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Latino America
Ricki Chavez-Munoz brings the news from Latino America in the English-language version of his excellent column…
It looks like Christmas will be ever present in the Latin American region during the next four years at least. According to global auditing firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers's yearly gaming report, Latin America will grow in excess of 73%, more than doubling revenue by 2012, reaching US$514 million from US$297 million in 2007.
As global growth for the industry is estimated at 36% for 2012 netting US$155 billion, PriceWaterhouseCoopers has estimated growth for the Asia region at over 100% with US$18.3 billion or 24% of total global revenue.
Latin America's growth does not translate into cash receipts like Asia, with strong table games action, but will experience significant equipment sales in the region on machine replacement owing to new technological developments, and new properties opening in Mexico, Bolivia and possibly Brazil.
At the close of this edition, we are on our way to G2E in Las Vegas, where Peru's Heal Technology, one of the regional leaders in gaming systems and equipment, will show exciting new Orbit Generation products. David Lemor has kindly sent us an invitation to stand 2692 "to share the beginning of a new age in the gaming and leisure industry". See you all in Las Vegas and have a Happy Xmas & New Year!
Cheers,
Ricki
Guatemala to Start Construction of Six Casinos in 2009
Fin City Associates, a business development subsidiary company of Seattle-based Alekson Development Group (ADG), has signed a licensing agreement with Fundacion Pediatrica Guatemalteca (FPG), the Congress-approved Guatemalan Gaming Agency, for development of six world-class casino/hotel/golf destination resorts over the next 10 years. For more than 20 years FPG has focused on the care/education of Guatemalan children.
The gaming destination resorts will be built in Guatemala City, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Barrios and Lake Atitlan, starting second quarter 2009 by ADG and associated companies which have developed properties with investment in excess of US$500 million.
Jim Alekson, ADG President, said: “Securing six casino licenses from the Guatemalan gaming authority clearly demonstrates the strength of Fin City and Alekson’s development strategy. Our close association with FPG has given us the competitive edge we need to become the premiere casino/resort developer in Guatemala.”
Record gaming revenue for Panama exceeds US$1.1 billion
Panama Gaming authorities has reported gaming revenue for the year to September 2008 in excess of US$1.1 billion for casinos, slots halls, racetrack and lottery, an increase of 19% over the same period last year. This Central American country, with 14 casinos and 28 slots halls, has one of the most dynamic gaming sectors in the Latin American market.
President of the gaming operators' association ASAJA, Antonio Alfaro, says the increase in gaming revenue in Panama is a consequence of rising tourist numbers. "Our country offers a casino industry matching global standards." With high-end casinos such as the Veneto and Fiesta in the financial centre of the city, Panama has become a gaming destination for Latin American visitors who do not have access to the United States and gambling centres such as Las Vegas.
Gaming operators in Panama registered US$568.2 million in slot machine revenue and US$202.9 million in tables' revenue, growth of 23% and 13% respectively. Sports betting increased 25% to US$21.7 million and horseracing wagers were up 11% to US$22.1 million. Lottery betting reached US$360.2 million, an increase of 17% on the previous year.
COPAG celebrates its centennial
In the exotic environment of Hotel Tropical de Manaus, Copag threw a big party to commemorate its centennial on October 15, 2008. The event was the peak of a schedule which included various activities to commemorate the company's 100th anniversary, with 500 guests including Copag associates, suppliers and their families, customers and representatives of the Cartamundi Group.
Since its foundation in 1908 and with the entrepreneurial vision of Albino Gonçalves, Copag has become the leader in the Brazilian playing card market and one of the leading companies in this segment worldwide, with investments in production technology, marketing, product development and promoting quality of life among its associates.
The city of Manaus was chosen to host the party because it is the city where the cutting-edge Copag plant is located. The event was hosted by Ricardo Gonçalves Filho, the Copag CEO and a member of the 4th generation of the founder's family. At the party, the company paid homage to Copag's oldest customers, who were bestowed with a commemorative plate.
Representatives of the Belgian group Cartamundi, including its CEO Chris van Dooslaer, were also guests at the party. At the same time the Group held its first sales convention in Brazil. In 1995 Copag became part of the Cartamundi Group, the largest producer of playing cards worldwide.
Thanks to its associates and customers, to its partnerships and innovation capacity, Copag is now internationally recognized and exports its products to the United States and to a number of countries in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Oceania.
Caliente, Palmas and Big Bola are biggest payers in Mexico
Caliente's Interlomas games salon celebrated a new anniversary last month with exciting surprises and prizes to its patrons, who daily visit their favourite 'casino', which on a daily basis feasts its delighted clientele with cash prizes. Players can collect tickets daily for the weekly draws called Caliente Oro, Super Premio and a never ending assortment of gifts. Caliente says that this is all clear proof that they are the biggest payers!
Caliente is the leading gaming operator in Mexico with more than 92 years uninterrupted service and entertainment in the entertainment industry. As a 100% owned Mexican company, Caliente operates more than 100 gaming properties, a dog track and a sports arena, and is in constant growth in Mexico, where it is one of the leaders in the entertainment and betting sector.
Over the years, Caliente has handed out billions of dollars in jackpot prizes, latest model motor cars and all sort of gifts to its patrons, and in 2008 Caliente has already given out more than 60 cars, a myriad prizes and thousands of courtesy gifts.
In Mexico City, Palmas Group opened its first property in the country's capital called Palmas Ajusco, where more than 500 invited guests lined up in a symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony on each of their gaming machines.
Jose Manuel Cortez, Palmas Group Operations Director said: "Ever since Palmas opened it first operation in 2002 in Nuevo Leon State, the company has gained enough experience to guarantee total security for its patrons, and when someone wins a large amount of cash, our security personnel is used on a dignitary custody patrol to see them safe to their home".
Palma Group has properties in the states of Mexico, Chihuahua, Nuevo León, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, Coahuila, and soon also in the cities of Aguascalientes and Cancun. With an operating policy that has as its mission to offer cutting edge entertainment products, Palmas Group ensures that its patrons enjoy a great entertainment experience in comfortable surroundings with customized high level service by highly qualified personnel. Equipped with technologically advanced games with responsible gaming procedures, Palmas Group is at the forefront of gaming companies in the region.
Further north in the State of Sonora, Big Bola directors Luis García and Rogelio Marín met San Luis Rey city mayor Ruben Santana Espino to confirm the opening of the Mexican casino chain's new property in March 2009, with a US$3 million investment.
After the meeting, attended by Isela Ayala, Municipal Director, the Big Bola directors donated US$2,000 to the social service fund, and promised to hand over revenue generated during the first two days of the operation, and to repeat the same exercise on each anniversary of the casino.
Big Bola also operates game rooms in the towns of Tlalnepantla, Interlomas and Metepec in Mexico State, and also gaming properties in the states of Guanajuato Veracruz, Querétaro, and Campeche.
Casinos de Chile generate US$3.3 million
Chile's gaming regulators, Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ) has reported that out of 18 new casinos authorized, Talca Casino is the only one on the pre-operation regulatory period. Two casinos for Talcahuano and Antofagasta opened early in November, taking to 7 the number of new casinos in the country after legislation in 2005 approved new privately owned casinos.
Apart from the last two, the casinos operating now are in Termas de Chillán, Los Ángeles, Copiapó, Santa Cruz and Mostazal. Five new casinos will open during the first half of 2009 at Calama, Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno and Punta Arenas, with further properties in Rinconada y San Antonio opening in the latter part of 2009.
Initial revenue reports from the first four casinos to September 2009 grossed US$3.3 million with gaming tax paid at US$554,230. SCJ also informed that there are three additional casino project authorized in 2008 for the towns of Ovalle, Castro and Coyhaique.
SAGSE shows in Panama and Buenos Aires
Two important dates in the 2009 Latin Americas Exhibition Calendar: SAGSE Gaming Panama 2009 in its 5th edition on May 21 & 22 will be once again at the ATLAPA convention center, which is a must event to meet Central American and Caribbean customers for the most state-of-the-art products from the most prestigious gaming companies.
SAGSE Gaming & Amusement Buenos Aires is the largest and most important expo in Latin America and its 17th edition will be on September 30 – October 2, 2009 at Costa Salguero Convention Center. More than 90% of the 2008 exhibitors consider SAGSE the Top Quality show and will participate in the 2009 expo with the same or larger expo area.
Monografie S.A., the organizers of SAGSE Buenos Aires 2008, have reported that total attendees this year reached 7,968. Over 24% were from the casino sector and over 14% from the bingo sector with an additional 11.2% from amusements. Other categories included i-gaming, manufacturers, lottery, press, hotels, security and racing. Nearly one-third of visitors had final decision purchasing authority.
