Just a short note to wish that all of you have had a very happy Christmas and that this new 2013 is full of good ventures, or good adventures for those daring gaming professionals who take up the challenge to go into markets that although topsy-turvy can also be profitable.
Without much apprehension, though, we shall be on our way to the east of the British capital city for the new London Show at the ExCel convention centre, on 5-8 February. Now called ICE Totally Gaming, 2013 (ICE) has moved from fashionable Earls Court to the other end of the city, and right now it is best to sort out accommodation that is conveniently accessible to the ExCel.
In case someone needs a hand with the accommodation stakes, just drop me an email and I will try to give you the best possible hotel alternative. And for those who come from a more tropical climate, please ensure to wear warm gear because February in London is not carnival time like in Rio. Brrr… See you there!
Ciao,
Ricki.
ARGENTINA: Opens Amerian Hotel Casino Carlos V
The Amerian Hotel Casino Carlos V, in Santiago del Estero, Cordoba province, Argentina, is the new casino in the country, and the third for the hotel chain Termas de Rio Hondo in the Santiago city.
The new hotel has 151 rooms, 6 suites, and an extensive presidential suite, as well as restaurants, convention centre, and the most modern spa in the country, all with a host of services, including a casino equipped with slots and tables with cutting edge technology.
The Amerian Hotel Casino Carlos V has the latest in spa technology in the north of Argentina set in a luxurious setting and equipped with a hydro system, acqua-relax pools, sensual walkways, sauna, steam rooms, health showers; as well as a fully equipped professional gym with an area for aerobics.
BOLIVIA: BMM formally accredited by AJ
Gaming testing laboratory and technical consultancy BMM International (BMM) has announced that it has been formally accredited by Bolivian gaming regulators, Autoridad de Fiscalización y Control Social del Juego (AJ), in preparation to begin licensing operators, manufacturers and homologating gaming equipment again, this accreditation ensures that BMM will be at the forefront of the re-emerging Bolivian market.
Fernando Cuellar, Senior Manager for Client Services, BMM Peru said, “This has been a very interesting process for all of South America to watch, as the AJ approach to introducing formal regulatory structure was unique. Historically Bolivia was a bustling market, albeit less regulated. Now AJ are introducing full licensing requirements in regard to their unique standards, all these moves are very positive steps towards developing a well regulated and stable market.”
Mike Dreitzer, COO of BMM said, “As a global service provider it’s imperative for our clients that BMM is recognized or licensed by every jurisdiction in the world. We are very grateful to Mario Cazon, Director Ejecutivo of AJ for his assistance throughout this process. Although the licensing process in each jurisdiction is somewhat unique, with the clear direction that BMM was provided we were able to successfully meet the requirements of another jurisdiction, once again. I am proud to say that BMM’s office in Peru is doing incredibly well and assisting the regional regulatory community. We look forward to adding Autoridad del Juego to our client rosters.”
CHILE: SCJ appeals against illegal casino
Chile’s regulators, Superintendencia de Casinos de Juego (SCJ) has lodged an appeal against the Court in Santiago that suspended the legal process on criminal charges of the persons responsible for operating an illegal casino at a Poker House masquerading as a sports club in the chic area of the country’s capital city, Las Condes.
SCJ started criminal proceedings against the plaintiffs last July, when a police investigation concluded that a registered company was operating a casino in an open challenge to Casino Law No. 19.995 as well as two articles in Chile’s Criminal Law, using a sports club registration. Chile’s casino legislation passed in 2005 limits casino operations to municipal casinos and integrated resorts operating in hotel complexes.
PERU: GLI conducts substantial training in Lima
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), the world’s leading gaming testing laboratory and technical consultancy, has completed an in-depth training for 35 gaming inspectors of the General Direction of Casinos and Slot Machines (DGJCMT) of the Ministry of Exterior Commerce and Tourism (MINCETUR) of Peru.
GLI held the seven-day training in Lima, Peru, which included onsite training for the inspectors in several gaming halls and with a variety of SUCTR approved systems. Conducting the training were compliance, engineering and network assessment experts, carefully selected among the global GLI staff, to provide the best training and expertise in the gaming industry.
GLI Director of Latin American and Caribbean Development Karen Sierra-Hughes said, “GLI has a long-standing commitment to the regulatory entity in Perú and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. We are very proud to have worked so closely with the DGJCMT for the last several years and to have been selected to perform this training. The training represents an important milestone in their path to strengthen the regulations in the Peruvian gaming industry and we look forward to continuing our very close relationship.”
SUCTR is the denomination MINCETUR established for the Monitoring and Control Systems model. The massive project connects roughly 72,500 machines to the SUCTRs that are all homologated by MINCETUR. The SUCTRs are now reporting directly to the MINCETUR´s data centre, relaying information regarding revenue and significant events to better control the gaming industry in Peru.
Manuel San Roman Benavente, the Director of DGJCMT said, “We have been pleased with the training that GLI has provided to our inspectors, it has served to unify criteria for the control tasks of the SUCTR Models that are installed in gaming halls. GLI has certified many SUCTR Models for Peru, so this experience has served to transmit and display the characteristics of each SUCTR model.”
Strong support from industry leaders for SAGSE Panama 2013
As is well known, the choice of Panama to host a regional international event is due to the “natural” characteristics of this great city, and the SAGSE Gaming Panama 2013 Expo and Congress will also benefit from the high degree of air connectivity (non-stop flights from Las Vegas and 60 other countries), transparent rules, gaming under the framework of law and a relaxed state of mind when doing international business for the entire region.
SAGSE Gaming Panama 2013 Expo and Congress Official will be held on May 8 & 9 at a new venue, the Vasco Nunez de Balboa Convention Center at the El Panama Hotel in Panama City, a regional hub that also benefit from the high degree of air traffic, transparent rules, gaming under the framework of law and a relaxed state of mind when doing international business for the entire region.
There are over 1,000 casinos and gambling halls that have a direct connection with Panama. This potential quantity and quality of operators can only be seen in few events around the world. Giorgio Gennari, President of Monografie S.A., Show organizers, said: “Currently Panama can be reached with non-stop flights from different parts of Central American and the Caribbean connecting more than 780 casinos and gambling halls of the region and from June 2012 in accordance with SAGSE expo, we add the 332 Nevada casinos that have direct flight from Las Vegas to Panama.”
High industry support is represented by leaders such as Novomatic and Merkur Gaming as Platinum Sponsors; Aristocrat will sponsor the Lounge once again that will be equipped with the most sophisticated food service that this hotel can offer. There visitors will enjoy a delicious sampling of dishes and drinks from Panama. The Aristocrat Lounge will be the heart of SAGSE and the meeting point of all operators. In addition the company Belatra Games has taken the official sponsorship of the show lanyards once again.
Last but not least, the Panama event also has the official support of GLI and SHFL Entertainment who in a marketing effort will accompany SAGSE Panama as Gold Sponsors. This means that these industry leaders will be present throughout the show’s marketing campaign aimed at inviting the operators in the region.
“It is clear that the big new casino projects planned for the short and medium term have caught the attention of the gaming and hospitality industry. Among Panama highlights: The Golden Lion Casino, Royal Flush, the operation at the Hilton, Trump Casino, the Sortis, and the Princess Casino anniversary. There are more than 19 casinos, one racetrack, betting rooms and over 30 gaming halls just in Panama City. SAGSE is an event for the whole region. An international and social event,” concluded Gennari.
