Aristocrat's New Boss Ready for International Market

AUSTRALIA – As reported by the New Zealand Stuff: "The new head of the world's second-largest slot machine maker, Australia's Aristocrat Leisure Ltd, says he is ready to venture into new markets, starting with Macau and Britain.

"Three months after taking the boss' chair, Paul Oneile has taken a broom to the embattled company's balance sheet, increased cash flows and paid down debt, positioning it for a push outside its biggest market, Australia, where growth is slowing.

"Between visits to analysts, he said that Aristocrat is ready to take on the international gaming market.

"…Aristocrat's interest comes as the southern Chinese city has attracted major US casino operators like MGM Mirage Inc after the former Portuguese colony auctioned three gaming concessions in 2002.

"..Oneile said Britain is another important market.

"..With a clean slate and expectations for no more untidy one-off costs, Oneile says he is confident about growing profit and revenues in 2004…"