Inside Asian Gaming

March 2015 inside asian gaming 45 companies offer real-money skill-based gambling, particularly online, and there is an element of skill involved in poker, this program is the first of its kind offered by a licensed US casino, New Jersey officials say. Other Atlantic City casinos are also free to propose similar real-money games for approval, though each must be evaluated individually by the state. Konami Gaming Promotes Michael Coppert to Senior Director, Customer Service Konami Gaming, Inc. announced that Michael Coppert has beenpromoted to senior director, customer service. Mr Coppert joined Konami in 2012 as director of customer service & technical support, bringing extensive gaming industry and senior management experience in the areas of customer service, software development, deployment and projectmanagement. In his new role, Mr Coppert is responsible for overseeing Konami’s games and systems customer service department including system implementations, game installations, customer training, field service operations, project management, and ongoing customer technical support and professional services. Michael Coppert’s career is characterized by upwards of 35 years delivering enterprise software solutions to customers domestically and globally, across sectors including gaming, telecommunications and global information technology. As Konami’s senior director of customer service, he reports directly to chief operating officer and executive vice president Steve Sutherland. Strip Gaming Retreats in 2014 as Baccarat Slips Gaming revenue generated by casinos in Nevada and along the Las Vegas Strip ended a four-year upswing last year, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal . Casinos statewide collected just over US$11 billion from gamblers in 2014, a year-on-year decline of 1.1%. In 2013, Nevada had recorded $11.1 billion in gaming revenue, marking the first year its casino revenue cracked the $11 billion mark since the recession struck in 2008. Gaming revenue on the Strip was down 2.1% to $6.37 billion, also ending four straight years of annual increases, with much of the decline attributable to a fall in baccarat revenue, as the impact of China’s corruption crackdown and less buoyant economy made its way over the Pacific. William Hill Makes Takeover Approach for Israel’s 888 Online gambling company 888 Holdings, founded and controlled by Israelis, has received a takeover approach from Britain’s biggest bookmaker, William Hill. The news came shortly after The Times newspaper reported that William Hill had held advanced talks over a 750 million pound (US$1.14 billion) offer as it looks to accelerate expansion of its online gaming operations. The report said William Hill had reached a preliminary agreement with the 888 board on an offer at 210 pence a share. “The board of the company confirms that it received an approach regarding a possible offer for the company by William Hill,” according to a statement by 888. “There can be no certainty, however, that any firm offer will be made.” The Times report, citing industry sources, said talks could yet stumble because one of 888’s Israeli founders, thought to be the Shaked family, wanted 300 pence a share. The company saw a 2011 planned takeover by Britain’s Ladbrokes collapse over pricing. Borgata to Pioneer Casino Games of Skill The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City is about to redefine casino gambling by introducing a new style of wagering: competition based on a physical skill rather than luck. Borgata executives told The Associated Press that they’ve received permission from New Jersey gambling regulators to host a basketball contest this month in which players shoot free throws for money. It’s the first of what promises to be many skill-based events that let gamblers take greater control over the outcomes of their bets, rather than relying on a roll of the dice, spin of the wheel or deal of the cards. “This is a first step, something we’ve never been able to do until now,” said Joe Lupo, the casino’s senior vice president. “A year from now, you’ll probably see a lot more of these skill-based tournaments or even games on the casino floor.” Free throws will be shot from a 15-foot distance at a 10-foot high basket using a professional regulation-size ball. Similar to poker, bettors are gambling against each other, not the house, as in blackjack or slots. For a $20 buy-in, contestants compete in 90-second rounds for the right to play in the final round-of-16 in a bracket format. The top four finishers will split US$10,000, with the winner getting $5,000. A valid Borgata players’ club card is required to participate in the contest. The program was approved by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement under its “New Jersey First” initiative to adopt and enact new gambling products before other states. The Borgata, the state division and the American Gaming Association all said the 21st March tournament would be the first of its kind in the nation, based on physical skill. Although many INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Michael Coopert