DUBAI, UAE, June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — IMAX Corporation today announced it has signed an agreement with Meydan LLC, a sports and entertainment property developer in Dubai, UAE, to install an IMAX(R) theatre as part of a multi-billion development at the world-famous Nad Al Sheba, Dubai’s premiere thoroughbred horse racing track. Nad Al Sheba is home to the Dubai World Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events. Expected to be installed by the end of 2009, the new theatre brings the total number of IMAX locations in the Middle East to 12 by 2010.
“IMAX is one of the most prestigious and globally recognized cinema brands, and we are confident that our new IMAX theatre will help to reinforce Meydan as a premiere entertainment destination in Dubai,” said Saeed A-Tayer, Chairman of Meydan. “We are very excited to offer our patrons a powerful cinematic experience they can’t get anywhere else.”
“Dubai continues to be recognized around the world for its high end, luxury developments, and we’re pleased that the IMAX brand will be included in the Meydan project,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “We remain committed to growing the IMAX network internationally, and we believe that with the right partners, Dubai serves as an excellent platform from which we can increase our visibility in the Middle East.”
About Meydan LLC
Meydan LLC (Limited Liability Company) oversees the development of the UAE’s incredible new iconic horse racing development. It will feature a world-class grandstand, and the enterprise will also serve as a major business and conference district.
Features of Meydan - an Arabic word, which is translated as a place where people congregate and compete - include five-star hotels, operated by Banyan Tree, world-class golf course, more than 10 restaurants, covered car parking for 10,000, the Meydan Museum and gallery, and the Dubai Racing Club offices. Meydan Racecourse is in close proximity to Meydan City - a self-contained community consisting of commercial and residential plots, retail outlets and arcades with canal, waterfront and promenade views. It is also located near Meydan Business Park, which offers over 2.9 million square feet of office space in 17 blocks. The office pods are set in single pedestrian podium with architecture, design and colour creating an environment-friendly workspace that inspires. The MBP also boasts an impressive workspace lobby which is an expansive 12-hectare landscaped podium, while the plaza cleverly conceals a 3,400-carpark facility for resident workforce.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading digital entertainment and technology companies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world’s best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR(R) technology. IMAX DMR is the Company’s groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R). IMAX’s renowned projectors and new digital systems display crystal-clear images on the world’s biggest screens. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of March 31, 2008, there were 298 IMAX theatres operating in 40 countries.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), IMAX(R) MPX(R), and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at .
This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management’s assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include ongoing discussions with the SEC and OSC relating to their ongoing inquiries and the Company’s accounting, the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, the performance of films, the viability of new businesses and products, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as well as the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
IMAX Corporation
IMAX Signs Theatre Deal In Dubai
Posted by admin | Under Gambling Tuesday Sep 16, 2008Spectrum Gaming Group Named to Inc. 5,000 List of Fastest Growing Companies
Posted by admin | Under Gambling Monday Aug 25, 2008ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Spectrum Gaming Group, an independent research and professional services firm active on five continents, was named No. 728 on in the 2nd annual Inc. 5,000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America by Inc. magazine.
“A focus on integrity has allowed Spectrum to thrive,” Inc. magazine said in naming Spectrum Gaming Group to the prestigious list.
Spectrum ranked No. 28 among 165 New Jersey firms on the list and No. 78 among 566 firms in the Business Services category. For more information about the Inc. 5,000, visit
“We are particularly gratified that Inc. magazine noted our unwavering focus on integrity. That focus remains the bedrock of our growth,” said Fredric Gushin, Spectrum Managing Director.
“Our business plan boils down to this: We strive to be comprehensive and independent in all our work. We tell our clients what they need to know, not what they seek to hear. And we take great pains to avoid conflicts of interest. That is a simple recipe for success,” said Michael Pollock, Spectrum Managing Director.
Spectrum, founded in 1993, has developed expertise in every facet of the gaming industry, from research to regulation. The firm maintains offices in Atlantic City, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Harrisburg, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Macau, Manila and Tokyo.
Spectrum clients include national, state and Native American governments; casino operators; developers; Wall Street investment banks; attorneys; architects; and others who need reliable research and analysis. Spectrum publishes Gaming Industry Observer, the only industry newsletter that has won four national wards, and produces three prestigious conferences.
Spectrum Gaming Group services include:
— Anti-money laundering controls
— casino operations consulting
— Corporate entity investigations
— Drafting of legislation and regulation
— Economic impact reports
— Feasibility studies
— Licensing investigations
— Litigation support
— Market analyses
— Vendor licensing investigations
Among Spectrum’s recent engagements are:
— A comprehensive analysis of proposed casino legislation in
Massachusetts.
— An ongoing study of the impacts of all legalized gambling in
Connecticut.
– The 2008 Visitor Profile Study for the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.
– Assisting the West Virginia Lottery to draft minimum internal control standards and implement live table games at racetracks.
– A detailed feasibility study for proposed Southern Gaming Zone in southern Russia.
For more information about Spectrum Gaming Group, visit or call (609) 926-5100.
Spectrum Gaming Group
‘Ball for Life’ Pays Out at Platinum Play Bingo
Posted by admin | Under Gambling Thursday Jul 31, 2008MIDDLESEX, England, July 30 /PRNewswire/ — Online bingo provider, Platinum Play Bingo’s () newest offering, bingo Ball for Life (), has just made history, paying out for the first time in only the second week of operation.
When happy player ‘xnikkixmk’ completed her card, winning the bingo game in play for a full-house prize of 9.29 GBP, she also won a massive 2,000 GBP bingo Ball for Life jackpot. She hit the full house on her chosen lucky number 47, in 57 calls. ‘Xnikkixmk’ made her great win after joining the Platinum Play bingo room only 5 days ago on the 23rd of July!
Bingo Ball for Life is an exciting, world-first for bingo players, allowing them to own their very own lucky bingo number and even customize their own bingo ball with a chance of winning a massive 50,000 GBP in cash.
The Jackpot started off at 1,000 GBP in week one, and since it was not won in the first week, an additional 1,000 GBP was added to the pool. Now that the jackpot has been won, the prize-pool will return to 1,000 GBP and will continue to grow as each week passes. Up to 50,000 GBP in cash can be won; and should the prize-pool reach 50,000 GBP without being won, it will be paid out to those that came the closest and then start over.
Much excitement has surrounded this first-of-a-kind product and Platinum Play bingo players are in for a treat with cute characters and high-paying jackpots.
Platinum Play is one of the Fortune Lounge Group’s most esteemed online casinos. With an array of entertaining games, world-class support, top-of-the-line security and numerous banking options, it’s rated among the best online gaming sites on the internet.
Established in 1999, Fortune Lounge is one of the largest providers of online casinos and gambling websites in the world and provides the public with A-grade online casino brands such as: Platinum Play, Platinum Play Bingo, Royal Vegas Online Casino, Royal Vegas Mobile, PokerTime, Vegas Palms, Vegas Villa, 7Sultans, Desert Dollar, Fortune Room and Vegas Towers.
This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit .
Fortune Lounge Group
Eighth Annual Survey of Casino Executives to be Conducted by Gaming Industry Observer and Bristol Associates
Posted by admin | Under Gambling Thursday Jun 12, 2008LOS ANGELES, June 11 /PRNewswire/ — The gaming industry’s premier newsletter and its leading executive search firm will conduct their eighth annual Internet-based national survey of casino executives to gauge how the casino industry attracts, retains and motivates its executive talent.
The eighth survey — produced by Bristol Associates, Inc., a Los Angeles-based executive search firm, and Michael Pollock’s Gaming Industry Observer, an award-winning newsletter — comes during a tremendous growth period in the gaming industry, both internationally and across the United States.
To participate in the survey, visit , go to the “Gaming Industry” page and click on the “Take the Executive Satisfaction Survey” button. Gaming Industry Observer will analyze the results and report them in a future issue of the prestigious newsletter. Participants can also find a link to the survey at .
Analyses of the first seven Annual Gaming Industry Observer/Bristol Associates Surveys of casino Executives results were published in Gaming Industry Observer. “As the gaming industry grows, this survey becomes an invaluable tool for companies searching for new talent and for new ways to reward experienced managers,” Publisher Michael Pollock said.
Bristol Associates President James J. Bright said: “This survey helps our clients maintain and develop the strong leadership needed in today’s competitive landscape.”
Participants in the survey again will receive a complimentary copy of the results.
Gaming Industry Observer, which has won four national awards for editorial excellence from the Newsletter and Electronic Publishers Foundation, analyzes significant economic, social, political, legal and technological trends that impact the gaming industry. It is a subsidiary of Spectrum Gaming Group, an international research and professional services firm serving private- and public-sector clients on five continents.
Bristol Associates has well-established, successful practices in gaming, hotel, restaurant, travel, healthcare, food processing, and direct marketing. Bristol maintains one of the largest databases of executive talent in the industry. Jim Bright joined Bristol in 1975 and works exclusively with gaming companies to locate executives for both corporate and key property level positions.
Gaming Industry Observer
Ameristar Casinos Names Brent Willits Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ameristar Council Bluffs
Posted by admin | Under Gambling Tuesday Jun 10, 2008LAS VEGAS, June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Ameristar Casinos, Inc. today announced the appointment of Brent Willits as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ameristar Council Bluffs, effective June 16.
Willits replaces current Senior Vice President and General Manager Teresa Meyer, who will retire at the end of the month after 13 years with the company.
“We’re thrilled to have Brent join the Ameristar team,” said Ameristar Senior Vice President of Operations Michelle Shriver, to whom Willits will report. “Brent is an experienced casino executive who has worked in a variety of roles that give him a wonderful perspective on growing an already strong business and offering its guests unparalleled service. He’s been recognized for his ability to inspire teams to achieve significant goals in guest service, employee satisfaction and financial operations, which are all areas critical to Ameristar’s continuing success.”
Willits joins Ameristar from Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., where he served as Vice President of Operations at the company’s Horseshoe property in Bossier City, La. In that position, he was responsible for overall operations at the market-leading, full-service casino and hotel, which produced annual revenues in excess of $275 million. He was promoted to that position from the post of Regional Vice President of Slots for Harrah’s Northwest Louisiana operations.
He began his professional career as a Captain for the American River Transportation Company and worked for two other casino companies before joining Harrah’s in 1993.
“Ameristar Council Bluffs is a successful property in a competitive and vibrant gaming market,” Willits said. “I am excited to return to my native Iowa to help lead Ameristar Council Bluffs to an even stronger market position by building on the company’s legacy of fantastic guest service and product quality.”
Willits holds a master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University, and a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in Business Management from Mid-Continent University. He also holds a Commercial Pilot License and an Unlimited Masters License in the Merchant Marine, the highest level of professional qualification among mariners.
Willits is currently involved in many volunteer activities for the United Way, was a member of the United Way Pillar Society and is a volunteer aviator for LifeLine Pilots, which provides needy individuals with free air transportation on small aircraft to distant health care facilities. He and his family will be relocating to the Council Bluffs area.
Willits succeeds Meyer, a 30-year casino industry veteran who held the Senior Vice President and General Manager role since 2006 after being promoted through a number of management roles at the property. “Teresa led Ameristar Council Bluffs’ success with her strong business sense, attention to detail and commitment to accountability,” Shriver said. “Everyone at Ameristar has great appreciation for Teresa’s candor, energy, enthusiasm and passion for a job well done. She will be missed.”
About Ameristar
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. is a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company known for its premier properties characterized by innovative architecture, state-of-the-art casino floors and superior dining, lodging and entertainment offerings. Ameristar’s focus on the total entertainment experience and the highest quality guest service has earned it leading market share positions in the markets in which it operates. Founded in 1954 in Jackpot, Nevada, Ameristar has been a public company since November 1993. The Company has a portfolio of eight casinos in seven markets: Ameristar St. Charles (greater St. Louis); Ameristar Kansas City; Ameristar Council Bluffs (Omaha, Nebraska and southwestern Iowa); Ameristar Vicksburg (Jackson, Mississippi and Monroe, Louisiana); Ameristar Black Hawk (Denver metropolitan area); Cactus Petes and The Horseshu in Jackpot, Nevada (Idaho and the Pacific Northwest); and Resorts East Chicago (Chicagoland area), which was acquired on Sept. 18, 2007.
Visit Ameristar Casinos’ web site at
(which shall not be deemed to be incorporated in or a part of this news
release).
Forward-Looking Information
This release contains certain forward-looking information that generally can be identified by the context of the statement or the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,”"estimates,”"anticipates,”"intends,”"expects,”"plans,”"is confident that,”"should” or words of similar meaning, with reference to Ameristar or our management. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives, strategies, financial results or position, operational expectations or goals are forward-looking statements. It is possible that our expectations may not be met due to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, and we therefore cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. For a discussion of relevant factors, risks and uncertainties that could materially affect our future results, attention is directed to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Ameristar Casinos, Inc.