Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/574327
G a m i n g N e w s 3 9 T h u r s d a y, O c t o b e r 1 , 2 0 1 5 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 gov- ernments, businesses and enterprises would have paid somewhere else oth- erwise." 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 percent growth. "It's really taking off," Valdo said. "Tribes are finding it in their best interest to take control." AMERIND Risk (Cont'd. from p. 1) AMERIND Risk offers an alterna- tive to the big, commercial insurance companies. "Our only focus is tribes, so we design culturally sensitive pro- grams special to tribal communities," Valdo noted. Since tribes are sover- eign entities, AMERIND Risk can often provide benefits that are higher than most state statutes. It's privy to the unique challenges of tribal enti- ties. In addition, it possesses the legal authority to uphold specific cultural intricacies that most standard insur- ance companies simply do not under- stand. 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 enterpris- es from government contracting to casi- nos. There is a whole multitude of enter- prises within Indian Country," Valdo explained. "We're continually evolving and developing innovative, specialized coverages with the capabilities to insure these diverse entities." For more information, go to www.tribesprotectingtribes.com. and cursed the day we would be placed under the thumb of the contracting com- munity and shunned to the "back of the classroom" in our client meetings. But, is it possible that when carefully crafted that a joint design-build team can enhance our role as trusted advisors and realize the truths of our profession? A closer look is in order. When placed in a contractual arrangement one step removed from the client, architects have often feared that this distance would be reflected in the design process and become an impediment to any level of design autonomy. However, an effective build partner understands that their success is now dependent on the ability of the architect to interact and interpret the needs of the client. And, while an active participant in these discussions, an effective build partner understands its invaluable tool is the ability to pro- vide the cost and constructability infor- JCJ Architecture (Cont'd. from p. 4) mation that helps maintain the artistic integrity of the design and reduces the risk of a designer's guesswork at these parameters. Contractually binding the builder to the successful execution of the design also makes the right partner a more willing participant in the pursuit and exploration of creative program- matic solutions that can both meet the needs of the client and the budget/schedule. With architect and builder working together, the role of the architect as trust- ed advisor is reinforced with the owner. The complementary, rather than adver- sarial, nature of the design-build partici- pants allows the architect to be viewed as an objective advocate of aesthetic issues and an experienced and valued voice in the facilitation of program related goals. While no team is flawless, it can be argued that an effective design-build team represents a more perfect union. For more information, visit www.jcj.com or stop by booth #1835. THE PULSE OF GAMING ON DISPLAY IN INTERBLOCK'S G2E 2015 EXHIBIT Luxury gaming manufacturer Interblock ® is celebrating 25 years of market changing innovations in booth #1239. The company is raising the bar even higher by showcasing an impressive new product portfolio that is current, evolutionary and revolutionary – a per- fect blend of products for today's and tomorrow's players. "At Interblock, we are steadily and methodically releasing enhancements and innovations that take each of our electronic table game categories to new levels of excitement and profitability," said Interblock CEO John Connelly. "Over the past year, we have carefully analyzed every segment of our extensive portfolio, and we are ready to show the world the results of our efforts, from sub- tle innovations to existing products to revolutionary advancements that will set the gaming industry on fire." The show will pulse to a new energy with Interblock's revolutionary Pulse Arena experience, an innovative way to attract players and keep them engaged in a social environment that extends the gaming experience to new levels. The patented Pulse technology demonstrates Interblock's innovation and the power of the company's products as well as the flexibility of its solutions. Completely customizable in theme and set-up, Pulse can be configured with one play station or an entire arena, involving any of Interblock's games in a specifically themed setting. With Pulse, Interblock will also unveil its first branded electronic table game: Marilyn Monroe. The branding will add a deeper dimension of glamour to Interblock's Diamond line of games for an even more meaningful luxury experience. Also showing are new versions of Interblock's classic Blackjack games that enhance game play, efficiency and player experience, with evolutionary tweaks to content intended to bring a higher win per unit that put them ahead of the com- petition. The new generation of Blackjack is now faster with more inter- activity, more anticipation and more game stats. Next is the Diamond StarBar, Interblock's first multi-game/multi- play product, which allows players to easily toggle between games, and can offer more than 500 games per hour. Played on Interblock's Diamond Play Station, StarBar is an innovative new bar-top way for players to enjoy the entire spectrum of player-favorite Interblock games, as well as brand new Diamond video poker games, all with the touch of luxury and added levels excitement that only Interblock can provide. StarBar also is available in a standalone version. Interblock is also showing its new Diamond Big Six Wheel game, which is fully automated, ideal for venues where live, dealer-operated table games are not allowed. Interblock's Big Six mechanical wheel spins automatically at pre-set intervals and up to 150 games can be spun per hour. The transparent wheel can be connected to multiple, modular Diamond Play Stations placed on either side, providing the flexibility to add an unlimited number of simulta- neous players in multi-play and multi- game settings. "With a 25-year history of innova- tion and a mix of games firmly grounded in thorough product research, our portfo- lio is current, evolutionary, and revolu- tionary. Interblock has never been in a better position globally, and there has never been a better time to do business with Interblock," said Connelly. For more information, go to booth #1239 or visit www.interblockgaming.com. REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR POURING SYSTEM WITH WUNDER-BAR Wunder-Bar's ® new Skyflo ® – Cloudflo ® liquor, beer and wine pouring system rev- olutionizes the way drinks are poured in the bar operation. Each liquor and wine bottle is equipped with a small pour spout which is capable of pouring up to four different preprogrammed portion sizes. Spouts are unobtrusive, do not attract attention and there is no cumbersome cord like old technology. Each spout includes a radio transmitter that sends real time pour information to the manag- er's computer. The brand, amount and time poured is all recorded and integrat- ed into powerful Cloudflo software for pouring cost analysis and inventory con- trol. If that isn't enough, how about 4,000 pours between battery charge? To say that this tiny device is jam-packed with features is an understatement. Like an electronic lock, for instance; if the spout is removed from the bottle, the system will report the removal, date and time to the computer, giving manage- ment amazing flexibility and manage- ment control. Also included is a low battery indi- cator, not only on the spout but also on the manager's computer. A quick look on the computer reveals any bottle spouts that may need recharging which can be done with a remote (wireless) charge key that slips over the spout and recharges the spout battery without even hav- ing to remove the spout from the bottle. The Skyflo spouts fit wine bottles too, and can be pro- grammed in advance to pour whatever amount management desires. The Skyflo Beerflo ® system moni- tors the amount of beer poured and also sends pour data via radio frequency to a remote management computer. The beer pours are integrated into the reports with liquor and wine pour information. Pour, manage and profit from a wireless pour system that pays for itself in only a few months. Micro comput- ing, powerful battery life, wireless communication and much more is now available to the restaurant and bar industry in a pow- erful and affordable liquor pouring management tool. Skyflo – Beerflo – Cloudflo are reg- istered trademarks of Automatic Bar Controls/Wunder-Bar – a division of the Middleby Corporation. For more information, go to www.wunder bar.com to view a demonstration video.