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November 29 Job – December 2013 • No. 2344 • www.coinslot.co.uk 0018 Bank Rob the5,Lot Flap Advert_test 27/10/2013 20:57 Page
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Industry news Seaside amusements Astra Gaming Group B2B Listings Latest machine charts For sale, wanted + opps Jabro Surreal Soccer Comment and opinion
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COMMENT
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...the industry has to be aware of the perils to the future of our industry. If we want to stay in the fruit machine business, we must fight the powers that be...” 30
Hawkins lays down the ind BACTA has been very clear regarding its stance on B2 machines, in seeking parity with LBOs. National President Steve Hawkins stated: “If the Secretary of State believes there is no reason why B2 machines should not be made available by bookmakers, logically the government should allow these machines to be offered by other adult only premises. If all adult premises should not offer these B2 machines, then no adult premises should be permitted to offer them until the Category B research concludes.” He reiterated: “BACTA is 100 per cent behind effective and proportionate regulation but have real concerns about the
B2s, regulation an for the industry c
Coastal resorts’ ba ‘double national av SEASIDE TOWNS
he level of personal bankTis double ruptcy in some coastal towns the national average, according to a new report. The speed of decline among Britain’s coastal towns has been highlighted as a new report shows that the five areas with the highest level of people filing for bankruptcy are all seaside resorts. The level of personal bankruptcy in some coastal towns is now double the national average, which is 25 cases per 10,000 adults each year, according to accountancy outfit Wilkins Kennedy.Twenty-one of the top 50 areas for personal bankruptcy levels are coastal towns. Anthony Cork, a partner at Wilkins Kennedy, said:“Many of our coastal towns have been suffering a slow decline for many years, as tourism struggles to compete with cheap overseas
travel, fishing quotas are slashed and other maritime industry has all but died off.These figures highlight how desperate their plight still is - with even traditionally popular tourist destinations suffering severe pain.” The worst affected area was the town of Torbay, which saw 54 new cases of personal bankruptcy per 10,000 adults in the past year,the research found.Rhyl & Prestatyn came second with 53, followed by Scarborough and Blackpool (both at 48). Hull, the new City of Culture, was fifth worst (44). Cork stated: “Although a few notable exceptions in the South East, such as Brighton or Bournemouth, have benefited from their proximity to London and diversified their local economies, the vast majority all around the country that rely
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AMUSEMENTS
ESSENTIAL GUIDE
Is the seaside sector losing out on the Triennial Review? 10
A guide to Astra
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30 November 29 - December 5, 2013 • No. 2344 • www.coinslot.co.uk
the industry gauntlet
ation and fighting ustry cause
Commission’s priorities and the costs that have been forced upon the existing industry. When we keep hearing that the Commission has limited resource, we question why priorities do not revolve around real issues regarding the licensing objectives, such as illegal machines and dealing with remote gambling.” Hawkins wants every member of the industry to join BACTA as the most influential association in the amusement and gaming sector. BACTA’s president who, when elected, stated: “Our members have had to work very hard to keep their businesses alive. My priority is to continue to support them in this effort,” has certainly stuck to his guns.
ts’ bankruptcies nal average’
almost exclusively on seasonal tourist trade are struggling badly.” He said the government’s Coastal Communities Fund, which will provide £29m next year to support economic development projects in coastal regions, was unlikely to bring long-term solutions. Projects that have been approved so far include a
National Lobster Hatchery and telegraph museum in Cornwall, a food court at Hasting Pier and a heritage railway service linking Whitby to the North York Moors National Park. Cork concluded:“This fund is a step in the right direction, but the scale of the problem is such that this level of investment is unlikely to go very far.”
Hawkins faces industry issues head-on PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Steve Hawkins’ first presidential report at BACTA’s annual conference this week focussed on lobbying for parity for adult premises, fighting for members’ livelihood and effective and proportionate regulation. The association is preparing for a busy time ahead. n his first report as president of BACTA at the QE II Conference Centre in London this week, Essex Leisure’s Steve Hawkins called for the industry to show togetherness, while continuing to lobby the government with constructive dialogue. Reporting to association members, Hawkins stated: “Matters that were raised during the DCMS Select Committee, such as remote taxation and parity for adult premises, seem to be mired by political indecision and lack of resource. The challenges we face need to be met by recognising how to constructively engage with key decision-makers while not hesitating to fight for the livelihood of our members when required to do so.” In his speech, Hawkins reminded attendees that BACTA continues to place an enormous amount of resource to battle for member’s rights,and it is essential that members understand the value of the association’s membership and are able to access BACTA’s resources in a way that translates to assisting each business’s bottom line. Hawkins explained:“BACTA is redoubling its efforts to provide every member, regardless of size, with practical assistance and support, dealing not only with industry-wide issues, but matters that impact upon individual businesses. I am personally delighted that Astra Games (incorporating Bell Fruit Games, Gamestec and Empire Games) and Praesepe have re-joined.” With reference to the Triennial,
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Hawkins stated:“Although we are delighted that government has listened, BACTA, however, is disappointed that the government has not increased the stake and prize for Category D amusement machines, other than for pusher and penny falls. Category D games, such as crane grabs which are played by millions of families at the seaside every year, should be allowed a modest increase to meet customer expectation. Some Category D prize levels have not changed for the past 20 years, damaging businesses that have been serving the UK public for generations and we urge the government to reconsider in order to help struggling seaside businesses.” He added: “It is now crucial
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HS MONT ! Y A P TO
there is no delay in implementing these changes and the government fast-tracks the process through Europe.” BACTA mounted a high profile lobbying campaign resulting in a number of concessions from government, including a lower rate of 5 per cent for Category D machines, and an exemption for redemption, B3A machines and tournaments. Hawkins said:“Without BACTA members demonstrating real commitment these concessions would not have been achieved, and I want to thank John Powell, the MGD Working Group Chairman and the members of that group, together with every member who met with their MPs on this issue.”
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Industry
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Commission issues SWP guidelines for licensing officers SWP
The Gambling Commission has issued a brief guide to the definition of a legal SWP for licensing officers, intended as a quick reference tool. document circulated by the Gambling Commission this week has attempted to clear up any confusion as to the precise definition of a legal SWP. It states that SWPs are not‘caught’as gaming machines under the Gambling Act 2005.They may,however,be liable for MGD and operators should confirm with HMRC if they need to be registered. SWPs do not require permissions to site and do not count towards the machine allowance in an alcohol licensed premises, or a members’ club. Neither do they count towards machine numbers in licensed AGCs, FECs or bingo premises for the purpose of determining category B3 gaming machine allowances. The document lists the factors that determine a legal SWP as follows: 1. SWPs must not have any mechanism that determines the outcome of the game, such
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as a compensator or other mechanism that makes the outcome dependent upon chance. The game must operate in a consistent manner, and each must be genuinely achievable, providing time and opportunity to win using skill, and not influenced by chance. 2. There are no statutory limits in place regulating stakes and prizes for SWPs. However, the Gambling Commission and HMRC are of the view that it is unlikely that a maximum prize greater than £50 would be commercially viable in a genuine skill game. 3.The game must not present itself as a game of chance. The Commission takes into account the following matters: a) How the game appears to the player. It must not look like a game of chance, for example; roulette,bingo or game of cards. b) The name of the game and whether it contains language associated with gam-
bling games, for example ‘stake’ and ‘jackpot’. c) The livery of the machine and whether it contains symbols or graphics associated with gambling games, such as bars, bells, lucky 7s or fruits. d) The appearance of the game itself and whether it contains symbols or graphics associated with gambling games, including (but not limited to) the turn of a wheel, the spin of a coin, the roll of a dice, reel bands, or the random selection of numbers. e) Whether the game involves the player in actions associated with gambling games including (but not limited to) placing chips or markers on numbers. f) Any contextual indications such as advertising signage or marketing material. Any of these factors by themselves may not be sufficient to classify a particular machine as a gaming machine.
It is recommended that licensing officers are aware of the content on hybrid machines to ensure that the machine category and number of gaming machines are not breaching those allowed by the premises licence or permit. Hybrid gaming machines are machines with multiple content such as gaming machine software and possibly SWP, bingo and other (non-gambling) software installed on them.The gaming machine software installed on these machines must be compliant with the required technical standards, the machine category requirements, and those who manufacture or supply such devices must hold a Commission operating licence to do so. Licensing officers should be aware that any machine with gaming machine software installed is a gaming machine, regardless of whatever else it may be used for.
Bingo Association redoubles tax reduction campaign BINGO
Gaming arcade application denied
he Bingo Association has brought in the political Tlobbying and media rela-
tions outfit PLMR to campaign to reduce the tax rate on the industry, after threeand-a-half years with Luther Pendragon.The running of the secretariat for the All AGCS Party Bingo Group, which is funded by the Bingo Associn application to retain a gaming arcade in Naas, Co. Kildare has been rejected. Naas Town Council ation, is also part of the brief. The association is hoping refused planning permission to Coalquay Ltd, based to launch a public affairs in Cork, for retention of change of use of a ground floor retail unit to a gaming arcade at Fairgreen Street. campaign to make the case for the change to the TreasThe property is owned by Paul and Mary Ferris. ury ahead of the Budget Naas Town Council said an arcade would detract from the streetscape and take away from retail use in next spring. The push to reduce gross profit tax the town centre. It is also the council’s policy to dis(GPT) from 20 per cent to courage gaming and amusement arcades in the so15 per cent will be rolled called core retail area.
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out nationally in January at bingo clubs around the country. Luther Pendragon remains involved indirectly due to working for the association’s second biggest member, Rank, the owner of Mecca Bingo. Miles Baron, the association’s CEO since last year, said it had decided to change PR provider as a result of “significant changes within the association’s membership”. This refers to the biggest member, Gala, rejoining in January with the aim of pushing for the tax change after withdrawing in 2008. The Bingo Association
argues that bingo clubs have significantly higher costs than other similar gambling and leisure activities due to the regime of 20 per cent GPT. The tax was last changed in 2009 and 2010.The first change was from 15 per cent GPT plus VAT to 22 per cent GPT with no VAT, but without the ability to
recover VAT on costs incurred. The second change, after a campaign by the industry, was a reduction in GPT to 20 per cent.The inability to charge VAT means investment has stalled and many smaller bingo clubs have gone out of business, according to the Bingo Association.
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Sega ready to unveil new turnkey division at EAG Entertainment Solutions, at the forthcoming EAG Intereneral manager, Sega national 2014. Burke explained: “Our Amusements Europe, Justin Burke has revealed new turnkey projects divithat Sega will be showcas- sion is designed to leverage ing its turnkey projects divi- our years of experience in sion, branded Sega Turnkey hundreds of projects for the
AMUSEMENTS
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benefit of our customers. “We have a culture of working with our existing customers on new projects and SegaTurnkey Entertainment Solutions can effectively address all aspects of a project including master
planning and design, rides, arcades plus food and beverage. The service encompasses everything from original design, through to implementation of the best possible solution for the client.”
INSTALLATION
Zone - a new concept in arcade themPing ac-Man - launches in Abu Dhabi
IAAPA hints at next raft of UK distribution lines DISTRIBUTORS
UK distributors AMG Leisure and Instance Automatics will have been buoyed by a number of new launches at this year’s IAAPA in Orlando by their partners LAI Games and Unis respectively. AAPA, which concluded on November 22, traditionally provides a bellwether for the UK sector with a number of new distribution lines often picked up from what was on display. AMG Leisure, which represents LAI Games in the UK, and Instance Automatics, which represents Unis, will
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have been encouraged by the variety of new products on display. LAI introduced a number of games at IAAPA, including an amusement piece Color Match merchandiser and two novel redemption games, Piñata and UFO Express. A new, 100 per cent skill version of Balloon Buster also made
its debut. Color Match is a video merchandiser skill game, whilst Piñata is a novel video redemption game. UFO Express, meanwhile, invites players to shoot alien flying saucers onto a turntable to earn tickets. Balloon Buster can now be purchased as a 100 per cent skill amusement
device,and a conversion kit for the conventional model also is available.The kit consists of new target surrounds and software. Meanwhile,Unis also displayed a wide variety of new games, with styles of gameplay ranging from the use of air and water to traditional ball-tossing. Redemption fishing game
Pirate’s Hook Four-Player, FunFair Bash, which debuted in the summer, the second new machine in Unis’Carnival series is Up & Away, Squirt A Gator were introduced by Unis alongside a brand-new incentive: Uni Vend, a ticket and prize dual feature that Unis will incorporate into some of its machines in 2014.
Commission attends Institute of Licensing Officers conference LICENSING
eeting local authorities to discuss issues around social M responsibility and gambling were the key aims of the Gambling Commission’s Local Authority Liaison Unit last week, when it attended the Institute of Licensing Officers conference in Birmingham. Among the topics discussed was the progress being made by gambling operators on the prevention of underage gambling, along with the work carried out by some local authorities, in conjunction with the Commission during the summer on test purchase exercises in betting shops and arcades. Licensing officers were also encouraged to offer their
their areas,checking that operators were complying with licence conditions and social responsibility codes as a routine part of their inspection regime. On social responsibility, the Commission informed the conference the government had asked the gambling industry for evidence of what machine-based consumer protection measures might be trialled, such as player-tracking. Reassurances had been given by the industry that social responsibility measures would be enhanced folresponses to a consultation the lowing the recent triennial review Commission is running on opera- of gaming machine stakes and tors’ licence conditions and codes prizes by the government. Gaming machines also had a of practice. Local authorities were encouraged to assess the vulnera- prominent part to play in the Combilities of gambling operators in mission’s involvement at the con-
Pac-Man Zone heralds new era for arcades
ference by way of a display of various gaming machines, so that licensing officers could recognise legitimate gaming machines from illegal ones. The Gambling Commission’s Rob Burkitt said:“This conference provides an ideal forum where we can listen to the issues and concerns being raised around gambling, as well as passing on our expertise, particularly on what to look for when dealing with illegal gaming machines.” The day was completed with Gambling Commission chairman Philip Graf and chief executive Jenny Williams answering questions from licensing officers on the Commission’s role in an open session chaired by Philip Kolvin QC.
early next year. Based on the iconic Pac-Man character, which was named as the ‘most recognisable video game character’ in the world (Guinness World Record Gamer’s Edition, 2010) - Pac-Man Zone combines branded and nonbranded machines and visually alluring arcade décor, profiled to the individual location. Pac-Man Zone is the culmination of major investment in amusement machine research and development by Namco Bandai, which has seen an extensive range of successful games launched into the market already, with many more in the pipeline. In addition, Namco Prize Division has developed a wide range of retail-quality Pac-Man themed prizes and merchandise, for use in prize vending and redemption counters. These include everything from electronic goods to plush characters in a wide range of sizes. The first Pac-Man Zone will be opened in the Sparky’s Entertainment Centre in the Mushrif Mall in Abu Dhabi, operated by the entertainment pioneer, the Al Hokair Group, which operates more than 45 market-leading entertainment parks. John McKenzie, president and CEO and MD of Namco America and MD of Namco Europe, stated: “The Al Hokair group is a valued operator and customer and hugely proactive in the Middle East region. This fits with our aim to create PacMan Zones only in the most prestigious locations.”
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Industry
AMUSEMENTS LEISURE B2B COMMENT NEWSWEEK SEASIDE Not everyone was happy with the government’s Triennial Review. The coastal sector may find itself among the main losers of the new stakes and prizes explains veteran John Bollom. 10
Thieves ram-raid Funscape FEC CRIME
An audacious theft of an ATM at Namco’s Funscape in Suffolk could be linked to another incident in the area.
olice are investigating possible links between a ram raid at the Namco Funscape in Bowthorpe, Suffolk and another incident at the nearby Easton College.Two men wearing balaclavas went into the family entertainment centre and removed the building’s ATM using a
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New App developed for world’s biggest gaming event APPS
isitors, exhibitors and delegates attending V ICE Totally Gaming and the
silver estate car. The FEC’s automatic sliding doors were damaged and disabled during the theft, suggesting that the cash machine was pulled out of its place by the car following the incident which happened earlier this month. A police spokesman said: “The men were
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aggressive towards people in the building, throwing bricks at those present. They have then made off in the silver vehicle with the machine which contained approximately £12,000 in cash. An abandoned vehicle was found shortly after the incident near the scene. Investigations into this incident are ongoing.” The spokesman said police are “investigating possible links between the Bowthorpe incident and one at Easton in October”. During the incident
briefs
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at Easton in October, suspects targeted the college using a stolen 4x4 to smash the glass doors at the sports centre. Offenders entered the foyer and used the vehicle to remove a free standing ATM which was lifted into the back of a second car, a dark coloured hatchback, which suspects escaped in. Anyone who has any information about either raid should call police on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Margate’s Dreamland Trust. She described the charity art auction and fancy dress party held by the trust in Dreamland’s vacant art deco amusement arcade as “wonderful”.
FAULT SPARKS FIRE DRAMA An electrical fault sparked a fire outside Rhyl’s Palace Fun Centre amusement arcade. Fire engines were called to deal with the blaze, which was caused by a light bulb on the external fascia board of the arcade. Damage was confined to the board.
PRAISE FROM STREETPORTER Television personality Janet Street-Porter has praised the fundraising efforts of
BUTLINS LAUNCHES FESTIVE BREAKS Butlins is launching festivethemed short breaks with ice rinks and a snowstorm show. Alicia Coghlan, head of product development, said: “Christmas is a very special at Butlins. Our resorts have a magical atmosphere and all of our team really get into the spirit of the season.”
co-located ICE Conferences will benefit from the launch of a new mobile event guide app, which has been developed specifically for what is the most complete businessto-business gaming event on the industry calendar. The free app, which goes live in December, will allow visitors to view the full event schedule, browse the latest product launches and develop a personal event planner that will remind users of appointments, business meetings, conferences and seminar sessions. Produced by leading app developer Genie Connect, it will also feature a detailed interactive floorplan that will help visitors navigate seamlessly around the 60,267sq.m of floor space occupied by ICE, as well as keeping stakeholders fully up-todate with the latest developments through a link to the #ICE2014 social media tag. Heralding the launch of the app, ICE marketing director Jo Mayer said: “The event guide app is a dynamic, mobile window on the world’s biggest gaming exhibition and an essential information tool for visitors wanting to make appointments at show and generally keep connected with all of the latest developments both on and off the show floor.” The ICE app will be available to download for free from the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Store in early December.
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INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE B2B
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COMMENT NEWSWEEK BETTING Veteran Freddy Bailey on how the lessons must be learnt if the industry is to keep FOBTs under control. 31
Bob Rudd undertakes SWP market research OPERATORS
North east-based single site operator Bob Rudd has taken steps to try to determine why the SWP market is in decline - and look at steps at how to combat it.
ver the past few months, operator Bob Rudd has undertaken market research across its SWP estate. Some findings were expected, according to the firm, but it also noticed some unique results.The outfit conducted two separate questionnaires, one for licensees and one for their customers. Bob Rudd’s marketing manager Helen Wade revealed: “When we asked licensees why they had a quiz machine on site most responded that it was for customer entertainment and to keep customers on site for longer, so although income is in decline there are alternative benefits for the pub.” On a positive note, many licensees saw the quiz
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machine’s value in bringing people together by entertaining large groups of people at once. Wade explained: “Whereas playing an AWP is seen as a solitary activity, the SWP is much more communal, perhaps the development of more multiplayer focused games could maximise this. Another key underused aspect of the machine was the tournament feature, providing a sense of competition amongst customers sees a rise in cash box earnings.” In addition to content, licensees commented that the gap between the usability of the likes of Smartphones compared to quiz machines is getting far greater.
NICK RUDD
Wade added:“Similarly to the licensees, the customers also found the SWP software slow and ‘clunky’, perhaps looking at a slicker menu style could combat this. Suggestions for improvements by licensees included a built in seat and greater development of the attract mode feature.” In terms of who actually plays their SWP, licensees
were in agreement that the majority were staff or regular customers; this particular segment played on average five times a week and spent upwards of £5.Wade noted: “This shows us that currently we are not attracting the casual player and need to make moves towards focusing on this demographic.” Bob Rudd also approached customers and asked for their feedback on the site’s quiz machine, with the majority of the sample between the 18–34 age range. Wade told Coinslot: “Those that we asked tended to play only once or twice per week for entertainment purposes.Of these plays they chose only two or three different core games. Are we
bombarding players with too much choice when it comes to the game menu?” She concluded:“The introduction of MGD asks us the question of whether or not to upgrade to Cat C content on SWP, with the upcoming triennial will the increase in jackpot see new games being released and therefore new players being targeted.” Bob Rudd is looking to broaden its perspective on the SWP issue, opening the debate up to the wider industry.The company has invited input and comments from other stakeholders’ SWP findings, as it considers the issue to be“an industry-wide struggle.” The debate - and search for a solution to the SWP problem - is well and truly underway.
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INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE
B2B COMMENT NEWSWEEK PROFILE The essential guide to one of the industry’s key players: the Astra Gaming Group. 12
Young’s pubco shows 19 per cent profit boost
AGC and bingo hall slated for historic pub
PUBS ADULT GAMING CENTRES
he pubco Young’s, which has 240 pubs Tacross London and the
Plans to turn an old pub in Havant into an AGC and bingo hall have received the backing of a local councillor, but have been met with the inevitable opposition from locals. Havant Borough Council. Local resident Ray Cobbett stated: “The conversion of this old and venerable pub into an amusement arcade and bingo hall sends entirely the wrong message about the future of the town’s historic centre.” He added the building is better served as a pub, restaurant or bed and breakfast.Another submission bizarrely stated it was inappropriate to have gambling across the road
from a war memorial. Councillor David Guest, of St Faith’s ward, however, backed the application, stating:“As far as I am concerned, if it can be managed properly, why not? I don’t have any basic objections to it.” According to the planning report, no external alterations are proposed and any external signage will be sympathetic to the character of the building. It adds: “An amusement centre would enhance the
viability and vitality of the area as such premises elsewhere have been found to generate higher than average levels of footfall and visitation, with up to 70 per cent of customers often going on to use other shops and services in the locality.” No alcohol, however, will be served if the plan goes ahead. Meanwhile, an application is being considered by English Heritage to make the pub a listed building.
avant pub, The White Hart, could be transformed into an adult gaming centre offering bingo after plans to demolish it and redevelop the street it is positioned on with 73 new homes fell through. The pub was bought last year by Heritage Property Southern Limited for £155,000, but Barratt Homes’ above proposals never came to fruition.The latest plan, for an AGC, has been welcomed by a local
councillor who believes it would add vitality and footfall to the area, but opposed by the local Civic Society. Tim Dawes, a member of the society, said: “We need to have a planning process that maintains the use of buildings for the purpose of the community and that helps to develop and enhance the town.This will do just the opposite.” Several representations have been received by
Bournemouth gets some zip
GamCare launches inaugural International Clinical Conference
ournemouth Council has said a nauticalB themed zip wire and
MEETINGS
H
standing surf wave will boost the appeal of Bournemouth Pier and be a real asset to the seafront. It unanimously approved plans for the new attractions and asked their developer if the project could be completed by the summer season.
amCare launched its inaugural International Clinical Conference G last week. Held at The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple in London, the charity welcomed international expert speakers to discuss best practice development for treatment, as well as new developments in the understanding of gambling behaviour and industry practices. Attendees included leading treatment providers and individuals from the UK and around the world directly involved in helping problem gamblers and their family members. Keynote sessions included a research update on youth and gambling and a session on the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioural intervention for pathological gambling.Treatment strategies, working with resistance in problem gamblers and working with gamblers in groups were
also discussed.Additional highlights included a session on assessing prisoner vulnerability to gambling harm and methods on working with the NHS for treating problem gamblers. The conference was the first time that leading authorities from around
the world have gathered to share best practice and develop in-depth perspectives in this field. Treatment strategies were discussed along with innovative ways of developing a greater understanding of gambling problem behaviour.
south of England, has recorded an impressive 19 per cent boost in first-half profits, to £15.9m from £13.4m, with sales up 8 per cent to £108m. Chief executive Steve Goodyear said he was particularly pleased since the comparable period last year covered the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee. He added: “There was a real buzz in London after the Olympics last year and I think it’s been maintained. Also, we’ve got 15 riverside pubs where customers took advantage of the warm summer.” Sparkling wine sales rose 27.7 per cent and cider 24 per cent thanks to the weather, while food sales rose 7.8 per cent and account for 29.4 per cent of total revenues against 28.7 per cent last year. Goodyear concluded that the reduction in beer duty had been passed directly on to customers. He stated: “We’re really pleased the Chancellor (pictured) has reduced the duty. There is a temptation to not reduce prices and take the extra penny, but we think that would be wrong. He’s welcome to a Young’s any time for a pint.”
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Amusements
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Seaside sector disappointed over triennial review STAKES AND PRIZES
Amusements veteran John Bollom has described the seaside sector as “very much the loser” from the government’s proposed stake and prize increases. ne of the seaside amusement sector’s leading names has expressed his disappointment at the government’s proposed stake and prize increases for Category D machines. John Bollom, managing director of Ameco, which operates Mumbles Pier, said that the small prize increase for reel-based, non-complex Category D machines had left the sector feeling “very much the loser” from the triennial review. Bollom described the increases for other Category D equipment as “tinkering”, adding that although he was grateful for any uplift, the overall package would not give seaside operators anything substantive. He commented: “While the increase to £1/£100 for Category C is a help to us, we were desperately hoping for 20p/£10 for Category D non-complex machines. “The basic 10p/£5 fruit machine hasn’t changed for going on for 20 years, and as there were representations made to the DCMS by both BACTA and BALPPA, this is a bitter disappointment.” Bollom explained that the government’s proposal
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Herne Bay Pier Trust hopeful over lease PIERS
erne Bay Pier Trust is hoping to follow in the H footsteps of Hastings and
of 20p/£6 would not be perceived well by players, given that it represented a doubling of the stake for only a 20 per cent increase in the prize value. He said:“20p/£10 would have presented a nice ratio of stake to prize, and allowed manufacturers to start looking at options such as multiplayer games, where you wouldn’t necessarily have to charge 20p per play, but the option is there. “This would have been incorporated very nicely to make a very useful machine for the seaside sector, which is desperately in need of some uplift in this area.” Addressing the increase in cranes’ stake and prize limit to £2/£60, Bollom
commented:“It’s useful to have, but barring a few of the big mega cranes,it’s still very unusual to have even a £1 stake on a crane. In real terms, I would submit that the uptake on this would be very small.” While he admitted the new limit would give operators greater scope for better branded prizes, he thought what also amounted to a doubling of the stake for a 20 per cent increase in prize value would struggle to encourage customers to pay £2 per play. He explained: “The hit frequency and payout would be better, but in the customer’s black and white point of view we would be charging them twice as much and giving them a
prize that’s only 20 per cent better than before.” The increase for pushers to 20p/£20 (of which no more than £10 can be money) presented even more difficulty,Bollom said, as the 20p coin simply does not work on a pusher playfield. He commented: “I’m waiting to see if the more innovative manufacturers could utilise this via tokens or added features, but the 20p on its own is a nonstarter.Pushers are all about time and value, which is why 2p is still by far the most predominant coin used in them. “We probably operate fewer 10p pushers now than we did five years ago, because that’s where the demand is.”
become the next voluntary group to take control of its own pier. The trust, which already runs the beach huts on the pier’s landward end and plans to bring back its helter-skelter, wants Canterbury City Council to grant it the lease for the pier platform in order to carry out regeneration plans. It is currently working on preparations for a festive market and seasonal light display in early December, but said it had not taken its eyes off its ultimate goal. Trust chairman Doreen Stone told the Canterbury Times:“The biggest thing is the bid for the platform area and we hope by January we shall have the whole pier for the Pier Trust to run. “We are holding back on our annual meeting because we want to be able to let members know exactly what is happening
with the platform once the sealed bids have all been considered.” Stone said the trust had spent the year working on funding sources and making business contacts. She added:“Although the trustees recognise that money is tight at the moment, the long term aim of building a longer pier is still our ultimate objective.” The Rebuild Group, an alternative campaign group that broke off from the official trust last year, said more work needed to be done if plans to rebuild the pier were to be realised. Rebuild’s Andy Newell commented:“We all know that a few beach hut rents will never rebuild the pier and the pier is not listed so funding would be extremely difficult to get. “Many people like the idea of a pier marina which in turn would give the town and surrounding area a massive economic boost in jobs and stability in existing businesses, and would also boost tourism.”
Pleasure Beach rapped over discount claim AMUSEMENT PARKS
lackpool Pleasure Beach has been critiB cised after it was slow to comply with a sanction from the Advertising Standards Authority. The ASA had ordered the Pleasure Beach to remove details of dis-
counted tickets for Ripley’s Believe it or Not from its website. The Pleasure Beach did not act immediately, saying it was considering a judicial review, but the ASA said it still had to remove the advert. The sanction came after a complaint was made
about the wording on its website, which allegedly implied a discount on Ripley’s entrance charge of £12 per adult. The ASA said Blackpool Pleasure Beach stated that the £6 entrance was a discounted offer from the usual £12 charge, but was unable to provide proof.
Its ruling said: “In the absence of evidence to support the price claim, we concluded that the ad was misleading. The ad must not appear again in its current form.” An ASA spokesman said the Pleasure Beach had been in breach by still showing the discount offer.
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The essential guide to this year’s BACTA Convention Next Week Coinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
Uniquely positioned to the most compelling of The year has not been without its challenging moments, but the successful integration of four key businesses has set the platform for the Astra Gaming Group over the coming 12 months, writes Zane Mersich, CEO of the Bridgend-based company. 2013 has transpired to be a challenging year for many sectors within the UK gaming industry. That’s common knowledge and it has been no different for us here at the Astra Gaming Group. However, we have continued to invest in people and product and are actively and consistently seeking product (R&D) and operational innovation that will enable our customers and, in turn, their customers (the players) to be delighted with our offerings. We are a key part of the Novomatic Group, one of the largest integrated conglomerates in the international gaming industry, and our overriding vision is one of achieving outright excellence in whatever we do. Being a key part of the Austrian Gaming Industries/Novomatic Group also brings some important principal benefits, among them the ability to leverage international opportunities.We have access to best of breed technologies and games and the very best practices. Additionally, it gives us financial strength which encourages an entrepreneurial mindset and our strategy is at all times underpinned by diversification and profitable growth. A key milestone for us was the successful integration of the newly acquired companies, those being Bell-Fruit Games, RLMS Sales,Mazooma Interactive Gaming and Gamestec.This takes the number of interests owned by Astra to six.Therefore we are, indeed, a multi-faceted and diverse UK group with a broad complement of product styles extending from mobile and social gaming all the way to analogue hi-tech machines in the pub sector and mostly everything in-between. The first year of any acquisition is always the most challenging; setting up of the strategy and vision, getting ‘buy-in’ of management and employees and alignment of culture, etc. However, I am pleased to report that all of the acquired companies have slotted very comfortably and successful into the Astra Group. We have been clear in our vision from the outset, that all of the companies will continue to operate as they have been, only with the added benefit of being part of a financially robust organisation with access to world class technologies,games
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and best practices. For R&D people it’s the equivalent of being in a candy store and there is a great deal more that will emerge from the Astra Group in the time to come. On the product front, I firmly believe that we are now uniquely positioned to deliver the most compelling offer in the business. We produce our own game design in all sectors from the ground up here in the UK and we also have a range of casino style games which we offer for the street market which are Novomatic designed and developed. We also offer non-casino Novomatic content such as Magic Games and Magic Lotto for the UK market. Looking forward and talking more generally about the business, I think it’s fair to say that there may well be further industry consolidation, although I think much of that has already taken place. What we must do, however, is learn from the tumultuous times of the past few years and collectively strive toward building a healthier industry. And that brings me neatly to the subject of the Triennial Review of machine stakes and prizes. Clearly, the government’s decision to grant the industry a £100 maximum payout on Category C represents a welcome uplift and we will certainly be prepared to make the best of it.However,I think that policy makers still need to do more to help low stake and prize gaming in the UK. It is hugely out of kilter with the stake and prize ratio of other products that can easily be accessed on our high streets from a‘street gaming’ point of view and that needs to be addressed. To summarise: it’s worth reiterating that 2013 has not been without its challenging moments. But it’s equally worth noting that we have largely faced up to those challenges and put ourselves on a very good footing for whatever next year will bring. I can say with confidence that we are looking forward with huge positivity to 2014. I think we’ve done a lot of groundwork within the group on products, best practice and constantly improving our processes and procedures and that has set the platform for the coming 12 months.”
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de to... The Astra Gaming Group MANUFACTURERS
ed to deliver ng offer
Bell-Fruit relishes its position as the number one machine producer A year of two halves could possibly be the most succinct way in which to summarise the manner in which 2013 has shaped up for Bell-Fruit Games. According to managing director John Austin, it was a “difficult start, as the concept of the ‘software licence’ fee was initially unwelcome”. But, he added, as the year progressed “the strength and quality of our games overcame rejection and sales volumes of great models returned”. he introduction of the controversial software licence may not have been Treceived by the industry as had been
I think that policy makers still need to do more to help low stake and prize gaming in the UK. It is hugely out of kilter with the stake and prize ratio of other products that can easily be accessed on our high streets
intended - and the negatives may have been overplayed in some quarters. But that hasn’t detracted from a year which has seen Bell-Fruit Games celebrate its 50th Anniversary and continued to enjoy steady growth under the relatively new ownership of Novomatic. Managing director John Austin explained: “Being part of the larger group has engendered confidence within the business which has resulted in the development of exciting game features, some of which have already started to provide benefit in terms of games performance, such as the ‘infinity’ feature on Deal or No Deal The Big One, and some of which are about to commence test. In terms of the day-to-day operation of the company, it’s very much business as usual.” One area in which Bell-Fruit continues to succeed with incredible consistency is in its key licensed games such as DOND and Monopoly. However, Austin is quick to point out that the success of a game is not just about the brand licence. “It’s also very much about the game that the licence sits on, the features/frequencies, win distributions etc that meet the players’ behavioural expectations,” he said. “However, brands such as DOND and Monopoly do have elements that interpret extremely well into Cat C gambling machines. We are constantly looking to pursue new brand licence opportunities which offer similar elements, although we also look out for other brand qualities based on popularity.” A big talking point throughout 2013 has been the ongoing Triennial Review of stakes and prizes. When pressed on BFG’s standpoint on the recent Category C prize uplift Austin responded: “The £100 cat C prize does provide the opportunity to develop games that are more engaging to the player and as a consequence should improve revenues earned. However, to get what many have felt is an ailing industry back to recovery, such improved revenues must be shared with the supply chain.” Naturally, when talking about machine development and improved revenue, attention soon turns to the cost of the
end product. And while Bell-Fruit is often cited as operating at the high end of the machine manufacturing sector, the obvious criticism is that its products, while of superior quality, can appear more costly than those of its competitors. In answer, Austin said: “Whilst being at the ‘high end’ of the market does appear initially more costly than our competition, I would say that it’s all about game performance, longevity and reliability, qualities that are synonymous with the Bell-Fruit and QPS brands.” Moving on to the topic of game genres, we asked Austin if he felt that hitech gaming products would continue to grow in popularity, or will there always be a desire for their lo-tech counterparts? “The hi-tech Cat C games will continue to enjoy popularity with their player base for the foreseeable future, and that player
base will increase as lapsed and new players are attracted by the new £100 prize games,” he stated. “However, lotech Cat C games have great appeal in non-pub environments where there are fewer restrictions on machine numbers and differing player bases. Multiple game digital does provide for a lo-tech game offer in addition to hi-tech, enabling greater variety for differing player types.” As ever, the eyes of the industry will be focused intently on what BFG has planned for EAG and ICE 2014. But for the time being, Austin is remaining tightlipped. “We would prefer to keep our powder dry when it comes to the specifics of what we are currently working on for the New Year; but suffice to say, the industry should watch out for some exciting new game features from Bell-Fruit,” he said.
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Essential Guide to ... The Astra Gaming Group Sector Overview Progress through innovation The Astra Gaming Group holds a reputation for high quality and dynamic innovation dating back to 1992. In the autumn of 2004, the Bridgend-based company consolidated its position as a major force in the international gaming industry by becoming a subsidiary of the worldrenowned Novomatic Group of Companies.
An industry stalwart
Breaking new ground
Following a series of acquisitions, several leading UK gaming companies now come under the Astra umbrella, including Bell-Fruit Games, RLMS Sales, Mazooma Interactive, Gamestec, Empire Games and Games Media.
From its inception, Astra has continually broken new ground in gaming machine design. The company pioneered the multiplayer concept, followed by sit-down multiplayers and video multiplayer products.
Experience and enthusiasm The Astra team combine industry experience with the enthusiasm and innovation of youth. The result, for Astra’s customers and their players, is a high quality game portfolio that is constantly expanding.
OPERATIONS
Gamestec underlines the positives, despite a year of challenges Despite the numerous challenges currently facing the UK’s gaming and amusement industry, Astra Gaming Group subsidiary Gamestec has maintained a fairly stable holding during the course of the year. Chris Butler, managing director of the country’s largest gaming machine operator, explains. ith 2013 drawing to a close, Gamestec managing director Chris Butler has taken time out to reflect on what has been a positive year for an operation that currently boasts 35,000 machines in 11,000 locations across the pub, bingo, LBO and other leisure sectors. Among the challenging issues for discussion were pub closures, MGD and, more recently, Sceptre Leisure’s publicised new stance on machine rents. Speaking with customary directness, Butler told Coinslot:“2013 has been an incredibly challenging year for both Gamestec and the wider industry.We have seen a number of businesses either cease trading or direct their attention away from the pub sector in the face of rising costs and reducing returns.That said, Gamestec has maintained a fairly stable holding during the course of the year in spite of these factors and, furthermore, has secured a number of significant supply contracts across both the pub and leisure sector.” Turning to the big issues affecting the business, Butler cited the introduction of MGD as one that has negatively impacted products such as SWP.“We have seen both the number of pieces operated and cashboxes decline as a result of the new tax,” he said.“SWP is in terminal decline and as yet there is no evidence that the leisure spend is being directed elsewhere which leaves a hole in revenues that needs addressing very quickly.” Butler also pointed to the delayed implementation of the Triennial Review as a source of frustration noting that it had impacted revenue earning opportunities in the year.“Further pressures on increased machine costs and technology investment have also slowed profitability,” he noted.“All of this adds up to a supply sector that is not in the greatest of health and requires a much needed boost that sees suppliers fairly and equitably rewarded for investment and effort.That, in turn, will encourage reinvestment in the supply chain. For example, we note and applaud Sceptre Leisure’s public stance on seeking
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fairer returns through increased rents.This is the only way that essential product innovation will continue.” Now more than 12 months since Gamestec’s integration into the Astra Gaming Group, Butler is confident that the firm is better positioned these days to face up to the aforementioned challenges. He commented:“Thankfully at Gamestec we have a highly focused and experienced management team who are fully aware of the issues and are working to improve commercial returns and maximise revenue opportunities wherever possible with the full support of the wider Astra Gaming Group. “Being part of that group still allows us a healthy degree of autonomy and the ability to conduct our business as usual, but it also brings with it open access to fantastic technology and innovation including iPub, popular ‘lotech’ content and iconic gaming brands.And it gives us the financial strength and confidence to invest in the sector as we aim to restore viability and create longevity for pay-to-play entertainment and gaming in bricks and mortar locations.” As for products,the Astra Gaming Group has unearthed a rich seam of form in 2013 with Butler citing DOND The Big One and iconic titles on iPub including DOND East Wing West Wing, Reel King and Lucky Bet Roulette as standout games.“With regards to Reel King, there has been a definite uptake from new players who wouldn’t ordinarily play Cat C in pubs but recognise the brand from other sectors,such as online,bingo,arcade and LBO,” he said. Looking ahead to new Gamestec concepts,Butler commented: “We don’t want to give too much away at this stage, but customers can expect some very exciting new products over the next few months spanning skill/entertainment and music. In addition we will be introducing innovative product enhancements for the market leading digital gaming iPub platform making the most of connectivity and maximising the £100 jackpot.”
Finally, when asked to describe what sets Gamestec apart from its competitors, Butler responded:“Our product investment and innovation is second to none.We are a national company with regional focus and adopt an ultra professional approach with clear emphasis on social and legal responsibility.That’s borne out by our active membership of BISL and BACTA and the fact we are in regular contact with the likes of the Gambling Commission. We have a global reach for product and ideas and are part of a global operator which,itself,facilitates access to vital capital investment. “Perhaps most importantly, we are able to rely on the efforts of a focused and experienced team of people who are in it for the long term and have a genuine passion for the job.”
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Essential Guide to ... The Astra Gaming Group Market Perspectives SUPPLIERS
Triennial encourages engagement with the supply chain Phil Boulton, managing director of Astra Gaming Group subsidiary RLMS Sales, has been pleasantly surprised by the level of activity over the last quarter. oinslot: How would you assess the general health of the UK’s coin-operated amusements sector? Phil Boulton: 2013 has been a year of two halves.We got off to a slow start, largely due to market reaction against the new licensing model introduced on Bell-Fruit hi-tech machines. However, as each month went by, more and more operators came back on board, as the quality and performance of the product rose massively above its peers. Coupled with this, we partnered with Astra Games on a number of new initiatives, which helped to drive lotech and B3 Sales, the latter category having been in the doldrums since May. I have to say that I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the level of activity so far this last quarter. However, business doesn’t fall into our laps. It’s down to the hard work of the sales and marketing team, maintaining the contact and relationships within our various sectors, combined with a number of initiatives, product and commercially led, with our manufacturing partners.
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ative site to use amongst our peers.With over 2,000 unique visits in its first month, this isn’t going to hinder our sales effort when it comes to new product awareness.We can do a lot more, and use of not so new social media has to be on our radar for next year.
CS: Although it is increasingly difficult to predict the future shape of the industry, do you feel coin-op product genres will experience a general evolution, or are there any new technologies on the horizon that will lead to a sea change in innovation? PB: Given the history of UK coin-op, my best guess is that change will be a general evolution. I joined the industry in 2006 and at that time, digital was going to eradicate analogue within one year! It didn’t. It’s slowly evolved and there is a place for both technologies to co-exist. Global exhibitions, including EAG and ICE, will often demonstrate what technology can do and is doing for certain markets around the globe. However, it still all comes at a price and it’s a question of whether stakeholders are prepared to shoulder that investment.That’s the most likely barrier to advancement CS: It is now more than a year since RLMS was acquired by the Astra Gaming Group. In what ways has the acquisition benefited in technology.Because times are tough,or the existence of broken commercial models, many want something for nothing, re-build your company and your clients? PB: In many respects, it feels like it has cemented our future and of this or that, or anything over £1,500 is too expensive! R&D, provided a degree of stability following the uncertainty that we games designers and manufacturers can and do come up with had under the previous ownership.This rubs off on both the team, fantastic technology, but this has to be matched with the comgiving them more confidence in what they do,and with customers, mercial reality of the markets they are designed for. as our credibility as a key sales and distribution company grows. The acquisition resurrected our partnership with Astra Games, CS: Finally, where are we likely to yet we have also been able to maintain our independence with be in a year’s time? our non-group manufacturing partners, who still recognise the PB:One of my flaws or attribhard work we put in to promoting and selling their product. In utes (not sure which) is that terms of day-to-day operation, it has been very much business as I’m an eternal optimist, so I usual. Zane Mersich and the senior team have been very much predict that 2014 will be a true to their word in allowing our autonomy to continue. great year for RLMS Sales. But this can only happen if it reflects the general state CS: Could you reiterate your thoughts on the recent Category C of the market which we prize uplift to the Coinslot readership? PB: For all stakeholders, a stake and prize change paves the way serve. I’m excited about for a period of renewed optimism. It creates an air of expectation new product currently in of something different coming along, and a reason to engage with development, we’ll have the supply chain, to see what that difference is and hopefully a the strongest sales team reason to invest.The dynamics will be different for different mar- we’ve possibly ever had, kets. The £100 within the pub environment should appeal to all stakes and prizes will be a and I cannot wait to see how the games designers decide to use success, the economy will this round prize number, albeit with the stake remaining where it continue to right itself, there is is. Can the government do more? Of course it can, but again, the hope that some commercial woes of poor legislation versus commercial reality can’t be served models will be re-balanced, oh, and the sun will shine all justice in the context of this Q&A! summer long! CS: RLMS is renowned for supplying a vast range of amusement and gaming products. How do you keep your clients informed of any newly launched innovations? PB: Over the years, we have deliberately tried to avoid being ‘jack of all trades, master of none’, such that the sales team can speak with knowledge about their specialised subject, which is, of course, gaming machines. However, we also recognise that every good sales team needs marketing support, and I believe we have the best at RLMS Sales.We utilise all channels from advertising, mail shots, e-marketing and most recently, we launched our new website which I believe is the most comprehensive and informCoinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
R&D, games designers and manufacturers can and do come up with fantastic technology, but this has to be matched with the commercial reality of the markets they are designed for.
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Rising to the challenge Empire Games is ready to rise to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Craig Beer, managing director of the Bridgend-based company, explains. oinslot: How has the year fared for Empire Games? C Craig Beer: 2013 has been a difficult year for
and hopefully there are plenty more opportunities ahead.On a daily basis,not much has changed.We are due to become integrated Empire Games.The UK amusement indus- within the Astra building by the end of 2013, try is shrinking rapidly as businesses in all but the plan is for us to retain our autonomy. traditional sectors are struggling to stay afloat.The impending Triennial implemen- CS: What have been your best performing tation will hopefully give us the boost that machines in 2013, and to what would you we need for 2014. attribute their success? CB:Gold Run has been one of our better selling models for the UK’s arcade and bingo CS: Has the day-to-day operation of Empire changed significantly as a result of sector, whilst Raising the Stakes housed in the Bell-Fruit Eclipse cabinet has performed the company’s acquisition by the Astra reasonably well as our first entry into the Gaming Group? CB: The acquisition has enabled us to UK pub sector. develop games for the UK’s new machine market whilst also giving us the ability to CS: Empire is renowned for its bold, eyeshare in many of Astra’s innovative tech- catching gaming machines. Do you create nologies. We are working closely with all new machines based on customer feedcompanies within the Astra Gaming group back or do your designers work more or
less independently? CB:We are fortunate that our team of graphic artists are among the best in the industry and have vast experience in all genres of gaming platforms.Having been with us for many years they have an extraordinary ability to create visually stunning graphics that express the ideas that we develop.We constantly seek advice from customers and distributors on what they believe the market sectors are looking for and try to include them during the development stages if possible.
sector,as the players are far happier to share in the community experience than possibly the arcade player who is generally out to win for himself.I believe with the introduction of new jackpots in 2014 that there are opportunities to increase this genre of gaming especially if we as developers can get the game play right.
CS: How are plans for EAG 2014 faring? What will be your focus at the London shows? CB:EAG 2014 should give us a great platform to showcase our new ideas, and hopefully customers will flock to see what the new jackpots have to offer. Gold Run will feature CS: How is the community gaming sector performing? Do you feel the sector is set to prominently in various guises, as will some new innovative Cat C products with the new experience more growth in 2014? CB: Community definitely has a place in the stake and prize levels.Also we will be exhibitmarket. However, like most new ideas it can ing two hi-tech games; one new in the Belltake a little while for it to gain the confidence Fruit Eclipse and one rebuild in the Barcrest of the players. It works better in the bingo Horizon 2 cabinet.
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Essential Guide to ... The Astra Gaming Group Market Analysis PERIPHERALS
PAYMENT SOLUTIONS
The perfect partnership
Formulating the best cash handling solutions for the UK gaming market
JCM Global continues to work with leading gaming companies such as the Astra Gaming Group when it comes to introducing new peripherals to the UK market. CM Global has been supplying the Astra Gaming Group with peripherals for many years and, according to David Morosoli, managing director of the Las Vegasbased company’s UK division, the group continues to play a key role in the European gaming industry. “As a group, you have to look at Astra as being a very solid stalwart of the industry,” Morosoli said. “Particularly when times are quite difficult, where there is a lot of indecision and in some quarters a lot of concern as to what the future holds,
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you have this very large presence which covers all sectors of the industry, and should give some comfort for the future of the industry. It’s not going to give up and go away.” Internationally, 2013 has been a year of growth for JCM, and Morosoli said the company continues to address challenges across the UK market. “Gaming and amusement is a core part of our business,” he told Coinslot.“If you look at JCM’s business worldwide, it’s highly geared towards gaming, and many of the products that we develop for the international gaming market
utside its subsidiary businesses, the Astra Gaming Group continues to work O with leading manufacturers of compo-
provide us with features and content that we can migrate to territories like the UK. We use top grade sensing technology, algorithms and so forth, which is a direct result of our operations at international casino market level. Our involvement in the Americas and the Far East obviously gives us great traction in the gaming market.” Explaining JCM’s relationship with Astra and its subsidiaries, Morosoli said:“If we are planning to roll out a new product to the UK, I will introduce it, for example, to Bell-Fruit Games, who will evaluate it and then investigate how and when it can be introduced into the market. A company such as Bell-Fruit will evaluate our new products by looking at the implications of introducing them and whatever software and hardware changes they need to make. Then it’s a matter of introducing it to operators - and this is a result of extensive field trials. For example, we are currently testing Vega-RC Twin, which is a new product that follows on from the Vega-RC. Essentially it has two note recycling chambers instead of one, giving more flexibility to the operator who can safely recycle two denominations.” Coinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
nents and peripherals. One such company is Crane Payment Solutions, the globally active payment systems group that is renowned for its range of core brands that include Money Controls, CashCode and NRI. “We have been working with the Astra Gaming Group since it was first formed in the early 1990s, as their supplier and partner for cash handling,” said Stephan Rosseneu, director of European sales for Crane Payment Solutions. “Despite the difficult economic conditions in Europe, we have had a good 2013 to date. In fact, we are set to finish the year with doubledigit growth against 2012. Gaming is very important to us and delivers a significant portion of our overall revenue.” According to Rosseneu, the team at Crane is in continuous dialogue with Astra throughout the year. “Part of this exchange of information and ideas is, of course, related to the UK market and trends,” he told Coinslot. “We typically also share information about future projects and products so that we can formulate the best cash handling solutions for Astra.” Rosseneu added: “The team at Astra are a great group of people with a wealth of experience. Their products are at the forefront of technology and drive innovation in the market place. As part of the Novomatic group, they have formidable resources. We’re very pleased to have been working with them for more than 20 years. We’re looking forward to continuing this relationship in the future.” CAPTION: STEPHAN ROSSENEU
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Mazooma looks ahead to a year of positive transition
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Tony Oliver, managing director of Mazooma Interactive Games, discusses the company’s integration within the Astra Gaming Group and looks ahead to 2014. oinslot: It is now more than a year since Mazooma was acquired by C Astra. In what ways has the acquisition benefited your company and your clients? Tony Oliver: Integration with the Astra Gaming Group has given Mazooma Interactive Gaming access to the Greentube platform. One of the main benefits of this development is that it will ultimately allow us to control the flow of content to our customers. CS: How is Mazooma’s online presence developing? How much of a crossover is there between their online customers and ones playing your games in, for example, pubs? TO:There is definitely clear evidence indicating that new players, who open accounts on mobile, are migrating to online games.We have seen this from our recent game launches on Sky.There is a big multichannel focus from the UK LBOs, but I’m not aware of any evidence of a pub player migration. CS: Could you describe the creative process when it comes to developing
new games? TO:When designing games for the online, LBO or mobile markets, the game designers work closely with our customer product specialists to develop concepts that fit the need of our customers.
Introducing the Vega-RC TWIN— all of the technology and security of the Vega-RC, now with two large-capacity drums! With two denominations recycled, you can keep your customers happy and your equipment running longer than ever before.
CS: How is Mazooma developing in overseas markets? Do these markets offer any unique challenges? TO: Mazooma currently has games deployed in 23 countries.Some countries have a more niche gaming taste, and we try to develop games with familiar brands and feel to cater for that particular market.
JCM GLOBAL IS PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ASTRA GAMING GROUP
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CS: Do you feel 2014 is set to be a positive year for Mazooma and the UK gaming industry as a whole? TO: 2014 is shaping up to be an exciting year of transition for Mazooma.We will be developing our own content, as well as that of the rest of our group gaming brands,onto the Greentube platform.Furthermore, we will be using our existing network of operator relationships and seeking to expand the Greentube reach through integration.
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Essential Guide to ... The Astra Gaming Group
Products
MARKETPLACE
B2B Amusements
Ticket House Crane
CRANE PAYMENT SOLUTIONS
Making cash management easy When it comes to cash management, Crane Payment Solutions’ products are clear winners. Drawing on decades of heritage and expertise from the NRI, CashCode,Telequip and Money Controls brands, the Crane Payment Solutions team develops core validation technology to provide a range of payment systems and associated products with high security protection. Products for the amusements market include the NRI V2 Eagle and V2 Colibri coin acceptors, the Money Controls Universal and Compact hoppers, the Money Controls Ardac Elite bill acceptor and PayLink integration module. In the field of coin acceptors, the V2 Eagle coin validator is setting standards within the payment systems industry. By using the unique MFT validation technology and additional sorting control sensors, outstanding coin security is guaranteed. The V2 eagle features simultaneous evaluation of 24 measurement parameters for 32 coin channels, as well as an anti-jam sensor for fast coin insertion.The flexible approach of the eagle means it comes with top and front coin entry, and a range of sorters. The V2 Colibri is Crane Payment Solu-
tions’ newest 3.5-inch coin validator.With input from the NRI and Money Controls brands, this validator offers best-in-class MFT coin validation technology for the highest coin security and is compatible with all SR3i and NRI G13 applications. Crane Payment Solutions’ best-selling Universal Hopper, meanwhile, has sold millions worldwide since launch, and
offers unrivalled performance and reduces operating costs.As with all of the company’s products, the Universal Hopper provides excellent resistance to fraud. The Compact Hopper does exactly what the name says, providing a large capacity with a small footprint.This makes it ideal for many applications including retrofit. The Compact range offers high security and high speed for single denominations. The Ardac Elite bill validator is without doubt one of the most advanced products on the market and has established an excellent reputation.The Ardac Elite has state-of-the-art imaging technology to ensure the highest standards of validation. PayLink is designed to help reduce the time to market for PC-based platforms.This technologically advanced product reduces costs and makes it easy to configure peripherals. It means that new applications can be developed without having to create custom payment software. “Whether your focus is on improving customer service, increasing revenue, or improving operational efficiency, Crane Payment Solutions has the right product for you with a global team on-hand to help make your business more efficient and more profitable,” the company said.
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” 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
gspencer@namco.co.uk
www.namco.co.uk
We buy and sell all gaming equipment with over 400 units in stock - From Pool-tables to Fruit machines we have it all.
For the best prices please call us today
Tel: 01795 844 169
Email: Stuart@starleisure.biz
JCM GLOBAL
B2B Arcade Crane Services
Vega-RC Twin to launch in UK JCM Global’s innovative Vega-RC Twin, which helps eliminate coin and note starvation in gaming locations, is being introduced to the UK market. Global prides itself in developing cash handling products that securely validate JandCM stack notes, while eliminating counterfeits and product manipulation. One such product is the Vega bill validator, which is supplied with a secure cashbox that can only be accessed by authorised key holders. Vega comes with two different note recycler options: a single note, single drum option and the Vega-RC Twin. Vega-RC Twin has two note recycling drums and twice the note capacity of the single drum Vega recycler, allowing two different denominations of note to be recycled. This overcomes localised preference for a particular value of note and eliminates coin and note starvation in locations where the predominant note in use is different from that which a single drum recycler is proCoinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
grammed to dispense. Vega-RC Twin has been successful in Europe for some time and is now being introduced to the UK. Vega-RC Twin will fit onto any existing Vega fitted with the appropriate bootrom and firmware versions. This means that it is a simple operation to remove a Vega single drum recycler and replace with Vega-RC Twin. Since its launch in the UK in 2009, Vega has proved to be a highly reliable fraud resistant bill validator. The Vega single drum recycler unit revolutionised the UK Category C machine payout procedures, overcoming coin starvation in the process. Vega-RC Twin makes a great product even better, giving more choice and additional functionality.
www.thewon.co.uk
B2B Bingo
sales@leisure-electronics.co.uk www.leisure-electronics.co.uk
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Listings
B2B Arcade Games
Minister welcomes industry data
Width 90cm Height 1.75m to 2.3m
Scan & Spin option with Barcode activation and Voucher printer. • Change the Artwork • Change the Program • Gives you a brand new Game For Video Demonstration scan here
For more information & sales contact TEL: 0191 4187158 WEB: www.playtronics-solutions.co.uk EMAIL: aimi.morgan@playprint.co.uk
Helen Grant, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Equality, has praised the hospitality and tourism sector for its financial contribution to the UK economy and its efforts in striving to create jobs. A newly published study from Deloitte found that the tourism sector will grow by 3.8 per cent a year from 2013 until 2025.
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The recession has hit hard despite the temptation for more people to stay and holiday in the UK instead of going abroad. For every hot-spot like Newquay or Padstow, there are many more places where flagging tourism plus the lack of permanent, well-paid employment are taking their toll.
PUBS
CASH HANDLING
One product. Unlimited security. MEI’s new Cashflow 9500e coin acceptor is hitting the mark for amusement and gaming applications.
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info@antrimcarpets.com
B2B Change Machines
To advertise here call Kathryn Norris on 01204 396 397
he MEI Cashflow 9500e is making its mark in the industry with its focus clearly on security with both ccTalk and DES encryption. Designed with ‘flexibility in mind’, version four (V4) and five (V5) units in the field are already equipped with the capability to upgrade. The Cashflow Series 9500e coin acceptor features some of the industry’s top coin acceptance and security features available to maximise unattended transactions and guard against fraud with the industry’s best fraud defence technology. The acceptor provides high security electronic coin and token validation with the best coin discrimination and fraud protection, including new coin sensing technology, automatic security algorithm technology, automatic coin population adjustment and quick and easy product configuration using iButton and the MEI Cashflow programming module. MEI Cashflow 9500e adapts automatically to interface with all current gaming machine standards. The routing plug has been removed altogether, saving parts and operational costs. Routing and coin inhibits are now set up via an easy manual configuration on the mech or with the use of an iButton
T
The DES implementation process can be easily completed onsite with the simple flip of a switch and firmware upgrade. MEI continues to grow its presence across the world’s gaming and amusement markets. In addition to winning contracts with leading casino operators around the globe, earlier this year the Pennsylvania-based company announced that arcade game developer Raw Thrills had renewed its multi-year agreement with the group. The new long-term commitment extended the existing programme, in which Raw Thrills said it will continue to specify MEI as its preferred choice for payment systems for an additional three years. Eugene Jarvis of Raw Thrills: “The partnership we have established goes beyond just shipping arcade games and bill validators. Both companies have the consumer experience in mind, which is why this renewed agreement was an easy decision for us. Our goals include providing the consumer the best experience possible from the time of payment through to ‘Game Over’.”
FY PROFITS UP FOR M&B itchells & Butlers (M&B), one of the UK’s largest operators of manM aged pubs, has reported pre-tax profits of £150m for fiscal 2013, compared to £83m in the previous year. Revenues for the group totalled £1.895bn, up from £1.889bn in 2012. Commenting on the results, Alistair Darby, chief executive of M&B, said: “We have worked hard this year to deliver our transformation plan and position Mitchells & Butlers for future growth. We are proud that, through the measures we have taken, we have been able to grow sales and build our margins in a challenging and competitive consumer environment, leading to EPS growth of 17 per cent. “I am confident that our continued emphasis on developing our people, focusing on our brands and delivering great service for our guests will result in a better business and produce sustainable value for shareholders in the future.” Coinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
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MARKETPLACE
B2B Change Machines
B2B Gaming Machines
“Great range of Change Machines available”
Listings AIR HOCKEY SHORT SHOOTER
Tel: 020 8391 7700 Fax: 020 8391 7760 Email: sales@suzohapp.co.uk www.suzohapp.co.uk
rown Direct is currently selling its Dynamo Short Shot Air Hockey for C £1,995 plus
B2B Finance
VAT. As customers requested, the newly designed table has a smaller footprint than traditionally air hockey tales, but still features the same tough construction as the rest of the Dynamo range. The impact-resistant laminate playfield is augmented by an interactive package of sounds and lights alongside sidemounted LED scoring displays. Operators can also choose to activate the dual ticket dispensers for use with their own redemption programs.
Amusement and Gaming Equipment Finance with Rates from 3.1%
Immediate Funds Available 98% Acceptance Rate
Tel: 0844 800 88 25
APPOINTMENTS
info@portmanassetfinance.co.uk www.portmanassetfinance.co.uk
HYDE JOINS INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
B2B Football Tables
ash handling specialist Innovative Technology has appointed Julie Hyde C as sales support administrator. Hyde will www.rlms-sales.com sales@rlms-sales.com
B2B Insurance www.lifestyle-lp.co.uk
B2B Gaming Machines
&DOO RXU /HLVXUH 7HDP RQ
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be responsible for processing customer orders, answering customer queries and providing sales support to the firm’s expanding global customer base. Innovative’s Laura Wallace stated: “Julie’s appointment highlights our commitment to provide the highest possible level of sales support to ITL customers worldwide.” Following a year of record sales and continued growth, the firm will be looking to make further new appointments.
The entire programme comprises over 40 hours of targeted learning and networking and features 150 of gaming’s most eminent thought leaders. Kate Chambers, portfolio director responsible for both ICE Totally Gaming and ICE Conferences said: “ICE is a compelling proposition precisely because it is both a commercial and an information exchange event. The exhibition and the conference programme complement each other and there’s a significant crossover between the two.”
EVENTS TILEZONE REVEALS RECEPTION LOCATION ednesday 25 March will see the 9th TiLEzone London & Experience W UK Reception take place at the London Dungeon. In this spooky environment the new UKTI Experience brochure will be launched alongside the new Experience UK online directory. Then the following night, at the London Transport Museum, a series of talks form the TiLEzone London & Experience UK Seminar. Attendance to both events is included in the price of the same ticket.
CONFERENCES CLOSING WEEK FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT elegates wishing to attend the ICE Conference programme next year D have until tomorrow (Friday, November
To subscribe please call Sarah Haworth on 01204 396 397 Coinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
kim@arionmusic.co.uk
29) to take advantage of the early bird discount which provides a 22 per cent reduction on the price of a full conference pass.
REGISTRATION OPENS FOR TOY FAIR 2014 isitor registration has opened for the 2014 Toy Fair. Prospective attendees V are able to visit for free if they pre-register
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now, while anyone who visits the show without registering will be required to pay a ÂŁ15 entry fee. The event will take place from 21-23 January, 2014 at Kensington, Olympia and will feature displays from marquee brands such as Lego and industry associations like Toymaster. Regular attendee Bandai expressed their satisfaction at past success at the Toy Fair. “We had a great turnout,â€? said marketing manager Darrell Jones. “The Demo Zone was a great concept and something we would like to have a bigger participation in next year.â€?
IRISH GAMING SHOW ANNOUNCES DATES
T
he 35th annual Irish Gaming, Casino and Amusement Show has been officially confirmed for the 4-5 March, 2014. The event will be held in Dublin at the Moran Red Cow Conference Centre and Hotel. This announcement coincides with the launch of the show’s new irishgaming.ie website. The 2014 event will have a large focus on the hospitality industry, as changes in the Irish gaming industry make its integration with gaming ever more important. On display will be everything from pool tables to CCTV, alongside a large array of gaming products. The event also incorporates the Irish Gaming Conference.
HOPPERS GO WITH THE FLOW new range of durable Flow Hoppers have amusement, vendSing,uzo-Happ’s and gaming applications. The machines can dispense coins at a rate of 7 per second into three different bowl sizes, while an anti-jam device and continuous optosensor check keep the change flowing freely. The device can be attached to most existing machines, with
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TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE
Email: al@sjc.co.uk
23
MARKETPLACE
B2B Juke Box Specialists
models sporting five different interfaces available. A ccTalk version is also available in encrypted and non-encrypted modes.
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B2B Prizes
sega.prize@sega.co.uk
TRADE BODIES MAMON BECOMES IAAPA’S FIRST ASIAN CHAIRMAN
SOUNDNET THE NO.1 MUSIC SERVICE YOU CAN DEPEND ON
AAPA has announced that Mario Mamon, chairman and president of IEnchanted Kingdom in the Philippines,
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR JUKEBOXES CALL US NOW ON 020 7644 8888
will chair the worldwide trade association’s board of directors in 2014. He is the first member from the Asia-Pacific region to chair the association in its 95-year history. Mamon has been involved in the attractions industry since 1992 when he conceptualised and managed the construction of the Enchanted Kingdom theme park. Since then, Mamon has been an active volunteer in IAAPA. He has been a speaker at several of the association’s trade shows in Asia and was a member of the IAAPA board of directors from 1999 to 2002 and again since 2011.
B2B Skill Ball Deluxe
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B2B Marketing Get great PR from the industry experts
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B2B Pool Supplies THE HIGHEST EARNING POOL, AIR HOCKEY AND FOOTBALL TABLES
B2B Spares *The only OfďŹ cial Cromptons Machines Spares supplier*
VIDEO GAMES
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T 024 7646 1234 F 024 7646 4433
For Spares, Refurbishments, Repairs and Special Offers call Matt or Terri on 01843 593335
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For FREE technical support call Steve or Hugh on: 01843 593353 Email: spares@cromptons.com Fax: 01843 588043
VIDEOTRONICS GAMES CATALOGUE ON SHOW
sales@samleisure.co.uk sales@samleisure.co.uk
ideotronics UK have a wide range of arcade cabinets on offer, including V titles such as Guitar Hero. Customers can
B2B Pool Tables & Accessories
experience what it’s like to climb up on stage and become a rock god for £2600. The latest incarnation of the popular zombie shooter, House of the Dead 4, is offered by Videotronics’ for £1200. The game arms players with a dazzling array of weaponry and guides them through a horrifying complex packed full of the walking dead,.
www.whitehouseleisure.co.uk
Distributor of snooker and pool accessories and manufacturers of genuine Superleague tables and spares.
Telephone
01952 586226 Next week’s feature is Technology & Innovation To advertise, please call Kathryn on 01204 396397 Coinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
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Sponsored by
Analysis
NOVOMATIC LEADS, OTHERS FOLLOW
CATEGORYC (£1/£70 Max.)
CATEGORYB3 (£1/£500 Max.)
FILMCHARTS
Single site
AGCs
UK Box Office Chart
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
This Last Week Week Name
1 2 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 5 4 6 3 8 10 9
DOND The Big One BFG DOND Lucky Streak BFG DOND Golden Game BFG Monster Money QPS DOND Double Chance BFG DOND Pure Gold BFG Monopoly Reel Estate BFG Galloping Jackpots REF Lady Luck Trail of Riches REF Snow White and the Seven Tenners REF
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 Magic Lotto Ultra Novomatics Triple 8 Barcrest Big Party Astra Mega Bars Big Hit Project TS22 Project Triple 7 Barcrest Lady Luck Reflex Rainbow Riches Community Cash Barcrest Lucky Lady's Charm Astra
MUSICCHARTS
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
2 5 4 1 3 -
Magic Games 3 (s/d) Novomatic Find the Lady 2 card Project Magic Games 3 Novomatic Free Play 70 Project X3000 Multigame Amatic Encore T7 (GP2) SG Gaming Encore T7 (GP3) SG Gaming Mega Jackpots Project Bar X Extreme Electrocoin Triple 7 (GP1) SG Gaming
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 2 3 4 5 8 9 -
Magic Games U/R Novomatic Rainbow Riches Party Barcrest Free Play 70 Project Pure Gold Astra Party Games (4 Player) Astra Sevens Up Electrocoin Win Wall Astra Chase The Ace Project Party Time Arena (4 Player) Astra Gold Run (3 Player) Empire
Based on data from four sites Amusement Equipment Co Ltd
Coinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
Gravity Thor: The Dark World Philomena The Counsellor The Butler Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Captain Phillips urbo Jackass: Bad Grandpa Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela
Based on data supplied by a representative number of UK sites Supplied by RLMS Sales
CATEGORYD (10p/£5 Max.) AGCs
THE COUNSELLOR
1 2 3 5 4 7 6 -
1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 -
UK Jukebox Chart http://www.sound net.net/ www.soundnet.net
Party Time Classic (3 Player) Astra Party Games (4 Player) Astra Rainbow Riches (3 Player) Empire Gold Rush Stampede (4 Player) Barcrest Adders And Ladders (4 Player) Vivid Bullion Bars Astra Golden Games (3 Player) Mazooma Party Time Arena (4 Player) Astra Party Time (3 Player) Astra Crazy Fruits Bellfruit
1 3 2 4 6 9 8 5 -
The Monster Eminem feat. Rihanna Animals Martin Garrix Counting Stars OneRepublic Wake Me UpAvicii Roar Katy Perry Royals Lorde Look Right Through Storm Queen Burn Ellie Goulding Talk Dirty Jason Derulo feat. 2 Chainz Wrecking Ball Miley Cyrus
This Last WeekWeek Name
ROBBIE WILLIAMS: SWINGS BOTH WAYS
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
1 3 2 -
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Albums
Members clubs 1 2 3 4 5
This Last
Based on data supplied by Soundnet
Based on data from four sites Amusement Equipment Co Ltd
CATEGORYB4 (£1/£250 Max)
Highest Earning Tracks on Sound Leisure jukeboxes
Raiders of the Lost Tenners Reflex Street Casino Storm Jackpot Island Reflex Happy Hour BFG Cops Smash n Grab BFG
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2 3 5 11 4 1 9
Swings Both Ways Robbie Williams The Marshall Mathers LP2 Eminem Shangri LA Jake Bugg Loved Me Back To Life Celine Dion The Nation’s Favourite Elvis Songs Elvis Presley Goodbye -The Greatest Hits JLS Music Of The Night Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Salute Little Mix Artpop Lady Gaga James Arthur James Arthur
Downloads This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
Based on data from representative sites. Supplied by sector professional
BASTILLE: OF THE NIGHT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
4 2 3 1 6 5 9 10
Of The Night Bastille Somewhere Only We Know Lily Allen Let Me Go Gary Barlow How Long Will I Love You Ellie Goulding The Monster Eminem ft Rihanna Animals Martin Garrix Look Right Through Storm Queen Move Little Mix Story Of My Life One Direction Counting Stars Onerepublic
Contact John Sullivan email: jsullivan@gbmedia.eu phone +44 (0) 1204 396 397
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Products Classified To advertise: Contact Kathryn Norris on 01204 396 397
Jumping to the challenge
Sega Prize is set to launch a brand new range of collectible Doodle Jump plush for 2014. A pioneer of the smartphone App phenomenon, launched in 2009, Doodle Jump is one of the longest reigning chart toppers in a handful of iOS success stories and has continued to rank highly across iPhone and Android platforms ever since.
New Cat C entrant The first production run of Crazy Vegas Category C gaming machines have rolled off the production line in Cardiff. Developed by 24 Seven Gaming, Crazy Vegas utilises Scorpion 5 technology, and is rebuilt into the Orbit cabinet.
Business Opportunities
For Sale Paignton Pier, Devon A unique opportunity to acquire an iconic pier on the English Riviera . Prime, unopposed location . Freehold . 3 year average turnover of £790,000 . Good concession income . Healthy profit margin . EPC ratings – C to F For more information please contact:
gva.co.uk/7083 08449 02 03 04
Richard Baldwin on 0113 280 8039 richard.baldwin@gva.co.uk
Wanted BARKIN’ MAD OFFER
PERFECT VISION
T8 TERMINAL AMG LEISURE / SG GAMING
CCTV EQUIPMENT CRICKLEWOOD ELECTRONICS
GC and bingo operators who purchase the latest T8 cabinet with a A choice of six games will receive the all-
he comprehensive range of CCTV equipment from Cricklewood ElecTtronics begins with a full four-camera
new game release Barkin’ Mad for free. Developed by SG Gaming and available in the UK through AMG Leisure, the T8 terminal was rolled out at ICE 2013. The multigame terminal features dual HD quality 23-inch widescreen touchscreens, a video topbox, enhanced audio and multicoloured LED lighting effects. In addition to Barkin’ Mad, the T8 features a range of new and classic game options, including Thai Flowe, Rainbow Riches Pots of Gold, Star Wars: A New Hope, Money Mad Martians Cosmic Cash and Wild Knights.
system available from £199. Included in the package are four ceiling mountable cameras, along with all the cabling required to hook them up a centralised monitor. The fully digital system captures data in real time on a hard drive that is included in the package. Through a web client the live feed from any camera can also be accessed from anywhere using mobile devices. Cricklewood’s eightcamera system includes two wallmounted devices for £349, while their most comprehensive 16 device package commies in a £599. After-sales support is included free of charge.
Coinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
USED POOL TABLES LARGE OR SMALL
WANTED FOR EXPORT Tel: (00 353) 719644043
For Sale
/LFHQVLQJ IRU \RXU EXVLQHVV DW SULFHV \RX FDQ DIIRUG &DOO 'HEELH +RXJK RQ
ZZZ FKDWWHUWRQV FRP
For Sale PINBALL HEAVEN LTD
PARTS/REPAIRS/ACCESORIES & SERVICE MACHINES BOUGHT & SOLD LARGE STOCK OF PINBALL PARTS ALWAYS AVAILABLE
TEL 01772 816677 EMAIL SALES@PINBALL.CO.UK
Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA No 44948. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority
To Advertise contact Kathryn Norris on 01204 396 397
JNC SALES £600
£500
B 350 2 B STAND
TEL: 0117 9382552 AFTERSALES TEL: 0117 9382225
TROPICANA HEX
CIRCUS CIRCUS HEX
27
Y AN RE M O M
ROCK N ROLL HEX .............. £500 TENPENNY FALLS HEX ....... £500 HAPPY DAYS HEX............... £500 BAR X WALL ....................... £500 CIRCUS CIRCUS HEX ........... £500 BILLY SMART CIRCUS ......... £500 ORBITA HEX ....................... £600 TROPICANA HEX................. £600 CARWASH HEX ....................£700 ROUTE 66 HEX ....................£700 BAR X HEX ..........................£700 JAZZ HEX ...........................£700 BIG TOP HEX .......................£700 MOONRIVER ....................... £800 ARABIAN GOLD .................. £800 MONOPOLY HEX ................ £1200 PACMAN HEX .................... £1200 CRAZY FRUITS HEX ........... £1200 PINK PANTHER HEX........... £1200
UNIT 1, CCT BUILDINGS, GREENSPLOTT ROAD, CHITTENING TRADING ESTATE, AVONMOUTH, BRISTOL. BS11 0YB 777° - -° "°1 ÊUÊ- -J - -° "°1
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TICKET
ROUTE 66 HEX
£16,995
CARWASH HEX
£700
WITH BRILLIANT
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FINANCE DEALS
AVAILABLE
MAKE ONE OF THESE PUSHERS YOUR WINTER PROJECT
HOT HOT HOT (HORIZON 2) ......... £495 RAINBOW RICHES ON THE FIDDLE (H2) .. £495 STARWARS DARKSIDE ................. £395 STARWARS DEATH STAR ASSAULT (H2) .. £395 RAINBOW RICHES REELS OF GOLD.. £395 RAINBOW RICHES ........................ £350 TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT CRAZY TRAILS .. £250 *AND MANY MORE*
MONOPOLY GOLD ........................ £695 DOND RED HOT ........................... £695 DOND PLAY THE GAME ................ £695 DOND RED MIST .......................... £695 DOND THINK BIG ......................... £545 DOND BANKERS BONUS ............... £495 TIOLI SAFE CRACKER .................. £495 DOND LIVE THE DREAM ............... £495 *AND MANY MORE*
CATC/D LO TECH
DEVIL OF A DEAL (HORIZON 2) .... £495
CAT C HIGH TECH BELLFRUIT
CAT C HIGH TECH BARCREST
WOW!
SOLID GOLD VIDEO £70 ............... £995 PARAGON TT CAT C ..................... £795 WORLD OF GAMES ....................... £795 X GAMES £70 .............................. £795 CARIBBEAN CRUISE..................... £595 STAR SPANGLED 7 £5 2PLAYER .. £595 GOLDEN BAR ............................... £495 CLOCKWORK ORANGE G2 ............ £495 CLOCKWORK ORANGE MIDI.......... £495 FIND THE LADY ........................... £495 SUPER NUDGE WINK £70 ............. £495 JOKER POKER S/D ...................... £495 GOLD FEVER £70 (CONCEPT) ...... £495 *AND MANY MORE*
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4 LANES QUBICA G N I L W O B 6 6 E T U RO
1(: ,1 $1' ,1 (;&(//(17 &21',7,21 ONLY SELLING AS MAKING WAY )25 )8// 6,=( 3,1 %2:/,1* *5($7 9$/8( $1' 5($'< 72 *2 $7 3/86 9$7 :,// &216,'(5 /$7( (48,30(17 ,1 3; ,167$//$7,21 &$1 %( $55$1*(' $7 9(5< &203(7,7,9( 5$7(
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New & Used Machine Prices Cat B3 £2 Stake
T8 VEGAS PARTY PERFORMA 22 KING OF SLOTS SLANT CASINO KING TS22 KING OF SLOTS VISION BIG PARTY 500 A-SERVE CASINO KING SLANT MEGA GAMES SLANT JACKPOT KING RUMPLE WILDSPINS
£7,995 £7,995 £7,795 £7,495 £6,995 £6,995 £5,495 £3,995 £1,495 £1,495
Cranes E CLAW 900 TWIN E CLAW COSMIC E CLAW 900 SINGLE
£8,995 £4,995 £4,495
Multiplayer Gaming RAINBOW PARTY T7 3 PLY £14,495 BULLION BARS 3 PLY COM £9,995 CRAIC IN FUN 3 PLY £8,495 PARTY TIME CLASSIC £8,495 BANK RAID 3 PLY £7,495
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Sponsored by
Current Team Position Name
Manager Name
1
KEEDAY RESERVES
Peter Holmes
2
ABOVE STANDARDS
Lee Clarke
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5
Total Points
Current Team Position Name
51
536
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HOLTY'S HOTSPOTS
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Weekly Points
Total Points
Current Team Position Name
53
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Tracey Dibben
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Coinslot NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2013
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Comment Everything must change
Glass half full?
alex lee comment hile Status Quo may not be playing on the jukebox so much these days, it looks like there’s some striking similarities between the pub scene of 1981 and how it is now, judging by an old newspaper article. I managed to hunt down a 1981 copy of Leisure Play recently and I came across an article by Keith Whittaker, entitled: “How the breweries and the operators learned to live with one another”. I was expecting to see a huge difference from the state of play between now (32 years later) and then. Some of the similarities between now and then, however, are staggering. Swap ‘successor for Space Invaders’ for ‘ new wave of SWP’, ‘club machine’ for ‘FOBT’ and ‘£2 in tokens, £1 in cash’ for ‘£100’, and you’re on the right track. To quote Whittaker:“Since the mid-60s, breweries have shown an interest in amusement machines as a source of additional revenue.Their involvement has now grown to such an extent that most big breweries have separate departments and machine controllers to oversee their amusement machine operation... to make sure their company gets the maximum benefit from each machine, and they are quick to put the finger on the ones which are losing popularity. “One brewery spokesman admitted that three months was regarded as about the maximum life of a video machine. But he added:“If the operator is doing his job he shouldn’t need us to tell him the machine needs changing. His own figures will show it. “New legislation which came into force on February 16 gave operators a fresh challenge and a chance to prove how efficient
W
“
they are.From that date the prizes for AWPs were increased to £2 in tokens and £1 in cash on a 10p play. “One operator explained: ‘We’ve got to spend time talking to the people at the brewery to convince them we have the know-how and resources to help them make money’. “Some operators have set up their own research and manufacturing units. One is a unique line in microchip controlled fruit machines which can be reprogrammed to offer the customer a different game. Meanwhile, everyone is searching for a successor to Space Invaders. “Meanwhile, the AWP can now cough up £2 in tokens and £1 in cash, but the breweries don’t expect to lose any sleep, or revenue. In fact the extra incentive is likely to attract more than enough cash to offset the bigger payouts. Club machines offer the really big jackpots, as well as helping to keep subscriptions and bar prices down. “So do the breweries feel bitter about the fact that the law prevents them from installing jackpot machines in pubs?Apparently not. Said one brewery man:‘The machines in pubs today are just a space-age extension of the traditional games. If people started going into pubs to win big money the whole style and atmosphere would change. We don’t want that’.” Having had views from the likes of Sceptre, Gamestec and the IOA in recent editions, the bottom line in 2013, it seems, is that something has to give. And this can only happen through immediate full and frank discussion between the operators and the pubcos.
Controversy over number of pub
TV gambling ads are BBPA has been accu
alex lee media watch he Financial Times has reported that TV gambling Tadverts have increased sixfold since liberalisation. The number of gambling adverts on television has increased sixfold to 1.4m since the market was liberalised in 2007, according to research from media regulator Ofcom. The figures will add to the debate over the potentially harmful effects of the betting industry, which has boomed in recent years but is now facing increasing scrutiny from politicians. Ofcom published a report showing that gambling accounted for 4.1 per cent of all advertising spots across commercial television in 2012 - up from just 0.7 per cent in 2006. Of the 1.4m gambling adverts on TV in 2012, 532,000 were for bingo; 411,000 were for online casino and poker services; 355,000 were for lotteries and scratch cards; and 91,000 for sports betting. Separately, Clive Efford, Labour’s shadow minister for sport, called on the gov-
ernment to conduct a review of the prevalence of gambling advertising and its impact on children. Gambling adverts on TV were permitted following the Gambling Act 2005, which came into force in September 2007. Before then, the only gambling advertising that was permitted was for bingo premises, football pools and the National Lottery. Political scrutiny of gambling companies has increased this year, particularly over the potential social dangers of FOBTs. The RGT, a charity whose research is watched closely by the government, is due to publish a report on FOBTs next year. In September, the charity widened the scope of its research to include gambling advertising and online gambling. Criticism of FOBTs in the UK continued last week with a House of Lords debate on the subject of the proposed new stakes and prizes for all levels of gambling machines in the UK, according to the Intergame website.
During a debate, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch expressed “major concerns” over the terminals and increasing evidence of the harm that the machines are having on individuals and local communities through the proliferation of LBOs. Jones said: “These machines are the source of some of the worst examples of gambling addiction. The speed of play is faster than a roulette table, and it can happen without any staff contact or intervention. Meanwhile bookmakers containing these machines are being clustered in some of the poorest high streets in Britain and local authorities have limited control over their expansion as in planning law they are classified in the same class as banks and building societies.” Lord Bates, responding, reported that the government had sought quantifiable evidence on the impact of a reduction in stakes and prizes on the machines but the evidence was inconclusive. The government “remains concerned about
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“Gambling now accounts for more television advertising spots than cars, or travel and transport.”
TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE
Email: al@sjc.co.uk
RESEARCH ON TV GAMBLING ADVERTS, OFCOM
“ ”
quote unquote
“Ready, set, shop! Brick-and-mortar retailers are getting aggressive this gift-giving season in an attempt to draw consumers into their stores. What does this mean for bulk vending operators and other coin-op professionals with mall and big box store accounts?”
Industry must learn from mistakes
HANK SCHLESINGER, THE VENDING TIMES
“Opening an arcade specialising only in video amusements in this day and age is certainly unheard of. But despite the odds not one, but two Japanese dedicated game arcades have opened up in England in the past six months.” TOBY NAKHORN, COIN-OP COMMUNITY
“Okay, 1,000 Gauselmann video-based AWPs going into a UK market likely to take 12,000 machines in total in the next year isn’t actually 12 per cent. Some people noted that from one of my previous moans on the subject.” DAVID SNOOK, INTERGAME
freddy bailey politics ur industry must learn from our past mistakes O regarding legislation if we
of pub closures
mbling ads are at an all-time high, FOBTs are still causing widespread concern and the has been accused of ‘duping’ the government over pub closure figures.
these machines” and their potential association with an elevated risk of gamblingrelated harm, said Bates, adding that monitoring of the machines would continue. And finally, Greg Mulholland has accused the BBPA of ‘duping’ the government over pub closure figures, according to the Morning Advertiser. Pub closure figures taken from CGA Strategy’s Outlet Index show the number of ‘nonmanaged’ pubs declined from 32,117 in December 2005 to 27,000 in March 2013 - a fall of 15.9 per cent. By contrast, the number of pubs in the independent free trade (IFT) fell by 9.5 per cent in the same period, from 22,324 to 20,193. However, pub company representatives, in an effort to show that the tenanted model remains competitive, regularly claim that more free-of-tie pubs are closing than tied pubs. In June, Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, told the Parliamentary Business, Innovation & Skills Com-
mittee: “Free-of-tie pubs are closing at a faster rate than tied pubs. That is real evidence. It comes out of a number of surveys taken over a whole period of years.” Greg Mulholland MP, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, said: “Pub net closures have repeatedly been misinterpreted in the media, by the industry and by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. It is now time the Government admitted it has been duped by the pubcos and their discredited lobbying body, the BBPA.” However, Jon Collins, chief executive of CGA Strategy, refused to criticise the BBPA’s use of the pub closure figures. “There’s a legitimate way of looking at the numbers from both angles. It has not been a case of the BBPA massaging the figures. Actual closure figures between the IFT and the non-man-
Freddy Bailey, who has been in the coin-op industry for more than 60 years, and now manufactures and operates in the US as president of The Game World Group, has grave concerns about the continued operation of FOBTs in bookmakers.
aged sectors have always been similar. At any given time you can show that one has declined faster than the other.” There were 7,025 IFT pub closures compared with 5,641 nonmanaged closures between 2005 and 2013. However, when openings and transfers in and out of the tenure groupings are taken into account, the highest rate of decline is in the managed sector, followed by non-managed, then IFT. A BBPA spokesman said: “Any suggestion that we have issued misleading figures on pub closures, or sought to misrepresent those figures, is totally incorrect. Whatever your perspective on the net or gross figures, it is quite clear the problem of pub closures should not be presented as a tied pub issue. It affects the entire sector and is caused by a complex range of other factors.”
are to protect all sectors within. During the debate on fixed odds betting terminals in the House of Commons on November 18,Lord Bates made reference to The Responsible Gambling Trust that were helping with the enquiry into Gambling Addiction. What they don’t seem to understand, or do not want to understand, is that several trustees of that body have vested interests in the very same FOBTs that was a vocal point of the debate, namely Carl Leaver - a Coral/Gala executive,Ralph Topping - an executive of The William Hill Organisation and Richard Glynn chief executive of Ladbrokes. This group of executives control the majority of betting shops in the UK so it is highly unlikely that they are going to contribute to an honest report on the FOBTs in question. This week I had a ‘scout’ from our industry visit a London-based betting office. While he was there, he witnessed a punter playing one of the FOBTs, and after he witnessed him play for two hours, he had lost £2,500. There is no other establishment that this punter could have lost such an amount on a gaming device outside of a full
blown casino. Regarding the reference to the coin pushers, by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, I tend to agree with her that the placement of these machines even in seaside arcades should not be located next to Category C gaming machines. Personally, I would like to see the placement of the Category C machines that are in the traditional seaside arcades located in a separate area entirely from the coin pushers and other novelty type games. We must also stress to the Gambling Commission that the majority of coin pushers make more money on two pence play that any other denomination. We should support and help the Baroness Jones with her work in wanting to protect the children from the perils of today’s society, I applaud her fine work on this subject, as you all know, I have long been an advocate of children’s charities, when I was on the fundraising committee of the Irish Amusement Caterers Association, we adopted Our Ladies Hospital for Sick Children, raising many thousands of pounds for that good cause. The industry has to be aware of the perils to the future of our industry. If we want to stay in the fruit machine business, we must fight the powers that be.
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Newsweek IAAPA EXPO DRAWS THOUSANDS housands of amusement industry professionals from around the world assembled at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando last week for the IAAPA Attractions Expo. A programme of conferences, with speakers including Blackpool Pleasure Beach managing director Amanda Thompson, began a day earlier, ensuring hundreds of delegates were already on site at the venue. This year’s IAAPA event covered 522,000 square feet of exhibition space, indoors and out, and saw around 1,100 exhibitors present their latest products, with those
T
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BACTA: EAG coming at opportune moment ACTA has hailed January’s EAG Expo as arriving at precisely the right time on the coin-op calendar. With the new stake and prize limits proposed under the triennial review expected to arrive around the end of January or early February, the trade association said EAG will provide the perfect setting to assess new opportunities for amusement equipment. Leslie MacLeod-Miller, BACTA chief executive, commented:“EAG
B
from the coin-op amusement sector sitting alongside theme park, family entertainment centre and other attractions suppliers. DUBAI EXPO CONTINUES SUCCESS haikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
S
chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts, inaugurated the sixth edition of the Big Entertainment Show in Dubai last week. The BES embraces three specialised events: the Dubai International Brand and Licensing Fair, MYCONTENT and the Dubai World Game Expo. The Big Entertainment
International is well established as the annual showcase for the industry’s latest products, but it is also the event to which BACTA members from across the country come together to discuss the state of the industry and how we can continue to innovate. “Our sector has struggled over regulation, a lack of consistency in opportunities to offer games to adult customers, a new tax regime and a frustrating delay by the regulator and the government in ensurShow has become the largest show in the Middle East, with the Dubai World Game Expo the largest event for video games and digital entertainment industry in the Middle East and North Africa region. Tariq Al Madani, managing director of Index Conferences and Exhibitions, said BES had
ing that online gambling is treated in the same way both for social and tax purposes as the traditional land-based sector. “Despite these challenges the industry has a history of being able to bounce back and EAG International is a platform that demonstrates the resilience,ingenuity and determination of an industry that provides fun, entertainment and thousands of jobs in the UK.“EAG International represents the very best of the amusement industry.”
recorded massive success in the past five years, adding that the region’s online gaming industry was booming. He commented: “The number of internet users in the Middle East reached 70 million this year, and is expected to reach 150m in 2015. “Moreover, the revenues from the online gam-
ing industry in the Middle East reached $100m this year, compared to $70m last year.”
Calendar UK EVENTS DECEMBER 2013 6 BACTA North West region annual charity ball Imperial Hotel in Blackpool www.barbarathompson@cuerdenleisure.co.uk
JANUARY 2014 21-23 EAG International 2014 ExCeL London London UK www.eagexpo.com
FEBRUARY 2014 4-6 ICE Totally Gaming ExCeL London UK www.icetotallygaming.com
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS DECEMBER 2013 5-7 Atrax 2013 Istanbul Expo Center Istanbul Turkey www.tureksfuar.com.tr
10-12 ECA Slot Summit Enghienles-Bains France www.slotsummit.com
JANUARY 2014 14-17 IMA 2014 Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre Düsseldorf Germany www.ima-messe.com
FEBRUARY 2014 5-7 IAAPI Bombay Exhibition Centre Goregaon India www.iaapi.org
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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.
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Gold Run 3 Player............................ TBC Roll Up Roll Up................................ TBC
Concept Games
Golden Winner Deluxe.................... TBC Silver And Gold................................ TBC
JPM
Magic 6............................................£99.00
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