Wednesday, September 12, 2012

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news.casinolife

G2E’S NEXT GENERATION PROGRAMMING TO HELP ATTENDEES STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME Insights on Operations Series to Analyze the Player of Tomorrow and the Casino of the Future

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 11:52 AM PDT

 

 

LAS VEGAS – As the gaming industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, there is a growing need to seize the competitive edge by providing the next generation of American consumers with a one-of-a-kind casino experience. Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2012 will be the place to gain invaluable insights on the modern-day American consumer and the innovations that will advance the business of gaming in the years to come. This year, G2E’s Insights on Operations series will feature a dynamic line-up of experts who will provide an in-depth analysis of this modern consumer from a number of strategic angles. G2E 2012′s forward-looking programming also will examine one of the hottest topics in the gaming  industry, Internet gambling.

Frank Fahrenkopf President & CEO of the American Gaming Association

“These are exciting times for the gaming industry, and G2E offers the world’s largest and most comprehensive educational platform to help attendees leverage their assets to drive today’s consumer to their properties,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA). “These new generations of consumers are accustomed to choices and options, and attendees will gain critical insight into generational factors, new marketing opportunities in the digital age and the casino experience of the future.”

The lineup for G2E 2012′s Insights on Operations series, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 4, includes:

  • The Generational Imperative: Expanding Your Reach – Chuck Underwood, one of the pioneers of generational study and generational business strategy, will help attendees get “into the heads” of the five living generations. He will help attendees understand the powerful generational core values that guide their consumer choices, career decisions, lifestyle preferences, personal relationships and personal behaviors.
  • The Next Wave of Marketing: The Digital Decade – As the new media landscape continues to change the way companies create and distribute content, marketing consultant Drew Davis will unlock some revolutionary concepts for marketing in the future. This session will provide attendees with the knowledge they need to engage the next generation of gaming consumers and stay competitive in the rapidly changing digital world.
  • The Next Wave of Gaming Technology: Games and Marketing Converge – In this closing address, John Acres, one of the industry’s foremost game developers, will explain why a successful future for gaming will require highly interactive experiences that emphasize emotional gratification and deep personalization as well as a vastly increased marketing reach. He will discuss how, in this future, the drama of reality television blends with the fun of game shows and the risk of gambling to create an entirely new form of entertainment.

G2E once again will serve as the leading educational resource and ideal learning environment for Internet gambling. Produced in partnership with iGaming Business, the iGaming Congress and the two-day iGaming track, one of 14 specialized tracks in the 2012 G2E Conference, will provide an overview of Internet gambling operations and regulations around the world, as well as in-depth sessions intended to prepare the U.S. market for business in advance of potential legalization. Additionally, Jim Ryan, co-CEO of bwin.party digital entertainment plc., will serve as the exclusive conference keynote speaker, addressing the growth in the global Internet gambling industry and its future potential.

G2E 2012 will be held Oct. 1 – 4, 2012, at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., and is attended by nearly 26,000 industry professionals from around the world. With more than 100 content-rich education sessions and 10 dedicated networking events, G2E attendees will get the highest levels of information, expertise, and networking necessary to build their businesses and advance their careers. For more information on G2E 2012, visit www.globalgamingexpo.com and connect with G2E on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Global Gaming Expo (G2E) is the international gaming trade show and conference “by the industry and for the industry.”  Organized by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and Reed Exhibitions, G2E made its debut in fall 2001, defining itself as the pre-eminent show for the gaming-entertainment industry.

The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues.  The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leader in organizing a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. In 2006 Reed brought together more than 6 million industry professions from around the world, generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 34 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organized by 37 fully staffed offices. Reed’s portfolio of more than 460 events services 52 key industry sectors.

FutureLogic’s PromoNet® Couponing Solution Wins 2012 Hospitality Operations Technology (HOT) Award for “Revenue Generation”

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 11:41 AM PDT

Glendale, Calif., September 11, 2012 — FutureLogic, Inc., the world's leading developer of innovative ticket printing and couponing solutions, announces today that its PromoNet® promotional couponing solution has been chosen as the winner in the "revenue generation" category in the 2012 Hospitality Operations Technology (HOT) awards conducted by Casino Enterprise Management. Casino Enterprise Management's HOT awards honor innovative gaming-technology products that make a significant difference in casino/hotel operations.

In 2012, The PromoNet® solution was selected as the winner of the "revenue generation" category by a panel of expert judges that included several gaming and hospitality executives "FutureLogic is honored by the recognition of these distinguished gaming and hospitality executives, and proud to be in the company of other industry-leading providers who have been similarly recognized," said Nick Micalizzi, VP Sales & Marketing North America for FutureLogic. "This award is a testament to our initiatives and commitment to helping operators identify and improve the casino experience for their most valuable players – both carded and non-carded."

About PromoNet® Couponing Solution Promotional couponing is the casino marketing technology of tomorrow and the PromoNet® intelligent promotional couponing solution offers casino operators the answer TODAY.

The PromoNet® solution's unique features allow casinos to create and run promotions that identify, track and reward ALL customers (both carded and uncarded) in real-time. By using the data at the game (time of play, amount wagered, etc.) or data gathered from player tracking system database (birth date, etc.), promotions can be developed to attract uncarded players to join the Player Club and enhance the casino experience for existing members. The PromoNet® solution takes promotional couponing further by giving operators the ability to analyze and modify promotions for optimum effectiveness and to conduct business analytics and reports, all of which helps improve their bottom line. The PromoNet® solution can be integrated with TITO gaming printers and devices such as FutureLogic's GEN3 Evolution® printer, GEN2 Universal™ printer, and TableXchange® printer/scanner.

About FutureLogic, Inc. Founded in 1983, FutureLogic is the leading developer of innovative ticket printing and couponing solutions to gaming technology providers and operators around the world. As the premier supplier of super-robust thermal ticket printers to the global gaming industry, FutureLogic has shipped more than 1.5 million printers for casino gaming, video lottery, AWP, LPM, SWP and kiosk applications worldwide. Headquartered in Glendale, CA and with offices across North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, FutureLogic's sales and engineering teams are ready to provide direct support and local knowledge for manufacturers and operators around the world. For more information or to contact us, please visit futurelogic-inc.com.

BALLY TECHNOLOGIES UNVEILS NEW BRANDED VIDEO SLOT GAME BASED ON HISTORY’S HIT TELEVISION SERIES PAWN STARS

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 09:18 AM PDT

LAS VEGAS, September 11, 2012 − With the upcoming unveiling of the HISTORY® Pawn Stars branded video slot game by Bally Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI) in conjunction with G2 Game Design, fans on casino gaming floors will have the opportunity to negotiate and share laughs with their favorite characters from HISTORY's smash hit television series.

Jean Venneman VP Product Management & Licensing Bally Technologies

Recognized around the world, HISTORY's Pawn Stars, Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison, the Old Man, and Chumlee appear in this bonus-rich new game, featured on the ALPHA 2™ Pro Series™ Wheel cabinet. Bally will introduce the game for the first time at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas October 2-4, and the game will start selling in North America in early 2013.

"The biggest names in the pawn business are here to play," said Jean Venneman, Vice President of Product Management and Licensing for Bally Technologies. "We can't wait to see the response to a game that captures the best of such a universally loved show, enhances it with the latest bonus features, and offers it to fans and newcomers alike. Pawn Stars' global popularity is important, too, as we make this game available to our worldwide customer base."

Viewers have gotten to know the Harrison family-owned pawn business – run by son Rick, grandfather Richard (Old Man), grandson Corey, and Corey's loveable sidekick Chumlee – on HISTORY, but they're not alone. Millions of viewers in more than 150 countries enjoy the program, which has been translated into 37 languages and rated as a top cable show in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, where the show is filmed, has become one of the top tourist destinations in Las Vegas.

"We are excited to see two of the gaming industry's top names, Bally and G2, create this game in our likeness," said Rick Harrison, from HISTORY's Pawn Stars. "Because of the stellar job they've done on the Pawn Stars game, we are hoping to gain exposure with an entirely new audience, while staying connected with our current fans."

Players begin by choosing their favorite character from the four stars: Rick, the Old Man, Corey, or Chumlee. They then enter the world of buying, selling, and negotiating, along the way encountering bonus opportunities that make them feel like they're in the show. The highlighted Negotiation Bonus invites players to pick an item to buy or sell, then negotiate with the Pawn Stars for credit awards. Free Games, 11 wheel bonus prizes, wilds, pick 'em features, and iDeck interaction make this game a rewarding new way to experience the popular TV series.

Gregg Giuffria, Chief Executive Officer and President of G2 Game Design, said, "It was such an amazing experience working on this project with Bally Technologies. Our entertaining game content, combined with Bally's sleek Pro Wheel cabinet and the license for the world-famous Pawn Stars brand, equals as much fun and excitement as players can find in any game today."

The Pawn Stars slot machine license agreement was represented by United Talent Agency and Attorney Darin Frank.

Click here to for a sneak peek of the game, and see Pawn Stars at Bally Technologies' G2E booth no. 1127.

Visit Bally's G2E microsite.

About Bally Technologies, Inc. With a history dating back to 1932, Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies designs, manufactures, operates, and distributes advanced gaming devices, systems and technology solutions worldwide. Bally's product line includes reel-spinning slot machines, video slots, wide-area progressives, interactive and mobile applications, and Class II, lottery, and central-determination games and platforms. Bally also offers an array of casino management, slot accounting, bonusing, cashless and table management solutions. For more information, please contact Laura Olson-Reyes, Senior Director, Marketing & Corporate Communications, at 702-584-7742, or visit http://www.ballytech.com.  Connect with Bally on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

About G2 Game Design G2 Game Design is a third-party game design studio founded by Gregg Giuffria. G2 is a full-service independent game-design facility with 41 patents, mathematicians, game designers, graphic designers, sound, branding, and licensing for slots in the casino gaming industry. Learn more by visiting g2gamedesign.com, or call 702-255-7774.

About HISTORY® HISTORY® is the leading destination for factual entertainment, including award-winning original series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. The network's all-original programming slate, including scripted event programming,  features a litany of hits including American Pickers®, American Restoration™, Ax Men™, Ice Road Truckers®, Pawn Stars®, Swamp People® and Top Shot® as well as epic mini-series and specials such as the Emmy® Award-winning Gettysburg, America The Story of Us, Hatfields & McCoys, Vietnam in HD and 102 Minutes That Changed America. The HISTORY website is the leading online resource for all things history, and in 2011, the United States Library of Congress selected HISTORY's Civil War 150 site for inclusion in the historic collection of Internet materials related to the American Civil War sesquicentennial.  www.history.com

 

Suzo Happ Solutions and Service at G2E 2012

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 05:06 AM PDT

The Suzo-Happ Group is the world leader in solutions and service and providing professional consultation, development, to the global gaming industry. Suzo-Happ has grown to 12 strategic locations with nearly 500 professionals worldwide.

Today, Suzo-Happ represents more than 50,000 components, creating a one-stop shop for companies in a variety of global industries. Specific to the gaming industry, Suzo-Happ is the leading solutions provider for a wide range of field-proven components including printers, bill validators, monitors, and interactive digital communications systems.

At G2E 2012, Suzo-Happ will be in booth # 4041, presenting five critical components that help make every gaming operation more efficient, cost-effective, and profitable.  Visit Suzo-Happ at the Global Gaming Expo and learn about the Suzo-Happ hopper line, Celebration Toppers, Airistar Filters, QTBrightek LED lighting, and PALtronics components.

Suzo-Happ's exclusive hopper line has solutions for every size of need. The Evolution Coin Hopper has recently been re-engineered by Suzo-Happ's R&D professionals, resulting in the best belt-driven hopper available. Its superior design is suitable for 95 percent of the world's coins and tokens, without any adjustments. Strong plastic construction and large DC/electric motor construction make it powerful, strong, and quiet. It is protected by anti-jam electronics and low- and high-level sensing, and comes standard with an

Evolution Hopper

incredible 1,500 coin capacity.

Operator feedback resulted in the new excel™ hopper, the latest edition to Suzo-Happ's hopper line. A smart planetary gearbox system combines maximum torque with minimal power consumption. Its silent operation, easily accessible coin exit and simple integration are among the excel™ hopper's advantages.

Also in the line is the Cube Hopper MK2®, the most reliable small hopper available anywhere. It is constructed of the highest quality plastic, making it extremely durable. Because it is a single-denomination hopper, it is one of the fastest on the market, processing coins at about seven per second. An integrated optical read-out sensor is strategically located under the platform so the sensor is protected from light and dirt, meaning longer and more accurate performance.

The newest addition to Suzo-Happ's hopper line is the Flow Hopper, an innovative through-hole coin disk hopper with extremely durable construction and a flexible design. The Flow Hopper is available in two interfaces – either standard parallel or ccTalk serial, and can pay out at seven coins per second. It also has optical sensor check and anti-jam features.

To bring a higher level of excitement to the casino floor, Suzo-Happ offers the Celebration Topper. It gives acknowledgement to a hand-pay jackpot with a confetti launcher, 8-watt stereo audio celebration, videos on a 15.6" LCD screen and flashing multi-color RGB LED lights. The Celebration Topper interfaces directly into the game's SAS line, and is programmable to your level of hand-pay. Celebration videos come standard, and they can be customized.

Casinos large and small, bingo halls, AWP rooms and more will have added comfort with Airistar Filters. Smoke, odors, dust and other air impurities are filtered out with Airistar's unique multiple-stage purification processes. The entire line of Airistar Filters cleans the air and protects guests and employees from second-hand smoke, dust, allergens, and a host of volatile organic compounds.  Certain models tuck easily away into custom cabinets that double as marketing display units.

Now more than ever, casino operators are making their front-of-house and back-of-house areas more comfortable, efficient and cost-effective with LED lights by QTBrightek. From spotlights to light tubes, from flat ceiling light panels to high bay lamps, QTBrightek LED lights have been proven to give more light with less energy and without noise, flickering, or mercury. Brighter floor areas, cost savings and a greener casino operation are all possible with QTBrightek LED lights.

In casino signage and display solutions, Suzo-Happ represents the most comprehensive line PALtronics Components available under one roof. Now operators can quickly and easily find the components they need to keep their PALtronics equipment working at its peak.

One-stop, professional solutions and exclusive innovations will be on display in Suzo-Happ booth #4041. For more information now, visit suzohapp.com, for a world of solutions.

UK Gambling legislation costing exchequer £30 million every year

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 02:29 AM PDT

The exchequer is missing out on more than £30 million each year in gaming duty alone due to anachronistic gambling legislation. A new report, Seven Years Later – Casinos in the aftermath of the 2005 Gambling Act, finds that current legislation unnecessarily hinders British casinos and that modest reform would bring significant benefits.

It suggests that the law should allow casino operators to adapt to consumer demand and that the government should allow local authorities to use existing licences which would create much needed jobs and investment. It is unreasonable that many large towns are still unable to open casinos regardless of public demand. The current distribution of casinos is completely arbitrary and unfair on certain regions. Logical reform is necessary. Specifically:

  • Legislation is outdated and it is perverse that many Britons do not have access to 'the safest place to gamble' and that those who do are not able to play games available in other venues, on their mobile phone and on the internet. There is no obvious reason why a reasonably sized town or city should not be able to host at least one small casino.  There were 186 licences created under the 1968 Gaming Act. These can only be used in permitted areas determined at the time based on population size.
  • Although populations have increased markedly over the last 50 years these licenses cannot be transferred to towns that at the time were deemed too small. Consequently, 41 of these licences are currently dormant. 16 new licences were created in 2005 but these are also confined to specified towns and in some cases there is not enough demand in a specified locality for a new casino. Seven years after the legislation was passed, only one of these new casinos has been built.
  • Considerable economic benefits would be derived from the modest reforms needed to put these dormant licences to use. An average casino generates between 120 and 150 jobs and each unused casino license could generate £600,000 per annum in gaming duty. With more than fifty licences currently unused, the Treasury is potentially waiving in excess of £30 million.

Allow transfer of licences

  • Councillors in places such as Swindon, Peterborough and Bognor Regis have expressed interest in applying for casino licences but are unable to do so under current rules. The government should abolish the permitted areas rule and allow unused licences to be transferred between regions. This would allow the building of casinos in areas where they are wanted and would bring substantial economic benefits. Companies wishing to build casinos would still have to obtain planning permission, get signed-off by the Gambling Commission and go through the local authority.

Permit a wider range of activities in casinos

  • Casinos are the most heavily regulated area of the industry and so it makes little sense to outlaw gambling activities which are available in ‘soft’ gambling venues. This should be reflected in the stakes, prizes and range of gambling activities available. British casino operators should be allowed to offer a wider range of products such as horse racing and online gambling from within casinos.

Commenting on the report, its author, Christopher Snowdon, said: "The last government pulled back from liberalising the casino industry at the eleventh hour, leaving casinos hampered by archaic rules that were drafted in the 1960s. More than a quarter of the 200 casino licenses lie dormant and only one of the 16 new casinos licensed in the 2005 Act has been built. Most will never be built because of bizarre planning restrictions which allow small towns like Stranraer to have a casino while places such as Croydon, Swindon and Bognor Regis cannot. With many seaside towns struggling and casinos a potential economic lifeline this is lunacy.

 

"While online gambling and bookmaking flourishes, casinos have been hindered by high taxes and petty regulations. With hindsight, the politicians who drafted the legislation admit that it was flawed. After seven years of inaction, it's time for these mistakes to be corrected so that any reasonably sized town or city can host at least one small casino if the demand exists.

US gaming companies in a rush to find partners and select technology to launch online gaming

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 01:42 AM PDT

The approval of the first operator licenses by the Nevada Gaming Control Board for South Point and Monarch Casino has made online poker in the USA a reality. With other companies waiting in line for review and approval, the entire gaming industry has been put under even more pressure to finalise their iGaming strategies and to select technology partners which will help them ensure a quick route to market.

As other recently regulated markets in Europe, such as Italy and France, have demonstrated, the first-mover advantage when launching iGaming is crucial to build brand leadership, secure a substantial market share and build a profitable business. Just like in the European markets however, the local gaming businesses will have to compete against the existing and established online poker brands that have been operating in the market taking advantage of a grey or unclear legal framework. The recent settlement of PokerStars with the US Department of Justice that saw the company take over FullTilt's player accounts could potentially create a serious competitive threat to the American casinos, should PokerStars, which still has strong brand recognition in the country, be allowed to apply for a license.

Apart from market entry lessons, Europe could offer many other lessons to US companies planning their iGaming launch, from regulatory considerations to business strategy and affiliate marketing. Having operated online gambling for over 15 years now and seen the market's transition from an un-regulated environment to a fully regulated one, however with a patchwork of state-by-state licensing and compliance rules, European iGaming companies have a wealth of expertise transferable to the USA. It's not surprising that most US companies are looking for European partners to help them set up their iGaming operation.

For those US organisations searching for iGaming expertise, events like the 11th European iGaming Congress & Expo are an ideal place to learn from and network with online gambling experts. EiG, that takes place in Barcelona, Spain on October 16-18, is the most established and longest running event fully dedicated to online gambling. Considered to be the home of the iGaming industry, this high-level conference, co-located with a large exhibition that hosts around 80 technology providers with solutions spanning from game content, payments, anti-fraud, social gaming, mobile to marketing and CRM, is attended by 1700-plus iGaming experts: CEO and Board members, directors, regulators and investors.

EiG's conference program features regulatory, business and marketing sessions that will present best practices adopted by the European experts when launching iGaming, entering new markets, defining their lobbying approach and developing new propositions, such as mobile or social gaming. Acknowledging an intensified interest from the USA, organizers have also prepared a program designed specifically for American companies that includes presentations and discussions by the top experts from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Illinois Lottery, Pechanga Indian Reservation, Spectrum Gaming Group, IGT, Bally and ShuffleMaster. Additionally, a special US iGaming 'Happy Hour' networking session has been scheduled, aimed at bringing together organisations from both sides of the Atlantic to network and discuss partnerships.

Details and registrations on the event and the US-focused sessions are available at www.eigexpo.com.

 

GERHARD BURDA RETAINED AS STRATEGIC ADVISOR TO INSPIRED GAMING

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 01:22 AM PDT

10 September 2012, London: Inspired Gaming Group (Inspired) announces today the appointment of Gerhard Burda as Non Executive Strategic Advisor. Mr Burda will be working with Inspired's global leadership team to develop the company's product offering and market penetration in strategic gaming regions.

Gerhard Burda Strategic Adviser Inspired Gaming

"Gerhard is a hugely respected and insightful industry leader, and we welcome his joining our team. His impressive gaming heritage, combined with his strategic insight, make him a valuable new member of our team", said Luke Alvarez, CEO of Inspired Gaming Group.

Alvarez added: "Inspired is in a decisive phase of expansion and experienced thinkers from within the industry – of whom Gerhard is one of the smartest – are crucial to the company's success."

Following his eight years as a Managing Director and CEO of the German Atronic Group, Mr Burda spent three years as Senior Vice President at GTECH/Lottomatica. During this time the company entered new markets, such as the Italian AWP and VLT markets, and launched major new international products. Since leaving Lottomatica Mr Burda founded a think tank, called Escapes, focusing on new trends in gaming and the convergence of gaming spaces.

Gerhard Burda states: "During my whole career in the gaming industry I always considered Inspired Gaming one of the high potentials for growth in a rapidly changing and converging gaming landscape. Now, in my new life as a private entrepreneur, I am specifically pleased about having been offered the opportunity to contribute my experience to this outstanding company and team of people."

Mr Burda joins Inspired from the beginning of October 2012 and will be available on Inspired's booth #3965 at G2E Vegas.