Waiting Period Expires For Bally’s Acquisition of SHFL
Bally Technologies and SHFL entertainment announced that the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Act of 1976 in relation to Bally’s previously announced proposed acquisition of SHFL expired as of 11:59 p.m. EDT on Aug. 26, 2013, with no action from the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice. Completion of the
HSR Act waiting period satisfies one of the conditions required to finalize the acquisition. The transaction is still subject to approval by SHFL’s shareholders, required regulatory approvals and certain other customary closing conditions. The transaction is not subject to a financing contingency, and Bally has obtained commitments for a new $1.1 billion term loan facility to finance the acquisition of SHFL. The transaction is expected to close following the satisfactory completion of all required closing conditions. For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
Aristocrat’s nRich Bonusing Solution Approved, Partnership with Mystique Casino Deepens, Oasis 360 System Brings Enterprise Solutions
Aristocrat Technologies has received approval for its award-winning nRich™ bonusing solution by the Colorado Division of Gaming. The approval was granted after Aristocrat completed a successful 4-week field trial of nRich at JP McGills Hotel and Casino in Cripple Creek, Colo. With the approval, Aristocrat can now sell nRich throughout Colorado, where the company already has 27 customers utilizing its Oasis 360™ casino management system. Including Colorado, nRich is now available in 32 jurisdictions throughout North America.
Aristocrat has completed an upgrade of the Oasis 360 casino management system at Mystique Casino in Dubuque, Iowa. Mystique Casino is one of Aristocrat’s long-term Oasis 360 partners, and the upgrades included nCompass™ hardware and the nRich bonusing solution, as well as other promotional and operational enhancements contained in the latest version of Oasis 360.
Aristocrat has also won a corporate-wide systems contract at Pioneer Crossing Casinos. Aristocrat will install its Oasis 360 casino management system at Pioneer Crossing Casino in Yerington, Nev. Aristocrat installed Oasis 360 at Pioneer Crossing Casinos locations in Fernley, Nev., and Dayton, Nev., earlier this year. This is the third new Oasis 360 system contract Aristocrat has won in northern Nevada in this year. For more information, visit www.aristocrat.com.au.
Konami Gaming, Inc. Promotes Reback to VP of Marketing
Konami Gaming, Inc. has promoted Matt Reback to vice president, marketing. Reback joined Konami in 2012 as senior director of marketing, bringing a broad range of marketing, brand strategy and casino operations experience to the company. In this new role, he will continue to report to Steve Sutherland, chief operating officer and executive vice president at Konami, and ensure that the company is supported by marketing and well positioned to grow. For more information, visit www.konamigaming.com.
JCM’s iVIZION Expands Into European Petrol Market
JCM Global’s iVIZION® bill validator is among the most widely used and respected in the highly regulated gaming industry throughout Europe. Now due to a cooperative relationship between JCM and Wayne, iVIZION has expanded its European presence into the petrol industry in Italy and Sweden. Since late 2012, iVIZION bill validators have been integrated into self-pay kiosks that are manufactured by Wayne, today reaching nearly 1,000 customers in Italy and Sweden. For more information, visit www.jcmglobal.com.
Industry Legends to Join Gaming Hall of Fame at Gala Event; AGA Calls for Streamlined Shipping Rules
Four industry legends will be inducted in the Gaming Hall of Fame for 2013 on Nov. 14 at Caesars Palace, including Gary Loveman, chairman and CEO of Caesars Entertainment, and Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., former president and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA). Also inducted will be performer Celine Dion and celebrity chef Guy Savoy. All proceeds from the event will benefit the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG).
The AGA is leading an effort to streamline the overly costly and complex regulatory requirements related to gaming machine shipping practices. In research released recently titled “Streamlining Shipping: Recommendations for Regulatory Reform,” an AGA task force of compliance experts and former regulators offers solutions to the current regulatory system, which creates daunting complexities for both gaming businesses and industry regulators. The research is being distributed to industry regulators throughout the country and around the world. For more information, visit www.americangaming.org.
TransAct Expands Reach through Agreement with Suzo-Happ
TransAct Technologies announced that it has entered into an exclusive multi-year agreement with Suzo-Happ Group to market and distribute TransAct casino and gaming printing solutions to casino and gaming operators in most areas of the world. Under the terms of the agreement, TransAct will be the exclusive gaming printer solutions provider to Suzo-Happ for their casino and gaming customers effective immediately. The agreement with Suzo-Happ significantly expands TransAct’s worldwide distribution network, especially in the United States. For more information, visit www.transact-tech.com.
Rainmaker Group Lands on Inc. 5000 List For Third Consecutive Year, Names Mark H. Sohl VP of Technology Operations
The Rainmaker Group announced it has again earned a spot on Inc. magazine’s elite list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. This is the third year in a row that Rainmaker has received this honor. Behind this year’s No. 2698 ranking was the Atlanta, Ga.-based firm’s remarkable 130 percent revenue growth, up 15 percent over its triple-digit percentage from a year ago. Rainmaker has joined many other fast-track brands on this year’s distinguished list, including Gogo, Living Social, HubSpot and OtterBox.
The Rainmaker Group also announced the addition of veteran executive Mark H. Sohl as vice president of technology operations. The initiative is part of a broader corporate strategy to add key resources to help support ongoing capital investments that meet increasing customer demand for Rainmaker’s advanced software and service solutions and its accelerating growth. Sohl will be responsible for managing Rainmaker’s robust and expansive IT operations across the enterprise, including its internal and external network infrastructure and new state-of-the-art data center. For more information, visit www.letitrain.com.
Interblock to Place 104 Play Stations in Vietnam
Interblock has been chosen to supply an extensive range of ETGs to Vietnam’s first live casino project, The Grand–Ho Tram Strip Casino Resort, which opened July 26, 2013. Interblock has worked closely with the slot management to ensure the production and installation, even the design and layout of the cabinets and cushions, were completed to casino exacting standards. The order consisted of 104 play stations for the games baccarat and roulette, both from G3 and G4 generation of Interblock products. For more information, visit www.elektroncek.eu.
Avigilon Adds Larry Berg to Board to Directors
Avigilon announced the appointment of Larry Berg to its board of directors. Most recently, Berg spent 15 years as president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority, where he spearheaded a $1.4 billion expansion project, facilitated the opening of the Canada Line mass transit system extension to YVR airport and was a strong advocate in bringing the 2010 Winter Olympics to Vancouver. In August 2013, Berg was appointed to the Order of British Columbia in recognition of his outstanding leadership and vision that helped YVR airport earn its reputation as one of the world’s top airports. For more information, visit www.avigilon.com.
Williams Interactive to Provide Platform to Affinity Gaming
Williams Interactive announced an agreement to provide its next-generation Play4Fun Network iGaming and marketing platform to Affinity Gaming, customized to their A-Play™ loyalty program. This first-of-its-kind deal empowers Affinity Gaming to leverage the free-play Play4Fun Network online gaming platform to build an engaged online community by providing players at the 12 Affinity Gaming casinos and resorts spread across four states new ways to enjoy their favorite casino slot content between visits to the casino floor—on their computers, tablets and mobile devices. Affinity Gaming’s Play4Fun Network is scheduled for launch by the end of 2013, subject to any applicable regulatory approvals. For more information, visit www.williamsinteractive.com.
32 Lionel Sawyer & Collins Attorneys Honored in Best Lawyers
Thirty-two lawyers from Lionel Sawyer & Collins were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2014, giving the firm the distinction of having the greatest number of attorneys listed of all Nevada law firms. Demonstrating the depth of the firm’s full service expertise, these attorneys have been honored for achievements in 27 distinct specialties. In total, the 32 attorneys accounted for 62 accolades (since many received recognition in several practice areas). The firm’s highly-respected litigation department garnered 32 awards in the 11 litigation-designated practice areas defined by Best Lawyers. For more information, visit www.lionelsawyer.com.
NEWave Releases myData™ Manager, Expands Presence in Midwest, Installs myCompliance Suite at FireKeepers
NEWave is changing the way casinos do business across the entire operation with the release of its new business intelligence software suite, myData™ Manager. myData Manager brings the proven technology of information optimization combined with big data into strategic analytics. Information optimization turns disparate data (including structured, semi-structured and unstructured data) into dynamic reports for analysis and visualization. myData Manager takes large daily reports and files and automatically converts them into relevant data dashboards and spreadsheets.
NEWave won a contract and installed its leading Title 31 Manager software at Belterra Casino Resort in Florence, Ind. Title 31 Manager is one module of NEWave’s sophisticated and award-winning myCompliance Manager™ software suite. The installation further expands NEWave’s software dominance throughout the Midwest.
NEWave is continuing its sales dominance in all regions of the country and now was installed its myCompliance Manager software suite at FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, Mich. Additionally, NEWave installed its NWJE University eLearning program. NEWave’s myCompliance Manager software suite completes, files and archives all federal, state locally mandated forms for money laundering, suspicious activity and taxes. The software provides consolidation of all audits across multiple properties, regardless of EIN. For more information, visit www.mynewave.com.
FutureLogic Launches Service and Repair Facility, Customer Support Hotline
FutureLogic announced the launch of a new world-class service and repair facility in Phoenix, Ariz., a new customer service hotline for U.S. customers and the establishment of a more comprehensive direct sales presence, service and support organization to better serve customers worldwide. The service and repair facility and customer support hotline, 1-855-FL-HELP-U (1-855-354-3578), will offer technical support, customer service, fault diagnostics, product repair and 24-hour response to customer issues Monday through Friday. As a value-added benefit, the new facility will also coordinate the pick-up, delivery and swap out of any FutureLogic printer under warranty within 48 hours at no cost to the customer. For more information, visit www.futurelogic-inc.com.
Galaxy Gaming Announces Death of COO
Galaxy Gaming announced that William O’Hara, 73, its chief operating officer and an influential leader in the table gaming industry, passed away at the end of August in Las Vegas after a long illness. O’Hara began his gaming industry career as one of the first employees of Shuffle Master Gaming in 1991 before relocating to Las Vegas to lead the new company’s sales, service and marketing divisions the following year. He later served as senior vice president of operations for Casinovations Inc. and president of its subdivision in Mississippi, and he held the same title with PDS Gaming and that company’s newly formed electronic table games division. For more information, visit www.galaxygaming.com.
Novomatic Acquires Eurocoin
Eurocoin Gaming is the single source in Holland for Bell-Fruit video and reel-based gaming machines. Through this recent acquisition, Novomatic plans to further strengthen its foothold in the Dutch market and at the same time offer its valued customers more product diversity from its renowned brands JvH, Errel, Eurocoin, Bell-Fruit, Astra and Novomatic. For more information, visit www.novomatic.com.
SkySIM CX NFC SIM Card Approved by American Express, MasterCard and Visa
Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) offers a new SIM platform that allows several different NFC applications to be executed securely and simultaneously on a single SIM card. The SkySIM CX SIM-card family provides protected areas that can be used for electronic payment, ticketing applications and customer loyalty programs. Network operators will be able to expand their service offerings for banks, public transit authorities and other service providers. The first product in the new SkySIM CX family has received EMVCo, American Express, MasterCard and Visa approval, confirming that it meets the requirements for secure payment systems such as American Express ExpressPay, MasterCard PayPass and Visa payWave. For more information, visit www.gi-de.com.
GamblingCompliance Launches eLearning Solution
GamblingCompliance announced the launch of its new eLearning solution with initial courses on responsible gambling and anti-money laundering and the option of bespoke courses to meet specific training needs. The courses are practical, interactive and engaging, using industry-specific scenarios and examples, interactive maps and large question banks to test understanding. The courses are written by the company’s team of subject matter experts, and each course is designed for rapid customization for tailored modules to include references to a client’s policies, procedures and branding. Completely bespoke eLearning courses are also available for the specific training needs of larger organizations. For more information, visit www.gamblingcompliance.com.
INTRALOT Signs 10-Year Technology Supply Betting Contract, Sponsors Brazilian Gaming Congress
INTRALOT, through its participation as a major shareholder in the Taiwanese joint venture LotRich Information Co., Ltd., has been selected as the technology provider by Taiwan Sports Lottery Corp. (TSLC) following a tender process. INTRALOT offered TSLC the necessary support to bid for and win the 10-year license to operate the sports lottery, to which the major prerequisite and criterion was the competence and experience of the technology provider. The 10-year betting technology supply contract of INTRALOT will commence in the beginning of 2014 and run through the end of 2024.
Clarion Events is pleased to welcome INTRALOT as headline sponsor of the Brazilian Gaming Congress. The event takes place Nov. 18-20 at the prestigious Winsor Barra Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. The congress is a first of its kind, timed to bring together internationally renowned gaming operators, suppliers, sports bodies and regulators to meet with key government officials from Brazil’s major authorities for sports, lotteries and gaming ahead of the World Cup 2014 and Olympics 2016. For more information, visit www.intralot.com.
Jim KirnerDiTronics Names Jim Kirner Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing
With more than 21 years of experience in building successful sales organizations, Jim Kirner will be responsible for directing the company’s sales, marketing and customer service teams in providing industry-leading cash access technologies and multi-channel financial solutions for the gaming industry. Most recently, Kirner was with International Gaming Technologies (IGT) for 11 years in various capacities: leading the systems sales team in North America, as well as helping to start IGT’s strategic accounts program, during which time IGT’s leadership and systems market share grew significantly. Prior to IGT, Kirner worked for various technology companies in sales and sales/marketing positions primarily focused on the sale of software and hardware solutions. For more information visit www.ditronics.com.
Playfortuna Chooses Quickfire, Powered by Microgaming
Quickfire announced that new operator, PlayFortuna has launched into the online gaming market with Microgaming casino content. PlayFortuna is a new online casino that aims to provide players with big prizes; it has been developed with a flexible bonus system to run alongside regular and exiting promotions to reward their players. In addition, PlayFortuna offers 24/7 customer support, delivering first-class services around-the-clock. PlayFortuna has chosen to launch with Quickfire, powered by Microgaming. Through Quickfire, PlayFortuna has access to more than 400 online games, and it is now live with player favorites Avalon, Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck, as well as the popular progressive jackpot slots. For more information, see our Microgaming real money games page.
MTR Gaming Group and Eldorado Resorts Announce Merger
MTR Gaming Group and Eldorado Resorts announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which MTR Gaming Group will combine with the parent company of Eldorado Resorts in a stock merger. As part of the transaction, a cash election option will be offered at $5.15 per share for up to 5.8 million shares to MTR Gaming’s current stockholders. MTR Gaming’s remaining common shares will be exchanged for shares in the combined new company. The combined new company will remain publicly traded and be named Eldorado Resorts Inc. For more information, visit www.mtrgaming.com.
Innovolt® Ranks No. 31 on Inc. 500 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Inc. magazine recently ranked Innovolt Inc. No. 31 on its 32nd annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Innovolt received additional recognition as the No. 1 Atlanta metro company, the No. 1 Georgia company and the No. 2 business products and services company in the nation. “Innovolt has experienced astounding growth over the past few years thanks to a team of innovative, forward looking people, “ explained Jim Mitropoulos CEO at Innovolt. “Our growth, in large part, is fueled by the widespread need for our technology. Before Innovolt, many industries and companies did not know they needed what we provide. We have educated the market and have a solution that effectively guards valuable electronics from power and environmental disturbances.” For more information, visit www.innovolt.com.
Reed Promotes Johnson to Industry VP of G2E and G2E Asia
Reed Exhibitions announced that Mike Johnson has been promoted to industry vice president for Global Gaming Expo (G2E) and G2E Asia. Johnson has worked on the G2E portfolio of events for seven years and will remain responsible for all G2E and G2E Asia’s revenue through management of exhibition, advertising, sponsorship and conference sales, as well as the development of the annual conference programs at the two events. For more information, visit www.reedexpo.com.
Basler AG Expands Management Board
The supervisory board of Basler AG has resolved changes in the management board in order to prepare the company’s management for the planned future growth from both an organizational and personnel point of view. On Jan. 1, 2014, the management board will be expanded from three to four members, and the allocation of management board departments will be adjusted to future needs. As chief financial officer/chief operations officer, Hardy Mehl will move up in the management board and lead the company together with the chairman of the board, Dr. Dietmar Ley, and the management board members Arndt Bake and John Jennings. In Bake’s new role as chief marketing officer, he will lead the strategic marketing and the product management for existing and new business fields. As chief commercial officer, John Jennings will remain responsible for sales, marketing communication and the company’s subsidiaries. Starting on Jan. 1, 2014, Ley, the chairman of the management board, will be responsible for research and development, organizational development and human resources. For more information, visit www.baslerweb.com.
bwin.party Selects CAMS as Provider for Customer Age and ID Verification
CAMS announced it has been selected by bwin.party digital entertainment to provide player age verification and identification services in the United States. This partnership unites Europe’s leading provider of online gaming with America’s preeminent software-as-a-service provider for the online gambling industry. bwin.party has millions of registered customers globally and offers sports betting, poker, casino games, soft and skill games, as well as audio and video streams of top sporting events. bwin.party relies on verifying player identity for its day-to-day operation and has thereby chosen CAMS, which brings its extensive expertise to help aggregate this complex function. The additional tools provided by CAMS to bwin.party will enhance bwin.party’s already high KYC capabilities. Using proprietary and industry-leading applications, CAMS provides merchants in the gaming industry with the tools they need to reduce risk, comply with regulation and increase profitability. Merchants leverage CAMS’ expertise in payments connections, Know Your Customer services, geo-location and fraud management—all through a single integration, thereby saving time, money and valuable resources. For more information, visit www.bwinparty.com.
Melco Crown Entertainment Ranked on Forbes Asia’s Fab 50 List
Melco Crown Entertainment announced that it has been included on the Forbes Asia’s “Fabulous 50” list for 2013, ranking the best big companies in the region. Forbes Asia’s Fab 50 companies are the best of Asia Pacific’s biggest publicly traded companies, with at least $3 billion U.S. in annual revenue or market capitalization. Winners are selected from a pool of 1,220 companies according to several criteria, including revenue, earnings, return on capital, share-price movements and outlook. The 50 chosen companies represent the region’s best of the best, reflecting solid financial track records and great management and entrepreneurial skill. For more information, visit www.melco-crown.com.
SLS Las Vegas Partners with William Hill
SLS Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, opening on the Las Vegas Strip in fall of 2014, announced its partnership with William Hill to introduce a state-of-the-art sports book concept. As the SLS Las Vegas is the first new casino development on the Strip in more than three years, the property will collaborate with William Hill to launch a sports book experience featuring groundbreaking wagering technologies designed to provide guests with an unrivaled sports betting offering. The sports book partnership means SLS Las Vegas guests will have access to innovative wagering technology, including William Hill’s mobile betting platform available on iPhone, iPad and Android devices. For more information, visit www.williamhillplc.com.
Genesis Gaming Solutions Installs BRAVO Pit at Chinook Winds
Genesis Gaming Solutions announced that is has completed the installation of its BRAVO Pit system at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. Located in Lincoln City, Ore., Chinook Winds is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. The BRAVO Pit system, which was installed on 25 gaming tables, is a complete table game management and player tracking system designed for more efficient player ratings and pit management utilizing electronic data collection. BRAVO Pit allows for easy input and tracking of all ratings and management functions. Players are rated electronically and given credit for play immediately. For more information, visit www.genesisgaming.com.
Top Gaming Lawyers Join Ungaretti & Harris
Ungaretti & Harris announced that prominent gaming attorney Donna B. More and former Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) legal counsel William Bogot have joined the firm as partners in its gaming and government affairs practice. The move adds depth to the firm’s established gaming, legislative affairs, regulatory, litigation, corporate and compliance services. More and Bogot add depth and experience to a gaming practice already rated as a Tier 1 practice by U.S. News and World Report, one of only two in Illinois. For more information, visit www.uhlaw.com.