Coinslot 2324 digital

Price: £2.50

July 12 – JulyReal 18, 2013 • No. 2324 • www.coinslot.co.uk Monopoly Estate Flap Ad_test 25/06/2013 08:45 Page 1

The MONOPOLY name and logo,the distinctive design of the gameboard, the four corner squares, the MR.MONOPOLY name and character, as well as each of the distinctive element of the board and playing pieces are trademarks of Hasbro for its property trading game and game equipment.© 1935, 2013 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved

2324-p02-inside flap:Coinslot NEW

COINSLOT

Industry news Seaside amusements Guide to Cranes Latest machine charts B2B Listings For sale, wanted + opps Comment and opinion Newsweek & Diary

9/7/13

16:47

Page 1

INDUSTRY

4 10 13 22 24 27 30 32

There’s something about London: EAG starts its countdown

Yields Disparity: Is betting stealing UK GAMBLING INDUSRY: MARKET SIZE

During the period October 2011 to September 2012, the British gambling industry, as regulated by the Gambling Commission, generated a gross gambling yield of £6.2bn.

The non-remote betting sector represents the largest market within the industry with a 50 per cent share, followed by the casino sector (15 per cent) and the British regulated remote sector (13 per cent).

Growth was seen across all sectors between April 2011-March 2012 and October 2011-September 2012 with the exception of arcades, which reported a reduction in GGY.

IOA confirms ‘foo in Triennial plann TRIENNIAL REVIEW

T

he IOA, the UK’s largest independent machine operator, has put together what it is describing as a ‘footprint guide’ in preparation for the introduction of the anticipated Triennial Review of stakes and prizes.

Martin Cookson, national sales executive at the IOA, said: “I don’t think any other operator has the same depth of experience as the IOA in implementing the outcome of Triennial Reviews, and our footprint guide draws on that unique experience. We are in constant dialogue with our customers, listening to their needs and understanding their requirements and we will have in place a detailed and tailored solution for every customer once the introduction date is

announced.”

The consultative process is not just restricted to the IOA’s customers, as Cookson explained: “We have been working closely with the community of games designers in order to help them bring a properly focused player-centric approach to the opportunity that we all hope is going to materialise. The feedback that we are getting from the market is to keep the changes simple to understand and to offer regular wins with a mix of small and large prizes.

“Regular wins create extended dwell time which has a positive impact on footfall and by extension a pub’s bottom line profits. The games designers should be able to deliver great dynamics with the

2324-p03-front:Coinslot NEW

10/7/13

11:14

Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

A vintage idea

Cranes: lifting arcades higher 10

13

July 12 - July 18, 2013 • No. 2324 • www.coinslot.co.uk

stealing the gambling limelight?

BACTA continues drive for better regulation and fair competition INDUSTRY REPORTS

Despite the fact that the Gambling Commission’s latest statistics indicate an overall rise in GGY, it is difficult to celebrate the figures, argues BACTA chief executive, Leslie MacLeod-Miller, especially as the framework of regulation is so far away from the requirements of modern gambling business structures. s reported in Coinslot last week, the latest figures published by the Gambling Commission show that the British gambling industry generated a gross gambling yield (GGY) of £6.3bn in the period running from October 2011 to September 2012, representing a rise of £300m over the April 2011 to March 2012 period.

Yet, while the GGY figures published by the Commission are an interesting indicator of trends, BACTA chief executive Leslie MacLeod-Miller argues that it must be noted that the Commission has not contacted the industry to either “sense check” them or “provide them with their perspective on what the figures mean”and how they reflect challenges for each sector”.

“It is notable that the arcade sector is down and it is hardly surprising to see that B2 revenues and remote sectors are increasing,” MacLeod-Miller said this week.“It is pointless to make broad observations regarding the UK gambling industry as a whole when there are so many anomalies and artificial barriers contained within the 2005 Act to entrepreneurs maximising opportunities.

“UK gambling regulation has been trapped in a no-man’s land of inconsistency and bureaucracy since its inception. It is difficult to think of a piece of legislation where the ‘wash-up’ process in which it was created more accurately describes the features which characterise the regime. It is difficult to celebrate the Commission’s GGY figures when the paradigm that informed the underlying shape of regulation is so far away from the requirements of modern gambling business structures.”

The BACTA chief executive went on to state that:“It remains regrettable that the level of ministerial

A

‘footprint guide’ lanning £100 jackpot which will give pubs a really important opportunity to grow the player base.”

Whilst Cookson was clear that the £100 jackpot repre-

sents positive news for pub gaming, he also thinks the sector has fallen too far behind other forms of gaming on the high street. He said: “Of course, the triennial is to be welcomed, but we shouldn’t forget that we haven’t had a review for six years now.

“Other areas of the high street - most notably the bookies but to a lesser extent the country’s adult gaming centres and bingo clubs - can all offer more attractive gaming propositions. Pubs play an important role in the community and I believe that they should be afforded the same opportunities to generate revenue from gaming as any other business on the high street, which means being given parity of pay-out.”

‘ALL ADULT PREMISES SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO OFFER THE SAME GAMES TO CUSTOMERS’

engagement with the gambling sector is now so infrequent that the ability to make the case for change to bring us into the 20th and 21st centuries appears to be almost nonexistent”.

MacLeod-Miller noted that the Commission continues to analyse what is driving B2 machines and the impact of B3 games on revenue. “I understand the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) is continuing these discussions with the Commission.The media

coverage of B2 machines indicates that they continue to be played in greater numbers. However, the effect upon the rest of the industry and what is says about future trends remains in doubt.

“It is certainly common ground that there is an uneven playing field and that all adult premises should be entitled to offer the same games to customers provided they can be operated responsibly.”

MacLeod Miller added: “BACTA has a clear position that is shared by the ABB, which is that of parity. It is agreed that if machines can be responsibly offered then they should be made available in all adult premises.We continue to make the case for parity with the department based upon principles of better regulation and fair competition. We await the announcement from the Minister regarding the triennial and next steps and look forward to working together with our colleagues from other sectors to take these changes forward.”

Celebr ate with the Lio ns!

Jabro

G offer co ames de 411 6

2324-p04-05-industry:Coinslot NEW

4

9/7/13

16:44

Page 1

Coinslot July 12 - July 18, 2013

Industry

‘Growing confidence’ ahead of EAG 2014 EVENTS

reparations are well underway for EAG International 2013, and the show organisers have reported a growing confidence in the UK amusements and gaming industry.

Martin Burlin, chairman of organiser EAG Ltd, said: “There seems to be more to feel positive about this year.

We are past the MGD hurdle, the new technical standards are bedding in and then there is the prospect of a triennial review. Companies definitely seem more willing to plan ahead and commit to the future.”

According to the organisers of EAG,stand sales are ahead of this time last year with a broader section of companies from across the amusement and leisure sectors exhibiting at EAG International 2014.

P

The annual amusement showcase retains its traditional timeslot of the third week in January, and will stay at London’s ExCeL Exhibition Centre, although in 2014 it will share the venue with another event, BETT the

will be open, offering a much better choice of food and drink.”

However, Cooke drew attention to the increased demand for hotel rooms and has urged EAG attendees to plan ahead. “You should definitely act now to reserve your accommodation and also consider staying away from the main campus hotels,” she said. “We have reappointed Event Express as our hotel agent and they are currently finalising a detailed list of available hotels and room rates. Full information will be available via the EAG website very soon.”

Now in its fifth year,EAG learning technology one show is active.

“Both visitors and International is firmly show.

EAG event director exhibitors will notice the established as the first Karen Cooke views this difference,” Cooke said, must-attend exhibition of new development as posi- “There is more of a buzz the year, which attracts tive, claiming improved about the halls and espe- more than 150 exhibiting services and a much live- cially the central boule- companies and some lier feel to the ExCeL vard where all the 5,000 attendees from venue when more than restaurants and outlets more than 65 countries.

AMG looks to raise world profile

TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE

Email: al@sjc.co.uk

DRANSFIELDS ACQUIRES WEST COUNTRY AUTOMATICS

Family owned UK operator Dransfields has completed its acquisition of West Country Automatics. “We can confirm that all staff have transferred over to us from WCA and the process has gone very smoothly,” said managing director, Chris Haley (pictured). “This consolidates our position as the leading operator in the South West.”

FORMER RAFFLES AMUSEMENT ARCADE TO BECOME SHOP

The former Raffles amusement arcade in Gloucester is set to become a shop. Planning permission has been granted to change the use of the old St Aldate Street arcade so it can be used as a shop. The Bridal Shop, in Northgate Street, was supposed to be moving into the large former Raffles back in November 2011, but the move never materialised and it has remained vacant. However, now the change of use has been approved by planners at the council, paving the way for a new shop.

ARCADIANS SET FOR SEVEN DAYS OF SUN?

In seeking out new distribution lines from overseas, Ripon-based AMG Leisure is actively setting out to raise its status internationally.

number of the AMG team have been attending various trade A shows scouring the world for new product lately, improving their international contacts and creating many all-important introductions. AMG is very well-known domestically, currently being one of the UK industry’s largest privately owned companies; now, it seems, it’s time to extend that high profile overseas.

The company’s Terry Farr explained: “Part of my remit has been to raise AMG’s profile overseas and we’ve already proved to be an ideal partner to represent overseas firms who want a presence in the UK with good distribution lines.”

It’s a well known fact that players thrive on winning win prizes and the more creative the prizes, the better the opportunity for the operator, which is one of the reasons why AMG has started supplying swag prizes. Farr added: “We have a very open mind about swag. We’re not looking to become a one-stop shop

or anything like that, but when opportunities arise for us to purchase quality merchandise which we believe we can shift in large volumes and that we can supply our customers giving them exceptional value for money we will do so.”

The expertise that all the AMG directors and staff have gained from years working in the amusement field at all levels and in diverse roles has given them a competitive advantage.

Farr reinforced this angle: “When you’ve worked as a site finder, machine deliverer, serviceman, operator, van driver and so on in days gone by it stands you in good stead for the various challenges of today’s business and gives you an empathy with your customers and colleagues. It’s a healthy situation to be in.”

In the last four years, AMG has widened its product portfolio to provide arcades with a diverse range of product to the point that it is now in the privileged position of selling some very good distribution lines.

Farr claimed: “Each year, AMG sells very high volumes of equipment. The actual number of machines AMG sells has pleasantly surprised me. When the products are right, our ability to shift them in large volumes says it all.”

The AMG man believes that it’s a great advantage for a distributor to have an arcade operation - or two!

Farr stated: “It gives us the opportunity to gain access to vital feedback early on in a product’s life cycle. We can also influence the final stages of new products coming through.

We’ve done that with Balloon Buster.

Alex Auckland and Mark Sowray have been to the LAI factory in Jakarta lately and have already been looking at products for next year which is very exciting.”

As Farr stressed, the firm’s longterm aims are all about widening its customer base and increasing its lines of supply by embracing new technology. And it was difficult to argue with his conclusion: “We’re always looking ahead.”

Temperatures close to 30 degrees this week could help bring in as much as £1.5bn in tourism trade. Most of the spend will be at the UK’s seaside resorts where the likes of Bournemouth and Blackpool are enjoying hotter spells than Barbados. Over 250,000 people were reported to have hit both Blackpool and Bournemouth’s beaches earlier this week, and Brighton lured in some 200,000 visitors on the day.

According to forecasters, this is the longest heat wave since July 2006 and they estimate it could last at least another 10 days.

2324-p04-05-industry:Coinslot NEW

9/7/13

15:48

Page 2

Coinslot July 12 - July 18, 2013

INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE

5

B2B COMMENT NEWSWEEK REPORT The essential guide to the UK’s cranes sector and the products leading the way. 12

Party Time Cat D shines brightly at the coast

Monkton assumes BALPPA role managing director Terry Monkton has Sbeenimworx named the chairman

CATEGORY D GAMING

Astra Games has launched a Category D version of its ever-popular Party Time multiplayer. he renaissance of Astra Games’ universally popular Party Time continues at a rapid pace with the launch of a new, lower cost Category D version of the multiplayer.

According to the firm’s sales and marketing director, Alan Rogers, buyers of this latest incarnation of the model can expect some real ‘old school’ charm thanks to reels positioned on both top and bottom of the game and a healthy quotient of ‘bling’ to help boost the cashbox.

Rogers commented: “We’ve been working tremendously hard with some of the best and most knowledgeable coastal operators to produce a

T

game that we believe should be high on the shopping list of every seaside arcade.To qualify that, early results in this sector are already indicating that it has emerged as the established class leader.”

Rogers was keen to add that the lower purchase price of the Cat D version should not lead buyers to expect any compromise in quality.“Our objective is to offer a great player experience that is beautifully packaged, and at a price point that is sensitive to the highly specific needs of the coastal sector,” he said.“In essence, the brief was to deliver a desirable, compelling product at a realistic price.”

Rogers confirmed that

PARTY TIME CAT D ROLLS OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE AT ASTRA’S BRIDGEND FACTORY

orders for Party Time are currently being taken as a direct result of consistently strong performances on both the multi-stake Cat C and the single stake Cat D (10p/£8 is also a free option).

Commenting on the success of latest incarnation of Party Time, which first hit the headlines a full 15 years ago,Astra’s design director, Andy Dinning, said:“Once the profile for the game had been created and the stats approved, the acid test was to see if the early momentum and earning power it had achieved could be sustained and increased.

“It’s not unusual for a game like Party Time to be an instant hit with players.

New Paragon developments SWP

D

evelopment on the next full (v7.0) software Paragon release is almost code complete and will soon be ready for the two-month quality assurance process, according to Games Warehouse.

New features include a ‘Find Games’ button that simplifies selection by showing the player a screen of small thumbnail icons of the full game portfolio.

In addition, operators will be able to self-select Promo Game Rotation and choose weekly, fortnightly or monthly rotation of the attract screens.

“In terms of games, v7.0 will

include an exciting update of Match of the Day and two games based on the brilliant and current television game shows The Chase and Pointless and, for the Cat C Casino Zone, the eagerly awaited version of the previous SWP classic, Texas Hold’em,” Games Warehouse said.

In other news,the developer will host a warehouse sale at its Nottingham storage facility on Wednesday, July 17. Numerous special deals will be available for operators between 9:00am and 5:00pm.

After all, who could miss it with its high impact graphics, specially moulded balloons, twin screens, blown reels and LED lighting? But there has to be more to a game than aes-

thetics - it has to have the playability to maintain and grow the cashbox. Our design briefs are never easy, but this one has proved to be among the toughest challenges so far.”

of the trade associates group within the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA).

Monkton takes over the position from OmniTicket Network’s UK operations director, John Davies, having spent two years as vice chairman. He will remain in the role for two years, supported by newly appointed vice chairman Phil Pickersgill, managing director of Innovative Leisure.

2324-p06-Industry:Coinslot NEW

6

9/7/13

13:22

Page 1

Coinslot July 12 - July 18, 2013

Industry

INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE B2B COMMENT

NEWSWEEK EVENT Europe gets ready for its biggest pinball festival as preparations get underway for August’s pinball party. 32

OPERATIONS

360 Play operator DP Leisure has cut the ribbon on its new Milton Keynes facility as the company toasts five years of trading.

BFG remains insistent on the highest levels of quality

DP Leisure celebrates five years of trading large open plan office area with adjacent office and other facilities.

The rear half of the building houses the company’s workshops, in which much of the content of the 360 Play venues is manufactured, along with storage areas and an outdoor area.

In total, the new premises cover 5,000sq.ft.

DP Leisure managing director Duncan Phillips said: “We have grown steadily during the past five years and have been looking for larger offices and workshops for some time. From what was literally a shell of

CATEGORY C GAMING

a building we have created a carefully designed, modern office space with excellent facilities, including those in the workshop, and we are justly proud of what we have achieved.

“At the same time, we have also marked our fifth year in business having opened our first 360 Play site in our home city of Milton Keynes five years ago, so it is a double celebration. I am very happy with our progress and growth to date and look forward to continuing the company’s development in the future.”

elebrating its fifth year of trading in 2013, DP Leisure has moved into newly created offices and workshops in its hometown of Milton Keynes.

Founded in 2008 by Duncan Phillips,DP Leisure is the operating company behind the popular 360 Play children’s entertainment centre brand, while also within the group is the strategic leisure consultancy DP Associates.

The company has grown impressively since its inception and now operates three 360 Play sites - in

Milton Keynes, Stevenage and Leicester, with more in the pipeline - as well as employing over 142 staff company-wide.

The new DP House premises have been created from an empty office and workshop building, and from here the company will provide central support to the group and its venues as expansion continues.

The new interior has been designed and built in house by DP Leisure’s own staff and now features a reception area, main boardroom and separate meeting room, a design studio, a

Retraction

Gala gives bingo fans a reason to celebrate

C

n last week’s issue of Coinslot, we incorrectly Istated that Mr Rodney Kemp was a partner at Sands Amusements and Las Vegas Amusements in Hemsby. Mr Kemp is, of course a partner of Sands Amusements in California near Great Yarmouth, and Las Vegas Amusements Hemsby. Dunwell and Norma Parnham are the sole owners of Sands Amusements in Hemsby, and are in no way connected with either Las Vegas Amusements Hemsby or Sands Amusements in California.

Coinslot is happy to set the record straight.

BINGO

ala Coral Group is spreading some much G needed summer sunshine and bringing the bingo buzz back to Britain as it launches two big money online promotions which combine to offer £2m in guaranteed prizes.

Last week GalaBingo.com, the online division of Gala Coral Group, debuted its peak time television campaign to mark the launch of its £1m Bingo Guaranteed Giveaway, in which players have 1,000 chances to win £1,000 cash throughout July via a series of standard 90 ball games and Roll On games.

With £30,000 being won each day and a potential £3,000 per game, the offer is a unique triple chance game with £1,000 for each

one line, two line and full house prizes.There will be games on the hour, every hour between 1pm and 10pm Monday to Thursday, and 12pm until 11pm Friday to Sunday.

In conjunction with this promotion, the gaming site is also continuing its £1m MegaJackpots Prize Draw, which will run throughout July andAugust.In this,players have the chance to share in £1m worth of prizes, ranging from £100 to £1,000, with one lucky

When it comes to Category C products, operators get what they pay for, according to Bell-Fruit sales and marketing director, John McLouglin. urrently celebrating its 50th year in the UK C coin-op industry, Bell-Fruit

Games (BFG) has been taking stock of the manufacturing landscape, with a specific focus on the significant contribution the company makes to the health and vitality of the Category C AWP sector.

Bell-Fruit said it remains committed to delivering consistently strong, brand new product to the marketplace. According to sales and marketing director John McLoughlin, when it comes to Cat C, you “really do get what you pay for,” particularly in the case of BFG which has vast expertise of producing high-earning, top quality licensed titles.

McLoughlin added: “We have always been insistent on the highest levels of quality in our products.

That’s evidenced by the amount of investment that goes into developing new games and cabinet styles. winner scooping £100,000 While we strive to keep at the end of August. prices as low as possible, Alison Digges, director of all this innovation places GalaBingo.com, said: “As a huge demands on site committed to produc- resource. Hence our ing the most number of win- Golden Anniversary ners daily, we are always slogan, ‘Invested in Innolooking for new ways to vation’.” help more players experiHe added: “Another ence a win. We are really example of the ‘quality excited about our £2m versus cost’ dilemma can bingo and slots guaranteed be seen in our licensed giveaway and our MegaJack- games. It’s no secret that pots Prize Draw - and we’re we have the strongest hoping they spread some licences available, yet this much needed summer sun- can be a double-edged shine to our players.” sword. They deliver bril-

liant cashbox returns for the retailer, but there is a significant cost levied by the licence holder.”

One of Bell-Fruit’s core strengths is its consistent output of desirable new games. McLoughlin explained: “We are committed to launching 20 brand new models every year. By doing so, we can ensure that retailers and operators have constant access to great games which, in turn, enables them to keep their operations invigorated and fresh. Furthermore, our machines are switchable to Cat D - that’s something that not all manufacturers can offer.

“A fact that’s often overlooked is that during that process a number of games that are tested don’t always live up to our expectations. Bell-Fruit is prepared to meet the cost of those failed test machines. We don’t charge for our test machines and I don’t think there’s currently any other manufacturer that offers that level of service.”

With 50 years’ trading under its belt and parent company Novomatic adding valuable support, the firm is predicting a confident outlook with regard to its Cat C lineage.

“We are in this for the longhaul,” McLoughlin said.

“And that is reflected in the quality of the games we build and their sustained earning power.”

2324-p08-Industry:Coinslot NEW

9/7/13

10:44

Page 1

RLMS pair riding for Rays of Sunshine

ADULT GAMING CENTRES

Adult gaming centre operator Praesepe has announced the winners of its annual Cashino Awards.

CHARITY

ndy Hall and Tony Glanville from RLMS Sales have been pedalling away for the last eight A months in a bid to raise funds for the BACTA nominated charity, Rays of Sunshine.

“It was at the BACTA convention last year after watching a film on the tremendous work that Rays of Sunshine carried out making wishes come true for children who have terminal or serious illness - and seeing the joy on the children’s face when their wish came true whether it was meeting their idols JLS or One Direction or being a fireman or meeting a raesepe, which oper- close to 300 per cent, record- enhanced the work of central Waddington, who recorded Disney Princess - that Andy and I decided we ates the Cashino ing some of the lowest excep- marketing, supplementing some of the best mystery wanted to do something to help,” Glanville brand,the UK’s largest tions in the company and national campaigns with their shopper scores and excep- told Coinslot. chain of adult gaming centres, delivering consistently high own localised initiatives, tion levels in the country.

Explaining the challenge, Hall said: “We Heralding the awards, decided to take on the challenge of riding 100 which proved extremely pophas recognised the huge levels of customer service.

Stephen Lawrence, chief miles in one day in the inaugural Prudential Ride The title of Cashino ular with customers. depth of talent that exists An ability to solve seem- operating officer for AGCs at London-Surrey 100 on Sunday August 4, which within its ranks, courtesy of employee of the year went to Wilfrido Narvaez,whose skills ingly intractable problems, a Praesepe, said:“A large part of is celebrating the cycling legacy created by the its annual Cashino Awards.

The best and brightest in looking after the diverse hugely positive outlook and a why Cashino is the gaming London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. members of the Cashino team customer base at London’s commitment to bring out the destination of choice on the “It is the cycling equivalent of the London battled it out for a total of four Crystal Rooms - including the very best in her team, were high street,is down to the wel- Marathon and will start in the shadow of the coveted titles covering man- succession of industry VIPs just three of the reasons come our customers’ receive Olympic village and finishes 100 miles later in ager of the year, area manager who visit the iconic Leicester behind Gill Clulows’ achieve- when they walk through our the Mall. En route we will take in views of of the year, employee of the Square venue - meant that he ment in being named area doors. These well earned London’s iconic land marks before venturing manager of the year. Gill was awards reflect the skill and out into Surrey and the ultimate challenge Box was the clear winner. year and venue of the year.

Teamwork was at the heart the first Area Manager to get dedication of our staff in Hill sixty miles into the ride.

Julie Rathbone, who heads up the team at Hounslow,won of Plymouth’s success in being all of her venues opening 24- delivering such a consistently Glanville added: “We have been in training the prestigious manager of named venue of the year. Prae- hours and also took full con- positive experience to cus- now for eight months, and when we first started the year award, seeing off sepe said the entire team trol of Bingo Express, tomers the length and we couldn’t make it up the slightest hill without competition from across the worked tirelessly to make the launching new venues, breadth of the country.” getting off for a breather. It was that bad during Praesepe will be announc- our first session Andy fell off his bike and disapcountry. According to Prae- successful transition to 24- arranging installations and sepe, Rathbone excelled in a hour trading and increase staging promotions through- ing the winners of its Beacon peared through a roadside hedge! number of areas - not least her income by 10 per cent in the out the year. Runner-up in the Bingo Club awards later in “To build our stamina we have also been success in building income by process. The venue also category was Graham the year. attending twice weekly spin sessions in the gym to complement our many, many hours of road work. We have worked up to a distance of 82 miles in one stretch and are saving the 100mile carrot for the big day. We are now four weeks away from the big event and we are like finely tuned race engines!”

REDEMPTION Hall said: “All the hard work will be well s the redemption sector continues on its worth it when we cross the finishing line on the growth course, operators have been steadily While traditional integrating Mall, knowing we have contributed to a great ticketed pushers into their estate.And coin in, coin out as players realise the overwhelming advantages charity and with the help of all the generous sponsorship and donations we will make a difpushers continue brought about with the combination of coins and ference to children who have not been blessed to dominate the tickets, manufacturers have been placing more with good health. and more focus on creating the most innovative sector in the UK, pushers to date.

Industry members interested in sponsoring redemption Tony and Andy have been asked to contact the Discussing the growing popularity of redempRLMS head office. ticket pushers tion ticket pushers, Tom Clarke of JNC Sales offered his view:“Kids in particular enjoy the thrill have been rapidly of winning streams of tickets and then being able growing in to redeem them for a prize they can take away. It demand increased value for money.

Redemption pushers have added a dimension means that they can spend a reasonable amount popularity over to the game playing experience without making of money and not go away empty handed.” recent years.

The shift to redemption in pushers marks the machines any more complicated to underanother step in the UK amusements industry’s stand. If anything, as the argument of messrs adoption of retail models.And,indeed,many argue Clarke et al suggest, the redemption offer has that this is particularly important in times of eco- made the experience even more family-friendly nomic uncertainty, as cash-strapped consumers and added to the overall customer satisfaction.

CASHINO PLYMOUTH WAS NAMED VENUE OF THE YEAR

Praesepe’s got talent!

P

Pushers: the road to redemption A

se u o h e it h W m ro F ly e v si u cl Ex ORDER YOUR STOCKS NOW

Wilson House, Bentalls, Pipps Hill, Basildon, Essex SS14 3BX, England Telephone: +44 (0) 1268 274284 Fax: +44 (0) 1268 274285 E-Mail: sales@whitehouseleisure.co.uk

S u an bs d cri up ge be yo da t a on u te w o e u o pr f o inf ek r w od u or ly e r uc la mi em bs ts te ng a ite il . st

www.whitehouseleisure.co.uk

Sta yu pt od at e!

Supersoft gift quality plus available in various sizes 6”, 8”, 16” plus bagclips

2324-p10-Amusements:Coinslot NEW

10

9/7/13

10:34

Page 1

Coinslot July 12 - July 18, 2013

Amusements

TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE

Email: al@sjc.co.uk

Worthing Pier venue set for refurb

Summer offer from Butlins

Pushers inspire British seaside book

Pub chain hopes to attract seaside tourists

A businessman is intending give the Southern Pavilion on Worthing Pier a 1930s Art Deco refurbishment.

The new “multi-purpose venue” would cost up to £130,000, while the borough council is giving £90,000 for improvements to the exterior of the Grade II listed building.

With the school summer holidays just around the corner, Butlins is offering families a free place for the first child, plus a saving of up to an extra £80 off, when they book a stay at one of the company’s resorts by July 9.

Coin-op has helped inspire a book entitled ‘Don’t Need the Sunshine - a journey in search of the British seaside’, which saw author John Osborne tour the British coast to answer questions like “is it possible to walk away with a profit on the 2p arcade machines?”

Wetherspoons has submitted plans for a futuristic two-storey pub and restaurant in Ilfracombe.

The firm says the iconic curved design could trigger further development on the sea and that it will bring more tourists to the area, therefore enhancing the sustainability of the seaside town.

Liverpool goes vintage as amusement arcade focuses on the classics AMUSEMENT ARCADE

After collecting vintage arcade machines for almost 25 years, a former builder has opened a new, old-fashioned amusement arcade in Liverpool’s Bluecoat Chambers. hen the news broke last week that Liverpool was going to be home to the classics,it wasn’t an amusement arcade that immediately sprung to mind.

However, amusement machine collector Bob Handley has set up a museum of old fashion arcade machines at the Bluecoat Chambers in central Liverpool. The builder-turned-showman’s new venture - the Museum of Amusements at the Bluecoat - is a pleasure palace of vintage arcade machines that are all about skill rather than gain, aimed to bring out the

W

child in everyone who pops an old penny in a slot.

Handley has been collecting what he calls our “forgotten history” for a quarter of a century, sourcing machines from all over the country every time he had a bit of money. Talking about the machines he has collected, Handley said they document the decline of seaside resorts all across Britain.

The first machine he owned himself was a onearmed bandit given to him by a friend, but he says he was never really interested in the gambling aspect of the fair-

ground arcade. That initial donation 25 years ago, however, was just the start. From there an old jukebox came along, and then the first of dozens of Allwin machines, the wooden-framed penny slot machines many people will remember playing from the 1920s onwards.

He now has almost 200 machines in containers and a lock-up and 40 at the Bluecoat, where every machine allows the player to do something different - from winning sweets to playing on a football game.

Handley mainly sources

the machines from seaside resorts,with a great deal from the East coast and some that he has bought on websites.

Mablethorpe has proved a particularly happy hunting ground for Handley who managed to find a collection of machines from the 1930s from a former showman.The small seaside resort on the Lincolnshire coast has long been known for its traditional seaside amusement arcades.

The earliest piece of endof-the-pier history the 50year-old owns dates from 1895 and is a very rare cast iron strength tester machine,

which he discovered in a garden 10 miles from his current home in Cheshire. Most of the machines, from What the Butler Saw to tell your fortune,The Big Wheel and the Lucky Twelve, are British made, although one corner houses an American Chester Pollard Football Machine circa1922. Everything is an old penny,with each 10 goes costing a pound, and the big old coins kept in a big

bucket in Handley’s fairground booth.

Building an arcade has been an ambition of Handley’s for around 20 years. His ambition is to run a successful vintage arcade and make sure the machines he has collected are enjoyed by as many people as possible.

“I’m hoping this at the Bluecoat is just a start,” said Handley. “This is our history, it’s got to be seen.”

Cabinet endorses Pleasurama task and finish group RAMSGATE

new Pleasurama site development task and A finish group is being set up as a priority project for Ramsgate following a meeting held on May 29 at which councillors agreed to explore other options for the site in seaside resort.

The site, now Royal Sands, has been described as one of the most important regeneration projects in

east Kent but has been derelict for 10 years. After a meeting in January, SFP Ventures UK had been given until the middle of May to prove it could finance the project to satisfy Thanet District Council, but failed to do so. As the four-month period passed without the criteria being met, the council has agreed to a review of the options for the site,

which include continuing discussions with the current developer or considering alternative options.

Cabinet member for

operational services, councillor Alan Poole, said: “Discussions are still underway with the developer, and will continue with the aim of

resolving the current situation to develop the site as agreed, but we have to be realistic. We’ve waited a considerable amount of time for the developer to meet their obligations, and while we acknowledge the challenging economic climate, there has to be a conclusion.

“Cabinet has agreed to a review of the situation to

progress the regeneration of this prime site quickly and efficiently, however, there is no doubt that this will involve some detailed and challenging discussions.”

A public meeting was due to take place on July 8 as protestors are demanding action on the development now that the council's deadline had passed without progress.

JNC SALES IN ASSOCIATION WITH HARRY LEVY PRESENT THE BRILLIANTLY PERFORMING...

‘OUR BEST PUSHER BY FAR, EVEN IN COMPARISON TO STRAIGHTS’ DAVID CAIN CAIN’S AMUSEMENTS

‘LOOKS GREAT AND IS PERFORMING VERY WELL’ JIMMY NORMAN BILLY MANNING LTD

‘COMFORTABLY THE TWO HIGHEST TAKING PUSHERS THAT I HAVE ACROSS MY OPERATION’ ANDY GRADY COVERTRAVEL LTD

‘VERY IMPRESSIVE ATTRACT SOUND AND STANDS OUT A MILE’

COIN OUT £15,995 TICKET OUT £17,995

MAKE THE MOST OF 5% MGD AND GET IT FOR THE SUMMER SEAS ON

FINANCE PACKAGES/EXTENDED CREDIT TERMS AVAILABLE

PLEASE CALL JNC SALES ON 01179 382552

2324-p11-Leisure:Coinslot NEW

12

9/7/13

14:16

Page 1

Coinslot July 12 - July 18, 2013

22

Leisure Pub sector operators launch Tax Parity Day VAT

Forty high profile pub, restaurant and food service companies are aiming to reduce the level of VAT in the hospitality sector from 20 per cent to 5 per cent by launching a national day of action. number of pub, restaurant and food service companies have launched Tax Parity Day, with the intention to lobby the government to reduce VAT in the hospitality sector from 20 per cent to 5 per cent.The VAT Club JB, headed by veteran VAT campaigner Jacques Borel, is organising a Tax Parity Day across the UK on 25 September. The action is the biggest ever piece of consumer-facing campaigning ever organised by the industry.The campaign is calling on tens of thousands of fellow publicans, restaurateurs and foodservice operators to reduce their prices by 7.5 per cent for one day only, in order to highlight the benefits of a VAT reduction to 5 per cent.

It is backing the campaign with 250,000 posters, which will be distributed to venues in order to highlight the national day of action to their customers. It is being backed by members of The VAT Club JB.These include pub operators JD Wetherspoon, Brains, Heineken, Shepherd Neame and Punch Taverns, family

A

brewers including Fuller’s, Charles Wells and St Austell, restaurant group Pizza Hut, hotel operator Mandarin Oriental, sandwich chain Subway and motorway services operator Roadchef. Jacques Borel has campaigned effectively for the level of VAT in the hospitality sector to be reduced in a large number of European countries.

He said: “Our aim is to secure a more equal tax treatment for food sold through pubs, restaurants and food service operators, compared to supermarkets, which benefit from a zero VAT rate.We are calling on supporters of the campaign to reduce their prices by 7.5 per cent for one day. This is the amount by which we believe that prices would fall if VAT were cut to 5 per cent, on the assumption that 60 per cent of any reduction would be passed onto the customer in lower prices. So, for example, the total price of a meal and drinks for a family of four would be reduced from £60 to £54.60 on Tax Parity Day.”

Borel argues that a 7.5 per cent reduction on the day will lead to increased turnover of between 10 and 12 per cent for operators taking part, as they will attract more customers to their outlets. In France, a similar campaign saw sales increase by 8 per cent on the day of action.

He added:“Our argument is clear - a reduction in the level of VAT on a long-term basis will generate growth and create jobs in the important leisure and hospitality sector.”

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin concluded: “Wetherspoon wholeheartedly supports Jacques’ initiative for Tax Parity Day.We’re aiming to make it our busiest day of the entire year. Creating tax parity between pubs, restaurants and supermarkets will fulfil many government objectives. It will create more jobs and it will raise the amount of taxes the government receive, since pubs and restaurants pay more taxes and create more jobs than supermarkets. It’s a win-win situation for the government, voters and our industry.”

This week’s machine charts

Tourism funding to be maintained

24 B2B listings and industry marketplace

26

TOURISM

Latest products and services

he Tourism Alliance has welcomed the government’s Trecent announcement that tourism funding for VisitEngland is not to be cut further and VisitBritain is to be reduced by just five per cent.

Tourism Alliance chairman, Michael Hirst OBE (pictured), stated: “The industry congratulates Maria Miller and Hugh Robertson on supporting tourism in their negotiations with the Treasury.

“This announcement recognises that the UK tourism industry is at the forefront of the UK’s economy recovery. It has generated a third of all new jobs that have been created in the UK over the last three years.”

Revenue generated by the tourism rose by 6.9 per cent (£9bn) to £134bn in 2012 and is currently growing at 11 per cent, meaning that tourism is one of the only industries in the UK where revenue and employment are now higher than they were before the recession started.

Hirst said: “The UK tourism industry is a world leader that is building on the hugely successful hosting of the 2012 Olympics to boost both domestic and inbound tourism revenue. We see this acknowledgement of the sector by the government as a key step toward maintaining essential international and domestic marketing and research.”

The Tourism Alliance is the voice of the UK tourism industry. The group was established in 2001 with the support of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and comprises almost 50 Tourism Industry Associations that together represent 200,000 businesses of all sizes throughout the UK.

27 Classified sales, job and business opps

JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

The essential guide to cranes P12

2324-p12-22-Essential:Coinslot NEW

9/7/13

14:48

Page 1

13

Essential Guide to...

B 2 B

Cranes The ideal showcase

Cranes are the ideal showcase for topical and up-to-date merchandise, according to James Anderson of Namco Prize Europe. “Cranes and prize vending machines offer the unique ability to change their offering to the player simply by the operator changing the stock and some artwork,” Anderson said.

Wide-ranging installations

Elaut grabs industry award

While cranes are perhaps most traditionally associated with seaside and inland amusements venues, they are also enjoying increased installations in new types of venues, including pubs, family-friendly restaurants, shopping malls and independent retail outlets.

Respected European crane manufacturer Elaut last year won an award for its efforts in the sector. The company received the Best Exhibition gold medal for its stand at RAAPA in Moscow. “Visitors to the show were enthusiastic about... the colour cranes with LEDs and the first IntraXion system were a great draw to the stand,” said the company’s Helga Verstraeten.

Optimum payout levels Operators strive to ensure their cranes maintain an optimum payout level. While a degree of skill should always be encouraged, cranes set too weak - with small percentage payouts - will soon start to gather dust, as disappointed visitors look elsewhere for a take-home prize.

KEYNOTE Having the prizes that the players want is the most important factor in the lasting popularity of cranes, according to Frank Seninsky, president and CEO of US consultancy, Amusement Entertainment Management.

Searching for the winning formula In the US, cranes and merchandise dispensing games (instant redemption) are very strong. For the past five years that category has continually increased each year as a percentage of total game revenues at family entertainment centres at the expense of redemption and video game revenues.

However, during that same time period laws have popped up in 21 of the 50 states currently with prize per play limits ranging from 75 cents to $35.The intent of these laws was to be an easy fix to get rid of sweepstakes, internet gaming cafes, and video slot gaming parlours, but some traditional redemption and instant win amusement games are caught up in the wide sweeping net.

“

Having the prizes that the players want is the most important factor in cranes’ lasting popularity. In addition, crane manufacturers have done an excellent job of making the crane cabinets attractive and appealing through lighting and colours and have kept the purchase costs very reasonable so replacement has not been an issue.

Crane operators over the years have learned how to percentage the prize wins to be in the average 30 point range so the average player can win a prize with a perceived value of nearly his/her cost to play several tries.

We use a lot of cranes made by Coast to Coast because of the low purchase price and the high quality.We have very few maintenance problems and their cranes earn as well

as other much more expensive models.Elaut makes the longest lasting and best-looking cranes.We have many of their Mega model cranes and they are still earning so well that we didn’t purchase a lot of their Giga models.

Their latest model cranes are the most modern looking and are very strong earners.

Our Benchmark cranes are also good earners and still going strong after many years.

We are using every model of Betson Big Choice cranes for the past 30 years and still operating some of the original triple cranes.

In terms of machine location, we like to position a few cranes at the main entrance to the FEC so these machines are the first that the customer sees on the way in and the last they see on the way out. Cranes are also mixed in with our redemption games

so the customers have an opportunity to play them while they are in the main game area, which is where they will spend the majority of their time.

Placing different shapes of bundles of redemption tickets inside of the cranes has also increased their revenues significantly.

This practice has helped create redemption players from crane players and vice versa.

When a customer plays a crane at the entrance to the FEC and wins some tickets, their next step is to go to the redemption prize centre and see what they can redeem their tickets for. In a large majority of the cases they will want to try to win more tickets for the prize they really want and then start playing different redemption games that attract them.

Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

2324-p12-22-Essential:Coinslot NEW

14

B 2 B

9/7/13

14:51

Page 2

Essential Guide to ... Cranes Sector Overview SWOT ANALYSIS

PRODUCT TRENDS

Eyes on the prize

Hot items for 2013

Cranes remain the ideal products to entice customers into amusement venues and entertaining guests - and for once, you’re never too young, or, indeed, old to enjoy.

ccording to Frank Seninsky, licensed plush prizes are still A popular when the prize is tied to a recently released movie. However, hard goods also remain popular, especially the latest electronic gadgets. law cranes,grabbers and teddy pickers. No matter what they’re referred to as,cranes have been a solid staple in the British amusements industry for decades.The sheer simplicity of these transparent treasure chests has a fundamental allure for all guests at an amusement venue - no matter how young or old.

Due to the fact that cranes are so well loved by a wide demographic, the machines are often clearly sited right at the entrance to a venue, whether this is a coastal FEC or inland bowling alley.They are magnets for passing visitors, who will often try their luck in obtaining a memento with their remaining change.

The longstanding appeal of cranes has resulted in machines being installed in an ever-increasing range of venues.They can now be found in FECs, bowling centres, shopping malls, family-focused restaurants and even industry trade shows as a means of distributing promotional and marketing material.

The cranes genre faces growing competition from the prize redemption sector, and it is important for operators to ensure the prizes contained within their cranes are not the same as those at the redemption counter.This will ensure they remain as attractive as possible, with minimal revenues being cannibalised through redemption tickets.

From an operator’s perspective, one of the main advantages of crane vendors lies in their outstanding longevity and the fact that the prizes themselves can be changed in line with shifting consumer preferences and trends.

The leading operators strive to ensure their cranes maintain an optimum payout level.While a degree of skill should always

C

Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

SWOT ANALYSIS CRANES AND PRIZES STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

• Cranes offer robust • Licensed merchan- • Relaxation of stake • Misconception that revenue returns dise comes in at a and prize levels has prize cranes may and are enjoyed by premium price enabled a wide not pay out regua wide demopoint array of merchanlarly graphic • Medium levels of dise to come to the • Potential threat of • Top quality prizes machine attention fore vandalism and are an ideal way to required for the petty theft as • Versatility means entice guests into restocking and cranes are tradicranes are in a an amusement repositioning of tionally placed at growing range of venue prizes front of premises venues, including • Technological • Growth in prize FECs, shopping • Increased competiadvances means redemption sector malls, pubs, supertion for leisure operators can may result in less markets spend from other adjust payout attention being equipment • Prize-every-time levels quickly and paid to cranes cranes can remove easily stigma that gifts are too difficult to obtain

be encouraged, cranes set too weak - with small percentage payouts - will soon start to gather dust,as disappointed visitors look elsewhere for a take-home prize.

Licensing remains a key issue in the UK amusements industry, and this is certainly pertinent for cranes. Many operators have indicated that well-timed licensed product can have a major impact on crane takings.

Despite this, however, it is also agreed that there is still more than enough room for generic products such as watches, jew-

ellery, electronic equipment and plush - as long as the quality is high.

Of course, the success of any crane is down to the equipment itself and the prizes it houses.A dull, worn out crane will struggle to attract the crowds regardless of its prizes. Likewise, people won’t part with their money even on the latest high-end piece if they are not suitably attracted to its merchandise.This is a balancing act that operators continually face. But when it works, the results can be phenomenal.

• STAR WARS ANGRY BIRDS PLUSH AND ANGRY BIRDS NOVELTY ITEMS • ONE DIRECTION PLUSH AND NOVELTIES • IPHONE 4 AND 5 CASES • IPHONE ACCESSORIES CHARGERS, TEXTING GLOVES, STYLUS PENS • ELECTRONICS FOR KEY MASTER, ROAD TRIP AND BARBER CUT - TABLETS, NETBOOKS, E-READERS • MOUSTACHES, JEWELLERY AND NOVELTIES • INFLATABLE BALLS • UMBO CONFECTIONERY

2324-p12-22-Essential:Coinslot NEW

16

B 2 B

9/7/13

14:53

Page 3

Essential Guide to ... Cranes Market Analysis SUPPLIER PERSPECTIVE

SUPPLIERS

E-Claw leads the revival of the crane sector

Quality prizes encourage repeated plays

Over the past two years Crown Direct’s Dean Harding has seen an upturn in the sale of cranes, thanks to the arrival of Elaut’s eye-catching E-Claw With the growth in redemption in the last few years, investment in cranes has definitely slowed.That’s simply because 10 years ago when a family walked into an FEC, the only place they could only really win any merchandise was from a crane. Now they can win tickets from a variety of games, and then use those tickets to claim not just a plush teddy bear but a multitude of other prizes.The FEC operator is retailing more gifts than ever, and because the appeal of this is bigger for players, the crane sector has struggled.

However, over the last two years this trend has started to reverse.We sold more cranes in 2013 than we did in 2012, and we sold more cranes in 2012 than we did in 2011. In my opinion this is purely and simply down to the new product we have in Elaut’s E-Claw. I don’t think there is anybody who would argue that Elaut is a leading manufacturer in the crane sector. Its products may be premium in price, but they are also premium in their performance and their reliability.

It has taken a season to get the E-Claw bedded in and to get people used to the technology, as there is a definite science to its operation, with different claws for dif-

“

ferent sizes and weights of merchandise, but the visual impact is there for all to see when it lights up.When you link several together you can strobe the lights up and down and make them dance.

We have had customers who have converted all the cranes on their locations to E-Claw. At Namco Funscape in Manchester’s Trafford Centre there is a line of eight to ten E-Claws, and when the light show gets going the presentation is spectacular.

A two-player crane has become the standard model in recent years, but we are starting to see more sales of single-player cranes with the E-Claw Cosmic and the E-Claw one-player. I think this is a result of a difficult market where incomes are down and operators have struggled, whether that’s with spend per head or the awful weather we

had over the summer of 2012.Where operators haven’t had the money to spend, some of them have bought the E-Claw Cosmic from us, because they can put it at the front of their premises where it will light up and form the centerpiece of their crane offering.

At the same time, you have to focus on merchandise.A crane is only as good the merchandise that operators put in it.We have seen some phenomenal results so far this year with the Minions characters from the film Despicable Me 2. Some of the income we have seen from that has been amazing, quite frankly, both at our own operation and for our customers. When you combine strong merchandise and strong presentation from the crane,it really is a win-win for all.”

PLUSH PERSPECTIVE

‘The range of product has never been better’ ccording to Stephen Beverley, plush buyer for PMS International Group, A cranes remain a highly relevant sector

important part of any amusement operators income,” he said.“The range of product on offer has never been better and the within the UK amusements and leisure same can be said of the quality.”

Beverley added:“The eClaw from Elaut industry.

“Cranes are still a big draw and an is a fantastic product and the industry stan-

Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

dard is generally high, the bar is being raised with innovative developments every year.”

Looking ahead, Beverley said the market will still be unpredictable,and shifting weather patterns have had the effect of shortening the season.“Consumers will still be careful what they spend so we believe operators will continue to adopt a cautious approach,” he said.

“There appears to be a renewed appetite for product based around movie releases and evergreen licenses will always be a safe bet however well designed and good quality generic product can still perform up there with the latest licenses. I think PMS will be in a very position next year with some exciting new developments.”

From traditional plush prizes, which remain as popular as ever, to the latest electronic goods, it is essential that operators choose high quality products, according to Bandai Namco commercial director, John Brennan. are more relevant than ever in the modern arcade, but operators “needCranes to keep them up-to-date, as they are only as interesting to the player as the products they are stocked with.

From traditional plush prizes, which remain as popular as ever, to the latest electronic goods, it is essential that operators choose high quality products, which are of retail quality and have a genuine perceived value to the player, so that they will come back repeatedly.

Bandai Namco has been responsible for developing the crane-style genre with its market-leading products Barber-Cut, Dunk Tank Prize and most recently Drop the Hook. In each case, the gameplay has been developed to make the genre more interesting to players.

In Drop the Hook, however, Bandai Namco has also offered a new dimension to the operator, as the machine can accommodate prizes up to 2.5ft in size and up to 10kg in weight. No other prize vending machine on the market can take prizes of this size and weight.

It opens up great new opportunities to the operators. For example, they can vend large 5kg jars of jellybeans, or giant plush, which is extremely attractive to the player.”

2324-p12-22-Essential:Coinslot NEW

18

B 2 B

9/7/13

14:55

Page 4

Essential Guide to ... Cranes Market Perspetives NATIONAL AMUSEMENT OPERATORS

INSTALLATIONS

‘We need to ensure the product mix is diverse’

Switch to eClaw provides proper profit boost

Although gift quality plush carries a greater cost burden, the benefits to operators can be huge, according to Sharon King, merchandise manager for Namco Operations Europe.

With the help of Crown Direct and Deith Leisure, one UK operator has boosted their crane offering by switching entirely to Elaut’s eClaw.

oinslot: How would you assess the current state of the cranes and prizes sector in the modern day amusements environment?

Sharon King:These types of games are a crucial part of our operation and appeal to customers of all ages.The majority of operators on the coast use amusement quality plush, which is great for the ‘day-tripper’ customer. Namco prides itself on offering gift quality plush that has a greater perceived value to the customer. Whilst this has a greater cost burden, the benefits can be massive.

All of our sites are inland and our customer mix can vary from site to site, however, in the main our more traditional bowling centres have a greater percentage of local resident customers compared with a far more transient crowd who visit a typically tourist operation such as County Hall on the South Bank.We therefore need to ensure the product mix is diverse and appeals to a wide audience. bank of cranes in an indoor FEC? SK: Whilst we don’t have an across-the-board policy due to the diverse nature of our sites, we CS: To what would you attribute cranes’ longhave found the best place to operate cranes tends lasting popularity?

SK:A crane is only as good as the product displayed to be in banks near the entrance.This is most defiwithin it is and, indeed, how it is displayed. It is nitely the case in our larger mall-based sites, as it imperative that stock is refreshed regularly and enables us to target the opportunist cusremains current.The quality of plush is a key factor tomers/shoppers with a few spare coins in their - hence why licensed product works so well for pockets and purses. By gaining this passing Namco. Popular apps and recent cinema releases income it also gives us an opportunity to showcan hugely impact on the popularity of plush.The case what we have on offer to those who did not release of Despicable Me 2 and the plush associ- intend on visiting our destination. It would be ated with it is a great example of how income can hoped that this in some cases could lead to recbe generated successfully by running our cranes ommendations and ultimately future visits as a to support the film release.We regularly work in destination for the whole family. tandem with such releases and use supporting point of sale to highlight our offer. Our cranes CS: Which prizes are currently hot favourites? become much more akin to a retail sale display, as SK: Hot favourites at the moment are the Despicaopposed to just another crane or grabber, making ble Me 2 Minions - which has had an unbelievable it far more attractive on the eye and much more response since the film release - and the Star Wars likely to encourage passing custom.

Angry Birds, both from Whitehouse Leisure.We mainly only use generic products during the winter months when new stock lines are limited CS: In your opinion, which manufacturers are as our customers prefer the licensed products. currently developing the best cranes on the market, and why do you think this is?

SK:We currently have a mix of the eClaw 900 by CS: Could you offer any predictions for the Elaut and Maxx Grabs from Instance Automatics. cranes sector over the coming years?

Both operate extremely well for us, but again the SK: I firmly believe the crane sector will remain main draw is the plush housed within the cranes. an integral part of any FEC location, as there The tease and operation of the claws is also vital remains a great demand for gift quality prizes.Custo ensuring repeat play and customer satisfaction. tomers to this day still enjoy the theatre and buzz Crane manufacturers have certainly upped their of winning a physical prize - something that is very game in recent years, with older bland cabinets hard to mirror in the home environment. Of being replaced with more colourful options with course, operators must remain current, so there is good attract modes and pay-out routines. This a heavy reliance on the quality of merchandise added with a gift quality plush line equals a suc- available from our suppliers, not to mention the cessful crane operation. expertise of the company buyer to ensure the right mix of products are available and that the ‘must-have’ items take the fore!

CS: Where is the best place to situate a crane or

C

Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

hen Elaut’s eClaw launched a few years ago it immediately became one of the most impressive models on the market W with its dazzling multi-coloured light show, courtesy of the LED lighting its design incorporates.

Of course, fancy lights are all very well, but as with everything in the coin-op business, the real proof of the pudding always comes when you open the cashbox to see what is inside.

With the help of Crown Direct and Deith Leisure, in the last years two operators have switched their entire crane offering over to the eClaw, and have been mightily impressed with the results when it comes to collection time.

Having first investigated Elaut’s new crane in 2011, Derek Petrie, director of Carefree Amusements in Brean, Somerset, was initially put off after hearing negative reports from fellow operators.

However, after visiting Crown and Deith’s stand at EAG 2012, he found so much potential he swiftly placed an order: “When I saw the eClaw at the show I tried and tested them out, they seemed to work and I thought we could work with them, so I committed right there and took eight.”

“I just thought they looked so good together that if I was going to change my cranes, I should change them all. There was no point in changing four and only having half a show, so I went ahead and invested our budget last year on cranes.”

Placing all eight units outside at the front of his arcade, Petrie said the impact was immediate. Providing an eye-catching attract feature, he has found his crane takings have increased by around 20 per cent.

“They have made a hell of a difference,” he explained. “They look very pretty when they all change colour at the same time and at night this creates a really good light show. I’m told there isn’t a bigger line-up of eClaws anywhere else in the country.”

The other big bonus that Petrie has found since the changeover has been the ease with which he can set the eClaw up - a great help for any operator. These days a foul hook where the claw grabs something it shouldn’t and gives a toy away - have become extremely rare.

In terms of the plush merchandise, he uses almost licensed plush almost exclusively, having observed that people are more willing to play for merchandise they recognise from films and television.

2324-p12-22-Essential:Coinslot NEW

9/7/13

14:56

Page 5

19

B 2 B

PRIZE SUPPLIERS

‘Treat your cranes like a shop window’ Phil Setter, managing partner of Whitehouse Leisure Group, discusses the growing importance of cranes and prizes in today’s amusements environment. think both cranes and prizes are more to the industry now than “theyIimportant have ever been. Hard-pressed consumers are increasingly looking for good value for money regardless of whether that’s in a retail environment or amusements/leisure.

The high street is full of special offers across a vast array of different products clothes, food, etc - and the amusement industry is equally exposed to that demand for great products at an affordable price.

We have seen a large increase in demand for prize products, particularly licensed products over recent years, and we see that trend continuing.Despite the economy, there are plenty of people out there with money to spend, they are just more careful than perhaps they have been in the past.

A well-presented crane is just as capable of generating decent revenues as it’s ever been, but consumers have much higher expectations than they’ve had in the past. Treat your cranes like a shop window and people will play - it’s as simple as that.

The success of cranes lies within the opportunity to have a bit of fun and at the same time have a good chance of winning something that has a much higher per-

ceived value than the cost of the play.

That’s why it’s so incredibly important to have the cranes looking their absolute best.A tired looking crane that’s had no TLC has little chance of attracting players but invest in the right equipment and display - not forgetting the rights toys of course and that cash box can still be full in a very short space of time.

The novelty factor of the cranes passed a long time ago, so you must give the consumers what they’re looking for.Again,the high street knows how hard it is to part the consumer with his cash and the amusement industry is no different.

The trend for licensed products is showing no signs of slowing, and this year it has certainly increased in my view.

Hot film and App related products still lead the way and the star of 2013 is looking likely to be Despicable Me 2. Demand has been absolutely incredible and we’ve been shipping goods by airfreight for this past month.

This will continue long into 2014 as the industry prepares for the dedicated Minions film. Disney’s Monsters University, releasing this month and Planes releasing in August are also set to be in huge demand and Angry Birds are still flying high with new styles keeping the momentum going.”

Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

2324-p12-22-Essential:Coinslot NEW

20

B 2 B

9/7/13

15:00

Page 6

Essential Guide to ... Cranes Products CROWN LEISURE

PMS INTERNATIONAL GROUP

Demand growing for single player machines

Success for PMS the tip of the ice

Where operators have been struggling during the economic downturn, Crown Leisure has seen an uptake in single player cranes from Elaut.

W

hile operator investment has mainly been - and still is - predominantly in double player position cranes, over the last two seasons Crown Direct and Deith Leisure have seen demand growing for single player machines.

“We know that we have the best cranes on the market with the Elaut eClaw,” said David Hurst of Crown Direct.“But like everything in life you get what you pay for, and eClaws are amongst the most expensive in the marketplace.

“Where operators have been struggling during these difficult trading times we have seen a big uptake in the eClaw Cosmic and eClaw 900 one player cranes.They look like a million dollars, but come at an affordable price. So where operators have wanted to make a big impression in their FEC locations, they have been buying either of these two cranes and placing them at the front of the arcades, and coupling it with the best prize merchandise.”

The eClaw Cosmic allows for larger prizes, with its larger claw and grab strength.The single range of cranes is complemented by the standard 900 two-player crane.

“This still remains our biggest seller but, the mix between singles and doubles has shifted,” said Hurst.“The largest uplift in income you can get from eClaw is when you convert your whole arcade to eClaws.The way the lighting links across all the play positions and changes in sync has a fantastic effect on location.

“This becomes a big investment for the operator, but with the asset life of an Elaut crane and special finance packages available from Crown, more and more operators are making this commitment,” Hurst said.

With plenty of new licences scheduled to arrive throughout the summer and new deals already in place for 2014, PMS is very positive about the future of its crane and prize offering. ssex based prize supplier PMS International is anticipating a busy summer season,with the arrival of several new Elicensed product ranges for the crane and prize market.

The global smash hit smartphone app,Talking Friends, has now exceeded one billion downloads. In addition to the main Tom and Ben characters, PMS now has three new characters available: Gina Giraffe, Angela and Ginger.Available in several sizes with and without sound chips, the new characters add variety and collectability to what is already a very popular range.

Continuing with the theme of characters from blockbuster apps, PMS has announced the imminent arrival of its new collection of Cut the Rope plush featuring the adorable Om Nom character. Cut the Rope has exceeded 300m downloads and won a BAFTA award for its innovative and addictive gameplay. UK figures are particularly impressive, with over 20m downloads.

“It seems the app is just the beginning for the cute candy munching protagonist as a huge merchandising programme gets underway and the game is being adapted forTV in various guises including a game show and a series of animated shorts,” said the company’s Steven Beverley.“PMS is offering several sizes of classic Om Nom and a brand new assortment of dressed Om Nom. “Raa Raa the Noisy Lion plush arrived at the end of June and early feedback is very good,” Beverley added.“Raa Raa is one of top the performing programmes on the BBC’s leading preschool channel Cbeebies and there seems to be a big demand for merchandise.

“PMS has gift quality crane plush in stock now featuring the five main characters from the show, and this will be followed up later this month with mini-cushions and plush clip-ons, which make excellent prizes for prize every time machines, pushers or low ticket value redemption.”

WHITEHOUSE LEISURE

A prize fit for a crane Whitehouse Leisure has added several new and exciting designs for 2013. o build upon the successful acquisition of the Disney licence in 2012, Whitehouse Leisure has Tlaunched an extensive new range of retail quality products which are a must-have for any successful crane operation. These include variations of ‘evergreens’ such as Winnie the Pooh and Friends Fluffy characters, Minnie Mouse Treats, the Muppets including new characters Waldorf and Statler, Eeyore Tender Little Moments, plus Monsters Inc. and Planes to coincide with new film Coinslot JULY 5 - JULY 11, 2013

releases in July and August.

This will add to an already impressive line up of top draw licensed products such as Despicable Me 2, which is set to become a leading light of 2013; the very latest Angry Bird offering in the guise of Star Wars characters; the ever-popular Family Guy characters; Ted from the much applauded hit comedy film; and the return of the unforgettable Mr Blobby, who is celebrating his 20th anniversary.

2324-p12-22-Essential:Coinslot NEW

PMS is just e iceberg

9/7/13

15:00

Page 7

21

B 2 B

AMG LEISURE

Grab it while it’s hot AMG Leisure is keeping today’s discerning consumer satisfied with its full range of quality amusement cranes. s everybody is aware, cranes have been a mainstay of the arcade for A many years but now the prize vending sector has grown substantially in importance and profile during more recent years in most arcades, according to Terry Farr of AMG Leisure.

“Clearly one of the reasons behind this are the need to keep on improving the out-of-home experience that the arcade offers its clients,” Farr told B2B. “The UK arcade customer clearly has become more discerning and expects to come to the arcade to enjoy the games and environment that they cannot have at home.

“In my opinion the other major factors that come to play is that we as an industry are managing to supply great prizes

that don’t exceed the £50 threshold limit but have a much higher perceived value to our player plus a few manufacturers have made their machine tantalising and fun. Unfortunately, some of the peripheral equipment of this nature has something of a wallpaper feel about and really does miss the mark.”

Farr added: “It’s no coincidence that the newest, most modern cranes - that are different to the products that have been around for years - are really taking good money, while the older, tired cranes with a poor swag offering are doing poorly.

“We at AMG have majored on the crane range from LAI. The company has now produced three excellent crane products. Stack ‘n’ Grab was the first,

followed closely by Catch ‘n’ Grab. Both of these games utilise a LED panel with a different game for each that acts as the percentage control, instead of the grab.

“The crane unit then acts as a vender for the prize, making a two-stage game for the player. New this year was Toy Zone crane, a traditional premium designed processed crane, making use of the same recognisable cabinet design as both Stack and Catch ‘n’ Grab. All three games can also be operated on win every time, making them very flexible for all operations throughout the year.

“At our recent Open Day, AMG showed all three games together, with an optional top sign that links any three units together, making a very impressive and eye catching line-up,” Farr said.

Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

2324-p12-22-Essential:Coinslot NEW

22

B 2 B

9/7/13

16:23

Page 8

Essential Guide to ... Cranes

Products

Analysis

NAMCO EUROPE

Prize drop Namco’s Drop the Hook gives operators the opportunity to offer something completely new to players. rop the Hook is a simple and absorbing game from Namco Europe where the player must release the plunger onto one of six shapes in order to drop the hook of a corresponding prize.

Using the familiar two button controls, players manoeuvre a plunger over six different prize targets. Each prize target is uniquely shaped to match the colour and shape of the intended prize section.

Players who want to try to win a prize located in the red heart section, for example, will aim for the heart shaped prize target. If successful, the plunger will pass through the hole and activate the prize switch.The hook holding the prize will drop and release the prize into the prize bin. Drop the Hook also features a ‘winner every time’ ball dispenser.

Drop the Hook is unique in that it will accept larger prizes up to a diameter of 2.5ft and a weight of 10kg.“This offers a great opportunity for arcade operators to load these machines with new and exciting prizes such as giant plush or super-sized confectionary,”said Bandai Namco commercial director, John Brennan.“We have been experimenting with some different types of prizes and the reaction has been incredible. Operators have an opportunity to be able to offer something completely new to the player.”

Namco Prize Europe offers a wide range of exciting prizes suitable for Drop the Hook, including supersized c o n f e c t i o n a r y, such as giant Dairy Milk bars and buckets of Jelly Beans from the Jelly Bean Factory.

Also available is the market-leading Nam-Gear range of electronics, including a dual-SIM smart phone, tablet computer and HD video recorder.

Plush ranges include various sizes of Timmy Time, Shaun the Sheep and Pac-Man characters, plus Namco’s own Purcats range.

D

Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

CATEGORYC (£1/£70 Max.)

CATEGORYB3 (£1/£500 Max.)

Single site

AGCs

This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer

This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer

1 2 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 5 4 6 7 9

DOND Bankers Offer BFG Monster Money QPS DOND Double Chance BFG Snow White & the Seven Tenners REF DOND Golden Game BFG Alice Through the Looking Glass REF DOND Triple BFG Karate Quid QPS Monopoly Millionaires Row BFG DOND Take a Chance BFG

Taken from a representative number of sites around the UK Supplied by national operator

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

King of Slots Blueprint TS22 Casino King Project Luck Lady's Charm Astra Triple 8 Barcrest Mega Bars Big Hit Project Rainbow King's 2 Astra Triple 7 Barcrest Lady Luck Reflex Abet Astra Magic Lotto Novomatics

Based on data supplied by a representative number of UK sites Supplied by RLMS Sales

CATEGORYD (10p/£5 Max.) AGCs

FEC - family

This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer

This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 8 2 5 -

Magic Games 3 (s/d) Novomatic Party Time Platinum Astra Encore T7 (GP2) SG Gaming Magic Game 3 Novomatic Encore T7 (GP3) SG Gaming Triple 7 (GP3) SG Gaming Triple 7 (GP2) SG Gaming DOND: Banker rings twice BFG Mega Jackpots Project Bullion Bars Arena Astra

Based on data from a minimum of 10 locations. Supplied by Praesepe

FEC - adult This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 6 2 8 5 6 7 3 9 10

Free Play 70 Project Rainbow Riches Party Barcrest Magic Games U/R Novomatic Hot Spots Astra Pure Gold Astra Rainbow Riches Party Barcrest Clockwork Oranges Empire Win Wall Astra Party Time Arena (4 Player) Astra Party Games (4 Player) Astra

Based on data from four sites Amusement Equipment Co Ltd

1 2 3 7 5 6 8 10

Party Games (4 Player) Astra Rainbow Riches (3 Player) Empire Party Time (3 Player) Astra Craic in Fun (3 Player) Barcrest Adders And Ladders (4 Player) Vivid Gold Rush Stampede (4 Player) Barcrest DOND (3 Player) Bellfruit Party Time Arena (4 Player) Astra Party Time Classic (3 Player) Astra Chase The Ace Project

Based on data from four sites Amusement Equipment Co Ltd

CATEGORYB4 (£1/£250 Max) Members clubs This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

Alice Through the Looking Glass Reflex Street Casino Storm Paymaker Reflex Fireball Storm Magic 6 JPM

Based on data from representative sites.

Supplied by sector professional

2324-p12-22-Essential:Coinslot NEW

9/7/13

15:02

Page 9

Sponsored by

23

MARKETPLACE

B2B Air Hockey NOVOMATIC LEADS, OTHERS FOLLOW

B2B Arcade Games

THE HIGHEST EARNING POOL, AIR HOCKEY AND FOOTBALL TABLES

T 024 7646 1234 F 024 7646 4433

SALES@SAMLEISURE.CO.UK sales@samleisure.co.uk WWW.SAMLEISURE.CO.UK www.samleisure.co.uk

B2B Amusements

KEY

FILMCHARTS

)

SKATE AIR HOC

UK Box Office Chart

Width = 960mm Height = 710mm Depth = 220mm

This Last Week Week Name

DESPICABLE ME 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 4 3 5 8 7

Despicable Me 2 Man of Steel World War Z This Is The End Hummingbird Behind the Candelabra After Earth The Hangover Part III Before Midnight Epic

MUSICCHARTS UK Jukebox Chart http://www.sound net.net/ www.soundnet.net

Highest Earning Tracks on Sound Leisure jukeboxes This Last Week Week Name

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -

Blurred Lines Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell La La La Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith Get Lucky Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams Let Her Go Passenger Dear Darlin Olly Murs Waiting All Night Rudimental feat. Ella Eyre I Love It Icona Pop Play Hard David Guetta feat. Ne-Yo & Akon Wild Jessie J feat. Big Sean & Dizz! ee Rascal Bang Bang Will.I.Am

CALL NOW - 01843 866464

Harry Levy Amusement Contractor Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1843 866464 | Fax: +44 (0)1843 860144 Email: sales@harry-levy-amusements.com | Web: www.harry-levy-amusement.com

JNC SALES

“Let’s talk about it”

Use as often as you wish Great Value for Money £249.00 + vat For more information & sales contact TEL: 0191 4187158 WEB: www.playtronics-solutions.co.uk EMAIL: aimi.morgan@playprint.co.uk

Vast ranges of AWPs, SWPs, Drivers, Simulators, Sit-downs and amusement equipment www.jnc-sales.co.uk sales@jnc-sales.co.uk Tel: 0117 9382552 Fax: 0117 9382218 Aftersales Tel: 0117 9382225

B2B Bingo

Based on data supplied by Soundnet

Albums This Last WeekWeek Name

EDITORS: THE WEIGHT OF YOUR LOVE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

16 4 1 5 2 3 8 11 9

Babel Mumford & Sons To Be Loved Michael Buble Long Way Down Tom Odell Jake Bugg Jake Bugg Time Rod Stewart The Weight Of Your Love Editors All The Little Lights Passenger Right Place Right Time Olly Murs Home Rudimental Unorthodox Jukebox Bruno Mars

gspencer@namco.co.uk

www.namco.co.uk

B2B Arcade Crane Services

sales@leisure-electronics.co.uk www.leisure-electronics.co.uk

B2B Carpets & Flooring

www.antrimcarpets.com

www.thewon.co.uk

flex

Downloads This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer

JOHN NEWMAN: LOVE ME AGAIN

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 5 6 7 16 8

Love Me Again John Newman I Love It Icona Pop ft Charli XCX Blurred Lines Naughty Boy ft Sam Smith Bang Bang Will I Am La La La Naughty Boy ft Sam Smith Let Her Go Passenger Lighters (The One) Gabz The Other Side Jason Derulo Lost & Not Found Chase & Sttus ft Louis Mttrs Get Lucky Daft Punk ft Pharrell Williams

info@antrimcarpets.com To subscribe please call Sarah Haworth on 01204 396 397

Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

B 2 B

2324-p24-45-Listings:Coinslot NEW

24

B 2 B

9/7/13

16:12

Page 1

MARKETPLACE

B2B Change Machines

B2B Gaming Machines

Listings Enhanced inspiration for ICE A campaign group of senior consultants with multi-level marketing experience has been brought together to contribute to the campaign for ICE Totally Gaming 2014.

The Star Chamber, which also includes Julian Graves (pictured) and Kate Chambers from Clarion, will work alongside the event organiser’s in-house marketing team.

“Great range of Change Machines available”

Although remaining re economic outlook and confidence, our recent demonstrates meet challen and we are c our future pr

YOUNG’S CHAIRMAN NICK BRYA OPERATOR’S FIRST QUARTER SA

Tel: 020 8391 7700 Fax: 020 8391 7760 Email: sales@suzohapp.co.uk www.suzohapp.co.uk

PUSHERS

B2B Finance

High Wire and Helter Skelter continue Levy’s pusher heritage Harry Levy has two new pushers that showcase its expertise with one of the amusement sectors most loved product categories.

Amusement and Gaming Equipment Finance with Rates from 3.1%

V

Immediate Funds Available 98% Acceptance Rate

Tel: 0844 800 88 25 info@portmanassetfinance.co.uk www.portmanassetfinance.co.uk www.rlms-sales.com sales@rlms-sales.com

B2B Gaming Machines

B2B Juke Box Specialists

www.amgleisure.co.uk kim@arionmusic.co.uk

Next week’s feature is ATM & Change Machines To advertise, please call Kathryn on

01204 396397 Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

isit any seaside resort in Britain and you would be hard pressed to find an amusement arcade that doesn’t feature a Harry Levy pusher amongst its equipment offering.

There is a good reason for this: with its long-standing coin-op heritage, the company has a well-earned reputation for durability, reliability and, most importantly, consistently high cashbox income.

These virtues are encapsulated in Levy’s latest pusher, High Wire.

Available in six and twelve-player models, it scored instant success at its launch last year and is seeing another good run on sales as the summer season approaches in 2013.

The follow-up to prior hit It’s A Cracker, High Wire is immediately distinguishable by its unique top sign, which features a fully mechanical movie clown on a unicycle, balancing up and down a high wire. Combined with new artwork and an entertaining circus theme, it is safe to say that High Wire will draw an audience wherever it is placed.

The six-player model is coin-in/coinout with low, fast feed coin entries for easy play, but it also has the option of ticket payout.

Harry Levy’s Richard Walters explained that the latter was becoming increasingly popular: “The majority of the pushers that we export to America have always been ticket payout, given long term popularity

of redemption over there. But of the past three or four years this option has grown more prevalent on our UK models too, as the demand for redemption has grown steadily in this country.

“High Wire has been very successful in arcades and holiday parks right round the coast, and there is now one in at all Butlins sites in the country - Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness - which is proof of its outstanding popularity.”

For sites where floor space might be at a premium, Levy has Helter Skelter, a 12-player round pusher that, ingeniously, has the same overall footprint as other six and eight-player pushers. As with High Wire’s mechanical clown, it features a great attract feature in the model helter skelter top sign that stands tall for all to see at its centre.

Walters said that in times of austerity, the pusher’s greatest strength is its low price per play: “People tend to think of a 2p piece as a token with little value. If they go into an amusement arcade and get £1 in 2p’s, whatever they win they won’t then ask to change back into 10p or 20p pieces.

“Instead, they usually play until they have got rid of them. Players don’t mind parting with their 2p’s, but when they are all collected in a pusher, at the end of the day the all count towards an operator’s profit margin.”

2324-p24-45-Listings:Coinslot NEW

9/7/13

16:12

Page 2

25

MARKETPLACE

B2B Juke Box Specialists

B2B Skill Ball Deluxe

Your one-stop shop 4 music

maining realistic about the tlook and consumer ur recent performance onstrates our ability to t challenges that emerge we are confident about future prospects.

CHAIRMAN NICK BRYAN COMMENTS ON THE BREWER AND PUB R’S FIRST QUARTER SALES RISE

FINANCE BANK CHARGES ARE HURTING SMES

New UK distributor for Rock-Ola Jukebox group RockOla has announced that The Games Room Company is now its exclusive distributor for the UK. The Games Room Company is owned by Alexander Walder-Smith and was founded by his father, Reginald, in 1962.

PHOTOBOOTHS FINANCE OFFER ON DIGITAL CENTRE PHOTOBOOTHS

sales@nsmmusic.com tel 0113 271 3708

B2B Soft Toys & Redemption

SOUNDNET THE NO.1 MUSIC SERVICE YOU CAN DEPEND ON MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR JUKEBOXES CALL US NOW ON 020 7644 8888 www.soundnet.net

B2B Spares

B2B Kiddie Rides

*The only OfďŹ cial Cromptons Machines Spares supplier*

esearch carried out by the Forum of Private Business suggests that R igital Centre is offerhigh bank charges are hurting small ing zero per cent D businesses already struggling with cash financing for 12 monthly flow issues.

The study also saw an increase in firms reporting banks asking for harmful levels of collateral in return for finance. The main financial concern for SMEs however, remains the rising cost of doing business, which was cited by 42 per cent of respondents. This was, however, significantly lower compared to last year's results, which saw the figure at 54 per cent.

DEVELOPMENT NEW SOFTWARE LAUNCH FROM ENTNET

payments on all its photobooths, with a minimum purchase of one unit. The zero per cent is for approved companies with more than two years in business. Approved “new� companies (less than two years in business) will have a 1.99 per cent interest.

The offer, which is available throughout the month of July, 2013, requires two advance payments at signing, with the next payment due after 60 days.

OPERATIONS SG COMPLETES ROLLOUT OF TERMINALS TO CORAL

is about to launch new software G Gaming has completed the roll out for its Category C compendium termi- S of its Infinity2 gaming terminals to the Enal,ntnet which features the lowest cost oper- Coral bookmaker estate across the UK, ating system currently available on the UK market.

Operators can choose from either a credit or a day-based rate for the system, which can be housed on converted Games Warehouse, Games Media or FatSpanner cabinets.

The games menu will include: two Category C roulette games, one Category C poker games, one Category C bingo game, one Cat C reel game, plus classic SWP content.

following a successful initial trial. More than 1,700 Coral shops have been fitted with the cutting-edge terminals, containing the latest industry technology including high-definition screens and an interactive video button panel - the first to be introduced to UK betting shops. SG Gaming and Coral have been working together for over 15 years, and the Infinity2 roll out followed the renewal of their partnership contract in 2012.

www.cromptons-spares.co.uk ...our business is child’s play!

Battery Cars & Bumper Boats www.worldofrides.com

For Spares, Refurbishments, Repairs and Special Offers call Matt or Terri on 01843 593335 For FREE technical support call Steve or Hugh on: 01843 593353 Email: spares@cromptons.com Fax: 01843 588043

B2B Marketing Get great PR from the industry experts

S&J communications

For a quote call Chris Jones +44 (0)1273 699900 ! # """ !

gaming | betting | gambling

B2B Pool Tables & Accessories

Distributor of snooker and pool accessories and manufacturers of genuine Superleague tables and spares.

Telephone

01952 586226 Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

B 2 B

2324-p26-products:Coinslot NEW

26

B 2 B

9/7/13

15:23

Page 1

Products ClassiďŹ ed To advertise: Contact Kathryn Norris on 01204 396 397

Pure Madness from Empire Games Pure Madness is a single player Category C multi game and is the first from Empire Games to include a new technical standard feature. The retro style game has been enhanced both visually and with a new feature to improve play.

Turning space into profit Stickers and novelty tattoos can help amusement operators in any location turn dead space into profit.

Supplied in boxes of 300 and costing just ÂŁ27.99, all Novelty World stickers and tattoos can vend in any machine on the market.

Business Opportunities

Wanted

AGC SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE

WANTED

Established 22 years Free hold - Lease hold Flexible Incentive for suitable occupier

VIDEO EQUIPMENT DRIVERS, GUN games etc

Please contact; playmoreltd@hotmail.com

Year 2000 onwards Tel: 07813 834331 Email: videotronicsuk@gmail.com www.videotronicsuk.com

For Sale

FOR SALE R TUNED TWIN ÂŁ4500

SEGA RACE TV TWIN LCD ÂŁ4500

PINBALL HEAVEN LTD

PARTS/REPAIRS/ACCESORIES & SERVICE MACHINES BOUGHT & SOLD LARGE STOCK OF PINBALL PARTS ALWAYS AVAILABLE

SUPER BIKES TWIN ÂŁ5500 BATTLE GEAR 4 TUNED ÂŁ2900 www.videotronicsuk.com

Tel: 07813 834331

TEL 01772 816677 EMAIL SALES@PINBALL.CO.UK

WANTED CMS CHAMELEON Any jackpot Any condition Good prices paid Telephone

07973 188493

For Recruitment please see Page 28

For Sale

New & Used Machine Prices Cat B3 ÂŁ2 Stake T8 VEGAS PARTY KING OF SLOTS SLANT CASINO KING TS22 KING OF SLOTS VISION BIG PARTY 500 A-SERVE CASINO KING SLANT BIG HIT MEGA BAR SLANT JACKPOT KING JACKPOT 500 GIANT JACKPOTS

MORE ON THE MENU

RACING MEERKAT

BOB THE LANDLORD JABRO GAMES

MEERKAT RACING MIKE ANSELL

J

I

abro Games’ Jackpot70 Pub and Jackpot250 Club products now have even more on the menu following the introduction of Bob the Landlord. According to Jabro, the pub-themed game is proving popular with players and is quickly becoming the number one game on the Jackpot70 and Jackpot250 platforms. The company’s Tony Brookes said: “With such a wide range of games on the menu, operators are now finding these products will perform in many more venues with the consideration that there are no additional dongle fees to pay.�

Jabro offers Jackpot70 and Jackpot250 in different dual screen cabinet styles with the option of upgrading to NV11 note recycler for note payout.

Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

ndustry innovators Mike Ansell and Andy Bowers have created a loving restoration of the iconic Donkey Derby Category D novelty game. Meerkat Racing is currently on test at selected coastal operations and is reportedly showing “phenomenalâ€? results. The machine, which is available as 10p/ÂŁ5 or ticket redemption, includes bespoke meerkat racing characters, bold colours and new LED lighting.

ÂŁ7,995 ÂŁ7,795 ÂŁ7,495 ÂŁ6,995 ÂŁ6,995 ÂŁ6,495 ÂŁ3,995 ÂŁ2,495 ÂŁ995 ÂŁ995

Cranes E CLAW 900 TWIN E CLAW COSMIC

ÂŁ8,995 ÂŁ4,995

Multiplayer Gaming RAINBOW PARTY T7 3 PLY BULLION BARS 3 PLY COM CRAIC IN FUN 3 PLY BANK RAID 3 PLY

ÂŁ14,495 ÂŁ9,995 ÂŁ8,495 ÂŁ7,495

Pushers ROCK N REELS TICKET ÂŁ18,495 RAINBOW PARTY TICKET ÂŁ17,245 ROCKIN N ROLLIN COIN ÂŁ15,995 SHOOT TO WIN ÂŁ8,995 BIG PRIZE WINNER ÂŁ6,995

Prize KEY MASTER BARBER CUT LITE

ÂŁ3,495 ÂŁ1,495

Redemption RAINBOW RACING ÂŁ19,995 CONNECT 4 ÂŁ11,795 SPIN OUT ÂŁ9,995 RAINBOW SHOOT TO WIN ÂŁ8,995 HARPOON LAGOON ÂŁ7,995 TEMPLE RUN ÂŁ6,995 ROLLER COASTER ROLL ÂŁ6,995 DOODLE JUMP ÂŁ6,495 MONSTER DROP SINGLE ÂŁ6,495 X-TERMINATOR 3 PLY ÂŁ5,995 MILK JUG TOSS ÂŁ5,995 KLOBBER THE ROBBER ÂŁ2,995 DOLPHIN SHOW ÂŁ1,995

THIS WEEKS STAR BUY KONAMI DANCE STAGE FUSION ONLY

ÂŁ1,995 +VAT

All prices subject to VAT and Carriage

gaming...and so much more!

VDOHV#FURZQGLUHFW FR XN

VDOHV#GHLWKOHLVXUH FRP

TEL: 0117 9382552 AFTERSALES TEL: 0117 9382225

SU SAMM LE ER

JNC SALES

UNIT 1, CCT BUILDINGS, GREENSPLOTT ROAD, CHITTENING TRADING ESTATE, AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL. BS11 0YB 777° - -° "°1 ÊUÊ- -J - -° "°1

DANCE STAGE FUSION .................. £2295 DDR SUPERNOVA .......................... £1995 GALACTIX .......................... WAS£ 3995... NOW £3495 SMASH FUN (NEW) ............ WAS£ 3295... NOW £2495 2PLY CYBER TICKETS ........ WAS£ 2795... NOW £2495 PHANTOM WH EEL .............. WAS£ 2495... NOW £2195 DISCO WINNER .................. WAS£ 2495... NOW £2195 2PLY HUMMER SPACE ADVENTURE.. WAS£ 1995... NOW £1795 KING OF THE HAMMER ...... WAS£ 1995... NOW £1795 WATERPARK S PLASH ........ WAS£ 1995... NOW £1795 WHEEL EM IN EXTREME..... WAS £1995 .. NOW £1795 FAMILY BOWL 2 ................ WAS£ 1995... NOW £1795 DOG PO UNDER ................... WAS£ 1995... NOW £1795 TYPHOON D REAM .............. WAS£ 1995... NOW £1795 JUMBO JACKPOT .............. WAS£ 1995... NOW £1695 2PLY HOUSE OF FUN 10P... WAS£ 1995... NOW £1695 WONDERWHEEL ................. WAS£ 1795... NOW £1595 PONG PONG (NEW) ............ WAS£ 1895... NOW £1495 WONDERLAND ................... WAS£ 1795... NOW £1495 JUMPING JACKPOT ........... WAS£ 1695... NOW £1495 SIMPSONS KOOKY CARNIVAL .. WAS£ 1595... NOW £1395 JUMPING FANTASY (NON TICKET) ..... WAS£ 1495... NOW £1295 SMACK N ALIEN ................ WAS£ 1495... NOW £1295 DRAGSTERC ORVETTE........ WAS£ 1495... NOW £1295 CLAIM JUMPER ................. WAS£ 1495... NOW £1195 NAMCO GATOR PANIC ....... WAS£ 1295... NOW £1095 SILVER FALLS WATERPARK ... WAS£ 995..... NOW £895

DANCE STAGE EUROMIX 1 ............ £1995 DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION ......... £1495 PUMP IT UP STD ........................... £1395

W

NE

DAWPOL 6PLY BOXER NEW .......... £1995 DAWPOL BOXER DLX NEW ............ £1795 DAWPOL BOXER STD NEW ............ £1595 DAWPOL BOXER DLX EX DEMO ..... £1495 DAWPOL BOXER STD EX DEMO ..... £1495 DRAGON PUNCH ........................... £1195 DAWPOL BOXER USED .................. £1195 PRO BOXER .................................... £950 MEGA BOXE .................................... £950

FOR FULL STOCK LIST OF VIDEO, REDEMPTION, PUSHERS, DANCE MACHINES, KIDDIE RIDES, BASKETBALL, BOXERS, CRANES, PINTABLES AND ALL FRUITS, PLEASE CONTACT 01179 382552

Leeds Leisure Ltd NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER - 01132 040885

CLUB MACHINES MULTI LOTTO (NEW) CRAZY GEMS B3A (NEW) SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN TENORS COPS PLATINUM CLUB SPINNER FIGHT NIGHT SUITS YOU SIR JUGGLING JACKPOTS FORTUNE & GLORY CLUEDO CASINO LOW TECH FULL MONTY CASINO DOND (video) FANTASTIC 5 (Video) CLASSIC RED BAR CASINO WHEEL OR WEALTH CASINO RED HOT X X FACTOR CASINO BAR X

£2,495 £1,895 £1,795 £545 £225 £225 £225 £225 £195 £175 £495 £395 £295 £295 £295 £275 £250 £250

VIDEOS SUPERBIKES TWIN R TUNED TWIN TIME CRISIS 3 DELUXE TIME CRISIS 3 STANDARD CHASE HQ 2 SSD BATTLEGEAR 4 SSD

£4,995 £4,495 £1,895 £1,595 £1,295 £995

CHANGE MACHINES THOMAS 3004 (Ardac Elite) THOMAS 3004 (Taiko)

£1,995 £1,795

STAR WARS DEATH STAR ASSAULT

£795

DOND MAKE OR BREAK

£645

SUPERBIKES TWIN

£4,995

Tim Stanhope, Keith Parker or John Hood Tel: 01132 040885 Fax: 01132 560180 John mobile: 07766 247876 Email: leedsleisure@aol.com Unit 59/62L, Springfield Commercial Centre, Bagley Lane, Farsley, LEEDS LS28 5LY

777 ,%%$3,%)352% #/ 5+

SWPs PARAGON 2 PARAGON 1

£495 £350

£70 AWPs AL MURRAY BEAUTIFUL BRITISH GAME CROWN JEWELS STAR WARS DEATH STAR RAINBOW RICHES ON THE FIDDLE DEVIL OF A DEAL DOND MAKE OR BREAK DOND PLAY IT AGAIN MEGA DOND RAINBOW RICHES MURPHY’S MILLIONS

£1,495 £945 £795 £695 £645 £645 £595 £595 £495

AIR HOCKEY / NOVELTY AIRBOY XTREME MINI WINNING STREAK TICKET PLATINUM HEIGHTS TICKET CRAZY SQUASH WALL HOCKEY - NEW KICK IT KICKER (JAKAR)

£1,595 £1,495 £1,495 £1,395 £895

B3 PARTY SLOTS RAINBOW RICHES CASH AHOY SPECTRUM VIVA LAS VEGAS WINNING WAY RIO GRAND

£495 £450 £395 £250 £250 £250 £150

0,%!3% #!,, 4)- /2 +%)4( /. /2 */(. /. s 6)3)4 /52 7%"3)4% 777 ,%%$3,%)352% #/ 5+ 7% (!6% -/6%$ 4/ .%7 02%-)3%3 s 5.)4 , 302).'&)%,$ #/--%2#)!, #%.42% "!',%9 ,!.% &!23,%9 ,%%$3 ,3 ,9 Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

27

B 2 B

FOR SALE

28

B 2 B

Video Games Fast & Furious Twin .................£2295 Ferrari 355 Twin .......................£2295 Manx TT Twin (x2) ..............£1195 each

Pushers / Cranes Arabian Gold 6pl straight 10p ..£3995 Pirates Treasure 6pl straight 10p.. £995 Pacman Ball 10p........................£995 EX1 Crane Single .....................£1695

Sega Rally 2 Twin.....................£1895

Pool

Final Furlong 2 Twin ................£1195

7’ x 4’ Trad/Imperial/Ascot .....£350 each (Several available)

Let’s Go Jungle DLX .................£2995 Ocean Hunter DLX......................£995

SWP

Time Crisis 3 DLX Twin ............£1895

Open ‘Black’ (x2)........................£295 Pool Pocket Fortunes .................£100

PC TOWER REPAIRS BARCREST ASTRA PARAGON ETC.

Call Leeds Leisure on 01132 040885

Time Crisis 2 Twin......................£750 Alpine Racer 2 DLX ....................£750 Kick It Pro DLX ...........................£750 Virtua Striker Twin Seat Naomi Megalo DLX ..£150 Virtua Striker 3 U/R Naomi.........£150 Virtua Tennis U/R Naomi ............£150 Fatal Judgement Silent Scope U/R .£100 Tekken 3 U/R .............................£100 Gauntlet Legends U/R ..................£75

Club Red Hot 6 (x2) ......................£195 each Big Deal .......................................£75 Ceasers Palace ............................ £75

Misc Shocker (Electric Chair) .............£995 Van Gogh Studio ........................£750 Neoprint Photo Sticker Machine....£100 Security Cabinets (x3)..........£250 each for Fruit Machines

ALL PRICES SUBJECT TO VAT NO SENSIBLE OFFERS REFUSED PLEASE CALL MIKE 07802 873165 OR GAVIN 07956 549389

FOR SALE RANGE OF OBSOLETE DECALS AND KITS AVAILABLE FOR £5/£35/£70 JACKPOTS. Please call:

01132 040885

/LFHQVLQJ IRU \RXU EXVLQHVV Recruitment DW SULFHV \RX FDQ DIIRUG &DOO 'HEELH +RXJK RQ

ZZZ FKDWWHUWRQV FRP

Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA No 44948.

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

WANTED TRIPLE 7’S B3 BEST PRICES PAID

01179382552 Coinslot JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

To Advertise

contact Kathryn Norris

on 01204 396 397

Bingo Club Manager Wokingham, Berkshire Salary: £20k - £25k + profit share designed to motivate!

We are looking for an enthusiastic manager who can develop this independent bingo business.

A hands-on approach is required and strong promotional and people skills will be rewarded.

WANTED TICKET EATER

WANTED SUPERBIKES TWIN BEST PRICES PAID

01179382552 WANTED

CLUB MACHINES

BEST PRICES PAID

GOOD PRICES PAID

01179382552

01132 040885

Please call:

Full Time Technician Required to work at WARWICKS AMUSEMENTS in Blackpool.

Must have good understanding of the machine and be able to resolve any problems that arise.

Must have a clean drivers licence.

Honest and Reliable Refs. Required Please send your C.V. and references

Excellent rates of pay F.A.O. Carl Green

Warwicks Amusements 106 Church St., Blackpool, FY1 1JA or cg@carlgreen.co.uk 01253 291391

Best of British

Bingo club experience essential and may suit a support manager looking for the next challenge.

Apply in the strictest confidence to Stefan Harrison: stefan@ritzclubs.co.uk

To subscribe, email:shaworth@gbmedia.eu or asullivan@gbmedia.eu

01204 396 397

More than just a leading publisher

Consulting Corporate Identity Creative Marketing Crisis Management Design Events Exhibition Marketing

GB Media Marketing Services provides a complete communications service. With a management team boasting decades of international industry experience, GB Media is the only company of its type in the gambling space, employing teams of designers, marketers, journalists and business development executives.

For more information please call John Sullivan +44 (0) 1204 396 397 or email jsullivan@gbmedia.eu

Market Research Public Relations Publishing Social Media Video gbmedia.eu

2324-p30-31-Comment:Coinslot NEW

30

9/7/13

17:04

Page 1

Coinslot July 12 - July 18, 2013

“

Comment Can local councils take the heat?

Bathe and Display: Visitors must not exceed their time limit enjoying Brighton’s beaches james walker comment o, how many of our seaside arcadians are going to get the chance to cash in on the estimated £1.5bn bonanza expected from this month’s summer heatwave?

All of you I hope; but, realistically, less of you, I would expect.

Not that you don’t deserve it - my god, if ever there was an industry that merited some kind of support, it’s the British amusement business. Kicked around by the governing authorities like a beach ball for the best part of 10 years, and treated like the leisure pariah by subsequent governments that simply haven’t got the balls to support the industry with actions as well as words - let’s just say, it’s not the sunniest picture postcard to send to your family and friends.

But, that’s a battle the industry is fighting hard - and in fairness to some of those on the opposing side,it’s one that is gaining favour, slowly but surely.

The issue at hand - here and now - though, is the role of the local council.Is it helping its local businesses to survive and thrive?

Speaking from the resort of Brighton, there’s so much to slap the local council in the face with that you wonder how on earth some people got elected in the first place. Reduced parking spaces, extortionate car parking fees, battles with refuse collectors, 20mph speed limits across the road

S

network, poorly-planned bike lanes, local rate hikes sometimes it’s difficult to see whether your council wants you to succeed or not.

Of course they do: we know that. But do they actually understand how to help you succeed? In Brighton’s case, its failings are based on extreme naivity, which in itself is totally unacceptable, especially as businesses lose money on the back of that poor judgement. Fortunately, there is so much good about the city - but it’s mostly all offered and delivered by the people and businesses of Brighton & Hove who work very hard to counter those gaping and embarrassing errors made by the council.

All of which makes you think: exactly how many other seaside resorts face the same problems? Brighton can’t be an unusual case, although for the sake of Britain’s seaside industry, we hope it is. If local councils in seaside resorts can’t provide the support system that makes their tourist business viable and proposperous, then what kind of tourist resort will it become?

So the real question is: with the weather making Britain’s seaside resorts a must-go place this summer, how many councils are both capable and active in helping their arcadians ensure that these one day trips become multi-day trips all through the year?

Hands-up all those that think they get the best deal from their local councils.

Bookies go on the charm offensiv

Paddy Power shows its more conciliato amusement arcade, and there’s no le Media Watch trawls the broader leisure n

alex lee media watch he war of words - and deeds surrounding the proliferation Tof LBOs was the focus in this month’s edition of Betting Business Interactive. Reporting on Paddy Power’s appeal against Newham Council’s rejection of a licence application, the magazine indicated that the overturning of the decision could have potential wide-ranging consequences.

It reported: “In a landmark case at Thames Magistrates Court, judge Paul Goldspring dismissed the argument that betting would not be a primary activity for the shop, suggesting that it was actually an area for the Gambling Commission to look at rather than the licensing authority, and concluded that there was not enough evidence of criminal activity around betting shops in the area to refuse the application on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder.

Now with a licence approval in hand, Paddy Power is looking to

build bridges with the council and the local community and has donated all costs awarded to Paddy Power to charities working across Newham. It added: “We want to fund initiatives that support the local community, particularly around up-skilling, getting people into - and back into - work and social enterprise.

We would like to set up a meeting to discuss this with Newham Council and the local MP, Stephen Timms to enable us to put the money to work as soon as possible.”

Timms actually spoke up against the bookmaker’s application, although the Judge described his evidence as lacking empirical data and ‘of very little help’.

The Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) also welcomed the very clear judgement, saying it was based on ‘empirical evidence and common sense’. It was pleased that primary activity was deemed outside the remit of

a local authority and found no link between betting shops and crime. It said: “The judgement particularly notes that a group of people standing outside a betting shop does not amount to disorder or crime, and that incidents of three robberies over the course of a year or more does not prove the link either. Betting shops are highly regulated and socially responsible businesses that have been trading on the high street, investing in town centres and creating jobs for over fifty years.”

That said, the ruling has gained widespread attention in the media with the perspective that councils are powerless to prevent the opening of betting shops rather than the reality that some councils are overstepping the mark because they don’t know how to use their planning powers properly. Newham Council in particular has received sympathy as it has more than 80 betting shops in

2324-p30-31-Comment:Coinslot NEW

9/7/13

17:05

Page 2

Coinslot July 12 - July 18, 2013 31

Heatwave set to continue Last weekend’s fine weather across many parts of the UK heralded the start of a prolonged period of very warm weather which could last until mid July. According to the Met Office, Britain is likely to enjoy the longest spell of warm and settled summer weather since July 2006, where temperatures were above 28 degrees Celsius in many areas for a fortnight.

“ ”

quote unquote

“The Gambling Commission is willing to stop adult gaming centres having betting licenses if they aren’t doing enough betting business, but it won’t take the same action against betting shops, where betting now accounts for less than 20% of shop turnover. The Gambling Commission refused to support the Newham Council and is failing to uphold the licensing objectives of the 2005 Gambling Act, so is clearly unfit for purpose.”

DEREK WEBB, FOUNDER OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR FAIRER GAMBLING

“We are aware that the Commission has already provided its advice to the Department and therefore I am uncertain to what extent these figures will impact the triennial. The industry had already provided the Commission and the Department with figures reflecting the current state of each sector. Importantly the current figures will not impact the effect of MGD and therefore are of limited use in projecting the results of further change. There has been much publicity regarding the need to view the current triennial discussions as benchmarking for future changes and work will need to be done in co-operation with the Commission, industry and the Department to agree the right metrics to inform future stake and prize changes.”

LESLIE MACLEOD-MILLER, BACTA CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ON WHETHER RECENT GAMBLING COMMISSION STATISTICS REINFORCE THE IDEA OF A MORE FAVOURABLE TRIENNIAL REVIEW

fensive in Newham

more conciliatory side in Newham, an armed gang take off with cash from a Leigh nd there’s no let up in the rising cost of red tape and compliance for small businesses oader leisure network for what’s making the headlines..

the borough. Its executives are also frustrated at not being able to work to the current legislation how they would like and have called on a change to the law to give them more leeway.”

Crime, however, was evident in the north west where the Leigh Journal reported on an attack made on an anmusement arcade in the town.

“The men entered Noble Amusement Arcade in Bradshawgate on Thursday at 10.40am through the back entrance on Gas Street and two offenders approached the staff, making threats.

The staff gave the criminals cash and the trio then fled.

They got into a small dark blue car parked up at the back of the arcade and drove towards Chapel Street. No staff were injured but were shaken up.

The offenders wore balaclavas and dark clothing. Det Cons Lynsey Watson said: “The

staff were understandably extremely afraid to be confronted by a gang of masked men carrying weapons.

“Thankfully they were not injured but clearly they had no idea what was going to happen and genuinely feared for their lives.

“We need to trace these dangerous offenders as soon as possible so I would appeal to anyone who has information about this robbery to come forward.”

Crime of a different kind and that’s a sarcastic comment for any of you that may be in need of the new sarcasm identification programme that was put on offer to the market this week. Sarcasm or not, for those that may view soaring compliance costs as a crime against business development, the Morning Advertiser’s report on the cost of compliance rising 8.5% rise for small firms may have hit a chord. “A

study conducted by the Forum of Private Business reflected that the total cost of compliance was at more than £18.2bn this year, compared to £16.8bn in 2011, despite government promises to reduce the amount of time and money businesses spend on compliance.

The research also demonstrated that small firms are paying 11% more to external providers of payroll and tax support..this was most likely down to the introduction of Real Time Information, a new Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) payroll process introduced in April, which all firms with employees have to use.

TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE

Email: al@sjc.co.uk

Digital currency is just a fad - or is it?

With the cash versus cashless debate continuing to rumble along, law firm Kingsley Napley’s Simon Halberstam gives his assessment of the world’s newest coinage - the virtual currency Bitcoin.

simon halberstam politics itcoin (BTC) is the world’s newest currency. It is a digital, decenB tralised currency based on open source.It is international and not controlled by any central bank.Virtual currencies are traditionally controlled by the organisation behind them such as Second Life, and have been limited to a particular virtual environment.

Enter Bitcoin,a potentially universally acceptable virtual form of payment.

There are three main ways to get Bitcoins - buy them in exchange for ‘real’money,accept them as payment for goods and/or services or ‘mine’ them. Mining involves solving complex algorithms to unlock a “new” block of Bitcoin.Think of it as an oxymoronic, skill based lottery in which there are regular draws, in which the ticket holders are whizz kids behind high spec computers and in which the prize is an amount of virtual cash.

“Bitconians”cite its benefits as the absence of bank charges,middlemen, Forex conversions and territorial frontiers. Fans feel it will help ease online commerce across borders and eventually replace credit cards.As Bitcoin will be limited in supply, there is no risk of quantitative easing devaluing your digital cash. Nor is there the risk of your bank taking a percentage of your savings,as we saw threatened in Cyprus earlier this year. Bitcoin could strengthen international trade, as there are no currency barriers and transactions can be arranged and processed quickly.

For now, there are reasons why I am not a fan.The lack of central bank or government control has its advantages but it is also one of Bitcoin’s weaknesses. We have a relatively robust system in place to prevent fraud and money laundering in the western world.The Money Laundering Regulations 2007, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Terrorism Act 2000 place an obligation on businesses to maintain appropriate procedures to prevent them from being used for money laundering by crimi-

nals or terrorists. Bitcoin circumvents these safeguards as you can generate a different ‘address’ for each Bitcoin transaction you make and stay anonymous.

As the currency is not backed by a central bank, there is no guarantor if your Bitcoin wallet is hacked. If your online bank account is hacked, your bank will generally compensate you for your loss. If your online Bitcoin wallet is hacked, or indeed you accidentally delete your wallet, you are up the creek.

One BTC1 is currently worth US$101.79 or £64.93 on Mt.Gox,‘the world’s most established Bitcoin exchange’.The value rocketed during the Cyprus saga earlier this year but dropped to circa BTC1 = US$76 when Mt.Gox suffered a cyber-attack in April. Established currencies do not fluctuate to this degree.Arguably, Bitcoin enthusiasts themselves are eroding trust in the currency by building and using high spec computers designed to mine Bitcoin making it almost impossible for anyone else to do so. This seems intrinsically unfair.

Although you can buy many things using Bitcoin via the internet, you cannot use it in your local supermarket or pub. Unless Bitcoin is widely accepted both online and offline, it will not mount a serious challenge to traditional currencies or threaten safe havens such as gold.

For now,I am going to suggest that Bitcoin is more fad than future. It started out as an‘I owe you’between hackers, and was not envisaged as a global currency. Having said that, I may be completely wrong. It was reported recently that people in the UK are relying more and more on electronic payment methods such as contactless cards, leaving cash in the past. Arpanet was intended to be an internal military network and became the internet, in which case Bitcoin may be the next global revolution.

2324-p32-newsweek:Coinslot NEW

32

9/7/13

10:29

Page 1

Coinslot July 12 - July 18, 2013

Newsweek WORLD GES OPEN FORUM ow in its seventh year, the World Gaming Executive Summit will be taking place in Barcelona, Spain on July 9-11. The event allows the industry’s elite, from online and land-based to share ideas and debate strategies in an open forum. This year’s summit will showcase perspectives from outside the industry inviting

N

TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE

Email: jw@sjc.co.uk

UK pinball event returns he UK Pinball Party is back for a fourth year, attracting global visitors with the biggest variety of pinball machines ever seen.Europe’s biggest pinball festival and the UK’s premier pinball event will be held between August 9-11.

2013 will see a host of new pinball manufacturers offering a range of games not seen since the 1990s. The event will have more than 110 pinball machines on offer, with the biggest variety ever seen - from 1950s electromechanicals, up to the latest and most modern, solid state pinball machines. Members

T

visionaries in technology and media such as Kevin Slavin and David Rowan to bring unique perspectives to the market’s challenges and opportunities.

play and buy.

This year’s guest of honour is pinball design legend from the US, George Gomez - designer of legendary games Monster Bash, Revenge From Mars, Lord Of The Rings and most recently, The Avengers. Over the years, the UK’s showcase event grew from being a show with mainly national appeal to one that now has people travelling from all around the world to attend. It has become one of the top events on the global pinball calendar.

This year’s ‘Party’ will be once from the UK Pinball Group will wise get to play.There will also be bring along machines from their pinball machines for sale, as well again take place at the Puma Davown collections so visitors can as new and used pinball parts to entry Court Hotel in Northplay games they might not other- buy, raffles, arcade video games to hamptonshire.

ITSF WORLD TOUR egistration is now open for the upcoming World Championship Series (WCS) Garlando Austria, which is

R

taking place from July 12-14, 2013 in Salzburg. The main partners associated with the event are the Garlando table manufacturer, the Eurosport 2 TV Channel and the Kozoom

production company. There are five WCS events in the annual ITSF Tour, one on each ITSF official table - Fireball, Leonhart, Roberto Sport, Garlando, Bonzini.

Calendar INTERNATIONAL EVENTS JULY 2013 23-25 SALEX 2013 Transamerica Expo Center Sao Paulo Brazil www.salex.com.br

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS AUGUST 2013 13-15 Australasian Gaming Expo (AGE) Sydney Convention Centre Sydney Australia www.austgamingexpo.com

UK EVENTS SEPTEMBER 2013 1-4 Autumn Fair International NEC Birmingham UK www.autumnfair.com

18 BACTA Division 2 & 4 Meeting Hippodrome Casino London UK www.bacta.org.uk

19 BACTA Division 1 & 3 Meeting Hippodrome Casino London UK www.bacta.org.uk

20-22 BAPTO National Finals Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park Rhyl UK www.bapto.org.uk

EDITORIAL Editor: Alex Lee Email: al@sjc.co.uk Tel: 01204 396 397 Assistant Editor: James Walker Email: jw@sjc.co.uk Tel: 01204 396 397 Managing Editor: Ken Scott Email: ks@sjc.co.uk Tel: 01273 699 900 ADVERTISING SALES Kathryn Norris Email: knorris@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01204 396 397 Fax: 01204 392 748 SUBSCRIPTIONS Sarah Haworth Tel: 01204 396 397 DIGITAL VERSION Marc Lawton Email: mlawton@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01204 396 397 PRODUCTION Designer: Gina Lloyd Email: gl@sjc.co.uk Ad Production & Pre-Press: Dave Roderick Email: gdk@sjc.co.uk PUBLISHER Director: John Sullivan GB Media Corporation Ltd, Bolton Technology Exchange, 33 Queensbrook, Bolton BL1 4AY

Tel: 01204 396 397 Fax: 01204 392 748 Email: jsullivan@gbmedia.eu OFFICES Editorial and Production: 3rd Floor, 20 New Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1UF (UK) Tel: 01273 699 900 Advertising and Subscriptions: Coinslot International, Bolton Technology Exchange,33 Queensbrook, Bolton BL1 4AY Tel: 01204 396 397 Fax: 01204 392 748 Opinions expressed in this publication should not be regarded as the official view of GB Media Corporation Ltd, except where stated. Views, opinions and recommendations contained in this publication are put forward for consideration only. No action should be taken in reliance upon any such views, opinions or recommendations. Neither GB Media Corporation Ltd nor contributors accept any responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person howsoever caused or arising as a result of or in consequence of action taken or refrained from in realiance on the contents of this publication.

Notes for contributors: Coinslot welcomes the submission of articles for consideration by the editor with a view to publication. Submission of an article will be held to imply that the article contains original unpublished work which GB Media Corporation Ltd may lawfully publish. All submissions are made at the owner’s risk. © GB Media Corporation Ltd, 2013 All rights strictly reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission given, full acknowledgement of author, publisher and source must be given.