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September 8, 2013

Can Joingo Target Mobile Audience?

Filed under: Casino — Tags: , , — OCE News @ 11:15 am

When it comes to reaching casino customers to inform them about special rewards or offers, mobile marketing is taking a leading role. In fact, mobile marketing is becoming more valuable than direct mailings or offers posted on websites.

In order to reach these customers, however, a mobile application is needed. This is where Joingo LLC, which is a San Jose, Calif.-based technology company, comes in handy. They have developed a mobile app menu that allows casinos to customize smartphone applications, and target and interact with loyalty members.

According to Joingo’s co-founder Alex Kanwetz, “We have a one-stop shop solution for a fragmented eco-system of apps. It’s also not about just having an app anymore; it’s about how you use it.”

By using the Mobile Loyalty System which ties into the customer database of a casino the casino is able to create personalized marketing campaigns that are based on the customer’s past history, his or her personalized preferences, as well as geographic location. This allows those casinos that are using the app to create and deliver to time sensitive materials and promotions which were very difficult to do in the past.

In additions, customers who are using the apps can now track their own points and do so anytime, day or night. This is seen as a major convenience for customers who like to keep on top of that sort of information. It also allows these customers to collect their rewards easily. Also, these apps can be easily integrated into social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Kanwetz said, “The value to the player is that they receive something that is personalized.”

Joingo was founded in 2008, and has 25 employees. They plan to increase that number up to 60 by the end of this year. Currently, the company is concentrating on expanding its client base which now includes 12 gaming companies. Kanwetz remarked that the company is focusing on gaming simply because it is a large space and they believe they have the products that can fill some of that space.

One of the major benefits to the Joingo program is that it can be used by casinos of any size. From the largest casinos in Macau to the smallest tribal casinos, all can take advantage of the program. According to Kanwetz, they have a functional mobile marketing or loyalty application running within 30 days. The program is compatible with iPhone, Blackberry, and Android operating systems. It can deliver text messaging and mobile websites, with its text messaging based on personal preference, as well as visit patterns and customer loyalty status.

As for the marketing side, its mobile functions allow casinos to deliver offers and coupons that can be sent and delivered in real time.

The company has also developed what they are calling the Joingo Game Network. This is a new catalog of mobile gaming content that is designed for casinos and it provides the needed infrastructure to deliver these new mobile games to mobile devices. It plans to continue designing new technologies for the booming mobile sector.

September 6, 2013

No Renewal from Iowa Gaming Board

Filed under: Casino — Tags: , , — OCE News @ 11:13 am

The Argosy Casino Sioux City made a request to renew its state license. The Iowa gaming regulators denied that request. They cited the basis of their refusal on the absence of an agreement that involves a local nonprofit group. They stopped short of closing down the floating casino.

According to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the casino is allowed to stay open. The commission reported that the casino can operate indefinitely as the owner makes appeals on several gaming commission rulings. The appeals will come through legal and administrative channels. The commission meeting took place at Riverside Casino and Golf Resort which is located near Iowa City.

In addition, the commission did go ahead and reaffirm its stated desire that the floating gambling boat be replaced by a land-based casino and that this take place before the opening of the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Sioux City. This facility is planned for opening sometime next summer.

For its part, Argosy did not accept the ruling quietly. The attorney for the owner, which is Penn National Gaming Inc, strongly objected to the denial of the renewal of the license, stating that this was nothing more than a continuation of a pattern of “trampling just about every procedural and substantive right an Iowa gaming operator has under state law and the U.S. Constitution”. The attorney is Chris Tayback. He went on to say that the decision was all but “preordained” as the commission has already decided to grant this new, second Woodbury County license for the land-based casino.

Back in April, the commission voted (it was a split vote) to select the Hard Rock group for the new land-based casino. There were three other proposals, which also included two separate sites offered by Penn National. The commission is composed of five members.

In June of 2012, the commission had decided that it would accept bids for the Woodbury County license. This took place after the commission expressed mounting frustration after months of failed contract negotiations between Penn National and the Missouri River Historical Development, its local nonprofit sponsor.

The gaming law in Iowa is unique. It requires casino operators who run operations in counties approving of casino gambling to sign special operating agreements with certain nonprofit groups. These groups are known as Qualified Sponsoring Organizations.

According to commission Administrator Brian Ohorilko, Argosy has not met this test and is not legally able to possess a state operator’s license. He also recommended that the commission deny the renewal of the license.

Attorney Tayback went on to argue that the commission was voting prematurely. He based this on the current status of the Missouri River Historical Development’s contract between itself and Penn National which is still being worked over. At present, Penn National, which is the second-largest casino operator in the nation, is the development over a breach of contract. The suit was filed in Polk County District Court. The lawsuit is requesting a Polk County judge to look into the commission’s refusal (of last summer) in which it failed to ratify a short-term contract extension. The extension had been signed by both parties.

September 4, 2013

Mono Indian Casino Project Moving Forward

Filed under: Casino — Tags: — OCE News @ 11:12 am

Jerry Brown, Governor of California, recently signed a bill that will let a casino project move forward. The project is backed by Station Casinos, Inc and has been in the works for almost ten years. The signing of the bill will allow actual development activities to finally begin.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $350 million and will be operated by the North Fork Rancheria Mono Indians. The project will be located close to a major California state highway as well as the city of Madera, which is about 25 miles north of the city of Fresno.

The gaming location will occupy some 305 acres, and was approved via a rarely used federal process that allows nontribal land to be taken into trust. The plan, for years, has been opposed by some rival tribes. The North Fork tribe acquired the land after 1988. In 2003, Station Casinos signed an agreement with the North Fork tribe to assist with financing, developing, and managing the project.

The process is not over however as the North Fork plan must still be approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior. In addition, the management deal offered by Station Casinos will require the National Indian Gaming Commission to approve.

According to Scott Nielson, Station Casinos Chief Development Officer, the company is now able to start with its design process. The plan calls for a new casino, and it thought to include table games, some 2,000 slot machines, and various entertainment as well as restaurant venues. Of the total acreage, the project will occupy an estimated 60 acres.

Nielson is calling for patience, however. He said, “We know from experience that these projects take time to materialize. You have to have patience.” He also commented that the project will be constructed in various phases and its initial construction is not expected to include a hotel.

Mr. Nielson also said that he suspects that the North Fork project may actually be the end of major Indian gaming developments in the state of California that involves nontribal land that has been taken into trust. He went on to say that the company does not have any Indian gaming projects, other than this one, in the works.

Currently, Station Casinos runs the Gun Lake Casino which is located near Grand Rapids, Mich. This is owned by the Gun Lake Tribe of Pottawatomi Indians. It is also constructing the $800 million Graton Resort and Casino which is located close to Santa Rosa, Calif. That particular project, which is for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Tribe, is thought to be ready for opening sometime in November.

According to 2011 numbers, California area Indian casinos (68 in total) earned approximately $7 billion in gaming revenues. This amount represents nearly one quarter of the total for the US in tribal gaming. This is according to Casino City’s Indian Gaming Industry Report.

It has also been announced that Penn National Gaming is planning to build a hotel and casino valued at $360 million. This project is for the San Diego Jamul Indian Village.

September 2, 2013

Casino Proposal Top Of NY Ballot

Filed under: Casino — Tags: , , — OCE News @ 11:11 am

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has moved forward with prioritizing the placement of the state’s new gambling proposal scheduled for the November ballot. He, and others, believe that placing the proposal on the top of the upcoming ballot will help to get it passed.

In November, NY voters will vote on whether or not to approve a new state constitutional amendment. If passed, this amendment will allow four Vegas-style casinos to be created in upstate New York, one of which is believed to be located at the Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Generally, new propositions are positioned on the ballot in sequence as they were approved by the state’s legislature. This time, however, six measures are to be placed on the November ballot at the top. It has been remarked that several casino proponents, as well as Governor Cuomo, want these gaming propositions listed first so that people who are voting will see them.

According to state Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mt. Hope, chair of the Senate Racing, Wagering and Gaming Committee, “When it (the ballot) comes out, it will be No. 1.” He went on to say that there will be marketing campaign that urges state residents to “Vote No. 1.”

It should be noted that he represents the Catskills area, which may get two full-scale casinos if the propositions are passed.

Also, in addition to the above, there are plans calling for voting booth attendants to speak to voters and remind them about the propositions just before they will cast their ballots. The new propositions are to be listed on the back of the paper ballots which voters fill out. It is a known fact that voters often forget to fill out both sides of the ballot. Officials who are running for public office will be posted on the front side of the ballot.

Gambling proponents are also concerned of light voter turnout because there are no big statewide races coming up this November. These ballot plans are not the only things that the state is doing as they try to get these casino proposals approved by voters.

One reason for this effort is that neighboring states who also have casinos will try their best to lobby against the new measures. Any new casinos in New York will, of course, have an impact on their businesses. Casinos in both New Jersey and Connecticut have already seen downturns financially. The amount of money that is expected to be used to lobby against the new proposals will be large, experts suggest.

Should the new proposals fail to be approved by voters, the state may still install video gaming machines at state non-racetrack locations. Also, if the proposals are defeated, they will not be brought up again, at least not in the near future. It is not clear at this time how or when those who may be opposed to the new proposals will being their lobbying efforts, but those efforts are expected to begin soon, and expected to be most aggressive in those areas that are closer to state borders who have competing casinos.

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