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News in brief
Elektroncek add-on
Elektroncek has redesigned the PID component of its Megastar Roulette and Dicestar multiterminal gaming machines. The new PID Star, an optional add-on, is mounted above the centre unit and provides players with information including live video and statistical data about the last 200 games.
Weighting game
Microgaming Poker Network has moved to a weighted contribution system of rake calculation, which allocates rake to operators based on the amount their players contribute to the raked pot.
YouBet
Online Casino Reports is inviting Websites to embed its YouTube video content, which covers gaming news, casino promotions and information on poker tournaments. It was recently named a “reputable portal” by eCogra.
Grosvenor gains
Grosvenor Casinos in the UK saw revenue climb seven percent, or three percent on a like-for-like basis, in the year ending 27 December. Average customer spend per visit was down, but total visits were up, and the last quarter saw revenue growth accelerate thanks to swelling customer numbers. The firm also cited the performance of its G Casino brand as a contributor to growth. Analyst KBC Peel Hunt said: “Grosvenor has impressed us with its resilience. The G Casino rebranding is working well and there is more to come. “
Innocore for VGT
PC-based gaming specialist Innocore Gaming is to to supply a custom DPX-S420 platform to Video Gaming Technologies (VGT), which makes games for Class II and emerging markets including Live-Call Bingo, popular in Native American casinos. VGT CEO and founder Jon Yarbrough said Innocore had “proven product capability and a good price/performance ratio”. Innocore is also supplying a custom-designed DPX platform to Go Play Group in Italy.
Ainsworth approval
Ainsworth Game Technology has been approved as a manufacturer and distributor of gaming equipment by the Nevada Gaming Commission. Executive Chairman Len Ainsworth said the approval “will provide increased opportunities for sales within this substantial market”.
Comma 6a platform
Quixant will be showing a range of gaming platforms and motherboards at IGE in London this month, including the QXi-106, based on AMD’s 690E chipset. Priced at $400, it is designed specifically for the Italian Comma 6a market. Also on display will be the QXi-100, based on the AMD RS780E chipset and aimed at price-sensitive users, and the high-end QX-30, which can drive four screens simultaneously.
Hellboy slot
Online gaming software provider Microgaming has licensed the Hellboy character from Dark Horse Comics. The character appears in a five-reel, 20-pay-line video slot with comic-book-style artwork. Other new slots from Microgaming are Arctic Fortune and Robot Butler. Separately, Isle of Man Newspapers has named Microgaming as winner of its 2009 Award for Innovation and Independent Thinking, citing technology achievements, commitment to responsible gaming, and activity in the local community.
Bally for StarWorld
Bally Technologies is supplying a table, slot and casino management system to Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) in Macau. The rollout at the StarWorld Hotel and Casino, beginning in May, will replace existing systems from another firm and include Bally’s TableView, SDS Windows version 11, iView Display Manager,
eTicket, Power Winners; Power Coupon, and Power Promotions. The same systems will be deployed in the new Galaxy Macau on the Cotai Strip when it opens early next year.
OffsideBet adds games
E-gaming firm OffsideBet.com has added a range of CTXM casino and fixed-odds games to its Websites. “As OffsideBet is a new company, it is important for us to capture our audience, so it is essential we give an exceptional gaming experience to our players,” said Matt Jellicoe, CEO of OffsideBet.com. The firm plans to target Latin America this year.
Deliver me timbers
Abbiati is supplying custom-designed gaming tables to Carnival Cruise Lines’ new ship AIDAblu, built of unusual woods such as panga-panga and bilinga. The order is Abbiati’s fifth in a year from Carnival Cruise Lines. The firm is now preparing to fulfil commissions for P&O’s Azura, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, and Carnival’s AIDAsol, due in 2011.
Elektroncek add-on
Elektroncek has redesigned the PID component of its Megastar Roulette and Dicestar multi-terminal gaming machines. The new PID Star, an optional add-on, is mounted above the centre unit and provides players with information including live video and statistical data about the last 200 games.
Isle of Capri in Detroit
Isle of Capri is taking over management of the bankrupt Greektown Casino in Detroit. The casino, in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, was managed until 31 December by Fine Point Group. Isle of Capri will now run it for a reported fee of $200,000 monthly for six months, and then $250,000 monthly. Separately, in the second quarter ended 25 October Isle of Capri recorded $1.6m profit against a loss of $13.5m in the same period a year earlier. Chairman and CEO James B. Perry said: “We began an aggressive effort to realign our cost structure two years ago, and have since become more efficient while improving the customer experience.”
JCM for United coin
Route operator United Coin is to standardise on JCM Global’s bill-validation systems in the gaming machines it supplies. It currently has more than 600 customers across Nevada, including convenience stores, groceries and pharmacists as well as bars and casinos.
Basque betting
Gaming arcades in the Basque Country of northeast Spain can increase their total number of type B machines from 1500 to 2500 under new rules from the region’s governing council. The regulations now also allow bingo halls and casinos to be licensed as betting shops.
Gtech printer deal
TransAct Technologies is to supply thermal online lottery printers to Lottomatica Group subsidiary Gtech. The deal, expected to run for four years from this autumn, makes TransAct Gtech’s exclusive supplier of the printers and also provides that TransAct will sell them only to Gtech.
Cereus security
The Cereus online poker network has gained certified software accreditation from eCogra following improvements to its security and safety systems. Cereus runs on a back-end platform supplied by Korea’s Quad Dimensions.
Eurocoin win
Eurocoin was named Slot Tickets’ Distributor of the Year at G2E in Las Vegas, for the fourth year running. It has the exclusive distribution rights for Slot Tickets’ thermal gaming tickets in Europe and Africa.
Caesars online
Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment has launched Caesars Casino Online. Based on a Dragonfish system, it offers Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and a range of Poker types as well as video slots.
Indian leaders
California and Oklahoma were the most successful states for Indian gaming in 2008, according to Casino City Press’s Indian Gaming Industry Report. The two accounted for 38 percent of total tribal gaming revenue. But Alaska and Alabama saw the biggest growt
Comma 6a platform
Quixant will be showing a range of gaming platforms and motherboards at IGE in London this month, including the QXi-106, based on AMD’s 690E chipset. Priced at $400, it is designed specifically for the Italian Comma 6a market. Also on display will be the QXi-100, based on the AMD RS780E chipset and aimed at price-sensitive users, and the high-end QX-30, which can drive four screens simultaneously.
Hellboy slot
Online gaming software provider Microgaming has licensed the Hellboy character from Dark Horse Comics. The character appears in a five-reel, 20-pay-line video slot with comic-book-style artwork. Other new slots from Microgaming are Arctic Fortune and Robot Butler.
Separately, Isle of Man Newspapers has named Microgaming as winner of its 2009 Award for Innovation and Independent Thinking, citing technology achievements, commitment to responsible gaming, and activity in the local community.
Bally for StarWorld
Bally Technologies is supplying a table, slot and casino management system to Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) in Macau. The rollout at the StarWorld Hotel and Casino, beginning in May, will replace existing systems from another firm and include Bally’s TableView, SDS Windows version 11, iView Display Manager, eTicket, Power Winners; Power Coupon, and Power Promotions. The same systems will be deployed in the new Galaxy Macau on the Cotai Strip when it opens early next year.
OffsideBet adds games
E-gaming firm OffsideBet.com has added a range of CTXM casino and fixed-odds games to its Websites.
“As OffsideBet is a new company, it is important for us to capture our audience, so it is essential we give an exceptional gaming experience to our players,” said Matt Jellicoe, CEO of OffsideBet.com. The firm plans to target Latin America this year.
Deliver me timbers
Abbiati is supplying customdesigned gaming tables to Carnival Cruise Lines’ new ship AIDAblu, built of unusual woods such as panga-panga and bilinga. The order is Abbiati’s fifth in a year from Carnival Cruise Lines. The firm is now preparing to fulfil commissions for P&O’s Azura, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, and Carnival’s AIDAsol, due in 2011.
Isle of Capri in Detroit
Isle of Capri is taking over management of the bankrupt Greektown Casino in Detroit. The casino, in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, was managed until 31 December by Fine Point Group. Isle of Capri will now run it for a reported fee of $200,000 monthly for six months, and then $250,000 monthly. Separately, in the second quarter ended 25 October Isle of Capri recorded $1.6m profit against a loss of $13.5m in the same period a year earlier.
Chairman and CEO James B. Perry said: “We began an aggressive effort to realign our cost structure two years ago, and have since become more efficient while improving the customer experience.”
JCM for United coin
Route operator United Coin is to standardise on JCM Global’s billvalidation systems in the gaming machines it supplies. It currently has more than 600 customers across Nevada, including convenience stores, groceries and pharmacists as well as bars and casinos.
Basque betting
Gaming arcades in the Basque Country of northeast Spain can increase their total number of type B machines from 1500 to 2500 under new rules from the region’s governing council. The regulations now also allow bingo halls and casinos to be licensed as betting shops.
Gtech printer deal
TransAct Technologies is to supply thermal online lottery printers to Lottomatica Group subsidiary Gtech. The deal, expected to run for four years from this autumn, makes TransAct Gtech’s exclusive supplier of the printers and also provides that TransAct will sell them only to Gtech.
Cereus security
The Cereus online poker network has gained certified software accreditation from eCogra following improvements to its security and safety systems. Cereus runs on a back-end platform supplied by Korea’s Quad Dimensions.
Eurocoin win
Eurocoin was named Slot Tickets’ Distributor of the Year at G2E in Las Vegas, for the fourth year running. It has the exclusive distribution rights for Slot Tickets’ thermal gaming tickets in Europe and Africa.
Caesars online
Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment has launched Caesars Casino Online. Based on a Dragonfish system, it offers Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and a range of Poker types as well as video slots.
Indian leaders
California and Oklahoma were the most successful states for Indian gaming in 2008, according to Casino City Press’s Indian Gaming Industry Report. The two accounted for 38 percent of total tribal gaming revenue. But Alaska and Alabama saw the biggest growt
