Saturday, July 27, 2013

news.casinolife

news.casinolife

Las Vegas Sands registers ‘Eurovegas’ mega-casino in Madrid

Posted: 26 Jul 2013 10:56 AM PDT

(Reuters) – Gambling industry mogul Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands has officially registered plans to build a sprawling resort known as Eurovegas outside the Spanish capital Madrid, the company said on Thursday.

The resort, to be built in the commuter town of Alcorcon some 15 kilometres south of Madrid, will be built on a 750-hectare site and will include up to six casinos, 12 hotels and shops.

“Las Vegas Sands Corp. confirms that it has produced a non-binding viability study to the regional government of Madrid, which lays out a preliminary vision for the development of a strip of resorts,” the company said in a press release.

Initial investment in the resort, the first phase of which is due to be completed by 2017, will be some 6 billion euros ($7.9 billion) and could create as many as 250,000 jobs, a welcome boost for a country where more than one in four are out of work.

 

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AMATIC INDUSTRIES – STRONG PRESENCE AT PERU GAMING SHOW

Posted: 26 Jul 2013 03:45 AM PDT

 

AMATIC Industries will once again be underling its dedication to the Peruvian gaming market by taking a strong presence at the forthcoming Peru Gaming Show that will take place between 14th and 15th August at the Jockey Exhibition Centre in Lima, Peru.

AMATIC Industries has a long-standing distributor in Peru – Happy Games. Thus, AMATIC Industries is well established in Peru. The new Performer C22 upright gaming machine will be on proud display. AMATIC Industries has especially tailored games for this market – offered in the games selection called 'Multi Juegos'.

The Performer C22 stands out in the marketplace with the combination of its unique design, Austrian flair and proven quality. Naturally AMATIC Industries has twenty years of experience in developing the right games for the right markets.

AMATIC Industries has just a strong reputation in the field of electronic roulettes. It goes without saying, therefore, that AMATIC Industries will be exhibiting the Roulette Grand Jeu, a true hit for players and operators alike.

Mr. Thomas Engstberger, sales manager at AMATIC Industries, will be attending the Peru Gaming Show to support the team at Happy Games. He comments, "The management at the Peru Gaming Show say that this is the 'show for Peru'. We like to say that we are 'the perfect choice for operators and players in Peru'. Our new Performer C22 cabinet with the Multi Juegos games alongside our Roulette Grand Jeu puts us in the pole position for maximum gaming entertainment in Peru. We welcome all visitors to our stand and look forward to explaining why AMATIC Industries is the right choice for Peru".

AMATIC Industries / Happy Games will be exhibiting on stand 68.

 

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Net Entertainment strikes partnership deal with online gaming operator Ladbrokes

Posted: 26 Jul 2013 02:34 AM PDT

 

 

July 26, 2013 – Net Entertainment has signed a partnership agreement with one of the world's leading betting and gaming enterprises, Ladbrokes. Under the terms of the agreement Net Entertainment will supply the operator with a selection of online desktop and mobile games.

"We are very happy that Ladbrokes has selected Net Entertainment as supplier for a selection of our best in class portfolio games to be distributed over their online market channels. Ladbrokes is one of the most reputable operators in the UK, and we are confident that our content will be well received by Ladbrokes' player base," comments Björn Krantz, Chief of GMO and MD Net Entertainment Malta Ltd.

"Net Entertainment's exposure in the UK has increased significantly over the past year, which is in line with our strategic plan to build up a solid and long term business venture together with our UK partners. Ladbrokes will initially launch with a few of Net Entertainment's best in class games, which will gradually grow over time. This deal will further strengthen our position in the UK, and solidifies the trust and confidence our partners have in our operational and technology leadership," Krantz concludes.

"We have made clear our pledge to work with best-of-breed suppliers and Net Entertainment certainly fits into this category," says Richard Poole, Head of Product, Ladbrokes eGaming.

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Leading gambling companies join forces for new initiative

Posted: 26 Jul 2013 02:34 AM PDT

A group of 20 leading land-based and online gambling companies has joined together in order to focus on exploring ways to minimise potential harm from gambling. Rank Group, Gala Coral, Paddy Power, Sky Bet, William Hill, Aspers Casinos and Ladbrokes are among the founding members of the P3 Group.

Mark Etches Chief Executive Responsible Gambling Trust

This is the first time that a cross-industry group of companies has come together to share their experiences and knowledge and work together to establish best practice in this area. The Group will seek to find and trial practical technological solutions, protocols or tools that will enable the industry to move forward in these key areas of consumer protection.

The P3 Group will also work closely with the Responsible Gambling Trust to harness their expertise. The Group will work on three key principles; information for all players to ensure consumers have greater transparency and clarity of gambling offers, better and more effective identification of consumers who show tendencies towards risky behaviour and establishing and improving processes that can better help protect those consumers displaying risky behaviour from harm.

Its chairman, Russell Hoyle, said: "The British gambling industry leads the world in its approach to social responsibility. "The founding members of the P3 Group recognise that the industry needs to act proactively across all sectors of gambling in order to minimise the risk of harm from gambling.

"The vast majority of people who gamble do so safely and enjoy gambling as part of their leisure experience. "However, we recognise that there is a small minority for whom gambling can be harmful. "The P3 Group believes that the best way to understand and tackle this is through a cohesive, cross-industry approach.

"We will work closely and cohesively with the industries' trade bodies who are already undertaking new ground-breaking initiatives in a number of areas, developing far reaching codes of practice. The P3 Group supports these initiatives and will seek to assist, but not duplicate, work that is already underway.

"We are committed to supporting the Government's aims to improve consumer protection and harm mitigation measures. "We want to work closely with Government, The Gambling Commission, the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board and The Responsible Gambling Trust and add to the extensive work that is being undertaken on these issues. "As a first step we will aim to trial better methods of communication to ensure consumers are properly informed.

"We will also seek better ways to identify consumers who display risky behaviour and trial methods that may help to protect them from harm.

"The founding members of this new initiative cover all areas of the gambling industry and the setting up of the P3 Group demonstrates its commitment to improving consumer protection.

"I would urge all gambling-related businesses to join the Group and support its objectives.

Responsible Gambling Trust chief executive, Marc Etches, added: "The Responsible Gambling Trust is delighted to support this initiative to bring together like-minded businesses across different sectors of the British gambling industry to investigate trial and implement harm minimisation measures in a range of areas.

"In order to make real progress in these areas, it is important to avoid unnecessary overlap and duplication of effort wherever possible, and the Responsible Gambling Trust is well placed to do this given its wider role in helping to minimise gambling-related harm.

"The Trust will offer its expertise and research capacity to help P3 succeed."

 

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ULTIMATE GAMING RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL FROM THE NEVADA GAMING COMMISSION FOR REAL MONEY ONLINE POKER PRODUCT ULTIMATE POKER

Posted: 26 Jul 2013 02:19 AM PDT

LAS VEGAS, NV (July 25, 2013) – Today, Ultimate Gaming, a majority-owned subsidiary of Station Casinos LLC, received final approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission for its real money online poker product Ultimate Poker, the only legal poker website in the United States.

Ultimate Gaming made history on April 30, when it became the first company in the United States to offer legal and secure online poker at UltimatePoker.com. Once the first hand was dealt, a trial period began during which Ultimate Gaming proved its ability to adhere to the rigorous requirements set forth by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. On July 11, the online gaming company successfully completed its field trial for Ultimate Poker, receiving a recommendation for approval from the control board. Ultimate Poker has dealt more than 9,100,000 hands of poker since it launched in April.

"Not only was Ultimate Gaming the first company in field trial and the first to launch live play, but today we became the first to receive final approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission," remarked Ultimate Gaming Chief Executive Officer Tobin Prior. "The commission set extensive regulatory requirements for online poker in the state, and we are thrilled that our product has met and exceeded these standards."

Ultimate Poker offers an exhilarating and secure online poker experience to anyone age 21 and over located in the state of Nevada. Players in Nevada can play now at UltimatePoker.com, while any player in the world can sign up and deposit in advance of visiting Nevada.

 

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MISSISSIPPI CONTINUES WINNING WAYS AS IGT CREATES TWO NEW MILLIONAIRES AT MISSISSIPPI CASINOS LAST WEEK

Posted: 26 Jul 2013 02:19 AM PDT

 

 

(LAS VEGAS – July 26, 2013) –  Mississippi just got a little luckier.  International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) created two new millionaires last week after two lucky players hit jackpots totaling $5.1 million in Mississippi casinos.

Aaron K. of Walker, LA  and his mother were visiting Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, MS on a complimentary stay when he won $2,109,783.16 on a Wheel of Fortune® 3x4x5x Double Time – Spinning Reel slot machine on July 19. He aspires to use his winnings to start a restaurant.

Several days later on July 21, lucky slot player Christopher B. of Southaven, MS won $3,031,092.23 on a Wheel of Fortune® Double Diamond® slot machine at the Fitz Tunica Casino & Hotel in Tunica Resorts, MS. He is uncertain of how he will spend his winnings, but planned to celebrate with his family at the resort's steak house.

These jackpots mark the second and third, IGT-made millionaires in Mississippi this month, totaling more than $6.6 million of winnings in July alone.  On July 3 an Alabama resident won more than $1.5 million on a Wheel of Fortune® Super Spin™ Video Reel – Wolf Run® slot machine at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, MS.

Of the U.S. states who feature the MegaJackpots® series, IGT recently identified Mississippi as the third most winningest state. IGT has paid out more than $513 million to 403 MegaJackpots® winners in Mississippi alone.

IGT launched MegaJackpots® progressive product line in 1986 and has since produced thousands of major winners with jackpots ranging from just over $1 million to the world record slot jackpot of more than $39 million.

MegaJackpots® games, including Wheel of Fortune slots, are created by IGT, a leader in the design, development and manufacture of gaming machines and systems products in casinos worldwide. More information about IGT is available at www.IGT.com.

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 acquisition of DoubleDown Interactive provides engaging social casino style entertainment to more than 6 million players monthly. More information about IGT is available at IGT.com or connect with IGT at @IGTNews or facebook.com/IGT. Anyone can play at the DoubleDown Casino by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/doubledowncasino or doubledowncasino.com

 

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Understanding Sovereignty and Tribal Contributions

Posted: 26 Jul 2013 02:17 AM PDT

A recent editorial in the Monterey County Herald called for more "local oversight" of Indian casinos. The piece cited the recent North Fork decision that appears to open "most of the state to Indian gaming operations" as the rationale for tribes to waive sovereignty and for the state to set up an omnipotent gaming czar that would give thumbs up or down to future tribal casinos.

Robert Smith CTBA Chairman

It's clear that there's a lack of understanding with regard to Native American sovereignty and the compacts that are in place between tribes and the state, not to mention a lack of information about how those compacts come about.

What's more, it appears we need to provide more information about how these gaming operations are benefitting the California communities served by the funds derived from Indian gaming.

For years, each of our Tribes has worked with our local communities to improve the quality of life in the cities within our sphere of influence. We build new schools, we open health clinics, we promote healthy living.

In the Santa Rosa community, the Lytton Rancheria of California has been recognized for their contributions in the area of healthcare. Chairperson Margie Mejia has received recognition for her distinguished leadership as the treasurer and chairperson of the Sonoma County Indian Health Project. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Wells Fargo Center for Performing Arts in Santa Rosa. From 1998 to 2005, Chairperson Mejia served on Indian Health Service California Area Office Advisory Committee, a position she was elected to by tribes throughout the region.

Similarly, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians of California understand the need to work cooperatively. For years they have committed funding to meet the needs of the Tehama County government and citizens. The Tribe has provided millions of dollars to the County's general fund, to the District Attorney's Office and to the Sheriff's office. Along with this funding, the tribe has contributed safety equipment to local and state agencies, helped fund local women's and children's programs and continues to support many of the local schools and numerous charity groups. The Tribe has also built two health clinics in Tehama County to provide critical health services for the under-served members of the community, as well as Tribal members.

And in the Northern San Diego County area, the Pala Band of Luiseño Indians—my tribe—has taken great pride in being actively involved in running and funding local health and education organizations. I serve as a board member for the Vivian Banks Charter School Parent Advisory Board and for the National Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Board. In addition to a number of state and national boards, I am also chairman of the Southern California Tribal Chairman Association, Indian Health Council for Northern San Diego County, Californian Indian Manpower Consortium and the Cupa Cultural Center.

So when some people begin to question whether our casinos are a help or hindrance to local communities—I just point to the facts. Those funds are feeding kids, healing our elders and promoting healthy communities.

www.caltba.org

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