Inside Asian Gaming

August 2010 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 47 Briefs property have been robust and we are gratified by the overwhelming reception the property has received,” LVS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Adelson said in a statement. On the Vegas Strip, LVS said its net revenues declined 5.4% to $276.2 million during the second quarter. The Venetian and Palazzo resorts reported increased gaming volumes, improved group booking volumes and improved hotel occupancy during the three- month period. However, results were negatively impacted by low table games win percentage. EU court reaffirms Sweden’s right to ban online gambling The European Union Court of Justice ruled last month that EU countries have the right to ban online gambling. The Swedish case before the court concerned newspapers running ads for foreign bookmakers. Sweden had prosecuted on the basis of violating the country’s lottery laws, the individuals then appealed the prosecution and the ECJ was consulted. ECJ found in favour of the right of countries to ban online gambling being consistent with “community law”, but would not allow countries, such as Sweden, to impose what it termed “discriminatory penalties”. IGT profit up despite revenue dip Reno-based IGT said its net income for the quarter that ended 30th June was US$94.6 million, or 32 cents per share. In the same quarter a year ago, IGT reported net income of $62.2 million, or 21 cents a share. Without one-time charges, IGT would have earned 21 cents a share during the quarter. Revenues fell 5.3% in the quarter to $489.7 million, compared with $517.3 million a year ago. IGT said 56% of the quarterly revenues came from slot machines where the company shares in profits with casino operators. As for direct sales of slot machines, IGT’s revenues decreased 8% from a year ago. In North America, IGT’s slot machine sales revenues decreased 16% in the quarter, mainly because there were fewer openings of casinos in the three-month period compared to a year ago. Internationally, however, sales revenues increased 8% for the quarter,primarilyduetofavorable foreign currency exchange. IGT said its sales were boosted by the opening of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, in addition to improved sales in Mexico. IGT sold 4,500 slot machines domestically during the quarter, compared with 6,700 a year ago. Internationally, the company sold 5,400 machines, compared with 5,500 games last year. However, the sales margins for all slot machines were up three percentage points. IGT CEO Patti Hart said the company benefited from last year’s corporate restructuring program. “Despite challenges in the broader marketplace, we continue to manage our business to increasing levels of efficiencies,” Hart said. “Our efforts have resulted in the generation of significant cash flow for reinvestment into the business in areas that create innovative and customer centric products and services.” IGT Chief Operating Officer Eric Tom said several of the company’s newest slot machines have helped boost sales figures. Since it was introduced earlier this year, some 1,300 slot machines themed after the HBO television series “Sex and the City” have been placed in casinos. Bally re-enters Australia and New Zealand gaming market Bally Technologies, Inc, a leader in slots, video machines, casino- management and networked and server- based systems for the global gaming industry, announced this month that it has appointed veteran Australian gaming executives Michael McNee and Ron Jeffrey to help lead its return to the Australian and New Zealand gaming market. McNee steps into the role of Managing Director of Bally Australia, and Jeffrey assumes the position of Sales Manager for BallyAustralia. Both will be based out of Bally’s new regional office in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. “We couldn’t be more pleased that longtime gaming industry experts and my former colleagues Michael McNee and Ron Jeffrey have agreed to help lead Bally’s advance into Australia and New Zealand,” said Gavin Isaacs, Bally Technologies’ Chief Operating Officer. “Michael and Ron will be teaming up with Cath Burns, Vice President and Managing Director of Bally Asia-Pacific, who is also an Australian. This experienced team’s understanding of the gaming market in Australia and New Zealand ensures that we will hit the ground running as we introduce our award-winning portfolio of industry-leading games and systems technology to Australia.” Michael McNee recently joined Bally Technologies after serving in a consulting capacity with Bally for the past year. In his new full- time management role, McNee will be principally responsible for the Company’s overall product and marketing strategy for the Australia and New Zealand gaming market. He comes to Bally after a very successful 18-year career with Aristocrat Technologies. Most recently, McNee was Aristocrat’s General Manager, Games and Licensing. Ron Jeffrey’s responsibilities will include overseeing sales operations activities and customer- relationship management throughout the Australia and New Zealand region. Jeffrey brings more than a decade of sales experience within the gaming industry, with a specific focus on the Asian and Australian gaming markets. Most recently, Jeffrey was National Sales Manager for Aruze Gaming, Australia. Ron Jeffrey Michael McNee