Marius Stoi is the owner and general director of Digital Electronic. Relaxed, natural and self confident, he told us where the business started from, how it grew over years and how he is fighting to stay on top, despite an unfavorable law and the effects of the crisis. The firm he is running, Digital Electronic – DGL PRO SRL – is one of the firms known in the domains of integrated systems, product design and implicitly production in the field of gambling. The team he built up is made up of highly trained electricians and electronics engineers, involved in the design of top technology.

WHEN DID YOU START YOUR ACTIVITY IN THIS DOMAIN, MR. MARIUS STOI?

I opened the business in ’92. Until ’94 I worked as employee. Starting with ’94 I started to rely on my own support. Up to ’96, when the law modified, I enjoyed a very good period. Starting with ’96 through 2000-2002 it was bad; I had problems, I even started going downhill. From 2002 we got back on our feet and started climbing constantly.

WHY THIS OSCILLATING TRAJECTORY?

Well, as I was saying, the business started to fall in ’96 due to the new legislation. We kept going like that until 2002 due to high taxes. 2002 was a year of changes. Ever since, against a background of stability, the gaming industry started growing. And it grew very well until 2009 when laws changed once again and that’s when they caused problems for everybody.

STARTING WITH 2009, WAS THE LEGISLATION IN THE DOMAIN THE ONLY ENEMY?

In fact there were two problems: one- the economic context; two – the legal context. Taxes grew from 1,700 RON per year to 8,000 RON per year, so almost five times over – I hereby refer to the license tax. Furthermore, there were restrictions regarding the minimum number of machines per firm and per location.

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL FORMATION, DIRECTOR?

I am an engineer in fine mechanics. I graduated “Computer peripherals and industrial robots”. As soon as I graduated college I started working in this business. Until then, there were no licenses, the market was not regulated. It was only in ’93 that it was adopted the first law of gambling in Romania, and in the autumn of that year the first licensing session was held.

The firm I was working for at the time, together with Sorin Constantinescu, obtained license number 3.

AND HOW DID THE IDEA  OF SUCH A BUSINESS COME TO YOU?

It wasn’t my idea. When I graduated college I got hired at my uncle’s firm who had at the time a firm dealing everything, the way firms did back then. I am from Arad, and he had connections with Hungary. At a certain point, he was invited by the Chamber of Commerce in Hungary at a meeting of businessmen. On that occasion, my uncle made a firm with three Austrians. One was into cast items – ash trays, items for bars, etc; the second was into porcelain and the third was dealing in gaming. He came with some machines – 14 pieces. And then, my uncle said “Marius, you take care of them because you are good at this”. I had never seen anything like that before but at least I knew about electronics and I learned as I went along. Then we found places where to locate them and ensured maintenance service. And this is how we grew.

WHAT IS IT ACTUALLY THAT YOU ARE DOING?

We create software, gaming circuits. We assemble the machines, etc.

DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN NETWORK OF PARLORS?

No, we just make the product which we then sell.

HOW MANY DEVICES DO YOU SELL?

In the last year I’m not sure whether we managed to sell a bit more than one hundred devices. As opposed to a sale of 40-50 per month, until the summer of last year. We dropped quite a bit, but we go on selling spare parts, accessories, gaming boards. We also make new games. Ensure service. Then, we concluded an exclusive contract with Manny Control – bank bill acceptors, coin acceptors, ticket dispensers, coin dispensers – integrated systems.

WHAT IS THE COST OF A DEVICE?

It depends. It depends on the casing – whether it’s wood or metal – with one or two monitors, etc. It begins at 1,300 Euros, with gaming board included, reaching up to 2,700.

HOW MANY PRODUCTS DO YOU MAKE?

Now we are putting together 5-6 types of gaming boards, for three types of casings: Wood, Bulgaria metal and Taiwan metal. I say 5-6 types of boards, referring to the best selling ones.

WHAT THEMES?

Fruits and poker. Well, everything is multi-game, but these are on highest demand, first the rolls and then poker.

WHAT DO YOU AIM TO DO NEXT?

I am willing to struggle a little bit to emerge on other markets – South America, Africa. I mean as business. In terms of products, we are developing a new board, vertical screen and poker table – Texas Hold’em.

DID YOU MANAGE SO FAR TO BE PRESENT ON ANY EXTERNAL MARKET?

We have contacts with Africa, we are about to do the same thing with South America, until the end of the year.

WHAT ABOUT EUROPE?

Europe is overcrowded in this domain. To make your way in Europe you have to come up with an extraordinary product and with lots of money to back you up.

WERE YOU TEMPTED TO PLAY IN A CASINO?

No, I wasn’t. Not by the game in itself, no. But I did go and I played so as to have an idea, to make certain market tests… My passion is reading and I do it when my two little boys allow it. And then I like traveling. And when I sometimes travel on my own, abroad, I go in certain casinos, just to get a feel of the atmosphere.

CONSIDERING THE EXPERIENCE YOU ACQUIRED, I WANT TO ASK YOU IN THE END, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE FIRST TO ORGANIZERS AND THEN TO LAW MAKERS?

First I would urge the organizers not to give up, to hold positions until this difficult period passes, and to law makers to keep count of our opinion too. None of the ideas I presented, many of them quite good, was considered by the members of the Parliament. These people making the laws regard us like criminals; as if we were planning on doing God knows what. They are very suspicious of us. But they never gave us any support; on the contrary, they made things all the more difficult. Although this industry, well administered, would actually produce a lot of money for the budget. And this last law, instead of doing good, it harmed first the rolls and then poker. That is because now, for rolls, there are all sorts of bonuses and other means to increase winnings, which is highly attractive.

I caught up with the three organizers of caravan Miss Hostess Romania: Simona Chitac – in PRogress Media, Mihnea Popescu – Casino Life & Business Magazine and Gratian Sonu – 4 tuning, at the headquarters of Casino Life & Business Magazine, where they were establishing the last details for the following stages. I took advantage of the occasion and asked them a few questions about how it went in Constanta and how the next stages would be.

TRAVEL LOG

THE FIRST SHOW -CONSTANTA

CONSTANTA, THE FIRST STAGE. STRONG POINTS, WEAK POINTS?

Mihnea Popescu: Starting with the weak points, they were only obvious to us, as organizers, but too subtle to be noticed by the participants, sponsors or spectators. Always the first event is bound to be the most difficult, and a bit of tensions could be felt in the air throughout the first days. But in the morning of the second day of competition, people were already nice and quiet. The organizers, all professional at their jobs, managed to keep the event within its limits. As a consequence, the show was a success, both from the point of view of the participation, and of the organizing. Everybody left satisfied – local personalities, public figures, the media.

Simona Chitac: Exactly. The media coverage of the event was extremely good, both before the event and throughout it, as well at the end of it. The public also, it came in unexpected numbers.

M.P.: Yes, there were more than 250 spectators.

Gratian Sonu: And television channels; there were so many that you could hardly see the competitors for the cameramen.

AS A STAGE EXPERIENCE, DO YOU CONSIDER THAT LOCAL AUTHORITIES, LOCAL BUSINESSMEN, ARE BECOMING INVOLVED IN SUCH EVENTS? HELPING OUT?

S.C.: If we were to organize another stage in Constanta, they would become very involved. Both the authorities and the sponsors. The ice broke, people saw what can be done, they liked it and became interested.

M.P.: The event caught up very well to the public. If at first sponsors were a bit cautious, not knowing what it was about, afterwards they became highly interested, due to the powerful echoes generated by the event.

They will definitely stand by our side in the other towns. We already have sponsors for the entire caravan, for all stages. Sponsors in Constanta showed their interest in being next to us also for the other stages.

S.C.: Ant then, maybe the participants will also become more confident in this brand, because, to be honest, they were a bit suspicious about this brand.

Moreover, our invited guests – Liviu Varciu and Dana Nalbaru – also raised, in turn, the level of the show.

WHAT WAS THE COST FOR THE STAGE IN CONSTANTA?

S.C.: I don’t know for sure. But what I do know is the value of the prizes, adding up to 25-30 thousand Euros, much more than we expected. Which shows the great interest of our participants.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STAGE OF THE CARAVAN?

M.P.: Cluj, October 2nd. There are several locations where we could organize it, the most likely location being Casino Chios. The novelty of the stage is the partnership with a professional hostess company, which will participate in the show.

WILL YOU CONTINUE USING THE SAME ORGANIZATION FORMULA?

S.C.: Yes, and the formula of reaching success has remained the same. I mean: money, beautiful women and powerful cars.

M.P.: Yes. We will have in Cluj not only tuned cars, but alsobring by our side the guys from Rally Academy Cluj, who have both race cars and tuned cars.

S.C.: We will definitely maintain the concept of the event, because this is where we left from. Let’s not forget that our representative, Miss Hostess Romania, will be part in the event Rally All Stars 2011, related to cars. Oh, and since we mentioned surprises, a high interest for our competition was shown by the multiple rally champion in the Republic of Moldova, Igor Vrabie.

Paul Allen is the billionaire who placed in 2010 37th in the top Forbes of the world’s richest people, with a fortune worth 13,5 billion dollars.

Allen is the co-founder of the Microsoft empire, next to Bill Gates, founder and chairman of Vulcan Inc., chairman of Charter Communication, owner of three sports clubs – Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League, Portland Trail Blazers, in NBA, and the Seattle Sounders franchise, in Major

League Soccer (MLS) – and owner of an investment portfolio in the real estate business, technology, media, etc.

OCTOPUS, THE CROWN PEARL

The American billionaire is famous for his extremely expensive passion – yachts. Allen is currently the owner of Octopus, one of the most expensive ten yachts in the world, at this point. With an estimated value of over 200 million dollars, Octopus was first launched in water in 2003. With a length of 127 meters, the yacht features two helicopters, two submarines with enough space for ten people and seven boats. Besides, as a spicy detail, the ship offers the possibility to see the bottom of the water, by means of a remotely operated submarine device. Octopus also offers a pool, a music studio and a basketball course. The lateral hatches at the waterline form a dock, perfectly designed for jet skiing. The vessel holds a crew of 60 people.

Throughout time, the yacht of the Microsoft billionaire was a location of choice for exclusive parties with celebrities, where Allen often proves his talent as an artist, together with his wife.

TATOOSH, THE FIRST WAVE

Although the most important, Octopus is not the first marine jewel of Allen’s. The first yacht acquired by the businessman is called Tatoosh and was bought in year 2000, at the time being the second largest in America. Also on the list of world’s most expensive yachts, at position 26, Tatoosh had a purchase value situated between 158 and 172 million dollars. The yacht can accommodate 24 guests and features a crew of 35 persons, according to portal Fraser Yachts. Tatoosh features five decks, a main suite, a saloon and other rooms on the main deck, a saloon with chimney, a dining area, cabins and a toilet area for women, on the main deck, pool, a cinema, a spa, a space for two helicopters, a Hinckley speedboat, a Hinckley sailboat, both 12 meters long and 5 Sea doo water jets. It seems that, although with the crisis, Allen’s fortune decreased considerably, the economic problems did not determine the American billionaire to give up his passion. Thus, while top businessmen like Carl Ichan or Ron Perelman put their yachts on sale – the Starfire respectively the Ultima III – and Roman Abramovich considered in 2009 selling one of his boats, Pelorus, Paul Allen had no intention of parting with his “jewels”. On the contrary, he didn’t even seem bothered to provide for the maintenance of Octopus which cost, according to the American press, 20 million dollars every year. Moreover, because when it was finished, Octopus had no harbor, Paul Allen also bought a third yacht, Hanse, smaller, in order to acquire a “parking” lot in the much desired Yacht Club Marina, in the Antibes. It seems that this third yacht was sold right after, its current name being Insignia.

Generally appreciated as one of the most beautiful women in poker world, Lynette Chan is also acknowledged as a very dangerous partner at the playing table, especially in cash games.

Although not for long on the poker stage, Chan was immediately remarked for her special qualities. Her ascension in the domain started four years ago, when Lynette decided to play poker in her home town, Vancouver, as did many of the professionals in poker world – drawn to competitions broadcasted on TV, like World Poker Tour or World Series of Poker. Three years ago, when she set foot into the professional section, she would play in casinos across Vancouver, but soon the Canadian town became insufficient for the beautiful Lynette and she started trying out her luck in famous casinos around the world, in bigger competitions and in games for serious stakes. She gave up a very well paid career in the domain of marketing, where she worked for famous brands like Ferrari or Mercedes, in order to dedicate completely to poker. Now she lives in Los Angeles and is one of the regular VIPs of the high stakes of area in Bellagio Las Vegas, as well as at Commerce Casino, in Los Angeles. Her strong point is No Limit Hold’em, but she is also drawn by Omaha Hi/Lo or Pot-Limit Omaha.

The money she won up to this moment come for its most part from cash games, Chan being only at the beginning when it comes to poker tours circuits. She is part of the professional team of Full Tilt Poker, which otherwise supported her at the World Series of Poker, in 2006.

LYNETTE, A MODEL ACTRESS

Beyond her career in poker, Lynette is also an actress and model, being present in films, campaigns and editorial on pages of magazines. Despite her success in this domain, she consider for the time being that poker is her first priority. Asked whether she would give up her career in poker for one in modeling and acting, Lynette said that she is a person open to everything making up a challenge and to everything which has profit written on it. “Poker will always be an important part of my life. But for the following few years, I would like to get back to marketing, mainly in the real estate business” she declared in an interview for the website Pokulator.com. Chan believes in fact that her experience as a marketing executive was the one to allow her to have perfect control on her emotions and facial expression, even in situations of maximum pressure. She admits the fact that the way she looks helped her many times at the playing table and knows that she is regarded differently by her playing partners also because she is a woman, but also because she is one of the most beautiful appearances in the poker world. “I became friends with most women I regularly play poker with. And men…most of them are highly mannered. But I try not to think about that when I play, because I have no preferences when it comes to people I make money with” she declares when asked with what sort of partners she feels most comfortable. She also states that the most interesting person in the poker world she had met was Nam Le, about whom she says that is not only an extraordinary partner for discussions about poker, but also a very sweet person, an intelligent and funny person.

When not playing poker, the beautiful Chinese relaxes on the golf course, but also in the gym, practicing Pilates exercises, weight lifting and yoga. Moreover, she is also a fierce fighter for animal rights and often volunteers for associations involved in defending their rights.

Slowly but steadily, here we are at our 20th issue of Casino Life & Business Magazine. Some would say it’s no big deal. For them it’s probably not. But for us it is. We have built and kept afloat a distinguished magazine, with a certain standard. A magazine that requires money to run, a not so fortunate phenomenon especially now, during a crisis. Nothing moves naturally anymore. And despite all that, we haven’t stopped.

In the meantime some have come, others have left. All have left a little bit of their personality and memories in the pages of a magazine which was born from passion and generated passion. Some spoke badly of us, some praised us. One thing is for sure: We did not lie, did not deviate from quality and we made no compromises. We definitely learned from our mistakes, as well as from our victories. There is surely room for more quality, accuracy, dynamism. But we have opened a road, one that has become public. We gave birth to competition, and others have followed our lead. One thing we have kept for ourselves – honesty.

All this time, Casino Life & Business Magazine was a door wide open for all those who had something to say – managers and casino owners, great players, professional or amateur, legends, people from the system, leaders of institutions controlling and supervising the industry of gambling, manufacturers of equipment, event organizers, VIPs, stars, artists and beautiful women. All have reunited here, with us, and admitted they had had a great time. We salute them all and want to drink a cup of champagne in their honor.

When needed, we will be here also for the 30th issue, the 40th, the 100th, and so on…

Casino Life & Business Magazine reached its 20th issue so far.

Many of our friends and collaborators noticed this fact and extended their good thoughts. We hereby thank them and, with their permission, we will present their wishes to the other readers of our magazine.

MARIUS STOI, MANAGER DIGITAL ELECTRONIC – DGL PRO SRL

I wish your magazine a long life. It’s a distinct publication, special by graphical and editorial aspects. I want to make just one observation, namely for the overall share of materials to increase in favor of those speaking about the casino industry. Lots of luck to Casino Life & Business Magazine!

CAMELIU BABINCIUC OWNER OF HOTEL LAGUNA IN MAMAIA

I wish best of luck because you deserve it. This is a magazine with high regard for itself both through the quality of its articles and their presentation, and such events like Miss Hostess Romania can only promote you further in the top of the magazines of this kind.

EDUARD IRIMIA – PROMOTER LOCAL KOMBAT

I have been familiar with your magazine even from its very first issues. I have always said that it was a good quality publication. It is the best magazine in terms of presentation and in terms of quality. I hope that when I celebrate LK 100, you will get to your 200th issue.

MIRCEA CAZAN – PNL DEPUTY

I wish best of luck and may we reunite for your 40th anniversary. If you survived in this crisis situation, it means you are a healthy and solid magazine and I wish you remain like that from now on!

ALEXANDRU MAZARE – PSD SENATOR

It’s a distinct, respectable magazine. A magazine with the looks from abroad and I believe the casino industry in Romania should align too to the level of the similar industries from abroad. I know there are countries where they banned by law the practicing of gambling. I think that in this moment, Romania has a niche, a fantastic opportunity. We can attract players from overseas who, in their own country, cannot gamble. It’s our duty, as Parliament, as Government, to stimulate the respective industry by appropriate tax measures.

LIVIU VARCIU, ACTOR

These publications are quite rare and I only wish there were more. I read interesting things in this magazine. Best of luck! My dream is to make it one day on the front cover of this magazine, when I will have won my first poker tour in Romania. That is when I make my first million of Euros.

BDR ASSOCIATES PR AGENCY, REPRESENTATIVE OF FULL TILT POKER IN ROMANIA

In this chaotic, heterogeneous and often immoral landscape of Romanian press dedicated to entertainment, Casino Life & Business Magazine has set without ostentation, but with perseverance, a standard of professionalism and journalistic ethics which is imposing. The intuition of meeting the public with challenging stories in the domain, the exclusive focuses on urban heroes and the promotion of a true lifestyle, imposing by its ease, are enough reasons for Casino Life & Business Magazine to exist and to continue its “career” on the market.

VALENTIN ADRIAN GEORGESCU – CEO INTERTOP, NOVO INVEST CO, TIMAX (NOVOMATIC ROMANIA)

“Casino Life & Business Magazine”, through is complex content of information offered, represents one of the best sources of specialized information. A high impact magazine, well structured, “Casino Life & Business Magazine” offers its readers the experience of stories and articles focusing on subjects of maximum interest in the gambling industry. From novelties in the domain, exhibitions, galas and events, to the most recent modifications in legislation, this magazine covers a wide range of important subjects for everyone interested in this domain. Congratulations on occasion of this 20th issue!

CARMEN JOITA – MARKETING MANAGER, REGENT CASINO

For the 20th anniversary of the magazine, I wish the management           and the entire editorial staff lots of achievements and success. The magazine is a special presence in the Romanian journalistic landscape and through the information it offers contributes to a better understanding of the casino industry. Happy anniversary “Casino Life & Business Magazine”!

VALENTIN TUCA – GENERAL DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CASINO PALACE BUCHAREST

I have always appreciated the professionalism of “Casino Life & Business Magazine” and the support offered to casino games organizers. I consider that the information they offered starting with the very first issue in 2007 and up until now have been useful and welcomed both for the people in this industry and for the players. This period bearing the marks of financial difficulties has showed us how important it is for specialized publications to always surprise their readers in a pleasant and positive way and I am happy now that the team is celebrating the 20th issue of the magazine. I take the occasion to congratulate the team of “Casino Life & Business Magazine” for the effort to research responsibly the novelties in this entertainment segment, often considered a taboo, I thank them for their collaboration so far and wish them the best of luck for the future!

VLASTIMIR VUKADINOVIC – MARKETING MANAGER, MOZZART SPORT BETS

I wish the entire editorial staff of “Casino Life & Business Magazine” good health, strength for work, inspiration and a successful activity! Happy anniversary and may you have many more issues in the future!

MANUEL STAN – HEAD OF MARKETING NEW MARKETS UNIBET (LONDON) LTD.

We are delighted to know that “Casino Life & Business Magazine” has reached its 20th issue. We are very proud to be your partner and wish you the best of luck in your future ventures. Congratulations for the results achieved so far and keep up the great work!

MICHELLE CUMMINS – GENERAL MANAGER, ROMANIAN AUSTRIAN CASINO CORPORATION

I would like to congratulate the team behind “Casino Life and Business Magazine” on the 20th anniversary of the publication. “Casino Life and Business Magazine” has provided a tremendous service to the Romanian gaming industry throughout the years, helping to dispel myths and negative perceptions, promoting a more positive image of the field. I wish you continued success in the future.

CRISTINA C. – POKERSTARS ROMANIA

When PokerStars made its way on the Romanian market in 2009, “Casino Life and Business Magazine” represented one of the few solid reference points in the local gambling press. It welcomed us openly and firmly and allowed us to extend our point of view. Today, the team is continuing to develop and give birth to powerful ides which it will definitely set to practice with good intelligence.

Good luck

Alexandru Mazare is inviting investors to bring the Casino in Constanta back to the floating line.

SENATOR, WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CASINO IN CONSTANTA? WHAT COULD AUTHORITIES IN CONSTANTA DO TO BRING BACK TO CIRCUIT ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CASINOS IN EUROPE?

I am very familiar with the situation of this casino. I used to have there a partner from Israel, an international chain, who won, pursuing an international auction, the concession of the casino for 29 years. There was an investment program assumed by the investor through the tender book. The winner was supposed to rehabilitate is and bring it to its initial, known status. Inside there were some features absolutely impressive. Unfortunately, the financial crisis affected this industry severely and the respective group withdrew. Currently, the City Hall of Constanta is seeking partners and it is even considered the possibility to sell this objective. It is part of the national patrimony but it can be sold with the obligation that whoever buys it, the investor, will preserve its architecture and object of activity. Using this opportunity I am launching an invitation, a public appeal to all those interested, to all chains of corporations. We are waiting for them in Constanta to come invest in this casino.

ARE YOU ALSO CONSIDERING A PROGRAM TO DEVELOP TOURISM ON THE ROMANIAN SEASHORE?

The brother of the Mayor of Constanta, Radu Mazare, the PSD senator Alexandru Mazare, proved to be a good planner with respect to the development of tourism in Romania, especially gambling tourism. This is what the social-democrat member of the Parliament declared exclusively for “Casino Life & Business Magazine”. My answer is affirmative and let me give some examples. Before the elections campaign for the presidential chair, I spoke with the president of the party at that time, also a candidate for Cotroceni, currently chairman of the Senate, Mircea Geoana, about a very ambitious program.

If Geoana had made it to president, and PSD could have formed the Government, we would have adopted a special legislation for casinos. Basically, we were trying to encourage, through tax policies, the casino activity. We were thinking that tourism, especially in this area of the Romanian seashore, can be supported by the casino activity as one of the main pillars. We were ready to come up with a special legislation so that the quality to become attractive and to draw all major chains and operators. Now, we are thinking what we have to do to benefit this domain for the times when we get to govern the country.

The thousands of tourists present on the beach of Hotel Rex never regretted for a minute starting at the sun and watching an aviation show offered by some of the best acrobatics pilots in the world. Most people present, first time witnesses at such an event, agreed that these were things to tell later on to their grandchildren. The event in which Casino Life & Business Magazine was media partner and which spanned over two days, August 7th and 8th, brought first hand stars of the domain in Romania, such as the Italian pilot Francesco Fornabio, for the first time in our country, who managed to keep spirits high for the ones keen on aviation acrobatics. Securing the required dose of adrenalin, next to Fornabio, Svetlana Kapanina also took to the skies, a splendid and courageous Russian, pharmacist by formation. Jurgis Kairys did not keep people waiting too much, the master of freestyle acrobaticscatching the attention of the people present on the beach of Hotel Rex with an exceptional entrance. As a peculiar detail, Kairys is the pilot who managed to execute a “Cobra” – an exercise done by limitary aircraft – with a single-propeller aircraft. Romanians did not fall short of expectations. Iacarii Acrobati – the Romanian team made up by Dan Stefanescu and Ioan Postolache and completed by another YAK 52 aircraft, flown by Dan Conderman – offered demonstration flights just 100-800 m off the sand. Their exercises, executed over a surface of one square kilometer, having Hotel Rex as center, were conducted at speeds of up to 450 km/h.

Eventually, parachutists added their share to the public’s delight, one of the flyers landing at fixed point, into his girlfriend’s arms. The organizers showed satisfied, claiming that, although the budget was a crisis one, the objective had been attained – all tourists present at the event declared thrilled.