“The highlight of ICE was innovation and the multi-channel strategy”

(UK, exclusive Yogonet.com).- Marzia Turrini, BMM SVP Business Development Southern Europe, talked to Yogonet.com following the latest ICE edition. The executive spoke about ICE and online gaming trends and frameworks. “The professional team in attendance, which represented all the corporate regions of BMM, had the opportunity to meet existing as well as prospective customers at the show,” she commented. How is the company positioned in Europe; do you have any plans for the region? There is a great deal of potential in the European market. BMM Testlabs already has three European test labs which are based in Spain, Austria and the recently opened new premises in Italy. BMM’s goal is to offer a localized, quality service throughout Europe that leverages the strength of our global organization. Over the next year we will continue to provide the highest level of quality and service that our customers have come to expect, while expanding our business by working with new clients and organizations. What do you feel next year holds for the industry? Spain should see notable results with regards to the online casino market, especially due to the introduction of the slot games. The addition of slot games could motivate the large land-based operators to increase investments in their interactive product offerings. That said, however, we will not see the full impact of the new regulations until 2015. Italy will see the introduction of betting exchanges and complementary schedules, independently managed by the operators, which should contribute to increased revenue coming from online sports betting. The availability of betting exchanges and social gaming through a myriad of mobile devices will enhance the growth forecast for the betting market. Italy has approved new technical regulations for low limit gambling devices. The regulations refer to these devices as comma 6A slot machines but they are also referred to as NewSlot 3 or AWPs. The new standards will ultimately require the replacement of over 400,000 machines in accordance with a replacement schedule to be released by the government. This large number of devices to be replaced will provide opportunities for existing and new manufacturers to compete for floor space. Finally, everybody is looking at Greece and what will happen with regards to the opening of the online and VLT market. The shape of that market is yet to be defined. What was the highlight of ICE? Innovation and the predominance of the multi-channel strategy from major gaming operators worldwide. While the ubiquitous land based casino products were on display, the internet game developers were out in full force showing their wares. What trends did you see? How was the mood in general? Again, there was a lot of innovation in the product offerings. After 3 years of repetitiveness, I have seen new and interesting products, most notably in the online and mobile offerings. This trend should continue for the foreseeable future since online gaming will grow as the US and its territories continue to adopt online gambling legislation. How would you reflect on the show? Was it positive for BMM? The ICE show was and always is positive for BMM. The new floor layout of the show and BMM’s location was deemed to be a success. It was our experience that there was an even higher attendance and more booth visits this year than last. The professional team in attendance, which represented all the corporate regions of BMM, had the opportunity to meet existing as well as prospective customers at the show. From BMM’s perspective, the show was a success! Do you think standardization is what’s next for the industry? Where possible, standardization will...

BMM Testlabs ready to accept submissions for Colorado

BMM Testlabs announced today that BMM North America is ready to accept submissions for Colorado, with its approval as a Certified Vendor and newly opened Colorado office. Travis Foley, EVP Operations – BMM Americas commented, “We are very pleased that the Colorado Division of Gaming has found BMM suitable to test products offered by licensees for placement in the State. With this in mind BMM has recently opened an office in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. We are very much looking forward to working with The State of Colorado and providing BMM’s high level of technical expertise, training and customer service to manufacturers, operators and regulators throughout the region.” Alisha Ray, VP Regulatory and Compliance – BMM International added “We are grateful to the Colorado Division of Gaming for their approval of BMM. We would like to thank Brenda Davis, Director of Administration and her team, for their assistance and diligence throughout the Vendor Certification...

BMM Testlabs Announce New Director – Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr.

BMM Testlabs announced today that Mr. Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr. will be taking on the role of non-executive Director on the board of BMM International from 1 February 2014. Martin Storm, BMM’s President & CEO stated, “This is a very exciting time for BMM around the world. Having the esteemed Frank Fahrenkopf join the BMM group board is extraordinary for each of BMM’s stakeholder groups and a tremendous vote of confidence in our culture, capabilities and commitment to the gaming industry worldwide. Frank brings gaming industry expertise and relationships that will enhance our business position, particularly in North America. On behalf of BMM I am proud to welcome Frank to our board.” Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. was most recently President & CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA) in Washington, D.C. In his 18 year role as chief executive of the AGA. Mr. Fahrenkopf was the national advocate for the commercial casino-entertainment industry, responsible for positioning the association to address related regulatory, political and educational issues. Mr. Fahrenkopf serves as Co-Chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates, which is responsible for the widely-viewed Presidential debates during the quadrennial election cycle. Of Counsel at Hogan Lovells, Mr. Fahrenkopf gained national prominence during the 1980s when he served as Chairman of the Republican Party for six of President Ronald Reagan’s eight years in the White House (1983 to 1989). Fahrenkopf comments, “I am extremely pleased to join the BMM team of outstanding professionals dedicated to the achievement of testing and compliance excellence in the gaming industry. BMM is at the “cutting edge” of technology and technical understanding to better serve our clients, gaming regulators and the industry at large. I look forward to working with BMM to continue to provide competent, efficient, cost-saving and competitive testing and consulting services.” Frank Fahrenkopf has joined BMM President & CEO Martin Storm and his business leadership group at the 2014 ICE show in...

BMM Testlabs Announce Leadership Expansion In Europe

BMM Testlabs announced today that it has expanded its presence in Europe with the appointment of Marzia Turrini as Senior Vice President – Southern Europe. Martin Storm, BMM’s President & CEO stated, “We are very pleased to welcome Marzia Turrini to the BMM management team. Marzia has extensive knowledge and experience of the European gaming industry and will be a major asset to both new and existing customers in Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Greece and Malta.” With over 10 years of gaming industry experience and a degree in Management and Languages, Turrini’s prior roles include management positions at both Betstone and Atronic, most recently working as head of Business Development & Marketing for Betstone in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Turrini has also held business development and product management roles at Cyberview Technology and Unidesa Cirsa. Turrini comments, “As a long-time industry professional I have had the pleasure of being a customer of BMM Testlabs and have always been particularly impressed with the high quality of service, attention to detail and expertise of the BMM staff. I strongly believe that BMM is the best choice for gaming certification and testing in Europe and I look forward to continuing to provide the high level of service that BMM’s customers have come to expect and...

BMM Testlabs announces the “Compliance Alliance”

BMM Testlabs is pleased to announce the launch of the “Compliance Alliance”. Partnering with Casino Enterprise Magazine, BMM Testlabs will host the new radio show – The Compliance Alliance on the last Monday of each month. The show, hosted by BMM Testlabs’ Senior Vice President for Regulatory Education, Richard Williamson, is designed to bring the latest Compliance and Regulatory news to the industry. In the first show Richard Williamson will interview Joe Valandra, CEO of Great Luck, to explore how Tribal Governments and casino operators will join the ranks of Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey in exercising sovereign jurisdiction to offer browser-based Internet gaming. Williamson commented “This is a great opportunity for BMM and CEM to work together in broadcasting the latest compliance news in real-time. Listeners can participate in the live show by asking questions and making comments, via the CEM Audio Edge website.” Williamson added, “Our first show is a fascinating topic that will be receiving national attention. It’s a ‘must listen’ for all of us who are watching the iGaming industry develop here in North America.” Joining Williamson in the discussion with Joe Valandra will be BMM’s EVP of Operations for North America, Travis Foley, who came to BMM from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The show will debut at 11am PST on January 27th. To listen to the show, to set a reminder for the show or if you would like to post a question for Rich Williamson, Joe Valandra, or Travis Foley – in advance, or live, please visit BMM Testlabs’ Compliance Alliance. The Compliance Alliance radio shows will also be archived on the website for listening at a later date, if you can’t make the live...

menu

“The highlight of ICE was innovation and the multi-channel strategy”