Bally Chosen by Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, Hires Tsapatos
Bally Technologies Inc. announced that Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise has signed a master license agreement for Bally systems solutions. The Navajo Nation chose Bally’s iVIEW Display Manager™ (DM) and Elite Bonusing Suite to add excitement across the casino floor through a picture-in-picture-style player-user-interface that enables powerful interactive bonusing events on the gaming devices without interrupting slot play. Implementation, which includes replacement of a competitor’s system at two of the properties, will occur across the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise’s casinos in the southwestern United States.
Bally also announced that Stelios Tsapatos has been named director of game sales for the European and Northern Africa regions. Tsapatos will be based in Bally’s European headquarters located in Amsterdam. He will manage the regional sales force and oversee all gaming equipment sales throughout Europe and northern Africa. Most recently, Tsapatos served as sales manager of Europe for International Game Technology (IGT). For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
Bally Technologies’ Haddrill Elected AGA Board Chairman
At the December annual meeting of the American Gaming Association (AGA), the AGA board of directors elected Richard Haddrill, CEO and director of Bally Technologies Inc., to a two-year term as chairman of the organization. Haddrill, who served as AGA vice chairman for the past two years, follows Keith Smith, president and CEO of Boyd Gaming Corp. James J. Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, replaces Haddrill as the AGA’s new vice chairman. In addition to the transitions in leadership, the AGA board welcomed a new director, Adam Rosenberg, managing director and global head of the gaming group for Goldman Sachs & Co. For more information, visit www.americangaming.org.
IGT to Acquire Double Down Interactive
International Game Technology has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Double Down Interactive—a leading online social gaming company and developer of the popular DoubleDown™ Casino found on Facebook. Launched in April 2010, the DoubleDown Casino is the world’s largest virtual casino and one of the top four social media games in 2011 as rated by Facebook. According to AppData.com, DoubleDown Casino currently has 4.7 million monthly active users, up from 3.3 million in October 2011. With a broad and expanding portfolio, Double Down offers blackjack, slots, slot tournaments, video poker and roulette to social gamers all around the world. The total consideration includes $250 million in cash, $85 million in retention payments over the next two years and up to $165 million in cash payable over the next three years, subject to Double Down meeting certain financial performance targets. IGT expects to fund the transaction from cash on hand. For more information, visit www.igt.com.
TransAct Technologies Announces Agreement With Leap Forward Gaming, Selected by Revel
TransAct Technologies Inc. announced the successful technology integration of its Epic 950® printer and EPICENTRAL™ Print System into the game-changing SaffariNet® wireless ecosystem created by its strategic partner, Leap Forward Gaming (LFG) of Reno, Nev. Now that it is fully integrated into the patented, highly-secure SaffariNet wireless ecosystem, the Epic 950 printer and the EPICENTRAL Print System can not only communicate directly with existing casino gaming machines, but also independently of the gaming machine.
TransAct also announced that its Epic 950 printer was selected exclusively by Revel in Atlantic City, to be installed in all of the casino’s 2,389 slot machines. Revel will be the first new resort to open in Atlantic City in nine years, with a scheduled grand opening date of May 2012. For more information, visit www.transact.com.
Konami Gaming Inc. Announces Appointment
Konami Gaming Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Casey Whalen to director, western region game sales. Whalen will focus on building strategic relationships for Konami Gaming within the western region to further increase KONAMI’s footprint. He brings extensive knowledge and relationships from his previous years of employment in gaming. Most recently, Whalen served as western sales director, games at Bally Technologies Inc. Ross O’Hanley, vice president, domestic game sales and marketing at Konami Gaming, says: “KONAMI is very pleased to have Casey join our organization. His professional experience and existing relationships with our customers will facilitate his transition to this role.” For more information, visit www.gaming.konami.com.
NEWave Announces Contract with Northern Edge Navajo Casino, Affiliation with Jordan Gaming Consulting Group
NEWave spent 2011 expanding existing relationships and building new ones. Now, NEWave is continuing its tremendous year-long winning streak with a contract to install all four of its advanced software suites at the soon-to-open Northern Edge Navajo Casino. The Northern Edge Navajo Casino in Upper Fruitland, N.M., is owned and operated by the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise and opened in January 2012. NEWave will install its myCompliance, myCageOperations, myRevenueAudit and myDocumentManager suites.
NEWave also announced an affiliation with Jordan Gaming Consulting Group to offer database management and slot management consultation to NEWave’s extensive and growing client base. Jordan Gaming Consulting Group is a full-service advisory firm with a stable of experts who have extensive experience in the gaming and hospitality industries. Jordan Gaming Consulting Group will specifically consult with NEWave’s clients on database management and slot management. Their analysis will examine gambling activity, identify untapped and underperforming segments and players, close the performance gap, and design unique marketing campaigns tailored to each casino and to each customer. For more information, visit www.mynewave.com.
Shuffle Master Inc. Acquires Fire Bet
Shuffle Master Inc. announced it has acquired Fire Bet, a craps side bet, from HopBet Inc. With more than 330 installs in the U.S., Fire Bet is the most popular proprietary side bet for craps. “This is truly one of the elite products in table games,” said Roger Snow, executive vice president of Shuffle Master. “You can count on one hand the number of side bets that have ever demonstrated the popularity and longevity that Fire Bet has. This acquisition is a continuation of our strategy to build our intellectual property portfolio. ” For more information, visit www.shufflemaster.com.
FutureLogic Announces Alliance with Leap Forward Gaming, Installs in Casino MonteLago
FutureLogic Inc. announced that it has formed a significant strategic alliance with Leap Forward Gaming of Reno, Nev. This alliance offers gaming operators and manufacturers access to a comprehensive suite of connectivity solutions by combining FutureLogic’s GEN2 Universal™ and GEN3 Evolution® ticket printers and the PromoNet® couponing solution with Leap Forward Gaming’s vast array of wireless technology products and offerings, including SaffariNet®.
FutureLogic also announced that its PromoNet® promotional couponing solution has been installed in Casino MonteLago, located on Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev. For more information, visit www.futurelogic-inc.com.
Multimedia Games Names Neilander Chairman of Committee
Multimedia Games Holding Company Inc. announced that Dennis Neilander has been retained as a consultant for compliance and gaming regulatory matters and has assumed the role of regulatory compliance committee (RCC) chairman, subject to any required regulatory approvals. In his new position, Neilander will act as an independent advisor to the RCC. Neilander joined Kaempfer Crowell, a nationally recognized Nevada law firm, as “of counsel,” in 2011. Prior to joining Kaempfer Crowell, Neilander served as a member of the board for the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) from 1998-2010, and was NGCB chairman for the last 10 years of his tenure. For more information, visit www.multimediagames.com.
BMM Awarded License by MINCETUR
BMM Compliance has achieved another significant milestone with the official authorization by Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo (MINCETUR) to evaluate and issue statements of compliance for gaming systems that meet the qualifications of the United On Line Control System - SUCTR. MINCETUR has a goal of having all of the approximately 70,000 gaming devices operating in more than 650 gaming halls interconnected with the regulatory agency. BMM’s clients have been anxiously waiting for this recognition in order for their systems to be tested, certified and homologated to provide this service. For more information, visit www.bmmcompliance.com.
Interblock Installs at Resorts World Casino New York City
Interblock announces the placement, through Bally Technologies, of 118 games at Resort World Casino New York City. The first installation, which opened this past October, had more than 15,000 people in attendance and 5,000 waiting at the door to get into this exciting new property. An additional 177 games have been placed on the second floor, which opened Dec. 16. This is Interblock’s first Organic Island configured game that has been placed in the United States. The project has created more than 1,200 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs and will bring the state $350 million a year in revenue. For more information, visit www.interblock.eu.
TCSJOHNHUXLEY Appoints Tim Klok
TCSJOHNHUXLEY announces the appointment of Tim Klok to the position of senior business development manager, commencing Jan. 3, 2012. Reporting directly to Angus Noble, commercial and manufacturing director, Klok will be based in the Stoke-on-Trent facility and be responsible for sales to mainland Europe. Bringing considerable knowledge and experience to the role, having been involved in the industry for more than 24 years, Klok started in operations before moving to take up a sales position with TCSJOHNHUXLEY from 2004 to 2006. For more information, visit www.tcsjohnhuxley.com.
Leap Forward Gaming and JCM Global Combine Forces
Leap Forward Gaming (LFG) announced a partnership with JCM Global to form a collaborative development effort to integrate LFG’s cutting-edge PlayPal™ casino cashless payment solution as part of LFG’s wireless SaffariNet® ecosystem. By way of JCM’s relationship with leading mobile phone payment system developer TechFirm, LFG will collaborate with TechFirm to develop the solution. The companies will pool their resources and experience to create a system whereby casino patrons will be able to use their mobile phones to conduct transactions at gaming machines and other devices that use bill validators to accept both currency and mobile e-money. The technology will be used in a wide range of LFG applications, from slot machines to kiosks to ATMs. LFG’s low-cost, patented wireless SaffariNet ecosystem will utilize the technology in their highly-secure PlayPal casino cashless system designed for the global gaming industry, as well as for other applications. For more information, visit www.leapforwardgaming.com or www.jcmglobal.com.
The PENTA Building Group Announces Staff Promotions
The PENTA Building Group recently announced the promotions of Joel Wallis to vice president of operations and Glen Maxwell to vice president of preconstruction. In his new role, Wallis will be responsible for ensuring the successful management of all PENTA construction projects company wide. He has more than 20 years of experience, having worked most recently as PENTA’s southern California area manager. Wallis joined PENTA in 2002 and has a degree in construction management from Chico State University. As vice president of preconstruction, Maxwell will be responsible for the direction and oversight of PENTA’s Preconstruction and Estimating Department and the acquisition of new work to maintain and support the financial and growth objectives of the company. Maxwell has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry and recently served as director of preconstruction. For more information, visit www.pentabldggroup.com.
GLI Europe Names van Schaijk Technical Director
GLI Europe BV, the European operation of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), has named long-time gaming industry veteran John van Schaijk as its new technical director. Van Schaijk will be based in the company’s European headquarters in Hillegom, the Netherlands. As technical director, he will oversee engineering in GLI Europe’s labs in the Netherlands and Italy, along with GLI’s contribution with Verispect and the Justice Department for the Dutch market. With more than 20 years of experience in the gaming industry, Van Schaijk most recently served as director of product management for WMS Gaming in Spain. Previously, he was with Orion Gaming as product manager and product development manager. For more information, visit www.gaminglabs.com.
Broderick Appointed Director of Marketing and Promotions at Seminole Casino Hollywood
Seasoned casino and resort management professional Michael J. Broderick has been selected as the new director of marketing and promotions at Seminole Casino Hollywood. He brings more than 20 years of casino marketing experience to the position, having recently relocated from Lac du Flambeau, Wis., where he had served as director of marketing of Lake of the Torches Resort Casino since 2007. He will be responsible for the day-to-day management of all the casino’s advertising, marketing, public relations, entertainment, social media, and promotional programs. He reports to Adrian Fox, Seminole Casino Hollywood general manager. For more information, visit www.seminolehollywoodcasino.com.
INAG Announces 2011 Growth
After its huge growth in 2010 (1,000 percent), INAG’S President Mark H. Jones announced to its stockholders that the company ended 2011 with another 50 percent growth in net income. INAG made distributions on five different occasions in 2011. Jones said his stockholders invested $250 per share of closely held stock and have doubled their investment. INAG’S flagship product, Mystery Card Roulette, has been very well received by the casinos and customers alike. INAG released Mystery Card Bonanza (card-based Big Six) in 2011 and introduced its new dealer-assisted electronic game, Turbo Card Roulette, at G2E. INAG hopes to have this product through the labs by mid-2012. INAG will also be entering the Mexico market soon. For more information, visit www.inag11.com.
NCRG Elects Feldman Chairman of Board
The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) announced Alan M. Feldman, senior vice president of public affairs for MGM Resorts International, has been named the new chairman of the organization’s board of directors. Feldman replaces Glenn C. Christenson. Christenson, managing director of the investment firm Velstand Investments LLC, will remain on the board. Feldman has served on the NCRG board since 2000.
The NCRG board of directors also announced it has allocated more than $1.5 million for grants in 2012 to support research on the prevention and treatment of gambling disorders. This is the largest amount of research dollars allotted for research grants in the organization’s 15-year history. Researchers will be able to apply for 2012 research funding opportunities in seven categories. For more information, visit www.ncrg.org.
Margaritaville Biloxi Names Department Directors
As the project nears its anticipated spring/summer 2012 opening, Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant Biloxi has named key members to its management team. Cynthia Simms will serve as director of human resources. Kay Day has been named director of marketing. Jody Miles has been named director of surveillance. Joe Ellis will serve as director of facilities & environmental services. And Adam Jowett is the newly named director of security/transportation. More positions will need to be filled before the opening in spring/summer 2012. For more information, visit www.margaritaville.com.
DoJ Ruling Raises Expectations for Launch of Legal I-Gaming in U.S.
New York and Illinois lotteries’ online plans have been given the green light on Dec. 23 when the Justice Department, to a surprise of the entire gaming industry, released a memorandum on the legality of non-sports gambling on the Internet. Experts agree that the ruling is an important step that might facilitate the legalization of Internet gaming in the U.S. 2012 raises high expectations that Internet gambling will finally come to the U.S. Various organizations on both sides of the Atlantic have long been preparing commercially to capitalize on the potential emergence of legal i-gaming in the U.S. For more information on the GiGSE trade show, where this topic will be discussed, visit www.gigse.com.