AGEM January 2025 Recap
• The 2024 AGEM McMonigle Cup Golf Tournament took place on Wednesday, December 11 at Bear’s Best Golf Club in Las Vegas. The two-person team event saw a full house of 40 players from 20 AGEM member companies participate. AGEM Associate Member Howard & Howard, a U.S. law firm, took home the title through the efforts of Art Rogers and Connor Bodin. Once again, the event proved very popular with the members and everyone had a great day.
• AGEM members received an update on Brazil from James Kilsby of Vixio Regulatory Intelligence at the January 2025 meeting. Kilsby reported on what is seen as a milestone moment when the Brazilian online market (which includes iGaming and sports betting) formally launched on January 1, with 68 operators now live. Despite some last-minute challenges which threatened to hold up the launch, the regulator granted an extension and issued some provisional licenses and certifications that allow an additional 30 to 60 days for full and final approvals for those currently in the process. Despite the launch of the regulated online market, the pathway for the land-based gaming sector is likely to take longer after a bill to authorize such activity was postponed from consideration by the Senate in December.
• AGEM members heard from Alfredo Lazcano of the Mexico-based law firm of Lazcano Sámano about recent updates in Mexico. Upon taking office, the new administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated the government does not yet have any formal proposal to update gambling laws in Mexico which date back to 1947, despite recent media commentary to the contrary. However, a recent public meeting between the president, SEGOB, license holders and other stakeholders may see the creation of a working group for proposals surrounding a new gaming law. In the interim, the situation regarding importation of products into the country remains inconsistent, and litigation challenges continue over the reform decree passed in 2023 with mixed results. There is no timeline for potential legislative or judicial outcomes, but the industry is hopeful for new approaches and opportunities based on the statements and actions of the new government.
Forthcoming Events
• The EKG Slot Awards Show produced by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming (EKG) will be held on February 27 at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas. AGEM is a sponsor of this key supplier event that recognizes excellence in slot game development in the casino gaming industry. Each year, EKG determines winners across 25-plus product categories including both land-based and interactive games.
• AGEM will once again be sponsoring the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Luncheon being held on Friday, February 14, at the Waldorf-Astoria in Las Vegas. AGEM will be hosting a table and currently has some seats available for any members that may wish to attend. Please contact Allison McCoy for more details at [email protected].
AGEM Index
The AGEM Index fell by 79.54 points to 1,564.82 in December 2024, a 4.8 percent decrease from the prior month. Compared to one year ago, the index rose 39.9 percent, or 446 points. During the latest month, seven of the 12 AGEM Index companies reported stock price decreases, which resulted in nine negative contributions and three positive contributions to the AGEM Index. The largest negative contributor to the monthly index was Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL). Although the company’s stock price rose 0.9 percent, a change in the Australia-to-United States dollar exchange rate ultimately led to a 28.86-point loss to the index. Meanwhile, Light & Wonder Inc. (NASDAQ: LNW) saw its stock price decrease by 9.1 percent, leading to a 19.14-point loss for the index. The largest positive contribution to the index was sourced to Ainsworth Game Technology (ASX: AGI), whose 15.3 percent increase in stock price resulted in a 0.49-point gain to the AGEM Index. Over the course of 2024, the AGEM Index rose by 34 percent. Since the index began in 2005, 2024 ranked as the fifth-fastest growing year and fell just short of 2021’s growth. In December, two of the three major U.S. stock indices decreased from the prior period. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 5.3 percent over the month, while the S&P 500 fell by 2.5 percent. Meanwhile, the NASDAQ increased by 0.5 percent from the prior month.
