Iron Chef of Music

Dec 8, 2011 

SINGAPORE — Asia is poised to eclipse the United States as the world’s biggest gaming market in 2013, powered by the region’s growing economic prosperity and fondness for gambling, a report said Thursday.

The gaming sector will be driven by crown jewel Macau — which has revenues larger than the whole of the US state of Nevada — and newcomer Singapore, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) said in its annual outlook.

Revenue Asia is forecast to more than double from $34.3 billion in 2010 to $79.3 billion in 2015 — representing compound growth of 18.3 percent annually, the PWC report said.

“With this projection, the Asia-Pacific region looks set to overtake the US in 2013 to become the largest region for casino gaming in the world,” it said.

According to PWC, gaming revenues in the US — which includes Las Vegas and the huge East Coast gaming centre of Atlantic City — are tipped to grow just 5.0 percent annually to $73.3 billion from 2010 to 2015.

Globally, the gaming market is seen expanding 9.2 percent every year until 2015, with revenues rising to $182.8 billion, PWC said, adding that Asia will account for 43.4 percent of the total and the US making up 40.1 percent.

“Asia Pacific will be the fastest-growing region for casino gaming spending over the coming five years,” said PWC.

The main driver of Asia’s growth is Macau, the southern Chinese city that last year overtook the gambling state of Nevada — which includes Las Vegas — while Singapore is also attracting huge crowds since opening its first two casinos last year.

Thanks largely to those two centres, gaming income in Asia rose a stunning 49.7 percent year on year in 2010 to $34.28 billion.

In 2010, revenues globally grew 9.6 percent mostly thanks to the buoyant markets in Asia, which made up for the declines seen in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, PWC said.

“It belies the slump currently facing the industry in some of the major gaming markets as the turbulent global financial markets have curtailed consumer spending significantly,” it said.

“However, Asia provides the bright spot in the global industry with huge growth potential.

“New major developments in locations such as Macau and Singapore have been very successful as they tap Asia’s rising affluent and mobile middle classes in search of new entertainment.”

The United States remains the world’s biggest gaming market for now but the dramatic growth seen in Asia will see the region occupying the top spot within the next 24 months, PWC said.

“Going forward, Macau and Singapore will continue to fuel growth in Asia Pacific during the next few years, while other countries in the region may look to encourage growth in casino gaming to gain tourism and tax dollars.”

Copyright © 2012 AFP. All rights reserved.
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Tags: Gaming

(WIRED) — Microsoft released an Xbox Live app for iOS devices on Wednesday, bringing features of Microsofts gaming service to Apple devices for the first time.

My Xbox Live lets users edit their 3-D avatars, chat with Xbox Live friends and revel in their achievements. You can also check out more information about the newest apps and games on Xbox, as well as gaming tips and breaking news.

Windows Phone users have had Xbox Live services packaged into their mobile experience for a while now, but now iOS users can get a piece of the action. And whether they like it or not, iOS users who download the app are also getting a screen similar to a Windows Phone-style user interface.

The iPhone app features the horizontal bar across the bottom of the screen that houses the same sort of circular icons youd find in a Windows Phone 7 app. Also included: a clever browser-based demo that lets you virtually explore the UI of a Windows Phone from your Android or iPhone handset.

While you may already be on a phone of a different OS, it has potential to lure potential defectors over to Microsofts mobile platform.

Its been a good week for Microsoft. On Tuesday, the company unveiled the details of its upcoming Windows Store for Windows 8, the newest version of the worlds most popular desktop platform.

And on Monday, the company announced that the Xbox was getting a user interface refresh, with dozens of new content channels and the addition of a Windows Phone app you can use to control your Xbox. Microsofts iOS apps are now icing on top of the cake.

Now when are we going to get those Microsoft Office apps on the iPad?

My Xbox Live is available free for download on the iPhone and iPad in the App Store.

Subscribe to WIRED magazine for less than $1 an issue and get a FREE GIFT! Click here!

Copyright 2011 Wired.com.

Tags: Gaming

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec 08, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
Potts Gaming, LLC announced today that it has completed the acquisition
of The Lodge at Belmont, a Belmont, New Hampshire-based casino and bingo
facility. In addition, Potts Gaming announced that it has received its
gaming license from the New Hampshire Racing and Charitable Gaming
Commission. Hurricana Capital, LLC acted as the financial advisor to
Potts Gaming on the acquisition of The Lodge at Belmont.

“We are excited at this opportunity to enter the New Hampshire market
and look forward to continuing The Lodge at Belmont’s current success,”
said Potts Gaming Chief Executive Officer Craig Potts. “The Lodge at
Belmont is an excellent facility that will continue to provide
first-class gaming for its patrons. We would also like to thank the New
Hampshire Racing and Charitable Gaming Commission for licensing Potts
Gaming.”

The Lodge at Belmont offers patrons poker, blackjack, craps, roulette
and bingo, as well as a sports bar, pool tables and regular live
entertainment. The Lodge is located just a few miles away from
Interstate 93 and within driving distance of Concord, NH and Manchester,
NH. For more information on The Lodge at Belmont, please visit its
website at
www.thelodgeatbelmont.com .

About Potts Gaming

Potts Gaming, LLC owns and manages gaming facilities. It is currently
the owner of the Bingo Palace in Piedmont, Alabama — the largest bingo
hall in the United States. It also owns Elite Gaming, which has
facilities in Turks and Caicos, as well as a 25% stake in Carib Gaming,
a Caribbean-based slot route operator and management company.

SOURCE: Potts Gaming, LLC

The Lodge at Belmont
Rick Newman, 603-267-7778
General Manager
Rickgnewman@yahoo.com

Copyright Business Wire 2011

Tags: Gaming

A Malaysia-based gaming company plans to fill a proposed Miami casino complex with would-be Las Vegas gamblers, siphoning an estimated $1 billion to $2 billion in annual gaming revenues away from the Strip.

Its still unclear whether Genting Americas, a subsidiary of the Genting Group from Malaysia, will even have an opportunity to build its $3.8 billion waterfront hotel-casino in downtown Miami. Florida lawmakers are debating whether to legalize casinos in the state, and experts have placed odds on the passage of a casino bill at less than 50 percent.

But casinos in Miami pose the greatest threat to Las Vegas and the Strips recovery after years of economic turmoil, analysts said.

Credit-Suisse gaming analyst Joel Simkins said Miami is a compelling market for casino development and could hurt Las Vegas, attracting business from the East Coast and other key areas that feed the Strip.

I think Miami could take a decent amount of East Coast business from Las Vegas, Simkins said. Someone who might take three or four trips a year to Las Vegas could divert one or two of those trips to Miami.

Genting operates Resorts World Sentosa, one of two hotel-casinos in Singapore, and the recently opened Resorts World New York, a slot machine casino attached to New York Citys Aqueduct Race Track. Genting does not have a casino in Las Vegas and is not licensed in Nevada.

In a presentation to Florida lawmakers during a hearing on the casino legalization issue, Genting officials said Resorts World Miami would target customers from Latin America and the Asia Pacific region.

But Genting also would look at what it termed the Las Vegas Export Market, which the company defined as
47 percent of Las Vegass 37 million annual visitors. Genting said those visitors live closer to Miami than Southern Nevada, and the potential is worth $4 billion in gaming revenue.

Genting told Florida lawmakers its Resorts World Miami could attract at least 20 percent of those visitors to the Biscayne Bay project, which would have six hotel towers totaling 5,200 rooms, 50 restaurants, a retail development and other entertainment options. The project would have two casinos, a 550,000-square-foot primary casino and a 250,000-square-foot secondary venue. The larger of the two would be the largest casino in the world.

In an economic study that was part of the proposal, Spectrum Gaming Group predicted Gentings casinos could generate $4.5 billion to $6 billion in annual gaming revenues. In 2010, Strip casinos generated $5.7 billion in gaming revenues.

In a separate letter to Florida lawmakers, Las Vegas-based Union Gaming Group subsidiary Union Gaming Analytics endorsed Gentings market-wide revenue projections.

We believe the Gentings assumptions on the various market drivers are reasonable, Union Gaming Group Principal Bill Lerner said in the letter. Among the three items cited in the endorsement was the potential for incremental gaming play generated by purpose-based visits from domestic and international tourists.

How much a Miami gaming scene would cut into Las Vegass business is up for debate.

Vince Alberta, vice president of public affairs for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said in an emailed statement that the Strip is more than just gambling.

While Las Vegas will always be viewed as the origin of modern-day gaming, visitors have many more amenities and attractions to select from today, Alberta said. The fact that less than half of resort revenue in Clark County comes from gaming is evidence that Las Vegas has evolved into a world-class destination that offers more than one reason to visit.

Alberta said visitors come to Las Vegas for the total experience offered.

The prospect of casinos in Florida has attracted much of Nevadas casino industry. Representatives from Las Vegas Sands Corp., MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment Corp., and Wynn Resorts Ltd., have visited Florida to explore gaming expansion prospects.

Company representatives said they didnt think two or three Florida casinos operated by Las Vegas-based gaming companies would hurt the Strip.

Obviously, were not in the business of cannibalizing our own properties, Las Vegas Sands spokesman Ron Reese said. The company, which is exploring a hotel-casino and convention complex in Miami, operates The Venetian and Palazzo on the Strip.

We believe Miami is a complementary market for our convention business, Reese said. Our guys in Florida also believe there should be a slower approach in Florida, maybe starting with one or two casinos and moving forward.

MGM Resorts spokesman Alan Feldman said there was room for growth in attracting visitors from South America and Latin America. Miami could serve as a gateway for tourists bound for Las Vegas, where MGM Resorts operates 10 Strip hotel-casinos, including Bellagio, MGM Grand and CityCenters Aria.

Feldman said MGM Resorts has no interest in replicating the business plan put forward by Genting.

There is an East Coast market, but in our view, Las Vegas continues to operate a unique product for anyone from Asia, Latin America or anyone from the Northeast, Feldman said. A couple of casinos in Miami is not going to be the same.

The argument might be all for naught, but Genting already has spent roughly $450 million for the real estate without knowing whether Florida would approve casinos.

There is strong opposition to casinos from theme park operator Disney, which is worried about the impact gaming in Miami might have on Orlandos convention business, and the Seminole Indian tribe, which operates the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. Both groups have strong representation in the Florida statehouse.

They are vigorously going to defend their position, Simkins said. In the end, we just dont know if Miami could support three megaresorts.

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.
com or 702-477-3871. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.

Tags: Gaming

Perhaps the biggest shift in gaming over recent years has been the rise of iPad, iPhone and iPod gaming. These multifunction devices not only offer new interactions but do so at a fraction of the price. This week on Family Gamer TV Tobi tries iPad gaming as we introduce him to the new Bang! card game. Along the way we also talk about Real Racing HD, Fruit Ninja and Plants vs Zombies.

While many core gamers, myself included, often complain at the lack of buttons of multifunction devices (as opposed to dedicated gaming hardware) Tobi and his family immediately appreciated the simple tilt and touch controls. Not having had a long history with videogame controllers the issue of accuracy that is usually raised simply wasnt on the table.

The tap and touch card controls of Bang!, the tilt steering of Real Racing, and the swiping of Fruit Ninja each made perfect sense. Because of this they needed no explanation for either him or his kids who could instinctively pick-up and play these games in a way that isnt true of devices like the 3DS or DS.

It used to be that games would start on consoles and handhelds before being ported to other devices. Now, however games like Plants vs Zombies have done the reverse, starting life on PCs and/or iOS devices before making their way to the DS.

Im still attached to the dedicated nature of a gaming console or handheld, but seeing how families new to gaming take to broader experiences makes me wonder if the days of these machines are numbered.

Could you imagine a world without DSs and PSPs?

Tags: Gaming

(AP) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Thousands of gamblers who decided to ban themselves from Missouri casinos could return under changes approved Wednesday by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Regulators voted unanimously to relax the states voluntary exclusion program, allowing people who have chosen to bar themselves for life from Missouri casinos to have the prohibition lifted after at least five years. People could opt to rejoin the banned list later, but it would mean a lifetime prohibition.

Many people have indicated they arent ready to commit to a lifetime ban but are interested in some other period of self-exclusion, Gaming Commission Chairman James Mathewson said. We also needed to refine some of our rules regarding procedures, including streamlining the application process.

The Gaming Commission said there are 16,148 people on the self-exclusion list and that 11,427 of them could be eligible to remove themselves starting March 31.

Missouri developed a self-exclusion program in 1996, and it was intended to be a recovery tool for problem gamblers. It applies to Missouri casinos and is open to people living in Missouri and other states. Individuals who participate can be charged with a misdemeanor for criminal trespassing if they are found in a casino in Missouri.

Regulators said Missouri was the first to develop such a program and that at least 10 other states also now have voluntary self-exclusion lists. Iowa and Michigan are the only other states that had allowed only a lifetime ban. Missouri officials said some states, including Indiana and Pennsylvania, allow gamblers to return after a year. Others such as Mississippi allow removal from the banned list after five years.

Keith Spare, chairman of the Missouri Council on Problem Gambling Concerns, said the changes approved by the Gaming Commission increase concerns about the services that are available to gamblers, noting that funding for gambling addiction counseling has been cut over the past several years. Spare said allowing gamblers to lift their voluntary bans should increase revenue but that some people returning to casinos are likely to face problems.

The reality is that its not going to have a huge impact on the general population. But its going to have a devastating impact for those who are addicted gamblers, he said.

Gaming Commission spokeswoman LeAnn McCarty said changes to the self-ban list were driven by the publics requests for additional options, not money. She said the regulators received about 300 phone calls and more than a dozen letters since possible changes were discussed in August and that a majority supported an option for a shorter self-ban period.

Revenue had not one iota involvement in our discussion, she said.

The Missouri Gaming Association, an industry trade group, said it did not initiate the changes and remained neutral over whether regulators should approve them.

___

Online:

Missouri Gaming Commission: http://www.mgc.dps.mo.gov/

Tags: Gaming

TOPEKA, Kan. The board that regulates Kansas casinos is having its next meeting in Mulvane, near the site of a state-owned gambling complex thats set to open early next year.

The Racing and Gaming Commissions agenda for its session Monday includes an update on the Kansas Star casino in Mulvane. The commission plans to meet in the Mulvane City Councils chambers.

The commission plans to review and consider approving the Mulvane casinos security plans.

The commission also expects to get a status report on the Hollywood Casino, which also is expected to open early next year at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.

Tags: Gaming

Apparently he didnt take too kindly to being asked to have his game of Word with Friends interrupted… according to Oscar De La Hoya?

Yesterday we were all reminded that, despite being relatively benign when compared to wacky his siblings, Alec Baldwin is still a Baldwin, when he was kicked off an American Airlines flight in LA. Reason? He wouldnt turn off his iPhone because he was far too into Words With Friends. To be fair, he could have been playing the Android version.

Baldwin then tried sneaking into the bathroom, to continue his game. But that didnt work, so he became agitated, and began yelling at the flight crew. As youll see in the following footage; for whatever reason, Oscar De La Hoya was on the same flight with him…

Baldwin responded by, what else, Tweeting about it: Flight attendant on American reamed me out 4 playing WORDS W FRIENDS while we sat at the gate, not moving. #nowonderamericaairisbankrupt Unfortunately, he has since suspended his account.

CBS News has numerous other tweets, from fellow passengers that witnessed the B- celeb getting booted from their flight. Wait a minute; they didnt have their cell phones turned off either! Its clear that Baldwin was unfairly singled out.

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Tags: Gaming

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Taiwan is adding its flair for innovation to the global PC gaming industry. Brands like GIGABYTE, Thermaltake, and MSI are redefining the gaming landscape with their groundbreaking product design and rigorous promotion of e-sports.

(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2011/12/06/20111206165748588915.html )

Among the top Taiwan brands making a foray into the global market is motherboard maker GIGABYTE. The company offers a wide range of motherboards created specifically to enhance gameplay for hardcore users, such as its signature Ultra Durable model and G1-Killer series boards, as well as a platform of mouse and keyboards designed to get help gamers perform at the highest levels.

Stewart Haston, technical marketing specialist at GIGABYTE, spoke about Taiwans role in the PC gaming sector.

As with the broader PC market in general, the gaming PC segment is in most respects, dominated by Taiwanese manufacturing and innovation, he said. Haston also pointed out that Taiwan possesses a closely-knit eco-system of component manufacturers that make products specifically designed for and marketed directly to gamers.

Tt eSPORTS is another local brand taking PC gaming to the next level. Founded in 2010, the company is a unit of PC case and cooling equipment maker, Thermaltake. Tt eSPORTS boasts a product line designed by gamers, for gamers, including gaming keyboards, mouse, and headsets.

Tt eSPORTS Managing Director Tony Liu explained how Taiwan is ideally suited for PC gaming product development.

Product-wise, for Taiwan to design the products only makes sense because our community is very active in the games, said Liu. We have a lot of room to grow for hardware, as there is no language barrier.

Taiwan also stands at the forefront of countries that are turning PC gaming into a professional sport, with Tt eSPORTS leading the charge. According to Liu, there are 15 professional gaming teams under the Thermaltake name, including Team Thermaltake in Germany. The Tt eSPORTS team trains rigorously on the company premises each day to drive up Taiwans competitive edge in the field.

I think Taiwan stands in a very good position for design and to promote the e-sports lifestyle, said Liu. Thats how we see the growth potential of Tt eSPORTS as unlimited. Our mission is to create a cultural brand in e-sports, lifestyle, and technology.

Other companies highly involved in the gaming PC sector include PC chassis maker Lian Li and PC-maker MSI, which a survey of world-leading overclocking website HWBOT showed consistently ranked in the top 10 of graphic cards. Taiwan also possesses a wide range of firms that manufacture 3rd party CPU coolers as well liquid cooling kits, coolers for system memory and additional system fans.

Like Taiwan, Brazil is also seeing considerable growth in the PC gaming sector. According to Amsterdam-based market researcher Newzoo, Brazil gamers are expected to spend US$2 billion on games in 2011. Moreover, online and mobile gaming accounts for 68 percent of time spent gaming and 51 percent of spending.

Brazil is leading Western countries when it comes to the popularity of new game platforms and business models, said Newzoo chief executive Peter Warman.

The growth in Brazil has been attributed to the uptake of social, mobile and massively multiplayer online games.

Tags: Gaming