IGT Announces IGT Advantage® Installation; Execution of Memorandum of Understanding with DigiDeal
International Game Technology and DigiDeal announced that the companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) indicating their mutual intent to restructure the companies’ three-year relationship. The terms of the MOU enable DigiDeal to sell its products directly to customers. The restructuring is subject to the completion of a definitive agreement and certain regulatory notifications. IGT and DigiDeal will work closely together in the months ahead to ensure a seamless transition for their customers as the provisions of the MOU are implemented.
IGT also announced that Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Texas, has signed an agreement to install the industry-leading IGT Advantage® casino management solution and 300 Class II bingo games. This is evidence of IGT’s continued momentum as the solution operators choose for dynamic casino management. IGT will install an array of system modules there, including Patron Management; Xtra Credit® and PointPlay® Bonusing; Carded Lucky Time Bonusing; Visual Slot Performance®; and EZ Pay® Ticketing. In addition, 1,800 gaming machines will be outfitted with sb NexGen® displays. For more information, visit www.igt.com.
TransAct Signs Latin American Distribution Agreement with Hanco
TransAct Technologies Inc. announced that the company has signed a sales distribution agreement for the Latin American casino and gaming market with Hanco Technologies. Under the agreement, Hanco will sell TransAct’s Epic 950®, Epic 430® and Epic 880™ printers, as well as the company’s ServerPort™ technology, to Latin American gaming equipment manufacturers. Hanco also will use its relationships with the casinos to help drive demand for TransAct’s casino products in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Peru. For more information, visit www.transact-tech.com.
Gavin Isaacs
Bally Launches Cash Spin, Announces Italy VLT Deals
Bally Technologies Inc. announced that it has launched Cash Spin, a groundbreaking gaming device that features proprietary gesture-control technology that allows players to spin a virtual wheel on the game’s display just as if it were an actual physical spinning wheel. The company currently has orders in process for nearly 1,000 units, and has recently installed the game in California, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, and Oklahoma casinos. “The rate in which we are installing Cash Spin is the fastest we’ve ever seen with any game,” said Gavin Isaacs, Bally’s Chief Operating Officer. “Watching the players’ reactions at the first installations of Cash Spin has been very rewarding for us. When they find out they can actually spin the wheel on the touch screen, the excitement is contagious.”
Also, Bally announced contracts to initially provide 3,600 games for Italy’s new video-lottery (VLT) program. Bally has entered into long-term agreements with two of Italy’s VLT concessionaires: HBG Group, for 2,000 machines; and Sisal Slot, for 1,600 machines. Bally expects to begin delivery in the fall of 2010. In related news, the company announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Italy-based Zest Gaming to market, sell, service and maintain its video-lottery systems and gaming devices in Italy. Zest, one of the largest and most respected gaming technology providers in Europe, has well-established relationships with the Italian video-lottery concessionaires and brings 15 years of gaming experience in addition to 30 years of electronics experience. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with two of Italy’s primary concessionaires to provide games and systems for the country’s new VLT program,” said Gavin Isaacs, Chief Operating Officer of Bally Technologies. For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
JCM Global Announces New Hires
JCM Global has hired gaming currency technology expert Bill Bruck as director of product development. Bruck has a long and successful history in the gaming industry, and has led the industry in its currency validation development. JCM Global President Akiyoshi Isoi said, “Bill has a well-earned reputation as an innovator and as a creative thinker.” Most recently, Bruck served as VP of bill validator engineering for Money Controls/Ardac Inc., where he directed international design and development of products for gaming, retail and vending applications.
JCM Global has also hired bill validation design expert John Chebra as senior project engineer. Chebra brings more than 20 years of experience in bill validation design to JCM Global. Most recently, he worked for Money Controls/Ardac Inc. supporting large suppliers such as IGT and NCR. For more information, visit www.jcmglobal.com.
Roger Hawkins
TCSJOHNHUXLEY Supplies Marina Bay Sands, Approved in Pennsylvania
TCSJOHNHUXLEY announces that they have been chosen to supply a substantial amount of gaming equipment for the recently opened Marina Bay Sands, which includes in excess of 1,000 table layouts, more than 80 roulette wheels, 44 Chipper Champ 2 chip sorting machines, more than 110 e-FX displays for roulette and Sic Bo, craps tables, money wheels, Sic Bo units, dice shakers and a selection of table and ancillary accessories.
Also, TCSJOHNHUXLEY has been granted approval by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to supply table gaming products and accessories. Granting of the approval now paves the way for TCSJOHNHUXLEY to fulfill substantial orders that have been pending the authorization. Roger Hawkins, CEO for the Americas comments: “We are very excited to be involved in the expansion of this market place. Not only does it give us the chance to work with new casino customers, but it also allows us to introduce a whole host of products to a new audience.” For more information, visit www.tcsjohnhuxley.com.
ATRONIC Brings Table Solution to Québec Casinos
ATRONIC´s Systems Division has successfully installed its GALAXIS™ Star|TABLES™ table management solution at three Québec casinos. The installation overseeing 120 table games at Casino de Montréal represents the biggest North American installation of GALAXIS Star|TABLES to date. GALAXIS Star|TABLES has also been installed at Casino de Charlevoix in La Malbaie, Casino de Mont-Tremblant and Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau-Ottawa. A dynamic table management solution with numerous automated features, Star|TABLES features enhanced security, flexibility, manageability and industry-leading performance, helping operators save time and reduce operational costs. For more information, visit www.atronic.com.
GPI Signs Agreement with Gary Platt, Granted Conditional Pennsylvania License
Gaming Partners International announced that it has entered into an agreement with Gary Platt Manufacturing to distribute its custom performance casino seating. Under the agreement and subject to any necessary gaming licensing approvals, GPI will be the exclusive distributor for Gary Platt quality casino seating in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut and in tribal casinos in New York.
Also, GPI has recently been granted the necessary conditional licenses by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board which will permit GPI to immediately sell chips, dice, playing cards, gaming tables, and related table game equipment to casinos in the state. For more information, visit www.gpigaming.com.
GLI Forms Testing Group, Acquires TST Assets, Hires Latin America Rep
Valerie Aramburú Gardener
Gaming Laboratories International Group announces the creation of a new Interactive Gaming division, GLI Interactive B.V. They have also acquired the assets, intellectual property and trade names of Technical Systems Testing (TST), the undisputed leader in interactive gaming testing, systems testing and wagering system certification for regulators around the world. GLI Europe Managing Director Phillip Barow, one of the key architects of the acquisition, will become the new managing director of GLI Interactive B.V., responsible for leading the interactive testing effort worldwide for GLI. The new division will allow GLI to combine its services with TST’s deep technical knowledge in the i-gaming and interactive gaming niche.
GLI has also hired a new development representative to continue to grow the company’s presence and support for regulators and suppliers in the Latin American Region. Valerie Aramburú Gardener will be based in Lima, Peru. A native of Peru, Aramburú Gardener has extensive experience in the Peruvian tourist and gaming industries. For more information, visit www.gaminglabs.com.
VGT Names Frank Fortunato Illinois Sr. Sales Account Manager
Video Gaming Technologies announces the addition of Frank Fortunato as senior sales account manager, Illinois. Fortunato has a wealth of experience and most recently worked for Betson Imperial, where he opened the Midwest regional office. During his 14 years with Betson, Fortunato was instrumental in introducing a wide range of new products to the video game and coin-op industry. He began his career with WICO Co., where he worked closely with video game manufacturers in both the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.vgt.net.
GCA Announces New Executive VP of Sales, Introduces Casino Share Intelligence
Global Cash Access Holdings Inc. announced that it has named David Lucchese as its executive vice president of sales. Lucchese joins the company from Bally Technologies Inc., where he was most recently the vice president of sales, games, and was previously the senior vice president of sales, systems. Lucchese will oversee all of the company’s domestic sales. Steve Lazarus will continue as the company’s senior vice president of sales with ongoing sales responsibilities for the company’s significant domestic customers.
Also, GCA has launched its proprietary marketing and business intelligence tool, Casino Share Intelligence (CSI). CSI, powered by DiamondStream, is a web-based data analysis tool that provides gaming operators a full picture of where and how patrons are spending their gaming dollars, enabling them to evaluate the success of existing and future marketing strategies. For more information, visit www.globalcashaccess.com.
Rymax Announces Partnership with Nourison Industries
Rymax Marketing Services Inc. recently announced an exclusive partnership with Nourison Industries Inc., the most diversified producer and importer of handmade area rugs. Nourison, recognized throughout the world for its design excellence, variety and superb quality, is now offering its unique, luxury products within the incentive industry exclusively through Rymax. “Nourison looks forward to providing quality products through this new channel of distribution,” says Rita Karmiol, executive vice president of sales. “We’re excited to be a part of Rymax’s portfolio of luxury brand names and look forward to a successful partnership.” For more information, visit www.rymaxinc.com.
AGA Elects New Board Members
The board of directors of the American Gaming Association (AGA) recently elected three new members: Michael Leven, president and COO of Las Vegas Sands Corp.; William S. Newby, managing director and head of gaming and leisure investment banking for the Americas at UBS Investment Bank; and Anthony Sanfilippo, president and CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. Leven and Sanfilippo are new board members, while Newby previously served on the board representing a different company.
Tim Parrott, former CEO of Shuffle Master Inc., also was elected to the board but passed away suddenly on May 5, 2010. “Tim was a dedicated family man and a beloved leader in the gaming community, said Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president and CEO of the AGA. “He brought his vibrant and creative energy to so many sectors of our business over the years, and became one of the most well-liked and respected executives in the business. His passing marks a significant blow to our industry, and he will be sorely missed.”
Leven and Sanfilippo were chosen as Class I board members, and Newby will serve as an at-large member of the board. For more information, visit www.americangaming.org.
Magic Touch® Penny Slot Makes U.S Debut at Barona
For the first time in the United States, video slot players can choose how they want to win with the revolutionary Magic Touch® video slot machine at Barona Resort & Casino. Developed by Incredible Technologies, Magic Touch video slot games offer players three ways to win: a low volatility game, designed to win often; a medium volatility game, designed to win steady; and a high volatility game, designed to win big. “We believe cutting edge technology is only good if it is good for our players. Magic Touch is both great and exciting for our players and adds to their overall gaming experience,” said Chuck Hickey, vice president of slots. For more information, visit www.itsgames.com or www.barona.com.