Elo TouchSystems, Sensitive Object Reach License Agreement
Sensitive Object and Tyco Electronics’ Elo TouchSystems have signed a cross-license agreement to further develop their technologies and expand their respective product offerings. Sensitive Object and Tyco Electronics, both working in the field of acoustic touch recognition, have recognized the commercial benefits of sharing the results of their research and development programs. The companies have agreed to cross license their intellectual property in the acoustic touch field and to enter into a mutual technology development program. Sensitive Object and Tyco Electronics will have access to each other’s IP portfolio covering acoustic technologies and will coordinate their actions on new development projects. Both companies anticipate the cooperation and joint developments will be of great benefit in bringing enhanced new products to market. For more information, visit www.elotouch.com.
WhiteSand Gaming Enterprises Introduced
WhiteSand Consulting introduces WhiteSand Gaming Enterprises, a new company focused on the acquisition and operation of casino hotel resorts. The gaming veterans who comprise WhiteSand Gaming Enterprises have provided hands-on assistance with new and established casino projects, including opening and operating budgets, site design, staffing, marketing and technology. The WhiteSand team has played a key role in the successful openings of new casino hotels and casino racetracks in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, California, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana and Australia. President and CEO, Sal Scheri said: “[Our] short-term contracts have allowed us to help casinos turn things around and improve performance in just a matter of a few months; on long-term development projects, we have been there every step of the way, assisting with planning and operation, both pre- and post-opening, for casino resort operations of every size.” For more information, visit www.whitesandconsulting.com.
Gary Platt Chairs for New Casino Queen
Gary Platt Manufacturing has shipped more than 1,100 slot chairs to Casino Queen’s brand new land based facility in Prescott, Wis. The old riverboat location will be closing. The casino selected the Gazelle Royale style chair for its slots in a variety of custom fabrics with a gold vein finish. Black Bear Casino in Carlton, Minn., placed an order for 112 seats for its new facility located next to its existing casino. It replaced its Blackjack chairs with Gary Platt Gazelle II Chairs. The Fond-du-Luth Casino is owned and operated by the same tribe that owns the Black Bear Casino. It has replaced 800 of its slot chairs, Blackjack chairs and bar stools in the existing downtown casino with the Gary Platt X-Tended Play Sierra seat. Gary Platt Manufacturing also shipped 150 chairs to Bordertown Bingo and Casino in Seneca, Mo. For more information, visit www.garyplatt.com.
Konami, Fire Lake Continue Partnership
Fire Lake Casino in Shawnee, Okla., has selected Konami Gaming Inc.’s Konami Casino Management System (KCMS) for its property. Fire Lake Entertainment Center will be following its sister property, Fire Lake Grand Casino, with the installation of KCMS later this fall. With both its properties using KCMS, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation can link both casinos with one player tracking card and offer patron bonusing and marketing programs across both locations — all in real time with the use of True-Time™ Data. Fire Lake Casino also purchased additional Konami slot machines, bringing the total of Konami machines on its gaming floor to 100. “We at Konami Gaming Inc. are committed to offering the most technologically advanced product with individualized customer service, which allows us to create these special alliances,” Mark Wiedemer, director of system sales, said. For more information, visit www.konamigaming.com.
McDowell New Isle of Capri President, COO
Virginia McDowell has been named Isle of Capri Casinos Inc.’s president and COO. McDowell’s 26-year career in gaming has spanned a wide range of disciplines and areas of expertise, including marketing, operations and technology. “Our board of directors unanimously chose Virginia for the position … because she knows our business, knows our customers and knows our markets,” Bernard Goldstein, chair and CEO, said. Most recently, McDowell served as executive VP and CIO of Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. Prior to joining Trump, she spent eight years at Argosy Gaming Company. For more information, visit www.islecorp.com.
U.K. Provisionally Approves GLI; New CEO for GLI Australia
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and GLI Europe have become the first test labs to be provisionally approved by the U.K. Gambling Commission. Being provisionally approved by the Gambling Commission means GLI can now accept submissions for the U.K. market and begin to provide feedback to manufacturers finalizing their development for the new categories of gaming equipment. GLI Sr. Director of Engineering and Client Services Ian Hughes said, “As the U.K. continues down the gaming path, GLI is committed to working closely with and lending our expertise to the Gambling Commission and suppliers well into the future.”
GLI Australia has appointed Zelko Galic as its managing director and CEO. He will be based in Sydney and oversee both GLI Australia operations in Sydney and Adelaide. His appointment is subject to relevant regulatory approval. Galic comes to GLI with extensive international business experience in management, sales, marketing and operations. He has worked in Australia and North America, and holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Sydney and an MBA from Deakin University. For more information, visit www.gaminglabs.com.
TransAct Appoints New VP, Chernay Relocates
TransAct Technologies Inc. has appointed Brandon Knowles to VP of gaming sales. Knowles is a veteran of the gaming industry with over 14 years experience at some of the industry’s most influential companies, including Shuffle Master, Aristocrat Technologies and Progressive Gaming International. Knowles will be responsible for managing and achieving TransAct’s sales objectives for key slot machine manufacturers and casinos. He will maintain an office in TransAct’s Las Vegas facility. Tracey Chernay will relocate to the Las Vegas office on a full-time basis to lead the company’s sales and marketing efforts for all its products, while also maximizing the sales and marketing initiatives in gaming. Chernay currently serves as senior VP of sales and marketing for all TransAct products. For more information, visit www.transact-tech.com.
Howard Resigns, Gorczynski Named Interim Valley View GM
Valley View Casino GM Bruce Howard has resigned from his position. Howard has accepted the position of GM of the M Resort Casino Hotel, scheduled to open in 2009 at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. Joe Navarro, president and CEO of the San Pasqual Casino Development Group, said, “Bruce has helped build a solid foundation for our casino’s success, and I am 100 percent confident that we won’t skip a beat in running San Diego’s finest casino.” CFO Michael A. Gorczynski will serve as interim GM of the casino until a permanent GM is appointed. Gorczynski has served as the VP of finance and CFO at Valley View Casino since 2003 and has been a member of the San Pasqual Casino Development Group’s board of directors since 2004. “We have the utmost confidence in [Michael’s] capability to continue the tremendous success and growth of our company,” Navarro said. For more information, visit valleyviewcasino.com.
Roemer, Bally Enter Development Agreement
Roemer Gaming LLC, led by gaming industry veteran Mick Roemer, has entered a third-party development agreement with Bally Technologies Inc. to produce content for both Bally’s ALPHA OS™ slot machines and its iVIEW™ interactive displays. Roemer, previously Bally’s senior VP of sales and service, is founder of Roemer Gaming LLC. “Bally is the most exciting company in gaming today,” Roemer said. “I’m very excited to be able to work with Bally and develop content on the most versatile and technically advanced gaming platform in the market.” Bally CEO Richard Haddrill said: “I am excited for Mick and look forward to some great new products. Mick and I have worked together for many years at both Bally and Powerhouse/VLC. He has made a significant contribution to Bally’s turnaround, and we wish him great success.” Roemer, a 23-year gaming veteran, has been associated with some of the most successful product innovations in the gaming industry including Megabucks, EDT Player Tracking Systems, Wheel Of Fortune, Playboy Slots, VLC Penny Slots and TITO, Game King, Millionaire 777s, among others. For more information, visit www.roemergaming.com.
Progressive Gaming, Acres-Fiore to Develop Bonusing Features
Progressive Gaming International Corporation® and Acres-Fiore have entered into an agreement to jointly develop a new, innovative mystery jackpot feature for Progressive Gaming’s CasinoLink® Jackpot Station™. The new feature will allow multiple jackpots to be won at random on any game play and will include a “Win Proximity” meter that indicates when one of the jackpot awards is close to being hit. The agreement allows Progressive Gaming to add Acres-Fiore’s premium game enhancements to both existing and new Jackpot Station installations, subject to regulatory approvals. Progressive Gaming expects to submit the new technology for GLI approval this month. Russel McMeekin, president and CEO of Progressive Gaming, said, “We are excited to be working with Acres-Fiore on a new innovative mystery progressive feature that we expect will help drive further improvements in the market penetration of the CasinoLink Jackpot Station.” For more information, visit www.progressivegaming.net.
Bally Signs Contract with Mount Airy
Bally Technologies Inc. has signed a contract with Mount Airy Casino Resort to provide a complete slot and casino management system, an advanced suite of Bally Power Bonusing™ products and an initial order of 2,500 iVIEW™ interactive displays for all of the slot machines planned for the Pennsylvania resort’s opening this fall. Bally also secured an order for 28 percent of the initial slot floor — a total of 695 units. Mount Airy will also utilize Bally Slot Management Systems™/Casino Management Systems™ and Bally eTICKET™, and offer Bally Power Winners™. Richard Haddrill, CEO of Bally Technologies, said, “The 28 percent of the slot floor is indicative of our growing ship-share success, while the systems deal is a reflection of our market leadership and a technology portfolio that can effectively manage the complex, high-volume, casino-resort operation that Mount Airy promises to be.” For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
Arriva Partners with Striker VIP
Arriva Card Inc. has entered a joint marketing agreement with Striker VIP Inc. to offer luxury concierge services to Arriva cardholders. The services will include transportation, accommodations, dining and entertainment. Steven Striker, founder and CEO of Striker VIP, said, “Our Las Vegas luxury concierge services are a compelling complement for Arriva patrons who enjoy upscale entertainment and are accustomed to a high standard of service.” Todd Smith, senior VP of marketing at Arriva added: “The terms that Arriva Card offers to responsible casino cash advance customers are more favorable than what they’d get with typical credit cards. Our arrangement with Striker VIP Inc. provides an added benefit — one we hope will encourage more people to apply for and use the card and discover for themselves the benefits of being an Arriva customer.” For more information, visit www.arrivacard.com or www.strikervip.com.
Southern Miss Revives Gaming Program, Paster Joins Faculty
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has revived its casino resort management program. The program is designed to enable students to better contribute to both the gaming and hospitality industry on the Gulf Coast and the economic, social and spiritual recovery of the region after Hurricane Katrina. As the only American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business accredited institution on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, USM offers a degree in business administration with an emphasis in casino and resort management. David Paster, a gaming consultant and president of Yarborough Planning LLC, joins the faculty as a visiting instructor, teaching casino and resort management courses starting the fall 2007 semester. “[I am looking] forward to further contributing to the development of the gaming and hospitality fields by representing the University of Southern Mississippi at hospitality and gaming conferences and by continuing to publish in both academic and trade media,” Paster said. For more information, visit www.usm.edu/gulfcoast.
New CEO, COO for Boyd Gaming
Boyd Gaming Corporation has named Keith E. Smith as CEO, effective Jan.1, 2008. Smith will succeed William S. Boyd, who will assume the newly created position of executive chair. Boyd will remain actively involved with the strategic direction and vision of the company. In addition to chairing the company’s board of directors, he will also remain as a member of the company’s management committee. CFO Paul J. Chakmak will succeed Smith as COO, also effective Jan.1, 2008. The company intends to begin a search for Chakmak’s successor in the near future. Smith was named president of Boyd Gaming in 2005 and has been COO since 2001. He joined the company as corporate controller in 1990. Chakmak joined Boyd Gaming in 2004 as senior VP of finance and treasurer. For more information, visit www.boydgaming.com.
WMS Program Receives International Accreditation
WMS Gaming Inc.’s online Slot Machine University (SMU) courses have been accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) through its certified learning solutions strategic partner, Element K. SMU is an interactive online training and certification program applicable for professionals working in all facets of slot technology and is the first of its kind to meet the strict requirements for IACET accreditation. SMU Director Christopher K. Challender said: “[W]e have combined custom-developed slot machine courses, multimedia learning tools and industry leading systems courses to create a valuable learning program that addresses the fundamental requirements needed by slot personnel to succeed and improve their skill levels. Our certification exams, complemented by our accreditation, clearly differentiate WMS’ training capabilities by offering a complete skill development and certification program for anyone working in slot technology.” For more information, visit www.slotmachineuniversity.com.
Brushfire Increases New Jersey Lotto Sales
Brushfire, a Cedar Knolls, N.J.-based advertising/PR agency led by President and CEO John Leonardi, has reported that the company helped increase sales for the New Jersey Lottery by $330 million over the past three years. Brushfire has also achieved astounding results for many of its other clients; they helped grow New Jersey tourism to a $37.6 billion business and increased overnight stays by 4.2 percent in the past year alone. Brushfire’s unique brand of smart marketing has also led it to recommend strategic business insights that grew its Sherwin-Williams Minwax business from a 50 percent share to an 85 percent share in under 10 years. A key ingredient of Brushfire’s success is that it has one of the strongest in-house media planning and buying departments in the tri-state area, with relationships that returned over $5 million in added-value media to the New Jersey Lottery in just one year. Brushfire attributes much of its success to its ability to thoroughly understand a client’s market and demographics, and possessing the skill and experience to develop the sound strategic approach it takes to grow a business. It’s no wonder Brushfire won the 2006 NJBIZ “Business of the year” award. For more information, visit www.brushfireinc.com.
Foxwoods Signs Bally iVIEW™ Contract
Bally Technologies Inc. has signed a contract with Foxwoods Resort Casino to supply 7,200 iVIEW™ slot-machine displays and player-centric Bally™ Power Bonusing™ technology. The iVIEW displays will allow Foxwoods to communicate more effectively with its players by highlighting bonusing features, special events, player-loyalty programs and convenience services across the slot floor. The agreement also contemplates reaching 10,000 iVIEW displays based on planned expansions at the Mashantucket, Conn., resort. “This is the single largest iVIEW order to date as our interactive displays continue to grow toward becoming the industry standard,” Richard Haddrill, CEO of Bally Technologies, said. “We certainly are proud of our long-standing partnership with Foxwoods and its team’s confidence in our commitment to support such a spectacular resort with advanced Bally technologies.” Foxwoods already utilizes Bally Slot Management Systems™ and Bally eTICKET™ cashless functionality. For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.
Lionel Sawyer & Collins Named Top Law Firm
Lionel Sawyer & Collins was once again ranked the overall top law firm in Nevada by Chambers USA, 2007 Edition. Lionel Sawyer & Collins received the most number one rankings of any Nevada law firm in Chambers USA’s selected practice categories of Corporate/Commercial; Environmental (Ranked No. 2 ); Gaming & Licensing; Labor & Employment (Ranked No. 3); Litigation; and Real Estate. Chambers USA bases its rankings on opinions from clients — mainly in-house lawyers, but also from other purchasers of legal services — balanced by opinions from colleagues and competitors in Nevada. Chambers USA singled out a number of Lionel Sawyer & Collins’ attorneys as being the best in their field, including gaming and licensing lawyers Bob Faiss, Paul Larsen, Dan Reaser and Ellen Whittemore. For more information, visit www.lionelsawyer.com.
Paragon Selects CDI’s CasinoCAD©
Paragon Casino Resort has licensed Casino Data Imaging (CDI)’s CasinoCAD© v4 business intelligence program. This will be CDI’s 10th CasinoCAD installation in Louisiana. “The reliability, availability, scalability and management features of CDI’s CasinoCAD are virtually unmatched at this price point,” Devin Shewmake, Paragon’s VP of gaming, said. “In our survey of vendors, it was clear CDI had superior graphical and reporting capabilities plus experienced professional support that will enable quick deployment within our enterprise.” CDI Corporate Spokesman George Levine said: “Paragon Casino Resort is a focused organization that places an extremely high value on integrity of information. By leveraging CasinoCAD’s slot analysis solution, we have the utmost confidence in providing actionable information faster and more effective than before. We look forward to partnering and supporting this great property.” For more information, visit www.casinodataimaging.com.
TCSJOHNHUXLEY Expands, Appoints Business Development Managers
TCSJOHNHUXLEY Asia has expanded its presence in Macau following its relocation to new modern offices in Macau Square. Over the past year, a new organizational structure has also been put in place. The operation is led by Lee Martin, whose key team consists of Sales Director Rebecca Kingswell and Project Manager David Yeung. TCSJOHNHUXLEY has also appointed Patrizia Hirter to business development manager for Italy, Slovenia, Malta, Morocco, France and Switzerland. Hirter will be based in Switzerland. The North American division of TCSJOHNHUXLEY has appointed Jillian Rennie to business development manager for Canada. For more information, visit www.tcsjohnhuxley.com.
IAAPA Attractions Expo to Orlando
IAAPA Attractions Expo, the #1 event for the attractions industry, is back in Orlando — the #1 destination for family fun. Expect more from IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007 than ever before — more exhibits, more events and more expo! On Nov. 12–16, 2007, expand your universe at a gathering of more than 1,100 exhibiting companies and 25,000 attractions professionals from around the world. Network with peers, walk the dynamic show floor, and pick up valuable business tips, techniques and insights from speakers and sessions. For more information, visit www.iaapa.org.
Pinnacle Appoints Comer to Board of Directors
Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. has appointed Stephen C. Comer, former national and global gaming industry leader for accounting firms Deloitte & Touche LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP, to its board of directors. Comer served as managing partner and partner of Deloitte & Touche’s Nevada practice prior to retiring from the firm in 2006. From 1985 to 2002, he established and developed Arthur Andersen’s Las Vegas office. He joined that firm in 1972 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in business from California State University Northridge. Comer is also active in several charitable and civic organizations, including the United Way of Southern Nevada and the UNLV Research Foundation. He serves as a board member of Southwest Gas Corporation. For more information, visit www.pnkinc.com.
Aristocrat Australia Teams with Tech Results
Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd. has concluded the negotiation and execution of a software development and distribution agreement with Tech Results. The agreement provides Aristocrat with worldwide exclusive rights for the distribution of Tech Results products. It also provides for the combined development of some products to leverage Aristocrat’s newest technologies as they become available to the market. “We’ve had an excellent partner relationship with Aristocrat in the United States for some years now,” Lars Klander, president of Tech Results, said. “Our solutions have proven value to them and their customers over time up here, and market sampling shows strong interest to deliver that same value in the Australasia Asia Pacific gaming markets.” For more information, visit www.aristocratgaming.com or www.techresults.com.
Major Deals for Agilysys
Several large properties have recently selected Agilysys Inc. Vision One solutions. Rosen Hotels & Resorts has selected the Visual One Property Management System (PMS), Point-Of-Sale System, Central Guest Database and Electronic Registration Card. Rosen properties include the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista, Quality Inn International, Rodeway Inn International and the Quality Inn Plaza. Agilysys has also donated Visual One systems to the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. The Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort in South Wales has selected the Property Management, Sales & Catering, Point-of-Sale, Golf Management, Spa Management, Club Membership and Internet Reservations solutions. Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Ireland, has selected the Property Management, Sales & Catering, Point-of-Sale, Spa Management and Internet Reservations solutions. For more information, visit www.agilysys.com.
Global Cash Access, Glory (USA) Collaborate
Global Cash Access Inc. (GCA) is collaborating with Glory (USA) Inc. to provide advanced machines for casino floors that combine ATM, bill-breaking and ticket redemption capabilities. The machines will include GCA’s patented “3-in-1” rollover technology, which offers patrons the option of obtaining funds via ATM cash withdrawals, credit card cash advances and debit card withdrawals in the same transaction. The machines also let users break large bills and redeem slot tickets. Tom Sears, executive VP of business development at GCA, said: “Our relationship with Glory is one we’re excited about. … The Glory machines promise to help casinos create a better experience for customers and put more cash on the casino floor.” For more information, visit www.globalcashaccess.com.
Four New Slots for Bally
Bally Technologies Inc. has released four new slot products on the ALPHA OS for North America. The four new titles are: Half Cents™, 24 Karat™, Black Velvet Sevens™ and Lightning Sevens™. Half Cents is a five-reel, 50-line penny video slot housed in the ALPHA Elite™ V20 video cabinet. All that glitters is indeed gold with 24 Karat, a 5-reel, 25-line reel-spinning slot on the ALPHA Elite S9E stepper platform. The game offers a 75-credit max bet, configurable lines and multiple denominations from one cent up to $2. Black Velvet Sevens entices players with the same 100,000-credit progressive top award and random Spin/Re-bet bonus feature found on its sister game, 24 Karat. Black Velvet Sevens is also a 5-reel, 25-line stepper slot with a 75-credit max bet, configurable lines and range of denominations from one cent up to $2. Configured as a five-credit, option buy-a-pay, Lightning Sevens electrifies players with a 100,000-credit top progressive jackpot, multiple denominations from one cent up to $50 and an overall hit frequency of 66 percent. A clone of the classic Blazing 7s® reel-spinner, Lightning Sevens is a 3-reel, 25-line stepper slot offering a 125-credit max bet. For more information, visit www.ballytech.com.