GW08-p18-19-venues:Layout 1 21/12/09 13:30 Page 2
“I can’t think of another industry that has done more of its own
volition to help the proportionately small numbers who get into
problem gambling.” Geoffrey Godbold CEO | GREaT Foundation
Themed Attractions | China
Ocean Park
World
bucks IN BRIEF
downturn
ARGENTINA A session of the
Ocean Park has completed “one of the best years in its history”, as the Asian mega-resort continues to attract
Chamber of Deputies of Entre
visitors from around the world.
Rios was suspended after
members of the Civic Staff
Union of the Nation (UPCN)
unning counter nomic downturn, operator its position as the top-of- major MRP attraction - Opened in 1977, Ocean and the Association of State
R
to the current Ocean Park Corporation mind, must-see attraction in Amazing Asian Animals - fea- Park was built with dona- Workers (ATE), staged a
visitor slow- said it had to address visa Hong Kong. “Efforts to con- turing the iconic Giant tions from the Royal Hong protest against the controver-
down being control adjustments in main- stantly evolve have helped Panda Adventure. The next Kong Jockey Club - now sial proposed Tourism Law.
experienced by land China, in addition to a reinforce Ocean Park as a stage Ocean Express funicu- Hong Kong Jockey Club - Employees at casinos, bingo
many theme parks in the range of natural disasters key tourist icon for Hong lar system opened in Sep- and, as opposed to catering halls and casinos who are rep-
region, Ocean Park in Hong and the swine flu outbreak, Kong,” the company said. tember. solely for the wealthy Hong resented by the ATE argue that
Kong has reported near during the year. “While Ocean Park has expe- Allan Zeman, chairman of Kong or expat community, if a privately-run casino is
record attendance in fiscal With the mainland rienced the same ups and the park’s operations, added: has always sought to offer opened nearby they could face
2009. In the year ending June accounting for close to half downs as the rest of the “Ocean Park once again affordable marine animal around 1,000 job losses. Con-
30, 2009, more than 4.8m the number of guests visit- world, its financial status made a strong contribution education and entertain- gressman Juan Carlos Almada
guests visited the marine- ing annually, OPC said it has remains robust and the Park to our community, our ment for all. (PJ Victoria) stated: “We actu-
themed park in Hong Kong - demonstrated its commit- is well-positioned for economy and our tourism In March 2005, OPC ally see more than 600 families
a figure that stands just five ment to the market with the further growth.” industry, while touching the announced a master plan to are concerned about a fifty per
per cent shy of the 5.03m opening of its second repre- OPC board member and a lives of people from around redevelop the park into the cent drop in at the Victoria
reached in the previous sentative office in Shanghai member of the legislative the world. Looking forward, “world’s best marine-based Casino of people playing table
financial year. Revenues and commenced prepara- council, Patrick Lau Sau- we have wonderful oppor- theme park”, doubling the games and a 35 per cent drop
during the year totalled tions for a new office in shing, said the venue’s tunities for growth, in terms number of attractions and in people playing the slots
HK$893.5m ($115.3m), pro- Beijing. New consumer HK$5.55bn ($716m) master of spare land for further establishing itself as a must- because of ‘mega ventures’
viding a profit of HK$98.6m campaigns in Ocean Park’s redevelopment project is development, and our see destination that would being carried out in the nearby
($12.7m). stronghold markets in the progressing well. In April, proven ability to build traffic further strengthen Hong city of Rosario.” He warned: “If
In addition to the negative Pearl River Delta region also the park celebrated the from many geographic and Kong as a premier tourist lawmakers are not willing to
effects of the global eco- helped Ocean Park maintain grand opening of the first demographic markets.” destination. discuss a topic as serious as
this, it will put the livelihoods of
a large pool of employees at
Award | Germany
risk.” The Civic Staff Union
endorsed the opposition to the
project “that would open the
door to a dangerously indis-
criminate and costly process of
Provincial FEC takes prestigious German award
installing gaming rooms in
tourist enterprises whose
provincial interests depend
only on the discretion of the
Klaus Heinen, leader of the German Venue Review Commission, and Dirk Lamprecht, MD of AWI Machine-Business-
governor of the time.” The
UPCN and the ATE want the
Info, have presented the Top-Spiel Fun Center in Haag, Oberbayern, with the prestigious Golden Jack award. state monopoly on gambling to
remain, in order to protect their
union members’ jobs.
T
he Top-Spiel Fun the venue freshness and MEXICO Grupo Diniz, based
Center, run by family charm. The overall atmos- in Mexico City, now operates
firm Karl Höcket- phere is intended to create nearly 30 family entertainment
staller, recently received an atmosphere of excite- centres across the whole of the
the annual Golden Jack ment and happiness. country, and has recently
award, which is acclaimed The seven-member unveiled two further premises
as the highest honour in team, led by Miriam in Spain.
the German FEC industry. Jacob, provides visitors
It is the third time the firm with a professional and USA Trains have become an
has received the award for friendly service 23 hours a unlikely new venue for vending
one of its FECs. day. machines in the US. The North
Explaining the decision Commenting on the Carolina Department of Trans-
behind awarding the Golden Jack award, Petra poration recently unveiled the
Bavaria-based FEC the Höcketstaller stated: first rail car in the US to offer
honour, Klaus Heinen of pool tables and our elec- “This award motivates us automated vending machines
the German Venue Review tronic darts are real not only from an opera- that will dispense food, drinks
Commission stated: “The crowd-pullers,” stated co- tional point of view. It has and confectionery to passen-
Top-Spiel Fun Center has CEO Petra Höcketstaller. brought a great deal of gers. In addition to the free
established itself as a par- The Top-Spiel Fun pride to our team that has coffee, hot chocolate and
ticularly good venue, Center has an American played a very large part in bottled water offered to pas-
because it meets all the theme. Adorning its walls making it a top FEC.” sengers in the past, the new
criteria, ranging from the are photos of the Golden The Karl Höcketstaller car will offer sodas, juice,
location, décor, a diverse Gate Bridge, the Las Vegas firm was founded in 1962, candy, crackers, crisps, and
range of entertainment strip and Route 66, while as an operator in the other items in the vending
equipment for children, American car registration vending industry. Nowa- machines. At just 50 cents per
through to the implemen- centre situated in Haag, taste, including cash plates hang from the days, the company’s oper- item, the price was intentionally
tation of its customer which has a population of payout coin-op gaming, ceiling. Billboards in ating subsidiary runs five kept low in order to allow
service.” just 6,000 in the foothills of internet terminals, touch- bright colours adorn the FECs and 50 restaurants in people to purchase items
For nearly two years, the Alps, has offered screen gaming, billiards rooms which are decked Bavaria and Upper without having to pay too
the family entertainment entertainment for every and darts. “Currently, our out in bright red, to give Bavaria. much, said DOT officials.
GamesWorld | 19 | December 2009/January 2010
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