Inside Asian Gaming

March 2011 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 47 Briefs establishments outside of Atlantic City such as nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and amusement parks from offering Internet gambling opportunities in order to attract patrons or customers.” At the end of his veto message, Gov. Christie suggested it would take a public referendum to change his mind about online gambling. Sen. Raymond Lesniak, who sponsored the online gaming legislation, said he would work to bring new online gaming legislation to the governor’s desk—addressing major concerns, such as the cyber café issue. “We need to work as quickly as possible to bring this bill back to the governor’s desk, and position Atlantic City to become the Silicon Valley of the high-tech gaming sector,” Sen. Lesniak said in a statement. “New Jersey can still become the first state in the nation to offer legalized Internet wagering, and by leading the way, we position the Garden State to reap the benefits of getting in on the ground floor of a multi-million dollar market.” Bally to acquire Sightline Payments Bally Technologies announced on 3rd March it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Las Vegas- based Sightline Payments, a provider of innovative payment solutions. The acquisition will allow Bally to offer secure cashless-gaming solutions using kiosks, mobile phones, prepaid cards, and other groundbreaking payment options. Bally’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Haddrill, said, “Sightline Payments is our latest strategic investment and continues to show our commitment to a comprehensive system product offering. Payment systems andgaming systemswill continue to converge and incorporate privatized currency capabilities currently available in retail and online.” “Our iVIEW™ network has been architected to serve customers at any point of play or point of purchase, and the addition of Sightline’s product offerings to these distribution channels will make for a powerful suite of products for our customers,”Mr Haddrill added. “Sightline and Bally belong together,” said Kirk Sanford, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Founder of Sightline Payments. “We know Bally’s unique capabilities, and now is the right time to combine both companies. Because of our shared vision of the future of payment services in gaming, we are on the verge of launching some very exciting cashless gaming products that we think can change the gaming payments industry in meaningful ways for our customers.” Payment processing will be a new product line for Bally, adding a comprehensive line-up of Sightline Payment products. Betfair to use Gibraltar gambling licence According to a report in UK newspaper the Guardian, leading online sports betting provider Betfair plans to move to operate under a Gibraltar licence as part of changes that will allow it to avoid the UK’s 15% tax on gross betting profits. The shift away from operating under a UK gaming licence is expected to save Betfair £18.5 million (US$30 million) a year in tax. The company’s 1,200 UK-based staff will not relocate to Gibraltar, however. Betfair also said it would still pay the British horse racing levy despite moving its licensing abroad. Betfair said on 8th March that while there were clearly tax advantages to the shift, it would also allow it to consolidate its technology platforms. “Betfair continually strives to create the best technology platform for the business. This revised structure will provide the company with the freedom to locate key technical equipment in more efficient locations in order to improve service to customers and compete on a level basis in the UK market.” Betfair will join a host of bookmakers who have shifted offshore to escape the government’s gambling levy. Both Ladbrokes and William Hill have situated some of their online operations in Gibraltar, while even the government-owned Tote runs casino and bingo from Alderney, and its poker site from Malta. Wynn Las Vegas and Pinnacle Entertainment announce marketing alliance Wynn Las Vegas and Pinnacle Entertainment announced a strategic agreement that gives Pinnacle’s most important customers special access to Wynn Las Vegas and Encore. The agreement, announced on 9th March, is expected to bolster Pinnacle’s ability to attract new customers and build stronger loyalty with the segment of the market that most closely mirrors that of Wynn. According to a company press release, the alliance will play a central role in the upcoming re-launch of Pinnacle’s enhanced mychoice™ player loyalty program by offering its best guests multi- night stays at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, while enabling Wynn to showcase its resorts to Pinnacle’s top customers. “This exclusive partnership represents a unique opportunity to provide our guests with the best that Las Vegas has to offer,” said Pinnacle Entertainment President and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Sanfilippo. “Among the many exceptional new rewards we will unveil on April 4 is the opportunity for our mychoice members to experience two of the most luxurious resorts in America’s most exciting gaming destination.” “Pinnacle Entertainment is a natural strategic marketing partner for us, given the company’s commitment to exceptional guest service and its network of casinos in prominent gaming markets,” said Wynn Las Vegas President Marilyn Spiegel. “We look forward to welcoming Pinnacle’s very best customers and giving them an experience here in Las Vegas that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.” Richard Haddrill Pinnacle Entertainment’s Boomtown Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana