GW08-p14-15-briefing:Layout 1 21/12/09 13:27 Page 2
“We have wonderful opportunities for growth, in terms of spare land
Briefing
for further development, and our proven ability to build traffic from
many geographic and demographic markets.” Allan Zeman Chairman | Ocean Park Corporation
Major slot machine player looks to expand
Australia
Bally
Technologies
gathers more
Pokies
awards at G2E
W
oolworths aims to market capitalisation of $15m,
expand its dominance but it was worth $370m when
Reportage
as the leading pubs it floated four years ago.
and poker machine operator The company has been hit
in Australia by locking horns by falling poker machine,
REDEMPTION
with the gambling group food and beverage revenues.
Tabcorp in a duel for control NLG’s banker, a division of
of the listed pub operator National Australia Bank, has
National Leisure & Gaming. It lent it $183m. NLG’s trading
is rumoured that the poker outlook for the 2009-10 finan-
machine giant is considering cial year forecasts total
an offer for NLG. If successful, revenue of $197m, including
Woolworths could increase about $94m from poker U
S Bally Technologies,
a leader in slots, video
machines and man-
its poker machines from machines. Woolworths and agement systems, received
11,000 to nearly 12,000. Its Tabcorp are both keen to top honours in the 8th
move comes as its rival Coles increase their poker machine Annual Global Gaming
is considering selling its numbers. Their moves come Business Gaming & Tech-
hotels. The successful bidder at a time of uncertainty due to nology Awards, including
would acquire more than 900 the potential changes to regu- two first-place endorse-
poker machines. lation that could flow from a ments for games and
NLG, which has 31 lease- Productivity Commission systems innovation. Bally
hold pubs in NSW and inquiry into gambling, sched- earned two first places in
Queensland, now has a uled for 2010. the competition which
ranks among the gaming
industry's most prestigious
awards for technology,
products, and services that
enhance the gaming expe-
rience. The honours, deter-
mined by a prestigious
panel of judges with years
of gaming-industry experi-
ence, are designed to
recognise and encourage
the market are 20/25 line faces a shrinking domestic innovation and technology.
South
Australasia
1c/2c games (aka penny slots) market and competition from Richard Haddrill, Bally’s
players are hitting them at 10, high-end gaming venues that CEO, said: “With half of our
America
25 or 50 credits per line, result- have been earmarked for employees concentrating
ing in bets of up to $5 and $10 development in the Philip- on R&D, and a renewed
POLICY OR POLITICS? per spin without hesitation. pines and Singapore. focus on customer and
AUSTRALIA Ross Ferrar, Australia should be consid- player feedback, our new
COIN TECH ACHIEVES chief executive of Gaming ered a high line gaming sector. RM1M DAILY IN products are the most inno-
INSTALLATION LAND- Technologies Association and Players see value at betting ILLEGAL GAMBLING vative in our 77-year
MARK a leading commentator on the large on multiple lines.” MALAYSIA Illegal gambling history. We will continue
ARGENTINA Coin Tech, the Asia-Pacific gaming industry, in Malaysia amounts to RM1 working hard to deliver
entertainment and amusement has spoken out against plans million per day, while yearly it games that delight players
solutions provider, has installed to set a $1 limit on pokie
its flagship Game-System cash- machines in Australia. “With
Asia
is estimated at RM125.8 m, and drive revenue, and
according to Federal Criminal systems technology that
less payment system in 250 the ink on the Productivity Investigation Department provides operational effi-
arcades and FEC in various loca- Commission’s draft report on director Mohd Bakri. He said ciencies and new ways to
tions across the Americas. its gambling inquiry barely PACHINKO GROUP this was based on the depart- enhance customer service,
Game-System eliminates the dry, politically charged pro- PUSHES FOR ment’s investigation which tourism industry in the Arabian communication, and mar-
need for tokens orcoins, posals were made by Senator CASINOS has been running for three Gulf emirate, said it aims to lead keting.”
making business more prof- Nick Xenophon in an appar- JAPANThe Japanese govern- months, and the police were the destination to a new era of
itable, while at the same time ent attempt to hijack an other- ment lacks the will to legalise taking action to identify those measured expansion. The
eliminating employee fraud. wise sensible public debate,” casinos and let the country’s running illegal gambling, group said it is looking to
“The system uses rechargeable Ferrar said.“This pr ocess is not gaming industry compensate including internet gambling, as demonstrate strength and
magnetic cards as the unified yet complete and should not for declining tax revenue the operators tended to hide resilience against an operating
form of payment for all amuse- be demeaned. Opportunities amid deflation, according to illegal activities behind cyber background of consumer
ment facilities,” Coin Tech said. for all interested people to the head of pachinko maker cafe operations. Mohd Bakri shifts brought on by global
“The cards can be ‘sponsored’, express their views have been Universal Entertainment Cor- said he hoped the enforce- economic uncertainty.
which reduces costs, or printed made available during the poration. “In Japan, politicians ment agencies such as the local As with Dubai, Abu Dhabi
with the site logo or promo- next two months to inform are very weak in showing the councils would work hand in continues to attract a wealthy
tional information.” Following the inquiry further prior to its will to do something,” said hand with police in curbing expat and tourist demo-
the landmark installation, The final report.” UEC chairman Kazuo Okada, illegal gambling activities. graphic, and the region’s
Cordoba-based group said it who noted that Prime Minis- amusement-only gaming
would pursue expansion in ‘HIGH LINE’ MARKET ter Yukio Hatoyama’s Demo- ABU DHABI PLANS industry has experienced
new world markets. REVELATION cratic Party of Japan has not TOURISM EXPANSION tremendous growth over
AUSTRALIA An industry taken up the topic of legalis- ABU DHABI While Dubai recent years, with a range of
commentator in Australia, ing casinos since coming to struggles to come to terms gaming and entertainment
Arram Bekarian, believes that power in September. While with its major debt default, attractions being housed in
his country is not a low stake Japan’s pachinko industry is over the coming 12 months high-end retail spaces such as Bally’s John Connelly
gaming sector as many may still worth ¥21tn ($2.3bn) a the Abu Dhabi Tourism Author- the Abu Dhabi Mall and the and Gavin Isaacs with
believe. He told Games World: year, Okada wants the country ity, which manages, helps Marina Mall, along with several Quick Hit Diamond
“Although 70 per cent or so of to allow casinos because it develop and promote the standalone themed projects.
GamesWorld | 15 | December 2009/January 2010
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