I’m fed up with the latest media buzz-phrase ‘credit crunch’. Using this soft-soaping, as most news agencies in the UK are, is skirting around the fact that, globally, we appear to be teetering on the edge of quite a nasty recession. I’m curious though – are the people responsible, the individuals that sold mortgages en masse to bad credit risks in the US and UK, being punished in any way? Are the decision makers being brought to book? Not that I’ve seen…

Casino management systems are playing an increasingly important role in helping casino operators gain a competitive edge and boost revenue. They allow operators to get a clearer picture of customers and their behaviour, help target marketing and make it more effective – and above all, have the potential to improve the player experience...

David Koloski is Marketing Director for two of Harrah’s Las Vegas Strip properties, Imperial Palace and Bill’s. He took time out to explain to Casino International what the job really entails, and why the implementation of the company’s customer bonusing scheme in these properties is so exciting.

The software giant has come up with a work of genius – its Microsoft hospitality strategy. On the Windows OS, it brings together trusted industry partner solutions to create a custom package for the modern resort casino, and it's fully scalable so there's value for everyone. Microsoft's Matt Muta spoke with Casino International about the offering.

So, at long, long last, after all the many false starts and delays we finally had the announcement to the House of Commons of the 16 new Gambling Act 2005 casinos going ahead; 8 so-called “large” and 8 so-called “small” (only three years after the Act was originally passed!).

The organizers of the Andean Gaming Fair FADJA 2008 declared the event a resounding success for the exhibitors and for themselves. Expo director José Aníbal Aguirre said that there was a great response from the gaming sector and that the expo consolidated its position as a showcase for the industry.

What would my father think if he was here today? That question comes to mind when I read about America’s current economic struggles. The money doldrums seem to even be reaching the amusement and gaming industries.

Octavian International is launching a ‘Powered by Novomatic' variant of the Maverick 1000, its flat-pack Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) and games kit.

Con la celebración del décimo aniversario de Fadja 2008 ya en los anales de la historia del juego, y con ELA 2008, el primer evento del sector programado para mayo en la ciudad de Monterrey, México, nos aprestamos a volver a Europa para aguardar casi en la misma fecha de mayo la conferencia del juego European Gambling Briefing durante los días 13 y 14 de mayo en Amsterdam.

As the celebrations for the tenth anniversary of FADJA, the Colombian expo, enter Latin American gaming lore and the first Mexican gaming event ELA 2008 gets ready to open its doors in Monterrey in May, we travel back to Amsterdam for the European Gambling Briefing during May 13 and 14.

Sweden's Casino Cosmopol recently reviewed their table management and cage system – and opted for PGI's Casinolink Table, Casinolink Cage and Casinolink Pit solutions. When Casino Cosmopol in Sweden took the decision to review their table management and cage system, their preference was for a supplier they had already dealt with, who had a comprehensive understanding of their casino operation and had successfully installed a number of key systems for them previously.

After opening its first gaming club in Bremen in August, Ritzio International continues to invest in Germany. It is seeking to increase its operations across the country, with a chain of Vulkan Stern Automatencasinos, a German version of Ritzio's key brand ‘Volcano'.