News Update 7th January 2007

Gambling Commission now receiving licence applications

UK: The British Gambling Commission is now receiving applications for operating licences and personal licences.

"Anyone who wishes to provide facilities for gambling, or to manufacture supply, install, repair or adapt a gaming machine or gambling software from September 1, 2007, is required to hold a licence authorising the specific activity to be undertaken," the commission stated.

The commission said that anyone wishing to provide facilities for betting, gaming or participating in a lottery will require a licence. Such facilities may be provided remotely (via the internet or telephone) or on premises (including on course).

There are three categories of licence - operating, personal and premises - and some businesses may need all three kinds. The commission issues operating licences and personal licences, while premises licences are issued by local authorities.

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Intralot eyes National Lottery licence

GREECE: Greek Lottery operator Intralot is expected to announce it will enter the race for the UK's National Lottery licence after working on the bid with Ladbrokes, although the betting firm is now understood to have pulled out of the project.

Indian lottery operator Sugal and Damani has already confirmed it will fight for the licence, prompting what is considered to be the biggest competition since the lottery started in 1994.

Banks saddle up for Tote selling plate

UK: The UK government has invited investment banks to pitch for the mandate to auction state-owned bookmaker, the Tote.

The Telegraph newspaper reports that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport sent letters before the New Year asking to meet the banks, which include Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and Lazards to discuss the sales.

French casino industry in turmoil over pay dispute

FRANCE: Casino owners and employees in France face a stand-off after unions called the country's croupiers out on strike over an unresolved dispute regarding pay and new regulations which allow casinos to add electronic versions of poker and roulette games.

France's 17,000 casino workers have stated that more profits should be coming to them. After wage negotiations broke down, they went on strike on New Year's Eve - one of the busiest nights of the year. Casino operators are offering a two per cent pay rise, but the unions want to see this figure increased to five per cent.

The unions are also concerned about proposed changes in French law that will authorise electronic versions of games such as blackjack, and which they fear could result in the loss of up to 3,500 jobs.

RLMS, Amutec form distribution agreement

UK: Gaming and amusement machine distributor RLMS Sales has announced an exclusive contract with kiddie ride manufacturer Amutec. Under the agreement, RLMS will sell Amutec’s distinctive range of products throughout the UK.

“The new deal reflects our continued commitment to providing the best possible service and products to our customers and a new line of Amutec machines will also be making an appearance on our stand at ATEI 2007," said RLMS managing director Phil Boulton.

RLMS Sales was already familiar with Amutec as the company’s Chris Bell was previously Amutec’s sales manager and is currently developing RLMS’ machine distribution for the coastal and amusement sectors.

Nigel Collins, managing director of Amutec, said: “We made the decision to concentrate on our significant operation, Kiddies Rides (UK), and we believe that we have created a perfect partnership with RLMS, who will be handling our distribution.”

Boulton added: “We are significantly expanding our range of equipment with particular emphasis on the coastal market. To add such a quality product range as Amutec to our portfolio is fantastic and I look forward to working with Nigel and his brother Howard for many years to come.”

Orrick takes up AGI appointment

AUSTRIA: Austrian Gaming Industries, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Novomatic Group of Companies, has announced that David Orrick has joined the team to head up the firm’s communications and business development activities.

Orrick is a 13-year veteran of the gaming industry and a former award-winning industry journalist. He is a widely travelled and well-known figure with considerable experience of market development and gaming licence acquisition.

AGI managing director Jens Halle said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome David Orrick to the Novomatic family. He brings to AGI a wealth of international experience and professionalism and will be a valuable asset to the company at a time when many new markets are opening and new relationships are being formed.

“His appointment adds a new dimension to our team and I am certain that the results will be highly beneficial,” concluded Halle.

BACTA fundraiser to top £500,000

UK: The British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA), said industry revellers are on course to have raised £500,000 for good causes in a decade.

Organisers of the BACTA Charity Masked Ball said: “Every year the industry has excelled itself and dug deep, even when trading conditions have been unsympathetic.”

The event, which for decades has served as the traditional finale to ATEI, is this year being held in the Nine King's Suite at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel.

The change of venue has enabled BACTA to forecast an enhanced charitable contribution for 2007, a fact which the association's vice president Nick Harding is keen to underline: "Our industry has deservedly earned a reputation for being among the most generous in Britain.

“The BACTA Ball is our most important fundraiser of the year and I am delighted to say that the fantastic deal we have struck with The Royal Lancaster will mean even greater sums going to the organisations that we support and which care for the vulnerable and less fortunate in society,” Harding concluded.

Tickets for the 77th BACTA Charity Masked Ball, which is being held on Thursday, January 25 at 7pm, are priced £145 inclusive of VAT and are available from Linda Malcolm, tel: +44 20 7726 9826, or email: lindam@bacta.org.uk.

Funworld to launch new terminals at ATEI

AUSTRIA: Funworld of Austria is preparing to launch its new PRO Generation Photo Play terminals, System 2007 software and an entirely new trade fair concept at London’s ATEI 2007.

Marco Huter, Funworld’s chief sales officer, said: “We wish to provide visitors with an open communications platform by which to inform them of our product innovations in detail. We have created a separate area on the stand in which customers have the opportunity to obtain detailed information on the new innovations.”

Another feature of the stand will be a barcode promotion, held daily, that will give visitors a chance to win a System 2007 package. Barcodes, which are distributed on the stand, can be converted at two Photo Play Racer PROs

This is to promote Funworld’s new promotions concept. A 2D barcode is held before the Photo Play terminal’s camera lens. The terminal’s software recognises the code and the player obtains saved credits for free games or information such as special tips.

William Hill to pay off Corrie fans

UK: William Hill has lost nearly £20,000 after taking bets on who the murderer in popular British television programme Coronation Street would be, despite the killer already being revealed in the storyline.

A spokesperson for the UK bookmaker said that it would pay out the winnings and return losers' money, after acknowledging that it opened the book without knowing that scriptwriters hadn't made it a "who shot JR Ewing"-style cliff-hanger.

Source: IGI