Casino Enterprise Management

There are really two types of standards in gaming that are often incorrectly fused, creating one confusing mess: technical standards and communication standards. Who creates them? What are they for? What is coming next? Where are they used? When are they needed? Why do we need them?

In the second installment of this year’s networked gaming guide, CEM turns to top slot machine manufacturers and game developers for their take on SBG. Their essays tackle the tough questions we’re all asking, including standards, IT, the floor itself, and interoperability. It’s all out on the table, and this is a must-read.

When Bally Technologies Inc. migrated from the 6000 slot series to the ALPHA platform, it offered substantial upgrades in new technology, the games library, cabinets and the operating system, as well as an entirely new platform. It was a major step forward that brought considerable changes—in fact, everything changed. This provided an opportunity to start over with a fresh beginning.

The 2009 Great Women of Gaming winners are truly inspirational—and their stories captivated us and our judges. So much so that for the first year ever, we have 11 women honored for the awards due to a deadlock decision. Now in its fifth year, the awards are broken down into two categories: Proven Leaders and Rising Stars.

From Macau to Singapore to Cambodia, the experts at Union Gaming Group travel the world to learn about the latest trends, study new markets and meet major players in the industry. The Asian market as a whole is complex, which is why Grant Govertsen, Bill Lerner and Rich Moriarty are here to help us understand it. So we will take a look at each of the major markets in Asia one by one.

I ran into Scott Betts, the chief executive officer of Global Cash Access (GCA) at a gate at McCarran International Airport one morning. We started to talk, and when our conversation veered to data and analysis, core to my own interests, Betts’ true passion shone through as he described some of GCA’s upcoming initiatives.

This past year was clearly a year of innovation. CEM is proud to announce the results of its fourth annual 2010 Slot Floor Technology Awards, our biggest year ever. We had a record of 47 products nominated from 18 different companies. From slot cabinets and platforms, to tournament systems, mobile media applications and bill validators, our nominations were chock-full of technologies making a difference in gaming operations.

As the first elected tribal council chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, Lynn Malerba is leading her people during the most tumultuous and challenging economy since the tribe was federally recognized some 16 years ago. I met with Lynn to talk with her about her October election, her feelings about being the first woman to lead Mohegan’s tribal council, and her plans for the tribe and their enterprises.

Server-based gaming in 2010 begins a new direction for gaming operators. A panel of industry experts driving the development of server-based gathered for a roundtable discussion. These high-profile slot operators discussed everything from what they expect out of SBG to how it affects the technicians’ job, regulation to standards, what they want from manufacturers and the future. The conversation was extremely insightful and one everybody in the industry needs to listen to.

These feature articles discussed the importance of the casino industry going green and what architects and construction firms are doing that’s environmentally responsible and sustainable. But gaming manufacturers are going green, too. CEM asked some of gaming’s major manufacturers to weigh in and share their sustainability plans and goals.