Monthly Archives: September 2016

CalvinAyre.com Featured Conferences & Events: October 2016

China International Games & Amusement Fair

Now in its 8th year and with over 400 exhibitors, G & A is now one of the largest game and amusement fairs in China.  Across three exhibition areas, Theme Parks & Attractions, E-Games and Amusement Equipment, G & A will focus on showcasing the most innovative game and amusement technology and equipment in China and beyond.

What: China International Games & Amusement Fair

When: October 13-15, 2016

PokerStars sponsors Global Poker League

Online poker giant PokerStars has signed on as lead sponsor of the fledgling Global Poker League (GPL).

On Friday, online poker’s 800 lb. gorilla announced that it had struck a deal with Malta-based Mediarex Sports & Entertainment to become the GPL’s lead sponsor. The deal also cock blocks other poker operators, as Stars’ contract specifies that it is the exclusive online poker sponsor of the GPL. (Take that, Ongame!)

PokerStars’ publicity pointman Eric Hollreiser said the GPL “brings an innovative team-based twist to poker and we are happy to support Mediarex in their quest to bring poker to new audiences.”

Alex Dreyfus, CEO of and brainchild behind the GPL, called the Stars partnership “a crucial step forward on the road to fully establishing the GPL as a real blueprint for poker entertainment in the future.” Dreyfus said Stars would assist the GPL in its strategy of “connecting poker to the mainstream entertainment sector on a large scale.”

Holland Casino posts 2015 gains, preps new Amsterdam West venue

The Netherlands’ land-based casino market continued to grow in 2015, creating the right elements for the privatization of the Holland Casino monopoly.

Figures released Friday by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) regulatory agency show Holland Casino generated revenue of €244m from table games in 2015, 8% higher than the previous year. Slots revenue was €294m, up 13% from 2014.

Holland Casino operates 14 gaming venues, which contain 370 gaming tables and around 4,500 slots. Around 93% of the Dutch population is within one hour’s travel from a Holland Casino location, and 20% are less than 15 minutes away.

Holland Casino just announced that it will open a new casino in Amsterdam West in 2017. The new venue, which is close to the Sloterdijk railway station, will be part of a complex called Ven that will include a hotel, restaurants, bars and a fitness center. Ven’s opening will result in the closure of the Holland Casino gaming venue at Amsterdam’s Schiphzl Airport, which opened in 1995.

Holland Casino posts 2015 gains, preps new Amsterdam West venue

The Netherlands’ land-based casino market continued to grow in 2015, creating the right elements for the privatization of the Holland Casino monopoly.

Figures released Friday by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) regulatory agency show Holland Casino generated revenue of €244m from table games in 2015, 8% higher than the previous year. Slots revenue was €294m, up 13% from 2014.

Holland Casino operates 14 gaming venues, which contain 370 gaming tables and around 4,500 slots. Around 93% of the Dutch population is within one hour’s travel from a Holland Casino location, and 20% are less than 15 minutes away.

Holland Casino just announced that it will open a new casino in Amsterdam West in 2017. The new venue, which is close to the Sloterdijk railway station, will be part of a complex called Ven that will include a hotel, restaurants, bars and a fitness center. Ven’s opening will result in the closure of the Holland Casino gaming venue at Amsterdam’s Schiphzl Airport, which opened in 1995.

Drones welcomed back to UK racetracks

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) says drones will be permitted to cover most live racing events despite causing an incident earlier this year.

In July, the BHA suspended the use of drones at its UK racecourses following an incident in which a drone reportedly got too close to the action. The sound of the drone’s engine spooked Oh So Terrible, which reared up and collided with the rail at the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, sending jockey Frankie Dettori to the turf.

On Friday, the BHA posted a notice saying that a consultation with the Racecourse Association, Professional Jockeys Association and National Trainers Foundation had produced an agreement on new guidelines for “safe and controlled” drone use.

The guidelines prohibit the use of drones in maiden class races or races confined to two-year-old nags. Drones must maintain a minimum altitude of 50m from the ground at the start of races, while a minimum altitude of 30m must be maintained when drones are following the action from the side or the rear.

GAN H1 losses narrow as social casino revenue spikes 75%

Online gambling technology provider GAN saw its social casino revenue rise three-quarters in H1 2016 but the company continued to post seven-figure losses.

Figures released Friday show the UK-listed GAN generating gross income of £15.9m and net revenue of £3.9m in the six months ending June 30. GAN reported a net loss before tax of £2.3m, £300k less than it lost in H1 2015.

The net revenue figure is 35% higher than the same period last year, driven by contributions from its Simulated Gaming social casino product, which saw revenue jump 75% to £1.4m. GAN’s real-money online gambling revenue was up 21% to £2.5m.

Nearly two-thirds of the company’s revenue was generated in the United States, reflecting the string of Simulated Gaming deals with leading commercial and tribal casino operators. GAN says its social gaming business has been a godsend by helping to offset the slower than expected rollout of US intrastate online gambling markets.