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Latino America
Ricki Chavez Munoz reports on what’s happening in South America
As Latin America continues to grow in operations, especially in Mexico, there were two events in the capital city, or as it is known locally, DF (Distrito Federal). There were memorable moments for almost everyone, and both visitors and exhibitors at ELA 2011 were, on the whole, happy with the outcome; whilst the conferences at the Marriott Hotel, in fashionable Polanco, were well supported.
The Marriott event was organized by AIEJA, the licensed operators and suppliers association to the Mexican gaming and entertainment industry, and this columnist was invited to speak on the topic of ‘Live (Tables) Gaming Operations”, as the Mexican operators begin to install table games in their properties. We shall have an extensive review on both events in our sister title Casino International Americano (Spanish language only).
The Lima event, CIJUEGO PERU 2011, in its second edition during 8-9 June at the Atlantic City CC, will be covered by Rosa Buendia and Maria Eugenia Crivellini. The event will count with the participation and support of the Peruvian regulators, Tourism Ministry, and other government institutions.
On the academic side, during both days, there will be discussion groups dealing with topics such as ‘On-Line Systems’, with the support of international companies which have their own solutions on exhibition at the event. Other topics under discussion will be: ‘Current Situation of Marketing and Advertising for Casinos in Peru’, ‘Internet Gambling’ and a report on the check and balances from the Peruvian regulators.
Five renowned manufacturers have confirmed their participation as Platinum Sponsors of the Congress: Atronic, IGT, Bally, GLI and Gaming Solutions International, will be the sponsors of this professional educational meeting, together with an exclusive Corporate Show.
The exhibition of products and services will count on the presence of 30 representative brands of the sector. Companies such as EGT, AMATIC, Evolutions Games, RTC, Novomatic, Cash Code, Konami Gaming, Xploxion, Aristocrat, Bally, IGT, Atronic Systems International, Money Controls, Casino Technology, Feral Electronics, Heal Technology, Seslin, MEI Group, Advanced, Belatra, Mundo Video, among others, will present to the operators a varied offer of machines and products for casinos and gambling halls, presenting their state of the art technologies to the Peruvian market.
From Lima, Maria Eugenia will travel north for the ninth edition of SAGSE Gaming Panama, in the country where as well as the economy; the gaming industry maintains its inexorable growth. Good luck everyone!
Cheers,
Ricki.
IGT welcomed as PGS 2011 Sponsor
Affiliated Marketing Group (AMG), organizers of the new PERU GAMING SHOW 2011, in its 9th year of success, has announced it “will bring deep changes that will benefit the gaming industry in Peru. With the support of our gaming authority and main gaming associations, as well as sponsors such as International Game Technology (IGT), this event will provide the necessary environment to develop the business you are expecting, during August 11 – 12.”
Joe Lopez, AMG’s CEO, confirmed IGT’s support for Peru’s premier gaming event and ensures a broader support for the local and regional industry. IGT has been ever present in casinos and slots halls in the country since 1992, when the first regulated casinos opened in Peru, and has ensured that the latest technology is always available to operators as a whole.
Lopez adds: “Come and join us. PERU GAMING SHOW is celebrating once again. Your commitment to the Peruvian gaming industry will be seen all over the world. The new Jockey Convention Center, the only approved Convention Center to develop international shows, will be the host site for this year’s Show. For more information: www.perugamingshow.com”
Santa Fe Casinos contribute US $10.3 in Q1 2011
Alfredo Cecchi, executive vice president of Loteria de Santa Fe, reported that during the first quarter 2011, the Argentina province generated US $10.28 million from slots levies paid by the three Santa Fe province casinos: Rosario, Santa Fe and Melincue.
The City Center Casino in the city of Rosario is the main contributor to the provincial coffers with monthly payments of around US $2.7 million in slots levies and gaming tax, placing the impressive Unidesa/Casino Club property as a major city tax contributor. According to local estimates, the Rosario casino’s gaming tax share is about 60% of the total, while the Santa Fe casino in the capital city contributes 30% and Melincue Casino, the rest.
In 2010, Santa Fe province generated US $32.6 million in slots levies, in addition to US $21 million in live tables gaming tax, which carry set amounts per each table game. The gaming tax contributions to the province are distributed between health, culture, sports, fire services and other local services.
Ecuador promises work for casino workers
The Ministers of Tourism, Labour, Industry and Production have signed an interdepartmental agreement for the ‘Labour Retraining’ of personnel presently working in Ecuador’s gambling industry. The proposed retraining project consists of the formation and implementation of public programmes that will allow the people who have lost their jobs as a consequence of structural or modernisation processes to be reincorporated into the country’s workforce.
The ministerial agreement is in answer to government promises made about the closure of gaming businesses resulting from May 7’s ‘yes’ vote in the referendum, which asked the voters to support closing businesses “such as bingos and casinos”.
According to official figures, bingos, casinos, betting shops, etc., which functioned duly licensed, some 3,500 people worked directly in the sector and are eligible to join the retraining programme. What the Government has failed to recognise is that gaming sector employment included both direct and indirect jobs for workers, and that both groups depended almost equally on the gaming industry for their living.
The Casino Association has made the point over and again that many thousands of workers will be affected if the Government closes the casinos and that the official retraining programmes will be worthless if only some workers qualify. It is good to know that the Minister of Labour Relations has recognised this problem when he stated that studies would be undertaken on the matter because workers in those industries supporting the gaming sector also sustained thousands of families in Ecuador.
SAGSE Gaming Panama sold 99% of exhibition area
The organisers of SAGSE Gaming Panama Expo & Conference 2011, which will be held on June 22 & 23 in the City of Panama, have formally announced they have sold out almost the entire exhibition space. Alan Burak Marketing Manager said: “We are very pleased with the unconditional support from the gaming industry. This exhibition is a crucial event to participate when thinking about a location to do business.
Some of the main companies exhibiting are: Abloy Panama, Aristocrat Technologies, Arrow International, Aruze Gaming America, ASAP / EZ MIX, Atronic, Bally Technologies, Belatra Games, DEK International, EGT, GLI, Industrias Cattan, Intercard, Legenday Gaming, Panama Lottery, MEI, Molina International, Odrex, Patir Design, Princess Casino Panama, Real Vivo, Spin Inc., and ZL, among others.
“In the context of constant evolution of the markets and with rapid changes in player behavior, manufacturers are facing new challenges to see their ability to adapt. Once again the gaming industry makes an intelligent decision by supporting SAGSE,” commented Giorgio Gennari Litta.
SAGSE Panama 2011 already has almost 50 booths and over 150 companies will be represented. This large volume of exhibitors can only be compared with those shows at Las Vegas, London and Buenos Aires. “Also, do not forget that this exhibition has the full support of the national government and local authorities and international gaming industry” Gennari Litta, added.
