News INTERNATIONAL UPDATE Argentine credit clampdown


The Argentine government has imposed measures to prevent players using their credit cards


THE IRISH GAMING SHOW IN DUBLIN proved to be the perfect setting for Amatic Industries to launch its slant top Performer Grand Arc to the Irish market. Genesis Games is the long-standing partner for Amatic Industries in the UK and Ireland. Hans Bierrum and his team showed the new Performer series from AMATIC Industries. The upright Performer C22 gaming machine is a dual-monitored ergonomic gaming machine now firmly established in the Irish market where Amatic games consistently top the performance list.


The electronic roulette Grand Jeu from Amatic Industries is the number one choice for many operators in Ireland. Strong market share continues as operators look to update their arcades with the modern Grand Jeu 22WS. Thomas Engstberger, Sales Manager at AMATIC Industries (pictured right), confirms AMATIC’s popularity in Ireland, stating: “Alongside our popular feature-rich games, our fruit- based games are being played more and more. We are dedicated to offer the Irish market our latest technology and introducing the Performer Grand Arc cabinet here shortly after its international premiere in London at the ICE underlines our commitment. This was a very good show for us to display our innovations.”


REFLEX GAMING HAS CONFIRMED TWO new appointments to its recently created sales team as Steve Clark and Martin Austin join the UK’s largest supplier of Category C machines. “We are very pleased to announce that Steve has joined the team as sales executive. He has excellent experience of inland and coastal arcades as well as FECs, single sites, pubs and clubs,” says Reflex Managing Director, Quentin Stott. “Martin’s skills and contacts perfectly complement our sales team and along with Surj and Steve, we can ensure that every market sector that we currently supply will be well catered for. This is a very exciting time of growth for the company and it is more important than ever that we remain close to our customers and continue to supply machines that perform well in the market.”


The Argentine government has announced plans to block credit card transactions with foreign casinos and online gaming sites. The measure, which went into effect March 15, is the latest in a series of moves to restrict the flow of dollars out of the central bank and bolster the value of the Argentine peso. In the face of rising inflation, which currently stands at 23 per cent, the government has initiated a number of measures designed to dissuade Argentines from using dollars and stop the flight of savings from the country. In July 2012 the government banned people from buying dollars for the purpose of saving them and Argentines are only permitted $100 a day when travelling outside the country.


Since August 2012 Argentines must pay a 15 per cent tax surcharge on all credit card transactions made abroad and this went up to 25 per cent on March 19. Argentines eager to find ways to avoid the restrictions have resorted to the black market with the unofficial rate now standing at a record 8.8 pesos per dollar while the official rate is 5.10 pesos.


Now the government will block Argentines from using their credit and debit cards to gamble via offshore gaming sites. The Central Bank issued a statement


Mexico calls time on illegal slots operations


The Mexican government has confirmed that the country’s slot sector is to be regulated and taxed with illegal operators being closed down and prosecuted. Slot operations will be restricted to operators holding licences following proposed regulation that has the backing of President Felipe Calderon.


Currently, 29 companies have permits with the main operators being Grupo Caliente, chain Yak and Play City, a subsidiary of Televisa. Another important part of the new law is that licences will only be issued for individual properties and not across


multiple facilities. In Mexico, 52 gaming halls operate without formal permission from the Ministry of the Interior but via judicial suspensions granted by courts or tribunals, according to the latest report of the Directorate General of Gaming.


Although these venues belong to companies with operating permits, they must now comply with any applicable Federal, state or municipal laws, to avoid closure or court action. Another 16 facilities operate under a regulatory exemption criteria, but also without formal permission from the federal agency.


Before the new


measures those with a bank


account abroad


simply deposited money in online gaming accounts


and then withdrew the cash abroad in another account in dollars. These


transactions were made mostly in neighbouring


Uruguay a short


ferry trip away from capital, Buenos Aires.


SPIELO partners


the Olympic Group SPIELO International has partnered with Olympic Entertainment Group to install 100+ EGMs in Olympic Casino properties in five countries. Trials began in late 2012, and they have been so successful that the casinos have ordered more machines for 2013 installation. Olympic Casino Poland launched the HOT & WiLD slots at their property with hostesses dressed as the Nurse character from the game. In addition to diversity, the multi-game solution that offers 10 games of varying volatility on one machine, Olympic Casino in Estonia has also installed Egyptian Gold, SPIELO’s first progressive link using EPiSODiC GAMiNG. “From the first day Egyptian Gold was on the floor, it caught our players’ attention, with players standing in a queue for their chance to play,” said Piret Barlo, Purchase Manager, OEG. “The promotion built on this interest, and we have high expectations that the popularity of the new SPIELO International games will continue to grow.” Cameron McKeown, Regional Sales Manager, SPIELO International said: “Our diversity multi-game suite is a player favourite in casinos the world over, and the Egyptian Gold progressive is garnering great interest, particularly in Latin America, so we are thrilled to see it in the European market as well.”


April 2013 PAGE 19


to the credit card and banking sectors which ruled that from now on "financial institutions and other local card issuers must have the prior approval of the Central Bank to act on foreign currency transactions using credit and debit cards issued in the country, when they are used either directly or indirectly via international payment networks for the participation in different kinds of gambling and betting."


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