FOR THE GAMING PROFESSIONAL WORLDWIDE CASINO FC OCT 12:Casino COVER 18/09/2012 14:17 Page 1 G2E PREVIEWS I NOVOMATIC IN AMERICA I ONLINE GAMING I MACAU October 2012 FOR THE GAMING PROFESSIONAL WORLDWIDE BALLY:Layout 1 22/08/2012 08:16 Page 1 p3 contents new:contents template 21/09/2012 13:12 Page 1 CONTENTS OCTOBER 2012 www.casinointernational-online.com 4 NEWS Editor’s letter t’s here again, that annual trip 12 STATESIDE to Vegas which, despite Macau’s Sharon Harris brings the US news massive revenues, remains the Ispiritual home of gaming for everyone in the industry. 14 LATINO AMERICA It’s always interesting to note the Ricki Chavez Munoz looks at this subtle changes in Vegas year on year, and the not-so- gaming hotspot to bring all the news subtle ones; I love seeing where all the different visitors are from. Recent years have seen a massive surge in Canadian tourists thanks to the strong Canadian dollar against the US dollar. This year? Who knows; with the 22 MACAU BUSINESS economic slump ongoing in so many countries, it’s any- The pick of the bunch from Asia’s finest body’s guess. Looking to business magazine Jon Bruford, Managing Editor Advance your [email protected] +44 1584 877177 bottom line? 28 AGI IN THE USA Novomatic make inroads into the US www.casinointernational-online.com/facebook www.casinointernational-online.com/twitter with key company figure Jens Halle You designed the answer. MEI has made 32 G2E PREVIEWS it possible with Who’s where and what they’ve got to show you at possibly the world’s biggest gaming show MEI has redefined expectations of note acceptors yet again with 66 ONLINE SC Advance. 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Stop by CORRESPONDENTS Contributing Editor: Barnaby Page USA correspondent: Sharon Harris booth #4041 during G2E or [email protected] +1 609 601 7890 contact +44 (0) 118 938 1100 [email protected] to schedule a SC Advance Online Section Editor: Matt Broughton [email protected] demonstration. Subscriptions: +44 (0)1622 687031 [email protected] © Copyright: All materials in this publication remain the copyright of Datateam Published by: Proven performance. Business Media Ltd and no part of it may be reproduced without the written Datateam Business Media Ltd Increased profits. permission of the proprietors. London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LY meigroup.com A request to insert an advertisement is deemed to be an acceptance of Datateam Tel: +44 (0)1622 687031 Business Media Ltd’s conditions of trading, copies of which are available on request. Fax: +44 (0)1622 757646 MEI is ISO 9001:2000 certified. ©2012 MEI. All rights reserved. p4:Layout 1 21/09/2012 13:27 Page 1 NEWS IN BRIEF Two gaming titans A HOLE LOT The 14th annual AGEM/AGA Golf Classic, presented by JCM Global, raised $133,000 – a clash over Wynn record figure for a single year. AGEM has now renewed its sponsorship Founder, biggest investor exchange allegations until 2014. The war of words between Steve donation it made to a public LADY IN LUCK The Supreme Court of Wynn and the former largest university in Macau at a time when Pennsylvania has approved the shareholder in his NASDAQ-traded the company was seeking local state’s Gaming Control Board Wynn Resorts has stepped up with a government approval to open a licensing of a casino at Nemacolin new round of accusations and casino. That donation is currently Woodlands Resort in Fayette County. counterclaims. under investigation by federal and Lady Luck Nemacolin will be operated Earlier this year Wynn Resorts state authorities and has resulted in by Isle of Capri. took back the stock belonging to multiple lawsuits against the Japanese Pachinko tycoon Kazuo company. SAILING AWAY Gaming management Okada’s Aruze USA — around 20 per Characterising Wynn’s HK$1bn systems provider Iverson Gaming cent of Wynn, worth $2.9bn — after ($135m) donation to the University of Systems has partnered with game stating him “unsuitable” to be a Macau Development Foundation as developer Acres 4.0 to market tablet shareholder under Nevada gaming “suspicious”, in part because a gaming technology internationally. law. Wynn alleges that Okada gave trustee of that foundation “has a Their first focus will be on cruise more than $100,000 in cash and position in the Macau government ships, where Iverson’s Slotmaster gifts to gaming regulators in the which enables him to influence the casino management system is Philippines and their families. issuance of gaming licences”, it already installed by a number of Now, Okada and Aruze have struck notes that Okada was the sole board operators. Acres will provide its suite back with an open letter to Wynn member to vote against the of mobile casino games. shareholders that all but accuses donation, and suggests that this was Wynn itself of corruption. the reason the Wynn board ousted BALLY ALLY FutureLogic’s PromoNet Says the letter: “In the last year, him. couponing system has passed tests the value of Wynn Resorts Common As “a step toward restoring to ensure that it can be integrated Stock has plummeted by almost 30 investor confidence”, Okada and with Bally Technologies’ Slot per cent. We believe that current and Aruze also included in the letter two Management System and Casino potential investors in the company nominations for election to the board Management System. Separately, have lost confidence in the of directors at Wynn’s annual general FutureLogic has also partnered with company's management and the meeting at the beginning of Global Cash Access to develop board. November. cashless gaming systems for the “We further believe that this loss Wynn’s response was to say: North American gaming market. of confidence has resulted from a “Aruze has not been a stockholder of history of poor corporate governance Wynn Resorts since 18 February NOT SO BAD REALLY Annual net profit at and questionable actions under the 2012 when its shares were Echo Entertainment fell 81 per cent direction of Stephen Wynn, Chairman redeemed by the Wynn Board after a to AUD42m ($44m), but the of the board and Chief Executive lengthy, third-party investigation Australian casino operator stressed Officer of the company, much of it uncovered prima facie evidence of that this did not present a true driven by Mr. Wynn's personal improper conduct under the Foreign picture of its performance because financial and control goals. Corrupt Practices Act by Mr. Okada, the figure is distorted by its recent “Recently, the company has come Universal Entertainment and Aruze in demerger from Tabcorp. Earnings under scrutiny for a questionable their dealings with Philippine officials. before interest and tax excluding “This most recent filing is a certain items, down 39 per cent, Okada was regrettable attempt to divert reflected consumer caution, slower attention from the issues facing Mr. growth at The Star in Sydney, and a the only Wynn Okada and Aruze. Given the fact that lower win rate in its VIP business, Aruze was ejected seven months ago said the firm, which also has three board member to as a Wynn shareholder based on properties in Queensland. conduct unacceptable for a gaming vote against the licensee, it has absolutely no rights LOYALTY ROYALTY Caesars as a shareholder to nominate Entertainment’s Total Rewards loyalty donation directors and its invalid nominations programme has received an award have been rejected on this basis.” from loyalty specialist Colloquy that to a Macau Whoever comes out on top in recognises schemes which improve these salvoes of allegation, it seems financial or customer performance university like the lawyers, at least, will get rich. and competitive advantage. 4 JUNE 2012 AGI NOVOMATIC:Layout 1 18/09/2012 14:20 Page 1 p6:Layout 1 21/09/2012 13:30 Page 1 NEWS Driving casino customer loyalty, the Ghanaian way... At La Palm Casino, the regular promotional programme for locals and visitors includes a 4x4 for one lucky gamer Food and beverage, entertainment, and accommodation are common enough comps used by casinos to reward their customers. But how about giving away a 4x4 to raise some eyebrows? A Renault Duster was the prize at a party for patrons held by La Palm Casino in Accra, Ghana, where General Manager Mert Caliskan promised more attention-grabbing customer rewards in the future. Other events there include weekly promotions and theme night parties, attended both by Accra residents and by guests at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel where the casino is located. The nine-year-old venue on the Atlantic coast of Ghana’s capital and largest city has four American Roulette tables, four Poker tables, two Blackjack tables, and a Baccarat table.