Microsoft, Apple Mount Legal Attack on Android

Microsoft and Apple are employing different legal strategies in their fight against Google‘s Android OS, as courts rule Motorola phones violate a Microsoft patent and Apple opens another front against Samsung.

On Tuesday, the U.S. International Trade Commission said Motorola’s Android handsets violate a Microsoft patent covering technology that generates meeting requests and group scheduling. The initial determination follows an October 2010 complaint accusing Motorola of infringing several other patents, but the ITC ruled on just on one patent.

Meanwhile, Apple, which earlier this month lost its bid to keep Samsung’s Galaxy 10.1 tablet out of Australia, is now claiming the device’s case, along with cases for Samsung’s phones, infringe its patents and design, expanding patent disputes between the two companies.

Full Story http://www.forbes.com/sites/mobiledia/2011/12/22/microsoft-apple-mount-legal-attack-on-android/

Paris Blackpool Casino Opening

The Paris Casino in Blackpool has finally opened its doors and from the photos (Geoff Oldfield) it certainly looks like the wait was worth it. It looks like a nice open space tastefully decorated and of course we hope Pierre, John and Peter have a successful club for the future. To Many pictures to post so if you would like to see more I am sure myself or Geoff can forward them on to you

Dusk Till Dawn

Dusk Till Dawn seems to be going from strength to strength and are reported to be gaining 4 V+ Gaminators early next year along with 2 more AR tables. With this in mind the club wanted to create more space on their gaming floor.
Ian Smith headed this operation up (Install team busy on a little Aspers job) from site visit, quote and the actual move itself along with Sean Deehan, of course as this was a regular install things were bound to go wrong and they did.

Optic Fibre, need I say more ! after a broken amplifier and non terminated glass fibre cables (3rd party contractors) Ian and Sean pulled out all the stops and completed the work. As you can see from the photos it all looks good

The Isle Of Man Wants 2nd Casino on the Island

The Isle of Man government has taken steps to actively pursue investors with a view to constructing a large five star hotel and casino complex on the island with the backing and support of the state itself.
Such a complex would be viewed as a welcome addition to the already established attractions of the island including many outdoor activities available such as nine golf courses, a national sports centre and motor racing facilities.
The island’s government have issued documents which provide further information for parties interested in investing and working with the Manx government on the project and such information is now available on request form the island’s Department of Economic Development.
The island will be actively pitching its good transportation links with the U.K. as well as providing potential investors with information on why it is that the Isle of Man is an excellent location for such a hotel and casino complex.
Isle of Man Economic Development Minister John Shimmin said ‘A new resort would be a welcome addition to our already successful visitor attractions and will add to the Island’s development. I am delighted that this project is progressing well and anticipate good levels of interest in this unique opportunity to develop a hotel and resort complex in the Isle of Man.”

Ex-miners’ union headquarters set to become 24-hour casino

AMENDED plans to convert the former National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) headquarters in Sheffield city centre into a 24-hour casino with bars and restaurants are set to be approved by council officials next week

Barnsley-based Brook Leisure is aiming to transform the building, creating a casino and entertainment complex with two “high quality” restaurants and a roof-top bar with views across the city. A total of 130 jobs are predicted.
Brook Group chief executive Jason Brook said: “The NUM building is one of Sheffield’s most prominent buildings, but has been left behind throughout the city’s recent regeneration activity and it’s hard to believe that the UK’s fourth largest city does not have a city centre casino.
“We are incredibly excited at the prospect of bringing the building back to life as a unique and new entertainment destination, which will in turn create new employment opportunities.
“We have committed to a lease on the building and are very hopeful that the council will continue to support us in our efforts to create further opportunities and see this building finally brought into use.

Full Story

The Xmas Gifts you should NOT buy the Wife / Girlfriend

Its the festive time of year  and as men we all have that delicate balancing act of buying the correct gift for Christmas, and if you are anything like me on occasion you WILL get it horribly wrong. So here are some of the DO NOT under any circumstance tips and advice (Remember I am Male so all advice given on the female of the species is totally irrelevant and useless)

Do NOT fall for the "lets not buy any presents for each other this year"

If you decided between yourselves to spend up to a certain budget, increase it by 10 to 15%, it may not impress the woman in your life but as a man its a practical thing and you will have that warm satisfied glow inside (similar to other activities you share in your lives)

If you have forgotten to get anything DO NOT suggest the surprise is the Boxing day sales


Here is the Top Ten list of What Not To Buy

1. Hoover
2. A pair of Season Tickets to your Favourite football team
3. Cash (Never ever, ever and especially do not leave it on the bedside table for her)
4. Lingerie (Wrong size , accusations of is that the other woman's size)
5. Blender, Iron, Deep fat fryer (or any Kitchen appliance, keep well clear)
6. A pair of Day experience tickets (you are man and you will pick an activity that suits YOU)
7. A days Cookery course (She will take it the wrong way)
8. A Cookery Book (She will take it the wrong way)
9. Make-Up (You Will get the wrong Brand and if, when you get caught in her make-up bag acting suspiciously only awkward questions will ensue and for many years after)
10. A Sexy Santa Suit for Xmas morning (To start with its actually for YOUR benefit and there will be conversations after about your fantasies and that will never lead to a good place)

A Message From Santa

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

For those of you who have children (I am sure there are a few engineers who would like it as well) or relatives in the Believing age of SANTA IS REAL there is a nice web site

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home

You can personalise a video message from Santa with the child's name, age and photos. It does add a nice touch to Christmas for the kiddies (and the simple ones)

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvjr1ezo4x1qljjc7o1_500.jpg

Rank has the X Factor

Rank Group signs partnership with Fremantlemedia

(UK).- Leading gaming-based entertainment company Rank Group announced that it has signed a three-year deal with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), in association with Syco, to be the official gaming partner of The X Factor

As part of the deal, Rank Group‘s brands comprising of Mecca Bingo, Grosvenor Casinos and sports betting website, Bluesquare.com, will have the rights to create an exclusive X Factor branded online bingo game, as well as a series of slots and mini games.
The company will have the rights to use The X Factor branding, including title graphics, theme music, logo and imagery in all marketing, communications and promotions across its retail businesses, websites, mobile products and social media channels. Rank Group will also be given promotional opportunities at The X Factor events.(Story by Yogonet.com)

Full Story

New Technolgy Reaches Margate

The latest technology has reached the coastal town of Margate.


These machines are still in operation in Dreamland at Margate, I can only imagine how excited  they are, as far as I understand they are still waiting for the latest software update for the new £50

Has your town got the latest machines let me know and send in those pictures

If You Belive in Santa Please Do NOT Watch

Leeds prepares to invite large casino applicants

Leeds City Council expects to begin inviting applications for its large UK casino licence towards the end of January

Following a public consultation earlier this year, the council is currently in the process of agreeing the policy that will determine how its application process will work. The policy was approved by the council’s executive board last month and will be going to the full council meeting in January.
Council communications officer Emma Whittell told InterGaming that if the policy is approved, potential developers would then be invited to apply for the licence.
At the moment, she said, the council does not have a preferred location. In recent years several sites have been suggested as possibilities for development.
It remains to be seen, however, whether a city that already houses four casinos, will be as attractive a proposition as some of the other locations permitted to offer large casino licences under the 2005 Gambling Act.

Paris Casino Blackpool Opening

Paris Casino Blackpool is planned to reopen at it's new location in Bloomfield Road (Next to Blackpool Football stadium) mid December.

The installation will start on Monday 5th December the equipment to be installed is:



20 Novomatic Unity terminals

1 Novomatic Auto-wheel

17 IGT AVP Slots including Fort Knox sign

3 Gaminator slots

4 CC+

ASPERS STRATFORD OPENING

Just Another Casino Opening !

Queue before opening

Well not exactly, It was another new casino on a very large scale and of course the first with the 2005 Large Licence. In my time at TCSJH I have probably been to more casino openings than most and what struck me as I entered the casino was the vast amount of people on the gaming floor,(not a lot of people in a small space) a VAST amount of people in a very large space and as far as the eye could see, this was at 4.30pm ! Astonishing as the VIP guests were not due until 8pm.

All this was achieved with what seemed very little advertising or marketing, except for social media (Facebook). As I looked around the casino it defiantly had the feel of a "Vegas" casino with the help of the 150 slots, 80 T Bets and of course the People . The place was ALIVE, the atmosphere was buzzing with a mix of seasoned punters, first timers, along with the casual gamers and the voyeurs.

The Competition
        Hippodrome, London Clubs, Gala, Stanley, they were all at the opening.
I am sure they were all a little torn with there emotions, wanting the new large venue licence to work so it pushes the industry onwards and forward to more large licence clubs or at the very least an increase the amount of machines allowed on the gaming floor, BUT then not to do to well and effect there own attendance and profit figures

Is it the Future ?

The Hippodrome Update and History 1900 to 1951

30.11.11

The Hippodrome is progressing at a steady pace and it looks like they are restoring and enhancing some of the original features.
Today's feature includes present day photos along with some original pictures and illustrations.
This was once a magnifcient builiding with a long and esteemed history in the entertainment industry.

I hope they do restore the building to its former glory and it is succsefull again  


Hippodrome a Brief History

30.11.11

The London Hippodrome was built in 1900 by Frank Matcham for Edward Moss for £250,000 as a hippodrome for circus and variety performances. The venue gave its first Circus show on 15 January 1900.^[1] Entry to the venue was through a bar, dressed as a ship's saloon and the performance space featured both a proscenium stage and an arena that sank into a 230 ft, 100,000 gallon water tank (400 ton, when full) for aquatic spectacles. The tank featured eight central fountains, and a circle of fountains around the side. Entrances at the side of the auditorium could also be flooded, and used for the entry of boats.^[2] Shows included equestrian acts, elephants and polar bears, and acrobats would dive from a Minstrel Gallery above a sliding roof, in the centre of the proscenium arch. The auditorium featured cantilevered galleries, removing the columns that often obstructed views in London theatres, the whole was covered by a painted glass retractable roof, that could be illuminated at night.^[2] The building included the headquarters of Moss Empires.^[3]

Theatre 1909-1951

1930ish

In 1909, it was reconstructed by Matcham as a music-hall and variety theatre with 1340 seats in stalls, mezzanine, gallery, and upper gallery levels. It was here that Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake received its English première by the Ballets Russes in 1910. The Albert de Courville (1887–1960) revues were performed here from December 1912.
In 1919, the Hippodrome hosted the first official jazz gig in the United Kingdom, by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band.^[4]

1907

Its reputation was for revue and musical comedy, among them The Five O'Clock Girl and also Mr. Cinders, both in 1929, Ivor Novello's Perchance to Dream in 1945 with Margaret Rutherford, and the revue High Spirits in 1953 with Cyril Ritchard and Diana Churchill. Julie Andrews made her stage debut here at the age of 12. From 1949 to 1951 it was the London equivalent of the Folies Bergères.

New dice game on trial in UK casinos

Photo By M Streatfield

Dutch casino games developer ICS-Europe is trialling a new dice-based table game, Qilin, at two Grosvenor Casinos properties in the UK.

Taking its name from a mythical Chinese dragon, Quilin is played with three dice randomised in a tumbler unit. Players see the dice starting to tumble, then the unit is covered until betting is finished, when the result is shown.
Having been on show at Grosvenor’s Table Game Showcase event at its Ricoh Arena casino earlier this year, the game is now being tested at Grosvenor Casino Portsmouth Gun Wharf and G Casino Thanet.

Photo By M Streatfield

“We are constantly seeking to keep the mix of gaming in our outlets fresh and interesting for customers,” said Kevin Graham, head of table gaming for Grosvenor Casinos. “Qilin made a strong impact the first time we saw it and we are happy with the results so far in the two clubs. The future of the game in Grosvenor Casinos will be decided when the trial finishes.”

Photo By M Streatfield

Paul Schulpher, UK sales agent for ICS-Europe, said Qilin ticks the most important box for a new game – simplicity.
“The basics can be explained in 20 seconds to a new player, giving them enough information to play the simplest bets. It’s a game that can be enjoyed by new weekend players and more seasoned gamers.”



UK super casino idea ‘is dead’ !

The decision to scrap plans to build a super casino in the UK effectively killed off the notion of opening a 1,250-machine gaming facility anywhere in the country, it has been claimed.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown chose to abandon the plans to build a super casino following the decision to award the licence, which was written into the 2005 Gambling Act, to Manchester. The proposals had been met by a wave of opposition, led in part by the mainstream British press.
National Casino Industry Forum chairman Malcolm Moss believes the plans were flawed, particularly the choice of location, but that there remains scope for a limited number of casino properties that are larger than those defined as ‘large’ under the 2005 Act. The first of this new generation of British casinos, Aspers at Westfield Stratford City in London, will open on December 1 with 150 gaming machines and is permitted 30 tables.
“The super casino idea, I think, is dead,” Moss told InterGaming. “But that’s not to say that a large casino – not as defined by the 2005 Act – could not be built somewhere like Blackpool, if there’s still a chance to resurrect that place.” Full Story        "Story by courtesy of InterGaming"

Caption of The Week

Last weeks winners was Mike Staley with "Unfortunately, yet again Robbie has left the band, but his dad has offered to step in for the remainder of the tour" I will be sending him a prize in the post up to the value of a massive £1
This weeks offering is the busy workman

Who will start the opening gambit

Casino Facts And Figures

Attendance in Casinos for the month September was 1.4 million people, this is slightly up from the same time last year by .5% The biggest shift in attendance was actually in London, the biggest downturn was the "regular" casinos in London, this was down by nearly 3% BUT the biggest gain in attendance was the in the BIG 6 in London by the same 3%
The Big 6 Consists of Crockfords, Aspinalls, Clermont, The Ritz, Les Ambassadeurs and Maxims.
The reported cash drop for September was £467 Million Pounds, of this total £315 Million was dropped in London which £151 Million was from the Big 6 alone.
This is up by £30 Million in the same time last year, but the profits are down by some 2%.
In September there was 146 casino  licences in operation

ROLL LAPTOP Amazing new Technology 2012

Predicted Technology for the next year
Will it actually happen ?

TCS John Huxley CEO Heap to step down

David Heap, TCS John Huxley’s chief executive, is to step down from the role on March 1, 2012.

He will now take on a new role as advisor to the Knutsson family portfolio of companies.
Heap was appointed CEO of TCS in 1996 and was instrumental in joining the company with John Huxley in 2003 to create one of the industry’s largest suppliers of live table gaming products and services.
“David is a true professional who has provided strong leadership and a great deal of knowledge and experience to his role,” said Bertil Knutsson, TCS John Huxley chairman. “He has undoubtedly established excellent foundations for the company to continue to grow and prosper. We wish him much success in all his future endeavours.”
Heap said it had been a “pleasure and a great opportunity” to be part of TCS John Huxley.

AUTOMATION OF CASINO CARD GAMES

As a knock on affect of the recent global financial crisis there has been a trend for casino operators to look at ways of reducing staffing overheads. However in reducing staffing overheads and ultimately the staff head count casinos do not want to loose the opportunity to lose gaming positions. This opens numerous opportunities for electronic emulations of real live casino games. Currently, where card games are concerned, there are very limited opportunities to offer automated, real-time card games using real casino playing cards. TCSJH has been working closely with Perth Resources on the development of a solution meeting current market demands that will allow them to exploit such opportunities. The prime strategy will be to use the automatic delivery of cads to drive game content on the Novomatic Unity 2 electronic gaming system. The first manufatured unit has been despatched to Novomatic for integration and evaluation. Once completed this will be the start of a new generation of Multi-Card games and strengthen furhter the aliance between Novomatic and TCSJH. It will also ensure that the Unity 2 product remains one step ahead.

Gentings Buy Fox Poker Club

Casino operator Genting UK has announced that it has purchased the Fox Poker Club in London for an undisclosed sum and will add it to its Genting Casinos portfolio of venues that includes the Circus, Maxims and Mint brands.

Genting UK is a subsidiary of Genting Malaysia, which is itself owned by leisure and hospitality giant Genting Berhad, and operates 45 casinos throughout Great Britain and recently signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with English Premier League soccer team Aston Villa. Full Story at Igamingbusiness

Casino cheats snared by smart camera system

Ipostek the Camera software people have had an article in the NEW SCIENTIST.
Interest is growing in the industry on this innovative solution to combat the less than honest punters out there. It gives a good explanation in layman's terms on how it intends to combat the cheats
Extract from NS
"PEOPLE trying to cheat in casinos may soon be taking more of a gamble than they realise. Grosvenor Casinos, is assessing software that can spot cheating at the roulette table and alert the croupier."  Follow links for full articlehttp://www.ipsotek.com/index.php?q=node/102

Aspers Progress Update

Aspers Stratford is progressing well, IGT are on site this week commissioning all of their machines, Astra are very close to finishing the installation off all their machines, Of course in and around all the activity of the other manufactures and at the heart of the install are the TCSJH team. Dependant and resilient as ever always ensuring that every job gets completed on time, It may seem that there is not much difference from the pictures on Sunday but much progress has been made

I am sure that this will happen again at Aspers.
All this is happening with the intention of the official opening being on the 1st of December. Watch this space

Caption of the Week

Gents Caption of the week.

Aspers Stratford Update

Aspers Stratford
The first day went to the usual schedule Mon 7th of Nov (unable to do any part of the install). The second day was a little better and things began to happen, fortunately things are now staring to to move and the club is taking shape thanks to the sterling efforts of Mark Needham, Dave Curtis, Tony Pierpoint, Logistics and Dave Jennings team.

Quote from Aspers Web
"Across our 40 tables we have the widest and most varied range of games available in any casino in the UK including classics such as American Roulette, Blackjack and Punto Banco as well as exciting new games including Casino War and Blackjack Switch.
We also have the largest and newest collection of slot machines -150 in total which includes the latest ‘Sex and the City’ game.

 We have 80 electronic betting terminals allowing you to play in privacy if you choose whilst still being able to enjoy the thrill of the live gaming experience"
More updates to follow

Dusk Till Dawn Poker Club Update

The tables and displays have now been installed (pics below) and there is a possibility that the wheels will soon be connected to the IGT MP system. Hopefully it will be a sucsess and they will need more equipment



45 tables with a capacity to comfortably sit 450 players in one sitting at our larger festivals



Dusk Till Dawn Poker Club (follow link for full details) and Casino was the first legal poker only club (Poker Club) in the UK and one of the largest in Europe.

World's first eye-controlled arcade game debuts

The world's first eye-controlled arcade game will make its first public appearance at Dave & Buster's Time Square, New York, today.
Developed by Swedish company Tobii Technology, a leading developer of eye tracking and eye control, Tobii EyeAsteroids represents an expansion of eye tracking applications into the consumer market.

Eye tracking and eye control make it possible for computing devices to know exactly where users are looking. Using eye control for gaming is a much talked about concept at the moment and Barbara Barclay, general manager of Tobii North America, said its use in interactive entertainment added a new dimension to the experience, making it more intuitive, immersive and fun.
Full Story

Casino facts & Figures

On a regular basis we will bring you facts and figures of how the casinos are performing
this is the first of these figures
August 2011 attendance for the UK was at 1.4 million people into the casinos and this is about 4% down from last year , There was an actual increase in attendance in Scotland of 1.5%.
The reported cash drop for the casinos (NOT profit) for Aug was £346 Million, and of this total £200 Million was dropped in London, it seems impressive but this is down by 2% for the same time period as last year.
From the conversations I have had with the casinos it is not all doom and gloom, the general opinion is they are doing okay , not fantastic but not bad, if you hear any news of the good the bad or the ugly from your regions we would appreciate the info
If there is any particular facts or figures you would like to know, or just for your region please let us know

Americans are they really that !

Dumb as a box of  Rocks
A VERY GOOD  EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF REPRESENTATION WE HAVE IN  CONGRESS, TRUE STORY :
A noted  psychiatrist was a guest speaker at an academic function  where a CONGRESSMAN happened to appear. The CONGRESSMAN took the opportunity to schmooze the good doctor a bit and  asked him a question with which he was most at  ease.

'Would you mind telling me, Doctor,' He asked,  'how you detect a mental deficiency in somebody who appears  completely normal?'

'Nothing is easier,' he replied.  'You ask a simple question which anyone should answer with  no trouble. If the person hesitates, that puts you on the  track..'

'What sort of question?' asked the CONGRESSMAN.

Well, you might ask, 'Captain Cook made  three trips around the world and died during one of them.  Which one?''

The CONGRESSMAN thought a moment, and then said  with a nervous laugh, 'You wouldn't happen to have another  example would you? I must confess I don't know much about  history.'  

The Hippodrome

The latest date for the Hippodrome opening is March (as yet) here is a sneak preview of how it will look

Poker Deck 2

Poker Deck Ceiling

It is reported that so far they have spent some where in the region of a staggering 26 Million Pounds



Entrance

We hope to bring you more photos as they progress through out the build