Wednesday, November 21, 2012

news.casinolife

news.casinolife

BALLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 11:51 AM PST

LAS VEGAS, November 14, 2012 — Bally Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI), a leader in slots, video machines, casino management, interactive applications, and networked and server-based systems for the global gaming industry, announced today that Ramesh Srinivasan will become President and Chief Executive Officer and Board Member effective by December 31, 2012.

Richard Haddrill Chairman of the Board Bally Technologies Inc

Current Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Haddrill will become Chairman of the Board.  Haddrill joined Bally as Chief Executive Officer in 2004, after serving as Chief Executive Officer of two successful public companies.  Under his leadership Bally has doubled revenues and increased the share price almost four fold.

Haddrill commented, "Ramesh and I have been great business partners over the past 13 years across two companies and these changes reflect the continued natural evolution of our roles and responsibilities.  We have built a deep group of leaders at Bally and Ramesh has proven his ability to lead the team."

Ramesh Srinivasan President & Chief Executive Officer Bally Technologies Inc

Srinivasan joined Bally in 2005 as Executive Vice President of Systems and was responsible for shaping Bally's Systems business into the industry leadership position.  He was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in March 2011, assuming leadership for worldwide games, systems, and customer service.  Under Srinivasan, Bally has positioned itself well to capitalize on the convergence of the games and systems businesses as well as emerging mobile and iGaming platforms.  Previously he was a senior executive at supply chain software company, Manhattan Associates, Inc.

"I am honored to be the next President and Chief Executive Officer of Bally at such an exciting time in our Company's 80-year history," Srinivasan said.  "We are on a very good track for the coming years.  I am very enthusiastic about the many opportunities I see to serve existing customers, expand our customer base, continue to provide growth opportunities for our people and increase shareholder value."

Kevin Verner, current Chairman, said, "The Board of Directors is very pleased with the direction of the Company and our succession planning process.  We value the strong executive team at Bally and the close working relationship between Ramesh and Dick, which we expect to continue."

The Company is hosting a conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. EST (1:30 p.m. PST). The conference-call dial-in number is 877-261-8990 or 847-619-6441 (International); passcode "Bally".  The webcast can be accessed by visiting BallyTech.com and selecting "Investor Relations." Interested parties should initiate the call and webcast process at least five minutes prior to the beginning of the presentation. For those who miss this event, an archived version will be available at BallyTech.com until December 14, 2012.

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.

 

Lotsys develops easy-to-use “three-click” app for FDJ’s Loto® game

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 11:42 AM PST

20 November 2012 (Suresnes, France) – Following the success of the Euro Millions app launched last July, Lotsys Gaming Lab is now pleased to present the Loto® game application designed for FDJ, the French Lottery. With nearly one million downloads, the user-friendly app allows players to place a bet in just three clicks. Players may also change the numbers on their grids without clicking at all, simply by shaking their mobile device.

"We have put the user experience at the centre of the app's development", explained Renaud Dol, FDJ's Head of Digital Content. "This partnership with Lotsys has made FDJ the first lottery with an iPad offer and the lottery with the best mobile game experience, thanks to all our native apps for iPhone, Android, iPad and Webapp."

Figures clearly illustrate the positive outcome of the partnership towards full convergence: today 15% of FDJ's digital revenue is from mobiles and tablets. Furthermore, FDJ's apps are the most downloaded among m-commerce apps on the French AppStore.

Available for mobile phones and tablets, the app offers six different ways to play the Loto® game, and grids can be created offline. Players may also play simple and combined games with the same grid. Favourite grids may be saved and compared with the results of the last draws. Moreover, Loto® app users have access to the last 10 Loto results. Players can also receive alerts on the next jackpot or find the nearest points-of-sale.

"Lotsys has always provided us with cutting-edge solutions", added Renaud Dol. Now they also excel in mobile ergonomics. During the app development process, Lotsys came up with many excellent ideas in this field – which are part of the app today. It is so easy and fun to use it! For us it is a strong sign that they are up to date with both lotteries' and players' needs in the mobile internet era." 

"Our main goal as a lottery industry supplier is to create solutions that meet our partners' needs and expectations by combining top-notch technology and security with state-of-the-art ergonomics", explained Mr Laurent Chesnais, Lotsys General Manager. "I am pleased and proud to realize that we were once again able to successfully meet FDJ's expectations."

As a specialist in both the internet and retail lottery business, Lotsys Gaming Lab handled the game's entire development process and offers a constantly updated portfolio of games.

 

GLOBAL REACH – LOCAL PRESENCE

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 11:23 AM PST

Suzo-Happ is the gaming industry's largest supplier of components and spare parts. Suzo-Happ management understands the need to remain local despite being such a global company. The presence at local exhibitions thus plays a key role here.

Mr. Lou Rudolph and Mr. Harald Wagemaker of Suzo-Happ EMEA

Suzo-Happ exhibited at the following Eastern European exhibitions in the past weeks: the 'Entertainment Arena Expo' in Bucharest Romania, the 'FORBES' in Prague, Czech Republic and the 'BEGE' in Sofia, Bulgaria. This investment in not only visiting but actually having a stand at each show was welcomed by visitors at all three exhibitions alike.

The Eastern European markets are facing various challenges in the gaming sector. Many operators are looking to compliment their product range with more amusement offers. Suzo-Happ is the perfect partner here with a second-to-none product range for both the gaming and amusement markets. Most products are standard stock and thus available for practically immediate delivery. Customers can order simply and easily online on the Suzo website eu.suzohapp.com. This welcomed transparency that clearly shows the price and delivery times is a real benefit for manufacturers and operators alike.

Mr. Harald Wagemaker, Sales Director EMEA at Suzo-Happ, confirms the excellent feedback from the recent Eastern European shows, "Our customers know we are there for them. We often receive the feedback on how pleased they are of our excellent response times. We believe that the local exhibitions are of key importance to the local gaming and amusement industries and we are dedicated to underline our support here. In particular our amusement product range created great interest. Visitors know they have a trusted partner in Suzo-Happ and they have simple access to our products via our website which combines perfectly with the local support we provide with our strong, multi-lingual sales and support teams".

 

 

IGT’s leading brands and top performing games go mobile

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 05:56 AM PST

LONDON  November 19 2012  International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT), a global leader in casino gaming entertainment and systems technology, today announced a major strengthening of its mobile offering with the release of Elvis® A Little More Action, Wolf Run™ and Kitty Glitter™.

Ready to play on iOS and Android smartphone and tablet devices, all three titles are available via the IGT rgs® (remote game server). Each supports portrait and landscape orientation. Each game also amps the excitement with its own unique audio.

Elvis® A Little More Action, which features audio from one of the king's most recognizable hits, A Little Less Conversation, is a 50-payline slot game with Stacked Wilds™ and super-rich reels in the Free Spins Bonus™, where up to 255 free spins can be triggered.

IGT classics Wolf Run™ and Kitty Glitter™ bring two of the company's all-time best performers to handheld devices. Wolf Run™ is a 40-payline slot game with Stacked Wilds™ and a Free Spins Bonus™. Kitty Glitter™ features 30 paylines and a Free Spins Bonus™ where all four cat symbols can become wild.

"The size of the mobile market is expanding by the day and a selection of superior branded content and consistently high performing games helps make IGT a driving force behind this growth," said Leigh Nissim, IGT commercial director of Interactive. "Choosing the right casino game supplier in the world of mobile gaming is crucial – our experience, expertise and compliance record at IGT is second to none."

IGT Resources:

About IGT International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) is a global leader in casino gaming entertainment and continues to transform the industry by translating casino player experiences to social, mobile and interactive environments for regulated markets around the world. IGT’s recent acquisition of DoubleDown Interactive provides engaging casino style entertainment to more than 5 million players monthly. More information about IGT is available at www.IGT.com or connect with IGT at @IGTNews or www.facebook.com/IGT. Anyone can play at the DoubleDown Casino by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/doubledowncasino or www.doubledowncasino.com.

 

SPIELO INTERNATIONAL™ INSTALLS MACHINES IN BAVARIAN CASINOS

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 04:40 AM PST

Luebbecke, Germany – Bavaria's nine casinos are refreshing their slot machine offering with a wide range of new OXYGEN™ machines from SPIELO International. Installations are already underway, and they should be completed by the end of this year.

SPIELO International's Sakis Isaakidis General Manager EMEA Casino

In all nine Bavarian casinos, the old house-jackpot machines are being replaced by OXYGEN cabinets with KiTTY CASH™ as the featured game. Furthermore, "Bayern-Jackpot" machines have now been replaced by OXYGEN cabinets featuring the Mermaid's Spell™ multigame with a specially developed pay table, where the top award symbol has been changed to the Bavarian Lion in honour of the region.

The former car-jackpot slot machines located in Bad Wiessee, Feuchtwangen, Bad Kissingen and Garmisch-Partenkirchen casinos have been replaced by OXYGEN machines featuring the popular HOT & WiLD™ game suite. These machines offer a car as the top prize.

Other SPIELO International machines have been installed in various locations featuring games such as Master ROULETTE™ and MULTi CHANCE KENO™, as well as the diversity™ multigame suites and core games. These machines are already showing very positive performance figures.

"This roll-out of our slot machines in Bavaria is a noteworthy expansion of our activities in the region," said SPIELO International's Sakis Isaakidis, General Manager EMEA Casino. "Germany is an important market – one of our international head offices is located in Luebbecke – and we are pleased to increase our presence in the Bavarian casinos."

"We are looking forward to a continued, excellent, long-term business relationship with SPIELO International, and to benefiting from their highly-regarded products. All our casinos' slots and table floor networks are already integrated with the GALAXIS™ range of software modules, which offers a comprehensive and user-friendly casino management package," said Michael Mueller, Head of Technical and IT Department, Bayerische Spielbanken. "And we are now delighted to install SPIELO International's latest linked progressive slot machines in our casinos. We expect these leading machines with their compelling content will offer the best variety of games for our customers, who will have the opportunity to enjoy gaming in secure, safe, and enjoyable surroundings."

 

TRANSACT TECHNOLOGIES RECEIVES BALLY TECHNOLOGIES CERTIFICATION FOR EPICENTRAL® PRINT SYSTEM

Posted: 20 Nov 2012 03:37 AM PST

HAMDEN, CT  TransAct Technologies Incorporated (NASDAQ: TACT), a global leader in market-specific solutions, including printers, terminals, software and other products fortransaction-based and other industries, today announced it has received Bally Technologies (NYSE: BYI) certification for its EPICENTRAL® Print System to integrate with Bally Systems.

Bart C. Shuldman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TransAct Technologies

For those casinos using slot data from Bally Systems, integration will allow for quick and easy connections between Bally Systems and the EPICENTRAL® Print System. As a result, TransAct will now have access to real-time session data for players to help drive customized promotions and coupons atthe slot machines through its EPICENTRAL® System.

"We are excited to continue our mutually beneficial relationship with Bally Technologies, a leader in games and systems technology for the casino industry, and we worked closely with Bally to be able to integrate EPICENTRAL® to connect to player data from Bally Systems," said Bart C. Shuldman,

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TransAct Technologies. "It is a pleasure to partner with TransAct to ensure the EPICENTRAL® System works as smoothly as possible to provide the optimal benefit to our Bally Systems customers. This is another demonstration of the openness of our system platforms, which allows partners like TransAct to integrate with our core systems to provide casinos with innovative new features," said Tom Doyle, Bally Technologies' Vice President of Systems Product Management.

The EPICENTRAL® Print System – connected directly to TransAct's ServerPort™ device inside the slot machine – is an easy-to-use, cost-efficient software system that enables casinos to internally develop marketing programs and promotional coupons using Bally Systems to be distributed to customers on a real-time basis at a slot machine via the EPICENTRAL® technology. Additionally, the system works with existing slot systems and games as it operates with a separate and distinct connection with the printer. With this, casinos will be able to use the EPICENTRAL® Print System to connect to all existing slot machines, regardless of the game's manufacturer, to drive increased revenue and enhance their customers' experience on a real-time basis.

About TransAct Technologies Incorporated TransAct Technologies Incorporated (NASDAQ: TACT) is a leader in developing and manufacturing market-specific solutions, including printers, terminals, software and other products for transaction-based and other industries. These industries include casino, gaming, lottery, banking, kiosk, point-of-sale, food safety, hospitality, oil and gas, and medical and mobile. Each individual market has distinct, critical requirements for printing and the transaction is not complete until the receipt and/or ticket is produced.

TransAct printers and products are designed from the ground up based on market specific requirements and are sold under the Ithaca®, Epic, EPICENTRAL® and Printrex® product brands. TransAct distributes its printers through OEMs, value-added resellers, selected distributors, and direct to end-users. TransAct has over 2.4 million printers installed around the world. TransAct is also committed to providing world-class printer service, spare parts, accessories and printing supplies to its growing worldwide installed base of printers. Through its TransAct Services Group, TransAct provides a complete range of supplies and consumables items used in the printing and scanning activities of customers in the hospitality, banking, retail, food safety, gaming, government and oil and gas exploration markets. Through its webstore, http://www.transactsupplies.com, and a direct selling team, TransAct addresses the on-line demand for these products. TransAct is headquartered in Hamden, CT. For more information, please visit http://www.transact-tech.com or call 203.859.6800.