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CHILE - ENJOY HOPES TO CONTINUE IN VIÑA DEL MAR A company executive from Enjoy has stated that revenues in Chile are beginning to improve after being hit by the smoking ban and stated that the company plans to continue to oper- ate the casino Viña del Mar in 2015 once the municipal licences end.
General Manager of the casino of Viña del Mar Rodolfo Prat said that the company has a long standing bond with the local community and expressed his hope that Enjoy will con- tinue to run the casino in the Municipality of Viña del Mar even if the casino comes under the supervision of the Chilean Gaming Control Board next year.
Referring to the fact that from the beginning of 2016 the seven municipal casinos will come under the supervision of the Chilean Gaming Board and the tax will be split equally between the local municipality and the central government, Mr. Prat said that the handing over of control to the Gaming Control Board would not greatly affect its operations. This was because the company’s “philosophy is to do things right, independent of the regulator who audits us,” he said.
Mr. Prat went on to explain the reason behind the company’s good fortunes in Chile. “Revenues have recovered gradually. And today we are on a good footing, as we have been able to respond to all the needs of our customers,” he said. The casi- no in Viña del Mar has experienced improved revenue over recent months as a result of a rethinking of the management model that has allowed the company to increase the number of visitors and average bets with the strategy leading to a 29 percent growth in slot machine revenue compared to last year.
URUGUAY - IGT AND HRU SOAR TO PANDORA IGT, and one of Uruguay’s most prominent casino operators, HRU, are taking flight to Pandora, announcing the simultane- ous rollout of IGT’s award-winning title, James Cameron’s Avatar Video Slots, at two Entertainment Maroñas properties across Uruguay.
“James Cameron’s Avatar™ is steeped in both exceptional entertainment and industry-leading innovation,” said Janine Roth, IGT VP of Sales for South America, Central America and the Caribbean. “This game enables our valued partners at Entertainment Maroñas to engage with players who seek the most cutting-edge, compelling gaming experience.”
“We are excited to bring our customers one of the most- anticipated game releases of the year,” said Carlos Benavides, Marketing Manager at HRU. “James Cameron’s Avatar™ Video Slots delivers a truly cinematic experience that puts players right in the middle of the highest-grossing movie of all time. Having best-in-class content allows us to maintain our foothold as one of the premier casino destina- tions in Uruguay.”
Housed on IGT’s Center Stage® platform and boasting jaw- dropping visuals and impressive surround-sound audio, James Cameron’s Avatar™ Video Slots continues to turn heads on casino floors around the world. In this captivating gaming experience, players can explore unlocked content, enjoy customizable options and view never-before-seen bonus content – making players feel as though they have taken flight to Pandora.
BANKS UNFAIRLY PENALISE CASINOS
The casino industry in Panama has been unfairly maligned with claims that casinos are unable to open bank accounts
Panama - Operations
The casino industry in Panama has been hit by a scandal with claims that casinos are unable to open bank accounts due to the fact that they have become unfairly associated with money launder- ing. The claims were made during the Eighteenth Hemispheric Congress on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism held in Panama City. Organised by the Banking Association of Panama the confer- ence attracts officials and representatives from financial institutions including banks, credit unions, currency exchanges, casinos, insurance companies, and brokerage houses from around the world
President of the organising committee, Julio Aguirre said that casinos are increasingly having problems with the money transfer agencies authorised to operate in the Republic of Panama - a situation which is particularly serious in light of the fact that casinos all operate under licence by the state. However, casinos are sometimes being denied banking services due to fear that cash pay- ments in casinos have made them vulnerable to money laundering practices by criminal elements.
Mr. Aguirre urged the government to take steps whereby a detailed risk profile and assessment could be drawn and analysed thoroughly before shutting down accounts simply because they con- sidered to be high risk. Rather than distancing
legitimate businesses the banks and other finan- cial institutions should draw up profiles which would only exclude only very high risk clients he said.
Panama has been a bright spot in the industry ever since 1998 when the government passed a wide sweeping gaming law which permitted casi- nos as long as they were part of five star hotel with a minimum of 300 rooms. The boom has coincided with Panama’s growing tourist industry and the gaming market in Panama is showing signs of continued growth. Currently there are 18 fully fledged casinos and 26 slot parlours nation- wide. According to the latest statistics, annual earnings for the casino industry in Panama stood at U.S$ 105m while slot parlours earned US$224m last year with the industry employing 7,000 peo- ple.
CPI expands distribution its agreement with Permaquim
ARGENTINA Crane Payment Innovations (CPI) has expanded its distribution agreement with Permaquim S.A. to enhance service in the Latin American gaming market. The goal of this strategic partnership is to increase service across Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay with the MEI SC Advance and Money Controls Ardac Elite note accep- tors.
CPI has already achieved the largest installed base in Latin America. Under the revised agreement, Permaquim S.A. will continue distributing and provid- ing service and support not only for SC Advance but now also Ardac Elite.
“Permaquim has an exceptional track record of providing high- quality equipment and technical
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support in the markets they serve,” said Eric Fisher, CPI President of Gaming. “They’re responsive to customers in a manner that provides service con- sistent with the CPI value propo- sition. Our strengthened relation- ship with Permaquim is a com- mitment to offer Latin American gaming operators a one-stop shop for industry-leading products and service.”
Permaquim will be able to assist operators with questions and rec- ommendations for upgrading to SC Advance and Ardac Elite.
“Our partnership with CPI has given us the experience and expertise to put our company in a position of absolute leadership,” said Paul Roger, General Manager at Permaquim S.A. “Now, we can satisfy the needs of gaming opera- tors better than ever before.”
Mexico New Gaming legislation could be passed into law as early as this month according to Fernando Zárate Salgado President of the Commission of Gaming in the Chamber of Deputies. The new law aims to regulate gaming in the country, safeguard the rights of players and prevent money laundering. Crucially, the new law has found multi party consensus in its draft stage and has been developed alongside all seven political parties in the Lower House. In addition those involved in the local industry have also been consulted during the process including major players such as Caliente, Televisa and Codere. The law will ban the so called umbrella licences whereby operators were able to operate multiple locations under a single licence.
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