G2E provided fresh and exciting news and information for everyone in the gaming industry. In addition to industry keynotes, panel presentations, workshops and certification courses, the show floor at G2E 2013 featured more than 460 exhibitors (including international exhibitors from 32 countries) in more than 286,000 square feet of exhibit space. I was especially focused on what might be new, exciting and helpful for tribal gaming operators and was not disappointed.
The evening prior to the official G2E opening, I attended the launch and unveiling of the Great Luck LLC i-Gaming Platform. Great Luck is a new enterprise headed by American Indian business leaders Joseph Valandra (CEO) and J.R. Matthews (COO) and affiliated with the Alturas Indian Rancheria of Northern California. At the launch reception, Great Luck unveiled an online bingo platform and claimed to be the first web browser-enabled, nationally accessible i-gaming destination for the United States.
At the well-attended event, some attendees questioned the legality of the company’s business plan, but Great Luck explained that their game play is achieved via “proxy play” in which a proprietary Virtual Private Network Assisted Play System (VPNAPS) allows registered users, located anywhere it is legal, to access electronic Class II (and eventually Class III) games that reside on a tribe’s trust land. VPNAPS will be accessible via any web browser on any computer or Android and iOS mobile phone and tablet devices. Game Luck’s platform is specifically created for use by all federally recognized Indian tribes. CEO Valandra is a former National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) chief of staff and COO Matthews is a past chairman of the Quapaw Tribe, as well as the former treasurer of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA). According to the new company’s team of legal advisors, they “know their stuff” and “did their homework.”
According to senior management, Great Luck spent years developing their own technology and proprietary software prior to the launch, as they chose to create all their programming, back-end and software internally. There were a few glitches with the software presentation at the launch event, but the concept is commendable and should provide an interesting option for tribes when seeking online i-gaming platforms. “We believe our i-gaming technology will play a significant role in transforming the i-gaming experience,” Valandra said.
Once the G2E show floor opened, I had a chance to visit with a fairly new venture—the collaboration between Foxwoods Interactive and GameAccount Network (GAN). In a very different business tactic from that of Great Luck’s in-house technology strategy, Foxwoods Interactive has assembled the best-of-breed vendors from around the world in proven i-gaming markets. “Instead of developing something ourselves, we decided to let the experts do what they do best, so we found premiere partners and can offer our clients proven products and superior technology solutions,” said Joe Colebut of Foxwoods Interactive. Foxwoods Interactive is the online gaming division of Foxwoods Resort Casino operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut. GAN is active globally in legal jurisdictions and has been developing games and technology since 2002. The Foxwoods Interactive-GAN partnership offers an Internet gaming system containing a suite of proprietary award-winning Internet games, as well as integrated third-party games.
In addition to the game content, their services also include technical-system preparedness, marketing and social features, operational support and training, and jurisdictional compliance. In keeping with their best-of-breed philosophy, the Foxwoods Interactive-GAN partnership utilizes the services of CAMS, a firm providing merchants in the gaming industry with the tools they need to reduce risk and comply with regulation. I had a chance to chat with CAMS CEO Matthew Katz at the Foxwoods booth. “The future of Internet gambling in the U.S. hinges on regulation,” Katz said. “Merchants are able to leverage CAMS’ expertise in payments connections, Know Your Customer services, geo-location and fraud management—all through a single integration, thereby saving time, money and valuable resources.” CAMS became the first service provider to earn a Class II gambling license in the state of Nevada, and they now handle regulatory compliance for operators in that state. They have also recently applied for licensure in New Jersey.
I asked Dana Takrudtong, vice president of sales for GAN, how they were serving tribal operators since they can only operate in legal i-gaming jurisdictions. Takrudtong indicated they are busy assisting tribal operators in setting up their social gaming platforms and ensuring they are ready to go to live wagering when their respective jurisdiction becomes legal.
Both the Great Luck and Foxwoods Interactive models have new, exciting features that can be attractive and augmentative for tribal gaming operators, and I would encourage an exploration of both for tribes seeking i-gaming solutions.
The largest portion of the G2E floor is always dedicated to slot machines and, of course, to new titles. The launch of these new games at G2E is traditionally accompanied by much fanfare including actors, models and other Hollywood-style appearances. On the floor this year, I had to weave my way through zombies (per Aristocrat’s launch of The Walking Dead™ slot game based on AMC’s hit series), blue-painted Avatars (per IGT’s launch of James Cameron’s AVATAR™ Video Slots), Beetlejuice, the Batmobile and even actor Adam West. It was all very intriguing. However, for land-based tribal operators, I found a gem worth exploring tucked away off the floor away from all the fanfare. Worldwide Gaming Systems Corporation (WGSC) is a fairly new company founded by industry veterans Ron Clapper, Don Louden and Peter Khai. For the land-based operator desiring a solution that provides the customer with a high-tech, state-of-the-art feel but isn’t quite ready to take the leap into i-gaming, their tablet product is a great option. It is ready for deployment within the casino property.
WGSC has taken casino slot play to a new level with wireless gaming tablets that allow players to relax anywhere on the property and play traditional video slot games. The wireless system server controlling the hand-held gaming devices is a secured network installed in each casino’s information technology center, providing the same security as traditional slot machines and player tracking networks. A collection of their slot game titles can be played on a traditional cabinet on the casino floor or on a hand-held wireless gaming device with the same payout percentage, bonus play, free spins, wild symbols, multi-level progressive jackpots, multi-denominational, multi-bet levels and bet lines. I especially liked that their gaming tablets are lightweight and user-friendly.
With both exhibitor and attendee participation so strong at G2E, one can deduce that the gaming industry is definitely back and in full force again (post-recession). However, for tribal operators, the task to stay competitive and seize market share is ongoing and ultra-competitive. Gaming products and exciting amenities will always be a draw for customers, but with so many options, the process can be daunting, and a misstep can be expensive. However, making no decision and continuing to operate with old, tired products can be equally as debilitating and harmful to operations. Tribal gaming management should fully explore, compare and review new products with a mind to stay one step ahead of the competition.
To reach any vendor mentioned in this article, please contact author Valerie Red-Horse.
Valerie Red-Horse is an investment banker and financial advisor to tribal governments in her role as President/Owner of Red-Horse Financial Group Inc., offering securities through Western International Securities Inc., a FINRA and SIPC member firm. Red-Horse Financial Group and Western International Securities Inc. are separate and unrelated companies. Red-Horse can be reached at valerie[at]wisdirect.com.
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