Inside Asian Gaming

45 July 2013 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS billion in economic activity for the country each year, and overseas visitors spend an average of $4,500 per trip. In fiscal 2012, the State Department issued almost 9 million visas worldwide, an increase of nearly 19%. In China and Brazil, the demand increased 34%. Those numbers are expected to increase as the government continues to expand the Visa Waiver Program, which currently numbers 37 countries. Taiwan joined in November 2012, making it the newest country added. Most of Europe is in the program, as are major Asia-Pacific nations such as Japan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Chile recently was nominated for inclusion. The program allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States visa-free for stays of up to 90 days for business or pleasure. Guam’s Senate Votes to Phase Out Gambling Guam’s Senate has passed a bill to make all gambling in the US territory illegal after the government pays off the debt of its financially troubled public hospital. A report in Pacific Daily News says the sunset provision, which passed unanimously, is contingent on gambling continuing until its proceeds are sufficient to retire the roughly US$18.8 million Guam Memorial Hospital owes vendors for services to uninsured patients and for bad debt. However, the precise amount of the debt hasn’t been determined, the newspaper said, and the $18.8 million figure, an estimate as of March, will not be part of the final version of the bill sent to Gov. Eddie Calvo, who will have 10 business days to decide how to act on the bill. The measure comes after several days of heated debate over the island’s gambling machines and whether gambling is legal on the Pacific Ocean island, the largest of the US Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. Voters earlier this year rejected a proposal that would have legalized commercial bingo at the Guam Greyhound Park. The measure also had been a subject of intense public discussion. Supporters, led by Guam-Japan Friendship Village, said commercial bingo would boost the island’s economy and benefit educational, health and safety programs through a 20% “business privilege tax” on gross income. Opponents said it would hurt non-profit entities that rely on charity bingo for fund-raising and would lead to other forms of gambling. Non-profit bingo generated more than $10.5 million in sales in 2011 and paid out $8.7 million in prizes, according to local reports. Meanwhile, a separate bill to tax gambling machines and establish a Guam Gaming Commission died last month amid ongoing fighting between the Attorney General’s Office, the Tax Department, machine owners and lawmakers on all sides of the legality issue. The Tax Department renewed licenses for more than 200 machines last month over the objection of Attorney General Leonardo Rapadas, who maintains the machines are illegal because Guam law prohibits licensing gambling devices. The Tax Department justified its action on the basis of administrative rules and regulations that are less clear on the matter. Mr Calvo likewise disagreed with Mr Rapadas’ assessment, saying his office had reviewed the laws and determined the machines are operating legally. Hialeah Park Casino Selects MEI Cash Management Solutions for Opening The Hialeah Park Casino has specified all its 882 slot machines use both SC Advance and EASITRAX Soft Count. “We are very confident that MEI is the right partner for us and will assist us in our number one goal of providing a great customer experience on the casino floor as it relates to the note acceptors,” said Steve Calabro, Hialeah Park Casino vice president and general manager of casino operations. “MEI’s consultative approach— combined with its impressive resume—gave us the confidence to not only specify MEI, but use its products as core elements to implementing a comprehensive cash management system. “Additionally, labor savings from a streamlined drop process and customizable reports driving proactive maintenance practices will help us be efficient from day one. Knowing MEI’s experience, and its commitment to the profitability of its customers, offers tremendous confidence.” SC Advance has evolved from the industry-proven CASHFLOW SC note acceptor, and according to the company it applies “new technology and market knowledge to make a great product even better.” It features enhanced recognition technology, faster note-to- note speed, improved barcode recognition and capacity to accept more than 100 different currencies and denominations. SC Advance also claims the industry’s best acceptance rate for valid street-grade notes, including those that are wet, crinkled or torn. The ability to enhance SC Advance with EASITRAX Soft Count, which is now installed in over 100,000 games worldwide, has evolved MEI’s role as a components supplier to a cash management partner. EASITRAX is an integrated software/ hardware system that boosts casino profits by streamlining the overall cash management process. Hialeah Park Casino