Casino Enterprise Management

Bally Technologies recently announced a reorganization of top level executives in conjunction with the combining of its games and systems units. CEO Richard Haddrill is excited about the changes, as they support Bally’s commitment to combining games and systems to create unique player experiences that increase operator revenues.

In New England, continued economic difficulties across the region have caused many within each of the six state’s governments to propose additional gambling options. Ultimately, the two states that are the most noteworthy for gambling expansion in the region are Connecticut and Massachusetts.

I was shopping in a major supermarket the other day and, as usual, I had forgotten the list of groceries I had dutifully written up before I left the house. During my trek through the store, I found myself intrigued by the product placement strategy the store utilized as a part of their pricing scheme. Let’s take a look at the similarities between our floor and that of a grocery store.

A true computer and technology buff, Robert Willis—currently executive vice president and CIO/CTO at the M Resort Spa Casino—never actually thought he’d land in the gaming industry. Rather, his dream job was in national security. A laid-back, friendly gentleman, Willis has several interesting, and perhaps unexpected, facts in his past.

Technology on the gaming floor is exploding in all directions, with everything from handheld “in-pocket” betting to downloadable slot games to interactive skills games that can be played at home and on the casino floor. How do casinos evaluate, justify and invest in these new technologies, particularly in a tough economy?

I recently had the pleasure of participating on a financing panel during a Tribal Gaming Economic Development Summit. Although the discussion was immensely interesting, I realized that most of the audience members had glazed-over looks in their eyes. I realized we had completely lost our audience due to some financial terms we were using that were foreign to them.

When management makes the important decision to invest time and money into a customer service policy, their next step is to develop a strategic plan for training their employees for the skills needed to achieve the degree of superior service that will improve the casino’s performance and reputation in a service-oriented industry. But how does management implement these philosophies in the table game department?

2011 proved to be yet another good year for slot floor innovation, as showcased in Casino Enterprise Management’s fifth annual Slot Floor Technology Awards. The winning products definitely stand out from the crowd. Read about each product to find out why it is so deserving, and what our judges had to say about them.

The Culture of Innovation at WMS is based in part on our understanding that the development of great new games, products and technologies aimed at driving measurable benefits for the casino and the industry must be informed by the voice of the player. Aligning development strategies with contemporary player trends is integral to the creation of innovative products ...