AB UK articles from July 2003

AB UK archives from July 2003

From the editor.(Editorial)
July 1, 2003... THERE is little doubt reading Glenn Mellor's comments about the future of the single site industry in this country being based around video AWPs that the idea makes a lot of sense. I am also sure that, as he says, there will be a number of...

Barcrest Games.(UK News)(Geoff Clark appointed )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BARCREST Games has appointed Geoff Clark as product support manager within the sales team at its Ashton-under-Lyne headquarters. Clark has 18 years' industry experience with Stretton Leisure and Leisure Link. He will be primarily...

Kiddie ride manufacturer Amutec has added the Kiddie Coaster to its range.(UK News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... KIDDIE ride manufacturer Amutec has added the Kiddie Coaster to its range, featuring real-time film of rides on famous coasters on the monitor in front of the player. The two Blackpool Pleasure Beach coasters, Pepsi Max and Big Dipper,...

More than 1,000 years of hard work in the amusement machine industry.(UK News)(Gamestec employees' awards ceremony )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... MORE than 1,000 years of hard work in the amusement machine industry was recognised at a long-service awards ceremony for employees of Gamestec. Staff travelled from depots throughout the UK to a gala dinner in York for the annual...

DCMS, Gaming Board & BACTA deny Fair Play.(UK News)
July 1, 2003... WHILE both the DCMS and the Gaming Board are roundly rejecting accusations of alleged breaches of law, the Gaming Board of Great Britain is investigating claims that AWP game programmes are "unfair" to players. It was responding to...

The Park Avenue Open Day was a great success yet again.(UK News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The Park Avenue Open Day was a great success yet again. According to one of the organizers, Kevin Weir of Electrocoin, there was an increase of around 30 per cent In the number of visitors on last year. In...

UDC banks on classic game with wiring in place.(UK News)(United Distributing Co., London, orders Silver 7s from Electrocoin)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... UDC sales director Michael Green has placed a large order for the latest incarnation of Silver 7s, the arcade AWP machine which is being built by Electrocoin exclusively for UDC. "It is the first machine on the market which gives all the...

Coin-op legend Bill Ruffler passes away, industry mourns.(UK News)
July 1, 2003... ONE of British coin-op's gentlemen died on Wednesday, June 25. Bill Ruffler, who was just past his 92nd birthday. died in hospital after a minor operation and is mourned by his wife, Joyce and soil Roy, two daughters, June and Valerie--and the...

Increase in violent machine crime a worry for operators.(UK News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... AS the industry devises more sophisticated means Of combating fraud on AWPs machine criminals are, say operators, resorting to more violent tactics. Operators are citing incidences of criminal damage on machines--where thieves take a...

The recent announcement of Gary Newman's resignation from Brent Leisure and Namco Europe could be premature.(UK News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... THE recent announcement of Gary Newman's resignation from Brent Leisure and Namco Europe could be premature. It is understood that Newman is still in talks with the company about his future and may not move anywhere.

As first predicted by this magazine two months ago, Richard Caborn is to pass on his ministerial responsibility for gaming as a result of the latest cabinet reshuffle.(UK News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... AS first predicted by this magazine two months ago, Richard Caborn is to pass on his ministerial responsibility for gaming as a result of the latest cabinet reshuffle. His position has been taken by Lord McIntosh of Harringay. Confusingly,...

Leisure Link.(UK News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... LEISURE Link has appointed Chris Campbell to the position of director of product purchasing. Campbell, 32, joined Leisure Link in 1999 and has enjoyed various roles including corporate account manager and most recently as multi site commercial...

Cromptons Leisure International.(UK News)(appoints distributors TCS Funtime, Deith Group)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... CROMPTONS Leisure International has bolstered its sales function with the appointment of TCS Funtime and the Deith Group as official distributors.

Nottingham-based Games Warehouse has launched its Gamepack Orange.(UK News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... NOTTINGHAM-based Games Warehouse has launched its Gamepack Orange, the latest in its range of games compendiums to use in universal cabinets, comprising the payout games which have proved to be the best-performing in the company's library of...

Global Games close to forging Channel link.(UK News)(Channel One Games)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... AS ab:UK went to press, further information was coming in about the much-speculated deal between two British game design houses, Global Games and Channel One Games. Global, which was recently purchased by Roy Howell and Andrew Ludlow, its...

Treasury retreats on bingo tax.(UK News)(United Kingdom Treasury)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... THE bingo sector has welcomed the Government's climb down on the controversial "double tax," introduced in April's Budget, but warns the fight is not over. On learning of the Treasury's decision to allow bingo clubs to pay VAT on...

Mexim offers the UK market its Trendy touch.(UK News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... GERMAN market leader the Gauselmann Group is launching a new assault on the UK market with the formation of Mexim, its new amusement arm. The new subsidiary has grown out of the ashes of the old Nova Games, which was a major force in...

Smoking ban seriously damages NY cashboxes.(International News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... NEW York's controversial smoking ban, not all that different from suggested legislation that certain lobbies are trying to get passed in the UK, has had a devastating effect on the city's cashboxes. The ban which affects most public indoor...

Italians heading for legal chaos.(International News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... AS Italy's new gaming law heads to Brussels for EU approval, it seems the industry is already slipping into its old ways by developing manifestly illegal machines. Insiders fear that "creative" interpretation of the redemption and video...

Global VR unveils Secret Weapon in golf war.(International News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SAN Jose video game maker Global VR has joined forces with one of the most prolific developers of golf courses for video games, Secret Weapon Having years of experience in developing courses for Electronic Arts and other renowned gaming...

The American Amusement Machine Association.(International News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... THE American Amusement Machine Association--the organisation for manufacturers and distributors--has appointed Frank Cosentino of Nature America as its new Chairman. The decision was taken at the annual meeting held in Washinton DC in mid-June....

European Table Soccer Association.(International News)(Garlando of Italy)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... FAMOUS table soccer producer Garlando of Italy has joined the European Table Soccer Association (EUTSA). The company, which is based at Piemonte, has been making football tables since 1954. Most makers of table soccer games are now members of...

During its annual meeting in Barcelona, EUROMAT members unanimously re-elected its Executive Committee with a small number of changes.(International News)(European Federation of Coin-Operated Amusement Machine Associations)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... DURING its annual meeting in Barcelona, EUROMAT members unanimously re-elected its Executive Committee with a small number of changes. First-Vice President Russell Smith stepped down and Keith Smith was elected as new First Vice-President....

The Dutch public are still reacting to the increased prices brought about by the introduction of the euro.(International News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... THE Dutch public are still reacting to the increased prices brought about by the introduction of the euro. This applies equally to the cost of playing an AWP where an individual game is now 20 eurocents, a 76 per cent increase on the pre-euro...

The Mpumalanga Gaming Board was due to give the official launch of its LPM (limited payout machine) market on the streets of the province on June 30.(International News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... THE Mpumalanga Gaming Board was due to give the official launch of its LPM (limited payout machine) market on the streets of the province on June 30. Provincial premier Ndaweni Mahlangu officially announced the move at the Gaming Board's...

Whether the Gauteng province will have LPMs may depend on the research of a university.(International News)(University of South Africa)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... WHETHER the Gauteng province will have LPMs may depend on the research of a university. The University of South Africa has been awarded the tender to conduct a socio-economic impact study on gambling in the province by the Gauteng Department of...

Amutron.(International News)(appointed Berkers Michael)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... MICHAEL Berkers has been appointed sales manager at Amutron, the Dutch distribution company which handles Astra in conjunction with Loontjens.

Dutch AWP firm agrees Multiplayer game curb.(International News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SUPPLIERS of machines to the Dutch market may be pleased to bear that Janshen-Hahnraths has agreed to impose restrictions on its controversial Multiplayer AWP. Multiplayer, for the Dutch arcade market, is licensed as a traditional...

Brunswick tables takeover bid.(International News)(from private investment firm Fenway Partners Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BRUNSWICK Corporation has acquired the assets of Valley-Dynamo for US$34.5m from private investment firm Fenway Partners Inc. and an individual investor (presumably factory founder Bill Rickett), each of which had owned 50 percent of the...

Sega SA out of administration after restructure.(International News)(Sega, S.A. SONIC )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... SPANISH company Sega, SA SONIC has Finally reached an agreement with its creditors to bring the firm out of administration. The agreement was reached on June 14 and is due to take effect immediately after the court had signed the...

Bally Gaming acquires AWP systems company.(Casino News)(Bally Gaming and Systems, Honeyframe Software Development Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BALLY Gaming and Systems has acquired Honeyframe Software Development, the leading UK gaming machine management systems company. Currently the only commercial systems provider for the UK expansive AWP gaming machine market, Honeyframe...

Industry analyst Plimsoll Publishing has launched a new exclusive market analysis.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... INDUSTRY analyst Plimsoll Publishing has launched a new exclusive market analysis on the casino industry. The analysis, covering 105 companies, fastens on the players who really matter in the market. The 170-page report is aimed at the busy...

Three new Atronic faces.(Casino News)(Atronic International GmbH)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ATRONIC International has added three new members to its European sales team. Simon Dorsen, a newcomer to the industry, was appointed late last year as regional sales manager. Working out of the LIK office, he is responsible for eastern...

Mirage appears in UK land market.(Casino News)(MGM Mirage Inc., Metro Casinos Ltd.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... REALLY for the opening up of the HK casino market, MGM Mirage has acquired a stake in a British casino development company and expects to open casinos in Bristol. It will be the first time a Las Vegas-based company has indicated that it...

Casino operators from Finland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Switzerland, the UK and Austria have come together to form a new operators' association for Europe.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... CASINO operators from Finland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Switzerland, the UK and Austria have come together to form a new operators' association for Europe as a division of the European Gaming Organisation. At an inaugural meeting in...

A player from Birmingham has become the highest-ever winner on Super Stud Poker.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... A PLAYER from Birmingham has become the highest-ever winner on Super Stud Poker, netting 290,684.52 [pounds sterling] from a 1 [pounds sterling] bet. The national game links all the Grosvenor casinos and has been running since January. Over 2m...

TCS John Huxley is the name of the new corporate enterprise.(Casino News)(TCS Group, John Huxley)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... TCS John Huxley is the name of the new corporate enterprise to emerge from the take-over of John Huxley by TCS on May 16. The product lines, however, will be retained under their separate brand names so that John Huxley will retain its...

Gala Casinos, one of the UK's leading casino operators.(Casino News)(opens Gala Electric Casino)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... GALA Casinos, one of the UK's leading casino operators, has opened a new casino in Cardiff called Gala Electric Casino. The casino, situated in the centre of the Welsh capital, opened an June 29. It is billed as "a cutting-edge...

Casino legislation still on the cards says DCMS.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... THERE was a minor panic in the UK during last month when a London evening newspaper ran a story saying that proposed relaxation of the law governing gambling was to be scrapped. The story stated that the government would push through...

Stanley spins Star City on web.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... A NEW online casino has been developed for the UK's largest operator, Stanley Casinos. www.starcitycasinos. com has been designed and developed by Zendor to replicate the look and feel of the new Star City Casino in Birmingham, which is...

Mirage vanishes, but trial a success says MGM.(Casino News)
July 1, 2003... MGM Mirage discontinued operation of its online casino, playlnglnmirage.com, on June 30. "We set out to prove that online casino gaming could be implemented with the same high standards of regulatory integrity as land based operations,"...

Ready for the Big Bang? The issue of a single European Gaming Act has been often mooted but rarely approached--but, now 'Europe' is growing, can the coin-op industry cope with an even greater diversity than already exists around Europe? ab:UK columnist David Snook is not so sure ...(Snookered)
July 1, 2003... "The Big Bang" is what Europeans are calling the expansion of the European Union from 12 to 22 states which is due to happen progressively over the next couple of years. With it comes potentially the biggest case of indigestion ever seen in an...

Well LED.(Spares)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... FORGE Europa, the LED displays and lighting specialist, has recently expanded its test and measurement capability by commissioning a bespoke dark room complete with precision optical bench and a variety of supporting optoelectronic measuring...

Control change. (Money Controls appointments).(Spares)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... CASH handling specialist Money Controls has announced some changes to its management team. The new appointments are Gareth Phillips as group research and development director, Richard Wilkinson as group finance director and Ken Collett as...

3M's new touch family.(Spares)(3M Touch Systems UK Ltd. develops LCD touchscreen monitors)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... 3M touch Systems UK Ltd. has developed a family of LCD touchscreen monitors for kiosk and industrial applications. 3M's MicroTouch ChassisTouch LCD touch monitors use a common, rugged display and enclosure, yet offer various bezel designs...

Happ to offer new handy cam.(Spares)(Happ Controls Europe launches a new low-cost security system)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... HAPP Controls Europe has launched a new low-cost security system, which avoids the need for major installation work. According to Happ, the Wireless Colour Camera System is versatile, effective, simple to install and use and offers both...

Innovative Technologies expands factory floor.(Spares)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... INNOVATIVE Technologies has quietly added a 50 per cent extension to its Oldham factory. The bill validator company, famous for its Smiley series, has extended its 30,000sq.ft. factory by another 15,000sq.ft. to accommodate extra output now...

Money Controls wins Crown.(Spares)(Money Controls is signed as the preferred supplier for Crown Leisure)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... MONEY Controls has been signed up as the preferred supplier for major UK distributor and operator Crown Leisure. Crown Leisure, one of the UK's largest operators and distributors of coin operated amusement equipment, has contracted Money...

Eurocoin note perfect for GBA. (Game Boy Advance).(Spares)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... EUROCOIN is to handle a new note acceptor for the UK which incorporates some unique features. The AstroSystems GBA C2E (right) deals with transactions faster than most note validators and incorporates a host at advanced security and comms...

Heber raises specs on Firefly. (Heber Ltd., Firefly systems).(Spares)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... HEBER Ltd. has improved the specification of its recently launched Firefly systems. The Firefly systems provide a complete video gaming platform in a simple to rise, purpose built enclosure. There are two systems offered, each designed...

Happ help. (Happ Controls Europe appoints ASI of Dubai).(Spares)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... RAY Hazelton, Managing Director of Happ Controls Europe Ltd., based in Kent, has appointed ASI of Dubai to represent the company in the Middle East. "We needed a presence there," he said, "because although we had business in that region, we...

Return of MC. (Money Controls European sales director John Carroll).(Spares)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... ONCE again from Money Controls, the money systems specialist has announced the appointment of John Carroll as european sales director. Previously sales director at WH Munzprufer in Germany many within the industry will know John from his...

Go for Gold, Barcrest Games.(New Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BARCREST Games has launched a new hi tech 250 [pounds sterling] dedicated club product, Go For Gold. The game has an Olympic theme in anticipation of next year's games and Britain's bid for 1be competition. It has been developed especially...

Can Can, Harry Levy.(New Products)(Harry Levy introduces Can Can, a 12-player pusher)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... AFTER the success of Hippodrome, the development team at Harry Levy has developed Can Can--a high tech 12 player pusher with impressive sound and lighting effects. The machine will be produced alongside Hippodrome and is available from August,...

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Stern Pinball.(New Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... FROM the key members of the design team that brought you Terminator 2: Judgment Day now comes Stern Pinball's Latest pinball machine, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Designed by Steve Ritchie, formerly of Williams, T3 combines the...

Golden Tee Fore 2004, Incredible Technologies.(New Products)(Incredible Technologies launches an update of its 'Golden Tee Golf Fore' game)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... INCREDIBLE Technologies has launched the latest update to its Golden Tee Golf Fore game, with the release of its 2004 incarnation. The new game includes seven completely new 18-hole courses, as well as two new amateur courses for beginner...

Golden Grid, QPS Interactive.(New Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... QPS Interactive has announced the launch of its latest frontline AWE Golden Grid. Described as a "hi-tech board game with an added matrix," the game consists of three reels with standard fruit symbols and overlaid numbers, plus a fourth...

Jackpot and the beanstreak, Extreme Gaming.(New Products)(Extreme Gaming launches new games)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... AFTER an extensive test period Extreme Gaming has announced the launch of its latest AWP, Jackpot and the Beanstreak. The game, housed in the Platinum cabinet on Epoch technology; combines many exciting features and full stake and prize...

Monopoly, Bell-Fruit Games.(New Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... BELL-FRUIT Games has scooped yet another popular licence with its latest AWP Monopoly. Based on the famous board game, it makes full use of the game's elements, adapted to suit the AWP format. The machine features: property sets--from which...

Eye Catcher, Harry Levy.(New Products)(a new game is released)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... HARRY Levy's new cascading ball catch game, Eye Catcher, has been described as the ultimate skill game. Players must select the prize they want to win before they start playing the game. Then they must move the joystick to catch falling balls...

Rebuilt to last: we at AB:UK know how hard it is to make sure you get to, and get around, all the trade shows. But never fear, Sales Pitch brings the industry's top salesmen to your desk and gives you a choice of the hottest products from a different sector of the market every month. This month ... rebuild AWPs. (Amusement with Payout).(Sales Pitch)
July 1, 2003... Game: Golden Winner From: Bell-Fruit Games Pitcher: Vanda Osinska THE criteria for our new rebuild range was to respond quickly to market demand and to deliver quality product. Having successfully launched the range at ATEI,...

Safe from harm? In a world awash with plastic, the fruit machine remains one of the last cash bastions, making it increasingly attractive to thieves. Danielle Green looks at manufacturer and operator attempts to foil the criminals.
July 1, 2003... THE coin-operated amusement machine is "unique" but not, unfortunately, in such a way as to be beneficial to the industry. What sets the AWP apart is the fact that unlike most other products and services out there it continues to rely on hard...

Utopia deferred: the future's soon. (online gaming).(Interview)
July 1, 2003... If you listened to the big guns a few years ago, you could be forgiven for thinking the great revolution in AWP operating should have been up and running. Replacing old games with new ones but downloading them online--instead of the traditional...

Techno-loyalty. (technology and amusement customer loyalty).(New Technology)(Transcript)
July 1, 2003... At this year's Eurotechno conference Frank Seninsky, President and CEO of Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM) and Alpha-Omega Amusements and past President of Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA) gave a presentation entitled...

Positioning papers: last month we reported on the release of the DCMS position paper on remote gaming. This month i-gaming analyst Phil Fraser takes a closer look at the contents of that publication and looks at its potential effects on the industry.(UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
July 1, 2003... APRIL 30, 2003, gave a glimpse of the future regulation of online gaming when the UK's Department for Culture, Media and Sport revealed its position paper "The Future Regulation of Remote Gambling." Remote gambling? is that the new casino...

On course casinos.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... TCS recently held a golf day for its customers in Scotland. The event was run by UK general sales manager Alex Hook with the assistance of Tony Apartopoulos, general manager of the Gala Chevalier casino in Glasgow. The venue was Cawder...

Park Avenue special. (miscellaneous briefs).(Globetrotter)
July 1, 2003... Caption: It's good to see Michael Green (left) back in the distribution business; here he meets up with an old friend from the US, pinball survivor Gary Stern. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Electrocoin's Kevin Weir (left) with...

Show diary.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
July 1, 2003... July 10-12 BILLIARD CONGRESS OF AMERICA, SANDS EXPO & CONVENTION CENTER, LAS VEGAS, US. Contact: William T Glasgow, Inc., 10729 W. 163rd Place, Orland Park, IL 60467, US. Tel: +1 708 226 1300 Fax: +1 708 226 1310 e-mail:...