Former Chinese gambler sues casino over $6.6M in transfers Macau Daily Times · October 13, 2019 at 1:30 pm A Chinese former gambler at Marina Bay Sands Pte is suing the Singapore-based casino operator to recover SGD9.1 million ($6.6 million) he claims was transferred to other casino patrons without his authorization. Wang Xi discovered in July that the money was missing as a result of 22 transfers allegedly made from his casino deposit accounts between October and December of 2015, according to a Sept. 26 statement of claim filed in the High Court in Singapore. Wang doesn’t know the people who allegedly received the money, the claim said.
Ainsworth North America boss moves to UNLV role GGR Asia · October 13, 2019 at 1:18 pm Australia-based slot machine maker Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd says Joseph Bertolone has resigned from his role as the firm’s president – North America, with effect from Friday. In a filing to the Australian Securities Exchange the same day, the group said Mr Bertolone was taking up a new role as executive director of the International Center for Gaming Regulation at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), in the United States. In prepared remarks contained in Friday’s filing, Lawrence Levy, Ainsworth’s chief executive said: “We thank Joseph for his valuable contribution to Ainsworth. Ainsworth’s North American business has delivered strong results and has put in place strong foundations for future success.”
Online outage: Asia’s cross border gaming has grown too big to ignore Muhammad Cohen, Inside Asian Gaming · October 13, 2019 at 10:23 am Some see Cambodia’s declared online gaming ban and the Rodrigo Duterte government’s review of its Philippines Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) licensing regime as the beginning of the end for online casinos in Asia. But recent changes in response to pressure from mainland China may instead mark the end of the beginning for the segment. Experts believe that online play, particularly live dealer online (LDO) streaming from POGO licensees’ studios in Makati, or from casino floors in Cambodia, along with the explosive growth of resort construction in Sihanoukville, became impossible for authorities to ignore. Cambodia has declared it will outlaw LDOs and other forms of online play when current licenses expire on 31 December, but the Philippines appears unlikely to follow suit.
Casino Baden-Baden: A casino with a conscience Kalpana Sunder, Deccan Chronicle · October 12, 2019 at 5:42 pm It feels like time travel… the strains of violins and the swish of gowns… the voice of the croupier…the sounds of the rakes on green baize, statues of cherubs and vermilion red carpets… This is not a run-of-the mill Las Vegas kind of casino… it teems with history and looks like an European art museum! This was where the Russian writer Dostoevsky frittered away his wife’s jewels gambling…they say that he was so obsessed by the roulette tables that he was incapable of walking away… Some even say that this inspired him to write ‘The Gambler’. I am at the historic casino in Baden-Baden, Germany, located in a picturesque flower-strewn valley, at the foothills of the Black Forest. Lined with parks, stately mansions of the rich and famous and Roman baths, the town is also a hub of art and culture. It all started in 1838, when Paris banned casinos… [continue reading]
Macau casino smoking lounges hit 600-mark GGR Asia · October 11, 2019 at 6:42 pm Macau’s Health Bureau says it gave permission during September for 23 new-style smoking lounges in Macau’s gaming venues, according to an update published on Wednesday. As of September 30, there was an aggregate of 606 new-style smoking lounges – as required under recently-updated legislation – for a total of 33 gaming venues in the city. There was one new venue added to the list since the end of August. The figures point to a simple average – not accounting for variation in the size of Macau gaming properties – of 18 smoking lounges per casino venue in Macau.
JCM Global and Eurocoin expand partnership enabling JCM to sell Eurocoin printers in the Americas CDC Newswire · October 11, 2019 at 2:21 pm LAS VEGAS (October 10, 2019) – JCM Global and Eurocoin have expanded their long-term relationship. Under a new agreement, JCM will now represent Eurocoin printers in North America and Latin America for a wide range of commercial applications. JCM is the leading supplier of thermal printers in the casino market, and adding Eurocoin printers to its portfolio will allow the company to offer additional choices and even greater flexibility to its commercial and gaming customers. “Our commercial partners in the Americas have expressed to us their need for a roll-style thermal printer that was more compact with greater flexibility to accommodate the variety of applications they use today. We listened, and we sought out the very best roll-style thermal printers available. We were delighted to find the perfect solution in the EP802 product line from our long-term partner Eurocoin,” said David Kubajak, JCM’s SVP of Sales, Marketing and Operations. Sales… [continue reading]
Philippine police arrest over 500 mostly Chinese for fraud Associated Press · October 11, 2019 at 7:42 am MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Philippine police and immigration authorities said they have arrested more than 500 illegally working foreigners, mostly Chinese involved in telecommunications and investment scams, in one of the biggest such mass arrests this year. The 542 foreigners, who were arrested Wednesday night in a raid on their company premises in metropolitan Manila, did not have work permits and were involved in defrauding victims mostly in China by blackmailing or tricking them into sending out money, said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente and other officials. The Chinese government provided information that led to the arrests of more than 400 Chinese and other workers from Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Indonesia, said police Maj. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar. The suspects were being interrogated in a police gymnasium because of their large numbers. Pictures of the raid provided by the Immigration Bureau showed the foreign workers, who included women, either standing… [continue reading]
Singapore Sands sued by Chinese ex-client claiming $6.6 Million Chanyaporn Chanjaroen, Bloomberg · October 11, 2019 at 6:21 am A Chinese former gambler at Marina Bay Sands Pte is suing the Singapore-based casino operator to recover S$9.1 million ($6.6 million) he claims was transferred to other casino patrons without his authorization. Wang Xi discovered in July that the money was missing as a result of 22 transfers allegedly made from his casino deposit accounts between October and December of 2015, according to a Sept. 26 statement of claim filed in the High Court in Singapore. Wang doesn’t know the people who allegedly received the money, the claim said. Marina Bay Sands, owned by Las Vegas Sands Corp., is one of two firms granted exclusive licenses by the Singapore government to operate casinos on the island.
Almost half of UK children aged 11 to 16 say they have gambled recently Steven Morris, The Guardian · October 11, 2019 at 5:33 am Almost half of children aged 11 to 16 have admitted to gambling recently, with those from minority ethnic backgrounds more likely to have bet money than their white British counterparts, one of the largest studies of its kind has revealed. The study carried out by academics from Cardiff University found 41% had taken part in some sort of gambling within the previous 12 months. Fruit machines at an arcade, pub or club were the most popular form of gambling, followed by playing cards for money with friends and buying scratchcards. Minority ethnic children reported significantly more gambling – and tended to feel worse about themselves afterwards.
Mohegan Gaming unveils plans for Inspire Athens Phil, G3 Newswire · October 10, 2019 at 10:09 pm Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, and its Greek partner GEK TERNA, have lifted the curtain on their plans for Inspire Athens, its concept for the first Integrated Resort and Casino in Greece. The resort consists of a luxury hotel, entertainment venues, convention center, shopping, dining, casino, and a comprehensive mix of premium amenities. The development will help launch a new era of tourism growth and economic prosperity for all of Greece and the entire region. The iconic design of the building was created by Steelman Partners, an international architectural firm specializing in IRC design and development. The concept form draws inspiration from the architectural history of Greece, particularly from Athenian sculptures and buildings including the Acropolis and the Caryatids.
