G3May11Yudu

THE BUSINESS FOR GAMES www.G3iMagazine.com

GLOBAL GAMES AND GAMING MAGAZINE I MAY 2010

OPERATORS AND MANUFACTURERSTOUGH IT OUT IN SPANISH MARKET

SPAINA BURNING ISSUE

INTERNATIONALNEWSInnocore design-win with AstraOctavian’s VLT system painkiller

Gamers adopt WMS Adaptive

SPECIAL ITALIAN COMMA 6B REPORTAll thenews andmarketanalysis from the Italian machine market

EXTRAINSIDE

UPDATEUKRAINEUEFA 2012 CUP CHANGESGOVERNMENT STANCE

MUST-SEEPRODUCTSTouchTable MultiPLAY AutomatedBally Technologies’FireballNovomatic Novostar SL2

MARKETFOCUSTCSJohnHuxley’s Delaware licenceAnswering Italy’s big questionsBrazil delays Bingo legislation

The Gauselmann Group bucks the current economic trend - Page 58

G3 I MAY 2010 I PAGE 3

FeaturesMarket Report: SpainA BURNING ISSUEOperators andmanufacturers toughit out in the Spanish gamingmarketPage 54

NewsINNOCOREDESIGNWINWITHASTRAInnocore Gaming scores amajor design-winwith Novomatic Group subsidiary, Astra GamesPage 7

ALLCHANGE IN ITALIANMARKETMerkur Gaming readies its Comma6bproducts on the back of Comma6a successPage 10

MAKINGTHERIGHTPLAYFORVLTSThe success of VLTs and the survival of Comma6a depends on the strength of Italian playPage 16

RIGHTPLACE, TIMEANDSOLUTIONFutureLogic is ideally placed to capitalise onthe growth of TITO in Italy’s VLT gaming sectorPage 18

APROVENVLTPARTNERFOR ITALYVast experience in the Czech VLT gamingsector sees Apex heading for success in ItalyPage 20

ANSWERING ITALY’SBIGQUESTIONThe Italian casino supplier, Magic Dreams,answers the burning domestic questionsPage 22

NOVOMATICSCORE INBARCELONANovomatic Gaming Spain celebrates a newinstallation at Cirsa Group’s CasinoMarbellaPage 30

RegularsVIEWPOINTWhen is a casino not a casino?Page 4

CALENDARThemost important international gamingevents taking place in the next sixmonthsPage 6-7

AD INDEX&SUBSCRIPTIONSPage 66

Brussels casino VIAGE becomes a racing certaintywith KRK - Page 12

G3 interviews Cogetech CEO Fabio Schiavolin - Page 44

New sensations in Sentosawith key product installations - Page 57

ContentsMAY 2010

There’s something quite presidentialabout taking an entire passenger planeover to Brussels with only five othersonboard. The blight on European flightsof the volcanic ash cloud had lifted justhours before I was scheduled to travel tothe European capital, allowing me to

experience what it must havebeen like in the 1940s to travelin Europe. No queues, nodelays, personal greetings fromthe pilot, and my bag the firstoff the carousel. While theremainder of G3 had beeneuphemistically ‘stuck’ inPrague (beer capital ofEurope), days prior to myjourney, the Viage launch fromstart to finish was a smooth

and spectacular experience. Opening in an800-person marquee outside the casinocomplex, everything about the Viage isdifferent. For the first time in Europe wewere part of a casino opening night thatevery member of the public could watch,as they peered in to ogle the Belgiancelebrities enjoying canapes, cocktails andchampagne within the see-thru walls.Where the opening of the Grand CasinoBrussels had been wonderfully old-school,the Viage dropped all suchaccoutrements, jettisoning even the word‘casino’ from its title. The traditional‘golden ball’ was dropped in favour of adinnershow sample, which entertainedguests and press with a musical variety

performance entitled ‘Viage Viage.’ Thefact that operator Casino AustriaInternational now has its own ‘musical,’smacks very much of Vegas, whichbecame a theme of the entire opening. Ittook four and a half hours for the VIPguests to pass through the entertainmentelements of the evening and eventuallystep foot into the casino proper. Themarquee, meanwhile, was to be convertedinto a music venue and (another first)children’s circus over the comingweekend. Speaking to Casino Director,Andrew Webb, the Viage is staging a widespectrum of events and performers in its800-seat theatre, from big Belgian groupsto gospel choirs at Christmas. He alsostated that the venue (resolutely not acasino), was attracting a different type ofapplicant - in his words “younger,attractive females.” Without thestigmatism of the casino label, the Viagehas been welcomed not so much as anequal opportunities employer, but ratheras an employer of equal status in theemployment market. From its luxuriousCameleon Sky restaurant on the top floorof the complex, Viage offers a spectacularview of Brussels laid out before it, andequally offers the residents of Brussels aspectacular new venue that’s breakingdown barriers and challengingpreconceived ideas. The only negativewas that the ash cloud did not conspireto strand me in Brussels for another day.Expect a full Viage report next issue.

G3 is all about games. The games players wantoperators to buy. It's about the creation, theapplication and the ultimate experience ofplaying games from all types of sources, mediaand location. Think of the mantra - location,location, location and now think games, games,games - because without them you have nolocation. And without G3 you've no way ofknowing what you might be missing. If you haveone machine or a thousand, if you have a chainof casinos, a single site or whole arcade to fill,you need the very best products to attract your

customers - and here's where to find them.

Each issue features the latest games, in-depthcountry reports and special focuses ontechnology, innovation and creativity in thesphere of games and gaming.

G3 is a worldwide high quality monthlymagazine for the games and gaming operator. Itsources gaming related news, information andmarket statistics from around the world anddelivers them direct to you each month.

For the first time inEuropewewere partof a casino opening

night that everymember of the public

couldwatch.

What is G3? Global Games and Gaming = G3

Lewis PekEditorTel: +44 (0) 1942 879 291Email: [email protected] HardyPublisherTel: +44 (0) 161 905 1800Email: [email protected] SlatteryCommercial DirectorTel: +44 (0)128 283 8371Email: [email protected] SouthallG3 Spain - Associate EditorEmail: [email protected] CarrollG3 GermanyEmail: [email protected] NicholsSub EditorGareth IrwinSenior DesignerJohn PekProductionManagerJohnMalin, David Addison, Bepi MottesContributorsJennifer PekSubscriptionsManagerJanet BashforthCommercial AdministratorCover ImageGareth Irwin

For sales enquiries contact:John SlatteryTel: +44 (0)128 283 8371Email: [email protected] editorial enquiriesand inclusion in theJune issueofG3contact: Lewis PekDeadline - May 10 , 2010Tel: +44 (0)1942 879 291Email: [email protected] is distributed to:Albania, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium,Cambodia, China, Denmark, Czech Republic,Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,Lithuania, Macau, Malaysia, Norway, ThePhilippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia,Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, Vietnam, US

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DisclaimerAll contents© HP Publishing Limited 2010. No partof this publication may be reproduced in any formwithout the express permission of the publisher.While we make every effort to ensure thateverything we print in Global, Games and Gaming(G3) is factually correct, we cannot be heldresponsible if factual errors occur. Advertisementsare accepted by us in good faith as correct at thetime of going to press.

When is acasino not a

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MAY 2010

GTI ASIA TAIPEI EXPODate:May 2-4, 2010Location:B and C Zones, Hall 1, Taipei World TradeCenter, Taipei - TaiwanShow times:10.00am - 6.00pm - May 2-310.00am - 5.00pm - May 4Organiser:Game Time International,Taiwan Slot Magazine,China GameTel: +886-2-27607407~10 ext. 207Email: [email protected]: www.gtiexpo.com.tw

ELA 2010 - LATIN AMERICAGAMING EXHIBITION, MEXICODate:May 6-7, 2010Location:Centro Banamex exhibition centre,Mexico City, MexicoOrganiser:EXPOAZAR S.A.Contact:Ramiro Carvajales - Operations ManagerEmail: [email protected]: www.expoazar.com

JUNE 2010

G2E ASIA, MACAUDate:June 9-10, 2010(conference dates: June 8-10)Location:Cotai Strip Convention and ExhibitionCenter, The Venetian Macau, Macau SAR,People’s Republic of ChinaOrganiser:Reed ExhibitionsContact:Brett DeWeese/ Vera NgShow times:June 9-10 - 10am - 5pmTel: +852 28240330Email: [email protected]: www.g2easia.com

PARK AVENUE OPEN DAY (UK)Date:June 9, 2010Location:Park Avenue, London, NW10Organiser:Electrocoin, Advance House, 186 BrentCrescent, London NW10 7XRContact:Kevin WeirTel: +44 20 8965 2055Email: [email protected]: www.electrocoin.net

CalendarMAY-OCTOBER 2010

SAGSE GAMING PANAMA 2010Date:June 21-24, 2010Location:ATLAPA Convention Center, Panama City,PanamaOrganiser:Monografie SA, Av. Alvear 1883 Loc. 21(C1129AAA) Cdad. Aut. de Buenos Aires,Argentina.Contact:Alan BurakEmail: [email protected]: www.sagsepanama.com

JULY 2010

GAMING EXECUTIVESUMMIT EUROPEDate:July 6-8, 2010Location:Eurostars Madrid Tower, SpainOrganiser:TerrapinnContact:Gemma BarlowTel: +44 (0) 207 827 5957Email: [email protected]:www.terrapinn.com/2010/gamingeu

SALEX 2010 (BRAZIL)Date:July 28-30, 2010Location:Transamerica Expo Center, Sao Paulo,BrazilOrganiser:Tania Salles, Rua Tome de Souza 479,Alto de Lapa, Sao Paulo, BrasilTel: +55 11 3836 3271Email: [email protected]: www.salex.com.br

AUGUST 2010

AUSTRALASIAN GAMINGEXPO 2010Date:August 8-10, 2010Location:Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre,Darling Harbour NSW, AustraliaOrganiser:Australasian Gaming MachineManufacturers Association (AGMMA),PO Box 420, Spit Junction NSW 2088AustraliaContact:Rayner Sales & MarketingTel: +61 2 9960 0125Email: [email protected]: www.austgamingexpo.com


PERU GAMING SHOW 2010Date:August 11-12, 2010Location:Lima, PeruContact:Grupo C&GS SA, Caller Mercator 424, SanBorja, Lima, PeruTel: +51 1 225 5646Email: [email protected]: www.perugamingshow.com

SEPTEMBER 2010

GAMEXPO, HUNGARYDate:September 14-16, 2010Location:Syma Sport and Event Center, Hall A,Budapest, HungaryOrganiser:Avex-Team Ltd., 1152 Budapest, Rakos ut 7.Tel: +36 1 306-3837Email: [email protected]: www.gamexpo.hu

FORBES 2010 (PRAGUE)Date:September 22-23, 2010Location:VÝSTAVIŠTE PRAHA HOLEŠOVICE, Praha 7,Prague, Czech RepublicOrganiser:Alois Sandbach s.r.o., FORBES exhibitionTel: +420 602 363 153Email: [email protected]: www.forbesexhibition.cz

FER-INTERAZAR, SPAINDate:September 22-24, 2010Location:Ifema. Juan Carlos I Exhibition Centre,Madrid 28042, SpainContact:Grupo Interazar de InversionesShow times:1st day- 12:00-20:00, 2nd 10:00-20:00 andFinal Day 10:00-15:00Tel: +34 91 445 37 02Fax: +34 91 447 63 33Email: [email protected]: www.fer-interazar.com

SAGSE BUENOS AIRES 2010Date:September 29 - October 1, 2010Location:Centro Costa Salguero, Buenos Aires,ArgentinaContact:Monografie S. A. Av. Alvear 1883 Loc. 21(C1129AAA) Cdad. Aut. de Buenos Aires,Argentina.Show times:2.30pm - 8.30pmTel: +54-11-4805-4623

Fax: +54-11-4805-Email: [email protected]: www.monografie.com

OCTOBER 2010

BALKAN ENTERTAINMENT& GAMING (SOFIA)Date:October 4-6, 2010Location:Intern Expo Centre, Sofia, BulgariaOrganiser:Bulgarian Trade Association of theManufacturers and Operators in theGaming IndustryShow times:First and second day: 10am - 6pmFinal day: 10am - 4pmContact:Rayner Sales & MarketingTel: +359 2 812 9438Email: [email protected]: www.balkangamingexpo.com

ENADA ROME 2010 (ITALY)Date:October 6-8, 2010Location:New Rome Trade FairVia Eiffel snc, 00148 Ponte GaleriaRome, ItalyOrganiser:Carmen Zeolla, Rimini Fiera SpaVia Emilia 155, Rimini 47900Tel: +39 0541 744261Email: [email protected]: www.enada.it

MONACO IGAMING EXCHANGESDate:October 11-13, 2010Location:Grimaldi Forum, MonacoOrganiser:Monaco Mediax, Villa Le Mas,4 bd du Jardin Exotique,MC 98000 MONACOContact:Francis MerlinTel: +377 93 30 20 32Email: [email protected]: www.igaming-monaco.com

SUREXPO 2010 (POLAND)Date:October 14-16, 2010Location:Centrum Expo XXIul. Pradzynskiego 12/14, Warsaw, Poland.Organiser:Wigor Agencyul. Sokolnicza 34/38Wroclaw 53-660Tel: +48 71 359 6271Email: [email protected]: www.wigor-targi.com

by Comma 6b. This enabling technologygives concessionaires the choice to selectfrom any number of systems, includingthat of Octavian's, but where itsmiddleware is special, is that it sits overthe top of any existing system, filling inthe blank spaces to ensureinterconnectivity with all therequirements of the operator,concessionaire and AAMS. The Octaviansystem enables the concessionaire to offerany VLT from any supplier, linked to anyTITO, player tracking, loyalty/bonusing,accounting system etc. The system is bothagnostic and offers anonymity for thecontent supplier, as encryption preventsOctavian from viewing the pay tables ofcompetitor machines, operating an IPprotected environment. Octavian'smiddleware fills in the blank spacesbetween the functionality of each systemprovider, creating a single message streamfrom a variety of sources thatcommunicates directly with AAMS.

“We have created the ultimate opensystem,” describes Octavian’s PeterMoffitt of the umbrella solution. “Ourgame server will support any provider'scabinet. This enables the concessionaireto select the games and cabinets theywant, without being restricted to a limitednumber of providers. We are currentlywaiting for SOGE to gives us a time slotfor the certification of the system.”

Octavian's current contract withconcessionaire BetPlus is not exclusive,though the system is installed andoperating in a BetPlus location in Rome.“This isn't vapourware,” underlines Mr.Moffitt. “This system is up and runningand can support central determination,downloadable, server-based and remotedetermination. This is not replacementtechnology for other systems. It isenabling technology that allows all thesesystems to work in the regulatoryenvironment laid down by the Italianauthorities. Concessionaires can choosewhichever system, games, cabinets andfunctionalities they need, while ourmiddleware handles the transferinstructions between the key systemcomponents.”

While the rush of systems and gamesproviders into the Italian Comma 6bmarket has created a wide spectrum ofchoice for concessionaires, therequirements set out by AAMS actuallyrestricts many of these options. Octavian'ssolution is the glue that can bind togetherall these different elements and at thesame time, provide the AAMS withexactly the results it demands.

Bally Technologies ist einedefinitiveKaufvereinbarung mit Isle of CapriCasinos über sein Rainbow Casino inVicksburg, Mississippi eingegangen. Lautden Bedingungen der Vereinbarung, dievom Vorstand beider Unternehmengenehmigt wurde, wird Isle of CapriCasinos Bally Technologies 80 Mio. US$in bar zahlen, wobei als Abschlusstagder Transaktion der 30. Juni festgelegtist.

InnocoreGaminghat ein neuesGeschäftmitdem Hersteller Astra Games in Bridgendabgeschlossen. Astra Games, Teil derNovomatic Group of Companies, hatInnocore als Lieferanten für das DPX-S410 Gaming Board für die nächsten fünfJahre ausgewählt. Zane Mersich,Geschäftsführer bei Astra Games dazu:„Die Migration zum Innocore Bord warnahtlos und wurde von unseremSoftware-Entwicklungsteam mit beein-druckender Unterstützung durchInnocore schnell abgewickelt.Umfangreiche Tests des Innocore DPX-S410 Boards haben dessenZuverlässigkeit bewiesen, und wir freuenuns darauf, unsere Spiele-Innovationennoch weiter voranzutreiben.“

AndrewWebb, GeneralManagerdesVIAGEEntertainment Centers in Brüssel, hat imletzten Monat das neue VIAGE KRKRacing Team vorgestellt. AlsHauptsponsor des Teams erklärte HerrWebb, dass die Dynamik und diePopularität des Motorsports die Werteder Marke VIAGE perfekt ergänzen. Dasnach seinen drei wichtigsten Fahrern(Koen, Raf, Kris) benannte KRK VIAGERacing Team will die Belcar-Meisterschaft2010 mit seinen herausragenden Autosim Sturm erobern – komplett mit VIAGE-Logo und dem bewährtenRennfahrertalent.

DerbritischeAWP-Spezialist BarcrestGroupist nach einer dreijährigen Abwesenheitzurück am Markt und hat bei derENADA-Frühjahrsmesse in Rimini einestarke Produktpräsentation gezeigt. Dreineue Produkte wurden im März zuge-lassen: Neptun's Treasure, Big Bucks undLucky Saloon. Es handelt sich jeweils umComma 6a-Spiele, und Barcrest ist, nach-dem es den Comma 6-Markt 2006zunächst aufgegeben hatte, jetzt zuver-sichtlich, dass seine neuen Geräte einPublikum finden werden.

DeröffentlicheDruckunddieAngst,dass eineEntscheidung das Wahlverhalten negativbeeinflussen könnte, haben dieZulassung von Bingo-Spielen in Brasilienverlangsamt. Die Abstimmung übereinen Gesetzesentwurf zur Zulassungvon Glücksspielen in dem Land wurdenicht fallen gelassen, ist aber noch imRepräsentantenhaus anhängig.

GamingPartners International hat dieLieferung seiner Casinowährung an denUnterhaltungs- und GlücksspielkomplexViage abgeschlossen. Insgesamt liefertedas Unternehmen über 70.300Casinochips und -plaques für dieEröffnung des Casinos am 5. März 2010.Die Chips und Plaques aus derCasinowährungsserie Bourgogne &Grasset (B & G) wurden mit 125 kHzRFID-Mikrochips ausgestattet.

The new Italian Comma 6b VLT networkis designed to link together all themachines in the marketplace to a centralgovernment server. Though very differenttechnology, the principle is the same ascurrently exists in the Comma 6a sector.However, as pointed out, the technologyisn't the same. The Italian gamingmonopoly, AAMS, insists that, as part ofthe regulations, a single port perconcessionaire connects to the centralserver network. While one single messagestream from the concessionaire preventstampering and manipulation of thisinformation from multiple sources, it alsointroduces complications. The sheercomplexity of the video lottery devices,the number of interconnecting peripheralswithin the machine and the number ofprotocols in operation, creates a headachefor the system provider. How do you getall these different elements tocommunicate with each other, and withthe systems in operation in the location,which could have multiple systems froma variety of suppliers; manage all thedemands of the TITO system, accounting,player loyalty etc., and relay all thisinformation back to the AAMS through asingle port?

One of the major concerns at the recentENADA Spring gaming show held inRimini, was the interconnectivity ofgaming systems, machines andperipherals that have been broughttogether under the Comma 6bregulations. While a single systemsupplier can undoubtedly offer all thisfunctionality though their own proprietarysoftware and hardware, the connectivityacross different systems, between differentcontent providers, each connecting withdifferent peripherals, had the exhibitionattendees pondering upon the likelyoutcomes during the initial rollout phasethis summer. Expectations are that ticketsprinted from one VLT will not beaccepted universally by another, thatplayer loyalty cards will not work acrossmultiple machines, and that unlessconcessionaires chose a singlesystem/content route, ie. from onesupplier, they'll encounter compatibilityissues across the board.

At the ENADA show, one companyappeared to have resolved this issue.Octavian International ran through thefunctionality of its middleware gateway, asolution that connects all the dots laid out

PeterMoffitt,Octavian

International.

“We have created theultimate open system.Our game serverwill

support anyprovider's cabinet.

This enables theconcessionaire to

select the games andcabinets theywant,

without beingrestricted to a limitednumber of providers.

We are currentlywaiting for SOGE togives us a time slot

for the certificationof the system."

Octavian may have answeredthe protocol headaches inthe Italian Comma 6b sector

News


Octavianpainkiller for Italy VLT

EUROPEAN UPDATE

Innocore Gaming has announced a newdesign-win with Bridgend basedmanufacturer Astra Games. Astra Games,part of the Novomatic Group ofCompanies, has selected Innocore tosupply them with the DPX-S410 gamingboard for the next five years.

Zane Mersich, Astra Games ManagingDirector commented: “The migration tothe Innocore board was seamless and wascarried out very quickly by our softwaredevelopment team, with the impressivesupport of Innocore. Extensive testing ofthe Innocore DPX-S410 board has provedto be very reliable and we look forward topushing our game innovation further.”

John Malin, Business DevelopmentManager for Innocore commented: “Astrahas continued to maintain a solidreputation for developing quality gamesand we are all very proud of ourachievement to have gained Astra as oneof our new customers.”

Edward Price, Innocore ManagingDirector added: “We are very pleased to

Innocore Gaming’sKoen Stomph, picturedat the IGE trade showwith the company’s

latest product, the allnewDPX-E105intelligent reel

controller, part of theexpansing range ofInnocore products.

have signed such a significant five yearcontract with a leading player such asAstra. This has been a textbook exampleof how to arrive quickly and efficiently toa mutual agreement – all disciplines fromCEOs, Procurement, Finance, Sales andTechnical from both companies haveworked well together to integrate theproduct in a short period of time and thentake that on to contract signing. Innocorelooks forward to technically supportingAstra through their continued game andinternational market development overthe coming years,” he concluded.

DiekanadischeStadtVancouverwirdStandorteines neuen Unterhaltungskomplexes imWert von mehreren Millionen Dollar. Ersoll eine Fläche von insgesamt 10.219qm haben. Kanadas Premier GordonCampbell kündigte im April an, dassdas Casino rund um die Uhr geöffnetsein wird. Die in Las Vegas ansässigeGruppe Paragon Gaming wird ihrEdgewater Casino an der Plaza ofNations schließen und zu einem neuen,größeren Standort umziehen.

DerbritischeBuchmacher Ladbrokeserklärtesich damit einverstanden, sein italienis-ches Wett-und Gaming-Geschäft für 5,25Millionen € in bar an eineTochtergesellschaft der italienischenGruppe Gaming Cogetech zu verkaufen.Gemäß den Bestimmungen derVereinbarung wird Cogetech auch dieVerantwortung für Garantien im Wertvon 18 Mio. € übernehmen, die derzeitvon Ladbrokes ausgegeben sind.Ladbrokes gab an, die Entscheidung,den italienischen Endkundenmarkt zuverlassen, im August letzten Jahresgetroffen zu haben. Die Gründe seienein geringer als erwartetesUmsatzwachstum, ein stärkererWettbewerb auf dem Markt und diehohen Zusatzinvestitionen, die erforder-lich wären, um eine kritische Masse zuerreichen.

Das türkischeBauunternehmenBozGrouphat die größte gemeinsameTourismusinvestition der TürkischenRepublik Nordzypern und der RepublikZypern angekündigt. Mit 220 Mio. US$ihres Firmenkapitals will die Boz Groupdas Hotelprojekt Cratos Premium Hotelmit Casino, Hafen und Spa in Kyrenia(Girne), Türkische RepublikNordzypern, im Juni eröffnen, die inof-fizielle Eröffnung findet später in diesemMonat statt.

Bally Technologies hatdieSuzo-HappGroupNorth America zum exklusivenVertriebspartner für den neuen Video-Lotterie-Markt in Illinois ernannt. Unterden Bedingungen der Vereinbarung wirdSuzo-Happ die Glücksspielgeräte vonBally Gaming für das neue Video-Lotterie-Programm des Staates, das imJuli 2009 zugelassen wurde, bewerben,verkaufen, pflegen und warten. Dasneue Programm erlaubt eine begrenzteAnzahl von Video-Lotterie-Terminals inlizenzierten Bars, Tavernen, Restaurants,Autohöfen und an bestimmten anderenStandorten, die Alkohol vor Ort auss-chenken dürfen, und legt fest, dass dieVideo-Spielgeräte über einen Händlerverkauft werden müssen.

Zusätzlich zu seinerPalette vonVLTsund demauf der Messe ENADA vorgestelltenManagementsystem, präsentierte ApexGaming Technology auch seinen neuenKartenmischer. Das erstmals auf der IGEvorgestellte Gerät wurde inZusammenarbeit mit einem taiwanesis-chen Unternehmen entwickelt, ist GLI-getestet und wurde in den USA sowie inDeutschland, China, Taiwan und Japanpatentiert. Patente für die EU sindangemeldet. Apex hat ein reibungslosfunktionierendes Mischgerät entwickelt,das nur minimale Schäden an Kartenverursacht und schnell und leise arbeit-et. Hergestellt ist es aus einer extremhaltbaren Gummimischung.G3 I MAY 2010 I PAGE 10

Innocoredesign-winwithAstraInnocore Gaming scores amajor design-win withNovomatic subsidiary, Astra

This spring, JCM Global hasbeen touring the US,displaying its products atthree prominent tradeshows.First, JCM Global exhibited atNIGA, in San Diego. JCMGlobal’s products have beenhelping Tribal gamingoperations throughout NorthAmerica solve problems. Forexample, JCM’s IntelligentCash Box helped the FirelakeCasino reduce variances andincrease revenue.

Next, JCM Global visitedCanada for the 14th annualCanadian Gaming Summit inCalgary, Alberta. Casino andlottery operators throughoutCanada have turned to JCMfor secure solutions for a widerange of transactions.

Last on the tour is theSouthern Gaming Summit,May 5-6 at the Mississippi

Coast Coliseum & ConventionCenter in Biloxi. JCM Globalwill be exhibiting at booth420. Across the south, JCMGlobal’s solutions have beeninstrumental in providing top-level security andaccountability to both privateand Tribal gaming operations.

At each show, JCM will bedisplaying its Universal BillAcceptor (UBA) andIntelligent Cash Box (ICB).Also on display will be thenew iVIZION, the company’smost advanced bill validator,and the new Sentry 2.0display bezel, which has LEDgraphic capabilities. The Vegabill validator is a perfectlower-cost automatictransaction solution, andkeeping all validators workingoptimally are KIC CleaningCards, which has beenspecially designed for JCM.

JCMGlobal spring tour’sa hit with US operators

BallyTechnologies has entered into adefinitive purchase agreement withIsle of Capri Casinos to sell itsRainbow Casino inVicksburg, Miss.Under the terms of the agreement,which was approved by the Board ofDirectors of both companies, Isle ofCapri Casinos will pay BallyTechnologies US$80m in an all-cashtransaction, assuming thetransaction closes by June 30, 2010.“We have enjoyed a successful, 16-year run owning and operatingRainbow Casino,” said RichardHaddrill, CEO of BallyTechnologies.“We are very proud of the propertyand our team of employees. However,it is important that we focus on ourcore business of providing industry-leading games and systemstechnology, and we are confident thatunder the ownership of Isle of Capri,Rainbow and its employees will be invery competent hands.”

Bally sells Rainbowsite to Isle of Capri

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

Bally Technologies hacerradounacuerdodefinitivo con Isle of Capri Casinospara vender su Rainbow Casino deVicksburg (Mississippi). En virtud dedicho acuerdo, que fue aprobado por laJunta Directiva de ambas empresas,Isle of Capri Casinos le pagará a BallyTechnologies 80 millones de dólares enuna transacción realizada completa-mente en efectivo siempre que se cierreantes del 30 de junio de 2010.

InnocoreGaminghaanunciadounnuevo tri-unfo de sus diseños en una adjudi-cación, en este caso con Astra Games,el fabricante con sede en Bridgend.Astra Games, parte del grupo deempresas Novomatic, ha seleccionadoa Innocore para que le suministre DPX-S410, su placa base para el juego,durante los próximos cinco años. ZaneMersich, director gerente de AstraGames, comentó: «La migración a laplaca de Innocore no planteó ningúnproblema y fue llevada a cabo muyrápido por nuestro equipo de desarrollode software, siempre con el impresion-ante apoyo de Innocore. Tras unaspruebas exhaustivas, la placa InnocoreDPX-S410 demostró su gran fiabilidad,y esperamos que esto represente unimpulso para nuestra innovación en elámbito del juego».

Ademásdesugamade terminalesdevídeolotería y su sistema de gestiónexpuestos en ENADA, Apex GamingTechnology también presentó su nuevobarajador de cartas. Mostrado porprimera vez en la IGE, el nuevo bara-jador de cartas ha sido desarrolladojunto con una empresa taiwanesa paracrear un producto homologado por GLIy patentado en Estados Unidos,Alemania, China, Taiwán y Japón, conpatentes aún pendientes en la UE.Apex ha creado un barajador de fun-cionamiento suave que provoca undaño mínimo a las cartas, es rápido ysilencioso y está construido de un com-ponente de caucho extremadamenteduradero.

AndrewWebb, director general del centrorecreativo VIAGE Entertainment Centerde Bruselas, presentó el mes pasado lanueva escudería VIAGE KRK RacingTeam. Como principal patrocinador delequipo, el Sr. Webb explicó que eldinamismo y la popularidad de losdeportes de motor se complementa a laperfección con los valores de la marcaVIAGE. Bautizado con las iniciales desus tres pilotos principales (Koen, Raf,Kris), el VIAGE KRK Racing Team estádispuesto a lanzarse al asalto delCampeonato Belcar 2010 con suspotentes bólidos –decorados con ellogotipo de VIAGE– y su contrastadotalento al volante.

LaciudadcanadiensedeVancouver secon-vertirá en la sede de un nuevo comple-jo recreativo multimillonario que pre-sentará 10.219 m² de superficie de casi-no. El primer ministro de Canadá,Gordon Campbell, lo hizo público enabril, y afirmó que el casino ofrecerásus servicios de juego 24 horas al día.Paragon Gaming, el grupo con sede enLas Vegas, cerrará su Edgewater Casinoen la Plaza of Nations y se expanderáhacia la nueva ubicación.

During an exhibition liberally sprinkledwith casino suppliers looking to capitaliseupon Italy's rapidly expanding machinemarket, the appearance of ATRONICInternational at the ENADA Spring showin Rimini was the least surprising. Part ofthe GTECH Group of companies, which inturn is a subsidiary of Italianconcessionaire and gaming giant,Lottomatica, Atronic and sister companySpielo, showed a range of content forboth the AWP and VLT sectors in Italy.

“Our aim at the exhibition is to presentthe product strengths of the Group,pulling together a portfolio of games forAWPs and VLTs on the Spielo cabinet,”explained ATRONIC’s Sylvia Dietz. “Wehave 12 titles currently available, withmany more in the pipeline as we progressthroughout the year. For the smaller streetoperations we offer a range of AWPgames, while for the large operators we

Lottomatica subsidiary,ATRONIC, showed a rangeof VLT products in Rimini

Automatic VLT success in Italy

Andrew Webb, GeneralManager of the VIAGEEntertainment Center inBrussels, last monthintroduced the new VIAGEKRK Racing Team. As themain sponsor of the team, Mr.Webb explained that thedynamism and popularity ofmotorsports perfectlycomplement the values of theVIAGE brand. Named after itsthree main drivers (Koen, Raf,Kris), the VIAGE KRK RacingTeam is set to take the Belcar2010 Championship by stormwith its striking cars –complete with VIAGE logo –

and proven racing talent.

Singer and TV presenter KoenWauters and his brother Kriscame very close to winningthe Championship last yearand wants to continue hisgood form and win a place onthe podium in every race.


VIAGE becomes a racingcertainty with KRK team

In addition to its range ofVLTs andmanagement system on show at theENADA exhibition, Apex GamingTechnology also presented its newcard shuffler. First seen at the IGEshow, the new card shuffler has beendeveloped with aTaiwanese companyto create a product that has been GLItested and patented in the US,Germany, China,Taiwan and Japan,with patents pending in the EU.Apex has created a smooth operatingshuffler that causes minimumdamage to the cards, is fast and quietand made from an extremely durablerubber compound. It has beenrigourously testing the machine withsales about to commence in thesummer. Apex has units currently inthe European market, with trials inGerman casinos progressing withoutincident. Apex currently hasworldwide distribution rights to thenew product, which can accept 1-6decks or 1-8 decks offering evenhigher security standards. Pricedextremely competitively, the ShuffleSix is now available for sale.

Apex restacks thedecks at ENADA

also have a range of VLT titles. As part ofthis focus, we are also looking to createvenue specific merchandising too,creating an upmarket casino-esqueenvironment within each location.”ATRONIC is drawing upon its large anddiverse games library, which combinedwith the offering from Spielo spans allmarket segments, from AWPs, VLTs,cabinets and gaming boards for locally-sourced cabinets.

Just as in the casino sector, Atronic isgathering a wide range of performanceanalysis data from the market, utilisingthe information gathered in the casinomarket in Italy, from the street sector withLottomatica, and projections for theforthcoming VLT sector. “We are currentlydrawing upon our existing library ofgaming content,” explained Ms. Dietz. “Infuture we will also be developing gamesspecifically for the VLT market in Italy.”

ATRONICInternational’s SylviaDietz is pictured at the

Rimini ENADA Springexhibitionwith thecompany’s latest

games for the Comma6bmarket in Italy.

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

US: 800-683-7248 EU: +49-211-5306-4550

Unavezquehasidoaprobadapor elgober-nador de Delaware la propuesta de leyque permite a los tres casinos de hipó-dromos del Estado añadir juegos demesa, se le ha otorgado aTCSJohnHuxley una licencia comoproveedor de juego homologado. Enconsecuencia, TCSJohnHuxley se haasegurado unos pedidos sustanciosospara suministrar productos de suamplia cartera, incluida una larga seriede juegos de mesa y accesorios.Además, también se han realizadopedidos de una selección de ruletasSaturn Roulette Wheels, clasificadorasde chips Chipper Champ 2 y la últimageneración de pantallas e-FX Insignia.

GamingPartners International haculminadoel suministro de su moneda de casinoal complejo recreativo y de juegoViage. GPI suministró más de 70.300chips y placas de casino para su inau-guración el 5 de marzo de 2010. Loschips y las placas, que pertenecen a lalínea Bourgogne & Grasset (B&G) deproductos de moneda de la empresa,fueron equipados con microchips conidentificación por radiofrecuencia(RFID) a 125 KHz.

Lacasadeapuestasbritánica Ladbrokeshaacordado vender su negocio de juegosy apuestas al por menor en Italia a unafilial del grupo de juego italianoCogetech por unos 5,25 millones deeuros en efectivo. Según los términosdel acuerdo, Cogetech tambiénasumirá la responsabilidad sobre unos18 millones de euros de avales facilita-dos actualmente por Ladbrokes.Ladbrokes afirmó que ha adoptado ladecisión de salir del mercado minoristaitaliano el pasado mes de agostodebido a que el crecimiento de losingresos ha estado por debajo de lasexpectativas, así como por el incre-mento de la competencia en el merca-do y el elevado nivel de inversión adi-cional necesario para lograr masa críti-ca.

Laconstructora turcaBozGrouphaanunci-ado la mayor inversión turística con-junta registrada hasta la fecha tanto enla República Turca del Norte de Chiprecomo en la República de Chipre. Conuna inversión de 220 millones dedólares de capital propio, Boz Groupabrirá en junio su proyecto de hotel, elCratos Premium Hotel con casino,puerto y spa, ubicado en Kyrenia(Girne), en territorio de la RepúblicaTurca del Norte de Chipre, con unapre-apertura que tendrá lugar más ade-lante este mismo mes.

Devuelta enelmercadodespuésde tresaños de ausencia, el especialistabritánico en tragaperras (AWP)Barcrest Group protagonizó una desta-cada muestra de productos en la feriaENADA Spring celebrada en Rimini.Durante el mes de marzo se homologa-ron tres nuevos productos, incluidosNeptune's Treasure, Big Bucks y LuckySaloon. Todos los juegos son Comma6a, y Barcrest se muestra confiado enque sus nuevas máquinas encontraránun público después de haber abandon-ado anteriormente el mercado deComma 6 en el año 2006.


Merkur Gaming is assisting operators witha leasing package for its Comma 6agames, whereby Merkur Gaming suppliesthe machine and with no minimum fee,takes a share of the operator's cashbox.There’s no risk to the location operator ifthe game fails to perform, though Mr.Mayr is especially confident in hisproduct. “The games are performingextremely well and operators arewelcoming a financial model that doesnot put a further strain on their finances,”he states.

Merkur Gaming’s comprehensive range ofVLT products will not be the first to hitthe Italian market, but having establisheda strong brand presence with its range ofComma 6a titles right across in Italy, Mr.Mayr and his team expect that thecompany's Comma 6b product willcontinue to surpass the expectations ofoperators in the market when they arrivein the autumn.

Players in Mexico cannow bet on some ofthe best productsfrom CasinoTechnology thanks toa newly establishedcooperation betweenthe Bulgarian slotmanufacturer and oneof the leading casinooperators in Mexico –SABIA Corporation.Selected slot machinesfrom the classicGEMINI series are to beinstalled in two of the mostpopular casinos in the country- Revolucion and Fanatastic,situated in Monterrey andQuerétaro.

The operator chose to installsome of the best performingGEMINI video slots, including

Golden Bird, AlaskaWild, Deep WaterFishing, Aztecreturns, KilimanjaroTreasure, OceanDelight, along withthe new hit multi-game Gamopolis 3.

A selection of themost popularCasino Technologyproducts in LatinAmerica will be

demonstrated at theforthcoming gaming expo inMexico - ELA 2010. AtBanamex expo center, visitorswill have the chance to see,play and experience CasinoTechnology’s latestachievements, developedduring the last two years sincethe opening issue of ELA.

Casino Technology slotsintoMexico installations

“The (Merkur Gaming)games are performing

extremelywell andoperators are

welcoming a financialmodel that does not

put a further strain ontheir finances.”JohannesMayr,Merkur Gaming.

All change in Italy

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

“The expectations are that there will betwo parallel markets in Italy, one forComma 6a in bars and smaller locationsand another being 50-100 machine VLTarcades in the cities,” explains MerkurGaming’s Johannes Mayr of the changestaking place in Italy's machine market.

“I don't see the initial implementation ofVLTs through the summer and into theautumn proving a huge success,” Mr.Mayr continues. “The Comma 6a lawimplemented a 75 per cent percentage,which compares greatly with the 90-92per cent payout players are to receivefrom the new VLT Comma 6b payouts. Inthis sense, I do not think they will beimmediately attractive to existing AWPplayers. However, where I do see the drawis in the connection of these machines tolarge jackpots. In the medium-term, theoffer of network-wide jackpots will proveenticing to players, in the same way thatcasino players play the low stakemachines with a view to winning theprogressive jackpot.”

Merkur Gaming showed its range ofComma 6a games at the Spring ENADAexhibition, with a parallel range of thesame titles in the guise of VLT machines.Having created a range of multi-gamemachines for the Italian Comma 6a sectoraround 18 months ago, Merkur Gaminguses its network of 70 betting shops andover 150 additional betting locations inItaly as a testbed for its games.

“We have seen our latest Comma 6agames continue to improve the cashboxfor operators month after month,” statesMr. Mayr. “However, operators rightacross Italy have been beset with changes,revisions and continued investmentdemands from the market. As such, theywant to recover the investments they havehad to make in Comma 6 and 6a.”

Merkur Gaming readies itsComma 6b products on theback of Comma 6a success

Innovation, Performance, & Reliability TITO, Ticket-Out, and Desktop Printing Solutions

for Slots, Lottery & Betting Terminals, and AWP Games

Lowest Cost Solutions Highest Paper Capacity and

Lowest Paper Waste

World-Class Service and Support Local Support from

Product Integration to Floor Installation

Bally Technologies vient de signer uncontratd’achat définitif avec Isle of CapriCasinos pour la vente de son RainbowCasino, situé à Vicksburg, dans leMississipi. Selon les termes du contrat,qui a été approuvé par le conseil d’ad-ministration des deux entreprises, Isleof Capri Casinos versera à BallyTechnologies 80 millions de dollars USdans une transaction toute ennuméraire en supposant que la transac-tion soit achevée au 30 juin 2010.

InnocoreGamingvient d’annoncer lacréationd’une nouvelle conception gagnanteavec Astra Games, un fabricant basé àBridgend. Astra Games, qui fait partiedu groupe Novomatic, a choisiInnocore pour lui fournir le tableau dejeux DPX-S410 pour les cinq prochainesannées. Zane Mersich, Directeur d’AstraGames, commente : « La migration versle tableau d’Innocore s’est effectuéesans difficulté et a été menée rapide-ment par notre équipe de développe-ment logiciel avec l’aide précieused’Innocore. Les tests complets réaliséssur le tableau DPX-S410 d’Innocore sesont avérés être très fiables et noussommes impatients d’aller plus loindans l’innovation en matière de jeux ».

Outre sagammedeTLVet systèmesdeges-tion exposés au salon ENADA, ApexGaming Technology a égalementprésenté son nouveau mélangeur decartes. Vu en avant-première au salonIGE, le nouveau mélangeur de cartes aété développé avec une nouvelle entre-prise taïwanaise pour créer un produittesté et breveté par GLI aux États-Unis,en Allemagne, en Chine, à Taïwan et auJapon, avec des brevets en attente pourl'Union Européenne. Apex a créé unmélangeur de cartes qui manipule lescartes avec douceur et les endommagele moins possible, il est rapide et silen-cieux et réalisé à partir d’un mélangede caoutchouc extrêmement durable.

AndrewWebb, Directeur général du centredeloisirs VIAGE situé à Bruxelles, aprésenté le mois dernier la nouvelleécurie VIAGE KRK. En tant que princi-pal sponsor de l’équipe, M. Webb aexpliqué que le dynamisme et la popu-larité des sports mécaniques s’associentparfaitement aux valeurs de la marqueVIAGE. Baptisé du nom des trois prin-cipaux pilotes (Koen, Raf, Kris),l’écurie VIAGE KRK s’apprête à con-naître un succès foudroyant au champi-onnat Belcar 2010 grâce à ses remar-quables voitures estampillées du logoVIAGE et à ses compétences sportivesprouvées pour la course.

L’entreprisedeconstruction turqueBozGroup vient de faire part du plusimportant investissement conjoint dansle secteur du tourisme de la Républiqueturque de Chypre du Nord et de laRépublique de Chypre. Avec uninvestissement de 220 millions de dol-lars de son capital propre, Boz Groupouvrira les portes de son projet hôtelier,le Cratos Premium Hotel, Casino, Portet Spa situé à Kyrenia (Girne), enRépublique turque de Chypre du Nord,en juin, avec une ouverture non offi-cielle à partir de la fin du mois.

Tecnoplay is a classic example of anItalian distributor. Based in San Marinothe company has served all sectors of thegaming market in Italy, from videogamesfrom Sega and Namco, through topushers from Harry Levy and Cromptons.Most recently the company has had hugesuccess in the Comma 6 and 6a sectors,making the transition to supplying itsown machines with gaming boards fromcompanies such as CMS, which hasproved a popular combination. Thecompany has also partnered with UK-based Project Coin to offer a VLT solutionto the Italian Comma 6b market.Adaptable and flexible, Tecnoplay believesthat Comma 6a players will find itdifficult to 'fall in love' with VLTs.Tecnoplay's Mauro Zaccaria explains: "Itall comes down to what the player wants.Comma 6a in Italy is a much strongerproduct than say the AWP equivalent inthe UK market. We are not sure exactlywhat will happen when VLTs are broughtinto the mix in Italy, but believe that themarket will split into large locationsoperating VLTs and smaller sites operatingAWPs. The general consensus is that youwill need a large number of VLTmachines within a location in order tomake the proposition attractive to theplayer. At the same time, you're alsochanging the accepted payment mediumof coins for Comma 6a, to that of ticketsfor VLTs. No one knows what effect thiswill have on the players."

Asked if there continues to beopportunities for the smaller operators inItaly, as it is presumed in the future that itwill be a market with only a smallnumber of very large operators, Mr.Zaccaria believes that the issuance of asecond round of concessionary licencesfor VLTs will bring a number of newcooperatives into the market. “There aregroups of existing Comma 6a operatorsbanding together with manufacturers tobuy a concessionary licence as they havethe requisite number of Comma 6amachines already to qualify for asignificant number of VLTs under theComma 6b legislation,” he clarifies. “Thelicence is very expensive, and so we donot anticipate that the full allocation of 10new licences will be taken up by newconcessionaires. However, some of thesenew entrants are likely to be from thesouth of Italy, which could becontroversial.” The VLT law will forcelocations to carry a lot of cash to coverthe €5,000 jackpots, which must be paid


The success of VLTs and thesurvival of 6a depends onthe strength of Italian play

out on site. The large jackpot wins arepaid by the concessionaire, but even so,the location will need a great deal ofsecurity to manage such a large volumeof cash on the premises. “I believe thatthis is another factor in ensuring thatVLTs will only be operated in largelocations as it would be cost prohibitivefor small locations to operate suchsecurity measures,” said Mr Zaccaria.“What no one is envisioning right now isthe location of VLTs and AWPs in thesame location."

While there is a great deal of talk aboutthe help concessionaires are prepared togive to operators to locate VLTs, in termsof the machines, connectivity, bettinglicence etc., there is also concern relatingto the way that operators will have toaccept the leasing nature of the machineagreement. “The leasing of machines tolocations is the first time that such a planhas been rolled out into a market inwhich operators are used to owning theirmachine stock,” says Mr. Zaccaria. “Theconcessionaires must by law lease theVLTs to locations, with operators notallowed to physically own the machines.This is a very different model to theexisting Comma 6a structure, which is allabout machine sales and ownership. Theterm of the licence is nine years and afterthis time the VLT property reverts to theownership of the government. In a legalsense, every VLT in Italy will be ownedby the government. The AAMS will be amonopoly in many different ways.”

Making the right play for VLTs

Mauro Zaccaria ofTecnoplay, pictured on

the company’sexpansive stand at the

ENADA Springexhibition in Rimini.Tecnoplay, once anamusement-only

distributor, steppedinto the production

andmanufacturer ofgamingmachineswiththe original Comma6legislation. Since thenthe company has hadgreat successwith avariety ofmachines,

the latest beingHaunted House, the

biggest selling title inthe Comma6a sector,

a game designed byCMS.

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

Suiteà la signatureduprojet de loi par leGouverneur du Delaware autorisant lestrois casinos et champs de course de l’é-tat à ajouter des tables de jeux,TCSJohnHuxley vient de recevoir unelicence de distributeur de jeux agréé.TCSJohnHuxley est par conséquentassuré de bénéficier d’importantes com-mandes d’articles choisis parmi son largeportefeuille de produits, concernantnotamment de nombreuses tables etaccessoires de jeux. Des jeux de rouletteSaturn, des trieuses de jetons ChipperChamp 2 et la toute nouvelle générationde systèmes d’affichage e-FX Insigniasont en outre déjà en commande.

GamingPartners International vientd’acheverla livraison de ses jetons et plaques decasino au complexe de loisirs et de jeuxViage. GPI a fourni plus de 70 300 jetonset plaques au casino pour son ouverturele 5 mars 2010. Les jetons et les plaques,qui font partie de la ligne de produits decasino de la marque Bourgogne &Grasset (B&G), ont été équipés demicropuces 125 KHz RFID.

Laville canadiennedeVancouver est sur lepoint d'accueillir un nouveau complexede loisirs de plusieurs millions de dollarsqui comprendra un espace casino de10219 mètres carrés. Gordon Campbell, lepremier ministre de ColombieBritannique, en a fait l’annonce en avril,en précisant que le casino proposera desjeux 24h/24. Paragon Gaming, groupebasé à Las Vegas, fermera les portes del’Edgewater Casino situé sur la Plaza ofNations pour une extension de seslocaux sur le nouveau site.

Lebookmakerbritannique Ladbrokesa signéun contrat de cession de ses boutiques etcorners de paris et de jeux à une filialedu groupe italien Cogetech pour un mon-tant d'environ 5,25 millions de dollars ennuméraire. Selon les termes du contrat,Cogetech aura également la responsabil-ité d’environ 18 millions de dollars degaranties actuellement assurés parLadbrokes. Ladbrokes a déclaré avoir prisla décision de se retirer du marché dedétail italien en août dernier du fait de lacroissance des recettes inférieure auxprévisions, de la concurrence accrue dumarché et du haut niveau d'investisse-ment à réaliser pour atteindre une massecritique.

Lapressionpublique et la peurqu’unedécisionpuisse avoir un impact négatif sur lesvotes avant une élection a ralenti lerythme de la réglementation sur les jeuxde bingo au Brésil. Le vote pour laproposition de loi autorisant les jeux deparis dans le pays n'a pas été abandonnémais reste en suspens à la Chambre desReprésentants.

Deretour sur lemarchéaprès troisannéesd’absence, le spécialiste britannique del’AMLG Barcrest Group a fait une présen-tation de produits remarquée au salonENADA du printemps qui a eu lieu àRimini. Trois nouveaux produits ont étéhomologués en mars : Neptune'sTreasure, Big Bucks et Lucky Saloon.Chacun des jeux est conforme à la régle-mentation Comma6a et Barcrest se mon-tre confiant par rapport au fait que sesnouvelles machines trouveront un publicaprès avoir précédemment abandonné lemarché Comma 6 en 2006.G3 I MAY 2010 I PAGE 18

Pictured at the RiminiENADA Spring

exhibition, JohnEdmunds presents the

range of ticketingsolutions nowavailable fromFutureLogic.

“In the US, around 90per cent of the

casinos operate TITO.Internationally, thatfigure is still around

20 per cent. One in fivecasinos around the

world currentlyoperate TITO. However,

more andmorelocations are

convinced thatticketing is the right

solution for theirvenues andwe're

seeing, as a result, anuplift of 50 per cent ininternational growth.

At a global level wehave opportunities for

continued growth inthe development ofticketing, not just interms of productsupply, but as a

solutions provider."

FutureLogic is ideally placedto capitalise on the growthofTITO in Italy’s VLT sectorThere are few companies in the worldright now, let alone in the gaming sector,that have grown by over 50 per cent ininternational markets. FutureLogic is,despite the recession, ideally placed tocapitalise on a second wave of ticketingdevelopments at the international level.Not only is the company’s Gen2 printerin great demand, but recentcomplementary product launches haveadded further momentum to the brand.

Trials of FutureLogic's PromoNet, itspromotional coupon system, have begunin Asia, with great expectations that theadditional advantages for the operatorwill stimulate even greater demand forthe company’s ticketing solutions.

At the recent ENADA Spring show inRimini, FutureLogic exhibited its range ofproducts for Italian concessionaires whomust, by law, offer ticket-in, ticket-out asthe payment model for Comma 6bmachines. Having proven its products

throughout the world in casino locations,FutureLogic is an obvious choice for theconcessionaires, with the company'sJohn Edmunds delighted with themarketshare that will install the Gen2printer in coming months.

In the past, there were suggestions thatTITO was an intermediary solutionbetween cash and smartcard, but in thelast three years ticket-in, ticket-out hasproved itself the end-game for casinooperators, and most recently for the VLTsector in Italy.

“In the US, around 90 per cent of thecasinos operate TITO,” states Mr.Edmunds. “Internationally, that figure isstill around 20 per cent. One in fivecasinos around the world currentlyoperate TITO. However, more and morelocations are convinced that ticketing isthe right solution for their venues andwe’re seeing, as a result, an uplift of 50per cent in international growth. At aglobal level we have opportunities forcontinued growth in the development ofticketing, not just in terms of productsupply, but as a solutions provider.”

Ticketing and promotions is the two-pronged approach that’s propelling thesecond phase of the development ofTITO. The ability to promote to andreward anonymously is hugely appealingto the operator and the player.FutureLogic is driving the value from itsticketing solution into player loyalty andpromotions. The company’s work indeveloping ticketing into much more thana means of payment, but into a rewardstool for the casinos, greatly expands theappeal to existing users of TITO inmarkets such as Europe and the US, andinto the wider still relatively untappedmarkets internationally.

Right place, timeand solution

Following Delaware's Governorsigning into law a bill that allows thestate’s three racetrack casinos to addtable games,TCSJohnHuxley hasbeen granted a licence as anapproved gaming vendor. As a result,TCSJohnHuxley has securedsubstantial orders to supply productsfrom its extensive portfolio, includinga large number of table games andaccessories. In addition, a selectionof Saturn RouletteWheels, ChipperChamp 2 chip sorting machines andthe latest generation e-FX Insigniadisplays, have also been ordered.Roger Hawkins stated: “DelawareLottery has responded swiftly inissuing our licence, guaranteeing notime is wasted with table gamesbeing installed on the casino floor.We are very excited to have theopportunity to work with Delawarecasinos and our knowledge andexperience as well as infrastructureensure we are well placed to deliverproducts and services that are key.”

TCSJH is grantedDelaware licence

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

“Expectations are running high thatchanges to the Czech gaming law laterthis year will bring limitations to the VLTmarket. I don't believe that the Italianmodel is right in all counts. In regards tothe taxation of coin-in, I think this is avery strange and potentially dangerouspractice.” He continued: “Operators andsuppliers can live with the current fourper cent, but in the future, if this shouldincrease to six or eight per cent, it willchoke off the market for VLTs. If no oneplays the machine, then there are notaxes to collect.”

Gathering technical experience from theCzech VLT market, Apex offers acomprehensive system solution, but interms of content, the games shown inRimini were very different from thosetargeted at Czech players. “Italian playerswant a different, feature-rich game fromtheir slots, while in Czech the marketcontinues to ape the traditional reel-based, rather simple, games of the past,”explained Mr. Weissengruber.

“We are offering very different games forthe Italian VLT player, as we believe thatgames ported directly from the Czech VLTmarket would not be successful in Italy.Our success has been in the multi-gamesenvironment, in which we have a wideportfolio of different games available onthe same platform. We have a longexperience in VLTs, utilising a Linuxserver system that offers the highest levelsof security and management tools foroperators and the widest range of gamesfor players,” he concluded.


NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

A vast number of gaming companiesdescended upon the ENADA Springgaming show in Rimini, with expectationsrunning high that the expansion of themarket into the VLT sector would offer upa significant marketshare for a range ofsystems, games and peripheral suppliers.However, while the opportunities aretangible right now, the number ofexperienced companies in this sectorremains low.

Apex Gaming Technology took animpressively expansive stand at theexhibition, presenting its existing VLTsystem, which the company successfullyoperates in the Czech gaming market.Having adjusted the system for the ItalianComma 6b legislation, Apex is indiscussions with a number ofconcessionaires interested in this triedand trusted VLT solution.

Apex will be part of the second phase ofsystem and content solutions madeavailable for the VLT market in Italy laterin the autumn. The Apex system offerscasino management functionality for theComma 6b sector, linking SAS machinesto its server and offering accounting andTITO as part of a comprehensive package.

Speaking to Apex's JohannesWeissengruber at the Rimini show, headded: “Italy is a brand new market forVLTs. However, the game speed matchesthat of the Czech market and the payoutrate of the machines is also attractive forplayers. While the machines may belimited to 55,000 machines in the firstphase, I believe that these machines willwork on the market like a Hoover. VLTswill change the way people play in theItalian machines sector. These machinesare of an international standard, whichwill undoubtedly affect the Comma 6amarket.”

While there are many parallels to bedrawn between the Czech and Italian VLTmarkets, Mr. Weissengruber is optimisticthat the Italian legislators have sought tobalance the introduction of the devices,unlike in the Czech marketplace, whereVLTs are now at saturation point. “Fixingthe number of VLTs against theconcessionaires' share of the Comma 6amarket is very sensible,” states Mr.Weissengruber. “In the Czech marketVLTs are everywhere and there continuesto be applications for VLT licences despitethis over-supply.

Apex GamingTechnology’s

JohannesWeissengruber,

pictured at the ENADASpring exhibition.

“We are offering verydifferent games forthe Italian VLT player,

aswe believe thatgames ported directly

from the Czech VLTmarketwould not be

successful in Italy. Oursuccess has been in

themulti-gamesenvironment, inwhich

we have awideportfolio of different

games available on thesame platform.We

have a long experiencein VLTs, utilising a

Linux server systemthat offers thehighest levels of

security andmanagement tools for

operators and thewidest range of games

for players.”

Vast experience in the CzechVLT gaming sector sees Apexheading for success in Italy

GamingPartners Internationalhas completeddelivery of its casino currency to the Viageentertainment and gaming complex. GPIprovided over 70,300 casino chips andplaques to the casino for its soft openingin March. The chips and plaques, whichare from the company’s Bourgogne &Grasset (B&G) line of casino currencyproducts, were fitted with 125 KHz RFIDmicrochips.

The RFID technology offered with all GPI’slines of casino currency allows casinos toverify the authenticity and value of eachchip, plaque and jeton almost instantly,reducing the possibility of counterfeits,staff pilferage or errors in casino currencycounts. The Viage complex, formerlyGrand Casino Brussels, is owned andoperated by Casinos Austria Internationaland is located in Anspach Center inBrussels, Belgium. The Viage complex willfeature restaurants and shopping, anevents center and theater, a hotel andapartments, as well as the casino itself.GPI is providing the casino chips andplaques for its 35 gaming tables.

“We decided to go for an RFID chipsetwhen we moved into Viage, ourpermanent site in Brussels, because of theextra security that the chips offered, andthe potential of the added features,” saidMichael Baker, Table Games Manager forViage. “We liked the fact that we couldchoose from the various applications thechips provide, and opt to roll out otheroptions in the future as business needsand technology evolves.”

This order marks the first Casinos AustriaInternational property to open with GPI’sRFID currency products. GPI haspreviously supplied casino chips to manyother casino properties in the Austriangroup, the latest one being Grand CasinoBeograd in Serbia.

“We are delighted that the CAI has chosenGPI once again to provide its casinocurrency for their newest property, Viage,”said Greg Gronau, President and CEO forGPI. “Their decision to utilise RFID in theirchips and plaques highlights the growingimportance of security and tracking incasino currency in casino propertiesthroughout the world.”

AprovenVLTpartner for Italy

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

The big question in Italy, to whicheveryone at the ENADA Spring show hadan opinion, regarded the fate of Comma6a in the new dual environment withComma 6b. Putting the question to arange of operators, manufacturers anddistributors, the majority view is thatComma 6a will continue to flourish inthe gaming marketplace in Italy, thoughfew would be drawn as to whether thismight change in the long-term. “Therewill continue to be a future for Comma6a in Italy,” confirmed Magic Dreams'Luca Geradini. “Both products will co-exist in the marketplace. VLTs will createa market for mini-casinos in Italy, amarket that will be very professional andmuch closer to the casino sector inoperations, games and systems.”

Magic Dreams is the only Italiancompany producing casino games for thedomestic market and for the operators ofslot halls. As such, it’s perfectly placed tocapitalise on its knowledge of both theinternational casino marketplace and itsintimate understanding of the Italian slots

Magic Dreams’ LucaGeradini, pictured at

the ENADA Springexhibition held in

Rimini.

“In Italy, in the newVLTmarket, we have the

home advantage; wellestablished games

and thoroughly testedproduct. We have a

great opportunity inthe newmarket to

create a product thatresonateswith

players and operatorsalike.”

The Italian casino supplier,Magic Dreams, answers theburning domestic questions

player. The company's poker product forthe Italian casino sector is hugelysuccessful and it’s a unique solution thatMagic Dreams is looking to capitaliseupon in the Comma 6b sector.

“It is important for us to replicate thesame success we have in the Italiancasinos in the VLT market, as I believethat we are targeting the same customer,”stated Mr. Geradini. “Our machines haveproved a success in each of the marketsthat we have entered. Our ability to beflexible and work with the operator todevelop products that meet their needshas been a key advantage for us ininternational markets. In Italy, in the newVLT market, we have the homeadvantage; well established games andthoroughly tested product. We have agreat opportunity in the new market tocreate a product that resonates withplayers and operators alike.”

TheTurkish construction company, Boz Group,has announced the largest joint tourisminvestment of both the Turkish Republic ofNorth Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus.Investing US220m of its own capital, BozGroup will open its hotel project, CratosPremium Hotel, Casino, Port and Spalocated in Kyrenia (Girne), TurkishRepublic of North Cyprus in June, with asoft opening later this month.Boz Group organised a press conference atthe Four Seasons Bosphorus in Istanbul togive further details about the project. BozGroup’s Vice Chairman, Murat Bozoglucommented: “They used to say thatinvesting in Cyprus is just like writing onice. We are going to change that beliefwith Cratos Premium.”

Ozer Diler, General Manager of the hotelsaid that Cratos Premium is the firstPremium Hotel on Cyprus. “We have usedthe best-of-the-best equipment, designelements and you will find world’s mostfamous brands at every corner of thehotel.” said Mr. Diler. He also stated thatthe casino has the latest machines, manyof which would be new to even Las Vegasor Monaco casinos.

The hotel has 10 King suites, 410 premiumrooms, the majority of which are suites.The guest rooms are decorated in 35different designs. The hotel has 14 meetingrooms and a large ballroom. Beside thehotel's main restaurant, guests can alsodine at 14 dining and gourmet restaurantswithin the Cratos Premium. Guests canenjoy their stay at 24 hours beach cluband the 1km private beach. The CratosCasino will comprise of 250 slot, 35 livetable games, and a linked table jackpot.

BritishmagicianDavidWillmott has beaten theofficial world record for 'perfect' cardshuffling by a massive margin. On April 6,2010, he achieved the largest number ofconsecutive Faro shuffles in the world athis record-breaking session at IllusionsMagic Bar in Bristol. The previous record -achieved in Hollywood by John Walton inAugust 2009 - was 2,784 Faro‚ shuffles in12 hours. Mr. Willmott, who started hisattempt at 9am, completed 2,784 Faro‚shuffles in 7 hours 10 minutes and 15seconds. He then went on to complete2,904 shuffles before taking a break at4.35pm. On resuming the session at 5.15,he raised the record to 3,200 shuffles, atwhich point he stopped (at 6.15pm). Andwhere his predecessor had changedregularly to clean specialist decks, Davidused one deck of cards, a standard UnitedStates Playing Card’s Bicycle deck.

Answering Italy’s big questions

UK bookmaker, Ladbrokes hasagreed to sell its Italian retailbetting and gaming businessto an affiliate of Italian gaminggroup Cogetech forapproximately €5.25m in cash.The consideration payable issubject to adjustment basedon the actual net financialposition of the business at thetime of completion of the sale.Any proceeds will be used topay down debt.Under the terms of the deal,Cogetech will also assumeresponsibility for about €18m

of guarantees currentlyprovided by Ladbrokes.Ladbrokes said it took thedecision to exit the Italianretail market last August dueto revenue growth beingbelow expectations, increasedcompetition in the marketplace, and the high level offurther investment required toachieve critical mass.In 2009 the Italian retailbusiness made a loss of £9.9mand at 31 December 2009 thecarrying value of the businesswas £26.7m.

Ladbrokes sells Italianbusiness to Cogetech

The Canadian city ofVancouver isset to become the site of a new multimillion dollar entertainment complexthat will incorporate 10,219sq.m. ofcasino floor space. Canada’s PremierGordon Campbell made theannouncement in April, stating thatthe casino will feature 24 hourgaming. Paragon Gaming, the LasVegas based group, will close itsEdgewater Casino at the Plaza ofNations location and expand into thenew location. Should the projectobtain city approval, construction isdue to begin in 2011, with a potentialcompletion date in 2013.The newcasino will cost $450m, according toMr. Campbell, and has the potentialto create over 8,500 jobs – bothdirectly and indirectly.The casinowill also generate a more vibrantdowntownVancouver destination.Also planned are two internationalhotels, retail stores and restaurants.

Canada’s Premiergaming expansion


Dosniha Italy, the subsidiary of Spanishdistributor, Dosniha, exhibited the rangeof Interblock multi-player roulettesspecially adapted to Italy's Comma 6amachines laws, at the recent ENADASpring exhibition in Rimini.

In an exhibition dominated by casinosector companies, each looking to share aslice of the Comma 6b sector, the glowinggreen multi-players from Interblocklooked perfectly at home amongst therange of casino products on display at theshow. Dosniha Italy is the first companyto have homologated a multi-playerroulette in the Comma 6a marketplace.

Having created new software that engagesimmediately with the player and is simpleand easy to understand, the companybelieves that it has a product that canappeal to Comma 6a players with a freshand vibrant new product.

“Creating a multi-player that appeals tothe player and meets the requirements ofthe law is a difficult combination,”

Dosniha Italy’s PauloRonzio, picturedwith

the stunning newInterblockmulti-player speciallyadapted for the

Comma6a legislationin Italy.

Interblock’s Italian distributortakes first-mover advantagein multi-player market in Italy

assures Paulo Ronzio, Dosniha Italy. “Thepayout percentage of roulette is typicallyvery high, between 94-97 per cent.However, the Comma 6a law stipulatesthat you must guarantee and payoutpercentage of 75 per cent, and you cannotachieve this randomly. We have amechanism that ensures that we meet therequirements of the law, guaranteeing thepayout percentage, while delivering allthe excitement and thrills of a roulettegame for the Comma 6a sector.”

FutureLogic has announced that the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office recentlyissued U.S. Patent No. 7,594,855 entitled,“Method and Apparatus for GamingPromotional Printer.” Additionally,FutureLogic Inc. was issued U.S. PatentNo. 7,666,078 for a Financial TransactionPrinter with Promotional PrintingCapabilities and Australian PatentsAU2008201594 for a Gaming PromotionalPrinter and AU2003248926 for a GamingMachine Printer. “These patents arerepresentative of FutureLogic’s innovativeapproach to gaming printer technology andour promotional couponing expertise,” saidEric Meyerhofer, FutureLogic CEO. “We areproud of this achievement and lookforward to working with casinos and ourEGM customers to implement this excitingtechnology in our products.”

Eurocoin Sales Director, ColinVeitch, has confirmed that thecompany was extremelypleased with the level ofbusiness being secured by thecompany from the Italian VLTsector, following the ENADASpring show in Rimini.

“Eurocoin has beenextensively involved since lastyear with all the key Italianand international players inthis new business model,”explained Mr. Veitch of thecompany’s progress. “I havebeen delighted that our hands-on experience in gaming andVLT operations across Europehas been both valued andappreciated. This, in turn, hasallowed us to secure multipleproduct line sales to bothmanufacturers and operatorsin this important emergingsector.”

Early client commitments have

ensured that the TransAct Epic950 gaming printer, distributedexclusively in Europe byEurocoin, will be operating onmany of the first VLTs to beinstalled in Italy. In addition,Eurocoin has already securedcontracts to supply slot ticketsto a number of the ‘first-to-market’ VLT operatingcompanies. Deliveries havebeen rolling out for the pastfew weeks as businessesanticipate the commencementof full operations in the nearfuture.

“Eurocoin is Europe andAfrica’s largest and mostexperienced supplier oflicensed TITO tickets” said Mr.Veitch “Our partnership withSlot Tickets Inc. – thedevelopers of the original slotticket – ensures our Italianclients can place their orderswith Eurocoin with absoluteconfidence.”

Multi-players raise the stakes


Eurocoin increase shareof Italian ticketmarket

Resort towns in Crimea and westernUkraine are to receive preferentialtreatment for opening gamingestablishments in the run up to theUEFA 2012 European Cup.Thetournament is split between locationsin Poland and Ukraine, withorganisers in Ukraine recognising theopportunities for tourism during andfollowing the event. "In the resorttowns of Crimea and western Ukrainethere will be special terms foropening gambling businesses. At theinitial stage, I can say that in theresort towns that will be included [onthe list of such towns] legal gamblingestablishments could be opened inthree-, four- and five-star hotels,while in other cities only in five-starhotels. Preferential terms will bedetermined, and I wouldn't like tospeak about them," stated theVicePresident of the Ukrainian organisingcommittee at a recent pressconference in Lviv.

Ukraine seeks toexploit Euro 2012

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

Bally Technologieshas namedSuzo-Happ Group NorthAmerica as its exclusivedistributor for the newIllinois video-lotterymarket. Under the terms

of the agreement, Suzo-Happ will promote,sell, service, and maintain Bally’s gamingdevices for the state’s new video-lotteryprogram, legalised in July 2009. The newprogram permits a limited number ofvideo-lottery terminals in licensed bars,taverns, restaurants, truck stops, andcertain other venues that offer on-premisealcohol consumption, and requires that thevideo-gaming devices be sold through adistributor. More than 21,000 Illinoisrestaurants and bars serve liquor.

“Partnering with Suzo-Happ as ourexclusive distributor in Illinois makes goodbusiness sense because of the company’sleadership position as a key supplier toboth the gaming and amusementindustries, their strong team, and thecompany’s already well-establishedrelationships with Illinois operators whocurrently market other products to bars,restaurants, and truck stops,” said GavinIsaacs, COO of Bally Technologies.

“We’re excited to help facilitate Bally’sentry into the Illinois video-lottery marketand represent Bally’s cutting-edge gamesto our customers and partners throughoutthe state,” said Tom Happ, Executive VicePresident, Suzo-Happ. “As an Illinoisfounded and based company, with morethan 150 employees in the state, we wantto do everything possible to help thisprogram succeed, and that’s why we’veteamed up with Bally Technologies, a 78-year gaming leader with strong roots inIllinois.”

In related news, Bally announced theappointment of Rick Meitzler (pictured) asDirector of Sales to oversee Bally’s Illinoisvideo-lottery operations, working closelywith Suzo-Happ. Mr. Meitzler returns toBally after serving as Senior Vice Presidentof Ainsworth Game Technology’s NorthAmerican business.

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Amid a flurry of activity and attentionupon the Brazilian gaming sector, GamingLaboratories International appearedbefore the Diputados of the Congress ofBrazil to address issues concerning thedevelopment of gaming in the country.Speaking for GLI was Ian Hughes, SeniorDirector of Engineering & Client Services.

Mr. Hughes said, “We are not here todayto advocate or express whether gamingshould exist in Brazil. We are a globaltechnology company that provides testingservices and advises governments on howtechnology can be used to ensureregulatory objectives are met. We areneutral and independent.”

GLI has been active in Latin America foryears, and works with regulators in Chile,Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Peru. Mr.Hughes summarised GLI’s extensiveglobal experience working directly for andon behalf of government regulatory andstatutory bodies in 13 laboratories,including two in Latin America.

He outlined GLI’s testing capabilities,

GLI’s Ian Hughesaddresses the

Brazilian Diputados ofthe Congress of Brazil.

including mathematics, random numbergenerators, communication technology,hardware and software architecture andsecurity. He also emphasised GLI’s staffexperience and capabilities.

Mr. Hughes concluded his address bysaying “Technology is key to protectingthe interests of government and itscitizens and through which almostanything is possible. It is in thejurisdictional power to use the technicalmeans and establish the necessarytechnical requirements for the gamingindustry to comply, to be able tomaintain, supervise and control activity.”

Brazil’s federal representativefor the state of Permanbuco,Silvio Costa, has presented aproposal for a casino project tobe included in the Bingo billcurrently under discussion byBrazil’s House ofRepresentatives.

The proposed Brazilian LasVegas, as it has been dubbed,would be built in Garanhuns,Permanbuco, a city in thecountry’s interior. In 2004 aPresidential Decree closed allbingo sites in the country,while casinos have beenprohibited in Brazil since 1946.With the backing of politiciansand hoteliers to push for a lawto allow a major casino projectin Brazil, Mr. Costa said: “Justlike Las Vegas was constructedin the desert, the north-east ofBrazil could have its own LasVegas. Casinos could revitalise

many cities in the interior.”For his part, businessmanMarco Large of the NationalTourism Association agreedthat if casinos were allowed inBrazil there would be theimmediate creation of 200,000jobs. Legislator Regis deOliveira, who has introduced abill to legalise gaming,anticipates that a move will bemade to include the casinoproject in the bingo vote.

Parliament was due to voteupon the proposal in April, butthis has since been delayed.Although there is multi-partysupport for the bill, expertssay the principal parties andthe government will, forpolitical reasons, oppose it.However, despite this therecontinues to exist strongpressure to regulate bingoonce and for all.

Attention continues to focusupon the opportunities in theBrazilian gaming market

GLI addressesBrazil potential


Brazil considers casinooptionwithin bingo bill

NewsINTERNATIONAL UPDATE

Public pressure and fear that adecision could negatively affectvoting behaviour before an election,has slowed the pace of bingogaming legislation in Brazil.Thevote on draft legislation to legalisegaming in the country has not beendropped, but remains pending in theHouse of Representatives.Parliamentary members are seekingto push back the vote until after theelection.The Brazilian presidentialelections, 2010 will be held onOctober 3, as part of the country'sgeneral election. In this election,Brazilian citizens eligible to votewill choose the successor to currentPresident Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,of theWorkers' Party.This will markthe first time since the initialpresidential election followingmilitary dictatorship that he will notrun for President.

Brazil Parliamentdelays bingo vote

ApexGaming is a major exhibitor at theforthcoming ELA in Mexico where theAustria-based company will be showingits complete range of gaming solutionson stand No. 65. Apex’s Darek Borowiec(pictured right with founder and ownerJohannes Weissengruber and Apex’sMulti Magic) will head up the team atthe show, which includes Mr.Weissengruber and Franz Plasser.

In a Mexican and South Americangaming market that’s striving to operatefirst-rate gaming machines, APEXgaming has grown to become a majorgaming machine manufacturer due to itsfastidious focus on quality and gamecontent. Precision Austrian design hasflowed into its range of cabinets. Thelatest cabinet ‘Pinnacle’ reflects thecompany philosophy of climbing to thetop – or apex – of gaming. Itincorporates two 22ins. monitors andprovides a detailed sound experience.Each game is tried and tested as a singlegame before it may be considered formulti-game purposes.

“We are very excited to be participatingat the ELA. This is the first time we willbe exhibiting and even now thefeedback is excellent. We anticipatehaving a very busy show, supporting theMexican market with our first rategaming solutions,” said Mr. Borowiec.

Gaming LaboratoriesInternational has promotedDan Lewis to Director ofEngineering. Mr. Lewis hasbeen with GLI for seven

years as the company’s Technical DevicesManager in the Las Vegas Lab, overseeingthe intricate process of device testing. Inhis new position, he will direct allengineering effort in the Las Vegas Laband will report directly to Ian Hughes,Senior Director of Engineering & ClientServices.

“We are thrilled that Dan has accepted thisnew position as Director of Engineering.Over the past seven years, Dan has provenhimself to be an invaluable team memberand team leader, and our customers cancontinue to feel confident that only thebest engineers are testing devices andsystems,” stated Ian Hughes, GLI SeniorDirector of Engineering & Client Services.

More than one million unique player log-ins have now been created for WMSGaming’s two Adaptive Gaming enabledslot games. One of WMS' fourfoundational technology platforms,Adaptive Gaming was introduced in July2008 and is unique in the gamingindustry as it provides players with theability to unlock new features as theyplay and save their progress in a slotgame, and then resume their play at alater time - even at a different casino.

Players who have signed onto theAdaptive Gaming system can also havetheir accomplishments displayed onleaderboards in casinos nationwide. In the20 months since the first game wasintroduced, WMS' Adaptive Gamingproducts - Star Trek and Reel ‘em InCompete to Win games - have generatedan average of approximately 2,000 new,unique player log-ins per day. Currently,more than 260 casinos have AdaptiveGaming products installed on their floors.

Brian R. Gamache, Chairman and CEO of

WMS, commented: “The enormouspopularity of our Adaptive Gamingplatform highlights WMS' Player DrivenInnovation approach to game design andthe value of our game changingtechnologies which provide players withtremendous entertainment value uniqueto the industry. Slot players today havemore options than ever before and, assuch, surpassing one million unique log-ins and generating a high percentage ofrepeat players for our Adaptive Gamingproducts is clear evidence that WMScontinues to create differentiated, broadly-accepted gaming products that offerplayers the gaming content they want toplay again and again.”

Games live longerandprosper

TheStar Trek brandedseries of games allows

players to ‘boldly gowhere no one has gonebefore’ as they earnmedals that unlock

newStar Trekepisodes, allowingthem to progress

through a dynamicstorylinewhere they

can save theirprogress and pick upfromwhere they leftoff during their next

casino visit.

Merkur Gaming, incollaboration with long-standing partner Sente S.A.,presented its latest AWPs forthe Spanish market at therecent Malaga gaming show inSpain. More than 14,000guests visited Malaga duringthe three days – 13 per centmore than the previous year.The two-deck exhibition standof its partner Sente – with itsmodern and open design - wasa real eye-catcher at the showand was a fitting place topresent Merkur’s premiummachines ‘made in Germany’.

The brand new hybrid AWP‘Mixed Games’ drew in thecrowds, thanks to its classicupright cabinet and modern,expansive 22ins. TFT monitor.The club game was just asconvincing, allowing players toenjoy the three features‘Ocean’s Magic,’ ‘Duendes’

and ‘Cashline Platino.’

An updated version of thealready well-received ‘MasterGames’ was presented to themarket in a modern, qualitycasino cabinet that waswelcomed by trade visitors.“Master Games combinesclassic as well as new casino-oriented features with diverse,long-term activities that allowplayers full and variedentertainment fun,” statedFrank Ziegler, Director Sales &Marketing of Merkur Gaming.

A further highlight of the wideMerkur Gaming product range:the showpiece in professionalmoney management, was the‘Merkur Dispenser 100’. Thisproduct can accept sixdifferent banknotedenominations and pay outthree of these, storing up to100 banknotes for recycling.

Strong performance forMerkur Gaming in Malaga


UK-based InspiredGamingGrouphasannounced a new four year contract tosupply over 1,700 gaming and familyamusement machines to Parkdean’s 24Holiday Parks situated around the UK.

As well as over 1,700 mixed machines,including gaming machines and familyentertainment machines, Inspired isproviding Parkdean with a totalmanagement service, including onsitemanagement, engineering and manymore key services. The new deal tosupply the entire Parkdean estatefollows a successful partnership overthree years, during which time Inspiredand Parkdean have delivered growth tothe Parkdean venues. This contract nowcovers Parkdean’s largest parks whichhad previously been managed in-house,including Trecco Bay in Wales, one ofthe UK’s leading holiday parks.

Praesepe, the AIM-listed companyled by Nick Harding, hasconsolidated its position as Britain’sfastest growing low stake highvolume gaming organisation withthe acquisition of BeaconEntertainments.The conditionalagreement to purchase carries aprice of £5m (excluding transactioncosts) and the assumption of £40mof existing bank debt.The deal willadd 26 Adult Gaming Centrescurrently operating under the‘Showboat’ brand and six bingoclubs under the ‘Beacon Bingo’brand to Praesepe’s portfolio whichon completion will rise to 86 venueslocated in England, Scotland andWales. Following completion, BrianMattingley, currently ExecutiveChairman of Beacon, will join thePraesepe Board as an ExecutiveDirector with a focus on businessdevelopment.

Praesepe acquireBeacon locations

In themonthofApril seven of the 14Holland Casino locations (Utrecht,Eindhoven, Scheveningen, Nijmegen,Rotterdam, Venlo and Breda) saw theinstallation and go-live of one bank ofATRONIC’s Deal Or No Deal,Join’n’Play, with Amsterdam to followlater in the year.

Based on the popular television gameshow, Deal Or No Deal, Join’n’Play ispart of ATRONIC’s proven Deal Or NoDeal suite, and a member of itsCommunity Bonus Series. Jan Paul vanHeemskerck, Vice President MarketingHolland Casino said: “The roll out ofDeal Or No Deal, Join’n’Play in ourcasinos follows research that many ofour guests prefer playing together. Weare confident that Deal Or No Deal,Join’n’Play fits well into our newdirection of offering more social gamingand enhancing the casino experience ofour guests.”

Stuart German, Sales Director ATRONICInternational added: “We are of coursedelighted that Holland Casino haschosen our Deal Or No Deal, Join’n’Playbank concept. The interactive nature ofthe bonus game brings elements ofcommunity and competition to thebank, creating an air of excitement,tension and enjoyment that the playerswill find hard to resist. The team atHolland Casino clearly realises thepotential new clientele this product willbring them, as well as the entertainmentvalue it will generate in their casinos.”

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

WMS’ Adaptive Gamingplatform games exceed onemillion unique player log-ins

JPM International has announced theappointment of Rolf Nielsen in a newrole as a consultant for JPM's drive intothe UK market. The aim of the newpartnership between manufacturer andindustry stalwart is to show furthercommitment on JPM’s part to re-establish its brand within the UK Cat C(£70) market.

JPM's Sales and Marketing DirectorSimon McCarthy commented: “Given thecurrent trading conditions within a verydifficult UK market JPM needed toreinforce our position in ensuring all ourcustomers and retailers fully understandour development plans and aspirationsfor the UK, and to this end theappointment of Rolf as JPM’s voice inthe UK is paramount to our success. Ihave known Rolf for several years andhave always been impressed with hisprofessionalism and drive; these are justsome of the attributes that he brings toJPM to assist in the roll out of ourproduct into the UK market.”

Mr. Nielsen also commented on theappointment: “I am delighted to beassociated with such a prestigious brand,and being able to offer my wealth ofexperience and industry knowledge tosuch an enthusiastic company.”

The Lithuanian Federation of PhysicalCulture and Sports last monthacknowledged poker as a ‘kind of’ sportin the country. This rather ‘loose’ termnow means that poker can now beenjoyed any where in Lithuania, not justin casinos. The President of theLithuanian Poker Federation, AndriusTapinas, who has won a variety of titlesin international tournaments, states thatthe decision has been welcomed byplayers at both the domestic andinternational level. He believes the rulingwill open up the Lithuanian poker sectorand help to establish the country as oneof the leading poker nations in theworld. A new poker tournament,organised by the Federation, has alreadybeen announced.

Novomatic Gaming Spain S.A., subsidiaryof the Novomatic Group of Companies,celebrates a new installation negotiatedby its Barcelona sales and service hub.Casino Marbella, part of the Cirsa Group,has chosen Novomatic gaming equipmentto take centrestage at the casino'srenovated and extended gaming floor.

Novomatic’s first step into CasinoMarbella is an agreement with Cirsa'sCasino Division, based in Terrassa, andone of Spain's leading entertainment,resort and casino groups. Through itsflagship operation, Casino Marbella, theCirsa Group also operates three furtherhigh class casinos plus a number ofhotels in Spain. Casino Marbella nowcelebrates its grand reopening followingmajor investment in the renovation andmodernisation of this prestige slot areaoperation.

Casino Marbella impresses with a greatambience, marvellous interior design andnew state-of-the-art equipment. CasinoMarbella's guests can now find acomprehensive Novo Touchbet Live-Roulette installation running on theserver-based Novo Unity multi-playerplatform. The electronic rouletteinstallation features a dealer operated liveroulette wheel and 12 individual slant topterminals for maximum player comfort.Novo Touchbet Live-Roulette has beenlicensed for Andalucia, Madrid, Catalunyaand Aragon.

Javier Burgués, the Director of CirsaGroup’s Casino Marbella, has highexpectations for the new Novomaticproducts: “We wanted to introduce a newroulette concept to our gaming floor andthus offer the maximum gamingexcitement at the highest possible

Novomatic Gaming Spaincelebrates a new installationat Cirsa’s Casino Marbella

Novomatic scores inBarcelona

Bally Technologies has struckan enterprise-wide deal toinstall a full suite of Ballysystems at Isle of Capriproperties. “We are pleased towelcome Isle of Capri Casinosback as a Bally partner on alarge scale and look forwardto a productive partnership aswe implement our systemsand server-based solutions,”said Richard Haddrill, ChiefExecutive Officer of BallyTechnologies.

Isle of Capri signed a masteragreement for enterprise-wideinstallation of Bally’s SDS

slot-management system, andwill select, based onindividual property needs,from an array of Ballymarketing, playercommunications, and media-management solutionsincluding iVIEW player-interface displays; the award-winning iVIEW DisplayManager (DM) casino andemployee server-basedinterface for the game display;Bally’s Power Bonusing suiteof bonusing, gaming, andpromotions; and the CoolSignproperty-wide mediamanagement system.

Bally signsmajor Isle ofCapri system agreement

technical level in our casino. The CirsaGroup very much embraces the stableand excellent performance of theNovomatic products over many years ofdaily operation. The flexibility offered bythe various multi-player installationsconvinced us to choose Novomaticproducts for the new Casino Marbella,also. We are especially proud of our AGIRoulette installation and really lookforward to the reaction of our guests.”

“Winning theacceptance of a

customer like theCirsa Groupmarks agreat step forward

for our company andpositions us ideally at

the heart of theSpanish gaming

market.”Jordi Pedragosa.

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

GLOBAL GAMES AND GAMING INTERACTIVEG3 introduces a new magazineG3i a title dedicated to examining theopportunitites open to land-basedgamingoperatorsinterested in taking their business into the online gaming sector

NEXTMONTH


International Gaming Expo hasannounced a new five-year contract thatwill see it remain at its popular EarlsCourt home until at least the year 2015.

Commenting on the contract, which hasbeen agreed by show organisers ClarionEvents and Earls Court Olympia, Clarion’sJulian Graves said: “We are delighted tohave completed our contractualnegotiations and agreed this five yearcontract. During our consultation with theindustry it became abundantly clear thatalmost to a person, they consider EarlsCourt to be their home and that EarlsCourt is where they want to stayparticularly in light of the success that ithas enjoyed over the last two decades.

“We have been aware of the speculationsurrounding the venue at a time when theindustry wants stability, certainty andconfidence in the future. We have made afive-year contractual agreement to providethat continuity and enable the industry,Clarion Events and EC&O to focus firmly

Rumours spark a responsefrom organiser, Clarion, asto the future of IGE event

IGE secureEarlsCourt till 2015

Astro Corp’s stand at G2EAsia Expo promises to be itsbiggest and most engaging todate, with more than400sq.m. of new games,innovative concepts andinteractive product displays.

Astro has invested heavily inadditional stand space thisyear in order to demonstrateits latest technologies. Thisincreased presence at theMacau Expo also re-affirmsthe company’s overallcommitment to Asia and itsimportant position in theglobal gaming market.In addition to unveiling 11new games, the rest of Astro’sentire product portfolio willbe on display at the two dayevent which heralds itself as

the biggest and mostimportant gaming event in theAsia region.

Commenting on the diverserange of games on the stand,Astro CEO Simon Herbertexplained: “We’ve continuedto invest heavily in productdevelopment and the largenumber of new games wehave released bears testimonyto our increasing activity inthe global marketplace.”

“It’s a great opportunity forpeople attending the event tointeract with a variety ofproducts in an engaging waywhich also helps Astrodemonstrate the strength ofits new games,” said Mr.Herbert.


TransActTechnologies has signed asales distribution agreement for theLatin American casino and gamingmarket with HancoTechnologies.Under the agreement, Hanco will sellTransAct’s Epic 950, Epic 430 and Epic880 printers, as well as the company’sServerPort technology, to LatinAmerican gaming equipmentmanufacturers. Hanco also will useits relationships with the casinos tohelp drive demand forTransAct’scasino products in Argentina, Chile,Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico,Panama and Peru.“Hanco is a significant distributor inthe Latin American casino marketand we are very pleased to bepartnering with them,” saidTransAct’sTracey Chernay. “Throughthis agreement,TransAct will expandits distribution capacity in LatinAmerica and be able to provide top-of-the-line technology for the growingLatin American gaming market.”

TransAct inks dealwithHancoTech.

on continuing to develop IGE as theleading international exhibition.”

The speculation surrounding the eventhad been fuelled by media reportingregarding venue owner CapCo. NigelNathan, Managing Director of Earls CourtOlympia, confirmed: “CapCo has madeno secret of their desire to redevelop theEarls Court site, however this is anenormously complex project, one withsignificant implications for London.Because of the scale of the proposedproject it has been required to besubmitted as part of the LondonDevelopment Plan, a 15-year strategicvision for London which was launched inJanuary 2010. The project is in the earlystages of consultation, requires politicalsupport, at local, regional and nationallevel and then full planning permissionand funding.”

IGEwill celebrate its21st birthday at EarlsCourt in January 2011.Ninemonths ahead ofopening its doors atEarls Court the show

is at 80 per centcapacity underlining

its status as theinternational gamingcommunity’smost

popular andsuccessful business

event.

NewsEUROPEAN UPDATE

JENSIgamehasannounced the appointmentof Pavlina Mitova as Sales Executive. Ms.Mitova joined the JENSIgame team onApril 1, 2010, having already gainedinvaluable experience in the gamingindustry. Ms. Mitova has worked in thepast for JCM Bulgaria, carrying a centralposition within the Software DevelopmentCenter and with Bulgarian slot machinemanufacturer and distributor JPL Ltd.

Jens Göransson, the CEO of JENSIgamecommented: “The interest for the InternetLottery Terminal has been phenomenal.The feedback from the IGE in Londonwas so positive that we knew in advancethat we would have to grow our structureto accommodate this.”

Ms. Mitova will initially focus onEuropean sales for JENSIgame. Hercommercial and technical knowledge isan ideal platform for customers ofJENSIgame to learn more about thefeatures and benefits of the entire ILTsystem. “There is a real chain of events toimplement the Internet Lottery Terminal.JENSIgame provides the right solution forevery section of the ILT journey,simplifying this complicated process forthe operator. I look forward toaccompanying JENSIgame customers onthis journey,” enthused Ms. Mitova.

Mr. Göransson concluded: “We welcomePavlina to the team. I’m sure she has avery exciting future with JENSIgame. Wehave built up a very strong knowledgebase in internet terminal gaming. Securityand financial control are just important asthe right cabinet and game choice. Wehave therefore built up the whole solutionpackage from years of experience in thisfield. This explains the strong demand forthe JENSIgame ILT.”

TheGlobal Draw is taking over theoperation of an additional 700+ gamingmachines, primarily in the independentsector, from Sceptre Leisure in the UK.The Global Draw will take on the end-to-end operation of machines across anadditional 200 shops including MarkJarvis, Scotbet, Corbetts and S & Dbookmakers who have signed two tofour year contracts for machine supply.

These new contracts follow on from thepartnership between Scientific Gamesand Playtech announced at the start ofthe year. Playtech, through subsidiaryVideobet, has been trialling its Jupitermachine and content offer in the UKwith operator Sceptre Leisure and thisdeal will see The Global Draw take overexisting operations as Sceptre Leisuredisposes of its LBO division to focus onits core business.

Astro Corp. super-sizesG2E Asia stand presence

monacoigamingexchanges

monacoigamingexchanges

monaco

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P r o f e s s i o n a l

onlinegaming & bettingC o n v e n t i o n

Monaco 11-13 Oct. 2010

�

On June 25, 2009 the gambling businesswas banned in Ukraine. According to thedecision of the Government, the banshould exist until the enactment ofspecial legislation allowing casinos andslot halls in specially created zones.Now, after almost a year, the Ukrainiangovernment is considering plans for thedevelopment of gambling establishmentsin the resort areas in the Crimea and theCarpathians, as well as five-star hotels in

other regions of the country.

Chairman of the Board of Directors ofthe Group of companies Alsart, LyubovLoginova, comments on the currentsituation and prospects for the earlyopening of the Ukrainian gamblingmarket:

“The removal of the ban on gambling inUkraine will be the most important

Is there a chance that the Ukraine government might refloat thegaming boat?The gaming industry would love to get back aboard

Refloating theboat?industry event of 2010 in Eastern Europe.It’s a reasonable resolution, since theban has not achieved it goal – to solvethe “social problem”, which Ukrainianpoliticians say, remains. It is estimatedthat about 60 per cent of gambling hassimply slipped into the shadows, withthe result that corruption is increasing.Meanwhile, thanks to the ban, the legalcasinos and gaming halls disappearedalongside 1,5bn UAH revenue to thestate budget (US$188m).

Kiev, which is a one-hour flight fromMoscow, is a place with a welldeveloped entertainment infrastructure,which is always a pleasure to visit.Before closing the gambling business inUkraine this market was estimated to beworth US$1.8bn. Now, that figure could

Lyubov Loginova,Chairman of the

Board of Directorsof the Group of

companies Alsart.


UKRAINE UPDATEAnalysis

Land owners insiston the location of

gamblingestablishments insolely designatedgaming areas…

where they own theland. The power

structures of Russiaare against liftingthe ban in principlebecause an open

gamblingmarket inUkrainewill preventthe implementationof their plans for thegambling business in

Russia.

Major operators andassociations ofmid-

sized operationsadvocate for

gambling halls over1000 sq.m. in four or

higher star (orequivalent levels for

other scales ofassessment) hotels

with at least 100rooms, or in the

large entertainmentcenters, or in

separate buildingsintended only for the

casino, or onpassenger vesselswith the capacityover 300 persons

andwith direct linksto Ukrainian ports.

UKRAINE UPDATEAnalysis

grow significantly because of theproximity to Russia, where gambling isalso prohibited for almost a year (exceptfor four remote ‘inactive’ gamblingzones).

Ukraine has all chances to become theEastern European Las Vegas. However,much depends on the decision of theGovernment of the country as well as onthe clarity of the requirements of thelaw. The industry requires clear ‘rules ofthe game’ for operators of gaming hallsand casinos, betting, lotteries,manufacturers and sellers of gamblingequipment.

It is also noteworthy that from 25 June2009, when the ban came into force,much has changed, and re-opening of

the legal gambling market of Ukrainewill not be the same as in the past. Incontrast to the Russian scenario, thegambling business in Ukraine was closedabruptly and harshly. Suddenly deprivedof income and liquidity, gamingoperators have suffered huge losses onequipment leasing, staff salaries andcredit obligations.

Most have sold their equipment atheavily discounted prices to avoidfurther losses in storage (for example,high-end machines could be bought for$1,500 apiece). Many companies,especially small operators, are on thebrink of ruin. Thousands of people havebeen left without work and sought topetition the president - with little effect.

I don’t want to discuss the real causes ofthe situation and the decision of theGovernment of Ukraine, but the factremains - major operators have left themarket, their confidence in the securityof the business in Ukraine has beenundermined, while illegal establishmentsimmediately replaced closed legal ones.

In a short time, Ukraine has also seenthe emergence of computer clubs withready access to Internet casinos. Today,the market is divided and is in the handsof a new wave of operators, mostlyyoung entrepreneurs, who have had timeto orient themselves to the situation andfound a loop-hole in the law. Theybrought to the local customers of theclosed slot halls and casinos a goodalternative product.

Currently, part of the former premises ofclosed casinos have been occupied byother businesses - supermarkets, shops,salons, etc. In other areas there are‘computer’ clubs, whose owners havereaped the rewards over the past yearand are able to buy and place slotmachines in the same locations. i.e.former gambling operators have even theless chance to return to this newlyemerging market.

Right now a struggle has broken outbetween groups with vested interests inthe final wording of the gamblingbusiness law in Ukraine. Former smalloperators are lobbying for the opening ofslot halls in smaller format whereverpossible, ie to return to the situation of2008-2009.

Major operators and associations of mid-sized operations advocate gambling hallsover 1,000 sq.m. in four or higher star(or equivalent levels for other scales ofassessment) hotels with at least 100rooms, or in large entertainment centers,or in separate buildings intended onlyfor the casino, or on passenger vessels

with the capacity over 300 persons andwith direct links to Ukrainian ports.

Manufacturers of gaming equipmentadvocate the introduction of licensing forsale, original game programs, the use ofequipment not older than five years, orspecial gaming equipment such as VLTs,connected to a game server. And eachmanufacturer prescribes specificrequirements related to their own offer.

Land owners insist on the location ofgambling establishments in solelydesignated gaming areas… where theyown the land. The power structures inRussia are against lifting the ban inprinciple because an open gamblingmarket in Ukraine will prevent theimplementation of their plans for thegambling business in Russia.

It is hard to predict to what extent thelobbying of the parties will have uponthe government, but you can be surethat the prohibition of the gamingbusiness in Ukraine will be rescinded.The acute need for funding during thepreparations for the UEFA championshipin 2012, as well as the development oflegislation for legal taxation structuresfrom the Ministry of Finance - are strongcases for this outcome.

Alsart assumed such a situation woulddevelop a year ago. In diversifying thebusinesses we retained our establishedbusiness connections with the owners ofthe closed slot halls and casinos inUkraine, as well as kept Alsart’s deliveryand technical support infrastructure.Now we are preparing the opening ofour sales and operating office in Kievand are progressing with our businesspartners to capture up to 60 per cent ofthe re-opening market in Ukraine.

I think such ambitious plans areattainable for us. There are some reasonsfor that. In fact, just a few in Ukrainehave the understanding of the realsituation as well as (which is the mostimportant) the willingness and resourcesfor large-scale business developmentunder these new conditions. The scalewill also be critical for success, sincethere is an empty market for legalcasinos and slot halls after a year’s banin the country: no equipment, no ready-made facilities, no knowledge of thebusiness from new operators, plus theabsence of former market leaders.

So the first to develop an aggressivebusiness immediately after the adoptionof the law in Ukraine, who will place themachines, will open slot halls, will beginoperating – that company will secure thismarket. And I’m sure it will be the AlsartGroup and our partners.”


Casino gaming floors are literally awashwith state-of-the-art electronic products allclaiming to be the latest, greatest, biggest,brightest there is. Although there is nodoubt that technology has changed theface of gaming, there are few productsthat are truly innovative and groundbreaking.

TCSJohnHuxley’s TouchTable MultiPLAYsystem can confidently make that claim.From its first public viewing at ICE 2007 itwas clear there was something specialabout TouchTable MultiPLAY Roulette.Customers, journalists, TCSJohnHuxleystaff and various product partners whotried this new approach to roulette all feltits instant appeal. It was no surprise thenthat soon after its debut the product wenton to perform extremely well in extensivelive casino trials and by ICE 2008 a rangewas market ready.

Success has followed right across theglobe from the UK, South America,

Cambodia, Bulgaria, Germany, France,Canada and cruise ships, to name a few.In particular there has been significantsuccess and player adoption in Africa.John Whiskin, Managing Director,TCSJohnHuxley Africa and his team havebeen inundated with orders from casinosacross the continent, which has seen animpressive 19 installations. These includecasinos large and small, covering allcorners of the region from South Africaand Swaziland, Tanzania and Kenya inthe East, Democratic Republic of theCongo in the central region and Angolaand Gabon in the west.

There have been many ‘firsts’ forTouchTable MultiPLAY in Africa. PiggsPeak Casino in Swaziland was the firstinstallation in the southern region and thecasino embraced being pioneers of thisgroundbreaking technology. HowardBerchowitz, Managing Director of thecasino commented: “Operating gamingestablishments in Africa brings with it

TCSJohnHuxley’s innovativeTouchTable MultiPLAY system offerscasino operators the next step in table gaming on their floors

many challenges from a localityviewpoint. Continuous power fluctuationsand scarcity of spares as well as skilledresources restricts operators whenpurchasing new gaming equipment.However, the decision to purchaseTouchTable MultiPLAY Roulette was anobvious one. In addition to the benefit ofincreased spins per hour and total gamesecurity, TCSJohnHuxley have the abilityto remotely dial in, diagnose and repairany problems as well as perform softwareupgrades 24 hours a day. The built in UPSensures games are not interrupted duringpower surges. We anticipate great resultsfrom the MultiPLAY and look forward toour customers increased gamingpleasure.”

Another first went to Croisette Librevillein Gabon, which took the decision toreplace all their traditional roulette tableswith more productive and secureMultIPLAY ones. With total reliance onTCSJohnHuxley’s innovative multi-platform technology, the directors atCasino Croisette Libreville insist thatMultiPLAY is the next step in live gamingwith the extraordinary potential to

“We have beenoverwhelmed by theresponsewe havereceived from the

AfricanmarketregardingTouchTable

MultiPLAY. Ourcustomers haveembraced the

product, realising itdelivers amore

secure and efficientsolution to the

conventional game ofroulette. ”

JohnWhiskinTCSJohnHuxley.


ProductsTOUCHTABLE MULTIPLAY

Multiplying thechances for table success

TCSJohnHuxleyTouchTableMultiPLAY

Craps.

TCSJohnHuxleyTouchTableMultiPLAYAutomated Roulette.

completely transform their casino gamingfloor.

John Whiskin concludes: “We have beenoverwhelmed by the response we havereceived from the African marketregarding TouchTable MultiPLAY. Ourcustomers have embraced the product,realising it delivers a more secure andefficient solution to the conventionalgame of roulette. Results produced by thecasinos operating the system confirm thatwith a higher number of spins per hour,the hold percentage increasesdramatically, allowing this to become aneasy purchasing choice as the table paysfor itself within the first three months!”

TouchTable MultiPLAY continues to createunprecedented interest from both playersand operators alike and as a resultTCSJohnHuxley has been concentratingefforts on developing the platform to offereven further benefits. Over the last 12months both SicBo and Craps have beenintroduced bringing a whole newdimension to the game. By givingoperators the ability to adjust games atthe flick of a switch, it is possible tomaximise game play and revenue, quicklyreacting to the time of day and playerdemand. When this option is placed on adouble or triple table, different games canbe played consecutively, all still using onedealer.

The latest addition to TouchTableMultiPLAY now boasts fully automaticand cashless configurations for an evengreater return on investment. By usingthe new TCSJohnHuxley Gemini wheelcombined with bill acceptors and ticketprinters at each player position, the resultis a lucrative 24 hour-a-day live gameplatform that requires no dealer orinspection, making it ideal for arcadeoperators. All these benefits, combinedwith a very competitive pricing point,ensure this product will be extremelyattractive to certain sectors of the market.


ProductsTOUCHTABLE MULTIPLAY

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The gaming market, in its digital andterrestrial forms, is evolving fast and thedemand on the floors of today’s casinoproperties is greater than ever. Yet,technical challenges are never far awayfrom the developing entity, especiallywhere updating gaming floor systems isconcerned.

Establishing a successful casino in today’smarket requires an awful lot more thanjust housing a few strategically placedgaming machines and tables in a big openspace and branding it the ‘casino floor’.Indeed, it takes a lot more than merelyfollowing a seemingly successful blueprintand hoping to get it right, or that thingsjust fall into place.

The terrestrial casino market has never

been that easy and certainly by today’sstandards, it has never been aschallenging to master.

MARKETCONDITIONSThe financial challenges demanded ofmodern day casino operators have notbeen helped by the financial malaise ofthe last two years. By way of example, wecan look at the UK market whichaccording to Ernst & Young’s (E&Y)Betting and Gaming Outlook for 2010, hassuffered from a number of parametersbeyond its control.

It concluded that casinos entered 2009“reeling from the combined impacts ofthe smoking ban and a 50% top rate ofduty which again, was not helped by the2009 budget which introduced a tax rate

Today’s casino floor is primed to usher in the next generation ofgaming platforms with interoperability the keyword for all thoselooking to upgrade to the new standardised gaming systems

of up to 50 per cent on player to playergames such as poker, which will hit thelargest casinos most severely.” The falloutwas that these conditions made high-rolling casinos, which have volatilecashflows, more susceptible to runs ofbad fortune. Reportedly, this accountedfor the closure of London’s prestigiousFifty Casino in Mayfair. However, E&Yconcluded that “despite the difficulties,more recent results indicated that someoperators managed to trade through theperiod robustly.” It also alluded to acontinued period of ‘tough tradingconditions,’ but that those “able to investin their estates and developing theirbrands will fare better.” This last point issignificant as the ability to invest in thekind of architecture needed to further acasino’s operability is no easy task – butis achievable all the same.

Investment in these areas isn’t cheap andoperators face huge challenges in jugglingtheir finances to build a sustainablebusiness robust enough to carry theminto the next phase of operationalmaturity. Therefore, more cost-effectivemodels are necessary in allowing


FocusONLINE/OFFLINE

Following the right protocolThis articlewaswritten for G3 by

Ales Gornjec,Business

DevelopmentManager for Gamingat HERMES SoftLab, aComTrade company

Hermes SoftLab’soffers awealth of

knowledge andexperience in the

gaming industry andprovides Electronic

GameMachines(EGMs) and landbased system

vendors support forGSA’s protocols

togetherwith end-to-end consulting.

Inmany cases, replacingexisting technologies canprove to be a significantinvestment, especially

when consideringswitching gaming

machines to Ethernet-based EGMs and the

upgrade in sitewiringthat comeswith it.

Returning to our cost-effectivemantra from

earlier, upgrades such asthis can be achievedwithin the realms ofreasonable financialinvestment throughcarefully planned

transitionmethods.

operators to upgrade their existingsystems, but not at the expense ofproductivity – as we’ve mentioned inprevious articles, any new systems shouldbe able to be introduced alongsideexisting frameworks, allowing forseamless integration with zero downtime.

GSAPROTOCOLSFinancial concerns also spread toreplacing existing technologies, which wewill come to in a second, but thealternative route is via transition tostandardised systems with new, modernsolutions such as the Gaming StandardsAssociation’s (GSA) G2S and S2Sprotocols. Two requirements have to bemet to fully comply and profit from theseprotocols:

• First, you will need a casino ordistributed gaming system capable ofhandling Games to System (G2S) andSystem to System (S2S), or at least thepossibility of attaching newcapabilities, such as G2S frontends andS2S agents, to existing coreframeworks.

• Second, you will need sufficientsupport for G2S in your gamingmachines.

As we have mentioned in previousarticles, bringing G2S and S2S to thecasino floor brings many advantages interms of communication, co-existing withexisting frameworks and integrating third-party components.

In many cases, replacing existingtechnologies can prove to be a significantinvestment, especially when consideringswitching gaming machines to Ethernet-based EGMs and the upgrade in sitewiring that comes with it. Returning toour cost-effective mantra from earlier,upgrades such as this can be achievedwithin the realms of reasonable financialinvestment through carefully plannedtransition methods.

Naturally, your transitional option mustbe weighed up and an evolutionary modelhas to be built. In an ideal world, thescenario would be to buy new G2S-readyEGMs and include them into the systemusing the existing infrastructure –Ethernet – and to add the G2S agent tothe floor server.

But as we are very much in the real worldof cost management, the financialcommitment to such a transition wouldbe immeasurably high, hence, why thetransitional process is more complicatedand divided into multiple phases:

PHASEONEGaming machines are given an overview

FocusONLINE/OFFLINE


and carefully chosen considering theirability to function within the existinginfrastructure.

PHASETWONew, G2S-ready EGMs are added andconnected to the Ethernet andparameterized on the G2S host system.

PHASETHREEThe decision as to which of theold/existing EGMs will be moved to G2Sis made – for the more G2S-ready EGMs,SAS (Slot Accounting System)-to-G2Sconverters will be added instead oftraditional SMIBs (Smart interfaceboards).

Traditional SMIBs are connected to EGMswith SAS communications protocol on theone end and with proprietary protocol,usually over Ethernet, to the floor serveron the other.

SAS-to-G2S converters can transparentlyconvert SAS protocol into G2S protocol byusing SAS to G2S converters instead oftypical SMIBs.

EXPERTISEAnother important aspect to rememberwhen talking about replacing existingsystems is expertise. The G2S and S2Sprotocols are refined systems that areleading edge in terms of the developmentof today’s casino technologies, and thoseoverseeing their installation should bejust as refined. When contemplatinginstalling G2S and S2S to your casino

floor, find those skilled and qualified todo so. Cooperation between casino ordistributed gaming’s operators andexperts, who have a lot of experience inthis area, is crucial.

There are many important parameters –advantages, system upgrades, costs,system hardware maintenance, operabilitywith the casino floor – that have to beexplained and understood to make thistransition one that is quick, simple and ofreasonable cost.

And this is where Hermes SoftLab (HSL)comes into the equation, boasting, as itdoes, the world’s leading independentgaming expert centre.Being experts in the implementation ofGSA’s G2S and S2S protocol stacks forEGMs and floor servers, HSL hasinvaluable experience in, andunderstanding of, the complexities of newtechnology as well as a realisticperspective about the transition to betterintegrated casino (and other land-based)operations.

Being a principal driving force of theseintegrations, we understand the problemsour clients face and are doing all we canfor gaming operators to ensure that newaspects of the gaming world areintegrated as comfortably andsuccessfully as possible.

SUPPORTThese protocols are shaping the lay of theland for the casino floor of the future and

we fully believe that these newtechnologies are opportunities foroperators to haul themselves into a newera of gaming deployment. We are here tooversee that these systems andenhancements are done via the mostcost-effective routes possible, via the sortof seamless integration that requires nodowntime, no loss of productivity and noloss of player of your operation.

As the E&Y report mentioned: “those ableto invest in their estates and developingtheir brands will fare better” in thisperiod of change – by investing in yourestate via integration of GSA protocols,you are investing in yours, and theindustry’s future.


There aremanyimportant

parameters –advantages, system

upgrades, costs,systemhardware

maintenance,operabilitywith thecasino floor – that

have to be explainedand understood to

make this transitionone that is quick,

simple and ofreasonable cost.

DEVELOPMENTFORHSLG2S/S2SBUILDINGBLOCKS• Hermes SoftLab (HSL) is committed to support the latestdevelopments in G2S/S2S protocol and applications.

• HSL released support for G2S 2.0.• HSL will continue with development of support for G2S/S2Slatest versions

• Both the host and EGM simulators have received significantimprovements.

• Improved support for phased approach integration processto eliminate potential risks as early as possible.

• Support for multi-platform targets has been enhanced.• We have synchronized and updated interfaces to help easierintegration.

• We have updated and extended automated test coverage ofprotocol stack code.

• Protocol stack code has received several memory footprintand execution speed optimisations.

• Better support for mid-range customers.

FocusONLINE/OFFLINE

A lot is being asked of the concessionairesin the Italian Comma 6b market.Regardless of the investment required,which is substantial, the speed at whicheach of the concessionaires mustfamiliarise themselves with, assess,acquire and implement a host of newtechnologies is daunting to say the least.New systems and protocols, video lotterymachines, new games content, billacceptors, bill recycling and ticket-in,ticket-out - it's a sizeable challenge in amature gaming market, let alone a newmarket segment opening (for the mostpart) across brand new locations.

Taking the pain out of some of theseprocesses has meant that suppliers haveplayed an important role in educating theconcessionaires in not only the merits oftheir products, but in their practicalapplication in the Comma 6benvironment. Crane Payment Solutionshas already gained significant marketshare in the Italian Comma 6a sector withits NRI-G13.mft coin validator. It's aproduct that has built a solid reputationin the market, is fully approved andadopted by operators in Italy. Crane iscurrently helping a number ofconcessionaires in the necessary stepstowards implementing bill validation, billrecycling and ticket-in, ticket-out solutionsin the Comma 6b sector.

Speaking to Crane's Carles Aleixandre, VPof Sales Europe and Sim Bielak, VP Sales& Business Development – Casino

Gaming & Emerging Markets, Mr.Aleixandre explained that operators inItaly understand the need for high qualitynote validation in environments with thehigher stakes and prizes required for VLToperation. "The oneCheck cashmanagement solution utilising CashCode'sone bill validator and the Nanoptix ticketprinter, is the perfect product forconcessionaires looking for completefunctionality without the significanthardware cost that equivalent systemsdemand," stated Mr. Aleixandre. "TheoneCheck requires no additional hardwarecosts (beyond the validator and printer)creating an ideal and instantaneous returnon investment for operators in which thecash management solution is independentof game operating systems. It's


One of the most complicated aspects of theComma 6b legislation is the drawing togetherof currency validation technology - and quick

Taking the pain out ofsome of these

processes hasmeantthat suppliers haveplayed an importantrole in educating the

concessionaires in notonly themerits of

their products, but intheir practical

application in theComma6b

environment.

application in VLT locations with 100+machines, which is a relatively smallinstalled base, imposes no additional costdemands on the operator, while thesystem is independent from the machineOS and so can be paired with anymachine in the location."

The complications currently facing Italy'sconcessionaires come with the addedpressure of a time limit. Each is expectedto complete upon its obligations thissummer, though there have already beenwell documented delays. Mr. Aleixandrebelieves that this lag has actually beenhelpful to concessionaires who have beenunder a great deal of pressure to executeas quickly as possible. "The delays havehelped in the assessment of machines,

ITALIAN GAMINGFocus

Are you lookingfor validation?

The cost implicationsof providing support is

one aspect thatconcessionairesmustconsider, in addition to

the need to invest inquality validation

products. Reliable,high performing units

quickly return theinitial investment -though again in a

market accustomedto coin-in, the costs

are those associatedwith the casino sector,

rather than streetmarket. The cost of

Comma6a validationbears little relation tothe costs now facing

concessionaires in theComma6b sector.

“We are building uponour strong base in the

Comma6a sector,while continuing toeducate as to the

importance ofcurrency validation in

a high valueenvironment. Playersin Comma6b locationsare playing beyond the

one euro of Comma6a.When you're

dealingwith 100 euroacceptance you need

the very bestvalidation solutions on

themarket.”Carles Aleixandre,

Crane PaymentSolutions.


games, systems and peripherals," said Mr.Aleixandre. "Before we can explain ourvalue proposition, we have spent timeeducating as regards the product ingeneral. Understanding the technologyand the importance of the bill acceptorand recycling in relation to generatingrevenue from Comma 6b, especially interms of reliability, has been a key issue.We have also been working hard withthird party service support providers toensure that the locations, which areunlikely to have technicians for every site,have the back-up and support they need."

The cost implications of providingsupport is one aspect that concessionairesmust consider, in addition to the need toinvest in quality validation products.

Reliable, high performing units quicklyreturn the initial investment - thoughagain in a market accustomed to coin-in,the costs are those associated with thecasino sector, rather than street market.The cost of Comma 6a validation bearslittle relation to the costs now facingconcessionaires in the Comma 6b sector.

“The concessionaires have had to absorba lot of information in a short space oftime," explained Mr. Aleixandre."However, I believe that our valueproposition has been recognised by keyconcessionaires as we've been workingthrough the integration andcommercialisation process. Theconcessionaires now understand theimportance of the bill acceptor and

recycling to the overall profitability ofeach Comma 6b unit, and are starting tomake their desires known."

While it remains unclear as to the exactdate of implementation due to theongoing approvals process, it is thoughtthat summer estimates are lookingoptimistic at this point. There is still agreat deal of testing and practicalassessment to consider and that's beforethe huge logistical operation of drawingall these elements together: technological,hardware, software, personnel, support,etc. What is clear is exactly howimportant the Italian market is right now."The gaming industry needs Italy," statedMr. Aleixandre. "It's the single largestgrowth opportunity globally, but thereality is that while the government willrealise its revenue goals this year, therewill be a lag for operators as they look torecoup their outlay. As a result, I thinkthat there will be, even in the short-term,a replacement of machines andperipherals as concessionaires and playersget to grips with this new offer."

The start date for Comma 6b will, due tothe nature of the legislation and thecreation of a new market segment, see alot new systems, games, machines andperipherals coming together for the firsttime. It's logical, therefore, to assume thatcertain elements will be a roaring success,while others will fail to catch theimagination of the public. “The advantagefor casino suppliers is that this is afamiliar marketplace, where productshave already been are tried and tested indemanding casino environments aroundthe world,” commented Mr. Bielak.

CashCode's One bill validator incombination with Nanoptix's printsolution creates the oneCheck casinosolution. Put simply, it's a system that'salready proven itself. Operators use abarcode scanning system to check thecashbox contents while the security cageremains closed. At the same time, a pressof a button prints a ticket that displaysthe last five bills inserted into thevalidator without opening the cashboxand presenting a security risk. It's apractical solution that presents noincremental cost to the operator. "Wehave very good recognition in themarketplace," stated Mr. Aleixandre ofCrane's validation solution in the Comma6b market. "We are building upon ourstrong base in the Comma 6a sector,while continuing to educate as to theimportance of currency validation in ahigh value environment. Players inComma 6b locations are playing beyondthe one euro of Comma 6a. When you'redealing with 100 euro acceptance youneed the very best validation solutions onthe market."

ITALIAN GAMINGFocus

The alliance between Italianconcessionaire, Cogetech, and CasinosAustria International, was one the chiefsurprises of an already exciting SpringENADA gaming show in Rimini, Italy.Creating a new company, AzzurroGaming based in Milan, the twocompanies will create 15-20 VLTlocations across Italy, pooling skills andresources to create environments unlikeanything we've seen in the country todate. Speaking to Cogetch CEO, FabioSchiavolin at the Rimini exhibition, heexplained the genesis of the newcompany and the collaboration betweenItalian street gaming company Cogetech,and international casino group, CAI.

"We approached each other one yearago," recalls Mr. Schiavolin. "MeetingCAI's CEO, Paul Herzfeld, we were awarethat they were interested in expanding inthe Italian gaming sector and thought itwas an interesting prospect, to combineCAI's casino knowledge and expertisewith our presence and very wellestablished gaming network in theComma 6a market."

Cogetech has built an impressive gamingempire in Italy, with over 500 outlets and40,000 AWPs spread across all territoriesin the country. What the company seeksto create now, with the opportunitiespresented by Comma 6b, is a very


Fabio Schiavolin, CEO of Italian concessionaire, Cogetech, talks to G3 regardingthe future of the existing Comma 6a and futureVLT marketplace in the country

Italian gaming renaissance“Comma6a is amodelthatwill prevail in thefuture as I believe they

are not in directcompetitionwith VLTs.

I thinkmanyoverestimate the loss

of the AWPmarket.Italian players are alimited resource.”

Cogetech ChiefExecutive Officer,Fabio Schiavolin

different presence in the market, onemuch more closely aligned with thecasino sector. "We sought a partner thatcould bring the casino atmosphere andmanagement knowledge to the new VLTsector in Italy," explains Mr. Schiavolin."The incorporation of a joint venturebetween ourselves and CAI is a veryinteresting development. We are amedium-sized business, working with avery large and established company. CAIoffers us the chance to expand withinthe Italian market, to grow andunderstand the casino business at theinternational level too, and share thesame vision and synergies of ourcompanies in future projects."

Cogetech, despite its impressive scale, isstill a new and dynamic company,having incorporated its business just sixyears ago. In that time, Cogetech hasforged a leading position in theconcessionaire sector in Italy, building its

COGETECHFocus

“The lawand theparameters of

operation take theItalian street sector

into Class III gaming. Inthe last six-12months,we have expanded in

this direction, talkingnot just to Aristocratand ACE, but to Bally,WMSand IGT, talkingto anyone involved inthe launch of theseproducts in Italy.

Having a partner likeCAI is the ideal

outcome for us aswemove forward in this

direction."Cogetech Chief

Executive Officer,Fabio Schiavolin

“We are interested ingames that take thesingle line from the

penny players,through to the 50 line,

multi-line gamingexperience that has

defined the casino slotexperience in casinos,with players looking

formajor progressivewins and jackpots

from lowdenomination play. It'ssomething really newto the Italian streetgaming sector, and

something thatwe'revery excited about for

thismarket."Cogetech Chief

Executive Officer,Fabio Schiavolin


team to over 170 people with a turnoverof €70m in 2009. Eager to expand, but ina considered and strategic way, the jointventure with CAI best places Cogetech inthe emerging VLT sector in Italy.

"Taken at its most simple level, theItalian gaming market sees 40 millionpeople served by four casinos; locationsthat are all in the north of the country,"describes Mr. Schiavolin. "The potentialto exploit the rest of the territory is huge,but this is an expansion into what Iconsider to be Class III gaming. Theinvestment is, therefore, equally asimpressive and we have been very clearfrom the outset, in that we did not wantto waste resources in small AWP-typelocations. Some competitors are lookingto establish FOBT style businesses in themarket. We take the opposite view -Comma 6b is a casino machine marketwith jackpots of €500,000. We did notwant to waste this opportunity in small

locations with a limited offer of 3-5machines."

Cogetech has a very clear and specificidea of the type of locations it wants tocreate in Italy with the help of CAI.While the confusion and chaos of theItalian gaming market has surroundedComma 6b legislation for half a decade,Cogetech saw from the beginning theopportunities that video lottery terminalspresented to the marketplace. In aprescient move, Cogetech began over 18months ago to form casino gamingalliances, working with Aristocrat'sTechnologies' ACE Interactive, puttingthe technical building blocks in placelong before regulations had fully definedComma 6b.

"We knew that something major washappening in the sector and wanted tobe best placed for the changes when thetime came," states Mr. Schiavolin. "It's

the reason why we are one of the firstgroup of operators certifying machines,and why we have Aristocrat machinesready in the first phase and Bally, WMSand IGT machines to follow in thesecond phase of certification."

Cogetech is a company that's been onestep ahead of the curve in the Italiangaming market. It's joint venture withGTECH in 2004, foresaw a market thatwas shifting towards a casino model.Though the purchase of GTECH byLottomatica brought about the end ofthat particular alliance, Cogetechcontinued down the same path,convinced that the market would alignitself with the casino sector at a futuredate.

"We had our solution for the future,"comments Mr. Schiavolin. "The law andthe parameters of operation take theItalian street sector into Class III gaming.In the last six-12 months, we haveexpanded in this direction, talking notjust to Aristocrat and ACE, but to Bally,WMS and IGT, talking to anyoneinvolved in the launch of these productsin Italy. Having a partner like CAI is theideal outcome for us as we moveforward in this direction."

Comma 6b is undoubtedly an excitingand potentially very profitable enterprise,but it's important for Cogetech tomaintain its focus on its Comma 6aestate at the same time. In the mid-term,Cogetech predicts that Comma 6a willsuffer in terms of the competition fromVLTs, but that this won't be a majorfactor in the short-term. Mr. Schiavolincalculates that the Comma 6a sector willbe impacted by a 20 per cent loss ofgrowth, but that's not to say there'll be adecline. There are currently 380,000Comma 6a machines in the Italianmarket, a number that's rapidlyincreased in the four months to April ofthis year.

Mr. Schiavolin predicts that the growthcurve for Comma 6a will flatten, orbecome moderated by Comma 6b. "Ibelieve that our mid-to-large sized VLTlocations won't have too much of aninfluence on AWP figures in themarketplace," he states. "Comma 6a is amodel that will prevail in the future as Ibelieve they are not in direct competitionwith VLTs. I think many overestimate theloss of the AWP market. Italian playersare a limited resource. We willundoubtedly generate new customers tothe casino-style locations, but the barplayers will not venture into a casinolocation every day. There will be marketsfor both types of gaming now and in thefuture."

COGETECHFocus

There's a great deal of pressure on theAAMS to ensure that Comma 6bsucceeds in the Italian market, as thelaunch has already been delayed by oversix months. The first machines wereexpected to hit the market at thebeginning of 2010, while currentexpectations hold that the earliest we'llsee VLTs in Italian locations will be June.Delays in the certification of machinesand systems has pushed back theComma 6b launch, with the secondphase expected around September.

The delays will make it more difficult togauge the impact of VLTs on the gamingsector in Italy in 2010, though Coegtechis already predicting that the machineenvironment will be very distinct.Locations will not operate Comma 6aand Comma 6b in the same gamingspace. Instead there will be cleardemarcation of types of location betweenAWP and VLT operations. "The twotypes of machines will co-exist in themarket, but only in separate definedlocations," says Mr. Schiavolin. "It willalso be crucial to choose the rightlocation. The success of this project willbe very reliant on the real estate phaseof the development."

Mr. Schiavolin believes that it will take atleast two years before a clearunderstanding of the Italian gamingmarket will emerge from all the recentchanges to the legislative, machine andoperational environment in the country.Cogetech is still looking to createbenchmarks right now in the Comma 6bsector, working with technology partnersto create the best products, and with CAIto establish the right locations andmanagement structures to truly capitaliseon the opportunities that the newmodels have presented to its business.

"We are seeking to match our streetoperations experience with that of thecasino sector," outlines Mr. Schiavolin."We are interested in games that take thesingle line from the penny players,through to the 50 line, multi-line gamingexperience that has defined the casinoslot experience in casinos, with playerslooking for major progressive wins andjackpots from low denomination play.It's something really new to the Italianstreet gaming sector, and something thatwe're very excited about for thismarket."

The balance, of course, is all important.Capital expenditure has become a dirtyword in the casino market in the last 18months. Ensuring that the demands ofthe new legislation, player and newoperations are all met, is a trickyjuggling act in a market new to the'mini-casino' concept. These locations

will have surveillance demands,technical needs, security issues andstaffing pressures beyond anythingcurrently in operation in the Italiansector. It's here that Cogetech will leanupon the experience of CAI to ensurethese hybrid operations met theexpectations of players and accountantsalike.

"We will be looking to CAI for expertisein all areas, including marketing,

management, operations, security, slotmanagement, etc." states Mr. Schiavolin."We want to learn as much as we canfrom such an experienced partner, with aview to looking to internationaldevelopments in worldwide markets inthe future. We have a great deal ofexperience in the street gaming sector inItaly, but want to develop further andfarther afield, and look forward toworking with CAI both here in Italy andin new markets in the future."


Cogetech ChiefExecutive Officer,Fabio Schiavolin

COGETECHFocus

To say that Bally Technologies had anenormous presence at the Spring ENADAshow in Rimini is an understatement.Bally was omnipresent at the exhibition.It's own stand was impressive, but itsreach into the stands of theconcessionaires was even more dramatic.Having come to the market as a newentrant in the VLT gaming space in Italy,the US-based casino gaming companyhas wasted little time. Although by itsown admission, late to the party, Ballyhas strategically positioned itself toensure that its solutions will advanceVLT gaming beyond current definitions.

"We've adopted a different strategy inthis market," explains BallyTechnologies' John Connelly."We're hereto show how we can differentiate

ourselves in the marketplace. Thegranting of 56-57,000 VLT licences by theItalian government to the 10concessionaires presents a significantopportunity for Bally. Our aim is toeducate the market as to theopportunities Bally has to offer, from theground level up to the concessionaire."

Bally Technologies is seeking to create aground swell of demand for its range ofClass II VLT products and systems,which have proved very successful ininternational markets for the best part ofa decade. Bally may be renowned as acasino slots and systems supplier, but itswork in the US and Mexico Class IImarket, WinWin in Austria, and in thecasino server-based and downloadablegaming sector, places the company at the

Class III in theVLTspace


forefront of VLT technology.

Having submitted its product andsystems documentation to the AAMS inDecember 2009, Bally will be part of thesecond phase of VLT installations inItaly. The Las Vegas-based companywasn't caught out by the speed ofchange in the Italian market, rather Ballymade a strategic decision to prolong itssoftware submission. The delay allowedthe company to create a substantiallydifferent systems product from anythingwe've yet seen in this space.

"We submitted a system that hassubstantially greater functionality andfeatures than those of our competitors,"states Mr. Connelly. "We took acalculated risk, believing that by the timethe system is approved (early summer2010), we will be able to provide theItalian market with the next generationof VLT system. It will be the first VLTsystem that encompasses all thefunctionalities of an international ClassIII system. The systems used in LasVegas and Atlantic City, from both thetechnology and legal requirements, will

John Connelly, VicePresident

International, BallyTechnologies.

“We took acalculated risk,

believing that by thetime the system isapproved (early

summer 2010), wewill be able to

provide the Italianmarketwith the next

generation of VLTsystem.”

BallyTechnologies surprised visitors to the ENADA Springshow in Rimini, not only itsVLT systems and product offering,but also market penetration in such a short space of time

BALLY TECHNOLOGIESFocus


“If you evaluate ourcore competencies,the VLT arena is an

extension of our corebusiness focus.We

are a global systemsleader in the Class IIIarena, with a largeconcentration in

Class II and centraldetermination

markets around theworld. Italy is anopportunity tocontinue this

diversificationthrough the

utilisation of ourcore competencies.

If you look at theworld right now,

we're seeinggovernment

agencies and lotteryproviders asking thesame question -what

canwe dowith thetechnology at our

disposal?John Connelly,

Bally Technologies.

“We are bringing thecasinomarketplaceinto the VLT sector.

This is casinotechnology powering

VLTs.Wemay havesubmitted behind thecompetition, butwe

believe that thetiming of our

entrance to themarketwith our

systems offerwillprove a significant

strategic advantagein the long-term."

John Connelly,Bally Technologies.

be the same as our VLT system in Italy.We believed it was the right approach tobe a significant player in the VLT arena."The advantages the Bally system bringsto the VLT market in Italy are manifold.While current discussions surround theproblematic integration of ticketingacross different platforms and locations,the Bally VLT system will not onlyprovide TITO across multiple venues, butBally's suite of bonusing, marketing andplayer tracking products current found inmore casino environments around theworld than any other systems provider.

"We are bringing the casino marketplaceinto the VLT sector," underlines Mr.Connelly. "This is casino technologypowering VLTs. We may have submittedbehind the competition, but we believethat the timing of our entrance to themarket with our systems offer will provea significant strategic advantage in thelong-term."

While there are a number of traditionalcasino companies currently targetingstreet gaming opportunities in Europe,Bally Technologies is resolutely adhering

to its core competencies. Having been adriving force in Class II centrallydetermined solutions for over 10 yearsaround the world, with over 30,000devices attached to its technology (Ballyhas over 12,000 connected devices inMexico alone), the VLT market in Italy isnot a departure for Bally into newterritory, it's an exact fit with thetechnology, content and focus of thecompany for many years.

"If you evaluate our core competencies,the VLT arena is an extension of our corebusiness focus. We are a global systemsleader in the Class III arena, with a largeconcentration in Class II and centraldetermination markets around theworld," explains Mr. Connelly. "Italy isan opportunity to continue thisdiversification through the utilisation ofour core competencies. If you look at theworld right now, we're seeinggovernment agencies and lotteryproviders asking the same question -what can we do with the technology atour disposal? From a systemsperspective, the closely relatedenvironments of Class III and lottery

gaming are offering the same type ofplays, to the same demographic, for thesame dollars. It's a natural progressionfor these markets to converge."It's a migration of technology from ClassIII to VLT that Bally Technologies sees asthe next stage in the evolution ofworldwide gaming markets. For supplierssuch as Bally, it represents a shiftingmodel from units sales to one basedupon recurring sustainable long-termrevenue. It's the reason that the AWPmarket, so reliant on individual unitsales, remains unattractive for Bally.However, a street market interconnectedwith sophisticated systems networked toa huge volume of terminals, supplyinginnovative Class III style content, is analtogether different proposition.

"Selling units is beneficial," confirms Mr.Connelly. "But establishing sustainablelong-term revenue streams, with equal orgreater margins, we see as afundamental aspect of the future of ourcompany. We are making decisions forlong-term shareholder value. Bally is a77 year old company, our decisions aremid- to long-term. We don't see AWP asa core competency of the Class IIIsegment. I see it as a divesture of ourcore competencies. The products,hardware/software etc. could beconsidered a distraction from one's corebusiness, especially during the currentfiscal situation we find ourselves in, bothdomestically and internationally. Bally'sstandpoint is that there's considerableopportunity remaining in the currentbusiness sector, without taking suchsignificant risks (by launching into theAWP sector) under current globaleconomic conditions."

It's now a matter of wait-and-see forBally Technologies in the Italian VLTmarket. It has made its strategic decisionto follow its competitors into the marketwith a systems solution that shouldeclipse anything we've seen so far in thissector. Whether this proves the rightstrategy for the unpredictable Italiangaming market is something only timecan tell. But if it works in Italy, if thedrawing together of Class III gaming inthe VLT sector proves that it can redefinethis advanced street market, theopportunities it opens up for the rest ofEurope are immense.

The importance of the changes takingplace in the Italian VLT market will haveramifications for the whole of theEuropean gaming sector. Theconvergence of VLT/centraldetermination/server-based/downloadable gaming is comingtogether all at once. Mr. Connellypromises there'll be majorannouncements in the coming months.

BALLY TECHNOLOGIESFocus

Rumours in Italy already abound withtalk of a Comma 6a+ machine, an AWPthat will be much closer in payout andpercentage terms to the current Comma6b regulations, which would span the gulfbetween the two categories. Fears are thatComma 6a AWPs will be criticallyweakened by the introduction of VLTs thissummer, and while the majority of theconcessionaires are not predicting thedecline of Comma 6a, instead speaking ofa slowing down of growth, their vestedinterest in maintaining their estate ofmachines (some 380,000 Comma 6as)puts into questions their impartiality.

Can Comma 6a survive in a VLT market?The Czech example would suggest not,though the make-up of the market is verydifferent, the dominance of VLT in such ashort space of time, would suggest thatthe AAMS will need to bolster Comma 6ain some shape or form if it is to survive.Of course, it does beg the question as towhether the Italian authorities want tocontinue with Comma 6a in the future?Speaking today, the AAMS quotes figuresthat state it would be illogical to turn itsback on such a massive contributor togaming revenue for the country. Butthat's today... what the authority willmake of Comma 6a in the future is lesscertain. Certainly the AAMS has stackedthe odds in favour of VLTs, invitingconcessionaires to create purpose builtlocations that will see Italy's land-basedgaming market radically change.

The phrase 'mini casino' was banded

around the Rimini ENADA show withincreasing frequency. The fear of suchterminology in the past had been that theCatholic Church, which remains apowerful organ in all walks of life in Italy,will baulk at the concept of casinos inwhatever form in the market. The factthat Italians play outside the country inhuge numbers in border casinosseemingly does not interest the church - itdoes, however, interest the government.Plans to draw back this 'lost revenue' intoItalian tax coffers is creating a market thatis everything but 'full blown' casinostatus. Italy's gaming market in everyother respect will be the most progressivein Europe. From Internet gaming, throughto networked linked AWPs, to sports-betting and VLTs. Italy has embracedgaming like no other nation in Europe.There are markets that are more open andliberal, but in these countries thereremains the fear of persecution and ban.Italy's legislative framework for thegaming industry is second-to-none.

Italy is still in its learning phase, with agreat deal of growing pains still to beovercome, but the willingness oflegislators to embrace gaming, to manageand regulate it properly is both refreshingand liberating. Having seen thecatastrophe that has been the Russian andUkrainian gaming markets in 2009, forItaly to recognise gaming as a 'real'business, not something to be hidden andforgotten, has attracted the attention ofthe world. It's hard not to see directcomparisons with the situation of Greece,

Italy is arguably one of the most exciting gaming marketplacesin the world. It’s also one of the most fickle.We sift the rumourfrom fact and discuss the opportunities that lie ahead in 2010

Italian gaming - theshiftingmarketplace

ITALIAN COMMA 6BAnalysis


so much in debt and without a land-based gaming market outside its handfulof casinos, that the Rimini ENADAbuzzed with discussions about how theItalian model could be ported directly intothe Greek market. It's certainly anattractive proposition and one that drewnot just the Italian faithful to Rimini, butthe major casino gaming manufacturers.

Novomatic took its trademark footballfield sized plot at the exhibition, showinga versatile range of VLT product on itsIndigo platform, which was shown for thefirst time at IGE 2010. In the first phase ofVLTs entering the market in April/May,Novomatic is at the forefront of theintroduction of its Indigo platform intothe Italian market. Novomatic has donemore than any other manufacturer toensure that its machines meet all therequirements of the Comma 6b market.Having been ahead of the curve inGermany with the introduction of leasedmulti-game machines that proved torevitalise the German street sector, in ItalyNovomatic has worked closely andsupported concessionaires to ensure thateach meets its quota in May.

Having successfully connected theirComma 6a machines to a centralnetwork, the concessionaires' initialreaction to the Comma 6b legislation wasthat it was simply more of the same. Ithas only been in these last six monthsthat as the AAMS has released technicaldetails, the costs and technical scale ofthe endeavour has truly hit home. From

the Rome ENADA exhibition in October,to the Spring ENADA in March, the moodwas totally different. And the market istotally different too. Casino suppliers wereeverywhere in Rimini. Having createdsophisticated solutions for Class IIIgaming markets around the world, Italy'sfootsteps into a Class II market presents atantalising opportunity for suppliers withthe software and hardware necessary tomake Comma 6b a reality. Those thatthought that Comma 6a machines andtheir suppliers could make the step up toVLTs have been found sorely wanting.This is a different ball-game entirely.

Bally Technologies presence at Rimini wastestament to the opportunities that theItalian market presents, and the need forsophisticated solutions beyond thecapabilities of Italian local producers.Predictions at the Spring ENADA werebeing made as to the timescale of thedecline of Italy's domestic machinesupplies business. It's a model that hasrelied upon creating cabinets for foreignmanufacturers gaming boards, and uponthe distribution of these machines to localoperators. Already we are seeing smalloperators grouping together to purchaseconcessionary licences. However, thesuccess of such cooperatives is in somedoubt.

While the government is offering 10 newconcessionary licences in May, the takeup in Italy is expected to be low - perhapsone to two licences will be adopted. Thereason is that you must operate a large

COMMA6A+The Italian market is undoubtedly changing, with medium-sized businesses and large-scale corporations beginning to dominate the historically small, family-run gamingindustry. Many of the existing small businesses envisage that the market will, in thelong-run, be controlled entirely by the concessionaires. They believe that the move toVLTs spells the end to their smaller AWP locations, and so there has been a ground-swell of support for trade association calls for a Comma 6a+ machine. While there'snothing concrete in terms of the actual specifications for a Comma 6a+ machine, theconcept is straightforward, with stakes and prizes more closely reflecting those ofComma 6b and potentially accepting and paying out either in tickets or bills. Whileoperators don't envisage a similar shift as in the UK, where the introduction of FOBTand Section 16/21 machines emptied the local pub market of core players. Thedifferences between Comma 6a and Comma 6b machines in Italy are not so great as inthe UK pub and LBO sector, but the propensity for Italian players to chase the higherjackpots is very much the same. The concept of creating a low stakes and prizemarket when there exists, at a street level, a much higher prize alternative, has noprecedent in the European marketplace. Wherever there is a more attractive prize, atleast at the street level, the core 'harder' gamer has migrated to this environment. Theview in Italy is that VLT locations will need to be of a much larger size than currentAWP sites, with the 380,000 Comma 6a machines remaining in smaller bar locations.While this might be true of the location of the machines, with VLTs in large-sizedlocations and AWPs occupying smaller sites, it's the behaviour of the players that's allimportant. If, as happened in the UK, which saw the core players leave the bars/pubsand migrate to the new VLT-only 'mini casinos,' this two-tiered model will fail. AWPsmust be attractive to the core player in order for them to succeed, but this is at oddswith the government goals that these machines should be 'amusement' with prize. IfItaly does adopt the concept of Comma 6a+, will the machines continue to be classedas 'amusement?'



estate of Comma 6a machines in order toqualify for your percentage ratio of VLTmachines. What new operator is going toenter the Italian market to operate VLTmachines, when first they have topurchase six times the number of Comma6a to quality for a significant enoughnumber of VLTs? More likely, as seen atthe ENADA in Rimini, will be the creationof joint ventures such as the one betweenCogetech and Casinos AustriaInternational. The two companies havecreated a joint venture to operate 15-20VLT-only locations (mini casinos).

Some of the concessionary licences areexpected to be swallowed up by smalleroperators in Italy, already operatingComma 6a machines, who will bandtogether to form cooperatives to operateVLTs in their existing locations. Theproblem here is that, as has been seenwith current concessionaires operating inthis manner, there are lots of differentvoices within the company pulling indifferent directions, which can slows thedecision making process and makes itdifficult for casino companies withNevada licences to work with this type ofcooperative. It takes only one member ofthe cooperative to put a black markagainst the company in the eyes of theNevada Gaming Board. If you considerthis within the scope of the Italiangaming market's track record... well,there's plenty of opportunity for thisoutcome.

What's also fairly obvious is that withoutthe expertise and technical know-how ofthe casino gaming sector, the Comma 6bmarket would not be opening its doorsthis summer. Comma 6b is not anupmarket form of 6a. The protocols overwhich the Comma 6 and 6a marketstruggled for so long, have entered adifferent league, with communication,security, validation devices and reportingall vastly more advanced. What'shappened as part of the advancement,but within the open resourceenvironment, is that differentconcessionaires have sought differentsolutions.

Every system is different and they're alllooking to report back to the AAMS via asingle port. All this means that there's ahost of sophisticated systems able to runmachines of the same type, but whichtechnically can't interact with differentmachines in the same location. A ticketdrawn from VLT-A and placed into VLT-Bfrom a different supplier using a differentsystem, will be rejected. And since eachof the peripherals in the VLT mustcommunicate with the system and notindividually to the AAMS, the networkingof the devices and the systems hascreated a problem for the concessionaires.

Either go with a single system from asupplier, which could ultimately meanthat this limits the type of games your canoffer players, or go with multiplesuppliers whose machines can'tcommunicate with each other. It was aproblem that preoccupied most of theexhibitors at the Rimini show until a finalmeeting was had with Octavian's PeterMoffit.

Having heard from a variety of sourcesthat Octavian had created a systemsolution to these problems, Mr. Moffittexplained that the company had created amiddleware solution to the dilemma.Octavian's solution enables multiplesystems from multiple companies tocommunicate via its middleware. Sittingover the systems and peripherals fromother suppliers, this Super System (ourterminology, not Octavian's), allows for asingle port of communication to theAAMS, as dictated by the legislation forComma 6b, and all the separate systemsand devices within the VLT. If its works,and Mr. Moffitt was keen to stress thatthis is not vapourware, but a systemalready up and running in a location inEurope, then the host of issues still facingthe VLT market in Italy could be solved ina single stroke. If not, then we could belooking at a fragmented market that is

defined by the type of system theconcessionaire operates.

And of course, there remain otherconcerns, not least in regards to staffing.The idea that operators will be able tokeep the same skeleton staff for a locationwith complicated systems and machinetechnology needs to be addressed. In VLTlocations that will have to payout €5,000jackpots on site, the notion that theattendant can perform this duty, asoriginally mooted back at the RomeENADA, is being taken care of under theumbrella heading of the 'mini casino'concept. VLT locations will have to bepurpose built locations that manage

Predictions at theSpring ENADAwere

beingmade as to thetimescale of thedecline of Italy's

domesticmachinesupplies business.

It's amodel that hasrelied upon creatingcabinets for foreign

manufacturersgaming boards, and

upon the distributionof thesemachines to

local operators.

COMMA6AMACHINES -MARCH2009

Cirsa Italia 16,100Sisal Slot 33,200Lottomatica Videolot 69,000GMatica 14,775Codere 8,400HBG Connex 32,000Betplus 77,600Gamenet 50,000Cogetech 35,000SNAI 35,000Total 371,000



themsleves in a totally different way fromthe rather haphazard street set-up forComma 6a. These mini casinos will needto be well staffed, secure and bet placedto ensure success.

The size of the location will be animportant factor in determining howsecurity is managed, the appropriate levelof technical support and the handling ofcash on the premises. Of immediateconcern right now is also the location ofthe new locations. Real estate for the VLTsites is going to be at a premium as city-centre sites are currently being assessedby the concessionaires and their partnersright across Italy. Bidding wars arealready taking place for key locations,which must be of a size and scale tooperate the 50-100 VLTs that would makethese sites profitable.

What's also unclear is how the new VLTlocations will acquire their bettinglicences, since part of the Comma 6blegislation states that operators oflocations with VLTs must hold a bettinglicence. Current locations ownersoperating Comma 6a machines do nothave the licences needed to fulfil thiscriteria, and offers from concessionairesappear to be suggesting that this will betaken care of by the concessionaire aspart of the VLT package.

The location owner is expecting anallocation of leased machines and anoperations licence as part of an agreedbundle from the concessionaire. Whatisn't clear is how, since the applicationfor a betting licence must be made withthe local authority, this will affect thespeed of roll-out across the country,

especially as the granting of licences bylocal authorities could be rejected onnumerous grounds.

VLT locations are also, as specified in thelaw, required to register their players aspart of the terms of the Comma 6bregulations who win over €5,000.

However, to date, nothing has beenconclusively outlined as to how this willwork. It is expected that there will benumerous ways of splitting the jackpotinto smaller incremental amounts toenable the player to win the same prizewithout needing to register their win withthe government. How exactly the newVLT locations will manage all the newmeasures, and how similar they willbecome to the definitions we have todayof live and electronic casinos, remains tobe seen. But then if we had all theanswers, this wouldn't be Italy.

Italy is still in itslearning phase, with

a great deal ofgrowing pains still tobe overcome, but the

willingness oflegislators to

embrace gaming, tomanage and regulate

it properly is bothrefreshing and

liberating.

CONCESSIONAIRESThe revenue share in operation in the VLT market in Italy willsee 50 per cent of the cashbox retained by the operator, 15 percent for the supplier of the leased VLT system/product, andthe remaining 35 per cent for the concessionaire. Instances inwhich suppliers have aided concessionaires in the purchase ofVLT licences, the remit split between supplier andconcessionaire is thought to be closer to 25/25.

SERVICINGOne of the major hurdles facing companies in the newly created Comma 6b sector inItaly is servicing. The latest VLT machines are naturally complicated and expensivepieces of equipment, and currently the infrastructure to service these devices acrossthe whole of Italy, is non-existent. There are, however, the companies capable ofperforming the role, and at the ENADA Spring show, there were companies offeringtheir services in this capacity. One of the foremost is Olivetti, renowned for telecomsand computing, the Italian company is working in the VLT sector in Italy, ensuringthat the 14,000 Comma 6b machines from Novomatic are serviced throughout thecountry.




Hit hard by the economic crisis, the Spanish street gamingmarket is struggling, though video and hybrids remain positive

Toughing it out inSpain

It was a significant reflection on the stateof the Spanish market as the Andalucianexhibition in Malaga opened its doorswith one of the biggest industry namesmissing from the show.

And R. Franco wasn’t the only casualtythis year as several other companies whousually took stands at the Marchexhibition were also noticeably absentthis year including MGA, Novomatic,Orenes, Zitro, Zest, Sleic, Worte and CostaCalida (Bally Wulff).

Some claim the economic crisis, whichhas hit Spain harder than most, has leftmany cutting back on exhibitions whilstothers are taking a stand that twoexhibitions in a tough market at present isjust too much.

The Andalucia show has always playedsecond fiddle to the autumn Madridnational show and traditionally has beena regional event aimed at the tourist areasready for the start of the tourist season atEaster. Some five or six years ago it outgrew its home in the Congress Hall inTorremolinos and those fed up with beinghoused in marquees finally got their wish

when the exhibition moved to moreprofessional surroundings at the newexhibition centre in Malaga.

But with that exhibitors and visitorsswapped their leisurely lunches in thebeach Chiringuitos for vacuumed packagesandwiches coupled with more expensivefloor space.

Mix that with a worldwide economicslump, and the exhibition has beenfloundering. Many thought last yearwould be the end but it limps on withreports that many exhibitors left it untiltwo weeks before the show date toconfirm their booking whilst othersreceived free extra stand space toaccommodate for the missing few.

In a somewhat unprecedented moveServitronic (owned 50 per cent byUnidesa) was presenting products fromnot only Unidesa (El Tesoro de Java,Vikings video and La Perla del Caribe)but rivals R. Franco, who also hadproducts on the Corema-Cauca stand.

Meanwhile, the suggestion that theamusement video game market is pretty

Astro Corp’s CEO Simon Herbert.

There are reports ofup to 35 per centdrops in income inthe AWPmarketwhilst operatorshave no finance

facilities availableand suppliers are

nowofferingpayment plans andre-evaluating their

prices.

much dead was reflected in the fact therewere none on display and out in themarket are only really found in theamusement arcades.

The AWP market has been hit hard overthe last 12 months. Spain has one of thebiggest gaming markets with around252,000 AWPs, which accounts for almost45 per cent of the total gambling sector inthe country. The total amount spent inthe gambling sector (including lotteries)in 2008 was almost €31bn which included€2.5bn on casinos, €3.6bn on bingo and€12.6bn on AWPs.

Today there are reports of up to 35 percent drops in income in the AWP marketwhilst operators have no finance facilities

SPAIN’S STREET MARKETAnalysis

available, which has meant that suppliersare now offering payment plans and re-evaluating their prices.

One thing which keeps the marketstumbling along is the desire for many tochange their AWPs for the newer stylevideo or hybrid products now available invarious regions.

Each of the 17 autonomous regions eachhave their own laws and the majoritynow operate with a maximum 60c stakeand prize of up to 500 times the stakeand can also accept video technology.

Spain traditionally has always beencomfortable with the reel technology butmany believe that video is finally beingaccepted by the players particularly in thearcade market.

In previous years some manufacturersdeveloped hybrid products to ease thenew technology into the market but todaythe majority are now introducing solevideo products.

Comatel currrently offers a variety ofproducts from multiplayers by Amatic,casino products from John Huxley andAWPs from JPM, Bell Fruit and AstroCorporation.

JPM launched Casino Las Vegas duringlast year’s Madrid show which has beenfollowed by Casino Loco. In addition thecompany has also developed a roulette


style game using a PC platform whichwill be unveiled in Madrid. Theadvantage of this game being it can behoused in other cabinets.

As JPM’s Simon McCarthy said: “What ishappening right now is that everyone isbeing aggressive in terms of sales due tothe current climate. We have a holdingpot here and we want to move forward inSpain.”

Meanwhile, Astro Corp has taken onComatel as its new distributor havingpreviously produced the Black Beardvideo arcade machine for the Spanishmarket via Dosniha. Under the Comatelumbrella, the company has now launchedCircus and Halloween.

Amatic has the strongest position in Spainat the moment in terms of multiplayerproducts with its Roulette Grand Jeufollowed by Dosniha which between themhave an estimated 1,000 machines in themarket.

Aristocrat Technologies continues to targetthe Spanish AWP market with itsmodified range of popular casino slotsincluding Dolphin Treasure and Queen ofthe Nile.

Aristocrat’s Daniel Lindsay commented:“We are continuing to build our brand inthe Spanish street sector. It is going totake time for players to adjust to video,but they are responding very positively.”

(Top) JPM’s SimonMcCarthy and Tony Jones (above) Aristocrat’s DanielLindsaywith Spanish products (below)Merkur’s Klaus Schwerbrock,

(bottom) Amatic’s Leopold Oller and Seeben’s Urbain Thewissen.


With a new law in Andalucia permittingbingo machines in arcades Ortiz Gamingtook a huge stand at the show. Headed byAlejandro Ortiz the company wasfounded in 1996 in Brazil and laterexpanded into the Central Americanmarket in 2002 followed by Scandinaviaand more recently Spain.

Sente (Merkur) introduced a uniqueproduct into the Spanish market this yearby presenting its new hybrid multigameAWP which offers three previouslysuccessful games – Oceans Magic,Duende and Cashline Platino.

The idea behind this game is to target thebar market which traditionally has beenused to reel products only. Sente says thisis a “conservative approach to the videogame” and aims to introduce players tothe new video style of gaming.

The product has been specificallydeveloped for the Spanish market and inaddition it means that the software can bechanged whilst offering a mix of differentgames.

Elaut which usually presented its craneamusement products via MGA hasopened up a Spanish office and took anindependent stand at the show to notonly present its amusement games butalso the KATE security system and IntelliLink management system.

As Elaut’s Patrick Magendans

Comatel’s Fidel Molina.

Elaut’s PatrickMagendans.

commented: “There is a big issue in themarket with security, so we are offeringthe cashless management and cash deskfacilities.”

One benefit of this system is that it workswith both older machines and the newermachine protocols, which means moneyhandling is no longer an issue for bothplayers and indeed staff.

Meanwhile, the anticipation surroundingonline gaming in Spain continues. At thispoint it is still being discussed in centralgovernment although some believe aregional law is now a distinct possibility.

This means one or more of theautonomous regions could go ahead andpass their own regional law permittingonline gaming. Ceuta (the Spanishenclave in North Africa) is expected tolegalise internet betting very soon.

Sports betting is still a slow starter.Madrid and the Basque Country are stillthe only two regions to permit such anactivity. Operators are waiting for the lawto change to allow sports betting in bars,rather than via shops only, which couldsee the industry grow.

It is thought that to open a shop and payrent for over a year before permissionsare finalised is causing problems. Thiswas one of the reasons cited for WilliamHill pulling out of its partnership last yearwith Victoria Apuestas (Codere).



Resorts World Sentosa, one of the world’smost extensive and expensive integratedresorts at US$4.4bn, was built in a recordtime of under three years. Last month’ssoft opening revealed to the publicSoutheast Asia’s only Universal Studiostheme park, four hotels, its CompassBallroom, 26 function rooms, a 1,600-seatFestive Grand theatre and luxury casino.

Supporting the attractions are a 3,500-lotcar-park facility, restaurants, retail stores,entertainment and public attractions thatinclude Emmy-award winner JeremyRailton’s Lake of Dreams and Chamber ofTreasures. Resorts World Sentosa will alsoopen the world’s largest Marine Life Park,its Maritime Experiential Museum, adestination spa and two remaining hotelswith a total of 500 rooms in phase two.

In the first of a series of supplierannouncements, Gaming PartnersInternational revealed the completeion ofan initial order for casino currency forResorts World Sentosa. The orderincluded chips and plaques from two ofGPI’s popular lines of casino currency -Bourgogne & Grasset and Bud Jones.

Different sets of casino chips and plaqueswere created for the resort property andincluded a variety of styles, shapes andcolor combinations, as well as a number

of security features, including RFID.Each set was customised for ResortsWorld Sentosa to meet the casino’soperational and security requirements.The premium casino chips and plaqueswere produced in both of the GPI’s secureproduction facilities.

“We chose GPI for our casino currencybecause of their undisputed leadershipposition in RFID technology, as well astheir unique ability to provide the mostdesign and security options to meet ourstringent requirements,” said Mr. WongAh Yoke, Senior Vice President of CasinoOperations at Resorts World Sentosa.“The quality of service and theprofessionalism of the staff were crucialin ensuring that the chips and plaqueswere delivered in time for our opening.”

The RFID technology offered with allGPI’s lines of casino currency, allowscasinos to verify the authenticity andvalue of each chip instantly, reducing thepossibility of counterfeiting, staff pilferageor miscounts. With specialised readersand software this technology enablescasinos to track individual chipsthroughout the gaming floor as well asfollow payments, fills and credits, tips,and wins and losses per table at any timeof the day.

GPI has a long standing history ofsupplying all Resorts World casinoproperties with casino currency. GPI haspreviously supplied Resorts WorldGenting, Resort World Manila and its

affiliated Star Cruises.

“Resorts World is one of the top casinooperators in the world and we aredelighted that they chose GPI to supplythe casino currency for its Sentosaproperty,” added Greg Gronau, Presidentand CEO of GPI. “They required manylevels of security for their currency andtheir decision to choose GPI is truly atestament to the broad scope of oursecurity offering.”

AFANTASTICRESULTTCSJohnHuxley Asia added to thedominating European influence of casinoequipment having been chosen to supplya whole range of bespoke gamingproucts. The expansive list includes alllayouts for the casino’s 500+ live tablegames, 60 Roulette wheels, 122 readerheads, mini dice and Sic Bo units, moneywheels and a whole host of accessories.Due to the success of Novo TouchBet atGenting's Highland Resort (whichcurrently houses the World's largestinstallation of over 300 terminals), theoperator has installed over 100 terminals.

Tristan Sjoberg, Managing Director Asiacomments, "We are extremely proud tohave been selected to supply ourproducts to this World class project. Notonly does this illustrate how highlyregarded our range is in terms of qualityand reliability, but also our ability toremain competitive in this extremelydemanding market place. My thanks goto all the team who have workedtirelessly to achieve such a fantasticresult."

SIGNSOFREALPROGRESSSince concluding a definitive salesagreement with Resorts World Sentosa,Gaming Support’s JackpotJunctionXL/CastNET digital signage system wentlive in conjunction with its casinoopening on 14 February.

Nick Hogan, Vice President of Sales andBusiness Development at Gaming Supportsaid: “Gaming Support’s collaborationwith Singapore’s most exciting integratedresort serves to reinforce the world-classofferings that Resorts World Sentosa willdeliver to its diverse range of customers.”

Yap Chee Yuen, Senior Vice President andHead of Information Technology atResorts World Sentosa said: “It is our goalto deliver a world-class experience to ourguests each time they visit our resort. Weare confident that Gaming Support, beingone of the leading vendors in theindustry, is able to fulfill our goal withtheir management commitment,implementation and support services aswell as the promising range of productsthat they have to offer.”

Newsensations inSentosa


ResortsWorldSentosa is one of the

world’smostextensive and

expensive integratedresorts at US$4.4bn,was built in a recordtime of under three

years.

ResortsWorld Sentosaopened with the very latestEuropean gaming equipment

RESORTS WORLD SENTOSAFocus


period on 1st August 2009 – 57 of thesewere new, additional positions for bothnew industry-specific apprenticeships as‘coin-op specialist’ and ‘coin-op servicetechnician’. A total of 200 young peopleare being trained by the GauselmannGroup in 15 different vocations.

PROGRESSVIA INVESTMENTSInvestments in the fundamental businessdivisions of the group of companies to thetune of €221m – also and especiallyduring times of financial and economiccrisis – are the key to success in the 2009Financial Year.

DEVELOPMENTOFTHEBUSINESSDIVISIONSThe important business division – theMerkur Division (pan-Europeandevelopment, production and global salesof amusement and gaming machines andmoney-management systems) – wascharacterised by successful developmentand market introduction of new products.Alongside diverse new game contents inparticular a brand new cabinet generationcalled ‘Vision’ created strong demandamong both operators and players.

Despite continual competitive pressurefrom new international manufacturers,the family-managed Gauselmann Groupwas able to assert its position as leadingcompany in the field of electronicamusement and gaming machines in the

core German market within the MerkurDivision in 2009 and furthermore increaseits market share in particular also in thefield of the ‘multi-gamers’ (gamingsystems of up to 60 games on one screen)under the ‘Merkur Magie’ brand. Newsales potential was also accessedparticularly in Italy, Spain and Englandwith completely new products.

The pleasing development of previousyears also continued in 2009 in the fieldof money-management systems – whichalso belongs to the Merkur Division. TheGauselmann Group was able to assert andexpand its market-leading position aroundthe theme of coin and banknote handlingin the field of self-service terminals forbanks, communal payment systems aswell as money changing systems forarcades. Money-management systems ofthe Gauselmann Group can be found inuse in over 50 separate countries.

In the Spielothek Division (pan-Europeanentertainment), the Gauselmann Groupextended its leading position in the arcademarket. The focused arcade developmentto modern, top-rate Entertainment Centresin locations both inside and outside ofGermany has been continued in 2009.This strategy has been successfullysustained in 2009 whilst at the same timeadjusting the existing branch structure.Approx. 400 arcades were in operation inthe previous financial year, 200 of whichare in Germany.

The division ‘New Media’ wascharacterised by a fine-tuning of thelicences purchased the end of 2006 forthe liberalised Italian sports bettingmarket. Furthermore, advances in thedevelopment of new games in the field ofonline gaming and prize games weremade with great commitments to be ableto meet the needs of the changing gamingand amusement markets. All this eventhough logical initial losses had to betaken into account.

EUROPEANCOMPETITORSCOUNTONQUALITYExternal contracts for the Gauselmannmanufacturing site in Lübbecke added tothe positive business development invarious fields, as European competitorscount more and more on the high qualitystandards according to DIN EN ISO9001:2008 of the Gauselmann Group.Thus, machines for an English companylisted on the stock exchange are producedin the Lübbecke plant as contractmanufacturing. The already strongmanufacturing base could be furtherstrengthened with this and so has beenan important factor in securingemployment in the local district. Theresult of these positive developments hasbeen the staff increase of 160 in theLübbecke production site.

Gauselmann Group’sPaul Gauselmann.

The GauselmannGroup focuses on

sustainability, long-termpartnershipsand trustwhen it

comes to financing.The Gauselmann

Group has an equityratio ofmore than 50per cent; profits arenormally invested in

the company.

Bucking thedownward trend

The family-managed Gauselmann Groupfrom eastern Westphalia has againreached its own self-defined corporategoals for the 2009 Financial Year - despitethe sustained international and nationaleconomic crisis – bucking the generaltrend and increasing the volume ofbusiness by approx. 10 per cent.

POSITIVEBUSINESSDEVELOPMENTGauselmann Group’s volume of businessincreased in concrete terms to €1.26bn(2008: €1.12bn). The increase wenthand-in-hand with the expansion ofworking positions within the group ofcompanies. The number of employeesrose to approx. 6,000 (2008: 5,500).

The basis for this positive result is acontinuing innovation and investmentprocess, which is particularly underlinedby the development of new innovativetechnologies in amusement and gamingmachines as well as the systems area andnew service concepts for arcades.

Alongside numerous new positions, theGauselmann Group was able to generate87 new apprenticeship training positionsfor the beginning of the apprenticeship

GAUSELMANN GROUPFocus

The Gauselmann Group has recorded astrong increase in the volume of businessand employee numbers throughout 2009

The Merkur Dispenser 100 is enjoyingincreasing international demand. Thisfollows run-away success in its homecountry, Germany. Having been firstintroduced to its domestic market, thisreport focuses on German operatorfeedback, examining the benefits theimplementation of the Merkur Dispenser100 brings and the lessons internationaloperators can draw from this example.

In less than three years, over 25,000Merkur Dispenser 100s are now in dailyoperation in the German market.Feedback has been gained from bothmarket segments – namely arcades, barsand restaurants.

Köppl Automaten in south-east Bavariahas a long history in the market. Thecompany operates AWPs in differentmarket segments. The company’s arcadesare managed under the brand ‘LuckyLuxor’. Asked about the benefits of theMerkur Dispenser 100, Hubert Huber ofKöppl Automaten explains: “It’s allabout the player and playersatisfaction. The Merkur Dispenser 100means that the player can not only playwith notes, but receive winnings in notesas well. This means that the player isindependent. He or she no longer needsto change money. Naturally this savestime and reduces our costs.” Furthermore,Köppl Automaten operates the MerkurDispenser 100 in a secure unit called the‘Twin.’ This is fundamental to thecompany as there can be thousands ofeuros stored in this secure unit.

Elspass Automaten from Düsseldorf has a

“Machine down-time is the operator’smain enemy. The Merkur Dispenser 100has helped make this a problem of thepast. In the rare case that a fault occurs,we can still operate the Merkur Dispenser100 as a banknote acceptor, so cancontinue to operate the machine. Thishappens rarely, but is still important andgives us piece of mind,” says Mr. Elspass.

The Merkur Dispenser 100 also plays arole in the purchasing choice of ElspassAutomaten, according to Mr. Elspass: “Myfirst criterion is the machine and gamechoice. If I find that AWPs have similarappeal from varying manufacturers, thencriterion number two is decisive. I ask thequestion – can the Merkur Dispenser 100be fitted? If not, I will not purchase it.”

Lauser is a major and very well-knownGerman AWP operator, based in Stuttgartin south-west Germany. This companyoperates in both market segments withthe focus on bars/restaurants. Inparticular, Lauser operates AWPs at manymotorway service areas. The ManagingDirector, Elfriede Lauser agrees with Mr.Elspass on the multiple cost savings theyenjoy because of Merkur Dispenser 100.

Mrs. Lauser states: “The MerkurDispenser 100 is fitted in each and everyAWP I have in the bars/restaurantssegment. This product is particularlyimportant for AWPs at motorway serviceareas. Players are on the move… waitingfor winnings to be paid out is even morefrustrating and costly. The employees heredo not carry change for AWPs. Theywould have to call their bosses to refillthe machines. The Merkur Dispenser 100not only solves all these issues, but theup-time ensures that a player cancontinue playing after a win. This up-timegenerates more revenue. The MerkurDispenser 100 saves costs, increasesplayer satisfaction and increases revenue.It is an excellent product.”

AWPs in Germany have to be refilled viathe coin selector or note reader/recycler.Refilling the Merkur Dispenser 100 is veryquick, thus saves operator time andmoney. This leads to another majorbenefit – the fact that the player receiveswinnings in notes as well as coins meansthat he or she no longer needs to changethe coins into notes. “Don’t forget thatthe number of euro coins in circulation isquite a bit lower than the coins incirculation during the times of theDeutsch Mark. Furthermore, winning onlycoins creates a problem for the player inthe foods and drinks sector. Where doesthe player change the money into notes?The service personnel cannot usuallyoffer this facility. The Merkur Dispenser100 gives us this added advantage that wereally need,” concludes Mrs. Lauser.

Elfriede Lauser,Lauser Germany.

TheMerkurDispenser 100 is said

to be the ‘perfectproduct for the

Germanmarket’ byend users. Operatorsaround theworld can

find out how theirlocations can benefit

by contacting theGauselmann Group.

long history focusing entirely on operatingmachines in bars and restaurants.Company owner, Walter Elspass, hasinstalled the Merkur Dispenser 100 insideeach and every AWP he operates. Thenew Gaming Ordinance (Spielverordnung)in 2006 saw a radical change in theGerman AWP market, increasing winningopportunities. Fitting the MerkurDispenser 100 has benefitted all parties –the commercial and technicaldepartments of Elspass Automaten, thebar/restaurant owners and – of course –the players.

Mr. Elspass states: “If not for the MerkurDispenser 100, I would have to send outtechnicians much more often to my AWPsto re-fill them. Don’t forget that they arein operation in bars and restaurants, so insmaller numbers in many locations. Thismakes servicing machines very costly.The Merkur Dispenser 100 provides afundamental cost saving.“Furthermore, the machines arepractically always up and running.Machines that are switched off costoperators money and frustrate the guests.The frustration factor disappears for theplayer. This is true for all of us involved.The bar or restaurant owner no longerneeds to worry about what to do when anAWP is out of order due to lack of moneyto pay a winning customer.”

The Merkur Dispenser 100 is made in amodular way – combining banknotereader, stacker and recycler. An operatorhas the choice to run the MerkurDispenser 100 simply as a banknotereader if necessary.

German arcade, bar and restaurant machine operators pay tribute to theflexibility and functionality of the Gauselmann Group’s Merkur Dispenser 100

Merkur Dispenser 100


MERKUR DISPENSER 100Products

Perfectproduct forGermanyStefan Elspass andWalter Elspass of Elspass Automaten.

Invest in the future and use this technicalmasterpiece for your modern cash manage-ment. The ”Merkur Dispenser 100“ provides utmost convenience, precision and security.

Alongside the Euro, all further Europeancurrencies are accepted as well as paid out.A maximum of 102 bank notes can be safelystored.

Increase your customer satisfaction and profit from the greatly reduced amounts of service call-outs thanks to the ”Merkur Dispenser 100“.

Merkur Dispenser 100 –your solution for more efficiency!

bank note in

bank note out

Borsigstrasse 26 D-32312 Luebbecke Phone +49 (0)5741 273 6918 Fax +49 (0)5741 90175 [email protected] www.merkur-gaming.com

Title: NOVOSTAR SL2Company: Novomaticwww.novomatic.com

The G2E Asia show inMacaumarks the annualmajormeeting point for the Asian gaming industry. As such itwill also at its 2010 edition see the Austrian gaminggiant Novomatic presenting a great range ofinternational aswell as region-specific products.

Austrian Gaming Industrieswill focus at G2E Asia onthe presentation of games specifically designed forthe Asianmarket and featuring a complete translationinto the Chinese language. Lucky Lady’s Charmdeluxe,Book of Ra deluxe, Sizzling Hot 8, 8 Jewels, Chicago,Indian Spirit and Xtra 8 are the featured games thatAGIwill present on booth number 1113. A special rangeof Super-V+ Gaminator cabinetswill feature exclusiveAsian games thatwill be availablewithmulti-languageoptions including, of course, the Chinese version.

The international Super-V+ Gaminatormulti-gamemixes numbers 25-34 and 37-40will also be on show,presenting thrilling games for top performance anddiversified gaming entertainment. Themulti-gamemixeswill be presented in the highly popular Super-V+Gaminator cabinets and ‘for the first time inMacau’ inthe newNOVOSTAR SL2 slant top cabinet.

The NOVOSTAR celebrated its premiere at this year’sLondon showand is on itsway to establishing a firmposition on the international casino floors. It isavailable in three differentmodular versions and theNOVOSTAR SL caters to the entire range ofmoderngaming applications: NOVOSTAR SL1with onemonitor

formultiplayer installations and NOVOSTAR SL2withtwomonitors aswell as NOVOSTAR SL3, featuringthreemonitors, for classic video slot gaming.

On show inMacauwill be the NOVOSTAR SL2with twomonitors demonstrating the sophisticatedcombination of leading technology, futuristic style

and ergonomic design for a newbrilliance in gaming.The attractive style is accentuatedwith brilliant,LED illuminated, details that produce elegant shiningeffects and provoke high guest attention includingtop recognition value.

The ergonomic design of the NOVOSTAR SL cabinetseries is further complemented by the innovative FlipScreen Feature (SL2 and SL3) ‘ that allows the guestto ‘flip’ themain screen from the bottom to the topmonitor’ and an additional start button built into thefoot rest.

Superior, virtual surround soundwith sub-wooferand active satellite speakers aswell as highdefinition touchscreens round off the technicalhardware equipment of the NOVOSTAR® SL cabinetrange and guarantee a gaming experience ofmaximum impact.

Jens Halle, Managing Director AGI: “G2E Asia as themajor Asian gaming show, offers the idealopportunity to present our products and services tothe decisionmakers of the Asian growthmarkets.Macao is a great place not only to personallymeetwith our partners and customers in the Asian regionbut also to network and establish new contacts inthe local gaming industry.

“I am convinced that our internationally proven andtop performing products offer highly attractivebenefits and true assets for operators throughoutthe region.”

G2E Asiawill be held fromJune 9-10 at the Cotai StripCotaiExpo, VenetianMacao.

NEWS AND UPDATESProducts

CASINO SLOTS

Title: DDF4010HDV & DDZ4010 DomeraCompany: Dallmeierwww.dallmeier.com

Following the integration of the ONVIF specificationswith all Dallmeier network cameras, the HighDefinition cameras are now to follow suit. Thisincludes the fixed dome camera DDF4010HDV as wellas the high definition PTZ series DOMERA DDZ4010.

The full HDTV cameras by Dallmeier use a native HDsensor with a true resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.At a 16:9 format they offer a five times higherresolution than the best conventional SD cameras.They are equipped with the tried and trustedCam_inPIX technology (image processing) and thussuitable for even the highest demands. The camerasare equipped with a 10x optical zoom and anadditional 12x digital zoom. The cameras have anintegrated motion detection with selectablesensitivity. Simultaneous multi-streaming withindependently adjustable resolutions, frame ratesand bit rates of the individual streams is possible.The cameras are available in three variants: in-ceiling mount, surface mount and weather-proofhousing.

SECURITY

Title: TFT PanelsCompany: Eurocoinwww.eurocoin.co.uk

Eurocoin have announcedthe launch of its expandedand most complete range of TFT displays ever.

The extended range for 2010 features the latest widescreen TFT panels in a variety of resolutions, designedfor every type of cabinet design and includes TFTpanels in all major sizes ranging from 15ins. to 26ins.,with and without touchscreen and in an assortment ofmetalwork options to suit all cabinet designs.

“We have launched our most extensive range of TFTdisplays for Gaming and Kiosk manufacturers’”, saidSteve Smith, European Sales Director of Eurocoin. “Weonly supply top quality LCD’S and TFT’s and always atan extremely competitive price. There are a hugeamount of panels available in the marketplace andmany of them are absolutely unsuited for the toughrigours of a gaming environment. We only offer ourcustomers panels that are truly compatible withgaming machines and will give them greatperformance and longevity of life.”

Eurocoin guarantee all customers elite technicalsupport as well as fast delivery on all orders. Theysupport Samsung, LG and AUO Glass giving the optionof standard and high viewing angle panels as well asmultiple metalwork and mounting options providingoff the shelf design solutions to suit any application.All of Eurocoin panels come with VGA input asstandard and optional dual VGA-DVI, composite videoand CGA inputs. All TFT solutions can be fitted withvarious touch screen options, capacitive 3M, Resistiveand SAW technologies. The TouchScape range is ELOSAW compatible with plastic bezel and a dual USB /Serial interface and available with multiple paneloptions and protective glass.

Eurocoin also supply a range of inverted TFT solutionsthat have been developed to offer a high quality yetcost-effective solution for customers who wish toremove costly high viewing angle units withoutcompromising on machine look and quality. EuropeanTechnical Sales Manager Garry Holland confirmed thatthere were a number of key OEM’s already making theswitch to inverted TFT’s – “Inverted TFTs represent asignificant saving for game and kiosk builders – a vitalconsideration when value for money is so important inthe industry.”

TFT PANELS



Title: DPX-SAS ConnectorCompany: Innocore Gamingwww.innocoregaming.com

Manufacturers of PC based gaming platforms,Innocore Gaming, has announced the official launch ofDPX-SAS Connector.

DPX-SAS Connector exclusively distributed byInnocore, is lab tested through GLI and BMMand fieldproven (more than 30,000 licenses installed) ingaming venuesworldwide.

The DPX-SAS Connector Software Development Kitprovides a ready to use driver and API environmentthat enables the game developer using one of themany Innocore platforms to interface their game toany SAS compatible system. The SAS development kitremoves the game designer from the detail of thesoftware interface (timing etc), leaving them free toconcentrate on the game itself. This savesmonths oreven years of software development and debug time. Itwas developed, supported andmaintained by DigitalDynamics Software Inc.

Craig Stapleton, Product Director at Innocore added,“We have been searching for the right SAS product tosupplywith out products for some time. Manycompanies are reported to be offering ‘SAS’ but veryfew can truly offer amature product that has beenthrough the regulatory laboratories andmoreimportantly is field proveninrealworldsituations.SASimplementationsoftenneedupdatesandassociatedsupportastheyare installed in different venues and itis imperative to have the backing of a dedicated

companywith suitable experience. Digital Dynamicshas years of such experience andwith thisagreement Innocore is able to provide ourcustomers a quick, cost effective route tomarket.”

Koen Stomph, Sales Director at Innocore said "This isa very exciting co-operationwith Digital Dynamics.As far aswe are awarewe are the only hardwaresupplier providing a low cost licensing SAS productthat has been through both GLI and BMMand thatoffers a free future 'no cost' upgrade to G2S.”

Tony Antonucci, Director at Digital Dynamicscommented “Innocore have built a solid reputationfor developing quality and advanced gamingplatforms andwe are very pleasedwith thisexclusive agreement inwhich SAS is bundledwithInnocore’s hardware. The added value their portfoliobrings to this deal is unrivalled. Digital Dynamicshave been developing, supporting and deploying SASfor over 6 years andwe are looking forward tosupporting the DPX-SAS Connector’s route intomany gaming OEMs.”

Detailed datasheet of DPX-SAS Connector can befound on thewebsite of Innocore Gaming.

COMPONENTS

Title: G2E Asia line-upCompany: Astro Corp.www.astrocorp.com.tw

Astro Corp. is to display a range of single and dualscreen video slots for the first time at the G2E Asiaexhibition, including Assassin, SAPA INCA, Mask Hero,Colosseum and Naval War. All of these games deliveraction and adventure with player interest beingmaintained through engaging bonus games andjackpot features.

Astro Corp. CEO, Simon Herbert, described thelatest games: “The Asian market is incrediblyimportant to us and Astro has a history ofdeveloping exciting and profitable games which arein tune with regional cultures. G2E Asia alsooccupies an important place on the internationalstage and our products will reflect this.

“We are very much looking forward to introducingthese exciting products to customers and friendsfrom around the world,” he anticipated. AstroCorp’s stand at G2E Asia promises to be the biggestand most engaging to date, with more than 400square meters of new games, innovative conceptsand interactive product displays.

CASINO SLOTS

Title: KRE8 FIFA 2010 World CupCompany: TCSJohnHuxleywww.tcsjohnhuxley.com

As anticipation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup (SouthAfrica) starts to build, TCSJOHNHUXLEY introduce alimited edition range of personalised footballthemed layouts.

With four exclusive designs, TCSJOHNHUXLEY offersoperators a unique way of attracting players totheir Blackjack tables.

TCSJOHNHUXLEY's vibrant and highly durable KRE8World Cup layouts are ideal for any gaming venue.Using a highly durable synthetic material resistantto liquid spills and burns, they enable casinos tocreate fully themed tables with photographicquality at a more cost effective price thantraditional wool layouts.

TABLE GAMING EQUIPMENT


Title: XcaliburCompany: Magic Dreamswww.magicdr.com

Magic Dreams is proud to present its brandnew multireel game, Xcalibur. 50 lines andhigh volatility are ready to boost the futurebusiness of the Italian company’scustomers.

This new 50 liner features mythical dragons,powerful wizards and the legendary sword,all key features in this exciting Medieval-Fantasy game.

In the unreal world of Xcalibur a player isnot just a player; they’re a brave Knightfighting to savie the main Princesscharacter, an experience enriched with an involvingsoundtrack.

The famous sword is a three-symbols-high Wild,appearing on reels 1-3-5 only and substitutes for allsymbols on the reel except scatters and triggers.

The Wizard Merlin triggers the free games and a dark

atmosphere will fill the game screen. Duringfree games all prizes are doubled.

Thanks to the new platform Xtend,Xcalibur features a smoother and moreintuitive graphic interface. The pop-upmenu of this new game allows the playerto fully customise the gamingexperience. The player can easily setlines and bet, choose the denomination,select the audio volume and convert thecredits into currency by touching thescreen.

Xcalibur is ready also for Captain Ca$h,the new Mystery Progressive Jackpotsystem recently developed on Xtend

Platform. The exciting atmosphere, thehigh volatility, combined with the possibility to win oneof the five levels of Captain Ca$h (Mini Jackpot, MinorJackpot, Major Jackpot, Maxi Jackpot, GrandJackpot) at any bet, create the perfect mix betweenplayers’ entertainment and operators’ satisfaction.Max bet players will further be rewarded with anincreased probability to win the highest level of theJackpot.

CASINO SLOTS

Title: ELA line-upCompany:WMSGamingwww.wms.com

Reflecting its consistent focus on Changing the Gamefor casino operators and their slot customers,WMSGamingwill exhibit 50 products at ELA 2010, booth No.52 inMexico City, Mexico, May 6-7, each enabledwithinnovative, proprietary technologies and player-appealing game content. WMS is very excited tomaketheir first appearance at ELA and look forward tobringing their revolutionary products and innovationsto this importantmarket.

The product line-up on display at ELA is a testament toWMS’ proven and expanding ability to addressworldwide gamingmarketswith newand nextgeneration products. WMSwill demonstrate 53products at ELA each developed through an extensiveprocess that leverages the company’s commitment todeliver high player appeal game dynamics throughPlayer Driven Innovation.

� 43 games fromWMS showcased on both thepopular BLUEBIRD2 platformand the new state ofthe art BLUEBIRD xD platform.

� 10 products featured on the newHelios platformincluding the GamePackmulti-game offering andthe newCommunity Gaming experience GroupWins.

The broad product line-upwill range fromWMS’ nextgeneration foundational technologies: CommunityGaming, Sensory Immersion Gaming and TransmissiveReels Gaming, to a full library of standalone and localarea progressive games. A few highlights include:

Sensory Immersion Gaming –WMS’ expandingSensory Immersion category, featuring unmatcheddynamic gaming experiences enhanced by real-time3D graphics, built-in BOSE 3SPACE audio systems andmesmerising top boxeswill be represented by the newTHEWIZARDOF OZ Ruby Slippers and TIMEMACHINEgames.

Community Gaming – InWMS’ Community Gamingcategory theywill showcase newproducts includingReel ‘em In! Compete toWin, where playerswill berecognized for their bonus achievements in a leaderboard appearing on the two 52-inch high-definitionmonitorsmounted over the bank.

MaxWin 5x4 – The industry's first 5x4mechanical reelgame includes three bonus features that can triggerduring base game and bonus play, awarding credits,multiplier, orwilds to increase players’ winnings.

G+ 5x4 – This innovative, new version ofWMS’ popularG+ series of video games features a larger reel arrayfor entirely new gaming experiences and greaterplayer excitement. These new games feature stackedwild symbols and 50- and 100-Line options.

Innovation Series –WMSwill showcase two new seriesof Innovation games, both featuring unique player

interfaces and revolutionary gamemechanics. TheWin It Again series offers a new twist on the popularCascading Reels series. Playerswho achieve threeconsecutivewinning cascades in one spinwill win thecombined total of their last five games. Offeredexclusively on the BLUEBIRD2 cabinet, the newSuperMulti-Pay series allows players to play four separatereel sets at the same time on one screen, withbonuses and special symbols replicating across allfour reel sets.

G+ 5RV High Denomination - New video reel themedG+High Denomination games are BLUEBIRD2exclusives fromWMSdesigned specifically for thequarter, dollar and even higher denommarket. Theseproducts feature the popular G+ series of games tomaximize player familiarity and confidence, whilealso including an option for a stand-aloneprogressive.

BLUEBIRD xD– In addition to the latest slot productofferings, WMSwill showcase the new, state-of-the-art BLUEBIRD xD cabinet. Featuring an ergonomicdesign and emotive lighting, this first-of-its-kindcabinet combines the best of an upright and slant

cabinet to deliver a first-class gaming experience.

HELIOSAlso featured at ELAwill be Helios. Powered by the N-Able platform, this new value-oriented productprovides a distinctive game library to satisfy thedemands of slot players around theworld. Heliosgame offerings include standalone gameswithTwinHit Dual-level Standalone Progressivefunctionality as a standard option, O.N. Productgames featuring the newCommunity Gamingexperience GroupWins, and GamePack video-reeland pokermulti-games.

GroupWins – GroupWins addresses the CommunityGaming segment of the slot floor, bringing theexcitement of a table game environment to the slotfloor by allowing players to play collaboratively andenjoy game excitement together. The GroupWinsofferingwas showcasedwith the Pirates of theGolden Shores andWolf Trail series, with theVenetian Romance and SexyMermaids games.

GamePack - GamePack is a versatilemulti-gameproduct series, which provides operatorswith theability to deliver a number of game titles in onecabinet.

Feature Pack – Feature PackMulti-Games offerplayers increased flexibility by allowing them toselect both their favorite game and their favoritefeature. 3 games and 3 features are included.

SiPSystems in Progress (“SiP”) server-based gamingsolutionswill be showcased at ELAwith a SiP systemconnected to both the BLUEBIRD2 and Helios gamingcabinets. SiP offers highly flexible server basedgaming solutions that power a range of products,including, local andwide-area and networkedexecutions aswell as player tracking, cashlessgaming, and player loyalty and bonusing solutions.

Experience these innovative products andmore atELA Booth No.52.


CASINO SLOTS


Title: NIGA line-upCompany: Bally Technologieswww.bally-tech.com

Bally Technologies presented a remarkable array ofdiverse, unique, and cutting-edge gaming, systems,and server-based products at the NIGA Indian Gaming2010 trade show in San Diego, Calif. in April.

“We are presenting ourmost technologicallyadvanced and varied lineup of gaming products ever atthis year’s NIGA show,” said Gavin Isaacs, Bally’s ChiefOperating Officer. “We’re excited to demonstrate toour valued gaming partners throughout Indiancountry howour distinctive portfolio of games andsystems canmaximize profitability and ROI by offeringcompelling products playerswill love.”

Bally featured approximately 50 unique video and reel-spinning slot products in its 2,000 sq. ft. booth at theSan Diego Convention Center.

Who Spins? U-Spin!Two of the stars of the showwill definitely be Bally’sbreakthrough Cash Spin and Vegas Hits video slots,which are creating a huge buzz throughout the gamingindustrywith their astonishing U-Spin gesture control.

“These games are positively amazing,” Isaacs said.“Imaginewalking up to one of these dazzlingmachinesand being able to spin a virtual wheel backwards,forwards, slow, or fast − just like an actual physicalwheel. Whenwe introduced these cutting-edge newdevices at last year’s Global Gaming Expo, attendeeslined up to try themout for themselves. They quicklybecame the hits of the show,winning ‘Best SlotProduct,’ and I expect that same reaction at NIGA.”

NewPro Series Cabinets Turn Heads, and Save EnergySaving energymeans savingmoney, and Bally’s sleeknewPro Series upright and slant-top cabinets deliverwith certified RoHS-compliant construction. The ProSeries Slant provides video slot and video pokerplayerswith a new level of comfort and engagement.The video display and armrests are slanted at theideal angles for optimal player comfort, therebyreducing fatigue and enhancing player enjoyment.

A 26-inch display eliminates traditional top glass, andis perfect for progressive and other top-box features.Bally’s Slant features dimensions designed to improvesight lines on the casino floor. With its twin 22-inch,high-def displays, themodern Pro Series V22/22Upright sharesmany of the same features as theSlant, including an audiophile-quality custom soundsystem,modular design, backwards compatibility, andsupport for both OLED and traditional button decks.Both the Slant and the Upright are ready for newnetwork and server-based gaming applications.

“These newPro Series cabinets are gems,” Isaacssaid. “From the start, wewanted to create a newcabinet design that appealed to the eye, was easy toservice, would be ourmost energy-efficient platformever, andwould increase player time-on-devicewith a

host of innovative and ergonomic features. The ProSeries accomplishes all of these goals andmore.”

Players Pledge Allegiance to SpinNationThere’s a newmovement that’s gaining ground atcasinos fromcoast to coast. It’s quickly becoming arevolution as players are joining Bally’s SpinNation indroves. They’re declaring their independence fromthe humdrumby switching loyalties to Bally’s newseries of spinning-wheel video andmechanical-reelslots. These distinctive games feature amystery orsymbol-triggered spinning-wheel bonus top boxwhich adds an extra level of anticipation. Some ofthe games on display at this year’s NIGA show includeHot Shot CashWheel andMonte Carlo Royale(featuring several different titles). Leading theSpinNationmovement are Bally’s award-winningCash Spin and Vegas Hits gameswith U-Spin, whichare slated tomake their debut at casinos startingthismonth.

V32 Video Cabinet Towers Above the CompetitionBally’s incomparable ALPHA Elite V32 platformcontinues to outpace, outperform, and outshine thecompetitionwith its dramatic and eye-popping 32-inch vertical, high-definition video display. BallyTechnologieswill present a powerhouse assortmentof visually dominating and crowd-pleasing titlesdesigned to take full advantage of this nearly six-foot tall gaming platform’s stunning “Wow!” factor.

With a call to the post and a thunder of hooves,they’re off and running on Bally’s thrilling newBreeders’ Cup Turf Edition V32 video slot. Realisticaudio and exciting animations capture all of thepulse-pounding excitement of a day at the races asplayers cheer on their favorite thoroughbred tovictory.

Hip, happening, and oh-so-cool, Bally’s two newCrazyCash V32 games – Tiki Bar and Lava Lounge – enticeplayerswith their neon-hued graphics, “hipster”characters, and a chance towin a bundle of swingin’cash.

“Saaalute!” FromMinnie Pearl’s folksy greeting tothe “pickin’ and a grinnin’” of Buck Owens and RoyClark, Hee HawScatter captures all of the corny,down-home, hayseed hilarity thatmade Hee Hawa TVfavorite for years. Y’all come play it now, hear?

Parade of Video and Stepper GamesBally’s cavalcade of exciting new gaming productscontinueswith a variety of video andmechanical-reel slots thatwill appeal to awide audience ofplayers.

It would be a crime if playersmissed the opportunityto play these two lively and larcenous new titles onBally’s space-saving Fineline cabinet: Choo ChooConti (Gangster Series) and Diamond Heist (FemmeFelone Series). Both these games offer playersplenty ofways to crack open a safe andwin a lot ofloot. Just remember to keep themotor running for aquick getaway.

Amillion bucks! Anyway you look at it, that’s a life-changing jackpot. Bally Technologies is the first andonly gamingmanufacturer to develop andmarket amillion-dollarwide-area progressive gaming productfor the Class II market.

It’s called 1,000,000Degrees and it’s turning up theheat at Class II casinos around the countrywith itsscorching progressive game play on the ALPHA EliteS9E platform.

Performing two to three times house average atcasinos across the United States, Fireball on Bally’sdominating Digital Tower Series cabinet offersplayers the same game-in-game excitementmadefamous by Bally’s popular Hot Shot family of games.Butwhat sets Fireball apart is its awesome and jaw-dropping 32-inch, high-def video display that takesthe game-in-game progressive bonus to spectacularnew heightswith incredible animations and dramaticsound effects.

CASINO SLOTS



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UK AND EUROPE £100 RESTOF THEWORLD £140

3MMicroTouch 25www.3M.com/uk/touch

APEX Gaming Technology 5www.apex-gaming.com

Astro Corp. 8www.astrocorp.com.tw

Austrian Gaming Industries 11www.austrian-gaming.com

Bally Technologies IFCwww.bally-tech.com

Cammegh 27www.cammegh.com

Crane Payment Solutions 37www.craneps.com

Casino Technology 29www.casino-technology.com

Elaut 17www.elaut.com

FutureLogic 15www.futurelogicinc.com

G2E Asia IBCwww.globalgamingexpo.com

Gaming Partners International 19www.gpigaming.com

GTI Exhibitions 41&47www.taiwanslot.com.tw

ICT Europe 59www.icteurope.de

JENSIgame 39www.jensigame.com

JPM International 21www.jpm.co.uk

MEI 6www.meiglobal.com

Merkur Gaming 61www.merkur-gaming.com

Monaco iGaming Exchange 33www.igaming-monaco.com

Patir Design 23www.patir.de

Salex Expo 31www.salex.com.br

Suzo Happ 7www.suzo.com

WMSGaming OBCwww.wmsgaming.com


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