Coinslot 2383 digital

Price: £2.50

029 DOND Win Fall Flap Advert_test 21:07 Page 1 August 29 – September 4, 2014 • No. 2383 •04/08/2014 www.coinslot.co.uk

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COINSLOT

COMMENT

Places like Great Yarmouth could be providing a renaissance in beach holidays for the new generation of staycationers and inbound tourists, but they cannot be left to sort this alone. Government should be providing the strategy and the catalyst for the investment.

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Industry news 4 Seaside amusements 8 The British bingo sector 10 Latest machine charts 16 B2B Listings 17 Classified ads and opps 20 Comment & Analysis 22 Newsweek 24

EAG International confirms show dates brought forward for 2015 and beyond

Project flus four-strong CONTENT

roject Design and Technology has completed its Pcurrent line-up of high perEVENTS

AG International Expo has conEsigned firmed that a new tenure has been at the ExCel Centre which will see the show run on an earlier schedule for the next three years.

Starting with the next edition, EAG will now take place from 13-15 January 2015, slightly earlier than in previous years.

By agreeing to the new dates,EAG International has safeguarded its future at London’s premier expo centre,and at a time when the venue and surrounding hotels are not under pressure.

Now in its sixth year, EAG International has become a coin-op calendar mainstay, commanding over 180 manufacturers, many of whom use the expo as the exclusive launch platform for new products targeted at the amusement and coin-op sectors.

formance poker themed games that have been developed for the domestic AGC and bingo sectors.The Project quartet comprises Golden Joker (30p/£100 jackpot), Find The Lady Ultimate Gamble (50p-£1/£100), Chase The Ace Double Jackpot (50p-£1-£100) and Chase TheAce Unlimited (20p/£10) - the latter being a strategically important product that enables operators to engage with players at the same time as taking advantage of the 5 per cent MGD rate.

Reviewing the quartet of games, Project managing director Tony Boulton said: “We have made the design and creation of successful poker games into one of our key specialisms and I’m

Holiday park arcade targeted ROBBERY

An audacious theft at Symonds Yat West Holiday Park in Whitchurch, Herefordshire, saw approximately £5,000 stolen from a dozen coin-op machines at the site’s Danter’s Golden Stardust arcade last week.

When operator Kimberley Danter raised the alarm, the police were quickly on the scene, deploying several officers, a helicopter and dogs, but the two thieves made their escape by running through a nearby pub and into a car which was parked outside.

Danter told Coinslot: “The images of the two men are on CCTV and the police have the tape in their possession. They weren’t just youths taking a chance. I believe that these are professional thieves who must do this kind of thing for a

living.” Apparently, the two men in question held a box-like device behind the machines, some of which were B3s, and somehow emptied the hoppers.

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INDUSTRY

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

BACTA takes the business argument to government

Bingo targets a full house

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10

23 August 29 - September 4, 2014 • No. 2383 • www.coinslot.co.uk

t flush as it completes trong line-up of pokers

Rain ruins bank holiday Monday REPORT

rgeted by professional thieves

Danter continued: “No-one seems to know how they’re doing it, but they need to be stopped as soon as possible.

When they were in the arcade,

they basically pretended to win by throwing their hands in the air and celebrating. They got greedy, however, by coming back to try and steal more. While the police haven’t yet caught them to my knowledge, their images are on CCTV.” Kimberley’s father Henry, who operates Treasure Island in Stourport, lamented: “It’s just amazing how quickly they were able to empty the hoppers. We will claim off the insurance of course, but the reality is that while we’re covered by insurance making a claim will only push the premium up.” Hopefully this latest incident will make manufacturers re-evaluate the security of their machines and step up efforts to safeguard operators from this kind of attack happening again.

While news of the new name for a potential coin-op goldmine in Blackpool broke, the bank holiday weather served to dampen the spirits of UK holidaymakers. hree weeks’worth of rain in a single day made it the wettestAugust bank holiday since the eighties, according to weather forecasters, making the weekend largely one to forget for the UK’s seaside arcade and FEC operators.

Forecaster Brian Gaze of The Weather Outlook said:“With heavy rain across much of the country it was possibly the worstAugust bank holiday Monday since 1986.”

Senior forecaster Mark Sidaway was a little more positive, adding that while Monday’s temperatures were likely to be several degrees lower than normal for this time of year,they were unlikely to break any low temperature records.

Sidaway said it was too early to tell if summer was now over in the UK,and added that the UK’s coastal arcades and FECs still had time for another spell of good weather during September. “It’s only 25 August, so we can hope for some nice weather into September there is plenty of time for another nice spell.”

The spell of rainfall was estimated to have cost the British tourism industry £1bn in lost revenue, with visitor numbers down for southern seaside resorts such as Brighton and Bournemouth.

The weather,however,was not the major problem for Jill Norman, who told local press that Southsea’s Clarence Pier suffers from major events put on during the summer.

Norman, a director at Billy Manning Ltd,said events such asVictorious Festival, held over the bank holiday weekend, hit its takings as the roads were closed and people are on budgets.

She said:“It was a complete and utter disaster, they closed the road down. They need to expand the season,not put them on in peak times of the year. People have only got so much to spend.It’s not just us.”

On a more upbeat note, Black-

T

pool’s newest pub will be named The Velvet Coaster following a poll of readers of local paper, the Blackpool Gazette.

The name emerged as the most popular choice from a shortlist of four put forward by pubco JD Wetherspoon - one of the pub industry’s biggest supporters ofAWPs and SWPs - for its new venue on the town’s South Promenade.

The company is set to undertake a £2.2m conversion of the Lucky Star Amusement Arcade, which found fame as the backdrop for the 2004 BBC musical drama Blackpool.

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said:“We are grateful for the

many responses to our quest for a name for our new pub in Blackpool.

We have chosen the nameTheVelvet Coaster for the new pub and look forward to it adorning the front.”

TheVelvet Coaster was one of the earliest rides introduced at the Pleasure Beach in the early 1900s.It was rebuilt in 1933 and is now named Nickleodeon Streak. The second most popular name in the poll was Flying Circus, followed by Grand Pavilion andTheTroubadour.

The pub was granted outline planning permission earlier this year, but now more detailed proposals have been submitted for consideration by the council.A design brief accompanying the application said the proposal “presents an opportunity to bring a viable, sustainable use to the building”and will also help to promote“future investment in Blackpool.”

From an industry perspective, the new pub will doubtless prove a lucrative single site venture and marks a bright spot in an otherwise dull weekend.

NOW RETAILER APPROVED

pleased to say that the genre has become something of a staple in Britain’s adult gaming centres and bingo clubs. Poker games from the Project stable can be found in virtually every AGC in the country with some customers playing models which are ten years old, factors which refute the fallacy that poker only works in

certain sites.”

He continued: “In order to cater for the demand that exists amongst the growing poker playing community and to continue to deliver choice and variety we have produced a range of poker products to suit all players,all levels of disposable leisure spend and all environments. We have developed games at various stakes comprising £1/50p/30p/20p in order to provide a poker experience at price points which are affordable and which still deliver compelling gaming entertainment.”

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2383-p04-05-industry_Coinslot NEW 26/08/2014 13:48 Page 1

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Coinslot August 29 - September 4, 2014

Industry BALPPA announces new Visitor Attraction Expo

Email: al@sjc.co.uk

BACTA to take parity argument to politicians and civil servants LEGISLATION

TRADE SHOWS

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new industry expo is coming to London in 2015.

Trade association BALPPA has revealed that the UK Attractions sector will benefit from an entirely new show named the Visitor Attraction Expo, scheduled for 13-15 January at ExCel London.

BALPPA chief executive Paul Kelly revealed the rationale behind the launch: “In addition to representing the interests of owners, managers and developers, the BALPPA membership includes a large number of trade suppliers who have for some time been requesting our own expo. We believe that such a show sits well within our strategy of supporting members through seminars, education programmes and the provision of networking opportunities.”

The Visitor Attraction Expo will take place alongside EAG International, with a single visitor badge providing access to both events. EAG International chairman Martin Burlin welcomed the initiative, stating: “The Visitor Attraction Expo will give the leisure park, piers, zoos and static attractions sector an annual event which it can call its own, right here in the UK. We are experiencing increased crossover between the amusements and attractions sectors so this move reflects what’s happening out there in the market. I understand that there is strong interest from potential exhibitors and believe that EAG International’s 5,000-plus visitors will help in delivering a robust start for this exciting new event.”

BALPPA has confirmed that the Association’s AGM and annual dinner will be held during the Visitor Attraction Expo, and that a full schedule of seminars and educational events can be expected, along with excellent networking opportunities.

Recently-appointed BACTA CEO John White has had another busy week meeting with sector stakeholders and campaigning on behalf of the coin-op industry. But, it’s the media hype over the positioning of FOBTs on the UK’s gambling landscape that dominates the nature of debates at the moment.

OBTs have continued to dominate many of the conversations BACTA chief executive John White has had in recent weeks. He told Coinslot:“BACTA’s position as agreed at the last National Council appeared on the Daily Mirror website.The article, whilst critical of any plans to expand the number of FOBTs on the High Street, nevertheless pointed out that our demands were borne of the frustration caused by the government’s failure to listen to the calls for a parity of treatment in respect of machines for adult, age-controlled, environments.”

This is an argument that White will be taking to politicians and civil servants over the coming weeks in advance of the expected autumn announcement by the government of the action they propose to take in respect of these machines.

Amid the entire FOBT debate, the focus has sat uncomfortably in the gambling disorder domain, leaving very little wiggle room for the business impact argument which has been overshadowed and largely lost on the general public.

White is particularly conscious of this agreeing: “Unfortunately, and not unsurprisingly, the media debate tends to become simplistically focused on the stake and prize and not on the principle. From my perspective on this debate it is the principle that is impor-

F

tant and unarguable. I will report back through Management Committee and National Council on the detail but would call on all members to let me have any evidence of how the opening of a bookies nearby has impacted on machine takes in AGC, FEC designated areas and if relevant in pubs and clubs.”

White also met with Coral and the Remote Gambling Association earlier this month, both of which were ‘very helpful conversations’. Since becoming BACTA CEO, White had his first meeting with Commission officials and other trade bodies, to discuss the LCCP consultation and self-exclusion.

He revealed:“My first impressions of the Commission were very positive.

The meeting with the other trade bodies and the Commission focused on self-exclusion.As those of you who have looked will have seen there is a proposal for sector-wide schemes to be in place by October next year, and for an industry-wide scheme the year after.We will be discussing this further through the IGRG but from what I have heard of the issues involved my initial thought was it simply, physically, couldn’t happen that quickly even if it is indeed feasible. We will be discussing this further and as always members’ views on this and any other aspects of the LCCP consultation will be very gratefully received.”

The White tour has been somewhat busy over the last fortnight, with meetings booked with Moto, the team from Rays of Sunshine, Project Coin, the National Casino Forum and gaming legal experts.

White concluded:“Apart from meetings I have today also managed to finish off the draft BACTA response to the consultation on the Gambling Commission’s Statement of Principles and Licensing and Compliance documents.

They do not mark, as the Commission has said, a departure in approach but do expand, clarify and correct certain parts of the existing documents and reflect the experience of the Commission since the last set of documents were published.”

Operator calls for clampdown on ‘boy racers’ OPERATORS

Great Yarmouth Pleasure beach owner Albert Jones has called for a determined crackdown on reckless car drivers which are affecting business after a child was nearly hit on a seafront zebra crossing in the town. lbert Jones, owner of Great Yarmouth PleasA ure Beach, has called for a clampdown on ‘boy racers’ in the Norfolk seaside resort. Jones felt compelled to speak out after an incident which nearly culminated in a child being run over on a zebra crossing. He told local press that Yarmouth could not have a

death on its conscience and wanted to do all he could to stop the Golden Mile being used as a racetrack.

The issue had come to a head onAugust 17 with more than 100 cars creating a nuisance, destroying tourism just when it needed a boost.

Worse than the noise menace, however, was the dangerous driving.

He said:“Something has to be done before somebody is killed sooner or later. I had that on my conscience on Sunday - I would rather lose the business and make sure every action that could be done was done to stop a child being killed. It is getting worse and it is unfair to the residents and the holidaymakers.”

Jones said he had been in contact with police and visited local stations to call for measures to deal with the trouble spot. His actions were triggered by a shaken customer at the Pleasure Beach who told him she had had to grab her child by the scruff of the neck after a wheel-spinning car careered into their path as they stood

at a zebra crossing.

He has set about making his feelings known and says the struggling tourism scene is suffering because of the meetings which intimidate visitors and make them feel unsafe.

At the Pleasure Beach more and more people were asking for token refunds in a bid to leave early and escape

what to many was a hostile environment, their cars surrounded by ‘boy racer’ style cars and loud music.

Jones explained:“I am just lost that in this day and age we cannot do something. I believe it is now starting to affect business. If people want to stroll along the seafront after 6pm they are having to steer away.I am not

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INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE

B2B COMMENT NEWSWEEK REPORT The UK bingo sector is enjoying healthier times following tax changes. Who are the key movers driving the sector? 10

Talarius full year results show strong growth in revenue and profits

‘Prolific offender’ jailed for arcade theft

FINANCIAL RESULTS

CRIME

atts Group, listed on the Australian Securities TExchange, has published its

prolific offender has received another A prison sentence for bur-

full year results, including those for its UK operation, Talarius.Talarius operates gaming machines in high street venues and selected motorway service areas across the UK, mainly under the Quicksilver brand.

Talarius was a standout performer for the Tatts Group in 2014 with revenue up 32.8 per cent to AUD$103.6m, EBITDA up 76.6 per cent to AUD$13.6m and EBIT up 506.8 per cent to AUD$4.1m.

The strong results reflect the like-for-like sales growth from Talarius’ core adult gaming centre business. This improvement has been driven by the refurbishment of profitable venues and the extension of operating hours at popular sites to meet customer demand.

In addition, a new dedicated training programme to develop Talarius’ venue managers is already delivering positive revenue outcomes which are expected to continue in 2015.

Initiatives such as this has seen the operation of the business steadily improve despite the challenging economic background of the past few years.

Peter Harvey, chief operating officer atTalarius,said: “I am delighted to report a strong set of results for Talarius. In 2014 we exe-

against them as everyone is entitled to have a hobby. But surely there is somewhere more controlled. We have nothing to stop them from racing. There are no speed bumps and the lighting is poor. There must be some-

other night.We need to stop a potential fatality. I cannot turn a blind eye.I know what it is like to lose a child.”

A police spokeswoman said:“Police actively patrol Yarmouth seafront on Sunday evenings, where operational commitments allow, taking action against motorists where appropriate. We accept this is a longstanding issue and continue where where they can meet to work with all parties to up but not in a built-up area find possible solutions. Due on Yarmouth seafront near to the bank holiday, we will some of the best attractions.” have additional resources in “The residents are telling place this weekend supme it is 52 weeks of the year ported by our roads policing but what has brought it to a units, to deal with any issues head is the speeding the or offences robustly.”

gling a Middlesbrough amusement arcade.

Jamie Waters, 28, has been recalled to a fouryear prison sentence and jailed for a burglary where he stole a woman’s purse from a locker room at Gilly’s Amusements on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

He took the purse with cards and cash worth more than £200 and was seen and quickly arrested.

Waters admitted burglary - the 86th offence on his criminal record. He was on licence at the time, which meant he was sent back to a four-year prison sentence imposed in June 2011 for burglaries at two student properties.

He is expected to serve the remainder of that jail term until February next year. He was also subject to a suspended prison sentence for a non-home burglary at the time.

Judge Peter Armstrong told Waters: “Your record really is against you, I’m afraid. Forty-three previous appearances for 85 offences.”

Referring to sentencing guidelines of up to 51 weeks’ imprisonment, he added: “It was an impulsive act. This goes to the top end because of your previous convictions. A time comes when longer sentences have to be passed as a deterrent.”

He jailed Waters for eight months, concurrent to the recall period.

cuted our strategy to lay a foundation for long term growth and drive the business forward. We are already seeing the benefits of the development initiatives we implemented to increase sales, which includes the refurbishment of our venues, increased investment in our staff and machine estate while always maintaining a tight control on costs. Looking ahead, the strong momentum has continued into the first half which gives us confidence of continued growth in 2015.”

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‘Fruit machine’ interface proves a winner PROMOTIONS

ith the analogue/digital debate still a popular topic of discussion in W coin-op circles, it was interesting to hear that NexusEngage, the retail-marketing specialist, trialled a fruit machine styled window to support sales of the Microsoft Surface 2 tablet in Curry’s PC World. Attracting over 1,200 players a day, the fruit machine game has been designed to drive engagement and brand awareness of the Microsoft Surface 2 among visitors to Kent’s Bluewater shopping centre. More than 31,000 consumers interacted with the window in its first week.

Players chose a feature on the Microsoft Surface 2 window by pressing one of the six buttons under a 70ins high LED monitor, the screen then automatically ran the game. If the user matched two or more images they won a prize, such as a Microsoft Surface 2, 20 per cent off the tablet or a Caffé Nero coffee. All winners received a voucher that guided them directly to Currys PC World where the coupon was redeemable.

“The project has been a great success so far, currently engaging 92 per cent of passers,” commented Simon Ellson, CEO NexusEngage. “Taking advantage of redundant retail space and repurposing it to create a new consumer experience, such as a fun game, can make a brand stand out from its competitors on the high street.”

Ally Wickham, surface category lead (consumer) at Microsoft, said: “The fruit machine game has been popular with shoppers at Bluewater with the game running to maximum numbers each day. It is a great way for people to interact with the Surface 2. We have seen impressive initial sales uplift as a result of the campaign and feel confident we’ll see that uplift continue.”

With the coin-op sector constantly on the look-out for the next ‘killer app’, computing giant Microsoft obviously reckons the humble fruit machine can still cut the mustard when it comes to pulling in the crowds.

Seaside sector predicted to benefit from Bank Holiday TOURISM

Ahead of the recent Bank Holiday weekend, domestic tourism was set to soar, with a quarter of the British population considering an overnight trip during the long weekend, according to the latest data from VisitEngland.

isitEngland’s Bank Holiday Trip Tracker Survey has found that 5.1m Brits (10 per cent of the population) planned a holiday trip in the UK during the weekend just gone, which was predicted to generate around £2.1bn in tourism spend.

A further 7.6m Brits (15 per cent of the population) said they were considering a Bank Holiday getaway in the UK, with a third waiting to see what happens with the weather.A further 29 per cent of those considering a trip said they were delaying a decision based on financial reasons, with 20 per cent waiting to see what special deals and offers come available and 21 per cent stating they prefer to book last minute.

Additionally,6m people (12 per cent) said they had plans for a day trip, with the sea-

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side the most popular destination followed by countryside and village destinations, large towns or cities and standalone attractions such as theme parks and stately homes.

Before the onset of the Bank Holiday weekend,Minister forTourism Helen Grant said:“The Bank Holiday weekend is set to be a bumper one for domestic tourism,generating over £1bn in spend for the UK economy. From city breaks to days out on the coast, world class music events to cultural trips, the UK has something for everyone to enjoy.”

English hospitality businesses were set to enjoy 4m domestic holiday visitors, generating tourism spend of £940m, according to the survey. VisitEngland said Bank Holiday events such as the Notting Hill Carnival, BBC Good Food Festival, Blenheim

Palace Festival of Transport, Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival Liverpool’s international music festival and the International Kite Festival would be major attraction over the weekend.

James Berresford, VisitEngland chief executive, said:“There are 4m Brits planning a holiday trip in England this weekend which is testament to the fantastic product on offer in England.The resulting £940m of spend likely to be generated demonstrates the importance of tourism to the UK economy..”

The VisitEngland survey follows research from VoucherCodes.co.uk, which predicted that the average Brit would spend £207 over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend, compared to £94 on an average weekend.

Mixed reaction to proposed Wetherspoon pub in Largs CHANGE OF STATUS

While JD Wetherspoon is a major supporter of the single site sector, when news of a mooted takeover of a bowling alley/amuseme nt arcade breaks it’s a mixed blessing for coin-op stakeholders and, it seems, the local residents.

Wetherspoon’s application with Ayrshire Council concernJingDNorth a major revamp to Lanes/Escape Amusements has provoked a mixed reaction among locals.

Hilary Shapiro said:“I don’t understand the logic of shutting down one of the few remaining family friendly sites in Largs and replacing it with yet another pub. Wetherspoons will undoubtedly put a few others out of business as they won’t all be able to compete with their low prices.I don’t see why they can’t apply for the site across the road which would be almost as big in size and has sat empty for years.Leave Lanes alone!”

Angela Hughes stated: “I was brought up in Largs and moved to Glasgow when I was 19 to study.When I left the town it was still full of character and it saddens me deeply when I come back to see my family that it has gradually lost its charm and appeal with the loss of so many businesses that had that something different to offer.The appeal of Largs had always been that it was a Victorian town where tourists loved to come as it was

quaint and charming. Stop this nonsense, bring back Aubery, the amusement arcade as it was and start making Largs a town where the beauty and appeal of it is restored, not destroyed for the sake of profit.”

However, in response to concerns raised about the loss of the bowling alley development,Susan Shearer said: “Maybe if more people had used Lanes it wouldn’t be being bought over.”

Kev Bell welcomed investment into the seafront, and said:“The state of the old waterfront suggests to me that there is not an abundance of busi-

nesses willing to invest in Largs. I also remember the several years Nardinis sat derelict before it was redeveloped.

I say good luck to Wetherspoons and anyone else willing to invest their money where their mouth is. I will continue to vote with my wallet and support those not-quite Victorian but independent pubs and cafes that have always given Largs its character as well as providing good service.”

Caroline Le Good Morgan believes it is the wrong kind of establishment for the seafront, and said:“Why in the world can’t someone come up with a plan for the seafront that doesn’t involve a bar or a pub? What Largs needs on the front is somewhere for families and children to go to on a wet day - open year round and with things for young teens too - laser tag, dance revolution,etc - not another pub.”

The bowling alley is to be removed as part of the application in order to accommodate the proposed eating and drinking establishment, and the outdoor beer terrace area will be modernised under the proposal, according to local press.

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WORKING MEN’S CLUBS

Scunthorpe community centre could be going back to its roots as a A working men’s club. Officials of the

NEW VENUE

A building which has housed a pub for 125 years is set to close and be reopened later this year as a bingo hall and AGC, just days after being listed by English Heritage as one of the great buildings of its era. fter a long battle by residents,The White Hart pub in East Street, Havant,has been Grade-II listed,and the good news for the coin-op sector is that it will soon become an AGC/bingo hall.

Described as ‘an exuberant example of a late-Victorian corner pub’ by English Heritage, the decision means it can never be demolished.The old-fashioned pub closed its doors on 24 August, and in doing so paved the way for a brand new bingo hall and adult gaming centre.

The owner, Simon Reeves, told local press that no external changes will be made to the building and only minor changes inside. Despite concerns by Havant Civic Society over the building’s future as a bingo hall, the listed status still represents a victory for residents.

Two years ago, more than 1,000 people signed a petition to save the building after

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Barratt Homes presented proposals to demolish the pub and redevelop East Street with a 73-home development.

Although the plans never materialised, local historians set about saving the building. Ann Griffiths, from nearby Langstone, said:“The application to English Heritage was well researched and it is very good news for Havant.”

John Pile,who led the application,added: “This came about because of the threat to the White Hart of demolition.”

The pub was built in 1889 and designed

by Alfred Edwin Stallard, an architect responsible for several iconic buildings in Havant.

Anita Page, landlady of the pub, welcomed the listed status, but was sad about the closure. She added:“So many pubs are closing in Havant.”

Ray Cobbett, from neighbouring

Coral reports positive results

Town & County suffers machine theft

GAMING

CRIME

Emsworth, who opposed the bingo hall, said:“I’m afraid the bingo hall is going to arrive whether we like it or not.The only substantial good thing is they can’t knock down the building.”

Reeves, however, argued that the building could have stayed a pub if more people had used it. He said the bar would remain, with gaming machines installed in the front area and a bingo hall replacing the music hall at the back. He added:“We were never going to change the exterior.”

The bingo hall and AGC, which represents a welcome growth area for the coinop sector, is set to open later this year.

Frodingham Community Centre are seeking approval to serve alcohol seven nights a week from 7.30pm until 11pm and a bid to host live music until midnight on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. If the applications are granted, the building in Rowland Road will hark back to its original use as the Frodingham Sports and Social club - or The Rabbit and Net as it was known to the members.

The bid for an alcohol licence and live music follows the closure after 77 years of the nearby Coronation WMC. The 200 former members have approached the community centre about the prospects of running bingo, home games and quizzes at the venue.

oral, which operates licenced betting offices ndependent single site operator and bingo halls, saw a four per cent increase I Nick Langham ofTown And County C in machines gross win in the 12 weeks to July 5. has reported a machine theft.He told The company reported gross win of £83.7m for the period. Gross win per machine per week increased one per cent to £965.During the quarter, the company increased its average number of machines from 7,082 in the previous year to 7,291, while its over-the-counter gross win, increased by nine per cent to £72m.

At its land-based Gala Bingo venues,machines gross profit went up by three per cent, driven by a two per cent year-on-year growth in machines spend per head.

Overall, the group’s turnover was 15 per cent ahead of last year at £292.7m, while gross profit rose 10 per cent to £208.3m.

Carl Leaver, group CEO, stated:“The group delivered another strong performance with EBITDA ahead in all divisions and 20 per cent overall. We remain pleased with the turnaround in the performance of Gala Retail and have recently embarked on a process to explore the potential sale of this division.”

Coinslot:“A test machine called Eastern Promise was stolen from The Meadow Farm Pub in Redditch at around 7.30am on August 15.”

He explained:“The site was open for breakfast and as the manager walked through the pub she noticed two men standing around the machine. The machine was out of order at the time and she thought they might have been engineers.She asked the two men what they were doing and then realised they had entered with a sack truck and were stealing the machine. She called her husband but the two men got quite aggressive.They loaded the machine onto the sack truck and disappeared.

The machine was left open as the site removes all cash from the machine.”

If anyone has any information, they should get in touch with the police - and Nick Langham - whose contact details are on the Town & County website.

‘‘In a league of its own’’ 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

2383-p08-Amusements_Coinslot NEW 26/08/2014 13:13 Page 1

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Planning permission granted for new Essex FEC

Dreamland arcade welcomes 20,000th visitor

FEC

AMUSEMENT PARKS

he north Essex coast is set to get a new amusement Tarcade after planning permis-

As it prepares to reopen next Easter, the Dreamland amusement park has seen a surge in visitors to its vintage-style arcade over the summer. he visitor and learning arcade at Margate’s Dreamland amusement park has marked a milestone by welcoming its 20,000th guest since opening on May 25.

Katie McDonagh, from Erith in Kent, got a surprise when she was greeted with a roof-raising cheer and presented with a goody bag as she walked through the arcade’s doors.

It is currently hosting The Dreamland Expo: a Past, Present and Future exhibition, an interactive family experience that charts the revival of the amusement park and looks ahead to its re-opening,

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scheduled for Easter 2015.

McDonagh said: “I’m thrilled to be part of such a fantastic journey for Dreamland. I have been on a mini-break here in Margate and loved every minute of this exciting exhibition.”

Situated in a vintagestyle arcade, the expo describes Dreamland’s rich heritage and plays host to a collection of 1950s and 60s arcade games and pinball machines, fairground and amusement park artefacts.

Dreamland director Eddie Kemsley commented: “We are delighted thatThe Dreamland Expo is proving to be such a hit

with locals, as well as visitors to Margate.

“From those who used to work at Dreamland to the curious traveller, the success of the expo is testament to the fondness for Dreamland and we look forward to opening the doors to the re-imagined Dreamland next year.”

The amusement park has also announced that it is to receive some of Blackpool’s classic illuminations to decorate the site when it relaunches next year.

The announcement follows on from a research trip that The Dreamland Trust and HemingwayDesign, the agency helping to

regenerate Dreamland, made to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Blackpool illuminations last autumn.

Whilst there, they were taken on a behind-thescenes tour of the Illuminations HQ, archive and works depot by Richard Ryan, head of illuminations, who agreed to donate selected items to Dreamland.

Councillor Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: “The Dreamland restoration plans are a real community effort and have attracted great support.

“It’s pleasing that Black-

pool will be able to make a contribution to such a historic landmark.We wish all the Dreamland team the very best with their project.”

The Dreamland Trust will now work with the local community and volunteers to restore and upcycle these pieces ready for installation next spring.

Kemsley added:“We are delighted that Blackpool Illuminations - one of the most iconic sights in British culture - has donated items towards Dreamland ahead of its opening next year.

“We plan to make good use of the items in very creative ways.”

Bognor Pier Trust awarded government grant PIERS

he trust set up with the aim of restoring TBognor Regis Pier has been awarded a government grant of £10,000 to help it with fundraising and legal costs.

The Bognor Pier Trust was given the funding by the Social Investment Business on behalf of the Department of Communities and Local Government, under its Community Assets and Services Fund.

Established in September, the trust is working

Email: al@sjc.co.uk

closely with the current owner with a view to take over the freehold of the pier to prevent any further loss or damage to the structure and eventually restore and redevelop it as an iconic community asset.

Nick Stuart-Nicolson,

chairman of the trust, said: “We welcome this latest grant, which will transform what we are able to do. Without doubt it has moved this project forward by a considerable amount.

“By preserving Bognor Regis Pier we would once

again create a central location where many groups in the community can gather.

“The Bognor Pier Trust Intends not only to save and provide a sustainable future for this well-loved, iconic and architecturally important Grade II-listed building, but will also provide the community and visitors to our town with a pleasant focal point.”

The pier opened in 1865, but saw parts collapse into the sea between 1964 and 1967 due to storm damage.

Another 200ft section of the pier was lost after a storm in 1999, and further damage since meant the end of the pier had to be removed after it was deemed unsafe.

It had hosted the annual Bognor Birdman Rally from 1978 until 2007, but when sixty feet of the remaining decking at the end of the pier was removed on safety grounds, the iconic event was moved to Worthing Pier.

It returned to Bognor Pier in 2010, but was cancelled this year for safety reasons.

sion was granted to convert a former Harwich nightclub into a family entertainment centre.

Tendring District Council has given owner Mike Gibbons the go-ahead to convert the venue, currently empty, and reinvigorate it with family-oriented amusement equipment.

The ground-floor premises will now become an unlicensed family entertainment centre,with Gibbons reported to be investing up to £500,000 in Category D machines and children’s rides.

Gibbons, who opened a bingo hall in the same building earlier this year, told local press:“We are over the moon that it has been passed. It will be a really good old fashioned seaside town family entertainment centre.”

After an encouraging summer season at resorts around the country, the news can be seen as further evidence of the seaside sector’s continued revival.

The new FEC would provide valuable employment for the town, which has suffered economically during the past few years, including from the closure of the nightclub.

Seven new jobs will be created as a result, with four full-time and three parttime positions proposed for the FEC.

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2383-p10-16-Essential_Coinslot NEW 26/08/2014 14:54 Page 1

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B 2 B

16 This week’s machine charts

Essential Guide to...

The Bingo sector SWOT ANALYSIS

17 B2B listings and industry marketplace

20 Classified sales, job and business opps

Bingo offers genuine opportunities for expansion Having been synonymous with doom, gloom and contraction for several years, the bingo sector was in desperate need for a shot in the arm prior to March’s Budget. Since then, however, the reduction in taxation from 20 per cent to 10 per cent has given bingo an opportunity to reinvent itself as a modern leisure activity with potential for growth. ue in no small part to the BingoAssociation’s hugely successful Boost Bingo campaign, which helped secure a reduction in taxation on the sector from 20 per cent to 10 per cent in the March Budget, the UK land-based bingo industry is already showings significant signs of recovery.

A third of a million bingo customers backed the campaign celebrated after the Chancellor reduced the tax burden on bingo clubs in almost 400 communities across Britain. The upshot is that bingo clubs across England, Scotland and Wales can now invest in new premises, modernisation and jobs.

The Boost Bingo campaign gathered more than 330,000 petition signatures from bingo players across Britain. More than 50 MPs supported the campaign,either in their constituencies by visiting their local bingo club, or on the floor of the House of Commons. The campaign reached a climax when the petition was delivered to the Chancellor’s residence at Number 11 Downing Street, on 26 February. Nearly 200 bingo players joined MPs for a celebratory procession past the Houses of Parliament.

After the tax cut was announced, Miles Baron,CEO,Bingo Association,stated:“Now that we have secured a 10 per cent reduction, operators will be relooking at their investment and modernisation plans to stimulate the industry.”

Since March,several tangible signs of the sector benefiting from the tax cut have arisen. For example, independent operator Majestic Bingo acquired eight Apollo clubs fromTopTen in June and with it announced some hefty spending. The deal brought Majestic’s portfolio of bingo halls in the UK up to 15, making it the UK’s largest independent bingo operator.

The message that Majestic put out to the industry was that ‘the growth doesn’t’ stop here’. Managing director Mark Jepp

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AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

Essential Guide to bingo P10 Coinslot AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

explained:“We’ve already invested approximately £1m on the seven clubs we bought from Seldis Cooper and we’ll spend even more than that on upgrading and updating the other eight.”

He added:“We believe in the long-term future of bingo.We’re happy to run smaller businesses and retain their local flavour.

We’re an independent company that is prepared to invest in the bingo business.”

Jepp, like Bingo Association CEO Miles Baron and Mecca’s head of slots Mo Zabed, believes that what happens on the machine floor will be a key driver to the future success of bingo in the UK.That future success will be heavily influenced by the activities of the Rank Group, which currently operates 380 bingo clubs in the UK, including Gala Bingo, Mecca Bingo, Top Ten Bingo, Carlton Clubs, Castle, Club 3000 and Beacon.

Bingo’s biggest player, Rank, has already announced that it has three new clubs planned as part of the bingo duty cut commitment. It also revealed in its most recent annual results that, overall, its venues remain its prime revenue generator. The operator stated: “Leisure is governed by fairly short term trends meaning that venue evolution is necessary. Successful venue development will drive revenue, strengthen brands and is a means to create new brands and businesses.”

The operator also believes that bingo venue development brings an opportunity to trial new formats and brands, while focussing on ROI and learning from past experience. Interestingly, Rank is set to use dormant casino licences in existing bingo clubs to broaden its product offer, using its Oldbury site as a trial development for 2014/15.

Furthermore, the operator, which has already embraced the likes of its own Mecca Max units,TiTO and server-based gaming, sees ‘bring your own device’, and

the use of mobile devices as membership cards and wallets as future developments for the sector.

When you consider that as recently as the turn of the year the media was writing off bingo as, at best, a contracting sector and, at worst, an archaic pastime for the blue rinse brigade with little or no future prospects, the sector is ready to rise again, with its machine mix a vital ingredient to its widespread appeal.

SWOT ANALYSIS BINGO STRENGTHS • Bingo clubs exist in nearly 400 communities across Britain, despite so many closures before this year’s Budget • Marketeers have positioned the pastime as all-inclusive, social and vibrant • No limit on Cat C or Ds, while up to eight B3 or B4s or 20 per cent of the total number of gaming machines available for use on the premises are permitted WEAKNESSES • Perceived by some as old-fashioned and irrelevant • Machines sometimes under-promoted OPPORTUNITIES • New technologies such as mobile devices • Synergy with online bingo • Tax cut can stimulate investment in premises and equipment THREATS • Casinos and bookmakers on the ‘harder gambling’ front • Online, if synergy with land-based isn’t maximised

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Essential Guide to ... The Bingo sector Market Analysis OPERATIONS

Majestic Bingo: Awareness of locality is fundamental for growth Understanding local context is the way forward for Majestic Bingo, says managing director Mark Jedd. ith a wealth of experience of the UK bingo market, Mark Jedd is the helmsman of what may be the country’s newest chain of bingo operators.

Majestic Bingo was created in Jan-uary 2014, with the acquisition of seven ailing clubs across central England. In June, the operation truly went nationwide with the take-over of an additional eight clubs throughout England and Wales, formerly operated under the Top-Ten banner.

A one time head of amusements at Rank Group and later head of machine operations at Gala Coral Group, Jedd brings to Majestic an extensive knowledge of machine gaming within the bingo hall environment.

With his fresh venture in mind,how does Jedd regard the overall health of the bingo sector? “I think bingo has been through its worst,” he says. “You can talk about the smoking ban, but it was seven years ago; it’s old news.”

The timing certainly seems fortuitous:“I think we’ve had a bit of luck in terms of the recent taxation reduction,”says Jedd, in reference to the halving of bingo duty in this year’s annual budget,“and there’s a number

W

of examples of very creditable independent chains out there who’ve proven that you can grow and you can make a very decent business out of bingo.”

Jedd emphasises the need for understanding the locality of each venue.“One size doesn’t fit all”, he says.“We’re refurbishing virtually all of the clubs and looking at local theming when it comes to the bingo itself,the machines,the food and beverage options, every-thing.”

Jedd has spent the better part of his career at the machine-end of the bingo hall, having had success in selection, placement and strategy of gaming suites across his career. As such, he has some valuable insights into the company’s planned machine strategy:“Firstly, I think its important not to distinguish between‘bingo-players’ and ‘machine-players’,” he says.“These are not mutually exclusive terms.They’re both customers, and we need to give them as much choice as possible, irrespective of why they’ve walked through the door.”

Whilst this might sound challenging, Jedd is adamant that the old adage holds sway:“It’s all about product, service, and environment,” he says.“If you’ve got good

games, trained, knowledgeable staff to provide change and know-how and a comfortable, well-presented environment, everything falls into place.”

When it comes to machine selection, Jedd presses home the need for diversification:“There are players accustomed to older machines,so its important to have some stalwart triple seven and triple eight offerings.”

To entice newer players, accustomed to higher sensory entertainment, he recommends high-end digital offerings from SG, Astra, PlayNation, and other leading suppliers. Jedd also stresses the importance of operating the full spectrum of machine categories: “Research shows that players new to gaming are off-put by higher-stakes, so operating some Cat D 10p machines alongside higher-risk, higher-win options is key to round out appeal.”

There are some key industry blueprints which Jedd accords to:“Things like appealing exteriors and interiors, clear signage, clever layout of machinery.” However, he is emphatic that the success of a hall relies upon the understanding of its customers.

Says Jedd:“It’s about them walking in, and saying‘this is the bingo hall for the locality’.”

VIEWPOINT

Twenty-fourteen - opportunities seen Despite the clichéd and erroneous vision of legions of ‘blue rinsers’ attending archaic premises in ever-decreasing numbers, bingo is biting back due to the massive opportunity afforded by the spring tax cut.

alex lee foreword Coinslot AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

to the March Budget, bingo was suffering some serious contraction.

PTherior number of bingo clubs had dropped from nearly 600 in 2005 to fewer than 400 in January. Though the industry still employs 12,500 people, 6,500 jobs were lost in the past decade. Furthermore, visits to bingo clubs were estimated as being down from 80m in 2005 to 43m at the turn of the year.

We don’t need reminding that in 2007 the game was hit particularly hard by the Smoke Ban. Since those dark days, however, bingo has begun to fight back.

Firstly, canny marketers placed a new emphasis on attracting younger players, and many halls were transformed to create a more modern, all-inclusive atmosphere. Secondly, majors and independents alike began to work out how online bingo could be used in a synergistic

way rather than simply seen as a cannibalistic rival.

Thirdly, and not before time, in March George Osborne announced a tax cut of 10 per cent, thus halving the duty in a stroke.

The pre-Budget assertion made by the Bingo Association’s chief executive Miles Baron that reducing the tax on bingo would enable clubs to invest in their future and continue to serve their local areas, has proved to be bang on the money.

To date, more investment has meant more jobs and, while not a panacea for all the UK’s community ills, a welcome diversion. This has been evidenced by both major and independent operators looking at how best to invest and maximise the opportunity that the tax cut, and bingo’s reinvented image, has brought.

As far as prevailing opinion is con-

cerned, of all forms of gambling, bingo is the most socially welcomed, too. The local bingo hall offers people, many of whom are elderly, comfort and friendship.

Additionally, statistics garnered by a ComRes poll this year, show that bingo provides an important community service by bringing people together. The survey of more than 2,000 adult respondents also found that, although bingo players are predominately women in their late 40s and 50s, support for the game’s future is strongest in the 18-24 age group.

With this fact in mind, and the reasonably generous machine entitlement (a maximum of eight machines in category B3 or B4 or 20 per cent of the total number of gaming machines available for use on the premises and no limits on Cats C or D), there is definitely plenty of scope for reaping some serious cashbox rewards.

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Market Perspectves MANUFACTURING

A digital/analogue balance to be struck Bingo revenues are growing, but in modernising, suppliers shouldn’t leave analogue ma chines out in the cold, says Alan Rogers of Astra Games.

n his role as sales and marketing director forAstra Games, Alan Rogers provides a vast array of Imachines to UK bingo venues. So how does he read their current performance?

“The obvious answer is that we would always like to see an improvement, but there is a balance to be struck,” he said.“When you consider the current climate, machine performance has held up remarkably well and is continuing to do so.”

Along with the wider post-recession economy, he argues, comes fertile ground for the bingo sector:“We’re beginning to see some welcome shoots of recovery in the industry as a whole and that’s been reflected in bingo.”

He also welcomes recent legislative changes: “Machine performance is being helped, to some extent, by the relaxation in the bingo tax regime, which is encouraging a more positive approach to investing in the business.”

Astra prides itself on its sensitivity to the demands of specific clients and their respective environments. In this respect, bingo is no exception: “We’re constantly striving to develop new games and product styles which bring something entirely different to the bingo genre.” However, regarding product innovation, Rogers recognises that a balance needs to be struck between catering to both its modernising and traditional audiences: “Digital games have been clearly identified as the industry’s way forward, but there is still a big requirement for analogue machines within bingo halls,” he says.“The aim has to be to develop fresh concepts for the next generation of players, without alienating established players who still derive huge entertainment from traditional, reelbased games.”With the Gambling Commission limiting the ratio of B3 machines to 20 per cent of the total machine count in any UK bingo hall,

Rogers defers to the operators he supplies on whether or not this should be amended:“I think the answer to this question lies with the bingo operators themselves.Whether or not that ratio needs revising would depend entirely on the specific requirements of each location.”

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B 2 B

Essential Guide to ... The Bingo sector Market Perspectives

Products

OPERATIONS

ASTRA GAMES

Coin-op revenue the defining stream for bingo halls

Astra breathes fresh-life into two established titles

Part of the Praesepe Group, Beacon Bingo operates nine bingo-halls across the country. Operations director Larry Kehoe shares with us his insights on the current health of the sector, and the role coin-op can play in driving future growth.

Novomatic subsidiary Astra Games revamps Bullion Bars and Mega Slot to include exciting bonus features

S: How is on-site bingo faring in wake of challenges such as online gaming and the national smoking ban?

LK: I think it’s fair to say that the bingo sector has struggled over the last few years and that the key requirement for customers is to experience value for money entertainment from their leisure spend.There is a fine balance between price and prize money; the ‘value sessions’ that we run are certainly working, but there’s no getting away from the fact that bingo customers still want big prize boards.

Delivering choice is everything, and we have reviewed our prices and prize boards to make sure that we have a session that fits in with every customer’s pocket and budget at any time in the month.

C

CS: What marketing strategies can venue operators employ to attract a new generation of players?

LK:We have channelled more resources into targeting larger businesses which have a substantial workforce, such as supermarkets and factories. It’s proved very effective.We are also getting more and more group bookings, particularly from hen nights. Groupon has been very successful in attracting a new and younger audience to our clubs.

CS: How do bingo venues build coin-op machines into their floor plans to ensure they generate as much revenue as possible?

LK: Machine income in any bingo venue is just as, if not

Coinslot AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

more important, than any other income stream.As such, our machine planning is at the heart of everything we do: from the main entrance to the exit door.We take our players on what we refer to as a ‘Gaming Journey’ from the minute they walk in, and ensure we have sufficient machines to meet demand, even at peak times.

CS: How important is it for venue operators to be able to update games machine software online?

LK:As with all other sectors in the low stake gaming industry, it’s imperative that we embrace new technologies, on the condition that they bring a meaningful upside to the customer experience.That said, we have to remember that the key issue is about enhancing the player’s enjoyment, not about acquiring technology for the technology’s sake.

Providing players with what they want to play often means having a large proportion of less sophisticated but none the less popular reel based products particularly within our smaller community venues.

CS: Has the Gambling Commission’s increase of CAT C machine jackpot to £100 had a noticeable effect on bingo coin-op revenue?

LK:Absolutely.Trading on £100 Cat C’s, especially community games, is on the increase with significant like for like, year on year growth.

Whilst some of this upswing is the result of cannibalisation of income from our older Cat C products, the £100 jackpot continues to provide positive results throughout our clubs.

stra Games has two new products ready for the bingo sector, in the form of Bullion Bars Streak Arena, and Mega A Slot.

While the names might already be familiar within the UK circuit, these versions have been given a thorough makeover to bring them up to date and bursting with player appeal.

Bullion Bars Streak Arena is recognised as a tried and tested Cat C product, but makes its return to the bingo landscape complete with the new £100 jackpot. The base game comprises a classic three-reel format, with holds and nudges offered randomly from game to game. Key to its appeal is the streak feature: randomly, after any reel win, the player can gain entry to the Bullion Bars Streak - played on a special set of reels on the shared top box. On each spin there are three wins available, including the jackpot. The Bullion Bars feature ends when a losing combination lands on the win line.

The game is played out on a 30p stake for a £25 jackpot, growing to £100 when the streak is activated.

Included with the purchase of the machine are decals and software that enable easy conversion to other stake and jackpot combinations.

On the Cat B3 front, Astra has high hopes in the bingo sector for Mega Slot, a five-reel video based game. Revolving around a classic and simple style of play, players can ‘stake up’ for more chances of winning the £500 jackpot.

Access to the Mega Slot feature is awarded on a random basis, but when it occurs, the player number will be displayed on the top screen to indicate which player has reached it. The top screen has three reels and five win lines. Prize amounts are displayed, including the chance of a ‘mystery win’, the amount of which will be between two specified amounts on the top screen. The reels will spin automatically and each win is put into a pot on the top screen. The Mega Slot function ends either when a no win is achieved on the reels, or when the jackpot amount has been reached.

Alan Rogers, sales and marketing director at Astra Games, commented: “These are two fantastic games that tick all the boxes for the bingo sector. They’re instantly recognisable, fun to play and bursting with earning potential.”

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B 2 B

GEWETE

Time to change - time to GeWeTe With a range of advanced machines and targeted UK market support, GeWeTe is continuing to grow its reputation as one of the world’s leading cash handling providers. eWeTe has been manufacturing high quality, secure and reliable cash handling soluG tions for over 20 years. With over 60,000 machines installed world-wide the company has vast experience in a wide range of applications and market sectors.

Having set up the UK and Irish office less than a year ago,Aristidis Tsikouras, managing director, commented:“I am proud to say that having Mark Edmundson in the team has helped us gain a better understanding of the UK markets and Mark has been successful in expanding our install base.”

With one of the most extensive range of cash recycling machines available in the market GeWeTe has a model to suit all applications, from the Cash Recycler Compact through to the Maxi Cash Recycler. PC based technology enables it to offer both CITO and TITO upon

purchase or as an additional feature to add at a later date as a business changes to meet market conditions.

The company is also working with partners to provide an electronic purse and membership system for various applications, including bingo and sports betting.

One main feature of the GeWeTe range is the ability to have a multi-functional cash handling solution in one secure cabinet.Not only do their machines provide a standard cash in cash out service, they can also be a redemption system, staff cash float dispenser and deposit system.

The company’s new design of the model WGS 200 gives an ideal solution to replace a cash desk with one machine in the pusher area, allowing notes and coins to be inserted into the one machine for £1 and 2p coins out.This model also has a unique feature: the “FREM Module”

which feeds coins into the hopper as required,so that if jams occur due to prizes getting into the hopper it is a quick and easy solution to remove the offending item without emptying the whole machine.

The security of GeWeTE cabinets is one of the best in the market and with the volume of cash increasing in change machines this has to be a major point to consider when purchasing such equipment.

Coinslot AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

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B 2 B

Essential Guide to ...

The Bingo sector

Products

Analysis

WEXEL GAMING

Join Wexel Gaming’s linked bingo group Able to provide enticing jackpots with high quality gameplay, Wexel’s linked bingo brings the power of bingo to small operators around the country. he full bingo hall experience is now available on the high street with Wexel Gaming’s Blis Linked Bingo. Much larger prizes than in-house bingo, frequent Tjackpot games and an ever-expanding user base have seen Blis Linked Bingo flourish in venues that otherwise wouldn’t be able to offer a sustainable bingo facility.

80-number MCB and 90-number ticket linked bingo are both played Monday to Saturday across the UK at established national and regional independent operators, which both benefit from offering a unique product and impressive daily prize amounts.Bringing in bingo customers has also had a benefit to gaming areas, with increased spend and first time players evident at multiple venues.

In the past, bingo has not been accessible to smaller locations due to both size and cost, however with Wexel Gaming’s flexible product range any space can play host to linked bingo. PlusTab and GTab Lite are the most convenient options, offering a low cost and compact installation requiring the absolute minimum floor space. Both Bingo Plus 19 and the GTab Kiosk offer a more premium look and feel, with large touch screen displays and customised seats, tables and advertisements.

Even with just one player, venues can offer lucrative prize amounts and a unique high street bingo experience, with features and accessibility unmatched by any other product.

A major setback for operators is the requirement of staff members to call numbers, check claims and monitor the bingo area in general. Blis Linked Bingo requires staff attention for just a few minutes before the game starts, to connect and verify the communication between venues.After entering the game, players can just breeze through without any staff input, as claims are checked by the remote calling club. Operators can also opt in or out of hosting the linked bingo, which allows smaller venues to offer huge prizes with minimal input.

After being installed in multiple Cashino venues in the UK, they reported that Blis Linked Bingo has given them a “unique offering which allows players to win larger bingo prizes.” It has also had a similar impact at Showcase Bingo, giving them a competitive edge by allowing their players the opportunity to win nearly £5000 a week.

CATEGORYC (£1/£100 Max.)

CATEGORYB3 (£2/£500 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 3 2 4 5 7 8 10 6 9

DOND Winfall BFG DOND Midas Touch BFG Fiddle A Fortune REF Hot Shots REF DOND Powerplay BFG DOND Lucky Streak BFG Worminator QPS DOND Crazy Chair Gold BFG Best Of British REF DOND Time To Play BFG

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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Slotto 500 Astra Magic Lotto Ultra Novomatics King of Slots Blueprint Triple 8 Barcrest Mega Bars Big Hit Project Coin Rainbow Riches Community Cash Barcrest Lady Luck Reflex Triple 7 Barcrest Abet Astra Magic Lotto 2 Novomatics

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

CATEGORYD (10p/£5 Max.) 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

8 1 6 -

Encore T7 (GP2) SG Gaming Encore T7 (GP3) SG Gaming Find the Lady Ultimate Project Gold Run Arena Empire Magic Games 3 Novomatic X3000 Multigame Amatic Magic Games 100 Ultra Novomatic Triple 7 (GP2) SG Gaming Magic Games 3 (s/d) Novomatic Bullion Bars Platinum Astra

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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 -

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 Monopoly (4 Player) Mazomma

Based on data from four sites Amusement Equipment Co Ltd

CATEGORYB4 (£2/£4000 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 3 4 5 6 7 9 -

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 Sevens Up Electrocoin Win Wall Celebrity Astra Magic Games S/D Novomatic

Taken from a representative number of sites around the UK Supplied by Amusement Equipment Co Ltd

Coinslot AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

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

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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JNC puts faith in industry veterans to drive sales An experienced gang of industry experts provides instills customers with a high level of confidence at JNC Sales. he team at JNC Sales has amassed years of experience in the coin-op industry, enabling them to respond to the market with the swiftness and wisdom brought on through years acquiring knowledge and expertise.

Sales team member Gary Newman is well known around the industry, with past roles and Namco and Harry Levy under his belt and is particularly well versed when it comes to pusher, redemption and video titles.

Newman specialises in putting deals together to suit both parties as he is influential in product buying. Since joining the company he has slotted in well at JNC thanks to the vast range of products on

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LICENCE WHITEHOUSE LOVES MICKEY & MINNIE enowned for their extensive line of Disney-licensed products, WhiteR house Leisure is catering to the

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romantics among us with both its Mickey and Minnie Mouse love-heart products. The 12 inch, thirty-piece plush set adds to the established list of classic disney characters that Whitehouse supplies. Their newer Disney franchises include Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc, and Planes, amongst a great many others. Whitehouse can also lay claim to other well-known licenses, like the Simpsons, Family Guy, Hello Kitty and One Direction.

offer and the flexibility to accept trade-ins and offer payment terms.

Reece Newman has been part of JNC’s line-up since spring 2012. In that time the company reports that he has developed a great knowledge of fruit machines and

BANK NOTES INNOVATIVE IMPLORES OPERATORS TO UPDATE CASH HANDLING EQUIPMENT he new issue E10 note enters circulation on 23 September and Innovative TechTnology has reminded operators to update their cash handling equipment to accept

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the new note.

Innovative incorporated the new E10 note, which boasts a range of new security features, into all of its Euro currency dataset files in May to give operators enough time to update their ITL validators in the field.

Customer support manager Andy Bassam said: “To ease the update process for customers across Europe we have released a new DA3 Smart Update Tool allowing customers to update their validators to accept the E10 note that will enter into circulation in September.

Coinslot AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

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has a brilliant understanding of the wide range of stock held by JNC. Reece Newman is keen to jump on the latest machine arrivals and distribute them to his customer base.

Arriving from UDC in 2013, experienced sales consultant, Dave Columbine has retained and strengthened his quality customer base, predominantly on the redemption and video side, but has also quickly picked up knowledge regarding pushers and AWPs. Columbine is well known within the industry and has quickly found himself comfortable amid the fast moving nature of JNC stock.

Rounding out the sales team is Brian Marks, who has been on staff for several years as the company’s export specialist.

Marks has customers in many exotic locations and has previously worked with Sega in the areas of video and redemption.

Speaking many different languages, bolstered by his bubbly Irish personality, he is able to communicate with almost anyone and is a regular at overseas exhibitions.

The team will be on hand this October at the Autumn Coin-op Show, on stand 84 and at the Euro Attractions Show on stand 8856.

CATEGORY C WIN FALL FOR ALL

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n Deal or No Deal (DOND) Win Fall, RLMS Sales has secured what is predicted to be among the most successful machines of the coming months. The Bell-Fruit product is yet another machine based on the perennially popular Deal or No Deal gameshow licence. This Cat C AWP game has already performed well in early testing. “We first put the game out on test towards the end of 2013 and since then its performance has been consistently superb,� said BellFruit sales and marketing director, John McLoughlin. “Unsurprisingly, it has now become BFG’s biggest seller since DOND The Big One.�

Interested operators should contact the team at RLMS Sales to secure their own cabinet.

NEWFOR ASTRA’S MAGIC GAMES 100 ULTRA stra Games has released new kits for its Magic A Games 100 Ultra Cat C machine.Encased in the FV623 cabinet, and utilising two 19� video screens, the 100 Ultra was launched in January of this year. The new kits are now on offer from Crown Direct, Deith Leisure, and RLMS Sales, and come with four new and distinct titles: Hot Chance, Mega Joker, Roaring Forties, and Fruit Sensation. Image

GREATEST HITS eith Leisure and Crown Direct offer a vast range of machines from a deep D and diverse catalogue, but the two companies have selected a group of products they believe are the cream of the crop to highlight for this week.

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CORRECTION SOUTH SEA PIER SOLD TO FRENASH t has come to light that there was an error in last week’s Coinslot regarding ISouth Sea Pier, Portsmouth. Crown Leisure operated the arcade for the firm’s sister company Six Piers until the pier was sold to Frenash Limited in May 2010.

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Coinslot August 29 - September 4, 2014

Comment Striving for success in an imperfect world

alex lee comment hile it’s difficult to put a positive spin on the latest bank holiday washout, it would seem that, despite the recent low temperatures, rain and wind, the UK coin-op sector’s dramatic shrinkage over the last decade or so looks to have levelled out a little. Obviously, one can only rely on anecdotal evidence up to a point, but a number of factors signal something of a recovery for what has been one of the UK’s most beleaguered industries.

For example, we still have a number of wellattended and professionally-organised trade shows, both international and of a more provincial nature. It won’t have escaped anyone’s attention that BALPPA is now to have its own UK-based event too and I’m sure that coin-op stakeholders whose line of business brings them into contact with leisure parks and piers will be up for maximising any opportunities arising from that.

Meanwhile, several millions of pounds continue to be pumped into regenerating those seaside resorts that were in desperate need of a boost.

While they are unlikely to be the direct beneficiaries of such funds, the FECs and arcades in the above

W

areas should benefit from being in a modern, vibrant, high-footfall environment as opposed to a dilapidated area trading on past glories.

On the single site front, pub closures continue but the ALMR and BBPA have found high levels of crossparty political support when it comes to convincing the country’s leaders that the pub and brewing industries are a vital source of entertainment, employment and government revenue.Thankfully, most of the major pubcos seem to support the deployment of coin-op entertainment, despite the business models concerned not necessarily being perfect from our side of the fence.

And so long as the unfair playing field regarding the siting of FOBTs remains, BACTA has a focal point issue to get its teeth into, along with the day-to-day work it gets through on behalf of its members. As discussed several times in Coinslot lately, all the sector wants is consistent, common-sense legislation rather than, at one shuddering extreme as seen in some parts of Europe, a blanket ban on gambling machines or, on the other extreme, a head-in-thesand continuation of the B2 status quo.

“

Common sense must be applied

FOBTs remain very much in th

The ‘£2 a spin’ lobby continues, while celebrities and the GBGA has challeng

alex lee media watch he Campaign for Fairer Gambling’s Adrian Parkinson has Tshared his views on FOBTs in The Guardian. “Ten years ago, when I was working as a senior executive in the betting industry, I met John.

“John was married, employed at a Morrison’s superstore and would spend his days off in the betting shop bantering with his mates over the football, betting on the horses, playing fruit machines and wagering his money on sport.

“When I caught up with John in 2009, he no longer discussed the football or the horses, nor did he have much time for banter. He was an outcast from betting shops across Manchester, his wife had left him and he had moved into a one-bedroom flat on his own. He still had his job, though was heavily in debt, and aside from paying his rent most of his wages were spent funding an addiction. Not a drug

addiction, but the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’: FOBTs. “For more than 10 years I helped to develop and integrate FOBTs across betting shops in the UK. But in 2012 I turned whistle blower on FOBTs through Panorama, and have continued campaigning to see them restricted since.

“The FOBTs I had put in these shops turned betting shop punters into pathological gamblers, and their losses became part of the estimated 23 per cent of revenue that is derived from those with an addiction. In the last 12 years, more than 33,000 of these high-risk casino gambling machines have gone into shops on Britain’s high streets.

“In April the government proclaimed a clampdown on FOBTs, and introduced a range of measures, including players having to identify themselves to staff when they want to stake from £50 to £100. This is an arbi-

trary decision, which seems to imply that those staking under £50 are not at risk of succumbing to addiction.

“It also looks as if the government will soon enable councils to prevent new betting shops opening under planning laws.

This is not enough. On the few occasions when bookmakers have to apply for planning permission, their bank balances combined with an appeals procedure often ensure that a decision against them is reversed.

“But cutting betting shops is not the answer. The solution, in my view, is for greater powers to be given to local councils, for the government to agree a safer, acceptable staking level for all machines in high-street gambling venues and for FOBT bets to be capped at £2 per spin.

Meanwhile, it has come to light that bingo has a number of celebrity fans from the world of showbusiness, according to

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Coinslot August 29 - September 4, 2014 23

“Now, as the UK economy begins to experience the green shoots of recovery, it is time for our industry to make good on the preparations for growth laid in the tough times.”

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UFI IBRAHIM, HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION

letter to the editor

“ ”

quote unquote

Dear Sir We are a small time operator of over 40 years and can tell you we have been reporting this ‘hopper fiddle’ (reported in last week’s Coinslot) to the main victim B.F.M. On many occasions we have had money missing from secure machines to be fobbed off with “No it can’t happen” by their service department as George Henshaw and his assistants formerly of B.F.M service (long retired) could confirm.

A person, sometimes two, would arrive at a site (usually by taxi); walk up to a machine with something in their hand, the manager would hear money being paid out from the machine but nothing going in. The meters read right for percentages, but not money.

On reporting this to the manufacturer, we would be fobbed off with: “Oh no, it can’t happen to our machines.” I started to suspect that something was being done to the program beforehand or by my machine supplier who we had really just started using.

We switched back to an old supplier and the problems appeared to stop, apart from the usual customer break-ins never seen from the bar six feet away. The people who had been involved have been seen visiting the sites, taking one look at the machines sited and walking out.

JOHN TILBURN, JAT LEISURE WAKEFIELD

“Pinball’s popularity may have diminished over the years, but a core group of game enthusiasts and dedicated manufacturers is not only keeping it alive but helping it to thrive once more.”

SIMON LIDDLE, INTERGAME

“The first full year of the UK’s point of consumption tax will see the Treasury collect a record amount of tax from the betting sector.”

WARWICK BARTLETT, GBGC

“For the first time in a while everyone is feeling pretty positive in Mecca about the outlook for the business because of the shot in the arm from the duty reduction.

The reduction translates to about £11m-£12m on an annualised basis.”

HENRY BIRCH, CEO, RANK

in the public eye

ontinues, while bingo is proving a popular pastime among several high-profile A has challenged the new Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014.

scallywagandvagabond.com.

Even Barack Obama has a link to the game, as his stepmum Kezia is apparently a big fan at her local hall in Woking, according to an article in the Daily Mail.

Robbie Williams’ secret love of bingo was revealed in 2011, when he won a leopard-skin handbag in a Hollywood bingo competition (and donated a hefty chunk of cash to Breast Cancer Research). The Take That star likes to attend charity bingo events around the world and even once posted a picture of Gary Barlow calling bingo at someone’s house.

Bingo was popular as Catherine Zeta Jones grew up in the Welsh valleys and the actress has apparently been known to visit the bingo halls when she visits her home country. Now that she has split up from Michael Douglas (or has she?) these visits might be

more regular.

Bingo is an activity suitable for everyone, so it’s no surprise that the affable scouser and Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson is a fan. He’s even recorded ‘The Bingo Song’ in 2007 on his love of the game and stars in his own DVD themed on Celebrity Bingo.

Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix regions, loyal servant to the true emperor Marcus Aurelius and fan of little balls being drawn from machines, Russell Crowe is probably the number one on this list in terms of fame, and was once even a bingo caller himself in New Zealand.

And finally, The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association has filed a challenge to new UK gaming laws in the British courts, according to pokerfuse.com The GBGA alleges that the

new Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 is “unlawful, because it is an illegitimate, disproportionate and discriminatory interference with the right to free movement of services guaranteed by Article 56 TFEU, and is irrational.”

The process has been filed under a process which requests a judicial review. That review has the power to overturn laws under certain circumstances.

The process was initiated two months ago with a legal letter to the UK government which is termed a “Pre-Action Protocol for Judicial Review.”

Regeneration of coastal towns is vital Baroness Jones of Whitchurch believes that the UK faces a big challenge in expanding the tourism sector and benefiting from it in the future. Furthermore, the Labour peer wants to see immediate seaside regeneration for several coin-op strongholds.

baroness jones of Whitchurch politics owever you measure it, tourism is one of the largest industries in the H UK. According to Deloitte, it contributes nearly £100bn to the economy of England alone. One in 12 jobs in the UK is either directly or indirectly benefited by tourism. It is the UK’s third highest export earner, behind chemicals and financial services, and it is a growing sector, with tourism expenditure forecast to grow 3 per cent per annum in this decade and spending by inbound visitors forecast to grow at an even faster rate.

The tourism and hospitality sectors deserve a place at the top table of Treasury and Business Ministers.They are delivering for our economy and could be delivering even more.

TheTourism Council has a big challenge to harness the energy of the stakeholders in the sector who are full of ideas and initiatives that could make even better use of our tourism appeal in future. The sector is also coming to terms with a 34 per cent cut in real terms to the grants to VisitBritain and VisitEngland as well as the decision to decentralise many of the responsibilities to the local enterprise partnerships which lack the authority,effectiveness and resources of the regional development boards which they replaced.

One of the big challenges facing tourism is that of the 31m visitors to the UK, more than half visit only London. Not only is this a missed opportunity, it is also symptomatic of a wider economic worry that all our wealth and investment is being drawn into the capital leading to an unbalanced economic recovery.

There is an onus on government to do more to support the tourism sector to attract visitors to our cities, regions and coastlines. It requires a crossdepartment plan to look at the infrastructure needs of specific areas and invest accordingly.Take, for example, British seaside towns. Historically,

they have been at the heart of our nation’s family holidays, but many are now in decline. This need not be inevitable. Family holidays are no longer restricted to the two-week family break at a seaside resort,but the sand, sea and attractions are still there and could provide a focus for new types of tourism and shorter holiday breaks.

While Brighton, where I live, still has its economic challenges, other resorts are faring far worse.Poor housing stock, high unemployment, antisocial behaviour and lack of modern infrastructure are holding back their development.Take GreatYarmouth as an example.Its town centre has a child deprivation rate of 49 per cent and it is crying out for regeneration to offer hope to the young people currently unemployed there.

Places like Great Yarmouth could be providing a renaissance in beach holidays for the new generation of staycationers and inbound tourists, but they cannot be left to sort this alone. Government should be providing the strategy and the catalyst for the investment.

English Heritage,the NationalTrust and the Historic Houses Association have done a fantastic job, but they cannot be expected to meet all the needs of this sector,particularly when their funding is being cut.We should be harnessing our unique heritage as a key driver to develop our tourism strategy outside London.Where is the strategy to revitalise the seaside towns, our impoverished regions and our heritage?

Everything depends on the next generation of young people who we want to encourage to develop careers in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Without them, we will have nothing to market to potential visitors.We will not have the skills to give the warm welcome which is essential if we are going to make our tourism a success.

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Coinslot August 29 - September 4, 2014

Newsweek GAMING ROYALTY TO DESCEND ON WEST LONDON ICE Europe, the annual event which sees the congregation of some of the most senior minds in video-gaming technology, takes place next month in Kensington, London. The two day event will welcome speakers such as Phil Harrison, corporate vice president of Microsoft, Jonathan Morin, creative

I

director at Ubisoft, and Martin Rae, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Featuring a

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Daventry to host UK Pinball Party ing their exciting upcoming game:“Full-Throttle”. Due for release in November,Full-Throttle will be available for attendees to play-test and compete against one another for prizes.The game will be available on offer for pre-order to all interested parties.

Other leading pinball vendors to have confirmed attendance include Pinball Mania, Pinball Daze, and 1 STOP Pinball.

The UK Pinball Party runs from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st August.

his weekend will see the fifth annual UK Pinball Party take place at the Daventry Court Hotel, Northamptonshire.

This year’s event will see attendees treated to a luxury three-course buffet gala dinner, along with a keynote address from pin-balling titan Barry Oursler. Oursler will discuss his own career, as well as the current state of pinball today.

In another exciting development,the Heighway Pinball team will also be on-hand, unveil-

T

networking day of go-karting, areas of discussion will focus on the future processes of game design,

the rise of the Chinese market and its industrial affects, and the ongoing development of gaming narratives.

2013 saw senior delegates from gaming giants Sony also attending the conference, providing an opportunity to network with established industry figures.

“Walk down the hall and you will see people who have been heavy hitters in the games community for ten or

twenty years”, says Mark Cerny, lead architect of Sony’s PlayStation 4, “the crème de la crème, that’s who’s here”. DICE Europe will run from September 2324 at the Royal Garden Hotel.

WINDSOR WELCOMES PLAYFAIR oyal Windsor Racecourse will be the venue for PlayFair, the UK’s largest trade event

R

for all those involved in the purchasing, supply and upkeep of children’s play equipment. Hosted by the Association of Play Industries (API), PlayFair will take part alongside the Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition (SALTEX).

The wider event will feature over two-hundred separate exhibitors, and the latest in children’s play technology.

PlayFair takes place from 2-

4 September, and entering, registering, and parking is all free of charge. Those seeking to attend are directed to the PlayFair website: www.playfairuk.com

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

Calendar 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

30-2 G2E 2014 Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Las Vegas, US www.globalgamingexpo.com

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