Gaming CEOs Positive on Current Business Conditions, Neutral on Future Outlook
On October 3, 2023, The American Gaming Association published a press release titled, “Gaming CEOs Positive on Current Business Conditions, Neutral on Future Outlook.” The American Gaming Association’s (“AGA”) Gaming Industry Outlook’s Q3 2023 survey, with Fitch Ratings as partner, surveyed 33 gaming executives for their views on the current business situation in the industry. The Gaming Industry Outlook is prepared biannually by Oxford Economics, Results showed that 42% of respondents view the situation as good and 55% view as satisfactory. More than half of respondents anticipate the next three-to-six-month period to reflect similar to present conditions.
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller commented, “The significant expansion and record demand for legal, regulated gaming in the post-pandemic era have allowed our members to consistently invest in our product and people to deliver innovative entertainment options for American adults.” He went on to assure the continued focus on quality of entertainment of gaming CEO’s, despite the state of the broader economy.
The Current Conditions Index came in at 100.6, adjusted for inflation, and reflecting slight growth since Q2 2023. The Future Conditions Index measured 99.6. This indicates a potential slight decrease in gaming industry economic activity over the course of the next six months. Results do reflect, however, that one-third of adults will visit a casino in the next year.
Future financial conditions have mixed views between on balance and on net. Supplier CEOs anticipate increased unit sales while operator CEOs project increased capital investments in food and beverage offerings. Additionally, operators expect operational gaming units to increase. 58% of executives cited inflation or interest rate concerns as factors limiting operations.
Winners of 23rd Annual GGB Gaming & Technology Awards Announced
On October 2, 2023, the Winners of the 23rd Annual GGB Gaming & Technology Awards were Announced by Global Gaming Business magazine. Hundreds of gaming products and services were entered this year into the competition, which included a new category for best sports betting product and three additional judges. Roger Gros, publisher of Global Gaming Business magazine, admitted, “As always, it’s quite difficult to evaluate the most innovative and unique products. The judges for the GGB Gaming & Technology Awards are some of the most skilled, dedicated, and respected executives in the business, so their opinion carries a great deal of weight. The winners of this year’s edition beat out some amazing competition and demonstrated true innovation.”
The 2023 panel of judges are: Claudia Winkler, president, GHI Solutions; Rob Russell, gaming analyst, Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C.; Frank Neborsky, General Manager, the Downs at Albuquerque; Gerhard Burda, President and CEO, ESCAPES Advisory Services; Cliff Paige, Slot Director, South Point Casino Resort, Las Vegas; Skyelar Perkins, Corporate Slot Director, Choctaw Casinos; Missy Stanisz, Director of Sports Wagering & Interactive Gaming, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (“SMBMI”); Itsik Akiva, CEO, Headway Consulting; and Robin Villareal, Chief Information Officer, Gila River Resorts and Casinos.
The winners of the 23rd Annual GGB Gaming & Technology Awards are:
- Best Consumer-Service Technology
- Gold Medal: Everi for Everi Mobile App
- Silver Medal: Light & Wonder for Light & Wonder ENGAGE
- Best Sports Betting Product
- Gold Medal: Kambi for AI-Powered Pricing
- Silver Medal: IGT PlaySports for Sports Betting Technology
- Best iGaming Product
- Gold Medal: Wind Creek Hospitality for Casinoverse
- Silver Medal: Playtech for Adventures Beyond Wonderland Live
- Best Productivity-Enhancement Technology
- Gold Medal: Ruby Seven Studios
- Silver Medal: Quick Custom Intelligence, LLC for QCI Enterprise Platform
- Best Slot Product
- Gold Medal: Aristocrat Gaming for Lightning Buffalo Link
- Silver Medal: AGS for Triple Coin Treasures- Spectra UR43
- Best Table Game Product or Innovation
- Gold Medal: Interblock for Smart Pit
- Silver Medal: Incredible Technologies for True Pick Roulette
The awards will be presented at the Venetian Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas on October 9-12, 2023. Nominations for the 2024 GGB Gaming & Technology Awards open May 2024.
MGCB Authorizes Authentic Gaming to Provide Live Dealer Casino Table Games
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (“MGCB’”) announced the authorization of Authentic Gaming to livestream real-time casino table games with live dealers from a Farmington Hills studio. This brings the number of live dealer providers authorized in Michigan to three, along with Playtech and Evolution.
Beginning on October 5, 2023, hybrid live/online games will be offered. Authentic Gaming initially will provide live dealer games through the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community with its platform provider Golden Nugget Casino under the Golden Nugget brand, and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians with its platform provider Rush Street Interactive under the BetRivers brand.
“Live dealer online casino table games offer an immersive and engaging gambling experience that combines the convenience of online gaming with the authenticity of the environment in a land-based casino. Players can enjoy the excitement of playing their favorite casino games with real dealers in real-time, all from the comfort of their home or wherever they may be,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.
Playtech and Evolution were authorized in December 2021 and July 2021, respectively, to provide live dealer games in Michigan.
Gun Lake Casino Supports American Cancer Society
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023 at GLC: Donate, Educate, Volunteer
On September 28th, 2023, Gun Lake Casino (“GLC”) issued a press release titled “Gun Lake Casino Supports American Cancer Society” announcing their charitable support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October 2023.
There are multiple ways for team members and guests to contribute. Appliques Gift Shop will be directing all proceeds collected from the sale of the now available Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirt merchandise directly to the American Cancer Society. GLC is also offering food and beverage specialty items at Crossroads, Chill Bar, 131 Sportsbar & Lounge, and Grab & Go whose proceeds from these items will go directly to the American Cancer Society. Every Monday in October features a dollar-for-dollar match, where guests can match up to $20 in free slot play by donating to the American Cancer Society.
In addition to donation opportunities and promotions, guests and team members can learn more about American Cancer Society every Monday from 11:00am-2:00pm inside the casino at the south entrance by speaking with representatives and accessing free education materials.
This year will be the ninth year of GLC expressing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last year in October 2022, GLC raised more than $23,000 for the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Cancer” campaign. GLC’s goal is to surpass this number and make an even larger contribution through their commitment to the cause.