Here’s hoping that you’ve had a marvelous and really healthy year-end celebrations. As we go into the new year, the next few months are going to present a lot of uncertainty in the markets and economies. Nonetheless, we are part of an exciting industry, and although certain indexes slow down, development is on hand, especially in our region.

When the London Show is over, I shall be travelling to Central America to witness first hand the development of the industry in some countries over there as well as the Caribbean. Afterwards we shall travel to Mexico, where GAMMEX 2009 is getting ready to support industry growth in this great nation.

Just a short tip to the industry as a whole: El Dorado it is not, but the Mexican gaming market is in its infancy and has incredible opportunities for everyone. If anyone needs any information on the country, we have it in our hard drive, ever since we went to Mexico to check on a gaming room for the first time nine years back. See you there!

Cheers,

Ricki.   


Mexican House approval for law reform
On December 11th's parliamentary session in Mexico, the House of Representatives approved by 354 votes in favour the proposed reforms to the Federal Gaming and Lottery Law. The bill authorises the state governments and municipalities throughout Mexico to choose whether to allow gaming operations or not in their territories.

The legislative amendment has now been sent to the Senate in the next stage of the legal process. Rep Adolfo Mota Hernández confirmed that the amendments are a step forwards and strengthen the federal agreement with permanent communication between the Secretary of State (Segob) and the states and municipalities.

The modification of Article 4 of the Law establishes that gaming and betting operations in the federation must have the consent of the relevant state and local authorities before receiving a licence from Segob. Some state Governors, have frequently decried the issue of gaming room licences in their jurisdictions.

Governor opts for no more casinos in Buenos Aires City
The head of government in the City of Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri, has stated that his administration will not accept the expansion of gaming in the City proposed by the National government, considering that the project to ‘supporting a business’ managed by the national government shows ‘an enormous lack of transparency.’

At a press conference Macri declared, “We have decided to act according to our convictions. We feel that this new agreement with the National Lottery supports a business that, at the very least, lacks clarity in how the national government arranged it.” He added that it was a hard decision because it went against the necessity of the City to have the resources to repair schools, hospitals and roads, as well as finance the metropolitan police.

Macri said that Buenos Aires City is the only place not to have autonomy in gaming and that the national government had refused to collaborate.   The statement confirmed the doubts that the governor had demonstrated over gaming expansion in the Argentine capital, doubling the existing gaming operations on the floating casinos in Puerto Madero and the slots operation at Buenos Aires’ Palermo race track.

Gabriela Michetti, deputy Governor, said that the decision taken by Macri would not change the national government’s intention to expand gaming: “because central government is going to continue to allow more slot machines and continue to increase operations at its pleasure.” Michetti was referring to ex-President Nestor Kirchner’s decree signed last year that extended for 15 years the concession of Casino Club owner Lopez and increased the number of slot machines at the racetrack from 3,000 to 4,500.

Legislators consider gaming law changes in Costa Rica
Costa Rica lawmakers are being asked to give the Junta de Protección Social de San José (JPS), which is authorised to run a monthly public lottery in the country, the right to operate casinos and video lotteries in a bid to regulate gaming in the country and generate additional revenues. Lottery earnings are channeled to social programmes and the bill aims to bring the largely unregulated gaming operations under the same regime.

The bill has significant support but not from the ruling party. Originally having been in favour of the JPS bill, the government is now backtracking. It insists that powers to issue casino permits and concessions must remain with central government because a body dedicated to helping the poor would not have the necessary gaming skills to manage the sector.

The argument may have little merit as the JPS has been in the lottery market for over 120 years but it could take a while before possible changes are made law. It took the legislature from 1997 to 2005 to agree some changes to modernize the 1922 law relating to gaming.

New image for SAGSE Buenos Aires & SAGSE Panama
Monografie S.A., organizers of two of the most important exhibitions in Latin America: SAGSE Buenos Aires and SAGSE Panama has revamped its image, quality and quantity of information regarding these events.  The new site features the documentary "SAGSE live" created by Gambling TV during last November’s Buenos Aires exhibition featuring images of the event and interviews with major players, and detailed floor plans of the expos for exhibitors to choose their favourite and most effective space for their companies.

In 2009 the economic crisis will force companies to optimize their investment and make the right decision to select key and essential events in order to success. SAGSE Buenos Aires in September 30, October 1 & 2 2009 is recognized by the international gaming publications as the most solid and strong expo in Latin America and is without any doubt the indispensable show for this market.

In view of the troubled economic times ahead, Monografie S.A. is analyzing exclusive conditions to offer to companies that have business interests in Central America and Caribbean, so as to assist them with their participation in SAGSE Panama during May 21&22, 2009.

GAMMEX 2009 opens the doors to Mexico
During three days of G2E 2009, last November, a team from GAMMEX 2009 made dozens of visits to principal exhibitors and met with their top management to explain the benefits Mexico offers to new investors and businesses in the gaming sector, and the pivotal role that gaming expo GAMMEX 2009 will play.

Paul Ryder, Datateam’s publisher leading the GAMMEX 2009 team in Las Vegas, said: “We decided to support GAMMEX 2009 because we are sure to guarantee the presence of key visitors from all Mexican gaming sectors. We count with expert backing from Latin American casino operations and expert casino marketing support to guarantee a successful expo and sales contracts. Additionally, we offer a strong global advertising campaign through major industry media associates, and exhibitors can be absolutely sure that our expo will attract all the local regional operators.”

Izkrah Pinto, executive director of GAMMEX 2009, said: “We are very pleased with the reception given our expo by leading gaming firms at G2E in Las Vegas, and their response to exhibiting at our show in Mexico. We can also confirm that we have negotiated good discounts at principal hotels in the WTC district, such as Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Radisson, and Fiesta, for our exhibitors and visitors."

When asked why his organization had selected Mexico City for the gaming event, Pinto said categorically: “Because Mexico is our home. We are not a transnational looking for business opportunities in a foreign country. We saw that in 2006 and May 2008, two gaming events that were set up in Monterrey by different companies received little local support, and in August last year we organized a one-day event in Mexico City. Well before the event was over, all the goods on exhibition had been sold. More than 1,000 visitors came and went home satisfied with our event”.

GAMMEX 2009 will be the showcase in the country for all gaming products and services and every professional that wishes to enter this exciting new gaming market, and is sure to attract all the local regional operators. GAMMEX 2009 will take place 1 & 2 April 2009 at the International Exhibition and Convention Center located at Mexico City’s World Trade Center.

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