Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Casino News Media - Media Man - Global Gaming Directory - News Update - 25th January 2012

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Clubs relieved over pokies backflip...

Clubs across the New South Wales mid-north coast are breathing a sigh of relief after the Gillard Government dumped Andrew Wilkie's pokies reform deal.

Instead of the independent MP's nationwide plan, the Commonwealth has proposed a two-year trial on the pre-commitment technology in the ACT.

The trial in the ACT will begin next year, ahead of possible national rollout in 2016.

The president of Clubs New South Wales for the far north coast and Clubs Taree, Carl Guy, says it will be a good way to test the effectiveness of the system.

"The costs are exorbitant on Wilkie's proposal," he said.

"Our club here [Taree] we'd be talking about $2.2 - 3 million.

"The end result of the trial will determine ... which system they will use and how much it'll cost.

"Irrespective it will cost clubs money to put these systems in which means changing the current machines."

Mr Guy says the trial will reveal the problems that regional clubs across the nation had been complaining about.

"Anything is better than what was proposed by Wilkie," he said.

"A trial, I think, will bring out the issues that the general public and a lot of people don't understand, the ramifications and the good that the clubs do for the community.

"It's just had such a flow-on effect, it was just disturbing for all directors right throughout the industry to think what is the next step."


E-gaming barrier is lifted in U.S...

The U.S. Department of Justice recently decided that the 1961 federal Wire Act only applies to sports-related gambling. This is huge news for the potentially lucrative state-sanctioned online gaming industry. It could pave the path for agreements between legal gaming states or internationally, claims renowned gambling legal expert I. Nelson Rose.

He writes that this virtually eliminates federal anti-gambling statutes. Multi-state lotteries have existed for years, and in any case federal law does not consider poker a lottery. The only laws left are those that go after organised crime, but that requires there be another legal violation.

With intra-state games like legalised poker, many other states may eventually allow some form of online gaming to boost their revenues. That is the main reason why gaming has enjoyed such expansion in the past 15 years.

The key question all operators should ask is: how will it affect us? Will there be opportunities for us to participate in some way? Or will online gaming prove to be a threat similar to home video games, which siphoned off revenues from street and arcade operators after their introduction in the mid-1980s?


OpenBet games update & challenge darts champ Phil the Power Taylor on our stand 5165 at ICE!...

Read on to find out about our latest games releases and the top land-based slots we're converting thanks to our partnerships with Aristocrat, Cool Games & Inspired Gaming

The Hoff
David Hasselhoff, a.k.a. "The Hoff", International Superstar and self-proclaimed King of the Internet, takes you for a spin with this great new game from MX Gaming. "Are you ready to hassle the Hoff? Check out my amazing new slot, packed with pure awesome, and you’ll hear me sing till money pours into your pockets!" The real thrill comes with two highly engaging bonus features: The Hoff Free Spin bonus and The Hoff Walk of Fame bonus. Help the Hoff navigate his high-profile celeb-life-path and make huge winnings along the way. Launching soon.

Geisha
Players have fallen in love with the Geisha, another fantastic game from Aristocrat®, makers of some of the most entertaining slot games in the world. Geisha's original creators developed this popular 5-reel, 20-line game with all the fun, excitement, colours and graphics of the original casino version now available online. Geisha waits for you in her exotic world where dragons roam, lotus flowers bloom, birds soar and majestic mountains touch the sky. Watch Geisha double your wins in the main game feature and even triple them in the free games!

Wicked Winnings II
Ready to get wicked? You'll have a devilishly good time with the online version of this incredibly hot slot game from Aristocrat. Remember, sometimes it's good to be bad - so check out the game that fires up the casino fun no matter where you are! Stick your pitchfork into great features such as Power Pay, for a chance to win 15 free games, and a special respin feature. Wicked Winnings II is the second title we're launching from Aristocrat's comprehensive games portfolio.

Masters Snooker Cashdrop
Having teamed up with renowned sports promoters, Matchroom Sport, Professional Darts Corporation and World Snooker, OpenBet offers a stellar line-up of new casino content including this latest release. Right on cue! Make a break and enjoy the red-hot atmosphere of this stylish slot game. Whether "kissing the pink" or "potting the black", you'll go potty for Masters Snooker Cashdrop. A spot-on game with more than 147 ways to fill your pockets! Are you in the frame?

The Cube
Based on a BAFTA Award-winning ITV1 prime time show on its 4th series, Electracade developed this exciting 20 line slot packed with special effects, 3D challenges based on some of the favourite games from the show and exciting bonus rounds. This game which lets your players take on The Cube is sure to get your players' adrenalin racing and drive incremental revenue to your games site.

Jungle Bucks
Monkey around in the magical world of Inspired Gaming’s latest HD slots game, Jungle Bucks, available online soon thanks to OpenBet and Inspired's partnership. Rich with HD graphics and bonus features, such as Monkey Madness, Rampant Rhino and Lucky Lizard, this game is also progressive-enabled to add jackpot excitement.

Treasure Island
Transport yourself to the magical world of Treasure Island and find the hidden booty to win big prizes. A number one game in the UK and Italian land-based markets, Inspired Gaming's Treasure Island is a bonus feature-rich game with high quality graphics and exciting bonus features. Spin five pirates to win the progressive Chest of Treasure for the ultimate jackpot excitement. Treasure Island is also available in multiple languages and currencies, as with all our games.

Double Dragon
Double Dragon, live and performing well across bookmakers’ retail estates, is coming online due to OpenBet’s partnership with Cool Games. Double Dragon captures the feeling of the Orient with rich graphics and classic casino features players love. The Dragons offer plenty of entertainment, with an innovative awards system rewarding players with free spins, cash awards and mystery bonuses. With beautifully crafted artwork, themed symbols and audio, Double Dragon is a sure favourite.


OPENBET INTRODUCES “THE HOFF” TO CUSTOMERS...

OpenBet Casino unveils new celebrity-branded content with partner, MX Gaming

Fast cars and famous faces meet fame and fortune in the online gaming world as OpenBet announces ‘The Hoff’ as the latest celebrity/big name to join OpenBet Casino. Working in partnership with MX Gaming, OpenBet will launch a fully branded David Hasselhoff slot game and scratchcard that will be available to all customers from early 2012.

Featuring one of the most recognisable faces in television and throughout the world, The Hoff online games will boast a broad demographic appeal with high-octane gameplay, rich graphics and compelling concepts featuring real life imagery and footage of the legendary David Hasselhoff. Aimed primarily at the bingo and casino markets and available in numerous different skins, the main concept of the games will be to help David Hasselhoff’s character along his eternal quest of becoming a millionaire celebrity and will include humorous twists along the way. Various free spins and a super wild feature will also boost player retention and chances of winning the main prize.

Star of iconic shows including Knight Rider, Baywatch, America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent, “The Hoff”’ and his global appeal will reach fans across the globe and entertain players off air and online. Known as a home to top brands, OpenBet’s leading casino portfolio is looking better than ever. These titles will slot neatly alongside other celebrity games including Baywatch and Hulkamania featuring Hulk Hogan.

David Loveday, Chief Executive of OpenBet, comments; “OpenBet is proud of its leading portfolio of branded content and the introduction of David Hasselhoff’s iconic “Hoff” character is further evidence of the innovative way OpenBet brings interesting content to its customers. The much loved Hoff persona allows OpenBet to bring games that are not only quirky and fun but appeal to a wide range of customers.”

David Hasselhoff, world-renowned actor, singer, producer, enthuses; “The name of the game is to work with the right partners to produce fun and new interesting material. I look forward to working with OpenBet and MX Gaming to give bookmakers, bingo providers and lotteries the opportunity to jump in on the action and rev up gaming audiences far and wide.”

Ike McFadden, Director of Business at MX Gaming, added; "We always look for ways to bring our film and TV experience to the gaming space, but our recent shoot in Hollywood with David was flat-out one of the most fun experiences we've ever had on-set. He's fun, energetic, and the perfect crossover act for the online gaming world."

Fans will have a chance to see him live in an exclusive London engagement 2 March, called “An Evening with David Hasselhoff” where he will debut his new album “This Time Around”.


NYX Gaming Group – providing the buzz at ICE...

NYX Gaming Group, the recently formed software provider incorporating NYX Interactive and NextGen Gaming, to provide a refreshing way to do business at ICE this year.

London, January 19, 2012:

The recent formation of the NYX Gaming Group incorporating Stockholm based NYX Interactive and Sydney’s NextGen Gaming will provide Operators with premium gaming innovation and flexible gaming systems in true partnership. At ICE 2012 not only will the group be showcasing its latest products, but they have enlisted the help of a professional coffee barrister to keep visitors alert during the busy week.

The NYX Gaming Group will be demonstrating several new products, including NextGen Gaming’s newest premium slot title, the 50-line Merlin’s Millions which will soon be available to Operators via new and existing aggregator partners. NextGen are proud of their reputation for delivering exceptional game performance and game longevity that translates into profit for partners and an immersive gaming experience for their players.

Also on show is the new and innovative NYX Bingo product alongside the NYX MOVE mobile gaming system, providing players with the superb functionality of the PC games they’re familiar with on their tablet and mobile devices. Completing the new product offering, ICE will exclusively host the first trade show airing of the group’s Social gaming application which launched in December 2011.

Matt Davey, CEO for the NYX Gaming Group, commented “The tie-up between NYX Interactive and NextGen Gaming creates a refreshing alternative for many Operators and World Lottery Members in the i-Gaming space. We are delighted to be able to showcase NYX innovations alongside new NextGen slot titles at ICE 2012”

Join the new NYX Gaming Group team at ICE on stand 5430.

Web: www.nyxgaminggroup.com

About NYX GG
The NYX Gaming Group has offices in London, Stockholm and Sydney providing flexible gaming solutions to some of the largest World Lottery Association members and gaming operators across the globe. NYX has previously won several awards including “Innovation in Bingo” at the 2010 E-Gaming Review Awards. Both NYX (EMEA) and NextGen (Asia Pacific) have been listed in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 listings for the respective regions.

NYX Interactive offer a top-level gaming portfolio of gaming products including the leading Bingo solution, built on a fully-flexible account and back office system which supports all parts of an Operator’s business.

NextGen Gaming is the industry’s leading platform agnostic provider of engaging and profitable repeat play Slots, providing entertainment for players and profits for Operators.


Playtech to acquire sportsbook developer...

After purchasing interactive gambling and betting games developer Ash Gaming last month for £23 million, online gaming software designer and supplier Playtech Limited has now agreed a deal to buy the entire issued share capital of Geneity Limited.

Established in 2006, Geneity is an online lottery and sportsbook software provider based in the London suburb of Chiswick and Playtech is set to pay an initial cash consideration of £11 million subject to working capital adjustments with £4 million of this due to be held in escrow for 30 months.

London-listed Playtech stated that a further £4 million will be payable ‘subject to certain agreed deliverables to be provided by Geneity’.

“Sportsbook is often the prime entry point for companies into online gaming,” said Mor Weizer, Chief Executive Officer for Playtech.

“Over the past year the pace of change in the sportsbook segment led us to believe that we needed to acquire experienced developers to immediately give us a market-leading capability. Geneity will deliver a range of features key to Playtech's sportsbook such as in-play betting and a broader range of sports on which to wager.”

Geneity currently has a deal to provide its sportsbook software to Gala Coral Group through to the end of the year while its lottery solution is being utilised by the Health Lottery. Other clients include Betfair and Ladbrokes with the firm reporting unaudited revenues for the year to the end of March of £2.3 million alongside profits before tax of £820,000.

“Geneity is delighted to be joining the Playtech family, the synergies between the respective companies and products are very strong,” said Will Slater, Managing Director for Geneity.
“At Geneity we've created a highly advanced sportsbetting platform with integrated in-play algorithms, per channel pricing and a scalable and modular architecture.

“It's very exciting to be able to offer our sportsbetting platform to a wider audience alongside Playtech's existing best-of-breed products.”


Amaya signs Aristocrat licensing deal...

Server and network-based gaming specialist Amaya Gaming Group has announced that it has entered into a three-year development and licensing agreement with a subsidiary of Australian land-based casino systems supplier Aristocrat Leisure Limited.

Montreal-based Amaya revealed that the deal will allow its Chartwell Technology subsidiary to adapt a number of Aristocrat gaming titles including Wild Panda, Pompeii and Where’s The Gold for use in online and video lottery terminal (VLT) applications.

“The online gaming opportunity is becoming increasingly attractive as a number of jurisdictions around the world are considering regulatory changes that would allow new domestic gaming websites to operate,” said Darcy Krogh, Business Development Vice-President for Amaya.

“This agreement strengthens Amaya’s position by supplementing our existing online gaming content with Aristocrat titles, which are well known among casino customers worldwide.”

Amaya stated that the online titles it will develop based on Aristocrat games are to be subsequently distributed through its virtual and land-based VLT channels.

“Aristocrat’s proven slot content is ideally suited to transition to the online space as our initial titles have shown,” said Gillian Findlay, Online Gaming General Manager for Sydney-based Aristocrat.

“Online gaming is growing rapidly and Amaya’s strong distribution helps expand the reach for our extensive portfolio to more players.”


iGaming Business Wins Best Industry Publication of the Year...

24th JANUARY 2012 (London, UK) - iGaming Business, information provider for the online Gambling Industry, was recognised last night as the Best Industry Publication of the Year 2012 at the International Gaming Awards (IGA). This category is rewarded to the publication that has pushed the boundaries in above-the-line reporting, with innovative special feature highlighting and involving the reader more effectively into the publication.

The organisers of the event explain the merits of the awards 'The International Gaming Awards 2012 is supported and enhanced by well renowned industry insiders as well as gaming clients from all tiers of the gaming world. Listening carefully to the views of gaming clients and industry professionals, we are able to recognise and celebrate the biggest and best charity event of the year with class.'

These awards are bestowed on nominees by expert judges who are deeply involved in the gaming sector, such as the Senior Vice President of Communications/Government Relations at Caesars Entertainment Corp, the Founder and Director of Sportingbet Plc, the Founder & Owner of
PokerScout.com, the Vice President of Public Affairs of the Canadian Gaming Association, the founder of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) and many more. This result is a reflection on the readership and scope of iGaming Business magazine.

'Winning was an incredible feeling, especially as we had such worthy competitors for the award.' Explains Alex Pratt, Head of iGaming Business 'But in the end, I'm glad that our efforts to continuously provide the industry with the best analysis, worldviews and high class editorial meant that we came home with the trophy. It makes us as determined as ever to win again next year and keep improving and innovating.'

More information on iGaming Business can be found at www.iGamingBusiness.com


Isle of Man calls renewed...

The Isle of Man government has renewed its calls for potential operators and developers to come forward and declare their interest in applying for the island’s newest casino licence.

The government is due to close its process of seeking expressions of interest for the new casino and five-star hotel on January 31. In previous statements, the government had indicated that hundreds of responses had been received.

“We have been pleased with the number of interesting responses we have received to date,” said John Shimmin, Minister for the Department of Economic Development. “The Isle of Man feels that the time is right to diversify its dynamic and growing economy through the establishment of a permanent hotel and casino resort, providing a further location for gaming activities for residents and visitors alike.”

Tenders submitted will involve consideration by the Department of Economic Development, which will be liaising with Global Betting and Gaming Consultants and the island ’s Gambling Supervision Commission.

“We hope that development of a new hotel and casino will be a catalyst for growing visitor business on the island through the next decade,” said Department of Economic Development Director Tim Craine.


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