I’ve been thinking about Bally’s 75th anniversary celebrations. It’s a rare thing for a company to last 75 years in what is a technology and innovations industry, never mind to consistently be at the forefront of that industry. It’s an impressive achievement, particularly when you think of how many companies are bought out, taken over or simply fail…

If you'd like to join Casino International Editor Jon Bruford in lining up for the Las Vegas Marathon 2007, or the Half Marathon, then answer this question and email me at jonbruford@yahoo.co.uk to go into the draw.

Complementing recent expansion into Asia, Inspired Gaming International (Inspired), part of Inspired Gaming Group plc, today announces a new supply deal with two leading casinos in France.

Outgoing English Prime Minister Tony Blair has revealed at Prime Minister's questions that he supports at least two supercasinos for England, with one in Manchester and the other in Blackpool.

Harrah’s has signed a multi-year agreement to make PokerTek its exclusive provider for live, player-banked, automated poker tables. Under the agreement, Harrah’s, which operates 50 casinos in 13 states and six countries and runs the annual World Series of Poker…

Videobet has announced a new server-based gaming platform in a stand-alone configuration…

MEI Conlux has acquired the assets of VTI, a provider of currency validation products based in Las Vegas. The acquisition adds the VTI Vector and Matrix products to the existing MEI Conlux product portfolio provided to the retail, transportation, amusement, vending and gaming markets.

Networked gaming specialist Octavian has extended its senior management team by hiring Tony Overstead as Chief Technology Officer.

The appointment precedes the imminent completion of the deal that will result in Octavian merging with the Australian Stock Exchange-listed eBet to form Octavian Global Technologies…

GLI Europe has relocated and expanded its certification laboratory. The new, larger facility is located in Hillegom; the increased floor space and testing equipment ensures GLI Europe has the capability and capacity for the increasing demand for evaluations in both the European AWP and casino markets.

PokerPro Heads-Up, the industry’s first two-seated head-to-head electronic poker table, is celebrating a hat-trick of approvals which pave the way for installation of the groundbreaking product in Europe.

Following its world debut at G2E in November 2006, the PokerPro Heads-Up system was certified by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and has subsequently gained RHOS as well as CE compliance.

Nottingham–based poker club Dusk Till Dawn recently encountered another setback in their bid to be awarded an opening license. At a hearing held at Nottingham Magistrates Court objections were raised by Stanley Leisure, Gala Coral Group and London Clubs International claiming that their casinos already satisfied demand.

Andrew Davies joins the TCSJOHNHUXLEY Group Business Development team as Commercial Development Manager, based in the London office. Andrew will be reporting directly to Simon Witty and will be responsible for supporting UK and International Business Units in developing and achieving new product sale opportunities by providing both technical and commercial sales support and project management resource…

It seems Atronic have another hit on their hands as the Regency Casino Thessaloniki staged a promotional event for their Deal Or No Deal slot machines. The promotion began with a local compere walking around the casino floor accompanied by girls dressed in gold carrying briefcases synonymous with the TV show Deal Or No Deal. The team helped to create a frenzy amongst the expectant players and the girls handed out entry tickets which were redeemable for prizes at the bank of machines…

In a flurry of activity, Orion Gaming has seen a raft of appointments following its recent acquisition by WMS.

Rik Wanrooij is appointed as Strategic Advisor to the Board of Orion Gaming…

WPT Enterprises and CryptoLogic have joined forces for WorldPokerTour.com, as the world’s leading poker brand joins Crypto’s award-winning online poker network.

CryptoLogic subsidiary WagerLogic has secured an agreement for the exclusive rights to develop the first-ever slot version of Jewel Quest, an award-winning, hugely popular and visually stunning puzzle-match game by iWin, Inc.

Ritzio Entertainment Group has had a busy 18 months, as in that time it has become the third largest gaming operator in Romania, according to the company.

Dr. Franz Wohlfahrt, CEO of Novomatic Group has announced Uwe Christiansen of NSM-Löwen Entertainment GmbH has resigned, effective 30 April 2007.

WMS has received a substantial order for 130 machines from Grandwest Casino & Entertainment World, located in Cape Town, South Africa.

The launch, due June 2007, will see the arrival of Jackpot Party Progressives, G+ games, cascading and classic themes, Hot Hot Super Jackpot, Life of Luxury, Hot Hot Penny, Monopoly Big Event and Top Gun.

Casino Technology has been steadily making inroads into some key Balkans territories since establishing its representative branch in Bucharest. Advanced Technology Innovations, set up in October 2006, is responsible for pushing CT product into the Romanian and Moldovan markets, and it has met with some success.

AGI Africa has made several key installations of Multi-Gaminators in southern Africa.

The recent addition of eight new AGI Gaminator slant-top machines in the New Africa Casino in Dar-es Salaam, Tanzania, follows AGI Africa’s successful installation of the slant-top Gaminator in La Palm Casino in Accra, Ghana. Operator KaiRo International did not hesitate in bringing this top-performing product to the eastern shores of Africa…

Bally has signed the gaming industry’s largest combined slot, casino management and bonusing systems deal to date in an agreement with Las Vegas Sands to provide an expansive range of Bally technology at nine casino resorts in Las Vegas, Macau and Singapore.

Aristocrat Europe has strengthened its team with the appointment of Julie Witherby to the post of Product Marketing Manager. Julie, who works out of the company-built European headquarters in Uxbridge…

Conventional wisdom warns against “putting all your eggs in one basket” because it lacks a contingency plan in case of emergency. Everyone should always have a Plan B in the wings just in case.

Well, we’re half way through the year and, as we approach SAGSE-Centroamerica 2007, we recall having met the ubiquitous Alan Burak in many places, presenting the Panama event as the region’s expo par excellence, especially now that it includes the Caribbean owing to the cancellation of the San Juan conference.

Y ya nos acercamos a medio año cuando se acerca la feria de SAGSE-Centroamérica 2007. Nos hemos encontrado por todas partes con Alan Burak, presentando el evento panameño, como el evento de la región por excelencia, que ahora de seguro incluye el Caribe, por el abandono del evento boricua.

Canadian company Playtrix have been around for more than 15 years but will be a new name to some in the gaming world. We spoke to Vice President of Engineering George Samaha about the company and their exciting new products…

Top electronic table game company unveils three new games at G2E Asia 2007

Atronic will link up with their Asian distributor RGB at G2E Asia. The shared booth with RGB will be the place to visit for hot linked gaming concepts, Asian themes and the latest in video slots.

G2E Asia marks an important event for Atronic as it looks to further expand into the Asian market.

…takes the lead in RFID at G2E Asia. It’s what’s inside that counts…

Octavian and eBet present a united front at G2E Asia 2007

RFID chip experts bring a full product range to Macau for G2E Asia 2007

Thermal printer specialist exhibits new gaming printers, couponing solution at G2E Asia 2007

Gaming giant Bally presents an exciting line-up for G2E Asia 2007…

An old church in Aberdeen is the location for a stylish new casino. TCSJOHNHUXLEY worked with the men behind the project so they can offer customers arguably the finest gaming experience in the area…

Operators and manufacturers are spoiled for choice when it comes to bill acceptors. The technology most casino-ready acceptors boast is staggering, and all without noticably sacrificing speed for accuracy.

In part two of our feature on one of the modern casino's most enduring table games, we largely feature Shufflemaster, Abbiati and TCSJOHNHUXLEY with a combination of classic roulette and the technology that is taking the game forward…