18 COVER STORY
AGS Evolution
FEATURES
CONTENTS
COLUMNS
DEPARTMENTS
Global Gaming Business Magazine
18 COVER STORY
AGS Evolution
As gaming supplier AGS looks forward to returning to private ownership , the company continues to innovate , topping industry charts in slot games , cabinets and its unique table-game progressive systems .
By Frank Legato
On the Cover : AGS executives Mark DeDeaux , general manager and senior vice president , slots ; John Hemberger , senior vice president of table products ; and Zoe Ebling , vice president of interactive , speak at the company ’ s GameON conference
FEATURES
14 Sports Tax Conundrum Potential hikes in the tax rates on sports betting revenue threaten to erase profits and weaken the ability of operators to compete with the illegal market .
By Jill R . Dorson
CONTENTS
34 Changing of the Guard The Louisiana Gaming Control Board searches for a new leader as distinguished LGCB Chairman Ronnie Johns prepares to step down .
By Marese O ’ Hagan
COLUMNS
10 AGA Mark Your Calendars
Maureen Beddis
12 Fantini ’ s Finance Looking Ahead
Frank Fantini
32 Marketing Uncarded Opportunity
Julia Carcamo
4 The Agenda 6 By the Numbers
Vol . 23 • No . 7
DEPARTMENTS
8 5 Questions
With Brett Abarbanel , Executive Director , UNLV ’ s International Gaming Institute
13 AGEM july
40 Global Gaming Women 41 Frankly Speaking
24 Cashless Evolution Cashless payment systems benefit operators and marketers , but are players accepting the migration away from cash ?
By Bill Sokolic
28 Holding , Spinning The “ hold-and-spin ” game mechanic has taken the slot sector by storm , as each manufacturer comes up with new ways to deliver the popular feature .
By Jess Marquez
36 Beware of the Bonus The avalanche of sign-up matching bonuses in the nascent U . S . online gaming market is not a sustainable long-term practice as it shrinks profit margins .
By Buck Wargo
42 Emerging Leaders
With Pechanga . net ’ s Jesse Robles , Seminole Hard Rock ’ s Brooke Thomas , and Acres Manufacturing ’ s Troy Pettie
44 New Game Review 46 Goods & Services 49 People
50 Casino Communications
With Rob Norton , President , Cordish Gaming Group
JULY 2024 www . ggbmagazine . com 3