G2E 2011
G2E 2011 G
aming executives might be forgiven for thinking, another year, another G2E, so it was a pleasant surprise for most to be greeted by a new venue, new layout and a resulting
energized exhibition. The venue certainly had its flaws – as any exhibitor will tell you, feeling the floor bounce like a trampoline when an empty forklift goes by is disconcerting at best – but these were compensated by a layout improved by the shape of the room. No more long walks from one end of the venue to the other; rather than the rectangular shape we are accustomed to, the room was more square, making navigation far easier. Also, the ‘streets’ in the venue were clearly named and were very visible; and there were far more people on hand at information booths or with signs to help those with questions. Small points, but all contributing to a far more enjoyable experience for visitors and exhibitors.
Just like in Macau, JCM presented arguably the most interesting technology at the show. At G2E Asia in Macau this past summer, they exhibited a game-changing table-top/side note sorter that, we said at the time, would be indispensible for Macau casinos if they could get the size of it down. Well, the next step was on show in Vegas, and it’s well on the way. With the progress this project – known as Project 8 – is showing already, we wouldn’t be surprised
AGA REPORT After many years of mid-November G2E
conventions at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the American Gaming Association (AGA) changed the date and the venue in 2011. This year’s trade show was held on October 4-6 at the Sands Expo Center, adjacent to the Venetian and Palazzo luxury hotel casinos. The three-day convention began, as it
traditionally does, with a media conference. AGA President and CEO Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. reported that as of the opening ribbon cutting ceremony, 440 exhibitors-including 80 international companies-had reserved
36 NOVEMBER 2011
to see it on live trials in 2012.
JCM came to the
show celebrating its recent contract win with the Aqueduct racino, which should see up to 5,000 installations of the company’s bill validators. It’s been a driving force behind the company’s message at the show, ‘Ride with the winner’, pushing forward the racing theme and the company’s position in the industry. This show marked the first time the company
had exhibited the Nanoptix thermal printer, which fits neatly into their product suite. With JCM’s innovation and weight behind it, expect the Nanoptix market share to grow. JCM has also been working with GPI on their
table game solution for bill handling; combining expertise is the way forward for many companies, and with these minds converging on a problem, expect a brilliant answer. The star of the stand for JCM though, was their mobile wallet technology. The concept is making the customer’s mobile phone a wallet; simple, but brilliant. M-commerce, as it’s sometimes referred to, is in use in many
250,000 square feet of exhibit space. Show organizers used the conference schedule to foster a more global approach to gaming. For example, considering Macau’s explosive revenue growth and other gaming opportunities throughout Asia, many seminars were planned with an international perspective. The uncertainty of Internet gaming remains one of the hottest topics in the U.S. The April 2011 arrests of 11 defendants, operating poker sites PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker, have delayed legislative opportunities. The FBI and the Attorney General of New York State have charged them with bank fraud,
A new venue for the Global Gaming Expo – but for better or worse? Casino International’s Sharon Harris and Jon Bruford found out
industries, but not gaming – yet. The player adds money to the phone using their bank card, for example; the phone connects using a wireless network (presumably 3G or secure WiFi would need to be part of a gaming floor for this to work flawlessly), adds funds to the player’s wallet. The player goes to a slot, uses a password on the phone, and moves the money on to the game to play. Then play as usual. After the game, the player’s wins or remaining cash, comes back to the phone. Quick, simple, and using an interface most people are familiar with now. This is a very exciting application of what is largely an existing technology, because in the context of a resort you can potentially have true player tracking resort-wide, and all from the player’s use of their own phone. Brilliant.
money laundering and illegal gambling. For years, the AGA has monitored the situation. The group now supports strong legislation, allowing the states to license and regulate online poker. Fahrenkopf reported on Fair Play USA
www.fairplayusa.com, a new advocacy group, that was formed in July 2011 to generate public support for Internet poker legislation.
Leaders include former FBI Director Louie
Freeh and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. The group aims to build support by educating such likely critics as consumer advocates, parenting experts and
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