AGEM Announces Six New Members Join Organization, Contract Extension for Prater
The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) announced that its board of directors has approved the membership applications of six new companies, bringing the trade group comprised of the world’s leading gaming suppliers to a total of 110 members. The new AGEM members are: Alfastreet, based in Kozina, Slovenia, specializing in multi-player gaming machine manufacturing; Cooper Levenson, a full-service law firm with nearly 70 attorneys who serve a client base that spans the globe; Eurocoin, a leading supplier of world-class technical components for the gaming, leisure, automated kiosk, commercial and retail sectors; JPM International, focused on the design and manufacture of electronic gaming machines plus interactive content spanning a 40-year history; Rainmaker, an industry leader in revenue management innovation; and TransLux, a leading designer and manufacturer of digital signage display and LED lighting solutions for several markets.
AGEM also announced that respected gaming industry veteran Marcus Prater has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him as the organization’s executive director into 2015. Prater has been AGEM’s executive director since 2008, and his current three-year term was set to expire in February 2012. For more information, visit www.agem.org.
AGA Releases Online Poker Code of Conduct, Unveils Online Video
The American Gaming Association (AGA) introduced an online poker Code of Conduct, outlining the measures it thinks are necessary to institute an effective regulatory system that will protect American consumers, keep minors from gambling, provide tools to help problem gamblers, and create provisions to help law enforcement identify and prosecute illegal operators. In addition to the Code of Conduct, the AGA introduced a YouTube video that makes the case for establishing federal guidelines that would allow states to license and regulate online poker, ensure American consumers are protected and that the jobs and revenues associated with the industry are realized in the U.S. For more information, visit www.americangaming.org or www.youtube.com/americangamingassoc.
AGA Elects Isaacs to Board, Names Rosenberg Director-Elect, Announces Eadington to Hall of Fame, Promotes Elkins and Wetzel
The American Gaming Association (AGA)’s board of directors announced the election of Gavin Isaacs, CEO of Shuffle Master Inc., to the AGA board. Adam Rosenberg, global head of the gaming group for Goldman Sachs, also was named a director-elect.
The AGA board also announced it will induct University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) professor Dr. William Eadington into the Gaming Hall of Fame at ceremonies in Las Vegas this November. Eadington’s induction includes a special achievement award for gaming education. He is a professor of economics and director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at UNR.
The AGA also announced the promotions of Keli Elkins to vice president of industry relations and Holly Wetzel to vice president of communications. Elkins has been with the AGA since 2002, serving as director of special projects and playing critical roles in organizing Global Gaming Expo (G2E) and G2E Asia. Wetzel joined the AGA in 2005 as communications director. In this role, she developed and managed integrated communications programs for the association and its affiliated 501(c)3 charity, the NCRG. For more information, visit www.americangaming.org.
BMM Names Mike Dreitzer COO, Americas, Travis Foley VP Operations-America
BMM International is pleased to announce that Mike Dreitzer has accepted the role of chief operating officer, Americas. Dreitzer comes to BMM from his most recent role as COO of Global Gaming Group Inc., (G3) a leading gaming content company supplying game design and technology integration services to the industry. Dreitzer comes to BMM with broad gaming experience gained over 14 years in the U.S. and internationally.
BMM also announced Travis Foley has accepted the role of vice president operations, Americas. Foley comes to BMM from his role as technology chief for the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) lab. In his new role, Foley will be directly responsible for all testing and service delivery in the Americas. “I am very proud to have Travis join our Americas executive team,” noted Martin Storm, global CEO and president of BMM. “Combining Travis’ experience in the Nevada lab with the balance of our senior executive team, BMM has established the most experienced test lab leadership team in the world.” For more information, visit www.bmm.com.
Bally Technologies Signs Agreement with Mohegan Sun, Announces Interactive Division
Bally Technologies Inc. announced the completion of a new systems and games contract with Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. The contract includes Bally’s award-winning iVIEW™ player-user interface and Elite Bonusing Suite™ on more than 6,000 gaming machines. A majority of Mohegan Sun’s games will have iVIEW Display Manager™ (DM). As part of the agreement, Bally will also deliver a lineup of new Bally ALPHA 2 Pro Series™ games, including several on the new Pro Curve™ cabinet, featuring the industry’s only curved LCD to emulate spinning reels on a video slot. The iVIEW network is an interactive communication tool used by players and controlled by the gaming operator. The Elite Bonusing Suite applications deliver floor-wide, personalized promotions, second-chance-to-win events, and the ability for players to earn valuable rewards—all without interrupting play on the base game.
Bally also announced a new business division, Bally Interactive. The new Bally Interactive division will encompass the company’s mobile, Internet and social initiatives, complementing its traditional games and systems business lines. Through Bally Interactive, the company will offer casino operators the ability to augment their land-based casino gaming with mobile and online play-for-free and wager-based games. For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
Aristocrat Wins Major Systems Contract with Maryland Live! Casino
Aristocrat has secured a major systems contract with one of the largest casinos to open in 2012. The contract between Aristocrat and the soon-to-open Maryland Live! Casino includes the complete suite of Aristocrat’s Oasis 360™ systems products and Aristocrat’s new online play-for-fun solution. The Oasis 360 system will cover all 4,750 devices on Maryland Live! Casino’s full Ethernet casino floor, utilizing the latest technologies from Oasis 360. All devices will be enhanced with the nCompass™ media window and displays, and Maryland Live! Casino will have access to a range of advanced offerings, including the powerful bonusing engine nRich™, Ricochet Rewards™ and Splashdown Countdown™. For more information, visit www.aristocrat.com.au.
IGT Welcomes Foxwoods Resort Casino to the sbX™ Family; Announces Enhanced Partnership Deal with Betfred.com
IGT proudly welcomes Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., as its newest customer. The nation’s largest casino recently installed sbX™ and IGT Floor Manager as a way to add distinctive and dynamic entertainment for its players and simplify its floorwide operations. Foxwoods Resort Casino selected the IGT sbX system because of its ability to work in conjunction with other gaming manufacturers’ systems. This important functionality will enable Foxwoods to quickly download and configure IGT’s latest and most popular game themes, enabling them to reconfigure and optimize their casino floor for enhanced player experiences. IGT’s sbX system is the only server-based system in the market to offer these capabilities.
Also, Betfred.com announced it is taking the lead in the online gaming sector by becoming the first company to use IGT’s new office and data center in Gibraltar. This new deal heralds enhanced collaboration between Betfred.com, the world’s largest independent bookmaker, and IGT. Utilizing IGT’s new Gibraltar license gives Betfred.com full, optimized access to the IGT rgs™ and allows them to release a host of world-renowned gaming titles with immediate effect. These include games with huge brand recognition such as Elvis, Star Trek, Da Vinci Diamonds and Monopoly. The partnership also enables Betfred.com to facilitate a transition of some of the world’s highest-grossing land-based casino games into the online arena. It also signals a strong move forward for IGT, who has become the first purely B2B company to be granted a Gibraltar Gaming License. For more information, visit www.igt.com.
GLI and TST Expand European I-Gaming Development Team; Spanish Gaming Authorities Approve GLI Europe
Gaming Laboratories International, and its affiliate, TST, a GLI company, have hired two i-gaming experts, expanding their European i-gaming development team and further solidifying their position as the leaders in the i-gaming field. Aurora Merino Salas and Magdalena Podhorski-Okolow have joined the company; Merino Salas as business development manager and Podhorski-Okolow as development representative. Salas has been working in the i-gaming industry since 2004, starting her career at NetPlayTV Ltd., specializing in databases and business intelligence, and later oversaw the company’s online bingo product. Podhorski-Okolow has been with TST since 2009 driving international marketing and accreditations. Previously, she worked for Harlequin Cruises and AMEC.
GLI Europe BV, the European operation of Gaming Laboratories International, is now accredited by Spanish Gaming Authorities to test and certify i-gaming platforms for Spain. GLI Europe is now accredited as an independent testing laboratory for both B2B i-gaming platform suppliers and B2C online gaming operators, and an independent auditor of Information Security Systems (ISS). Both certifications are required by the Spanish Gaming Authorities before i-gaming operators can provide their services. From the testing and certification of platforms, games, poker networks and sports books to the information security audits, GLI is ready and now accredited to supply services to Spain. For more information, visit www.gaminglabs.com.
South Point Casino Launches FutureLogic’s PromoNet
FutureLogic Inc. announced South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas has conducted an administrative field trial of FutureLogic’s PromoNet® promotional couponing solution. Authorized by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the field trial began Sept. 19, 2011. The PromoNet couponing solution gives South Point the ability to design and manage a wide range of promotional campaigns from the convenience of a workstation PC, turning ordinary slot tickets into eye-catching coupons. The PromoNet campaigns can be downloaded via a secure network to the slot floor, players club, restaurants, hotels and shops, providing an integrated couponing solution across the entire operation. For more information, visit www.futurelogic-inc.com.
Aruze Gaming America Announces Approval for Shoot to Win Craps™ in Nevada
Aruze Gaming America announced that its multiplayer G-STATION™ game, Shoot to Win Craps™, has received approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Shoot to Win Craps, the first electro-mechanical craps game approved in Nevada, allows players to shoot the dice through an innovative Bash Button™ while betting as if it is a live table game. Mike DeJong, vice president of slot operations at New York-New York, said: “The games performed well during the 30-day trial, players enjoy them and the games create a tremendous amount of excitement. We look forward to the games remaining on our floor.” For more information, visit www.aruzegaming.com.
Shuffle Master Appoints Louis Castle CSO, Expands License Agreement with Chartwell
Shuffle Master Inc. announced that Louis Castle has joined its executive team as chief strategy officer. Castle’s responsibilities include managing innovation, exploiting compelling i-gaming and technology opportunities, and leading research and development for all product lines. He will report directly to Shuffle Master CEO Gavin Isaacs. With more than 25 years of experience, Castle is a recognized leader in technology, having specialized in video and social gaming. Prior to joining Shuffle Master as CSO, Castle served as vice president of studios at Zynga.
Shuffle Master and Chartwell Technology Inc. announced an amendment to their sublicense and online gaming agreement. The amendment will allow Chartwell to expand the markets it can offer software based on Shuffle Master proprietary table games. Under the amendment, Chartwell has secured rights to offer Shuffle Master’s popular Three Card Poker™ game to legal, regulated online operators in the British Isles, including the U.K., the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, which together comprise one of the world’s largest online gaming markets. For more information, visit www.shufflemaster.com.
DigiDeal Appoints Terri Brady as VP of Sales for Company
DigiDeal Corp. announced the appointment of Terri Brady to the newly created position of vice president of sales. Brady will be responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s sales, marketing and business strategies worldwide, reporting directly to Michael Kuhn, president, CEO and co-founder of DigiDeal. She also becomes part of the executive team for the company. Prior to joining the company, Brady achieved industry recognition and valuable expertise at positions with several of the major international suppliers in gaming. Her most recent position was vice president of sales for U.S. and Canada with Aruze Corp. For more information, visit www.digideal.com.
Artman Joins Rocket Gaming as General Counsel
Rocket Gaming Systems announced Carl J. Artman has joined the company as general counsel. In this role, Artman will direct the legal and compliance affairs of the company. Additionally, he will advise management on legal issues relative to corporate and tribal government affairs. Artman is currently a professor at the Arizona State University College of Law, and most recently served as an attorney and shareholder with Godfrey & Kahn, SC, in Milwaukee, Wis. He has an extensive background in Indian gaming, having served with the U.S. Department of the Interior as assistant secretary of Indian affairs. Artman also served as chief legal counsel for the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.rocketgaming.com.
Multimedia Games Granted Manufacturer’s and Distributor’s Licenses by Nevada Gaming Commission; Appoints Jerome Smith
Multimedia Games Inc. announced that the Nevada Gaming Commission has granted the company manufacturer’s and distributor’s licenses and licensed members of the senior management team and the board of directors. This action by the Nevada Gaming Commission is the first stage in the process to allow Multimedia Games to sell and/or lease slot machines in the state of Nevada, the largest gaming market in North America. There are approximately 187,000 slot machines installed in facilities throughout Nevada. Multimedia Games expects to achieve initial sales and/or placements of slot machines in Nevada in its fiscal 2013 (which begins October 2012), following the review and approval of its new gaming platform, MForce™, by the Nevada State Gaming Control Board’s technology division, the electronic gaming device regulatory lab for the state of Nevada.
Multimedia Games also announced the appointment of Jerome R. Smith as senior vice president, general counsel, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary, effective Oct. 7. Smith replaces Uri Clinton, who recently announced his resignation to pursue an international business opportunity. Smith brings extensive gaming industry legal and regulatory compliance expertise to Multimedia Games, having recently served as general counsel at Shuffle Master Inc., a position he held from August 2001 until July 2010. For more information, visit www.multimediagames.com.
NEWave Releases New Title 31 Web Service, Announces Upgrades
NEWave has unveiled a new web-based service to its popular Title 31 Software and cutting-edge upgrades to many other components of its myCompliance™ Suite and Check Prove software. Combined, the advances make doing business faster, easier and even better than before. NEWave’s Title 31 software has helped protect casinos against costly fines and has streamlined operations for more than 100 casinos across North America.
Additionally, NEWave has made advancements to its myCompliance Suite. The new advancements to the myCompliance suite provide back-of-house staff with aggregated transaction reporting by patrons and further streamlines paperwork and processes required by local, state and federal regulation. The new upgrades were appended free of charge to existing NEWave clients. Further, NEWave’s widely used Check Prove software, which helps protect casinos against check-cashing fraud, has been upgraded with several appearance modifications and other enhancements to make the program more user friendly. For more information, visit www.mynewave.com.
Casino Data Imaging Announces Multi-Technology Sale to Chickasaw Nation
Privately held Casino Data Imaging (CDI) announced the licensing of its leading CasinoCAD© data visualization analysis program, iGuide™ Wayfinder Plus, and iGuide™ Pro Mobile media applications across 14 Chickasaw casino locations, including WinStar World Casino with more than 6,000 electronic gaming devices, and Riverwind Casino with more than 2,500. CasinoCAD and CasinoCAD Enterprise will allow Chickasaw casino management to take immediate action regarding its electronic gaming machine performance via graphical financial color coding, floor profiles, group tracking, multi-period tracking, information displays, point and click reporting, search engine queries, consolidated reporting and much more. For more information, visit www.casinodataimaging.com.
VGT Granted Illinois Gaming Licenses
The Illinois Gaming Board has granted Video Gaming Technologies Inc. licenses that will allow the company’s Illinois-based subsidiaries, VGT Manufacturing Inc. and VGT Distribution Inc., to manufacture and distribute VGT’s video gaming terminals, Vega$ Jackpot$™, in the state. VGT is the largest privately owned gaming machine manufacturing company in the U.S. and specializes in providing superior gaming machines for route operations, thus making the company and Illinois’ emerging route-based video gaming industry a perfect match. Vega$ Jackpot$ was designed by VGT exclusively for the location-based Illinois video gaming terminal market, offering players nine different high-energy games from which to choose. For more information, visit www.vgt.net.
AGS Gains Regulatory Approval of Roadrunner™ Platform and New Game Titles
American Gaming Systems (AGS) announced it has received its first regulatory approval for the advanced new Roadrunner™ platform that will power AGS’ next generation of gaming machines, including its new GT5000 cabinet. The company received regulatory approval for three new game titles on its Roadrunner platform. Evening In Paris, Tropical Hideaway and Golden Panda have all been granted approval in Class III versions with anticipated Class II approval before the end of October 2011. The company also unveiled its new corporate logo and identity, and the re-launch of the company’s website. For more information, visit www.americangamingsystems.com.
Rainmaker to Install revolution™ at City of Dreams and Altira Macau
The Rainmaker Group announced that Melco Crown Entertainment Limited selected Rainmaker’s revolution™ profit optimization system to provide revenue management for its two properties in Macau, City of Dreams and Altira Macau. The Rainmaker system implementation is underway. Tammy Farley, Rainmaker principal, said: “Rainmaker is thrilled to be part of the Melco Crown Entertainment’s properties, Macau’s premier destination resort and hotel for both gaming and non-gaming visitors. Our Asia-based revenue management team is committed to the profitable success of Melco Crown Entertainment—revolution’s ability to identify, forecast and optimize the total guest value for gaming and non-gaming visitors is a perfect fit for this multi-property operation.” For more information, visit www.letitrain.com.
Galaxy Macau™ in Tune with MICROS Simphony™
MICROS Systems Inc. announced Galaxy Macau™ has implemented MICROS’ Simphony™ enterprise solution across more than 50 food and beverage outlets at the 2,200-room mega resort. Galaxy Macau utilizes core architectural advantages of Simphony, providing a single POS solution to the resort’s three hotel operators—Galaxy Hotel™, Hotel Okura Macau and Banyan Tree Macau. Each company manages its own operations, and Galaxy Macau has access to property-based and consolidated reporting. “We are delighted that Galaxy Entertainment Group selected MICROS Simphony as its enterprise platform for POS operations,” stated Stefan M. Piringer, president of MICROS Asia Pacific. For more information, visit www.micros.com.
Gila River Casinos Names Ruggiero Managing Director of Hotel Operations for Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
Gila River Casinos have appointed Tom Ruggiero to managing director of hotel operations for Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino. Ruggiero will oversee all aspects of the hotel. Ruggiero has spent more than 20 years in the hospitality industry. He most recently worked with Pechanga Resort and Casino, where participated in the opening of the property and managed several high profile projects. He was named project manager of the renovation of Spa Pechanga, he oversaw the opening of the property’s Journey Golf Course and he implemented the Pechanga Green Team, which established the properties first recycling program. For more information, visit www.wingilariver.com.
GamblingCompliance Appoints Krafcik as Research Director
GamblingCompliance announced the appointment of Christopher Krafcik as research director – North America. This addition increases the global presence of the firm, and will significantly enhance GamblingCompliance’s coverage of the North American market. Krafcik previously worked as editor-at-large at GamblingCompliance and analyst-at-large at GamblingData, but will now become a permanent member of the firm’s editorial team. He will be crucial to delivering insight for GamblingCompliance subscribers and research clients on ongoing legislative moves toward online regulation as well as their impact on casino operators, Indian tribes, lotteries and international online gambling software suppliers. For more information, visit www.gamblingcompliance.com.
CyberLock Protects Gaming Machine Revenue
With CyberLock, there will be no more unauthorized entries or round-the-clock access. The CyberLock eCylinder electronic key cannot be duplicated. CyberLock eliminates the guesswork—the system provides e-mail alerts and detailed audit reporting of lock and key activity. Management can know who, and when, someone has accessed their equipment, money room and other sensitive areas. CyberLock eCylinders install without hardwiring. Each CyberLock eCylinder is designed to the exact dimensional standards of the mechanical lock cylinder it is replacing so they can be installed nearly anywhere a mechanical lock is present—from gaming and vending machines to safes and server cabinets and padlocks on entry gates. For more information, visit www.videx.com.
Gasser Chair Co. Earns National Recognition
Gasser Chair Co. was honored by the American Gaming Association with a 2011 Gaming Voice Award for the best print advertising campaign. The AGA Communication Awards program recognizes outstanding advertising, public relations, marketing and financial and corporate communications in the gaming-entertainment industry. Gasser’s winning integrated marketing campaign, titled “Gasser Dazzles,” has increased awareness of the 65-year-old Gasser brand and its market-leading capabilities, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and progressive product offerings. According to Andrew Yaez, partner and chief creative officer at Concussion, the full-service agency that developed the campaign: “The Dazzle campaign begins with a series of six advertisements depicting the strength, the stamina and the beauty of acrobatic performers. These acrobats are a metaphor for the performance of Gasser products, as they are, according to Gasser clients, artfully designed and beautifully executed.” For more information, visit www.gasserchair.com.
Galaxy Gaming to Acquire Table Game Assets from Lakes Entertainment
Galaxy Gaming Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the table game assets of Lakes Entertainment Inc. The transaction is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 1, 2011, subject to customary closing conditions. Included in the acquisition are nine patents, various trademarks and four casino table games known as Bonus Craps, Bonus Roulette, Rainbow Poker and Four the Money. In addition, Galaxy Gaming will receive assignment of licensing agreements for approximately 40 placements in 12 casinos. Approximately eight more casinos have the game on trial, representing another 40 placements. For more information, visit www.galaxygaming.com.
Suzo-Happ Group Promotes Brendel to CEO
Jim BrendelSuzo-Happ Group announced that Jim Brendel, president of Suzo-Happ North America, has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of the Suzo-Happ Group. Brendel will succeed Jim Norton, who is chairman of Suzo-Happ Group. Brendel has been in management roles in the gaming and amusement industries since 1988. He has been with Suzo-Happ Group since 2005 when the company he founded, Advanced Electronic Systems Inc. (AESI), merged with Suzo-Happ Group. Brendel entered the coin-operated industry in 1988 with Coin Controls Inc., where he served initially as controller and later as general manager. For more information, visit www.suzohapp.com.
Martin Stern Jr. Honored With Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award at G2E 2011
The American Gaming Association (AGA) and Reed Exhibitions posthumously honored Martin Stern Jr. with the Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award at Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2011. Stern was recognized for his work as a visionary designer of entertainment, hospitality and gaming venues that changed the landscape of Las Vegas. Stern began his career as a sketch artist in Hollywood. His most famous work, the “Ships” coffee house in Los Angeles, stands to this day. Stern founded Martin Stern Jr. and Associates, an architectural firm that helped transform Las Vegas from a low-rise stretch into an extravagant vertical city. The Sarno Award, the highest honor afforded to any individual involved in the design and construction of casino resorts, is presented annually during G2E, which provides the only education content dedicated solely to casino architecture, design and decor, and construction. For more information, visit www.americangaming.org.