Articles

I write today to reflect on the significant change that this nation and Indian country are facing with the loss of two great statesmen, the Honorable Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) who was called home on Dec. 17, 2012, and the Honorable Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Mich.) who retired from Congress at the end of last year. I also write to suggest a path forward together.

A couple of years ago, the table games manager of the Sahara Hotel and Casino, Steve Mann, decided to spread a four-table pit that offered $1 minimum blackjack games. Mann had been receiving pressure from upper management to develop more table games players, and their solution was to advertise blackjack games available for a wager of $1. Mann realized that $1 games would not make enough revenue to overcome direct table operational expenses.

Some of the most misunderstood concepts related to tribal gaming and its resulting economic development are those regarding Indian preference in hiring employees and vendors. Understanding this subject is crucial to working within Indian country for both tribal entities and vendors seeking tribal business relationships. The indigenous peoples of the United States today own American Indian tribal companies, all of which are structured and directed to address economic conditions among some of the poorest people.

The gaming industry is one of constant change—evolving technology, advances in legislation, and the appearance of new establishments and organizations. One thing’s certain though, and that’s the promise that there will always be prominent companies leading the way. Bally Technologies  has set out to do just that, by combining its proven history, exceptional executives and praiseworthy products. Bally has been shattering records, making headlines and establishing itself as a leader since 1932.

Entertainment is nothing new to IGT’s Darrell Rodriguez, considering his strong career history in the entertainment industry. He’s only been in the gaming industry since 2010, but is continuing to bring his unique perspective and experience to IGT as he works to deliver world-class games and concepts. His entertainment experience started as a Walt Disney imagineer, and on the online business where he produced the Disneyworld.com website.

The casino industry is on the verge of an extraordinary opportunity to benefit from emerging enterprise technologies that will allow operators to both manage customers’ expectations and analyze their behaviors far more rapidly and intelligently than ever before. The industry focus is leveled on enterprise-ready, cloud-based data centers, Internet gambling and mobile gaming solutions, but those aren’t the only opportunities.

As tablets and smartphones become more popular among customers, it is inevitable that the gaming industry will eventually have to go mobile to satisfy customers’ desires. Whether you are a casino operator interested in more information on mobile gaming or if you are skeptical about the advancing technology, these reviews are here for you. Here are four featured mobile gaming companies that are already outfitting properties with their unique mobile solutions.

A new generation of gamers is evolving, and designers and architects are looking to them, in part, to envision a new generation of casinos. In their most ideal forms, these plans are being modeled with consideration given to the psychological and sociological profiles of this high-tech, constant stimulation-seeking group. A recent study by the Federal Chief Information Officers Council identified eight norms of what it deems “The Net Generation.”

New releases for Class II for February 2013 include Bally Technologies, Moon Goddess; Cadillac Jack, Secrets of Siam; Diamond Game, Walter Mercado's Tarot Treasures; IGT, Day of the Dead Bingo; and WMS, Hawaiian Bliss.

New gaming products for table games and gear include GPI, RFID Tray Inventory Module; Galaxy Gaming, High Card Flush; Genesis Interactive, Quick-Change Tabletops; Interblock, G4D Bubble with Pop'n Poker Game; and SHFL entertainment, Neverbust Blackjack.