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Industry news Seaside amusements Spares & components B2B Listings Latest machine charts Classified ads and opps Comment & Analysis Newsweek
Workers’ pay is a real issue for the gambling industry because gamblers can only spend what they have in their pocket and if pay is falling behind inflation for whatever reason the industry finds it more difficult to cover costs.
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Gambling Act amendments ca LEGISLATION
A new regulatory and licensing regime for online and other remote gambling activity in Great Britain is set to come into effect from the beginning of next month after the UK Parliament passed an order specifying 1 October as the date of commencement for the new regime. The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association, however, has already submitted a legal challenge to the High Court. The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 (Commencement No.1) Order 2014 will give effect to provisions in the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act, which was passed earlier this year, and in doing so amends the Gambling Act 2005. Under the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act, businesses wishing to advertise or provide remote gambling services to consumers in Great Britain will be required to obtain a licence from the Gambling Commission to do so.
Transitional arrangements for the move to the new ‘point of consumption’ framework have been in place since earlier this summer. The Gambling Commission has outlined a range of changes to licensing conditions that remote gambling operators will have to adhere to under the POC regime. However, the GBGA has lodged a legal challenge before the High Court in London against the UK government and Gambling Commission over the planned new gambling laws and accompanying licensing rules and guidance. The GBGA described the proposals as
New calls for abo MONEY
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recent article in The Economist has called for the abolition of cash - and has brought forward a compelling case for doing so. Scrapping physical currency, Kenneth Rogoff of Harvard University argues,would help governments to collect more tax,fight crime and develop better monetary policy. Notes and coins make up only a tiny part of the money in circulation: just 3 per cent in Britain, for instance.The rest is simply records of balances in accounts,either at a bank (in the case of businesses and individuals) or at the central bank (in the case of banks). Rich countries are becoming ever less dependent on cash, as debit and credit cards,“virtual wallets” and other substitutes grow
in popularity. According to the World Bank, they had 83 cash dispensers for every 100,000 adults in 2008; by 2012 they had only 68. Rogoff believes that cash causes all sorts of problems. Forgery is one: in 2013 the Bank of England removed 680,000 counterfeit notes, with a face value of £11.5m, from circulation. Genuine cash helps criminals of other sorts, since notes and coins keep transactions anonymous. In the OECD,a club of rich countries for the most part, the “underground economy” of activity hidden from the government, makes up about one-fifth
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“illegitimate, disproportionate and discriminatory… and irrational”. It said the plans were “designed for economic reasons: to grant UK operators a competitive advantage over those from overseas” and that they could be detrimental to consumers if introduced. In its formal filing to the High Court, the GBGA stated: “The absence of effective supervision and enforcement, coupled with the burdensome regulatory requirements, will encourage the growth of and migration to unregulated or poorly regulated operators which will present genuine risks to the British consumer.
When introducing the new licensing regime, the UK government and Gambling Commission rejected the option of a ‘passporting’ regime. This would have been both less onerous to legitimate operators and more effective in protecting consumers, since it would have been based on effective supervision and cooperation between the Commission and overseas regulators.” Gambling law expert Audrey Ferrie of Pinsent Masons concluded: “I understand that 161 operators have applied for GB licences which is more than anticipated. Perhaps the speed or otherwise with which the Gambling Commission deals with these will give some indication of whether or not the GBGA’s view on resources is correct. Certainly all of these operators and their advisors have invested a great deal of time and money in the application process and will no doubt await the outcome of the hearing with considerable interest.”
r abolition of cash share has barely shrunk in a decade. Rogoff estimates that in most countries,the desire to hide something from the authorities accounts for more than half of cash transactions by value. Abolishing cash would eliminate counterfeiting at a stroke,and make it much easier to trace illicit payments.The reduction in crime that would follow would be a huge boon, both socially and economically. The reduction in tax evasion alone would bring big fiscal benefits. Going digital does pose problems. For one thing,even in the rich world,
there are still plenty of honest but “unbanked” people who rely completely on cash.Some economists think central banks might suffer too.They inject money into the economy,in both physical and virtual form, by buying government debt.They do not pay interest on the money they have created,but they earn interest on the bonds they have bought.The profits they earn in this way, known as seigniorage, are sent to government coffers.The Bank of England earns about £500m a year in this way. One thing is for certain - the coin-op (or should that be pay-toplay) sector needs to be ready to cope with a further shift towards reduced coin and note usage,even if to some a cashless UK seems impossible to envisage.
BACTA’s realignment programme continues TRADE BODIES
Continuing to tour the UK to meet with BACTA members, business bodies and politicians, new chief executive John White believes he is making progress with the direction of the UK’s coin-op trade body. ast week,BACTA CEO John White’s diary was dominated by spending further time on his campaign to strengthen BACTA’s position on the UK’s business landscape. White told Coinslot:“The principal item of discussion at last week’s Management Committee meeting was around the strategic direction of BACTA. I have been sharing some of my initial thoughts widely as I have been attending regional meetings and talking to other stakeholders. It will ultimately be for National Council to endorse but I am pleased to say that there is a good degree of accord about the way forward so far.” He added:“Front and centre of everything we want to do is the long-term, sustainable success of your businesses.I strongly believe that we have the capacity as an organisation and as an industry to shape the business environment in an intelligent way and which does just that. I hope market development will therefore be a strong part of the BACTA offer going forward.” White believes that the industry needs to see itself,and for others to see it, as a business.“I was pleased therefore that Management Committee agreed that we join the CBI. It is an excellent organisation and we will benefit from membership. It was through a CBI event that I learnt of the campaign for a cut in business rates for high street retailers - like BACTA members. It also gives us the opportunity to explain our specific policy positions to the foremost business lobby in the country.” The BACTAAnnual Convention on 27 November is now a free event for members.White continued: “We will also be trying to make it slightly less formal so there are good opportunities for
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members and guests to mix.” Having waded through the LCCP consultation for a second time, BACTA has put a summary paper and suggested response up to the divisions.White explained: “There are a number of fairly straightforward changes proposed some of which I suspect members will not find objectionable. Others are in need of amendment. However, it is important
that we understand how these changes may play out at the coal face which is why members’input is so important.” Other meetings last week were with the Bank of England and a meeting with Coinslot. On Tuesday, White met with Nick Clegg’s SpecialAdviser to discuss the association’s current thinking on a range of issues which was then followed by our Southern Regional meeting.It was London and Home Counties Region on Wednesday and Mancom on Thursday. White concluded:“On Friday, I was recovering from the dramatic events of the night before whilst struggling through the LCCP consultation. Whatever position one may have held on Scottish Independence, I have to say that I found the whole debate quite fascinating. The issues were so significant and the level of debate, has been at a profound level; one that I wish we could replicate in our General Elections.”
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Rank’s Belfast plans halted by casino ban
VHub Gen 2 achieves historic sales record for Sound Leisure
LEGISLATION
The Rank Group is seeking to build Northern Ireland’s first casino, but social development minister Nelson McCausland is not prepared to give it the go-ahead. asinos will not be permitted in Northern Ireland, despite an upcoming overhaul of the province’s gambling laws, according to the country’s social development minister Nelson McCausland (pictured). The news comes as a blow to the Rank Group, operator of the Grosvenor and G Casino casino chains in the UK, which last week outlined its ambition to build a casino in Belfast. McCausland dismissed Rank’s plans, saying that he felt there was simply no appetite for casinos in Northern Ireland and he was surprised that the company had not made its plans clear last year, when a lengthy review of local gambling laws took place. He said: “I’m not quite sure what their thinking is, but it was surprising that they didn’t contribute to
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the discussion. It’s a bit late now in the day to come along because we are about to take a package of proposals to the executive and to the assembly and I want to go to the assembly with the changes in the gambling legislation next year.” McCausland added that Rank had made no contact with his department. Northern Ireland is seeking to update its gambling laws, which McCausland believes are becoming increasingly out of date.The main areas of focus, he announced last year,will be to keep crime out of gambling, to ensure fairness within the gambling industry and to protect the young and vulnerable. Work on the legislation is ongoing and will be presented to the Stormont Assembly next year. Casinos are legal in all areas of the UK apart from
Northern Ireland, which, since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, is largely self-governing. Rank presented its proposal for Northern Ireland’s first casino to the Belfast City Council development committee last week, announcing a“prototype model specifically for Belfast,” with a “strictly regulated and monitored gaming operation,” anchoring a venue that would include a cinema and restaurants.The company, which operates 55 casinos across the UK that generate annual revenues of £625m, said that 200 jobs would be created and suggested a council development site at the north foreshore of Belfast Lough as a possible location. Rank said it was seeking to determine whether “there is an appetite for a
JUKEBOXES
ongoing success of Leisure’s Venue THubheSound Gen 2 jukebox, prechange in legislation” and asked the council committee whether it would be prepared to give the proposal its backing. Speaking to the BBC, chairman of the council’s licensing committee Tom Ekin said that at the moment, in principle, the council was neither for it nor against the proposal, although he added that some councillors were concerned about a possible increase in problem gambling. “We were looking for more information and more information will be provided over time,” said Ekin.“We were just saying, ‘you have told us your story,
we are suitably sceptical’.” However, Ekin also conceded there were probably more dangers posed by opportunities to gamble at home and via the television. “That is more dangerous than a well-run casino that has got the variety of things that were referred to such as restaurants, bowling alleys, bars, theatres and so on,” he said. For now,it seems,Rank is fighting an uphill battle in seeking to persuade McCausland to change the law.“(Casino gambling) is not something the minister (McCausland) is prepared to move towards,” an official told the Stormont Assembly in 2013.
Southend arcades hit by extreme rainfall - again WEATHER
any arcade businesses have been flooded and M some left without power after extreme rainfall battered seaside coin-op stronghold Southend last week. The Essex Weather Centre reported that an inch of rain fell in just half an hour on September 19,leaving seafront homes and businesses flooded. Power cuts have also been reported in Southend and Shoebury after a thunderstorm passed through the area. BBC East news presenter
Amanda Goodman stated: “Torrential rain sent water pouring into sea front businesses in Southend. It’s the second time it’s happened in 13 months. Some people are blaming the rebuilding of the promenade.” Flooding also hit roads
close to Southend Airport, while Westcliff train station was also affected in the deluge.About 20 businesses including several amusement arcades, restaurants and the Rendezvous Casino on the seafront are thought to
Email: al@sjc.co.uk
have been affected. The Happidrome Arcade on the town’s Marine Parade is among the businesses affected by the flooding. It suffered similar damage from flash flooding in August 2013, costing the owner Martin Richardson more than £100,000. Richardson told Coinslot:“It’s not as if I don’t need it or know what’s needed to be done… This time the sea front took a greater hit, with Las Vegas Amusements being flooded, water in Circus Circus, the Falcon pub and others.The Old Chippy was
also affected again.” Roads were reportedly impassable around Warrior Square in the town while the Queensway underpass was affected when a drain failed due to the level of water.The Essex Fire Service told local press that it has had to deal with several cars trapped in floodwater between the town’s Thorpe Hall Avenue and Woodgrange Drive. It confirmed that it received more than 100 calls and attended over 30 flooding incidents in Southend between 9:30pm and 11:30pm.
viewed in last week’s edition of Coinslot, was reaffirmed this week, with Northern Ireland gaminghire specialists Oasis Retail Services placing a significant order of the machines. With forty years of industry experience, Oasis’ continued business will see the firm roll-out the VHub Gen 2 across all of its operating locations in the coming months. “We have tried and tested many different jukeboxes and vending machines over the years,” commented Drew Pritchard, services manager at Oasis, “but we still continue to roll with Sound Leisure’s innovative products.” This latest development makes the VHub Gen 2 Sound Leisure’s best-selling digital jukebox in the UK to date.
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INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE
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Bell-Fruit and Endemol renew licensing agreement LICENSING
Manufacturer Bell-Fruit and multi-platform entertainment provider Endemol UK have renewed their agreement for the Deal or No Deal licence. ottingham-based gaming machine manufacturer BellFruit Games and multi-platform entertainment provider Endemol UK have renewed their partnership for the universally successful Deal or No Deal licence. The deal,currently running into its eighth year,has seen the emergence of in excess of 100 AWP, SWP, Cat B3 and club products in the UK bearing the unmistakeable Deal or No Deal brand. The TV show first transmitted in the UK in October 2005 and Bell-Fruit was quick to seize the opportunity to extend the brand into the soft gaming space.
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Since then, Deal or No Deal has become synonymous with the coin-op soft gaming sector. Pete Farrell, director of games design at BFG, heralded the continuation of what has been a hugely productive alliance with Endemol UK. He noted:“We are highly delighted to be able to announce our renewed licensing partnership with Endemol UK, who we have a very strong working relationship with. As a result, players up and down the country can look forward to many more great DOND titles from the BFG stable.” Endemol Games is a division specialising in licens-
company has successfully partnered with many of the major players in the gaming sector including Electronic Arts, William Hill, Betfair, National Lottery, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and Skybet. Owain Walbyoff, managing director at Endemol Games concluded: “Our partnership with Bell Fruit Games has gone from strength to strength, having successfully partnered with the company since 2006. Deal or No Deal is one of the strongest ing and monetising both brands in our slate and Endemol and third party we’re extremely pleased entertainment properties to renew this licence in the gaming space. The agreement.”
Clapham AGC relaunched Man charged after assaults at bingo hall
ADULT GAMING CENTRES
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alarius has relaunched its Quicksilver venue in Clapham Junction, London, following a major refurbishment. The modernised venue has been transformed into a next generation model which sets the standard for the organisation’s future arcades. With expanded floor space, the venue benefitted from the largest refit Talarius has carried out in several years. The number of machines more than doubled from around 40 to over 90, and the venue now includes four Storm cabinets featuring serverbased technology. The venue will now be used as a testing ground to
trial new, up and coming machines and content as they develop. The number of staff in the venue also doubled, with employees undergoing over 1,000 hours of training to bring them up to speed on the new machines and strengthen their ability to identify and deal with instances of problem gambling. Talarius is also refurbishing its Quicksilver venue in Sunderland to the same standard, which will be open in October. The refurbishments form part of Talarius’ wider long term growth strategy to increase its market share and ensure Quicksilver, Silvers and Winners venues across the country are welcoming more customers through their doors. Talarius’ chief operating officer Peter Harvey said: “This outstanding venue serves as an example of the high quality that Talarius venues are capable of achieving. The upgrades will increase operational efficiency and ensure that we are providing the best possible service for our customers, keeping them coming back again and again.The modernisation of this venue will be the first of many.”
ARREST
man has been charged after two women were A attacked at a Sunderland bingo hall last month. Stephen Alderson, 44, faces two counts of assault in connection with the incident at Mecca Bingo on the city’s Holmeside on August 16. According to local press, the victims, a 47-year-old woman and her daughter, were in the middle of a bingo session when they were assaulted. Alderson will appear at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court on October 24.
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Four-strong selfregulator gains support from Plymouth MP SENET GROUP
Last week’s pledge by William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Paddy Power to restrict gambling adverts has been welcomed by Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View.
abour MP Alison Seabeck (pictured) has welcomed the Senet Group’s promise to remove all adverts for FOBTs from their windows and give prominent room to responsible gambling messages. Free bet offers will also be banned fromTV adverts before 9pm. “It is welcome, but it will be interesting to see how much bite the measures have,” Seabeck told local press.
powers to communities to ban highspeed, high stakes machines. Seabeck added: “There a range of issues for FOBTs. Constituents have raised this with me. I will look forward to seeing the detail.” She said she would be interested to see the response of smaller companies and those who are based outside the UK. GamCare chief executive Dirk Hansen said that a condition of a The Gambling Commission, the company’s licence was to ‘conindustry’s main regulator,is consult- tribute to treatment’ for those who ing on licensing standards that are problem gamblers.“They should could include a social responsibil- be contributing financially, but not ity code and advertising restrictions. all do.” Ed Pyle, who is doing a PhD on Planning reforms could make it harder for betting shop companies gambling at Plymouth University, stated: “Many of my participants to get permission on new sites. Labour has promised to give exclusively gambled online and
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AWP trashed in pub robbery THEFT
some with providers that do not have physical high street betting shops. None of the gamblers I have spoken to to date have actually reported that advertising has influenced their gambling behaviour with the exception of one‘addicted’ gambler who reported he frequently received emails from online gambling providers with promotional offers and that he felt this made it difficult to abstain.” He added: “Should gambling providers be allowed to regulate their own activities? I think not - as commercial companies’ profits come first; however, I do also think gambling providers have come to realise that if the industry is to be sustainable that they need to face up to their social responsibility.”
hieves caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to an TIlfracombe pub last week, destroying a fruit machine and making off with cash from it and the till. The Prince of Wales Pub on the town’s Fore Street was targeted sometime between 11:30pm on September 15 and 8:15am the following day, Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman Sarah Rollinson told local press. Entry was gained by forcing the back door open and crime scene investigators discovered evidence that suggested the offenders had searched throughout the building. Police would not say how much money was stolen from the fruit machine or the till, but valued the damage to the fruit machine at £500 and damage to the door at £100.
Huddersfield to benefit from £100m leisure complex FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES
Dedicated to the UK market ajor regeneration around the John M don’t miss it! Smith’s Stadium in Hudder-
www.coin-opshow.co.uk 15th & 16th October 2014 Chelsea Football Club T: +44 (0)1582 767 254 E: karencooke@swanevents.co.uk
sfield remains a reality. Modified plans have been submitted to Kirklees Council to amend the location of a snow slope on Kilner Bank, which forms part of the £100m HD One plans. Minor changes have been made following feedback, which calls for an adventure golf facility, so the snow slope is to be repositioned and needs planning approval. Sir John Harman, chairman of Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd, told local press:“This is closer to happening and evidence that we are moving forward quite rapidly with the scheme. A lot of work has been taking place behind the scenes for a number of years and this application is to slightly modify the
layout.” The latest application doesn’t mean work is about to get underway imminently, but it does show the project is on track. HD One will see 51 acres of land around the stadium developed into a huge complex including 147 apartments, a 144-bed hotel, an air chimney, a ski slope, a casino, 21 bars and restaurants, a surf simulator, 10pin bowling alley, two nightclubs, a music venue, offices and a bingo hall. It could create 700-1,000 jobs and is predicted to
bring investment of around £100m to Huddersfield. An application seeking planning consent for the minor changes has been submitted to Kirklees Council for consideration. A report with it states:“The snow sports slope and centre are key components of the HD1 leisure offer, which will broaden the attractiveness of HD1, and contribute towards establishing a ‘destination’ leisure draw that is capable of attracting visitors from beyond West Yorkshire.”
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EAS 2014 sells-out
TRADE EVENTS
n October 15 the stage will be set at Stamford Bridge, home O of Chelsea Football Club, for the unveiling of a brand new event. The Autumn Coin-Op Show will deliver the UK coin-op industry two days of business and fun as well as offering a preview of the latest product developments. With a 10.00am kick-off, the show will be opened by BACTA chief executive John White.A well equipped venue, along with onsite parking and accommodation, will all contribute to the objective of a relaxed and informal event in the best coin-op industry tradition. Organiser Karen Cooke stated: “Support from exhibitors has been tremendous, with space
booked by a healthy mix of both well-established and young businesses, along with trade association BACTA.” TheAutumn Coin-Op show will give visitors first sight of some exciting new products for the UK market along with the opportunity to meet key industry figures and lay plans for the New Year. On the subject of the New Year, it will be possible to register for EAG International 2015 via a fast track terminal at The Autumn Coin-Op Show. Cooke added:“The home of the Premiership club cannot fail to add a sense of occasion, one which attendees can enjoy by displaying their goal scoring skills in a competition organised by
EXHIBITIONS
three-day Euro AttracShow EAS which ran TfromhetionsSeptember 23-25 at the
BACTA’s charity, Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity. The heady prospect of helping to make wishes come true for seriously ill children whilst astounding colleagues with your footballing prowess should prove hard to resist!” The events of the first day will be rounded off with an evening at Frankie’s Sports Bar and Grill.
RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam featured a sold-out exhibition floor for the first time in the event’s 11year history. A day before the show opened, EAS press officer Henk Groenen confirmed: “A record 441 exhibitors from 36 countries will showcase their latest and greatest products and services for the attractions industry on the 11,315 net sq.m of trade show floor.” Among the companies from the UK or with UK-based dis-
tributors displaying their latest wares at the popular trade show were Bandai Namco, Billares Sam, Bob’s Space Raiders, Cogan, Elaut, Embed, Jolly Roger, LAI Games, Pan Amusements, PMS and Sega. The event showcased products in more than 100 categories including rollercoasters, plush, ticketing systems, water rides, 4D theatres and more. Backing up Groenen’s preshow statement, IAAPA Europe vice-president Karen Staley said: “We expect more than 8,500 visitors from 70 countries will participate in EAS 2014. The sold-out exhibit floor is an indication of the strength of the attractions industry in Europe.”
Dedicated to the UK market don’t miss it!
www.coin-opshow.co.uk 15th & 16th October 2014 Chelsea Football Club T: +44 (0)1582 767 254 E: karencooke@swanevents.co.uk
2387-p09-Amusements_Coinslot NEW 23/09/2014 10:39 Page 1
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Mumbles’ Tivoli Amusements shuts down FEC
Tivoli Amusements, for so long a fixture on the South Wales amusement scene, has closed down to make way for a new regeneration scheme. ivoli Amusements, one of Mumbles’ most recognised seaside family entertainment centres, has closed its doors for the final time. Monday last week marked the first time the resort’s Mumbles Road hasn’t been regaled with the sound of coin-operated amusement machines for several decades. Its owner had told Coinslot there were no plans to relocate after the historic Tivoli building in which the arcade was housed was earmarked for
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a £4m mixed-use seafront regeneration scheme. The closure marks the latest phase of the multimillion pound revamp of the stretch of Mumbles seafront between Boots and Tivoli Amusements. The Oyster Wharf scheme, approved last month by Swansea Council, will see the construction of four new restaurants, plus retail units and a gym. Mumbles businessman Paul Clark told local press that although Tivoli Amusements had catered well to visitors to the resort, the
new development on the site would be welcomed by the local community. He commented: “Mumbles has been in the doldrums for 10 years, but things are improving.We’ve got the new lifeboat station, and Mumbles Pier will be re-done.
“Tivoli Amusements were not really a big draw for local people, but were a typical arcade you would expect to see at the seaside. But arcades are not as big as they were in the 1960s.” But what future is there for amusements in Mumbles. The response from
Clark was somewhat alarming: “As a village, we won’t miss it. We would much prefer to see more shops to increase the range of goods available, which in turn should bring more people. “This is the correct direction for Mumbles.The quality of life has improved tremendously since Wind Street (in Swansea) opened.” The art deco-inspired façade to theTivoli building will now be rejuvenated, while the Co-operative Food will relocate from its existing Mumbles Road premises to occupy the former amusement arcade on the ground floor. Speaking last month, James Morse, commercial director of Nextcolour Developments, the company behind the regenera-
tion scheme, said:“This is fantastic news for Mumbles and the wider area. “This regeneration project is a vital step for Mumbles and will retain the status of the village as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Swansea Bay. “Oyster Wharf will become a spectacular centrepiece within the community. The finished development will offer the perfect mix of retail, food and drink for the whole of Swansea,and become a destination for those looking to explore the history, heritage and beauty of Mumbles from surrounding areas and further afield.” Work on the scheme work start in November or December of this year and will take around a year to complete.
Bognor Regis regeneration plans suffer setback
Royal Mail launches stamps celebrating the seaside
RESORTS
STAMPS
egeneration plans for Bognor Regis have been R forced to go back to consultation after the developer behind them pulled out. The scheme, which aimed to enhance the resort’s seafront and town with a boardwalk, cinema, pub and restaurants, was first put forward eight years ago. Arun District Council said it would work to get the scheme back up and running as soon as possible,with a 2015 date slated for the new consultation, after its partnership with developer St. Modwen ended. Nigel Lynn, chairman of Arun District Council, said that many things had changed since it formed an agreement with St. Modwen in 2007, not least the economic downturn.
Lynn revealed the council was already talking to other developers, telling the BBC:“We have got to make sure that whatever happens has to be commercially viable. “Whether it’s a cinema, whether it’s a hotel, whether it’s something else, it has to have a high footfall because we don’t want any burden to the taxpayer.” Describing the ended partnership as“eight lost years”, Liberal Democrat councillor and opposition leader Francis Oppler said there was huge frustration and disappointment and criticised the Conservative-run council for proceeding without a developer. He commented:“The idea is developers actually take the financial risk. By the council
progressing the planning application themselves - and in the recommendation paper it was going to be a minimum of half a million pounds to move this forward - it puts the council taxpayer at risk.” Arun District Council has allocated up to £500,000 for employing a project manager, architects, engineers, surveyors and other specialists to facilitate consultation and submit a planning application. St Modwen said it had been committed to the project throughout the recession and had worked with the council to drive the regeneration plans forwards. The developer said it respected the council’s position and would watch progress in Bognor with interest.
of Brighton Pier and Blackpool Pleasure Beach are amongst Ia setmages of 10 new stamps launched by the Royal Mail to celebrate the variety and originality of UK seaside architecture. Six special stamps feature images of Eastbourne Bandstand, Tinside Lido, Bangor Pier, Southwold Lighthouse, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and a Bexhill-on-Sea Shelter, while a Miniature Sheet of four stamps pays tribute to the piers of Llandudno, Dunoon, Brighton and Worthing. Southend Pier features as the background image on the Miniature Sheet. Andrew Hammond, Royal Mail spokesperson, commented: “This stamp issue captures the spirit of the seaside experience through the
buildings and structures that are so distinctive of the UK’s resorts, which were designed for the pleasure of the visitor.” The Royal Mail said the attractions have all been newly photographed as vibrant, well-used places to celebrate the resurgence of interest in the British seaside, which has happened over the last two decades. It explained: “The chosen selection captures distinctive types of seaside architecture from key periods with a range of resort type - large and small, well-known and less so. “The structures represent the key time periods of seaside development from the Victorian and Art Deco eras, to the Modernism of 1930s and up to present day, showing that contemporary design is still used to regenerate these resorts.”
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Essential Guide to...
Spares & Components OPERATIONS
18 This week’s machine charts
19 Classified sales, job and business opps
Empire Amusements: Upgrades the crux of components spending For Lincolnshire manager Andy Williamson, upgrade kits comprise the core of components expenditure, with new currency devices on the horizon. he coastal town of Mablethorpe is the setting for Empire Amusements, a diverse family entertainment centre, offering its own all-day breakfast internet cafe and children’s play area, alongside an arcade floor of nearly a hundred machines. Whilst the range of activities on offer are manifold,when it comes to amusement components usage, Empire’s needs are traditional: “Our AWP and other coin-op facilities are still heavily dependent on coin-sorting machinery;counters and sorters and the like,” says Williamson. With the industry rooted in hard-currency transactions, new denominations of notes and coin will see him invest heavily in new technology. “We had lots of trouble with the last introduction of new five and ten pence pieces,” he recalls.“We upgraded a few machines in off-site, but there were problems with coins being distributed to the wrong part of the machines.”Whilst the quantity of machines would make it a large investment,Williamson has a set plan of action for upcoming currency roll-outs:“When the time comes we’ll have to bite the bullet and get on-site specialists to convert the whole floor - in the long run, it’ll prove worthwhile.” Empire’s current components spending is aimed primarily at improving the longevity of machines: “Rather than going out and buying a new pieces of hardware,we can also invest in a conversion of a machine,” says Williamson.“When you contrast the expense of a conversion with the spend on a new three-player, you always assess the financial viability of extending the lifespan of a unit.” Looking to the future,Williamson would like to work towards a cashless arcade floor. “It might be years away, but contactless payment is something we’ve put to good use in the food and beverage side of our business,” he tells us.“To roll that kind of thing out across the amusements sector would be of tremendous benefit; cutting out the need for counting and sorting and getting your takings directly into your bank account.”
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Essential Guide to the Autumn Coin-Op Show Two Weeks
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Essential Guide to ... Spares & Components Sector Overview SEASIDE OPERATIONS
SWOT ANALYSIS
Stocking up and keeping functional Brighton Pier invests the lion’s share of its components expenditure on maintenance spares, without forgetting customer environs.
The understated lifeblood of the industry Nowadays, the UK amusement and gaming sector is in the safe hands of two massive global concerns when it comes to the provision of spares and components. t wouldn’t be too melodramatic to state that the inner workings of the UK coin-op industry would grind to an abrupt halt were it not for the sterling efforts of the likes of Suzo-Happ and JCM Global - in other words,firms that offer a comprehensive range of spares and components. As the company name implies, JCM Global operates across the world. JCM Innovation Corp,a subsidiary of JCMAmerican Corp, acquired US-based FutureLogic Inc from American Capital Ltd in August. The acquisition added to JCM’s line of peripheral component products, including bill validators, printers and digital media. Even more recently, earlier this month in fact, Suzo-Happ made a similarly bold move.The parts, peripherals and spares supply specialist cemented its position as a worldwide concern by buying out the Italy-based Comestero Group, thus boosting its payment technology portfolio. The UK spares and components sector, admirably led by these two global concerns, is always right on hand to ensure the third is kept to an absolute minimum. The limelight is inevitably reserved for the latest machine innovations coming to market, and rightly so, but it is the spares, peripherals and repairs sector which provides the backbone of the coin-op industry. Sometimes overlooked and often taken for granted, this sector, known for the timely provision of spares, repairs and components, may not be the most glamorous but without it an industry that prides
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itself on speed, product knowledge and efficiency would soon cease to function. The oft-reported, yet still devastating, effects of a double-dip recession, the smoke ban, the global economic slowdown and the unforeseen consequences of the Gambling Act have dictated that increasing numbers of products are staying longer on the arcade floor - or reappearing as refurbs - thus the need for reliable peripherals and swift, efficient technical back-up has never been greater. The spares and repairs sector of the UK coin-op industry will always play a vital role. Regardless of the trends, technology and legislation applicable to all machines from hi-tech, LED-laden, twin screen slots to arcade staples such as kickers, pushers, cranes and pool tables - they will inevitably require spare parts, replacement components and a thorough service at some stage of their lifespan. Despite the rise of digital gaming content which can be updated online, via a dongle or with the use of a DVD-Rom, spares, peripherals and, as a necessity, skilled engineers capable of getting the job done quickly, simply cannot be sent via email or text message. It may not be the most obvious, nor lauded, facet of the coin-op industry, but the spares and components sector is one of the most vital, with machine downtime being the bane of operators’ lives. UK coin-op stakeholders can therefore breathe that little more easily in the knowledge that two global parts and peripheral giants are always at hand to supply the necessary bits and pieces at affordable prices.
SWOT ANALYSIS SPARES & COMPONENTS STRENGTHS • Global coverage means that, theoretically, virtually all parts and peripherals can be sourced and supplied quickly • Customer satisfaction breeds long-term distributor/operator relationships WEAKNESSES • An element of machine downtime is inevitable • Installation of parts and peripherals still requires the presence of skilled engineers OPPORTUNITIES • Operators will use the same parts providers and brands if they have had a decent run with them in the first instance • New machine styles often coming to market, thus creating need for new types of spares • The market has dictated that products are staying longer on the arcade floor - thus the need for reliable components and technical back-up has never been greater THREATS • Spares are harder to source for older machines • Any industry shrinkage will ultimately affect the profitability of peripherals providers
nne Martin is general manager of Brighton Pier, and in that capacity overA sees two of the country’s leading amusement arcades: The Dome and The Palace of Fun. With such an eclectic range of machines under her domain, how does she stay on stop of her components demands? “We keep a stock of generic spares,” Martin tells us, “but our main costs are when we need to replace dedicated parts specific to a particular machine.” This continued functionality comes at a cost: “We spend a considerable amount on parts each month,” says Martin. “But it’s absolutely essential to keep all of our machines fully operable. Having a machine out of order due to a parts breakdown is just a dead-space on the floor, so either having stock on site or reliable access to a quick replacement is absolutely essential.” Martin is pleased with the steady provision of the latter option, but notes specific instances where sourcing has proved challenging: “As machines age we can struggle to get parts as they become scarcer. We’ve also found that when a manufacturer changes distributors, parts can become harder to track down.” Whilst the general maintenance make up the bulk of Brighton Pier’s components costings, Martin stresses an additional area of focus: “We put major emphasis on the customer environment, so second on our list of components investment would be things like seating, lighting and signage.” Finally, Martin tempers her interest in developing add-on technology with a degree of caution: “We like to be informed as to future changes and improvements to invest in,” she states. “It can be a way to benefit from improved efficiencies, although new ways aren’t necessarily always for the best.”
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Market Perspectives SEASIDE OPERATIONS
Spares: available and speedy, says Hemby operator Norfolk amusements manager Jeremy Olley is pleased with spares provision, but looks to local competition for advanced component investment. eremy Olley oversees Sands Amusements in the coastal town of Hemsby, Norfolk. Overseeing the Joperations of two neighbouring venues, his combined floor-plan presents an impressive portfolio of fruit, video, crane, pusher and novelty machines, and ensures he is no stranger to spares requirement. “By and large, the service we receive is very good,” he commented. “We’re seeing good availability and service response times within 24 hours, with few exceptions.” When video-monitor damage is the issue, things can take a little longer. “But that’s a rare circumstance,” said Olley, “it’s not a frequent
enough to cause meaningful disruption to trade.” Meanwhile, the component requirements of his financial operation still seem to be rooted in sorting and validation of hard-cash: “For our customerbase, it’s still about change in the pocket.” With upcoming additions from the Bank of England including a new polymer £5 note and a 12-sided pound coin all due for introduction in the coming years, Olly is confident in his technology’s ability to adapt: “From what we’ve seen already, it’s simply a matter of updating the software - I don’t think it’ll pose too much of a challenge.”
Olley qualifies future investment on the specifics of the seaside location. “There’s eight arcades here on our street alone,” he stated. “Contactless payment and card-readers are things we’ll keep in mind for the future, but it’s a move we’d have to make in tandem with other local operators - going it alone could risk destabilisation of footfall.” With this, he poses an interesting conundrum: “On the one hand, there’s the pressure to adapt, and to be seen to be adapting, but on the other, there’s not wanting to rock the boat and alienate customers with technology they’re unfamiliar with.”
More than a transaction. A connection. From the moment that currency touches our JCM Global bill validator, we are responsible for providing an effortless, accurate transfer of cash into play. We are your representative on the gaming floor. This philosophy has earned JCM Global its position as the industry leader for both OEMs and operators, with more bill validators and printers in play than all other brands combined. And now, we are about to reveal how a simple cash-in can lead to a level of player engagement that goes beyond the transaction. We’re going to help you make connections.
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Essential Guide to ... Spares & Components Market Analysis WELSH OPERATOR
SERVICE
Maintaining a professional standard Developing its own products has enabled Suzo-Happ to ramp up the level of care and support it delivers to its customers and products. lthough they continue to supply a dizzying array of parts for all manner of amusement and gaming needs, Suzo-Happ has found increasing success by manufacturing its own components under the Pro Series branding. “Customers who purchase our products from the Pro Series are reassured that the products have been manufactured to the highest standard, are competitively priced and are reliable and extremely well supported by Suzo-Happ,” said the company’s UK sales director, John Vallis. “We are not just a box mover,” said Vallis. “Our technical support and sales teams are very well trained and have an intimate knowledge of our products, enabling us to assist OEM’s with their implementation.” These installations often require custom jobs or other work to seamlessly integrate the components into existing machines. “Not everything is an off the shelf fit,” confirms Vallis.“Particularly for the OEM’s who often require a bespoke shape, size or specification for different products, such as LCD Monitors.The fact that we design and manufacture all of our own products puts us and the customer in control, to ensure that everything meets not only the customer’s requirements but also conforms to our own rigorous quality and function testing.” The core principles of the Pro Series are those that Suzo-Happ also reflects through aftersales care. “Service and support are key to the success of any manufacturing and distribution company,” said Vallis.“The ethos behind our Pro Series of products is ‘quality, value and reliability’ and this is what Suzo-Happ works tirelessly to deliver to our customers.” Overseeing a product from design to end-user brings great benefits for SuzoHapp and its customers.“We have a great team of people at Suzo-Happ managing the supply chain from manufacture at our own facility in China to customer delivery and everything in between,” said Vallis.“This ensures that we are in total control of the product from start to finish and of course enables us to better support our products.”
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When it comes to third party products distributed by Suzo-Happ - the level of attention is exactly the same.“Whether it be a Pro Series product or another product from our range of other high quality distribution items,” said Vallis,“our ability and commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and product support remains the same.” This level of service is supported by service centres around the country.“Local supply and support is a key benefit to operators and OEM’s alike,”said Vallis.“Our sales and distribution facilities are very well stocked with our products and as such we offer a next day delivery service on well over 10,000 product line. More and more customers work on a ‘just in time’ basis and our sales and logistics teams work very closely with our customers to ensure they get the right product at the right time.”
Suppliers impressive on service and security Arcade manager Henry Allday notes high-levels of service for key components, and concentrates on upgrade kits for continued longevity. heltered on western coastline of Wales, the small town of Barmouth is home to Henry Allday’s Las Vegas Amusements Arcade. Operating an Sapproximate half and half split of video and AWP slots, Allday has several decades worth of experience in the sourcing of components for a varied array of machine types. “We’re continually impressed with the levels of service we’re receiving regarding the sourcing of spare parts and what have you,” he notes, claiming that these standards have remained undiminished throughout his career. Allday does note a new supplier trend, however: “Something we’ve noticed in recent years is an increase of providers asking for payment before shipment of any replacement components,” he states. “It’s an observation - it doesn’t cause us any undue concern, and frankly it’s understandable within the recent economic climate.” He is quick to highlight a number of positive experiences in which suppliers have swiftly rectified issues of security - citing BACTA membership as crucial to this end. “From time to time you find that your network of contacts through organisations like BACTA result in you receiving a bolt-on or upgrade kit for a machine to correct a security flaw - a fix to prevent tampering or that kind of thing,” he says. To an observer, this might seem like a cursory gesture, but for Allday, the stakes couldn’t be higher: “It’s that kind of thing that can potentially save you serious losses.” Does Allday experience any difficult in sourcing replace parts as and when he needs them? “Sometimes it’s tough to identify who to go to for a requisite component,” he admits. “In an ideal world you’d order in bulk and keep a stock on-site, but you can never tell exactly what you’re going to need when.” Allday keeps a watchful on growing supplier catalogues of add-ons and upgrade kits - with his mind firmly set on future innovation. “We’re updating our machines on what’s almost an annual basis,” he says. “The public are looking for the latest machines and the various amenities that go with them falling behind means losing business.”
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Products SUZO-HAPP
Values are central for Suzo From a small seed a great spares and components empire has grown. Suzo Happ provides one of the most reliable services in the industry, rretaining its focus on quality, service and value. ollowing Suzo’s humble beginnings in 1955 as a small jukebox operation, local demand for spare parts grew to such an extent that the company started to import parts for various coin operated amusement and gaming machines.Almost 60 years later, through organic growth and acquisition, Suzo-Happ Group is now the largest manufacturer and distributor of parts and accessories for the gaming and amusement industries. Suzo-Happ can now supply everything from wedge lamps and LED’s to LCD TFT’s, touch screens, note acceptors, hoppers and everything in between. In addition to OEM and replacement parts, Suzo-Happ are also
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one of the largest distributors of pool and snooker accessories in the UK. It stocks the widest range of pool and snooker cloth and boasts an in-house cloth cutting service which allows it to deliver whatever customers require within 24 hours. January 2014 saw the launch of the company’s newly created“Pro Series”of products, including theVision Pro,Coin Pro,Billiard Pro, Power Pro, Light Pro and Competition Pro. There is more to the Pro Series than just a name and a new logo. Every item in the Pro Series has been carefully selected, tested and approved by Suzo-Happ’s Global QA and purchasing teams to ensure that only the highest quality products are on offer.“We don’t just
put our name to anything,”said sales manager John Vallis.“The Pro Series products stand for quality,value and reliability.” Suzo-Happ remains in constant conversation with its customers to see how else it can assist them in their day-to-day operations.The company’s Fast Track Repair service (FTR) for LCD’s, PSU’s, coin acceptors, note acceptors, video game boards and many more besides has grown significantly since its launch in 2012 and continues to go from strength to strength. Suzo-Happ offers free collection and delivery with a seven day turnaround and are reporting a great response to this value added service from its customers, not least of all
because they can also get free shipping on their spares orders when the company sends back repaired items. Suzo-Happ is not unlike many other companies in the industry in that it constantly looks to provide new and innovative products and solutions for the market.The business may have changed significantly over the past few years, however the company still remains true to its core values of quality,service and competitive pricing.“Our aim is to provide as much of a one stop shop as possible,” said Vallis,“and we have product ranges to suit everyone from arcade operators to single/multi site operators,OEM’s and casino operators alike.”
JCM
Vega validator gains twin-drum add-on The success of JCM’s Vega bill recycler unit has prompted the release of a valuable dual-drum option, doubling speed and capacity. CM Global prides itself in developing cash handling products that securely Jvalidate and stack notes, while eliminating counterfeits and product manipulation. To this end, its Vega bill validator, which is supplied with a secure cashbox that can only be accessed by authorised key holders, provides a versatile solution. Vega comes in two different note recycler formats: the standard single note, single drum Vega, and the Vega-RC Twin option, which boasts two note recycling drums offering twice the note capacity and two different denominations of note to be recycled. This provision overcomes any localised preference for a particular value of note and eliminates coin and note starvation in locations where the predominant note in use is different from a single drum
recycler’s programmed denomination. Having already been successful throughout Europe, this autumn sees the introduction of the Vega RC Twin to the UK market. Fitting onto any existing Vega with the appropriate boot rom and firmware, making adapting from the standard Vega to the RC Twin a smooth and simple process for any operator. Since its initial launch in the UK in 2009, the Vega has proved to be a highly reliable fraud-resistant bill validator, revolutionising UK Category C machine payout procedures and overcoming coin starvation in the process. The RC Twin makes a great product even better, giving its users more choice, flexibility and additional functionality. Coinslot SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 2, 2014
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APPOINTMENT ENTNET TO UNVEIL NEW PRODUCT AT AUTUMN COIN-OP SHOW ntnet, the UK-based independent coin-op designer and manufacturer, is Eto debut a new product at the upcoming
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Autumn Coin-op Show in south London. The announcement comes along with the welcoming of Gareth “Taff” Davies as Entnet’s new general manager. Entnet, who specialise in Connect Cat C flexible gaming systems, are keeping things very close to their chest ahead of the new event at Stamford Bridge next month. “We have an aggressive development plan and will be showing the gambling sector an exciting product for the Autumn Coin-Op Show,” was all Davies revealed.
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Gamestec salutes generous industry support he Rays of Sunshine charity is better off to the tune of more than £3,700 this week thanks to the grit and determination of a team of intrepid adventurers comprising Gamestec’s Peter Davies, Lee Jefferson and Steve Price and industry friends Tony and Sarah Glanville and Gary Hardy, Nigel Swan from Punch Taverns and Greene King’s Lee Murden. Aptly titled ‘Muddy Hell Fire’, the team successfully completed the Tough Mudder North West, a 12-mile assault course with several ‘evil twists’, at Cholmondeley Estate in Cheshire on September 13. Taking up the story, Davies commented: “Well, we survived. We took on the challenge and it lived up to its name and reputation. It was definitely tough and there was mud - lots and lot of it! In fact I’m still finding mud in strange places! It wasn’t just mud though… we battled through the mother of all ice bucket challenges, climbed 12 foot walls,
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its arcade takings. The payment solution, delivered by Embed, has customers ‘top-up’ credit on their given card, whose design can be customised per operator whim. The Ocean Lady’s Mile is a beach-side resort, with the capacity to house 4,000 holiday-makers in a wide selection of
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Oldham-based Innovative Technology has released the latest advancement to its groundbreaking SPF currency validation technology, SPF3.
Innovative Technology has released a new, more secure, currency validation system. The firm has been using SPF technology to validate banknotes since its introduction in 2004. Sensor responses from the validator are digitised to produce a stream of numerical data, SPF uses advanced mathematical algorithms to analyse this stream of numbers when
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deciding whether to accept genuine or reject counterfeit notes. ITL believes that it is vital the mathematical techniques used by the company remain at the forefront of technology. The firm said in a statement: “The most important ingredient in the algorithm is the sensor data collected from genuine banknotes. It is vital to know exactly how genuine notes look in order to distin-
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interested operators were invited for a first-hand demonstration of how its cashless solution has transformed the operation of the arcade’s 112 machines.
REDEMPTION PINBALL REDEMPTION Heaven may well be a nirvana for operators of these glitzy machines, Pbutinball the company has more to offer than fell off evil monkey bars, crawled through tunnels, under barbed wire and through waist deep mud pits. “And that was just up to half way. Still to come were more mud pits, cage crawls submerged in water, rope climbs and even more evil monkey bars. Then after 11 miles when our legs were like lead we had to run up Everest, take on a 100ft water slide and then run through a forest of wires spitting 10,000 volts which hurt - a lot!â€? Davies added, however, that it was all worth the effort and offered some words of thanks to everyone who donated. “We got to the finish line as a team, earned our infamous Tough Mudder headbands and raised more than ÂŁ3,700 for Rays of Sunshine thanks to you lovely people,â€? he said. “Thank you so much for your very generous support. It definitely helped get us over those obstacles and made us run a bit faster, reach a bit further and push a bit harder. Team Muddy Hell Fire salutes you.â€?
static caravans and lodges. With the cashless system now in place across the park’s bar and restaurant facilities, in turn enjoying attributable uplift, the success has caught the attention of Embed themselves. Last week saw the Australian manufacturer hold a two-day ‘open-house’ event at the resort, in which
just quality machines and spares. A range of redemption prizes can be acquired from the Pinball Heaven catalogue, including recently release Pac-Man headphones. These desirable goodies capitalise on a resurgence for both electronic prizes and the storied Pac-Man brand.
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VIDEO CROWN ENLISTS ONE MAN ARMY week’s star buys from Direct and TDeithhisCrown Leisure include the video arcade machine Rambo, based on the Sylvester Stalone blockbusters, from the designer of the classic House of the Dead games. The dynamic supplying duo have also highlighted the Jack and the Giant Jackpots and Rainbow King from Astra Games, both with a £500 jackpot. Many video titles are predicted to perform this week, including Nascar DLX, Terminator and Ghost Squad Evo.
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Highest Earning Tracks on Sound Leisure jukeboxes This Last Week Week
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Rude Magic! Budapest George Ezra Prayer In C (Robin Schulz radio edit) Lilly Wood & The Prick Waves (Robin Schulz Remix) Mr Probz Blame Calvin Harris feat. John Newman Ghost Ella Henderson Black Widow Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora I'm Not The Only One Sam Smith Stay With Me Sam Smith Am I Wrong Nico & Vinz
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THE SCRIPT: NO SOUND WITHOUT SILENCE
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No Sound Without Silence The Script Partners RBarbra Streisand In The Lonely Hour Sam Smith X Chris Brown X Ed Sheeran Wanted on Voyage George Ezra World On Fire Slash Royal Blood Royal Blood Bulletproof Picasso Train The Balcony Catfish & The Bottlemen
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SIGMA FT PALOMA FAITH: CHANGING
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Changing Sigma ft Paloma Faith Shake It Off Taylor Swift Lullaby TProfessor Green ft Tori Kelly Blame Calvin Harris ft John Newman Prayer in C Lilly Wood & Robin Schulz I’m Not The Only One Sam Smith Black Widow Iggy Azalea ft Rita Ora Superheroes Scrip Blame It On Me George Ezra Rude Magic Coinslot SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 2, 2014
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2387-p22-23-Comment_Coinslot NEW 23/09/2014 14:31 Page 1
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Coinslot September 26 - October 2, 2014
Comment Carry on regardless
“
“United coin-op” alex lee comment eing born and bred in Sunderland and having lived most of my life in Manchester, I had a certain empathy with the ‘YES’ campaign in Scotland last week, largely down to my love of freezing weather, cold beer and warm people rather than anything overtly political. In terms of what might have happened if Alex Salmond had got his way, however, I do believe that the ‘NO’ outcome regarding Scottish independence was certainly the right result for the UK coin-op industry as a whole, with its inherent reliance on coins and notes of a unified currency dropping into cash acceptors - and the need for an efficient road network without border controls. While Salmond’s approach was very passionate and many of his arguments compelling, there never seemed to be 100 per cent certainty about what would happen to Scotland’s economy, its currency and any new laws which would apply to its soft gaming sector. Operators and distributors based in border towns, in particular, will have breathed a sigh of relief when the 55/45 result was announced. While the FOBT controversy continues to dominate column inches, at least we all know what currency players will be shoving in the coin mechs of all types of machine for
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the foreseeable future and that the Gambling Act, which compared to most countries is pretty liberal, will continue to apply to the whole of the UK.With that in mind, our online counterparts are kicking up quite a fuss at present regarding the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 (Commencement No.1) Order 2014, with the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association having submitted a legal challenge to the High Court. It seems that both the UK government and the Gambling Commission will need to stay on their toes when it comes to all forms of gambling regulation both online and land-based in weeks to come, especially when ‘election campaign season’ gets into full swing. Depending on which side of the political fence you sit, or indeed which niche of the overall UK gambling and amusement sector you occupy, it’s amusing/depressing to think that it’s almost seven years since the plans for the UK’s first ‘super casino’ - in Manchester were kiboshed. While the gambling landscape has notably changed since then, both land-based and online, we should all be ready for further amendments to the Gambling Act next year after the dust settles on the General Election - depending on who gets elected, of course.
Ladbrokes lands in hot water over
The noble game of b powers that be in the media in recent indus
alex lee media watch lucky woman has dabbed her way to winning a lifeA changing £270,000 - the largest sum of cash ever to be won at the bingo in Hartlepool, according to the Hartlepool Mail. The unnamed woman, who is thought to be in her 30s, was playing the National Game at Hartlepool’s Carlton Bingo club, which cost her just one £2. The Hartlepool woman managed to get a full house with just 44 numbers, the lowest in the UK, entitling her to prize money of £20,000. But a further twist of good fortune saw the super dabber get a lucky star number as well, which was worth a further £250,000 - seeing her go home with £270,000. Manager of the bingo hall John Cowlishaw said the atmosphere on the night was electric, but the lady took it all in her stride. Cowlishaw, who has been manager at the bingo for 12 years, said there were about 180 people playing the game at the time of the win. He said. “It’s
the biggest win in a lot of years, probably the biggest this club has paid out. The last big win was about six or seven years ago when someone won over £100,000.” Further afield, an official delay in the reformation of the Dutch games of chance market is a fact. Although the Netherlands is still aiming for January 1, 2015 for the proposed Dutch Remote Gambling Act to enter into effect, the expectation is that this estimated timeline might not be achieved due to the phases the bill still has to follow, according to JDsupra.com. At present, the House of Representatives requested additional time for written debates. The deadline has been set on October 30. After the House of Representatives has passed the bill, it will be notified to the Senate for written debates and a plenary hearing. The moment the Senate has adopted the bill, it will be officially published and will come into force. Operators
that wish to be active on the Dutch market can then apply for a licence. And finally, two Ladbrokes poster ads have been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority, which ruled that if the outdoor element was viewed in isolation of the bookmaker’s wider TV and digital push, they could “condone an irresponsible attitude to gambling”, according to Marketing Week. The ASA took issue with the outdoor element of the current “Ladbrokes Life” push, which showcased a profile of each of the five “betting men” characters from the TV and video ads. The watchdog banned two of the posters, which contained the statements “When you win it’s skill - when you lose it’s bad luck” and “Once is luck - twice is talent” ruling that they may appear to endorse an irresponsible attitude towards gambling when isolated from the story in the TV and video ads. The wider campaign sparked 98 complaints, the majority of
”
2387-p22-23-Comment_Coinslot NEW 23/09/2014 14:32 Page 2
Coinslot September 26 - October 2, 2014
“Chancellor George Osborne has revealed plans to refund the cost of thousands of Chinese visas to boost inbound tourism and strengthen relations between the UK and China.”
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Email: al@sjc.co.uk
CARINA PERKINS, BIG HOSPITALITY
“ ”
quote unquote “The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) will be bringing an exciting line-up to LIW this year for members, with events including an extensive seminar programme, two free lunches and an exclusive BALPPA reception at Drayton Manor Park.” LIZ TERRY, LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES
“Today’s licensed betting providers - both in betting shops, bars and at sports venues - provide an array of betting opportunities and now, given the myriad of options available, are seeking to streamline the wagering process by providing convenient selfservice betting terminals.”
The GBGC is finding that a key learning from the Great Recession is that gambling is not immune from a fall in GDP, indeed it is affected as much as any other sector.
STAFF WRITER, INTERGAME
warwick bartlett “Many of our guests want to let their children play in the amusement arcade unsupervised and as a result we ended up with headaches as a result of coin jams in the machines. My engineers could spend five or six hours a day sorting these problems out and so that’s why we initially went cashless with Embed.” JASON JEFFERY, OPERATOR, LADY’S MILE HOLIDAY PARK
r over ‘blokey’ ad campaign
oble game of bingo, controversial gambling television advertisements and the s that be in the Netherlands have come to the attention of local, national and online in recent industry-related coverage.
which challenged whether the ads breached the advertising code because they portrayed socially irresponsible gambling behaviour that could lead to financial, social or emotional harm. Other objections to the ads included: portraying gambling as indispensable; suggesting peer pressure to gamble; suggesting gambling could enhance personal qualities; and portraying gambling in the context of “toughness”. The ASA acknowledged the parallels between the opening scene of the TV and video ads with the credit sequence from Reservoir Dogs. It was also concerned with some aspects of the descriptions of the characters, which the regulator said “carried an element of bravado” and could suggest gambling was an aspirational way of life. In spite of this initial concern, it ruled that given the tongue-incheek style of the TV and video ads, most viewers would understand the “mock-heroic” intent
Eurozone gambling market will continue to be challenging
of the voiceover and would not interpret the ads to imply gambling would lead to admiration or an enhancement of personal qualities. Additional complaints arguing the campaign was irresponsible because it could be seen by under 18s and separate complaints challenging whether the ads should be banned because they linked gambling to seduction, sexual success or enhanced attractiveness were not upheld by the regulator. A Ladbrokes spokesman said: “Ladbrokes Life is a major re-launch of our brand and the customer reaction has been very positive. It was never our intention to push any boundaries but will act immediately to comply with the findings in relation to two posters. “We remain committed to our advertising meeting all the correct standards and take seriously our obligation to target responsible gambling messages as evidenced by our own dedicated responsible gambling
advert, a first for the industry” The ruling comes in the same week Ladbrokes - alongside William Hill, Coral and Paddy Power - set up a new self-regulatory gambling industry body to quell concern from politicians and the public about levels of excessive gambling. The Senet Group took out full-page ads across the national press last week, outlining their pledge to prohibit pre-watershed TV ads carrying the enticement of free bets and free money.
politics underlying theme of a recent in Sweden sponTsoredheconference by the Swedish Ministry of Finance was of lower than expected growth for this period of the economic cycle, following the advent of the Great Recession and the continued negative effects of accumulated sovereign debt. Anders Borg,Sweden’s Minister of Finance, stated that the recession was protracted and the worst financial crisis since the 1930s. While expecting growth to pick up in 2015/16,he said that the debt overhang was generating pressure on growth. He warned that the next financial crisis debt levels will be higher than they were in 2008, leaving less room for governments to manoeuvre, so some debt restructuring was necessary in his view. Debt restructuring is simply changing the terms of a bond or loan, in effect a full or partial default. Stanley Fischer, Federal Reserve vice chairman,noted that since the Great Recession there had been forecasting errors and most economies had underperformed their expectations for growth. For every previous recession, his colleagues at the Federal Reserve had noted that economies had bounced back quicker. GBGC’s interpretation is that we could be heading for a period of deflation and this has been highlighted by the sudden drop in GDP for Japan,a slowdown in China and in Europe we see Italy and Germany entering a period of negative growth and France stagnating. GBGC has always argued that in years gone by falling rates of inflation have been good for the gambling industry. Our analysis has shown that gambling customers are worse off during periods of rising inflation. If inflation were eight per cent and the worker
received a pay increase of eight per cent after tax this would be six per cent leaving the worker two percent worse off.What makes matters worse is that the expenses of the gambling business almost certainly increase with inflation.So,as revenue is squeezed,expenses rise, causing margins to narrow.When inflation falls the gambling industry expenses fall and money in real terms has more value. The circumstances today are very different.The prospects for deflation in Europe are now high. Workers’pay is stagnating or falling in real terms and this is causing growth rates to slow.There is an absence of government stimulus; sanctions against Russia are hitting the major economies in Europe and investment is falling. In the UK, pay has been restrained through imported labour from Eastern Europe and a supply of educated Spanish,Italian and French workers who see no opportunity for advancement in their own country. Workers’ pay is a real issue for the gambling industry because gamblers can only spend what they have in their pocket and if pay is falling behind inflation for whatever reason the industry finds it more difficult to cover costs. Worker pay is a symptom but not the cause of the disease.Of the 12 economies experiencing systematic crisis in 2007-8 (France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine,UK and US) only Germany and the US have reached their precrisis peak in per capita GDP. This may come as a surprise to UK readers because the government is telling us that GDP is back to where it was,they are telling the truth, but not on a per capita basis. People are worse off for the reasons explained previously.
2387-p24-newsweek_Coinslot NEW 23/09/2014 14:26 Page 1
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Coinslot September 26 - October 2, 2014
Newsweek THE STARS OF VIDEO PAST whole host of classic video arcade machines will be forming up in a specially reserved ‘retro’ area of the upcoming 2014 Madrid Games Week. Organised in association with the Classic Informatics Users Association (AUIC), this section of the show floor will allow visitors to try out some of the coin-op sector’s most successful machines of the past 50 years. These machines are themselves making a come-back in the UK, as nostalgia themed gaming venues continue to open around the country. The event takes place from 16-19
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EAG registration now open as Visitor Attractions Expo joins the party pier and leisure park sectors for a bespoke trade show. Both events will run concurrently, with visitors free to pass between the two with a single pass. BALPPA chief executive Paul Kelly emphasised the importance of early registration for those planning to attend:“With theVisitorAttraction Expo we finally have an event which the UK industry can call its own. The timing is perfect for reviewing the previous year’s trading and considering purchases and investment for the approaching season.”
egistration for next year’s EAG is now open, with organisers currently stepping up its show campaign ahead of the event’s earlier start in the New Year. The UK’s leading coin-op trade event opens at London’s ExCel Centre on January 13 to January 15th. As expected, the UK and Europe’s big hitters will be exhibiting with the confirmed list including Astra Games, Crown Leisure, Electrocoin, Embed, Reflex Gaming, RLMS Sales, Suzo Happ Group and dozens of other significant affiliates of the coin-op and amusements sector. The show will be held in tandem with a new event from the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA). Debuting at EAG 2015, the Visitor Attractions Expo is the product of continued calls from suppliers to the
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October at Madrid’s IFEMA convention centre. PARISIAN AMUSEMENT he annual Expo Forain in Paris, France is gearing up for a show
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of amusements and fairground products this autumn. Taking place from the 19-20 November, the show will feature many of Europe’s most popular suppliers to the amusement and theme park
sectors. The event is taking place in the Parc des Expositions St Martin exhibition park in Pontoise, on the outskirts of Paris. The show is also dedicated to traveling showmen and includes a meeting of the
French travelling showman syndicates on Thursday 20, November.
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 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
Opinions expressed in this publication should not be regarded as the official view of GB Media Corporation Ltd, except where stated. Views, opinions and recommendations contained in this publication are put forward for consideration only. No action should be taken in reliance upon any such views, opinions or recommendations. Neither GB Media Corporation Ltd nor contributors accept any responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person howsoever caused or arising as a result of or in consequence of action taken or refrained from in realiance on the contents of this publication.
Notes for contributors: Coinslot welcomes the submission of articles for consideration by the editor with a view to publication. Submission of an article will be held to imply that the article contains original unpublished work which GB Media Corporation Ltd may lawfully publish. All submissions are made at the owner’s risk. © GB Media Corporation Ltd, 2013 All rights strictly reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission given, full acknowledgement of author, publisher and source must be given.