Archives
- Internet gaming spurs regulatory dilemmas, G2E panelists say (10-6-2011)
- MGM Resorts pinning growth on Asia, emerging technology (10-6-2011)
- Women gaming executives say casino amenities are key (10-5-2011)
- G2E panelists tackle 6:5 blackjack payout (10-5-2011)
- Capital markets for casino projects starting to rebound (10-5-2011)
- Companies laying groundwork for online poker (10-5-2011)
- High-tech meets old-school themes at G2E (10-4-2011)
- Gaming Association pitches for regulatory reform at G2E (10-4-2011)
A survey of more than 1,150 gaming industry professionals at this week’s Global Gaming Expo finds most participants are optimistic that 2012 will be a good year for the industry.
“These survey results indicate that there are exciting times ahead for the gaming industry,” Courtney Muller, senior vice president with expo producer Reed Exhibitions, said in a news release.
According to the survey, 77 percent of respondents feel positive about the direction of the casino industry in 2012 and 80 percent believe the company at which they work will be stronger next year. The survey said 76 percent are not concerned about their future employment situation.
Randall A. Fine, managing director of The Fine Point Group, a casino management and advisory company, told those attending the final session at G2E that they should never stop innovating their products.
Fine is an advocate of traditional mail marketing and isn’t sold on social media replacing it.
“Some fads are fun, and sometimes fads are real,” Fine said. “To me, social media sounds fun. That’s not saying social media is stupid. It’s just that when you create a unique offer to a player and it arrives in the mail, the person receiving it has to look at it and handle it, even if it means putting it in the trash. The U.S. Postal Service is still the best way to communicate to customers in the database.”
Fine also isn’t convinced that the legalization of Internet poker is going to be a game-changer for everyone in the industry.
“The big companies believe that online gambling will be good for them,” Fine said. “But the big guys will see the largest proportion of online revenue. I’m not sure how important it’s going to be for the little guys.”
Fine said casino companies should continue to exploit the data they receive through their loyalty clubs.
Fine formerly worked for Harrah’s Entertainment, whose Total Rewards loyalty club is widely regarded as the most successful in the industry.