Howie Long to Speak at Bally User Conference; Bally Earns 3 Guinness World Records
Bally Technologies Inc. is hosting its Systems User Conference 10 June 4-6 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., for its first year on the East Coast. Bally Technologies’ annual Systems User Conference is the company’s premier event for customers who want to get the most out of their investment in Bally’s technology solutions. The two-day event celebrates a decade of Bally Systems User Conferences and is highlighted by hands-on training, technology and product sessions, real-world customer case studies, workshops, a partner expo and exhibits, and multiple networking and social events. “Driving Innovation,” this year’s conference theme, demonstrates how Bally’s trailblazing technology solutions can connect invitees’ entire gaming world. Bally also announced that FOX NFL Sunday analyst and former Oakland Raider defensive end Howie Long will be the keynote speaker at its Systems User Conference 10, Long will deliver the keynote address at 6:30 p.m. June 5.
Bally Technologies Inc. announced its innovative and award-winning iVIEW Display Manager™ (DM) with Elite Bonusing Suite™ (EBS) and Virtual Racing™ NASCAR® powered three Guinness World Records® achievements at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Bally and Mohegan Sun set a pair of world records for World’s Largest Slot Tournament and Most Slot Machines Running the Same Game Simultaneously on April 27. They followed up by claiming the Largest Virtual Race record on May 11.
A total of 3,001 Mohegan Sun guests competed in the April 27 tournament to capture the records for World’s Largest Slot Tournament and Most Machines Running the Same Game Simultaneously. Virtual Racing NASCAR, which made its Northeastern debut at Mohegan Sun, set a new record with 4,230 participants competing in the event. For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
SHFL entertainment Begins Rollout of VLTs in New York; Opens Satellite Office in Buenos Aires
SHFL entertainment Inc. announced that it has begun the installation of its Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in New York. The rollout was made possible through a November 2012 agreement between SHFL and SPIELO International USA LLC. SPIELO International, which has been licensed to provide VLTs, content and services to the New York State Division of Lottery since 2003, will be leasing the VLTs from SHFL and providing technical support for those products as part of a three-year agreement with SHFL, including options for two extensions of two years each. For more information, visit www.SHFL.com.
SHFL entertainment announced the opening of a new satellite office in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This office will manage SHFL’s operations for all of South America, including sales and service, and provide support for the Company’s distributors in Chile, Peru and Colombia. “Together with the high-caliber team we’ve built in South and Latin America, the opening of our office in Buenos Aires is another example of our long-term commitment to customers in the region,” said Deron Hunsberger, senior vice president of sales for SHFL. Industry veteran Juan Pablo Irarrazaval, whom the company engaged in July 2012 as general business manager for Central and South America, will oversee the operations of the Buenos Aires office. For more information, visit www.shfl.com.
TransAct To Install EPICENTRAL Print System In Hippodrome Casino
TransAct Technologies Inc. has signed a new contract to install the EPICENTRAL Print System at the Hippodrome Casino, located in London’s historic Leicester Square. The EPICENTRAL Print System will be connected to all 144 electronic gaming machines, including both slot machines and electronic table games, and is projected to go live in the second half of 2013. 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 to be distributed to carded and un-carded customers on a real-time basis at a slot machine via the EPICENTRAL technology. For more information, visit www.transact-tech.com.
Gary Platt Ships 1,760 Chairs to San Manuel Casino
Reno, Nev.-based Gary Platt Manufacturing, shipped 1,760 slot chairs to San Manuel Casino located in Highland, Calif. Gary Platt Manufacturing has been supplying casino chairs to San Manuel Casino for the past 15 years. Ken Deemer, San Manuel’s Southern California representative, worked with San Manuel Casino on its slot floor remodel. For more information, visit www.garyplatt.com.
IGT’s Wheel of Fortune® Slots Creates Another Millionaire
A Tucson, Ariz. man became a new millionaire when he won a $1,135,558 jackpot on an International Game Technology Wheel of Fortune Double 3X4X5X Pay video slot machine on April 26, 2013, at Desert Diamond Casino. Mohan N. celebrated his winning together with his son, daughter and son-in-law. The new millionaire plans to use his life-changing jackpot to pay off his children’s student loans and help his wife as she prepares to undergo surgery. IGT launched MegaJackpots® progressive product line in 1986 and has since produced thousands of major winners with jackpots ranging from just more than $1 million to the world record slot jackpot of more than $39 million. IGT has awarded more than $17 million in April of this year alone. For more information, visit www.IGT.com.
SPIELO G2 Extends Poker Partnership with SvenskaSpel
SPIELO G2, the i-gaming and sports betting division of SPIELO International, has announced that it has signed a long-term extension to continue supplying SvenskaSpel with its market-leading poker product. The agreement, which is the result of a competitive procurement process, will see SPIELO G2 continue to provide its poker product to Sweden’s state-owned gaming operator for another four years, with an option for a further four-year term on expiry. SPIELO International has been providing top-performing Video Lottery gaming solutions to SvenskaSpel, since 1996. SvenskaSpel has used the fully customizable SPIELO G2 Poker software since 2006. For more information, visit www.spielo.com/spielo-g2-1.
GLI Europe Welcomes James Illingworth as New Director, European Business Development
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and its affiliate GLI Europe BV are pleased to announce the appointment of James Illingworth as their director of European business development. Illingworth is based in GLI’s European Headquarters in Hillegom, The Netherlands, where he will lead the GLI Europe’s Business Development team. Illingworth has extensive gaming experience across the continent, having worked in the industry for more than 18 years for companies such as Atronic, Magic Dreams SRL, SPIELO International, TCSJOHNHUXLEY, and having commenced his career in gaming with publishing. For more information, visit www.gaminglabs.com.
TCSJOHNHUXLEY Appoints Todd Cravens as CEO For The Americas
TCSJOHNHUXLEY is delighted to announce the appointment of Todd Cravens as CEO for the Americas commencing May 1, 2013. Cravens reports directly to the Group CEO, Cath Burns, and will be based in Las Vegas, responsible for the development of the Group’s business interests throughout North America, the Caribbean, Central and South America. An industry veteran with more than 20 years experience in the gaming and amusement industries, Cravens most recently was president and general manager of American Gaming Systems, Illinois. For more information, visit www.tcsjohnhuxley.com.
BMM Testlabs to Host Upcoming GSA Meetings in Las Vegas Headquarters; Announces Testlabs Partnership with MPI
BMM Testlabs (BMM) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the Gaming Standards Association (GSA) face-to-face meetings on June 12th and 13th. The meetings will take place in BMM’s new state-of-the-art Education and Training facility at the global headquarters, Pilot Road, Las Vegas. The GSA face-to-face meetings will take place immediately following the Open Forum on GSA’s online gaming initiative and the 15-year member celebration, both being held at Treasure Island, Las Vegas on June 11th.
BMM Testlabs recently announced that it has significantly expanded its Macau testlab and business operations within the Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI), Rua de Chiu Chau, No. 48-52 Edif. King Light Garden Taipa, as of April 22, 2013. After reviewing global labs in 2008, MPI selected BMM as its technical gaming partner. For more information, visit www.bmm.com.
NEWave Announces Three New Employees; Wins Software Contract at the Margaritaville Bossier City
NEWave is again expanding its team. Gaming industry sales expert and mentor Stuart Cohen has been named as the company’s new western U.S. sales director. In his position, Cohen will oversee sales and customer relationship efforts throughout the entire western U.S. Cohen comes to NEWave most recently from NRT Technology Corporation, where he directed millions of dollars in sales of ticket redemption and jackpot units in Nevada.
NEWave also named Microsoft-certified senior application developer and gaming industry IT expert Don Miller as the company’s new executive vice president of software development. Miller is a seasoned senior application developer who specializes in design and development of business integration systems. Miller has more than 20 years of IT experience in software design and programming, hardware integration, enterprise system design and project research.
NEWave announced gaming industry IT expert Mick Constantino as the company’s new vice president of professional services. In his role, Constantino will spearhead NEWave’s professional services division, overseeing NEWave’s national training and implementation teams as well as directing the company’s project coordination. Constantino comes to NEWave most recently from Caesars Entertainment Corp., where he served as director of program management for gaming and marketing systems. Constantino’s experience also extends to the supplier side of the industry.
NEWave has expanded its footprint in the South with a contract to install several software modules at the soon-to-open Margaritaville Bossier City in Bossier City, La. NEWave will install several components of its award-winning myCompliance Manager™ software suite, including Title 31 Manager, which completes, files and archives forms required to comply with FinCEN Title 31 money laundering requirements; and Tax Form Validator, which completes, files and archives forms required to comply with IRS income reporting requirements and ties the entire casino together with one software solution. Also part of the myCompliance Manager solution installed at Margaritaville Bossier City is TINCheck, which quickly validates address and tax ID information against USPS and IRS databases and reduces B-Notice fines. For more information, visit www.mynewave.com.
Aristocrat Partners with Ongame Poker For U.S. Online Gaming Market
Amaya Gaming Group Inc. and Aristocrat Technologies Inc. announced they have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding whereby Aristocrat will offer the Ongame poker network platform to Aristocrat’s U.S. customers through Aristocrat’s award-winning nLive™ online gaming platform. Ongame has added many features for recreational players tailored for the U.S. market. Recent new products include Strobe, a new fast-fold poker format; Instant Rewards, an achievement and player incentive engine; and Hyperspace, in-client player communication. Ongame poker also has full mobile support for both iOS and Android, including tablets and iPads. For more information, visit www.aristocrat-us.com, www.amayagaming.com or www.ongame.com.
Interblock USA Announces Tom O’Brien as CEO
Interblock USA, is pleased to announce the promotion of Senior vice president of sales Tom O’Brien to chief executive officer, effective immediately. Commenting on the announcement, Joc Pececnik, owner and founder of Interblock, stated, “Under Tom’s strong leadership, Interblock USA has expanded beyond our expectations. We feel very fortunate to have an executive of Tom’s caliber. His vision and leadership make him the perfect choice to continue establishing Interblock’s place in the gaming industry.” O’Brien, a 25 year veteran of the gaming industry, previously served as sales director at IGT and Aristocrat before joining Interblock USA in 2010. For more information, visit www.interblock.eu.
FutureLogic’s John Edmunds to Lead Global Sales & Marketing
FutureLogic Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of John Edmunds to the position of Chief Marketing Officer / Chief Sales Officer (CMO/CSO). In this new role, Edmunds will be responsible for global sales, marketing and product management. Edmunds joins Tony Shepherd (CFO), Peter Murphy (COO) and Mark Meyerhofer (CTO) on FutureLogic’s C level executive team. For more information, visit www.futurelogic-inc.com.
Scientific Games To Provide Instant Services in Panama, Dominican Republic
Scientific Games Corporation announced that its strategic alliance formed with a Panamanian company has signed an instant ticket and cooperative services contract with Loteria Nacional de Beneficencia of Panama (“National Lottery of Panama”). The new contract provides for design of instant lottery games, including responsibility for the entire process of production and supply, as well as advising the Lottery on inventory management, operational methods, marketing, distribution channels and related services. The 10-year contract, which was awarded through a competitive procurement process, began in May 2013.
Scientific Games also announced that it has signed an instant ticket and cooperative services contract with Loteria Electronica Internacional Dominicana S.A. (LEIDSA). Under the terms of the new contract, Scientific Games will supply instant lottery tickets and related cooperative services, including game design, a back office instant ticket system, marketing, training and support for inventory management and distribution. The seven-year contract, which began in May 2013, includes an option for LEIDSA to extend the contract for an additional three years. Revenue to Scientific Games will be based on a price-per-thousand tickets basis along with a percentage of instant ticket retail sales for providing cooperative services. For more information, visit www.scientificgames.com.
Cantor Gaming®, Atlantis Bring Mobile Gaming to Bahamas
Cantor Gaming® and Atlantis announced today they have reached an agreement for Cantor Gaming to provide a complete mobile casino gaming and sports wagering solution at Atlantis. This marks the first time that The Bahamas has offered mobile gaming to tourists. Commencing April 29, 2013, Atlantis began offering a wide selection of casino style games to Atlantis customers on Cantor Gaming’s proprietary gaming system, including a selection of slots, table games and video poker. In addition, Cantor Gaming has agreed to build a state-of-the-art, race and sports book at Atlantis, expected to open later this year, complete with mobile sports wagering available to Atlantis customers. For more information, visit www.cantorgaming.com.
Basler Appoints Darren Burleson as USA Director of Sales
Digital camera specialist Basler has appointed Darren Burleson as a new director of sales for Basler Inc. Burleson will be responsible for Basler’s camera customers in North and South America. The entire Basler Inc. sales and support team will report to Darren in his new role. Burleson has more than 15 years of experience in industrial sales and sales management. As director of sales for XP Power, Burleson was responsible for managing a sales team selling power supplies to OEM’s throughout the Eastern U.S. and Canada. For the first eight years of his career he was with AT&T and Lucent. Burleson has already called on some of the same customers that Basler serves and is familiar with Basler’s sales processes. For more information, visit www.baslerweb.com.
Caesars Names Tom Arasi President of Hospitality
Caesars Entertainment Corp., announced the appointment of Tom Arasi as president of hospitality. In the newly formed role, and subject to required regulatory approval, Arasi will be responsible for the execution of Caesars’ hospitality strategy across the company’s network of resorts. Caesars Entertainment is investing more than $1 billion in the development and enhancement of its hospitality offerings. The company is creating an integrated hospitality corridor at the center of the Las Vegas Strip compromised of innovative dining, entertainment and nightlife offering, anchored by the Linq and High Roller. Arasi will be responsible for all initiatives related to food and beverage, hotels, nightclubs and nightlife, pools and spas. He will also be responsible for the development of a cohesive strategy for the hospitality corridor in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.caesars.com.
Microgaming Creates First Ever Mobile Slot Millionare
Microgaming’s Mega Moolah progressive jackpot slot has created two instant millionaires in the space of one week. The first lucky player scooped over €3 million, and just seven days later the jackpot was hit again at $1 million NZD, creating the world’s first ever mobile slot millionaire. On May 3, a staggering €3,036,433.21 jackpot was hit by a German Casino La Vida player on the Mega Moolah slot. With a guaranteed prize pool of $1 million, Mega Moolah’s jackpot was automatically re-set and a mere seven days later, a Royal Vegas player on his mobile device struck fortune, taking home a total of $1,062,335.94 NZD. Learn more about the history of Microgaming’s real money payouts.
G2E, iGaming Business Announce Agreement
Global Gaming Expo (G2E) and iGaming Business have announced a marketing partnership agreement. With this cross-promotional opportunity, these two leaders in gaming education will be able to reach distinctive audiences from both the worlds of online and land-based gaming to increase reach and relevance for the audiences of each. The partnership will be of equal benefit to the iGaming Super Show, which will be held from June 11-14 in Amsterdam and is free to attend. The show’s attendance is expected to reach more than 2,500 gaming executives, making this event the largest iGaming show in the world, with more than 100 exhibitors already confirmed. For more information, visit www.g2e.com.
William Hill PLC Announces AGM Voting Results
William Hill PLC announces the results of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held March 19, at the Cavendish Conference Centre in London. All resolutions as set out in the Notice of Meeting dated 19 March 2013 were duly passed on a show of hands. The final proxy voting position by resolution is shown. Any proxy votes that are at the discretion of the chairman have been included in the “In Favour” total. For more information, visit www.williamhill.com.
Sheriff Gaming Signs Deal with SkillOnNet To Deliver Game Portfolio
Sheriff Gaming has announced that it has signed a deal to integrate its entire portfolio of dynamic 3-D games into the popular gaming platform developed by SkillOnNet, including games from its Mega Money Pool. Since launching in 2005, SkillOnNet.com has developed a great reputation for providing online casino operators with a wide variety of casino games including online slots, video poker, Roulette and Blackjack, Baccarat and Craps. This partnership means that Sheriff Gaming’s portfolio will be marketed to all SkillOnNet casinos brands like EUcasino.com, PlayMillion.com and VegasWinner.com. For more information, visit www.sheriffgaming.com.
Zynga.org, NewSchools Venture Fund Announce Learning Games Accelerator
Zynga.org announced a partnership with NewSchools Venture Fund to create a new “ed tech” accelerator focused on enhancing the quality and reach of learning games and apps designed to improve education outcomes. Zynga Inc., will host the accelerator at its San Francisco headquarters, providing the participating companies with work space at its office. Zynga.org and NewSchools have selected a handful of emerging ed tech companies to join the accelerator’s first cohort, which will officially kick off this summer. During NewSchools 2013 Summit today, John Doerr, general partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, will moderate a panel with Zynga Founder and CEO Mark Pincus and Coursera Co-Founder Andrew Ng, discussing the new accelerator and other exciting developments in ed tech. For more information, visit www.zynga.org.
Avigilon Announces World’s Smallest HD Dome Camera
Avigilon announced the world’s smallest HD Dome camera. The small yet powerful 1 and 2 megapixel (MP) HD Micro Dome cameras open up the advantages of HD surveillance to budget-conscious installations requiring discreet cameras. Unique to the HD Micro Dome camera is the patent-pending smart cable design that enables the camera’s discreet size. By designing the camera’s intelligence into the smart cable, Avigilon is able to provide the smallest HD dome camera in the industry. Slightly larger than a golf ball, the discreet HD Micro Dome and the smart cable weigh a combined 70 grams. The HD Micro Dome provides a horizontal angle view of 86 degrees at 30 images per second. With an IP66 rating, the HD Micro Dome camera can be used in indoor and outdoor environments. For more information, visit www.avigilon.com.
Introducing Athena Strategic Marketing Inc.
Athena Strategic Marketing Inc. announced a broad service offering to the gaming industry. The company now offers research, business strategy and marketing consulting services designed to help gaming industry leaders gain a greater understanding of player experiences, motivations and expectations. This insight will highlight what’s going on with the player, why it’s happening and what it means for their business. Candace Lucas, the founder and chief marketing strategist of Athena Strategic Marketing Inc., is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of in-depth business strategy and marketing experience. She brings a life long passion for knowledge to the organization which is the foundation by which all detailed strategies and plans are created. For more information, visit www.athenastrategicmarketing.com.
Michael Broderick Named Executive Director, Marketing at Ohkay Hotel and Casino
Michael J. Broderick has been named executive director of marketing at Ohkay Hotel and Casino. He will be responsible for overseeing marketing, promotions, entertainment, customer relationship management, advertising and public relations for the Northern New Mexico property, including the 101-room Ohkay hotel and 12,000-square-foot convention center. His appointment was announced by Steve Penhall, general manager of the hotel-casino. Broderick brings more than 20 years of gaming experience to Ohkay Hotel and Casino. He joined the property from the Hard Rock Hotel–Casino Albuquerque where he served as executive director of marketing and entertainment. For more information, visit www.ohkay.com.
Pechanga Welcomes Veteran PR Practitioner, Former Journalist As New PR Manager
Pechanga Resort and Casino is pleased to announce Ciara Green as its new public relations manager. Green brings with her more than 11 years of experience in the public relations field, with nine of those in the casino and hospitality industries. She is responsible for all public/media relations pertaining to the resort, casino, hotel, spa, golf course, entertainment and special events. She was public relations manager for Pechanga from 2003 to 2007 until she left to work for NBC. With a news background already from affiliate CBS and NBC television stations, her more recent foray in broadcasting put Green in front of the camera each day reporting live on scene, and it was where she also earned an Emmy® Award for excellence in historical reporting. She has since delved back into PR. For more information, visit www.pechanga.com.
GCA to Provide Station Casinos with Fleet of CXC4.0 Redemption Kiosks
Global Cash Access, Inc. (GCA) announced that it has signed agreements with Station Casinos LLC to provide redemption kiosks, software and maintenance. “Station Casinos is always seeking ways to improve our guests’ gaming experience, while maximizing both operational efficiencies and flexibility for growth. With GCA’s CXC4.0 kiosk platform, we can both maximize our existing business and integrate traditional businesses with emerging markets, while comforted by GCA’s commitment to the industry’s finest service and support,” said Dan Roy, senior vice president of gaming operations for Station Casinos. For more information, visit www.gcainc.com or www.sclv.com.
The Downs Racetrack and Casino Hires Scott Eldredge as COO
The Downs Racetrack and Casino has hired Scott Eldredge as its chief operating officer. He will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of The Downs Racetrack and Casino from live horse racing operations and parimutuel wagering to the casino’s gaming operations. The Downs Racetrack and Casino plans to open the doors to its new, state-of-the-art casino facility in June, 2013. During his time in Las Vegas, he worked in several casinos learning every aspect of the gaming industry, from food and beverage and marketing management, to casino operations, hotel operations and much more. For more information, visit www.abqdowns.com.