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G a m i n g N e w s W e d n e s d a y, A p r i l 1 , 2 0 1 5 1 0 THE CASH MANAGEMENT WINNING HAND By Tom McGunn, Director of Training, SoCal Safe Company Looking to increase your bottom line while fully automating cash opera- tions? Look no further than the MIMO Cash & Coin Recycler System, a solu- tion that truly automates the cash han- dling process and has a positive impact on your bottom line. The MIMO Cash & Coin Recycler System stands in a class of its own, delivering the ultimate goal of automating the cash handling process. MIMO dispenses and reconciles cash and coin tills while providing detailed reporting functions with its advanced integration ready software. Today, many different casinos have revolutionized their gaming prop- erties into 24-hour resorts and enter- tainment centers. Naturally, with these new additions come many new busi- ness challenges. One of the most extraordinary challenges casinos face today is revenue cash management. Most casinos manage all employee bank funds through their cage opera- tions, requiring countless hours for employee bank preparation/reconcilia- tion and distribution, bank deposit preparation and POS system balanc- ing. Cash handling also entails many intangible costs, including distributing additional change and employee-relat- ed internal loss. The ultimate goal of back-of- house automation is to streamline your cash handling operations, without sac- rificing security or jeopardizing prof- its. When more than one employee is required to count an employee bank, cash accountability is at a minimum. With so many hands touching the cash, you put yourself at risk for theft, bal- ancing discrepancies and employee safety. Cash handling labor and cash shrinkage are expenses that can drastical- ly reduce profits from con- tinuous operations. By automating your cash handling operations, you can focus on allocating your resources towards building and growing your core business of gaming operations. The response within the casino indus- try has been overwhelming: "MIMO has reduced cash loads and labor while improving cash protection and accountability." –Byron Gregory, Red Hawk Casino "Using MIMO at Costco has been very beneficial to our operation." – Eric Harris, Costco "MIMO is just what we were looking for! The labor savings were immedi- ate." – Deb Henrich, Mall of America If you're still handling cash the old fashioned way, then your money isn't MIMO safe. About SoCal Safe Company For more than 100 years, SoCal Safe Company has been providing high quality safes, security equipment and a full line of cash management products. It has continuously met its goal of delivering premium customer service with 100 percent customer satisfaction. About MIMO LLC MIMO LLC was founded in 2010 with one vision in mind: to engineer the next generation of cash management technology. By partnering with SoCal Safe Company and Hitachi-Omron Terminal Solutions, Corp., the largest ATM manufacturer in Japan, MIMO has set itself in a class of its own. It offers nothing but the best cash man- agement solutions to its customers. For more information, visit booth #716, go to www.socalsafe.com or www .mimo-llc.com, or call 888.505.6466. in Indian Country," said Derek Valdo, CEO of AMERIND Risk. "We pride our- selves on keeping money in Indian Country and reinvesting in tribal commu- nities." The company offers property, liabil- ity and workers' compensation insurance for tribes, tribal governments, businesses and individual coverage. Valdo, from the Pueblo of Acoma, has been with AMERIND Risk for 14 years. He became AMERIND Risk's first Native American CEO after a nationwide search in 2012. "We've seen a tremendous amount of growth in the last few years," Valdo said. "We've saved millions of dollars in insurance premiums that tribal govern- ments, businesses and enterprises would have paid somewhere else otherwise." Much of AMERIND Risk's increase in business is coming from tribal casino clients. Valdo explained that they've seen growth in the tribal gaming space due to AMERIND Risk's ability to cut costs for casino purchasers. For example, one of its largest policyholders (a gaming enter- prise) was able to save over nearly half a million dollars annually on their bottom line compared to the next best insurance option. At any casino, employee benefits and salary add up to more than half of total operating cost. Saving money on insurance is critical to the profits, and of course, the ultimate goal is to keep as much money as possible circulating in Indian Country. AMERIND Risk's workers' com- pensation program was introduced in 2004. In the last two years, under Valdo's helm, the program has seen almost 200 AMERIND Risk (Cont'd. from p. 1) percent growth. "It's really taking off," Valdo said. "Tribes are finding it in their best interest to take control." AMERIND Risk offers an alterna- tive to the big, commercial insurance companies. "Our only focus is tribes, so we design culturally sensitive programs special to tribal communities," Valdo noted. Since tribes are sovereign enti- ties, AMERIND Risk can often provide benefits that are higher than most state statutes. It's privy to the unique chal- lenges of tribal entities. In addition, it possesses the legal authority to uphold specific cultural intricacies that most standard insurance companies simply do not understand. AMERIND Risk also contributes money directly back into Indian Country. Valdo said, "I'm fortunate my Board of Directors reinvests $450,000 annually in nonprofit organizations like the National Congress of American Indians, the Native American Rights Fund and more. We give back to Indian associations that help Indian Country. We're more than just an insurance com- pany." While AMERIND Risk has its unique advantages as a tribal-owned insurance company, it has plenty of room to grow. "Tribes have multiple enterprises from government contract- ing to casinos. There is a whole multi- tude of enterprises within Indian Country," Valdo explained. "We're con- tinually evolving and developing inno- vative, specialized coverages with the capabilities to insure these diverse enti- ties." Visit AMERIND Risk at booth #2202. For more information, go to www.tribes protectingtribes.com. ULTRASTAR, AK-CHIN LOOK TO BRUNSWICK FOR ONE-OF-A-KIND ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE When the deal to build the UltraStar Multi-Tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle was formally signed, there was one specific requirement from the chairman of the Ak-Chin Community Tribe – "wow" him. With 164,000 square feet of fun, catering to all age groups, he was definitely impressed. These days, casino resorts have become important activity generators for the communities they serve. In the case of UltraStar Multi-Tainment, located on the property of Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa, Ariz., the entertainment venue was built as a way to bring more service and fun to the area. UltraStar also comprises 12 movie theaters, laser tag, an arcade, dining and bars alongside 24 lanes of "Ten Pins Down Bowling." Adam Saks, Vice President of Operations for UltraStar Theaters and the complex general manager, finds bowling an essential piece in the enter- tainment puzzle. "It opens up opportu- nities," he said. "It's universal and entertains young kids, and even appeals to the 70-and-older crowd. There's camaraderie in it." Today, bowling has evolved into a year-round, multi-leisure activity com- bining sport, recreation and entertain- ment. For Saks, the advent of bowling as a casino addition became apparent while working in Las Vegas for a num- ber of years. "People need a break from the casino, and bowling was an escape while keeping them on proper- ty." An emerging trend among existing casinos is the addition of bowling cen- ters to their entertainment repertoires. The presence of a bowling center in a casino resort equates to increased foot traf- fic and enhanced market appeal. As a leisure sport suit- able for tots to grandparents, bowling attracts all age groups and many different skill sets, and produces entertainment in myriad ways. According to the 2013 Experian Simmons National Consumer Survey, more than 50 million adults ages 18 and over, and 17 million youths ages six to 17, bowled at least once a year – marking the sixth consecutive year of participatory growth. From kiddie par- ties to corporate functions to leagues, bowling and its high participation fig- ures are capable of boosting traffic in an entertainment paradise like casinos. UltraStar Multi-Tainment lever- ages bowling as an asset and an added value to the casino. Guests might orig- inally visit to enjoy one of its fine din- ing restaurants and stay to play a round of bowling. Ten Pins Down features high-end furnishings found in most boutique establishments. By working with Brunswick to create a high-tech and modern bowling center, the atmos- phere is perfect for hosting any event imaginable. Saks said that with bowl- ing, there's not much to maintain. "When you build a quality center, you're investing in something with minimal overhead that will be a long- term asset." With the advent of new technology attracting new customers, bowling is experiencing a bit of a renaissance. Of course, all of this means the bowling business has become more competi- tive, so choosing the right partner is critical to a center's success. Visit Brunswick at booth #543, or go to www.brunswickbowling.com/casinos for more information.