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“The gambling industry has a history of creating scalable, high growth companies which are highly cash generative and not capital intensive. However, the sector is often avoided and under-invested in by traditional 14 institutions....”
Blackpool Coun vision for resor
TOURISM
lackpool Council has put forB ward a new management strategy designed to reposition the resort as a ‘contemporary, family-oriented beach resort’ and maintain its appeal as a destination in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Publishing its new report ‘Destination Blackpool’, the council said it wanted to reverse negative perceptions held by higher spending visitors, as well as generate around 1,500 new jobs in tourism over the next three years. The report sets out a destination management plan designed to take the resort in a new direction and meet the expectations of what the council called a more “aspirational audience”. Setting out his vision of the future, councillor Graham Cain,
cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said:“The opportunity that now beckons is to apply a subtle brand repositioning of Blackpool; one that creates a contemporary, family-oriented beach resort that is renowned for the breadth and quality of its visitor offer in terms of attractions, accommodation, leisure facilities, transport links, events and entertainment. “If we are to achieve that, there must be a clear commitment from all public and private sector stakeholders to continue to collaborate to reinvent Blackpool as an exemplar destination for new generations. “Without that commitment, Blackpool will continue to dwell on its past instead of look forward to the future.” The report said the resort’s well-known attractions will be retained,“building on the posi-
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14 March 20 - March 26, 2015 • No. 2412 • www.coinslot.co.uk
Council sets out esort’s future
Playnation wins another four years at Park Resorts FEC
Playnation has successfully fought off strong opposition to secure the renewal of one of its most important FEC and B3 contracts with the UK’s largest holiday park operator. laynation has reaped the rewards of strong performance, winning out over fierce competition to renew a major deal with Park Resorts. The agreement will see Playnation continue to provide machines to the UK’s largest holiday park operator for another four years. Playnation currently provides family entertainment machines across 48 Park Resorts locations, but was still required to take part in a “highly competitive tender process.”The company’s success can be attributed in large part to the performance of its games during the period of the previous contract,with Park Resorts enjoying strong profit growth off the back of its family entertainment arcades. The deal marks another marquee moment for Playnation as it continues to blaze a trail in 2015. During the early months of the year it has built its existing relationships withWhitbread andWelcome Break,and established a four year deal to provide B3 machines to Majestic Bingo.As part of this new deal,Playnation will also provide a number of server-based gaming products to Park Resorts, in addition to its FEC mainstay. Securing the future of these venues will mean that Playnation can continue to claim that its machines are sited in over 1,700 locations, including installations for Butlins, Haven, Parkdean,Welcome Break and Talarius. “We are absolutely thrilled to have renewed this contract with Park Resorts,” said Playnation CEO,Adam Hodges.“As well as a commitment to providing constant innovation, Playnation also focuses on people development and we believe this combination has been crucial to our success.
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tive perceptions of Blackpool as a place that evokes warmth, nostalgia and a strong emotional link to people’s family experiences”. In a bid to rebrand Blackpool, it said there would be a “gradual elimination of poor-quality, substandard accommodation and facilities, combined with a shift away from a low-budget stag and hen culture that creates barriers and negative perceptions”. Immediate priorities outlined in the report include the reintroduction of 24-hour town centre CCTV monitoring, which was scrapped due to spending cuts two years ago, and the completion of work to replace steel on Blackpool Tower A new ‘Christmas in Blackpool’ marketing campaign will be launched to boost visitation over the festive period, and the council aims to begin work to extend the tramway to Blackpool North Station by 2017.
TUNNICLIFFE BACKS REPORT Warwick Tunnicliffe, owner of Warwicks Amusements, has welcomed the council’s new report, saying he believed Blackpool’s business community would get behind it. He told Coinslot: “I wouldn’t go overboard and say everything the council has suggested is good for the resort, but the majority was positive and in lots of cases achievable.” With over 40-years’ experience as an operator in Blackpool, Tunnicliffe said he felt everyone was working together with the unified aim of restoring the town as one of the country’s premier seaside resorts. “Anything that gets people to Blackpool is a good thing for the town. There has been a recession and money has been tight, but I’ve seen a turnaround over the last five to seven years and the town is optimistic and on the up,” he added.
We have a lot to offer Park Resorts in the next four years, and can’t wait to get started.” Park Resorts has itself enjoyed a period of strong growth, following several key acquisitions. The company also benefitted from significant investment from private equity company Electra Partners, who spent £45.5m in late 2014 acquiring Lloyd’s stake in the operator. Speaking about the new machines tie-up,Park Resorts CEO
David Boden hinted that the deal may extend to new locations, as the holiday park moguls continue to seek new ventures.“Investing in our customers enjoyment in our Parks is of the utmost importance and the quality of entertainment offered at each location is a priority,”said Boden.“As such, our strong relationship with Playnation will play a key part in our continued expansion and in providing fun and entertainment to holidaymakers on our parks.”
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Suzo-Happ completes Scan Coin acquisition
Out with the old, in with the new AGC
MERGER & ACQUISITIONS
Global component manufacturer and supplier Suzo-Happ completes the fourth in a series of major acquisitions. The latest, Swedish experts Scan Coin, brings the components firm deeper into the heartland of the European industry.
uzo-Happ has completed the acquisition of Scan Coin, a leading provider of advanced cash handling technologies, software and services. Scan Coin, headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, offers automated processing solutions to the retail, bank, cash center and public transportation markets. “The addition of Scan Coin truly represents a transformative milestone for Suzo-Happ,“ commented Suzo-Happ chairman James Brendel, “Adding world leading cash-processing technology, extensive engineering and software development, and a global distribution and service network covering more than 100 countries.” The acquisition of Scan Coin is part of a series of recent acquisitions for the company, which currently
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operates in 13 countries globally. After celebrating its 60th year in Europe at ICE 2015, Suzo-Happ continues its push to expand and deepen its presence is key European markets including the UK. Last autumn, Suzo-Happ hit the headlines with the acquisition of Comesterogroup, a major Italian supplier of cash handling systems and cashless payment systems. Earlier in the year, it acquired two product lines from Crane Co.: the Currenza C2 range and bill-to-bill banknote recycler. Brendel said:“This represents Suzo-Happ’s fourth acquisition of cash handling technologies over the last 15 months, significantly strengthening SuzoHapp’s cash handling capabilities, technology and market position.” Scan Coin’s Intelligent Coin Processing (ICP)
For Praesepe’s Nick Harding, 2015 may well be the year of large-scale TITO conversion. But be warned - that may well a constitute a call of ‘last orders’ for older machines.
Products are the industry standard for cash centres with the highest throughput per shift in the industry. The company’s full line of Retail Cash Solutions (RCS) are fully automated with integrated software that provides till management and cash office processing, enabling retailers to achieve significant labour efficiencies and reduce shrinkage. This flexible solution
portfolio has enabled Scan Coin to achieve the European market leading position in retail back office. “Scan Coin is excited about the opportunity to become part of SuzoHapp’s growing company,” said Andreas Renulf, CEO of Scan Coin. “Through our combined capabilities we will hasten product innovation, bringing new features and solutions to customers at an accelerated rate.”
Pier Amusements reopens after 2013 floods SEASIDE AMUEMENTS
Saltburn amusements arcade has reopened for business after A being ravaged by flooding in December 2013. Pier Amusements, which is located on Saltburn Pier, had to undergo extensive refurbishments and reconstruction work after seawater burst through the floor OBITUARY FAMILY SHARE BOB DEITH FUNERAL DETAILS The funeral for coin-op legend Bob Deith is to be held at 11:30 am at the Sacred Heart Church in Edge Hill, Wimbledon on Monday 30 March. Following the service, a reception will take place the The Belvedere venue, within Richmond Park’s Pembroke Lodge. Flowers will be provided by Bob’s family and have requested that in lieu
plans to lobby the council for improved flood defences around the pier. “Going forward we’re going to push for a deflection system underneath to protect the building in future,”he added.“Without the pier or the lifts, Saltburn wouldn’t be Saltburn. It has to be protected. We’re going to approach the council first.”
during heavy winds. Owner Grant Sheldon told the Teeside Gazette:“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.” Sheldon, who also owns Sheldon Amusements, reopened the site during February half term. He of further floral tributes, charitable contributions be directed to justgiving.com/Bob-Deith. TAX & SPENDING SCOTTISH GAMBLING DUTY OVER-THE-ODDS The latest annual figures from Scotland’s Government Expenditure and Revenue (GERS) have shown an above-average contribution to UK gambling tax revenue. Whilst the
country’s population forms just 8.1 per cent of the UK total, Scottish operators contributed 9.9 per cent of betting and gaming duties. As a whole, public expenditure in Scotland was calculated at £66.4bn, or £12,500 per head: £1,200 higher than the UK average.
chief executive Nick Harding anticiPpatesraeseppe widespread uptake of TITO provision as one of the key defining characteristics of the upcoming season. “My view is that over the coming months more and more operators will be embracing TITO,” he stated. “To this end, the most significant development for us has been the successful creation of a TITO protocol by the Gambling Business Group, which we are now starting to introduce to our venues across the UK. This work has produced a system which can be used across a wide range of machines and which has, demonstrably, improved both reliability and turnover at every venue where we have installed it.” Whilst early indications suggest long-term benefit from a TITO switch-over, Harding predicts that the new technology may herald the demise of incompatible technology. “The by product of a TITO installation is the pressure brought to bear on ‘legacy machines’, as they cannot be converted for use on a TITO system,” he suggested. “This will, I believe, hasten the demise of legacy machines in the UK.”
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INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE
B2B COMMENT NEWSWEEK PLUSH The UK plush and prize market continues to grow. The key players explain its succes. 15
BALPPA ramps up tourism push TOURISM
Parks and leisure trade association BALPPA continues to throw its weight behind the campaign to slash tourism VAT, as it calls on the government to create a dedicated tourism minister. rade body BALPPA has announced that it will be spending the next few weeks writing to MPs to call for the government to appoint a dedicated tourism minister.This plan forms part of campaign to cut tourism VAT from 20 percent to 5 percent, which is continuing to gain steam as government meetings and lobbying campaigns begin to tell. Behind the scenes, BALPPA is maintaining its focus on pushing the tax case hard. In recent weeks, representatives from the trade body have met with David Gauke, financial secretary to the treasurer and minister with the VAT portfolio. The gathering was described as an,“encouragingly constructive meeting,” despite the fact the
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Gala Coral IPO rumoured for October CITY
iting a source with knowledge of the inner C workings of Gala Coral, the
minister was present for only 15 minutes, undoubtedly impacted by the broader problems exerted on the minister’s portfolio by the latest financial problems highlighted by the HSBC issue. However, during the brief discussions, the minister was certainly not in meet and greet mode; he took the opportunity to challenge those present on a number of issues including the cost of implementing a tax cut during its first year and the,“potential displacement from other spend in the UK economy.” The battleground for a tourism tax cut, seemingly, remains one where the government intends to defend its realm quite vigorously. But the case of a broad alliance of interest sectors
LICENCE APPLICATION SHIPLEY ARCADE MOVE BLOCKED An amusement arcade in the Bradford suburb of Shipley has been denied permission to move to a neighbouring larger unit after planners decided that the relocation could potentially harm the town’s image. Teddy’s Amusements wanted to move from its current location at 8 Market Street to an empty corner premises and had submitted a change-of-use application that would have also seen it add a tanning salon to its offering. However, local planners denied the application after noting that amusement arcades are required to block out their windows. “The harm caused to the viability and vitality through the large dead frontage
still found a hearing. The meeting involved senior officials from HMT and HMRC, who discussed the detailed figures behind the plan and how to assuage to differing financial estimates that had been compiled by both camps. The outcome: a followup technical meeting was agreed for the near future to continue the process of clarification. Away from the departmental corridors and the civil servant quarters, the VAT campaign has been gathering momentum, not least amongst the elected representatives with the the number of MPs lending their support to the cause now totalling 117 - equivalent to 30 percent of the total possible backbench signatories.
created by the development would reduce the attractiveness for shoppers coming into the centre,” read a statement from the planners. HULL ARCADE PLANS IN Hull could well be the lucky recipients of a new amusement arcade, if plans put before the local council are approved. The Kingston Shopping Centre on the east side of the city currently has a vacant retail outlet and estate agent Hickling Gray Associates has submitted an application to site a new arcade on the site. A verdict will be handed down when Hull City Council’s planning committee consider the proposal in May.
FinancialTimes has claimed that the gaming company are preparing to float on the stock market, with an initial public offering planned for October, 2015. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are said to be advising the business, but have not been formally appointed to lead the IPO. There has been no comment from Gala or the private equity firms which own it.Apollo Global Management, Cerberus Capital Management, Anchorage Capital Partners and Park Square Capital all have a stake in the bingo and bookmaking specialists - a conglomerate which formed in 2010 as they rode in to cover the company’s £2.5bn debt.
REDEMPTION RUSH TO THE EYE OF THE STORM Operators are being encouraged to act quickly if they want to ensure that the new Vortex machine from RLMS is in place for the Easter rush. Orders for the ticketgrabbing attraction will need to be made before 25 March to ensure that the game can be sited before bank holiday weekend. The game is a unique take on redemption, challenging players to step inside a wind-filled capsule to snatch at tickets as they whirl around them. Tickets that are not selected are stored for a special jackpot round, unleashed when the back box is full.
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Bandai Namco picks up Irish accolade
A welcome turn of events as seasons starts to warm up AGC
Winter has departed. On the coast especially, customer numbers begin to increase. But for Christina Casey of Cassino Leisure, an atmosphere of welcome is crucial in securing a wide appeal to both male and female players alike.
ith a brief window of clement weather ushering in the tentative commencement of spring, operators - particularly those on the coast - are preparing for a welcome upturn in business. “When the sun comes out in March, business starts to pick up a little bit,” notes Christina Casey, director of Cassino Leisure, a small AGC and betting shop chain on the south coast. She’s certainly pleased to see the back of February. “It’s our worst month,” she explains. “The weather
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plays a part, but mostly it’s a product of the Christmas factor. People receive their credit card bills for December at the end of January so belts get tightened a bit through February.” The down season isn’t a time for idleness, however. “We try to do any decorating and painting during quiet times, like February,” Casey continues. “I’d say that was important - to keep the interior of the arcade looking smart, and attractive. This year we had our Littlehampton shop re-papered with some printed wallpaper we’ve never done that
REDEMPTION
before - and it’s worked out really well.” Perhaps it’s no surprise that Cassino chose to splash out on its decor.The family company - established by Casey and her two siblings in 1997 and now operating four arcades through Bognor Regis,Worthing and Littlehampton prides itself on its welcoming atmosphere. “We’re a small, friendly company,” says Casey.“We advertise our welcome outside, and provide all our players with free refreshments.” Whilst the demographic of AGC players is
undeniably predominately male, Casey believes that the nature of her company lends itself well to a more rounded adult appeal. “We do try to keep the environment appealing and open to both women and men,” she remarks. “Whilst betting shops and AGCs are seen pretty much universally as a male domain, there’s a gender reversal with bingo halls which tend to be predominately female in terms of player-base. We aim to create an atmosphere which is appealing to the whole population.”
Record investment for Parkdean Holidays acation park operator Parkdean Holidays has V announced that it intends to spend a record £13.2m to improve its 24 sites in Scotland, Wales, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire and Norfolk. The Newcastle-uponTyne-based firm recently reported a 25 per cent boost year-on-year in bookings for the start of 2015 and stated that it has earmarked £6.8m for new holiday homes and lodges
alongside £1.7m to refurbish its existing offerings. A rise in demand for its lodge offerings has seen Parkdean Holidays commit to spending £800,000 this year on a selection of new
AWARDS SOMERSET PIER WIN BRIT AWARDS ACCLAIM Clevedon Pier has claimed a surprise place in pop history, after becoming the unwitting recipient of a Brit Award. The historic seaside attraction plays a major role in a video for boyband One Direction, which picked up top honours in the British Video category at the 2015 Brit Awards. The Grade 1 listed
cabins for its resort in Ruda, Devon, while it is also set to unveil seven new types of caravans, all complete with extra insulation, central heating and double glazing.
There will also be fresh holiday home developments at Grannies in Scotland and Newquay alongside updated Showtime stage shows and a new educational kids club complete with mad scientists. “We had a very successful 2014 and this significant re-investment shows our confidence in our customer growth in 2015 and beyond,” said John Waterworth, CEO for Parkdean
pier hosted the group as they recorded footage for their single ‘You and I’, with hundreds of rabid fans crowding the Somerset town hoping to catch a glimpse of the band. PIER BOGNOR BOY FOR THE CHOP An attempt to protect the future of Bognor Regis Pier has received some surprising support from a local lad. The
Holidays. “We are committed to providing the best holiday park accommodation in the UK market. Refurbishments and new caravan designs mean we can keep holiday-makers comfortable in a homefrom-home environment plus we have noted a growing market for luxury lodge holidays and sales across the UK. The British ‘staycation’ is a trend here to stay, whatever your budget.”
enterprising youth has pledged to have his cherished long locks shaved off to raise much needed funds for the historic site. Ten-year-old Charlie Hobbs will undergo a public haircut as part of the town’s efforts to secure Heritage Lottery Fund cash.
andai Namco was the toast of the town in B Dublin this past week, as it’s redemption title Sink the Ship was honoured with the title of Best Game award at the Irish Gaming Show. The machine requires players to take control of mobile helicopter via a joystick controller, attempting to drop balls onto the ships in the playfield. After manoeuvring the aircraft into position, the press of a button will lower the helicopter where it can scoop up balls in its claws. Fully armed, the attack craft is then directed towards the waiting ships, ready to catch the balls and sink into the depths. Tickets are paid out depending on the number of brigs scuttled, with special bonuses on offer for specific numbers of vessels successful foundered. “The team are thrilled to have been awarded this trophy for Sink the Ship at the Dublin Show,” said Bandai Namco regional sales manager, John Crompton, who collected the award. “It is a great game, which also received a fantastic reception at EAG. Dublin was a very successful show for us and it was great to see all of our Irish customers.”
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SWEETLANES 2PLY NEW ................... £6,995 DONKEY DERBY TICKET AND CASH ... £6,995 DONKEY DERBY TICKET AND CASH ... £3,995 PACMAN CHOMP TKT.......................... £3,750 ROULETTE 6PLY 2P TKT .................... £2,495 SNAKES AND LADDERS WACKER TKT £1,995 CUCKOO 1-2 PLY ..................................... £1,795 DUNK AN ALIEN 1-2 PLY...................... £1,495 FLIP TO WIN 2PLY .................................. £1,495 INTERMISSION ......................................... £1,295 ROLL AND BOWL 1PLY 10P TKT.......... £995 GREEDY GOBS 1PLY 10P TKT................ £995 WONDER WHEEL 10P ............................. £895
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Office 0113 239 9769 • www.directleisureuk.com • sales@directleisureuk.com Southern Sales (Martin) 07713 925131 General Sales (Alfred) 07850 407170
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Marketing body calls into question legitimacy of online reviews MARKETING
The growing power of online review sites large and small is to come under investigation from the government’s business competition watchdog. he Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued a call for information, as it seeks to investigate the impact and legitimacy of internet review sites such as TripAdvisor.The study seeks to understand the effects of word-of-mouth feedback on operators and whether or not consumers can trust reviews they see online. For the coin-op industry, these bit-sized online comments are of particular impor-
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tance to the pub and FEC sectors, with almost every establishment large and small listed somewhere online,complete with comments from customers. Good ratings on popular sites can have a huge effect on the cashbox, while a bad score on sites like TripAdvisor can see visitor numbers plummeting. The CMA is also concerned that, as consumer reliance on these reviews grow, they may be providing a distorted picture of the
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Alexander unveils business rates review TAX
he coalition government has launched what it is Tcalling the most wide-rang-
actual marketplace. “The information contained in online reviews and endorsements can be a powerful force in the hands of consumers,” explained Nisha Arora, CMS senior director, consumer. “Informed consumers make better decisions, driving competition on price and quality. Busi-
INSURANCE s Amusement Arcades & FEC’s s Bowling Alleys & Bingo Clubs s Machine Hirers s Snooker & Pool Clubs s Leisure Complexes s Visitor Attractions If it’s leisure we’ve got it covered
nesses have always known that‘word of mouth’is one of the most important factors for potential customers;what online reviews and blogs do is to provide a greatly amplified version of this.However, for this sector to work well it is important that this information is genuine, relevant and trustworthy.” A quick glance at TripAdvisor reveals a number of worrying trends. For amusement arcades,only a fraction of visitors will deign to register their thoughts online. That means that with a relatively small pool of amateur critics speaking out, one single review can have a major effect. The problems with this system are thrown into sharp relief when Coinslot examined a series of reviews on arcades. In one, for example, a negative review of a seaside arcade bears the lowest rating of 1/5,but a closer look at the text reveals that the author simply saw, “slot machines, arcade games [that] I would and will never
visit,” severely undermining the validity of his or her rating. While the review sits alongside 50 other commentaries, it’s negative score contributes in equal measure to those who proved more thoughtful comments - both positive and negative. The CMS also has concerns that some companies are making use of underhand marketing services to gain an unwarranted upper hand over venues that continue to play fair.“The CMA will look at the roles that media companies, online reputation managers and search engine optimisers play in helping businesses to promote themselves and manage their image in relation to blogs and review sites,” said the body’s statement. Those sites with experience of theeffects of online reviews are being encouraged to contact the CMA to deliver their feedback. Interested parties can do so via the CMA website,so long as they beat the deadline of 25 March,2015.
French intervention unlikely to quell Brighton battle SEASIDE
Call 01502 537773 www.amusementarcadeinsurance.com Insurelink (East Anglia) Limited are Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
ing review of national business rates in a generation. The plan, unveiled by chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, will take in a detailed review of the structure of the current business rates system. It’s findings are back in time for the 2016 budget, with Alexander claiming that the report will look at not only how businesses use property in the UK, but what Britain can learn from how similar taxes are applied in other parts of the world. “Our system of business rates was created nearly 30 years ago,” said Alexander. “Since that time, the worlds of commerce and industry have changed beyond recognition. I’ve been impressed by the representations made by the business community and I know that business rates are a considerable cost. The time has come for a radical review of this important tax. We want to ensure the business rates system is fair, efficient and effective.”
dual between Brighton’s wheel and the i360 Ttowerheseafront received some unexpected Gallic intervention this week in the form of president François Hollande. The French premiere visited the site of Sigma, the company behind the high rise attraction, to view plans and concept work for its construction. Hollande is said to have been impressed with the project, but it is
unlikely that his statements will do anything to sway the resolve of the Brighton Wheel, which is still looking to extend its stay on the seafront, despite an agreement with the council that i360 claim should see it removed when the tower is complete. Wheel bosses want their attraction to remain in place until 2021, arguing that it contributes £12.6m to city coffers a year and that an extended lease would safeguard against any delays in the i360’s planned 2015 opening date.
2412-p09-Politics_Coinslot NEW 17/03/2015 15:39 Page 1
Politics No scots for Ed
Cam’s not for turning
Ed Miliband has ruled out a formal post-election coalition with the SNP, greatly reducing the chance that greater gambling powers - particularly those relating to FOBTs - will be devolved to Scotland shortly after the election. “Labour will not go into coalition government with the SNP. There will be no SNP ministers in any government I lead,” said the Labour leader.
David Cameron is refusing to be drawn on any plans his party may have for a new coalition government. Contrary to opinion polls, he insists that a Conservative majority is possible and has told ITV that he will only consider a coalition the day after the election, if his party fails to secure the required number of seats.
Red-tape, rates and regions: the three R’s for small business in 2015 SMALL BUSINESSES
t’s fair to say that the UK economy is in a far better position today than it was going into the last general election. Small businesses have played a huge role in this economic recovery. Contributing approximately one third of private sector earnings, the Federation of Small Businesses estimates that roughly half of all private sector workers are employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Political re-direction often entails significant consequence for businesses with deep corporate pockets, but smaller fish - the likes of which characterise a hefty proportion of coin-op industry stakeholders - are,by their nature, even more vulnerable to changes in policy. What, then, are the major parties offering small-business owners? Collectively,there appears to have been a concentration on three key issues: business rates, support of regional businesses (those outside the south-eastern pocket), and bureaucracy. With respect to rates, it is perhaps Labour who have proposed the most radical solution: pledging a cut in rates for 2015 and their complete freezing for 1.5m business next year. The Liberal Democrats are a little less
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With an election now just weeks away, the three main political parties are consistent in what they identify as the main tribulations for smallbusiness owners. But what exactly do they each propose, and how likely are we to see these policies enacted?
proscriptive: promising a review of business rates which they argue place a“disproportionate burden” on small business. Meanwhile, the last autumn statement saw chancellor George Osborne also guarantee a rate-review,as well as note an increase in rate-relief available through to April 2016. A re-balancing of economic activity outside of London has long been called for, and the Tories point to their Regional Growth Fund as an example of action to this end. Labour would go further - creating a number of regional banks with the expressed aim of lending to small,local businesses,whilst the Liberal Democrats would invest within manufacturing and infrastructure, creating a “Northern Economic Corridor”. Finally, when it comes to the slashing of red tape, the Liberal Democrats have
opted for the creation of a Regulation Advisory board with a focus on the promotion of environmental values. Labour have promised the creation of a Small Business Administration (mirrored on an existing US equivalent) aiming to better guide SME’s with respect to legal and tax obligations, and the Conservatives have proposed a wide-spread slash of red tape across the board - they claim - will save an additional £10bn for British businesses. So much for the policies. But the bald facts suggest the possibility of any of the three established parties winning outright victory in May to be remote indeed.Thus,the very real prospect of a government composed of fringe parties enters the equation and with it, the waters for small business throughout the next five years muddy, with the outlook frustratingly difficult to predict.
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Coinslot March 20 - March 26, 2015
Amusements
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Campaigners win Skegness ruling
Middleton visits Margate Arcade replacement starts well
Barry Island illuminations explored
Campaigners have won their fight to see a controversial site adjacent to Skegness Pier listed as an Asset of Community Value. East Lindsey District Council agreed not to sell Pier Field to developers who want to build a KFC and a Premier Inn.
The Duchess of Cambridge visited Margate in one of her final public engagements before she gives birth to her second child in April. Eight-monthspregnant Kate Middleton toured the Turner Contemporary and viewed an exhibition at the Resort Studios in Cliftonville.
Barry Town Council is reported to be exploring the idea of reviving the Blackpoolstyle illuminations that lit up Barry Island in the 60s and 70s. It comes as part of a drive to attract more tourists to the Welsh seaside resort.
The owner of the new food and retail businesses that replaced Southend’s Circus Circus arcade has experiened a good first weekend of trading. Paul Thompson, also chairman of Southend Seafront Traders’ Association, said it was as if summer had come early.
Major jobs growth plan unveiled for Yorkshire resorts
REGENERATION
Scarborough Council has set out its aim to make the popular seaside resort the “most highly skilled coastal town in England by 2030”.
low-wage economy and skills base,with below national and regional average business start-ups and survival rates. He commented: “The council’s aim is to radically increase the skills of the workforce and improve the educational attainment and aspirations of young people.” The area also has the lowest life expectancy in North Yorkshire and the carborough Council lowest levels of literacy and has unveiled an ambi- numeracy in the county. Kelly said there were tious plan to create 8,000 jobs at seaside resorts major opportunities to on the Yorkshire coast by reverse the trend including the Dogger Bank offshore 2030. The council, which covers wind farm with up to 3,000 resorts including Filey, Scar- turbines, the potential York borough and Whitby, also Potash mine development revealed its intentions to build near Whitby, the develop10,000 new homes that ment ofWhitby Business Park would provide 4,000 con- and new educational investments. struction jobs. The Dogger Bank scheme It follows the news that a new £12m university campus will be the largest of its kind could help generate £1bn for in the world and would the Scarborough economy create a potential 2,000 jobs in operational support and over the next decade. Speaking at a meeting last maintenance. Kelly said it was the counweek, David Kelly, Scarborough Council’s head of regen- cil’s aim that Scarborough eration and economy, said would be established as the that the authority’s area had a “most highly skilled coastal
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town in England by 2030”. He also said it was also its intention for the seaside town to be recognised as a national hotspot of higher and further education. The £12m Coventry University campus in Scarborough will open in September, employing around 100 people and eventually catering to over 5,000 students. Ian Dunn, deputy vicechancellor at Coventry University, explained:“Bringing high quality higher education to Scarborough is the start of a journey towards a full university campus in the town and means significant growth for skilled local people to fill the surge in new jobs planned in the borough.” Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill said: This really is a game changer for the local area. “Although Scarborough is already well known for bucking the trend and leading the way in regenerating coastal communities,this really is big news for the economy both locally and regionally in providing North Yorkshire with its own university.”
Southend MP questions prime minister over city status
RESORTS
onservative MP for Southend West David C Amess has used Prime Minister’s Questions to continue his campaign to gain city status for Southend. Putting his question to prime minister David Cameron in parliament last week, Amess said the case for promoting the seaside resort was “unstoppable”. Southend Council entered a bid to win city status in 2011, when the Royal Accolade was being offered to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, but was unsuccessful. Speaking at PMQs, Amess said: “With unemployment falling in Southend, enterprises expanding and 310 new businesses being created, will my right honourable friend describe to the House which government policies will see this recovery continuing so that the irresistible and unstoppable case for Southend to
be made a city actually happens?” Commending Amess for the consistency of his campaign, Cameron used the opportunity to promote the coalition’s record ahead of May’s general election. He commented: “We are cutting the jobs tax for businesses and charities, and that is helping; we have got the lowest rate of corporation tax in the G7, and that is helping; we are abolishing national insurance contributions for under21s; and we are extending the doubling of the small business rate relief. “All of these things, sticking to our long-term economic plan as the OECD, IMF and others have advised us to, can make sure that Southend can continue to grow and perform well.” Last month Amess used a Business of the House session to tell fellow MPs it was “ridiculous” that Southend was still seen as just a town.
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Leisure Record breaking booking on south coast
Carlton Mere to add gaming facilities
CAMRA secures support Armed Forces families pledges for pubs offered holiday retreat
Several coastal holiday parks saw a surge in summer bookings in the first few months of 2015, as families tried to make the most of early-bird offers. Ladram Bay Holiday Park in Devon saw booking rates up by almost 50% compared to 2014 figures, while other Jurassic Coast parks enjoyed similar success.
A Suffolk holiday park is set for a £250,000 upgrade after receiving the hefty investment from owners Lifestyle Living Group. Carlton Mere’s refurbishment will include additional gaming machines and arcade flooring as well as improved spa and gym facilities and a new owners’ lounge.
Five hundred potential MPs have pledged to support community pubs if elected in May’s General Election. According to CAMRA, Labour candidates have so far led the way with 167 pledges, while Conservative support is at 108, Liberal Democrats at 103, the Green Party at 76 and finally UKIP at 31.
Come one, come all
Haggerston Castle Holiday Park has opened a lodge courtesy of children’s charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, to give families who have lost loved ones in the British Armed Forces a complimentary break. The charity, which now has four dedicated lodges, also covers travel costs and spending money for bereaved families.
Supermarket competition hurts JD Wetherspoon’s bottom line PUBS
BOWLING
ub chain operator JD Wetherspoon has released its financial Presults for the six months to Janu-
A versatile amusement offering - both in terms of business model and coin-op selection - is keeping Regent Superbowl in Great Yarmouth busy, whatever the weather.
reat Yarmouth’s Regent Superbowl offers much more than just bowling. “Up until recently we were Regent Bowl, which just constituted the bowling alley, the bar and the cafe,” explained venue manager Nicole Comer. “But after a company take-over and fresh investment in September 2013, we were refurbished and rebranded as Regent Superbowl, which includes our bar and bowling, but also amusement machines, a diner and our Crazy Club kids soft-play area.” With so many strings to its bow, Regent Superbowl’s rounded appeal is also reflected in the choice of amusement machines on site.
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“We have four slot machines for adults, a crane for kids, and a stacker machine,a video shooter and a quiz machine - which appeal to most people, irrespective of age - all of which are operated by Gamestec,” said Comer. “Our pool tables and ice-hockey table round off our coin-op offering.” Indeed, it’s Regent Superbowl’s multifaceted approach which has insulated it from the ebb and flow of footfall so often intrinsic to the coastal amusement centre. “I’ve worked here for ten years,” claimed Comer. “And whilst our busiest times are still during the school holidays and on the weekends, since our
refurb we’ve seen a massive increase in our popularity all year round. The Crazy Club in particular draws in parents with their toddlers at times of day when kids are usually in school fleshing out those quieter periods.” How does Comer rate the amusement machines in complementing the central bowling experience? “The machines make the most of our visitors’ time here,” she responded.“I’d say that there was a good amount of cross-over. Often, groups will play the machines as they bowl, especially if they’re in large groups. It rounds out the whole experience nicely.”
ary 25 showing a 0.9 per cent drop year-on-year in profits before tax and exceptional items to £37.5m alongside a 1.1 per cent fall in operating income. Watford-based JD Wetherspoon operates over 940 venues across the UK and blamed increased competition from supermarkets in addition to higher staff pay and bonuses for the decline, although revenues for the 26-week period rose by nine per cent year-on-year to £744.4m with like-for-like sales improving by 4.5 per cent. JD Wetherspoon sells 50m cups of coffee a year alongside 24m breakfasts and stated that it has been hurt by the imposition of the 20 per cent rate of VAT on cooked
food, to which supermarkets are not subject and allows these to undercut pubs by cross-subsidising alcohol. “The first half of the financial year resulted in a reasonable sales performance and free cashflow although our profit was under pressure from areas that included increased competition from supermarkets and increased pay and bonuses for pub staff,” said Tim Martin, chairman for JD Wetherspoon. “As previously highlighted, the biggest danger to the pub industry is the continuing tax disparity between supermarkets and pubs. Thanks mainly to the work of Jacques Borel’s VAT Club, there is a growing realisation among politicians, the media and the public that pubs are overtaxed and that a level tax playing field will create more jobs and taxes for the country.”
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Coinslot March 20 - March 26, 2015
Business
24 B2B Listings and Marketplace
Reflex gets an online makeover
Nintendo to launch new gaming platform
Virtual reality driving global arcade visits
Reflex Gaming has announced the launch of its new website, designed to showcase the company’s full range of gaming machines and mobile software. The fresh, modern site is the creation of Nottingham based design firm Get You Online and advertises both Reflex’s machine portfolio and its design outlet.
Gaming industry heavyweight Nintendo has officially confirmed rumours that it has been working on a new hardware gaming platform under the pseudonym ‘NX’. The announcement was made at a Tokyo press conference; allegedly to assuage fears that the company was moving away from developing dedicated gaming machines.
Immersive virtual reality (VT) technology could bring new waves of young people out of their homes and into new high-tech arcades. According to gamesindustry.biz, the full VT experience - complete with motion sensor suits and controllers - will equip arcades will something people are unable to access at home.
Million pound fund for new gambling business INVESTMENT
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27 Classified sales, business opps and jobs
32 Diary highlights and industry calendar
HIGH STREET
A new £1.5m investment fund for gambling startups is preparing to launch, taking advantage of enticing government tax breaks to lure savvy investors.
new £1.5m fund has been set-up to bolster fledgling UK gambling companies, with significant government compensation locked in for potential investors. The scheme is the brainchild of fund management company Innvotec Limited and gambling crowding-funding website GamCrowd, which has lent its name to the fund.The minimum subscription for the GamCrowd 2015 SEIS Fund has been set at £250,000, with its organisers hoping to raise up to £1.5m in UK gaming investment. The project takes advantage of a government initiative known as the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), which allows investors to purchase shares in young, unproven companies while
High street degradation more than doubles in 2014
26 This week’s machines charts
make-up of the Great British street continues to undergo Trapidhehighchange, as revealed by a recently
taking advantage of tax relief that protects their investment.Those looking to take part in the fund must make a minimum contribution of £5,000. Innvotec and GamCrowd are hoping to appeal to investors who either lack the time or the expertise to directly invest in these startup businesses.With the fund bolstered, GamCrowd can then make use of its team of industry experts to pick the most promising new companies, with investors safe in the knowledge that any potential losses are compensated by meaningful tax breaks. Higher rate tax payers can collect as much as 72.5 percent of their investments back from HMRC and investors will pay no capital gains tax on any profits made. “SEIS is one of the most
advantageous tax schemes available to investors anywhere in western Europe,” said GamCrowd’s CEO, Chris North.“Because of the UK government’s generosity and enthusiasm to funnel tax payers’ money towards UK start-ups, many specialist funds have been started. But, until now, none has existed in gambling, despite it being a huge industry.” “The gambling industry has a history of creating scalable, high growth companies which are highly cash generative and not capital intensive. However, the sector is often avoided and underinvested in by traditional institutions. GamCrowd and Innvotec is a powerful combination and it is this opportunity which the Fund seeks to harness.”
released study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Using information collected by the Local Data Company, it confirmed that 5,839 outlets closed during 2014, while only 4,852 new sites opened their doors. This overall reduction of 987 shops is close to triple the disparity during 2013, when there were a mere 371 overall closures. Those businesses which have been replaced by online alternatives were hit the hardest, while the sectors showing the most growth included charity shops and bookies. “We’re again seeing the continued effects of the digital revolution and consequent change in customer behaviour play out on the high street,” said Mark Hudson, retail leader at PwC. “These trends have been with us for some time and we should expect the rate of closures to continue. Customers are embracing new mobile technologies, traditional retail channels to market are being wiped out and new channels are being created, often in the online rather than the ‘real’ world.”
MARCH 13 - MARCH 19, 2015
The Essential Guide to Category B3 Next Week
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Essential Guide to...
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Plush Toys & Merchandise KEYNOTE
COMMENT
The role of plush: evolving but secure The last decade has seen an about-face in the kind of plush-prizes FEC visitors opt to play for. For Trevor Clarke of Sega Prize, this has been to the advantage of both operator and player alike. oth the typical character and quality of UK plush prize have changed markedly in recent years. “Traditionally plush prizes in cranes were of a poor quality, which didn’t seem to worry players whilst they had disposable income - it was almost expected,” argues Trevor Clarke, head of merchandise at Sega Prize.“However, with the economic slowdown players no longer had the luxury of spare income: thus the playing of cranes became more of a considered purchase.” In short, tat would make the cut no longer.To keep players interested, plush prize needed to up its game. The result today,says Clarke,is that prizes“are not that dissimilar to retail quality,resulting in a winwin for both players and operators alike.” Alongside this, the role that licensed material play has been massively expanded. “It used to be the case that 80 per cent of crane stock would consist of generic product, with the rest licensed - but we’ve witnessed a complete reversal of that ratio,” Clarke explains. “Operators have learnt to capitalise on market trends to maximise their income, and to this end licensed plush has become a very important driver.” For Clarke, player demand for licensed material can be explained by way of increasingly savvy and wide-reaching advertising efforts. “Players are exposed to heavy marketing campaigns across all media in everyday life from licensors,”he tells us. “Therefore players are instinctively attracted to play for brands where an appetite has been created.” Working alongside said licensors can be tricky, however. Multi-million dollar entertainment corporations can be demanding when it comes to ensuring accurate
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and fair depiction of a character. But here, modern technology can lend a welcome hand. “Licensor expectations can be managed more effectively through the use of 3D technology, which in turn helps to reduce production times - enabling operators to capitalise on market demand,” Clarke elaborates. “Computer technology has also helped manufacturers produce characters more accurately and cost effectively, as the most economical pattern can be identified prior to sampling by viewing a 3D render from all angles.” Is the plush prize secure in its popularity within the FEC environment? “Plush will always play an important role within FEC’s,” Clarke responds.“Visitors have a real affection playing for plush, which is driven by the ever changing diversity of available content.”
The traditional FEC plush prize has changed. Irrespective, suggests Chris Webster, the UK operations adoption of quality licensed plush-prizes shows an industry both willing and able to adapt.
Backing the brand lush providers have upped their game of late. PFinancial limitations throughout the economic recession created a savvier, more discerning FEC player-base, less willing to part with its cash for just any old product. It follows that manufacturing quality has improved in line with this evolving customer paradigm. And as such, and in tandem, FEC operators have also borne witness to the dramatic rise of the licensed plush-product. The appeal of toys established by way of video game, television and film franchises is difficult to overstate. The entertainment companies behind these brands have incredible resource to create and maintain awareness of their titles and the characters which populate them. This in turn serves as a legup to amusement providers, as young players have an instant familiarity and prior relationship with Elsa and Anna from Frozen, with the Minions from Despicable Me, with Sonic the Hedgehog, Shaun the Sheep, Donatello, Rafael, Leonardo and Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles and
a near limitless list of others. There is, of course, an element of faddism to be observed. The hysteria surrounding Pokemon in the late 1990’s serves as a fitting example of how franchises fade whilst others rise to the fore. Thus it becomes imperative for manufacturers to stay current. But for UK plush providers this hardly seems to have proved problematic. Technology permitting 3D rendering allows both for swift pattern design and licensor sign-off: allowing the prizes stocked in both crane machines and redemption shops to remain cutting-edge, and reflective of current media trends. Indeed, increasingly we are seeing products made available several months ahead of major film releases. In an industry which faces so many legislative hurdles that cramp any style for change and modernise, the transformation of the FEC plush prize serves as a fitting example of amusement provision maintaining both relevance and appeal to the 21st century audience. Now wouldn’t that be a good lesson to teach the legislators? Coinslot MARCH 20 - MARCH 26, 2015
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Essential Guide to ... Plush Toys & Merchandise Market Perspectives OPERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
A different kind of offering Whilst plush can form an enticing redemption reward, Todd O’Brien of Pleasureland, Arbroath, chooses to reserve plush material strictly for his cranes. t’s been argued by some that the growth in redemption seen across the UK FEC sector owes much to a concurrent improvement in plush prize quality. But at Pleasureland in Arbroath, Scotland, plush rewards are kept exclusive within the seven crane machines on site. “That’s intentional,” explains Pleasureland manager Todd O’Brien.“We like to keep our redemption prizes of a different character - watches, jewellery, and other kinds of toys.” The reasoning behind this is two-fold:“It’s a different kind of offering for one thing - and there’s a time saving element as well,” O’Brien explains.“If the plush-products are in the cranes, it saves us having to get them out for the customer.” In terms of product make-up, O’Brien opts for both licensed and unlicensed goods.“Generally quite small ones,” he elaborates. “We used to operate a mammoth crane - but it broke down, and we didn’t see much need
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to renew it.” In terms of soft-toy popularity, there’s few surprises in the power of the recognised movie-franchise. “There’s far more demand for the licensed plush than the unlicensed stuff,”O’Brien affirms.“It seems to be whatever is current for the kiddies. Needless to say that Minions is doing extremely well and so are the Frozen toys.” Although taking the form of the humble teddy-bear, these days speech - and even learning - is not beyond more expensive and technologically advanced products. Does O’Brien think there’s an amusement market for this highfunctioning plush? “I’d say the demand would be there - most definitely,” he responds. But there’s a caveat. “If you have more expensive plush, by necessity, customers will be getting a win less often,” he continues.“We try to work the cranes so that customers get a win on quite a regular basis - approximately for every £15 put into the machine.Any less than that, and you run the risk of them feeling as though they’ve been bit ripped off.”
OPERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Safe, well-made and current: the growing demand for quality plush Kent Amusements increasingly looks to plush toys as a means to greater player-enticement. In this respect - as owner Anne O’Boyle observes - the past decade has seen an increase in both product demand and quality. ounty Down’s Kent Amusements is something of a showpiece for the indusC try. The Newcastle arcade’s interior is a favourite for film and TV companies seeking the archetypal arcade location - and its dodgems are a favourite photo-shoot activity for newly-weds. As a business, it was a relative latecomer to the widespread adoption of plush prizes. “I’d say we started to introduce our cranes about ten years ago,” reports Anne O’Boyle, who co-owns the business with her husband Brian. “We also utilise plush in our new ticket-shop.” The arcade took the redemption plunge in 2013 - with the construction of the shop and the conversion of a number of machines. “It’s doing very well,” O’Boyle elaborates. “From what I’m seeing, more arcades are following suit- and expanding the use of Coinslot MARCH 20 - MARCH 26, 2015
plush toys with it.” Whilst the majority of the Kent plush stock is still allocated to cranes, O’Boyle notes a clear preferential for redemption as a means to the plush-prize win.
“With tickets, visitors feel as though they’re more directly in control of what they’ll be getting and how long it’ll take - as opposed to the cranes where it’s more of a lottery,” she tells us. “Particularly with fami-
lies, the adults know that through the redemption tickets there’ll be something definitive to show for playing.” For O’Boyle, this demand for quality plush is seemingly on the increase. “I’d say there are more people coming in looking for them specifically,” she says. “Especially licensed goods: around Christmas-time even in the shops Frozen toys were like gold-dust.” Alongside this demand, O’Boyle also notes an increasingly discerning customerbase. “Parents in particular are becoming more judicious - both in terms of product quality and child-safety,” she remarks. “You need to be so careful with having the requisite safety marks on them.” To this end, is O’Boyle pleased with the quality of plush ranges currently on offer? Very much so,” she replies. “It’s wellmade, it’s safe, and it’s current: that’s all that you can ask for.”
EXCLUSIVE NEW DISNEY MOVIE PLUSH AND REDEMPTION LINES FROM
© Disney 2015
WHITEHOUSE LEISURE ARE YOUR OFFICIAL DISNEY SUPPLIER FOR PLUSH TOYS
www.whitehouseleisure.co.uk Wilson House, Bentalls, Pipps Hill, Basildon, Essex SS14 3BX, England Telephone: +44 (0) 1268 274284 Fax: +44 (0) 1268 274285 E-Mail: sales@whitehouseleisure.co.uk
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Essential Guide to ... Plush Toys & Merchandise Market Analysis LICENSING
MARKETS
A trend that’s here to stay Cranes and redemption continue to prove profitable for FEC operators. For Ian Whittingham, business development executive at Whitehouse Leisure, the improving quality of licensed plush ranges is a powerful catalyst. S: How do you think the quality of plush toys offered within FEC’s has changed over the years? IW: It’s improved a great deal. Customers want to win quality product and expect the toys to be the same perceived value as what’s available on the high street.We’re always working on delivering the highest quality product at prices that are acceptable for the industry.
CS: How important is the role of an established licence in the popularity of a plush product? IW: Licensed plush products play a fundamental role in attracting customers and keeping them wanting to win over and over again.We always strive to acquire the latest licensed brands and are pleased to say we have been successful in doing so: Minions and Frozen speak for themselves. At Whitehouse, we spend a lot of time developing both plush toys and a redempCS: Redemption machines seem to be tion offering across our licences, so that increasingly popular with operators. Do our customers can capitalise on the sucyou believe that this can be attributed to an upward trend in quality plush product? cess of these brands across their enterIW: Cranes and redemption machines con- tainment centre. tinue to maintain incomes when other revenue streams have fallen, so in my view CS:What role do you foresee the plush they’re an imperative part of family enter- product playing in the FEC of the future? tainment centres.They provide the oppor- IW: Plush, and in particular - licensed tunity to refresh the product offering to plush, will always play a key role in FEC’s. the latest trend regularly,and with ease.The Kids and teenagers alike are always going quality and variety of merchandise now to be excited to win a cuddly toy of a available appeals to parents who recog- character from their favourite film or TV nise the quality and perceived value of the show. I don’t expect to see this change for plush prizes on offer. some time.
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A magnet for children For Darrell Simonds of Bandai Namco Prize Division, the appeal of the plush prize - particularly within crane machines holds firm for younger FEC visitors. hilst technology moves on apace, Bandai Namco relies upon tradiW tional craftsmanship in the manufacture of its plush toy range. “The products are still handmade,” explains Darrell Simmonds, EMEA sales manager for the company’s prize division. “We pride ourselves in only using ICTI (International Council of Toy Industries) and CARE (Caring, Awareness, Responsible, Ethical) certified factories - therefore there is fair treatment of the labour in the factory as well as employee health and safety measures.” For Simmonds, as customer expectations have grown, so too has the quality of the plush prizes Bandai Namco supplies. “Bandai Namco prize division only supplies retail quality plush – in other words, the sort of cuddly toys you would find in the shops,” he tells us. “The product is properly branded - not just a likeness of the characters.” Simmonds also identifies the different roles for plush to play, respective of machine-type. “Redemption is on the rise but cranes are still holding their own,” he argues. “One thing to note is
Coinslot MARCH 20 - MARCH 26, 2015
that redemption machines and cranes aren’t necessarily played by the same players. Plush plays a large part in the attractiveness of cranes in particular, but a good-looking redemption counter is also very important.” Focusing on cranes in the specific Simmonds maintains the machines hold a continued appeal to younger players. “The crane is the quickest and easiest way to win plush, and it’s a great magnet for children - who see a nice soft toy and are attracted to it,” he notes. “Crane positions have dropped over the years but the quality and the ways in which they are displayed have increased.” Any discussion of modern plush must pay tribute to the increasing role of licensed material, but for Simmonds, there’s still a place for generic gear in the contemporary FEC. “Licensed plush will always do the best on site: it advertises itself to the customer, as there is instant brand recognition which creates high demand,” he says. “But there’s a market for generic lines as well, and this is largely due to lower costings.”
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TARGET AUDIENCE
Different products, same audience Kiddie-rides and plush toys are often playing to the same crowd. But Paolo Sidoli of SB machines argues that in his sector, the ‘pull’ of a recognisable licence is subservient to interactivity and engagement. hilst SB Machines specialises in kiddie-ride manufacture, company director Paolo Sidoli identifies W certain key cross-overs with plush toys: both in terms of his specific products, and with the kiddie-ride sector as a whole. “Certain rides such as Funny Eggs, Space Adventure and Mine Adventure incorporate interactive games that dispense an amount of tickets according to how skilfully the games have been played,” he notes.“Whilst we have not yet launched a ride that directly dispenses a plush prize after the game cycle has ended - we are working on it.” Of course,one logical parallel to draw between kiddierides and plush prize is the age-range of the target audience. “Plush prize products appeal to all generations, but certainly children who go on rides will also be attracted to cuddly toys,” Sidoli attests. That said, with respect to the role of licensed product - a fork in the road is observable between the two
sectors. “Established film licences do not necessarily dominate the kiddie-ride sector in the same way as they do for the plush sector,”Sidoli says.“There are many licensed rides on the market but only a handful are really successful - as cashbox longevity is needed on a ride. Licensed plush can be successful for a season, tail off quickly, but still be economical.” For Sidoli, whilst there is a role for licensed rides to play within the FEC, it’s the level of ride interactivity rather than franchise recognition - that determines popularity with users. “We do offer a range of licensed rides such as Hello Kitty and our Disney range and they often tie in very nicely with a similar licensed plush setup in cranes or an arcade display counter,” he explains.“But it is a good interactive game on a ticket-dispensing kiddie-ride which engages the customer where we are seeing most interest at the moment.
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Essential Guide to ... Plush Toys & Merchandise Products BANDAI NAMCO
SB MACHINES
An array of characters, new and old Boasting Shaun the Sheep and Home as new movie licences, and with established characters like Pac-Man due for new ventures, Bandai Namco Prize Division’s plush offering rates as one of the best on the market. t is a big year for plush within the Bandai Namco prize division. The team has secured two major film release licences this year: Aardman Animations’ Shaun the Sheep, and Home from DreamWorks - starring Rihanna, Jim Parsons, Steve Martin and Jennifer Lopez. Shaun the Sheep has been a very successful licence for the prize division for a number of years, but the new movie is likely to push demand to new levels - especially as it is currently the featured prize-licence in McDonalds Happy Meals. “The Shaun plush range is available right away and there will be gift products from us later in the year,” says Darrell Simmonds, EMEA sales manager .“Shaun is also the main mascot for the Rugby World Cup to be held in the UK later in 2015.” Home is the story of the Boov - a likeable, inept alien race led by Captain Smek (Steve Martin).The aliens are looking for a new home in order to escape their mortal enemy. “Home is a dream licence for us,” adds Darrell. “Being released at Easter will be a perfect start to the season, and with a series being released on Netflix and on DVD in July, we are sure it will be the hottest product of the year.”
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Pac-Man celebrates his 35th anniversary this year, and is due an upcoming cameo role in the movie Pixels, scheduled for release in the summer. Bandai-Namco’s ranges of classic Pac-Man and Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures plush characters and prizes remain very strong sellers. Other popular licences for plush from Bandai Namco include Trash Pack and Canimals. Trash Pack is based on the popular trading game characters. Canimals are mischievous can-shaped animals that have their own TV show on CITV and ITV. The prize division has also added branded products to its array of confectionary, including the world-famous Haribo, Vimto,Tango, Jelly Belly Factory and Sunkist brands, not to mention Peppa Pig, Spiderman, Hello Kitty and Disney packaged sweets. Finally, the NAM-GEAR range of electronics continues to be a market leader with in the field, and includes 3G phones, which have proved particularly popular with customers. 2015 will see the prize division introduce a tablet with a Pac-Man game already preloaded and special Pac-Man themed packaging. In addition, the company are still running with its HD Camcorder, Bluetooth headphones, NFC speakers and Net Books.
SB Machines a no risk investment Having seen a marked success at both ACOS and EAG, SB Machines is optimistic regarding his two kiddy ride front-runners: Double Pony and Missile. B Machines is finding the market for its kiddy rides very buoyant in 2015, as operators once more invest in quality product. S“We saw much more optimism among our customers from the ACOS show onwards,” says managing director Paolo Sidoli. “This was also very visible at EAG, where we had a fantastic show. There definitely seems to be a more upbeat economy. While customers are still careful about what they will invest in, they know that SB Machines will help them to choose the right product for their location and this takes the risk out of the decision-making process.” Success of the recent shows is also down to a particularly strong line-up of quality rides at SB Machines. “We have enjoyed great success with the Double Pony ride over the last few months and the new hit product for 2015 appears to be the new Missile ride, which we unveiled at EAG,” Sidoli adds. Double Pony has been extremely popular with operators who appreciate the increased earning opportunity the ride provides with separate coin slots, combined into one compact footprint. Meanwhile, Missile is a 2-seater interactive lifting ride with a video screen, which is extremely eye-catching and offers something a little bit different to locations. “Missile creates a superb impact and following its recent rollout we have seen some very encouraging figures indeed,” states Sidoli.
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Essential Guide to ... Plush Toys & Merchandise Products SEGA PRIZE
WHITEHOUSE LEISURE
Keeping up with demand Following popular demand, Sega Prize has expanded upon its range of licensed plush material with Hello Kitty additions, and will also be launching three new Tokio products for the 2015 season. Prize is extremely excited to launch its catalogue for the 2015 season. Over the last Syearega it has once again been working away to bring the hottest, trend-setting and must-have products for its customers’ operations. The demand for Sega Prize’s leading top quality licensed plush lines has been strong, so it has continued these lines and will be offering Sonic the Hedgehog, Doodle Jump, Plants vs. Zombies and Hello Kitty Ballerina throughout the season. At the same time, it has also expanded upon its licensed ranges to bring operators the Hello Kitty sequin handbags and The Kitty White Collection plush range: both of which it expects to be popular lines, as early pre-orders and reviews so far have been positive. Trends are extremely important to Sega Prize, and it is always on the lookout for the latest popular products available.To that end, Squeeze Me Piggy is a breath of fresh air. These brightly coloured squeezable oinking pigs have been the cause to many roars of laughter in the Sega offices, and the company is looking forward to bringing a little humour into the market with
this hilarious and noisy toy. Over the years the Tokio brand has been extremely successful and built a strong reputation for both reliability and high quality. This season, Sega is introducing the latest lifestyle technology products to its collection, and it expects great things from the Tokio range as 3 innovative new products launch into the market. The Tokio Tablet Plus represents Sega’s newest tablet, and boasts a larger screen, faster specs and an aluminium back for an aesthetically pleasing and robust build quality. Meanwhile, the Tokio Selfie Stick makes taking Selfies easier than ever before! Tokio Selfie boasts an extendable telescopic phone cradle with Bluetooth integration for operating the shutter release and zoom. Finally, Tokio Power is a portable eco-friendly solar powered battery pack - compatible with a huge range of devices and offering the option to charge via USB. Providing power at your fingertips,Tokio Power is the perfect green charging solution for all onthe-go charging needs.
The world’s most popular characters The success of Whitehouse Leisure’s impressive Disney license looks set to continue in 2015, bolstered by lovable characters from both upcoming releases and the studio’s enviable back catalogue. hitehouse Leisure has its biggest ever Disney range to date, spanning everything from high quality plush to W great value redemption prizes. For customers that wish to leverage the most popular brands around, then look no further than Whitehouse’s Disney product. Their range includes the latest characters from Disney’s existing blockbuster movies such as Frozen, Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc, as well as the very latest 2015 releases like Cinderella, Marvel’s Avengers Age of Ultron and Inside Out. In addition, the company has brought back its Toy Story plush and redemption collection. “Toy Story has literally been bought back by popular demand,” explained Hayley Briggs, who works for the Whitehouse product development team. “As with many Disney Pixar characters, they still remain household favourites even when there is no movie release to promote them. We had feedback from our customers that they would like to see Toy Story back - and so here they are.” Whitehouse Leisure is also seeing its ‘bread and butter’ lines continue to perform exceptionally well. “We’re always bringing in new characters and refreshing classic characters with new outfits,” Briggs stated. “We recognise that there is still a strong interest for Disney’s staple characters including Mickey, Minnie, Winnie the Pooh and Doc McStuffins. By updating their look and also the overall quality of the product we have seen these lines continue to be incredibly successful for our customers.”
Coinslot MARCH 20 - MARCH 26, 2015
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When it comes to choosing the right ride for your location, look no further
Designed to perform, built to last +44(0)1656 783894 www.sbmachines.co.uk
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Huggables hop online After a successful run in holiday parks and coastal retail, Huggables has decided it’s time to push into arcades with its competitive online prize-every-time range.
S
things,” said Chidlaw. “We definitely think the way to go next is to promote our website and take more orders online so we can offer high quality products at competitive prices.” These lower price-range products are what Huggables prides itself on: wellmade generic products that can cut costs from operators in the prize every time market. “In theory, the website should be a more cost-effective way of selling items and the prices should be more competitive as a result of that,” said Chidlaw. “At
MAINTENANCE
three-player WOW cabinet, nudges and holds are offered to players randomly each game, and combination success on the bottom reels opens the way to the House of Fortune played on the shared top-box.
ome companies are happy to rest on their laurels after a few good trading years, but for Huggables, business success is an opportunity for further growth. Director Neil Chidlaw admits that, until recently, his tech knowledge was limited, but he’s nonetheless been driving the business forward with a new Facebook page and a revamped website with an online shop. “It’s been a few very good years of trading - last summer in particular - and we’re looking at the ways we can develop
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Coinslot MARCH 20 - MARCH 26, 2015
longside its sales and rental activities, AK Amusements is stepping its camA REDEMPTION paign to promote its maintenance service. With close to three decades worth of experience and priding itself on swift turnaround, AK Amusements is particularly specialised at monitor repair (both TFT and CRT).
CATEGORY C WITH THE PROMISE OF THE EAST t’s already proved itself a Ibest-seller for designer/manufacturer Astra Games, but now House of Fortune is available with £100 jackpot in a classic three-reel format. Housed in Astra’s classic-looking
FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY eemingly from nowhere, SGalaxy Garrison has proved incredibly popular for JNC Sales. Introduced late last season as part of the company’s wider expansion of its brand-new product range, the whacker from Taiwanese manufacturer Feiloli has its players fend of a host of colourful extraterrestrial characters, with the ‘battlefield’ illuminated by flashing LED features.
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crane is played, the grab strength will be constantly adjusted to ensure that the crane maintains its payout target. Not only does this provide the confidence to place any toy in the crane without the need to adjust any settings, it also reduces time spent configuring the machine.
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Tel: 0844 800 88 25 info@portmanassetfinance.co.uk www.portmanassetfinance.co.uk the moment, for example, we’re offering 200 toys at 50p each for the cheaper-end cranes.” The company, which has been a key supplier for Playnation, is also trying to expand deeper into the arcade sector with new advertising initiatives and a new selection of animal toys in smaller sizes. “We’ve been trading now for twentyfive years, man and boy, but we haven’t done much in the arcade sector yet,” admitted Chidlaw. “So we’re just trying to see if we’ve got something of interest to people in that part of the industry.”
CRANES ONE FOR ALL THE FAMILY oy Family from Harry Levy TAmusements provides operators with a versatile means of profiting from the stalwart popularity of plush products. Offering programmable pricing options, dependable electronic controls and multi-mech coin handling, Toy Family can operate in a standardised crane format, or in a play-until-you-win capacity.
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CASH HANDLING SUZO-HAPP BRINGS GROUP TO ENADA its purchase of payment systems specialist Comesterogroup late Flastollowing year, gaming equipment manufacturer and distributor Suzo-Happ is at this week’s Enada Rimini exhibition showing off its entire range of components and solutions for the Italian market. Suzo-Happ is showcasing new changers and coin validators from Comesterogroup at the Rimini Expo Centre alongside flow hoppers, push buttons, locks and coin-entry pieces. These products are joined by solutions for the video lottery terminals market with a key focus on printers from TransAct Technologies while its amusement solutions include the BilliardPro, RedemptionPro and DartsPro ticket innovations.
Won from Lotelle continues to give operators a high level of control Toverhecrane their machines. Using sophisticated computer control, The Won controls the payout of the crane in the same manner as a fruit machine, simply by setting the optimal number of plays per toy. As the Coinslot MARCH 20 - MARCH 26, 2015
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This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 3 2 4 6 5 7 8
Queen We Are The Champions BFG Alice Royal Riches ELC Jiggin Jackpots QPS DOND Next Level BFG DOND Winfall BFG DOND Box 23 BFG DOND Hyper BFG Jackpotty Farm Fields of Gold QPS DOND Double Up BFG Trebble Top REF
Taken from a representative number of sites around the UK Supplied by national operator
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Fortune Hunter Project Triple 8 Barcrest Slotto 500 Astra Wish Upon a Slot Blueprint Magic Lotto Ultra Novomatics Mega Bars Big Hit Project Triple 7 Barcrest Abet Astra King of Slots Blueprint King Pots Astra
Based on data supplied by a representative number of UK sites Supplied by RLMS Sales
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This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
9 1 4 10 8 6 5 -
Magic Games 100 Ultra Novomatic Encore T7 (GP3) SG Gaming Encore T7 (GP2) SG Gaming Find the Lady Ultimate Project Magic Games 3 Novomatic Encore T7 (GP1) SG Gaming Triple 7 (GP2) SG Gaming Bullion Bars 4 Player Astra Triple 7 (GP3) SG Gaming X3000 Multigame Amatic
Based on data from a minimum of 10 locations. Supplied by Praesepe
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
House Of Fortune (3 Player) Astra Bullion Bars (3 Player) Astra Party Games (4 Player) Astra DOND Plasma (3 Player) Bellfruit Adders And Ladders(4 Player) Vivid Rainbow Riches (3 Player) Empire Goldrush Stampede (4 Player) Barcrest Party Time Arena (4 Player) Astra Party Time (3 Player) Astra Golden Games (3 Player) Mazooma
Based on data from four sites Amusement Equipment Co Ltd
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This Last Week Week Name / Manufacturer
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Magic Games U/R Novomatic Pure Gold Astra Free Play 70 Project Rainbow Riches Party Barcrest Find The Lady 70 Project Party Time Arena (4 Player) Astra Win Wall Astra Bar X Diamond 7’s Electrocoin Party Games (4 Player) Astra Party Time (3 Player) Astra
Taken from a representative number of sites around the UK Supplied by Amusement Equipment Co Ltd
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
Hot Shots Reflex Fiddle a Fortune Reflex DOND Box 23 BFG Street Casino 2015 Storm Jackpot 100 Barcrest
Based on data from representative sites. Supplied by sector professional
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UK Jukebox Chart http://www.sound net.net/ www.soundnet.net
Highest Earning Tracks on Sound Leisure jukeboxes This Last Week Week
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 -
FourFiveSeconds Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney Love Me Like You Do Ellie Goulding Uptown Funk Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars Take Me To Church Hozier Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran Wish You Were Mine Philip George Gravity DJ Fresh feat. Ella Eyre King Years & Years Real Love Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne Hold Back The River James Bay
Albums This Last Week Week
MADONNA: REBEL HEART
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
2 3 1 4 9 7 5 8
In The Lonely Hour Sam Smith Rebel Heart Madonna X Ed Sheeran Chasing Yesterday Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Wanted on Voyage George Ezra A Perfect Contradiction Paloma Faith Lady Sings The Blues Rebecca Ferguson 1989 Taylor Swift Royal Blood Royal Blood Sweet Sould Music Overtones
Downloads This Last Week Week
SAM SMITH FT JOHN LEGEND: LAY ME DOWN
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 5 6 8 7
Lay Me Down Sam Smith ft John Legend GDFR Flo Rida ft Sage The Gemini King Years & Years I Don’t Mind Usher ft Juicy J Love Me Like You Do Ellie Goulding FourFive Seconds Rihanna/Kanye West/McCartney Take Me To Church Hozier Earned It Weeknd Hold Back The River James Bay Uptown Funk Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars
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1 3 2 4 5 6 8
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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DATA LEISURE SALES LTD. Unit 12 Data House, Trent Industrial Estate, Duchess Street, Shaw, Oldham, OL2 7UT POOL
D L
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Data Leisure Sales
REFLEX GAMING £100
7X4 TOURNAMENT ..........................................£795
SHOWTIME ................................................ £2,225 HORN OF PLENTY ...................................... £2,225
6X3 TOURNAMENT ..........................................£795
HIT THE DRACPOT ..................................... £2,225
7X4 PRINCE .....................................................£795
TREBLE TOP .............................................. £2,225
6X3 PRINCE .....................................................£795
CHILLI CON CARNAGE ................................ £2,225
7X4 WINNER ....................................................£695 6X3 WINNER ....................................................£695
FIDDLE A FORTUNE ................................... £1,495 WIZARD OF ODDS ...................................... £1,395 BEST OF BRITISH ....................................... £1,395 ALICE QUEEN OF HEARTS .......................... £1,150 LETS GET JACKPOTTED ............................. £1,150
BELLFRUIT GAMES
GALLOPING JACKPOTS .............................. £1,100
DOND TURBO ...............................................£1,445
ALICE IN WONDERLAND ................................ £645
DOND POWERPLAY .......................................£1,445
CLUB B4
DOND BIG ONE .............................................£1,395
DOND LIVE......................................................POA
ROB THE LOT................................................£1,395
FIDDLE A FORTUNE ................................... £1,945
DOND PURE GOLD ........................................£1,250
HOT SHOTS ............................................... £1,945 DOND RED MIST ........................................... £945
TRIPLE DOND (WITH DONGLE) ......................£1,245 HAPPY HOUR (INC DONGLE) .............................£995 TAKE A CHANCE (INC DONGLE) ........................£995
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PADDY PAYDAY ......................................... £1,195
JAILBREAK.......................................................£745
ALICE AND THE MAD HATTER .................... £1,095
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Contact Karl or Steve on Tel: 01706 883838. Technical Helpline: 01706 883839. E-mail: karl@dataleisuresales.co.uk
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Comment Email: je@gbmedia.eu
A five star problem A single online review can sink or swim a small amusement business and the government needs to act, says Joseph Ewens. ou may, or may not, have heard of something called the Dark Web. It’s the seedy underbelly of the internet, where all manner of illicit behaviour is supposed to take place. But you needn’t delve into these depths to find the online equivalent of the Wild West - where lies and deception can destroy lives: Ladies and gentlemen, I give you TripAdvisor. Now, I’ll happily admit that I’ve made good use of TripAdvisor and it’s compatriots in the online review sector, but there’s no denying that there is little oversight when it comes to vetting the accuracy of the reviews.A single off day or a patron with a chip on their shoulder can all lead to negative comments and a low score, while thousands of happy customers come and go without putting their positive feelings in writing.
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That’s all well and good for the major tourist attractions, which garner so many comments that the outliers will be smoothed out by the general consensus, but for small arcades or village pubs, those undeserved negative reviews will stick out like a sore thumb and drag down an ‘out of five’ rating built by just a handful of comments.That’s truly damaging and goes totally against what TripAdvisor sets out to achieve - to be an objective consumer guide that provides accurate guidance. The current CMA investigation is focussed more on foul play from the company’s side of the equation, but they must ensure that when the time comes to act, the legitimacy of consumer reviews comes under equal and proactive scrutiny.
A new cadre of kid
Brighton’s famous example
Technology has changed even those of us who remember the analogue world. Chris Webster argues that the industry’s growing preference for video-integrated kiddie rides is a reasoned response to the age of the techno-expectant kid. t was something of a revelation - but no real surprise - that a recent interview with JNC Sales’ Gary Newman yielded the news that the company is now actively passing by on kiddie rides which lack an element of video interactivity. JNC are not alone - Paolo Sidoli of SB Machines underlines the growth of the kiddie/video crossover in this week’s essential guide. I myself am just of an age to remember a world without the internet - where a book was just that - an amalgamation of paper, card and glue. Still, these days I sometimes catch myself attempting to ‘swipe’ a page, rather than turn it. If this is the subconscious social impact of technological immersion upon a child of the 1980’s,
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what then, do the same effects produce in the child of this decade? And what of the years that follow? One thing we know for sure is that children currently have an unprecedented degree of entertainment at their fingertips (often quite literally).They are as familiar with the technology involved as children of yore were with their rattles, their dolls and their train-sets. From as early-on as their parents allow, these kids play video games - games which are often involving and competitive. With this in mind, integrating the best elements of these devices into kiddie-ride design seems the only logical step to keeping the machines both current and appealing to a new cadre of kid.
The (d)evolving electoral landscape Labour may have ruled out a coalition with the SNP, but Westminster shouldn’t be complacent about the issue of the devolution - and nor should we, argues Imogen Goodman. t may have passed without comment, but whilst blue flags were waving for independence north of Hadrian’s Wall, the Welsh Assembly was implementing some freshly devolved powers of its own. Then, in the Commons last week, Nick Clegg was taken to task on the issue of devolving responsibilities from Whitehall to the Cornwall local enterprise partnership. And then, of course, there’s the rise and rise of UKIP; the party hell-bent on wrenching back control from Europe. So, the SNP may no longer be the kingmaker in this election, but wherever we look, devolution is an issue and we need to work out where we stand on it.
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Advocates of the Tories’‘Big Society’ envision a world where schoolteachers dictate school holidays, councils set their own business rates, and communities grant their own planning permission. Some bodies are clearly not in favour of this - I’m thinking particularly of BALPPA’s holiday deregulation campaign - and it’s true that this kind of policy sets up a postcode lottery for operators whose councils may (or may not) support them. Others, especially in coastal communities, believe the local people know best about the issues that are affecting them. Whatever your view may be, one thing’s for sure: devolution doesn’t start and end with the SNP.
joseph ewens media watch homage to the classic arcade game of yore, has highlighted one talented Lego artist IwhonGeek.com has created miniature versions of some legendary Sega machines. These minifig-scale Lego reproductions of three of Sega’s greatest games from the 80s start with Out Run. It was cool enough that Sega’s sit-down systems made you feel like you were getting behind the wheel of an actual Ferrari Testarossa, but they took things a step further by building in stereo speakers and letting us “tune” the car’s radio to our favourite station. Another unforgettable machine: Space Harrier, with its breakthrough 16-bit graphics and frantic battles against the crazy one-eyed mammoths and other mystical beasties of the Fantasy Zone. It was also one of the first arcade games to feature a flight stick which has been cleverly mimicked with a Lego revolver. Finally, along came Thunder Blade. Sega added a throttle and shifted gameplay between two different perspectives, top-down and third-person. The system itself was every bit as impressive as the game: it looked like Sega ripped a seat right out of Blue Thunder and shoved it on to a pair of scaled-down skids. You can thank Lego Ideas user SpacySmoke for these little blasts from the past, and what better way to say thanks than by heading on over and lending your support. He’s got a long way to go before reaching the required 10,000 votes, so let’s help him get there! There’s no guarantee Lego’s review board will
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“Without that commitment, Blackpool will continue to dwell on its past instead of look forward to the future.” BLACKPOOL COUNCILLOR GRAHAM CAIN ON BLACKPOOL’S NEW VISION
“The by product of a TITO installation is the pressure brought to bear on ‘legacy machines’, as they cannot be converted for use on a TITO system. This will, I believe, hasten the demise of legacy machines in the UK.” NICK HARDING OF PRAESEPE ON THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF TITO
“The information contained in online reviews and endorsements can be a powerful force in the hands of consumers.”
“The gambling industry has a history of creating scalable, high growth companies which are highly cash generative and not capital intensive. However, the sector is often avoided and under-invested in by traditional institutions.” GAMCROWD CEO CHRIS NORTH DISCUSSES NEW FUNDING AVAILABLE TO GAMBLING START-UPS
“Operators have learnt to capitalise on market trends to maximise their income, and to this end licensed plush has become a very important driver.” TREVOR CLARKE OF SEGA PRIZE TALKS PLUSH
NISHA ARORA OF THE COMPETITION AND MARKETS AUTHORITY ON THE PITFALLS OF ONLINE REVIEWS
xample and a look back into video game past
Whatever the nature of the next parliament, BACTA has it’s eyes set firmly on the concession of a temporary lowering of MGD, off-setting the staggering priceimplication associated with the introduction of the new £1 coin.
simon storer politics
An Indian journalist is calling for his local government to follow the example of Brighton Pier, while creative engineers deliver their own paeans on the history of the video game.
greenlight the set even if enough votes are cast, but unless these arcade classics hit the magic number we’ll never know what might’ve been. Across the globe in India, Manomara is calling on a seaside community to use Brighton, England as a template for making best use of its dilapidated pier. The Valiyathura Pier, near Shankumugham in Southern India, stands dilapidated and ignored, but how did the British turn the Brighton Pier in England into a memorable experience? People who come to see the pier are greeted by boards that say “Danger” and “Entry prohibited”. Still families go there to spend evenings. Adventurous youth visit the place in groups and any time an accident could happen. Still, Valiyathura Pier is the best experience in the city. The government, which does not even cast a glance at this pier, should learn from England, where a new pier was built near a dilapidated one, turning it into a world-class tourist hub. The government gave a new lease of life to the Brighton West Pier and turned it into a grand tourist village. Today, thousands of people visit it every day to enjoy the beauty of the sea. The Brighton Pier, which evokes nostalgia, is a good source of revenue too for the government. Meanwhile, in Valiyathura, the pier is heaving its last breath and may collapse at any time. It has been years since the concrete in the pillars, which supports the pier, had been washed away by strong
BACTA: New coin ‘most important’ objective for next parliamentary term
waves. There are no railings and boards that warn of danger. The government seems to be allowing people to enjoy the beauty of the sea from the pier at their own risk. Around 1866, Brighton West Pier was only a place for navy vessels to dock in England. After two fires in 1975 and a continuous snow storm, the pier was damaged. Lack of attention led to its decay and it was shut down temporarily. For some time, Brighton West was nothing but a dilapidated pier. After years, the British woke up. In 1986, the old pier was strengthened without affecting its beauty. Not only that, a first-class tourist centre was also built to attract travellers. Soon, a tourist village, where children and parents could spend their evenings, opened adjacent to the pier. By 2000, a new pier was joined to it. That was the Brighton Pier. Data show that about $46.2 million was spent on the renovation. In addition to that, every year, a certain amount is set aside for the renovation of the pier. Today, it is a grand tourist centre. Valiyathura Pier is in the same state where the pier in England was in its early days: on its death bed. In the early days, it was a place for ships to dock. When ships stopped coming, it was left unused. Slowly, rain, wind and sea storms destroyed the pier. The department of ports then put a board, stating that the pier was in danger. Can the people’s representatives from the capital rescue this pier?
outcome of the UK’s election may Twellheupcoming be nigh-on impossible to predict, but as far as BACTA is concerned, the industry’s major challenge during the next parliamentary term could hardly be clearer. “The most important thing for us will be the introduction of the new £1 coin,” states the tradebody’s head of communications, Simon Storer. “Machines in our industry are particularly affected, as they’re required to pay-out as well as accept currency.” The position is hardly surprising. Due for introduction in 2017, the launch of the new 12-sided coin is expected to cost the coinop industry somewhere in the region of £100m. If this figure wasn’t eyewatering enough, for Storer, the time-scale of the new coin’s introduction will make the switch-over costing particularly acute for operators. “The whole thing is going to take place over just six-months, so this vast
amount of required investment will hit operators over a relatively short period of time,” he says. Legislative measures also ensure that the new piece of currency will pose unique implications to the coin-op industry. “For other vending markets, costs associated with new coin acceptance can be off-set by an increase in the price of goods,” Storer argues.“As gaming is bound by regulatory measures, our operators will be unable to alter our prizes or stakes, leaving them uniquely disadvantaged.” If economic implications of new coin acceptance can’t be offset by other means, BACTA positions that a temporary relaxation of MGD serves as one logical recourse. “What we hope we will see is some sort of machineduty holiday for that key time period,” explains Storer. “The Treasury has helped other sectors in similar ways before, so such a move would by no means be unprecedented.”
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Newsweek DEAL RETURNING IN APRIL fter recording record numbers of exhibitors and visitors last year, the 2015 edition of the Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) Show is scheduled to take place from April 14-16 at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the emirate of Dubai. Now in its 21st year, DEAL is the Middle East’s largest and most influential event for those involved in the amusement industry with the 2015 show set to see exhibitors from around the world including Whitehouse
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Northern Showcase to return in May rown Leisure will once again be hosting the Northern Showcase; the successful summer event aimed at bringing the latest gaming, novelty and amusements products to operators in Scotland and the north of England. The Showcase is strategically placed to fall at the onset of the peak season for
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Leisure, UDC, Elton Amusements and Jolly Roger Amusement Rides, showing off a wide range of products and solutions. “DEAL is the only platform in the Middle East for exhibitors in these industries to connect with buyers, for buyers to see and test the latest products and services and for professionals to share best practices
and make new contacts,” read a statement from show organiser International Expo-Consults. BUSINESS STARTUP COMING TO EXCEL IN MAY udding entrepreneurs are being invited to take part in the 33rd annual Business
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Startup exhibition in London where they can market their products and services on a face-to-face basis to an audience of over 30,000 aspiring, developing and expanding companies. Scheduled to take place from May 13-14 at ExCeL, Business Startup will feature over 250 seminars covering a range of topics including
operators who rely heavily on business from tourists and holidaymakers. Last year’s event saw some of the biggest industry players such as Astra Games, Blueprint, Barcrest and Empire Gaming in attendance, showcasing flagship products as well as launching new ones. Alan Rogers, sales and marketing director for
Astra Games, told Novomatic World of Gaming magazine:“Events like this fulfil a vital role in bringing the industry together at times of the year when sales opportunities are not as abundant as we would prefer.” The event will be held in The Pines Hotel on Preston Road in Chorley and will run on 6-7 May.
how to start a business, trading from home, franchising and mentoring while the Angels Den theatre is to give attendees the opportunity to pitch their ideas to an audience of wealthy and
successful potential investors. “Exhibiting is one of the most efficient, effective and successful marketing activities available to you,” read a statement from the show organiser.
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 MARCH 2015 18-20 China Attractions Expo China National Convention Centre, Beijing, China 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 24-26 Amusement Expo 2015 Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas, USA 24-26 FER Interazar 2015 Madrid Spain www.ferinterazar.com 25 TiLEzone London London Transport Museum, London, UK www.tileweb.org
APRIL 2015 14-16 DEAL2015 Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE www.dealmiddleeastshow.com
MAY 2015 6-7 Northern Showcase 2015 The Pines Hotel, Preston Road, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, Lancs, PR6 7ED www.crowndirect.co.uk
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