With trepidation we offer an English version of a Latin’s view of ICE 2007. For those who speak or understand some Spanish we recommend reading the original in the Spanish language section, as we fear that much of the humour and play on words will be lost in translation!

The gaming industry put on its best bib and tucker for ICE 2007. Clarion ATE simply outdid itself! Apart from the almost 50% increase in exhibition space since 2006, a large number of Asian operators started to lift their heads above the parapet. We’re not speaking of China but of Indian and Sri Lankan operators arriving in number, all coming to purchase. Seen from above the exhibitors would have looked like flies, rubbing their hands together in anticipation of such good sales.

It was great to see Karen Thompson, IGT Europe Marketing Director, back and, as always, she was very busy conducting the fabulous Stand of the leading gaming company, but not too busy to spare a moment for the press. Warmest wishes for this charismatic jewel of IGT. A mention also of Miguel Mikasinovic, IGT Latin American president, who rewarded us with a compliment for the work done by CasinoCompendium. A lawyer by profession, praise from him is worth more than gold.

We met up with Christie Eckelman and Bill Tregor, directors of GLI, who always claim they do not get sufficient media coverage on the accomplishments of their renowned testing laboratory. Whilst always giving space to their latest news, the nature of their technical and scientific work does not usually make riveting copy. However, it is essential work and always worth a mention in both the English and Spanish sections.

Maximum Game at ICE 2007
The CasinoCompendium Stand was visited by Clive Tilley, president of Tilley Entertainment, who told us of his plans to conquer the world. Clive has a project called MAXIMUM GAME, which he is carrying from the gaming tables of Las Vegas, passing through the virtual, to remote play, Hollywood, a film of MG, returning to Las Vegas or similar, and from there back home to where the adventure with MG started. This Odyssey of play will go far. For the moment, Tilley Entertainment operates one of the largest casinos in Moscow, the largest casino in Venezuela, and there we will leave it before you think this is a commercial for TE or Clive. We’ll see you in Bogota and Mexico!

Speaking of Moscow, we also met up with good friend Jimmy Wrethman, executive president of the Swedish group Solna Leisure. Together with Noel Skrynski he runs the Meteliza casino in Moscow. Always with an eye on the future, Solna is breaking into remote gaming with an innovative system that will be discussed further at an appropriate time. Jimmy told us that he has now finished writing his magnus opus and, knowing this great Scotsman, we wait anxiously to read about his experiences in London’s Playboy Club, Africa, Spain, Russia, etc. 007 or Sean Connery are nothing compared to Jimmy, because his story is true!

We had the opportunity to meet in person the Golden Boot winner of the World Cup 1994, Davor Suker. He was captivated by our CasinoCompendium Girl, the model Valeria Guzman, and invited us to open a casino in his native Croatia where he is considered a god - as he is by all Arsenal fans. In impeccable Spanish, Davor informed us that he had taken the Spanish company EGASA to Croatia, a country now returning to former glories. Croatia used to be almost as popular as Spain for European tourists. We’ll see you in beautiful Dubrovnik, Davor!

Last but not least we encountered Enrique Aguilar, a great promoter of his beloved Peru and also importer of the liquor of the gods: pisco. The SOLDEICA brand of pisco is sold in Britain and for aficionados there is a good discount at www.peruvianenterprises.com or www.pisco.uk.com. Yes, this is a commercial and as connoisseurs we know that this nectar of the land of the Incas is the greatest!

And that was the ICE 2007 that was! (E-01.26.07)

© Copyright 2007 CasinoCompendium



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