ICE Africa, sold to near-capacity, attracts delegates from 91 countriesCDC Gaming Reports · October 15, 2018 at 10:32 amThe inaugural ICE Africa tradeshow and conference, scheduled for October 24 and 25 at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, has sold to 90% capacity, event host Clarion Gaming announced Monday morning. Industry leaders like Flutterwave, Aruze Gaming and Playtech BGT SPorts are among the brands scheduled to be represented at the conference, the first of its kind geared toward the African gaming market. ICE Africa has also attracted delegates from a total of 91 different countries, including gaming professionals from 25 African nations. Dan Stone, Senior Marketing Manager at Clarion Gaming, said in a statement, “We took the decision to launch (ICE Africa) following requests from the industry based in Africa that we produce and organise a professional showcase that the continent could be proud of. Since making the decision to bring the ICE brand to the continent, we have been really encouraged by the hugely positive… [continue reading]
Clarion announces new appointment to the ICE marketing teamCDC Gaming Reports · October 15, 2018 at 9:31 amInternational gaming events organizer Clarion Gaming announced today that it has appointed Alexandra Hamilton-Tomlinson to the post of Senior Marketing Executive for the company’s ICE brand. She will work across two ICE-branded events, the first edition of ICE Africa, scheduled for October 24th and 25th at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, and ICE London, the world’s largest gaming technology event, which will take place February 5-7 at ExCeL London, UK. A marketing professional, Hamilton-Tomlinson has spent her career leading campaigns and driving innovation within the technology sector, and brings a creative eye to event promotion and brand management. “It’s a challenge and a huge responsibility to work with the team that’s responsible for the market-leading event brand in world gaming,” she said in a statement. “ICE London is at the forefront of innovation not just in the gaming sector but in the entire events industry. “The ICE… [continue reading]
Failure in paradise: Saipan casino gets another extension, possible reprieveMuhammad Cohen, Forbes · October 15, 2018 at 12:05 amSaipan’s casino story, already depressing, has gotten worse. Licensee Imperial Pacific International has a new, distant deadline for completion of its casino hotel and maybe a pass on the rest of its US$2 billion obligation to Saipan, a U.S. Pacific territory in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands. Even with its larger gaming floor and a monopoly, Imperial Pacific hasn’t demonstrated it can run a profitable casino, and three key executives have left since August without announced replacements. Despite these deficiencies, the government wants IPI to take over a hotel the authorities put out of business two weeks ago. The most sensible thing about this situation? IPI’s Hong Kong listed shares are down 50% over the past year.
Berejiklian accused of kowtowing to gambling lobby over pokies pledgeLisa Martin, The Guardian · October 15, 2018 at 12:01 amThe New South Wales government has been accused of kowtowing to the powerful gambling lobby twice in a week – this time over curbs on poker machine harm. Amid the furore over horse-racing advertising on the Sydney Opera House sails, the premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has signed a new four-year poker machine memorandum of understanding with Clubs NSW. Berejiklian has pledged to not increase gambling taxes should her government win the next state election in March. The NSW racing minister, Paul Toole, said the government recognised clubs were often a key point of connection in communities.
Partnership between government and private sector key to Macau’s diversificationOscar Guijarro, Inside Asian Gaming · October 14, 2018 at 10:06 pmThe long-term diversification of Macau’s IR industry will require closer cooperation between the public and private sectors, according to Associate Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration of the University of Macau, Professor Glenn McCartney. Speaking to Inside Asian Gaming at the 2nd Mastering Cotai Seminar, sponsored by IAG’s parent company O MEDIA, at MGM Cotai last Friday, McCartney said that greater tightening of the regulatory framework alone would not ensure meaningful progress in diversification of the local industry. “You have to have a partnership together between the public and private sector going forward,” he said.
MGM participates in Osaka festivalAsia Gaming Brief · October 14, 2018 at 9:52 pmIn what is becoming something of a tradition, MGM Resorts was the only IR operator to participate in this year’s Dotombori River Festival in Osaka, now for the second consecutive year. This year, MGM sponsored a special stage for music and dance performances by local artists. The company’s statement explained, “Osaka’s culture and entertainment have the potential to attract a larger audience around the world. Yosakoi dancing expresses Japan’s dynamic energy and attracts many tourists to Dotombori.”
City of Dreams Manila opens virtual reality zoneGGRAsia · October 14, 2018 at 9:51 pmCity of Dreams Manila investor Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp, which recently pledged commitment to the Philippine casino market despite the firm wish of its main investor to buy back its public stock and delist from the country’s bourse, has said in a filing the resort opened on Sunday a new virtual reality game zone. The virtual reality technology at the City of Dreams Manila resort (pictured) has been supplied by Japan’s Bandai Namco Amusement Inc. Kevin Benning, City of Dreams Manila’s chief operating officer, was quoted in the document describing the facility as “a first of its kind in the country”.
Saipan officials concerned over Imperial Pacific future after 80 construction workers releasedInside Asian Gaming · October 14, 2018 at 9:48 pmSaipan officials have expressed new concerns over the future of Imperial Pacific International’s (IPI) local IR development following the shock termination of 80 foreign construction workers late last week. Termination of the workers came just six weeks after IPI was granted a two-and-half year extension for completion of Imperial Pacific Resort through to 28 February 2021 after failing to meet its previous 31 August 2018 deadline. According to reports, the workers were taken by surprise on Friday when they were called into the IPI office and served termination letters stating they would be provided seven days’ severance pay before being sent back home.
Province of Ontario’s take from gambling hits record $2.5 billionMike Crawley, CBC News · October 12, 2018 at 7:26 pmGambling is helping to fill the provincial government’s coffers like never before, with the province’s take hitting a record, according to new figures released Thursday. Ontario Lottery and Gaming says its net profit to the province was $2.49 billion in the 2017-18 fiscal year, an increase of more than five per cent from the previous year. Casinos, slots and online gaming all showed higher profits, while the take from lottery ticket sales was down slightly, says OLG’s new annual report. The bulk of the gambling income came from OLG’s 25 casino and slot facilities around the province. Their profit hit $1.8 billion, up 7.6 per cent from the 2016–17 fiscal year.
Aristocrat keen to bring Oasis 360 casino management system to Asian marketBen Blaschke, Inside Asian Gaming · October 12, 2018 at 12:18 amAristocrat is preparing to launch its popular US casino management system, Oasis 360, into Asia. The move comes on the heels of the company’s recently announced 10-year agreement with Boyd Gaming under which Oasis 360 now connects around 20,000 devices across Boyd’s 24 US properties. Speaking with Inside Asian Gaming on the show floor at G2E in Las Vegas on Thursday, Aristocrat’s Sales & Business Development Director Asia Pacific, Lloyd Robson, said, “We don’t have a system in Asia per se but we’ve had a number of customers through G2E over the past few days that have expressed an interest in our Oasis 360 system.
