Aristocrat and Bally Announce Agreement on Player-User-Interface Windowing Solutions
Aristocrat Technologies and Bally Technologies announced that they have entered into a technology cooperation agreement that relates to the ability of the system to manage the main game screen’s video and touchscreen communications. Under this agreement, both companies will enable casino operators to create a picture-in-picture-style interface on the gaming device to differentiate their slot products, regardless of the manufacturer. “Aristocrat and Bally have very similar views of both the current and future technology needs of our gaming system customers,” said Nick Khin, president of Aristocrat America. “Both our companies have decades of systems experience, and feel it is imperative we cooperate on this important issue.” The player interface technology at the center of the two companies’ agreement is Aristocrat’s nCompass™ and Bally’s iVIEW Display Manager™ (DM). For more information, visit www.aristocrat.com.au or www.ballytech.com.
PwC Introduces New Branding Initiative
PricewaterhouseCoopers has refreshed its branding in order to strengthen and modernize how it represents its worldwide network. The new branding includes a simplified logo consisting of the initials “pwc” in lower-case type. In practice, the initials “PwC” have been used, and this formal shortening of the brand name will provide consistency and ease of use for PwC firms around the world. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” remains the full name of the global organization for legal purposes, and will be the name used by PwC firms to sign company audits. The new logo was developed after consultation with PwC’s clients, partners and employees and is designed to be easier to use and better suited to digital and online use. For more information, visit www.pwc.com.
Bally Announces Its Selection in Canada, Honor for Gavin Isaacs
Bally Technologies Inc. announced that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) and the British Columbia Lottery Corp. (BCLC) selected Bally as the preferred vendor to replace their Class III gaming management systems. OLG and BCLC are working collaboratively on this project, which encompasses replacement of the gaming management systems in each province to monitor all slot machines at multiple sites within each jurisdiction, as well as numerous slot accounting, player marketing, business intelligence and media-management solutions. Implementation is targeted to begin in mid-2011 and is expected to take more than a year to complete.
Also, the International Association of Gaming Advisors has announced its 2011 officers. Newly elected are: President Gavin Isaacs, chief operating officer, Bally Technologies, Las Vegas; Vice President Marc Rubinstein, senior vice president – law and administration secretary, Tropicana Entertainment Inc., Las Vegas; Secretary Julian Harris, partner, Harris Hagan, London; Treasurer Thomas B. Shepherd, III, shareholder, Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, Jackson, Miss. For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
IGT Announces Online and Mobile Gaming Division, Celebrates 2 Millionth Machine
International Game Technology announced the creation of an interactive division within the company dedicated to building upon the strengths that IGT already enjoys in the online and mobile gaming markets. IGT’s WagerWorks and Million-2-1 groups will merge into a single global division headquartered in San Francisco. The Interactive division will be led by Gideon Bierer, IGT executive vice president.
IGT also announced the production of the company’s 2 millionth slot machine. “This important milestone represents where IGT has been and where we’re going,” said Eric Tom, IGT’s chief operating officer. The IGT production line started up in Reno, Nev., in the early 1980s producing the company’s first games, including Fortune 1 Poker, Keno, M Slots and a number of mechanical reel games. For more information, visit www.igt.com.
G2E Announces Two Promotions, New Show Manager
Global Gaming Expo (G2E) announced that G2E show manager Courtney Muller has been promoted to senior vice president at Reed Exhibitions, the event management company and co-producer of G2E with the American Gaming Association (AGA). Muller leads the team responsible for the ongoing success of G2E. Tom Loughran has been appointed industry vice president and show manager for G2E and brings a decade of event management experience to his new position. “Courtney’s promotion reflects on the important role that G2E plays in the gaming industry and the commitment to ensuring that G2E remains the largest and most successful gaming industry trade show in the world,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., president and CEO of the AGA. Muller has worked in the trade show and event industry for more 19 years, spending 16 of those with Reed Exhibitions. Loughran has more than a decade of experience working in the gaming industry. For more information, visit www.reedexpo.com or www.globalgamingexpo.com.
Incredible Technologies Granted Approval in Florida
Incredible Technologies announced that the company has been granted a license by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering to manufacture and distribute electronic gaming devices to licensed casinos in the state of Florida. The license marks the company’s fifth approval state—in addition to multiple licenses granted by Native American tribes—as it continues the targeted launch of its award-winning Magic Touch® Class III casino games. “Our goal is to position ourselves for growth in the gaming industry,” said Elaine Hodgson, president and CEO of IT. “At this time, we’re aligning ourselves with the best possible partners for success and the Florida gaming market is a great strategic fit for Magic Touch casino games.” For more information, Florida casino operators can contact regional sales manager, John Nicastro II at jnicastro@itcasinogames.com or visit www.itcasinogames.com
DEQ Appoints Pokorny VP of Customer Service, Announces Milestone
DEQ Systems Corp. is happy to announce the nomination of David Pokorny as vice president of customer service. Pokorny will be based in Las Vegas and will be responsible for DEQ product deployment and customer satisfaction worldwide. Pokorny has held numerous key positions in the gaming industry, including table game progressive product manager for Shuffle Master, progressive systems senior project manager for WMS Gaming, and a similar position with Bally Technologies.
Also, DEQ is proud to announce its 1,000th product installation. The milestone installation was of one EZ Trak™ in Century Casino Calgary, Alberta on Nov. 12, 2010. In recognition of this achievement, DEQ has given the casino a lifetime license to the EZ Trak while EZ Baccarat™ is installed at the casino and offered them the first worldwide installation of the EZ Trak 2.0 Dragon Traker edition for free as well. “We have come so far in such a short time,” stated Earle G. Hall, president and CEO of DEQ. For more information, visit www.deq.com.
ATRONIC Signs Agency Agreement for Mexico
ATRONIC International GmbH announced that it has signed an agency agreement with Nalibic Mexico S DE RL DE CV, part of the Corporacion Meier Group, for the territory of Mexico. Under this agreement, ATRONIC appoints Nalibic as its exclusive agent for the marketing, logistical operation and technical support services of ATRONIC-owned gaming machines deployed under lease or participation agreements throughout the territory of Mexico. At the same time, ATRONIC will continue to focus on direct product sales to its customers in Mexico. For more information, visit www.atronic.com.
Shuffle Master Appoints Lopez Interim CEO, Member of the Board
Shuffle Master Inc. announced that David Lopez, the company’s chief operating officer, has been appointed by the board of directors as interim chief executive officer. Lopez will remain as COO and executive vice president while serving as interim CEO until the board completes its CEO search. The board also appointed Lopez as an executive member of the board of directors. Lopez has served as president of Shuffle Master Americas, president of the utility division, and executive director of product management during his 12-year tenure with the company. For more information, visit www.shufflemaster.com.
Thalden • Boyd • Emery Named No. 1 in Client Responsiveness
Thalden • Boyd • Emery Architects was a major winner in the first annual PSMJ Client Satisfaction Awards among architects and engineers. The firm was recognized as the No. 1 architecture firm in America for “Client Responsiveness.” In an independent nationwide client satisfaction survey, the Professional Services Management Journal revealed that Thalden • Boyd • Emery Architects was ranked over 50,000 eligible architecture and engineering firms. The firm’s experience includes work in the U.S. and internationally on more than 120 casino projects and over 400 hotels and resorts. Linda Roe, VP business development and client relations, said “We feel blessed to have great clients, who appreciate the work we do for them.” For more information, visit www.thalden.com.
American Gaming Systems Announces Appointment of Vancura
American Gaming Systems (AGS) announced it has appointed innovative gaming industry veteran Dr. Olaf Vancura as its vice president of game development. In his new role, Vancura will be responsible for American Gaming Systems’ overall product strategy plan, including game development, operating systems, software and hardware advancement, platform progression and interaction with third-party content providers. Vancura will focus initially on enhancements to the game development process at AGS’ creative studio center in suburban Toronto. He is currently the principal of Game Ingenuity, a game development company based in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.ags-llc.net.
GLI Receives ISO/IEC Guide 65 Accreditation
Gaming Laboratories International has attained new accreditations at its U.S. and the Netherlands facilities in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 65: General Requirements for bodies operating product certification systems. GLI is the first organization of its kind to hold U.S and international accreditations for compliance with the ISO/IEC Guide 65 standard to provide certification of products specifically in the gaming industry. GLI Manager of Quality Systems Craig Spooner said, “We felt that voluntarily pursuing and attaining this accreditation demonstrates the commitment we have always had to our regulatory clients and to ensuring the highest standards of quality service to the gaming industry.” For more information, visit www.gaminglabs.com.
Gary Platt Receives Orders from California, Mexico, Ships to Nevada
Gary Platt Manufacturing is excited to have received an order from Valley View Casino in Valley Center, Calif. The casino has ordered 1,064 Gazelle Royale X-Tended Play seats to be upholstered in Cashmere Olive and Cashmere Taupe with a dark chocolate decorative molding. Gary Platt also received an order from C.I.E. in Mexico for 843 Sierra X-Tended Play Seats. The chairs will be upholstered in Hue Grape. The chair company shipped 88 Gazelle Style X-Tended Play Seats to Towers Casino in Grass Valley, Calif. The casino ordered player and dealer chairs for their new poker room. The company also shipped 116 Gazelle Style X-Tended Play poker chairs to Harvey’s Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nev., for its sportsbook. For more information, visit www.garyplatt.com.
IGT Selects FutureLogic as Strategic Technology Partner
FutureLogic Inc. announced that it has been selected as the Strategic Technology Partner by International Game Technology (IGT). Effective Oct. 1, 2010, through Oct. 1, 2013, FutureLogic’s GEN2 Universal™ and GEN3 Evolution® gaming printers will be IGT’s printer of choice for all installations worldwide. “IGT’s decision to specify our TITO printers validates our commitment to player research, our close collaboration with our EGM customers and regulatory agencies, and our dedication to the development of ‘future-proof’ peripherals for this rapidly evolving industry,” said Nick Micalizzi, FutureLogic’s VP of domestic sales & marketing. For more information, visit www.futurelogic-inc.com.
Lottomatica Group Names Bugno CEO of Gaming Division
Lottomatica Group has announced that Walter Bugno has been named chief executive officer of its gaming division. The division comprises the ATRONIC Group, a supplier of games, systems, and services to the international commercial gaming markets, and SPIELO, which specializes in the design, manufacture, and distribution of government-sponsored gaming machines, game software and central systems. Bugno will report to Lottomatica CEO Marco Sala. Bugno brings more than 25 years of experience leading and growing international customer-driven companies. For more information, visit www.lottomaticagroup.com.
Missouri Gaming Board Approves BMM as Independent Test Lab
BMM Compliance is pleased to announce the Missouri Gaming Board has approved the company’s license as an independent testing lab. BMM is particularly proud to have received the license. “Missouri has long been identified by BMM as a critical jurisdiction for testing recognition,” said Martin Storm, CEO of BMM. “We are so very pleased to work with the MGB going forward.” Missouri has been known as one of the most highly regulated jurisdictions in the U.S. market. In the approval process, BMM and key employees had to pass rigorous background probity before the license was awarded. For more information, visit www.bmm.com.
WMS and Konami Announce Networked Solution Agreement
WMS Gaming Inc. and Konami Gaming Inc. announced an agreement that will deliver integrated networked gaming capabilities to create new value for casino operators and new entertainment experiences for slot players. By integrating Konami products and 
systems with WMS’ WAGE-NET® networked gaming system, they will provide casino operators with the ability to utilize all of the features, functionalities and robustness of networked gaming applications. As part of the integration initiative, WMS’ WAGE-NET system will support the full array of remote configuration and download functionality on both WMS and KONAMI gaming machines through a single system and the FreedomPort Player User Interface. For more information, visit www.wms.com or www.gaming.konami.com.
Leap Forward Gaming Announces Strategic Alliances
Leap Forward Gaming Inc. (LFG) of Reno, Nev., announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with Shuffle Master Inc. Through this strategic alliance, two distinct leaders in the gaming industry come together to bring operators and manufacturers worldwide an unmatched solution integrating the best products and content from Shuffle Master with the leading wireless technology offerings and solutions from Leap Forward Gaming.
LFG has also formed strategic alliances with JCM Global and TransAct. The JCM agreement will focus on the development of pioneering technology for the global gaming industry that will change the way cash is handled in casinos. The agreement with TransAct was designed to enable the combination of collective strengths to deliver a portfolio of products and services that will help drive player enhancement and profitability for the gaming industry. For more information, visit www.leapforwardgaming.com.
Former Oneida Regulator Joins Eclipse Compliance Testing
Independent testing laboratory Eclipse Compliance Testing announced that former Oneida Gaming Commission Chairman Oscar Schuyler has accepted a business development position with the company. VP Janice Farley said, “Oscar is very well versed in tribal gaming regulation across the country and he is very active in the support of tribal sovereignty, as are we. Oscar brings another level of competence to our growing team of experienced professionals.” Schuyler, an enrolled member of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, served with the Oneida Gaming Commission for eight years. Presently based in Wisconsin, Schuyler will spearhead sales development efforts in the Midwest and will also be very involved in national activities.
Eclipse has also re-signed industry veteran Tom LaVallee in a business development position, based in California. For more information, visit www.eclipsetesting.com.
GSA Welcomes New Members
The Gaming Standards Association is proud to welcome its newest operator members, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. The Cosmopolitan is Las Vegas’ newest resort destination and is slated to open Dec. 15; Isle of Capri Casinos operates 14 casinos in six states. Both operators have joined GSA as gold members. “We are excited to welcome both The Cosmopolitan and Isle of Capri Casinos to GSA, and I feel without a doubt that all parties will benefit from this relationship,” said GSA President Peter DeRaedt. For information about GSA membership, visit www.gamingstandards.com.