Monday, January 01, 2007

Phase one implementation includes 40 multi-player electronic gambling
machines. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed for competitive reasons.
Located at Jai Alai Building, Avenida de Amizade, Macau, in Communist China,
Jai Alai Casino Macau has 67,075 square feet of gambling with about 250 slot
machines, 61 table games and 4 VIP rooms, and is open 24 hours a day. And if
jai alai, baccarat, blackjack and roulette aren't your cup of green tea you
can lose money on more traditional Chinese gambling such as Fish-Prawn-Crab,
Sic-Bo Cussec and Fan Tan. Two weeks ago, PacificNet announced that its
PacificNet Games Limited (PacGames) subsidiary was selected by Casino Lisboa
to provide 120 multi-player Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM) for Phase One
implementation at Casino Lisboa. Previously, PacGames also announced that it
was selected by Holiday Inn Macau Casino to provide multi-player electronic
gambling machines.
Victor Tong, President of PacificNet, notes that Macau has become the
fastest growing part of China and "we are very excited to be moving forward
in our pursuit of the Macau gaming technology business. We believe the Asian
gaming market has huge growth potential and that we are well positioned to
win more hotel-casino clients and capture a growing market share as a
leading gaming technology provider in the region." The numbers bear him out:
According to recent statistics provided by the Macau government, Macau is
one of the fastest-growing gambling markets in the world and is predicted to
surpass Las Vegas in total revenues by 2007. In 2005, Macau's gambling
revenues reached $5.8 billion, second only to Las Vegas gambling revenues of
$6 billion. With the disposable income of the average Chinese on the rise
Macau, the only area in China where gambling is legal, expects its gambling
and entertainment market to grow for years to come.
Earlier this week PacificNet, Inc. announced that its Take1 Technologies
subsidiary has introduced a new line of gambling machine products:
Electronic Bingo Machines. Recent regulation changes in several European
countries have opened the doors to more widespread electronic bingo
operators and a need to upgrade to the latest client-server based bingo
gambling machines. PacificNet's Take1 Electronic Bingo Machines are played
much like traditional bingo, but without the hassle of paper cards and mess
of ink blotters. The Take1 Bingo Machines are based on a client-server
computer network architecture and players can buy electronic bingo tickets
using one of the many electronic bingo terminals (or client betting
stations) situated in a variety of electronic bingo sales outlets.
Just before Christmas PacificNet's Epro subsidiary was selected by China
Unicom's (News - Alert) Shanghai Branch to provide CRM consulting and call
center training services. According to China Tech News, under the project
service agreement, PacificNet Epro will "enhance the CRM service level and
telemarketing management capability of China Unicom's customer service
center, called the 10010 Information Hotline," according to PacificNet
officials. Fei Jing Zhi, Manager of China Unicom's Shanghai Call Center
10010 Information Hotline, said the company hopes to work with PacificNet
Epro "as our long-term CRM partner on future call center projects." David
Sims is contributing editor for TMCnet. For more articles please visit David
Sims' columnist page.