Bally Announces Retirement, Appointments, Re-Entry Into Australian Market
Bally Technologies Inc. announced that Robert C. Caller will retire as the company’s CFO and that Neil P. Davidson has been promoted to senior vice president, chief financial officer and corporate treasurer. Davidson joined Bally in 2006 as vice president of corporate accounting, and was appointed chief accounting officer in May 2008. Prior to joining the company, Davidson served as the vice president of finance for Multimedia Games. Caller will continue to assist the company under a long-term consulting agreement and will play an active advisory role to support Davidson’s transition.
It was also announced that Robert J. Parente has been named vice president of corporate accounts. Parente joined Bally Technologies in July 2009 as vice president of systems sales. In his new role, Parente will continue these responsibilities and take on additional duties overseeing game sales in Nevada and many of the company’s domestic corporate accounts in North America. Prior to joining Bally Technologies, Parente worked for International Game Technology (IGT).
Also, Bally has appointed veteran Australian gaming executives Michael McNee and Ron Jeffrey to help lead its return to the Australian and New Zealand gaming market. McNee steps into the role of managing director of Bally Australia, and Jeffrey assumes the position of sales manager for Bally Australia. Both will be based out of Bally’s new regional office in Sydney. McNee recently joined Bally after serving in a consulting capacity with Bally for the past year. He joins the company after a very successful 18-year career with Aristocrat Technologies. Jeffrey brings more than a decade of sales experience within the gaming industry, with a specific focus on the Asian and Australian gaming markets. Most recently, Jeffrey was national sales manager for Aruze Gaming, Australia. For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
Greektown Casino-Hotel Launches New Smartphone App from Bally
Greektown Casino-Hotel has become the first Michigan casino to launch a free Apple iPhone® and iPod Touch® application to help guests and players’ club members get more out of their gaming experience. The application, which will eventually be available to other brands of smartphones, includes a detailed map of the property, information about restaurants and other on-site amenities, and access to Club Greektown members’ accounts, giving members the ability to check comp, point, ticket and cash back balances. The application was developed by Bally Technologies. In the coming months, other features will be added. The app is free for download by Club Greektown players’ club members, and is available from Apple’s App Store. For more information, visit www.greektowncasinohotel.com.
IGT Names Hoyt VP of Human Resources
International Game Technology announced that Aimee Hoyt has joined the company as vice president of human resources. “We are delighted to welcome Aimee to the IGT team,�? said Patti Hart, IGT president and CEO. “She brings with her deep professional knowledge and experience that will help IGT to further our human resources programs globally and build upon our competitive advantage in the marketplace—namely through organizational design, performance management, reward and recognition, work force planning, leadership and talent development.�? Hoyt comes to IGT from Hewlett-Packard, where as vice president of human resources she was responsible for leading all aspects of HR for HP’s Software and Solutions division. Before her tenure at HP, Hoyt was director of human resources at Cisco Systems, and held senior HR management roles at Sun Microsystems and Global Crossing, Ltd. For more information, visit www.igt.com.
Aristocrat Makes Key Senior Appointments
Aristocrat has made two key appointments in its sales and marketing team in the South Pacific. Michael Ahearne has joined Aristocrat in the position of chief operating officer Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Ahearne was with Tabcorp for more than nine years, where he held a number of senior executive roles including those of general manager and CFO. In another senior appointment, Jeffery Gray has been appointed sales director Australia and business transformation director ANZ, to lead Aristocrat’s Australian sales team and continue a comprehensive program to transform the Aristocrat business into a world-class sales and marketing organization. Jeffery has held several roles across Australia and New Zealand with Aristocrat and brings more than 18 years of management experience to the role. For more information, visit www.aristocrat.com.au.
Greek Hotel Specifies MEI CASHFLOW® SC
Club Hotel Casino Loutraki announced that all future slot machine purchases will specify the MEI CASHFLOW® SC note validator. This decision was the result of a successful value-added trial (VAT) of the note validator, through which the casino experienced the industry’s highest acceptance rate and lowest jam rate. Dimitris Gkionis, head slot technician at Club Hotel Casino Loutraki, followed the MEI VAT from the beginning. Over 400 of the 1,020 slots of the casino floor are already fitted with MEI. Vangelis Dimou, slot director at Club Hotel Casino Loutraki said, “MEI provided excellent product training and carried out the initial installation very professionally. The note acceptance is the best we have ever seen on a note validator. It is practically maintenance-free.�? For more information, visit www.meigroup.com.
Reel-TV Announces John Frailey CTO
Reel-TV, the new innovative advertising company that allows video advertising to be displayed on slot machines, is excited to announce John Frailey as the new chief technology officer. Frailey brings over 15 years of software programming experience. In his most recent position, Frailey was a senior software engineer at Garmin International, the global leader in satellite navigation. For more information, visit www.reel-tv.com.
GLI Appoints New Representatives
Gaming Laboratories International has promoted Filippo Ferri to director of i-gaming development. In his new role, Ferri will direct all i-gaming development activity throughout Europe. Ferri remarked, “Technology is converging. Server-based gaming platforms increasingly resemble online gaming platforms; regulatory frameworks are converging.�? Prior to his promotion, Ferri was regulatory development manager for GLI Italy, also acting as liaison between GLI Italy and suppliers across Italy. Prior to joining GLI, Ferri was with Gambling Compliance.
Also, GLI has hired a new development representative to work with suppliers and regulators in the Korean marketplace and Asia region. Andrew Choi will be based in the company’s GLI Asia office in Macau. Choi most recently served as a software engineer for F2Systems Inc., where he oversaw development of multiple projects. He has also worked for Para Enterprises and Onlinicis Inc., consulting on GLI and SAS protocol certification. For more information, visit www.gaminglabs.com.
Aruze Gaming America Appoints Coy CFO
Aruze Gaming America announced that it has appointed Bryan Coy as chief financial officer for the Americas. Coy will be responsible for operational and financial accounting including budgeting, forecasting, accounts payable and payroll. He will serve as a strategic leader and partner for direction, integrity and overall effectiveness of accounting and finance functions. “Aruze is a unique company with a great history and clear growth opportunities,�? Coy said. “I am thrilled to be part of such a dynamic team.�? Coy brings nearly 20 years of experience within multiple industries, including gaming, hospitality, technology and manufacturing, and finance. Formerly, Coy was the director of financial reporting at Fontainebleau Resorts. Prior to Fontainebleau, he served as the chief financial officer at Shuffle Master’s Americas division. For more information, visit www.aruzegaming.com.
TransAct Expands Global Footprint
TransAct Technologies has announced the expansion of its office in Macau as the company increases its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The company has hired Sonny Su as technical sales manager for Asia and Australia. Su will be responsible for sales and technical product support in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly leading the integration process for the complete range of the company’s Epic brand of gaming products. Su previously worked for IGT’s Macau office as a systems engineer, while at the same time lecturing part-time about information systems and management systems technology at the Asian International University (Macau). For more information, visit www.transact-tech.com.
Global Cash Access Gets Testing Approval in Nevada
Global Cash Access has received unanimous approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) to begin a product field trial of its new QuikTicket product in Nevada. This approval is a significant milestone toward the ultimate commercialization of this new technology. QuikTicket was developed by GCA to allow casino patrons to have the choice of receiving either cash or a slot ticket when conducting an ATM transaction. GCA believes that this technology provides increased security for both the casino patron and the gaming operator and that it will also reduce the gaming operator’s cash handling expenses. Upon the successful completion of the field trial, the NGCB will issue an associated equipment approval for the product. For more information, visit www.globalcashaccess.com.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Strikes Agreement with Cantor Gaming
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has entered into an operating agreement with Cantor Gaming to serve as the exclusive race and sports book operator. Cantor Gaming will initially integrate its state-of-the-art In-Running technology into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s existing race and sports book, with the aim of launching upon regulatory approval. The race and sports book operations will launch a new era in sports wagering at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Cantor Gaming’s In-Running wagering system, driven by the firm’s highly sophisticated, proprietary financial trading technology enables customers to trade sports. Bets can be placed throughout a game, on numerous different outcomes and with the lines constantly changing, up until the final whistle. For more information, visit www.cantorgaming.com.
Gary Platt Ships to IGT, Suncoast Hotel & Casino
Gary Platt Manufacturing shipped 425 Megafx Surround Sound chairs to IGT in the month of July. The new sound chair features award-winning, high-performance sound that creates a rich, immersive game experience. Sex and the City™ was the first game to feature the sound chair. Games currently being installed with the sound chair are Amazing Race™, Wheel of Fortune® Experience™, Wheel of Fortune® Secret Spins™, Top $, and House of 9 Dragons™. Gary Platt also shipped 100 Gazelle Style poker chairs to Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The poker chairs are upholstered in custom Symphony fabric. For more information, visit www.garyplatt.com.
SPIELO Launches Italy’s First VLT Network
Spielo Manufacturing ULC (SPIELO) is the first gaming solutions supplier to deploy a video lottery terminal (VLT) network in the new Italian Comma 6B VLT market. SPIELO is providing its full end-to-end gaming solution to Italian VLT concessionaire Lottomatica Videolot Rete S.p.A. SPIELO’s solution is the first among a number of competing suppliers’ solutions to be authorized for deployment on behalf of multiple concessionaires by L’Amministrazione autonoma dei monopoli di Stato (AAMS). SPIELO President and CEO Victor Duarte said, “SPIELO responded to the demands of this new market with speed, diligence, and flexibility, tailoring its solution to the market’s unique requirements and working closely with our partner, Lottomatica Videolot Rete, to successfully pass Italy’s comprehensive, multi-stage regulatory process. For more information, visit www.spielo.com.
STARGATE SG-1™ Drives Performance in Switzerland
On Aug. 4, a bank of STARGATE slots was launched at Grand Casino Basel with a festive ceremony and champagne reception. In May, a bank of STARGATE SG-1 machines debuted at Grand Casino Bern, followed by installations in Locarno and Bad Ragaz. Further installations are planned at Casino Barriérede Montreux and Grand Casino Lugano. The STARGATE games have been busy since installation and are performing well across the country. The STARGATE SG-1 link features an immediately recognizable theme. It represents the longest running science fiction series in American TV history. With these installations, ATRONIC International has significantly increased its market share in Switzerland, and thanks to strong initial results, the company expects to add additional products to this jurisdiction. For more information, visit www.atronic.com.
Cadillac Jack Names Linda Champion VP of HR
Cadillac Jack has announced that Linda Champion has joined the company as vice president, human resources. Champion brings leadership and HR management experience to Cadillac Jack from a variety of industries including game and software development with EA Sports Tiburon and CCP Games. Her team will also be focused on recruitment and employee training to support the company’s goal to expand the depth and breadth of its product portfolio. “I am excited to join Cadillac Jack and to have the opportunity to influence the development of our talented personnel, while helping to make Cadillac Jack an employer of choice in the gaming and software industries in the greater Atlanta area and beyond,�? Champion said. For more information, visit www.cadillacjack.com.
VGT Joins with Grand Products for Illinois Distribution
Video Gaming Technologies Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, VGT Manufacturing Inc., and Grand Products Inc. announced they have reached a preliminary agreement to address new opportunities in the high-potential video gaming terminal market in Illinois. VGT and Grand will collaborate to distribute VGT’s popular gaming terminals to operators for placement at licensed bars, taverns, restaurants, truck stops and other licensed venues that allow alcohol consumption. VGT’s machines will be sold and distributed by Grand Products to operators for placement at licensed locations. Grand Products will also provide warehousing and service facilities including a showroom that will allow prospective Illinois customers to familiarize themselves with VGT’s machines. For more information, visit www.vgt.net.
Konami Donates $1 Million to UNLV
KONAMI CORP., a parent company of Konami Gaming Inc., will donate $1 million to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), announced Kagemasa Kozuki, chairman of the board and president of KONAMI CORP. A $50,000 portion of the sum will be designated to the UNLV Foundation Annual Fund for a five-year membership in the Academic Corporate Council Annual Giving program. $450,000 of the donation will be distributed to an unrestricted expendable KONAMI Gaming Fund for the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. The money will work toward the betterment of programs for students, faculty and staff within the college. Lastly, $500,000 will be placed in an endowment, to be known as the KONAMI Gaming Endowment Fund for Gaming Management Student Professional Development within the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. For more information, visit www.gaming.konami.com
Gran Casino Costa Brava Chooses Novomatic
Gran Casino Costa Brava opened on this summer and is the new flagship project of Grupo Conei, one of the leading Catalonian gaming companies. Novomatic Gaming Spain was one of the major suppliers for the new Gran Casino Costa Brava. The casino welcomes its guests with a great range of gaming attractions: on more than 1,500 square meters it features 23 live and electronic live gaming tables as well as more than 150 slots. For the live gaming floor, the Gran Casino Costa Brava decided to choose state-of-the art electronic multiplayer equipment made by Novomatic: a Novo Flying Baccarat™ installation for eight players as well as a Novo Multi-Roulette™ with 16 individual player terminals. For more information, visit www.novomatic.com.
Barona Promotes Nick Dillon
Barona Resort & Casino announced that Nick Dillon has been promoted to executive vice president/assistant general manager. Dillon, who began his career at Barona more than 18 years ago, most recently served as the casino’s senior vice president of gaming operations. In his new position, he will help to create a fun casino experience and keep Barona positioned as the premier casino resort destination in the state. Dillon’s career at Barona spans more than nine positions since he started as a bingo clerk in 1990. He has been involved in the development of some of the industry’s most sophisticated and unique innovations including the first TITO voucher system unveiled in 2000. For more information, visit www.barona.com.
Foxwoods Promotes Robert Victoria to CMO
Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprises has announced the promotion of Robert Victoria to chief marketing officer of Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Victoria previously served as senior vice president of consumer marketing for Foxwoods. In this role, Victoria will assume responsibility for all Foxwoods and MGM Grand at Foxwoods marketing and sales initiatives, including casino services, promotions, customer development, entertainment procurement, resort & hotel sales, advertising, database marketing, e-commerce, public relations and brand management for North America’s largest resort casino. For more information, visit www.foxwoods.com.
NIGC Welcomes New Members
National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairwoman Tracie Stevens announced the selection of Paxton Myers as the commission’s chief of staff. For the past year, Myers served as Congressman Dale Kildee’s Native American affairs advisor. As the congressman’s Native American advisor, Myers played a key role in advising and educating members of Congress by coordinating briefings and preparing background information on legislation and issues affecting Native American communities. Myers is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina.
Also, Lawrence S. Roberts has joined the NIGC as general counsel. Roberts, a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, has 15 years of federal Indian law experience. As a trial attorney, Roberts handled a variety of administrative law and federal Indian law cases including matters involving tribal jurisdiction, regulatory authority and reservation boundaries, tribal reserved treaty rights, recovery of tribal lands and resources, and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Roberts also worked in EPA’s Office of General Counsel, providing counsel on the implementation of federal environmental programs in Indian country. For more information, visit www.nigc.gov.
Brush and Clean Enters North American Market
Brush and Clean, the global leading innovative manufacturer of dry carpet and flooring cleaning systems, chemicals and accessories for leading casinos worldwide, has announced it has now expanded into North America, with the opening of its headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and distribution facility in Pennsylvania. Brush and Clean manufacturers EPA DFE equivalent, low-moisture dry carpet and tile flooring cleaning systems and “green�? chemicals. For more information, visit www.brushandclean.com.
Mount Airy Announces New Executive VP, GM
Veteran Las Vegas casino executive John Culetsu has been named executive vice president and general manager of Mount Airy Casino Resort. He spent the past 20 years managing The Crowne Plaza Hotel and most recently The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. George Toth stepped down from his position as president and CEO of Mount Airy to pursue other career opportunities after successfully guiding Mount Airy Casino Resort through the debut of table games. For more information, visit www.mountairycasino.com.
NRT Provides Solutions at Marina Bay Sands
At the opening of the Marina Bay Sands Casino in Singapore, customers were introduced to the QuickJack2™ kiosk solution and to the revolutionary QuickTouch™ product, both developed by NRT Technology Corp. These kiosk solutions enhance the customer experience by accelerating cash handling functions typically performed by the cage or guest services. Customers can perform self-service functions such as ticket redemption, bill breaking and ATM services. Its versatility allows users to purchase tickets, redeem points, make reservations, manage loyalty accounts, buy stored-value cards and perform authorized inquiries. For more information, visit www.nrttech.com.