Frank Ziegler is now Director Sales & Marketing for Merkur Gaming GmbH, part of the Gauselmann Group. He has over 20 years of relevant experience: from 1988 to 2000 he worked in the industrial sales and wholesale arms of the Gauselmann Group, then he became the head of Business Development with Germany's largest Casino operator in 2000.

The emerging gambling markets of Eastern Europe could provide rich pickings, even during the global downturn, according to a new report published by Global Betting & Gaming Consultants (GBGC).

Following two years' experience of building bill validators in China with a partner, Innovative Technology has now opened its own, wholly-owned manufacturing plant in Shenzhen.

The Lithuanian subsidiary of the Olympic Entertainment Group has invested €1 million to open its first casino in the city of Siauliai. Designed with a tropical theme, the new casino is located in the Akropolis shopping centre and offers 31 slots and four tables. Olympic Entertainment operates casinos in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Romania, Poland and Slovakia. The company has a further ten casinos in Lithuania - six in the capital city Vilnius, two in Kaunas, one in Klaipeda, and one in Panevezys.

Gaming Support has appointed Don Baugh as Chief Executive Officer, Gaming Support USA, effective upon receipt of the required regulatory approvals.

Gaming Laboratories International, GLI South America and the Instituto de Ayuda Financiera a la Acción Social (IAFAS, Gaming Regulatory Entity in the Province of Entre Rios), have completed the first-ever field inspection of electronic gaming devices in South America.

Tropicana Entertainment could emerge from Chapter 11 in May this year, following approval of the company's Disclosure Statements by the Delaware Bankruptcy Court.

Vanessa Marks has joined JCM as Sales Director JCM Germany/Europe. Based in JCM's Dusseldorf office, Ms Marks will direct all sales efforts for Germany and continental Europe.

The Gaming & Amusement Expo GAMMEX 2009 has agreed to change its dates in response to requests from the gaming industry. The event will now be taking place in Mexico City's World Trade Center on 10th-11th June this year.

The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) has admitted seven new companies into membership, to bring its membership roster to 73.

A spokesman for the Irish Independent Mortgages Advisers Federation has claimed that banks looking for reasons to turn down mortgage applications take a dim view of even modest online gambling activities that appear on financial records.

Money Controls has entered into an agreement with DGL Pro. As well as being Money Controls' distribution partner in Rumania, DGL Pro provides full postsales support for its products.

Clarion Gaming's Karen Cooke is taking a break from her role as Head of Exhibitions, following the launch of the International Gaming Expo and will be taking on another role in the gaming industry. "Now is the right time to take some time out and recharge the batteries.

On 12th February Chris Philibbosian stepped down as a director of Shuffle Master to devote more time to SAAK Management, the Company he created in 2008 and over which he presides. Philibbosian was appointed to the Shuffle Master board on 5th January 2009.

Hollywood Entertainment is Storm International's first entertainment centre in Monterrey, Mexico. It includes a slot hall, Marilyn's Steakhouse restaurant and Brando's sports bar, as well as an elevated music stage, above the main floor.

Gary Platt Manufacturing has hired Dave Mysel as its Florida Sales Representative and his company, Casino Supply, as its seating distributor for Florida.

Aparcel of some 1,000 hectares of land in the Ontiñena area of Spain, one of five sites shortlisted, has been signed up by the promoters of ‘Gran Scala', a large-scale project that promises to attract 25 million visitors a year and lead to the creation of 200,000 jobs, directly or indirectly.

Atronic's new dual-screen cabinet, e-sense, is aimed firmly at the Eastern European slot hall market, according to the company. With two 17-inch screens, it comes with a library of games including proven core games and classic links such as Cash Fever and The Game of Life, which are available in multidenominations.

The French government has announced that it is to put an end to the Pari Mutuel Urbain and Francaises des Jeux state-run monopolies with legislation that is expected to be enacted later this year.

William Weidner was told he would be removed from the posts of President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Las Vegas Sands in early March, after a 13-year career with the company.

Demon Interactive now covers the UK and Ireland for Innocore Gaming. Jon Temple of Demon Interactive said: "We are very pleased to be representing Innocore which is one of the fastest growing and dynamic hardware suppliers in gaming today. Their wide range of PC platforms is the broadest in the industry and provides solutions suitable for every application. We are eager to take on the Innocore product line and expect much success."

Global Cash Access reported a strong set of financial results, year-on-year, for the quarter ended December 31st, turning in a 23 percent increase in revenues and a 43 percent increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

Following the repeal of Missouri's loss limit legislation, which prevented players from losing more than $500 in two hours, the six casinos in the St Louis area reported a mixed set of year-on-year results for January.

BetStone has appointed Marzia Turrini as Head of Business Development for Latin America.

Shuffle Master has added three new wagering options, including side bets and upgrades, to some of its table games as part of its ongoing programme to add bonus bets and progressives to proprietary tables.

KIS Gaming has contracted with TableMAX Gaming to provide its SUM+IT+UP game for use on the TableMAX platform.

Family-owned German company the Gauselmann Group reported stable revenue for the 2008 financial year, earning over €1 billion from its activities in some 60 countries, which include operating 270 arcadecasinos in Europe under the Merkur brands.

The Gaming Standards Association international membership spans most gaming industry segments, including operators, manufacturers and test labs. Now that Techlink International Entertainment of Sydney, Nova Scotia, has joined the Association, the GSA includes the responsible gaming sector.

Final figures released by exhibition organisers Clarion Gaming following the launch of the International Gaming Expo reveal an increased level of visitor interest, year on year.

Lucien Barrière is poised to launch online and mobile gaming in the UK. Working in partnership with French video production company MKO, the casino group will be offering a 3D casino experience for Windows users at www.lecroupier.com, based on its Deauville property.

John Connolly explains why Blackjack needs another chance in casinos despite fears over card counters.

Community Gaming has moved from hard-wired slot tournaments of a few years ago, to the imminent, totally flexible, server-based slot floor… and it is offering new layers of attraction to players, while giving operators new tools to manage customer relationships more powerfully, as Graeme Kidd discovers.

Casino operators are among the most pro-active and demanding users of CCTV surveillance. IP Video systems are an ideal solution for this industry, but it’s important to specify a well-designed system warns Oliver Vellacott, IndigoVision’s CEO.

Ricki Chavez Munoz brings the latest developments from Latin America in his Spanish language column

Rickin Chavez Munoz brings the news from Latino America every month in Casino International

As Macau strives to develop the international component of itís gaming industry, visitor figures show it remains a playground for Hong Kong and neighbouring Chinese provinces. Regional competition looms and Vietnam has revealed big plans. The man behind the Ho Tram Strip, David Subotic, spoke to Macau Business. By Joyce Pina

A conservative approach to the Philppines gaming industry has put it in a strong position to weather the financial crisis and as we find out, they’re doing it with a smile. By Max V. de Leon in Manila

Sharon Harris looks at the how the Obama administration is affecting gaming in the US…