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Industry news Seaside amusements Category C report B2B Listings Latest machine charts For sale, wanted + opps Comment and opinion Newsweek

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..this outdated legislation makes it extremely difficult to invest in capital equipment and retards opportunities for job creation...

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Coastal communities c In 2011, the population living in the 274 coastal communities in England and Wales covered in this report was 6.2m. Out of this total, 2.2m lived within the 12 large coastal communities (population >100,000), 2.9m within the 67 medium coastal communities (population between 20,000 and 100,000) and 1.1m within the 195 small coastal communities (population between 1,000 and 20,000).

More than a third of people in some of the country’s bestloved seaside resorts are over-65, leaving them struggling to survive without an influx of young people. Overall, on average 20 per cent of people living in them are aged 65 or over, compared to 16 per nationwide. Unemployment rates were higher, on average, in medium sized coastal communities (8.4 per cent) and lower in small coastal communities (7.1 per cent).

Rhyl to benefit from ma PLANNING

scaled-down plan to redeA velop a former fairground in a Welsh coastal town has been given the go-ahead by planners.The ÂŁ55m scheme on Rhyl seafront by the Scarborough Development Group includes a 62-bedroom hotel, a supermarket, pub, petrol station and other retail units including, potentially, an AGC. Councillors have given outline planning permission for the plan which the firm says could create 350 full-time jobs. The Ocean Beach funfair, which opened in the 1890s, was bulldozed in 2007 and the site has been derelict ever since.

The new plan replaces a larger ÂŁ85m development proposed by the Modus Group.

Proposals in the original

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Banksy sale draws political interference

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5 November 21 - November 27, 2014 • No. 2395 • www.coinslot.co.uk

nities census snapshots

Coastal Communities census highlights unemployment and ageing population REPORT

The latest Census on Coastal Communities from the Office of National Statistics has shown that seaside towns in the UK are facing a struggle to cope with the issues of ageing population and unemployment. ith a new post of Minister for Coastal Communities appointed in July 2014, seaside towns in the UK have come under the government’s microscope as it decides which areas best deserve investment via the Coastal Communities Fund.

The latest ONS report, published at the end of October 2014, seeks to add to the evidence base on coastal communities by examining 2011 Census data to investigate 274 coastal communities in England and Wales. It uses the census data to examine a number of issues often associated with coastal communities on topics such as health, housing and employment.

The report states:“It should also be noted that this report is not focused solely on seaside towns.

All coastal communities are included - whether their main focus is tourism, residential or industrial. A number of other research papers exist looking specifically at seaside towns.

However, as government policy covers all coastal communities then so does this report.”

The report is not focused solely on seaside towns.All coastal communities are included - whether their main focus is tourism, residential or industrial.

It states:“In general, the smaller the coastal community the higher the share of population aged 65 or over, with the share rising from a 17 per cent average among the large coastal communities to a 25 per cent average among the small coastal communities.”

In 2011, the unemployment rate (aged 16+) was 8.1 per cent in coastal communities, compared with 7.4 per cent for England and Wales overall. Among

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THE COASTAL DATA COLLECTION PROCESS

The data that the ONS has published is based on information for 274 coastal towns, and aims to include all coastal built-up areas with a population of greater than

1,000. It therefore covers a mix of villages, towns and cities along the coast of England and Wales and overall 274 coastal communities are covered within the report, 217 in England and 57 in Wales.

om major regeneration scheme for new homes and offices have been dropped from the latest plan and the proposed supermarket has been reduced in size.

Councillors say they hope there will be no further delays in transforming the site which has been described as ‘resembling a bomb site’.

While it was never likely that a modern funfair or theme park would replace what had gone before, coin-op entertainment will live on in the new pub on the site and possibly in an adult gaming centre alongside. Furthermore, the new development will bring in much-needed footfall to the area, while boosting the coastal coin-op stronghold’s economy and attractiveness to

visitors.

Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane told the BBC: “It goes without saying that this site has taken far too long to be developed.There have been far too many false dawns and delays in developing what should be a prime site, not just in Rhyl, but in the central part of north Wales. Millions of pounds have been spent improving the harbour area but the opposite side of the road detracts from that. It is about time that development does take place and this should happen sooner rather than later. But - in retail terms - it does need to be done to complement the stores which are already available in the town centre.”

medium/large areas, the highest coastal unemployment rate was in coin-op stronghold Great Yarmouth at 13.5 per cent.

Torbay MP Adrian Torbay MP Adrian Sanders, a member of the all-party group for coastal communities, believes that more was needed to be done to retain skilled, working age people in coastal towns. He said a major problem was that people pay into council tax funds where they spend their working lives, but when they move to the seaside it is the coastal councils who have

to pick up the social care bill.

He stated:“With the best will in the world pensioners aren’t the kind of people who are going to be going out and buying new furniture and renovating their properties. It is younger, working-age people who go out and spend money on those things.”

Residents of coastal communities are more likely to be working in either ‘caring, leisure and service occupations’ or ‘sales and customer service occupations’ compared with residents in England and Wales overall.

While the census’ findings aren’t particularly earth-shattering, it underlines the government’s commitment to seaside regeneration and in that respect many operators will be keeping their fingers crossed that at least a proportion of the available regeneration investment chest comes the way of their town.

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Commission publishes protection of customer funds note

BACTA Convention to stress importance of pubgame expansion

GUIDELINES

The Gambling Commission has published an advice article for customers regarding the use of their funds by operators and what happens if an operator goes bust. he Gambling Commission has published an advice article for customers regarding the use of their funds by operators.According to the Commission, occasionally, gambling operators run into financial difficulties and have trouble repaying customers their money.

The article, published on the Commission’s website, states: “Check that you know what happens to your funds if an operator goes

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bust. Be aware that money staked or deposited with a gambling operator is not protected by the Government or regulator in the way personal bank deposits are, whether or not the operator is licensed.

“Remote operators licensed by the Commission must keep customer funds in a separate account/s, but there is no guarantee that this will ensure that you get all your money back if the company goes bust.

Gamcare conference seeks to differentiate EVENTS

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his week’s Gamcare Clinical conference at the Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall, London focussed on the varying needs of different groups and individuals, including young people, women, the Chinese community and the friends and family members of people who have a gambling problem.

The conference followed a number of recent BBC news and radio features about young people and problem gambling and came on the back of the launch of the charity’s new website for young people www.bigdeal.org.uk.

GamCare said it received some 3,000 calls for help from 18 to 24-year-olds in 2013-14, but the NatCen for Social Research said that 83,000 16 to 24-year-olds in England and Scotland, most of them male, were classed as problem gamblers in 2013.

Speakers at the event included Dirk Hansen, GamCare’s CEO, the University of Chicago’s Professor Jon Grant and Caroline Howard, cognitive behavioural therapist at the Chinese National Healthy Living Centre.

“All operators who hold customer funds must set out clearly in their terms and conditions whether customer funds are protected in the event of insolvency, the level of such protection and the method by which this is achieved.This should help you decide whether you want to gamble with that operator or how much money you might want to leave on account with them.”

Operators licensed by

CATEGORY C

the Gambling Commission must assess themselves against three categories of protection for customer funds: basic, medium and high.By 31 December 2014, they must let customers know which of these three categories they fall into and explain why.

If a player holds only small amounts of money with an operator (such as in a betting account to place their next bet), these categories are unlikely to affect

ocals, visitors and hoteliers have called for an urgent redeLvelopment of a“forgotten”area of Blackpool, littered with dilapidated and eyesore buildings.

Residents have said they fear the area,a gateway to the town for visitors to the Illuminations, Pleasure Beach, arcades and FECs, gives tourists a bad impression of the town,as well as the negative impact it has on their own properties.

Tourists and hoteliers have also said it is time for the New South Promenade area of the resort to have money invested in it, to bring it up to speed with redeveloped areas of the coin-op stronghold. The calls come as hoteliers close toThe Palm Beach Hotel, which was gutted by a huge fire in June, call for it to be demolished before it deteriorates further.The hotel neighbours one which has been boarded up and is just metres from a rest home left boarded up and other building falling into disrepair.

them greatly.Their money may be lost if the operator goes bust but only a small amount will be lost.

The Commission warned: “However, if you hold larger amounts of money with one or more gambling operator, you may wish to consider how they protect your customer funds before choosing which business to use or choose to spread your funds across more than one gambling operator.”

ewly incumbent BACTA chief executive N John White will be stress-

ing the continued importance of the £100 Cat C pub market at next week’s convention and AGM. “There is a need not to lose focus on the Cat C machine which is a staple of the pub,” he commented. White noted recent and ongoing industry hurdles pertaining to the machine distribution and the wider pub sector: “Sadly, machine penetration is only 1.2 per pub, and the number of pubs is shrinking.”

Although new to the role, White is well aligned with overarching BACTA aims to boast pub-gaming revenue: “We think that we should as an industry be working with the pub companies to find innovaAlan Ackroyd, who owns the owners and are working towards tive solutions to help resKingsbury Hotel on New South finding a long term solution for urrect player interest in both AWP and SWP Promenade, told local press:“It the future.”

Ackroyd added:“Has the coun- machines.” needs completely levelling • The state of the UK before someone is seriously cil any powers to force the harmed or killed by falling debris. owners to flatten the building? Category C supply We have had high winds recently The cost of this would be more market is featured in this and, as winter approaches, it is than covered when their plans week’s Essential Guide on page 11. likely we will get more bad to develop the site happen.”

Blackpool Council said it was weather which is just going to make the building even worse.” monitoring the building to Resident Carol Shaw said:“It’s ensure it does not become a risk like they’ve forgotten about this to the public and that it would be part of town. They’ve made a willing to consider “multi-use” really good go of it in the town proposals, to allow residential centre, it looks lovely. I wish and complementary developments, such as housing, a pub or they’d do it here now.”

The calls were made to both shops, in the predominantly council bosses and private devel- tourist area.

The authority’s planning boss, opers who own buildings in the area. Council bosses have said Cllr David Owen,chairman of the they are doing all they can to planning committee (pictured), both encourage and enforce concluded: “Any constructive building owners to take respon- ideas we’re bound to look at. sibility for their properties, We’re obviously desperate to get including issuing notices and investment of all kinds, as long as providing workers to spruce up it’s in Blackpool’s interests. It’s a great pity at South Beach because tired looking buildings.

Cllr Gillian Campbell said:“We these have been elegant proper- JOHN WHITE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BACTA are in discussions with the ties over the years.”

Calls made to revamp New South Promenade in Blackpool REGENERATION

Email: al@sjc.co.uk

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INDUSTRY AMUSEMENTS LEISURE

B2B COMMENT NEWSWEEK CATEGORY C The moves and grooves in the UK Cat C sector, plus the products and viewpoints. 11

Northern Irish gaming legislation continues to languish NORTHERN IRELAND

As chairman of NIACTA, Gerald Steinberg leads the combined industry efforts in one of the UK’s most challenging operational environments, dogged by the glacial pace of legislation reform. It’s time for change, but is the government fit for purpose on this issue?

egislative change can have tremendous implications on the gaming sector. Last year’s hike in the Category C jackpot saw an upsurge in sales within the pub gaming sector across Great Britain, and may well be partially responsible, along with wider economic uplift, for a renewed sense of confidence across the industry as a whole.

But Northern Irish legislative reform remains agonisingly slow.“There are many historical and ongoing political issues in Northern Ireland,” states NIACTA chairman Gerald Steinberg.

“Unfortunately for our industry, the development of gambling legislation appears to be fairly low down on the Northern Ireland Assembly’s list of priorities.”

Indeed, whilst the UK Gambling Commission aspires to a triennial review, the laws in place across Northern Ireland remain unaltered since the passing of The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order of 1985, which itself diverted little from the 1968 UK Gaming Act. Gaming machine stake and prize levels have remain unchanged since 2003.

“As an industry, the Northern Irish sector currently employs in excess of 1,000 staff directly and many more indirectly,” says Steinberg.

“But this outdated legislation makes it extremely difficult to invest in capital equipment and retards opportunities for job creation.”

Regional demographics may explain political lethargy on the issue. In a

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recent poll, 83 per cent of Northern Ireland’s population described themselves as ‘Christian’: traditional views on pastimes such as gambling may well play a significant role in the pace of change.

But that’s where NIACTA comes in.“NIACTA has been proactive in setting up social responsibility measures and policies that are broadly comparable to Great Britain,” Steinberg continues. Funded entirely by its members, the organisation presents a compassionate face of the industry. By entering into an agreement with Gamcare, NIACTA now provides a dedicated phone line as well as online support for problem gamblers in Northern Ireland.

A break in the clouds seemed to present itself in January 2013, when Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland announced that reform of Northern Irish gaming machine categories would soon mirror those of the wider UK. Nearly two years on, and any change remains elusive. “Successive Northern Ireland Executive Ministers have over many years assured the industry of an intention to update stakes and prizes to mirror those of Great Britain,”Steinberg comments, “to date, there hasn’t been any tangible action.”

Whilst the challenging environment has become familiar territory for him, Steinberg is adamant in his call for equitable legislation: “Lack of modern standards and an effective enforcement body make it very difficult to have a level playing field for all operators.”

COMMENTARY For so many reasons, it is truly incomprehensible as to how an industry, any industry no matter what genre, can remain governed by legislation that is, let’s be honest, effectively half a century old.

Not that it’s just laughable in a most depressing way but that same legislation only papered the cracks of a wall that should have been condemned when it was first built - in 1968.Our mindset is so different now; our hopes and aspirations as individuals let alone businesses is so much wider now; and, in truth, our expectations of government and the decisions that they take are so much more demanding now.

It surely cannot be possible anymore - let alone in 2015 that the walls of regulation refuse to fall down. It’s 25 years since the Berlin Wall fell and the world changed so we know it can be done.

But somehow, regulatory walls that stop progress, change and growth opportunity remain intact and pretty resilient.Northern Ireland gaming legislation is a good example: it’s a figure of shame for all legislators. It makes a mockery of government, a mockery of democracy and a mockery of life in the 21st century. Get a grip the Northern Ireland amusements industry needs change and deserves it. If the decision makers are serious about opportunity, the political system needs to stop making excuses and do the job it’s business community expects it to do. Bring change and opportunity to the marketplace.

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Can amusements lift Barry Island out of the toilet?

DEVELOPMENTS

A disused toilet on Welsh theme park site Barry Island could yet become an amusement arcade, according to the Barry Ideas Bank webpage, but the idea has met with disapproval from vociferous locals.

he idea of turning a disused WC on Barry Island into an amusement arcade has been met with disapproval from locals, including the chairman of voluntary non-political organisation Pride in Barry.

The Ideas Bank website collects development ideas from locals as to how to best use the disused public conveniences which are up for sale on Barry Island.

Local resident Andy Green stated:“The toilet block is a great opportunity to create an iconic facility for Barry Island.The curious frontage of the toilet block will, I am sure, invite some great creative treatment and branding.

“Crucially, its location, with wonderful views over Whitmore Bay calls out for some form of conservatory/atrium glass fronted structure to be built on the back of the frontage to create a high quality restaurant/conference/ meeting venue.

“There were rumours circulating about a year ago of someone looking to turn the site into an amusement arcade - which would have been a travesty and

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waste of opportunity and potential. This is a great opportunity hope we can get some great ideas for its use.”

Paul Haley (pictured), whose Barry activity expands into the Regeneration board, Memorial Hall, and Barry Chamber of Trade and Barry Island Traders Association, added:“It has always been a sense of irony that the coach drop off point is near that toilet block. The reason was to stop coaches going down Paget Road (near Marco’s) where they are unable to turn around.Tourist visitors are then dropped off a long way from the newer toilets by Marco’s.

“So, this is a question of strategic planning and how you want to marshal visitors.We now have a temporary car park (labelled a ‘meanwhile’ car park to avoid clear questionable usage of public funds for something temporary), and a coach drop off point and the new Eastern end development near the old toilet block. There are new toilets within that new Eastern Beach Hut development that cost a fortune to link up to the uphill

sewage system, so unlikely that there will be a reprieve of use. In terms of what it could become, it is a big lump of a building with a big storage area underneath, as well as rooftop space.

“Whoever took this on would have big capital outlay costs and in my view big project risks.Until there are undercover attractions at Nell’s Point, there is no draw at the Eastern end to increase footfall sufficiently to make that building viable. My point: undercover attractions are the key ingredient to Barry Island, hence why I worked to make this happen.”

Barry Island currently offers a number of coin-op outlets such as Caesars Palace, Fun Harbour and Just Pennies, but the iconic Pleasure Park closed in September. On his decision to leave the Pleasure Park for Fun City in Brean, operator Vernon Studt told local press: “It’s nothing against Barry Island, but I have moved on to pastures greener for myself. Maybe other showmen will take it on and I wish them all the best. I have enjoyed life with the Islanders.”

CCTV images of would-be arcade thieves released THEFT

etectives have released CCTV images of two men they would D like to speak to after an attempted robbery at an amusement arcade in Morecambe.

As reported in Coinslot last week, two men went into Slater’s Amusements on Marine Road Central through the front door. One of the men approached a male staff member and threatened him with a metal pole.

The victim tried to run out of the arcade when the second man attempted to block his exit and strike the victim’s face but missed. The first man then made an unsuccessful attempt to open a rear office door but it was locked. The victim escaped and ran to a local pub, but the offenders headed off in separate directions.

The attempted robbery happened at 9:30pm on November 3. Police have appealed for people to call them on 101 quoting reference 1417.

Varney takes over at BHA APPOINTMENTS

Nick Varney, chief executive officer for Merlin Entertainments, will take over the role of chairman of the British Hospitality Association when incumbent Alan Parker CBE steps down on January 1, 2015. erlin CEO Nick Varney is set to join the BHA board of directors M in January 2015, working with CEO Ufi Ibrahim in the build up to the General Election and the new political environment that will follow.Already leading the Cut Tourism VAT Campaign, Varney’s immediate priority will be to make all political parties aware of the importance of the hospitality and tourism sector both in economic terms and as a key employer, particularly for 16-24 year olds; highlighting the key issues the industry is looking for any new

VARNEY’S KEY CHALLENGES Nick Varney sees his key and that our issues are on their agenda challenges in specific areas administration to address.

Varney said:“The BHA is to be con- for the future.” and believes that the targets, Alan Parker CBE, incumbent presi- if achieved, would result in gratulated on the excellent work done to date to build relationships dent and chairman of the BHA, said: increased revenue for the and raise the profile of the key issues “During my time as chairman for the Exchequer and the creation which affect all our businesses; and I BHA we’ve worked tirelessly to raise of new jobs, particularly for would like to take this opportunity the profile of hospitality and tourism young people. to thank everyone for what has been to government, and we’re starting to His hit list comprises: see real recognition for this inspira- PRICE COMPETITIVENESS achieved so far.

“With a General Election imminent tional industry. Nick’s appointment UK VAT at 20 per cent means we have a very short window of time as chairman will introduce a new we are not operating on a to build on this and to make sure that dimension and direction to the BHA’s level playing field with the the economic and social importance work.” rest of the world.

Parker will retain his role as presi- EMERGING MARKETS of the hospitality and tourism sector is understood by all political parties; dent of the BHA. The UK is failing to gain our

fair share of business and visitors from new markets like China and Russia due to short sighted visa policies The need for enlightened employment legislation that does not jeopardise industry growth/ jobs The development of a robust skills agenda to ensure we are able to identify and recruit the right people to realise the sector growth potential The need for a more efficient planning process, which encourages rather than restricts further development

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Small businesses lack access to credit, skills and broadband BUSINESS

Britain’s five million small businesses have bought into economic recovery, but are still worried about a lack of access to credit, a shortage of skilled workers and poor broadband according to the FSB. ike Cherry, head of policy at the Federation of Small Businesses, believes that despite Britain enjoying an economic recovery, small businesses have to endure a number of challenges.

Cherry told the FT:“As to the recession all being over, that is often countered by the fact that there are issues which still remain very challenging for small businesses.”

He added:“You’re seeing… the aspirations of small business now being turned into plans to invest more… and as confidence is restored, look to increase pay levels where they can.”

According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, 99.9 per cent of the UK’s private sector businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises - a category which covers the majority of UK coin-

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Gala Coral posts increased revenues RESULTS

aming group Gala Coral has released its preliminary unaudited 2014 Q4 and full year perG formance results for the period ending September 27.

It recorded increased Q4 2014 revenues of £288.3m up 21 per cent on Q4 2013 £238.6m.

Increased gaming revenues were supported by improved Q4 gross profits of £211.7m up 20 per cent on Q4 £175.8m. op - employing an estimated 14.4m, nearly 60 per cent of the private sector workforce.

Their annual turnover is estimated at £1.6tn.

The growing recognition of their importance was demonstrated last week when the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill was presented to Parliament.Among other measures, it proposes forcing companies to publish information about payment terms to suppliers. This addresses a longstanding complaint by smaller businesses that say they have experienced delays in having their bills settled.

“The fact that large businesses are actually going to be made to report their payment terms is a big step forward,” continued Cherry.“It doesn’t go far enough by any means… but it’s a start.”

The Bill also aims to improve access to finance for small businesses, a particular challenge during the financial crisis, when bank lending virtually dried up. Cherry welcomes a proposal that banks which refuse to provide credit will have to refer applicants to alternative providers but he believes there is much more to be done. Cherry puts access to credit high up the list of continuing challenges for the UK’s small businesses.Among other priority areas,he says FSB members increasingly cite a lack of skills as an obstacle.

As well as the skills gap, Cherry believes broadband is a priority for action.He says the government’s target of providing everyone in the UK with access to broadband with a download speed of at least 2 megabits per second is insufficient for today’s business

needs. “There’re some huge, huge issues around broadband.

We’ve got many examples of a business in a business park, even in an enterprise zone,that doesn’t have the right connectivity, and yet the housing estate, literally next door, does seem to have everything that they need.”

Despite the above, Cherry is positive about some initiatives under way, such as the mooted Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the EU and the US, which he believes will open up new markets for FSB members.

He concluded:“We get a very good hearing from ministers and civil servants these days. I think there’s far greater recognition now, not just within the coalition government, but certainly across the main parties, just how important the small business sector is.”

Majestic opens re-designed Castleford club BINGO HALLS

ovember has seen the grand re-opening of Ritz Bingo in Castleford, the N latest club redesigned underneath the burgeoning Majestic Bingo banner.

Having undergone both extensive internal and external refurbishment, the re-opening event of the West Yorkshire club saw the public appearance of the Castleford Tigers rugby team, as well as music from the local brass band.

For Majestic director Mark Jepp, keeping a sense of locality has been key to the renovation effort. “The club’s been transformed in terms of presentation and branding, and we’ve added some regional touches,” he said. “As you enter

players can see sites that people wouldn’t recognise unless they were from the town”.

The Ritz itself has a long history - it has been operating on the same site for over forty years, twenty of which have been under the managership of Alan Gamban.

“The opening went fantastically,” Jepp added, “with a pre-existing customer base at the club there had been quite a degree of anticipation - I don’t think anyone was disappointed with the results.”

The renovation effort has been extensive, seeing the creation of a new gaming centre, a doubling of games machine count, as well as the addition of a rooftop terrace with a smoking shelter.

The company expects to post a Q3 EBITDA performance of £51.7m, up 55 per cent on Q3 £33.3m.The operator stated that it had seen an improved performance on all key product verticals for Gala Coral operations Reporting on its expected full year 2014 performance, Gala Coral stated that all core businesses had recorded growth in gross profit and underlying EBITDA.The gaming group’s corporate 2014 gross profit of £890.1m was £74.7m or 9 per cent ahead of last year and EBITDA of £235.5m was £29.8m or 14 per cent ahead.

The operator outlined that had it adjusted performance for the “adverse impacts of extraordinarily poor football results”in the first half of the year (£19.7m),the annualisation of MGD (£3.9m), the favourable impacts of both the World Cup (£9.4m) and the reduction in bingo duty to 10 per cent (£3.2m).Underlying EBITDA is expected to increase by £40.8m or 20 per cent, whilst underlying EBITDA pre-bonus was £55.9m or 27 per cent ahead.

Further details of the Gala Coral’s performance will be released on November 20, which will feature its audited financial statements for the full year.

RGSB chairman joins Co-Operative APPOINTMENTS

Christopher Kelly, who chairs the ResponGambling Strategy Board, has extended Shisirsible extra-curricula activities by joining the Cooperative Group board as senior non-executive director. Kelly will join with immediate effect.

Kelly currently chairs the King’s Fund and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board and previously chaired the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Financial Ombudsman Service and the NSPCC. He has also been a senior official in HM Treasury and was permanent secretary of the Department of Health.

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Amusements Plans for Morecambe’s Frontierland site get the green light

Government gets involved in Banksy arcade controversy

REGENERATION

lans to build a new leisure and retail park on the site of Morecambe’s former FronPtierland amusement park have been given

FEC

The controversy over the removal of a Banksy artwork from the wall of a Folkestone arcade rumbles on, with a government minister now calling for its return to the resort. government minister has called for the Banksy mural, removed from a Folkestone amusement arcade to be auctioned for charity, to be returned to the community.

The artwork was removed from the exterior wall of Palace Amusements just over a month ago to raise money for the cancer charity set up to commemorate amusements industry legend Jimmy Godden.

Tory MP Ed Vaizey, minister of state for culture and the digital economy, said he wanted to see the Banksy piece donated to the people of Folkestone instead.

Speaking at a House of Commons debate on the Football Governance Bill, Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins who has already called on

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Palace Amusements owner Dreamland Leisure to return the mural - asked if Vaizey agreed it was “a matter of great regret” that the Banksy artwork had been removed from the public’s view.

Vaizey, whose portfolio falls under the Department for Media, Culture and Sport, replied:“Yes, I do agree. Sometimes it makes one wonder about the motivation of one’s fellow man that,when Banksy is prepared to be public spirited enough to create community artwork in public spaces for the benefit of the local population who take it to their hearts,somebody should seek to use that windfall because it happens to be on their private property.

“I very much hope it will be returned and donated to the

community in Folkestone and Hythe, showing the same public-spirited approach that [Folkestone Triennal art festival organiser] Roger De Haan has shown in supporting and regenerating Folkestone” Angry graffiti directed at the Goddens,who own Dreamland Leisure, was daubed on the blank space of the arcade wall where the Banksy had appeared, shortly after the mural was removed.

Although it was painted over, fresh graffiti reading “Banksy woz ere?”swiftly took its place.

Campaigners have vowed to launch an appeal to get the piece back in Folkestone, with many arguing it was a gift to the community and not intended for the benefit of any one person.

Art dealer Robin Barton has confirmed the piece will go on sale for around $750,000 (£470,000) when it forms part of a major show of Banksy images at art fair Context Art Miami in the US next month.

He said the Banksy would be restored at a secret location in the UK before being transported across theAtlantic,to be shown alongside seven or eight other pieces by the artist that appeared at locations in London, Palestine, New York and two other undisclosed locations.

The proceeds from the auction of the Folkestone mural will go to the Jim Godden Memorial Cancer Trust, set up

by Rochelle Godden in memory of her husband, who died of cancer in 2012.

Developer Opus North want the new development to include big-name chains, a hotel, a pub and 336 car parking spaces.

Lancaster City Council has already chalCouncillor Graham Cain, lenged it and site owners Morrisons must to programmes that will lift the skills set of our workforce and Blackpool Council’s cabinet move quickly to sign up recognised retailers offer opportunities to other member for tourism and leisure, for the site.

Councillor Janice Hanson, cabinet member tourism and retail businesses in commented: “We’ve all experienced what excellent customer with responsibility for regeneration and planthe town.

“Quality customer service is service feels like, but to actually ning, said: “Opus has convinced the people of a key driver of success for any deliver it day in,day out is a differ- Morecambe that the development will attract top quality retailers, but so far we have had no business in Blackpool and we ent matter.

“Regardless of which attrac- indication from the developer as to the names want all businesses large and Nigel Kilgallon, director at small to help us become the tion, shop or restaurant they of any that have expressed a specific interest Blackpool Pleasure Beach and UK’s first seaside resort with visit,we want visitors to feel like in the scheme. a valuable tourist who is wel“The city council has supported the develchairman of the Blackpool World Host status.” oper’s vision. The ball is now with Opus and it’s The academy is now rolling comed.

Tourism Academy’s board, said: “Hopefully, this project will down to them to make this development one “The Blackpool Tourism Acad- out theWorld Host scheme across emy has received almost £1m the resort, with the aim of train- help make more people return which will make Morecambe proud and not to of government support ing at least half of the town’s to the town,thus bringing more saddle us with yet another forlorn hope.”

A previous scheme to build a factory outlet through the Employer Owner- tourism workers from waiters to money into local shops and ship Pilot fund to co-invest in a ride operators, hotel reception- businesses which in turns cre- on the site fell through due to a lack of interest ates and secures jobs.” from retailers, shortly after Frontierland closed. range of vocational training ists to shop assistants.

Blackpool bids for top global tourism status RESORTS

has launched a bid to become the first seaside Btownlackpool in the UK to achieveWorld Host Recognised Destination status.

World Host status, which was first developed in Canada,would mean the resort is officially acknowledged as a leading global destination for visitor experience.

To help gain it, around 2,500 frontline tourism workers are to be trained to the same standards famously reached by staff and volunteers at the 2012 London Olympics.

the go ahead.

Lancaster City Council approved the £17m development for the seafront site, which has been derelict since the Wild West-themed attraction closed in 2000.

Final approval for the project is still required from secretary of state for communities and local government Eric Pickles.

Designer Wayne Hemingway, who runs the Morecambe Vintage Festival and is involved in the renovation of Margate’s Dreamland as a heritage amusement park, told the BBC the plans were “vague” and “disappointing”.

Hemingway, who is from Morecambe, said: “The landscape and spaces should be places that people want to linger, to sit and take in the views and the air...and be inviting, even when it’s blowing a gale.

“The public domain they are showing is so vague and lacking in detail it could end up just looking like a windswept carbuncle; very much like the current Morrisons area is now.”

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Essential Guide to...

32 B2B listings and industry marketplace

Category C Machines TECHNOLOGY

34 This week’s machine charts

DESIGN

Tech that places the player front and centre

35 Classified sales, job and business opps

New technology and a first foray into licensed games are providing SG Gaming with plenty of fodder for Cat C development, says Rick Mountney, director of content development. oinslot: Which of hte new £100 jackpot machines are performing well and why?

Rick Mountney: The £100 jackpot implementation allowed us to introduce new content and features, like our linked community gaming feature, on a wide variety of our popular Cat C titles. Community gaming allows anyone playing Rainbow Riches Money Mad Mushrooms, Super Repeater, Money Mad Martians or Return of Money Mad Martians to play communally. If one player triggers a community feature in their game, then all other players will benefit even if they are playing a different title.It’s innovation in action,and with SG Gaming being the first to offer this new feature, it is testament to our focus on improving the player experience.

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NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Content feature Two Weeks

CS: What lessons have manufacturers learned for the next generation of Cat C machines?

RM: Evolving content is key to providing a good content mix that is popular with players as well as helping drive cashbox performance for operators. Technology that operates machines is also essential. Providing the player with a simple and easy journey through functionality such as ticket in, ticket out can make the playing experience more flexible. This functionality in particular has proved popular due to the ease with which players can play from terminal to terminal within a venue as well as the f lexibil-

ity of cashing out their tickets when they have finished their playing session.

CS: Which new Category C titles did you present at ACOS? How have they tested, and how do they differ from previous titles?

RM:We recently launched a couple of exciting new Cat C community games - Monopoly Hot Properties and Elvis Juke Box Rock, so these were the two titles we were most excited to present at ACOS. These titles are the first branded licensed community games we have produced for the sector, so they presented an opportunity for us to offer something new to our customers and players.The feedback so far has been very positive, which reflects the depth and variety of our content offering.

CS: How do you foresee the role of licences in the future development of Cat C titles?

RM: For operators, a varied content portfolio is paramount in providing players with a compelling mix of features and titles.We have found that brands in general can be leveraged to provide the basis for compelling new content.

Licences have the advantage of combining a familiar theme - be that Monopoly or Elvis - with a compelling gaming format. The brand’s familiarity factor helps players easily engage with a new title ensures an overall entertaining gaming experience.

Bectom addition the Blueprint for success While businesses are still charting their course through the post-recession apocolypse, Blueprint provide living proof that a good business strategy and smart acquisitions can lead to good results in the popular Cat C sector. here are precious few corners of the gaming world which could claim to be as ripe with Tpotential as the Cat C market. Blueprint Gaming are a testament to this capacity for growth, having taken a significant market share in the UK analogue Category C sector in just 18 months.

And the Gauselmann-owned company has been keen to extend its reach, this time through the recent acquisition of young design house Betcom.

“Despite continuing challenging trading conditions from the pub retail and AGC sectors, Blueprint has managed to go from a standing start in the reel-based Category C sector to becoming one of the top three manufacturers of this style of game in the UK,” said Simon Barff, managing director of Blueprint Gaming Machines Division.

“This not only goes to show that there was room for another manufacturing and game design house in the market, it proves that we picked the best of breed games design house with Betcom.

Now that the Gauselmann Group has acquired the company, we have a clear road map for analogue over the coming year including making the crossover from our successful analogue games to digital, with Let’s Get Kraken already making that transition and popular Betcom titles coming soon. We will continue to work closely with our customers to make the product the best that they can operate with ongoing improvements.”

Blueprint recently showed its range of reelbased Category C products at the London ACOS show. These included Let’s Get Kraken, which has received the full range of retailer approvals as well as the follow-on games Superheroes and Luck of the Irish.

Blueprint is now producing a new analogue Category C product every six weeks. However, the rapid growth and success of Blueprint’s reelbased machines could not have been achieved, the company says, without their distributor Paul Wilson from PW Sales. “He has done an amazing job for us over the last 12 months and has unparalleled experience and contacts in the industry,” added Barff.

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Sector Overview SWOT ANALYSIS Evidenced most recently by a raft of new product at the Autumn Coin-op Show, manufacturers, distributors and operators alike are working hard to maximise the opportunities the £1/£100 Cat C stake and prize levels have brought. at C games which pay out £100 following the Triennial prize uplift back in January have established themselves in the market, proving once more that the UK coin-op industry can produce entertaining machines that players are prepared to shove their hardearned into.

The Cat C or, for those who prefer acronyms to abbreviations,AWP sector is an industry staple and an inevitable byproduct is that it has become one of the most heavily-debated machine categories in the UK coin-op sector. It could be reasonably argued that it provides the benchmark for the rest of the amusement and soft gaming business.

It is with happiness and relief, therefore, that the latest raft of £1/£100 products that have emerged from the UK’s leading manufacturers are - based on anecdotal and factual evidence - pretty good.

Continued research and development with reference to broadband connections, online updates, the synergy between coinop and apps and the interconnectivity of products across an entire estate is being rigorously carried out behind the scenes, yet the future for Cat C gameplay remains unpredictable. Certainly, the AWP will in some way tread the digital path, which will hopefully lead us all to those full cashboxes we all crave.

UK coin-op manufacturers are consistently good at producing games that stand up to both player scrutiny and the test of time - and often this is down to increased discussion with distributors who have built up good relationships with operators.

The Cat C sector has been with us for decades now.The genre therefore offers comfort and familiarity to players who are happy to part with loose change for a punt at winning a ton, and has developed due in no small part to gradual stake and prize increases over the years.What has changed, fundamentally, however, is the prevailing attitude by industry stakeholders to the sector.The ethos these days seems to be very much how to provide value for money, both to the player and the operator.

An ever-growing band of coin-op stakeholders have enjoyed the boost that January’s Triennial has handed them, reinforcing the underlying belief thatAWPs can continue to be prolific cashbox earners, regardless of their guise in terms of what is presented to the player.

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COMMENT

Meaningful prize level has brought new creativity

Time flies when you’re having fun

alex lee comment As a result, the Cat C sector has staged something of a renaissance since the first £1/£100 prototypes were revealed at EAG 2014.

Major players in the genre have some seriously strong offers despite the muchadvertised decline of the traditional UK pub.The obvious positive response to pub closures is that it’s as much about the cream rising to the top as it is about the unfairness of the Smoke Ban, the price of a pint and the fact that adults can play casino games on their smartphones.Furthermore, the pubs that have survived tend to be popular, well-frequented and keen to site as much Cat C entertainment as is permitted.

With such a challenging backdrop,latest £1/£100 stake and prize levels notwithstanding, the Cat C sector has developed into a multi-strand concern that looks strong enough to support the needs of pubs of all types, rather than becoming fragmented to the point of collapse. Furthermore, there are plenty of AGCs and bingo halls that have Cat C machines on site and both these styles of venue have been keen to get involved with the genre.

All the provincial events of 2014 postEAG, along with the Autumn Coin-op Show saw a number of market-ready machines, illustrating the industry’s faith in the sector.

The Category C sector now boasts many styles - hi-tech, lo-tech, reel-based, videobased, community and Cat C Lite, with the unifying elements being the £1-£100 stake and prize level and gameplay which continue to tread a fine line between its skill and random elements. Compendiums are becoming much more commonplace too as well as the digital platform iPub, which has encouraged a wider player base.The unifying factor of all the above, however, is an ability to entertain a large customer demographic with easy-to-understand gameplay and features.

As well as the AWPs sited in the 48,000 pubs across the UK, there are a further 47,000 AWPs across all gambling sectors in the UK (AGC, bingo, LBO and casino) according to the latest available BBPA and Gambling Commission figures. Add to these numbers those in operation in working men’s clubs and service stations and one could reasonably estimate that there are more than 100,000 Cat C machines on site in the UK. Despite industry contraction, therefore, opportunities still exist for competition and innovation.

SWOT ANALYSIS CATEGORY C STRENGTHS • Cat C is ‘part of the furniture’ in pubs, AGCs and bingo, therefore very approachable from older players’ perspective • Growing numbers of manufacturers and distributors creating healthy competition in the sector • £1 now universally seen as an ‘impulse spend’, therefore £1/£70 stakes still acceptable to players WEAKNESSES • Reduced consumer spend • Value for money from player’s perspective can still be questionable in certain subgenres • Lack of relevance to teenage bracket OPPORTUNITIES • £100 prize level is a meaningful amount to players and has afforded developers greater creativity • Updatable content via dongles/CDs/online lessens need for shipping, reducing costs and makes it easier to bring new games to market • Community, compendium, videobased and multi-stake games on the rise THREATS • More pubs becoming food-led • Pub closures • Mobile gaming on tablets/smartphones/laptops

We all know that reel-based gameplay can’t and won’t last forever, but this single site staple now serves a dual purpose. It’s still the quintessential pocket-money change entertainment product, but is now imbued with a top prize that is actually worth something.

Having seen the sheer volume of new Cat C products in Coinslot week-in, weekout, domestic manufacturers, distributors and suppliers know precisely how to meet the needs of the operator and the player.

‘time flies when you’re having applies perfectly to many pastimes, Tnothefun’leastcliché the myriad of coin-op entertainment available these days. Back in March this year, a major Cat content provider predicted a renaissance year for Cat C gaming and to be fair to them they look as if they were bang on the money.

The re-emergence of the Cat C sector as a main income driver for the UK’s adult gaming centres and bingo clubs is still very much on the cards, since those sage-like words were spoken eight months ago.

Many different types of Cat C games were launched at EAG 2014 and time has told that the bulk of them have received an excellent response from operators and players alike.

There can be no doubt that £100 represents the biggest growth opportunity for AGCs and bingo over the next 12 to 18 months.

Inevitably, it has taken time for developers to work out how best to position the games’ features and reward rate, but it certainly looks like players have responded well to what is effectively a new product group.

The £100 prize level has enabled operators of low stake gaming to re-establish what the key offering is and to differentiate it from the rest of gaming on the high street. The sector is still very much on a journey in terms of establishing how to best maximise the opportunities presented by the latest stake and prize levels, but there are tangible signs that the industry, and ultimately the player, have reacted to the latest uplift incredibly positively.

It is my personal belief that pubs, regardless of who they are owned by, should make more of an effort to promote their Cat C machines. Let’s face it, when money goes into those AWPs, we’re all winners, despite some not necessarily getting quite as big a cut as they’d like. A small cut of something is of course always preferable to a 100 per cent cut of nothing. I was appalled to hear from a longstanding industry stakeholder the other month that on some occasions when pubs are really busy the coin-op machines just get switched off!

I simply cannot see the sense in not promoting the additional coin-op entertainment on offer in pubs - regardless of the potential footfall. If someone wants to spend their loose change on a coin-op game, let them. In fact, actively encourage it! Everyone’s heard of pies and that the pubs tend to serve hand-pulled beer - not everyone knows that inside tens of thousands of pubs there’s a world of affordable entertainment starting at 30p a pop.

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Market Analysis OPERATIONS

Innovation in danger, warns Davies With Cat C producing positive results in the pub sector, a temptation to forgo development could be fatal warns Gamestec’s Peter Davies.

With 2014 drawing to a close, nationwide operator Gamestec is offering a tentative thumbs up to the first 12 months of the £100 Cat C era.

“The Cat C market is in reasonable health and the second half of 2014 has seen some strong performing games coming through,”said the company’s commercial director, Peter Davies.

However, Davies is keeping a close watch on innovation in the sector. He is keen to ensure that suppliers and manufacturers do not rest comfortably by relying on tried and tested machines, in place of searching for the next big thing. “A select few are investing in new gaming and technology platforms,” he said.“Continued investment into research and development is vital in order to sustain and develop the sector for the future.”

This confidence in the power of R&D is born from experience, with brand new Cat C games performing well across

W

Gamestec’s 10,500 locations.“Bell Fruit’s Deal or No Deal Winfall has been a standout success,” noted Davies.“It’s a perfect example of how effective product evolution and development can combine to attract new players and additional spend.

The combination of the brand, simplistic game play and visual impact of the digital screen seems to capture players’ imaginations and keep them playing for longer.”

Still, says Davies, the success of machines like Winfall should not lead to stagnation. “I think the games design process is evolutionary in its nature and is a constant. Manufacturers and designers build upon successful features, statistical profiles and brands. £100 offered a new prize level to embrace and I think games that are working well have found the right balance between entertaining themes and features that provide the player with an enjoyable experience.”

However, this process of constant renewal will inevitably create reassessment, as has been the case with the Cat C Lite in Gamestec’s pub-centric business. “We have trialled a number of Cat C Lite products in the pub sector,” said Davies,“however, £100 Cat C is proving to be more popular with customers. Cat C Lite is finding a place in AGCs and some bingo locations.”

There remains plenty of potential for the future of Cat C development, but there’s no doubt that strong licensed games will continue to drive the cashbox. “Licensed products have dominated the Cat C market in recent history,” noted Davies, but the Gamester director once again counselled against relying too heavily on one proven element. “The right brand serves to attract play,” he said, “but the game underneath needs to deliver players’ expectations and keep them returning to play.”

OPERATIONS

The digital/analogue divide For Nigel Davis, head of machines at Praesepe, the success of ACOS hints towards bright prospects for the Cat C market. But across the country, a gulf between digital and reel-based cashbox is emerging.

S: How did the range of Cat C machines on show at ACOS leave you feeling about the future of the C sector?

ND:As with all shows I always come away with a positive feeling about the industry as a whole, and ACOS was no different.As we’ve experienced with our annual Machine Symposium,the industry is at its best when it gets together in the right atmosphere and simply talks gaming.We need events such as ACOS and from what was on show I would say that the Cat C sector has a healthy future.

CS: How do you foresee the role of licences in the development of future Cat C titles?

ND: Some of the most successful products in the history of UK gaming have been based around licences: the ubiquitous DOND series being a case in point. However, a licence won’t make a good game.The really clever part of game development is the maths. If an AWP was a car, the maths would be the engine and the licence the body work.

Licences provide what Americans term ‘kerb appeal’, but no more than that. I think there are three crucial aspects to licences: their popularity with machine players, their availability, and their affordability. If all three boxes can be ticked, then licenses can be an important part of the gaming offering - but they are definitely not a panacea.

Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

reels has been very mixed.

CS: Have you seen noticeably better performance from machines designed specifically for the £100 jackpot, rather than older machines CS: 2014 saw the creation of the Cat C which were retrofitted in the wake of the TriLite category. How are these machiennial Review? nesfaring with customers?

ND: It’s a bit more complex than that. Praesepe ND: Our customers and the population at has AGC venues and bingo clubs throughout the large are still suffering the impact of the country and our experience shows the key point recession with the real value of wages declinof difference relates to digital games versus reels, ing and with that shrinking levels of disrather than games which have been conposable income. As such our mission has verted compared to machines to be the delivery of value for designed specifically for the money gaming entertainment £100 jackpot. Digital prodand it’s a mantra which is at ucts overall have been a the heart of the busisuccess story: with dediness. From the playcated £100 performing ers perspective a well alongside those 20p game, with a which have been conwith a 50:1 jackpot verted. The cash box ratio is always going of dedicated £100 to represent a good reel based games offer. Furthermore has been generthe changes to the ally good but the Cat C technical stanNIGEL DAVIS, HEAD OF performance of dards have further MACHINES, PRAESEPE converted enhanced that offer.

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Market Analysis PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

TECHNOLOGY

Versatility across the Cat C spectrum

A Liter play Bridgend manufacturer Empire Games is unique in that its Cat C machines are exclusively of the new Type 2 Cat Lite variant. For sales manager Steve Young, the products provide operators with an enticingly affordable player-friendly alternative. he creation of the Cat C Lite category in the aftermath of the 2013 Triennial Review presented Bridgend-based Empire TGames with a unique opportunity. The Novomatic subsidiary

Reflex Gaming were well prepared for the Gambling Commission’s 2013 triennial review. The resultant £100 jackpot rise has seen director Quentin Stott offer a range of new titles covering the Cat C gamut - inclusive of hi tech, slot-style, compendium and Cat C Lite machinery.

S: Which new Category C titles did you present at ACOS? How have they tested, and how do they differ to previous titles?

QS:At ACOS we showed a wide range of Category C titles. For the hi tech sector we had Blow The Bank,Chilli Con Carnage,Hit the Dracpot and Maid of Money. Maid of Money has now received full retailer approvals and Chilli Con Carnage is currently doing well on test and we hope for approvals for injection in the New Year.

ACOS also saw the unveiling of our latest Cat C digital compendium, Royal £100, which is housed in our Video Atom cabinet.This is a completely new concept for us, as it will be available to rent on a two-year contract, during which time it will be supplied with fresh proven content from Reflex, including hi-tech and slot style games.The reaction from customers was everything we hoped for and we are finalising internal testing on this product. Finally, we also showed two ‘Mini’ Cat C lite machines at ACOS: Lady Luck Band of Gold Mini and Robin the Rich Mini.

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CS: With the £100 jackpot settling in, which new entries seem to be performing particularly well, and why?

QS: We actually started to prepare for the £100 jackpot well ahead of the Triennial in 2013 so that we could hit the ground running.Thanks to the dedication of the Reflex team and our commitment to the Category C sector we did very well from the start with our £100 machines.

CS: What lessons have manufacturers learned for the next generation of Cat C machines?

Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

QS:We have learned from the uptake of the new jackpot and technical standards that these changes really do help the industry by allowing us to progress and refresh our offering for the players. We now have to clearly demonstrate this to the regulators so that we don’t see a delay in future positive changes for our sector.

CS: 2014 saw the creation of the Cat C Lite category. Do you offer these machines? How do you think they will fare with operators and customers?

QS:We do offer Category C Lite machines:the term of which came about as a result of a combination of social law being Category C and 5% lower MGD rate under fiscal law.This has in effect given us an economical £10/£5 jackpot machine for adult environments.We have focused on three models this year, Lady Luck Band of Gold, Robin The Rich and Bank Raid Platinum. These machines have offered something new and refreshing to the ACG and bingo sectors and we feel there is even an opportunity for them in pub retail estates in place of some tired SWP positions.

CS: How do you foresee the role of licences in the future development of Category C titles?

QS: Licences have always had their place as the icing on the product, so to speak.They offer the player something familiar to identify with on a new machine.However,despite the fact that there have been some very successful licences, there are many that have failed.We haven’t gone down the route of licensing yet, but it is maybe something that we will do in the near future.

specialises in the new market opening, viewing it as an opportunity to attract a new player-base.

“Cat C Lite is a very welcome development for the industry: it gives us the opportunity to develop exciting new games to entertain both old and, more crucially, new players,” remarked Empire sales manager Steve Young. “It also gives ours customers the opportunity to offer a broader spectrum of machine categories in their gaming areas.”

At just five per cent, the lower Machine Game Duty (MGD) is an obvious draw: “It gives the customer value for money,” Young added, “creating an attractive package at the lighter end of the gambling spectrum.”

Empire’s lineage lies within the bingo and arcade sectors, and it’s here that the company has seen greatest uptake of its new Cat C Lite products. “We’ve had them described as ‘visually stunning’, and ‘great games’,” remarked Young. “We think that both the bingo and arcade sectors have been looking for something different, and Type 2 Cat C Lite delivers just that.”

The diversity of the Empire product range benefits from its close relationship with fellow Novomatic Group member Astra Games. “Working alongside Astra has given us provided us with more resource than ever before to develop our brand of games, and allowed us to open new doors to provide digital content across a broad range of platforms,” Young surmised.

For Young, the future success of the Cat C Lite category will depend upon its appeal as a low-cost alternative for operators.

“The potential for both short and long term success will depend on the continued development of new and great games for the players,” he said. “More importantly, as the Type 2 category is subject to any future changes in MGD, staying at the rate of five percent will be a key factor going forward.”

STEVE YOUNG, SALES MANAGER, EMPIRE GAMES

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Market Perspectives LICENSING

Licences: the hook, not the knockout Buoyed by the stabilisation of the pub-sector and the continued success of its Deal or No Deal licence, Bell-Fruit Games’ sales and marketing director John McLoughlin insists the good gameplay is at the heart of any machine’s success.

S: What is the general state of the Cat C market right now?

JM:The Cat C market is in reasonable health at the moment and we have seen a reduction the in the number of pub closures in more recent times.This is good news for both manufacturers and operators; when pubs were closing at up to 35 per week, this had a negative effect on machine injection and also damaged operators who had invested in product for pubs that were no longer trading.

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games team at BFG have carried out a lot of analysis of game performance since the arrival of £100 and have used this analysis in the development of our recent games, such as DoND Best Offer, Box 23, Double Up and The Next Level.We are also seeing some very positive results on our latest QPS game, Jackpotty Farm, so we are quietly confident for the future.

CS: What lessons do you think that manufacturers have learned when it comes to designing the next generation of Cat C machines?

CS: With the middle part of 2014 seeing the introduction of machines designed JM: Obviously I cannot comment for other specifically for the new £100 jackpot, manufacturers, but the team here at BFG which of BFG’s new entries seem to be has spent much time analysing players’ performing particularly well, and why? reactions to the £100 jackpot and we have JM: Deal or No Deal Winfall has been a huge tried to build on the features that players success ever since its launch many months find attractive. Our current form seems to ago and this model is BFG’s biggest seller indicate that we have got this right, but I since Deal or No Deal The Big One. The obviously don’t want to reveal anything fur-

ther about how we have achieved this!

CS: 2014 saw the creation of the Cat C Lite category. How do you think they will fare with operators and customers?

JM:We do offer Cat C Lite, but take up has been relatively modest so far. Several pub companies are increasing machine density levels at the moment, but are doing this with £100 machines rather than with Cat C Lite.Within the AGC sector, however, Cat JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, SALES AND MARKETING C Lite is establishing itself.

DIRECTOR, BELL-FRUIT GAMES

CS: How do you foresee the role of licences in the future development of Cat C titles?

JM: Licences remain important to us and we are delighted to have recently renewed the DOND licence. We are also very pleased to have secured the licence for Queen, and our first game using this licence, Queen We are the Champions, has

just gone out on test.This game makes use of many of the awesome rock anthems created by Queen, and these songs really add to the pleasure experienced by the player.

The fact remains, however, that whilst a strong licence can attract players, it is the strength of the game that makes the player come back time after time.

Boulton can be complacent. “We are immensely excited about a new licence coming out of Bell-Fruit Group,” he tells us, “it’s going on to test at the moment.”

Licensed material is somewhat of a speciality for the company.With the weight of the Novomatic Group behind it,RLMS is able to offer a large number of in-house brands from its sister companies, like Party Time, Bullion Bars and Reel King from Astra,Novomatic’s Magic Games, and Empire’s Gold Run. Monopoly has also proved its worth within the pub and AGC market. “Strong licences and brands are never a guarantee of success,”adds Boulton,“but they can make a good game great.”

Rounding off the RLMS ACOS line-up was Hot Spot Deluxe, the latest digital compendium from Astra, and a number of Cat C Lite models, including Empire’s Clockwork Oranges (yet to test). Boulton notes the mixed reception of this newly created category. “There was a lot of buzz at the start of the year around Cat C Lite,”he says.“We have had some success, but I think there’s work to be done in terms of stakeholders understanding what the rationale behind it is.”

In terms of new product, Boulton notes a disparity between market segments.With

hi-tech Cat C, RLMS has good reason to be confident: partner Bell-Fruit Games is already on its third wave of £100 models.

“Seven of the top-ten best-selling Cat C hitech machines originate from the Bell-Fruit Group,” says Boulton,“the result of a lot of hard work,perseverance,and analysis of performance data from initial £100 models.”But with lo-tech,the climate has been more challenging. “Some new models work fantastically well in some sites,but not in others,”he remarks.“I’ve come to the conclusion that a machine’s success is as much dependant on being a ‘great game’ as it is in being in a great location, with good footfall and canny operator promotion.”

That said, Boulton is optimistic about the future of the Cat C market:“When you combine walk up appeal, strong licences, and a balance between value and return-on-investment, I think we’ll see a growing player base for £100 machines in 2015 and compelling reasons for non-pub operators to allocate investment in this area.” For Boulton, this expansion beyond the usual Cat C remit is a business objective which will require all hands on deck:“Innovation will win the day,” he concludes,“but it needs all stakeholders to try make it happen.”

DISTRIBUTION

Riding Hi With DoND and its other highprofile licences, RLMS Sales is enviably well-placed in the hi-tec Cat C market. But for managing director Phil Boulton, growth beyond the traditional Cat C pub marketplace requires further stakeholder cooperation.

PHIL BOULTON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, RLMS SALES

Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

LMS Sales showed its ‘here and now’ Cat C range at the Autumn Coin Op Show.

R “There was very little unproven on our stand,” explains Phil Boulton, managing director at RLMS. Upcoming titles for 2015, such as three-player House of Fortune and GoldVault,were delegated to the Astra stand. Whilst the RLMS display was small, it contained a broad offering of Cat C models, including the year’s best-seller: Deal or No Deal (DoND) Win Fall, as well as October front-runner DoND Box 23.

Now in its eighth year, the gameshow licence has grown into one of the most recognisable brands in the business. But this doesn’t mean

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Market Perspectives MANUFACTURING

THEMES

Pirates and cowboys: 24 Seven talk entertainment and longevity ANDREW POWELL, DIRECTOR AT G-SQUARED GAMES

Innovation: the core of future development With ‘Willy Wonga’ and ‘Kung Fu Pounda’ both making the entry into the pub market this year, Coinslot spoke to Andrew Powell, director at manufacturer G-Squared Games, regarding their current and ongoing Cat C production.

S: Which new Category C titles did you present at ACOS? AP:We presented “Willy Wonga” at ACOS, which has now gained full retailer approvals on the back of some extremely strong test figures.Willy Wonga is a 3 reel, 5 win line game with a choclately theme and is the first Cat C ever to feature a 3D lenticular attract panel. Given the theme we thought it would be fun so have some bespoke chocolate bars to accompany the machine and judgeing by how quickly they disappeared at ACOS I think it’s fair to say they were enjoyed!

C

CS: Which of your new Cat C entries seem to be performing well?

AP: From G-Squared,“Kung Fu Pounda”and “Willy Wonga” have been our stand-out models: both gaining full retailer approvals. Both games offer the player a new dimension in playability which, coupled with stand-out visuals and sound effects, creates a combination that keeps players playing.

facturers in the Cat C pub market we are all pushing each other on, which brings games up a notch.This has been particularly noticeable over the last year which has seen numerous new concepts, both in terms of games and presentational enhancements.This is hugely beneficial to the industry and for the future of Cat C specifically.

CS: What future developments can we expect from G-Squared Games?

AP:We have recently invested in a new factory and development facility.The results of this investment are beginning to come to fruition and we have several exciting projects underway that will be revealed in 2015.

CS: How do you foresee the role of licences in the future development of Cat C titles?

AP:Whilst I would not rule out a licensed game for G-Squared, this is not something we’re actively looking at.We have proved (along with Reflex and Blueprint) that you do not need a licence to produce a fantastic game.We’re committed to producing CS: What lessons have manufacturers machines at a price that operators can learned for the next generation of Cat C afford and will not add unnecessary cost machines?

AP: Innovation, innovation, innovation. unless we are sure there is a significant tanNow that there are four established manu- gible benefit for operators and retailers.

Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Managing director of 24 Seven Gaming Simon McCarthy notes a distinct aesthetic shift in his company’s latest two releases. A new kid on the block under his current brand, McCarthy looks to that most basic of play factors - fun - to stimulate crucial cashbox success.

S: Which new Category C titles are heading to market?

C SM:Two new titles premiered at ACOS Blackbeard’s Bounty and Wild Wild West Tin Can Alley. Blackbeard’s Bounty is out on several sites in phase one of its rollout plan with an additional quantity going out under phase two within the next three weeks.We’re endeavouring to release Wild Wild West prior to the Christmas period.This may be difficult given the current development schedule and build up to EAG - but we love a challenge!

entertainment and enjoyment, so it’s important to ensure that we encompass a broad range of the player base.To do this, the games must have longevity and entertainment throughout.

CS: 2014 saw the creation of the CAT C Lite category. How do you think they will fare with operators and customers?

SM:We do not currently cover this category within our portfolio - but as with any market sector we intend to keep a watching brief and review each possible CS: How do these titles differ from other opportunity on its own merits. releases?

SM: Both Blackbeard’s Bounty and Wild CS: Can you foresee a role for licenced Wild West - TCA are both aesthetically machines in the future development of different to what is on offer in the market your Cat C titles? place, as well as including additional fea- SM: 24 Sevens’ policy is to develop and ture and game enhancements to enter- produce unique products and themes. tain the player in a new and enjoyable In this respect, licensed brands do not format. Both models are based on exten- figure into our strategy at this stage.Howsive market research and development ever, there’s no argument over the to ensure all aspects of £100 game play market success of DOND, and I wouldn’t and trends are incorporated into them. say that if the‘right’licence became available that we wouldn’t pursue it.As I’ve said previously: it’s all about the comCS: What lessons have manufacturers learned for the next generation of Cat C mercials and the cashbox performance to determine if the cost of the license is machines?

SM: For 24 Seven, our games are about a viable proposition.

SIMON MCCARTHY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, 24 SEVEN GAMING

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Market Perspectives ANALOGUE

Analogue: alive and well for Astra With sales of high-tech Cat C carrying on apace, sales and marketing director of Astra Games Alan Rogers claims its in analogue where the company is experiencing its current boon. he Autumn Coin-op Show was an opportunity for Astra to showcase both the new, and the tried-and tested. “We showed Bullion Bar Arena which achieved a very positive response,” explained sales and marketing director Alan Rogers.“As far as three-players were concerned we had House of Fortune and Gold Vault: those are our next generation games for 2015 launch and,again,they were well received at ACOS.” The company’s digital sales are coming along nicely: with sales up of its iPub unit as well across its wider video range. But as Rogers is quick to add:“Analogue is still alive and kicking!”

It’s here in its classic range that Astra is currently enjoying the most success.“Our

T

Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Bullion Bar, multi-stake, streak style products are doing very, very well,” Rogers confirms, “we’re seeing a nice steady flow of orders coming in for them.”

For Rogers, the increase in Cat C jackpot presented manufacturers with a careful balance to be struck.“Players aren’t stupid when the new jackpot was first introduced we were aware that from a player perspective it was a big jump from £1/£70 to £1/£100, and that they knew the extra £30 has to come from somewhere.”Astra’s solution has been to provide the player with a flexible play experience.“With the expertise of our design team,” continues Rogers, “we’ve learned to produce games that deliver the kind of ‘little and often wins’ you’d achieve on the old £25 machines with

the opportunity to streak to more respectable wins.”

Astra has dipped its toe in the water of the newly created Cat C Lite category, but Roger notes that market traction in this area has been relatively slow to develop.“What we’ve seen is that it’s more a case of the product being compared, unfavourably in our opinion, with traditional Cat C models,” states Rogers.“Where customers have identified a niche for it,they are seeing a healthy uplift in takes.”

Echoing Bell-Fruit’s John McLoughlin, Rogers claims that whilst the right licence can benefit machine performance if the brand and location compliment each other, the degree of each machine’s success hangs on its game design and playability.“You can

ALAN ROGERS, SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR, ASTRA GAMES

have the most attractive looking, most high profile branded Cat C machine in your location, but if it doesn’t give the player that ‘amusement with prize’ feel, the chances are they will walk away”he says.“As we constantly like to remind ourselves at Astra:it’s the game that matters most - first,last and always!”

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Products REFLEX GAMING

Royal £100 breaking down barriers towards digital acceptance Making its debut at the recent Autumn Coin-op Show, Reflex Gaming’s new Royal £100 digital Cat C unit may well be breaking new ground. ategory C covers a wide range of operating possibilities:, from hi to lo-tech to Cat C lite and digital compendiums.Reflex Gaming has developed products for all of these subsectors and is a market leader for retail pub,AGC, arcade and bingo operators.

Its current crop of products for the hitech arena include Blow the Bank, Chilli Con Carnage, Hit the Dracpot and Maid of Money.

The company also offers three two ‘Mini’ Cat C Lite machines: Bank Raid Platinum Lady, Luck Band of Gold Mini and Robin the Rich Mini.These have a 10/20p price of play and a £5/£10 jackpot, all both attracting the 5% lower MGD rate.

At the recent Autumn Coin-op Show in London, Reflex unveiled a new concept in digital Category C gaming, with a compendium designed to move through retailer estates in exactly much the same way as a reel-based game.

Royal £100 is a ten-game compendium housed in Reflex’s Video Atom cabinet, which will be available to rent on a twoyear contract. Throughout the rental period the machine will be supplied with fresh proven content from Reflex, including hi-tech and slot- style games.

Royal £100 will be provided to operators for the rental term, allowing them to move the machines to new locations, or update existing ones on site. Once the two years is through, operators simply return the machines back to Reflex. New compendium titles are also being developed, allowing operators to follow Royal £100 with other digital machines from Reflex, giving the cascade effect through Pubco estates.

“We received an extremely positive response to Royal £100 at ACOS,” stated Reflex director Quentin Stott. “Customers indicated that this model could break down the final barriers to complete acceptance of digital in the retail pub sector.”

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SURJ STOTT, SALES MANAGER, REFLEX GAMING, WITH THE ROYAL £100

QUENTIN STOTT EXPLAINS THE STRATEGY BEHIND ROYAL £100 “We examined all of the existing methods used for introducing digital to the Category C retail sector and we felt that, in the main, they have failed so far. The problem is that the investment for many operators is too onerous and then the machines are supposed to stay on the same piece of carpet for years to be updated with new games. Instead, we believe that by treating video Category C in a similar way as analogue and moving the machines through operators’ estates, we can get past the barriers of acceptance to the concept. In effect, rather than trying to change the market in order to increase video Cat C penetration, we are adapting our strategy to fit the current commercials. Critically, there will be no major investment necessary, operators can just take it on rental. In addition, we have something that most other suppliers don’t - a suite of retailerapproved games, including Hot Shots, Fiddle A Fortune, Best of British and Galloping Jackpots to spearhead the product, backed by successful poker and slot-based games.”

QUENTIN STOTT, DIRECTOR, REFLEX GAMING Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Products CROWN DIRECT

ASTRA GAMES

Mastering gaming science

Astra Games’ latest Cat C package is Hot stuff

For Crown Direct, the work of SG Gaming is among the most popular machines and components that they currently supply. he Cat C machine estate forms the backbone of any AGC/bingo operation and SG Gaming has really hit the mark with their Triple 7 Community Gaming offer.Following on from Elvis Juke Box Rock, the manufacturer has another player favourite, Monopoly Hot Property.

Both these iconic brands add to the fun and entertainment value of the product.

The variety of Cat C games has allowed operators to expand their Cat C offer beyond the traditional three-player set-up to create a wider community gaming offer by simply linking the machines to the community network. When more machines are connected this really brings some genuine excitement when the com-

T

munity feature is triggered.“I can honestly say I have witnessed a group of players shouting ‘asteroids’ at the top of their voices when the legendary Money Mad Martians feature kicks in,” said Crown managing director, Dean Harding.

The variety of stake options allows a cost effective entry point for players to “stay and play” with the chance to trigger the community feature.

SG Gaming has another innovative feature in its portfolio: ‘linked games’.This fea-

Bridgend manufacturer Astra Games looks to offer operators greater choice in game selection when it comes to their latest machine, Hot £100 stra Games is currently enjoying a sustained run of form in the Cat C AWP A sector of the market, proving once again

ture links specially selected community games together when the player triggers the community. This allows the players to play their favourite game and still be in the shared community.

SG have effectively used different artwork sets to help to market the different brands and associated games.

“This allows expansion of the community gaming experience,” explained Harding,“and I do believe this feature with its integral excitement has been one of the milestone developments for Cat C machines over recent years.”

The £100 Jackpot has proved to be very popular and there are further opportunities to now revisit the game menus and upgrade the £70 games to £100. The management of the game menus and effectively using ‘featured game’ slots to promote new purchased games is the secret formula to successful Cat C operating.

Another way of marketing the £100 jackpot and refreshing the machine appearance is by upgrading ageing toppers. SG Gaming has a wide range of artwork and complimentary ‘Community Gaming’ toppers inserts. We have seen several AGC refurbishment developments taking this cost effective route in conjunction with a Triple 7 artwork and the overall effect is stunning.

“Moving forward we anticipate a lot of interest in the latest Cat C developments and we expect to see even more complementary games in the pipeline for the forthcoming EAG trade show,” said Harding.“You can be rest assured that Crown Direct will have all the latest Cat C developments on display.”

Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

that great design doesn’t happen by accident. The company is firing on all fronts with multiplayers including Bullion Bars, Party Time, House of Fortune and Gold Vault, and has recently added a new game compendium to its Cat C portfolio in the form of Hot £100.

Included in Hot £100 are some of the best and most familiar games available in the market place. The tried and tested library of titles comprises Lucky Bet Roulette, DOND Roulette, Win Wishes , Crazy Reel King, Cops & Robbers Lucky Streak, 100-2-1, Mega Free Spins Golden Key, Wild Party, Royal Flush Poker, DOND Lucky Streak, Happy Hour, Round the Town, and Snakes and Ladders.

According to sales and marketing director Alan Rogers, the AGC sector is perfectly positioned when it comes to making the right choices for its customers, especially given the changing nature of the UK player base in terms of nationality and playing habits.

He commented: “We took a decision to give the operators a product that puts them in the driving seat where player choice is concerned. And that gives the savvy operator an opportunity to profile the games to suit their venues and demographics. They know more than anyone about the kind of people they are attracting in to play and those they are seeking to attract - they are the experts. So why shouldn’t they have more control?”

While some might say that’s a tricky brief to fulfil, Rogers is convinced that Astra has more than risen to the challenge. He concluded: “Hot £100 achieves exactly what we set out to do, because it delivers true flexibility for the operator, allowing them to tailor their offer to what the players really want, not what we might assume they want.”

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BLUEPRINT GAMING

Leveraging resources propels Blueprint to the top Taking inspiration from its success in other sectors, Blueprint Gaming has created a range of digital Cat C games which continues to inspire and excite operators nationwide. lueprint Gaming is the undisputed market leader when it comes to digital B Category C machines in the UK, with more units on site than any other manufacturer currently around 3,000.

The combination of reliable technology built by Blueprint Gaming’s parent company, the Gauselmann Group, and the finest Category C content from Blueprint’s own design team, along with the the recently acquired design house Betcom, has proven to be unbeatable. Blueprint is also working with other third party game developers to ensure the best and freshest content for its digital compendiums.

Much of the success of King of Games and the other digital compendium offerings from Blueprint lies in the ongoing development and evolution of games across the categories.

“We are very flexible at looking at games in different categories and utilising the game content that has been tried and tested,” said operations director,Andy Hall.“So we would look at our best games for online, LBO, B3 for example - and then work with the content division to see whether they would work as Category C games. Many of our Category C slots games take their DNA from our highly successful B3 games. The King of Games Gold package has proved extremely

successful since its launch in September and we have introduced more Category C AGCorientated games.”

Blueprint Gaming unveiled its latest digital Category C community game, designed for the AGC and bingo sectors,at the Autumn Coin-op Show.Wish Upon A Bonus is available in a two or three-player format and is housed in the Chrome Genie cabinet,making use of hi-resolution digital graphics. It contains four standalone games, including the title community game Wish Upon A Bonus.

Among the other games is Genie Jackpots and Luck of the Irish Hot.“Wish Upon a Bonus is proving to be a great community game

within the AGC sector and performing well, against some strong competition,”said Andy.

Also available for the first time at ACOS was the free update of new games for the highly successful digital Category C compendium Genie Super Slots 100. “This latest Super Slots 100 update has already proved its worth putting more than 30 percent on the cashbox,” adds Andy.“We have worked closely with all of our customers both on the AGC and in the single site sectors to get the best possible content to maximise cashbox on our digital Category C offerings and this has been very successful for us.”

Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Products SG GAMING

Speedy service an SG hallmark SG Games’ digital ecosystem meant that they were able to roll out £100 games with impressive rapidity, and that speed of responses continues to serve them well as they developed fresh Cat C titles.

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or any Cat C provider, the key to success is providing fresh, relevant, and popular content to its customers. This process must be carefully planned in order to adapt to changes in the industry and maintain constant commitment to innovative content development.

Cat C games are popular with players because they are both entertaining and rich with features, embodying what the arcade and bingo sector offer is all about. Cat C remains an important part of the overall content mix and will continue to attract new players as long as the content remains compelling and original. SG Gaming recognise this, which is why the company works hard to improve its Cat C offering and help drive cash box performance.

Take the triennial announcement early in 2014 as an example. When the Cat C jackpot increased from £70 to £100, popular classic games such as Money Mad Martians and Rainbow Riches Party were adapted to the new £100 jackpot, allowing operators to promote already popular titles with the new jackpot advantage. The introduction of brand new Cat C titles within this process was equally important. £100 jackpot games were remotely deployed via SG Gaming’s server based platforms as soon as the triennial

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changes took effect. The sophisticated technology platform enabled operators to quickly maximise performance of these new games.

For all good suppliers, the service extends beyond just supplying good quality content and installing terminals.

Aftercare and support are equally important. That’s why SG Gaming also offers a comprehensive marketing kit, top box and cabinet artwork, plus dedicated support so customers can make the most of promoting these games.

Keen to support customers with constantly evolving Cat C games, SG Gaming launched a new Monopoly themed Triple 7 package with the brand new Community Game, Monopoly Hot Properties. Providing licensed titles such as Monopoly, as well as existing popular titles, including Elvis Juke Box Rock is a key part of SG Gaming’s offering.

Strong content is crucial in any arcade and bingo venue. For operators, access to a quality content library is paramount in growing cash box performance. And for suppliers such as SG Gaming, that means constantly innovating and providing a comprehensive one stop shop for content, gaming machines, technology platforms which includes, Ticket InTicket Out, as well as industry renowned service levels.

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BELL FRUIT GAMES

Latest DOND models are a big hit for Bell-Fruit Games ell-Fruit Games has hit upon another successful run of form in the Cat C B segment with three new models based on the seemingly unstoppable appeal of the Deal Or No Deal brand. On test, but performing brilliantly notwithstanding, are DOND Best Offer, DOND Double UP and DOND The Next Level. All three join a constantly growing line-up of illustrious DOND games, one of the most recent being DOND Winfall which is still selling strongly and finding plenty of fans in the single site sector.

BFG sales and marketing director John McLoughlin heralded the new additions to the firm’s product portfolio, saying: “We’re absolutely delighted with our latest crop of games and the fact that they have received such a warm welcome from our

customers. Once again, the DOND brand has captured the imagination of the player base, as our test performance figures clearly indicate.”

He added: “The DOND brand is, of course, highly influential in the way that these games appeal to the players. But as history has shown, a great brand on its own isn’t always a guarantee that you have a successful machine on your hands.

A significant factor in the success of these titles, and that of their predecessors, is the ability of our design team to innovate and produce a great game in its own right.”

DOND Best Offer, as its title suggests, offers the brand new ‘Best Offer’ feature.

Collect three boxes to activate the feature where the highest value offered is stored

in the best offer meter - press deal to take this. DOND Double UP comes with 50p and £1 ‘extras’ including enhanced top game entry and enhance holdovers. Players of DOND The Next Level, meanwhile, will discover that The Banker can call with a bonus at any time, awarding wins in the base game, activating new levels in the top game or even increasing the offer in the Deal or No Deal feature.

All three models are presented in the Eclipse cabinet and for operator convenience are switchable from Cat C to Cat D. They are available from BFG and RLMS Sales in time for pre-Christmas injection.

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£1395

GALLOPING JACKPOTS

£1295

MAID OF MONEY

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£2225

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£1195

WIZARD OF ODDS

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Contact Karl or Steve on Tel: 01706 883838. Fax: 01706 883839. E-mail: karl@dataleisuresales.co.uk Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Products CONCEPT GAMES

Conceptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cat C puts the smile back on operatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faces Longer play means more entertainment, according to the evidence from Concept Gamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cat C titles in the field.

Leeds based rebuild and kit manufacturer Concept Games has been experiencing a resurgence of income and popularity with its latest range of rebuild Cat C low-tech machines and kits.As the ÂŁ100 jackpots begin to take hold in AGCs - with their new ÂŁ100 Jackpot 7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Jokers selling well - recommendations from arcade operators are becoming apparent. â&#x20AC;?Customers are reporting that Conceptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ÂŁ100 jackpot machines are beginning to lead the tables in their AGCs at the detriment, it seems, of the B3 category,â&#x20AC;? said Conceptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s David Garforth.â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leading the way are our Jokers,Jackpot 7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Random Club games, along with several ÂŁ100 conversion kits on existing Electrocoin base models.This is the refreshing news that we have been hoping for over the last three years, as I believe we all want to see lower extraction machines succeed - allowing larger numbers of people to spend less for longer by migrating

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back to the longer play fun games.â&#x20AC;?

Conceptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Smileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; range of products, which are softer play, but still using the ÂŁ100 jackpot are also testing well.â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is becoming apparent that there are still long session players visiting centres, therefore slower levels of extraction and value for money play return to the player are important,â&#x20AC;? said Garforth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;legacyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stranglehold of yesteryearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stakes and prizes is slowly giving way to the bigger ÂŁ100 jackpot machines but,â&#x20AC;?said Garforth,â&#x20AC;&#x153;the play feel needs to be more obviously like theâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;little and oftenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; characteristic of the older legacy product whilst still bringing the excitement of the bigger ÂŁ100 jackpot.â&#x20AC;?

For the EAG, Concept will continue to headline its range of softer play, including Celtic Gold and Jokers and Jackpot Sevens, which are currently proving very successful.

Leeds Leisure Ltd TELEPHONE - 01132 040885

CLUB MACHINES

RAMESES RICHES (NEW)................................................... ÂŁ1,995 BEST OF BRITISH (NEW) .....................................................ÂŁPOA LETS GET JACKPOTTED (NEW) .......................................ÂŁPOA FLAMIN 400 NEW ..................................................................ÂŁPOA PUBLIC ENEMY 400 ............................................................. ÂŁ1,395 DOND RED MIST .....................................................................ÂŁ895 COPS SMASH& GRAB .............................................................ÂŁ695 COPS PLATINUM......................................................................ÂŁ395 CLASSIC GOLD DIGGER .......................................................ÂŁ375 MONTY CARLO OR BUST ...................................................ÂŁ345 COPS G OLD ..............................................................................ÂŁ295 ITALIAN JOB ..............................................................................ÂŁ195 BOOZE CRUISE ........................................................................ÂŁ195 BOBBY D AZZLER .....................................................................ÂŁ195

ÂŁ100 JACKPOT TRIPLE DOND

ÂŁ1,195

ÂŁ100 JACKPOT MONOPOLY MILLIONAIRES ROW

ÂŁ1,095

CASINO LOW TECH

RANDOM GOLD DOUBLE UP ÂŁ100 .................................ÂŁ795 POUNDSTRETCHER ÂŁ100.....................................................ÂŁ795 RANDOM GOLD ÂŁ100 ..........................................................ÂŁ795 CASINO MAGIC 7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S.................................................................ÂŁ395 FIND THE L ADY ........................................................................ÂŁ395 RAINBOW RICHES CAT C/D ...............................................ÂŁ395 ELVIS CAT C/D ..........................................................................ÂŁ395 CARIBBEAN CRUISE ...............................................................ÂŁ350 MIDAS TOUCH ..........................................................................ÂŁ295 DOND C ASINO .......................................................................ÂŁ295 ROLL X .......................................................................................ÂŁ295 THE FULL MONTY ..................................................................ÂŁ295 X F ACTOR ..................................................................................ÂŁ295 JOKER POKER 20P ÂŁ10 ...........................................................ÂŁ295 WIN C AN ALLEY......................................................................ÂŁ295 CASINO BAR X 10...................................................................ÂŁ245 CASINO M ONOPOLY ............................................................ÂŁ195

VIDEOS

FAST & FURIOUS DRIFT TWIN........................................ ÂŁ3,495 FORD R ACING TWIN ........................................................ ÂŁ2,295 TIME CRISIS 3 DELUXE....................................................... ÂŁ1,295 TIME CRISIS TWIN STD...................................................... ÂŁ1,295 CHASE HQ 2 SSD .....................................................................ÂŁ995 BATTLEGEAR 4 SSD ................................................................ÂŁ995 SILVER STRIKE BOWLING .....................................................ÂŁ350

AIR HOCKEY

FIRE & ICE 6FT ...........................................................................ÂŁ895 GARLANDO SPEEDY 7FT ......................................................ÂŁ745

BOXERS

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ÂŁ70 AWPS

DOND PERFECT GAME .........................................................ÂŁ225 DEVIL OF A DEAL ....................................................................ÂŁ225 HOT HOT HOT ........................................................................ÂŁ175 PACMAN POWER ....................................................................ÂŁ125 INDIANA JONES HOLY GRAIL ............................................ÂŁ125

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2395-p12-31-essential_Coinslot NEW 18/11/2014 15:12 Page 14

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24 SEVEN GAMING

24 Seven: dedicated to analogue gaming The Autumn Coin-op Show represented the first time 24 Seven Gaming showcased under its own banner, and provided the company with a platform to debut its ‘i-play’ analogue Cat C cabinet.

Seven Gaming has a number of differCategory C products to suit opera2tors4entlooking for a reel-based solution.

Bounty, which is available as either a new build in the company’s dedicated cabinet, or as a rebuild by G-Squared Games.

24 Seven also previewed its own next The company is currently working flat out to meet demand for its first £100 Cate- rebuild title, called Wild Wild West - Tin Can gory C title Wok Around the Clock, which Alley,which will follow on from CrazyVegas.

“We now have a number of options to gained retailer approvals before theAutumn Coin-op Show.At the exhibition, customers suit our customers’needs and budgets,”says had their first glimpse of the next hi-tech Simon McCarthy, managing director of 24 Cat C title from 24 Seven; Blackbeard’s Seven Gaming.“The Autumn Coin-op Show was the first time that we exhibited under our own banner and it was a great opportunity to catch up with customers and discuss the approach we are taking to the Category C sector.”

This talk translated into measurable success. “We took orders from the very first morning of the exhibition,” adds McCarthy,“so we are confident that our customers appreciate the flexibility of choosing either our new cabinet or a rebuild and that they understand our long-

term dedication to this sector.”

24 Seven’s new Cat C cabinet,’i-play cab’, was shown for the first time in prototype form at the show and will give the company greater scope for game design going forward, freeing up reliance on base product coming from the market.

Although 24 Seven does not rule out the possibility of developing digital Category C games in the future, for the moment, the company is concentrating on the analogue side of the business.

“Players clearly still require analogue games and at the moment we do not believe that the market needs to be forced to choose an alternative,” McCarthy added.“While the demand for reels remains, we are dedicated to supporting it.”

At the EAG show in January, 24 Seven Gaming will be ably represented on the stands of its distributors Wessex Coin and Blue Monkey Sales.

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Essential Guide to ... Category C Machines Products G-SQUARED

G-Squared triumphs Willy Wonga With its fourth established title given the go ahead, G-Squared Games’ Willy Wonga features threedimensional lenticular printing, a fruit-machine first. ent based manufacturer G-Squared Games are celebrating the launch of their latest Category C machine, Willy Wonga. The machine has already gained full retailer approvals as performance continues to climb.

“G-Squared Games are extremely pleased to be delivering Willy Wonga to the Cat C market,” remarked director Jonathan Powell.“At G-Squared, our ethos is all about creating unique, eye catching games that offer a different dimension of playability and, more importantly, fun to the user.”

Willy Wonga features an all new 3D lenticular printing process, never before seen on a fruit machine.

“Innovations such as these are what set

K

Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

us apart from the competition,” adds Powell.“It’s a fast paced world out there and we are aware that we need to constantly reinvent ourselves to keep players interested as fashions change.”

The fourth machine from G-Squared Games,Willy Wonga, was on display at the recent Autumn Coin-op Show. The machine featured on the PWS stand and drew attention from operators and retailers alike. People who ventured onto the stand were also treated to a Willy Wonga chocolate bar, further evidence of GSquared’s desire to inject some fun back into the Category C market.

The company is planning to launch its next product, Bank Job “Loadsa Loot”, towards the end of November. This is an

exciting new product for G-Squared Games and continues Betcom’s extremely successful series of Bank Job themed machines, and will be testing with operators throughout the festive period.

“We have enjoyed a lot of success in our first year of manufacturing and we are looking to build on our successes and our experiences in 2015 and beyond,”continued Powell.“We have a number of developments underway including a number of new Cat C concepts,the launch of our new cabinet and our first venture into another category of machine.”

G-Squared have recently opened a new production facility, significantly enhancing manufacturer capacity to over 100 machines per week.

2395-p12-31-essential_Coinslot NEW 18/11/2014 15:42 Page 16

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JNC SALES “Let’s talk about it”

EMPIRE

Empire goes on a Cat C Lite Gold Run stra subsidiary Empire Games presents the indusA try with a compelling alternative in its latest Type 2 (Cat C Lite) machine, Gold Run. Empire Games, part of the Astra Gaming Group, has been enjoying a strong spell of success on the Cat C Lite front recently, with its latest game: Gold Run. The model comes under the Type 2 machine classification that enables a 20p/£10 stake/prize configuration. The Dynamic-housed game is, says its maker, designed and guaranteed to keep players entertained for hours on end.

Gold Run is a traditional style game with some exciting enhancements that are sure to keep players guessing as to why the wins appear to come out of nowhere. Players spin the reels in the hope that they can gain winning symbols featuring a range of single, double and

jackpot Gold Bars with the added benefit of nudges to help.

And there’s the challenge of gaining a Gold Run symbol on the middle reel sandwiched between two Gold Bars which elevates them to the Gold Run feature whereby bigger wins and more theatre awaits them.

Wins continue to be spun onto the win line and the awards accumulated into the player bank display. By gaining Gold-Gold Run-Gold during the feature players will achieve the Red Hot Gold Run streak where the fun really kicks in.

Empire MD Craig Beer commented: “We’ve had some welcome success with Gold Run in the Cat C Lite segment. It’s no secret that the arcade sector has been looking for something different and the Type 2 genre offers just that. Gold Run is, in our opinion, a must have game that will definitely stand the test of time and will be popular with players for years to come.”

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New company, classic character With Popeye: Spinach to Win It, new entrants Syco Gaming are hoping to make an impressive debut ew to the scene and daring to be different are new manufacN turers Syco Gaming, entering the market with their first analogue AWP, ‘Popeye: Spinach to Win It’.

Located in Telford and with a satellite office in Burton on Trent, the team is headed up by Dean Gourlay, managing director, with Claire Toogood as head of sales and marketing.

Popeye is recently out the door and the development team are confident of its appeal:“It’s always tough being the ‘new kids on the block’,” says Toogood, “but we’re confident that we have a good game in Popeye and are thrilled with its appearance.”

December will be a telling time for Popeye: “Ultimately, it’s cashbox that’s key, and we are looking forward to seeing it’s performance in the coming weeks,”comments Toogood.“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the operators and retailers for their support in bringing this product to test.”

Besides Popeye, the company have also recently developed‘Fireball’,an SWP conversion to £100 Cat C digital which offers a 9 game compendium with proven, popular titles, in addition of a 19 inch screen.

“We have had huge interest in this product,” concludes Toogood.“Not only is it very competitively priced, but with the additional screen,the product differs from standard SWP conversions.”

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Listings MACHINES SUPPLY

Playnation to supply new service station eading family entertainment provider Playnation has signed a contract to to become the exclusive supplier of machines for a brand new service station: The Cornish Gateway services, located on the A30 near Roche, Cornwall.

Alongside family amusements, the station will also host Playnation’s very own ‘Players Lounge’, a licensed adult gaming centre, providing a selection of both B3 and

L

lower stake machines from all of the leading manufacturers.

“It’s great to be able to build new relationships within different markets, so we’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with the team at Cornish Gateway Services,” remarked Playnation sales director Ryan Collinge. “We’re dedicated to providing the best experience for customers, and this is a brand new platform

for us to be able to do so.”

Formed in 2013 following a management buyout backed by Palatine Private Equity, Playnation currently operates more than 17,000 amusement machines in over 1,200 locations. Already an established presence within UK motorway service stations, its sector distribution also covers holiday parks, bowling alleys airports, and retail environments.

the games of Canadian manufacturer Adrenaline Amusements throughout Europe, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Adrenaline Amusements has garnered international attention in recent months with both its Flying Ticket and Fruit Ninja machines.

Bandai Namco commercial director John Brennan praised the ‘huge success’ of both Adrenaline titles, highlighting how the Canadian company had, “made it its mission to develop and introduce a new breed of amusement product to the industry.”

JUKEBOX SOUND LEISURE GAIN STATE-SIDE ACCREDITATION

CAT C RLMS CARRY NEXT LEVEL OF DOND

C

ontinuing with the success of the Deal or No Deal licence within the high-tech Cat C market, last week saw the launch of Bell Fruit’s DOND The Next Level. With fellow Novomatic subsidiary RLMS Sales handling distribution, The Next Level sees players work their way up the sleek Eclipse Cabinet, opening boxes as they work towards the coveted £100 prize.

HERONDATA STOCK DOND LO-TECH CAT C HAUL

S

tockton-on-Tees supplier Herondata Sales are offering a wide array of affordable lo-tech £100 jackpot fruitmachines. Currently on offer are eleven titles from the ever popular Deal or No Deal Franchise (DoND), including DoND Red Hot, DoND Cops and Robbers and

Coinslot NOVEMBER 21 - NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Desert Island DoND. The company is also stocking Double Agent by Reflex Games.

With a number of club machines also available, Herondata accepts all form of credit-card payment, and provides additional servicing and repair services.

PINBALL DEAD CERT SUCCESS he Walking Dead from Stern Pinball has Tproved so successful that the company is now offering a limited edition version of the game.

Featuring new and unique special effects, a motorised crossbow assembly allowing players to launch the ball anywhere in the game and mirrored back glass with exclusive art, The Walking Dead LE builds upon its established AMC license, enhancing a dynamic pinball experience.

TABLET AS SIMPLE AS 1, 2, 3 fter generating significant interest at October’s Autumn CoinA op Show, Electrocoin’s Bar X Kiosk remains on the cutting edge of market technology, whilst still remaining player-friendly.

First, users select a Bar X tablet device and adds credit. Second, play commences. When the players wish to cash out, they simply enter their unique pin code at the Bar X terminal.

Bar X kiosk is fully automated, making it a selfservice, cash in and out, tablet gaming solution.

DISTRIBUTION BANDAI NAMCO SECURES ADRENALINE DISTRIBUTION Namco Amusement has signed an exclusive deal to distribute Bandai

eighteen months of product testing, this week saw Sound Leisure Fpassollowing the MET labs factory audit, accrediting the company with all requisite accreditation and safety approvals to provide their range of Classic jukeboxes to both US and Canadian markets.

“This has been a fantastic effort by our team,” the company commented via social media. “We are looking forward to shipping the very Best of British craftsmanship to our friends across the pond.”

POOL SUZO OFFER DISCOUNTED POOL REFURB KITS omponents specialists Suzo Happ are presenting operators with an early C christmas offer this year: its pool refurbishment kit is now available at the discount rate of £50.

The kit includes everything an operator requires to maintain and upgrade their billiard or pool table - including new bed and

2395-p32-33-Listings_Coinslot NEW 18/11/2014 14:09 Page 2

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33 TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE

Email: al@sjc.co.uk

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ICE invites the world of gaming to 20th birthday celebrations Visitors from throughout the world will be part of the biggest birthday party in gaming history when they attend next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ICE exhibition in London. he 2015 edition of ICE, which is expected to attract an attendance at least matching the 23,506 that travelled to London in February 2014, will be the 20th anniversary of the show becoming a stand-alone exhibition.

Kate Chambers, portfolio director responsible for ICE, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fitting that so many gaming professionals from so many countries will be celebrating the 20th birthday of what has become the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite gaming exhibition. There can be few other commercial institutions capable of attracting over 20,000 well-wishers from 100-plus countries to what will be a fantastic three day celebration of everything that gaming has to offer embracing both the online and the land based worlds.â&#x20AC;?

She added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As many people will already know, ICE was a product of what 20 years ago was a much larger amusements exhibition - ATEI. Higher stake casino style gaming equipment first appeared on the show floor at ATEI

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B2B Juke Box Specialists in 1990 and the decision to launch a dedicated exhibition was taken by the then organisers some five years later. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who in 1995 could have predicted that ICE would go on to embrace the transformational revolutions in gaming technology and to develop into the most significant and most international event of its type, attracting upwards of 500 exhibiting companies and representatives from 156 nations? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope that those long time ICE stakeholders who have been part of the journey over the last 20-years will also be part of our celebrations in 2015 and those who are perhaps new to the gaming industry will be in London to discover what ICE is all about. Our invitation is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;come to ICE and discover the entire world of gamingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.â&#x20AC;?

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ACQUISITION NOVOMATIC ACQUIRES DUTCH ELAM GROUP

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he Novomatic Group have continued expansion into the Netherlands with the acquisition of casino gaming machine

distributor Elam Group.

Headquartered in Veldhoven, Elam employs 22 staff, operating domestically as well as in Spain and Belgium, and acts as a distributor for games manufacturers Interblock, CMS and Aristocrat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elam Group is a familiar face in the gaming industry, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll keep this identity,â&#x20AC;? commented Elam commercial director Jos van Rheden. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can now give attention to our cost structure by realising synergies within the Novomatic Group.â&#x20AC;?

The move marks the latest in a long line of Dutch acquisitions for Novomatic, which in September 2013 bought in leading pub and arcade games supplier Eurocoin Gaming into their company portfolio.

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 8 9 7 6

DOND Winfall BFG DOND Box 23 BFG DOND Best Offer BFG Hot Shots REF DOND Midas Touch BFG Mega Rich BFG Worminator QPS DOND Powerplay BFG Hit the Dracpot REF Fiddle A Fortune REF

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

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Slotto 500 Astra Wish Upon a Slot Blueprint Triple 8 Barcrest Magic Lotto Ultra Novomatic Mega Bars Big Hit Project King of Slots Blueprint Triple 7 Barcrest TS22 Project Lady Luck Reflex A Bet Astra

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 6 8 7 10 -

Encore T7 (GP2) SG Gaming Encore T7 (GP1) SG Gaming Magic Games 100 Ultra Novomatic Triple 7 (GP2) SG Gaming X3000 Multigame Amatic Bullion Bars Streak Astra Triple 7 (GP3) SG Gaming Find the Lady Ultimate – Project Party Time Double Decker Astra Random Gold Concept

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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Bullion Bars (3 Player) Astra Party Time Classic (3 Player) Astra Party Games (4 Player) Astra Monopoly (4 Player) Mazooma 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

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

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Highest Earning Tracks on Sound Leisure jukeboxes This Last Week Week

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 4 3 7 5 6 10

Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran All About That Bass Meghan Trainor Shake It Off Taylor Swift Changing Sigma feat. Paloma Faith All Of Me John Legend Budapest George Ezra Blame Calvin Harris feat. John Newman Bang Bang Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj I'm Not The Only One Sam Smith Blame It On Me George Ezra

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2395-p38-39-comment_Coinslot NEW 18/11/2014 16:00 Page 1

38

Coinslot November 21 - November 27, 2014

Comment Still time to trade before the year’s out

7 days to conference 35 days to Christmas 54 days to EAG 2015

alex lee comment arring next week’s BACTA Annual General Meeting at the QEII Conference Centre,of which only the current crop of Z-list Celebrity Junglists know nothing, there isn’t much left of 2014 industry gatheringwise. That fact notwithstanding, it’s time to maximise what we’ve got in the one-and-a-bit months we’ve got left of the year.

Having spoken to plenty of the UK’s major coin-op stakeholders at various industry gatherings around the country this year, I’ve found that, overall, while we’d all like the B2 situation to be resolved in our favour once and for all the year has brought us a refreshing amount of investment in product.To observe further sees the emergence of a list of positives.

For example: • The new products that are out there, by and large, are robust, entertaining and (when sited right) cashbox fillers • Operators of all kinds know that by sitting back, doing nothing and hoping for the best they will fall by the coin-op wayside • Distributors are still doing a mighty fine ‘unsung hero’ job at keeping that all-important

B

“

supply chain going What, then, can we all do to make 2014 a year to remember rather than one to forget? Firstly, build on the positives taken from both EAG and the Autumn Coin-op Show, both of which featured a raft of new product, professionally produced and promoted and with a plethora of done deals.

Secondly, look upon the remaining weeks of 2014 as an opportunity - after all, it’s not often the weather’s this nice five weeks before Christmas.

Thirdly, remind everyone who’ll care to listen just how great coin-op amusement, entertainment and gaming can be - regardless of whether it’s situated in a pub, a bingo hall, an adult gaming centre, a club or a family entertainment centre. We live in a world where if a consistent message is repeated often enough - largely via social media these days - people eventually sit up and take some sort of notice.

The bottom line is that the quicker we get prepared for EAG 2014 and beyond the better (Royalists look away now) - if nothing else it’ll give us all time to have a quick snooze while the Queen’s speech is on.

Attractions must be accessibl

Disabled access t couple of big bingo

alex lee media watch n the latest issue of Attractions Management, the editorial Iteam asks its panel of experts how attractions can better cater for people with disabilities - how they can engage with them and enable them to enjoy the enhanced quality of life that comes from great days out with friends and family.

Disabled people can be vulnerable to poverty, so provisions need to be made so they can both afford and access attractions.

Editor Liz Terry stated: “We’ve written before about Morgan’s Wonderland, the amazing US-based theme park built by Gordon Hartman. He made his theme park free for children with disabilities and their families. He has funded it by setting up an American football team and building a stadium next to the theme park, so the profits from the sports team subsidise the park.

“There are plans for more Morgan’s Wonderlands and it would be exciting if this was the

start of a new generation of purpose-built attractions that enable wider access.

“Our experts raise important points about addressing the challenges of supporting and accommodating people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities. They discuss ways to help people with disabilities to feel comfortable and at ease and ensure their safety, while also avoiding segregation.

“These include having dedicated staff, specialist training, targeted marketing and adapted physical environments. It’s a substantial challenge, but one we must rise to for a whole host of reasons some practical, some ethical and some commercial - if real change is to be achieved.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) says more than 1bn people worldwide are permanently disabled - that’s around 15 per cent of the total population.

“There are also millions who struggle physically but aren’t

categorised as disabled: older people, or those whose challenges are less severe but still limiting and those who are injured or have a temporary challenge or disability. All need support, which gives operators the opportunity to develop an additional visitor stream, while offering assistance to groups who need it.

“The WHO says attitudes against disability are the main barrier to people leading better lives, but that this can be changed through better education, training and integration.

“As attractions grow across the world, we have the opportunity to make a contribution to what is increasingly seen as a basic human right by the WHO: a full social life.”

Further afield, the Vending Times’ Hank Schlesinger asked: “Do violent media cause real violence in society?” The answer is a resounding “probably not,” according to two studies. Conclusions of the studies were recently published in the

2395-p38-39-comment_Coinslot NEW 18/11/2014 16:01 Page 2

Coinslot November 21 - November 27, 2014 39

“The way I expressed it before is, it (a cut in tourism VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent) is such a no-brainer you would need to have no brain not to implement it.”

8

TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE

Email: al@sjc.co.uk

Dermot King, managing director, Butlin’s

“ ”

quote unquote

“The big chains have realised that they need to book more parties and events, streamline the process and eliminate the huge amount of wasted labour. In many areas of the US more than 50 per cent of parties and group events are being booked on-line. In some FECs I have seen 70 per cent of parties booked online. Competition among FECs and other leisure out-of-home competitors is reaching an all-time high and escalating.”

FRANK SENINSKY, THE REDEMPTION & FEC REPORT

“Although the (Gambling Licensing & Advertising Act 2014) legislation is not ideal for most operators and seeks to remove others, it’s hugely beneficial, as it acts in the players interests. The regulation in place ensures that all games such as slots and online scratchcards have been tested by approved third parties to ensure outcomes are fair before they can be offered to UK players.”

STAFF WRITER, NASSAU NEWS LIVE

“Gamblers have spent more than £620m in betting shops across Brent – which has the second highest number of bookies and fixed-odds betting terminals in London, new research reveals. Of that figure, more than £22m was spent on FOBTs.”

ATMIA ATM deployer Cardtronics and global online Icashndependent payments provider, Ukash, are

essible to all

led access to attractions, the debate surrounding violent video games and a of big bingo wins come under the Coinslot media microscope this week.

games enjoy First Amendment rights, the decision has not stopped activists and special interest groups from pointing their fingers at videogames for the inspiration of violent acts.

These groups range from parent organisations and the American Psychological Association to the National Rifle Association, both of which held violent videogames at least partially culpable in the wake of the horrific 2012 Sandy Hook school shootings.

Whether these attacks on video games will continue in light of the new data is itself a point of debate.

And finally, lady luck recently made a visit to the Mecca Bingo club in Beeston, Nottingham and helped one player in her forties net a jackpot worth an impressive £72,253 on the National Bingo game, according to Bingosupermarket.co.uk. This jackpot came just days after a win worth £250,000 at the Isle of

The trade union for ATM operators has published a white paper in which it firmly believes that mobile transactions are the future for independent ATM deployers, such as AGC, arcade and FEC operators.

politics

MYRON JOBSON, BRENT & KILBURN TIMES

Journal of Communication, which looked at the long-term impact of “violent” media in society, including videogames.

Article author Christopher J. Ferguson of the Department of Psychology at Stetson University (DeLand, FL) looked at previous data-rich studies and concluded that there was little or no correlation between the real world and on-screen violence. “Data comparing video game violence consumption to youth violence in society demonstrate an inverse relationship, at least for the years 1996 through 2011 when both sets of data were available,” Ferguson wrote. “This relationship appears to be remarkably strong.”

These types of scientific studies, Ferguson pointed out, are important when it comes to public policy. Take the US Supreme Court’s 2011 decision in Brown vs. Entertainment Merchants, for instance; while it found that video

White paper predicts increased contactless payments

Wight Ryde Leo Leisure club.

Once again the big money jackpot was won in the afternoon session rather than the evening, it would seem that this is the most favourable session for Lady Luck to make an appearance recently. The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, is a regular player at the club and usually attends with a number of friends.

The general manager of the Mecca Bingo Beeston hall, Neil Tams, said: “What an afternoon! We’re absolutely over the moon for our player who won the National Bingo Game Jackpot Prize. I’m sure she’ll put her winnings to good use and we look forward to our next big win!”

paving the way for independent ATM deployers (IAD) to offer cardless technology in the UK. In 2013, Ukash and Cardtronics launched a service enabling consumers to convert online Ukash into cold hard cash at more than 3,000 of Cardtronics’ Cashzone ATMs in the UK - and all without the need for a debit or credit card.

Tom Pierce, chief marketing officer at Cardtronics, said: “Ukash users get a one-time, unique code, enter it into a participating CashzoneATM and get their cash.In addition to demonstrating the possibilities of cardless cash access, our partnership with Ukash clearly demonstrates that ATMs can provide valuable services that complement digital currency and Internet commerce.”

These types of offerings provided by IADs are likely to catch on quickly throughout Europe. Ron Delnevo,ATMIA Europe,said:“I predict fairly soon you will be able to opt to have a unique PIN sent to your mobile phone to use with or without a card. It would eliminate fraud from shoulder surfing that has capitalised on repeated use of the same PIN.” He continued:“Everyone knows the mobile device is much more than a phone these days. It is our main source of information, our gateway to social networking and allows us to make purchases online.”

Min Kye, Hyosung’s retail divi-

sion general manager, added: “As mobile banking grows, the transaction volume at the ATM may shrink because people no longer need an ATM to check their balance, transfer money or make deposits.Mobile technology also brings opportunities for IADs in the form of digital ads downloaded to a smartphone from theATM after the transaction.”

IADs don’t always have to be the pioneers, said Pamela Philipps, vice president of affiliate development with Kahuna. “Technology advancement is advantageous. But it doesn’t hurt for IADs to allow financial institutions to go first, in some cases, as long as IADs are able to learn,adjust and capitalise on the advancements.”

Since IADs don’t issue cards, when it comes to cardless or contactless ATMs, IADs may be better positioned to play a supporting role, rather than a leading one, said Philipps.

She thinks it is important IADs know it simply may be a little longer before an IAD can really take advantage of this new technology. It will likely require partnership agreements with networks and issuers driving the cardless or contactless transactions.

The“advantage”Phillips refers to for IADs with this functionality is driving additional ATM usage, by staying flexible/convenient to consumers’ options, and retention of current usage, by offering current patrons the options they will be looking for which, as it currently stands in UK arcades, quick and easy access to cash.

2395-p40-newsweek_Coinslot NEW 18/11/2014 10:57 Page 1

40

Coinslot November 21 - November 27, 2014

Newsweek BITCOIN MINDS TO MEET hose looking to learn more about the continued rise of online decentralised currency, Bitcoin, can head to St. Petersburg, Russia in early December for a series of talks and discussions on the future for the financial world’s most innovative element. The Bitcoin Conference is to be held on 4 December, 2014 at the Ambassador Hotel in St. Petersburg. Speakers include representatives from industry experts, CEOs and advisers to the Russian Government. Discussions will focus on the

T

8 Email: je@gbmedia.eu TO COMMENT ON ANY ARTICLE

ICE conference programme unveiled etails have been released of a comprehensive programme of conferences due to take place at ICE 2015 - allowing attendees to rub shoulders with like-minded professionals from their own respective sectors.

Organisers have confirmed that between Monday 2 and Wednes-

D

current Bitcoin landscape, modern technologies associated with cryptocurrency operation and new investment strategies.

Gaming companies have begun to accept Bitcoin into the fold, with Cozy Games recently becoming the first iGaming platform to official accept the internet coinage.

SLOT SUMMIT: THE LATEST IN TECHNICAL MARKETING TECHNIQUES GC operators well disposed to the casino sector and all stakeholders invested in serverbased and electronic slot provision may well contemplate a hop over the channel in the coming weeks, as the upcoming Slot Summit in Lille

A

approaches. Returning to Hotel Barriere’s casino and conference centre, the threeday event will focus on three key technical areas: communication protocols between machines and systems, synergies between on-line and offline gaming and server-based gaming. The latest in adultgaming venue marketing techniques will also be addressed,

day 4 February, individual sessions will be held “at the heart” of the Ice Totally Gaming conference, covering sector specifics such as regulation, security, cross-platform and multi-channel gaming, lotteries, casino play, bet markets and game design and development.

Each of the sub-con-

ferences will features Talking Point networking opportunities, for attendees to voice their individual concerns and objectives to the billed industry speakers.

Visitors can elect either to pay for one-off attendance, or pay for an Access All Areas pass, allowing them to hop freely between events.

with lectures focusing on visitor profiling, multi-sensory marketing and the utilisation of

‘mystery-prizes’. Slot Summit Europe takes place from 25 to 27 November.

EDITORIAL Editor: Alex Lee Email: al@sjc.co.uk Tel: 07772 280 299 Assistant Editor: Joseph Ewens Email: je@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01273 699 900 Contributors: Chris Webster, Steve Turner Managing Editor: Ken Scott Email: ks@sjc.co.uk Tel: 01273 699 900 ADVERTISING SALES Kathryn Norris Email: knorris@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01204 396 397 Fax: 01204 392 748 SUBSCRIPTIONS Sarah Haworth Tel: 01204 396 397 DIGITAL VERSION Marc Lawton Email: mlawton@gbmedia.eu Tel: 01204 396 397 PRODUCTION Designer: Gina Lloyd Email: gl@sjc.co.uk Ad Production & Pre-Press: Dave Roderick Email: gdk@sjc.co.uk PUBLISHER Director: John Sullivan GB Media Corporation Ltd, Bolton Technology Exchange, 33 Queensbrook, Bolton, BL1 4AY

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Calendar NOVEMBER 2014 17-21 IAAPA Attractions Expo 2014 Orange County Convention Centre Orlando Florida US www.iaapa.org 18-20 Macao Gaming Show (MGS)Venetian Macao, Macao www.macaogamingshow.com

27 BACTA Convention & AGM QEII Conference Centre London UK www.bacta.org.uk

DECEMBER 2014 4-6 Amusement, Attraction & Park Industry Exhibition (ATRAX) Istanbul Expo Centre Istanbul Turkey www.atraxexpo.com

JANUARY 2015 13-15 EAG International Expo ExCeL London ExhibitionCentre, London UK www.eagexpo.com 13-15 Visitor Attractions Expo (VAE) ExCeL London ExhibitionCentre, London UK www.attractionsexpo.co.uk

13-16 IMA 2014 Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre Düsseldorf Germany www.ima-messe.com

20-22 The Toy Fair 2014 Grand Hall Olympia London UK www.btha.co.uk/toy-fair

Opinions expressed in this publication should not be regarded as the official view of GB Media Corporation Ltd, except where stated.

Views, opinions and recommendations contained in this publication are put forward for consideration only. No action should be taken in reliance upon any such views, opinions or recommendations. Neither GB Media Corporation Ltd nor contributors accept any responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person howsoever caused or arising as a result of or in consequence of action taken or refrained from in realiance on the contents of this publication.

Notes for contributors: Coinslot welcomes the submission of articles for consideration by the editor with a view to publication. Submission of an article will be held to imply that the article contains original unpublished work which GB Media Corporation Ltd may lawfully publish. All submissions are made at the owner’s risk. © GB Media Corporation Ltd, 2014 All rights strictly reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission given, full acknowledgement of author, publisher and source must be given.