G3Newswire NORTH AMERICA NEWS
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US – SUZO-HAPP PROMOTES BRENDEL TO CHAIRMAN Suzo-Happ has announced a new leadership structure to reflect the growth and diversification that the company has successfully achieved over the last few years.
President and CEO, James Brendel, has been elevated to Chairman of the Board of Suzo-Happ effective imme- diately. He will relinquish his day-to-day responsibilities as President and CEO allowing him to focus on the strategic direction of the company. Matt Brown, Marcel Oelen and Ron Partridge will report directly to the Board of Directors. Mr. Brown, who will continue as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will work directly with the Company’s Asia Pacific and Global Bill-to-Bill leaders. Mr. Oelen will continue as Managing Director responsible for the company’s interests in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Mr. Partridge will continue as President, Americas responsible for the Company’s interests in North and South America.
US – NOVOMATIC STRENGTHENS ITS AMERICAS TEAM Rick Meitzler moves from his current position as VP of Sales-North America to become President of NOVOMATIC Americas Sales, LLC. Furthermore he takes over the posi- tion as Senior Vice President for North America, thus encompassing NOVOMATIC’s expansion into both US and Canadian markets. Meitzler will also have responsibility for such additional business areas as Cruise Lines and the important Caribbean market.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Levy will change from his present post as General Manager, Crown Gaming Peru, to become NOVOMATIC’s Senior Vice President for Central and South America, taking up additional responsibility for the Group’s many subsidiary companies throughout the region. Both Mr Meitzler and Mr Levy will report directly to the NOVOMATIC Board of Directors.
US – INTERBLOCK APPOINTS NEW GLOBAL CEO John Connelly has been appointed as Interblock’s Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Connelly’s extensive background in the Gaming Sector, within both the US and International markets, will help provide Interblock the necessary leadership needed to increase the company’s market position, revenue and profitability in the years to come.
“John Connelly will bring vision, focus and a wealth of experi- ence to Interblock’s continuation of our great success story and I ‘m confident that with John’s leadership our expectation for the future will be achieved,” said Joc Pececnik, Interblock Owner and Chairman of the Board.
“I am honoured to be given this opportunity to join such a dynamic and ambitious organisation, with a clear and focused mission to provide the casino sector with the neces- sary products to remain competitive.” Mr. Connelly said. “I look forward to working with Interblock's dedicated team employees to expand upon their achievements, through new
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THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF GAMING
The American Gaming Association has revealed figures from a commissioned report into the positive impact of gaming Nevada - Economic Study
Oxford Economics examines the vast, positive economic impact of the gaming industry on Nevada’s economy, including the stat that the US gaming industry employs more people than the air transportation industry.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has released a first-of-its-kind study, which measures the industry’s significant ripple effect on the supply chain, including local businesses. Oxford Economic’s study found that Nevada’s gaming industry contributes more than $53bn to Nevada’s economy, supports approximately 425,000 Nevada jobs and more than $18.8bn in income, and generates $7.9bn in tax revenues to local, state and federal governments.
“This study shows that gaming is driving big results in Nevada,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the AGA. “However, given increased competition and changing consumer demands, our future success depends on strong partnerships with policymakers that allow us to innovate, reinvest and create more jobs.”
“The research reveals a vast industry that boosts local communities across Nevada by supporting jobs and generating customers for businesses,” said Adam Sacks, Director, Oxford Economics. “The industry also supports a wide range of government services in the state.”
According to a recent poll conducted by respected pollsters Mark Mellman and Glen Bolger, voters across the political spectrum view casino gaming more favourably than ever before. Further, the vast majority recognises that casino gaming creates jobs, strengthens local businesses and benefits communities.
Oxford’s study is the first-ever to analyse data from US commercial casinos, tribal casinos and gaming equipment manufacturers, presenting the most comprehensive assessment undertaken of the gaming industry’s economic impact. The study was released by the American Gaming Association as part of its ‘Get to Know Gaming’ campaign.
As total casino gaming revenues have reached historic highs, so have total wages paid to casino employees. In order for the gaming industry to continue serving as an economic catalyst, policymakers must work with industry leaders to create policy environments that enable their communities to better compete with other markets, and that help to maximise gaming’s ability to innovate, reinvest and contribute to local communities.
Amaya to buy stock, divest assets and sell Cadillac Jack
CANADA Amaya Gaming is to buy back some of its own stock with the plan being to separate its B2B assets to focus on maximising its PokerStars brand. Amaya said it will buy back and cancel up to 5,399,631 common shares, accounting for five per cent of the public float, over the coming year.
The company said in a statement: “Amaya believes that its current share price does not reflect the underlying value of the Corporation, and that purchasing shares for cancellation will increase the proportionate interest of, and be advantageous to, all remaining shareholders. The Corporation intends to buy back common shares for cancellation from time to time when it deter- mines the price at which they are trading is undervalued and that such purchases provide the best
use of available cash. The Canadian-based operator and manufacturer has also finalised a plan to sell its B2B poker network Ongame Network to gaming solu- tions firm NYX Gaming Group.
The group advised: “Amaya made a strategic investment in NYX Gaming Group via a subscription of an unsecured convertible deben- ture, which matures two years after the date of issuance and bears interest at six per cent per annum, payable at maturity. I
On December 30, 2014, NYX Gaming Group announced that it had completed its initial public offering and its shares have started trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol The company is still seeking alterna- tives to its ownership of the Cadillac Jack B2B land-based slot manufacturer.
Nevada Las Vegas reached a historic milestone, exceeding 40m visitors for the first time. The tourism industry in Southern Nevada continues to expand, achieving 10 consecutive months of visitor volume increases, with many of those months being the best on record. Vegas has surpassed its record for annual visitation, drawing more than 40m people in 2014. The previous record was set in 2012 with more than 39,727,000 tourists. “Las Vegas couldn’t have reached this milestone without the continued investments of our resort partners, and the more than 40m people who came to experience all the destination has to offer,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, President/CEO of LVCVA.
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