Inside Asian Gaming

44 INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | August 2013 INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Gamache Out at WMS Scientific Games Corp. is restructuring in the wake of its pending US$1.5 billion merger with WMS Industries under a new executive team. Gone is Brian Gamache, longtime WMS chairman and chief executive, who will serve in a “consulting capacity” as the integration of the two companies is completed, the New York-based, Nasdaq- listed lottery and systems giant said. WMS President Orrin Edidin will move into a new role as senior vice president, Strategy and Business Development, within a newly formed Gaming division. “We are uniting two highly complementary businesses and creating a collaborative team focused on delivering new solutions, truly innovative content, world-class technology and industry- leading services to customers around the globe,” said SciGames Chairman and CEO Lorne Weil. The Gaming division, consisting of the core slot manufacturing business of WMS Gaming together with Williams Interactive, SciGames’ server-based operations in the UK and the gaming systems businesses of the two companies, will be headed byWilliam J. Huntley. Mr Huntley currently is executive vice president and CEO of SciGames Systems. Reporting to him will be Ken S. Lochiatto, president and chief operating officer of WMS Gaming, SciGames CFO Scott Schweinfurth and CTO Steven Beason. A reorganized Lottery divisionwill be headed by James Kennedy, who will report directly to Mr Weil. SciGames entered into an agreement in January to acquireWMS for $26 in cash per share. The deal is winding its way through various regulatory approvals but is expected to close in the fall. Vegas Hand To Run Bahamas Super-Resort Gaming industry veteran Paul V. Pusateri has been named chief operating officer of the US$3.5 billion Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas. He also will serve as general manager of its centerpiece, the 1,000 hotel rooms and 100,000-square-foot casino constituting Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, scheduled to open in December 2014 under contract with William Weidner’s Global Gaming Asset Management. “Paul’s experience in developing, opening and operating successful casinos and luxury resorts will help us to position Baha Mar as a premier global gaming destination,” said Sarkis Izmirlian, chairman and CEO of the sprawling 1,000-acre beachfront development, billed as the largest single-phase resort project in the history of the Caribbean. Mr Pusateri most recently was COO of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and prior to that was president of the Palms Casino Resort and Palms Place, an off-Strip boutique property famous, like the Hard Rock, for its nightlife and culinary attractions. He is a former senior vice president of The Venetian and The Palazzo resorts on the Strip, both owned by Las Vegas Sands, which Mr Weidner guided for years as president and chief operating officer. Mr Pusateri joined the gaming industry in 1996 as president of Paris Las Vegas, which he helped open while serving as president of its sister property Bally’s Las Vegas. He started his career with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Mr Izmirlian hailed him for “his casino and hospitality management skills” which he said “will help us to recruit, train and develop the best employees … which will be essential to our long- term success.” Located near Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport and largely Chinese-funded, Baha Mar will feature Rosewood, Mondrian and Grand Hyatt hotels, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, an array of restaurants, nightclubs and lounges, a luxury spa, a 2,000- seat theater, an art gallery and 20 acres of beachfront amenities. Plans for the casino call for 1,500 machine games and 150 live tables. Global Growth Marks Strong ‘13 for Ainsworth Ainsworth Game Technology posted a 37% increase in pre-tax profit for the 2013 financial year to A$69.3 million on robust revenue growth in Australia and South America and a continuing ramp-up of the company’s North America business. The ASX-listed slot maker (AGI) generated $198.1 million in total revenues, a 32% jump over 2012, driven by 21% growth in its domestic markets to $124.4 million. Revenues out of Victoria more than tripled. The company’s share of the New South Wales club market rose from 13% last year to 17%. Orders and deliveries in Queensland also were up. Corporate-wide, an increase in tax drove down the bottom line by 19% to $52.2 million (16 cents per share). But it was a solid year in terms of performance. International revenues rose 55% to $73.7 million, boosted by strong results in South America, where turnover from sales and leases rose 77% and contributed to a 56% increase in the company’s installed base of machines in theWestern Hemisphere to 1,156, with another 512 in trial. In all, sales outside Australia accounted for 37% of the top line in 2013. With an eye on growth in North America, Ainsworth announced that it has purchased 24 acres in Las Vegas to expand its manufacturing, distribution and service capabilities. “The land will allow the company to establish a purpose-built facility considerably greater in size than the currently occupied premises,” said CEO Danny Gladstone. The company is forecasting at least 15% growth for the first half of fiscal 2014, which commenced 1st of July. For 2013, a final dividend of 5 cents per share—8 cents for the year—will be payable on 27th September, the company said. Brian Gamache Paul V. Pusateri