Price: £2.50
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....It is an opportunity 4 for the tourism 10 industry that should 11 not be missed.... 16 18 19 22 24
Commission publish codes of practice tom SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Gambling Commission has published an updated version of the Gambling Codes of Practice - consolidated for all forms of gambling. The document contains the associated codes of practice to assist licensing authorities in determining premises applications and inspecting premises, while giving operators clear guidelines of how to be compliant with the parts of the Gambling Act relevant to their premises.
hile it comes in at a lengthy 42 pages,the Gambling Commission’s newly-published Gambling Codes of Practice document should ensure that all landbased premises - and their remote counterparts - which offer forms of gambling in the UK are fully compliant with the terms and conditions of the Gambling Act. The codes specify a number of requirements related to social responsibility issues and these may be of particular interest where an authority has concern about such matters as protection of the young and vulnerable. This version of the consolidated codes reflects the revisions made to LCCP published in May 2014, which came into force on 4 August 2014. The codes also apply to situations in which gambling is being offered without an operator’s licence from the Commission, such as the code of practice for equal chance gaming and the code for gaming machines in clubs and premises with an alcohol licence. The document, as expected, focuses heavily on protecting chil-
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Snapshot: access to gambling by PART OF THE NEW CONSOLIDATED CODES OF PRACTICE DOCUMENT CONCERNS WHAT FEC AND BINGO OPERATORS NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN GAINING ACCESS TO MACHINES.
The conditions below apply to all non-remote bingo and family entertainment centre licences 1. The Commission considers acceptable forms of identification to include: any identification carrying the PASS logo (for example Citizencard or Validate); a driving licence (including a provisional licence) with photocard; or a passport. 2. Licensees should require a person who appears to relevant staff to be under the age of 21 to be asked to produce proof of age, either at the point of entry
to the gambling area or as soon as it comes to the attention of staff that they wish to access gambling facilities. 3. Licensees should have procedures for dealing with cases where an adult knowingly or recklessly allows a child or
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23 August 15 - August 21, 2014 • No. 2381 • www.coinslot.co.uk
dren from gambling in all types of premises. To use the first of four paragraphs of the AGC stipulations as an example, the document states:“The Commission considers acceptable forms of identification to include any identification carrying the PASS logo (for example Citizencard or Validate); a driving licence (including a provisional licence) with photocard; or a passport.” In similar fashion,the document also focuses on responsible gambling among adults and how to help ‘problem gamblers’. In terms of customer interaction, for example, something which the government has been keen to encourage as regards the use of FOBTs,the document states: “Licensees must put into effect policies and procedures for customer interaction where they have concerns that a customer’s behaviour may indicate problem gambling. The policies must include: “Identification of the appropriate level of management who may initiate customer interaction and
the procedures for doing so, “The types of behaviour that will be logged/reported to the appropriate level of staff and which may trigger customer interaction at an appropriate moment, “The circumstances in which consideration should be given to refusing service to customers and/or barring them from the operator’s gambling premises, “Training for all staff on their respective responsibilities, in particular so that they know who is designated to deal with problem gambling issues.” As implied in the title, the document is incredibly thorough and on first inspection looks like it has left no stone unturned. It includes, for example, a simple-to-decipher chart explaining what the gaming entitlements are for clubs and alcohol-licensed premises.While the GamblingAct is by no means everyone’s cup of tea it seems that for the first time since its implementation in 2007 the ‘song sheet’ is finally there in one place for everyone to sing from.
mbling by children - bingo and FECs
young person to gamble. These procedures might include refusing to allow the adult to continue to gamble, removing them from the premises, and reporting the incident to the police or local authorities, or taking action where forged
identification is produced. 4. Procedures should be put into effect for dealing with cases where a child or young person repeatedly attempts to gamble on their premises, including oral warnings, reporting the offence to the Gambling Commission and the police, and making available information on problem gambling to the child or young person concerned. 5. Where it is likely that customers’ young or otherwise vulnerable children will be left unattended on or adjacent to their premises, licensees should consider reminding customers of their parental responsibilities and assess whether there is a need to develop procedures for minimising the risk to such children.
Astra Gaming Group posts profits during industry’s darkest hour FINANCIAL REPORT
It says something about a company’s resilience when it can turn a profit in the worst of economic times. Such was the Astra Gaming Group’s report for the year ending 2013 - which offers hope to the direction fiscal performance seems to be taking in the industry. Talk of ‘clear sky’ in the commentary, but the UK’s gaming giant explains that there remain sectors where the clouds are just continuing to hang around. he Astra Gaming Group (the wholly owned UK subsidiary of Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH, (AGI) part of the Novomatic Group) has published its financial results for the year to December 2013.The combined figures, which show a gross profit of £44m against total revenue of £87m, include operating profit of £1.8m. Profit before tax for the year stood at £29m, up from £10m in 2012.The growth was assisted during the year by a significant dividend from group undertakings. Trading at the Group, which comprises Astra Games, Bell-Fruit Games,Empire Games,Gamestec, Mazooma Interactive Games and RLMS Sales, has been described by the board as ‘satisfactory’. However, it noted that profitability has come at a price due to poor margins and the restrictive nature of the market, especially in relation to Gamestec’s operations in the pub sector. Group CEO Zane Mersich summarised the performance, saying: “We are pleased to be able to deliver a financial report that shows a healthy profit against a backdrop of continued tough trading and an industry business model that is at best challenging. While the group is evidently in a strong position, it is vital that we remain mindful of the exigent conditions facing the industry as a whole and ensure that we constantly seek to improve all areas of our business.” Among the key factors that contributed to a testing period of trading in 2013 were closures and falling revenues from the arcade and bingo sectors.The pub segment, also, came under pressure
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during the period. Commenting on the outlook, Mersich stated:“The expectation is that 2014 will deliver better results than those of the preceding year as the general state of the economy improves and we begin to see some clear sky between the present economic conditions and those of the past few years.” He concluded:“Adult gaming centres and bingo halls will still have difficulty competing with the much harder gaming offerings in the licensed betting office and online sectors, with far higher stakes and prizes; however, they may begin to regain some lost ground and smart operators will look to invest in their businesses in earnest. This coming year may herald some signs of the smaller but healthier market alluded to in previous reports.”
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Domestic tourism recovers after strong Easter STAYCATIONS
Great Britain enjoyed strong growth in domestic tourism over Easter, helping offset some of the losses experienced during the floods and wet weather earlier this year, according to the latest figures published on August 8. ccording to VisitEngland’s latest survey, Great Britain enjoyed strong growth in domestic tourism over Easter, a statistic which has hopefully been reflected in cashbox takings around the nation. The results of the Great British Tourism Survey, released by VisitEngland,
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show that there were 5m domestic holiday trips in Great Britain inApril,a 16 per cent year-on-year increase on April 2013 figures. Tourism spend for the month was up 15 per cent year-on-year to over £1bn. Strong April growth helped push up year-to-date
Man jailed for Kent FEC raid
figures, which had been hit by the wet weather and floods experienced at the beginning of the year. According to the survey, there were 12.5m domestic holiday trips in January-April 2014, a 3 per cent increase on the same period last year. Spend rose by 8 per cent
Operator speaks out about B3 machine prices CATEGORY B3
CRIME
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26-year-old man has been jailed for raiding a seaside amusement arcade in Kent and assaulting a police officer. A judge sentenced Gary Grannells, of Notting Hill, west London, to six years and eight months at Isleworth Crown Court. Grannells had previously admitted handling stolen goods and two counts of assaulting a police officer causing actual bodily harm at a hearing in October 2013 and was convicted of burglary in June this year. He had denied burglary after the cash raid at Mr G’s arcade on The Promenade in Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey in June 2013.
VistEngland said early indications point to a strong summer for domestic tourism in England, with 90 per cent of tourism businesses expressing confidence for the summer months and 70 per cent of accommodation providers reporting strong bookings for the school holidays.“It is fantastic to see a boost in domestic holiday trips and spend for April and businesses feeling confident as the summer holiday period gets well underway,”said VisitEngland CEO James Berresford. “This demonstrates the year-on-year to over £2.7bn. resilience of the tourism In England,domestic trips industry following the increased by 10 per cent in impact of the extreme April 2014,helping bring Jan- weather earlier this year and uary-April figures back to a the success of the flood suppar with 2013. Domestic port campaign.We have seen tourism spend rose 5 per the trend to holiday at home cent in England inApril,with soar in the past five years and January-April spend up 6 per it’s a trend we’re confident will continue.” cent.
Experienced high street adult gaming centre operator Stuart Richards has spoken out about what he believes to be unfair pricing with regards the Category B3 sector.
C operator Stuart Richards has spoken out about what he G believes to be unfair pricing and the fact that the AGC sector has to wait up to six months after B3 games come out in licenced betting offices before they are made available to high street gaming outlets. Richards believes that now is as good a time as any to put two open questions to the manufacturers,distributors, and the R&D departments who make the games that AGC owners operate on B3. He stated: “Firstly, why do the bookies have access to the B3 games sometimes as much as six to twelve months before they are released to the AGC industry? Secondly,why are the games that we install on our B3 machines so vastly overpriced?” Richards continued:“Please don’t tell me that it is the research and development that goes into making games such
as Thai Flower, Jackpot Genie etc. I make the comparison of the current crop of B3 games as like a visit to your local Chinese restaurant. They have 95 main dishes on their menus but 90 of them have the same sauce. You can buy a compendium of three games for around the £2,000 mark only to look at the games on your other B3 machines in your premises and find you may have virtually the same game with different symbols and sound effects.” He concluded: “I am not sure who is ultimately responsible for the bookies getting games months before AGCs and that is why I have asked the question of manufacturers, distributors and games designers. Maybe we will get a reply from them.I hope so,as it is surely of great interest to all who operate B3 machines and spend their ever decreasing budgets on ever increasing and sometimes inferior games.
Email: al@sjc.co.uk
Pubcos unite to support Tax Equality Day SINGLE SITE
ight pub companies have so far pledged to Esupport Tax Equality day on 24 September, a national day of action which involves lowering prices on food and drink by 7.5 per cent for the day to simulate a cut in VAT to 5 per cent. Participants include St Austell, JD Wetherspoon, Fuller’s, Punch Taverns, Charles Wells,Whiting and Hammond and Shepherd Neame.Wadworth’s managed estate is the latest to join the campaign.At present, all food and drink in pubs is subject to 20 per cent VAT, compared to supermarkets which benefit from a zero VAT rate. A spokesperson for Jacques Borel’s VAT Club, which has spearheaded the day, said “many more” pub companies are set to confirm their support throughout August and September. He added that it is expected at least 15,000 outlets will take part in the day - the same number it is thought engaged in the first Tax Parity Day in September 2014. The name changed to Tax Equality Day earlier this year following suggestions by campaign members to help improve trade and consumer understanding of the cause. He also announced that London-based gastropub operator Renaissance Pubs, which operates seven sites, is the latest to join the VAT Club.
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INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE
B2B COMMENT NEWSWEEK REPORT The role of coin-op continues to prosper in the UK’s bowling centre and cineplexes. Essential Guide explores. 11
Fantasy Island amusement park enters administration AMUSEMENT PARKS
Fantasy Island, one of the east coast’s most popular amusement attractions, has run into financial difficulties but will continue to operate through the summer season. incolnshire County Council has admitted it is concerned after the company which runs the Fantasy Island amusement park near Skegness went into administration. The appointed administrator said the park would operate as usual while it reviewed Fantasy Island’s finances and no job losses were expected among permanent or seasonal staff during the summer season. However, it gave no indication of what the long-term future held for the popular amusement attraction. Councillor Colin Davie said: “Fantasy Island has been, for many years, a key tourist attraction on the Lincolnshire coast so we are, of course, concerned by
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today’s news. “However, local tourism is booming on the coast and across Lincolnshire, so we would be very surprised if the site did close - particularly at this time of year. “The previous and present owners have invested positively in the area over the past few years and become an important part of the local community, as well as being a significant employer of local people. I’m sure many will be shocked by today’s news and will be very sorry to see them go.” Fantasy Island, a 41-acre site in Ingoldmells near Skegness, employs 52 permanent and 120 seasonal staff. The amusement park is also home to what is
described as “Europe’s largest seven-day market” and 340 static caravan pitches. In a statement, Duff and Phelps Administrators said: “The administrators will evaluate the prospects of the various businesses before engaging with any parties interested in acquiring the business, its land or any assets,although registrations of interest are welcome.” Paul Clark, joint administrator, commented:“Fantasy Island is an important leisure destination that attracts up to 40,000 visitors a day. “As we head into one of the busiest months of the year it is very much business as usual and customers should be assured that this
will not impact their experience, whether they are visiting the rides,market or one of the shows. “It’s also important for employees to know that their jobs will not be impacted during these busy summer months and we look forward to working with the team.” East Lindsey District Council portfolio holder for economic development Craig Leyland said: “It’s always disappointing when a business finds itself in financial difficulty. Fantasy Island is an important visitor attraction for Ingoldmells and the wider district and we hope the administrators are able to find a way forward that secures the future of the site and jobs long term.”
Nottingham scene adds weight to coin-op video revival VIDEO GAMES
he Nottingham Post has noted something of a Tcomeback in arcade video gaming in the city. Ride bar on Forman Street has a tabletop machine offering a selection of 60 classic arcade titles, ranging from firm favourites such as Pac-man, Space Invaders and Donkey Kong to excellent oddities like Qix and Pooyan. There is a similar retro table in The Old Angel on Stoney Street as well as a hulking Tekken 3 cabinet. Cookie Shake (Parliament Street) has a hefty
Neo-Geo cabinet, currently sporting the fine footy game Super Sidekicks at 20p a credit. There is also a Nintendo 64 console set-up on free play, which offers multi-player Mario Kart and GoldenEye battles. Further free gaming can be found downstairs at Urban Outfitters (Victoria Centre), which has a pair of Sega Megadrives playing a selection of classic cartridges including Toejam & Earl, Street Fighter II and Sonic. The Bank on Beastmar-
ket Hill has Stern’s fastpaced Spider-man pinball table, while the Tap’n’Tumbler on Wollaton Street has the Family Guy pintable, as well as a pristine upright retro classics coin-op hosting Galaxian, 1942 and the like. Finally, Suede on Heathcoat Street is looking to source a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles arcade cabinet and is offering free pizza for a month to anyone who can help them find a reasonably priced machine.
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Bell-Fruit Group launches new website
Commission launches new consultation
ONLINE
LEGISLATION
The Gambling Commission has launched a consultation asking for views from the public and the industry on the levels and nature of social responsibility protections that gambling operators must provide. consultation has been launched by the Gambling Commission regarding social responsibility in the gambling sector. The consultation comes at a key point for gambling regulation in Great Britain, as public awareness about gambling is heightens and advances in technology and changes in consumer preference are offering new opportunities which broaden the chances for gambling-related issues. The Commission explained: “Operators are coming to terms increasingly with taking prime responsibility for their products, which are fun for most but pose real risk of serious harm for some.
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The new laws on online gambling mean that effective and proportionate harm prevention measures can be implemented across the board without our licensees being undercut by operators from less demanding jurisdictions.” The consultation proposes a number of specific changes to social responsibility provisions in the light of experience (for example, participation in a national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling and the introduction of compulsory third party testing for the majority of operators). It also invites informed public debate on how far to constrain the leisure pursuits of the many to
prevent serious harm to the few. The Commission believes that the consultation offers an opportunity for everyone to have their say on these critical questions, and indeed, enables the regulator to continue monitoring its raison d’etre: ensuring that gambling remains crime-free, is fair and open and protects children and vulnerable people. The Commission stated: “We are now consulting on proposals that reflect developments in social responsibility practice and significantly improved understanding of risk since 2007.” Not all the proposals in this consultation are for specific changes to the Commission’s tar-
geted aims at this stage, although many are. Some are proposed to stimulate a wider debate on a number of key issues. This consultation is proposing a sharpening of long-standing principles, with a clearer explanation of why they are important. The Commission added:“But we are also seeking to inform and shape the current debate about the place of gambling in Britain today, so the public, the industry and regulators can develop and deliver an effective regulatory framework.” The response form is available on the Commission’s website www.gamblingcommission. gov.uk.
Concept ventures out with Onsite 100
New BACTA chief makes instant mark with charity ride
CONVERSION
CHARITY
rebuild and conversion specialist Concept Games have creLatedeeds-based a new “on site” service and conversion arm to their range of rebuild machines and conversion kits by fitting their successful range of Triennial revue kits in customers own premises. Concept’s David Garforth commented: “Nowadays with AGC and FEC businesses being tight up against budgets the customers don’t always have proficient engineers available to fit conversion kits and repair machines and many of the best taking machines are in need of maintenance that is specialised, we have recently converted machines for several customers as a ‘kit and fit’ on-site service which went so well that it has been decided to roll out this service to any customer who needs this service. Not only do we fit our
£100 and 20p £10 kits to machines but will carry out repairs and refurbish at the same time.” This way, believes Garforth, the customer guarantees a swift easy trouble free change whilst breathing new life into older less popular machines. He added:“The customers have really liked seeing their machine transformed in front of their eyes, set up and being played even before we leave, and some of our customers’ own Electrocoin base machines are in really good condition, so they like keeping them. We clean, convert and repair if necessary and add some nice touches to the cabinet.” Garforth concluded: “Transporting a used machine can often result in faults occurring but with the on-site service the machine is set up and operators can experience the machine working well before we leave the site.”
ohn White, BACTA’s new CEO, completed the Prudential Ride London - Surrey 100 last weekend,and has the Jmedal to prove it.The start at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park proved the perfect place for setting off,with the spectacular backdrop of the velodrome and stadium. The remnants of Hurricane Bertha did its best to spoil the BACTA chief’s first ever 100 mile cycle,but in the end he pedalled through the high winds, torrential rain and flooded roads to cross the finish line in the Mall in an official time of five hours 13 minutes. The Surrey 100 was reduced by the organisers to 86 miles cutting out the infamous and treacherous climbs on safety grounds.Most riders would have been delighted by this decision, but not White - he was disappointed not to have had the opportunity to do the entire course. Commenting on the race,White said:“My favourite moment of the race was the wind behind me doing a steady 23mph on London’s closed roads knowing a hot bath wasn’t too far away and the enormous sense of achievement having crossed the finishing line and raising a significant amount of money for my chosen charity, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.” White raised over £1,300 and thanks BACTA members for sponsoring him.
Bell-Fruit Group went live week with a new version Tof itshelastcorporate website. The portal www.bellfruitgames.co.uk - has been given a new redesign to offer a sharper, cleaner and brighter experience that is now securely aligned with the brand values of parent company Novomatic. Visitors to the site will benefit from a more streamlined and straightforward approach to finding information on new and current product styles across the Bell-Fruit Group. They can also learn more about the heritage of the Bell-Fruit brand and
its corporate structure including group brands Bell-Fruit Games, QPS Interactive, Mazooma Interactive Games and RLMS. The aim of the redesign, says Bell-Fruit, is to provide customers and journalists with a more direct route to information regarding new game developments as well as easy access to the company’s official press statements. Links to sister companies within the Astra Gaming Group and to parent company Novomatic’s in-house magazine also feature prominently. BFG’s sales and marketing director John McLoughlin commented: “We are justifiably proud of the new look and feel of the Bell-Fruit Group website. Central to the new design was the necessity to more accurately characterise the company as a forward looking innovator, while also acknowledging an illustrious past that spans more than 50 years. As such we now have a website that fulfils those criteria and truly represents the Bell-Fruit brand of today.”
Dedicated to the UK market. Relaxed, sociable & friendly. Review this year’s products & preview next.
www.coin-opshow.co.uk 15th & 16th October 2014 Chelsea Football Club T: +44 (0)1582 767 254 E: karencooke@swanevents.co.uk
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St Ives named most expensive UK seaside resort
Top 20 most expensive seaside resorts in the UK
REPORT
The price alongside the location is the based on the cheapest available double room near a beach in a hotel rated three stars or higher.
A Cornwall coastal town has been named the most expensive seaside resort in Britain, with an average price tag of £123 per night, in a survey conducted by Cheaprooms.co.uk. ccording to a report by Cheaprooms.co.uk, St Ives is the most expensive seaside resort in Britain, as its hotel prices are double those of some of its coastal competitors, such as Aberystwyth in Wales. Welsh resort Tenby (£107) and Cowes in Isle of Wight (£94) finished second and third in the top 20 list, compiled using the cheapest price of a double
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room in accommodation near a beach rating three stars or higher in August. Dartmouth in Devon (£87) and Barmouth in Wales (£86) make up the top five most expensive seaside towns in the UK, the survey found. Two further Cornwallbased resorts rank in the top 10 - Falmouth and Padstow sharing sixth with Scotland’s Oban at an average rate of £84 a night.
Malcolm Bell,head ofVisit Cornwall, said in defence of the county:“Cornwall has a quality tourism product with a wide range of accommodation suitable for all budgets.At the higher end of our offering visitors are willing to pay a premium price for a quality product ...why should this be any different for accommodation? As an industry we should be proud of our quality product, not ashamed of its
worth. Cornwall is well loved and has a loyal fan base, and with such a broad offering, there’s something for every price bracket.” Brighton ranks ‘just’ 17th, while a host of coin-op strongholds such as Blackpool, Great Yarmouth, Scarborough, Skegness, Weston-Super-Mare, Weymouth and the like fail to trouble the top 20 list du to offering cheaper accommodation.
1. St Ives (Cornwall) £123 2. Tenby (Wales) £107 3. Cowes (Isle of Wight) £94 4. Dartmouth (Devon) £87 5. Barmouth (Wales) £86 6. Falmouth (Cornwall) £84 6. Oban (Scotland) £84 6. Padstow (Cornwall) £84 9. Swansea (Wales) £83 10. Swanage (Dorset) £81 11. Penzance (Cornwall) £81 12. Bude (Cornwall) £78 13. Worthing (Sussex) £75 14. Whitby (Yorkshire) £74 15. Brixham (Devon) £73 16. Ayr (Scotland) £72 17. Brighton (Sussex) £71 17. Southend-on-Sea (Essex) £71 19. Margate (Kent) £70 20. Aberystwyth (Wales) £68
Innovative Cambridge bowling Technology expands centre evacuated into Milton Keynes CASH HANDLING
TENPIN
ecently-named the 13th fastest growing R private company in
undreds of people were evacuated from Cambridge H Leisure Park last week after an
Britain, Innovative Technology has opened a new office in Milton Keynes. As part of this expansion, the banknote validator manufacturer, which has headquarters in Oldham,is also planning on a recruitment drive in the new offices. Recruitment manager Carole Harker commented:“The new office in Milton Keynes will allow us to strengthen the research and development team, working on blue chip
projects to ensure we continue to live up to our name, producing innovative, technologically advanced products for the cash handling industry. We will be at MK:One for the MK Jobs Show on 20-21 September.”
smell could be coming from the drainage system. A spokesperson from Cam‘unidentified odour’ made cus- bridgeshire Fire and Rescue tomers feel unwell. The smell of said: “People were complaingas led to the evacuation of ing of feeling sick but no both Cambridge Cineworld and ambulance was required.” the nearby bowling alley. National Grid confirmed the smell was “an unnatural gas” and Cambridgeshire fire and rescue were sent to the incident. Anglian Water was sent to the scene to investigate further. It is believed that the
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Gamestec ready to play dirty for charity OPERATORS
ajor UK machine operator, Gamestec, M has gathered a team of brave individuals to take part in Tough Mudder North West on September 13 in aid of the Rays of Sunshine charity.The team, led by commercial director Peter Davies,will take on a 12-mile assault course at Cholmondeley Estate in Cheshire that is peppered with extreme obstacles designed by special forces personnel. They include the eyewatering ‘Arctic Enema’, ‘Fire in your hole’,‘Electric Eel’ and ‘Everest’ as well as mud crawls, barbed wire, tunnels and hills. Looking ahead to the half marathon with a wicked twist, Davies noted:“We’re excited and somewhat apprehensive to be taking part in this event which will be a real physical and mental challenge and enables us to raise money for an incredibly worthwhile cause. We have a great team, aptly titled ‘Muddy Hell Fire’, comprising friends and colleagues from the industry including Lee Jefferson, Steve Price, Tony Glanville, Lee Murden, and Gary Hardy. The aim is to generate as much money for Rays of Sunshine as possible while tackling one of the most formidable challenges of its kind. We’re raring to go!” Anyone wishing to make a contribution should visit www.justgiving.com/MuddyHellFire
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2381-p10-Amusements_Coinslot NEW 12/08/2014 16:26 Page 1
Amusements PIERS
astbourne Borough Council has promised to open the resort’s fire-hit pier in “months rather than years” in order to protect the livelihoods of its traders. Council bosses met with management and stakeholders last week to discuss the long and short term future of the Grade II-listed structure and the effects on those who have businesses on it. David Tutt, leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said the pier’s management expect to have the surviving two thirds reopen in “months rather than years”. This was confirmed by pier manager Christos Stylianou, who said he hoped the undamaged part of the pier would be open to the public from September onwards. Stylianou also revealed insurers had verified that the damage caused by the fire was covered by owner Six Piers’insurance policies and work could begin on rebuilding the decimated amusement arcade building. He praised his staff for
Email: al@sjc.co.uk
Survey reveals seaside set for summer boost
E
TOURISM
new survey has discovered that the British seaside was the favourite childhood destination for over half (57 per cent) of UK holidaymakers. Even better for coastal amusements operators, it also revealed over a third (36 per cent) of Brits have returned to their favourite childhood holiday spot in the last five years. The survey, carried out by holiday review website TripAdvisor, found child-
so perhaps it is no surprise that so many of us relive those holidays again as adults.” The survey spoke to 5,170 adult UK travellers, including 3,561 parents, between July 18 and July 23 this year. Encouragingly for UK tourism, of those who chose to revisit their favourite childhood destination in the last five years, 86 per cent said it lived up to their positive expectations. The most popular
hood memories immediately invoke seaside sensations - with the sound of the sea (37 per cent) and the feeling of sand between our toes (19 per cent) the two most cited sensations people associate with childhood holidays. An overwhelming 82 per cent of Brits named a destination in the UK as their childhood favourite, with South West England holding the fondest holiday memories for a third (30 per cent), followed by the South East (14 per cent) and Wales (14 per cent). James Kay, TripAdvisor spokesperson, commented: “For many of us, our favourite memories as a child are often from when we were on holiday,
reason for Brits to go back to the spot of their favourite holiday memory was to share it with their spouse of partner. Among parents, nearly half have revisited their favourite childhood holiday destination with their own children. Three quarters of parents doing so said their children enjoyed the trip as much as they had done as a child, though interestingly over a third said that had been for different reasons. Half of parents said they felt family holidays are safer now than they were when they were a child, and nearly three quarters feel there are more activities for the whole family to do than when they were young.
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Eastbourne Pier to reopen in “months not years” evacuating the pier, as well as the emergency services for preventing the blaze, which was thought to have started in the arcade, from spreading to the landward entrance and the nightclub further down the decking. Stylianou told the Eastbourne Herald: “It was heartbreaking watching as the fire took hold and rav-
aged the main arcade building. Even though the Blue Room has been totally destroyed by fire, we have to be grateful that the rest of the splendid pier was saved. “The people of Eastbourne have been unbelievable - the camaraderie, the pulling together - true ‘Dunkirk spirit’.There are too many people, organisa-
tions and businesses to list individually, but I would like to express my thanks to all. “All parties have been tremendous in helping us pick up the pieces, in helping seasonal staff find alternative employment, and in helping concessionaires carry on their businesses.”
Statue unveiled in honour of industry stalwart’s uncle COMMEMORATION
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ugust 1 saw a statue of Pte Herbert Columbine, VC, A unveiled by Lord Guthrie at Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, as part of the 100th anniversary commemorations of World War 1s. The late Private Columbine is the uncle of industry stalwart Dave Columbine. The following day, the whole town celebrated with marching bands in glorious sunshine. Herbert Columbine is thought to be the only private with his own statue in the UK. He therefore stands for all those that died of that rank.
Bert Columbine, as he was known, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in World War One. Pte Columbine, of 9 Squadron Machine Gun Corps,died holding his position against enemy fire in France. People from Walton-on-the-Naze raised £60,000 for the memorial. Artist John Doubleday, famous for his sculptures of The Beatles in Liverpool and Charlie Chaplin in Leicester Square, was commissioned to sculpt the 7ft bronze of Pte Columbine, who was from Walton.
Pte Columbine was 24 when he died on 22 March 1918, eight months before the end of the war.He took control of a machine gun which he fired continuously from a trench in Hervilly Wood in France. He repelled heavily armed enemy soldiers and gave his colleagues the chance to escape by continuing to fire until killed by a shell. Dave Columbine concluded: “All the above is quite ironic really as the Columbine family motto is ‘Audaces fortuna juvat’, roughly translated as ‘Fortune favours the brave’.
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Essential Guide to...
Bowling alleys & Cineplexes
Bowling on the Nile
Big performer
The oldest known evidence of bowling was discovered in 1930 by British anthropologist Sir Flinders Petrie. Working with archeologists, he uncovered pins and balls believed to have belonged to a boy in ancient Egypt around 3200 BC.
Perhaps the most famous amusement machine ever seen on film is Zoltar Speaks, an automatic fortune telling game that transforms a young boy into a fully grown man overnight. It features in the Tom Hanks movie, Big, and the machines are still being manufactured to this day.
Symbiosis Many of the industry’s most popular plush and redemption prizes owe their success to the film industry, which in turn helps to boost the popularity of the cinema. The numerous yellow Minions from the Despicable Me franchise have been the runaway hit of recent years, with characters from the Disney stable proving eternally popular.
KEYNOTE
Making the space count Namco Operators Europe commercial director, Philip Millward, explains how Namco Funscape use amusement machines to maximise the potential of open space.
AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2014
Essential Guide to the Great Britidsh Pub Next Week
Coinslot: How does the siting of coin-op machines benefit bowling operators? Philip Millward: In most tenpin bowling centres the broad layout is dictated by the best configuration of the bowling lanes. Often the layout leads to large concourse spaces which are ideal for amusement space, especially if the area is on the thoroughfare between the main entrance and service areas such as reception, bars or diners. So what would otherwise be dead space is turned into income generating space. The provision of a good amusement operation also adds to the appeal of a bowling centre, increases dwell time, adds to the customer experience and with the growth of cranes, merchandise and redemption machines provides customers with a memento of their visit or a reason to visit again to collect more tickets and prizes. CS:Are venues featuring a broad range of entertainment, such as Funscape, more likely to succeed than smaller, more focussed FECs? PM: The key to success is to understand that every location is different and it is critical for operators to install the correct range of features to suit their target audience, demise and property costs.
Namco locations tend to occupy larger expensive properties and therefore we need to drive higher revenues by offering a broader range of facilities to appeal to a broader customer market. As well as satisfying the typical FEC market we add, bowling, bars, dodgems etc to extend our appeal to other sectors, such as corporate business and children’s parties. These additional facilities are also more easily marketed to attract in new or destination customers rather than relying solely on the footfall generated by the facilities around us.
CS: How does the mix of machines differ between bowling venues and the traditional FEC? PM: Bowling centres select from the same pool of equipment as traditional FEC but are often limited by space restrictions. Therefore there is more of a focus on the high earning feature games such as video, crane, and redemption, with less emphasis on children’s rides, Cat D’s and pushers which dominate traditional FEC’s. CS: Do you believe there is potential for the amusement industry to grow its presence
in bowling and cineplex venues? PM: Absolutely! Historically, bowling and cinema operators have seen amusement income as an ancillary product and as such did not pay much attention to the offer. These days there are many enlightened operators who are working more closely with their machine suppliers to develop their offer, improve their service, introduce new lines all to the benefit improving their profitability. In particular there has been a big shift and uplift in attention and space dedicated to redemption and merchandise games. Coinslot AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2014
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Essential Guide to ... Bowling alleys & Cinep Sector Overview VIEWPOINT
SWOT ANALYSIS
Established leisure venues complemented by new machines The earning power of siting coin-op equipment in areas of high footfall, and captive audiences, such as bowling alleys and cineplexes, simply cannot be underestimated. hese days, coin-op comes as part and parcel of the modern UK ten pin bowling entertainment offer and operators also know that a well-positioned prize vendor, kiddy ride or photo booth on site in a cineplex can make some serious money.With an impressive array of special offers, promotions and high-tech guises, the UK ten pin bowling sector is a popular party-style pastime for all the family.The good news for the coinop sector is that all types of amusement, novelty, soft gaming and video games dovetail perfectly with cineplexes and bowling centres alike. There were 747 cinema sites in the UK in 2013, according to the Cinema Exhibitors Association. The Tenpin Bowling Proprietors Association, meanwhile, has around 150 members, ranging from major national tenpin bowling centres to smaller family run bowling alleys.A sector which boasts close to a thousand sites, therefore, has to be taken seriously. The likes of AMF Bowling, Bowlplex, Hollywood Bowl, Namco Station and Tenpin have a growing number of ultramodern facilities across the country, the vast majority of which have an accompanying FEC integral to the venue.The typical offer tends to consist of a decent cross-selection of coinop entertainment such as pool, air hockey, driving games, simulators, shoot’em-ups and amusement pieces such as novelty machines and pushers. Methods of attracting - and keeping - customers include a continuous stream of special offers, often featuring meal deals and ‘lane time’, TV screens showing live sport at the end of the lanes and activities such as‘disco bowling’ where the location deploys ultraviolet lighting and music. Many of these franchises benefit from online promotional campaigns, with money off vouchers and special advance deals. The all-inclusive nature of bowling should not be lost on distributors look-
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Coinslot AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2014
has widespread, fun, appeal and with party packages and special offers becoming the norm, families are kept on-site longer and therefore are more likely to dip into their pockets for some coin-op pleasure while they’re STRENGTHS at it.A typical ten pin bowling centre’s offer, therefore, is not dissimilar to that • Enticing and creative special of a seaside arcade or FEC, but with offers more reasons for families to stay on• Accessibility for all the family site longer and spend more money. • Element of ‘equal’ competition This fact is not lost on a number of in fun environment UK coin-op distributors and machine management providers.These outfits WEAKNESSES have supported the UK bowling and cineplex sector with their products • Coin-op in such venues is rarely and services for several years and have promoted as heavily as the core deservedly reaped the rewards. offer, or food deals While the coin-op entertainment on • Fast-paced nature of game offer at bowling centres and cinemakes it a challenge to keep plexes may be of secondary imporpeople on-site tance to the core offer, the • Bowling centres and cinetime-specific and turn-based nature of plexes are not generally bowling means that there are impulse visit material inevitable gaps in the action before, during and after to insert those spare OPPORTUNITIES coins into the available machines. Furthermore, the bowling sector has tried • Venues are invariably vast and to keep the sport as cheap and as therefore machine footprint accessible as possible, therefore the size is never an issue secondary ‘loose change’ disposable • Competing franchises always spend comes into play,and what better on look-out for new premises to fill time waiting for the next turn or • Increase in uptake of redempnext lane to become available than a tion-enabled equipment go on one of the coin-op machines? Many bowling centres are also social THREATS hubs for teenagers - many of whom will simply meet with the intention to • Bowling centres and cineplay on the machines and the pool and plexes have suffered from air hockey tables. peaks and troughs in popularity With a steady stream of new venues for the last 50 years opening and more established venues • Due to typical ‘out of town’ being revamped, rebranded and location, food, drink and shoprelaunched, coin-op has benefited ping generally on doorstep from bowling centres and cineplexes competing for discretionary accepting that they have to up their spend game in order to retain their relevance to modern audiences.Whenever news ing for a decent site to sell their wares of a coming new venue breaks, the to. Because of this, and increasing UK’s leading coin-op players are ready, efforts to cater for disabled customers, willing and able to supply the highestthe ‘level playing field’ of competition earning products and services.
Enticing venues for all generations With everyone expected to constantly multi-task just to get through the day, bowling alleys and cinema complexes have had to evolve into full-on entertainment venues for all the family.
SWOT ANALYSIS BOWLING ALLEYS & CINEPLEXES SECTOR
alex lee foreword oth the tenpin bowling and out-of-town cinema sectors have reinvented and modB ernised themselves to such an extent over the years that its accompanying hi-tech coin-op offer seems a perfectly natural fit. With the outof-town shopping and entertainment experience constantly evolving, bowling alleys and cinema complexes have now become full-on entertainment venues for all the family. In other words, we all have to accept - and embrace - the fact that the division of amusement arcades, bowling alleys, FECs is blurring all the time and the attitude of ‘If it’s entertaining, then surely it’s relevant to any kind of entertainment venue?’ applies perfectly to the modern ten pin bowling sector. In other words, ten pin bowling venues never just offer ‘skittles’ and nothing else - and this is testament to the efforts of the coin-op sector to find new premises for siting equipment when our niche sector has suffered shrinkage for nigh on two decades. Regardless of whether the coin-op offering at the average bowling alley or cineplex is of secondary importance or not, the machines found at typical ten pin centres are as clever a mix as the best of FECs. With this in mind, the products and services now available, such as those from the companies showcased this week are expertly targeted at just the right audience due to market experience and a clear understanding of how best to deploy them. Whether the uptake of the sport of ten pin bowling has improved because of the better ancillary entertainment built around is true or the exact opposite is irrelevant, because for the time being coin-op in the bowling arena is as strong as you like. All that families, groups of friends and, shudder, corporate gatherings, want on a day or night out is to be entertained. With bowling alleys and cineplexes offering some of the latest coin-op entertainment these days, what’s not to like?
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PAYMENT SYSTEMS
An integrated cashless future As more and more sites take up the option of using new cash free payment technology, the likes of Embed can help bind together coin-op offerings with other forms of entertainment.
ith cashless technology proving increasingly popular, sector pioneers Embed are safe in the knowledge that many bowling and cinema operators could make good use of its creation.“The Embed product is a full management solution,” said sales executive, Steven Wooley.“It delivers a range of well-rounded applications designed to manage all areas of any entertainment facility. Our focus is on enhancing site revenues through the use of value-added packages, target marketing, membership and loyalty programs for guests.” All aspects of an operation can be incorporated into the system, including the complex features of a bowling operation.“In bowling venues, Embed is comparable to an on-site payment solution or gift card, used from paying for shoe rental, bowling lanes, drinks from the bar as well as amusement play,” said Wooley.“Embed has a full interface with most of the current bowling software and POS systems so there is no large investment in new hardware - simply connect to the Embed system and put cards into guest hands.” The drive towards paying for our enter-
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tainment without using hard currency is happening in every sector and bowling and a trip to the movies is no exception.“As customers, we have become well used to paying for goods and services via a card type payment solution,” saidWooley.“It has become second nature and an accepted form of payment.Having a system like Embed allows you to drive promotional sales, loyalty and ease of use.” In some cases,just the introduction of cashless itself is enough to drive further adoption among customers.“At a recent installation in the UK,the customer had created a‘FastTrack’ queue in his bar area for payment by the Embed Fun Card,” said Wooley.“With the Fun Card there is no transaction wait time,so operators and employees are finding this time saved helps increase speed of service and customer satisfaction.” The coin-op sector is already making use of this technology, so the introduction of this technology to blowing and cineplex venues only serves to draw the two closer together. “As a customer, speed of service and ease of use should always be considered,”saidWooley. “We offer a solution that works seamlessly.
Once a customer has purchased a card it can be used throughout the facility.This simplicity makes the customer experience more enjoyable than having to use a card in one area, then paying by cash in another. Any remaining balance left at the end of the visit can be re-used at another time and also driving repeat visits.The card can be used to cross promote each business with offers and packages, so it really is a win-win for everyone involved.” Further,Wooley believes that driving integration by including amusements machines as part of a bowling or cineplex offering is a smart business strategy.“The market for disposable income is very crowded, so many businesses are having to work smarter and deliver a product or service to meet their customer needs. Bowling centres and cineplex venues have struggled over the years and have had to look at ways of reinventing themselves and increase customer spend on site. The introduction of a good machine mix, a fair price per play, the presentation of the machines and product mix helps entice customer impulse purchases.”
Coinslot AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2014
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Essential Guide to ... Bowling Alleys & Cinep Market Analysis
Products
OPERATIONS
EMBED
Business booming on electric avenue
A central currency for amusement efficiency
While the summer remains a traditionally challenging period for bowling centres, intelligent operators will make best use of their resources to stay ahead of the game.
or many bowling operators,the unusually long summer has been a mixed blessing. While the sun shines and Britain enjoys balmy weather, potential customers tend to shy away from visiting indoor venues such as arcades and bowling alleys. Despite that, with over half of this year in the books many bowling operators remain positive about the status of the industry.“I feel good about the bowling sector moving in to the second half of 2014,” said Tony Ioannou, director at Electric Bowl in Halifax. Savvy operators are making best use of hot spells, deploying targeted deals that help to keep families filling out the lanes.“It’s an accepted fact that we’re at the mercy of the weather during the summer months,” notes Ioannou,“but we focus heavily on family bowling deals and packages to try and entice people in at this time.” Making best use of modern technology is also key when it comes to ensuring that customers continue to see bowling as a positive summer activity. “One of the things we’ve tried this year
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is to offer 20 percent off a family hour bowling session when booked on-line,” said Ioannou.“It’s proved popular, as people check out what’s available online and have the ability to search,make a decision and book and pay there and then.” Despite the summer challenges, a strong overall performance during the year and the prospect of a bumper Winter has left Ioannou feeling confident.“We’ve seen an upturn in the business in the last six-nine months,” he revealed,“and look forward to a strong trading period in the run up to Christmas and the New Year.” Playing a key part in this success are the amusement machines that Electric Bowl keep on site.“Coin-op machines and pool tables provide a vital revenue stream for bowling centres,”confirmed Ioannou. It’s important to match the machines on offer to the clientele and reports from Electric Bowl reveal that games with an active component are the most likely to turn a profit.“The most consistent earners for us are Air Hockey, Boxer and our Fancy Cutter SWP machines,” noted Ioannou.
GAMING MIX
Coin-op plays a supporting role he popularity of a trip to the movies or the bowling alley has Tendured for many years, with pins falling and silver screens shining on a regular basis up and down the country. However, even the excitement of strikes and stars won’t keep a family on site forever and history has shown that operators looking to maximise their takings would do well to install a selection of quality amusement machines. “Coin-op machines create an attraction within an attraction for bowling operators,” notes Bandai Namco’s commercial director, John Brennan.“It means that families can enjoy a longer stay at the location and it gives them an extra reason to visit. Of course, it also means an extra income steam.” Bowling alleys can further enhance their offing by ensuring that they provide games that are likely to appeal to a range of bowling customers.“It is always good to have a mixture of video and sports Coinslot AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2014
based machines, which attract all ages,” noted Brennan.“Redemption also performs very well in bowling locations.” The use of redemption is growing both in and outside of bowling venues and provides just one example of why Brennan is confident that the potential exists for expansion.“I think that the amusement industry is already well established within the bowling sector,” he said,“how-
ever, there is always room for growth.” In the world of cinema, amusement machines can be even more lucrative, as they provide a counterpoint to the static movie-going experience.“The cinema involves being sat down for a long time, people often enjoy letting off steam afterwards,” said Brennan.“If there is a high adrenaline movie, then even better.” Savvy operators can also use prize machines and redemption counters to make tie-in toys available. “It is also a great opportunity for operators to cleverly tie in kids films with prize promotions,” said Brennan and Bandai Namco is preparing for its own big money tiein, featuring characters from Aardman Animations’s latest adventure. “For example, next year will see the launch of the Shaun the Sheep movie,” said Brennan,“and Bandai Namco is the exclusive distributor of the range of plush.”
Embed’s software is helping operations around the world to run with more efficiency and security as their debit card system makes the cashless future a reality today. mbed is a worldwide supplier of revenue management, stock management, POS and cashless systems for the Eamusement, entertainment and leisure industry. As a leader in the market, Embed delivers a suite of applications designed to manage all areas of any entertainment facility. The company has a focus on enhancing site operations through improving guest service, increasing staff efficiency, reducing overheads and creating guest loyalty. Over the past 15+ years, Embed has grown with the industry to deliver the product, solution and features that guests and operators need to keep business moving forward, while cashless has become one of the fastest growing markets around the globe. The company’s core business is the Embed Debit Card system, which goes well beyond a payment method to include a full suite of products designed to handle all pay-to-play activities, as well as the monitoring of customers activity and games performance. The system is designed to allow the Embed Card to become the ‘centre currency’ and concentrate all other monetary transactions to a reduced number of POS or Kiosks enabled to reload the card. A full cashless operation creates more security for both the operation and its guests. This has been proven by thousands of sites, with hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of guests already operating in a cashless environment around the world. With a cashless system, the amount loaded onto the card is secure because it is registered into a database. There is no value stored on the card, so in case of loss or theft, the full amount can be recovered as well as all the points or bonuses accumulated. Cashless systems also offer the operator a great opportunity to reduce their operating costs and enables many marketing functions. With all customers using cards for their activity within the site or across multiple sites of the same chain, operators will have powerful tools to profile their customers and create marketing promotions and packages based on the real spending habits, generating more return visits and higher spend during each visit. Embed has been working tirelessly in the UK market on solutions that offer to show a true return on investment for any business. Among the sectors that are quickly seeing the value in this product are caravan and holiday parks. Embed continues to work closely with this sector as well as focussing across the wider market on the value of its product.
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Blockbuster success Bandai Namco is well practiced in catering for every aspect of a top-tier bowling and cineplex amusement offering. he bowling and cineplex sectors are extremely important to Bandai Namco Amusement Europe and the company is recognised as a market leader in these fields. Bandai Namco has built up expertise over many years, providing games for bowling alleys and cinemas all over the country, including its own Funscape centres in 11 locations in the UK. Bandai Namco clearly has an understanding of the specific needs of multi-functional locations, not least thanks to its own operational experience, but also the many years of product knowledge that informs its research and development of games.This places the company in a somewhat unique
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position to provide games that fit well into the game mix. Determining the right combination of prize games, video, ticket redemption, simulators and novelties is the first stop for operators: this formula is the key to maximising revenue and customer enjoyment something which Bandai Namco believe they have been able to fine-tune this combination due to its operational expertise and extensive product portfolio. The company provides a multi-faceted approach to game supply, consulting closely with clients in order to produce game layout plans to suit each individual location. It also uses the experience of its
Invites You To
staff to work out, with the client, the best possible game mix to enhance the performance of their game centres. Bandai Namco’s reach in the gaming equipment world enables it to provide most of what’s needed: market-leading prizes for the redemption counter, prize vending and cranes, through to the latest theatre-style simulators. As such it positions itself as a one-stop-shop for bowling centres. Family remains at the centre of its approach to bowling centre and cineplex supply.There needs to be the right mix, so that all ages are kept amused,from the smallest child, through to teenagers, parent and grandparents.This gives the FEC within the
location a buzz and ensures repeat business. At the moment,Alpine Racer and Dead Heat Riders are performing extremely well in these locations, as are Bandai Namco’s redmemption pieces:Triple Turn, Goal Line Rush and Pac-Man Swirl. “A successful FEC within a bowling centre or cineplex is a significant extra attraction to draw customers to the location,� said commercial director, John Brennan. “For expert help in designing, laying out and filling a bowling FEC, we are uniquely placed to help.�
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Coinslot AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2014
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Suzo-Happ continues to bolster its aftersales capabilities, adding new and more varied services in response to customer feeedback. Suzo-Happ continues to grow its service and support business for UK operators,” said the company’s UK sales director, John Vallis. “Suzo’s Fast Track Repair (FTR) service is now three and a half years young and we really cannot believe where the time has gone.” The company has continued to evolve and develop its UK Repair service over the past couple of years, from monitor repairs in 2011 right through to today, where it now offers two weekly Van Run services. One on the M4 Corridor from London to Swansea and another across the Midlands. In an attempt to build on its service even further, Suzo-Happ spoke to a large number of single site and arcade operators to find out what it could do to help support these customers. It is clear that there is a large demand for customers not only to have access to over 20,000 spares and accessories, but
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to also be able to get items repaired by the same company. This saves them time, money and removes the need to hold large stocks of parts on site. “We only ever repair the items a customer sends in,” said Vallis. “This way you know the history of the part which has been repaired and don’t have to worry about where it came from originally. After all, you wouldn’t expect to go into a tyre shop with a puncture and they just swap a wheel out from another car!” In addition to its Van Run service, Suzo-Happ offer free collection and return shipping by UPS couriers for goods to be repaired and has increased the amounts and types of products it can repair to include Coin Acceptors, Note Acceptors, Power Supplies and Video Game Boards to name but a few. The company also provides telephone and
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To subscribe please call Sarah Haworth on 01204 396 397 Coinslot MAY 20 - MAY 26, 2011
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY LEASEHOLD ON LINCOLNSHIRE GAMING CENTRE profitable leasehold of an adult gaming centre is now on offer, A located in the centre of a Lincolnshire market town. The business opportunity is well located, according to the seller, sited in a prime position in a high-street locale.
CATEGORY C/D RLMS OFFERS WIN FALL LMS Sales are now R offering the hugely popular Deal or No Deal Win Fall machine, from Bell-Fruit Games. Building on the success and continued appeal of the Deal or No Deal franchise, Win Fall naturally draws the eye in its Eclipse cabinet, with its Elite chrome door. Utilising a 22” video screen, the game mirrors the intensity of the show, offering winning players the chance to keep their prize-money, or risk the lot for a high win. RLMS are offering Win Fall in both Cat C and Cat D formats.
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character line-up from Winnie the Pooh. Whitehouse’s acquisition of its Disney licence in 2012 has seen the company offer a wide-range of franchised plush and redemption prizes themed from both upcoming and classic Disney titles. The new resin collection takes its place alongside a long list of other licensed franchised ranges, such as Family Guy, The Simpsons, DC Comics, Spongebob Squarepants and many more.
CUE SPORTS on-site support for the change machines and coin/note counting equipment it manufactures and distributes, if required. The company’s customer service and workshop departments provide help and support to customers, giving them a single point of contact for all aspects of repairs, deliveries and product support, further enhancing the customer experience. “Fast Track Repair really compliments our core business of manufacturing and distributing spares, accessories and custom solutions for the amusement, gaming and vending markets,” said Vallis, “which really enables us to provide as much of a one-stop-shop service as possible. We offer a high quality, cost effective repair service to all of our customers regardless of size or location.”
REFLEX ROLLS-OUT NEW SNOOKER-BASED HOTSHOTS MACHINE K games manufacturer U Reflex Gaming has achieved full retail approval for its latest ‘Hotshots’ machine. With strong graphics drawing on its snookertheme, the game features a multistake option, with spins every game on 50p and £1 stakes, offering players the chance of additional wins and enhanced feature games. Released in June, and already popular, Hotshots is now available from a wide selection of AWP retailers.
CATEGORY C MERCHANDISING
LEARNING NEW TRICKS
WHITEHOUSE SUPPLYING LIMITED EDITION DISNEY RESINS
A
prize suppliers Whitehouse Leisure are now offering, exclusively, a Lneweading range of limited edition Disney resins, building upon its already extensive
line of Disney licensed products. The range, offering thirty-six classic Disney characters in all, features Mickey and Mini Mouse, Donald Duck, the full
B2B Juke Box Specialists stra Games are providing operators with the chance to refresh their Cat C offering by applying range of new kits to the Magic Games 100 Ultra cabinet. This machine, released in early 2014, has been performing well in the field, but the company are already keen to support it with new additions to its game selection. The titles on offer include four new games, all of which are ready to roll on the £100 Cat C jackpot. Included among Astra’s kit selection is Hot Chance, Mega Joker and Roaring Forties.
kim@arionmusic.co.uk
Coinslot MAY 20 - MAY 26, 2011
B 2 B
2381-p16-19-Listings_Coinslot NEW 12/08/2014 18:15 Page 3
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MARKETPLACE
B B2B Juke Box Specialists 2 B SOUNDNET
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CATEGORYC (ÂŁ1/ÂŁ100 Max.)
CATEGORYB3 (ÂŁ2/ÂŁ500 Max.)
Single site
AGCs
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 6 8 5 7 9
DOND Winfall BFG Fiddle a Fortune REF DOND Mida Touch BFG DOND Lucky Streak BFG DOND Powerplay BFG Worminator QPS DOND The Big One BFG Best of British REF DOND Time to Play BFG DOND Crazy Chair Gold BFG
Taken from a representative number of sites around the UK Supplied by national operator
For Spares, Refurbishments, Repairs and Special Offers call Matt or Terri on 01843 593335 For FREE technical support call Steve or Hugh on: 01843 593353 Email: spares@cromptons.com Fax: 01843 588043
Get great PR from the industry experts
S&J S&J communications communications
For a quote call Chris Jones +44 (0)1273 699900 ! # """ !
gaming | betting | gambling
B2B Novelty
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
Distributor of snooker and pool accessories and manufacturers of genuine Superleague tables and spares.
To advertise here call Kathryn Norris
s 07442 491384 eric_lewis_mbs@btconnect.com
Coinslot AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2014
on 01204 396 397
Based on data supplied by a representative number of UK sites Supplied by RLMS Sales
FEC - family
AGCs This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 3 9 8 9 5
Encore T7 (GP3) SG Gaming Magic Games 100 Ultra Novomatic Magic Games 3 (s/d) Novomatic Encore T7 (GP1) SG Gaming Triple 7 (GP2) SG Gaming Triple 7 (GP3) SG Gaming Magic Games 3 (s/d) Novomatic Bullion Bars Arena Astra Party Time Classic Astra Bullion Bars Streak Astra
FOR ALL YOUR SPARES LAI GAME B2B Pool Tables & Accessories
Slotto 500 Astra King of Slots Blueprint Triple 8 Barcrest Mega Bars Big Hit Project Coin Magic Lotto Ultra Novomatic Rainbow Riches Community Cash Barcrest Lady Luck Reflex TS22 Project Triple 7 Barcrest Rumple Wild Spins Astra
CATEGORYD (10p/ÂŁ5 Max.)
Based on data from a minimum of 10 locations. Supplied by Praesepe
www.zoltaruk.com
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 10 5 6 7 8 9 4
Bullion Bars (3 Player) Astra Party Time Classic (3 Player) Astra Party Games (4 Player) Astra DOND (4 Player) Bellfruit Adders And Ladders(4 Player) Vivid Rainbow Riches (3 Player) Empire Goldrush Stampede (4 Player) Barcrest Party Time Arena (4 Player) Astra Party Time (3 Player) Astra Golden Games (3 Player) Mazooma
Based on data from four sites Amusement Equipment Co Ltd
CATEGORYB4 (ÂŁ2/ÂŁ4000 Max) FEC - adult
Members clubs
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 5 4 6 9 8 9 10
Magic Games U/R Novomatic Rainbow Riches Party Barcrest Free Play 70 Project Pure Gold Project Find The Lady 70 Project Party Time Arena (4 Player) Astra Win Wall Celebrity Astra Bar X Diamonds 7 Electrocoin Win Wall Celebrity Astra Party Time Player Astra
Taken from a representative number of sites around the UK Supplied by Amusement Equipment Co Ltd
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
Alice Queen of Hearts Reflex Jackpot 100 Barcrest DOND Live BFG Street Casino 2014 Storm Flamin’ 400 Reflex
Based on data from representative sites. Supplied by sector professional
2381-p16-19-Listings_Coinslot NEW 12/08/2014 18:16 Page 4
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Business Opportunities
FOR SALE WELL ESTABLISHED AND LARGE SINGLE SITE OPERATING COMPANY ON THE SOUTH COAST Over 100 sites
FILMCHARTS UK Box Office Chart This Last Week Week Name
Guardians of the Galaxy Dawn of the Planet of the Apes How to Train Your Dragon 2 Hercules The Purge: Anarchy The Nut Job Back to the Future (Re: 2014) Transformers: Age of Extinction Step Up 5: All In Earth to Echo
This Last Week Week
PALOMA FAITH - A PERFECT CONTRADICTION
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 4 6 5 10 3 -
X Ed Sheeran Blue Smoke - The Best Of Dolly Parton In The Lonely Hour Sam Smith Ghost Stories Coldplay Wanted on Voyage George Ezra A Perfect Contradiction Paloma Faith Halcyon Ellie Goulding Caustic Love Paolo Nuitini Eric Clapton & Friends - The Breeze Eric Clapton Long Road Home Charlie Simpson
Downloads This Last Week Week
AM I WRONG NICO & VINZ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 5 4 3 9 8 -
Am I Wrong Nico & Vinz Rude Magic Love Runs Out Onerepublic Crazy Stupid Love Cheryl Cole ft Tinie Tempah Budapest George Ezra Ghost Elle Henderson Faded Zhu Problem Ariana Grande ft Iggy Azalea Boom Clap Charli XCX It's My Birthday Will.I.Am & Cody Wise
Price On Application Write to PO Box 267 Coinslot International Magazine Bolton Technology Exchange 33 Queensbrook, Bolton BL1 4AY
LARGE OR SMALL
WANTED FOR EXPORT TABLES TO PURCHASE FOR EXPORT ONLY Telephone: (00353) 719644043 or 00353 872543778 Email: info@lyric.ie
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IS IS IN R C W E T IT M TD S 3
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95
Albums
Lincolnshire Market Town High Street Location
£9
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USED POOL TABLES
OM
1 2 1 3 3 4 2 5 6 6 7 9 8 8 9 10
£2 K
www.soundnet.net
FOR SALE
This Last Week Week
DE R
http://www.sound net.net/
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FR
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Coinslot AUGUST 15 - AUGUST 21, 2014
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Coinslot August 15 - August 21, 2014
Comment Plenty to talk about
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Coinslot - essential summer reading
alex lee comment ext week’s feature on the Great British Pub comes at a time when the pub sector and the single site sector which is integral to the ‘pub experience’are working harder than ever to sustain and even grow their businesses. This is evidenced by a number of pubcos gathering resources in order to campaign for a VAT cut. In fact, eight pubcos have so far pledged to support Tax Equality day on 24 September. This will mark a national day of action which involves lowering prices on food and drink by 7.5 per cent for the day to simulate a cut in VAT to 5 per cent. The above activity is ongoing while the single site machine sector looks at creative, potentially cashbox-boosting ways to harness both technology and modern social activity in the UK today. In other news, the Astra Gaming Group posted some impressive figures in its end of year results which amount to just rewards for synergising old-fashioned hard work with ultra-modern business practises complemented by some seriously good products. Meanwhile, the UK tourism sector looks to be in the rudest state of health
N
for quite some time as the government finally realises the value of a thriving tourist offer on its own shores. The summer brings with it notable industry contradictions. While the school holiday season remains the busiest and most vital trading period for the FEC and amusement arcade operators on the coast, manufacturingbased news tends to slow right down, which is reflected in the content of Coinslot throughout July and August. I needn’t remind you all that absolutely any coin-op industry related story has the potential to be featured within Coinslot, especially if it is of a positive nature or news of an interesting new trend or growth area. Furthermore, anyone - regardless of their specialism or industry sector - who has anything they believe may be newsworthy is more than welcome to get in touch to discuss. The bottom line is that we can only provide you with a content-rich publication week-in, week-out with your help. As I mentioned to an established industry stakeholder the other day, contrary to what some people may think, we never deliberately set out to upset anyone!
Skegness redevelopment con
Work has started on sound effects and ba sentenced following a
alex lee media watch ork has finally started on the new Sky Pier developW ment in Skegness at the Grand Parade site which was devastated by fire in 2007, according to the Lincolnshire Echo.
The four-storey complex will include an ice rink, roller disco area, bars and restaurants and an internet café. Formerly the Grand Hotel complex, the site was destroyed by fire in 2007. It was partly rebuilt but a gap was left in the town’s attractions on Grand Parade. The area is so important to the town’s tourism, East Lindsey District Council was considering a compulsory purchase order at one stage to get the site developed. Nigel Tett, chairman of the Skegness East Coast and Wolds Hospitality Association said: “This is great news - it will
be even better news when it is finished. We are always pleased when a new attraction is added to Skegness.” Mayor George Saxon said: “This shows the town is vibrant again. We have so many things to be pleased about with the aquarium coming to the Panda’s Palace site and a national hotel chain is coming to Skegness. This is all good news. It sends out a very clear message that Skegness is open for business.” Councillor Craig Leyland portfolio holder for economic regeneration at East Lindsey District Council said: “I’m pleased work has begun on the SkyPier development, which once completed will be an important attraction for Skegness, not only providing new facilities for local people and visitors, but also creating jobs.” Meanwhile, research suggests that players hear sound effects and background music
long after switching off their games consoles, according to The Guardian. When you switch off a video game, sometimes it doesn’t go away. Instead, it can linger in the mind, overlaying the real world. At least that’s according to new research from Nottingham Trent University’s International Gaming Research Unit. Recently published in the Journal of Cyber Behaviour, Psychology and Learning, it suggests that players often hear game sounds such as explosions, screams and laser fire, long after they’ve left a game. This is the latest study into what the university calls “game transfer phenomena”, a range of cognitive quirks that can follow extended gaming sessions. The new paper is the first time that specifically auditory experiences have been analysed. For the study, the Notting-
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Coinslot August 15 - August 21, 2014
“The biometric industry is moving at lightning pace and thanks to the smartphone manufacturers, fingerprint technology is leading the way and taking this kind of verification method into the mainstream, particularly with the 16-25 age group.”
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TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE
Email: al@sjc.co.uk
STEVE COOK, FACEBANK
“ ”
quote unquote “Being rather concerned about putting food into the mouths of employees’ families, I might be forgiven for expressing concerns over the jubilation with which the subject companies’ chief execs celebrate their mergers.” DAVID SNOOK, INTERGAME
“Researchers at Oxford University say that children who played video games for a short time each day were better adjusted than those who did not play any video games at all.” HANK SCHLESINGER, VENDING TIMES
“The Slot Experience Centre was an idea created by MGS to help Electronic Gaming Machine manufacturers receive important feedback from slot players. In 2013, 877 professional and general players voted on the 40 models which were installed by the world's major EGM manufactures all of whom received valuable feedback which was fed back into their R&D teams. Our plan is to grow this popular feature with more machines and more game styles and to introduce new voting categories.” DAVID SO, SLOT EXPERIENCE CENTRE, MACAU GAMING SHOW
has started on the new Sky Pier complex in Skegness, research suggests that players hear effects and background music long after playing video games and a man has been ced following a bingo hall robbery.
coming.” De Gortari believes that GTP is about how the brain assigns meaning to sensory inputs. “These sounds have a meaning, a purpose in the video games and their meaning affects how players can respond in real life. The research tells us about how the brain forms associations, and how easily they can be confused. It shows a lack of control over auditory experiences.” The phenomena tend to last a few hours or days, and follow intense or very long gaming sessions. “We want to identify, classify and explain these experiences,” said De Gortari. “But this research also tells us about how the mind works, and how it creates associations, how we learn from associations - this may be useful in the learning of new languages, for example.” And finally, at Mold Crown Court recently, Nathan Westmoreland had a burglary charge dropped after he admitted stealing food and
Kurt Janson, policy director at the Tourism Alliance, shared his views on recent government announcements which he believes can have a positive impact on seaside towns and the UK tourism sector overall.
kurt janson politics here have recently been two tourism reviews Tannounced by the govern-
t continues apace
ham Trent team visited games forums and collected anecdotal evidence from 1,244 gamers about GTP experiences. Twelve per cent of those spoke of re-experiencing game audio outside of the game environment. “There were lots of examples of players hearing the game music, in the same way as you continue to hear music in your head when you’ve stopped listening,” said psychology researcher Angelica Ortiz De Gortari, who is leading the study. “Some players heard voices, some heard game sounds. Often it happens when you’re trying to fall asleep.” One player reported hearing sounds from the first-person puzzle game Portal when passing specific buildings that reminded him of the game’s world. De Gortari also discovered more disturbing examples: “There was a gamer who, whenever it was dark, would hear the sound of the crackling radio signal from Silent Hill, warning him that monsters were
Government tourism reviews can benefit seaside destinations
damaging a sweet dispenser following a ‘lock -in’ at the Apollo Bingo hall in Rhyl, according to bingosupermarket.co.uk. Westmoreland found himself unable to leave the Apollo Bingo hall after falling asleep inside the club. It was only when cleaners arrived the following morning that he was able to leave. Whilst it was not the defendant’s fault that he was locked in the building, he did eat a cucumber, some tomatoes and consumed some alcohol from the fridge. The burglary charge was dropped simply because the judge accepted that he was in the building for lawful purposes. However, this did not negate the fact that he damaged the sweet dispenser and ate the food and as a consequence, Westmoreland was jailed for three months. The defendant has numerous previous convictions which were referred to as ‘the main aggravating feature’ and the reason for the custodial sentence.
ment which will spotlight the tourism industry. The first will be undertaken by the Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport and will focus its attention on the potential of the tourism industry and “ways in which this potential can be developed for the benefit of both local economies and the country as a whole”. This means the new inquiry will be more businesses focused, concentrating on the issues that impact tourism businesses and the ability of the sector to support regional economies. It will identify impediments holding back regeneration of seaside destinations, the impact that having one of the highest rates of tourism VAT and Air Passenger Duty is having on the domestic and inbound tourism industries, as well as revisiting the perennial issue of visas. This is great news for the tourism industry, as these are core issues on which it has been campaigning for the last 10 years and the evidence base that has been developed on each issue over this period is compelling. The second review is the Triennial Review of VisitBri-
tain and VisitEngland. This review, which all government bodies must undergo, focuses on whether the function that these organisations are charged with (promoting England domestically and the UK overseas) is still required and, if so, whether these bodies are the best mechanism for fulfilling this. With the strong growth in both domestic and inbound tourism over the last few years, there is little prospect that the review will find that these functions are no longer required - but there is an opportunity to show what more could be achieved. And the timing couldn’t be better. The outcome of both the inquiry and the review will probably be early next year, meaning that tourism will be on the agenda while the parties are campaigning for the general election. The government will have to respond to the recommendations put forward by the Select Committee Inquiry while the Triennial Review will show that the national bodies are wellplaced to provide continued benefits for the UK. It is an opportunity for the tourism industry that should not be missed. WITH THANKS TO LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES
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Coinslot August 15 - August 21, 2014
Newsweek EXHIBITORS PREPARE FOR EAS 2014
ith the IAAPA's European Attractions Show drawing closer, exhibitors are readying themselves to welcome over eight-thousand guests in September at the Amsterdam trade show. Sega, JNC, PMS, Bandai Namco and Embed are amongst a list of 410 indi-
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Email: jw@sjc.co.uk
Clacton Air Show buoys Gaiety arcade ext week will see the Clacton Air Show take to the skies once more, with thousands of spectators due to descend on the seafron which augures well for Clacton Pier, and the Gaiety Arcade. Prospects of fine weather, a bank holiday weekend, and spectacular aerial displays drive an upward surge in amusements footfall, says Gai-
ety’s arcade manager Franky Bailey:“It’s our busiest weekend of the year.You’ve got customers lining up on the beach and the pier itself, jostling for the best view.” Now in its twenty-third year, the annual Clacton Air Show, organised by Tendring district council, welcomes attendees free of charge. This year, appearances are to be made by Second World
War era aircraft like the famed Lancaster bomber, Cold War strategic bomber the Avro Vulcan, and modern service aircraft like the Eurofighter Typhoon.The highlight of the event will be a spectacular aerial display from the Red Arrows. How does the event impact on the Pier’s amusements trade? Bailey responded: “The kind of footfall that you’re look-
ing at, we’ll be expecting to see improvement across the board, but particularly in the cranes, and the redemption side of things.” Bailey says the family-oriented nature of the event drives business in an additional area; “Our kids rides do very well. We’re looking forward to it.”
The Clacton Air Show takes places in Clactonon-Sea, Essex, on Thursday 21st and Friday 22 August.
vidual exhibitors due to display their latest innovations to buyers from more than a hundred different countries. EAS is scheduled to take place at the RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam from 23-25 September, 2014.
RETURN IMMINENT FOR POLAND SHOW
trade event with direct ties to the Polish amusement industry, making it one of the most important Central European events of the year. Exhibitors and attendees from across Europe will be on hand, with thousands expected to fill the Expo XXI
Centre in Warsaw. A range of lectures, discussions and trade meetings are also planned for Surexpo 2014, with representatives from
worldwide entertainment markets on hand to share their insight. The event is scheduled to take place from 15-16 October, 2014.
EDITORIAL Editor: Alex Lee Email: al@sjc.co.uk Tel: 07772 280 299 Assistant Editor: James Walker Email: jw@sjc.co.uk Tel: 07816678021 Managing Editor: Ken Scott Email: ks@sjc.co.uk Tel: 01273 699 900 ADVERTISING SALES Kathryn Norris Email: knorris@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01204 396 397 Fax: 01204 392 748 SUBSCRIPTIONS Sarah Haworth Tel: 01204 396 397 DIGITAL VERSION Marc Lawton Email: mlawton@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01204 396 397 PRODUCTION Designer: Gina Lloyd Email: gl@sjc.co.uk Ad Production & Pre-Press: Dave Roderick Email: gdk@sjc.co.uk PUBLISHER Director: John Sullivan GB Media Corporation Ltd, Bolton Technology Exchange, 33 Queensbrook, Bolton, BL1 4AY Tel: 01204 396 397 Fax: 01204 392 748
Email: jsullivan@gbmedia.eu MARKETING Marketing Executive: Emilie Beau Tel: 01204 396 397 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
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ollowing its postponement last year, the Surexpo is making its long awaited return to the global stage. The Polish international amusement and vending show bills itself as the only
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Calendar AUGUST 2014 12-14 Australasian Gaming Expo Sydney Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia www.austgamingexpo.com
SEPTEMBER 2014 2-4 Entertainment Arena Expo, Romexpo Fair Ground, Bucharest, Romania www.earena.ro 2-4 Playfair at SALTEX 2014 Royal Windsor Racecourse, Windsor, UK www.playfairuk.com
23-25 Euro Attractions Show, RAI Exhibition Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands www.iaapa.org/eas 24 Bingo Association Golf Day and associated dinner Redditch, Worcestershire www.bingo-association.co.uk
30-2 LIW 2014 NEC, Birmingham, UK www.liw.co.uk
OCTOBER 7-9 Brand Licensing Europe Olympia, London, UK www.brandlicensing.eu
15-16 The Autumn Coin Op Show Chelsea Football Club, London, UK www.coin-opshow.co.uk
15-16 Kiosk London Expo & Digital Signage London Expo Barbican Centre, London, UK www.kiosklondon.co.uk / www.digitalsignagelondon.co.uk
15-17 ENADA Rome Rome Expo Centre, Rome, Italy www.enada.it 16-17 Surexpo Expo XXI Centre, Warsaw, Poland www.wigortargi.com
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