Thursday, April 19, 2012

news.casinolife

news.casinolife

Responsible Gambling Trust Launches

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 06:58 AM PDT

The Responsible Gambling Trust was officially launched on Tuesday 17 April 2012 at Aspers Casino Westfield Stratford City, London – Britain's newest and largest casino – following the merger of The GREaT Foundation and Responsible Gambling Fund.

Marc Etches, Chief Executive of the Responsible Gambling Trust, explained: "The purpose of the merger is to streamline the fundraising and distribution process, thereby maximising the money raised from the gambling industry in Britain to minimise problem gambling and gambling-related harm in British society through effective education and prevention techniques, which stop people getting into problems with their gambling, and ensuring that those that do develop problems receive fast and effective treatment and support."

Etches added: "We will work hard to ensure that the gambling industry in Britain retains its world-leading reputation for promoting responsibility in gambling and to demonstrate that legitimate business growth and job creation is balanced with social protection of the weak and vulnerable in society."

As an independent national charity, the Responsible Gambling Trust aims to raise a minimum of £5million annually from the gambling industry in Britain within a voluntary (donation based) system to fund its research, education and treatment activities.  Its fundraising target for 2012/13 is £6million.

The Responsible Gambling Trust aims to become an independent, authoritative and respected voice for responsible gambling in Britain.  Neil Goulden, Chairman of Trustees, said:

"We will commission effective and value for money services from treatment and education providers, and will deliver an independently commissioned research programme that focuses on the causes of problem gambling and the effectiveness of various treatment, prevention and education techniques in preventing and/or reducing problem gambling."

Announcing that former Labour Government Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe MP, and Professor Jonathan Wolff, a former member of the Gambling Review Body chaired by Sir Alan Budd, are to join the new Board of Trustees, Goulden added:

"It is very important that the Responsible Gambling Trust generates widespread trust and credibility, particularly in view of the investment of both fundraising and commissioning functions in a single, industry-led body.  And to that end, we will ensure an appropriate balance between industry and independent trustees, and invite both the Gambling Commission and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board to observe our Board meetings."

The new arrangements, underpinned by an ‘assurance and governance framework’ agreed between the Responsible Gambling Trust, the Gambling Commission and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB), rely on openness, transparency and partnership to deliver results.

Speaking at the launch, Philip Graf, Chairman of the Gambling Commission said: "The Commission welcomes these new arrangements – a renewed approach of openness and transparency to help fill the evidence gaps and ensure that we do all we can to minimise the harm from gambling through evidence based regulation and an effective programme of research, education and treatment."

Brian Pomeroy, Chairman of RGSB, added:"The Strategy Board looks forward to working closely with the Responsible Gambling Trust to ensure that the aims of the strategy are delivered through quality cost-effective programmes. Within this partnership approach, the Trust will provide valuable evidence to help the Board develop its strategy and advice to the Gambling Commission and will be able to demonstrate what works in the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm."

Further details about the Responsible Gambling Trust can be found at www.responsiblegamblingtrust.org.uk.

 

GTECH G2 ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF WEBINAR SERIES

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 03:28 AM PDT

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 (London, UK) GTECH G2, the premier full service provider to the iGaming and sports betting industry, is launching an interactive webinar series designed to help navigate the complexities of setting up an online operation.

The opening session, entitled Why Go Online? What is the Potential of the US Market? will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at 12:30 EDT / 09:30 PST.

It will feature Simon Holliday, a market expert from H2 Gambling Capital, the leading supplier of gambling statistics and reports to the gaming industry, who will present their view on the potential size of the US market. The series also includes speakers from Lottomatica, the largest online operator in the fiercely competitive Italian market, Jack Media and Income Access.

Registration is essential and now open at webinars@gtechg2.com. Questions can be put to the panel and should be emailed to asktheexperts@gtechg2.com.

 

European sales team at Suzo-Happ Group reflects new focus and opportunities

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 03:14 AM PDT

The Suzo-Happ Group is the company most strongly positioned in the industry to support the industry needs for spares and components. The further diversification of gaming markets around the globe places a real challenge on component and spares suppliers.

Harald Wagemaker Sales Director

Manufacturers are turning more and more to suppliers with a global focus to reflect their own company strategies. This strategy – coupled with the long-standing excellent reputation for quality, service and pricing of the Suzo-Happ Group – not only has made the Suzo-Happ Group the number one international spares and component supplier to the gaming and amusement industries but also explains the further company growth.

The Suzo-Happ Group demonstrates its commitment by supporting both manufacturers and end users. New products are thus welcomed more quickly to the market and new ideas can be researched and then developed into next generation products which fit the operator requirements. An ever-growing research and development 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 as well.

The European (EMEA) sales management team has been restructured to reflect this focus. Mr. Harald Wagemaker has been promoted to Sales Director. Mr. Wagemaker has already amassed experienced as sales director with responsibility for personnel, products, distributors and naturally mastering growth strategies for internationally-renown companies such as Epson and will be making strong use of his experience in his new position.

Lou Rudolph Regional Sales Manager

Mr. Lou Rudolph has joined Suzo-Happ as Regional Sales Manager with responsibility for OEM sales to Italy, Greece and Eastern Europe. Mr. Rudolph previously supported JCM as Sales Manager and interim Sales Director in Europe. With such technical and commercial expertise, Mr. Rudolph is a strong addition to the expanding sales team. Furthermore, Mr. Rudolph (originally from Chicago in the USA) has many years of working in the amusement industry, having worked at industry-leading companies such as Merit Industries and Global VR.

Mr. Marcel Oelen, Managing Director for the Suzo-Happ Group EMEA, comments, "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".

LVS Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 01:52 AM PDT

In May, LVS, the sportsbook software provider owned by La Française des Jeux, celebrates a milestone anniversary as a software technology company.

LVS started life in 1992 as a financial software company but very quickly moved into the fledgling online gaming industry when they partnered with Victor Chandler to build one of the first ever telebetting and online sportsbook platforms. Since then LVS has gone from strength to strength becoming one of the leaders in the industry with their core product the "Advanced Betting Platform".  In 2010 LVS were acquired by the second largest lottery in the World, FDJ.

Simon Ordish, CEO of LVS comments, "By having just a handful of clients to service at any one time, we were able to focus on creating great technology and providing one-to-one customer service. As we grow under the guidance of FDJ, the challenge is to still be at the cutting edge of technology and at the same time give that level of attention and personable experience that LVS are well known for."

Today, LVS is a key player in the business-to-government sector and will continue to produce the best, cutting-edge technology in sportsbetting with a full range of international products across multiple channels. LVS provides online sportsbook to a number of operators across Europe and Asia and have recently moved in to the African market with their retail sportsbetting platform.

LVS is a member of the World and European Lottery Associations and is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.