Vol. 10 • No. 2 • January 16, 2012 - Print This Issue
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Vol. 10 • No. 2 • January 16, 2012, Featured Articles, PODCASTS
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS PODCAST: Anthony Sanfilippo, President and CEO, Pinnacle Entertainment
This week, the Global Gaming Business Podcast features an interview with Anthony Sanfilippo, the president and CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment on why he joined the company and what he hopes to create as leader of the innovative regional operator.
Download this Podcast Episode or Click Below to Play it.
After 23 years with the same company, most executives are looking forward to a retirement party and the easy life. Not Anthony Sanfilippo. After rising through the ranks at Harrah’s Entertainment, serving as the Western and Central Division president, he left the company in 2007, taking the reins at Multimedia Games in 2008. Despite some spotty performances in the past by executives who move from operations to manufacturing, Sanfilippo’s tenure at Multimedia took the company from Class II to Class III, from also-ran to industry leader, using his knowledge of operations to nudge the company forward. Sanfilippo says he would have still been there if it wasn’t for the entreaties two years later from Pinnacle Entertainment and the opportunity to build his own operations system. He discusses the transition and what he has done and is planning to do at Pinnacle. He met with Global Gaming Business Publisher Roger Gros at his offices in Las Vegas in December.
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WEEKLY FEATURE: South Korea Plans $3 Billion IR
South Korea appears to have jumped into the lead in the race to announce the next integrated resort in the Asian market. Plans to install a $3 billion integrated resort near the main international airport, Inchon Airport (l.), are lacking only a final agreement and the name of the U.S.-based developer. But all U.S. companies have insisted that locals be permitted to gamble before they agreed to invest.
Committee OKs Florida Casino Bill
The mega-resort bill, which could bring three massive casinos, including one planned by Malaysian gambling firm Genting (l.), to South Florida, passes its first challenge in a Senate committee. But there are many hurdles to overcome and opposition is mounting.
International Game Technology Buys Social Gaming Company Double Down Interactive
In an effort to improve its position in the social gaming industry, IGT has purchased Double Down Interactive. The buy is anticipated to contribute rapid user and revenue growth. The combination allows IGT to leverage Facebook distribution channel, and should be accretive to IGT’s fiscal year 2012 adjusted earnings. (Listen to an interview with Glenn Walcott, the president of DoubleDown Interactive, at left.)
Thinking Big in NYC
Genting rolls out plan for what could be the largest convention center (l.) in the U.S., at Resorts World at Aqueduct. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is all for it since it will cost the state nothing. And Brooklyn’s Coney Island is making a bid to be a casino location.
Kyrgyzstan Shuts Down Gaming
Kyrgyzstan has joined the likes of Russia and Kazakhstan by shutting down all gaming venues in the country. The anticipated action occurred on January 1 as proscribed by law passed in autumn 2011.
Northern Edge Navajo Casino Opens
The $60 million Northern Edge Navajo Casino will open Monday near Farmington, New Mexico. Operated by the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, the 86,000-square-foot casino will showcase original work by Navajo artists.
Bally at 80
Bally Technologies executives ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the company’s founding.