After three arduous days at an exciting Las Vegas – G2E, which had much, much to talk about and business for each and every one, we must go directly to arrange travel to Buenos Aires to attend Latin America’s prime gaming expo and then jump over to Rio to take part in the first global gaming event in one of the world’s leading economies.
Below we offer an insight into the respective events in Buenos Aires and Rio, as well as other important news about growth and investment in Chile and Peru, where latest generation gaming equipment will surely be required. If we fail to visit these two countries on our way to Argentina and Brazil, we’d just like to say Hi to all our friends over there, and hope to see you all at both events. See you there!
Cheers,
Ricki.
CHILE: Casinos to install 2,000 slots for smokers
Following new anti-smoking law regulations, Chilean Casino revenues have decreased in excess of 21% year on year, whereupon business operators are now in the process of enabling new facilities to deal with this problem by means of creating outdoor areas to install gaming machines.
According to local regulations, the first step for casinos to follow is to request the respective changes from the authorities at Chile’s regulators, Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ). Smoking gaming areas can only be operated after receiving proper authorization from the regulators.
SCJ says that there are already four casinos licensed to operate outdoor spaces with game machines. Chile’s largest gaming property, Monticello Grand Casino, said “we are building areas for smokers to gamble. We are developing covered outdoor patios in rule with the new regulations and that will help deliver new alternatives for entertainment.”
In total, it is expected that all Chilean casinos will adapt facilities for smokers and install some 2,000 new gambling machines for the new play areas, where both operators and customers will comply with the anti-smoking legislation and, hopefully, stop the downturn in current casino revenue.
PERU: Dreams buys two more casinos
in Lima
Chile’s Dreams S.A., informed the local stock exchange officials on September 17, of the “acquisition through its subsidiaries Peruvian Dreams Gaming S.A.C. and Dreams Corporations S.A.C., of licenses plus other assets of casino slots properties, “El Eden” and “Mirasol”, both located in Lima.
Both gaming properties operate 340 slot machines, and the total price paid for the transaction amounts to US$3.85 million, approximately, and includes “the transfer of the necessary ministerial and municipal authorizations for the operation of the gaming halls, the assignment of leases of real estate where each property is for the term stands of 10 years”, as well as the acquisition of all assets necessary for the operation of these gaming halls.
According to the document signed by Jaime Wilhelm, Dreams General Manager, the acquisition is part of the international expansion and plans of Dream S.A., “and is expected to have a positive impact on the results of the company, due to the incorporation of assets that generated earnings by approximately $2.3 million in the last 12 months.”
Last January, Dreams acquired the New York Casino, one of the largest operations in Lima, which boasts ample internal parking for vehicles, a high end restaurant in addition to 500 slot machines, 20 game tables, all of which generates an annual EBITDA of US$4.5 million.
Dreams paid US$24 million for the New York casino, and Wilhelm said then that the company had a US$70 million Fund for investments in the Peruvian market, adding: “The country has a super clear legislation and the game is very well regulated.”
INTRALOT joins Brazilian Gaming Congress as headline sponsor
Clarion Events, the successful team behind ICE Totally Gaming, has welcomed the global gaming powerhouse INTRALOT as Headline Sponsor of the Brazilian Gaming Congress. The event takes place 18-20th November at the prestigious Winsor Barra Hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
The Congress is a first of its kind, timed to bring together internationally renowned gaming operators, suppliers, sports bodies and regulators to meet with key government officials from Brazil’s major authorities for sports, lotteries and gaming ahead of the World Cup 2014 and Olympics 2016. Together they will discuss the future of gaming in Brazil, with a focus on the safe, secure and responsible methods of regulating sports betting and lottery online.
INTRALOT will join three of the major discussions relating to these topics, including the opening discussion on how Brazil can maximise the positive effects of these major sporting events through the safe regulation of sports betting; taking stock of the current regulation of gaming and best steps forward; and how lotteries can continue to innovate in the region.
Nikos Nikolakopoulos, INTRALOT’s MD for Latin America, said: “We entered the Brazilian market in 2008 aiming to exploit the numerous business opportunities in this promising market and further enhance our presence in the wider region of Latin America. In 2010 we forged a partnership with LEMG-Loteria do Estado de Minas Gerais (Loteria Mineira) with the mutual target to offer innovative gaming solutions for the benefit of the Lottery, the State and its players. We are glad to support the Brazilian Gaming Congress as the Headline Sponsor, since we believe that such initiatives, which encourage the dialogue between the lottery professionals, are crucial for the further development of our sector”.
CHILE: Invergaming and Boldt win last casino licence
The Licensing Council of the Superintendence of Casinos has granted the last available casino operating license to Ovalle Casino Resort S.A., owned by Spain’s gaming company Invergaming and Argentina’s Boldt. This licence will enable the company to build an integrated resort with casino in Ovalle city.
The winning project proposes an investment of US$29 million, the generation of 271 jobs and new tourist infrastructure and services for the community of Ovalle. There will be a total of 11.577 m2 of construction.
The casino will feature 230 gaming machines, 13 gaming tables and 60 positions of bingo, plus a restaurant and bar, lounge, foreign currency exchange and room for shows and events. The project includes additional facilities including a 4-star hotel with 78 rooms, with spa-gym, swimming pool, Business Centre, cafe, restaurants and bars, Disco, museum, Conference room, and Astronomical Observatory among others.
According to current regulations, the project authorized for Ovalle must be built and operating casino games and complementary facilities within a maximum of 24 months.
SAGSE Latin America 2013 to show all new G2E releases
All new products and services showcased at G2E Las Vegas will immediately come to Latin America through SAGSE Latin America, where visitors always see the best and the latest innovations for the Gaming Industry.
SAGSE Latin America organizer’s job is to guarantee the presence of as many operators as possible from Latin America in all its editions, reducing costs across the industry per contacts and seeking to prevent manufacturers needing to travel from market to market in search of operators, who will surely come to Buenos Aires on November 12-14 at Costa Salguero Exhibition Center.
SAGSE Latin America @ Buenos Aires based on its size, internationality, quantity and quality of exhibitors and visitors is among the three most important industry expos in the world along with Las Vegas and London, and is also considered “The Gateway” to the Latin American market for both land-based and online gaming.
SAGSE states that “95% of the venue is already confirmed and there are almost no extra locations available. It is estimated that in a very short time the show will be entirely complete.”
Like every year, SAGSE is complemented by events such as: EY13! Yogonet Conferences, GGW, plus the “Gran Gala del Juego” gaming awards. Register now for SAGSE at www.monografie.com
