Harrah’s Entertainment, Atlantic City Goes Green
Harrah’s Entertainment is the first major gaming corporation in the United States to receive the Environmental Quality Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region Two. Harrah’s Entertainment and its 16,000 Atlantic City employees were recognized for making “green improvements” over the past six years to all four of its Atlantic City properties. These improvements included eliminating the equivalent of 94 million pounds of carbon dioxide, recycling 50,000 gallons of kitchen waste oil each year, saving 30,000 gallons of water annually for each waterless urinal, recycling 1.6 million pounds of cardboard, and eliminating 1.1 million polystyrene beverage cups. Harrah’s Entertainment operates four casinos in Atlantic City, including Bally’s, Caesars, Harrah’s and Showboat. For more information, visit www.harrahs.com.
Harrah’s Entertainment to be Renamed Caesars Entertainment
Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.’s board of directors has approved a plan to change the company’s name to Caesars Entertainment Corp., pending regulatory approvals. The name change is designed to capitalize on the high international name recognition enjoyed by the Caesars brand and to appeal to customers attracted by its connotation of luxury, opulence, and world-renowned entertainment, dining and shopping options. “Adoption of the name Caesars Entertainment Corp. will provide our company with greater prestige and help attract strategic business partners as we pursue expansion opportunities in new jurisdictions,” said Gary Loveman, Harrah’s chairman, president and CEO. “The change also reflects our evolution into a full-service entertainment company that offers a rich range of gaming and non-gaming amenities to our guests.” The Harrah’s name will continue to be one of the company’s three primary casino brands, along with Caesars and Horseshoe. Loveman said the name change will not alter the company’s culture or its adherence to a code of commitment that governs its relationships with employees, customers and communities. For more information, visit www.harrahs.com.
Shuffle Master Named One of World’s Most Innovative
Shuffle Master Inc. has been recognized as one of the top 35 most innovative companies on The Patent Board’s Consumer Electronic Patent Scorecard, as published in the Wall Street Journal. Shuffle Master’s intellectual property portfolio was measured on its technical strength, science and research strength, and the speed at which the company’s patents become assets. Additionally, Shuffle Master led all firms by a wide margin in Industry Impact™, a quantification of how influential a company’s patent portfolio is on the development of technologies in its industry. Shuffle Master was ranked second among the eight U.S.-based companies on the list and 21st overall. “We are very pleased to be rated as one of the world’s top 35 consumer electronics intellectual property portfolios by The Patent Board,” said Mark L. Yoseloff, Shuffle Master’s chairman and CEO. “Our ranking underscores the industry relevance of our many products, including automatic card shufflers, electronic table systems and proprietary table games. This designation also recognizes our understanding of the needs of the gaming industry and our unique ability to design, develop and provide state-of-the art innovations and advancements in gaming technologies.” Other companies included in this year’s Patent Scorecard were Sony, Samsung, International Game Technology, Toshiba and Sharp. The Patent Scorecards are published for 17 different industry sectors and are available at www.patentboard.com. For more information, visit www.shufflemaster.com.
Robichaud Named Educational Director of GSA
The Gaming Standards Association has named software development expert Line Robichaud as the organization’s new educational director. In her new role, Robichaud will create and oversee GSA’s educational outreach programs, including its Executive Awareness Program and its Certified G2S/S2S Engineer Programs. Robichaud has been an active participant in GSA since 2003 and was chair of the transport and G2S committees. She comes to GSA with more than 18 years of experience in the software development industry, with her most recent focus being in the area of analysis and design of communication protocols. She has a long history in the gaming industry, and was with Spielo/GTECH as principal software analyst. “We are thrilled to have Line join GSA on a full-time basis,” said GSA President Peter DeRaedt. “Her roles on the G2S and transport committees have been invaluable, and her knowledge of protocol analysis and design makes her perfect to lead our global education efforts. GSA will provide local education around the world to anyone who wants to learn about the technical details of our standards.” For more information, visit www.gamingstandards.com.
Grand Casino Mille Lacs Adds Loukas
Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia, Minn., has announced the addition of John Loukas as vice president of marketing. Loukas will be responsible for the overall marketing direction of Grand Casino Mille Lacs. He has more than 15 years of advertising and marketing experience, with eight years of leadership experience in the gaming industry, having worked in several senior executive marketing roles. “We are very pleased to welcome John to Grand Casino Mille Lacs,” said Ronda Weizenegger, general manager at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. “His solid background and management experience perfectly position him to be a great contributor to our company’s marketing efforts as we move forward.” Most recently, Loukas was the interim CEO and chief marketing officer for Dakota Nation Gaming Enterprise in Sisseton, S.D., where he led a marketing team of more than 100 people. Prior to that, he held a senior director of marketing position at Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Texas, where he helped establish the casino as a leader in the marketplace.
TableMAX Wide Area Progressive Goes Live
TableMAX Holdings LLC has launched the gaming industry’s first wide area progressive network on an electronic table game. TableMAX’s Progressive Blackjack™ game has gone live with a wide area progressive covering tribal casinos in Oklahoma. The TableMAX wide area progressive is built on the company’s patented proprietary technology. It is the industry’s first of its kind and is now live in Oklahoma at Bordertown Bingo & Casino and Quapaw Casino. “This is incredibly exciting news for TableMAX,” said TableMAX CEO Stephen Crystal. “Our patented proprietary technology for wide area progressives will revolutionize the electronic table games sector. Everyone knows electronic table games are the fastest growing segment of gaming, and now, with our proprietary technology, we are ready to take the game to the next, even more exciting level.” For more information, visit www.tablemax.com.
DEQ Releases Real Link™ Wireless Progressive Jackpot Solution
DEQ Systems Corp. has officially released of its new wireless solution for linked progressive jackpots. The solution, approved by Gaming Laboratories International Inc. (GLI), is called Real Link™ and boasts “One Planet – One Jackpot” as a positioning statement. The company also reports that a second release is planned for G2E in Las Vegas that will specifically target linked mystery prizes and awards. “For years now, the slot machine segment of the market has led the way in building the global vision of mystery and progressive bonusing. Almost all gamers know of IGT’s Megabucks® slot machine and the effect its global jackpot has in attracting players to the slot machine segment,” said Earle G. Hall, DEQ president and CEO. “DEQ’s patent portfolio is specifically geared to this mentality for the table game segment, and the G3™ has been linking multiple tables within a single casino for several years now. Now with Real Link, we are eliminating the limits of the single property jackpot and the constraints of cabling. With the collaboration of its partner, DEK International, Real Link is already operational in several partner casinos in Latin America and Eastern Europe chosen among a select group of their clients.” For more information, visit www.deq.com.
Banning Named Director of Security at Turning Stone
William Banning, formerly director of security at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, has taken the post of director of security at the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort and Casino. He oversees a staff of about 100 full-time and 100 on-call security officers, and is responsible for the overall physical security of people and assets at the resort. His department also provides support on the gaming floor, investigating injuries and observing and reporting any violations. Banning brings 17 years of experience in gaming security to his new position, starting as a security guard at the Trump Taj Mahal and gradually taking on more responsibilities throughout his career there. He spent six years in the director’s job at the Trump Taj Mahal before making the move to Turning Stone. He studied criminal justice at Robert Stockton College in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.turningstone.com.
Marquiss Named Director of Finance at Valley View Casino
Valley View Casino has promoted Leilani Marquiss to director of finance. Marquiss joined Valley View Casino in September 2003 as an accountant and assumed the position of accounting manager in January 2004. In May 2005, Marquiss was promoted to financial controller before becoming the director of finance. “Congratulations to Leilani on her recent promotion,” said Michael Gorczynski, general manager of Valley View Casino. “She’s been a tremendous asset to our team since joining the company in 2003 and we look forward to her future successes.” Prior to joining Valley View Casino, Marquiss served as an assistant controller for ACE Group Inc. Prior to joining ACE Group, she spent the majority of her career in public accounting and with Price Club Inc. (now known as Costco Wholesale). For more information, visit www.valleyviewcasino.com.
Ainsworth Appoints KGM Gaming for the Mid-Atlantic
Ainsworth Game Technology LTD has appointed Philadelphia-based KGM Gaming to distribute and service gaming products throughout the Mid-Atlantic market. “The appointment of KGM Gaming to represent our company provides Ainsworth with a reputable partner with the infrastructure in sales and service to compliment the Ainsworth high performing product range,” said Ainsworth Game Technology CEO Danny Gladstone.
KGM Gaming CEO Howard Weiss commented: “The teaming of KGM Gaming and Ainsworth Game Technologies is going to create an unbeatable team of product, sales and service. We believe this is a great opportunity for both companies to deeply penetrate gaming throughout the Mid-Atlantic states.” For more information, visit www.ainsworth.com.au or www.kgmgaming.com.
Grosvenor Casinos Selects Bally for Floor of the Future
Grosvenor Casinos, one of Europe’s leading gaming operators, has selected a full suite of Bally Technologies Inc. systems solutions for the Networked Floor of the Future at its Grosvenor Casino in Birmingham, England. Grosvenor Casinos will install Bally’s iVIEW player communication interface network for all of the casino’s gaming machines and create a unique gaming experience across a high-speed floor network through Bally’s system games and bonusing technologies. Bally will install a complete slot management solution, including a TITO system, a slot accounting and reporting system, a player tracking system, and a comprehensive bonusing system. The casino will use Bally’s iVIEW interactive displays for player marketing and promotions, and further enhance its promotions program through Bally Power Coupon™, which enables casino patrons to insert promotional coupons directly into the bill validator, ensuring that the credits are used for play rather than being cashed out. Grosvenor Casinos also chose Bally’s new TableView™ real-time table rating and player tracking solution to replace its existing manual rating process. “We’re excited to install these products as part of our customer rewards program for players,” said Ian Burke, CEO of the Rank Group PLC. “The world-leading Bally system should enable us to offer the most cutting-edge promotions, which will provide additional benefits to our most loyal customers and will help us to gain a greater understanding of customer preferences and playing patterns.” For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
Barona Casino, Bally Develop Networked Floor of the Future
Bally Technologies Inc. completed an agreement with the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino to upgrade its slot management systems with Bally’s latest Networked Floor of the Future technology, which features the iVIEW player network and utilizes Ethernet technology. As part of the agreement, Barona is upgrading the player interfaces on all of its 2,000 slot machines with Bally’s award-winning iVIEW interactive network, providing casino patrons an expanded communication portal, customer service enhancements, and second-way-to-win experiences. “We are honored that Barona, which has been a system innovator and leader in testing server-based solutions, has selected Bally to provide their Networked Floor of the Future,” said Richard M. Haddrill, president and CEO of Bally Technologies.
“The California market will continue to be competitive and Barona was looking for a foundation on which we could continue to innovate,” said Lee Skelley, assistant general manager of casino operations at Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. “Barona has always had a focus on service, marketing excellence and providing unique experiences for our players. Bally had the applications today that built on the foundation we already had.” The Barona is also adding Bally Technologies’ Power Promotions™, Power Bank™ and Download Configuration Manager. For more information, visit www.ballytech.com or www.barona.com.
Seneca Gaming CFO Resigns
Chief Financial Officer Patrick M. Fox has resigned from Seneca Gaming Corp., effective April 11, 2008. Fox, who joined the company in 2005, cited his desire to be closer to his family as the reason for his decision. His current contract with Seneca Gaming Corp. was set to expire in June. “Having been able to spend a week at home in Chicago with my wife and daughters recently brought me the realization that I had been away for long enough,” Fox said. “With my contract coming up for renewal in June, I thought this was the most fair and appropriate time to inform the company and the Seneca Nation that it was the right time for me to move on. My experience with Seneca Gaming Corp. has been nothing but extraordinary, and I know they will continue to achieve great things.” Fox joined Seneca Gaming Corp. as VP of Finance in 2005 and was named CFO in June 2006. Fox previously held the position of CFO with Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as at Trump Indiana. He has more than 30 years of financial and accounting experience.
“Pat has been a valued member of our management team and his contributions to our success have been significant,” said Brian Hansberry, president and CEO of Seneca Gaming Corp. “I personally want to thank Pat for the dedication he brought to the organization and wish him well as he moves on to the next phase of his career. Thanks to what Pat has helped us accomplish, Seneca Gaming Corp. is well positioned to continue to grow as a premier gaming operator, delivering strong financial results at our facilities in Niagara Falls, Salamanca and Buffalo.” For more information, visit www.senecagamingcorporation.com.
Konami Announces Continued Partnership with Casino Pauma
Konami Gaming Inc. has been awarded the system contract for the Casino Pauma property. Casino Pauma, based in Pauma Valley, Calif., has purchased the full KCMS software suite and is looking forward to being able to use the powerful KCMS applications to enhance its marketing initiatives. “For us, the decision to proceed with the KCMS installation is based on the reliability of the system coupled with the robust and flexible advanced incentives marketing module that will allow us to provide countless incentives to our players,” said Casino Pauma CEO Javier Saenz. In addition to being awarded the system’s contract for Casino Pauma, Konami Gaming also secured a game order for additional machines for the property. For more information, visit www.konami.com or www.casinopauma.com.
Chukchansi Names Costello New AGM
Joseph L. Costello has been named assistant general manager of Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in Coarsegold, Calif. Costello has served in several managerial and director positions for the past six years at Chukchansi. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Widener University in Chester, Pa., and his Master of Business Administration from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. He continues his pursuit of education through the Executive Development Program at the University of Nevada at Reno, and is a graduate of Dale Carnegie Training.
Cannery Casino Resorts Appoints Dickey
Cannery Casino Resorts LLC has appointed Rachel Dickey to corporate director of database operations for Cannery Casino & Hotel Eastside, Cannery Casino & Hotel, and Rampart Casino. “Rachel Dickey’s extraordinary talent has been great for our team,” said Mike Marvel, executive director of database operations and analysis at Cannery Casino Resorts. “We have no doubt that Rachel will continue to thrive with Cannery Casino Resorts.” Prior to joining Cannery Casino Resorts in 2007, Dickey served as a direct marketing manager for American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC. Before that, she served as database marketing manager for Fantasy Springs Casino in Palm Springs, Calif., and as the database marketing coordinator at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.cannerycasinos.com.
Global Cash Access Completes Acquisition of Certegy Gaming
Global Cash Access Inc. (GCA) has closed the acquisition of Certegy Gaming Services Inc. (CGS), formerly known as Game Financial, from Fidelity National Transaction Services Inc., a subsidiary of Fidelity National Information Services Inc. GCA acquired all of CGS’s issued shares of stock for a purchase price of $25 million. CGS is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCA. As part of the acquisition, GCA will replace all of the cash that was held in CGS’s ATM machines and booths at its customer locations. “We’re very pleased to have closed the acquisition and are very excited about the opportunity to provide CGS’s customers with the products, support and dedication for which GCA is known,” said GCA CEO Scott H. Betts. “The addition of CGS to GCA will help us maintain the scale necessary to advance our product innovation work and support our customer service commitment. We believe the acquisition will also provide the growth and cross-selling potential that our shareholders expect. The payments market is highly competitive, and maintaining scale is important for GCA.” For more information, visit www.globalcashaccess.com.
Progressive Gaming and GPI Enter RFID Technology Agreement
Progressive Gaming International Corp. and Gaming Partners International Corp. (GPI) have entered an RFID technology agreement for the development and integration of various 13.56 MHz PJM (Phase Jitter Modulation) RFID-enabled products and systems. The agreement enables Progressive Gaming and GPI to leverage their extensive combined experience with 13.56 MHz PJM High Frequency RFID technology to quickly bring to market additional RFID-enabled readers and gaming software, providing a convenient entry point for casino operators looking to adopt Progressive Gaming’s RFID hardware, player tracking and table management systems technology. “13.56 MHz PJM technology is well on its way to establishing itself as the gaming industry reference for speed, security and integrity, and we are very excited about the opportunity to further strengthen our long-standing relationship with GPI to facilitate the adoption of this RFID technology,” said Bodo Ischebeck, VP RFID and table management systems for Progressive Gaming. “The ease and accuracy with which the 13.56 MHz PJM technology operates affords our customers the ability to greatly improve their performance in mission critical areas such as game speed, security, accountability and tracking. We look forward to working with GPI to expand upon our chip inventory system and RFID-enabled player tracking product offering to operators worldwide.” The 13.56 MHz PJM RFID technology is licensed exclusively by Progressive Gaming through its strategic partnership with Magellan Technology. For more information, visit www.progressivegaming.net or www.gpigaming.com.
GPI to Showcase Products at G2E Asia
Gaming Partners International will be among the manufacturers presenting at this month’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia in Macau. “We will have our biggest-ever booth for this year’s edition,” said GPI Manager of International Sales & Marketing Christophe Leparoux. “The emphasis will be on our various RFID products that we have been very successfully deploying in several Asian jurisdictions”. In addition to its offer of RFID solutions, the company will also present other products that have made its worldwide reputation.
“With or without RFID, a casino chip needs to be sophisticated enough to deter counterfeiters and address each casino’s operational requirements,” Leparoux said. “In that respect, we will be showing exclusive security features such as high security holograms, see-through inserts, UV inks and pigments and laser pigments, as well as a large range of available chips patterns and designs that only a specialized, reputable manufacturer such as GPI can provide.” For more information, visit www.gpigaming.com.
Buffalo Thunder Names Taylor Executive Director of Gaming Operations
Buffalo Thunder Resort, a combined project of the Pueblo of Pojoaque and Hilton Hotels Corp., has named Duff Taylor as executive director of gaming operations for Buffalo Thunder Casino. Taylor manages all aspects of gaming, including casino floor operations, casino staff, security, revenues, promotions and the Lightning Rewards Player’s Club. “Duff Taylor’s background in casino management and his extensive knowledge of the gaming industry will greatly benefit our strategy of offering the best gaming experience in New Mexico at Buffalo Thunder Casino,” said Allen Mosley, CEO of Pueblo of Pojoaque Enterprises. Taylor brings more than 30 years of management, development and consulting experience in the gaming industry to his position. He has opened numerous casinos in gaming markets across the United States, including the Fiesta Casino & Hotel in North Las Vegas, and Hyatt’s Grand Victoria Casino & Hotel in Rising Sun, Ind. He has led special projects for an assortment of Las Vegas properties, including MGM Grand and the Four Queens, and has been a driving force behind many gaming development projects around the country. He is a former manager of Howard Johnson & Co., the River Palms Resort Casino in Laughlin, and was most recently the vice president of casino operations at the Crystal Palace Casino in Nassau, Bahamas. Additionally, Taylor was actively involved in bringing tribal gaming enterprises to California and Washington in the early 1990s. For more information, visit www.buffalothunderresort.com.
WMS Announces Board and Executive Succession Plans
WMS Industries Inc. announced that Louis J. Nicastro will retire as chair of the WMS’ board, effective July 1. Nicastro has had a 43-year distinguished career with WMS and its predecessor companies. He will remain on the board of WMS, in the new position of founding director and will continue to serve as an advisor to the company. Brian R. Gamache, currently president and CEO of WMS, will chair the board while retaining his responsibilities as CEO, and Orrin J. Edidin, currently executive vice president and COO, will become president, also effective July 1. WMS’ board also announced the appointment of Edward W. Rabin Jr. to the new position of lead director. “Lou Nicastro’s visionary leadership is unsurpassed,” Gamache said. “Lou has been steadfast in his focus on building a lasting and sustainable company, strategically and successfully navigating through a variety of business and economic cycles during his career. During his tenure with the company, which places him among the longest standing chairmen of any New York Stock Exchange listed company, Lou guided WMS’ transformation from an amusement game company into a worldwide gaming equipment leader renowned for its innovation.”
Other personnel changes that will take effect July 1 include Ken Lochiatto becoming executive vice president and COO; Larry Pacey becoming executive vice president, global products, and chief innovation officer; and Patricia Barten becoming executive vice president, continuous improvement.
Gary Platt Names Pierson VP of Operations
Gary Platt Manufacturing has hired Jay Pierson for the position of vice president of operations. Pierson comes to Gary Platt with 16 years of experience in the gaming industry. His prior gaming experience includes managing field service, manufacturing and quality assurance divisions. Pierson spent the past six years with Sierra Design Group, which was acquired by Bally Technologies. Jay left Bally as director of public gaming/strategic alliances to join the Gary Platt team. His new duties will include running all aspects of the day-to-day manufacturing operations. For more information, visit www.garyplatt.com.
Progressive Gaming and IGT Announce Strategic Alliance
International Game Technology (IGT) and Progressive Gaming International Corp. have entered a broad-based strategic alliance, including an intellectual property agreement that will allow Progressive Gaming to integrate IGT’s sb™ NexGen™ displays and replicate IGT Advantage® Bonusing products into its Casinolink® Enterprise Edition slot management system. The agreement will lead to enhanced applications for Progressive Gaming’s Casinolink customers through a server-enabled touchscreen display. The NexGen display is an interactive touchscreen tool for player communication, bonusing promotions, interactions and rewards, which will be deployed on slot machines managed by Casinolink. The sb NexGen features state-of-the-art networking and connectivity using new Gaming Standards Association (GSA) specifications and protocols. “Progressive Gaming’s integration of our sb-enabled NexGen product extends our momentum for the roll-out of these products and highlights our commitment to make them available on non-IGT casino management systems,” said Steve Morro, COO of IGT. For more information, visit www.igt.com or www.progressivegaming.net.
GLI Adds Customer Service to Development Team
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has added two highly experienced customer service professionals to its development team. Robert J. Reyes and Bounthay (Boon) Saysavanh have joined GLI as supplier development representatives. “We are thrilled to add Robert and Boon to our supplier development team,” said GLI Senior Director of Engineering and Client Services Ian Hughes. “The important role suppliers play in the industry cannot be overstated, and developing our relationships with OEMs is a critical aspect of our business plan. We are excited to have Robert and Boon on board to help us provide top customer service to these valuable clients.” Reyes is an accomplished sales and customer service professional and brings a wealth of manufacturer and gaming-related experience to GLI. Most recently, Reyes was VP of sales for the TekTube Group, where he led a team of 32 and oversaw the company’s procurement of ISO certifications. Reyes’ gaming experience includes his time as western regional claims manager for Harrah’s Entertainment CCMSI. He has also held management positions with McDonald’s, Citibank and Household Bank. Saysavanh was most recently director of business development for Tardus Financial Services, developing its sales team during the company’s launch and directing the company’s Alliance Partner Program. He also served as general manager/regional sales manager for Marfred Industries, and has worked with Automated Data Processing, BlueSkies Investments and Transworld Systems. The addition of Reyes and Boon bring GLI’s worldwide development team to 16. For more information, visit www.gaminglabs.com.