Expo highlights gaming trends

 

Advances in the gaming industry and the implication of changing legislation fall under the spotlight this week at the 2010 New Zealand Gaming Expo at Auckland’s SKYCITY.

 Ross Ferrar, CEO of Gaming Technologies Association, which hosts the annual Expo, says the event brings significant opportunities for hospitality executives to experience the latest in both technology and trends.

 “The gaming environment is constantly evolving. The expo allows club, casino and resort management to get a feel of the latest gaming machines and sophisticated new LCD technology. The conference panel discussions deal with changing legislation, health and community perspectives on the industry.”

 Ferrar says keeping pace with trends is vital for industry success.

 “In parts of Asia-Pacific, the gaming industry is driving post-recession growth. In Singapore the recently opened US$4.5 billion Resorts World Sentosa and US$5 billion Marina Bay Sands are helping the government meet its 2015 target of 17 million visitors annually. Hotels in Macau are experiencing double digit growth.

 “New Zealand’s gaming industry eyes are also on last month’s Australian Productivity Commission report on Gambling as its recommendations are likely to have a flow on effect into this country,” says Ferrar.

 Current issues for the industry here include the Department of Internal Affairs leniency and cooperation policies, the proposed electronic Integrated Gambling Platform and recommendations such as Test The Play to limit player expenditure on gaming machines.

 Speakers at this year’s conference include Minister of Finance, Peter Dunne, SKYCITY CEO Nigel Morrison, CEO of the Charities Commission Trevor Garrett, and Gambling Watch coordinator David McPherson.

CEO Charity Gaming Association of New Zealand Francis Wevers and CEO Hospitality Association of New Zealand Bruce Robertson will debate the purpose of Class 4 gaming in New Zealand. Future trends will also be discussed.

The NZ Gaming Expo is the only event of its kind in New Zealand. Entry to both the exhibition and the conference is complimentary for gaming industry executives, including management representatives of government regulatory research and support bodies, hotels, clubs, casino, resorts and hospitality industry establishments. The event is not open to the public.

A highlight of the NZ Gaming Expo will be an appearance by All Black Mils Muliaina. He’ll be in the hot seat facing rugby legend Ian Jones, who with 79 test caps is the second most capped All Black of all time.

 Jones has a special insight into the subject of building a winning, high performance team. Now a popular rugby broadcaster, Jones will be comparing notes with Muliaina on how things have changed, or not, in the All Black camp in the last ten years. And he’ll be asking the question we all want answers to – what’s the AB’s plan for winning the World Cup next year.

 

Event:                 2010 NZ Gaming Expo

Where:                SKYCITY Auckland

Date:                  28 - 29 April, 2010

When:                The conference runs from 10:00am – 12:00 noon and the Trade Show from 12:00 noon to 5:00pm on both days.                            Registration starts at 9:30am

 

Editor’s Note:

·   The New Zealand Gaming Expo is the New Zealand’s premier showcase for the best available equipment and most recent developments in the New Zealand gaming market.

Speaker Profiles

·   Trevor Garrett is the CEO of the Charities Commission. He was involved in the establishment of the Casino Control Authority that he led for 13 years. During this time he developed New Zealand’s casino licensing process and led international initiatives to streamline gaming regulation and reduce compliance costs. Trevor has also worked in senior roles within the Department of Internal Affairs that included oversight of the Ministry of Recreation and Sport and the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board. 

·   CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group, Nigel Morrison has over 18 years experience in the gaming industry throughout Australasia. He took up the CEO position three years ago after a role as CIO of the Hong Kong and Macau casino group, Galaxy Entertainment and prior to this as COO of the Crown Casino in Melbourne. Before moving to these roles, Nigel was a Corporate Finance Partner with Ernst and Young and specialised in the gaming industry.

·   Minister of Revenue Peter Dunne is the leader of the United Future Party. He has worked in the role under both National and Labour-led governments. Peter has been a member of Parliament since 1984 holding the Ohariu, Onslow and then Ohariu-Belmont seats. He has served on several Parliamentary Select committees over this time, including the Finance and Expenditure Committee on two separate occasions. Peter is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and a trustee of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.