AGEM Board of Directors Actions – August 2018
- AGEM’s support of the Driving Arkansas Forward campaign continues following the secretary of state’s office questioning the validity of some of the signatures needed to place casino expansion on the general November ballot. There was a requirement to collect 85,000 signatures to endorse the proposal that would potentially allow two new casinos to be granted licenses and two existing racinos to allow slots. Roughly 20,000 of the 96,000 signatures put forward were deemed unacceptable; however, the secretary of state’s office issued a 30-day extension to get more signatures, and Driving Arkansas Forward reports more than enough valid signatures have now been gathered.
- The AGEM Compliance Committee recently received a draft of the updated language for the proposed Regulation 14 from the Nevada Gaming Control Board following Chairwoman Becky Harris’ request for a review of the original draft. This regulation was in response to AB 75 to allow more innovation to come into the gaming sector through the ability of the licensee (manufacturer) to partner with companies outside of gaming and “assume responsibility” for the hardware and software that ends up inside the machines. AGEM is reviewing the revised draft and will provide comments to Chairwoman Harris prior to a public comment period of review.
- The announcement on July 20 that the Japanese Diet enacted a bill authorizing the opening of casino resorts signals an exciting but long road ahead before implementation, but could also herald the start of opportunists taking advantage of activity in the region. AGEM members were informed of a new and unqualified organization trying to introduce gaming standards in Japan without the input of AGEM members who will ultimately be supplying games, systems and other technology. It is likely more organizations such as this will be formed, and the industry needs to be vigilant while trying to understand their intentions and goals.
- AGEM Director of Responsible Gaming Connie Jones recently attended the National Center for Problem Gambling’s Annual Conference on Problem Gambling in Cleveland, Ohio. AGEM is a major sponsor of the event—the largest problem gambling conference in North America, co-hosted by the NCPG and the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio. The four-day event had a jam-packed agenda and was extremely well-attended. Jones highlighted concerns to AGEM members at the recent monthly meeting that there needs to be greater involvement by the industry, particularly operators, game developers, tech experts and online gaming companies, to balance the debate. Many countries are taking a more aggressive approach to RG and utilize technology to protect players, but these initiatives are not necessarily working and require a balanced perspective that the industry can provide.
- AGEM members recently approved sponsorship of $30,000 for the G2E Chairman’s Reception held in conjunction with the Gaming Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event is by invitation only and will be held at the Venetian/Palazzo on October 10.
- G2E 2018 will be held October 9-11 at the Sands Convention Center, Las Vegas. AGEM will once again have a booth at the show located just inside the main show floor entrance.
AGEM INDEX
The AGEM Index increased in July 2018. The composite index finished the month at 565.39 points, a gain of 19.02 points or 3.48 percent, compared to June 2018. The AGEM Index reported a year-over-year increase for the 34th consecutive month and has climbed 141.46 points, or 33.37 percent, since July 2017. During the latest period, eight of the 13 global gaming equipment manufacturers reported month-to-month increases in stock price. Five manufacturers reported decreases in stock price during the month.
