Well, as you may know already, ICE 2014 was truly magnificent. Indeed, there were 23.891 truly magnificent gaming industry professionals, who defied a 48-hour strike on the London Tube service to set a new attendance record for ICE, during 4-6 February at the ExCeL, in East London. Some of us even had to change hotels to be closer to the expo and not to miss a minute of this great event.
Clarion Events, organizers of ICE, has reported that the established figure represents an increase of 7% over the attendance of visitors to the London Show in 2013, and a 12% growth on the 2012 event, the last edition of ICE held at the Earl’s Court Convention Center, west of the great metropolis.
Latin America did not have many representatives, but there was quality, and that is what the exhibitors are looking for. Now, the season of shows begin in Latin America with the Caribbean Gaming Show & Summit 2014, on 19-20 March, where another big crowd is anticipated.
Novomatic, Ainsworth, GLI, Aristocrat, Bally, and TCSJOHNHUXLEY are amongst the prestigious sponsors of CGS 2014, at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, which opens on the evening of the 18th with a Welcome Cocktail, at “a Caribbean place, believed to be Peruvian”, but either way or both, it’s going to be real cool in the balmy Caribbean. See you there!
Cheers,
Ricki.
COLOMBIA – Pari-mutuel Sports Betting Tender begins in March
Coljuegos published the terms of reference for the national tender in the bidding process that will select the operator of Pari-mutuel Sports Betting in Colombia, in the Country’s electronic procurement system. The main objective is to award this concession to the ideal operator in this sector for the introduction and successful performance of a new type of gambling practice in the Colombian market. The tender process begins on Monday 03 March, 2014.
Coljuegos has stated that the winner will have minimum 10 years’ experience in Pari-mutuel Sports Betting operations, as well as experience in a business equivalent to the estimated market size for this new sector, which can reach $300 billion (Colombian pesos), around US$148 million in sales during the five years of the concession.
Bidders will be evaluated based on the criteria of combined commercial success in this type of betting product as well as the ability of the Pari-mutuel Sports Betting to generate income, which is destined for public health sector. In this way, the evaluation shall be weighted on the readiness and transactional network offered by the proponent, and the best offer to promote and position the game upon its launch and in the first years of operation, as well as the best offer in terms of income for public health.
To this end, in addition to the publication of the terms of reference in the electronic system of public procurement – SECOPS, Coljuegos has organized different scenarios of participation for those interested in the tender, the control organizations and the public in general. The tender closes on March 17 and has date of contract award 22 of March 2014.
CHILE – Ovalle Casino begins construction in April
The population of Ovalle anticipates great economic benefit when the new casino in the city begins construction in April. Last week, the Ovalle Casino Resort S.A., owned by Spanish based, Invergaming Group and Argentina’s Boldt, announced that next month they will start construction of the new integrated resort with casino.
The Ovalle resort will be located in the area of Altos de Jacanas, on route D-43, and has a projected investment of US$ 29 million for the construction of buildings of some 110.000 sq. ft., which also includes a 4-star hotel with 78 rooms.
Ricardo Abdala, general manager of the company, said: “All the engineering work is finished and is being fine-tuned by the Superintendence of Casinos, and we anticipate starting with the building work in April. At the end of March we will have an event for the ceremonial ground breaking to place the first stone of the building“.
MIAMI – Dania Casino and Jai-Alai opened by Argentine diva
Argentinean actress Susana Gimenez was centre stage during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the Dania Casino and Jai-Alai, in Dania Beach, Florida, north of Miami. A crowd of VIPs crowded into the renovated property to party with champagne and fabulous Argentinean wine whilst enjoying the gleaming new slot machines.
Last May a group of Argentine businessmen together with a local company teamed up to buy Dania Jai-Alai for US$65.5 million from Boyd Gaming, after the US casino operator decided to quit its US$152 million investment paid for the property in 2006. Led by Argentine entrepreneur operator, Cristobal Lopez, through his Casino Club company, the South Americans control 75% of the Florida property and have invested US$20 million in current refurbishment and equipment.
The facility has come a long way since Jai-Alai was in its heyday and poker was the only game there. After some new construction the venue now boasts 550 modern slot machines, 12 new poker tables, a bar and deli area. Dania Jai-Alai marketing director Bernie Gamboa, said: “This property has been here for 57 years and it’s been a lot of work, facility work, and we’re very proud of what we’ve done.”
Argentinean investor Federico de Achaval, said: “I think we can compete with everybody and there is a place and the market is sufficiently open. We can manage it.” The next phase of renovation is expected within the year, and by winter 2015 the owners plan to have 1,400 slot machines in a stand-alone gaming facility on the site.
SAGSE gets exclusive benefits for visitors and exhibitors to Panama
Panamanian airline Copa Airlines has again showed support for SAGSE Central America & Caribbean (May 7&8), based on the international traffic of high ranked visitors that this event generates.
Visitors and exhibitors of this event will enjoy a new experience at a new venue, the El Panama Convention Center inside the Hotel El Panama, and now they can also access a 15% discount on the purchase of air tickets to Panama from Central America / Caribbean / North America / South America. This is the biggest
agreement ever achieved with a trade show. The travel period can be anytime from 5 to 9 May, by just
mentioning the promotional code C5743 at www.copaair.com or at Copa Air offices in the country of origin.
There are over 1,000 casinos and gambling halls that
have a direct connection with Panama. Currently Panama
can be reached from different parts of Latin America connecting more than 780 casinos and gaming halls in the region and since last June together with SAGSE expo 332 Nevada casinos now have a nonstop flight to Panama.
SAGSE has also secured an agreement in hospitality with Hotel Casino El Panama where there are excellent rates and benefits when staying during SAGSE. In this case to book a room please contact account manager Jhocelyn Escobar, Tel: (507) 215-9447, Fax: (507) 269-3309.
