Wednesday, December 7, 2011

news.casinolife

news.casinolife

Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) Releases November 2011 Index

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 10:26 AM PST

LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwire – Dec 6, 2011) – Most members of the AGEM Index witnessed their stock prices decline throughout the month of November 2011 on speculation of another economic downturn as signs of a credit crunch surrounding the Eurozone debt crisis were being reported. Much of this fear was alleviated in the last few days of trading in November due to action taken by major central banks. Early forecasts on holiday retail sales also reflected promising signs that consumer spending is expected to grow, and recent jobs reports were also brighter than they had been. All three major stock indices closed up more than 4 percent on the last day of trading in November, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 490 points, its largest percentage gain since March 2009. Modest improvements in the labour force continue to bring optimism to the market, even as it remains highly volatile.

Although the broader equities markets rebounded in the final trading days, the AGEM Index did not gain enough ground to end the month in positive territory. With a composite score of 115.84, the index of 16 global gaming suppliers declined by 7.96 points during the month of November, down 6.4 percent from the prior month. The index overall remains up 9.8 percent for the year and half of the index members are reporting stock prices ahead of the same period a year ago.

Selected positive contributors to the index during the month included the following:

  • Global Cash Access (GCA) contributed 1.14 points to the index sourced to a 51.01-percent gain in its stock valuation.
  • Shuffle Master (SHFL) reported a 4.52-percent increase in its stock price, contributing 0.21 points to the overall index.

 

Selected negative contributors to the index included:

  • Lottomatica (LTO) posted a decline of 17.47 percent in its stock price, removing 4.44 points from the index.
  • Konami (KNM) contributed negative 2.85 points to the index, sourced to an 8.90-percent fall in its stock valuation.
AGEM Exchange: Symbol Stock Price At Month End Percent Change Index
(Currency) Nov-11 Oct-11 Nov-10 Prior Period Prior Year Contribution
Ainsworth Game Technology ASX: AGI (AU$ ) 0.44 0.35 0.16 26.09 171.88 0.16
Aristocrat Technologies ASX: ALL (AU$ ) 2.39 2.27 2.60 5.29 (8.08 ) (0.19 )
Astro Corp. Taiwan: 3064 (NT$ ) 39.10 50.00 60.50 (21.80 ) (35.37 ) (0.15 )
Bally Technologies NYSE: BYI (US$ ) 38.34 36.27 39.17 5.71 (2.12 ) 0.07
Elixir Gaming Technologies AMEX: EGT (US$ ) 0.26 0.30 0.38 (15.00 ) (32.89 ) (0.03 )
Gaming Partners International Nasdaq: GPIC (US$ ) 6.19 6.75 5.74 (8.30 ) 7.84 (0.03 )
Global Cash Access NYSE: GCA (US$ ) 4.50 2.98 2.28 51.01 97.37 1.14
IGT NYSE: IGT (US$ ) 17.06 17.59 15.48 (3.01 ) 10.21 (1.17 )
INTRALOT S.A. ATHEX: INLOT (EUR ) 0.82 1.05 2.58 (21.90 ) (68.22 ) (0.35 )
Konami NYSE: KNM (US$ ) 30.11 33.05 18.63 (8.90 ) 61.62 (2.85 )
Lottomatica (GTECH) MILAN: LTO.MI (EUR ) 11.43 13.85 9.46 (17.47 ) 20.89 (4.44 )
Multimedia Games Nasdaq: MGAM (US$ ) 7.40 6.61 4.32 11.95 71.30 0.18
Shuffle Master Nasdaq: SHFL (US$ ) 11.09 10.61 10.73 4.52 3.36 0.21
Transact Technologies Nasdaq: TACT (US$ ) 6.18 7.82 9.06 (20.97 ) (31.79 ) (0.09 )
Wells-Gardner Electronics AMEX: WGA (US$ ) 1.96 2.42 2.00 (19.01 ) (2.00 ) (0.03 )
WMS Industries NYSE: WMS (US$ ) 20.97 21.91 44.35 (4.29 ) (52.72 ) (0.38 )
Change in Index Value (7.96 )
AGEM Index Value: October 2011 123.79
AGEM Index Value: November 2011 115.84

The Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index (VIX) closed above 30 in all but three days during the month of November. This measurement of implied volatility of S&P 500 index options suggests swings are likely to continue in the near-term. Although financial uncertainty lingers over the Eurozone and central banks around the world, legislation in Boston confirmed the authorization of casino gaming entering the state.

Stemming from the passage of House Bill 3807, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed legislation on November 22nd, expanding gaming in the state. The law allows one resort-style casino in each of three regions including: greater Boston, western Massachusetts, and the south coast. One additional slot parlor (up to 1,250 gaming machines) can be located anywhere in the state. Many expect this slot parlor will be developed with an existing horseracing facility.

Before much of what is contained in the 168-page bill can move forward, three commissioners must be appointed, one from the Governor, the attorney general, and the state treasurer. Two additional commissioners will be voted in by a majority vote of the first three appointees. The future of Massachusetts gaming will be shaped by this first gaming commission. Nevertheless, casino operators are already strategizing their next move to gain one of the three coveted gaming licenses, each requiring $500 million in capital investment, and an initial license fee of at least $85 million.

Only a week before the gambling bill was signed into law, Ameristar Casinos agreed to purchase a currently vacant 41-acre industrial site near the city of Springfield in the western portion of the state. Caesars Entertainment also made a preemptive strike in April by forming an alliance with the Suffolk Downs Racetrack in east Boston.

Hard Rock International could also be a potential competitor seeking the western license, as it is working on a partnership with a local developer in the city of Holyoke. It is expected that competition for the western license will be fierce, with Ameristar and Hard Rock being only two noted players publicly moving forward with a planned site at this time. The Mohegan Sun tribe, which operates a casino in neighboring Connecticut, and Penn National Gaming are also rumored to be pursuing a site in the region. However, regional casino operators are not the only ones vying for a license. Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson is a native to Massachusetts and has expressed interest in one of the licenses. Lastly, Steve Wynn has already begun meeting with The Kraft Group to potentially develop a casino near Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. No matter the outcome of the licensees, Massachusetts, gaming operators and suppliers are likely to benefit from the recent legislative move.

The AGEM Index
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) produces the monthly AGEM Index that comprises 17 global gaming suppliers throughout the world. A total of 12 suppliers are based in the United States and are listed on the NYSE, Nasdaq, or AMEX, while two trade on the Australian exchange, one supplier trades on the Athens exchange, one trades on the Milan exchange, and another trades on the Taiwan OTC exchange. The index is computed based on the month-end stock price (adjusted for dividends and splits) of each company and weighted based on approximation of market capitalization. Market capitalizations for manufacturers trading on foreign exchanges have been converted to US dollar-equivalents as of month-end for comparability purposes. The AGEM Index is based on a 100-point value as of January 2005.

About AGEM
AGEM is an international trade association representing manufacturers of electronic gaming devices, systems, and components for the gaming industry. The Association works to further the interests of gaming equipment manufacturers throughout the world. Through political action, tradeshow partnerships, information dissemination and good corporate citizenship, the members of AGEM work together to create benefits for every company within the organization. Together, AGEM and its member organizations have assisted regulatory commissions and participated in the legislative process to solve problems and create a positive business environment.

AGEM Index
The AGEM index and overview is prepared by Applied Analysis (AA). AA is a Nevada-based advisory services firm providing consultation services for public and private entities. The company utilizes extensive experience in economics, information technology and finance to provide a wide range of services, including urban economic consulting, financial advisory services, market analysis, public policy analysis, hospitality industry and gaming consulting, and information system and technology consulting.

AGEM Membership Roster
The current AGEM membership roster, 109 strong, is a who’s who of the supplier segment of the global gaming industry:

AGEM Gold Members:

  • Aristocrat Technologies
  • Aruze Gaming America
  • Austrian Gaming Industries
  • Bally Technologies
  • GTECH / Spielo International
  • International Game Technology (IGT)
  • Intralot S.A.
  • Konami Gaming
  • WMS Gaming

AGEM Silver Members: Action Gaming, American Gaming Systems (AGS), Casino Technology, JCM Global, MEI, Multimedia Games, Shuffle Master, Suzo-Happ Group, TCSJohnHuxley and Wells-Gardner Electronics.

AGEM Bronze Members: Abbiati Casino Equipment, AC Slots (ACS), Acres 4.0, Ainsworth Game Technology, Alfastreet, Astro Corp., Bingotimes Technology, Cadillac Jack, Cammegh Limited, Cantor Gaming, Crane Payment Solutions / CashCode / Money Controls, Diamond Game, DigiDeal, Digital Display Group, Euro Games Technology (EGT), Galaxy Gaming, Gaming Partners International, Gaming Support, Glory (U.S.A) Inc., Incredible Technologies, Inspired Gaming, Interblock USA, Iverson Gaming Systems, JPM International, Jumbo Technology, Lightning Gaming, Matsui Gaming Machine Co., MCA Processing, Modern Gaming, Patriot Gaming & Electronics, Rocket Gaming Systems, Table Trac and Winning Asia Technology.

AGEM Associate Members: 3M Touch Systems, Advantech-Innocore, Casino Enterprise Management, CMYK Creative, Cole Kepro International, Cooper Levenson, Cybertec Gaming Systems, DynaGraphic Printing, Elite Casino Products, Esterline Advanced Input Systems, Eurocoin, Flextronics, Fox Rothschild, FutureLogic, Gaming Capital Group, Gary Platt Manufacturing, Gemaco, Global Cash Access, Global Gaming Group (G3), Grand Products, Greenberg Traurig, Hanco Technologies, Heber Ltd., Howard & Howard, IDX, Intel, IPS, James Industries, KEY-BAK, Kreller Group, Leap Forward Gaming, Lewis & Roca, Lincoln Industries, Masterpiece Advertising, Nanoptix, Outpost Creative, Phelps Dunbar, Proforma GPS, Quixant Ltd., Rainmaker, Regulatory Management Counselors (RMC), Rye Park Gaming, Sanmina-SCI, SCA Gaming, Strategy9, StylGame USA, Talent Associates, The Bright Group, Tournament One, Trade Show Fabrications, TransAct Technologies, Trans-Lux, Veridocs, Wrex Products and Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO).

Contact Information

  • For More Information, Contact:
    Marcus Prater
    Executive Director
    P.O. Box 50049
    Henderson, NV 89016-0049
    702.812.6932
    Email Contact 

     

 

WITH CONTRAPTION, WORLD MATCH’S NEW MULTI-LINE SLOT, THE DREAM OF TRAVELLING THROUGH TIME BECOMES REALITY!

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 10:10 AM PST

Contraption multi-line slot revisits science-fiction adventures, exciting travels through time, made possible thanks to ingenious mechanical instruments!

With this brand new slot form World Match, players will experience the thrill of travelling back and forward in time, directly form the comfort of their houses! Contraption’s intricate gears create the right setting for new gaming experiences and they provide the users the most involving emotions

Thanks to the Spin Stop feature, the player to stop the spin at any time he wishes, increasing the frequency of play during the session and his her chances to win. Thanks to the Bonus Game, the player will have the opportunity to win additional prizes.

When the combination of symbols for Bonus Game appears, the player will open six mysterious fob watches and s/he will win the sum of all the corresponding amounts.

On the top of all that, World Match adds the Free Spin, which guarantees the player a number of free spins and the Wild symbol which works as a Joker, as long as it replaces the missing sign to get even better chance of winning.

For further information:- E-mail: sales(at)wm.com.mt Tel: 00356 3550 5808

 

Online gamers have lowest tolerance for identity checks

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 09:18 AM PST

Nottingham, 6 December 2011 — Experian®, the global information services company, today revealed that customers are prepared to spend just three minutes on average on average undergoing identity verification and other security checks before they abandon an online gaming transaction. This is the lowest tolerance time across all sectors studied, and compares to four minutes for retail transactions, and six for travel.

A new study commissioned by Experian, in conjunction with the International Fraud Prevention Research Centre, reveals the extent to which time-consuming identity and security procedures continue to be a source of frustration for consumers, and a cause of lost business for online retailers and other service providers.

44 per cent of respondents said they had abandoned an online shopping transaction because the checks were taking too long. 43 per cent admitted turning to a competitor after becoming frustrated with lengthy procedures.

Younger adults are the least patient, with 35 per cent of adults aged under 35 saying they had abandoned one or two transactions due to the length of security checks in the past 12 months alone, and 13 per cent admitting to having done so 'frequently'. This compares to 36 per cent and 10 per cent respectively of those aged 35-54, and 32 per cent and eight per cent of those over 55.

Professor Paul Barnes, Director of the International Fraud Prevention Research Centre said: "Identity checks are in all our interests and necessary, however time-consuming they appear at the time. Not only do they protect the business from intrusion and fraud but protect the consumer as well, reducing both security costs, which are passed on in the form of higher prices, and the chance of he/ she being the victim of fraud. We all benefit and we are all safer."

Identity impatience was greatest in the online gaming environment, with people willing to tolerate just a three minute wait on average before opting out. Both the transport and telecommunications industries had a five minute window before customers' patience runs out, and retail just four minutes. Respondents were willing to undergo up to six minutes worth of checks when buying a holiday online.

More tolerant in banking Consumers were, however, far more tolerant with procedures when it comes to protecting their money, being prepared to wait almost as long online as in-branch. Respondents stated that they were willing to undergo five minutes worth of checks with signing up for online banking, compared to six in branches.

Nick Mothershaw, Director of Identity & Fraud at Experian, comments: "Online retail has boomed in recent years and customers expect a quick, smooth process when checking out their basket or signing up to a service. Our tolerance time is short at only four minutes, so it's up to retailers to make sure they make it as fast and easy as possible without compromising on levels of security.

"The message for providers using older forms of identity verification and other security procedures is to make the checks faster and less onerous."

 

Sector/ industry Tolerance time
In-branch banking 6 minutes
Insurance 6 minutes
Travel 6 minutes
Online banking 5 minutes
Telecommunications 5 minutes
Transport 5 minutes
Retail 4 minutes
Gaming 3 minutes

 

[1] Research conducted for Experian by Opinium Research via an online poll of 2,028 interviews.  Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria. The average across all industries surveyed was four minutes 23 seconds.

 

TCSJOHNHUXLEY chosen as turnkey supplier for Aspers Westfield Stratford City

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 09:14 AM PST

Amid much fanfare and a lot of excitement, the UK's first Super Casino, Aspers Westfield Stratford City opened its doors on 1st December 2011. Since being awarded the Licence in March of this year, the team at Aspers have completed the gargantuan task of creating this impressive 65,000 sq ft casino located at the prestigious gateway to the 100-acre Olympic Park in Europe's largest shopping mall, Westfield Stratford City.

The new purpose built casino will be open 24 hours per day, 364 days of the year offering a notable number of games including 40 gaming tables featuring classic games such as American Roulette, Blackjack, Punto Banco as well as 100 electronic betting terminals offering a variety of casino games. The casino also has the largest and newest collection of slot machines in the UK – 150 slots in total, which exceeds the current maximum of 20 elsewhere in the country.

TCSJOHNHUXLEY was chosen as a key supplier for this prestigious project, supplying all gaming tables – 25 poker tables, 24 card tables, 12 American Roulette tables, 1 Dice table, 1 Money wheel and table and 1 Double-ended MultiPLAY table. In addition, there are 80 Novo Unity II TouchBet terminals featuring multi game selection of live Punto Banco, live Roulette, automated Roulette and automated Bingo. Concluding the product list, 12 CC2 chip sorting machines, 13 e-FX Elite double-sided displays, 13 Saturn Roulette wheels, 3 Omni Baccarat displays, all chips and accessories.

As with everything related to the project, the equipment had to be designed, manufactured and supplied in record time to ensure there were no delays. Meeting the time scales alone was a huge task, but added into this mix was all the logistical challenges presented due to the venue being located within the security cordon of the Olympic Village. Every delivery vehicle and person entering the site had to undergo the most stringent security checks.  As a result of these restrictions, Aspers realised it would be much more beneficial to use one supplier to co-ordinate the whole logistics process.

TCSJOHNHUXLEY were chosen as the preferred logistics supplier for all the gaming equipment and slots. This entailed all equipment from the gaming suppliers being collated in Stoke for a coordinated delivery process. The TCSJOHNHUXLEY Stoke facility was also used as a hub for project planning, with all equipment and planning meetings taking place at the location.

Richard Smith, General Manager Aspers Westfield Stratford City comments, "We have been extremely impressed with the way TCSJOHNHUXLEY approached this project. The attention to detail and meticulous planning across all levels of the team ensured the installation ran smoothly, on time and within budget. TCSJOHNHUXLEY pulled out all the stops to ensure the whole project was a major success and the finished product looks stunning!"

David Heap TCSJOHNHUXLEY Group Chief Executive comments, "We are extremely honoured to be involved with this prestigious project. Not only is this a 'first-of-its-kind' showcase casino, it also indicates the confidence Richard Noble and the Aspers Management team had in the abilities of TCSJOHNHUXLEY, to deliver and install the best equipment available on time and with no issues."

* Images by Aspers Casino Group c/o ACE Publishing Ltd