1. PRESORTED STDU.S. POSTAGE PAIDFargo, NDPermit No. 684

2. 32 Obsoleted.Adj. What your casino floor could be by years endAgilysys is the recipientof the 2010 G&L 50 Technology Impact Award.GOLF Golf Growth- A profile of Vietnam at Present whats outLearn more about the recipients whats Bill Healey interviews Robert Bicknell, General Manager, and Director of inand awards on page 32. golf at the Tam Dao Golf Resort.The SAS protocol you use today wont be supported after this year. That means the products on your floor will be using obsolete technology in a matter of weeks. Good news is, GSA protocols are ready now to help keep you as innovative as ever. Maybe even more. Find out how you can keep from being obsoleted today at www.gamingstandards.com. 48CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY 38 2010s IT Mantra: More for Less Cut backs in the past couple if years have given rise to G&L New & Coola new mantra being chanted around the executive Earth Payments white paper, and Cymphonix, Platinum Memberswater cooler: more for less. Secure Web Gateway solutions 42 Native American Update48377 Fremont Blvd. | Suite 117 | Fremont, CA 94538 | Tel: +1.510.492.4060 A recap of TribalNet 11 G&L COMMUNITY Must Attend Tradeshows.......... 67 52 G&L Community Products & Services ................. 71 Aruze Gaming, G&L Business Partners ............ 75 Bally Technologies, IGT,G&L Business Cards .................. 76 Konami, & WMS Gaming Winters hottest games. G&L Business Briefs ................. 80 201134 EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVES Candid insight from the leaders that shape the face of the gaming and hospitality industry.For subscriptions, change of address, back issues, permissions, contact information and or advertising; go online to www.gamingandleisuremagazine.com. Gaming and Leisure (G&L) is published four timesannually. Product and or company names mentioned herein might be trademarks of their respective owners. G&L or its agents assume no liability for any said information that is misrepresented. Reproduction in whole or in partwithout express written permission is strictly prohibited. 2011 Caruso Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved. Gaming & Leisure Resort and Entertainment Technology is a registered trademark. Reg. US Pat and TM OFF. SUBSCRIBE FREE AND YOU COULD WIN $1000! SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.3 3. GOLF Bill Healey GOLF GROWTHA PROFILE OF VIETNAM AT PRESENTDuring my time travelingnight we watch cartoons or read together, which Also, Fitness is a huge part of playing better golf,through, and living in SE is the best relaxation prescription ever invented although most people dont realize it. The PGAAsia, Ive had the pleasure and she always runs to get me whenever golf isTour players are good, not just because of theirto visit Vietnam on several on TV. She already has a pretty good swing form skills with a club, but also due to the hours theyoccasions. As an American,from watching the LPGA. spend in the PGA Tour Fitness Trailers on site atI have always been wellI turned professional in 1978 and moved to every event. So, not only are those guys good,received and have enjoyed Asia full-time in the early 1980s. I was invited theyre also in excellent physical condition.each of my visits to Hanoito build a golf course in Vietnam in 1992 andand Ho Chi Minh City, and have been here ever since. Its been a wild rideFitness is something that can help players at all many coastal towns along the way.and I dont regret one moment of it, despite thelevels, so instead of just fixing their swings as inups and downs.the past, I am now concentrating on helping Ive recently had a chance to catch up with aeach player build a better machine for produc- long-time contact, Robert Bicknell, recently the G&L: What positions do you currently hold?ing that swing. General Manager and Director of Golf at the Tam Dao Golf Resort and currently GeneralRB: I am currently the General Manager forG&L: What is your history with the Vietnam Manager at California Fitness in Hanoi.California Fitness & Yoga in Hanoi. Prior to this PGA? How does that involve educating otherI was General Manager / Director of Golf forgolf professionals in the country? G&L: As an American in Hanoi, how did youTam Dao Golf Resort in Vinh Phuc province, get your start in golf? And how did that takeone hour from downtown Hanoi. However, hav- RB: At present, there is no official PGA organi- you into Vietnam?ing been in Vietnam for almost 19 years, I have zation in Vietnam; however this is somethingbeen either directly or indirectly involved withthat is currently in the works and will fall under RB: I started playing golf when I was five years most of the clubs in the country at one time or the authority of the Vietnam Golf Association old as my family was founding members of two another in either a management or advisoryand the Ministry of Sport. We hope to have all clubs. My father was always working, so weekends position. the paperwork finished within a few months as were the only time we could spend time together. doing most anything involving the government When that young, I thought that golf was fun,I am also a columnist for the Sunday Vietnamtakes a bit of time, especially with a sport like but the important thing was being with my father News, Golf Today, and Vietnam Golf Magazine.golf it is still rather unknown to many. and knowing there would be ice cream afterwards.Now that I have a four year old daughter of myG&L: Why Fitness? Have you stopped your G&L: How large is the golf market? (i.e. num- own, I bring her to the club as often as I can so sheinvolvement in golf?ber of clubs, golfers, etc). can play in the grass, hit plastic balls at the range, and drive the buggy with me. RB: Not at all. I still teach golf for the HanoiRB: There are currently 26 clubs operating inJunior team, but I wanted to step back from golfVietnam, and around seven more licensed or cur- Despite working over 70 hours a week, I make management for a while and take a position that rently under construction. At one point there the effort to spend a lot of time with her. At allows me to spend more time with my family.were as many as 150 golf projects announcedAmazingly enough, the global economic crisis hasnt really impacted the golftourism market in Vietnam all that much because the vast majority of tourists come from neighboring countries, so the cost of airfares arent outrageously high.50 GAMING & LEISURE WINTER 2010702.547.4545 4. A PROFILE OF VIETNAM GOLF AT PRESENTfor Vietnam until the government put the kibosh onRB: Vietnam is no stranger to technologicalmost of them and rightly so until a national plan can advancement. Ever since the end of the US-ledbe put together.embargo in 1994, Vietnam has rushed to catchup to the other nations in this regard with a lotG&L: The global economy has been down for the of success. Most all clubs are using advancedpast year. How has that affected golf tourism inbooking and accounting software. Internet book-Vietnam?ings are mostly done through the clubs websiteor through e-mail.RB: Amazingly enough, the global economic crisis Some clubs have recently changed webhost sohasnt really impacted the golf tourism market in they can provide each member with their ownVietnam all that much because the vast majority ofclub e-mail address and, more importantly,tourists come from neighboring countries, so theemploy a live chat system so the members cancost of airfares arent outrageously high. Secondly,contact reception directly in writing. This willthe airlines and hotels have taken steps to lessen thegreatly reduce any misunderstandings due to dif-Robert Bicknell, first PGA golf pro-impact by offering special packages, as did the ferences in language.fessional in Vietnam.respective golf courses. Half a loaf is better thannone. community and often acts on their suggestions inG&L: Do you see that technology can assist clubs inmany different areas. managing their profitability, managing revenuesTo give you a better idea of the current situations,through tee times, etc?most clubs in the country are reporting more rounds Positive growth of the nation is the primary goal forin the 1st quarter of 2009 than during the same all of us and, judging from the results, the govern-RB: One of the problems in Vietnam cannot beperiod of the 2008. Tam Dao in particular was 1500ments methods have been correct. solved exclusively through booking software simplyrounds higher than the previous year. In 2010, thebecause quite a few players simply ignore the sys-figures continue to rise nicely. Im not complaining. G&L: Youve had some rather well-known golfingtems, show up when they want usually late andguests both political and sporting figures. Who almost never call to cancel. Software cannot solveG&L: What challenges does the golf market face, are some that are best known or of special note?this problem, but it CAN help clubs to identify andand how are those challenges being met? track players who do this most often, so they canRB: In the past, Lee Trevino, Nick Faldo, and take corrective action.RB: The biggest challenge is reigning in unrestrict-Greg Norman have visited Vietnam to design However, on the positive side, modern softwareed growth. In Asia, many people are far too eager togolf courses. However, I would prefer not tosystems let managers track almost everything in thejump on the bandwagon without first doing due name names when discussing political or busi- club, amount of rounds played by each member anddiligence and careful planning. They try to build asness VIPs as that would breach confidentiality, guest, players favorite food / drink, shirt sizes, ball,many golf courses as possible without understand- but it is safe to say that we have hosted manyhandicaps, birthdays etc. This allows the club to being the marketplace. The result can be disastrous for prime ministers, presidents, sultans, and royalty finer tuned to the needs of the members and guests.both clubs and the environment. from different countries over the years.On the other side of the coin, the software allows us Vietnam has the advantage of looking at other US Presidents George H.W Bush, Bill Clinton, to reduce expenditures by showing us areas whichcountries and seeing the mistakes that were made so and George W. Bush have all visited Vietnam in theare wasteful.they can avoid them. A good example is Thailand past, mostly for political events and, sadly, didnt The more information managers have at their fin-which is considered golf heaven due to over 200 have time to play golf. gertips, the more accurately they can maximizecourses and a thriving tourist industry. However, itprofits and reduce expenditures.is golf heaven for the players, but golf hell for the G&L: How prevalent is technology in VietnamId like to thank Robert for contributing to thisowners as only 20% of the clubs are relatively prof-Golf? Specifically, in regard to Club Managementprofile on Golf in Vietnam. Id also be one of the firstitable. The others are sucking wind while they try to and internet golf bookings? to encourage foreign golf tourism into Vietnam.stay open. Vietnam used to be a food importing nationbefore the embargo was dropped in 1994, but isnow one of the leaders in agricultural exporting,especially rice and coffee. Thus, the government is restricting the use of Human beings read 250 words per minute. Thats about 9agricultural land for golf courses and rightly so.hours to read this issue. You know the decision makers forSacrificing food security for golf makes no sense toyour products and services read G&L. How much time doanyone and protecting the environment has becomea major issue as well.you suspect they have to read anything else? Join us today! At present, the Vietnam Government has been702.547.4545 or info@gamingandleisuremagazine.com.discussing these issues with industry leaders andprofessionals to find the best path for growth.Spend wisely.Despite many misinformed comments by some, thegovernment takes the time to listen to the businessSUBSCRIBE FREE AND YOU COULD WIN $1000! SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.51