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February 13 – February 19, 2015 • No. 2407 • www.coinslot.co.uk
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COINSLOT
INDUSTRY
Industry news Seaside amusements B2B Listings ICE Report Latest machine charts Classified ads and opps Comment & Analysis Newsweek
“...It comes down to the kind of product players are trying to buy: older players - especially older women - come into our AGC for a social occasion. They’re buying amusement, they’re not there to ‘gamble’ in the strictest sense of the word.”
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Gambling Busin host DCMS tea TRADE BODIES
Cross-sector trade body the Gambling Business Group took advantage of the broad and spectacular nature of ICE Totally Gaming to showcase the industry to a new DCMS team. Gambling Business Group Tbroadhe(GBG), which represents cross sections of UK gambling, hosted key members of the new team at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) during last week’s ICE show, held at London’s ExCeL Centre. Following an invitation from the GBG, the quartet comprising Julie Carney, Ronnie Whittington, Duncan Booth and Steve Robinson spent the middle day of ICE being guided around the exhibition floor and introduced to exhibitors by GBG chief executive Peter Hannibal. Commenting on the initiative, which was organised in partnership with event owners, Clarion, Hannibal said:“We are fortunate to have what is the world’s most influential gaming exhibition on
our doorstep and, thanks to Clarion, to be given the opportunity to showcase the industry to such an important audience. The DCMS team, who are all new to the gambling sector, were hugely impressed by ICE as a prestigious and professional business event as well as by the calibre of the exhibitors it attracts. “The GBG was established to provide a strategic voice for all sectors of UK gambling and I
Praesepe create new com most recently with Embed-UK, will report raesepe, which directly to commeroperates a total of cial director Byron 160 adult gaming cenEvans, who has overall tres, family entertainGroup responsibility ment centres and for compliance. bingo clubs located Explaining the throughout the UK, importance of the has confirmed the new role, Evans said: appointment of Sue “The key job function Griffiths to the newly created is to ensure that the organisation post of compliance officer. Grif- and its employees are always fully fiths, who has over a decade’s compliant with all current regugaming industry experience, lation, including our responsibilAPPOINTMENT
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ESSENTIAL GUIDE
INDUSTRY
Close up on ICE
Commission makes its point
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7 February 13 - February 19, 2015 • No. 2407 • www.coinslot.co.uk
usiness Group team at ICE
New rules hit for high stakes B2s B2 MACHINES
New restrictions on FOBT wagers over £50 have come into force, but members of the arcade and amusement sectors continue to cast doubt on the future of these divisive machines. hanges to the rules surrounding high stakes wagers on fixed odds betting terminals have been brought into effect, following an announcement by DCMS Secretary of State Sajid Javid. Under the new regulations, wagers of over £50 will have to be authorised by an LBO member of staff,or tracked by use of an identity card. The ruling applies to B2 machines located outside of casinos and provides operators with a number of options for sanctioning large bets. According to the regulatory amendments, players wishing to wager more than £50 must have, “identified himself or herself to the authorised person on whose behalf that machine is made available for use by inserting into that machine a qualifying document.” The “qualifying document” in question will most commonly take the form of an identity card, issued after the verification of the individual’s home address.Alternatively players can be issued with a“customer reference”by an authorised person, most likely to be a barcoded ticket or unique code presented by LBO staff member after taking down its patron’s details. Following the news of these fresh FOBT restrictions,members of the arcade and amusement industry have reacted with suspicion. Trade body BACTA has been particularly outspoken, arguing that the announcement,“is highly unlikely to solve the growing and increasingly vocal opposition to these gaming machines.” “I do not think this regulation goes far enough,”said BACTA CEO John White,“so does not address the fundamental problem these machines present; the size of the
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believe it’s vital that we are able to work with government departments to help improve their understanding of the industry and to build a dialogue based on the exchange of information and knowledge. One of our unique strengths is our ability to talk about all gaming types across all sectors, a feature which sits perfectly with the Totally Gaming remit of ICE.The feedback has been highly positive and ICE was the perfect
opportunity to introduce the DCMS team to our industry.” Launched in July 2014, membership of the Gambling Business Group accounts for close to 70 percent of gross gaming yield in the UK and employs a total of 64,000 people engaged in the UK gambling sector. The GBG achieved a major coup last year when it produced two key documents that now form the technical standards for a long awaited UK industry standard on TiTO.
w compliance role ities and legal requirements with respect to age verification and the management of self-exclusion across all of our gaming venues.This involves the delivery of best practice,the implementation of regular, relevant and updated staff training modules, and the management of current and detailed records by venue.” He continued:“Following the completion of a comprehensive familiarisation programme which has included some extremely valuable time spent
with members of BACTA’s Compliance team, led by Phil Silver, Sue will be making unannounced visits throughout the Praesepe estate where she will undertake a full compliance audit, which will include a set of required deliverables for each venue.The creation of this new role and Sue’s appointment reflects the high level of importance that Praesepe places on compliance which is central to our status as a socially responsible gaming entertainment company.”
stake is way out of kilter with all other gaming machines and the speed by which players can lose large amounts of money is unprecedented.” For their part, FOBT manufacturers have been preparing for the amendments since they were brought before the European Commission during 2014. A number of machines on display at last week’s ICE Totally Gaming included new features to track and restrict large bets, along with provisions for LBO staff to digitally monitor a player’s wager history from behind the betting counter. These revisions are unlikely to satisfy the likes of BACTA,who are pushing for further regulation to be considered immediately following this year’s general election. “The government must follow it up with accurate monitoring and research data so they are able to see empirical evidence
of the affect and impact these B2 gaming machines have,” argued White.“Only in this way will they be able to address the running sore that this issue has created and finally address the enormous disapproval and unrest that B2 gaming machines are causing.”
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Coinslot February 13 - February 19, 2015
Industry
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Gambling Commission revises code of practice REGULATION
The Gambling Commission’s revised LCCP places greater onus for the conduct of responsible gambling on to operators themselves - and advocates a national debate on the future of anonymous machine gaming.
More to be done’ - that’s the message to be taken from the Gambling Commission’s latest revisions to social responsibility provisions in the LCCP. And in direct terms, the Commission delivered this message without pulling a punch:“Britain’s gambling industry can do much more to make gambling safe...and to achieve this we are introducing new rules to protect players,young people and others who are at risk of gambling-related harm.” Whilst some in the industry may bristle at the tone - particularly given its strong commitment to the responsible gambling cause - the majority will understand that the Commission’s position is focused solely on its own roles and duties keeping gambling harm-free. As such,the new additions to the Commission’s Licence Conditions
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While BACTA continue to pressure the government for more action on FOBTs, the Gambling Business Group praise what they see as the DCMS’s reasonable approach to LBO problem gambling.
bodies and political figures have been reactIingndustry to the confirmation of
and Codes of Practice (LCCP) follow an extensive review conducted throughout last year, and underline the importance of the operator in the prevention of problem gambling. Newly incorporated into the LCCP is a stipulation that operator employees must supervise customers “effectively”, with fail-safes in place to identify those at risk of gambling harm - even if the signs are not immediately obvious. Meanwhile, larger operators will also be obliged to conduct tests of their underage gambling prevention systems are functioning correctly.Whilst the Commission aims to have established a nationwide online self-exclusion scheme by 2017,as ofApril 2016 all land-based operators will be obliged to provide the means for customers to request self-exclusion from all similar gambling providers in their
new responsible gambling amendments applied to rules governing FOBT wagers of more than £50. While groups such as BACTA have demanded more action and analysis, cross-sector body the Gambling Business Group (GBG) has taken a more measured line.“Actually getting to a place where the changes are workable for both customers and staff has been no small challenge for all concerned,” noted chief executive Peter Hannibal, “and it appears that [the DCMS] have done more than just making the best of an awkward job.” The introduction of reg-
istration for patrons and increased staff oversight have been mooted for some time,giving the GBG time to prepare an educational visit to ICE for representatives of the DCMS. “Both the new DCMS Team and the chairman of the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board took the opportunity at ICE to get a first-hand understanding of how the changes have manifested for the player,” explained Hannibal,“and how responsible gambling measures have been further improved as a result.All appeared to be very pleased with the level of detail that both companies have delivered and the ‘user friendly’ nature of the process. There is also a healthy appetite for the
Email: je@gbmedia.eu
AMBIGUITY A CAUSE FOR CONCERN?
locality. Finally, a range of new measures have been put in place to regulate marketing and advertising efforts are “transparent and not misleading.” “The work we have done through the review represents a significant strengthening of the social responsibility measures in the LCCP,” remarked Philip Graf, the Commission’s chair. “But we have reached the point at which it is clear that much more could be achieved if anonymous gambling in cash was not such a prominent feature of land-based gambling.” Graf acknowledged that the prospect of mandatory identification would raise concerns of privacy. “Removing anonymity of course raises its own challenges,” said Graf. “[But] it is time for a proper public debate on the costs and benefits of doing so.”
B2 reactions reveal a government and an industry divided CATEGORY B2
TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE
The Gambling Commission’s announcement of a step-up in its social responsibility framework includes a controversial side-note: calls for “a serious public debate” on whether “anonymous cash-based machine gambling” should be allowed to continue. The wording might be ambiguous - especially considering its potential ramifications, but it stands as perhaps the most contentious commentary from the Commission’s despatch last week. Is the Commission simply calling for a national discussion of the ills of B2 machines in betting shops? Such a debate would no doubt be welcomed by AGC operators - who frequently feel unjustly tarred by the FOBT brush. Or, should we take a more direct reading of the language used: a suggestion that machine-gaming in its entirety should be the crux of the debate? Either way, the comment will certainly open a debate. What will the eradication of “anonymous cashbased gambling” mean to the tens of thousands employed directly by both operators and manufacturers? What impact would it have on jobs within related component and coin-handling industries? This will no doubt be debated throughout the industry, but one thing is emerging, there appears to be a new target on the regulatory horizon: “Anonymous cash-based machine gambling”. BINGO MECCA TO TRIAL QUEUEBUSTING Q APP
One of the UK’s leading bingo halls is aiming to avoid tussles additional data and informa- of BACTA, who are calling at the bar when it trials a new tion that will become avail- for further study into the food and drink ordering app at able post implementation.” long-lasting effects of these its venues. In the political sphere, machines.“I sincerely hope Mecca Bingo FOBTs formed the centre- that an evaluation is carried will be using piece debate in the House out immediately and that the Q App of Lords, during which the the government reports and platform to Conservative Lord Gardiner responds to the findings as let cusof Kimble defended the soon as possible,” stated tomers new regulations introduced BACTA CEO John White. browse The GBG on the other menus, by his fellow party member and DCMS Secretary of hand are more keen to trum- select items, State, Sajid Javid. He was pet the growth in responsi- specify their responding to a challenge ble gambling which these table number from Liberal Democrat Lord regulatory amendments and pay for Strasburger, who argued in enforce.“From the perspec- their order a recent op-ed at Politics tive of creating necessary without leaving their seats Home that the maximum interaction before players between games. Operation stake on FOBTs should be can stake at £50 or more,and director Kevin Allcock said: reduced from £100 to £2, the further improvements “Mecca is always looking at bringing it in line with to responsible gambling ways to enhance customer gaming machines across all awareness and knowledge,” experience in its clubs, and Q said Hannibal,“this can only App’s innovative solution will other high street sectors. This is a position which be a positive step for the help serve customers during is likely to win the support gambling industry.” the busy Bingo intervals.”
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INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE
B2B COMMENT NEWSWEEK EXHIBITION The key coin-op offerings at this year’s ICE Totally Gaming expo. 14
A maturing ICE continues to grow its status TRADE SHOW
Another ICE is in the books and the expo shows no sign of slowing down, with visitor numbers expected to smash previous records. CE Totally Gaming continues to add weight to the claim that it is now the world’s leading gambling trade show. With attendance numbers expected to smash previous records and an unprecedented range of global visitors attracted, ICE 2015 is being billed as an unqualified success. The show’s stock has been rising year on year, as more and more of the world’s biggest companies opt to make their presence felt at the event. None more so than Novomatic,which has supported the show for a number of years with a sprawling stand featuring UK coin-op stalwarts such as Astra and Bell-Fruit Games. In many ways ICE came of age this
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year. It was the show’s 21st anniversary, commemorated with a specially commissioned gambling cake from chocolaterie Choccywoccydoodah. Representatives from Macau to Vegas were on hand to join in the celebrations, as London’s most bombastic gaming show established itself as the focal point for the global gaming industry. The UK coin-op industry will always consider EAG to be its home show, but that didn’t mean that there weren’t plenty of opportunities for those with close ties to the AGC,bingo and amusement sectors to benefit from the show. The likes of Electrocoin and Blueprint were joined by leading members of supporting sectors, including Suzo-
Happ, JCM and CPI. The show’s only minor mis-step was a bottleneck of visitors trying to enter the show on day one, but that didn’t deter more people attending the show in the first two days than attended the entire event last year. While deals were being made in the exhibition area, a number of conferences and seminars were taking place on the upper floors of the ExCeL Centre. All in all, ICE Totally Gaming delivered far beyond expectations bringing the world’s gambling industry to the UK stage.Which leaves one questions: how can you top that?With new owners and presumably more cash to invest, ICE is looking pretty hot.
Northern Ireland cracks down on illicit gambling activity ILLEGAL GAMING
With legislative reform still elusive in Northern Ireland, a high-profile clampdown by authorities is sending a clear message to off-book operators: abide by the rules or pay the consequences. n an operation involving Northern Irish police,immiIgration enforcement and Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch (OCB), more than 130 illicit gaming machines and three unlicensed roulette tables have been seized in Belfast and Lisburn, with a combined product worth thought to be in excess of £500,000. An investigation span-
ning several days at three separate locations also saw officers take possession of over £200,000 in cash, in what has been described as a clamp-down on illegal gambling and money-laundering activity. “Following a protracted investigation, detectives and experts from the Gambling Commission UK believe that casino and high stake gam-
bling machines were being operated in these premises in breach of the relevant licences,” stated detective superintendent Andrea McMullan of the OCB.“This multi-agency operation should serve as a clear warning to those who think they can operate outside the law that police are determined they will not succeed.” The investigation led to
the arrest of a 63 year-old man from Lurgan on charges of illegal gambling management and money laundering. Another man in his 40’s was taken into custody by immigration officers on suspicion of an immigration offence. Whilst the gaming machines have been estimated to the value of approximately £1,000 per unit, each of the seized roulette tables are thought to be worth over £100,000. The operation has been praised by Jonathan Craig, Northern Ireland Assembly member for Lagan Valley and former mayor of Lisburn. “It’s great to see they are tackling illegal gambling in Northern Ireland,” he told the Belfast Telegraph. “Organised crime gangs make a lot of money out of illegal gambling.”
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HERITAGE
Topgolf: food, drink, golf and amusements AMUSEMENTS
You might not expect it, but the burgeoning transatlantic leisure provider Topgolf keeps amusement machines as one of the core components of a unique and diverse entertainment offering. Chris Webster finds out more.
m u s e m e n t machines can crop up in the most unexpected of places. Sure, their presence is synonymous with the traditional seaside arcade and the great British pub - and let’s not forget the fun-filled FEC, as well as the higherrolling adult-gaming centre. But in visiting your local golfing range - the chances are you’d safely assume a total lack of coinop presence. But you’d be wrong. “Amusements have been a staple at Topgolf since the company’s opening back in early 2000,” states the company’s media relations manager Jason Evans.“As it was quite a common experience to walk into an entertainment venue, pub or bar and see coin slot machines in some form, we thought Topgolf should be no different.” Founded in Watford by the Jolliffe brothers,theTopgolf concept captured
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minds across the Atlantic: now the company’s three UK locations are heavily outweighed by thirteen American counterparts. Each venue features a state-of-theart driving range, as well as bar, restaurant and entertainment facilities. “While initially the importance behind our AWP machines was to increase revenue, we’ve found that it provides a supplementary activity for guests while they wait for food or to golf,”says Evans. Whilst the business model is broadly equivocal in both countries, the character of the company’s UK amusements differs widely from their American equivalents. “Our US operations contain no coin-operated machines,” Evans explains. “Gambling machines are not allowed in any of the US jurisdictions in which we currently operate - so instead we provide pool tables and shuffleboards, as well as video game machines like Xbox and
WHAT LIES BENEATH
Playstations.” The main attraction of Topgolf is the traditional driving range but with a twist - each ball is microchipped, providing pin-point location data. This brings a competitive edge to proceedings: think darts, but on an exponentially bigger scale. It follows that the market Topgolf pitches at goes far beyond the traditional polo-shirt and chinos golfer. “Our demographics are very broad,”Evans confirms. “The game is compelling and there are no restrictions to the experience, so our key groups include families, young adults and events crowds - as well as people just wanting to practice their swing.”
Visitors to New Brighton’s popular Palace Amusement Arcade might be surprised to find out that beneath their feet lies a warren of ancient caverns. Local legend has it that this is where smugglers and wreckers stashed their ill-beggotten gains: indeed, the tunnels are replete with graffiti - some of it going back as far as 1619. But construction plans which seem to include the sealing up of the complex’s entrance have led to calls from local historians to preserve the tunnels as a public attraction. “It will be a crying shame if they are sealed up - the cave and other tunnels are a massive part of Wirral’s history,” author and historian Tony Franks-Buckley told the Liverpool Echo. “It’s up to the landowner but it looks like there are bricks at the entrance which would seal them up for good.”
This family-friendly environment has led to an increasingly soft-focus of Topgolf’s amusement portfolio. “We’ve reduced the number of AWP machines as time’s gone on,” Evans continues. “We’ve been replacing them with more kid friendly games: table and arcade titles, that kind of thing.” With the progenitor site in Watford totalling over 218,000 visits in 2013 alone, and with an additional 9 locations scheduled for opening in 2015,Topgolf’s continued investment in amusement provision certainly serves as a worthy example of the medium’s continued relevance within the diverse field of leisure attractions. AMUSEMENT PARK
Owners seek public input on South Parade Pier restoration PIER
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he new owners of Portsmouth’s South Parade Pier have set up a website to allow the public to share its ideas on how the attraction should be restored. South Parade Pier Ltd has already said that amusements and bingo will play a big part of its plans to return the pier to its heyday. It now promises to look at the input people provide via the website, SouthParadePier.net, in order to further diversify the pier’s offering.
Speaking on behalf of the owners, Nick Courtney from People’s Plan for Southsea, told local newspaper The News: “They will take on board what people are saying and some of those may be incorporated into future plans. “Clarence Pier already has arcades and they want South Parade to have some different attractions that everyone well enjoy.” The Grade-II listed pier was closed in 2012 after it was deemed ‘a danger to
the public’ and at risk of collapsing.
Its purchase by South Parade Pier Ltd is under-
stood to have been completed for an undisclosed sum in January. After the sale went through, Malcolm Belcher, a spokesman for the new owners, said: “Our intention is to return the pier to the people of Portsmouth. We remember the pier in its heyday and that’s how we want it to become again. “We want music, dancing, restaurants, bingo and amusements - plenty of fun entertainment that locals will enjoy and which will also attract tourists.”
PLANS TO REINVEST 2014 REVENUE BOOST A North Yorkshire based park has reported an 11% increase in visitor numbers throughout the past twelve months, generating a revenue boost of 9% in 2014 from the year before. Lightwater Valley amusement park plans to reinvest £350,000 into renovating the golf course and providing new rides and activities. General manager Mark Bainbridge said: “It was a really positive year for us with our Mr. Men, Fantastic Fireworks and Frightwater Valley events proving very popular.”
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Digital AWP: misunderstood by the older player? AGC
For Kevin Birch of Players Amusements, through no fault of it’s own, digital AWP may well confuse or even scare-off the traditional playerbase. When it comes to the grey sector, there’s still some grey matter when it comes to new technology.
evin Birch of Birmingham’s Players AmuseK ments is biding his time. “We’ve gone from operating several sites a few years ago - running over a hundred machines - to a much smaller single-site operation,” he tells us. He’s not looking for an exit,however. When the economic winds blow his way - it seems he plans to reinvest. “I love this industry,” he confesses.“We’re sitting on the fence at the moment, but when it’s feasible we already have plans for expansion.” Birch has prior experience both as a selfemployed director of the
multi-site Millennium Leisure (now sold) as well as alongside the Noble dynasty. It’s a breadth of experience few can rival, and when it comes to AWP punters, it brings one particular observation. “I’d say that there’s an obvious demographic split when it comes to digital AWP,” Birch tells us.“Whilst younger players - especially those used to newer pub and bingo gaming machines will often gravitate towards our digital titles, the older clientele won’t touch video-based technology.” What factors account for the older players’ aversion
to the new technology? “They think they’re being fiddled,” Birch replies.“It comes down to the kind of product players are trying to buy:older players - especially older women - come into our AGC for a social occasion. They’re buying amusement, they’re not there to ‘gamble’ in the strictest sense of the word.” Fear - rooted in a lack of understanding of the technology - also plays a significant role.“There’s certainly a lack of understanding,” Birch remarks.“One thing we find in many of our older players is that with video, they’re often confused as to
what to do.” In some ways, the situation is paradoxical. “Most video titles tend to be simpler than analogue counterparts: there’s no nudges, for instance,” explains Birch.“So there’s a level of intimidation about newer video machines which goes beyond actual gameplay.” To illustrate his point, Birch equates transitioning to the newer AWP medium with moving from an analogue to a digital radio:“On the face of it, pressing a button to automatically tune a digital radio compared to turning the tuning wheel of an old analogue
set is infinitely simpler,” he analogises. “That doesn’t stop older consumers avoiding DAB radio, who view it as more complicated simply because it’s new.” As Birch waits for more clement economic conditions to reinvest, it follows that digital machines currently take up a smaller footprint than their analogue counterparts. “I’ve found that we’ve been increasingly going back to older, reel-based machines,” he declares. “There are very few new digital machines that I’m finding will benefit our business.”
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‘Making weird things comes naturally to me’ ARCADE
After several successful years running his Under the Pier Show in Southwold, Tim Hunkin opened Novelty Automation in London’s Holborn on 11 February. He explains the method behind his arcade madness, and what mainstream FECs could learn from his creations.
GAMES
n terms of their technical geography,Tim Hunkin’s creations are positioned somewhere between the museum and the pier bandstand.After beginning his career at Cabaret MechanicalTheatre in Covent Garden, where he became hooked on automata, he yearned to develop workable attractions for a real arcade setting. “As a child I always loved the traditional arcades,” he said.“I started the Under the Pier Show, my seaside arcade, because I was fed up of making museum exhibits,and at the back of my mind I always had a fantasy of owning my own arcade.” By his own admission, Hunkin’s offerings have never quite gelled with those of the mainstream arcades.“I tried putting some of my machines in the arcades on the pier in Southwold and it didn’t work at all,” he mused. “It’s funny;with a critical mass of one-off machines, you can make your own atmosphere, but if you mix up the modern arcades and my machines it just doesn’t work.” When Hunkin first opened Under the Pier, it was intended as a frontrunner for a new style of arcade.With the sheer cost of developing his electromechanical amusements, the inventor now admits that it’s less of a business
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have very complex software with a very simple interface, whereas I’m the other way around. I have fairly simple software and complicated electro-mechanical stuff, which is something that you couldn’t get at home and which hasn’t been overtaken by consoles and computers.” Hunkin’s new arcade,Novelty Automatica, is being opened ahead of the half term, but the real challenges will come after the rush of the holidays when he will be able to fully measure the sustainability of the new venture. “It’s a complete adventure for me,” he admitted. “You can’t really work out an advance business plan with something like this because there’s nothing else like it around.” However, it’s this uniquemodel than a labour of love. Pixar came along and made “I’m not very business- intelligent, animated films ness that has brought crowds like, and so I lavish an enor- that appealed to adults as well of visitors from around the mous amount of money and as children,” said Hunkin. “I UK to Under the Pier in Southtime on making every think to some extent that’s wold, and Hunkin hopes that machine,” he said.“It would what I’ve done and other he may inspire others to perbe a whole different busi- arcades could benefit from a sonalise their own businesses in some way. ness if you had to mass pro- similar approach.” “I don’t really understand While many operators are duce them and make them economic to manufacture.” looking for ultra modern why arcades should all look However, he still believes machines with as many LED the same - I think the more that his inventive approach lights and HD screens to give individual, the better. Most to arcade gaming could be a heightened sensory experi- operators have to be techniuseful for other operators ence, Hunkin has increas- cally skilled to keep the who feel they would like to ingly moved away from machines going, so they ceroffer more bespoke attrac- high-tech features toward tainly have the potential to try electro-mechanical amuse- things differently,” he said. tions. “But perhaps I’m lucky: “I do feel that arcades need ments in his own arcade. He explained:“The whole making weird things comes a transformation akin to what happened to animation when trajectory for arcades is to naturally to me.”
Ministers change law in bid to save community pubs PUBS
ommunities will soon be able to give their C favourite local watering holes protected status under new legislation announced last month. Under current neighbourhood planning laws, residents can apply for cherished businesses in the area to be listed as Assets of Community Value (ACVs).
Q-Bert given new life
So far, approximately 600 pubs have been successfully listed. Under new legislation developed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, ACV status would come with associated restrictions on change of use. New owners would have to apply for planning permission in order to cease trading as a pub or demolish the premises.
The legislation is the latest in a series of measures rolled out over the past year to help stem the rate of closures across the pub industry. Other measures include cuts in beer duty, greater control for landlords over weights and measures,and extra rates relief for small businesses. However, a recent report by the Communities and Local Government Committee (CLG) claimed that the
government needed to go even further to give communities control over their assets and services. MP Clive Betts, chair of the committee, said: “We still want Ministers to spell out the detail to ensure that a pub with ACV status can’t just be sold - lose its ACV status and its protection from change of use - and then be converted to something else overnight.”
e’s become somewhat of a cultural icon. OrigiH nally debuting in the 1982 arcade title Q*Bert, the titular character has gone on to feature as a supporting character in US comedy show Family Guy and Disney’s Wreck-It-Ralph movie. Now comes the news that Q*Bert’s original platform to fame has been made accessible to the current generation of video-gamers. ‘Q*Bert Rebooted’ was released last week on PC and Mac, and plans are afoot to bring the game to consoleplayers in the coming months. It features both the original game in an unaltered form, as well as a modernised version with improved graphics. The game’s creator Brooklyn native Warren Davis - has had a career almost as eclectic as the character he electronically birthed. His gaming programming roles include arcade classics such as Terminator 2, Joust 2 and Revolution X, as well as the development of a video digitalisation system which was used to breathe graphical realism into later titles like Mortal Kombat. Alongside his career in arcade software, Davis has also acted in a number of acclaimed television shows, such as House MD and Criminal Minds.
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Leisure BBPA launches beer duty campaigning site The BBPA has created a new online tool to help people lobby their MPs for a third cut in beer duty ahead of the May election. The website - www.beerandpubjobs.co.uk - contains a wealth of figures on pubs’ economic contribution, and enables campaigners to send a message to their local MP.
Adventure Park wins prestigious award Devonshire mums and dads have voted Crealy Great Adventure Park their favourite family attraction in the area for the fourth year running. Primary Times magazine set up the competition to highlight the best family oriented people and places locally. Crealy also scooped the overall winner star award for 2014.
THE BLUE TORNADO, GARDALAND, ITALY
A tough nut: the tribulations of amusement park operation in Europe AMUSEMENT PARKS
Statistics suggest a widening rift between the size - and success - of the North American and European amusement park industries. Whilst a homogenised approach might yield success within the US/Canadian market: greater focus on both theme and locality is required closer to home. Europe, it seems, must do better.
t’s tough to do business in Europe.The trials and tribulations of the Eurozone’s single-currency, currently epitomised by a widely publicised Graeco-Tutonic rift over austerity measures, serve as a fitting example. As an economic region, the multitudes of linguistic and cultural barriers in the old-world, one strand of argument believes, make the ‘one-size-fitsall’ approach to trade an ill-fitting glove. And perhaps that might explain the relative success of the North American amusement park sector over its European cousin. “The global attractions industry is healthy and expected to grow over the next several years.” So says IAAPA’s director of media relations, Colleen Mangone.But the tradebody’s latest research document highlights that European parks are lagging behind their NorthAmerican equivalents. In 2013, across 400 amusement parks throughout the US and Canada, 376m visitors generated $18bn (£11.8bn) in revenue. Back on our own side of the Atlantic, meanwhile, 300 theme-parks entertained 162m
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visitors, who in turn spent $6.4bn (£4.2bn). The first thing to note is the differing size of the two industries. Depending on where one draws the line of what constitutes ‘Europe’ proper - the continent’s population easily matches that of North America. Indeed, the Eurozone alone is home to 334m people, exceeding the entire population of the continental United States of 300m. Do we deduce that demand for amusement across the pond is correspondingly higher? Not necessarily: rollercoasters and state-of-the-art rides are costly, and the economic clout of Europe’s composite nations can vary massively. More worrying, perhaps, is that even when the relative size of Europe’s market is taken into account, the continent’s parks still seem to generate markedly less revenue than their US and Canadian counterparts. IAAPA’s own account for this discrepancy is obtuse. “The industry has developed in different ways and on different timelines with different market characteristics in the two regions,”remarks Mangone. But the struggling performance of
Euro Disney, which for the past two years has seen its visitor numbers fall by 10 per cent,hints at problems within the pan-European offering that may be uncomfortable to acknowledge. Whilst situated in Paris, Euro Disney has always attempted to draw an audience from across the continent. But as a recent analysis by The Economist surmised:“Unlike the more culturally homogeneous market in which Disney’s resorts thrive in America,many Europeans prefer smaller attractions that cater to specific linguistic or demographic groups.” And it’s here that Britain’s very own Merlin Entertainments has succeeded where its US-owned rival Disney has stumbled. Focusing on highthrill roller-coasters at Alton Towers, sticking to horror at its Dungeon locations, and aiming specifically at German and Italian visitors with its Heide Park and Gardaland parks respectively, the company appears to have catered to a targeted audience wherever it operates. With like-for-like revenue growth anticipated at 11 per cent,Europe may well be a tough nut to crack, but Merlin seem to have achieved just that.
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Public backs pier petition
Butlins Bognor hotel refurbished
Pier gets demolition reprieve
Cleethorpes gets dedicated website
A petition calling for land next to Skegness Pier to be saved from a development including a KFC restaurant and Premier Inn hotel has attracted over 3,000 signatures. The Save our Foreshore group wants Pier Field kept for community use.
Butlins is investing in its conference and events offering with £2.4m refurbishment of the Shoreline Hotel at its Bognor Regis holiday park. Due to be completed by Easter, it incorporates a nautical theme with ‘walkthe-plank’ lifts and deck-themed corridors.
Colwyn Bay’s dilapidated pier has been given a reprieve after Conwy Council voted to await the decision of a £9.6m Heritage Lottery Fund bid by the trust fighting to save it. The Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust said saving the pier would be far less costly than demolishing it.
The Grimsby Telegraph has launched the Cleethorpes People pull-out and website offering dedicated news and content about the seaside resort. The eight-page pull-out will be published with the newspaper every Wednesday.
Storm-wrecked Saltburn arcade finally reopens FEC
Blackpool Pleasure Beach advertising boosts resort’s appeal
It’s been a long road back since stormy seas struck, but Saltburn Entertainments is at last ready to bring amusements back to the North-East resort. seaside amusement arcade in Saltburnby-the-Sea has finally reopened more than a year after it was severely damaged by storm waves. Saltburn Entertainments on Saltburn Pier has been closed and undergoing repair since December 2013, when high seas punched a hole in its floor and flooded the building. The damage caused was so extensive that at the time owner Grant Seldon said it looked like a “bomb had gone off”in the arcade. Speaking to local press last week, Seldon was much more positive:“We’re trying to get it open this weekend. I’m not getting much sleep at the moment. “We had to wait for the council to finish their work on the structure. It’s all been done properly and it’s a lot stronger than it used to be. “We were able to get in in October and we’re just about ready now.” Back in December Seldon admitted it had taken a “substantial amount of money” to bring the arcade back to a point where he could consider reopening it again. He had already invested
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n advertising campaign by Blackpool A Pleasure Beach has been
more than £250,000 in the Saltburn Pier arcade after he took it over in February 2011. Seldon now wants Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to do more to protect the pier from any future flooding and storms. He explained:“Saltburn is quite susceptible because it’s north facing. The water had nowhere to go so it came up at the weakest point, which was the floor in the middle of the building.
“Going forward we’re going to push for a deflection system underneath to protect the building in future. “Without the pier or the lifts, Saltburn wouldn’t be Saltburn. It has to be protected. We’re going to approach the council first. “I’m sure people will agree - we’ve had a lot of support so far. It could last another 50 or 100 years.” Seldon, who also owns the seafront Seldon Leisure World family entertainment centre in Seaburn,
said visitors could look forward to amusements on Saltburn Pier for generations to come. He said: “We know arcades. It’s such a good site, right on the pier. It’s a cracking little spot. “There was never any doubt that we would be reopening.We just want to get it open as soon as we can. “It’ll still be work in progress for the next few weeks, but we’re looking forward to having the arcade up and running.”
credited with helping Blackpool increase its appeal as a visitor destination after the resort attracted an extra 300,000 adults in 2014. Figures revealed by Blackpool Council revealed that the total number of adult visits last year was up to 10.1m, compared to 9.8m in 2013. Tony Urmson, a director of Yes Hotels, which represents 232 hotels in the resort, told the Blackpool Gazette that the Pleasure Beach had played its part in this rise. He said: “I think the increase is down to a bit of everything. The shows in the town were fantastic, and the Pleasure Beach and Blackpool’s Back advertising campaigns on TV did very well. “The town was promoted and that’s what we have to keep on doing to
bring people in.” Helen Mansell, vicepresident of hoteliers group StayBlackpool said: “The fact the numbers are up is wonderful, but I think a lot can be attributed to extra day-trippers due to the fine weather. Councillor Tony Williams, leader of the Conservatives on Blackpool Council, said: “Blackpool had a beautiful, late summer which will have definitely seen folks heading for the greatest seaside resort in the UK, but I am suspicious of the numbers the council is claiming. “One thing obvious by these figures is that the council is not doing enough to help, as despite these supposedly wonderful increase in visitor numbers, overnight stays are down.” The figures from an Omnibus household survey showed overnight stays for the last four months of 2014 were down 300,000.
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Politics BACTA battles for tech standards change BACTA is stepping up its campaign to amend technical standards to bring back features and stakes and prizes that will allow manufacturers to keep producing fresh and exciting products. Following talks with the Gambling Commission, BACTA is preparing papers for discussions at the next round of its Divisional meetings.
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As more and more leisure operators expand into uncharted territory, BALPPA is changing its support offerings in line with them, says association chief Paul Kelly.
Coin-op offerings at this year’s ICE
ICE seminar explores Tribal Gaming 16 This week’s machines charts
A seminar series on Native American gaming took place at ICE last week, with the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) chairman, Ernie Stevens, delivering the keynote speech. The series, titled ‘US Indian Gaming: The $28bn Dollar Industry’, saw US based experts discussing the history of the industry and its legislative future.
19 Classified sales, business opps and jobs
Diversity is the way forward for holiday parks HOLIDAY PARKS
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eisure operators could be headed for recovery after a period of constriction, with many now responding to an increasing demand for multiple offerings on site. New plans have been submitted for holiday resorts with diverse attractions in East Riding, Ayreshire and Lancashire, while established operators are moving into different areas with new rides, restaurants and indoor play centres. With such rapid changes to the way park owners are directing their operations, trade body BALPPA is working hard to react to these changes by offering new types of advisory programmes to cater for businesses who have more than one string to their bow. “The main challenge for us is to adapt to changes that happen in the industry,” explained CEO Paul Kelly.“A lot of operators are crossing over
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what they do and increasingly adding new facets to their business. Whether that’s an indoor play centre that now has rides outside, or the fact that theme parks are now increasing accommodation, this is something we’re seeing across all sectors.” The organisation has already started to adapt its seminar programme to incorporate the needs of smaller arcade owners and eateries as well as larger fairgrounds. “We have to combine things more,”said Kelly.“Our health and safety seminars, which were traditionally based around things that would affect big theme parks, now have a section on indoor play centres, insurance and other aspects of health and safety.We did a seminar at Drayton, for example, with a section on food allergies.” Kelly believes that, along with the opening of new parks, this expansion strategy will have positive long-term effects
on the industry, encouraging further growth and making domestic holiday destinations more appealing for Brits. He commented:“I hope that the new spate of planning applications for holiday parks can be taken as a sign that UK tourism is becoming lucrative again, because it is an area that has been constricting over the past few years.” Planning applications such as the £450m Loudon Castle Project in Scotland show evidence of this push for diversity, with plans including proposals for rides, water parks, spas and restaurants. “Most of these parks are multiple operations,” added Kelly. “As well as accommodation, they’ll have arcades, games, possibly some rides, so there’s investment in all sectors. It’s all mixing up, and you have to be able to cater to that.You have to cater for businesses that have a whole range of different leisure activities.”
24 Diary highlights and industry calendar
FEBRUARY 13 - FEBRUARY 19, 2015
GC makes on the ground contact a priority REGULATORY
or the Gambling Commission, large-scale trade Fevents like ICE give them a chance to connect face-toface with members of the industry that might not normally get the opportunity. And for a global show like ICE, this includes many UK operators
who are based abroad. “Loads of people have come and just said hello,” explained senior compliance officer, Ian Perrygrove. “Lots of people we haven’t met before because they’re
coming in from overseas. It’s good to see some faces, because they’ve previously been on phone or email and here we’ve been able to sit down for five minutes and just talk about how it’s been going.” While the heads of major gaming businesses network with the Commission at semi-
nars and conferences, the show floor stand enabled the regulator to connect with those people who will need to work with regulations day-today. “We’re working on the ground level, speaking to staff members,” said Perrygrove. “If we can talk to the guys who are actually doing it on a daily basis that helps us as well.”
Coinslot Report Redemption Next Week
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CATEGORY C ALICE ON ICE
INNOVATIVE SEEK MARKETING MANAGER
were one of the growing number of UK coin-op companies to Etakelectrocoin out their own stand at ICE Totally
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aking its place as part of a wider recruitment drive, Oldham-based cash-handling firm Innovative Technology is looking for a new marketing manager, who will be responsible for all of the company’s communications, branding PR and product promotion activity.
Disney have confirmed that all of its 22 arcade employees will retain their jobs. The dissolving of the Magic Kingdom park’s Tomorrowland arcade took place this week: its machines will be redirected to the corporation’s six hotel arcades, replacing older redemption products.
EXHIBITION REDEMPTION THE FINAL FRONTIER its inspiration from Japanese anime artwork, Galaxy Garrison conTaking tinues to be one of JNC Sales’ most popular redemption products. Aimed at children aged 7 years and below, the whacker from Feiloli offers a unique playfield of lighted spaceships, with a series of out-ofthis-world characters to plant squarely on the head!
INTERNATIONAL FLORIDA REGULATION LEADS TO DISNEY REDEMPTION SHUTDOWN? alt Disney World hotels will no longer offer crane machines or any W redemptions prizes at their hotel resort arcades. Executives for the entertainment giant are yet to explain the move, but commentators have speculated a 2013 state-law, forbidding the award of any prize worth over 75 cents in a non-gambling setting, to be the likely cause. Arcade competitors Dave & Busters and Chuck E. Cheese have already fallen foul of the legislation, with lawsuits filed against both pending rulings.
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Gaming, but the results were more than worthwhile. “The quality of customers has been excellent,” reported Kevin Weir. “It’s more of the same as EAG, but you get more time with them. If you come as a UK customer for Cat C, there’s probably only 6 or 8 stands that you want to go to.” That gave the company the chance to showcase Alice’s Royal Riches, which has now completed its impressive run of site testing. “It has been of great interest, because people see figures but they don’t always see the product,” explained Weir, “so it’s a chance to get some hands on with it.”
SEGA ENTHUSIASTIC POST EAG ega’s showing at January’s EAG was the company’s most diverse display Sto date - with three separate stands: one each for its arcade, redemption and Total Solutions divisions. The company certainly wasn’t afraid to flex its muscles in terms of the scale and scope of its cabinet design: it’s supersized Transformers video showcased with a monumental 80 inch screen, whilst another visitor favourite was the debut of Showdown: boasting a four deluxe motion car format, 65 inch LED HD screens and signature multi-coloured LED lit surround marquee. “We’re on fire right now with our product-range,” enthused Justin Burke, general manager of Sega’s amusements. “The ratio of international to domestic visitors had shifted in favour of domestic at this year’s show, but I take that as a clear sign of the confidence of the UK operator on the back of a great season last year and the desire to invest in product that is proven and going to stand the test of time.”
TICKET REDEMPTION EMPIRE STRIKES BACK AT ICE
“ICE Totally Gaming 2015 proved to be the perfect platform to showcase Empire’s extensive range of products to an international audience. We were very pleased with the results over the three days and look forward to a positive year ahead and beyond into 2016.”
LOTTERIES ON-BRAND FUNDRAISING nterclub Lotteries is making it easier than ever for clubs to keep track of their Ifundraising efforts with up to the minute data on pull tab sales from its machines. The company uses this data to offer a pay-as-you-play payment system to avoid clubs paying a premium for unsold tickets and make it easier for clubs to raise funds. Interclub has both pulltab and flexitab ticketing machines on offer and will brand products with the club name or logo free of charge upon purchase.
SPARES &
fun-filled low stakes machines took of place on Empire’s stand at TICEwopride COMPONENTS alongside two of the company’s latest takes on the ticket redemption genre. Oddbods, a 10p stake three-reel body match product, was showcased alongside ticket redemption game Lucky Ladders. Originally presented as a fairytale theme game, venues will be able retheme Oddbods to feature popular motifs or cohere with seasonal events and sports matches. Over the Rainbow, with its playful Irish theme, is compatible with Cat C, C Lite and Cat D. This new product was shown alongside Cat D three-player Gold Run. Managing director Craig Beer said:
IT’S ALL HAPPENING uzo-Happ has hinted that it would be increasing its focus on machine conSstruction and servicing over the coming years, with a fully made machine at the foot of its 60th anniversary ICE display signposting its future direction. As well as supplying a comprehensive range of machine components, the company is now offering the option to have the machine constructed for the customer’s convenience - rather than customers having to put together the parts themselves after purchase. Coinslot FEBRUARY 13 - FEBRUARY 19, 2015
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1 ASTRA GAMES
A free flowing performance the product front, Astra have tremendously hard in the run“up toOnworked ICE to bring a world class portfolio of games to the show floor,” explained Astra Games sales and marketing director, Alan Rogers. Included among this portfolio was the debut of Astra’s new video-based Cat C title, Community £100 and B3 games Slotto 500 and iBet Jackpot 500. “Judging by the amazing response we received,” said Rogers, it was well worth the effort.” Rogers also had kind words for the changes made to the running of this year’s show: “ICE transpired to be a great show with a very positive atmosphere throughout. We think the organisers did a great job, specifically with the ‘open plan’ approach that dispensed with the need for passes to cross over from each side of the exhibition.” 2 BELL-FRUIT
A royal performance ell-Fruit has more experience than most of the power of a well known B brand, so it will have come as no surprise to see ICE visitors gathering around the company’s new Queen machines. “Bell-Fruit Group received many plaudits for the range of products on display and for the innovation to be seen right Coinslot FEBRUARY 13 - FEBRUARY 19, 2015
across the range of equipment,” confirmed sales and marketing director, John McLoughlin (pictured, right). “In particular our visitors were won over by Queen We are the Champions in the Elite cabinet, the reel to video Queen Forever and the Queen Greatest Hits in the casino-style cabinet.” Overall, for McLoughlin, there’s little denying that attending the show was worthwhile: “ICE was a great opportunity for us to show off all our latest games and to catch up with our customers, not only from the UK but from across Europe as well.” 3 BLUEPRINT
Upgraded visuals more than just cosmetic been a great show,” said Blueprint operations director Andy “Hall.It’sgaming “For ourselves it’s been phenomenal.” With a new high definition cabinet ready to enter the wild six weeks from now and a number of orders wracked up at the show, ICE provided the perfect staging ground for Blueprint to make its mark on the show floor. “The cabinet is out on test and we’ve actually proved that we’re getting more footfall,” noted Hall. “It uses the same game suite as we’ve got on our existing cabinets, but our presentation and the actual cabinet has been further enhanced. From the B3 market, that’s where we are and we’ve got some new titles coming through, in Fortunes of the Gods and Kingdoms of Wealth.”
4 CRANE PAYMENT INNOVATIONS
Advancing pound for pound ctivity around the Crane Payment Innovations stand was centred on the A mastery of both coin and note acceptors created by the marriage of CPS and MEI. New products included the SC Advance Evolved, the latest in the company’s line of high performance note accepters. Marketing director Andrew Reichlin was also on hand to provide his thoughts on the British cash-handling landscape: “The UK market is the weirdest market in the world for us, because we get criticised on pound coins for having acceptance that’s too good. Because the amount of fraud is so high on that pound coin, we’re kicking things out that could pass as legal.” A redesigned coin is on its way, but even that has caused issues. “Based on how they’re doing it, there’s a lot of consternation,” explained Reichlin. “They might have gone over the top in trying to prevent it.” 5 GAMEACCOUNT NETWORK
Turning virtual gaming into real profits or GameAccount Network at ICE, simulated gaming was a major focus. It’s a Fformula that has been proven worldwide: Operators offering a virtual casino alongside their land-based mainstay will find new and lapsed customers driven into their real-money venue.
This could prove particularly popular with UK land-based operators, for whom the new point of consumption tax may dissuade them from dipping their toe into the online world. “Theoretically they might think that if they’ve got real money gaming, why offer simulated, but if it’s filling a hole created by point of consumption tax they’re going to get something back,” explained commercial director, Daniel Lindsay. “If operators give players loyalty cards which they can then use in venue then it can tie back to their database,” he added, “so whenever they buy virtual credits online they get a benefit on their loyalty card and there’s a whole marketing channel that can be attached to that.” 6 GAMESMAN
Gamesman, and the call for an AWP make-over amesman’s Martin Rigby remembers his roots. G“We started in the UK purely as an AWP components supplier - and so at heart, that market’s still very important to us.” That said, numbers don’t lie - and the bulk of Gamesman’s products now go elsewhere. “UK AWP probably comprises only about 10 per cent of our business these days - with the rest of activity focused on exports to other gaming sectors outside the UK.” Whilst still providing the buttons and basic components with which the company first cut it’s teeth, Gamesman has
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now branched out to produce touchscreens and advanced topper signs. It’s product progression Rigby would encourage in AWP producers. “We’ve never claimed to be game designers, but I think it’s clear that the British AWP offering has to modernise,” he tells us. “The demographic which AWP attempts to appeal to have grown up with Xboxes, and Playstations - with touchscreen and motion-sensor technology. AWP hasn’t kept pace with these developments: a problem which may stem from the generation gap separating the bulk of developers and operators from their player-base.” 7 GEWETE
The changing face of the market
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eWeTe was looking to cover all bases at ICE 2015 and with its range of change machines, TITO products and even cashhandling-systems for sports-betting, the company looked to have achieved its aims. Many of its latest change models come equipped with a powerful PC back-end, including the Maxi Cash Recycler and humungous Mega Cash Recycler. This computerised system enables detailed monitoring of what money goes in and out of the machine both locally and over the internet, explained GeWeTe’s Mark Edmundson (pictured, right with managing director, Aristidis Tsikouras). Also on show were machines that combined TITO functionality with traditional cash recycling. With ticket-based UK
arcades expected to gain traction during 2015, GeWeTe expects the options it offers to become increasingly popular on British soil during the next 12 months. 8 GAMESTEC
Gamestec flaunts its credentials amestec took the opportunity afforded by ICE to educate visitors on the G strengths of its iPub Casino Slots. This 35game digital product was afforded pride of place on the huge Novomatic stand, thanks in no small part to the fact that it is already generating 2.5m plays every week. “ICE 2015 once again reaffirmed its position as the most important show in the calendar for Gamestec,” said commercial director, Peter Davies. “To welcome our customers onto such a prestigious stand rubbing shoulders with our colleagues from all parts of the Novomatic Group is extremely valuable. Its importance in underlining Gamestec’s credentials as the premier operator in the UK cannot be underestimated and the show was a great success.” 9 INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
New products spark global rush was a bumper show for Innovative thanks in no small part to IthetTechnology, launch of its new SMART Coin System. “It was great to finally unveil our latest innovation the SMART Coin System,”
explained marketing executive, Dayna Patterson. In fact, Innovative are reporting a record number of global visitors to its stand across the show. International connections are of particular worth to Innovative, who’s growing export business has performed admirably in recent years. “Last year we opened a number of new offices,” noted Patternson, “so ICE 2015 provided a perfect platform to introduce new members of our international sales team, as well as showcasing our state of the art products to new potential customers.” 10 JCM GLOBAL/FUTURE LOGIC
Tag-team showing brings in the crowds CE 2015 saw FutureLogic’s debut event as a part of JCM Global, following an Iacquisition agreement trumpeted last September in Las Vegas. “The gaming market is still pretty challenging at the moment, especially in Europe,” said JCM’s general manage EMEA. “That was one of the reasons we acquired FutureLogic: we looked at FutureLogic’s technology and realised that together we could support one another to help reduce cost and increase profit.” It was a gamble that seems to have paid off - at least in terms of driving traffic towards the company’s show-stand. “I wasn’t expecting to see so many of our customers,” Zadeh continued. “We’ve had a great many meetings, and we’re finding our customers are receptive to new products and new ways of doing business.
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Email: al@sjc.co.uk
11 SG GAMING
A great deal of new tech n the back of two big deals for the coinop sector, SG Gaming were utilising ICE O to demonstrate the systems that had attracted both Mecca Bingo and Crown Direct to form partnerships with the company in recent weeks. Mecca are making use of the videobet system from sister company Playtech, which will take advantage of SG’s T7 and Clarity cabinets to deliver a wide range of games, with support for TITO and malleable promotional functionality. Crown, meanwhile, will be helping to supply the high street with machines that are hooked up to the Vertex system, which delivers a more straightforward pipeline of Scientific’s most popular games. 12 SUZO-HAPP
A Happ-y 60th Anniversary uzo-Happ have been proudly celebrating their 60th anniversary, and ICE repreSsented the perfect opportunity to demonstrate just how far they’ve come. With displays showcasing the evolution of some of the most popular components from the ‘80s to the present day, visitors at Suzo’s stands could see a notable development toward slicker-looking parts with a streamlined aesthetic for the modern age. But it wasn’t all about the past; SuzoHapp was also showcasing the best of its current range of products, from coin mechanisms to buttons and screens, with its own ‘Pro’ branded parts also on display. Coinslot FEBRUARY 13 - FEBRUARY 19, 2015
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Coinslot FEBRUARY 13 - FEBRUARY 19, 2015
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Coinslot February 13 - February 19, 2015
Comment Email: je@gbmedia.eu
ICE and data: the binary gold-dust ICE broke all records last week putting on a show that placed UK gaming and gambling at the heart of the worldwide industry. So, asks Chris Webster, what benefits can be drawn for the coin-op and amusements sector? t’s easy to get bowled over by ICE. Following on just three weeks from EAG - comparisons between the two London shows are as inevitable as they are perhaps unfair. Of course, there’s the lobby who argue the two events should run concurrently - after all, they did for about 15 years, but irrespective of where you stand on this particular point, what’s indisputable is that ICE is a different beast entirely to EAG.The latter has the feel of a close-knit, domestic community about it, whereas ICE’s expanse has the scope and bustle one associates with a city. Indeed that’s exactly what it feels like: a temporary conurbation come to ExCeL, with giants such as Novomatic and Playtech their own respective towns communities within communities. ICE covers all manner of gambling activity from casinos to betting and lotteries, but that doesn’t negate its relevance to AWP or amusement operators. Indeed, trade association BACTA were out in full force at the event last week. But, whilst roulette wheels or online betting products have little relevancy to the seaside arcade or highstreet AGC, operators and manufacturers alike can look to the ICE showfloor for future markettrends, which frequently trickle down from these associated sister industries. With a complex and diverse product offering, it can be challenging to highlight a particular theme to emerge from such a show as ICE.That said, customer data seems to be at the forefront of
I
betting stakeholders - be they casino operators, component manufacturers or product designers. A plethora of products are now offered which promise to produce the answers to an endless list of questions:Who gambles? How much do they gamble? When do they gamble, and on which games? In a line of work so often operating on tiny profit margins - this kind of information is gold-dust to the operator, and can make the difference between profit and loss. The growing implementation of TITO within our own field will ease the eventual transition to this kind of data analysis: as card-play brings digitalisation of metrics which have up until now been gauged by intuition alone. But technology is only part of the process.Also required is a commitment on behalf of industry professionals to get to know their customer-base better.As it stands, there is a complete dearth of information within both the amusement and gaming sectors pertaining to some of the most challenging questions facing our area of business.As BACTA’s John White rightly posed to us:“Why are people playing games? And perhaps more importantly, why are people increasingly not playing games?” I wont pretend to have an adequate answer to either question. But a serious and frank engagement with both, be that in the boardroom or on the computer-screen, is the surest way to keep coin-op profitable and relevant in the years and decades to come.
Tory’s knight to B2 Action on FOBTs depends on the political chess game as much as it does social mores or industry pressure, suggests Joe Ewens. ith an election just around the corner, expect the pressure for decisive action on FOBTs to ramp up. On the industry side, BACTA will be pushing hard, as will the newly established Gambling Business Group which is likely to focus its lobbying efforts on a broader church. However, thanks to the tabloid press, B2 machines are also a hot button issue outside the gaming industry and could there be few easier wins for a new government looking to build its capital than to enact a meaningful crack down on divisive products? It seems clear cut, but there are other issues at play in the electoral hustings. For the Conservatives, the mere existing of FOBTs represents a
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potent piece in the political chess game that they may not be willing to sacrifice - after all, it was the Labour government that opened the FOBT door in the first place. Just listen to the comments of Conservative Lord Gardiner of Kimble as he was challenged in the wake of new B2 regulations:“In 2000, there were no FOBTs and, by 2010, there were 30,000 FOBTs.That is the situation that this government now seek to address.The deputy leader of the noble Lord’s party [Labour] has admitted that what happened was a mistake, and we are now dealing with that.” With Labour the future is less certain, but if the blue side of the political divide returns to power, do not be surprised if the prospects for a serious crack down on FOBTs remain as elusive as ever.
New controllers, new games joseph ewens media watch n the arcade sector, Forbes writer Ollie Barder has been Itrying out new Japanese arcade title Pokkén Tournament and its usually input device.The rather surreal Pokémon arcade beatem-up revealed its new control setup at a recent Japanese location test and it’s not standard by any means. To clarify, arcade games need durable and easily maintainable controls. With multiple players over the course of any day, if anything breaks changing out single buttons has to be simple and quick. Not to mention being able to easily clean the unit as well. This is how the now standard arcade stick and individual buttons layout came about; through the practical necessity of managing an arcade gaming establishment. Now there are games that have bespoke input setups but these are invariably durable and relatively simple.
In the case of Pokkén Tournament the game will be receiving a console-esque gamepad. Barder theorises that Pokémon owner Nintendo is probably behind this, but suggests that it seems odd to force a consoleesque controller in the arcades. Pokkén Tournament will get a gamepad in the arcades when it is released in Japan sometime later this year. Manufacturers on the lookout for the next big video success story could do worse than keeping one eye on the nominations for the BAFTA video game awards. In space no one can hear you scream, but will they hear you celebrate, asks the Guardian. Sega’s critically acclaimed sci-fi chiller Alien: Isolation, based on the 1979 Ridley Scott movie, has picked up the highest number of nominations for this year’s BAFTA video game awards, earning recognition in the audio achieve-
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Coinslot February 13 - February 19, 2015
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8 Email: je@gbmedia.eu
TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE
“ ”
quote unquote
“From the perspective of creating necessary interaction before players can stake at £50 or more, and the further improvements to responsible gambling awareness and knowledge, this can only be a positive step for the gambling industry.”
Bingo code to drive responsible gambling
PETER HANNIBAL, GAMBLING BUSINESS GROUP
“I’d say that there’s an obvious demographic split when it comes to digital AWP. Whilst younger players - especially those used to newer pub and bingo gaming machines will often gravitate towards our digital titles, the older clientele won’t touch video-based technology.” KEVIN BIRCH, PLAYERS AMUSEMENTS
“I don’t really understand why arcades should all look the same - I think the more individual, the better. Most operators have to be technically skilled to keep the machines going, so they certainly have the potential to try things differently. But perhaps I’m lucky: making weird things comes naturally to me.”
bingo association
TIM HUNKIN, NOVELTY AUTOMATION
“I hope that the new spate of planning applications for holiday parks can be taken as a sign that UK tourism is becoming lucrative again, because it is an area that has been constricting over the past few years.” PAUL KELLY, BALPPA
games and the last call for an old hand The cutting edge of video games, inside the arcade and out, as an FEC legend passes on.
ment, best game, British game, game design, game innovation and music categories. Behind it, Ubisoft’s open world action adventure Far Cry 4 and Ustwo’s beautiful smartphone puzzler Monument Valley both received five nominations, while Mario Kart 8, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, 80 Days and Destiny are up for four awards each. In the best game category, Alien: Isolation faces stiff competition from Destiny, Monument Valley, Mario Kart 8 and the role-playing fantasy titles Dragon Age: Inquisition and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. BAFTA is also continuing its “ones to watch” award, which recognises student game developers. Three titles are competing for this potentially career-changing accolade: Don’t Walk: Run, Chambara and Sagittarius.
Across the Atlantic, one of the creators of the incredibly successful FEC business, Dave & Busters has passed away at the age of 63, reports the Vending Times. According to local Dallas news sources, David Corriveau passed away in the city on 7 February, 2015. Corriveau and James “Buster” Corley opened the first Dave & Buster’s in 1982 in Dallas, where the two-time and current publicly traded company is now headquartered. Edison Brothers Stores, a former national arcade operation, purchased a majority ownership in the company to finance further expansion into other cities. Dave & Buster’s later spun off from Edison Brothers and went public in 1995. Corriveau was president, chief executive and chairman of Dave & Buster’s before exiting in 2007, the year after it became a
The Bingo Association has taken what it hopes will be a major step for social responsibility by debuting a new 12-point code of conduct. The Code took pride of place on the BA’s stand at ICE last week.
private entity. His primary focus at the company was amusement operations, new store development and conceptual evolution. Three years ago, the entertainment pioneer launched Dave’s World, which was working on a developing a prototype for an upscale food and amusement venue. Dave & Buster’s released the following statement: “We are deeply saddened to learn of Dave Corriveau’s passing. As a cofounder of Dave & Buster’s, he was a true innovator in the world of restaurant entertainment and will be greatly missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.” Dave & Buster’s now operates in 73 venues in 30 US states and Canada. According to preliminary estimates, the chain generated about $750 million in its most recent fiscal year, ended 1 February, 2015.
politics icking off what has been described as the group’s “year K of social responsibility,” the Bingo
GETTING IT RIGHT - THE TWELVE GUIDELINES
Association has launched a new code of conduct.The document is designed to provide the bingo industry with guidelines which will ensure that it promotes responsible gambling at all times. Entitled ‘Getting it Right’, the code contains 12 points,including a national self-exclusion scheme and directions on up to date antimoney laundering measures. Representing 98 percent of retail bingo clubs in Great Britain, the Association accepts the impact of its new guidelines to be widespread.“Bingo holds a unique position in Great Britain’s gambling sector as a highly sociable leisure activity at the heart of many communities across the country,” said a statement. “The new code provides operators with very clear guidance, with access to additional support through the Association.” “We are delighted to be launching this new Code of Conduct, which all members are now required to commit to,”explained BingoAssociation chief executive, Miles Baron. “The Association seeks to help all our members meet and demonstrate best practice in all areas and aspects of their operation, including issues of social responsibility. “Whilst the club-based bingo industry has a very low occurrence of problem gambling and operators take their responsibilities very seriously, we wish to ensure that we are doing all that we can to help those that may be vulnerable.”
To monitor and review the effectiveness of the Code of Conduct through the Standing Compliance Committee of The Bingo Association. To monitor industry best practice initiatives through the Industry Group on Responsible Gambling. To ensure staff understand and are aware of Social Responsibility commitments through staff training programmes. To support and implement The Bingo Association Industry Self-Exclusion Scheme. To establish clear anti-money laundering protocols. To provide clear messaging relating to the protection of player funds. To participate in the annual National Bingo Age Verification Scheme. To make an annual cash contribution to a gambling charity, preferably to the Responsible Gambling Trust. To support a responsible marketing strategy, including giving clear information to assist customers in making informed choices. To support the establishment of an Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) entity for complaints and disputes. To comply with the Gambling Advertising Code. To support The Bingo Association National Charity.
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Newsweek 1,000+ EXPECTED FOR ESSEX TOURISM & LEISURE SHOW ver 1,000 visitors are expected at the twentieth edition of the Essex Tourism & Leisure show, which will this year return to its original home in Colchester on Thursday 26 March. Organisers said this year’s offering will bring together over 80 attractions, destinations and accommodation exhibitors from Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Kent, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Bucking-
O
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Sturgeon confirmed as STW keynote speaker cotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the upcoming Scottish Tourism Alliance’s annual conference, where she is expected to reaffirm the tourist sector as one of the country’s key economic drivers. During the address, Sturgeon will also highlight the industry’s importance in supporting inward investment, exports, employment and Scotland’s international profile.
S
hamshire, Sussex, and London for the one-day show. The event will also feature a series of talks and seminars from local tourist and leisure figures in a specially designated Presentations Area.
VENDING EXPO KIEV SEEN AS A ‘MAJOR’ INDUSTRY PLATFORM kraine’s premier coin-op gaming event, Vending Expo Kiev, is being called a ‘major’
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The two-day conference, which kicks-off the wider ScottishTourism Week on 3 March, will be hosted by journalist and broadcaster Stephen Jardine, with guest speakers including Jeremy Lazell, travel writer for the Sunday Times, who will discuss how Scotland shapes up against other destinations, and UW Williams (SOUKResponse). They will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss how focusing on authentic experiences can
help tourism thrive. Joss Croft (Head of Marketing at VisitBritain) and Charlie Smith (Head of Marketing at VisitScotland) will also be on hand to provide insight into their future approach to attracting visitors to Scotland and how both organisations can support the industry. Discussing the event, Marc Crothall, CEO of ScottishTourism Alliance, said that he was ‘delighted’ with the line-
up of speakers.“It’s great to see tourism in Scotland increasingly being recognised as the key economic driver that it undoubtedly is and I believe our 2015 conference programme reflects this, as well as highlighting the sheer diversity of the industry,”he added. An expected 10,000 delegates, exhibitors and industry professionals will be in Glasgow for the 10th annual ScottishTourism Week, taking place from 3-6 March.
platform for the vending industry and payment services’ biggest players to present the latest industry developments and solutions by the event’s organisers. “It is best place to get acquainted with innovative
technologies and new products and services in the sphere of vending and payment sector,” a spokesperson explained. “It is also an authoritative event to meet new partners and establish
long term business contacts.” The three-day event at Kiev’s International Exhibition Center between March 3-5 will feature over 80 brands from across the Ukraine and more than 20 countries.
EDITORIAL Edition Editor: Joseph Ewens Email: je@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01273 699 900 Contributing Editor: Chris Webster Contributors: Imogen Goodman, Nick Norton Editorial Director: Ken Scott Email: ks@sjc.co.uk Tel: 01273 699 900 ADVERTISING SALES Kathryn Norris Email: knorris@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01257 277400 Fax: 01257 271329 SUBSCRIPTIONS Ann Sullivan Tel: 01257 277400 DIGITAL VERSION Marc Lawton Email: mlawton@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01257 277400 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 Oak House, 1st Floor, Suite 4, High Street, Chorley, PR7 1DW
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Calendar FEBRUARY 2015 11-15 IAAPI Amusement Expo Bombay Exhibition Centre Mumbai India www.iaapi.org
MARCH 2015 18-19 FADJA Peru Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Centre Lima Peru www.fadja.com.pe
18-20 Enada Spring Rimini Fiera Rimini Italy www.enadaprimavera.it TBC FER Interazar 2015 Madrid Spain www.ferinterazar.com TBC Irish Gaming Show Moran Red Cow Conference Centre & Hotel Dublin Ireland www.irishgaming.ie
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