systems
for Asia Pacific. Based in
Malaysia, Lai Fatt Chiang
has 10 years’ experience in
all aspects of the gaming
industry in Asia. His past
experience includes his role
as Group General Manager
at RGB International, as well as three years
with SPIELO International’s games division.
“The appointment of Lai Fatt Chiang, who
reports to Casino System’s International
Sales Director Fivos Polymniou,
demonstrates SPIELO’s ongoing
commitment to increasing support for its
existing casino systems customers in Asia,”
stated Mr. Attal. “Our intent is to strengthen
the partnerships with our established incountry distributor channels throughout the
region. Future appointments will add
further expertise to this growing team.”
In addition, Marcel Heutmekers, SPIELO
International Senior Director and General
Manager, Asia and Latin America, has
announced the appointment of Maria
Garcia as Director of Sales for Asia (Casino
Games). Based in Macau, Garcia has been
a well-respected distributor for several slot
manufacturers in the region since 2006.
KONAMI GAMING IS TO ADOPT IGT’S
Universal Game Adaptor (UGA) for an IGT
systems solution to enable IGT's Service
Window functionality on Konami slot
machines. This technology allows IGT's
system to manage Picture-in-Picture
functionality on enabled Konami machines.
It caters to the immediate needs of casino
customers, as it is a great resource for
operators who are not yet ready to move
to a full, open standards-based games-tosystems (G2S) floor, or intend to mix legacy
slot machines with newer, native G2S
machines. These communication features
allow operators to deliver floor-wide
bonuses, loyalty programs and services to
players directly in the primary game
window instead of the traditional
interactive LCD. Similarly, Konami Casino
Management System (KCMS) will be able
to manage the Picture-in-Picture
capabilities on enabled IGT slot machines
using the UGA.
“We are very excited to join with IGT in
utilising the UGA on Konami slot
machines,” said Steve Sutherland,
COO/EVP of Konami Gaming. “This
technology will deliver new ways for
operators to communicate with their
players. We are also pleased to join in the
push to have a more collaborative
relationship with our competitors that we
hope will shape the industry moving
forward.”
Konami and IGT customers will be able to
utilise the GSA standards, to interface and
preserve the game's touch screen display
integrity, promoting supportability. This
solution preserves the game provider's
ability to continuously innovate while
ensuring that their game internals are not
compromised.
News
Proof of the future
Dallmeier delivers the latest state-of-theart security system to the UK’s newest
casino star, Aspers Westfield Stratford
Dallmeier has installed a high-tech video surveillance
solution at Britain’s largest casino, the Aspers
Westfield Stratford City Casino.
Opened in December 2011 and located at Westfield
Stratford City, in the heart of east London, the Aspers
Westfield Stratford City Casino represents a new
casino model in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The
casino currently has 50 gaming tables, 150 gaming
machines, 100 electronic gaming terminals, a sports
book as well as bars and restaurants with views
overlooking the 2012 Olympic park.
Dallmeier, in partnership with Grace James Security,
have installed the largest CCTV system in any UK
casino. The state-of-the-art Dallmeier SeMSy system
installed at the Aspers’ casino is both innovative and
one of the most user-friendlly systems on the market
according to David Livermore, Group Security and
Surveillance Manager for Aspers Casino Group. He
said that the product was specifically chosen for its
user-friendly interface, its intuitive operation and the
recognised after-sales service provided by “A
company that really knows casinos,” commented Mr.
Livermore.
SeMSy III is a high-performance and future-proof
video management system with highest reliability,
achieved through an elaborate redundancy concept. It
offers a comprehensive range of functions, including
the display of live images, various search options
within the footage, the control of PTZ cameras and
an easy archiving of relevant sequences.
Over the years,
Dallmeier has
repeatedly given
fresh impetus to
the market with
new developments
and innovations.
The world’s first
DVR for example,
which introduced
digital recording to
the entire CCTV
industry, came
from Dallmeier. The
multi-sensor
system Panomera
will have a similarly
groundbreaking
effect: This unique
camera technology
has the potential to
revolutionise the
market and open
up completely new
possibilities to the
video security
industry. This and
the extensive
experience in the
CCTV and IP field
have led to a top
position in the
international
market for digital
video surveillance
systems.
The cameras’ pictures are recorded on several DMX
1600 Smatrix. The Smatrix is a hybrid VideoIP
appliance with integrated storage system. It is
characterised by its space-saving design as well as by
its low power consumption and low thermal output.
It is ideally suited for applications requiring highspeed recording, expanded storage capacity and low
power consumption while ensuring maximum
security.
May 2012 PAGE 23
News
Paving the Internet Highway
The Bulgarian government
approves new measures to
allow gambling on the Internet
ELECTRONCEK, THE MANUFACTURER
The Bulgarian Parliament has now
adopted the long expected Law on
Gambling, which will see the regulation
of online gaming in Bulgaria and
increased requirements for investment
and control for gaming operators and
manufacturers.
The new gaming law aims to be a step
forward in modernising the regulatory
framework, which allows new
technologies to be applied to the gaming
market in Bulgaria and furthermore will
allow operators to offer more advanced
and more innovative products to their
customers. The legalisation of remote
gaming is an important change, which
ranks Bulgaria among the countries
regulating this activity and ensuring the
quality of services to their customers.
According to the Bulgarian Gaming
Association (BTAMOGI), the new gaming
law will have a big impact on both
operators and manufacturers. “The high
requirements for operators who have to
prove their investment and to increase the
minimum number of gaming equipment
will lead to the closure of a number of
gaming halls, which cannot meet these
requirements,” it warned. “Meanwhile
other operators will purchase new
equipment in order to meet requirements
and this will make the market more
dynamic during the next 18 months.”
The new gaming law also foresees
increased requirements for manufacturers,
who will now have to prove the initial
investments and recourses for licensing.
The BTAMOGI spokesperson added: “The
process of development, implementation
and manufacturing of products for the
gaming industry is complicated and
requires insurability and security of the
gaming equipment. This can be achieved
only by investing in major developments
and testing in independent laboratories.
In addition to the above requirements for
the manufacturers an increased control of
the gaming equipment distribution is
foreseen by the law.”
The market environment in Bulgaria has
stagnated due to the challenges facing
operators. This is dictated not only by the
fact that less is being spent by consumers,
but also that the state and tax policy are
proving restrictive to the business. They
dramatically increased the tax rates for
gambling by 70 per cent two years ago,
May 2012 PAGE 24
“The requirements
for operators who
have to prove their
investment and to
increase the
minimum number
of gaming
equipment will lead
to the closure of a
number of gaming
halls, which cannot
meet these
requirements,”
BTAMOGI.
which led to the value of the sector
decreasing by 40 per cent. The Gaming
Law sets new requirements for the
investments, an increased minimum of
the gaming seats, etc., which will lead to
further displacement in the industry.
The legal operation of online games and
betting will also change product supply
on the market, where players will have
new options to choose from. These
factors will change the market, where
operators will have to learn how to work
in this new environment.
Demand forces Konami
into Las Vegas expansion
Having seen strong growth in
sales, Konami Gaming is
expanding its Las Vegas
headquarters.
Steve Sutherland, Chief
Operating Officer at Konami
Gaming, said: “We have
simply outgrown the space we
are in, so we are moving our
growing Systems group to an
adjacent building to provide
both groups, Systems and
Games, with more room to
operate,” said Sutherland. In
total, Konami is picking-up
approximately 25,000 square
feet of needed office space.
Konami’s success on the
games side of the business has
been driven by its Podium,
Podium Slant, Advantage 5,
and Advantage Revolution
cabinets. Popular themes
include Electrifying Riches,
Fire of the East and Rock
Around the Clock.
Mr. Sutherland added: “We
continue to see strong double
digit ship share figures on the
games side of our business,
and the demand for our
industry-leading system,
KCMS, continues to grow as
customers learn more about
its unparalleled reliability and
marketing horsepower. In fact,
we were recently selected to
replace existing systems with
KCMS at several casinos in the
markets we serve. If we
continue to stay focused on
putting out solid games and
systems products and
supporting them with worldclass customer service,
hopefully we will be
expanding again in the
future.”
Ross O’Hanley, Vice President,
Domestic Game Sales, added
that Konami would continue
to unveil innovative products
with the launch of the all-new
Fortune Chaser multi-level
progressive game and
Dynamic 5 cabinet in 2012.
of gaming products by Interblock, has
announced the signing of a
distributorship agreement with South
African company, Atomic Gaming.
Through extensive research by the largest
independent distributor of gaming
equipment in Africa, Atomic Gaming
explored various options in search of a
manufacturer of premium automated and
semi-automated table games. Atomic
Gaming believes Interblock’s luxury
gaming products distinguish themselves
from competitors in all aspects.
“We are pleased to form this agreement
as it will strengthen us in our on-going
efforts to service our customers’ needs for
innovative and top performing gaming
products,” commented Cliff Lamberton,
MD at Atomic Gaming. “This agreement
will bring South African and African
customers automated and semiautomated table games of the G4
Organic Range by Interblock.”
“Signing this distribution agreement with
Atomic Gaming is the completion of a
new business relationship, new
development and focus. This gives us an
opportunity to enter a new market, where
Interblock is hoping for extensive
presence in the South African market,”
added Tomaz Zvipelj, CEO of Interblock.
DURING THE ELA SHOW IN MEXICO
this month, Merkur Gaming is to present
its latest games together with its partner
Jestronic. The highlight on the Merkur
stand will be the innovative themed
game ‘Cantinflas’ staring the hugely
popular Latin American character. Further
Cantinflas games are already in the
pipeline. In addition, Merkur will
showcase new games in the multigame
‘Games Unlimited’ series. All game
packages are available in the ergonomic
Vision Slant Top cabinet as well as the
casino-style cabinet ‘Premium Casino.’
Merkur’s latest cabinet is the ‘Highflyer’
with its ‘floating’ 26ins. top monitor. This
pioneering cabinet was specially
designed to enhance player comfort and
strengthen customer loyalty.
Merkur Gaming’s target is to present the
company as one of the leading
exponents in the sector and bring the
Merkur brand to the people of Latin
America. “We are confident that the
proven high-class quality of our products
will win over the guests of the ELA show,”
commented Thomas Niehenke, COO of
the Gauselmann Group.
News
DRGT to distribute Konami
Konami slots to hit Germany,
Belgium and Luxembourg
courtesy of DRGT distribution
WITH OVER 500 NEW INSTALLATIONS
Konami Gaming and DRGT have signed a
deal that will see distribution, service and
sales of Konami slot machines to DRGT in
three key European countries – namely
Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Now the combination of stepper slots (the
Advantage series) and video-based slots
(Podium) are available in three more
European countries. Added to this is the
premium cabinet – the Advantage
Revolution Premium which is a change to
the status quo as this new slot machine
features two high-definition video screens
combined with traditional mechanical
reels that switch back and forth to keep
players engaged and entertained longer.
The rotating reel box with three different
play areas creates a variety of bonus
game options – bringing a unique gaming
experience to any gaming location.
Jovica Perovic, Director of International
Sales at Konami Gaming, said: “Konami
Lone Butte adopts
Organic Roulette
Interblock has recently installed its Organic
Roulette at Lone Butte Casino in Chandler,
Arizona, where it will be providing players
with bets on a live game, but at a much
faster pace and with immediate pay outs.
Interblock's Organic Roulette is a fully
automated version of the roulette game.
Danny Ouellette, Sales Manager, for
Interblock USA said: “We are very excited
to place our first Organic Roulette bank of
games at Lone Butte Casino. The Arizona
market is very excited to have real roulette
in this format that brings the thrill of live
table games to the Arizona area. We look
forward to future opportunities with all
three of Gila River Casinos locations.”
“Gila River Casinos consistently strives to
offer our guests the most innovative
entertainment options available on the
market. Interblock’s new electronic table
was the perfect opportunity to provide
Lone Butte Casino’s guests a fresh and
exciting game,” added Carolyn Thompson,
General Manager for Lone Butte Casino.
May 2012 PAGE 26
“We are very proud
to be supporting
Konami in
Germany, Belgium
and Luxembourg.
We have already in
this short period of
time signed our first
agreement with a
German casino for
Konami slots.”
JOOST VAN
EGERAAT, DRGT.
and DRGT share many of the same
objectives, both providing slot products
that enhances casino patrons experience
and simultaneously provide operators
with new and unique games that will
increase revenue and drive businesses
forward. This agreement additionally
proves Konami’s continuous commitment
to expanding its product presence in
Europe by partnering with reputable and
well-established distributors to offer the
latest products to players throughout the
important markets in this territory.”
Ameristar announce take
over of Mojito Pointe in US
Ameristar Casinos is taking
over the construction of the
Mojito Pointe casino in Lake
Charles, Louisiana, having
bought out its owners Creative
Casinos for US$32.5m.
The resort, the last remaining
riverboat gaming license
available in Louisiana under
current law, will have 1,600
slots and 60 table games, a
hotel with at least 700 guest
rooms, an 18-hole golf course,
a swimming pool and spa and
other resort amenities.
Ameristar’s plans represent a
significant expansion of
Creative’s design, which
contemplated a 400-room
hotel. The existing license
conditions require Creative to
invest at least $400m in the
casino project, including the
development of a showroom
facility that Ameristar is
proposing to eliminate. In
seeking the approval of the
Louisiana Gaming Control
Board, Ameristar is proposing
an increase in the minimum
investment commitment to
$500m. Ameristar expects to
open the resort in mid-2014.
Gordon Kanofsky, Ameristar’s
Chief Executive Officer, said:
“We believe the development
of this project, which will
cater to patrons from the large
and growing Houston
metropolitan area as well as
other southeastern Texas and
southwestern Louisiana
communities, represents an
excellent opportunity for
Ameristar’s growth and
diversification. By bringing our
best-in-class approach to
casino development and the
guest experience to one of the
country’s largest but most
under-served gaming markets,
we believe we can create
incremental value for our
shareholders as well as
economic development and
jobs for the Lake Charles
community. We look forward
to sharing our vision for our
Lake Charles resort with the
Louisiana Gaming Control
Board as we seek its approval
to allow us to move forward
with this project.”
in North America and two majors
installations completed in Malaysia and
Macau, table progressive specialist DEQ’s
revenues from direct leasing grew by 82
per cent over the last year.
During the year up to November 30, 2011,
DEQ increased its installation base by 573
units and 84 units were either removed
during the year or were on free trials
yielding 489 net units worldwide. These net
units generated an average annual
recurring revenue of $3,500 per unit for a
total estimated $1.7m additional revenue.
Earle Hall, President and CEO of DEQ, said:
“With more than 1,500 units installed
worldwide, DEQ's products have proven
their acceptance and viability. With 573
new units installed in 2011 and two major
installations completed in Asia, we are very
confident in the potential growth of all of
our product lines in 2012. While the loss of
royalties from the Severn Project negatively
affected our cash position in 2011, our
accelerated growth has largely
compensated for this and we look to the
future with great excitement as we see the
growth in the US, Macau and other key
markets.”
GOLDEN NUGGET, THE OWNER OF THE
famous downtown Las Vegas casino of the
same name is positioning itself for
movement in the Nevada gaming online
sector by teaming up with a Chiligaming to
launch a free-play website within the next
Quarter. French-born Chiligaming will be
Golden Nugget’s exclusive online gaming
partner in anticipation of the legalisation of
online gaming in the US. Its proprietary
iGaming platform, which enables it to
connect to any poker platform or gaming
content provider, is a central feature of its
US proposition and is designed to both
facilitate swift entry into the market and
maximise options for the Golden Nugget.
Alexandre Dreyfus, Chiligaming's CEO and
Founder, said: “Chiligaming is thrilled to
partner with Golden Nugget, which has a
very strong brand presence across the US.
With its Las Vegas, Laughlin and Atlantic
City properties, it is ideally and uniquely
positioned for all of the online
developments that lie ahead.”
Golden Nugget’s Chairman and Owner,
Tilman Fertitta, added: “We started an
intensive process approximately nine
months ago and looked at more than a
dozen Internet gaming companies and
selected Alex and Chiligaming because
they were experienced in online gaming in
Europe and demonstrated incredible
passion, talent and knowledge which our
team found to far exceed their
competitors.”
News
GLI EUROPE HAS
Hitting online cruise control
WMS Gaming has teamed up
with Large Animal Games to
present its content on Facebook
WMS Gaming has joined Facebook with
its game content being used in The Lucky
Cruise social casino, which is being
distributed on the social networking site
by 6Waves/LOLApps.
Large Animal Games, an independent
creator of unique social and mobile
games has teamed up with WMS to
launch the S.S. Lucky Cruise, an
advanced luxury liner fuelled by luck. By
playing games and enlisting friends’ help,
players collect luck that powers the ship
to exotic destinations around the world.
Each port of call offers bonus games that
earn lucky charms. Charms allow players
to strategically influence game outcomes
in several ways, such as ‘nudging’ reels to
create new wins. In addition, players can
unlock new charms and destinations,
improve game outcomes and customise
their casino.
For Orrin Edidin, President of WMS, the
move into social networking was a
natural progression as WMS looks for
new players. “We joined forces with Large
Animal Games almost a year ago as part
of our initiatives to prove how WMS slot
content can be ‘socialised’ to attract new
audiences for WMS slot content at our
land-based customers’ casinos and to
partner with casino operators seeking to
enter the social casino space,” he
explained. “By working with Large
Animal Games, a world-class social
games company, to develop the Lucky
Cruise social casino, we are introducing
entirely new audiences to the casino
gaming experience, thereby demonstrating
our ability to adapt our proven slot
content to the social gaming space, which
we believe will be an important driver in
further engaging our land-based
customers’ current players and in
attracting new players to their facilities.”
Wade Tinney, CEO of Large Animal
Games, sees the combination of Large
Animal Games’ social game expertise and
WMS’ content as an opportunity to bring
the proven gaming innovation and
excitement that WMS has on casino floors
to the social game arena. “Lucky Cruise
offers instant recognition and playerappeal to fans of WMS’ leading game
content, but the strength of the design is
its appeal to social game audiences who
are not necessarily slot players,” said Mr.
Tinney. “Our play mechanics go far
beyond the one-dimensional nature of
May 2012 PAGE 28
“We are gaining
important insights
into the social
game space, and
the next generation
of players that will
lead to further
innovation.”
ORRIN EDIDIN,
President WMS.
other Facebook slot content, transforming
passive and solitary play into an active,
strategic and social experience involving a
suite of games. We’re already seeing this
broad appeal to online players as Lucky
Cruise is one of the most successful
games we have launched to date. Lucky
Cruise has already garnered tremendous
early success, as evidenced by the
number of monthly and daily active
users.”
Jim Ying, Senior VP of Publishing at 6L
added: “Lucky Cruise offers not only high
quality slot action, but adds a light
strategy component that has already
proven very popular. In addition, it’s
simply a more social experience than
other slot games in the market.”
IGT and PlayCity partner
in the Mexico City market
International Game Technology
has been named a strategic
partner by PlayCity Casino, an
alternative gaming
entertainment company with
20 slot properties throughout
Mexico. “IGT games are
among the best performing
slot machines in Mexico,
which is why this strategic
agreement will enable us to
deliver fun and entertaining
gaming experiences to our
players across the country,”
said Emilio Vega Jimenez,
director of operations at
PlayCity Casino.
IGT will provide PlayCity
Casino with the latest
technology in machines,
themes and systems, such as
the sbX casino management
solution and IGT Floor
Manager, allowing the casino
to have unlimited access to
more than 300 themes in IGT’s
game library, optimising the
games’ performance and
improving player experiences.
“Dan Mikesell, IGT regional
VP of sales for Latin America
stated: “This partnership
allows IGT to expand its
products throughout one of
the leading casino
entertainment companies in
Mexico while providing unique
gaming experiences to their
players.” PlayCity Casino will
have the tools and resources to
create a differentiated and
compelling gaming experience
for their players. IGT has
brought sbX to market with an
emphasis on interoperability,
and it is the industry’s first
GSA compliant server-based
solution.
announced plans for GLI
University’s 2012
European Roundtable.
The 2012 European
Roundtable will be
staged May 9-10 at the
Marriott Hotel in
Budapest, Hungary. The conference is
presented free of charge to regulators, and
registration is available now at
www.gaminglabs.com/euroundtable2012.
Room reservations are available at the
Budapest Marriott. “There have been many
dramatic developments in terrestrial
gaming, lotteries, and in iGaming over the
past year, and it is extremely important for
regulators to be continually educated on
developments that may affect their
jurisdictions,” said GLI Europe’s Managing
Director Martin Britton. “That is the whole
purpose behind our Roundtable series – to
bring regulators together to listen, learn and
share common experiences for the good of
the entire industry,” he added.
Last year’s European Roundtable drew
more than 40 regulators from 21 countries.
Many jurisdictions attended the Roundtable
for the first time in its seven-year history,
including Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary,
Montenegro, Poland and Romania.
“We strongly recommend that finance
ministers, CIOs, CTOs, iGaming regulators,
lottery regulators, gambling commissions
and gaming committees, security directors
and slot operations directors attend the
Roundtable. We are bringing in leading
experts to discuss today’s most relevant
topics, and we are confident these will be
two days extremely well spent by all
attendees,” Mr. Britton said.
Scheduled to present at the event is a mix
of the region’s most influential technology
experts, iGaming and land-based
regulators, leading suppliers and GLI staff. A
complete agenda will be released in the
near future.
FUTURELOGIC HAS
named Steve Zbin as
Customer Experience
Manager. In this
capacity, Mr. Zbin will act
as a valuable resource
and point of contact for
customers with inquiries
about technical or service-related issues
regarding FutureLogic products. This first-ofits-kind position in the gaming market
reaffirms FutureLogic’s superior customer
service program and assures world-class
support for existing customers, as well as
those just beginning to adopt the
company’s popular TITO printers and
promotional couponing solutions.
Nick Micalizzi, FutureLogic’s Vice President of
Sales and Marketing North America stated:
“As FutureLogic’s new Customer Experience
Manager, Steve will help solidify our stellar
reputation for customer service. His proven
record in gaming sales and management
and his educational background in
technology make him the ideal choice for
supporting our customers as they embrace
these innovative technologies.”
News
Oxford lands Oasis system
Aristocrat extends Oasis 360
system footprint into the New
England casino gaming market
Aristocrat’s Oasis 360 is expanding with
its first entry into New England at the
soon-to-open Oxford Casino. Oxford
Casino will celebrate its grand opening
this summer, and the casino has been
working with Las Vegas-based Silverton
Casino Hotel since last year to assist with
the preparation of the gaming floor,
property amenities, and the selection of a
casino management solution provider.
Craig Cavileer, President of Silverton
Casino Hotel, said comprehensive
customer management features is one of
the reasons they selected Oasis 360 along
with the flexibility needed to help retain a
competitive advantage. “As Silverton
continues to support and develop the
Seeben’s bingo
calling in Europe
Urbain Thewissen of Seeben exhibited the
Belgium-based company's latest bingo
machine, Daytona, on the stand of
Nationale Electronica at the Rimini show in
Italy. While the machine is currently in
homologation with SiQ, Seeben expects
approvals within the next few months, with
anticipation already building in the market
for a new bingo product in the Comma 6a
sector. Seeben has also developed the
machine for the Spanish market with two
versions applicable for both bar and
arcade markets and has confirmed that
national homologation for Spain is
complete, with individual autonomous
testing now underway. Mr. Thewissen also
revealed that Seeben has a further three
products undergoing testing for its
domestic market. The first approval is
expected to be iJack, a blackjack mutliplayer from Alfastreet that Seeben is
distributing across Belgium. “This is the first
high-quality black-jack multiplayer tested
in the Belgian casino and arcade market,”
stated Mr. Thewissen. “We are very excited
about its prospects in the Class I (casino)
and Class II (arcade) markets.” Expect
future announcements from Seeben soon,
including details of the company’s recent
success in Asia.
May 2012 PAGE 30
THE GOLDEN NUGGET ATLANTIC CITY
“We have said over
and over again that
we don’t sell
systems, we
develop
partnerships, and
for one of our longterm partners to
expand their trust
with us is very
gratifying.”
KELLY SHAW,
Aristocrat VP of
System Sales and
Marketing.
operations of Oxford Casino, Silverton, in
partnership with Oxford Casino, evaluated
several different slot systems, and found
that Aristocrat’s Oasis 360 casino
management system was the best fit for
the new casino in Oxford, Maine,” Mr.
Cavileer said.
Oxford Casino General Manager Jack
Sours said he is quite happy to be
working once again with the Oasis 360
system. “The system’s analytical tools, its
SpeedSolutions suite bonusing features,
and Aristocrat’s level of customer service
make Oasis 360 the right choice for
Oxford Casino,” he said.
Evolution awarded online
Class 4 Malta LGA licence
Evolution Gaming has been
awarded a Class 4 B2B
(Business-to-Business) Licence
by the Malta Lotteries &
Gaming Authority (LGA).
Although awarded as a B2B
licence to Evolution as a live
gaming platform provider, the
licence offers significant
business benefits to B2C
(Business-to-Consumer) clients
looking to stream Live Casino
services across Europe.
Previously the B2C gaming
operator also needed to have a
Malta LGA licence, but
following a legislative
amendment in 2011 this is no
longer the case. Currently,
Malta is the only full EU
Member State that explicitly
licenses and regulates B2B
providers separately from B2C
licensing. Malta also provides
significant tax advantages and
other business incentives for
gaming providers and clients.
According to Evolution, there
are numerous advantages in
choosing a Malta-licensed
platform provider. Firstly, risk
is reduced – by knowing with
certainty that the provider and
its games have met the
rigorous standards of a
reputable authority in an EU
jurisdiction, and that adequate
business continuity and
disaster recovery systems are
in place. Secondly, using a
B2B provider that is
specifically set up to service
the reporting and compliance
requirements of regulated
markets enables the B2C
operator to cut costs and
operational overheads. Allied
to this second point, the B2C
operator can benefit from
further significant legal and
commercial advantages
through clearer separation of
roles and a transfer of certain
responsibilities to the B2B
licensee.
is about to unveil an extensive US$150m
renovation project in order to bring guests
a more refined, modern resort experience
by transforming the failing Trump Marina
into a world-class premier resort
destination, restoring the strong Golden
Nugget brand, owner Tilman Fertitta is
fulfilling his promise to revitalise the Marina
District, bringing new energy and
economic promise to Atlantic City.
Mr. Fertitta’s commitment to Atlantic City's
renewal resulted in the transformation of
one of Atlantic City's properties into one
with a significant competitive advantage
and promise. “The transformative
renovation of the Golden Nugget will only
increase the awareness of the already
highly recognised Golden Nugget brand,”
explained Mr. Fertitta.
With the addition of several new signature
restaurant concepts, a six million dollar
salon and spa, plus new lounges and
clubs, gambling is only part of the multimillion dollar transformation.
The newly remodelled, 80,000 sq. ft.
casino floor features new carpet, modern
columns, light fixtures, rich fabrics and
hundreds of new slot games. A brand new
Poker Room offers 20 smoke-free tables
with a wide variety of games including No
Limit, Pot Limit, Texas hold 'em, 7 Stud,
Omaha and more.
THE GAMING
division of Scientific
Games has
announced that
Andrew Ludlow
decided to leave the
company at the end
of April to pursue
other opportunities. Steve Frater, Executive
Chairman of the Gaming division
commented, “Andrew was one of the cofounders of Games Media in 2003 and
has been instrumental in managing the
business through the many changes that
the industry has undergone. More recently
he has also played a key role in the
Barcrest business following its acquisition.
The company is indebted to Andrew for his
huge contribution and wishes him all the
best in the future.” Chris Sullivan (pictured)
has been appointed to the position of MD
for Barcrest and Games Media’s pub,
bingo and arcade businesses.
News
LOU RUDOLPH HAS
Forging ahead in Penn State
Latest Pennsylvania casino
opening helps push the state
into second spot in the US
Valley Forge Casino Resort has become
Pennsylvania’s 11th casino, unveiling its
vibrant, sophisticated US$150m look,
including an array of amenities, featuring
Pennsylvania’s most exclusive casino
floor, contemporary restaurants, bars and
nightclub.
Valley Forge Casino Resort is the region’s
only full-amenity gaming resort, featuring
486 guest rooms and suites. Business
travellers and conference-goers will find
everything they need, including
100,000 square feet of state-of-the-art
exhibit, meeting, conference and banquet
facilities. Overnight guests also can enjoy
Valley Forge’s signature fitness center and
spa. The newly rebranded Casino Tower
will feature 600 slots, along with 50 of the
best table games, including Blackjack,
Craps, Roulette, Pai Gow Poker and
Baccarat.
“Today is the culmination of so much
hard work by our team, local community
officials, private enterprise and the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board,”
said Valley Forge Casino Resort President
and CEO Saverio “Sal” R. Scheri III. “I’m
excited for our guests to experience the
Pennsylvania law
dictates that
anyone who wants
to gamble at Valley
Forge must spend
at least $10 in the
other facilities at the
Valley Forge
Convention Center,
including staying in
either of its two
hotels, eating in the
restaurants,
shopping in the two
retail outlets, or
relaxing in the spa.
sophisticated atmosphere that makes
Valley Forge Casino Resort a one-of-a-kind
destination in Southeast Pennsylvania.
This partnership has helped to open what
we believe is one of the finest gaming
resorts on the East Coast. When guests
step through our doors, they will be
stepping into the region’s most
sophisticated and intimate gaming
experience. We’re proud to be an active
member of our community, and we look
forward to doing everything we can to
help improve and enhance the quality of
living here in Montgomery County,”
Scheri said.
Casino chairman Ira Lubert added: “We
are different, not like the others in the
region. This has more of a well-run,
membership-club feel to it.”
APEX releases additional
GSA releases new
games for Magic Mobile
system standard APEX
gaming’s Magic Mobile
directly to the player and acts
The Gaming Standards Association has
released the latest update to its landmark
System To System (S2S) standard. The new
S2S v1.6 Message Protocol is a giant leap
forward and is designed so that software
can be downloaded to site controllers and
then installed on electronic gaming
machines, or EGMs, using GSA’s Game To
System (G2S) protocol. S2S v1.6 also
includes updates to the player tracking
functionality providing better alignment
with G2S. This also marks another
significant step in GSA's efforts to provide
support for Internet gaming. Operators
and suppliers will benefit from the new
standard as they seek to integrate player
activity from multiple gaming channels into
a single view of the player.
May 2011 PAGE 32
App was introduced to the
international market back at
the ICE in January, enabling
player favourite APEX games
to be played free-of-charge on
smartphones and tablets. The
application now has six games
for download with the latest
addition - Red Hot Fruits - a
very popular games that has
proven to be one of the all
time favourites amongst
players around the world.
Operators are increasingly
using this App as a marketing
tool. The App’s ‘Find Apex’
functionality informs players
as to where the latest APEX
land-based gaming machines
can be found. The platform
advertises tailored information
joined Suzo-Happ as
Regional Sales
Manager with
responsibility for OEM
sales to Italy, Greece
and Eastern Europe.
At the same time, the
European (EMEA) sales management team
has been restructured to reflect a renewed
focus on new market expansion, with
Harald Wagemaker promoted to Sales
Director. Mr. Wagemaker has already
amassed experienced as sales director
with responsibility for personnel, products,
distributors and growth strategies for
internationally-renown companies such as
Epson and will be making strong use of his
experience in his new position. Mr.
Rudolph previously supported JCM as
Sales Manager and interim Sales Director
in Europe.
Marcel Oelen, Managing Director for the
Suzo-Happ Group EMEA, commented: “The
Suzo-Happ Group has grown to be the
preferred spares and component supplier
to the gaming and amusement markets on
a global scale. Our future is very bright
given the additional opportunities as an
OEM supplier and new markets we are
reaching out to. The changes we have
made to our sales management team
correspond perfectly to our strategy.”
The Suzo Happ Group is a company
strongly positioned to support all the
industry’s needs for spares and
components. The diversification of gaming
markets around the globe, however,
places a real challenge on component and
spares suppliers. Manufacturers are
increasingly turning to suppliers with a
global focus to reflect their own company
strategies. This strategy - coupled with the
long-standing reputation for quality, service
and pricing - has both made the SuzoHapp Group the number one international
spares and component supplier to the
gaming and amusement industries and
explains further company growth.
as an excellent tool to attract
new customers. A further
essential point is that the
games on Magic Mobile use
exactly the same mathematics
as the APEX games in landbased operations.
The Suzo-Happ Group demonstrates its
commitment by supporting both
manufacturers and end users. New
products are welcomed more quickly to the
market and new ideas can be researched
and then developed into next generation
products that fit operator requirements.
Johannes Weissengruber, CEO
and founder of APEX gaming,
said: “Our strategy reaches out
to both players and operators.
As we use exactly the same
mathematics, this is an
excellent introduction to new
players. Consequently, both
regular and new players can
find the nearest land-based
APEX games should they wish
to play the games on our stateof-the-art gaming machines
when using ‘Find APEX’.”
An ever-growing R&D department in
Europe makes use of the high-tech
production site in China. Therefore, the
Suzo-Happ Group is in the position to not
only supply the industry with the largest
and highest quality choice of spares and
components - Suzo-Happ can also
manufacture components specifically for
manufacturers - thus opening the door to
production in China and managed
completely by Suzo-Happ. Naturally the
products and solutions of the Suzo-Happ
Group are spreading to new markets too.
Insight
PENNSYLVANIA GAMING
PENN STATE TAKES
SECOND SPOT IN US
Pennsylvania’s decision to expand its gaming footprint is paying
major dividends as revenues surpass New Jersey
A new monthly record for Pennsylvania's
eleven casinos has seen it cement its
place as the United States’ second top
earning casino market, surpassing New
Jersey and second only to Nevada. The
State’s casinos generated more than
US$233.1m in gross slot machine revenue
during March, its highest monthly total
since Pennsylvania's first casino opened
in November 2006. Pennsylvania actually
surpassed New Jersey in July 2011.
Analysts claim its casino sector is capable
of generating US$3.66bn compared to a
$3.3bn market for New Jersey.
increased from nearly $590.8m in the first
quarter of 2011 to about $638.9m in the
first quarter of 2012. These figures don’t
include Valley Forge Casino Resort, which
opened on March 31. The most
impressive increases came at Sugarhouse,
VIRTUALLY EVERY
JURISIDICTION
WOULD KILL FOR
THAT KIND OF
GROWTH IN A
SLUGGISH
ECONOMY.
The previous personal best for
Pennsylvania was recorded in July when
the casinos brought in $218.3 m. Most of
the casinos in Pennsylvania brought in
more money from slots in the first quarter
of 2012, according to numbers from the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board,
when machine revenue increased by
about 8.3 per cent compared to the first
quarter of 2011. Only Harrah's Chester
Downs saw a decrease.
which saw a 25 per cent increase over
last March and Parx which posted an 8.7
per cent increase. Mohegan Sun at
Pocono Downs in Plains Township and
Mount Airy Casino Resort in Monroe
County both generated increases in GGR
of more than five per cent.
The market, which boasts 26,306 slots,
The best figures were recorded at Parx
May 2012 PAGE 34
“It shows that the
Pennsylvania
market is still
expanding. It just
shows that the
casinos are still
drawing more
patrons in.”
RICHARD
MCGARVEY,
spokesman for the
Pennsylvania
Gaming Control
Board.
Casino, which took in more than $37m in
slots revenue. Sands Casino Resort
Bethlehem came in second with slot
machine revenue increasing by 19 per
cent in March compared with the same
month a year ago. Sands raked in $28m
compared with $23.6m in 2011.
Joe Weinert, senior vice president of
Spectrum Gaming Group, described
Pennsylvania as being the ‘envy of the
casino industry.’
“Virtually every jurisdiction in the
country would kill for that kind of
growth, especially in a sluggish economy.
Pennsylvania is still in the growth mode.
It had slots opening and then table
openings and they reaped the benefits
and continue to add products in the
casinos. Pennsylvania simply has a lot of
attractive markets.”
The move into second place has been
completed in just six years. Pennsylvania
moved to legalise 14 slot-machine casinos
in July 2004 with Mohegan Sun, at
Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, becoming
the first to open in the state in 2006.
Valley Forge became the state’s 11th
casino when it opened in April. A second
casino is still to be finalised in
Philadelphia, whilst a resort planned for
Pittsburgh remains embroiled in litigation
with the remaining license tied to a yetto-be built racetrack.
Insight
ASPERS GROUP
ASPERS AT LARGE
IN MILTON KEYNES
Aspers snaps up a second ‘large’ casino licence in the UK with the
opportunity to develop a new casino within the Xscape complex
Having shown what can be achieved with
a new style ‘large’ licence at Westfield in
London, Aspers has been given the
opportunity to now shine in Milton
Keynes.
The award follows six years of planning,
meetings and discussions with Milton
Keynes Council, Aspers will get the
opportunity to develop a £10m casino at
the existing Xscape complex.
The council’s licensing sub-committee
said the winning bid was judged to
provide the best all round package to
Milton Keynes.
The new 3,391-square metre casino will
be located on the ground floor of Xscape
Milton Keynes, in the heart of the city’s
leisure quarter. The casino will be
accessed by a new external entrance
created on the southern elevation of the
Xscape building.
Milton Keynes’ Licensing Committee has
recognised that our bid delivers the best
operator in the best location within the
best development. We now look forward
to turning our dream for Aspers MK into
reality over the coming months.”
ASPERS WILL
ANNUALLY
DONATE £500K
EVERY YEAR THE
CASINO IS IN
OPERATION FOR
THE COUNCIL TO
SPEND LOCALLY.
Aspers MK will create 250 jobs. Xscape
already includes an indoor real snow
slope, rock climbing, indoor skydiving,
bowling, 16 screen Cineworld cinema,
bars, lifestyle shopping, restaurants and
cafes.
PY Gerbeau, Chief Executive of X-Leisure,
owners of Xscape, added: “Since arriving
in MK in 2000, our focus has always been
to deliver a first class entertainment
experience. Working with Aspers, who are
a well-respected market leader in the
casino industry with an established and
proven track record, we’re very much
looking forward to welcoming the new
casino as part of the Xscape experience.”
Damian Aspinall, Chairman of Aspers,
said: “We are delighted that, after a
detailed and comprehensive assessment,
Aspers’ philosophy is that there should be
something for everyone, providing live
gaming and all-round entertainment in a
“We are delighted
that, after a
detailed and
comprehensive
assessment, Milton
Keynes’ Licensing
Committee has
recognized that our
bid delivers the
best operator in the
best location within
the best
development. We
now look forward
to turning our
dream for Aspers
MK into reality over
the coming
months.”
DAMIAN ASPINALL,
Chairman of
Aspers.
stylish environment. The widespread
appeal of this approach is clearly
demonstrated in the successful launch of
Aspers Westfield Stratford City. Since
opening in December 2011, this casino
has already become the most popular,
and most visited, in the country.
As such the new Aspers MK will provide
a relaxed live gaming experience with
many exciting and impressive facilities,
including gaming tables, electronic
gaming, slots, poker, casual dining
restaurant and bar, entertainment area
and a Sports Bar.
Aspers will make an annual donation of
at least £500K for every year the casino is
in operation, which the council will spend
on the local community with new
initiatives.
This outcome has been the result of two
years’ work by a small team of council
officers and advisors who enabled all
three applicants to carefully construct
their final bids. Aspers beat off bids from
Apollo and Grosvenor to secure its second
of the new licences.
Councillors were provided with details of
the projects under nine different
headings, and had to make the final
decision to ensure a quality product
would be delivered by the winner. Milton
Keynes’s location in the South East
Midlands benefits from more than 8m
people living within a one hour drive, so
the Borough is considered a good location
for casino development. Milton Keynes
was one of eight places in the UK given
the right to build a large licence casino by
the Gambling Act 2005.
May 2012 PAGE 35
Insight
COTAI STRIP
MAY THE FOURTH
BE WITH YOU
The opening of the Sands Cotai Central marks the next chapter in
the remarkable story of the world’s largest tourism project
Las Vegas Sands has opened its fourth
casino in the burgeoning market of
Macau with Sands Cotai Central flinging
its doors open on April 11 with 1,800
hotel rooms.
Located at the centre of the Cotai Strip
and directly across from Sands China’s
Venetian and Plaza Casino properties, the
13.7m sq. ft. integrated resort is to feature
two casinos amounting to 300,000sq.ft of
gaming space and a host of entertainment
amenities and attractions when
completed.
Once completed next year it will boast
5,800 hotel rooms under the brands
Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn,
surpassing the 3,000 rooms of the nearby
Venetian by a substantial margin, making
it in many analysts’ eyes the biggest
gaming resort in the world. The number
of rooms at Sands Cotai Central is clearly
a key part of its business model. It is
already being described as the ‘biggest
tourism project in the world’ and a ‘game
changer’ by those who see the casino as
bringing much more than simply extra
VIP Baccarat tables to a part of Macau
that Sands China chairman Sheldon
Adelson described as nothing more than a
‘swamp’ before its redevelopment.
“There were few believers in my vision
for the Cotai Strip when the site was
May 2012 PAGE 36
basically under water,” Mr. Adelson
explained. “The land was reserved for a
fireworks factory. No one believed that
this was a viable place for an integrated
resort. With the completion of Sands
Cotai Central, that same spot will be
home to thousands of hotel rooms,
millions of square feet of retail, meeting
and convention space, dozens of
restaurants and so many other attractions.
The opening of Sands Cotai Central is a
game changer for the future of Macau as
a leisure, entertainment and business
location. We are proudly looking forward
to introducing visitors from around the
world to the largest integrated resort
development ever constructed. We're
going to make Macau a city of business,
conventions and leisure tourism.”
During the first phase of the property’s
launch, more than 600 rooms and suites
under the Conrad hotel brand and more
than 1,200 rooms from Holiday Inn were
unveiled. It also officially opened its
meeting, convention and retail space,
which, the company said, marks another
milestone in the company’s efforts to help
Macau ‘reach its full potential,’ with more
than $8bn invested to date.
Cotai Central will eventually host two
themed casinos called Himalaya and
Pacifica. Himalaya opened in phase one
with 600 slots, 216 gaming tables and
“We are witnessing
a historic moment
with the opening of
Sands Cotai
Central. The Cotai
Strip is the largest
tourism project on
the planet. People
said it couldn’t be
done; but we have
shown that nothing
is impossible. We
made a promise to
Macau to develop
integrated resorts
with non-gaming
attractions to bring
in a more diverse
demographic of
visitors; and that’s
exactly what we’ve
delivered.”
SHELDON
ADELSON,
Chairman,
Sands China.
four semi-automated gaming tables
connected to 200 player terminals. A
further 150 VIP tables can be found at the
Paiza, Cotai Central’s dedicated area for
VIP premium and junket players. Sands
wants to bring a further 200 tables to
Pacifica when it opens in the third
quarter.
Sands China president and CEO Edward
Tracy revealed the focus for the new
casino resort would be on mass-market
hospitality and gaming, adding that
Macau was a supply driven market. “It’s
a market that has been driven, since its
inception, by capacity,” she said. “The
addition of hotel rooms, casino capacity
and retail and entertainment is going to
drive significant growth. It's our mission
to create more reasons for visitors to
come to Macau and to stay longer once
they arrive, firmly establishing Macau as
Asia’s must-visit business and leisure
destination. The addition of our
approximately 6,000 new rooms and
suites to the market represents a 26 per
cent increase in Macau’s hotel capacity.
And those 6,000 rooms represent a new
diversity of accommodation offering on
the Cotai Strip, opening the way for a
much wider demographic of overnight
visitor and meeting and convention
attendee.”
In total, the massive, three-tower resort
spans 1,272,771 sq m, with a gaming
floor stretching 27,870 sq m. Sands’
previous opening in Macau, the Venetian
claims to be the sixth-largest building in
the world by area and the largest casino
in the world spanning 51,000 sq. m. Just
to add to the impressive statistics for the
Insight
COTAI STRIP
Takahiro Usui, Senior General Manager at
Aruze Gaming, said: “Sands is an
excellent partner for us because they have
shown a desire to provide opportunities
for newer suppliers in the market. Our
product performs well on their floors, and
as such we have received significant floor
share for the new Sands Cotai Central.
Sands is looking to differentiate their floor
with ‘something new’ and our product
performance makes that decision even
easier to make. Venues as a whole do not
want to rely on a single manufacturer as
a more diverse floor provides players with
a better atmosphere, more choices and
greater engagement. To make big
changes, operators must take big risks,
and this provides operators who are
willing to take such risks the opportunity
to become market leaders. Sands Cotai
Central has selected products across the
wide Aruze Gaming portfolio including
Lucky Big Wheel, Lucky Sic Bo, our
G-Deluxe games and our Innovator
Steppers with Radiant Reels.”
“To make big
changes, operators
must take big risks,
and this provides
operators who are
willing to take such
risks the
opportunity to
become market
leaders. Sands
Cotai Central has
selected products
across the wide
Aruze Gaming
portfolio including
Lucky Big Wheel,
Lucky Sic Bo, our GDeluxe games and
our Innovator
Steppers with
Radiant Reels.”
TAKAHIRO USUI,
Senior General
Manager, Aruze
Gaming.
new venue, Sands Cotai employs around
20,000 people and brings convention
space for more than 50,000 people.
Mr. Adelson was in no doubt. “We are
witnessing a historic moment with the
opening of Sands Cotai Central,” he said.
“The Cotai Strip is the largest tourism
project on the planet. People said it
couldn’t be done; but we have shown
that nothing is impossible. We made a
promise to Macau to develop integrated
resorts with non-gaming attractions to
bring in a more diverse demographic of
visitors; and that’s exactly what we’ve
delivered.”
The often troubled project took ten years
from concept to launch and had to clear
several financial and regulatory hurdles,
not least with the 2008 credit freeze and
global recession which reportedly pushed
Sands to the brink. With Macau’s GGR
surging by 42 per cent to a record
US$33.47bn in 2011, the main question
remains for how long can it maintain its
growth rate?
Las Vegas Sands President Michael Leven
believes the Macau has the potential to be
‘20 or 30 times bigger’ than what it
currently is. Deutsche Bank AG estimates
gambling revenue in Macau will rise 25
per cent this year, driven by more tourist
arrivals. Due to the new resorts, Sands is
likely to secure the biggest gains in
market share in Macau in 2012, with
Deutsche Bank expecting it to grow nine
percentage points to 24 per cent in the
fourth quarter from a year earlier. Stanley
Ho’s SJM could see market share drop
from 31 per cent in the second quarter of
2011 to 25 per cent in the fourth quarter
this year.
However rather than shun a new,
competing project, rival operators in
Macau have welcomed it, believing that
success for Sands would expand the
sector as a whole. Francis Lui, Deputy
Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group
said: “We welcome the competition and
we think this will bring more traffic to
Macau. It helps grow the market and
drive our business. When we launched
Galaxy Resorts last year, we grew the
market.”
That’s probably because the ‘build it and
they shall come’ ethos is still alive and
well in Macau. Over 84,000 people visited
Sands Cotai Central during the first six
hours of its opening with an outdoor
crowd over more than 5,000 people
watching the opening celebration.
Whether ‘they’ will come and stay could
prove pivotal to the evolution of Macau
towards a true destination.
Grand Central
The casino equipment install at Sands
Cotai Central saw a horde of slot
manufacturers competing for floor space.
Aristocrat led the way with roughly 40
per cent of the install whilst Aruze
provided the second biggest slot haul
with 17 per cent. The slot floor was
completed with games from Bally, IGT,
Ainsworth, Weike, Konami and SPIELO.
Terminals were provided from local
manufacturer LT Games and Alfastreet
whilst a quota of Interblock terminals
were moved across from the
interconnecting Venetian.
On the live gaming side, TCSJohnHuxley
supplied 13 Saturn roulette wheels and
over 600 layouts, along with a Chipper
Champ 2 chipper, 24 electronic sicbo
tables, 37 e-FX Elite Displays, 200 Omni
Baccarat displays and 13 Gaming Floor
Live analysis systems.
DEQ Systems added to the table
excitement by supplying 15 progressive
systems taking its total with Las Vegas
Sands in Macau to 53 while at the same
time connecting the fourth Sands’
property to Real Link. All 53 Progressives
in all four properties in Macau and the
Cotai Strip are connected to the same
jackpot.
Earle Hall, President and CEO of DEQ,
said: “We’re very proud of the
performance of Real Link in Macau at the
LVS Group. It goes without saying that
Real Link is managing a level of daily
transactions that are second to none in
the table game sector and the
performance of the system is exceptional.
The scalability and robustness of Real
Link gives a best of breed solution to all
of our clients to connect their table games
together to create more attractive, larger
jackpots.”
Gaming Partners International meanwhile
provided most of the casino currency.
Scott McCarthy, GPI’s Vice President of
Asia Sales said: “It’s always an honour to
be selected to work on a new casino
project and provide them with our
products in support of their opening.
Being selected to work with the dedicated
and talented teams at Las Vegas Sands
group is always an honour and helps our
products to push the envelope of what’s
come before.”
May 2012 PAGE 37
Insight
ATLANTIC CITY
REVELLING IN A
NEW DAWN
There’s excitement surrounding the opening of the Revel casino
resort and also anxiety for the future of the spectacular new venue
The dawn of a new era in Atlantic City
began at sun rise on April 2 with the
opening of the US$2.4bn Revel casino
resort, the 12th gaming property in the
AC market, and in many peoples’ eyes the
biggest if not the last hope to revive the
flagging east coast casino sector.
representatives of building trades,
construction and design partners and
media joined Revel Entertainment CEO
Kevin DeSanctis in kicking off an eightweek preview of the resort which will
lead up to a Memorial Day premiere
featuring concerts headlined by Beyoncé.
Located at the northern end of the
Boardwalk, next to the Showboat Casino
Hotel, Revel is the first casino to open in
Atlantic City since Borgata in 2003. Rising
high above the Atlantic City skyline, the
already iconic Revel development boasts a
47-story hotel tower that reaches 710 feet,
making it the second tallest structure in
New Jersey.
“We're treating the opening of Revel as a
Broadway play with an eight-week
preview,” DeSanctis, said. “It feels good
to be open. As far as the guest experience
and guest expectation, I think it will
really take a year before we find out how
this facility operates. If all we do is steal
market share from everyone else, I don’t
think that is a very good result.”
To make the most of the spectacular
sunrise over the ocean, Revel opened its
doors to its first guests at 7:00 a.m. with a
sunrise toast on the resort’s SkyGarden,
overlooking the Boardwalk and beach.
Interestingly, there is no mention of a
casino in the property’s title. It has
launched simply as Revel.
Lt. Governor of New Jersey Kim
Guadagno, state and local dignitaries,
May 2012 PAGE 38
Robert Andersen, Revel’s executive vice
president of project development, said:
“The vision was to be a little bit different
than what Atlantic City has been in the
“We're treating the
opening of Revel as
a Broadway play
with an eight-week
preview. It feels
good to be open.
As far as the guest
experience and
guest expectation, I
think it will really
take a year before
we find out how
this facility
operates. If all we
do is steal market
share from
everyone else, I
don’t think that is a
very good result.”
KEVIN DESANCTIS,
CEO, Revel
Entertainment.
past. The vision was to embrace the
ocean and Boardwalk. The building
mirrors the undulation of the ocean
itself.”
As such the mirrored exterior of the
beachside property reflects the waves of
the ocean with an abundance of whirling
curves. Revel certainly brings a very
different resort option to the Northeast.
The beachfront destination is smoke-free,
the first in AC, and will eventually feature
over 1,800 rooms with sweeping ocean
views when its hotel is fully open.
Designed to embrace its natural
surroundings, Revel has curated a
collection of daylife and nightlife
experiences crafted to bring the outside in
and the inside out. Indoor and outdoor
pools, gardens, lounges, and a 32,000square-foot spa provide the guests with a
relaxing resort.
Opening with the resort is Bask, Revel’s
spa + wellness concept; Ivan Kane’s
Royal Jelly Burlesque Nightclub; three of
14 restaurants including Jose Garces’
Distrito Cantina; Robert Wiedmaier’s
Mussel Bar; Lugo, an Italian brasserie
from LDV Hospitality and both theatres,
Insight
ATLANTIC CITY
Images courtesy of Lightemotion
The Social and Ovation Hall. The
nightclub experience, a key element in
attracting its crowd, will launch in the
summer with the 40,000-square-foot HQ
Nightclub and HQ Beach Club an
unprecedented daylife and nightlife
atmosphere spanning 45,000 square feet
of beachfront space. Their mission is to
elevate each experience to a new level.
“Revel has brought
a different
perspective to the
gaming floor,
transforming the
atmosphere from
one that focuses
attention on the
bright lights and
sounds of games
and machines, to
one that feels like a
theatre. The casino
is smoke free like
the rest of the
resort, and a place
you can use as a
stage to be seen,
or simply explore
what you see.”
MAUREEN SIMAN,
Marketing, Revel
Entertainment.
The main, if somewhat unmarketed,
component of Revel’s revenue streams, is
of course its gaming floor, despite it
accounting for just five per cent of the
overall footprint. Not that it’s small;
measuring some 130,000sq.ft., it is only
surpassed in the local market by gaming
floors at Harrah’s Resort and Bally’s
Atlantic City.
Revel’s casino, is open 24 hours a day
and features 2,439 slot machines, 97 table
games, 16 electronic tables and a poker
room with 37 tables overlooking the
gaming floor. The casino’s slot machines
have been split between eight gaming
suppliers with IGT, Bally, WMS,
Aristocrat, Konami, ACSlot, SPIELO and
Ainsworth all present.
On the live gaming side, TCSJohnHuxley
supplied 132 custom made gaming tables
to the Revel gaming floor including 10
Craps, 36 Hold Em Poker tables, one
Double Big 6 table, eight roulette tables,
55 blackjack tables, nine Midi Baccarat
tables and 13 specialty game tables. The
comprehensive deal also included Saturn
roulette wheels, displays and Chipper
Champ 2 chipper machines as well as
accessories and layouts.
THE VISION WAS
TO BE DIFFERENT
THAN WHAT
ATLANTIC CITY
HAS BEEN. TO
EMBRACE THE
OCEAN AND
BOARDWALK.
TCSJohnHuxley has also supplied two
banks of 12 Sabre terminals from Inspired
Gaming, all running off Saturn wheels.
Banks and interconnected to allow players
in both pits to play both wheels.
Roger Hawkins, CEO of the Americas for
TCSJohnHuxley said: “We’re delighted to
have been chosen to supply the live
gaming equipment for this fantastic new
project. Working with the team at Revel
has been a joy and I am looking forward
to making the trip over to the East Coast
to witness this new property in all its
glory. In addition, I’m excited that Revel
chose Inspired Gaming terminals to
satisfy their needs for customers looking
for an electronic solution for roulette.
This is hopefully one of many installs of
this new product for the United States
markets.”
Revel is also using the Epicentral Print
System from Eurocoin/TransAct across all
of its 2,427 slots having already installed
the Epic 950 as the exclusive printer of
choice.
Eurocoin’s Colin Veitch said: “The
selection of our Epicentral Print System
by Revel Casino Group in Atlantic City is
the latest in a series of clear
endorsements for both the TransAct
Epicentral Print System, and the Epic 950
printer hardware. European clients are
already familiar with the exceptional
reliability of the Epic 950 printer.
“Significantly, there is now a much
greater appreciation of the simplicity,
flexibility and cost-effectiveness of our
Epicentral Print System architecture,
which is totally tailored to drive genuine
benefits to our European and African
casino clients who operate 100 plus
machines. Our clients' marketing
departments are seeking to stimulate
players and encourage positive changes to
their performance and behaviour Epicentral Print System is exactly the tool
that they require,” stated Mr. Veitch.
Epicentral will allow Revel to internally
develop marketing programs and
promotional coupons to be distributed to
customers on a real-time basis at a slot
machine, regardless of the game’s
manufacturer, to drive increased revenue
and enhance their customers’ experience.
Gaming Partners International meanwhile
provided all the gaming chips and
produced tables for the high limit Ultra
Lounge.
Viewed from a different angle
Maureen Siman, marketing for Revel,
said: “Revel has brought a different
perspective to the gaming floor,
May 2012 PAGE 39
Insight
ATLANTIC CITY
OFF ALL THE
SEGMENTS OF
THE US CASINO
GAMING
INDUSTRY, THE
ATLANTIC CITY
MARKET IS AT
THE MOST RISK.
Lt. Governor of New
Jersey, Kim
Guadagno, and
Revel Entertainment
CEO, Kevin
DeSanctis,
welcome in a new
dawn for gaming in
Atlantic City.
“Given the physical
characteristics of
the facility and the
excitement
surrounding a new
casino, the Division
expects Revel’s
revenue results to
be strong. It will be
challenging,
however, for Revel
to generate the
revenue levels
projected in the
forecasts.”
NJCCC.
May 2012 PAGE 40
transforming the atmosphere from one
that focuses attention on the bright lights
and sounds of games and machines, to
one that feels like a theatre. The casino is
smoke free like the rest of the resort, and
a place you can use as a stage to be seen,
or simply explore what you see.”
Designed by theatre specialists, Scéno
Plus, the 130,000 square foot space feels
expansive with its high, open theatre style
ceiling, but also defines intimate
neighbourhoods.
“These neighbourhoods are casually
defined using clusters of oversized lantern
lights, hanging art, curtains of beads, and
lowered ceilings that mimic the sand
beach,” Siman explained. “The space is
programmable to set the tone throughout
the day with warm lighting in the
morning, and more intense nightclub-like
lighting in the evening. If you want this
world to be your stage, you will discover
a spot here that suits you, but if you
prefer being in the audience, explore a
little and you will find your niche.”
“We are very pleased with the public’s
overwhelmingly positive response to our
resort,” Siman added declining though to
give an estimate of opening day
attendance. “We are in preview mode and
we expected to experience issues, which
we did, and we are working to resolve
those issues. Overall, opening day for
Revel was a great success and we look
forward to the premiere weekend May 25
through 28.”
The opening follows major economic
problems for the local casino market,
which has been savaged by the cruel
combination of the recession and new
market openings in neighbouring states,
resulting in 40 consecutive months of
decline since August 2008.
Indeed, 2011 saw AC’s fifth year of annual
decline with GGR falling by a further
seven per cent from 2010 to $3.3bn. The
marketing leading Borgata, against which
Revel will pitch itself, was the only casino
to earn higher GGR in 2011 than 2010
with a total of $651.8 m.
Whilst some analysts believe bringing
something new to the market will boost
Atlantic City’s casino fortunes overall,
others believe there is only so much
spend to go around, and that some at the
lower end of the league of top performers
could be in trouble.
Deutsche Bank casino analyst Andrew
Zarnett, said: “While many believe new
capital investment may help revive
Atlantic City’s fortunes, we do not believe
new capital investment by itself will be a
game-changer for this market. In our
opinion, added competition from Revel
will eat into existing operators’ revenues,
as was the experience when the Borgata
opened in June 2003. Revel casino will
mostly cannibalise existing operators.
While Revel as a standalone property will
be impressive and drive strong visitation,
we are fearful that most of that traffic will
come from other Atlantic City casinos.”
On a more optimistic note, Israel Posner,
a casino analyst at The Richard Stockton
College of New Jersey, added: “Atlantic
City now joins a very elite group of resort
destinations around the world that
represent the best resorts in the world.
The city that was once a US hub for
casino gaming is now the hub for lifestyle
and resort entertainment.”
According to PriceWaterhouseCoopers,
Atlantic City will need more than Revel to
Insight
ATLANTIC CITY
“We’re delighted to
have been chosen
to supply the live
gaming equipment
for this fantastic
new project.
Working with the
team at Revel has
been a joy and I
am looking forward
to making the trip
over to the East
Coast to witness
this new property in
all its glory. In
addition, I’m
excited that Revel
chose Inspired
Gaming terminals
to satisfy their
needs for
customers looking
for an electronic
solution for roulette.
This is hopefully
one of many
installs of this new
product for the
United States
markets.”
ROGER HAWKINS,
TCSJohnHuxley.
reverse its trends. The analyst believes it
will be the only market to record lower
GGR in 2015 than 2010.
“Of all the segments of the US casino
gaming industry, the Atlantic City market
is at the greatest risk from the combined
impacts of economic uncertainty and
intensifying competitive pressures from
regional casinos. These worries are being
borne out by our projections, with
Atlantic City set to be the only segment of
the US market whose revenues will be
lower in 2015 than 2010,” the analyst
stated. “The underlying reason is that
Atlantic City attracts most of its patrons
from Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware
and Maryland and the opening of
racetrack casinos and regional casinos in
those markets has cut into Atlantic City’s
business.”
Having stalled for so long, Revel
completed a $1.15bn financing package in
February of this year which allowed
construction to be completed. Its
existence so far is emblematic of the
recession. Launched in a completely
different economic climate it soon fell foul
of the credit freeze with its chief financial
backer, Morgan Stanley, pulling out of the
venture in 2010. Without this support the
REVEL WILL EAT
INTO EXISTING
REVENUES, AS
WAS THE
EXPERTIENCE
WHEN THE
BORGATA
OPENED IN 2003.
project ran out of money and stalled.
However, Revel received $1.1bn in new
financing in early 2011 to complete its
construction with a $850m loan arranged
by JPMorgan Chase, $304.4m in notes
and $261.3m in state tax reimbursements
over the next 20 years.
Such was the importance to the city as a
whole that Revel be completed, New
Jersey’s Governor Christie was keen to
help out. However, Revel remains a
gamble due to this debt.
New York-based credit ratings Standard
and Poor’s has assigned a ‘negative
outlook’ to the casino’s debt and said it
begins life in a ‘vulnerable’ position.
“Our negative rating outlook on Revel
reflects our belief that Revel will be
challenged to generate the substantial
level of cash flow necessary to
accommodate debt service obligations
under its capital structure,” Standard and
Poor’s stated.
“Our assessment of Revel’s financial risk
profile as highly leveraged reflects our
belief that it will find it hard to ramp up
cash flow generation to a level sufficient
to satisfy debt service obligations under
the capital structure, and our expectation
for relatively weak credit measures.”
A report by the New Jersey Casino
Control Commission, also warned: “Given
the physical characteristics of the facility
and the excitement surrounding a new
casino, the Division expects Revel’s
revenue results to be strong. It will be
challenging, however, for Revel to
generate the revenue levels projected in
the forecasts.”
Revel’s chief investment officer, Michael
Garrity, countered: “We feel very
comfortable with the numbers we have. If
we can create a compelling enough
product and a compelling enough
experience, then our premise is that we
can do quite well.”
May 2012 PAGE 41
Focus
CASINO D’EVIAN
THE REAL POKER
STARS IN FRANCE
Technology is helping to drive the performance of Casino d’Evian, one of France’s
highest earning casinos and a location with big plans for the future
Casino d'Evian, located on the
picturesque lake Geneva, is the number
one independent casino in France.
Competing for custom with major groups
such as Barriere, Partouche, Joa and
Tranchant, Casino d'Evian is consistently
in the top 20 casinos in the country,
which from a collective 197 locations in
total, is an indicator of the success of this
indie performer.
Located in a traditional French spa town,
the first sites in France to be allowed
casino gaming, today Casino d'Evian
boasts 250 slot machines, nine gaming
tables (two French roulettes, three
American roulettes, three black jack, one
stud poker), attracting a split of 40 per
cent Swiss and 60 per cent French
players. The casino has four restaurants/
bars and a pub and was the first casino in
France to install IGT's sbX server-based
slots system, and the first to install
Gaming Partners International's RFID
Poker system. Casino Director Eric Perrin
is a self-confessed technology-fan,
May 2012 PAGE 42
The latest four day
poker tournament
at Casino d'Evian
took place March
22-25. The French
Gaming Board
operates a very
strict poker cash
game policy,
insisting upon a
four per cent rake
without capping.
The buy-in for the
PokerStars.fr event
is a minimum
€250, with little and
big blinds ranging
between €5 and
€55.
constantly looking to the next
development to drive the industry
forward.
The location of the casino, just 40
minutes from the financial capital of
Geneva, is perfect for the hi-roller crowd,
hence the two French roulette tables.
However, Casino d'Evian pointedly stages
a series of high visibility poker
tournaments throughout the year in
collaboration with PokerStars.fr and the
France Poker Series, drawing a variety of
players from across the nation, including
the biggest names in French poker. The
tournaments began in low-key fashion
with just two tables with the casino
working initially with Eurosports.
However, in its second year the casino
installed two RFID poker tables to offer
cash games live to players using this
technology for the first time. This year,
Casino d'Evian installed an additional two
tables with four large displays, housing
the tournament in a huge, beautiful, high
THE LOCATION,
JUST 40 MINUTES
FROM GENEVA, IS
PERFECT FOR
THE HI-ROLLER
CROWD.
ceilinged room that easily accommodates
staff, players and spectators. The room is,
however, separate from the rest of the
table games and even slots within the
casino, which is one of the few themed
French locations having adopted an
African style to its main slots floor.
The latest four day poker tournament at
Casino d'Evian took place March 22-25.
The French Gaming Board operates a very
strict poker cash game policy, insisting
upon a four per cent rake without
capping. The buy-in for the PokerStars.fr
event is a minimum €250, with little and
big blinds ranging between €5 and €55.
RFID is a boon for Casino d'Evian as the
operator is no longer counting the pot,
with the readers beneath the cloth
reconciling the rake live as the game is
taking place.
Gaming Partners International had to
receive approval for its RFID poker system
from the French police and Ministry of
Finance, before being able to offer the
Focus
CASINO D’EVIAN
system to its customers in France. Even
then, the local gaming board inspector is
always on hand over the course of the
tournament to ensure that all protocols
are being followed to the letter by the
casino.
In March, GPI's regional representative,
Lionel Cazalis, was also on site to follow
the progress of the tournament and the
interaction of players, dealers and
management of the RFID poker system.
“The benefits of the system are multiple,”
explained Mr. Cazalis. “We are able to
track all the transactions on each of the
four tables, with each of the individual
dealers given their own pin-codes as they
log into and out of the table. This allows
the operator to track the dealers at the
different tables and view the number of
hands played per table in any given
period in real-time. The addition of the
system also speeds up play itself. Dealers
are no longer counting the chips, which
results in extra hands played per hour. It's
the equivalent to adding a card shuffler to
the table in regards to the efficiency
gains.”
The feedback from players is that they
appreciate the added live information
delivered to the displays, which helps
both those playing and management keep
track of the status of the game in play.
Players are given statistics about the
current pot size, the last winner's gain,
house rake amount, average and
maximum pot and the pots from the last
five games, while spectators are also
presented with this information,
something that only RFID can deliver.
Spectators at the Casino d'Evian
tournament gathered around the displays
to glean valuable information about the
games in play, which otherwise would be
difficult to follow. The information
mirrors the data players are familiar with
on the Internet, in which live pot counts
and statistics are part of their everyday
gaming experience.
All the RFID tables are linked to a main
server, with information fed to the live
games director's office, who can keep
track of progress in real-time from the
floor. “Management have instant
information as to the rake, play at the
tables and importantly, how much should
be in the boxes,” said Mr. Cazalis. “If any
dealer makes a mistake, the RIFD system
will flag this in regards to the final
amount in the rake box. Due to the fact
that the system is automatically counting
the pot there are no human errors to
“The benefits of the
system are
multiple. We are
able to track all the
transactions on
each of the four
tables, with each of
the individual
dealers given their
own pin-codes as
they log into and
out of the table.”
LIONEL CAZALIS.
May 2012 PAGE 43
Focus
CASINO D’EVIAN
POKER WAS
INITIALLY
WELCOMED IN
FRANCE, BUT THE
FOUR PER CENT
RAKE HAD
OPERATORS
QUESTION ITS
VALUE.
factor into the equation. The live game
director simply prints a report at the end
of the day's transactions and this reveals
the pot amounts, rake, etc., with the
global reconciliation of the rake with the
physical rake box. The head cashier
simply prints the report and it is stored
on file for later inspection."
The tables in operation look no different
from a regular poker table, aside from the
PC tablet fitted within the chip tray and
the RFID reading area marked out on the
layout by discreet markers for the benefit
of the dealers. The readers are connected
to a PC, with the RFID tablet PC
connected to a CAT 5 network linking it
securely to the main servers. Should
anything happen to the network, each
individual table continues to store
information independently until
connection is reestablished. Even the
displays are computers linked to the
network and server, with the information
May 2012 PAGE 44
Watching play at
the tables during
the PokerStars.fr
competition, it was
obvious that the
players are very
comfortable with
the technology,
asking the dealers
to count their buyins via the RFID
reader to ensure
that they received
the right number of
chips from the cash
desk. The RFID
system used at
Evian is the 125khz
technology
pioneered by GPI,
which can read up
to 800 chips on a
single reader within
three seconds.
displayed fed live from the server.
To date, GPI has sold the majority of its
RFID poker tables into the French market,
having seen the most interest as poker
was only recently introduced into the
market in 2007. Unfortunately for GPI, the
RFID system was market ready only one
year later, which saw the technology
arrive too late to capitalise on the wave of
investment operators made in purchasing
dedicated tables and chips.
Despite this, GPI has placed 39 tables
across the country, with further tables
installed in Belgium, Hungary and
Monaco, with discussions ongoing in
Germany and the UK. The key selling
points of game speed, simplification and
clarity of dealer function mean that it
compares very favourably to other options
by improving rounds per hour and
eliminating dealer counting errors, while
the minimal maintenance required by
RFID means that there's also minor
ongoing costs for using the system.
Investing in the RFID Poker system is a
tricky prospect for casino directors
looking to push the concept through with
finance departments as 92 per cent of the
revenue in French casinos is currently
derived from slots. Casinos are compelled
to offer table games to qualify for a pro
rata number of slots, otherwise many of
the casinos in France would probably
convert to slot hall status. When poker
was introduced in 2007, the French
Gaming Board gave some concessions to
table games, dropping the paid entry
requirement, while enforcing an ID policy
for entry to both slots and table gaming
areas. While table gaming benefited
incrementally, the small change had a
pronounced effect on the larger
percentage of slots revenue. Subsequent
smoking bans and the economic crisis
have had a further deleterious effect.
The introduction of poker was initially
welcomed in France, but the four per cent
rake on the game had many operators
questioning the value of this new
addition. Today, the country remains split
between fierce opponents to the game
and equally fierce proponents. Most of
the advocates have promoted the game
heavily both online and through
television channels, with current revenues
within some casinos in France showing
that poker is now generating 50 per cent
of live gaming revenues, which is at no
risk to the house. The counter to this is
seen as the opposition to poker by hirollers. The removal of poker from
locations in France has been driven by a
realisation that as operators originally
placed poker tables in their existing live
gaming areas, traditional players and
poker players mix together like foie gras
and fizzy cola.
Many of the smaller casinos were unable
to adequately provide separate areas for
play, which in addition to senior
management doubts as to the fiscal and
promotional benefits of the game, has
seen them abandon poker entirely. On the
Focus
CASINO D’EVIAN
other hand, larger locations have seen the
benefits of attracting a new audience and
additional revenue, often choosing to
close French roulette tables to increase
the number of poker tables they offer.
Poker is becoming a classic game in
France, but only in the right conditions
does it seem to thrive.
The attraction for Casino d'Evian is the
draw of new players to the location for
the major tournaments and the
association with land-based play of their
online activities. Evian has seen that slots
tournaments do not attract tables players
and vice versa. However, poker
tournaments increase the volume of play
on slots, as the players are predisposed to
slots gaming rather than identifying
themselves as table players.
The benefit from increased restaurant and
bar spend, plus the slots uptick, means
that the casino is gaining additional
revenue while associating land-based play
with the same online game to a new,
younger generation of players. The trend
is interesting when viewed as part of the
revenue picture across France. The
casinos derive 92 per cent of their
revenue from slots play and eight per cent
from tables, but in the last two years
revenues from slots have fallen 15-18 per
cent, while table games have increased 510 per cent on average, with certain
locations recording 55 per cent gains.
However, the proportional increase
remains small, which when combined
with the slots fall has curbed further
investment in live gaming.
Watching play at the tables during the
PokerStars.fr competition, it was obvious
that the players are very comfortable with
the technology, asking the dealers to
count their buy-ins via the RFID reader to
ensure that they received the right
number of chips from the cash desk. The
RFID system used at Evian is the 125khz
technology pioneered by GPI, which can
read up to 800 chips on a single reader
within three seconds.
It is a technology that has been
superseded in many ways by 13.56Mhz in
that the new technology is faster and
offers dynamically more options for
tracking players and counting larger
volumes much quicker, but for the
purposes of the poker tournament at
Casino d'Evian, the 125khz technology is
more than sufficient to provide all the
functionality required at a lower price
point. While the latest 13.56Mhz
technology might future-proof a location
for forthcoming eventualities, the entrypoint to RFID with 125khz technology is
no less attractive for those looking for
specific functionality, which this
technology delivers with aplomb.
Interview Eric Perrin Casino Director Casino d'Evian
G3: Poker is not a big money game in
French casinos, so why do you stage
tournaments at Evian?
ERIC PERRIN: You're right, poker isn't of
major financial interest, but the
tournament provides us with a marketing
channel to new players. The tournaments
attract a lot of new players to the casino
and while individual tournaments breaks
even, we win from additional spend at
the slots, in our restaurants and bars. The
poker tournament is a marketing tool for
Casino d'Evian and it has been a very
successful one too.
G3: What is the player demographic that
you attract for the poker events? In a
market renowned for hi-rollers, you're
inviting a very different clientele to the
casino.
EP: Yes, we are aware that the customers
are very different. When poker arrived in
France a lot of casinos located poker in
PokerStars.fr is an
ideal partner in this
respect. They have
a great online offer,
and we provide a
professional realcasino experience.
The best solution is
to work
collaboratively. We
don't compete with
PokerStars and they
don't compete with
us. We offer two
completely different
experiences. I don't
know how to do
their job, and they
don't know mine.
Instead, we have
expertise in both
areas and provide
mutual benefits to
each other by
working together.”
ERIC PERRIN,
Casino Director,
Casino d’Evian.
THE BENEFIT
FROM
INCREASED F&B,
PLUS THE SLOTS
UPTICK, MEANS
THAT THE CASINO
IS GAINING
ADDITIONAL
REVENUE.
their table games area, logically thinking
that poker is a table game. However, this
is not the reality in the minds of the
players. The poker player is actually
much closer to the slot the player, not a
table player. For us, it is better to separate
poker from the other offers. We have
created three separate areas; tables, slots
and poker. When we stage a hi-roller
tournament, some of the players
additionally play different table games,
but it's a very small number and a very
small gain. When we stage a poker
May 2012 PAGE 45
Focus
CASINO D’EVIAN
tournament, 80 per cent of those players
also play the slot machines. These are
players that would not visit the casino
solely to play the slots. When they come
to play poker they also play the slots, but
they don't play the other table games.
G3: You're working with PokerStars and
the France Poker Series - how important
is it to establish a link with Internet
players?
EP: This is the first time that we have
worked with PokerStars and the
difference has been dramatic. This is by
far our best experience and one that is
different from much of the thinking right
now. In France, a lot of casinos created
their own online websites, thinking they
will win a lot of money. After 18 months
they now know that they are in fact
losing a lot of money from their websites.
I believe the best solution is to work
together with established online
providers. PokerStars.fr is an ideal partner
in this respect. They have a great online
offer, and we provide a professional realcasino experience. The best solution is to
work collaboratively. We don't compete
with PokerStars and they don't compete
with us. We offer two completely different
experiences. I don't know how to do their
job, and they don't know mine. Instead,
we have expertise in both areas and
provide mutual benefits to each other by
working together.
“Our investment in
RFID has already
benefited us in
regards to our
current activities.
However, in the
future we are
looking to offer
players a regular 78 table room four to
five days per week.
We plan to
transform our
poker offer using
the tournaments to
market our live
poker offer to
players who are
growing
increasingly
comfortable with
both online and
land-based play.”
ERIC PERRIN,
Casino Director,
Casino d’Evian.
G3: Poker is a low margin game for the
house - what, therefore, was the financial
reason to invest in an RFID poker system?
EP: We have three main reasons, the first
concerning the dealers. When you don't
have RFID, the dealer must constantly
reconcile the pot, making rake
calculations all the time. Using RFID, the
system handles the calculations while the
dealer can concentrate on the game,
animating play at the table, taking better
care of the customer, looking to ensure
everyone is playing well, not making
mistakes etc. It makes the job more
interesting for the dealer and the
customer too, which is the second
benefit. Players want to know the level of
the pot and with RFID they don't need to
ask, they can see this on the screen. They
can see the value of the previous pots, the
average stack and from this information
make informed decisions that affect their
play. I'm also alone in my region in
offering RFID tables to players and this is
an important point of differentiation.
Customers are comfortable with this
technology, they remark upon the benefits
we provide in comparison to other
locations. And finally, from a financial
perspective RFID delivers more hands per
hour. The opening of the table is
instantaneous, there is no counting of the
May 2012 PAGE 46
"Management
have instant
information as to
the rake, play at the
tables and
importantly, how
much should be in
the boxes. If any
dealer makes a
mistake, the RIFD
system will flag this
in regards to the
final amount in the
rake box. Due to
the fact that the
system is
automatically
counting the pot
there are no
human errors to
factor into the
equation.”
LIONEL CAZELIS,
Gaming Partners
International
(pictured).
chips and therefore we turnover more
hands as a result, which means more
revenue to the casino.
G3: You only stage three poker
competitions per year - is the RFID poker
system a luxury?
EP: Our investment in RFID has already
benefited us in regards to our current
activities. However, in the future we are
looking to offer players a regular 7-8 table
room four to five days per week. We plan
to transform our poker offer using the
tournaments to market our live poker
offer to players who are growing
increasingly comfortable with both online
and land-based play.
G3: What attracted you to RFID poker in
the first place and has it performed as
you expected?
EP: In the table gaming side of our
business we have worked exclusively
with GPI for many years. When I
explained to Mr. Cazalis that I needed a
number of poker tables he suggested that
I look at this new technology. He
explained it to me and then, when I saw
it in action, it took me a second to realise
that I needed this technology. GPI
installed its first RFID poker systems with
the Joa Groupe in France. I had a
thorough demonstration of the system
within one of their locations and was
convinced having seen it in operation. We
installed the system in 2009 and since
then it has performed perfectly. Our aim
was to attract online players to our casino
and now when they arrive they say: 'oh,
this is similar to the game on my
computer, but with better service, real
people and a wonderful atmosphere. I
prefer to go in the casino than play in my
flat!'
G3: Would you recommend the system to
other operators?
EP: I would definitely recommend this
system to other operators. It is the right
direction to choose RFID. However, when
poker arrived in French casinos, this RFID
system was not ready, which meant that
many bought traditional poker tables and
chips. The system arrived one year too
late, with operators having already bought
traditional tables. Adding readers to
existing tables is not expensive, but
Focus
CASINO D’EVIAN
replacing the chip stock too is costly
when you've only just made that
investment. It is a great shame as I am
convinced that had RFID arrived 12
months earlier, every casino in France
would have adopted this technology.
G3: You are something of a technophile,
having adopted RFID and installed IGT's
sbX on your floor - what are your feelings
in regards to technology on the gaming
floor - and especially in the area of table
gaming, which in France is such a small
part of the revenue these days?
EP: Two things interest me about
technology - for the players, new
technology can offer a better experience.
In the case of RFID and server-based
gaming, our customers can play new
games, changing them at will and they
can play in the same way as they do on
the Internet in an environment
unmatched by the home environment.
We know that providing a better
experience equates to more play. The
second benefit is for the casino itself.
New technology gives us access to details
about our clients; how they play, when
WHEN BUSINESS
IS HARD YOU
MUST DRIVE
EVEN HARDER.
YOU MUST BE A
GOOD PILOT AND
TECHNOLOGY
HELPS YOU STEER
THE RIGHT
COURSE.
they play, which game they prefer. This
level of information means that I can
drive my business better. Everyone speaks
about the economic crisis, but when the
business is hard you must drive your
business even harder, you must be a good
pilot and new technology helps you steer
the right course.
G3: How has the economic crisis affected
your investment decisions?
EP: During the crisis a lot of operators cut
everything and only speak about the
costs. I think it is better if you speak
about the ways you can win. If you speak
only about the cost it is a very restrictive
view and the end of this way of thinking
comes very fast. You can't cut everything
and offer the best experience for your
customers. Of course, you can't afford
everything and it's more important than
ever that you make the right decisions in
May 2012 PAGE 48
the crisis and be careful with costs.
However, it is still better to ask what can
I change to make the experience better for
clients, to win additional business and
increase revenue by investing. It's a
philosophy that has proved to be
successful for Casino d'Evian. The
decision to install IGT's sbX server-based
system was a major one for this casino
last year. It was a big investment, but
when we made our business forecasts we
predicted that it would payback the
investment in 15 months. I admit that we
created a really powerful marketing
proposition, which generated a lot of
additional commercial activity, but the
overall outcome has been that the ROI on
sbX has actually been eight and a half
months, almost half our original forecast.
Having sought to convince the financial
department of the proposal, now they ask
when am I ordering more of those serverbased machines?
G3: Investing in new technology is surely
more of a gamble than following tried
and trusted models?
EP: This all comes from thinking
differently. We think about how we can
win. When I speak with my management
team about the results, they can describe
the reasons why revenue is down or
business did not meet expectations - blah,
blah, blah. I'm not interested in this
analysis. I want to know the solution. I
want to know how we can win. What
“sbX is designed to
blend the changing
demands of
players with the
real business
needs of casinos,
enabling the
gaming floor to
stay relevant and
differentiated in a
highly competitive
market. Casino
d'Evian is perfect
proof that you can
exceed players'
expectations and
deliver effective
business growth
with the right
strategic
investments. We
are thrilled with the
performance of sbX
at Casino d'Evian
and look forward to
helping them
continue to offer a
unique experience
for their customers.”
SABBY GILL,
Regional VP EMEA,
IGT.
decisions do we need to take to change
the business for the better. I don't think
about the reasons why we haven't won only what we can win.
G3: So what's the next project you're
working upon?
EP: For us, we are working hard on a very
big project, as we start planning a large
scale refurbishment of the casino. This
renovation will be undertaken during
2012, a period in which we will remain
open for business, changing one area
before moving on to the next. Our vision
for the makeover is an evolution that
follows the changing expectations of our
customers. The casino will be split into
two levels, with the lower level catering
for traditional players with table games, a
beautiful restaurant with terrace, lobby
and slots area. The atmosphere will be
aimed at hi-rollers with VIP decor and
ambiance. The second level targets a
younger audience. We will offer poker, a
bar and lounge area, with a dedicated
space for tournaments and gala
performances and slots on the second
floor. We will offer new technology, light
shows and video walls and music. Each
level will be served from the same
entrance with clients led through the slots
area before channeling off into their space
of choice. We have changed the gaming
offer to meet the expectations of our
customers and now we are adapting the
environment too.
Analysis
ISLE OF MAN
NEW TIDE OF GAMING
OPPORTUNITIES
A hotbed of activity in the online sector, the announcement that the Isle of Man
government is seeking to licence a second ‘international’ casino is making headlines
swapping between the two the island
finally came under the rule of the British
Crown in 1765.
The Isle of Man is a
low tax economy
and relies upon a
small number of
taxes mainly
income tax,
national insurance,
property tax and
VAT. There is no
capital gains tax,
wealth tax, stamp
duty or inheritance
tax.
The closest land is southern Scotland
whilst the island is just 52 km long and
22 km wide and has 160 km of coastline.
There are some nearby smaller islands
such as the seasonally inhabited Calf of
Man, Chicken Rock, St Patrick’s Isle and
St Michael’s Isle. The latter two are
connected to the mainland by roads and
causeways.
The Isle of Man is an intriguing land
steeped in myths, legends and fairies and
yet by contrast it is also a land with a
modern financial and business outlook. It
was formed when Ireland’s legendary
giant Fionn mac Cumhaill ripped off a
portion of land from Ireland and threw it
at his Scottish enemy. He missed and the
chunk of earth landed in the Irish Sea.
That, or due to rising water levels around
8000BC, the island was formed after
being cut off from the surrounding lands.
Today the Isle of Man is a self-governing
Crown Dependency of the United
Kingdom stuck in between Great Britain
and Ireland. Its name is derived from the
Manx Gaelic language and the name Ellan
Vannin.
May 2012 PAGE 50
Although the island is not part of the UK,
its foreign relations and defence is the
responsibility of the UK Government and
although the UK rarely interferes with the
island, ultimately it is the responsibility of
the Crown.
History of the island dates back to before
6500BC when it was believed the earliest
inhabitants arrived. The island has been
heavily influenced by Gaelic culture,
which also brought the Manx language.
Viking settlement of Mann began at the
end of the 8th century and they
established Tynwald and many land
divisions still exist today. The isle was
part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the
Hebrides until 1266 when it then became
a part of Scotland and after a period of
The extreme north of the island is very
flat and there is just one mountain higher
than 600m called Snaefell. According to
an old saying, from the summit of this
mountain you can apparently see the six
kingdoms - the Isle of Man, Scotland,
England, Ireland, Wales and Heaven.
For a tiny island it also packs in plenty of
Analysis
ISLE OF MAN
Centres to sustain population and
economic growth.
In 2011, the Isle of Man reached a higher
GDP per capita than the UK. Years of
reduced taxation, low unemployment and
high cash reserves have all paid off and it
has been moving forward as a successful
economy.
The Isle of Man is now an established
international finance centre with a secure
base built on political stability and a
firmly established fiscal and regulatory
environment, which is independent of the
United Kingdom.
attractions from working Victorian
railways to world class road racing events
and ancient fortresses to the world’s
largest water wheel.
In 2010 there were a total of 655,566
tourists who visited the island of which
340,000 came by air and 315,000 arrived
by sea, whilst the tourists spend on
average £85 per head per day. There are
some 56 hotels on the island not to
mention 88 B&Bs, 20 guest houses, plus a
myriad of accommodation from camping
to country inns.
The Manx economy has been steadily
expanding since the 1970s due to the
government’s promotion of the island as
an International Offshore Financial
Centre. With a low population density
and plenty of development land the
island is in a better position than other
smaller International Offshore Financial
Offshore banking, manufacturing and
tourism are key sectors of the economy,
whilst the government offers low taxes
and other incentives to high technology
companies and financial institutions to
locate on the island.
The result is low unemployment and high
income companies. The Isle of Man
economy has seen an average increase of
over six per cent growth in real terms
over the last 27 years. The average
weekly pay for full time employees is
£601 – a rise of 1.8 per cent from the
previous year, whilst the biggest
employment sector is the finance
industry, banking and fund management,
which accounts for 45 per cent of the
GDP. There are 1,043 unemployed, a rate
of 2.3 per cent (February 2012).
The Isle of Man is a low tax economy and
relies upon a small number of taxes,
mainly income tax, national insurance,
property tax and VAT. There is no capital
gains tax, wealth tax, stamp duty or
inheritance tax.
There is just one
casino currently
open on the Isle of
Man. This operates
from the four star
Best Western
Palace Hotel on the
Central Promenade
in Douglas which is
just a few minutes
from the beach and
walking distance to
the town’s retail
and business
centre.
The Isle of Man
economy has seen
an average
increase of over six
per cent growth in
real terms over the
last 27 years. The
average weekly
pay for full time
employees is £601
– a rise of 1.8 per
cent from the
previous year whilst
the biggest
employment sector
is the finance
industry, banking
and fund
management
which accounts for
45 per cent of the
GDP. There are
1,043 unemployed,
a rate of 2.3 per
cent (February
2012).
Income tax is levied at a rate of 10 per
cent on the first £10,500 of individual
taxable income (or £21,000 for jointly
assessed married couples) and maximum
20 per cent on the balance. Individuals
receive a £9,300 personal allowance (or
£18,600 for jointly assessed). VAT is
charged at 20 per cent
In 2005 a zero rate of income tax was
introduced for six sectors of the island’s
economy – manufacturing, film,
e-gaming, tourist accommodation,
agriculture and fishing. Financial
institutions and land or property income
pay 10 per cent.
TRADITIONAL GAMING
The Isle of Man is a unique gambling
jurisdiction and is governed by the
Gaming Supervision Commission which is
responsible for licensing and controlling
all areas of the island’s gaming industry.
It is headed by Chairperson Claire Milne.
The commission was established in 1962
and in addition to licensing and
regulation of land based operations
including the casino, amusements, slots,
betting offices and lottery sector, it also
regulates online gambling activities. It has
very strict and finite regulations that have
long made it a favourite gambling
jurisdiction for the online gaming
industry.
There is just one casino currently open on
the Isle of Man. This operates from the
four star Best Western Palace Hotel on the
Central Promenade in Douglas, which is
just a few minutes from the beach and
walking distance to the town’s retail and
business centre.
The Palace Hotel was first built on the
May 2012 PAGE 51
Analysis
ISLE OF MAN
THE PALACE IS
ONE OF THREE
HOTELS OWNED
BY THE MANX
COMPANY, THE
SEFTON GROUP,
ON THE ISLE OF
MAN.
site back in 1887 with the opening of
what was then the largest ballroom in
Europe. The roof was damaged by fire in
1902 and then repaired and in 1913 the
ballroom was connected by a footbridge
to a 3,500 seat theatre.
Both were destroyed by fire in 1920 and
rebuilt one year later and it then became
known as the White Palace and then the
Hilton Isle of Man. The theatre was
demolished in 1965 and made way for the
existing Palace Hotel and Casino. The
ballroom was later demolished in 1994.
The first British public casino licence was
issued in 1963 in Douglas and was
opened in the Castle Mona Hotel and was
initially government run. On May 6 1966
the casino was moved overnight from the
Castle to the Palace Hotel and was
officially opened by Sean Connery.
May 2012 PAGE 52
Then in 2007 the Sefton Group acquired
the Gala Hilton Hotel and entered into a
franchise agreement with Hilton UK
Hotels Limited, which came to an end in
November 2010. At this time the group
changed the hotel back to its original
name and began to operate it as an
independent hotel within the Sefton
Group.
The Sefton Group is a Manx company
that operates in the hospitality, leisure
and property sectors. The Palace is one of
three hotels it owns on the Isle of Man.
Today, the Palace is heralded as the
island’s leading entertainment and leisure
complex as the only licensed casino and
also boasts a large night club and bingo
hall and is adjacent to the main cinema
complex which has seating for a total of
438. The hotel has 136 bedrooms plus a
health club, gym and indoor swimming
pool and the Paragon Restaurant.
In November last year the Palace Hotel
adopted the Best Western brand despite
remaining under the operational control
and ownership of the Sefton Group. As
such it is now the only branded hotel on
the Isle of Man.
The casino is open 24 hours a day
(previously from 6pm to 5am) and has
150 jackpot slots and 10 gaming tables.
The Kursaal houses the bingo hall and
has facilities for 320 players and can be
played from Wednesday through till
The Sefton Group is
a Manx company
which operates in
the hospitality,
leisure and
property sectors.
The Palace is one
of three hotels it
owns on the Isle of
Man. Today, the
Palace is heralded
as the island’s
leading
entertainment and
leisure complex as
the only licensed
casino and also
boasts a large
night club and
bingo hall and is
adjacent to the
main cinema
complex which has
seating for a total of
438. The hotel has
136 bedrooms plus
a health club, gym
and indoor
swimming pool
and the Paragon
Restaurant.
Sunday with special Monday and Tuesday
night events.
Casino games permitted are roulette,
blackjack, pontoon, punto banco, bingo,
casino brag, poker, dice, baccarat and
chemin-de-fer, backgammon, keno, slots
and wheel of fortune.
The casino is controlled under the 1986
Casino Act and the last regulations
introduced were back in 1997. Since this
time of course land-based gaming has
come under substantial competition from
the growth of the booming online gaming
sector and the smoking ban. Regulations
governing the online sector are not seen
to be as strict as casino regulations.
In 2010, in a bid to help the land-based
sector become more competitive, the GSC
issued a proposal to rewrite the
regulations to ensure administrative
fairness across the board and the new
regulations are now expected to
modernise the current regulations which
will then replace the 1997 regulations.
A consultation process was set up and
ran until May 2011 and the new Casino
Regulations 2011 were approved by
Tynwald in July 2011 and came into
operation the following month.
The main effect of these new regulations
was to remove some of the bureaucracy
from the old regulations. The opening
Analysis
ISLE OF MAN
hours were also extended to allow the
casino to become a 24 hour operation,
which has also now allowed the casino
the opportunity to host a live dealing
studio for use by online operators.
Additional games such as the Wheel of
Fortune were added, whilst the
Commission also now has more flexibility
to give them the authority to approve
games.
The island still continues to be part of the
UK government’s white list, which
enables operators to advertise their
business and products to markets in the
UK and to have UK based players without
obtaining a UK licence.
Outside of the casino there are currently
around 250 to 300 slots operated on the
island, which are located in the three or
four seasonal gaming halls or within
clubs and bars. LBOs can also operate a
limited number of Fixed Odds Betting
Terminals on their premises.
The LBO sector offers across the counter
betting operations and fixed odds
machines offer roulette and number
games. There are currently three permit
holders – Bet a Bet Ltd, Joe Jennings Ltd
and Willstan Ltd - with 11 LBOs on the
island.
In addition the Isle of Man government
lottery operated from 1986 to 1997. Since
1999 they have participated in the UK
Outside of the
casino there are
currently around
250 to 300 slots
operated which are
located in the three
or four seasonal
gaming halls or
within clubs and
bars. LBOs can also
operate a limited
number of Fixed
Odds Betting
Terminals on their
premises.
The LBO sector
offers across the
counter betting
operations and
fixed odds
machines offer
roulette and
number games.
There are currently
three permit
holders – Bet a Bet
Ltd, Joe Jennings
Ltd and Willstan Ltd
- with 11 LBOs on
the island.
THE MANX
LEGISLATION
ALWAYS
PROVIDED FOR A
SECOND CASINO
LICENCE ONCE
THE FIRST
CASINO WAS
COMPLETED.
National Lottery. In fact the island is the
only jurisdiction outside of the UK where
it is possible to play the National Lottery
in the UK.
Society lotteries are permitted and are
considered low risk and high volume. In
2011 the sector saw a modernisation of
the advertising regulations for this sector
and this now permits them to advertise
their draws more widely in the media by
using Internet, radio and newspapers.
A SECOND CASINO
Manx Gaming legislation has always
provided for a second casino licence once
the first one was completed and initially
this was proposed as a basis around
which the Crescent Cinema could be
redeveloped. This never received approval
and so then the Palace Ballroom changed
its name to the Palace Lido and opened
its doors for gaming. However, dwindling
tourists meant two casinos were too big
for the number of customers and the Lido
closed in 1992 and the building was
demolished two years later.
Then two years ago the decision was
made that the timing was right to go
forward with the second casino licence
and a proposal was put into place to ask
for an “expression of interest”. The idea
was sent to both national and
international hotel and casino companies
and at the end of January this year the
period of enquiry closed and the result
was seven interested parties.
It is thought that by allowing a new
casino/hotel complex onto the isle this
could also provide the island with a much
needed venue to host online poker
tournaments for example. Although the
law permits this already, the Palace casino
is considered too small to host such an
event with around 800 delegates at such
tournaments.
The second casino initiative is headed by
the Isle of Man’s Department of Economic
Development, which believes there is an
opportunity to build on and complement
existing gaming facilities on the island,
whilst also creating jobs, diversifying the
economy and providing tourists and
residents with extra leisure facilities such
as a spa and conference service.
May 2012 PAGE 53
Analysis
ISLE OF MAN
Isle of Man: Vital Statistics
Capital: Douglas
Population: 85,421
Land Area: 572 sq.km
Median age: 42.6 years
Languages: English, Manx Gaelic
Ethnic Groups: Manx (Norse-Celtic
descent), Britons
Currency: Manx Pounds (IMP)
Government:
Parliamentary Democracy
Chief of State:
Lord of Mann Queen Elizabeth II
(represented by Lt Governor Adam
Wood)
Head of Government: Chief Minister
Allan Bell (since 2011)
Elections:
Monarchy is hereditary. Lt Governor is
appointed by the Monarch. Chief
Minister elected by the Tynwald for a
five year term.
Casinos: 1 (licence for a second)
Casino slots: 150
Gaming tables: 10
Gaming halls: 2-3
Slots: 250-300
LBOs: 11
Tim Craine, Director of the Isle of Man
Government’s Business Development
Agency said: “The idea is this is not to be
in competition to the first casino, but
offer a level of business that the island
does not currently benefit from.”
One aim is to appeal to more tourists and
tournament gamblers rather than
cannibalise domestic gamblers from the
Palace Hotel whilst targeting new players.
There are currently seven companies
interested in the new £45.6m five star
apart-hotel and casino complex. Lack of
gaming duty on terrestrial casinos and no
limit on the number of slots is expected
to appeal to interested parties. However at
this stage the department is reluctant to
reveal any information about the
interested parties or whether this
development will be a brand new project
or a development of an existing hotel site.
It is thought Mount Murray Hotel and
Country Club on the island, which
submitted an application for a casino and
three storey apart-hotel back in 2009, is
one such interested party.
The department is now talking to the
various parties about their proposals and
May 2012 PAGE 54
It is thought Mount
Murray Hotel and
Country Club on the
island, which
submitted an
application for a
casino and three
storey apart-hotel
back in 2009, is an
interested party.
after this stage a decision will be taken to
invite formal tenders. If all goes through it
could be another two years before the
casino is anywhere near open.
The government, however, is keen to
insist that it is vital to try and avoid any
adverse impact on the existing casino
licence holder and the government says it
will only consider awarding a second
licence if the proposed new development
is significantly different to the existing
one. Sefton, however, has already warned
that there is no realistic prospect of two
casinos operating profitably.
The concern is the second casino could
become a Super Casino, therefore
providing tough competition against the
Palace casino. The question is, how
financially viable is such a casino on the
Isle of Man?
Sefton Group’s Chief Executive Brett
Analysis
ISLE OF MAN
proximity without a local area population
of at least 250,000.
Sefton is already struggling. It reported
overall losses in 2010 of £8.6m, which
have been blamed on the Icelandic Ash
cloud and severe weather conditions. It
announced last year that it was ready to
move the Palace Casino/Hotel to a new
location, but the second casino proposal
left them in limbo wary of further
investment at the time. The idea was to
replace the hotel with a new hotel, casino
and family leisure complex with the
favoured location of the group’s
Middlemarch site in Douglas town centre.
THE CONCERN IS
THAT THE
SECOND LICENCE
COULD ALLOW A
‘SUPER CASINO’
PROVIDING
TOUGH
COMPETION FOR
THE PALACE.
“Trading conditions within the Isle of
Man hospitality sector as a whole are
challenging. Lower visitor numbers and
reductions in the disposable income of
island residents mean that we now have
to work harder to win a bigger proportion
of a smaller overall market.” said
Chairman Miles Walker at the beginning
of last year.
Although the company’s Sefton Hotel has
performed well the Palace Hotel and
Casino has suffered as it moved from a
Hilton brand to an independent operation
with independent marketing and
reservation functions. Bookings suffered
and the group was left re-promoting its
hotel. It has of course since taken on the
Best Western brand.
“We will be asking
the government to
reconsider this
approach and
undertake the
financial due
diligence before
proceeding further.”
BRETT MARTIN,
Chief Executive,
Sefton Group.
Martin said: “The process is being pushed
forward without a proper assessment and
understanding of the local market. We
will be asking the government to
reconsider this approach and undertake
the financial due diligence before
proceeding further.”
Sefton says the UK gaming sector works
on a population of approximately 400,000
per casino and there are no instances
where two casinos operate in close
Gaming activities at the Palace Casino
saw a turnover in 2010 of £3.6m
compared to £3.9m in 2009. Hotel
operations (for all three Sefton hotels on
the island) amounted to a turnover of
£9.9m compared to £10.1 the year before.
One boost meanwhile is the recent news
that the casino has begun working with
online gaming provider VueTec, to
provide a live feed from its casino.
Roulette and Punto Banco tables will be
streamed live from the casino’s ‘Live Play’
zone from 4pm daily via a selection of
websites.
The exclusive partnership with VueTec ltd
is via its local subsidiary company
regulated in the Isle of Man. VueTec
already operates several online sites
including Dublinbet.com,
LuckyLiveCasino.com,
GlobalLiveCasino.com and
Atlaslivecasino.com.
Adrian Brockhouse, Director of Hotels and
Leisure at the Sefton Group said: “We
believe this is a truly exciting
development for the Palace Casino.
Online gaming is already hugely popular
and is certain to keep growing as the
technologies which support it continue to
advance and develop.
“Live Play area adds another dimension
to the casino where the emphasis is
placed on fun and excitement. Investing
in these facilities shows we are committed
to building on our excellent reputation
while looking towards and embracing
modern technologies.”
The software used in the Distance
Gaming and Live Play zone will
eventually increase to add more games
such as Blackjack and Poker and the
latest electronic gaming facilities.
Meanwhile, the Department of Economic
Development has issued a proposal for
live gaming tournament legislation which
will issue a Temporary Premises
Certificate.
Presented at the end of last year this
could solve the question of how to bring
live tournaments onto the Island in the
interim period, whilst waiting for a larger
scale hotel/casino to be built. Although
the Palace Casino can host a tournament
it does not have the facilities to host large
scale events and as such would have to
turn such an opportunity down. As a
huge revenue earner the GSC has agreed
to offer other locations the chance to
stage the event.
The change will be added to the Casino
Act to allow other premises to be
temporary venues for gaming
tournaments, which will last for the
duration of the tournament. Villa Marina
in Douglas is one such large venue in
mind.
A consultation period was opened last
year and closed in February and this
received a small response and no negative
responses. The proposal has now gone
through into a draft bill and has gone
before parliament’s approval stages. If all
goes to plan this should be in place
before summer recess.
PART II – ISLE OF MAN - ONLINE GAMING
FOLLOWS NEXT MONTH.
May 2012 PAGE 55
Analysis
ARMENIA
PIQUING INTEREST
Armenia looks set to follow the controversial gambling zone route,
allowing gaming only in specific resort town locations from 2013
Armenia is one of the world’s oldest
civilisations and lies in the highlands
surrounding the biblical mountains of
Ararat where, according to the bible,
Noah ended up parking his ark after the
great flood.
As such Armenia was also the first
country in the world to officially embrace
Christianity as its religion back in the 4th
century whilst the world’s earliest shoe,
skirt and wine producing facility was
found here pointing to an advanced early
civilisation back in the Bronze Age.
Back in the 6th century the Armenian
empire reached its height and became one
May 2012 PAGE 56
of the most powerful in Asia with its
empire stretching from the Caspian to the
Mediterranean seas. However throughout
its history the country has been invaded
by a succession of empires from the
Greeks, Romans, Persians, Byzantines,
Mongols, Arabs, Ottoman Turks and the
Russians.
Between the 16th century and the First
World War Armenia was controlled by the
Ottoman Turks and thousands of
Armenians were massacred between 1894
and 1896 by the Turks. The most horrific
was during World War I when the Turks
ordered the deportation of the Armenian
population to the deserts of Syria and
In 2011 the main
increase in tourists
came from CIS
countries, Europe,
South Asia and
Japan with a total
of 758,000 foreign
tourists in 2011 up
from 684,000 in
2010. The increase
was attributed to
advertising,
participation in
tourism events,
surveys of tourists
and seminars for
foreign journalists
covering this sector.
Mesopotamia. Between 600,000 and 1.5
million Armenians were murdered or died
of starvation during the Armenian
Genocide. Armenia has been campaigning
for official recognition of these events for
over 30 years and they are
commemorated each year on April 24 and
called Armenian Martyr Day or Day of the
Armenian Genocide.
The Russian army latterly succeeded in
gaining most of Ottoman Armenia, but
then later lost it during the Bolshevik
Revolution. Eastern Armenia became
independent in 1918 but this only lasted
two years and was fraught with war and
territorial disputes.
In 1922, Armenia was incorporated into
the Soviet Union as part of the
Analysis
ARMENIA
and Azerbaijan. The Karabakh War ended
after a cease fire in 1994.
Armenia is a landlocked mountainous
country in the Caucasus region of
Eurasia. It is located at the crossroads of
Western Asia and Eastern Europe and is
bordered by Turkey to west, Georgia to
the north the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
and Azerbaijan to the east and Iran and
the Azerbaijan exclave of Nakhchivan to
the south. It is located between the Black
Sea and Caspian Sea and is made up of 11
provinces – Marzer, Aragatsotn, Ararat,
Armavir, Geghark’unik, Kotayk, Lorri,
Shirak, Syunik, Tavush, Vayots’ Dzor,
Yerevan.
The terrain is mostly mountainous with
rivers and forests. Mount Ararat is the
highest mountain in the region and is
now located in Turkey, but is clearly
visible from Armenia.
Armenia is said to have the second worst
economy in the world and is also the
second most densely populated of the
former Soviet republics. The economy
shrank by 15 per cent in 2009 as an expat
financed construction boom fizzled out,
as did the world economy. As the country
is virtually dependent on Russia and Iran
for most of its energy supplies it is
struggling to keep up with the rest of the
world.
However, improved relations with Europe,
Middle East and the Commonwealth of
Independent States have also allowed
Armenia to trade.
Transcaucasia SFSR and this existed until
1936 when it was divided into three
entities – Armenian SSR, Azerbaijan SSR
and Georgian SSR. The Armenians
enjoyed a period of stability under Soviet
rule and during World War II was also
spared from major devastation.
During the Gorbachev era of the 1980s
the Armenians began to demand better
environmental care for their country and
tensions developed between Soviet
Azerbaijan and its autonomous district of
Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenians were
disillusioned with Gorbachev’s inability to
alleviate any of the country’s problems
and this fed a need for independence and
in May 1990 the new Armenian Army
was established.
TOURISM IS A KEY
SECTOR AND HAS
BEEN GROWING
ANNUALLY AT A
RATE OF 20-25
PER CENT.
In 1990 the country declared
independence and became the first non
Baltic republic to secede from the Soviet
Union and in 1991, when the Soviet
Union dissolved, independence was
officially recognised.
The post Soviet days were initially marred
by economic difficulties as well as
fighting between the Karabakh Armenians
The country relies
heavily on
investment and
support from
Armenians abroad.
Agriculture also
plays a huge part
and is around 30
per cent of GDP
and 40 per cent of
total employment.
Current
unemployment
however stands at
around 15 per cent.
Per capita GDP is less than a third of
neighbouring Turkey and inflation is
running at seven per cent. On top of that
Russia cut back on its diamond supply
hurting Armenia’s once thriving diamond
processing industry. The country relies
heavily on investment and support from
Armenians abroad. Agriculture also plays
a huge part and is around 30 per cent of
GDP and 40 per cent of total
employment. Current unemployment
however stands at around 15 per cent.
Meanwhile tourism has been a key sector
since the 1990s and has been growing
annually at a rate of 20-25 per cent since
2000. More than half a million people
visit each year, mostly ethnic Armenians
from the diaspora, from Russia, Georgia,
the EU and Iran.
Armenia was ranked 90th out of 139
countries in tourism figures. Deputy
Economy Minister Ara Petrosian reckons
the number of foreign tourists to visit
Armenia this year is expected to rise to
800,000, whilst global tourist visits will
hit the one million mark. He claims a
string of events designed to mark the
December
May 2012
2011
PAGE
PAGE
5757
Analysis
ARMENIA
500th anniversary of Armenian printing
will bring more people to the country
coinciding with an active advertisement
campaign.
In 2011, the main increase in tourists
came from CIS countries, Europe, South
Asia and Japan with a total of 758,000
foreign tourists in 2011 up from 684,000
in 2010. The increase was attributed to
advertising, participation in tourism
events, surveys of tourists and seminars
for foreign journalists covering this sector.
However, the cost of air travel and
accommodation remains high by
international standards and although
there is a shortage of resources Armenia
has been investing in new hotels, whilst
outdoor activities and scenery are primary
attractions.
Lake Sevan is the world’s largest
mountain lake and a popular summer
tourist spot whilst skiing in the winter is
a key attraction. Tourists are attracted not
only be the biblical monuments, but by
the hot springs of Arzni and Jermuk and
the dense forests and caves, whilst the
opera and theatre in the cities offer
cultural breaks.
May 2012 PAGE 58
THE GAMBLING LAWS
The gambling sector is an important one
in Armenia and boosts the country’s
economy providing much needed revenue
for infrastructure and improvements.
Although a small country it has
neighbours like Iran and Turkey and is
poised to benefit from these nations.
The Armenian population is small with
barely one million living in the capital.
The gaming sector is primarily made up
of casinos, slot halls, sports betting and
more recently the lottery.
Prior to independence the country
operated under a cover of black market
operations and it thrived underground.
With the fall of the Soviet Union many
businesses began to legalise themselves.
The country has seen various laws
introduced throughout the years. At the
moment the country is governed by the
2003 law ‘On Games with money prizes
and gambling establishments.’
Back in 2000 the law called for casinos to
be located no less than 50km from the
Yerevan administrative border or 10km
from the borders of regional cities. Then
in 2003 the current gaming law was
In 2007 there were
reports of foreign
companies
entering the
Armenian market
especially as there
were changes in
Russia around the
same time. In 2007
the government
received around
US$2.5m in terms
of tax income from
gambling
businesses and
one of the biggest
investments came
from Storm
International which
launched ShangriLa at a cost of
US$300m which
was built on the
highway out of the
city.
introduced and came into effect in 2004.
This didn’t close casinos but merely
shifted them to new locations.
The 2003 law was written with the
intention of moving all Armenian casinos
and slots hall outside of Yerevan. At the
time it was reported that 49 gambling
activities were moved outside of the city.
The idea was to develop areas outside of
the city in terms of investment and
visitors.
In 2007 there were reports of foreign
companies entering the Armenian market
especially as there were changes in Russia
around the same time. In 2007 the
government received around US$2.5m in
terms of tax income from gambling
businesses and one of the biggest
investments came from Storm
International, which launched Shangri-La
at a cost of US$300m which was built on
the highway out of the city.
The theory was wealthy players can
afford to drive or take a taxi to the
casinos on the outskirts of the city
keeping the lure of the casinos and slot
halls away from youngsters and the less
wealthy. However in the long term this
Analysis
ARMENIA
Armenia: Vital Statistics
Capital: Yerevan
Population: 2,967,975
Land Area: 29,743 sq.km
Median age: 32.2 years
Languages: Armenian (official), Yezidi,
Russian, other
Ethnic Groups: Armenian (official),
Yezidi (Kurd), Russian, other
Religions: Armenian Apostolic 94.7%,
other Christian 4% and Yezidi 1.3%
Currency: Drams (AMD)
Government: Republic
Chief of State:
President Serzh Sargsian
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian
Elections:
President elected by popular vote for
five year term. Next election to be held
February 2013. Prime Minister
appointed by president based on
majority or plurality support in
parliament.
plan did not bring in the levels of
investment to the cities outside of the
capital that the government had originally
hoped for.
In June 2009, as Russia’s casinos
prepared to close, neighbouring Armenia
decided to amend their law of 2003.
Titled ‘On prize games and gambling
houses’ the law would ensure all casinos
and slots were banned from the capital
Yerevan.
THE GOAL IS TO
STIMULATE
TOURISM IN
RESORT SITES
WHILE
ELIMINATING
GAMING FROM
URBAN AREAS.
This new law will come into effect from
January 1st 2013 and will basically only
allow casinos and gambling halls to be
operated in certain resort towns. The idea
is to remove all the casinos and slot halls
from Armenia’s centre and locate them in
the territories adjacent to Yerevan. The
goal behind the policy is to bring more
tourists to these regions whilst removing
gambling from urban areas.
The Armenian executives approved
revisions to the law stating that all slot
halls and casinos should be located in the
administrative territories of Tsakhkadzor
city (Kotayk region), Jermuk community
(Vayots Dzor region) and Sevan
(Gegharkunik region). They will also be
permitted at Zvartnots Airport and
‘Yerevan’ free trade zone. This law was
passed in April 2010.
The new law is part of an overall project
to increase tax in the country to generate
around AMD101bn in additional revenue
for the government. The casino and slot
halls are targeted alongside tax increases
for various other sectors such as alcohol,
petrol and car tax.
The new proposal aims to tether
gambling activities to the tourist areas
whilst also requiring a significant
investment for the development of the
casinos to introduce larger style casinos.
The idea stems from the Russian
Federation’s 2007 gaming law which saw
Casinos: 11
Casino GGR: AMD275m (€500,000)
Gaming Halls: 79
Gaming Hall GGR: AMD410m
(€800,000)
Total GGR: AMD1bn (€2m)
It has also been
stated in the
Armenian law that
casinos and
gaming activities
should only be
organised in hotels
with more than 125
guest rooms. This,
the government
hopes, will help
consolidate
businesses.
However if a casino
wants to invest at
least AMD37bn
($100m) in building
a 5 star hotel and
casino complex in
Yerevan, basically
this would be
considered.
four separate gambling zones isolated
from the capital. Of course that didn’t
entirely go to plan.
Some however believe the new law is
contradictory. By placing casinos in the
major resort towns, which currently
promote spas, health and sport they will
now lose their role as resort towns and
are concerned that gambling and health
resorts cannot live hand-in-hand.
Meanwhile, others believe the initiative
can only promote the development of
tourism in Armenia.
Casino operators are currently reluctant to
comment on the changes and many will
be forced to close and then re-invest in
development elsewhere. A costly venture.
It was also stated in the Armenian law
that casinos and gaming activities should
only be organised in hotels with more
than 125 guest rooms. This, the
government hopes, will help consolidate
businesses. However if a casino wants to
invest at least AMD37bn ($100m) in
building a 5 star hotel and casino
complex in Yerevan, basically this would
be considered.
May 2012 PAGE 59
Analysis
ARMENIA
ARMENIA - GAMING INDUSTRY STATISTICS
NUMBER OF:
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
CASINOS
15
12
10
10
11
SLOT HALLS
118
97
90
92
79
LOTTERIES
4
4
3
3
5
GGR CASINOS (AMD)
400m
300m
250m
275m
GGR SLOT HALLS (AMD)
585m
485m
455m
410m
GGR LOTTERIES (AMD)
400m
400m
300m
400m
TOTAL GGR (AMD)
1.3bn
1.2bn
1bn
1bn
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said: “If
investors introduce a business proposal
exceeding $100m the RA National
Assembly will allow the RA government
to approve them.”
Existing casinos have been given until
2013 to close down. The new criteria
would apply to companies wishing to
obtain a licence to run such a business
from 2013. Casinos will now be in
premises with a total area of not less that
250sq.m and slots halls should be at least
100sq.m in size. The buildings must also
be 500 metres away from educational,
historical, cultural, governmental or
health institutions.
Under the new bill the basic duty for
setting up slot halls will increase from the
current AMD5m to AMD50m whilst for
casinos it will increase from AMD25m to
AMD400m per year. The changes
eliminate fixed payments for tables and
slot machines. Currently the amount is
AMD5m for slot halls and AMD25m for
casinos and the monthly fixed payment
fee for equipment is AMD4m per gaming
able and AMD125,000 per slot machine.
Parliament also suggests that a maximum
casino tax should be set at AMD1bn.
CASINO GAMING
The numbers of casinos and slot halls
have fluctuated significantly over the
years. Many have had their licences
revoked whilst others have simply closed.
Back in 2006 there were 18 casinos in
Armenia plus 51 gaming halls. At the end
of 2008 there were 15 casinos, 118 slot
halls and four lotteries with a total of
AMD1.3bn collected in revenues.
At the end of 2009 there were 12 casinos
plus 97 slot halls and four lotteries. The
state collected a total throughout the year
of AMD1.2bn
At the end of 2010 there were a total of 10
casinos, 90 slot halls and three lottery
May 2012 PAGE 60
licences. The total for the year amounted
to AMD1bn.
At the beginning of 2011 there were a
total of 10 casinos, 92 slot halls and three
lottery licences and at the beginning of
2012 (February) there were 11 casinos, 79
slots halls and four lotteries.
The majority of casinos are located on the
outskirts of Yerevan and mainly on the
highway to Yerevan from the airport or
other directions.
Shangri-La Casino in Yerevan is one of the
most luxurious casinos belonging to
Storm International Group. It was
formerly known as the Cleopatra Casino
and was owned by the Multi Group.
Storm purchased it and then invested
US$3m in the reconstruction of this
casinos and renamed it Shangri-La. It was
officially opened in 2008 and is the
company’s flagship and styled in art deco
with fine Armenian mosaics and Tiffany
stained glass.
There is Italian Cuisine restaurant called
Michelangelo Lounge, three bars, live
music concerts and show programmes.
The total area is 2,400 sq.m and the
casino has 24 tables and over 100 slots
whilst VIP players have the XO Club. The
casino charges a $100 entrance fee which
is exchanged for chips to play with. There
are also club cards for additional services
such as free entrance, free bar and
restaurant. The casino is located on the
10th km of the Yerevan Sevan highway
and just 40 minutes from Zvartnots
Airport.
Storm International also runs
entertainment facilities in Germany,
Mexico, Romania, Belarus and Russia.
Meanwhile, Storm also owns and
manages Hollywood Entertainment with
over 900 slots in two large facilities in
Mexico. There are also nine slot halls in
Germany with four more planned to open
this year.
“At this point in time
we are now
planning to change
our business model
due to the changes
in the gaming law
in Armenia.”
MARK BRADSHAW,
General Manager,
Storm International.
Storm’s General Manager, Mark Bradshaw
said: “At this point in time we are now
planning to change our business model
due to the changes in the gaming law in
Armenia.”
Alsart Group is a Russian company which
deals with Russia, Ukraine and CIS
countries primarily selling used slot
machines and internett terminals and also
managing a chain of sport poker clubs
where they are permitted.
They opened an office in 2008 in Yerevan
and began to offer a range of gambling
equipment and casino accessories from
slots to roulettes and chips. The company
also used to operate the Senator Casino in
Yerevan, which at the time housed 100
slots and 18 tables. Alsart sold this
venture a year ago due to “cultural and
Analysis
ARMENIA
expected in 2012 and AMD7bn in 2013.
The companies will provide lottery
programmes through both traditional
sales channels and SMS whilst the
government announced that Amaya will
also set up a centralised control system
which will collect all data in a central
server from all gaming devices. This they
claim will help prevent fraud and money
laundering, whilst protecting the gambler.
In the first stage of this set up Amaya
provided US$4m worth of equipment.
Amaya will install the Amaya Central
Reporting Module (CRM) on all electronic
gaming devices operating in Armenia for
the next 10 years. This will provide the
government with real-time reporting tools
to capture and monitor gaming
transactions, improve tax efficiency and
promote gaming integrity.
David Baazov, President and CEO of
Amaya said: “We are very pleased to
begin a mutually beneficial long-term
relationship with the government of
Armenia. Our lottery and integrity
solutions are providing us with a platform
to expand our technology footprint and
grow our relationships with customers in
new jurisdictions.”
Sports-betting in Armenia accounts for 0.3
per cent of the online sports betting
market. Armenian company Vivaro
Betting LLC was issued a licence by the
Armenian Ministry of Finance in
November 2008 and is today one of the
leading bookmaking companies in the
region operating under the Vbet banner.
Bets can be made on all types of sports
from football, tennis, basketball, ice
hockey, baseball, boxing and cycling.
political difficulties faced in Armenia.”
LOTTERY AND BETTING
Until 2009 the lottery didn’t exist in
Armenia. In 2009 the government
launched a monthly national lottery based
on an eight digit number which was
printed on the back of sales receipts. The
idea ultimately was to encourage
customers to get their cash register
receipts from the retail outlets and
therefore help stop the retail industry
from avoiding taxes. Cash prizes of up to
US$16,000 could be won for winning
numbers. The first live lottery draw took
place live on Armenian Public TV H1 on
February 6, 2009.
Then in November last year, the Ministry
of Finance and Canadian Amaya Gaming
Group signed an exclusive 10 year
agreement for the implementation of a
national lottery system and to also
provide central reporting and integrity
services in Armenia.
In 2011, the government introduced a
national lottery which would operate like
the Sportloto lottery run during Soviet
times. The government and Canadian
gaming group Amaya set up a joint
company in October 2011 called Amaya
Armenia with a capital of AMD200m.
Amaya Canada invested US$28m in the
form of technical equipment and the
income from the lottery will be
distributed evenly between the
shareholders. The Ministry of Finance
expects the partnership will secure several
billion drams annually in additional
revenue with around AMD2bn in revenue
“We are very
pleased to begin a
mutually beneficial
long-term
relationship with
the government of
Armenia. Our
lottery and integrity
solutions are
providing us with a
platform to expand
our technology
footprint and grow
our relationships
with customers in
new jurisdictions.”
DAVID BAAZOV,
President and CEO,
Amaya.
Vbet was established back in 2003 as
Vivarobet and set up land based sports
betting outlets which later followed with
online facilities. Today, the company has
licences for online betting, casino and
poker (vivaropoker.am) in Armenia.
Vbet’s Zaruhi Surmenyan said: “We have
customers not only from Armenia. We
have a website called vbet.com which is
popular abroad in the countries near to
our region. We are also getting a licence
in Malta and soon vbet.com will operate
under that licence. Vbet.am will continue
to operate under the Armenian licence.”
The website is available in 19 different
languages. Meanwhile, Vbet currently has
120 bookmaker shops in Armenia which
are both franchised and privately
operated. They operate up to 6,000 live
matches per month for all types of sports
and up to 20,000 live videos per year. The
second largest sports betting operator in
Armenia is Totobet followed by Eurobet.
May 2012 PAGE 61
Update
THE PHILIPPINES
HURLING STONES
AT THE SKY
Can the gaming industry in the Philippines shake its image of corruption and
scandal to become the second largest regional gambling hub in Asia?
The Philippines, the ‘sick man of Asia’, is
suddenly looking much healthier these
days as investors clamber into the country
to give the country a much needed shot
in the arm.
The country has been something of a
yoyo over the years. In 2007 things looked
bright as the economy approached its best
performance, but this was soon crushed
with reports of corruption. Today, the
$200bn economy is on a stronger footing.
Its stock market was the best performer in
Asia last year and up nearly 13 per cent
this year. Overseas buying of Philippine
stock hit a record $938m in the fourth
quarter of last year and economic growth
is projected to be about four per cent.
Corporate balance sheets are also in good
shape, remittances from overseas Filipinos
is a steady 10 per cent of GDP and
consumer debt is the lowest in Asia at
just seven per cent.
However, until recently foreign
investment into the Philippines has
always remained fairly low. Over the last
10 years until 2010 the country’s annual
net Foreign Direct Investment never
May 2012 PAGE 62
PAGCOR is trying to
shake off the
image of corruption
which has tainted
the company in the
past whilst also
looking at future
projects. Several
changes have
been introduced
into the company
such as a reduction
in operating
expenses with
excessive
expenditures
curbed. The new
management has
imposed stringent
regulations on the
use of service
vehicles and a
reduction in PR and
advertising.
exceeded $2bn. Then almost two years
ago something happened in the
Philippines that gave the country a huge
cash influx, whilst also giving the region’s
casino industry a chance to expand in a
big, big way.
In June 2010, President Benigno ‘NoyNoy’
Aquino III (P-Noy) was sworn in as the
Philippine’s 15th president. He promised
to free the region from poverty and
corruption, whilst also tackling the
sluggish growth and economic problems.
Outgoing president Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo had a stormy nine year rule,
which saw four failed power grabs and
opposition impeachment bids against her
over allegations of vote rigging,
corruption and rights abuse.
President Aquino has pledged a new era
of good governance, reforms and a
democracy sensitive to the common
people. His parents are revered for their
opposition to the late dictator Ferdinand
Marcos who was ousted from power back
in 1986. His father Senator Benigno
Aquino was assassinated in 1983 as the
opposition leader of Marcos.
After Marcos was forced into exile PNoy’s mother Corazon Aquino took over
the reins of the government and changed
the country to a democracy. She died in
2009 and just a few weeks later calls for
her son to run as president began. He
accepted the challenge and has been
thrust into his current position by the
clear call of the people and he won the
elections by a margin of 5.5 million votes.
As the new President took over there
were similar changes at the state owned
Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation (PAGCOR) as the old regime
was ousted and a new one installed.
In July 2010 a new management team
took over the PAGCOR helm and Cristino
Naguiat was named as Chairman. For
nine years PAGCOR had promoted itself
as a company that was a “global
corporation,” now under new
management PAGCOR is aiming to take
its role back to its roots and concentrate
on its own turf.
Firstly, PAGCOR is trying to shake off the
image of corruption which has tainted the
company in the past, whilst also looking
at future projects. Several changes have
been introduced into the company such
as a reduction in operating expenses with
excessive expenditures curbed. The new
Update
THE PHILIPPINES
the tourism figures which are trailing
limply behind its other Asian neighbours.
The Philippines sees around four million
tourists per year, which although has
been increasing steadily, is still much
lower than the number of tourists visiting
Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. In fact
over 70 per cent of the 62 million annual
tourists to the region visit these other
three countries.
In response to these issues, Resorts World
Manila was born. In June 2008, the
Travellers International Hotel Group,
received the first provisional licence from
PAGCOR to develop its new gaming
project. Travellers International are
permitted to operate two casinos sites
from 2005 and 2033.
The first project was Resort World Manila
which is the Philippine’s first integrated
tourism estate and opened back in August
2009. Resorts World Manila is a US$700m
luxury casino resort which has generated
US$355m in revenue during its first year
of operation. It is located in Newport City,
the first tourism economic zone in the
Philippines, and just across from Terminal
3 of the Ninoy Aquino Airport.
Resorts World
Manila is currently
home to three
hotels – the five star
Marriot Hotel
Manila with 323
guest rooms and
19 suites; the six
star casino hotel
Maxims Tower with
168 suites, three
villas and one
Presidential suite
and the newly
opened budget
Remington Hotel
with 623 standard
rooms and 89
serviced
apartments. There
is also the Newport
Mall including
games arcade
GameZoo, 3D
cinemas,
restaurants and a
1,500 seat theatre
boasting the largest
LED wall ever built
in the Philippines.
management has imposed stringent
regulations on the use of service vehicles
and a reduction in PR and advertising.
Operating expenses have dropped by
P846m over a six month period.
yielded a P505m or 25 per cent growth
compared to the same month last year.
We also surpassed the January 2012
gaming income target of P2.38bn
operations by over three per cent.”
Meanwhile there has also been an
improvement of budget performance and
a review of contracts. The company has
renewed its casino offerings whilst
introducing award schemes for its
workers.
PAGCOR earnings are distributed as
follows:
In 2011, PAGCOR saw total revenues of
P36.65bn, a 16.5 per cent growth
compared to the total income the year
previously of P31.4bn (of which P21.7bn
came from gaming operations)
Meanwhile, income is increasing monthly
and in March 2012 reported highs of
P3.67bn, an increase from February’s
P3.46bn, and its 10th consecutive month
of high gross earnings.
The income has been put down to the
sustained improvement of marketing
programmes for Casino Filipino’s national
and foreign markets, upgrading of slot
machines and the rationalisation of
expenses in gaming operations.
CEO Cristino Naguiat said: “Our casinos,
arcades and in-house bingo operations
• five per cent to the Inland Revenue as
franchise tax,
• 50 per cent of the balance goes tot he
National Treasury as the government’s
mandated income share,
• five per cent of the balance goes to the
Philippine Sports Commission,
• one per cent to the Board of Claims,
• Cities hosting PAGCOR casinos are also
given a fixed amount for their
respective community development
projects,
• PAGCOR also provides funds for other
development and sports programmes,
whilst the remaining balance goes to
the Social Fund.
THE GROWTH OF GAMING
One of the aims behind the development
of gaming in the Philippines is to boost
Resorts World Manila is currently home to
three hotels – the five star Marriot Hotel
Manila with 323 guest rooms and 19
suites; the six star casino hotel Maxims
Tower with 168 suites, three villas and
one Presidential suite and the newly
opened budget Remington Hotel with 623
standard rooms and 89 serviced
apartments. There is also the Newport
Mall including games arcade GameZoo,
3D cinemas, restaurants and a 1,500 seat
theatre boasting the largest LED wall ever
built in the Philippines.
The hotels currently offer 1,226 rooms
across the three brands and the plan is to
bring the total number of hotels to seven
over the next five years. Maxims Tower
was the first hotel in the country to offer
all-suite accommodation.
The resort also inaugurated the Newport
City Transport Terminal, which provides
round the clock access to and from the
airport terminals as well as to various
parts of metro Manila and neighbouring
provinces.
The casino has 300 tables, 100 electronic
table games and 1,700 slots over three
floors and includes a VIP room and
junket rooms. The casino recently added
200 new slots and 100 new electronic
table games as the popularity of this style
of gaming is beginning to grow in the
Philippines. Meanwhile there are linked
slots, stand alone machines and these are
all available via the main gaming area at
May 2012 PAGE 63
Update
THE PHILIPPINES
Resorts World, Maxims VIP gaming area,
Maxims non smoking gaming area and
Genting Club.
The company behind the project is
Travellers International Hotel Group – a
joint venture between Alliance Global and
Genting Hong Kong and the resort draws
around 11 million visitors per year.
Alliance is expecting average daily foot
traffic to the resort to more than double
by next year as the companies develop
more projects and claim it could reach 3540,000 visitors by the end of 2012 higher
than the initial projection of 30,000.
At the moment Resort World attracts
around 18-20,000 per day of which
16,000 are concentrated on its casino
operations. Another four hotels will be
added including two five star hotels and
two four star hotels with a total room
count of 2,700.
Meanwhile, the six star Maxims Tower is
undergoing expansion with another 50-60
super sized suites being added whilst the
five star Marriot Hotel will add up to
another 100 rooms. Total investment in
Resorts World was around $650m but
Alliance say this may ‘bounce’ up to $1bn
over the next five years.
THE FILIPINO FUTURE
It is predicted that the Philippines will
take over Singapore in terms of landbased gaming over the next few years.
The country is fast becoming a power
hub for both online and offline gambling
growth. The Philippines has a healthy
population of almost 100 million plus a
stable economy. In addition it has a
strong domestic demand as the Filipinos
like to play the high risk-high reward
games such as slots. The country is only
a few hours flight from China, Japan and
South Korea from where most high rolling
Asian players hail.
The government wants to boost the
tourism sector and has a target of
reaching at least 6.5 million foreign
arrivals, generating around US$7bn in
earnings by 2016.
Of course, one of the biggest challenges is
the plan to develop Bagong Nayong
Philippino-Manila Bay Integrated City,
otherwise known as Entertainment City
Manila or indeed PAGCOR City, which is
Asia’s first LA Vegas style gaming and
entertainment complex.
The integrated resort, which will include
recreation and entertainment facilities,
aims to bring the city of Manila in line
with the likes of Macau and Singapore.
The new 25 year
licence given to
PAGCOR included
the option to subfranchise its
franchise to private
investors. The idea
was initially
developed under
the old
administration
under former
Chairman Efraim
Genuino.
The project has been on the back burner
since 2001, but once PAGCOR received its
extended licence in February 2007, the
agreement between PAGCOR and the city
government of Parañaque was sealed in
October 2008 with development
beginning some months later.
The new 25 year licence given to PAGCOR
included the option to sub-franchise its
franchise to private investors. The idea
was initially developed under the old
administration under former Chairman
Efraim Genuino. At that time four licences
were awarded in 2008 and 2009 to
operate casinos in a new gambling and
Update
THE PHILIPPINES
Philippines developments
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPER/INVESTOR
TYPE
STATUS
Belle Grande Manila Bay
Belle Corp (SM)
Hotel/Casino
Under Construction. Due by 2013
Resorts World Bayshore
Travellers International
Hotel/Casino
Proposed
1,000 rooms across 6 hotels
19,626 sq.m casino
2,800 rooms
(construction to begin 2012)
Solaire Manila
Manila Bay Resorts
Bloombury Investments
Hotel/Casino
Tiger Resorts
Hotel/ Casino
(Universal Entertainment)
Under Construction
500 rooms
Construction began Feb 2012.
2,000 rooms across 3 hotels
Due to open 2014.
28,000 sq.m casino
Aseana City
Private Corporations
Business Centre
Under Construction
Mandara Waterfront
Landmark Communities
Residential
Near Completion
Residences
Manila Observatory Dome
None
Observatory
On Hold
Manila Eye
None
Observatory
Looking for investors
Mall of Asia Arena
SM Investments
Sports Complex
Opening May 2012
entertainment complex in Manila. The
government predicted that the site could
capture at least a 10 per cent share of the
total global gaming market, estimated to
be $115bn annually.
Entertainment City is an ambitious project
to be located on a piece of reclaimed land
between Roxas Boulevard and the
panoramic Manila Bay, which will be
turned into an integrated leisure and
entertainment Mecca covering around 120
hectares in total.
There will be four
integrated resorts
which will join the
fifth resort (Resorts
World Manila),
which is already
operating across
from the NAIA
Terminal 3. Total
investment will
come from private
companies and is
estimated to reach
up to $15bn.
The plan is to develop an integrated
resort, leisure and entertainment complex
that will provide investment opportunities
and world class tourist attractions. This
will include luxury hotels, convention
centres, theatres, sports stadium,
shopping complex, museums, amusement
parks and observation tower.
There will be four integrated resorts,
which will join the fifth resort (Resorts
World Manila), which is already operating
across from the NAIA Terminal 3. Total
investment will come from private
companies and is estimated to reach up
to $15bn. All proponents of the resorts
are committed to invest a minimum of
HERITAGE HOTEL
AND PARAÑAQUE
CASINO ARE
EXPECTED TO
CLOSE AS THEY
CANNOT
COMPETE WITH
THE NEW RESORT
AREA.
US$1bn each and build a minimum of
250,000 sq.m of resort with 800 hotel
rooms minimum with an average of 40
sq.m per room. It is expected once
completed the four resorts will have the
revenue generating capacity of
Singapore’s two resorts – Marina Bay
Sands and Resorts World Sentosa which
tops around US$4bn.
The project will be housed at the bay area
of Parañaque City and on some land at
the Aseana Business Park and Mall of
Asia Complex. PAGCOR has insisted that
the hotel facilities must be built prior to
opening the casinos.
PAGCOR says its Heritage Hotel and its
Parañaque Casino near the Ninoy Airport
are now expected to close down after
their respective gaming licences expire.
They cannot compete with the new resort
area. It is thought these licences will
transfer to another area. Heritage’s licence
expires in 2013, whilst Parañaque expires
in 2014.
The rules initially stated that Licence
application fees cost US$50,000 to
PAGCOR (non-refundable) and applicants
must be expert in the hotel and gaming
business and submit proposals for a total
entertainment complex with a minimum
project cost of US$1bn.
Of this a minimum of 40 per cent of the
total project must be invested within a
period of two years.
Selected applicants will lease the land
from PAGCOR for a period of 25 years,
which is then renewable and applicants
will also need to have a bank guarantee
for US$100m set aside for 120 days with
an Escrow Account then maintaining a
balance of US$50m.
The following taxes will be set in place:
Update
THE PHILIPPINES
Non-junket table and slot operations will
pay:
• 15 per cent of gross gaming revenue
(GGR) from high roller tables,
• 25 per cent of GGR from non-high
roller tables,
• 25 per cent of GGR from slots,
• Two per cent of total GGR from high
and non-high roller tables (towards
restoration of cultural heritage).
From Junket operations:
• 15 per cent of GGR from high and nonhigh roller tables.
Currently gaming tax in the Philippines is
25 per cent, whilst VIP tax is just 15 per
cent.
Four companies have been selected to
undertake the project. These are
Bloombury Hotels and Resorts (project
Solaire Manila); Tiger Resort Leisure and
Entertainment (project Manila Bay
Resorts); SM Consortium (project Belle
Grande) and Travellers International Hotel
Group (project: Resorts World Manila
Bayshore).
There will be 3,200 hotel rooms available
and the resort can accommodate a million
tourists annually and could generate
gaming revenues of around US$11.5bn
whilst driving the annual tourist market
in the Philippines up to 10 million by
2016, whilst the optimistic figure for 2012
is four million tourists.
The first phase is expected to be
completed by 2013 as Bloombury and SM
Consortium are already constructing their
resorts. The other two are expected to
break ground this year whilst the whole
resort is expected to be completed by
2016.
Construction alone will create around
80,000 direct jobs and 40,000 indirect jobs
and US$2.6bn will be spent initially on
the area. The casino only accounts for
around 7.5 per cent of the total
development.
According to statistics the country
employs around 907,000 workers in the
hotel and restaurant sector alone and that
is expected to rise to over one million
once the project is completed whilst local
workers could earn US dollars and
locators are being urged to pay salaries
competitive with those in other countries.
The development companies involved at
present in the Philippines includes the
following:
May 2012 PAGE 66
According to
statistics the
country employs
around 907,000
workers in the hotel
and restaurant
sector alone and
that is expected to
rise to over one
million once the
project is
completed whilst
local workers could
earn US dollars
and locators are
being urged to pay
salaries competitive
with those in other
countries.
THE RESORT CAN
ACCOMMODATE A
MILLION
TOURISTS
ANNUALLY AND
COULD GENERATE
REVENUES OF
US$11.BN.
SM INVESTMENTS CORP (SMIC) is the
holding company of the SM group and is
one of the Philippines biggest
conglomerates in the shopping mall, retail
merchandising, banking, finance and
property sector (including hotels).
The company has 169 retail stores in the
Philippines and of these 41 are SM
Department Stores, 33 are SM
Supermarkets, 65 are Save More branches
and 30 are SM Hypermarkets.
The company, through its subsidiary SM
Prime Holdings, also has 42 shopping
malls in the Philippines.There is also a
property and banking and finance sector
and hotels and convention corporation
and latest project was the 400 room
Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.
In the PAGCOR Entertainment City SM
Investment Corp will be in charge of
developing non-gaming developments
such as hotels, sports arena, museum and
an Oceanarium.
THE BELLE CORPORATION recently
celebrated the beginning of construction
of its $750m complex, which will offer
828 hotel rooms and will comprise of six
hotel towers. Work is expected to be
completed by early next year and work
on the BGX Entertainment Complex has
also begun. The casino will include over
19,000 sq.m of gaming space with 6,000
sq.m for VIPs. Belle Corp and Leisure
Resorts World Corp will manage the
gaming component and it will be run by
Asia Pacific Gaming, which runs five
casinos in Macau. It is expected to house
350 tables and 1,900 slots.
Belle is controlled by billionaire Henry Sy
and revenues are being generated by the
sale of residential projects mainly in
Tagaytay City and in Batangas.
BLOOMBURY INVESTMENTS is owned by
port king Enrique Razon. The Bloombury
plan is for a hotel complex called Solaire
Manila and is expected to be completed
Update
THE PHILIPPINES
company also has affiliates in Australia
and South Africa. Aruze also operates
casino hotel resorts, engages in real estate
leasing and amusement facilities
management businesses.
The Aruze Group is investing some
US$3bn in the development of 40 hectares
of land for the Entertainment City project
and is developing the Okada Resort
Manila Bay featuring 2,000 rooms and
300 VIP suites, the world’s largest
oceanarium, theatres, sports arena,
museum and giant Ferris Wheel.
However, the recent tussle between
Universal boss, Kazuo Okada, and Wynn
Resorts Chairman, Steve Wynn, is
creating a cloud of uncertainty over the
development.
THE $2.3BN
OKADA RESORT
MANILA BAY WILL
INCLUDE
28,000SQ.M. OF
GAMING AND
2,000 ROOMS
ACROSS THREE
HOTELS.
by the end of 2012. The project will
include two luxury hotel towers of over
1,000 rooms.
At the end of March this year Bloombury
Resorts and Hotels became the first
investor to complete the structural
foundation for the first construction phase
of their plans and held the ceremonial
topping-off of its Solaire Manila resort at
the Entertainment City complex.
Solaire Manila will include two hotel
towers, which will be connected by a
multi level podium, an indoor garden,
indoor water facility, retail shops, gaming
area, theatre and convention hall with
5,500 seating. Initial investment for these
facilities is said to be $650m, whilst long
term the cost will reach $1.2bn.
ARUZE CORPORATION (known as Universal
Entertainment Corp) is a Japanese
manufacturer of pachinko, slot machines
and other gaming products particularly
for the home and commercial markets.
The company has licences to manufacture
and distribute in Nevada, Mississippi and
New Jersey, whilst Aruze Gaming
America is a 100 per cent owned
subsidiary in Las Vegas and it in turn
owns 21 per cent of Wynn Resorts. The
Solaire Manila will
include two hotel
towers which will
be connected by a
multi level podium,
an indoor garden,
indoor water facility,
retail shops,
gaming area,
theatre and
convention hall with
5,500 seating.
Initial investment for
these facilities is
said to be $650m,
whilst long term the
cost will reach
$1.2bn.
Okada has been accused by Wynn of
bribing PAGCOR Chairman Naguiat and
his predecessor Genuino with gifts and
luxury accommodation. Okada has since
been ousted from the Wynn Resorts board
and his shares bought back.
The $2.3bn Okada Resort Manila Bay will
be managed by Universal’s subsidiary
Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment
and will include 28,000 sq.m of gaming
and some 2,000 rooms across three
hotels. It is due to open 2014.
TRAVELLERS INTERNATIONAL HOTEL GROUP
is a joint venture between Genting Hong
Kong (of the Malaysian Genting Berhad
group) and Alliance Global Inc (AGI) and
has enabled AGI to enter the world of
tourism and gaming in the Philippines.
The joint venture was agreed back in
2008 to build the Philippine’s first
integrated tourism estate in Newport City
called Resorts World Manila. The
company will now also develop the larger
integrated tourism estate Resorts World
Bayshore City at the Entertainment City
project, which will include 2,500 hotel
rooms, leisure, retail and entertainment
facilities and is planning to invest some
US$3bn in the project. Genting owns the
Genting Highlands Resort in Malaysia and
holds the exclusive development rights of
film giant Universal Studios in Asia.
Genting has partnered its subsidiary Star
Cruises to Travellers International (AGI).
Alliance Global Inc saw revenues last year
of P44.4bn in 2010 by 14.6% whilst net
profit soared to P9.5bn an increase of 39
per cent from the previous year.
Melco Crown Entertainment (co-owned
by Lawrence Ho and James Packer) is
now interested in the PAGCOR
Entertainment City project and Macau
operator Galaxy Entertainment Group is
also interested in the project and is
possibly talking to Belle corp.
However, the government has called for
an update on the project after it was
hatched initially some four years ago
under the former President, and claims
the government is in the dark as to the
status of the its implementation and
wants a full blown investigation. Aquino
wants to know if the project could and
would deliver on what it initially
promised.
In addition, a P12bn expressway project is
on the go to link the Entertainment City
to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport,
meaning commuters will be able to access
the city in just 16 minutes from the NAIA
terminals.
The Entertainment City investors are
apparently paying P5bn to P6bn of the
project costs which the government was
originally going to cover. It is expected to
be finished in two to three years.
PAGCOR – BEHIND THE SCENES
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation is a wholly government
owned and controlled gaming
corporation, which was created in 1977 to
curb the influx of illegal gambling.
It was given a franchise for 25 years
which was then extended for another 25
years in July 2008 and is headed by
Cristino Naguiat (Chairman and CEO)
and Jorge Sarmiento (President and CEO).
It is the third biggest source of
governmental funds (besides the Inland
Revenue and Bureau of Customs) with an
annual revenue of around US$650m from
its casinos and clubs from which 48 per
cent is derived from its slots and
electronic gaming machines alone.
It was set up with a three-pronged
mandate – to regulate games of chance
(casinos in particular), to raise funds for
the government and to help boost the
Philippines’ tourism industry. In 2007 as
its licence was extended it also permitted
PAGCOR to enter into agreements such as
joint ventures.
May 2012 PAGE 67
Update
THE PHILIPPINES
Today, PAGCOR operates 13 casinos under
the Casino Filipino banner across the
three major islands and 27 exclusive clubs
in major cities across the country offering
table games and slots. PAGCOR also
operates 180 Casino Filipino e-games
which is an internet café dedicated to
casino games from slots, table games and
video poker.
The PAGCOR casinos include:
ANGELES – A themed casino based on
Kamampangan folklore located in
Pampanga province. It is set on three
storeys offering table games, slots and
bingo. It has been based at Cauayan
Isabela after the eruption of Mount
Pinatubo led to its relocation in 1992. IT
was housed in a new building in 2003.
There are 489 slots in total.
BACOLOD – This is located in a Spanish
era inspired hotel in the heart of
Goldenfields Commercial complex. It
PAGCOR
OPERATES 13
ACROSS THE
THREE MAJOR
ISLANDS AND 27
EXCLUSVIE
CLUBS IN MAJOR
CITIES.
began operation 26 years ago. There are
264 slots in total, table games and bingo
CEBU - Located in the castle-like
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel it was one of
the first themed casinos in the Philippines
and is based on the 19th century era.
There is 41,000 sq.m of gaming divided
into three area and a total of 737 slots.
DAVAO – the biggest city in Mindanao it is
home to Mount Apo (highest mountain)
and also the casino located in the Grand
Regal Hotel in Lanang. There are 20 table
games and slots.
HYATT MANILA – Located in the tourist
district this hotel/casino boasts three
floors of gaming. It was opened in 1994.
HERITAGE – Located in the Heritage Hotel
Manila in Pasay City and has a total 401
slots and 57 gaming tables plus bingo in
the Heritage plus in the satellite clubs –
Club Majestic, Atrium VIP, Midas Hote,
Networld-Jipang, Softiel and Madison slot
arcade. Operated with Jimei Group.
LAOAG – Located in the Fort Ilocandia
Resort Hotel in Laoag City, a resort know
May 2012 PAGE 68
PAGCOR was given
a franchise for 25
years which was
then extended for
another 25 years in
July 2008 and is
headed by Cristino
Naguiat (Chairman
and CEO) and
Jorge Sarmiento
(President and
CEO). It is the third
biggest source of
governmental
funds (besides the
Inland Revenue
and Bureau of
Customs) with an
annual revenue of
around US$650m
for its sandy beaches and is a favourite
with players from Hong Kong and Taiwan.
There are 8 VIP rooms with different
themes and 136 slots in total
MACTAN – Very close to the international
airport this casino is located in Mactan
Island in Cebu and has 408 slots and
table games. It has a Spanish theme
MIMOSA – Found at the Mimosa Leisure
Estate in Clarkfield Special Economic
Zone, Pampanga this is based on the glitz
of Hollywood glamour and houses a golf
course, hotel, villas, bars and restaurants.
There are 170 slots.
OLONGAPO – Located in Olongapo City
with its array of bars, duty free, golf
course and restaurants the casino is found
in the heart of the entertainment district.
PARAÑAQUE – Situated just across from
the Ninoy Aquino Airport this offers all
types of entertainment from slots, table
games and shows.
PAVILION – Found in the Manila Pavilion
Hotel in the heart of the city’s tourist and
historical district the hotel has a VIP room
in addition to its gaming lounges. It is
considered the premiere casino in the
PAGCOR stable and in housed in the
Waterfront 5 star hotel.
TAGAYTAY – Distinguished by its giant gold
crown this is found in the city famous for
the Taal Volcano in Cavite. It was opened
in 1991 and has a gaming area of 4,450
sq.m and 1,051 slots and 45 table games.
Focus
ITALY
TAKING INSPIRATION
There’s clear air and daylight between the leading suppliers in the
Italian VLT market, with Inspired Gaming leading from the front
The rise of Inspired Gaming in the Italian
market has not only been dramatic, it has
been sustained throughout the lengthy
introduction of VLT gaming across the
country. The UK-based company has
exceeded the expectations of the market,
delivering consistent performance and
flexibility with its Open platform and
content from a range of third-party and
in-house developers.
Technical modifications and taxation
changes have recently complicated the
marketplace, but throughout Inspired has
continued to deploy machines and grow
incomes despite painful tax increases. The
rises are part of the collective tax burden
that Italy faces right now, which has
served to focus attention upon machine
performance and competitive difference,
something that Inspired has made a USP
in the Italian VLT gaming sector. “The
flexibility that the Open platform offers
concessionaires is without equal in this
marketplace,” states Luke Alvarez, CEO
Inspired Gaming Group. “The range of
games from 3rd party developers, the
different cabinets, the menu flexibility, the
ability to change attract modes, buttons,
multi-games, roulette clusters etc., all of
which have been tested and approved,
offer the greatest flexibility for operators.”
Creating venues with non-uniform
machines, games and menus is a vital
element in differentiating locations from
the growing competition in Italy, where in
the capital Rome there are now currently
28,000 VLTs. “We see a great spectrum of
performance levels from venue to venue,”
described Mr. Alvarez. “We have
conducted a series of venue optimisation
programmes and recognise that there are
plenty of high quality venues that have
yet to site VLTs as some of the deals
between suppliers and concessionaires
haven't exactly gone to plan,” states Mr.
Alvarez delicately. “We predict there will
be three sources of market growth in the
next 12 months, the first of which will see
the government increasing the existing
volume for current concessionaires. At the
same time, locations that aren't live or
aren't performing will have to look to the
best performing suppliers for products
that compete in a stricter tax structure.
Finally, we will see the introduction of
three new concessionaires into the
marketplace, which will further increase
the marketshare for VLTs.”
The Italian market has proven the
viability of VLT gaming in Europe, but
some of the secondary supplier income
levels remain worryingly low. There has
been a distinct separation of the top three
into an Italian gaming peloton
(Novomatic, SPIELO and Inspired) where
viability is beyond doubt. Inspired has
supplied north of 10,000 terminals
contracted and deployed, which is a
combination of scale together with
income performance per unit that makes
for a very attractive business model.
Taxation changes have decreased the
return, but this is still a strong margin
product for the best-performing platforms.
"For secondary suppliers or those still in
test, with contracts for several thousand
machines, this has become a non-viable
"The flexibility that
the Open platform
offers
concessionaires is
without equal in
this marketplace.
The range of
games from 3rd
party developers,
the different
cabinets, the menu
flexibility, the ability
to change attract
modes, buttons,
multi-games,
roulette clusters
etc., all of which
have been tested
and approved,
offer the greatest
flexibility for
operators."
LUKE ALVAREZ,
CEO Inspired
Gaming Group.
business for those suppliers right now,”
states Mr. Alvarez. “The industry has
polarised between the two positions.”
Italy is the most technically demanding
jurisdiction in the world, so to be at the
forefront of this development is an
indicator of the performance level of
Inspired's offering. “Once you have
established yourself in a market such a
Italy, you have huge opportunities to
enter global markets at the highest level,”
says Mr. Alvarez. “There is recognition in
Greece, for example, of the strides that
Italy has made in developing its gaming
industry, not just in regards to tax
generation (which is undoubtedly a prime
motivator), but in regards to compliance
and credibility. Greece is looking to
establish a similar level of technical
standards, of which we have already
shown that we can meet the bar.”
The Greek market wants to be live very
quickly with VLTs, especially OPAP, which
has paid for its licences and wants to
generate income as soon as possible.
Inspired is ready to go having proven
itself repeatedly in the UK and Italian
markets. “Greece is a moving picture right
now,” states Mr. Alvarez. “There are
elections and re-financing plans still to
come and gaming fits somewhere within
this political mix. The 10 year licence for
VLT gaming remains an attractive
proposition even if the country devalues
its currency and reverts to the drachma.
Whatever happens, it’s still a massive
opportunity.”
Strategically balancing market growth
beyond its solid UK base, Inspired is
targeting high growth emerging markets.
May 2012 PAGE 69
Focus
ITALY
The global recession has not yet released
its grip, but Inspired sees opportunities
everywhere right now. “People still
gamble when times are tough,” explains
Mr. Alvarez of Inspired’s market view.
“It’s a fact that women buy more lipstick
in a recession - it’s an affordable luxury.
Gaming falls into a similar category. The
average net spend on an FOBT in the UK
is £10-15 per hour. That's good value in
regards to hourly entertainment for the
player. At the same time gaming presents
governments with opportunities to raise
in-direct taxation. Regulated VLT
networks are a great way to tap into
middle-class tax income for the
exchequer. The problem with gaming is
that it presents too much opportunity.”
Inspired is due to announce its first
installs into the licensed US market and
into Macau as part of the recently
announced GLI approval of its Sabre
product, of which there’s 1,000 installed
in the UK and a further thousand
deployed internationally. “Our business
was 97 per cent UK orientated just two
years ago,” explains Mr. Alvarez. “Today,
we export a third of our products to
international markets, with the plan to
increase this to half of our business in the
next 12 months.”
The US market offers Inspired a tactical
opportunity with Sabre. The forthcoming
high profile Sabre launch will underline
this potential. However, Inspired is
realistic in terms of its expectations too.
“We are not looking to sell VLTs or slots
into the US,” states Mr. Alvarez.
“However, for Sabre and our Virtual
Sports product we have great
opportunities in the US with
announcements to be made in the very
near future. In Italy, Latin America and
Greece, we have a VLT product that is
market-ready, and for Asia too. Our
strategy is to pick market by market the
opportunities for our products, applying
regional scale and customisation
overheads per country. Adapting our
Virtual Sports product, for example, is
much more efficient than adapting our
VLT platform, so we have to consider this
into the equation. We are expecting a
number of extra provinces in China to go
live this year with Virtual Sports. In the
next 12 months Inspired will also bring
different sports online in addition to the
current crop. I'm happy for China to be a
long-slow burn as the potential is so
vast,” concludes Mr. Alvarez. “We are
working progressively with local
regulators to ensure that they are happy
with the mix. We are offering really
exciting products across global markets
with double digit growth accelerating
where the market demands. And we have
the financial firepower to achieve our
goals.”
May 2012 PAGE 70
PRACTICAL MEASURES
ICT provides the perfect
recycling solution for Italy
A dilemma facing Italian operators is
looming. The introduction of Comma 6c
regulations in Italy will change the street
market yet again, introducing a machine
with double the stakes and prizes as
compared to today's Comma 6a slots. The
biggest change, however, will be the
introduction of bill acceptors to machines
that have previously been allowed to offer
only coins. It's a fantastic opportunity for
operators to grow their businesses as the
uptick related to bill validator
introduction is universal across the
gaming industry. Machines with bill
validators earn more money. It's a very
simple equation. However, in a market
with 330,000 Comma 6a machines, the
switch to bill validators represents
significant investment at a time of
squeezed capital expenditure. Step
forward ICT.
The NE-77 BR bill recycler is a unit that
ticks all the right boxes for the Italian
market. The unit is compact, extends the
operating time of the slot, offers single
denomination recycling and fits the price
point Italian operators are willing to pay
for such a solution. “We have a product
“Our focus is the
second tier of
operators in Italy,
not the larger
estates, but the
operators looking
for efficiencies
without major
capital investment.”
JACK SUNG, ICT.
that’s ready for the market today,” stated
ICT’s Jack Sung at the Rimini ENADA
show. "Our focus is the second tier of
operators in Italy, not the larger estates,
but the operators looking for efficiencies
without major capital expenditure. In
addition to the recycler, we have both
note and colin validators that are again
cost sensitive and compact, which are
perfectly adapted for the Italian slot
sector. The practicality of our units is
such, that we can fit two ICT products
within a slot for a lower price point and
footprint than our competition.”
Focus
ITALY
A GALAXY
OF OPTIONS
Merkur Interactive is set to become a
concessioniare in the Italian gaming sector
The confirmation that Merkur Interactive
(with other partners – ATI) has applied to
become one of the three additional
concessionaires to be allowed in the
Italian gaming market was major news at
the Rimini ENADA show. The
Gauselmann Group subsidiary will take
the operational experience of the German
giant into the Comma 6a and VLT sector
in Italy, adding to the fine performance of
its games to date. The move is perfectly
timed as location homologation has
begun to progress much faster, with many
of the technical difficulties in this market
now solved. Connection to locations and
supplier experience is contributing to a
rapid turnover of locations going live with
VLTs at present.
“The kinks have been ironed out of the
system,” explained Merkur Gaming Italy’s
General Manager, Roberto Ronchi at the
ENADA show. “Over the course of the last
10 months the collaudo location process
has seen many locations opening in a
short period of time.” Merkur Win has
around 70 locations within Italy in the
sports-betting sector, but in the last six
months the Gauselmann subsidiary has
launched new Merkur Gaming slots
locations, installing 2,000 slots with a
target to have 4-5,000 by the end of the
year. The success of this roll-out is due to
the game strength powering the roll-out
with Mystery 1 and Magic Games proving
highly attractive to Italian players. In
"We have great
partners in this
market and we
know our product
completely. The
performance of
VLTs in Italy is still
very, very high. The
market is growing,
but operators have
lost some of their
revenue due to the
hike in taxes.
Statistics show that
during the period of
VLT expansion,
Comma 6a
machines have
held their ground in
regards to revenue.
VLTs have added
extra revenue
because the bar
players continue to
play in bars,
whereas the VLT
players have
emerged to fill the
upmarket VLT
locations.”
ROBERTO RONCHI,
General Manager,
Merkur Gaming
Italy.
THREE NEW
CONCESSIONAIRES
WILL ENTER THE
MARKET, OF
WHICH MERKUR
INTERACTIVE
WILL BE ONE.
June, Merkur Gaming will launch a new
series of games including the latest
Galaxy line, which was unveiled at the
Rimini exhibition.
“We are very confident that we can grow
this market as we roll-out new games,”
stated Mr. Ronchi. Merkur Galaxy is a
multi-game including a series of games
packages. In Rimini, Merkur Gaming
launched Galaxy 1 and Galaxy 2,
consisting of three games each. Offering
new graphics, new themes and the
opportunity to change games during play,
without payout, Merkur Galaxy is an
innovative games release, offering a wide
game library to meet players’
expectations. Merkur Gaming further
launched two new single games: Lucullus
and Amazonia. “Alongside multi-games
Magic and Mystery, now widely
strengthened on the Comma 6a market,
we decided to show not just a single new
product, but a series of new titles, to give
our customers a wide selection of new
and well-performing products,” said Mr.
Ronchi.
The coordination of the German team
with SOGEI has enabled Merkur Gaming
to pass its machines through
homologation in two-four months, much
to the envy of rival suppliers. “Few
understand the Italian law in the way that
we do,” stated Mr. Ronchi. “We have
great partners in this market and we
know our product completely. The
performance of VLTs in Italy is still very,
very high. The market is growing, but
operators have lost some of their revenue
due to the hike in taxes. Statistics show
that during the period of VLT expansion,
Comma 6a machines have held their
ground in regards to revenue. VLTs have
added extra revenue because the bar
players continue to play in bars, whereas
the VLT players have emerged to fill the
upmarket VLT locations. Italy has
established a mini-casino market that has
not cannibalised the existing player base.”
It's not all good news, however. Operators
have lost around half of their revenue due
to the taxation increase on coin-in. “If
you're an operator and a concessionaire
in this market it is difficult right now to
survive with these taxes,” agreed Mr.
Ronchi. “In the next six months we will
see three new concessionaires enter the
Italian market, of which Merkur
Interactive (together with other partners)
will be one. In this market, the
concessionaire adds 1-2 percentage points
to your margin. In a sector where the
figures are enormous with the same level
of cost, this margin is significant. We will
have six months to install a base of
Comma 6a machines that will allow us a
14 per cent proportionate share of VLTs.
Acquiring the largest number of VLTs in
the market is critical to success. We are
going to be very busy.”
May 2012 PAGE 71
Focus
ITALY
Made in Germany quality,
plus an appreciative audience
for Patir’s design flair
The dramatic introduction of the Patir
Sound-Chair at the ICE show in January
generated a wave of interest in the unique
concept. The chair connects directly to
the slot machine, allowing players to
enjoy surround-sound direct from the
game and play using buttons built into
the arms of the chair itself. Since its first
unveiling in prototype form, Patir Design
has continued to hone the different
elements with a view to unveiling the
final product mid-summer. “The Sound
Chair is a future vision of the gaming
chair,” explained Patir’s Export Manager,
Suleyman Yilmaz at the Rimini ENADA
Spring show. “The major customers
interested in this product have been
working with us to establish the right
connections to the games. We're very
excited about this new design.”
The Germany-based gaming chair
manufacturer displayed its wide range of
quality products at the Italy show having
established a strong customer base as
locations have shifted upmarket with the
introduction of VLT gaming. Despite a
strong manufacturing heritage in Italy,
Patir has competed with Italian suppliers
in both style and quality. “Three years
ago in Italy we had no footprint in this
market,” explained Mr. Yilmaz. “Today,
we are supplying products to some of the
largest operators in the market, from
Adria to Zest and BetPlus. Our chairs are
IMMACULATE CONCEPTS
finding homes in VLT locations as the
market has embraced our ‘Made In
Germany’ quality and the designs of Mr.
Patir, who creates all our chairs himself.”
The Patir Design
team recorded a
successful show at
the Rimini ENADA.
new VIP room creations and refurbishing
entire floors. “We are working with some
of the major casino groups in the world,”
stated Mr. Yilmaz. “Our experience and
know-how is attracting increased business
as we continue to produce chairs
personalised to the needs of the player.”
Quixant’s GARY
MULLINS pictured
at the Rimini
ENADA exhibition.
“The QXi-200 is compliant for the future
developments of the market,” stated Mr.
Mullins. “We are ready for the next stage
of growth in the Italian street gaming
sector.”
Patir Design is currently working upon
projects in Cyprus and Tanzania, creating
EMBEDDING CHANGE
Future-proof solutions for
whatever direction the Comma
6a market chooses next
A level of frustration is evident across the
manufacturing sector in Italy as
developers wait for their machines to pass
through the bottlenecked homologation
process. A series of products remain
parked in approvals, which has a trickle
down effect upon the component
suppliers. PC board specialists Quixant
has won a series of machine orders and
has been designed into gaming machines
for the market, but must wait for
machines to pass through homologation
before those green lit contracts can come
to fruition.
“We are waiting like everyone for
machines to passes through the process,
and for the forthcoming Comma 6c
upsurge, which will replace the current 6a
market,” explained Quixant’s Gary
May 2012 PAGE 72
Mullins in Rimini. “We are serving the
current Comma 6a market with our QXi106 all-in-one platform, specifically
designed to meet the requirements of the
Italian Comma 6a slot machine market,
including AAMS protocol and game
storage integrated onto the motherboard
and packaged in a convenient slim case
that needs no external security enclosure.
However, we also have to be ready for the
anticipated change to Comma 6c, with
bill validator acceptance and additional
functionality.”
To meet the future needs of the Italian
sector, Quixant unveiled in Rimini its QXi200, the first all-in-one gaming PC
available on the market to utilise AMD
Fusion technology in the form of the Gseries embedded APUs. AMD Fusion
technology delivers a number of distinct
benefits to the QXi-200; namely increased
CPU and Graphics performance,
extremely low power consumption and a
very competitive price.
MULTI-TASKING
ACROSS ITALY
Mallorca’s Dosniha, now part of the Gauselmann
Group, is evangelising upon the benefits of
multi-player gaming to Italian operators
The acquisition of Mallaga-based Dosniha by the
Gauselmann Group was announced at the
Rimini ENADA show in Italy. The Spanish firm
is renowned for its local multi-player expertise
having dominated Spain's expansion of the
product throughout the arcade sector. Dosniha
has expanded beyond Spain in recent years
having targeted the Italian market with local
Milan-based Dosniha Italia representative, Paolo
Ronzio taking the multi-player message to arcade
owners across the country.
On the Merkur Gaming stand Dosniha showed
the latest G4 Organic Roulette with six player
stations homologated for the Comma 6a market
from Electroncek. Speaking to Mr. Ronzio at the
show, he explained that while there was to date
only a small number of multi-players in the
Italian market, due predominately to the small
size of traditional Italian arcades, the
development of multi-players in Spain followed a
similar path. “We are seeing customers that have
taken this product return and purchase an
additional unit,” stated Mr. Ronzio. “Those with
the space to accommodate this type of product
have seen real growth in incomes. Multi-players
attract a different level of player who visit the
location singularly to play this machine. They
are not AWP players or VLT players, they enjoy
playing electronic roulette because they are a
casino player, not a machine player. The change
to more luxurious locations, mini-casino type
halls, has meant that locations are growing in
size and seeking to establish a casino
atmosphere. Interblock's range of multi-players
is the ideal solution.”
“We are extremely happy that Organic Roulette
(Comma 6A) is recognised as the best
multiplayer roulette product on the Italian
market, which was confirmed by many
operators, who have this product already
installed in their venues in Italy,” added Bojan
Dreven, Regional Sales Manager at Interblock.
“We are extremely
happy that Organic
Roulette (Comma
6A) is recognised
as the best
multiplayer roulette
product on the
Italian market,
which was
confirmed by many
operators, who
have this product
already installed in
their venues in
Italy.”
BOJAN DREVEN,
Regional Sales
Manager at
Interblock.
The acquisition of
Mallaga-based
Dosniha by the
Gauselmann
Group was
announced at the
Rimini ENADA show
in Italy. The Spanish
firm is renowned
for its local multiplayer expertise
having dominated
Spain's expansion
of the product
throughout the
arcade sector.
Focus
ITALY
Gmatica and Admiral have
launched a new online gaming
project in Italy, CasinòYES
“We are very satisfied with our new
online casino product, stated Matthew
Marini, President of Gmatica,
commenting on the first data obtained
regarding the launch of CasinòYES in
partnership with Admiral.
“Initial results have proven to be very
positive. In 10 days, we recorded visitor
numbers to the site exceeding 140,000
users, a proportion of which have
registered and opened a casino account.
We believe the preparatory work in terms
of marketing and communication has
been successful, but now we await the
arrival of online slots that will complete
the offer,” commented Mr. Marini.
The Gmatica stand at Rimini was a
showcase for both Novomatic and
Gmatica to present CasinòYES by Admiral
to the general public and operators in the
industry. CasinoYES launched with a
blackjack offering, one of the most
popular online casino games. Gmatica
also proposed to operators and managers
affiliate marketing opportunities to exploit
the physical network and achieve crossselling online.
The stand in Rimini was divided into two
areas, one of which was entirely
dedicated to CasinòYES by Admiral. In
the area dedicated to online gaming touch
screens allowed visitors to experience
dedicated casino games in an innovative,
safe and legal environment.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
All visitors, including professionals and
players could sample the new site with
confidence and choose from a large range
of casino games, table games, including
Caribbean Stud Jackpot and Baccarat.
“The new online project allows bets from
a few cents with a high return in winning
- and with a philosophy that has the basic
direct approach to the game and a motto
(which is precisely 'yes') in which the
positive response becomes a key to
worldwide communications,” added
Alessandra Selmi, Adria Gaming. For
those registering for the first time on the
site www.casinoyes.it by Admiral will
During the ENADA
Rimini exhibition,
Novomatic
displayed its
new Novostar X6
with a range of
different cabinets
(classic, superpub,
lounge and the
new slant-top, with
play from the chair
itself) and the
Ultimate 5a with
new game
variants.
ENGAGING THE LOCALS
Eurocoin Italia adds to its
market dominance in tickets
with local touchscreen support
Eurocoin Italia has successfully
established itself as a genuinely local
supply and support partner for VLT
operators in Italy, with a reach that
extends to individual gaming locations
across the country.
The Epic 950 printer, supplied in Europe
by Eurocoin, dominates the VLT sector,
being the exclusive choice of Inspired
Gaming, SPIELO and Bally, plus the
preferred choice of Novomatic, giving
Eurocoin more than 80 per cent of the
installed field base of machines
Eurocoin Italia posted a strong sales
performance in Q1 following the ENADA
May 2012 PAGE 74
Rimini trade fair. The Commercial
Manager of the Bologna-based business,
Maria Rosaria Parisi, confirmed that the
company's increasingly broad product
line was appealing to a wide cross-section
of the Italian market.
MARIA ROSARIA
PARISI, Commercial
Manager, Eurocoin
Italia.
“We are directly
engaged on a daily
basis with the VLT
salon operators,
who are delighted
to have a local
outlet for their
authorised slot
tickets, spare parts
and accessories.”
receive a bonus of 30 euros regardless of
whether or not a cash deposit is made.
The first deposit with CasinòYES by
Admiral gives a bonus of up to a
maximum of 200 euros. The casino will
soon expand to include dedicated online
poker, bingo and betting, but for now the
flagship product, besides the traditional
roulette, is the inclusion of ‘blackjack for
novices’ with physical lessons to be aired
on television in Italy. 'Something About
the Black Jack' began in Febraury of this
year on the PokerItalia24 channel,
enabling players to familiarise themselves
completely with online table games.
information to support the launch of 3M’s
ground-breaking multi-touch product line
- Projective Capacitive Technology. We are
now engaging with Italian 'early-adopter'
companies who want to develop exciting
new collaborative or competitivemultitouch games - 3M PCT supports 20+
simultaneous touches,” said Maria.
“The continuous roll-out of the VLT
product across Italy has been a very
positive stimulus to Eurocoin business
here. We are directly engaged on a daily
basis with the VLT salon operators, who
are delighted to have a local outlet for
their authorised slot tickets, spare parts
and accessories,” commented Maria.
Sales Director Colin Veitch - until recently
a Bologna resident for the founding 12
months of Eurocoin Italia - expressed
delight with the progress the company
had made in Italy. “With the continuous
support of our clients across Italy, we are
absolutely proving the value of providing
local sales, support and service for our
range of world-class product brands,”
stated Mr. Veitch.
In the manufacturing and Comma 6A
AWP sector, the company's business
continues to expand. “The Eurocoin team
has recently completed two days of
training at the 3M Headquarters in Milan,
absorbing all the key technical
“We are very encouraged by the strong
demand from the Italian market for our
note recycling product range, and see the
increased supply of TFT displays and 3M
touchscreen technology as a natural
progression for us in 2012.”
Focus
RIMINI ENADA
NO CHANGE AT THE TOP
IN ITALIAN MARKET
VNE underlined its number one status at ENADA,
Rimini, where new innovations in the realms of
money changing dazzled the Italian visitors
The Italian market for money changing
machines remains strong and competitive.
VNE further underlined its leadership in
this market at the ENADA in Rimini in
March. It was the perfect place to not
only display the extensive product range
but also announce major innovations.
The first piece of news is that all money
changing machines of VNE can be
connected online. This important feature
has now spread to every single change
machine that VNE offers. This brings key
benefits. Operators receive immediate,
real time information and control of the
VNE change machines. Changes can be
made instantly to react to alterations in
requirements on the change machines at
varying locations. The online system from
VNE is also very secure.
A further benefit is that customers can
receive instantaneous support from VNE.
Service and support are available at all
times. The days of waiting for a
technician to arrive have gone for good.
We understand our
home market and
thus pre-empt
future
requirements. Our
Cheque machine
underlines our
status of being the
No. 1 innovator in
our field. New
services on our
machines will open
new opportunities.
The fact that we
can connect all our
machines makes a
powerful statement
in our drive to
further enhance our
international sales.
These are very
exciting times for
us.”
LORENZO VERONA,
Commercial
Director, VNE.
VNE machines are designed to be
available for use longer with service and
maintenance requirements that are
supported quicker.
The VLT market in Italy continues to go
from strength-to-strength. The options
that operators can offer to their players in
money changing continue to match pace
thanks to VNE. VLT wins between 1000
and 5000 euros are paid out by the
cashier. These higher wins can pose a
security risk. Operators have to make
larger amounts of cash available for
payouts. The solution to this problem was
presented by VNE at the exhibition: a
brand new machine called Cheque. The
process is simplified and becomes more
secure. In such a case, the player takes
the winning ticket to the cashier to be
validated. The cashier confirms this win
and approves the ticket. The player can
then enter the approved ticket into the
Cheque and the winnings are paid out in
the form of a bank cheque that can be
cashed into the player’s bank account or
exchanged for the cash amount at a bank.
New change machines on display
included the Mini Full Change with
further choice of banknote recycling.
Secure money handling is the focus of
VNE money processing machines and
customers can choose from a wide variety
of secure components.
The term ‘money processing machines’
best describes the VNE product range.
The experience and success of VNE
change machines are migrating into new
markets. VNE proudly introduced new
change machines that can do much more
– namely offer extra services. An
agreement struck with Cogetech has
allowed VNE to innovate further. This
new machine brings on board services
such as topping up mobile phones and
paying utility bills.
Lorenzo Verona, Commercial Director at
VNE, summed up: “There was talk that
this year’s ENADA was much quieter than
previous years. We did not notice that!
On the contrary, we had a very busy
exhibition. As we are the number one
change machine manufacturer in Italy, we
expected a busy show. Our new
innovations made a real stir. We
understand our home market and thus
pre-empt future requirements. Our
Cheque machine underlines our status of
being the number 1 innovator in our
field. New services on our machines will
open new opportunities. The fact that we
can connect all our machines makes a
powerful statement in our drive to further
enhance our international sales. These are
very exciting times for us.”
May 2012 PAGE 75
Products
NEWS AND UPDATES
Land-based
Land-based
CASINO SLOTS & SYSTEMS
CASINO EQUIPMENT
SPIELO International
Abbiati Casino Equipment
G2E ASIA
G2E ASIA
www.spielo.com
www.abbiati.com
SPIELO International will be showing its latest
product line-up and enhanced sales presence at its
longtime distributor RGB’s booth #527 at G2E Asia
2012. The show takes place at the Venetian Macau
from May 22 to 24.
Abbiati Casino Equipment is looking forward to
exhibiting its range at G2E Asia. “G2E Asia is one
of the most important exhibitions in the casino
industry and the most important in the Asian
region,” confirmed Giorgio Abbiati, CEO of
Abbiati Casino Equipment. “Everyone will agree
that Asian market, and especially Macau, is the
area of the biggest expansion and definitely it
will continue to be a such in the coming years,”
added Terry Clarke, Commercial Director of the
Company. “Abbiati has a lot of opportunities to
grow in Asia. The markets there are looking for
alternatives, especially speaking about the
Security of products, such as chips and plaques
and, if you can provide good alternative options
to the already existing on the market, then you
have good opportunities to do business.”
At the show, customers are invited to meet SPIELO
International’s new Macau-based Sales Director,
Maria Garcia, who joined the company in April, as
well as its newly-appointed General Manager of
Casino Systems for Asia Pacific, Lai Fatt Chiang.
The team will be demonstrating dozens of
compelling new games for the Asian market,
including three Egyptian Gold titles, Cleora, Nefturi,
and Ramosis. Egyptian Gold is SPIELO International’s
first progressive link using Episodic
Gaming. As players progress through the
game during one session, they can save
and re-activate their achieved status
during the next play session. The player
unlocks more features and additional bet
options for more action become available.
When he or she reaches the highest
status, an additional award is randomly
revealed by Tutenchamun. Egyptian Gold
offers an exciting 5-Level Progressive
Playoff, where the player is able to win
multiple progressives.
KITTY CASH is the latest addition to SPIELO
International’s ATRONIC multi-level
progressive links, and features the cuddly
cats from the internationally recognized brand, the
Artlist Collection’s “THE CAT,” on the stylish OXYGEN
cabinet. On top of the three supporting game titles –
KC Royals, KC Playgrounds and KC Music - this
exciting multi-level progressive features two bonus
rounds: the Mystery Cat Bonus and the KiTTY CASH
Bonus.
Visitors to the show can also explore two new
diversity game suites, Absolute Azure and
Gambling Green. Each diversity game suite features
a variety of up to 10 games grouped into categories
that can be selected by players via touch screen,
with Roulette now available as a selection.
Presented on the OXYGEN cabinet, diversity allows
players to select their preferred game types with
different volatility levels, and is the only multigame
on the market featuring proven, top-performing
standalone progressive games, all in multi-line and
multi-denomination format.
In addition, SPIELO
International’s new core
games include MOVING
MOMENTS, GOLDIFY 2,
GOLDEN CITY, 1421
Voyages of Zheng He,
Mayan Magic, Dolphins
Moon, Magic Pharaoh, SPHINX Wild, and Master
Roulette.
May 2012 PAGE 76
SYSTEM2go is SPIELO International’s new packaged,
affordable slot floor management solution for smallscale, multi-site slot halls, including AWP and
VLT environments. It’s a simple, one-stop
solution to help slot venues install an on-line
system with minimal effort. SYSTEM2go
networks the entire floor to provide
automated readings, reports, and additional
casino features, depending on the package
selected.
SYSTEM2go is available in four packages:
Advantage, Gold, Platinum TK (for use with
tickets), and Platinum CC (for use with
magnetic stripe card). The packages offer
accounting and jackpots with additional
levels of features for ticketing or card
cashless payment systems, as well as player
tracking functionality.
“During the show visitors will have the
opportunity to view a range of our tables
including Baccarat and American Roulette,
alongside a selection of different Winning
Number Displays, a range of layout samples
and a brand new line of chips and plaques with
new security features,” said Giorgio Abbiati. “As
per continuous requests for RFID solutions, we
will exhibit RFID technology with a complete line
of dedicated American chips and Plaques with
incorporated 13.56 MHz PJM RFID.”
Land-based
CASINO EQUIPMENT
Gaming Partners International
The complete range of GALAXIS casino systems
solutions will be presented at G2E Asia with a
special focus on Star TABLES, Star JACKPOTS and
Star BONUS modules for the Asian gaming market.
Star JACKPOTS manages mystery and progressive
local and wide area jackpots and our deep
experience in this field has translated into topperforming, turnkey Wide Area Progressive (WAP)
systems installed at casinos in 16 countries
throughout the
world.
TimeBomb FEVER,
a new addition to
the wide range of
Star BONUS
products, will be
demonstrated
live at the show with guaranteed bonuses designed
to attract players and boost gaming during
specified time periods.
The GALAXIS modules are connected across the
gaming floor with CRYSTAL.net next generation floor
network. It includes a touchscreen player interface
on the slot machines for player communications
and advertising and provides a unique platform for
many of our Player Services.
B&G PREMIUM CHIPS
www.gpigaming.com
B&G Premium Chips combine
innovations in chip design and
manufacturing to give the ability
to create a completely unique chip
that can incorporate logos, iconic
designs or other visual elements into the
chip mold. The Premium Chip is a new Americanstyle chip design that gives operators more
freedom in customising their currency to better
match the casino brand. The Premium Chip is
also more counterfeit-resistant due to the intricacy
of the design and because it can be more easily
identified by casino staff. What makes this product
so unique is that it provides operators more
freedom in creating a chip that truly incorporates
the casino brand, rather than limiting to a ‘menu’
of standard chip designs.
Key features and benefits:
• Fully-customised casino exclusive design
• Unique design assists dealers and staff with
quicker authentication
• Can incorporate up to six individual colour shots
• Can include most of GPI’s available security
features
• A tangible manifestation of the casino brand
Products
NEWS AND UPDATES
Land-based
MULTI-PLAYERS
Interblock
G2E ASIA
www.interblock.eu
Interblock will present its most advance multiplayer platform available on the market - the
Organic product range in modern black-red
design at the G2E Asia show in Macau:
Land-based
ORGANIC VIRTUAL: Organic Virtual is the most
attractive video table product on the market. The
version of Organic Virtual that will be displayed
at G2E Macao is with Baccarat game with new
community display and possibility of “revealing”
both Player’s and Banker’s cards.
Bally Technologies
G2E ASIA
www.ballytech.com
Bally Technologies will exhibit an array of innovative
gaming and systems solutions, including the worldclass licensed brands Michael Jackson King of Pop,
Grease, and Betty Boop’s Fortune Teller at the G2E
Asia trade show in Macau, booth No. 1003.
WORLD-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT
Taking center stage in Macau will be Michael
Jackson King of Pop, which features one of the most
widely beloved and influential artists of all time in an
exciting, music-filled game on Bally’s new Pro Series
V22/32 cabinet with the custom, Pro surroundsound chair. Offering everything from mystery wilds
bonuses and free games bonus events and
featuring hit songs Bad, Beat It, Billie Jean, Dirty
Diana, and Smooth Criminal, this game is
highlighted by a U-Spin Platinum Record Bonus and
video clips showcasing the performer. Michael
Jackson is represented exclusively for licensing by
the Bravado International Group.
Grease, inspired by Paramount Pictures’ 1978
American musical film about two love-struck teens
in a 1950s high school, is Bally’s first double-play
game, featuring two, 25-line games – enabling the
player to play two games at once. And Betty Boop’s
Fortune Teller, the new companion game to the hit
Betty Boop’s Love Meter, offers an unprecedented 15
bonuses at any bet. Fortune Teller also features the
U-Spin fortune wheel, and an innovative U-Choose
bonus that gives control to the players, letting them
pick their preferred bonus. Both of these globally
recognized new brands are available on Bally’s
trailblazing ALPHA 2 Pro Hammerhead cabinet.
MARKET-ORIENTED GAME CONTENT
As part of Bally’s commitment to developing
products designed specifically for the local market,
the Company will exhibit a large number of Asianthemed titles including Blazing Dragon, Moon
Dynasty, Rainbow Dragon, Tiger Treasures, and
Lucky Dragon on the sleek Pro V22/22 cabinet.
Additionally, the games Sakura Festival and Dragon
will be showcased on Bally’s imposing Pro V32
cabinet. And lastly, for the award-winning Pro Curve
cabinet, featuring the industry’s only curved LCD to
emulate spinning reels on a video slot; G2E Asia
visitors will experience the titles Beijing Treasures
and Great Wall of China among others.
Bally Technologies will also showcase the Golden
Empire and Jeepney Joyride mystery progressive
links. Golden Empire and Jeepney Joyride were
developed locally for the Macau and Philippines
gaming markets respectively.
These mystery links feature themes targeted for the
region and enable players to win one of the three or
four randomly triggered progressive jackpots,
depending on the operator’s configurations. Golden
Empire and Jeepney Joyride link over standalone
video slot machines allowing jackpots to be
triggered randomly during game play; no max bet
is required to win one of the progressive amounts.
ARCADE-LIKE PLAY MECHANICS
Another highlight of Bally’s exhibit will be the awardwinning game Fish’n for Loot and Total Blast. These
exciting new games introduce Bally’s U-Shoot
virtualshooting gallery bonus-game play mechanic
in which the player touches the iDeck to create
weapons for “shooting” at targets on the main
game screens.
Likewise, Bally brings the arcade favorite SKEE-BALL
to casinos in Macau on the Pro V32 cabinet. The
game includes a bonus feature in which players
touch and slide to throw the SKEE-BALL, winning
“tickets” that enable them to “Pick a Prize” on the
game that reveals credit awards.
All That Jazz, also featured on Bally’s Pro V32
cabinet, has a revolutionary iDeck feature called UPlay, in which players touch and play virtual piano
keys. Players attempt to follow a melody by playing
the piano keys. Every note is converted into
numbers which populate four bonus reels. At the
end of the song, the reels are spun to reveal the
base-game prize.
POWERFUL FLOOR-WIDE PLAYER EXPERIENCE
Asia-Pacific casino operators will experience the
innovation with live demonstrations of iVIEW Display
Manager (DM), an interactive communication tool
used by players and controlled by the gaming
operator. This picture-in-picture style player-userinterface is backward compatible on any gaming
device with a touch-screen display, and provides a
way for casino operators to present self-service
player-account access, marketing messages, and
secondary bonus games on the main game screen
– without interrupting play.
ORGANIC DICE: One of Interblock’s
internationally recognised products from a wide
range of solutions from the Dice family that gives
casino operators the option to optimise the floor
layout and maximise their turnover.
ORGANIC TWINS: belongs to a wide range of
products from Multicenter family, which can be
designed in different shapes with 12, 14 and 16
play stations in a football shape design with
individual Player Information Displays (PIDs). This
multi-game, multi-denomination, multi-player
platform can offer the casino a selection
between any combination of available games:
Roulette (Single Zero or Double Zero), Dice
(Craps or Sic Bo), and Video games.
Land-based
Euro Games Technology
G2E ASIA - ELA MEXICO
www.egt-bg.com
At the forthcoming exhibitions ELA Mexico and
G2E Asia, Euro Games Technology will showcase
its latest products and will demonstrate once
more the company’s perceptible presence at the
international gaming market. EGT will present the
Cat 4 Cash Multi-Level Progressive Jackpot
System- one of its latest products, which has
already proven itself a success for the company.
The system features four levels of progressive
jackpot. An eye-catching jackpot panel attracts the
players’ attention with a clear presentation of the
jackpot levels and an entertaining animation
shown on a high quality 40ins. LCD - TFT display.
The stylish cabinets are exclusively designed for
the player’s comfort with their 22ins. and 32ins.
wide-screen LCD-TFT monitors. The players have a
good reason to stay on the machine for longer,
captured by the attractive multi-games run by the
technologically advanced Exciter II platform.
EGT’s booth will draw visitors’ attention with
another branded product – the Vega Vision+.
Cabinets featuring multi-games from the exciting
new P-Series driven by the innovative Exciter II
platform. The high-quality graphics combined with
widescreen LCD-TFT monitors makes a perfect
combination for an ultimate entertainment and
pleasure of the game.
May 2012 PAGE 77
Products
NEWS AND UPDATES
Land-based
MULTI-PLAYERS
Alfastreet
G2E ASIA
www.alfastreet.com
Slovenian company, Alfastreet, will participate in G2E
Asia 2012 with their state-of-the-art products for
operators and guests of the region alike and plan
the further increase of Alfastreet’s presence in this
crucial market. The event will be held at the
traditional location of the Venetian Macao.
Booth number 1201 at the G2E Asia 2012 will be
reserved for the latest Alfastreet products for
international and specifically Asian gaming markets.
Visitors will be served by the company’s
representative in Asia, Albert Radman.
Craps, Derby and Sic Bo to their newly design
cabinets. Alfastreet's latest product is a MultiGame
option, which allows players to play two games
simultaneously, at a single screen. MultiGame has
already become an invaluable part of many
casinos’ offer and one of most distinguished
features in Alfastreet’s portfolio. The principle
attraction of MultiGame platform is that players
spend more time playing MultiGame machines, due
to the fact that there are more games available. As
a consequence, this increases revenues for
operators. This new addition is already making an
impact on the Asian market, making its way to the
majority of the casinos in the region.
Alfastreet will present the latest collection of its M3
generation cabinets with MultiPlayer, MultiGame
and MultiWheel options. In addition to well known
Roulette and Bingo, Alfastreet added Baccarat,
Visitors will further be introduced to the 30 SL –
single terminals connected to Alfastreet’s MultiGame
and MultiWheel network. Finally, the latest Hi-Jack
terminal will be shown to BlackJack and Baccaart
players with an automatic mode option or a live
game mode.
Online
Land-based SLOTS & SYSTEMS
SLOT GAMES
“All new visitors of stand 1201 will leave us with
positive impressions about established
improvements, quality and progress we have made
since the last show in Macau,” said Mr. Radman.
WMS Gaming
WAGE-NET
www.wms.com
Net Entertainment
CRIME SCENE
www.netnet.com
Net Entertainment has released its latest video
slot, Crime Scene. Crime Scene is a 5-reel, 15
bet-line video slot featuring the unique Sticky
Countdown Wild and Evidence collection bonus
game. When a Sticky Wild is found it will remain
in place for up to five spins, and if that is not
enough to keep win anticipation at a heightened
state, Sticky Wild wins have a multiplier of x3.
As the game continues, players who find three
or more bonus symbols are forwarded to the
evidence collection bonus game to increase
their winnings. By simply clicking on evidence
folders players can find coin wins, a second
chance symbol that prevents the bonus game
from ending or Evidence symbols with random
coin values. Before being returned to the main
game players can choose from four separate
envelopes. Envelopes contain extra coin wins, a
x2 multiplier for the total bonus game winnings
or the player is returned back to the bonus
game. Special attention has been paid to the
sound effects and big win presentation to create
an unforgettable gaming experience. The Quick
Spin functionality shortens the length of game
rounds and the playerscan even choose to spin
the reels with the keyboard spacebar.
May 2012 PAGE 78
WMS Gaming has announced the successful
launch of the Company’s WAGE-NET Networked
Gaming solution in Italy at Italy’s Casino San
Remo. The WAGE-NET solution, with cloud-based
Remote Configuration and Download
functionality, delivers unprecedented gaming
experiences while leveraging industrystandard protocols to give operators
heightened flexibility on their casino floors. The
30-game installation, which includes 24 Piggy
Bankin’ machines, the second theme from the
Ultra Hit Progressive portal family, reinforces the
WMS commitment to Engaging Players. Delivering
results.
Sebastian Salat, President WMS International, said:
“WAGE-NET reinforces our commitment to push the
evolution of the casino floor to new heights while
remaining dedicated to a focus on standardization,
usability, simplicity and flexibility. Recent launches in
international and domestic markets provide an
opportunity for our casino customers to increase
revenue while delivering an unmatched gaming
experience for the casino guest.”
WMS WAGE-NET solutions are designed from the
ground-up, and leverage computer industry and
GSA standards-based architecture to enable crossvendor interoperability. These solutions provide
customers with the freedom of choice and flexibility
to utilise systems and applications best suited to
their own needs and designed to increase revenuegenerating capabilities while providing
differentiated player experiences for installed base
games.
The Remote Configuration and Download
functionality enables operators to deploy and
manage any Networked Gaming application
throughout a casino slot floor and quickly perform
slot management tasks from a remote location.
The Ultra Hit Progressive series, a multi-level
progressive that adds a secondary bonus
opportunity to a player’s favorite slots, is designed
to enhance base game performance by creating a
second game dynamic, and runs on a Central
Game Controller server. The WMS installation at
Casino San Remo includes the Piggy Bankin’ theme,
from the Ultra Hit Progressive series, which features
coins that pile into a piggy bank, making it grow
bigger and shake until it cracks. Both audio and
visuals amplify as the game nears a progressive
trigger, ultimately reaching critical mass as the bank
explodes and awards the lucky player one of four
progressive awards.
Marco Calvi, San Remo Casino Slot Manager, said,
“We are very excited about the WMS WAGE-NET
solution, which will allow us to increase game
performance with fresh, on-demand content and
minimal changes to our existing IT infrastructure.”
Products
NEWS AND UPDATES
Land-based/Online
SLOTS & SYSTEMS
Bally Technologies
BEACH BOYS
www.ballytech.com
Debuting for the first time ever, Bally Technologies
unveiled its new Beach Boys-themed video slots at
the NIGA exhibition in San Diego. These five-reel,
1,024-way games, featured on Bally’s ALPHA 2 Pro
Series V22/22 Upright Wheel cabinet, capture
“America’s Band” to its fullest, immersing players in
the Southern California culture of surfing, sun, cars,
and romance with The Beach Boys songs and
related video clips.
The games feature five progressive jackpots, Bally’s
U-Spin play mechanic, and five of The Beach Boys
most beloved songs including California Girls, Fun
Fun, Fun, and I Get Around, enhanced by the
custom Pro Series surround-sound chair. The
colourful Beach Boys Bonus Wheel atop the game
awards credits and one of the six U-Spin bonus
wheels for a chance to win one of the progressive
jackpots.
“Tribal gaming operators are
tremendous partners and supporters of
Bally Technologies, as we help them
drive revenue and get greater operating
efficiencies in their casino operations,”
said Derik Mooberry, Senior Vice
President of Products and Operations for
Bally Technologies. “Indian Gaming 2012
is the perfect environment to showcase
our new games, systems, and
interactive solutions – all designed to
deliver a better player experience.”
BALLY INTERACTIVE PROVIDES
ONE VIEW OF PLAYER
Another show highlight from Bally was
its Interactive display, featuring the
company’s suite of online and mobile
games – interactive versions of popular
Bally land-based games that offer
enhanced bonusing, proven play
mechanics, and progressives. Bally
Interactive, through its cloud-based
Land-based EGMS
Inspired Gaming Group
G2E ASIA
www.ingg.com
Inspired Gaming Group (Inspired), the supplier of
2011’s best-selling electronic roulette product and
the world’s most advanced virtual sports, is
demonstrating its focus on the Asia-Pacific region
by exhibiting once again at G2E Asia. The company
will also launch its multi-game Bingo Blaze product
for high growth Asian markets, such as the
Philippines.
Complete with GLI approval, new
betting features and more
languages, Sabre Multi-Win
Roulette will again be a
focus of Inspired’s
booth. Since launching
in Asia at the show last year,
over 1,000 Sabres have been
installed in the UK, Europe, North
America, Latin America and Asia.
Inspired’s electronic roulette product is
proven to have a faster game cycle than
competing products, which - in
addition to Easy Bet features for fast
play – guarantees Sabre players
have more betting time and operators
benefit from increased incomes.
Inspired’s Virtual Sports became China’s first
government approved rapid-draw lottery game in
August 2011 and is currently live in the National
Sports Lottery venues. The product is established as
a market leader with some of the largest gaming
operators around the world such as William Hill,
Caliente and Bet365, and was launched in China
through a joint venture with AGTech and Ladbrokes.
iGaming platform, mobile solution, and
Remote Gaming Server, offers a
complete business-to-business
iGaming solution to enable casino
operators to augment their land-based
casino gaming with both mobile and
online play-for-free and wager-based
games, as well as custom mobile
apps and websites.
The company’s multi-channel solutions
have integration with Bally’s slotmanagement and casinomanagement systems to give casinos
a single view of their patrons and
powerful, enterprise-wide analytics.
The Bally Mobile team will also be on
hand to give live demonstrations of the
company’s cloud-based custom
mobile apps and mobile websites for
casino patrons and internal-facing
apps for casino employees.
Land-based COMPONENTS
A wide range of sports are available to all
customers, and will be shown at G2E Asia,
including horses, greyhound racing, soccer, motor
racing and tennis, and the product is available for
online, mobile, retail, broadcast and gaming
terminals.
Never before shown in Asia, Inspired’s Bingo Blaze
will be making its G2E Asia debut after a successful
Latin American launch in 2011. Bingo Blaze is a dual
screen, HD slant top cabinet with multiple
Latin Bingo games, but
can also be adapted to
new markets by adding
traditional bingo, slots and
SWP games.
Harmen Brenninkmeijer, Senior
VP of Strategic Market
Development at Inspired,
commented: “Inspired is known
as a leader in Server Based
Gaming (SBG), but less known as
the undisputed leader in
delivering virtual sports gaming
products around the world.
Continual innovation has retained
Inspired’s market leadership and
resulted in exciting collaborations, such
as a unique virtual sports lottery product
being rolled out in Mainland China. For
Inspired, Asia offers greatpotential beyond the
standard applications that can be found across the
world.”
“During G2E Asia we are proud to present our latest
innovation, Bingo Blaze, which is now available for
markets around the world, especially high growth
markets like the Philippines”, Brenninkmeijer added.
Advantech-Innocore
FADJA SHOW
www.advantech-innocore.com
Advantech-Innocore recently displayed its latest
range of gaming industry specific products at
the FADJA industry show in Columbia, South
America. Edward Price, Managing Director of
Advantech-Innocore commented: “We are very
excited by developments in Central and South
America and have developed a clear strategy to
sell and support our industry leading products
in this growth region.
“We have put in the necessary investment;
opening an office in Mexico City, managed by
David Kok, as well as two key accounts
managers plus back end office support. We
have also signed a new contract with Hanco
Technologies, one of the leading distribution
and service companies, to offer local language,
sales and service support,” commented Mr.
Price.
David Kok, Advantech’s manger of the Mexico
office, Mark Ma Key Account Manager and
Koen Stomph, Advantech-Innocore’s Sales
Sector Manager were on hand at the exhibition,
sharing booth space with Hanco to display
Advantech-Innocore’s latest products for all
gaming machines in this area of the world.
May 2012 PAGE 79
Products
NEWS AND UPDATES
Land-based VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS
SYSTEM2GO
www.spielo. com
Malta’s operators are choosing SPIELO International
to provide systems, machines, and cloud hosting
services for the island’s new slot halls program.
SPIELO International has so far installed a total of
200 diversity multigames on OXYGEN cabinets for
two of the major Maltese slot hall operators,
Gaming Operations Ltd. and Media Games.
diversity continues as SPIELO International’s
bestselling multigame product, where operators can
select game suites that appeal to their players’
desires. SPIELO International developers have
ensured that the games are as exciting and
appealing as possible to Maltese players while
complying with the new slot hall regulations.
Each diversity game suite features a variety of up to
10 games grouped into categories that can be
selected by players via touch screen, with Roulette
now available as a selection. Presented on the
stylish OXYGEN cabinet, diversity allows players to
select their preferred game types with different
volatility levels, and is the only multigame on the
market featuring proven, top-performing standalone
progressive games, all in multi-line and multidenomination format.
Land-based
In addition, SPIELO International’s
new SYSTEM2go turnkey solution for
multi-site slot halls has been
installed simultaneously across the
major slot hall groups in Malta.
System2go deployment is so quick
and easy that operators can install
and deploy the systems on their
own.
A total of 290 connection kit units for
around 30 slot venues were
recently shipped to Media Games,
Gaming Operations Ltd., and the
Tomino Group. Another 300 units
are expected to be shipped and
installed in those 30 venues in the
coming months, with additional
installations anticipated.
To ensure system viability in such
small locations, the SYSTEM2go
solution was built to be managed
centrally from each operator group’s head office. As
part of Malta’s new slot hall regulations, operators
must provide players with a detailed report of their
individual activities at the player’s request, which
SYSTEM2Go provides accurately on demand.
SPIELO International has also obtained a Class 4
license from Malta’s Lotteries and Gaming Authority
for SYSTEM2go to provide a cloud
hosting service for Media Games and
Gaming Operations Ltd. The cloud
services allow operators to concentrate
on providing superior services to the
player, while SPIELO International
manages their IT operation and
provides value-added data and report
visualisation through the cloud.
SYSTEM2go includes the CRYSTAL WEB
floor network and an integrated
jackpots system. Additional add-on
packages provide ticketing or card
cashless with player tracking. This
packaged, all-in-one system is based
on our proven market tested technology
and functionality, and can be quickly
configured to meet regulator and
operator requirements. For instance, the
Platinum ticketing and player tracking
option for Malta was customized for
connection to a national ‘barred player’
list in accordance with regulations.
SPIELO International has been providing highperformance solutions in Malta since February
2006, beginning with the installation of the CRYSTAL
WEB floor network and GALAXIS casino
management systems for the Tomino Group (now
Tumas Gaming).
Novomatic Group of Companies
G2E ASIA
www.novomatic.com
This year’s G2E Asia will take place from May 22-24
at the traditional venue of the Venetian Macao.
Familiar blue highlights and sparkling innovations
will welcome visitors at the Novomatic booth
number 537.
From the relatively humble beginnings of its
predecessor, the G2E Asia in Macao has now firmly
established its position as Asia’s major casino and
gaming industry show and as the key trade event
for the international OEMs and suppliers in the
region. Novomatic will once again participate, on
booth number 537, with a special array of highly
market specific as well as international products
and a team ready to welcome visitors to the thrilling
Novomatic world of gaming.
The brand new Super-V+ Gaminator III cabinet will
be presented in Macao as part of a RISE OF THE
DRAGON jackpot installation with a selection of the
latest single games: Garden of Fortune, Golden
Scarabs II, Gorilla and Wild Alaska. Extra wide
screens for an in-depth gaming experience, elegant
style and top quality design make this cabinet an
attractive highlight on every casino floor.
A casino promotion special will be the Novomatic
Reel Tournament that offers a competitive gaming
May 2012 PAGE 80
edge and an
exciting marketing
tool for any slot
floor. It provides the
extra thrill of
tournaments in real time. The
Novomatic Reel Tournament display
in Macao will be connected to a bank
of Super-V+ Gaminator III machines
with the special tournament multigame mix T1.
On a bank of NOVOSTAR SL2 slant
tops Novomatic will show a variety of
game specials: the market-specific
Asian Super-V+ Gaminator mix A2, a
selection of the latest single games as
well as the new Premium-V+
Gaminator multi-game mix
comprising a total of 41 games that are presented to
the guest in five colour-coded logical categories for
best game recognition and guest orientation.
Another area of the booth will be dedicated to the
extensive range of Novomatic electronic live games.
On a bank of NOVOSTAR SL1 slant top terminals
visitors will be able to see and try for themselves the
great choice of fully animated virtual versions of
Black Jack, Baccarat, Bingo, Poker3, Caribbean
Poker, Poker 3, Texas Hold’em Poker and Sic Bo as
well as Novo Multi-Roulette and a selection of slot
games, all available on each of the connected
player terminals.
Also on display at G2E Asia in Macau will be
Novomatic subsidiary, Octavian’s modular and
highly ‘tuneable’ casino management system ACP
(Accounting Control Progressives System). The
system’s ‘add-on’ functionality includes profit
calculation, TITO, Cashless and Player Loyalty and
has proved an extremely attractive ‘package
solution’.
Focus
NEWS AND UPDATES
Land-based CASINO SLOTS & SYSTEMS
SAP SYSTEM
www.egt-bg.com
Euro Games Technology (EGT) has always prided
itself on a reputation of being amongst the fastest
growing companies in the global gaming industry.
The company's activities relate to the development,
production and distribution of a diverse range of
gaming products. EGT is constantly striving to
optimize its technological environment in order to
provide quality service to its clients, the latter being
the company’s top priority.
In the beginning of 2012 EGT in cooperation with
Sqilline successfully completed the implementation
of SAP ERP – an integrated system for business
management. The flexibility, accuracy and high
competence of both EGT and Sqilline teams of
young professionals contributed greatly to the
flawless implementation of the system.
EGT has started new strategic investment projects
which require the implementation of the integrated
system for financial management. The SAP ERP
system will improve all processes in the company
and will lead to higher efficiency and productivity.
The information system will secure EGT for improved
management operation based on the new, more
comprehensive data access. In addition, the system
will bring to further optimization of the company’s
structure as well as effective management and
control of processes like logistics, sales, production
and stock management.
Maintenance and Work Flow functionality which will
bring to the automation of the work flow in the
company.
“EGT is operating in an ever changing business
environment. It is a major factor for success and
development that we remain flexible and achieve
Land-based
During the first stage of the project Sqilline
developed a concept which aims at the optimization
of the processes in all business units. This stage
has been successfully finished thus putting into
action the basic SAP ERP functionalities. Some of the
Financial applications implemented include
“Accounting”, “Assets Management“ and
“Controlling” and some of the Logistic modules are
“Sales and Distribution”, “Manufacturing” and
“Procurement and Inventory Management”.
An additional functionality of the module “Cash Flow
Management” was developed by Sqilline, which is
individually adapted to EGT’s requirements. It
upgrades the standard SAP functionality by
providing a detailed record from the cash flow
management of the sale trade unit in the company.
Euro Games Technology has successfully adapted
the company’s processing to the SAP ERP solutions
and is already operating with the SAP system. The
implementation of the SAP ERP software made it
possible for EGT to optimize its manufacturing
processes and to obtain faster and more complete
access to the financial records thus achieving an
advanced control and management.
EGT proceeds with the corporate system
optimization by starting the second phase of the
project in the beginning of March. This phase will
include the Implementation of SAP Plant
constant enhancement of the company’s resources,
both human and financial. As a result of the
successful completion of the SAP ERP project, the
company will optimize its capital expenditure and
the efficiency of its assets.” commented Mr. Vladimir
Dokov, Managing Director in Euro Games
Technology.
SECURITY
Dallmeier
G2E ASIA
www.dallmeier.com
At this year's G2E Asia, which takes place from May
22nd to 24th in Macau, Dallmeier will showcase its
complete HD end-to-end video security solutions for
casinos: amongst high-resolution HD cameras and
HD recording devices the high-performance
management system SeMSy III will be a special
highlight. Furthermore, latest developments in the
field of third party integration will be shown.
SeMSy is a high-performance and future-proof video
management system with optimum user
friendliness. Even complex video systems, such as
those used in casinos, can be efficiently managed
and controlled with SeMSy.
SeMSy offers a comprehensive range of functions,
including the display of live images, various search
options within the footage, the control of PTZ
cameras and an easy archiving of relevant
sequences. The video management software is
characterised with highest ease of use. The system
can be operated intuitively via drag-and-drop.
Operating procedures and complex controls in the
system can be deposited, so that the control for the
staff is extremely comfortable. It is also possible to
customise the graphic layout of the user interface
and adjust it to the requirements of specific projects
or operators. Through the open architecture of the
system, SeMSy III can be scaled infinitely and always
remains flexible and expandable. Adaptations and
additions are possible at any time and offer the
highest possible investment security.
Features include:
l The ability to switch any camera/encoder onto any
monitor/decoder, live display and playback.
l The PTZ cameras can be controlled via the
operator station (PTZ control, fixed positions,
camera configuration).
l Processing of alarm messages
l Group switching (salvos)
l Search functions (time, date, index)
l Integration of site plans for camera selection
l Redundant server security concept
l Control via external devices, e.g. keyboard (VMC1), jog-shuttle.
May 2012 PAGE 81
Index
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Alfastreet
17
WWW.ALFASTREET.SI
G3 SPANISH ONLINE GAMING REVIEW
Gaming Publishing’s indispensable guide to the changes taking place in the newly
regulated Spanish online gaming market. Detailing the opinions of experts from all
sectors, the G3i Spanish Review includes comments from OpenBet CEO, David
Loveday and GTECH G2 Vice President William Scott. GLI Interactive MD, Phillip
Barow, gives an exclusive account of the sector from the operator and testing
perspective, while Casino Gran Madrid charts the progress of Spain’s first online
casino. The Review maps the size of the potential market, reveals the opportunities
and pitfalls facing both land-based and online gaming entrepreneurs.
Amatic Industries
8
WWW.AMATIC.COM
APEX Gaming Technology
5
WWW.APEX-GAMING.COM
Austrian Gaming Industries
11
WWW.AUSTRIAN-GAMING.COM
Bally Technologies
IFC
WWW.BALLY-TECH.COM
Cammegh
15
WWW.CAMMEGH.COM
Dallmeier
47
WWW.DALLMEIER.COM
DRGT
DOWNLOONAED
23
WWW.DRGT.COM
TO IPAD, IPH
OR IPOD TOUCH
47
WWW.EGT-BG.COM
Evolution Gaming
29
WWW.EVOLUTIONGAMING.COM
G2E Asia
G3I APP - IPAD,
IPHONE AND IPOD
Gaming Publishing
launched its G3i App in
August 2011. The first to
launch a magazine App,
the response has been
overwhelming, as the
App now provides readers with instant access to
their favourite gaming magazine wherever and
whenever they want. The App is available as a
free download from the Apple App Store, with
users able to view the latest issues of the
magazine at their convenience on their device of
choice. Download your copies today.
IBC
WWW.G2EASIA.COM
Gaming Partners International
Inspired Gaming Group
JCM Global
21
WWW.JCMGLOBAL.COM
WWW.G3IMAGAZINE.COM
The G3imagazine.com website launched in 2008 and
is an invaluable resource for gaming industry
executives hungry for news, market reports, product
and exhibition information and the latest digital
copies of G3, G3i, the Annual Market Report,
iGaming Review and more.
MEI Global
6
WWW.MEIGROUP.COM
Patir Design
13
WWW.PATIR.DE
Seeben
33
WWW.SEEBEN.COM
31
WWW.SHUFFLEMASTER.COM
G3 MARKET REVIEW - EUROPEAN GAMING STATISTICS
Gaming Publishing produces its G3 Market Review in January each year. A
combination of our market reports from the year with the latest, up-to-date statistics
regarding casinos, slot halls, bingo, arcades and betting sites across Europe. Including
20 different countries and further in-depth market analysis, the G3 Market Review has
become an essential guide to the European gaming market, while in recent years we
have expanded our reach to include continental gaming reports covering South
America, South East Asia and Africa. To view the latest reports visit
www.G3imagazine.com.
19 & 49
WWW.SPIELO.COM
Suzo Happ
7
WWW.SUZO.COM
VNE
73
WWW.VNE.IT
SUBSCRIPTIONS EDITORIAL
ADVERTISING
James Slattery
T: +44(0)7917 166471
E: [email protected]
Jennifer Pek
T: +44(0)161 7248716
Lewis Pek
T: +44(0)1942 879291
Karen Southall
T: +44(0)1942 879291
E: karensouthall
@gmail.com
Disclaimer: All contents© Gaming Publishing Limited 2012. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any
form without the express permission of the publisher. While we make every effort to ensure that everything we
print in Global, Games and Gaming (G3) is factually correct, we cannot be held responsible
if factual errors occur. Advertisements are accepted by us in good faith as correct at the time of going to press.
Phil Martin
T: +44(0)161 2366669
Follow G3 on Twitter
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Printing: Manson Group, 8 Porters Wood, Valley Road Industrial Estate, St Albans, AL3 6PZ
May 2012 PAGE 82
64 & 65
WWW.INGG.COM
Shuffle Master
John Slattery
T: +44(0)7917 166471
25
WWW.GPIGAMING.COM
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