AB UK articles from June 2004

AB UK archives from June 2004

From the editor.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... IT'S summer once again, and all over the country men are starting fires in their back gardens and doing the best they can to remove all trace of flavour from various cuts of meat. Blackened chicken legs and charred sausages are being washed...

Ainsworth Game Technology, the Australia-based slots manufacturer, will open a UK office this summer.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... AINSWORTH Game Technology, the Australia-based slots manufacturer, will open a UK office this summer. The move was announced by AGT International Managing Director Georg Steiner, which has a European base in Austria. The UK base will be run by...

Bell-Fruit Games has been finding success in the club rebuild market with activity experiencing a significant increase.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... BELL-Fruit Games has been finding success in the club rebuild market with activity experiencing a significant increase. Machines such as Club Cops 'n' Robbers Gold, Club Cool Jewels and club Snakes 'n' Ladders are performing well for the...

FOBTs featuring roulette games are having success in a number of UK pubs that hold lottery licences.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... FOBTs featuring roulette games are having success in a number of UK pubs that hold lottery licences. Some machines are being operated on 10p/3.40 [pounds sterling] payout and realising profits of around 300 [pounds sterling] per week. Further,...

Astra to go Austrian as Novomatic advances?(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... RUMOURS are rife that Austrian gaming giant the Novomatic Group is to buy the South Wales-based UK AWP manufacturer Astra Games. Executives at both Astra and Novomatic refused to comment on the speculation which would see the Austrian firm...

Sammy share deal sees Sega soar.(Sammy Corp.)(Sega Enterprises Ltd.'s securities)
June 1, 2004... SIXTEEN per cent was added to the value of Sega shares at the end of May after Sammy Corporation--the world's largest maker of coin machines (pachinko)--confirmed that it was prepared to pay a premium of 21 per cent to buy Sega. A US$1.4bn...

Nova productions wins copyright battle in court.(Dellfern UK Ltd.)(NOVA Productions Ltd.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... NOVA Productions Ltd. has won a copyright action against Dellfern UK Ltd. and one if its company directors, Simon Wilson, following a two day trial at the Chancellery Division of the High Court in London. Ruling on a case that began last...

Amusement technology veteran Kevin Williams has announced the launch of KWP Ltd. as an international consulting operation.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... AMUSEMENT technology veteran Kevin Williams has announced the launch of KWP Ltd. as an international consulting operation. Williams, who has provided extensive design and development services to a top flight international clientele, is making...

Touch and Win, the company owned by Genesis Games Limited and Amatic Industries, has had its Section 16 terminal passed by the Gaming Board.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... TOUCH and Win, the company owned by Genesis Games Limited and Amatic Industries, has had its Section 16 terminal passed by the Gaming Board. The game, called Fast Draw Lotterette, was due to make an imminent appearance on site as ab:UK went to...

Details have emerged of a reshuffle at Maygay Machines.(Maygay Machines Ltd. )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... DETAILS have emerged of a reshuffle at Maygay Machines. Alan Rogers, previously commercial manager, is now bead of new product development. Lee Gregory, previously games design director, is now new product director. Matt Ingrain, previously...

London Open Day's back as South gets its chance.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... THE usual players in the summer open day season have been joined by a new entrant this year. The festivities kick off. as usual, with the North London Open Day taking place in Park Avenue on June 9. The exhibitor list has grown yet again...

More than 2,800 years of hard work in the amusement machine industry was recognised at a long-service awards ceremony for employees of Gamestec recently.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: MORE than 2,800 years of hard work in the amusement machine industry was recognised at a long-service awards ceremony for employees of Gamestec recently. Staff who won awards travelled from Gamestec's...

Fatspanner looks to tighten its hold on market.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SOFTWARE and cabinet design house Fatspanner is looking to take its fledgling business and ensure that it grows in the current business environment. Fatspanner, originally a software house, was boosted recently by the addition of Hydra...

Rob Old, a long-serving member of the coin machine business, both in the street market and in casino slots, has decided to retire.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... ROB Old, a long-serving member of the coin machine business, both in the street market and in casino slots, has decided to retire. Old, currently running Bally Gaming's international sales out of the UK, has a long history with JPM, Aristocrat,...

Simon Dawson and Quentin Stott of Reflex Gaming will be moving into their new offices in an industrial unit in Newark in June.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SIMON Dawson and Quentin Stott of Reflex Gaming will be moving into their new offices in an industrial unit in Newark in June. The company intends to initially concentrate on the rebuild sector and also plans to work closely with strategic...

Eight fire engines were called to Blackpool Pleasure Beach last month after a fire broke out at the queueing entrance to the historic Grand National wooden roller coaster.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... EIGHT fire engines were called to Blackpool Pleasure Beach last month after a fire broke out at the queueing entrance to the historic Grand National wooden roller coaster. The blaze also affected the Alice in Wonderland and Trauma Towers rides....

The London Preview, set for October 20 and 21 at the Novotel.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... THE London Preview, set for October 20 and 21 at the Novotel, Hammersmith, London, is full on the first floor and there has been "heavy demand" for the ground floor, reports promoter Howard and Wikberg.

No time to waste, time is now to go for WEEE.(Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... THE WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive, is due to be incorporated into national legislation in two months' time and could have significant implications for the European coin-op sector. Kris Pollet from White and...

Bally waltzes into UK market.(UK News)
June 1, 2004... A NEW player on the street market opened its doors in Wigan on May 18. Bally Gaming and Systems is a name more familiar to the casino sector than the operation of payout machines in street locations, but its new Managing Director in the...

Arcade manager heads to Vegas with repeat win.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A UK arcade manager has won a top business prize for the second year running earning himself an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas. Jason Lees who works for seasonal operation specialist RSAL, is the general manager of arcades at Butlins...

SEGA Amusements Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer Barbara Joyiens has left the company.(International News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SEGA Amusements Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer Barbara Joyiens has left the company. Joyiens was promoted to the role last year after the departure of several top US executives including Al Stone and Howell Ivy. When contacted,...

The European Commission is investigating Denmark over the Danish Act on certain games, lotteries and bets.(International News)(Danish Act )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... THE European Commission is investigating Denmark over the Danish Act on certain games, lotteries and bets. The Danish law, adopted in March 2003, bans gambling service providers legally operating elsewhere in the European Union from...

Classic juke brand made to ditch own trademark.(International News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... JUKE box and vending machine maker Deutsche Wurlitzer GmbH is currently engaged in a legal battle to use its own trademark as a result of a lawsuit filed in the US by Baldwin Piano Inc, which is currently a subsidiary of Gibson Guitar Corp. ...

DAB makes changes at the top.(International News)(Dansk Automat Branche-forening)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... GUNNAR Sorensen has become the new Director of the Board of Denmark's DAB (Dansk Automat Branche-forening) trade association with immediate effect. He replaces Torben Jorgensen, who spent almost 10 years with the association, seeing it through...

Fixed-odds terminals to crack Czech market next.(International Market)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... THE controversial fixed odds betting craze has hit the Czech market. The machines, which proved to be phenomenally popular in the UK, were first introduced into the Czech Republic by domestic company Sazka. Sazka is a sports...

Pan-European Gaming Act mooted in Brussels.(International News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... THE EU might be forced to introduce a harmonised gaming law in order to avoid a plethora of litigation being heard in the European Court in the wake of positive rulings in the Lindman and Gambelli cases, delegates heard at the Eurotechno...

Iowa operators find redemption.(International News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A BILL that passed through the Iowa state legislature has solidified legal approval of gaming-like redemption machines, but it also placed a cap on the number of units that can be operated in the state. Interestingly, that cap is the...

AMOA picks new leaders and plans next show.(International News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... AMOA's Board of Directors has selected a slate of officers to present to the general membership in the autumn. Named as officers for 2004-2005 were Marion Paul as President; Jim Pietrangelo as first vice president; Howard Cole as treasurer;...

Peter Muller is now responsible for marketing at NSM-Lowen Entertainment.(International News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... PETER Muller is now responsible for marketing at NSM-Lowen Entertainment. The trained business administrator previously managed the firm's Stuttgart branch. The 41-year-old thus succeeds Udo Nickel, who left the company at the end of February....

The European Court of Justice confirmed that the date for the verbal public hearing in the "Linneweber" case was being set for Wednesday, May 26, 2004.(International News)(cash payout machines )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... THE European Court of Justice confirmed that the date for the verbal public hearing in the "Linneweber" case was being set for Wednesday, May 26, 2004. The case deals with the question of whether the levying of turnover tax on the revenue from...

Members of the Saar Slot-machine Association in Germany are concerned by the plans to hand over power to the local communities to set the rate of the entertainment tax in future.(International News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... MEMBERS of the Saar Slot-machine Association in Germany are concerned by the plans to hand over power to the local communities to set the rate of the entertainment tax in future. Estimates suggest that up to 1,500 jobs are threatened.

Virgin has formed a business partnership with Wagerworks UK to develop an interactive gaming portal--Virgin Games.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... VIRGIN has formed a business partnership with Wagerworks UK to develop an interactive gaming portal--Virgin Games. Virgin Games is an operating company within Virgin.com and will be wholly owned by Virgin.

William Hill Plc, the leading fixed odds bookmaker and operator of the UK's largest sports betting web site at williamhill.co.uk.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... WILLIAM Hill Plc, the leading fixed odds bookmaker and operator of the UK's largest sports betting web site at williamhill.co.uk, has launched Britain's latest virtual reality racecourse, Greenside Park. Betting shop punters in the UK have...

Europe's newest poker tournament will take place in London.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... EUROPE'S newest poker tournament will take place in London in July. A collaboration between Britain's largest independent bookmaker, Victor Chandler, and leading casino operator London Clubs International, the Victor Poker Cup will offer a...

Brit capitalists target top French operator.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... THE giant French Partouche casino operating group is the target of a takeover bid by two British venture capital companies working together. Permira and Cinven have combined to make a bid worth 670m [pounds sterling] (1bn [euro]) for the...

Betfair slams 'unfair' report.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... UK betting exchange Betfair has criticised the Joint Committee report on the Draft Gambling Bill's "discriminatory" recommendations to tax exchange customers as though they were bookmakers. The report endorses the Bill's proposals to...

Industry supplier group looks to break the ICE.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A GROUP of casino industry suppliers convened in London recently to discuss a range of issues affecting the current and future development of the International Casino Exhibition. The show's organiser, ATE, hosted a group of 11...

Grosvenor loss affects Rank's performance.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... RANK Group has reported a "mixed financial performance" for the year so far following a two per cent loss in revenue for its chain of Grovesnor Casinos. The company, which owns the Hard Rock Cafe chain as well as UK casinos, said that...

Plan to turn gym into casino given go-ahead.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... NEWCASTLE upon Tyne magistrates have given the green light to a multi-million pound casino development. A gaming licence has been granted for the site of the Bannatyne Gym on the city's Quayside, with work converting the health club into a...

In game development hot seat.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... BALLY Gaming and Systems UK has appointed Ian Arrowsmith as director of game development. He joins from IW Software, a company he established five years ago, where he developed software architectures for gaming as well as actual game...

Rank opens doors to first high street betting shop.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... RANK Group has been successful in its application to open its first high street betting shop, next to its Victoria Casino on the Edgware Road in London. The new shop is expected to open later this year and will offer betting customers a...

Arena Leisure's 12m [pounds sterling] racino scheme hits the skids.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... PLANS to open the first racino in the UK have suffered a setback. Racecourse owner Arena Leisure wants to build the venue at its racecourse at Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton, one of six owned by Arena and the UK's only floodlit course. ...

Neteller, the payment processor that specialises in handling online gambling--related transactions.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... NETELLER, the payment processor that specialises in handling online gambling--related transactions, has moved its headquarters to the Isle of Man in a move anticipated to create up to 20 jobs. NETeller is a Canadian company that provides...

MGM Mirage has pulled out of its bid for Wembley.(Casino News)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... MGM Mirage has pulled out of its bid for Wembley, leaving the way open for rival bidder BLB, the US consortium that includes the Kerzner group. MGM said the bid had reached the point where a higher offer "would not give sufficient value to...

Softly, softly: some companies are all bark and no bite. Games Warehouse, on the other hand, has built up a 1,500 unit base with its radical Paragon cabinets very stealthily indeed.
June 1, 2004... GAMES Warehouse of Nottingham has been making remarkable progress in the SWP sector without really making much noise in the process. The company has sold almost 1,500 Paragon cabinets carrying its games out on site and, according to sales...

Brent pockets distribution award.(Spares)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... BRENT Electronic has been named 2003 Distributor Of The Year by pool cloth manufacturer AW Hainsworth & Sons Ltd. The development is the latest in a recent string of high profile successes enjoyed by the Namco owned company. In the last 12...

Pentranic lands Touch Int. deal.(distribution agreements)(Touch International Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... PENTRANIC has strengthened its position in the demanding touchscreen market by signing a deal with US manufacturer Touch International. The agreement, signed during the recent CEBIT German Spring Expo in Hanover, gives Pentranic the...

Forge Europa's LED display range expanded.(Spares)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... FORGE Europa has developed an affordable range of white seven segment and dot matrix LED displays as part of the continuous technological innovation programme at the manufacturer. The units are available now as part of the company's OptiLED...

Semicon has launched its latest line of Smart monitors.(Spares)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SEMICOM has launched its latest line of Smart monitors which have an ultra slim, narrow design. The new range is available in three sizes, 15ins., 17ins. and 19ins. and the new style monitors are suitable for all applications where space...

Imagine Graphics Ltd., specialist in computer display technology and digital video systems, has sourced two new digital video players for the European market.(Spares)(MedeaWiz Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... IMAGINE Graphics Ltd., specialist in computer display technology and digital video systems, has sourced two new digital video players for the European market. The first is the Firefly MZ, the latest addition to the award-winning Firefly product...

Louise Beaumont and Andy Walsh from UK-based Validation Technologies Ltd. exhibited at the World of Entertainment show in Prague for the first time this year.(Spares)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... LOUISE Beaumont and Andy Walsh from UK-based Validation Technologies Ltd. exhibited at the World of Entertainment show in Prague for the first time this year. They showed the company's first coin-op product, the Vector note acceptor, and were...

Design'R bear, uWink.(New Products)(uWink Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... NOLAN Busbnell's uWink has added a new concept to its port folio of products--an interactive vending machine with touchscreen technology that allows customers to choose a cream, white, tan or black plush teddy bear and then "dress" the bear...

G-Zero, D-Gate.(New Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... G-ZERO from D-Gate is a follow up to the Korean firm's popular table tennis game. It's a squash game where the player plays as though in the real squash court environment. Like the table tennis game, the real-time interface uses the remote...

Full of Beans, Barcrest Games.(New Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... FULL of Beans, Barcrest Games' latest multi-stake AWE has launched following a successful industry test. The game offers one to five paylines with a trail leading into a cash gamble ladder. The main feature depicts three vats of beans offering...

Cool Jewels, Bell Fruit games.(New Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... COOL Jewels is the latest AWP from the Bell-Fruit Games stable. The machine features unique neon-lit steps into a matrix-style Super Board, where completing rows and columns of jewels adds cash into the win meter. Access to the main feature...

Tsumo junior, Tsunami.(New Products)(Tsunami Visual TechnologiesInc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... TSUNAMI Visual's coin-op video range, distributed exclusively throughout Europe by Brent/Namco, has been boosted by the addition of a 33ins. Junior model to its Tsumo hardware range, Tsunami's Tsumo is a simulator-style video platform, using a...

Infinity, vivid gaming.(New Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... VIVID Gaming's latest AWE Infinity, is a new game with a twin trail feature in the form of the infinity symbol A traditional 27-way entry activates the feature with players starting on one loop and moving clockwise until they reach the centre...

King of Fighters Neo wave, SNK/playmore.(New Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... SNK/PLAYMORE has released the King of Fighters game for the Sammy Atomiswave system as the latest addition to the King of Fighters series. The game follows the same winning formula, maintaining its traditional three on three battle with...

Silver Strike Bowling, incredible technologies.(New Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... INCREDIBLE Technologies' Silver Strike Bowling is a new ten pin bowling game. It has features galore, from five selectable ball weights to an interactive player camera control for 3-D effects. Up to eight players can play together, choosing...

Union blues? Never one to pull his punches, David Snook gives his own viewpoint on what the recent expansion of the EC gateway will mean for the 10 countries involved and the coin machine industry ...(Snookered)(European Community)
June 1, 2004... So we have a whole bunch of new countries to the European Community. The arrival of Poland, Lithuania, Malta, a bit of Cyprus et al wasn't exactly heralded by fanfares, fireworks and 500 million people dancing around maypoles, the epicentre of...

Raising rebuilds: 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 every month. This month ... rebuild AWPs.(Sales Pitch)(Astra, Lucky Diamond)
June 1, 2004... Game: Lucky Diamond From: Astra Pitcher: Caroline Heynes AS one of the most innovative manufacturers producing games for the UK lo-tech sector, Astra's games are designed specifically for the lo-tech arena and consistently bring...

London calling: on June 9 the industry will gather in a far-flung corner of North London. ab:UK looks at what will be on offer ...(Focus)
June 1, 2004... THE North London Open Day makes you realise that summer is here. The event has become one of the leading showcases in the southern amusement calendar, and with each year one or two faces from further afield also make an appearance. The...

Staff wars: as the gaming industry expands in the UK, finding the right people to fit the ever-increasing number of roles is set to become a priority.(Casino Feature)
June 1, 2004... BIG changes are afoot in the gaming industry in the UK as investment tumbles into the country to take advantage of legislative changes. The opportunities are immense for those who survive but the pressure to gain a foothold will also lead...

Delivering data: machine management systems do not have to be a daunting prospect for the operator. Stephanie Norbury outlines the two types used in the UK.(New Technology)
June 1, 2004... WE are all becoming more adept at managing the increasing amount of data in our lives. Take last Christmas' popular present, the iPod, which stores and categorises thousands of digital music tracks--or the fact that most of us store our...

A clean sheet: commendably, Neil Chinn doesn't want to talk about the circumstances surrounding his departure from Maygay: "It would benefit no one." But with a long history in both operating and manufacturing--and no company axe to grind--he has some aggressive views on where the industry is going.(Interview)(Interview)
June 1, 2004... BY the time this issue is in print, the future for Neil Chinn will either be mapped out, or--as usual in the UK coin machine industry--the rumourmill will be giving some fairly concrete pointers. "There are a couple of options I am looking...

Looking ahead: this year's Eurotechno conference moved away from the traditional topic of technology and onto the more general topic of the industry's future. Stephanie Norbury joined the crowd around the crystal ball.(Eurotechno Conference)
June 1, 2004... THIS year's Eurotechno took place only days after the European Union welcomed another 10 members and many attending must have been wondering how this would affect the gaming industry. In particular, following the Lindman and Gambelli cases, the...

Globetrotter.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... GLOBETROTTER has told Britney on a number of occasions to stop bothering him, but will she listen? She's even following him to the local bowling alley to try and impress him playing on the machines. Here she is at the Hollywood Bowl in...

Show diary.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2004... 2004 June 9: NORTH LONDON OPEN DAY, London, UK. Contact: Electrocoin, Advance House, 186 Brent Crescent, London, NW10 7XR, UK. Tel: +44 20 8965 2055 Fax: +44 20 8965 8243 June 16-17: EXIME 2004, World Trade...

From the editor.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... So the DCMS is hopeful that it will present the new Gambling Bill to Parliament in the autumn. But how much doubt is there left over what exactly it will say. The DCMS' response to the Joint Committee's report brought both good and bad...

DCMS wants Bill in autumn but will casino machine numbers add up?(UK News)
June 22, 2004... THE Joint Committee on the Draft Gambling Bill published its report on regional casinos as ab:UK went to press, and urged the government to ensure that the UK does not become affected by a 'proliferation' of big regional resort casinos. ...

Sega likely to take lead in Europe after merger.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... FURTHER details are emerging about the shape of international video games distribution following Sammy's takeover of Sega. Sources close to the companies suggest that an announcement is imminent that all European product will be handled...

Eve of Preview Show brings major conference on the future of gaming.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... THE change in the UK Gambling climate will come under scrutiny in a major conference in London later this year. InterGame Conferences will be holding "The Great British Gambling Debate", a chance for the industry to assess the future for...

A profits warning has come from pub chain JD Wetherspoon.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... A PROFITS warning has come from pub chain JD Wetherspoon. It blames poor Euro 2004 results and its own anti-binge drinking moves for slowing growth. The Euro 2004 problem was due to only 20 per cent of its pubs having TVs.

Harry Levy's Gary Newman won the BACTA Golf Classic at the Celtic Manor--venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup--near Newport in South Wales--early in June.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... HARRY Levy's Gary Newman won the BACTA Golf Classic at the Celtic Manor--venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup--near Newport in South Wales--early in June. Gary came in with a total of 76 points, having also won the individual best score on the top Went...

Austrian Gaming Industries is claiming that Magic Games is "one of the hottest AWPs in the UK.".(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... AUSTRIAN Gaming industries is claiming that Magic Games is "one of the hottest AWPs in the UK." According to the firm's UK representative Phil Thomas, the fully random, multi-game video AWP, available from Novo Gaming UK, is said to be causing...

Internet roulette terminals cause new FOBT concerns.(UK News)(BACTA)
June 22, 2004... BACTA and the Gaming Board are at loggerheads with a software provider over the legality of an Internet terminal being operated in a north London arcade. The terminal, developed by Contented Kiosks, allows customers to transfer money into...

Irish music suppliers get case of DTs.(UK News)(DT Productions)(Superleague)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... AUDIO/visual content supplier DT Productions has signed deals that should boost its market share in Ireland. A new video deal with Superleague, one of Ireland's top distributors, has guaranteed DT video content supply for TAB Austria's Max...

Namco moves to expand its web and mobile division.(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... NAMCO Europe continues to expand its focus away from core video product with the appointment of Juan Pablo Herrera to the newly created post of business account manager (north, central and eastern Europe) in its Web and Mobile Content (WMC)...

Cloud breaks as IBN spins out wireless hotspot arm.(UK News)(Inspired Broadcast Networks)
June 22, 2004... INSPIRED Broadcast Networks has announced the spin-out of Europe's largest WiFi network, The Cloud. Inspired has backed The Cloud since its start-up a year ago and it currently has over 4,300 hotspots currently in operation. The launch...

Following their latest "tour of duty", representatives of the BACTA Bikers presented a cheque.(UK News)(John Radcliffe Hospital )(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: FOLLOWING their latest "tour of duty", representatives of the BACTA Bikers presented a cheque to the little girl who inspired their cause. Ellie was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney just 12 months ago...

Electrocoin's open doors raise 5,200 [pounds sterling] for lung charity.(UK News)(British Lung Foundation )(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... FURTHER to the efforts of the BACTA bikers (above), Electrocoin's Kevin Weir was pleased to announced that he has presented a cheque for 5,200 [pounds sterling] to Jane Belcourt. Belcourt was raising funds for the British Lung Foundation...

Chris Bone, who for the past four years has been head of gaming and lotteries at the DCMS is moving departments.(UK News)(Department for Culture, Media and Sport (UK government))(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... CHRIS Bone, who for the past four years has been head of gaming and lotteries at the DCMS is moving departments. Bone, who has built up considerable respect within the gaming industry in the UK as a leading government advisor on gaming, is...

Arcade games will soon accept payments by credit card, a form of payment historically off limits for "micropayments.".(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... ARCADE games will soon accept payments by credit card, a form of payment historically off limits for "micropayments." Some industry insiders claim that today's high-tech games increasingly appeal to an older market and those customers will soon...

432 Laurel Pub Company houses were bought by Greene King for 634m [pounds sterling].(UK News)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2004... 432 Laurel Pub Company houses were bought by Greene King for 634m [pounds sterling], fighting off bids from Wolverhampton and Dudley and Punch Taverns.