Inside Asian Gaming

July 2010 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 47 Briefs distinction between .com and .net websites operated by Internet gaming companies. The companies often create two portals, with the .com site accepting wagers. The second site, designated by .net, does not accept wagers and serves as an introductory and tutoring location for potential gamblers. However, the .com locations are easily accessed through the .nets. Mr Sayre agreed that the distinction between the two sites has become blurred. Internet gaming companies that accept wagers from Americans and enter into business relationships with Nevada’s non-restricted gaming licensees are “inconsistent with the Nevada Gaming Control Act and regulations promulgated pursuant to that Act.” Mr Sayre said any current business relationships are being explored by the regulatory agency. “Those activities that require board review and approval are being looked at more closely so that determinations can be made as to whether business relationships between Nevada licensees and Internet-based companies violate state and federal law/regulations,”Mr Sayre wrote. Technically, it is illegal for Internet gaming websites, which are incorporated and based outside of the United States, to accept wagers from Americans. In 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act was enacted, making it a crime for banks and other financial institutions to process transactions used in online gaming. While the potential legalization of Internet gaming has surfaced in Washington, D.C., and the American Gaming Association now believes technology exists to allow the activity to be regulated at the state or federal level, nothing has changed. Mr Sayre said the US Department of Justice has not shown any indication it plans to relax its position that Internet gaming is illegal. “The lack of federal criminal prosecutions under (the act) should not be interpreted by the gaming industry as a lack of interest by state and federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies on this issue,”Mr Sayre wrote. Questions about the business relationships arose after two poker events earlier this year on the Las Vegas Strip. In February, The Venetian held the inaugural event of the North American Poker Tour, which is sponsored by PokerStars.net. In the US$5,000 buy-in event, 872 players entered, including 25 who qualified through PokerStars.net. In March, Caesars Palace hosted the National Heads-Up Poker Championship. The event did not have an online poker sponsor but a related televised poker event, “Face the Ace,” was filmed in several Las Vegas casinos and sponsored by FullTilt.net. Gaming regulators are currently investigating the suitability of 888, an online gaming company based in Gibraltar that is providing software for Harrah’s Entertainment to manage three Internet gambling sites in the United Kingdom, which do not accept wagers from Americans. The issue marks the first time Nevada regulators are investigating the suitability of an online gaming company that accepted wagers from Americans before the act’s 2006 adoption. New VP of Product Marketing for Bally Technologies Jean Venneman has joined Bally Technologies as Vice President of Product Marketing and Licensing. “We are extremely pleased to welcome Jean to Bally,” said Dan Savage, Bally Technologies’Vice President of Marketing. “She is a proven leader with an outstanding gaming industry track record of success, having played a key role in the sales and development of several games and brands. “Jean’s experience in strategic and tactical product planning and execution, coupled with her extensive contacts in the entertainment industry, means she will play a pivotal role in the expansion of our portfolio of licensed entertainment brands, brand libraries, and overall product marketing,” added Mr Savage. Epic new role for TransAct’s Tracey Chernay Tracey Chernay has been promoted from Senior Vice President to Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for TransAct Technologies Inc., one of the world’s leading companies for the development and manufacture of gaming and lottery printers. “As a part of that role, I have picked up responsibility for all sales of the company, including our TransAct Services Group,” explains Ms Chernay. “That’s the group responsible for selling supplies and services, operating our web store and operating technical support. I’ll be looking to explore synergies to incorporate more of our services into our regular printer business. “We also have a great web store at TransAct Services Group and we will be adding to that by adding the printer products to the website. I’m really excited about the promotion and about exploring the synergies between the businesses. “I think by working together the Services Group and Printer Sales team can really take our offering to customers to the next level.” *At G2E Asia, Kareem Jalal, Publisher of Inside Asian Gaming magazine, presented Tracey Chernay with an IAG Supplier Award 2010 for Best Electronic Gaming Peripheral-Printer in recognition of the performance of TransAct’s Epic 950®. Jean Venneman Publisher Kareem Jalal presents Inside Asian Gaming’s Supplier Award to TransAct’s Tracey Chernay