NEWS & NOTES

Leading digital and social game publisher Gameloft announced the launch of CSI: Slots on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android and Windows Phone. CSI: Slots features mystery cases written in collaboration with the CSI:  TV show writing team, according to the company. “We’re thrilled to partner with CBS Interactive to offer an all-new and totally interactive game concept,” said Gonzague de Vallois, senior vice president of publishing at Gameloft. “Featuring action and nail-biting intrigue, CSI: Slots promises many hours of game play.”  •  Gaming testing company NMi has announced the publication of a resolution by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) confirming its authorization to certify gaming machines in Peru. Andrew Rosewarne, NMi director, said, “Latin America is an important market for us, and Peru is highly regarded for its well-established regulatory regime, with a rigorous approval process for test labs, so we are delighted to have met with their approval.”  •  International Game Technology became the main sponsor of SAGSE Latin America, branding the entire event with its new trademark and lots of surprises. In addition, Aristocrat will be a Gold Sponsor, and JCM joins the event as the Silver Sponsor. SAGSE will take place at Costa Salguero Convention Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina. “The exhibitors of this edition will presence specific sales with the neighboring countries and with an existing and continuous demand of the Argentinean market that promises an upturn, as there will be presidential elections before the event,” said Alan Burak, general manager of SAGSE. “In SAGSE, the most important markets of the region are presented. This is it, and it will always be: everyone feels attracted by the idea of coming to Buenos Aires with SAGSE as the perfect excuse.”  •  The BBC is investigating a possible betting scandal involving the £10,000 Great British Bake Off. Ladbrokes told the network that several BBC employees placed bets on the winner of the baking-contest program after the contest was over, but several weeks before the program was aired. Dozens of new gambling accounts were allegedly created by people with links to BBC employees and independent production company Love Productions, which stages the show. Some were caught because they used their own names to open the accounts.  •  Scientific Games Corporation announced the official launch of mobile apps for Maryland Lottery and Gaming and the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. The apps are available for both Android and iOS mobile devices, and players may download them from Google Play and the App Store for free. They offer an option for ticket scanning as well as quick access to the current jackpots, winning numbers and other important lottery-related information. Scientific Games provides one in four U.S. lotteries with its official mobile apps, as well as a number of other lottery apps. In addition, the company says it plans to launch an updated version of the Tennessee Lottery mobile app featuring a ticket-scanning option and an opportunity for in-store shopping.  •  Oulala.com has unveiled a new monetized version of its sports gaming site, which is available to consumers in the U.K. for the first time. Founded in 2013, Oulala allows users to create their own fantasy football teams and compete against their friends. Just relaunched as a monetized fantasy football platform, users can now compete against other players to win real money. Unlike other fantasy football sites, where player points systems are based on five-20 different criteria, Oulala implements a points system based on more than 70 different criteria. In addition, Oulala has also unveiled an innovative ‘live coaching’ feature, which allows users to make in-play substitutions and team formation alterations in real time.  •  Democratic Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Jack Conway says he would support legislation to expand casino gambling in the state to aid the cash-strapped budget. “If we’re looking for new revenue, I think gaming is the most obvious place to look,” Conway told Kentucky Public Radio News. “We may have enough pressures on the budget now that forces can come together where we can put this issue in front of the people of Kentucky and let them vote on it.” Kentucky’s legislature has rejected expanding its offerings to include casino gaming despite more than a decade of attempts.  •  The Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau reports the number of people applying for self-exclusion from Macau casinos is on pace to hit a record high, with 245 applications received through the first nine months of 2015, versus 262 for 2014.  •  Global gaming revenues dropped by 4 percent during the third quarter this year, but early September gaming revenues suggest a quick recovery is in the works, Credit Suisse reported.  •  Greentube has reached agreement with Unibet, which will provide Novomatic’sBook of Ra deluxe, Lucky Lady’s Charm, Sizzling Hot deluxe, and other games.  •  Gaming Laboratories International has earned accreditation from the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos to perform online gaming compliance-testing services in Portugal.  •  Southwest Airlines has added a new daily one-stop route to Las Vegas via Houston from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, after opening its new $146 million international terminal at Hobby Airport on Oct. 15.  •  Six Victorian AFL clubs have signed a responsible gaming pledge aimed at keeping young people out of the betting pool. The Western Bulldogs, St. Kilda and Essendon joined Collingwood, Hawthorn, and North Melbourne in signing the pledge.  ?  It pays to have connections. Songbird Mariah Carey, current flame of Crown Resorts’ former chairman and current executive director James Packer, will reportedly earn in the “high six figures” to perform at the grand opening of Studio City in Macau October 27.  ?  Macau gaming officials say more than 250 people asked to be put on casino self-exclusion lists within a nine-month period. Several dozen additional requests came from the family members of gamblers. People on the list have the option to be excluded for up to two years, and can reapply at the end of that time. Those who violate the terms of the list are subject to one year in prison or a fine.  ?  In 2014, Macau was the second top tourist draw in Asia and the Pacific, generating US$51 billion (MOP408 billion), second only to Mainland China. The study from the World Tourism Organization and the Global Tourism Economy Research Center said Macau ranked sixth in tourism worldwide.  ?  Former Bellagio craps dealer James R. Cooper Jr.on October 13 pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft for his role in a two-year scheme to steal $1 million from the casino via payouts for bogus bets. Cooper
, who now works as a janitor and carpet-cleaner, said he was down on his luck, owed the IRS $60,000, and was struggling to make ends meet for his family with his $50,000 annual salary, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported.  •   Ohio’s Horseshoe Cincinnati Casino announced last week that it is missing $8,000 in chips, but because each chip has an RFID (radio frequency ID) the chips will be impossible for thieves to profit from. The chip transmits a radio frequency that can be turned off at the point of origin. This is common knowledge in Ohio and subsequently chips are rarely stolen.  •  Ladbrokes, a British-based online betting & gaming company recently introduced the Wild Jewels slots, which have proven very popular. Betdigital manufactures the omni-channel game. Betdigital CEO Heath Samples declared, “Our relationship with Ladbrokes continues to go from strength to strength. Both parties are delighted to announce that Wild Jewels has captured the retail market by storm.” A spokesman for Ladbrokes said, “Betdigital are building a reputation for delivering great games coupled with high speed third party integrations.”  •  Microgaming Software Systems announced last week a record-breaking jackpot win of £13,213,838.68 on its progressive slot jackpot Mega Moolah. This is the largest online slot jackpot on record. The jackpot was won by Betway player Jonathan Heywood, a 26-year-old member of the U.K. armed forces.  •  Genting Malaysia has announced that its 20^th Century Fox theme park opening will be delayed until 2017. CIMB Research calls the delay “a negative development in Genting’s bottom line. This negative will be allayed somewhat by a new shopping mall and additional slot machines at the Malaysia casino, said CIMB.