Bill gets ready for Lords passage
THE third reading of the Gambling Bill duly went through the House of Commons this week, but is likely to have a rough ride in the Lords. It is also likely that still more concessions from the government may have to be accepted in order to push through the Bbill before the end of the current Parliament.
The urgent necessity to deal with the threats from unregulated Internet gambling make it imperative that the Bill is passed, but in order to do that, the government will probably have to make cuts in other elements of the Bill. Most likely are further cuts in the number of regional casinos allowed. Currently that is down to eight, but a bid by the Conservatives in the Commons yesterday to reduce it still further to four may happen if opposition builds in the Lords. Indeed, some believe that the government may sacrifice regional casinos altogether if it means the Bill can go through.
Other amendments included a bid by the Conservatives to remove the Secretary of State's powers to ban children from playing machines and to remove her powers to limit the value of prizes in arcades. Although these failed yesterday, it is likely that they will be resurrected in the Lords as part of the trade-off to get the Bill through.
The Bill next goes before the Lords on February 22.
Operator shares Bill fears
PETER Bacon, the chief executive of Sun International, fears that the Bill is in peril in the House of Lords.
Sun International, owner of the Sun City casino in South Africa, hoped to spend up to £600m on casinos in the UK, but Mr. Bacon claims that it is still impossible to predict what changes would be made to the limits on casinos and slot machines to get the Bill passed before a general election.
He told The Independent: "There are clearly still a number of areas that are very much in contention. We are also still committed to competing for a licence in the UK and are quite advanced in the planning stage for a site at Sheffield's Don Valley stadium and we will carry on with that development." He added that the Bill was the subject of a game of "political poker". "There is lots of disagreement between the parties and there is some way to go before it is resolved," he added.
Sun International had hoped to develop between three and five regional casinos, each holding up to 1,250 slot machines that can pay unlimited prizes. Now it can realistically hope to win only one.
Mr. Bacon is expecting the Bill to have a turbulent journey through the Lords as the British casino industry lobbies to have the cap on small and large casinos lifted or scrapped. Existing UK operators will also be fighting for support to allow more and higher prize slot machines into their venues.
New Commission set for Midlands?
BIRMINGHAM has emerged as the city favoured to host the proposed Gambling Commission.
A statement issued by the DCMS revealed that "Birmingham is the preferred location." The DCMS said the next step would be to "appoint advisers, by competitive tender, to find suitable premises and organise their fitting out".
The current Gaming Board of Great Britain, which will be scrapped when the commission is up and running, operates out of Holborn in London, and many of its staff of 80 are likely to be offered relocation packages. The new commission will employ around 260 public servants.
Females flocking to online casinos
WOMEN have taken to online betting and casinos in their tens of thousands, according to new research.
While women make up just five per cent of customers in traditional betting establishments, 40 per cent of those choosing to get their gambling fix online are women.
According to published psychological research, men and women gamble for very different reasons. Men fall in love with the "action" and then chase their losses, but many women take a different route.
While women also enjoy the "action" and chase losses, their initial motivation is often escape - escape from memories of an unhappy childhood, escape from troubled husbands and escape from loneliness.
Yesterday's research also found that Britons make up 80 per cent of all online gamblers in Europe, with those aged 18 to 29 more likely to use the internet to gamble than any other age group. This age group accounts for 14 per cent of the 3,960,000 home internet users who admit to using the net for betting.
Jon Miller, a director at Uswitch.com communications, which conducted the research, said: "As broadband services improve and bring speed, convenience and instant access to consumers, internet users can access gambling and gaming websites 24 hours a day."
Life is Sweet for Pete
GROSVENOR Casinos Dealer Pete Sweet successfully defended his title as TCSJOHNHUXLEY's "Dealer of the Year" at ICE 2005. The final took place at ICE yesterday where onlookers watched Mr. Sweet, from Rank Group's London Gloucester casino, overshadow dealers from around the world and win himself a trip to Las Vegas.
The competition this year aimed to find the world's top dealers, stepping up a level from last year's European event. Organisers brought together 12 dealers from around the UK, Europe, Latin America, Australasia and South Africa to find the world's best. Grosvenor Casinos had two entries in the event.
Twice winner Pete Sweet, an inspector at the London Gloucester said: "To win the competition last year was a complete surprise for me but to win twice is fantastic.
The competition this year was a lot tougher but I really enjoyed the challenge and will be more than happy to take part again next year. "
Showman signs PMT deal
SHOWMAN Cranes Ltd., of South Ockendon, Essex, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with PMT. Already the exclusive UK agent for LAI Games and Konami, PMT will now also supply Showman Cranes' three products - Magnet Crane, Mammoth Crane and Magnet XXL to the UK market.
Stephen Glynn, Director of Showman Cranes, told e-coin-op he was "very pleased" with the agreement, which was finalised on day three of ATEI 2005, Earls Court, London.
Source eCoinOp UK
Friday, January 28, 2005
Monday, January 24, 2005
News
CASINO HOPE FOR PARTY CONFERENCE
BLACKPOOL development chiefs are banking on resort casinos to stop the town losing the Labour Party conference for good. Labour is likely to announce that it will move its 2006 conference from the seaside town, where it has been held since the 1950s, to Manchester, where the expected venue is the G-Mex, in the heart of the city.
Blackpool's Winter Gardens, where the conference was previously staged, is in need of regeneration but public funds are limited and the town is hoping that a resort casino development will trigger private investment.
Alan Cavil, manager of the Blackpool Challenge Partnership, told ecoin-op: "We are pleased with the government caps and believe it will lead to a reinvigorated Blackpool, with casino developments at the heart of that. We're happy with talks we have had with developers and feel confident that Blackpool will have the resources to build a new conference centre - or restore existing facilities - off the back of new casino developments."
TROUBLE FOR PLANNED CASINO DEVELOPMENT
LONDON Clubs International's planned Rendezvous casino development in Manchester's Great Northern Warehouse has run into trouble. The planning department of Manchester City Council yesterday referred the decision to the Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell on the grounds of listed building consent. Essentially, this means that the build will be delayed, and it could be another 12 months before work even commences. The representative from the planning department chose not to turn up at the hearing, making his recommendations via a letter.
WALTERS TO JOIN IHL BOARD
COLIN Daniels, Chief Executive of Danoptra Holdings, has announced that Phil Walters will be joining the Imagehighlight board as non-executive Chairman. Imagehighlight (IHL) is the holding company for Bell Fruit Games, Mazooma and QPS. This appointment follows the purchase by Danoptra on January 5 of the 60 per cent of the share capital in IHL it did not previously hold. Mr. Daniels said: "I am delighted that Phil agreed to join the IHL board as Chairman. He has considerable experience in the coin-op and non coin-op games and gaming business both in the UK and overseas. I am sure he will contribute significantly to the development of the businesses of IHL."
Mr. Walters commented: "I am very pleased to have been offered the chance to work with the talented and successful teams at Bell Fruit, Mazooma and QPS at a time of both challenge and opportunity for the industry."
ASTRA GET STRONGER
ASTRA is strengthening its UK distribution channels with the appointment of Crown Direct as a second UK partner. Astra is already well served in the UK by MDM Ltd., based in Cardiff, and Deith Ltd. based in Galashiels, which is actually part of Crown Direct. This existing agreement was expanded at the beginning of the year to incorporate the rest of the group.
FIRST FOR GAMESOFT
GAMING manufacturer and developer Gamesoft will launch its first video AWP, Lucky Streak Poker, at ATEI. The innovative new machine features a pre-game gamble coupled with a unique streak feature. Gamesoft's Robert Taylor said: "Everyone who's seen it or tested it has been hugely impressed." Also being shown for the first time at ATEI will be the firm's Super X, which is an OXO style game but with several hidden features.
Source: eCoinOp UK
BLACKPOOL development chiefs are banking on resort casinos to stop the town losing the Labour Party conference for good. Labour is likely to announce that it will move its 2006 conference from the seaside town, where it has been held since the 1950s, to Manchester, where the expected venue is the G-Mex, in the heart of the city.
Blackpool's Winter Gardens, where the conference was previously staged, is in need of regeneration but public funds are limited and the town is hoping that a resort casino development will trigger private investment.
Alan Cavil, manager of the Blackpool Challenge Partnership, told ecoin-op: "We are pleased with the government caps and believe it will lead to a reinvigorated Blackpool, with casino developments at the heart of that. We're happy with talks we have had with developers and feel confident that Blackpool will have the resources to build a new conference centre - or restore existing facilities - off the back of new casino developments."
TROUBLE FOR PLANNED CASINO DEVELOPMENT
LONDON Clubs International's planned Rendezvous casino development in Manchester's Great Northern Warehouse has run into trouble. The planning department of Manchester City Council yesterday referred the decision to the Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell on the grounds of listed building consent. Essentially, this means that the build will be delayed, and it could be another 12 months before work even commences. The representative from the planning department chose not to turn up at the hearing, making his recommendations via a letter.
WALTERS TO JOIN IHL BOARD
COLIN Daniels, Chief Executive of Danoptra Holdings, has announced that Phil Walters will be joining the Imagehighlight board as non-executive Chairman. Imagehighlight (IHL) is the holding company for Bell Fruit Games, Mazooma and QPS. This appointment follows the purchase by Danoptra on January 5 of the 60 per cent of the share capital in IHL it did not previously hold. Mr. Daniels said: "I am delighted that Phil agreed to join the IHL board as Chairman. He has considerable experience in the coin-op and non coin-op games and gaming business both in the UK and overseas. I am sure he will contribute significantly to the development of the businesses of IHL."
Mr. Walters commented: "I am very pleased to have been offered the chance to work with the talented and successful teams at Bell Fruit, Mazooma and QPS at a time of both challenge and opportunity for the industry."
ASTRA GET STRONGER
ASTRA is strengthening its UK distribution channels with the appointment of Crown Direct as a second UK partner. Astra is already well served in the UK by MDM Ltd., based in Cardiff, and Deith Ltd. based in Galashiels, which is actually part of Crown Direct. This existing agreement was expanded at the beginning of the year to incorporate the rest of the group.
FIRST FOR GAMESOFT
GAMING manufacturer and developer Gamesoft will launch its first video AWP, Lucky Streak Poker, at ATEI. The innovative new machine features a pre-game gamble coupled with a unique streak feature. Gamesoft's Robert Taylor said: "Everyone who's seen it or tested it has been hugely impressed." Also being shown for the first time at ATEI will be the firm's Super X, which is an OXO style game but with several hidden features.
Source: eCoinOp UK
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Problem gambling, New gambling fears, New boss + More
FOBTs a problem, claims report
A NEW report by GamCare has linked rising numbers of calls to its helpline to the spread of fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in betting shops, according to the Guardian.
FOBTs already generate almost half the profits of some betting chains and William Hill publicly stated that the success of the machines were largely responsible for keeping the company in profit.
The Guardian also claims that the report will call into question a recent report by the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), which concluded there was "no evidence that [FOBTs] are closely associated with problem gambling".
GamCare's Chief Executive, Professor Peter Cox, said: "Our counsellors are receiving significant numbers of calls from people who indicate they have developed a problem in betting shops since the introduction of FOBTs. We are not in a panic, but there is a concern."
GamCare is due to publish its annual Care Services Report next month, which details the amount of clients seeking help.
A Guardian inquiry last year estimated that more than £290m a week was being gambled on FOBTs in the five leading bookmakers' chains - Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral, Stanley Racing and the Tote - more than three times the average sum staked each week on the National Lottery.
Tom Kelly, of the ABB, argued that calls to GamCare over roulette machines were on the rise because of the industry's good practice of posting GamCare details beside each machine.
Treasury reveals new gambling fears
FEARS that traditional bookmakers and e-gambling may be exploited by money-launderers have been raised in a National Audit Office (NAO) report on gambling taxation.
Gordon Brown is also set to clamp down on Internet betting exchanges and will demand that they pay more duty to Customs and Excise.
The report reveals that out of £2.67bn wagered on exchanges, a paltry £7.3m was paid to Customs and Excise last year. This compares with £376m paid by bookmakers on bets worth close to £30bn.
Only casinos are required to put in place procedures to identify their customers.
The NAO report said the Treasury is 'keeping under review' the need to crackdown on bookmakers and other forms of betting not covered by money laundering regulations.
The National Criminal Intelligence Service believes the money launderer makes frequent high-stake bets at very low odds, resulting in a minimal profit or, more usually, an overall loss. However, all winnings are effectively 'clean', since they are received in the form of cheques, payable either to the individual or to third parties.
Betting exchanges also provide an opportunity to launder money. The customer can set up two accounts, bet against him or herself and receive a bona fide cheque from the betting exchange provider for the payout of the winnings.
Steps were recommended by the Commons and Lords Joint Committee Report on the Draft Gambling Bill, which said professional betters using betting exchanges should have to be registered.
The government is proposing to go further and demand that all exchange users should be identified and registered, not only the ones above a certain threshold.
The Gambling Commission being set up under new gambling legislation will be given powers to access these records if required.
A Whitehall insider told the Observer that the Treasury will move 'within months' to close the loophole. A source said: "The duty and the commission that exchanges make just doesn't add up. It's all pointing to the Treasury acting to stop this."
It will be a blow to Betfair, which controls 95 per cent of money wagered on exchanges. The firm is understood to be desperate to float or engineer a buyout, but uncertainty over the tax regime it will face has delayed any decision.
Bannatyne pulls Labour donations
MILLIONAIRE businessman and soon-to-be casino operator Duncan Bannatyne is ending his donations to the Labour Party.
Mr. Bannatyne, who has claimed the government is guilty of "caving in" to critics of the Gambling Bill, insisted he was ending his donations because of the war in Iraq, saying he was so appalled by the suffering of the Iraqi people he would not give any more money to Labour.
However, in an interview with the London Evening Standard, Bannatyne also predicted casino deregulation would be pushed through Parliament soon after the general election. "They've changed [the Bill] and made it worse," he said. "If Labour comes in with a strong majority, I think they'll push it through quickly," he said.
Mr. Bannatyne was dragged into the gambling controversy last year when it emerged he had given a large donation to Labour just as he decided to move into casinos.
However, he insists he had no role in drafting the policy. "It's bizarre that anybody could think my £50,000 could influence a government in relation to a multi-billion pound industry where the registration of casinos is controlled by a gambling authority full of very intelligent legal people," he said. "I did not discuss the casino Bill with anybody in government."
Although he has not been given permission to build casinos in Essex and Norwich, Mr. Bannatyne is set to open his first casino in Newcastle next month.
Sportech gets new Boss
SPORTECH PLC, the parent company of Littlewoods Gaming, has signed an agreement with Swedish turnkey provider Boss Media AB to provide an online casino and poker room system for Littlewoods' Bet Direct Internet gaming site.
Sportech PLC provides gaming and betting services through wholly-owned gaming and betting business Littlewoods Gaming and recorded a turnover of £207.9m for the year ending December 31, 2003.
Boss is to supply a casino system, available in both a download and in a web-based version. The poker room element will link into the existing Boss Poker network community. Existing Bet Direct punters will be able to log in and play both casino and poker games using their present playing account.
"When looking to develop the casino and poker products for Bet Direct we were conscious that the products needed to utilise the existing account offered on the Bet Direct Sportsbook. Boss Media have proven expertise in this area and this coupled with their excellent product offering made them the natural choice," said Phil Kissane, Director of Internet Gaming at Littlewoods Gaming.
VC Poker Cup set for August
VC POKER, the online poker room of independent bookmaker Victor Chandler, has announced that the 2005 VC Poker Cup will be held at the Teddington Studios between August 1-5.
Now in its second year, The VC Poker Cup is one of Europe's most prestigious poker events and will feature top professionals, internet qualifiers and well-known celebrities playing for what is expected to be Europe's biggest ever prize pool. The event is being filmed and will be broadcast in a 10-part series on Sky Sports.
Victor Chandler, Chairman of the Victor Chandler Group, said: 'We're delighted to be able to confirm that the VC Poker Cup is to become a regular addition to the world poker circuit. We're determined to build on the success of last year's tournament to deliver players, broadcasters and poker fans the biggest, best and most memorable tournament yet.'
The 2004 Victor Poker Cup was won by London poker star Harry Demetriou after he beat off a field of 100 players to the £250,000 first prize and featured names such as The Hendon Mob, Noli Francisco, Donnacha O'Dea and former footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones. Regular ecoin-op readers will remember that ab:UK editor Rowan McIntyre made it to the final 10, knocking out British number one Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliot on the way.
Online charity Lotto launched
A NEW exclusively online lottery will be launched this week aimed at people who are concerned about where their money ends up when they place money on the lottery.
The £1 ticket Lucky 7 Lotto will hand over one fifth of its takings to seven selected charities.
Simon Stimpson, chief executive of HH Gaming, the company promoting the game, said: 'We are not competing with the National Lottery, but it is an alternative where you can see exactly where your money is going.
"The money also goes to the charities straight away, unlike the National Lottery, where there is still more than £2bn sitting in funds."
The draw will take place at 5.00pm each Friday with a one-in-a-million chance of getting the top £100,000 prize. The number of tickets each week will be capped at a million and the prize fund will total £500,000.
Each week, one of the participating charities will get 20 per cent of the takings. The charities are Breast Cancer Campaign, Children In Crisis, Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, Canine Partners, Acorns Children's Hospice Trust, the Variety Club Children's Charity and Seafarers UK.
If the lottery is successful it could raise about £10m a year. Kim Barton, director of fundraising at Children in Crisis, said: "This exciting new opportunity will help us to raise crucial funds."
Source: eCoinOp UK
A NEW report by GamCare has linked rising numbers of calls to its helpline to the spread of fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in betting shops, according to the Guardian.
FOBTs already generate almost half the profits of some betting chains and William Hill publicly stated that the success of the machines were largely responsible for keeping the company in profit.
The Guardian also claims that the report will call into question a recent report by the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), which concluded there was "no evidence that [FOBTs] are closely associated with problem gambling".
GamCare's Chief Executive, Professor Peter Cox, said: "Our counsellors are receiving significant numbers of calls from people who indicate they have developed a problem in betting shops since the introduction of FOBTs. We are not in a panic, but there is a concern."
GamCare is due to publish its annual Care Services Report next month, which details the amount of clients seeking help.
A Guardian inquiry last year estimated that more than £290m a week was being gambled on FOBTs in the five leading bookmakers' chains - Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral, Stanley Racing and the Tote - more than three times the average sum staked each week on the National Lottery.
Tom Kelly, of the ABB, argued that calls to GamCare over roulette machines were on the rise because of the industry's good practice of posting GamCare details beside each machine.
Treasury reveals new gambling fears
FEARS that traditional bookmakers and e-gambling may be exploited by money-launderers have been raised in a National Audit Office (NAO) report on gambling taxation.
Gordon Brown is also set to clamp down on Internet betting exchanges and will demand that they pay more duty to Customs and Excise.
The report reveals that out of £2.67bn wagered on exchanges, a paltry £7.3m was paid to Customs and Excise last year. This compares with £376m paid by bookmakers on bets worth close to £30bn.
Only casinos are required to put in place procedures to identify their customers.
The NAO report said the Treasury is 'keeping under review' the need to crackdown on bookmakers and other forms of betting not covered by money laundering regulations.
The National Criminal Intelligence Service believes the money launderer makes frequent high-stake bets at very low odds, resulting in a minimal profit or, more usually, an overall loss. However, all winnings are effectively 'clean', since they are received in the form of cheques, payable either to the individual or to third parties.
Betting exchanges also provide an opportunity to launder money. The customer can set up two accounts, bet against him or herself and receive a bona fide cheque from the betting exchange provider for the payout of the winnings.
Steps were recommended by the Commons and Lords Joint Committee Report on the Draft Gambling Bill, which said professional betters using betting exchanges should have to be registered.
The government is proposing to go further and demand that all exchange users should be identified and registered, not only the ones above a certain threshold.
The Gambling Commission being set up under new gambling legislation will be given powers to access these records if required.
A Whitehall insider told the Observer that the Treasury will move 'within months' to close the loophole. A source said: "The duty and the commission that exchanges make just doesn't add up. It's all pointing to the Treasury acting to stop this."
It will be a blow to Betfair, which controls 95 per cent of money wagered on exchanges. The firm is understood to be desperate to float or engineer a buyout, but uncertainty over the tax regime it will face has delayed any decision.
Bannatyne pulls Labour donations
MILLIONAIRE businessman and soon-to-be casino operator Duncan Bannatyne is ending his donations to the Labour Party.
Mr. Bannatyne, who has claimed the government is guilty of "caving in" to critics of the Gambling Bill, insisted he was ending his donations because of the war in Iraq, saying he was so appalled by the suffering of the Iraqi people he would not give any more money to Labour.
However, in an interview with the London Evening Standard, Bannatyne also predicted casino deregulation would be pushed through Parliament soon after the general election. "They've changed [the Bill] and made it worse," he said. "If Labour comes in with a strong majority, I think they'll push it through quickly," he said.
Mr. Bannatyne was dragged into the gambling controversy last year when it emerged he had given a large donation to Labour just as he decided to move into casinos.
However, he insists he had no role in drafting the policy. "It's bizarre that anybody could think my £50,000 could influence a government in relation to a multi-billion pound industry where the registration of casinos is controlled by a gambling authority full of very intelligent legal people," he said. "I did not discuss the casino Bill with anybody in government."
Although he has not been given permission to build casinos in Essex and Norwich, Mr. Bannatyne is set to open his first casino in Newcastle next month.
Sportech gets new Boss
SPORTECH PLC, the parent company of Littlewoods Gaming, has signed an agreement with Swedish turnkey provider Boss Media AB to provide an online casino and poker room system for Littlewoods' Bet Direct Internet gaming site.
Sportech PLC provides gaming and betting services through wholly-owned gaming and betting business Littlewoods Gaming and recorded a turnover of £207.9m for the year ending December 31, 2003.
Boss is to supply a casino system, available in both a download and in a web-based version. The poker room element will link into the existing Boss Poker network community. Existing Bet Direct punters will be able to log in and play both casino and poker games using their present playing account.
"When looking to develop the casino and poker products for Bet Direct we were conscious that the products needed to utilise the existing account offered on the Bet Direct Sportsbook. Boss Media have proven expertise in this area and this coupled with their excellent product offering made them the natural choice," said Phil Kissane, Director of Internet Gaming at Littlewoods Gaming.
VC Poker Cup set for August
VC POKER, the online poker room of independent bookmaker Victor Chandler, has announced that the 2005 VC Poker Cup will be held at the Teddington Studios between August 1-5.
Now in its second year, The VC Poker Cup is one of Europe's most prestigious poker events and will feature top professionals, internet qualifiers and well-known celebrities playing for what is expected to be Europe's biggest ever prize pool. The event is being filmed and will be broadcast in a 10-part series on Sky Sports.
Victor Chandler, Chairman of the Victor Chandler Group, said: 'We're delighted to be able to confirm that the VC Poker Cup is to become a regular addition to the world poker circuit. We're determined to build on the success of last year's tournament to deliver players, broadcasters and poker fans the biggest, best and most memorable tournament yet.'
The 2004 Victor Poker Cup was won by London poker star Harry Demetriou after he beat off a field of 100 players to the £250,000 first prize and featured names such as The Hendon Mob, Noli Francisco, Donnacha O'Dea and former footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones. Regular ecoin-op readers will remember that ab:UK editor Rowan McIntyre made it to the final 10, knocking out British number one Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliot on the way.
Online charity Lotto launched
A NEW exclusively online lottery will be launched this week aimed at people who are concerned about where their money ends up when they place money on the lottery.
The £1 ticket Lucky 7 Lotto will hand over one fifth of its takings to seven selected charities.
Simon Stimpson, chief executive of HH Gaming, the company promoting the game, said: 'We are not competing with the National Lottery, but it is an alternative where you can see exactly where your money is going.
"The money also goes to the charities straight away, unlike the National Lottery, where there is still more than £2bn sitting in funds."
The draw will take place at 5.00pm each Friday with a one-in-a-million chance of getting the top £100,000 prize. The number of tickets each week will be capped at a million and the prize fund will total £500,000.
Each week, one of the participating charities will get 20 per cent of the takings. The charities are Breast Cancer Campaign, Children In Crisis, Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, Canine Partners, Acorns Children's Hospice Trust, the Variety Club Children's Charity and Seafarers UK.
If the lottery is successful it could raise about £10m a year. Kim Barton, director of fundraising at Children in Crisis, said: "This exciting new opportunity will help us to raise crucial funds."
Source: eCoinOp UK
Friday, January 14, 2005
Gambling Bill under new pressure + More news
Gambling Bill under new pressure
SEVERAL reports suggest that the Gambling Bill is in danger of failing and may be subjected to "further significant climb-downs" by ministers.
A general election is expected in early May, leaving only a few weeks to get the Bill approved in the House of Lords. Conservative shadow Culture Secretary Malcolm Moss, claims it would be a "miracle" if the Bill was passed in time.
"We believe the government has gone down something of a cul-de-sac, producing a bill that almost nobody wants," the Conservative's Malcolm Moss told Reuters.
"They won't mind if it gets kicked into the long grass and stays there," he added.
Derek Jeffrey, Chief Executive of the British Casino Association, told The Independent: "I know government ministers, including Lord McIntosh and Richard Caborn, are considering dropping the casino elements of the Bill in order to get it passed." The government argued that it had no intention of removing the casino proposals.
DCMS made a huge U-turn on its casino proposals last month, capping the total number of developments to 24 - eight each of large, small and regional casinos.
This '8:8:8 policy' has caused anger from existing casino operators, who have also now been told they will not be allowed to put more slot machines in their existing casinos as they previously hoped. Considerable opposition is expected in the Lords, by which time a general election will be looming. For the Bill to be passed, opposition MPs are expecting the government to back down at the last minute before the election.
BACTA's House visit a success
GOVERNMENT ministers assured BACTA members there was still value in lobbying for changes to the Gaming Act this week as representatives from the UK trade association visited the Houses of Parliament. Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport John Whittingdale, Lib Dem MP Don Foster and Labour member John Grogan all spoke with admiration about the way BACTA has conducted its campaign and the help it has given the select committee.
They also added that due to the time available before a possible general election, the government may well have to make some further compromises to push the Bill through in advance of the dissolution of parliament.
Don Foster, the Liberal Democrat Culture spokesman, said: "There are still four or five areas that are of concern. The government wants to get parts of the Bill, like those that bring greater protection for children, through, so this will probably go right to the wire and a deal will be hammered out."
Commission short-list drawn up
A REPORT from a team of consultants was before the Gaming Board on Thursday for evaluation. The report was into the viability of a short-list of likely locations for the Gambling Commission's headquarters.
A decision was taken some time ago to take the new organisation out of London, but the criteria was that it's new location should be within two-hours travelling time from London. Out of 60 possible locations, a short-list has been drawn up of five locations, Leicester, Derby, Peterborough, Bristol and Birmingham.
Insiders among the secretariat at the Gaming Board are pinpointing Birmingham as the most likely venue because of its communications with the rest of the country.
William Hill sees FOBT benefit
THE success of FOBTs have helped to spare bookmaker William Hill from a slump in sporting revenues.
The company, which runs 1,600 betting shops, said its second-half performance had been hit by unfavourable soccer and horse racing results - a similar scenario which helped to wipe 10 per cent off the shares of rival Stanley Leisure last week.
William Hill's performance in the second half offset a stronger start to the year when bookmakers benefited from the success of Greece in Euro 2004.
In a trading update, William Hill said it expected underlying profits for the year to December 28 to be in the region of £232m, compared with £201.7m a year earlier.
City forecasts, for the period, ranged between £230m and £245m.
Earnings per share are expected to be up 20 per cent to around 36 pence, added the group, which lies second behind Hilton Group's Ladbroke chain in the number of UK betting shops it runs.
William Hill said the growth of random number-based betting through mediums such as fixed odds betting terminals and online gambling meant the outcome of sporting results was having a smaller impact on its revenues.
Finance director Tom Singer said revenues had been bolstered by FOBTs at the company's betting shops.
William Hill added that it remained in good shape operationally with costs under control and major investment programmes in place for 2005. The company will provide further details on its performance at full year results on March 2.
Deith wins Sammy Prize
DEITH Group will be the exclusive distributor for the new Prize Party vending machine from Sammy Europe.
"Having had the opportunity to extensively test Prize Party over the summer we are delighted to be in an exclusive position to market Prize Party this season.
Undoubtedly every arcade, holiday village and vending operator will want one," said Leon Deith. Sammy's Martin Riley added: "We are very pleased to have Deith Group's drive and support in getting Prize Party into the market place. We have been extremely pleased with the testing and expect strong sales."
Deith will also be launching the Sammy twin driving game, Faster Than Speed, in its newly designed cabinet and shooting game Extreme Hunting at the ATEI, amongst a packed display of new product. Deith Group can be found on stand 1020 at the ATEI later this month.
Hilton unveils Blackpool plans
THE Hilton Hotel group has unveiled its plans for a £600m regional casino and shopping mall at Blackpool. The projected site is the old Central Railway Station. The plans include shops, bars and a conference centre and will form the basis of the regeneration scheme for the resort.
Source: eCoinOp UK
SEVERAL reports suggest that the Gambling Bill is in danger of failing and may be subjected to "further significant climb-downs" by ministers.
A general election is expected in early May, leaving only a few weeks to get the Bill approved in the House of Lords. Conservative shadow Culture Secretary Malcolm Moss, claims it would be a "miracle" if the Bill was passed in time.
"We believe the government has gone down something of a cul-de-sac, producing a bill that almost nobody wants," the Conservative's Malcolm Moss told Reuters.
"They won't mind if it gets kicked into the long grass and stays there," he added.
Derek Jeffrey, Chief Executive of the British Casino Association, told The Independent: "I know government ministers, including Lord McIntosh and Richard Caborn, are considering dropping the casino elements of the Bill in order to get it passed." The government argued that it had no intention of removing the casino proposals.
DCMS made a huge U-turn on its casino proposals last month, capping the total number of developments to 24 - eight each of large, small and regional casinos.
This '8:8:8 policy' has caused anger from existing casino operators, who have also now been told they will not be allowed to put more slot machines in their existing casinos as they previously hoped. Considerable opposition is expected in the Lords, by which time a general election will be looming. For the Bill to be passed, opposition MPs are expecting the government to back down at the last minute before the election.
BACTA's House visit a success
GOVERNMENT ministers assured BACTA members there was still value in lobbying for changes to the Gaming Act this week as representatives from the UK trade association visited the Houses of Parliament. Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport John Whittingdale, Lib Dem MP Don Foster and Labour member John Grogan all spoke with admiration about the way BACTA has conducted its campaign and the help it has given the select committee.
They also added that due to the time available before a possible general election, the government may well have to make some further compromises to push the Bill through in advance of the dissolution of parliament.
Don Foster, the Liberal Democrat Culture spokesman, said: "There are still four or five areas that are of concern. The government wants to get parts of the Bill, like those that bring greater protection for children, through, so this will probably go right to the wire and a deal will be hammered out."
Commission short-list drawn up
A REPORT from a team of consultants was before the Gaming Board on Thursday for evaluation. The report was into the viability of a short-list of likely locations for the Gambling Commission's headquarters.
A decision was taken some time ago to take the new organisation out of London, but the criteria was that it's new location should be within two-hours travelling time from London. Out of 60 possible locations, a short-list has been drawn up of five locations, Leicester, Derby, Peterborough, Bristol and Birmingham.
Insiders among the secretariat at the Gaming Board are pinpointing Birmingham as the most likely venue because of its communications with the rest of the country.
William Hill sees FOBT benefit
THE success of FOBTs have helped to spare bookmaker William Hill from a slump in sporting revenues.
The company, which runs 1,600 betting shops, said its second-half performance had been hit by unfavourable soccer and horse racing results - a similar scenario which helped to wipe 10 per cent off the shares of rival Stanley Leisure last week.
William Hill's performance in the second half offset a stronger start to the year when bookmakers benefited from the success of Greece in Euro 2004.
In a trading update, William Hill said it expected underlying profits for the year to December 28 to be in the region of £232m, compared with £201.7m a year earlier.
City forecasts, for the period, ranged between £230m and £245m.
Earnings per share are expected to be up 20 per cent to around 36 pence, added the group, which lies second behind Hilton Group's Ladbroke chain in the number of UK betting shops it runs.
William Hill said the growth of random number-based betting through mediums such as fixed odds betting terminals and online gambling meant the outcome of sporting results was having a smaller impact on its revenues.
Finance director Tom Singer said revenues had been bolstered by FOBTs at the company's betting shops.
William Hill added that it remained in good shape operationally with costs under control and major investment programmes in place for 2005. The company will provide further details on its performance at full year results on March 2.
Deith wins Sammy Prize
DEITH Group will be the exclusive distributor for the new Prize Party vending machine from Sammy Europe.
"Having had the opportunity to extensively test Prize Party over the summer we are delighted to be in an exclusive position to market Prize Party this season.
Undoubtedly every arcade, holiday village and vending operator will want one," said Leon Deith. Sammy's Martin Riley added: "We are very pleased to have Deith Group's drive and support in getting Prize Party into the market place. We have been extremely pleased with the testing and expect strong sales."
Deith will also be launching the Sammy twin driving game, Faster Than Speed, in its newly designed cabinet and shooting game Extreme Hunting at the ATEI, amongst a packed display of new product. Deith Group can be found on stand 1020 at the ATEI later this month.
Hilton unveils Blackpool plans
THE Hilton Hotel group has unveiled its plans for a £600m regional casino and shopping mall at Blackpool. The projected site is the old Central Railway Station. The plans include shops, bars and a conference centre and will form the basis of the regeneration scheme for the resort.
Source: eCoinOp UK
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Diary Dates
Amusement Trade Exhibition
International (ATEI)
Earls Court 1, London, UK
January 25th - January 27th 2005
International Casino
Exhibition (ICE)
Earls Court 2, London, UK
January 25th - January 27th 2005
Amuse UK
Norbrek Castle, Blackpool
March 16th-17th 2005
International Casino Operator Forum
Hotel Grande Britagne, Athens, Greece
May 25-26th 2005
International (ATEI)
Earls Court 1, London, UK
January 25th - January 27th 2005
International Casino
Exhibition (ICE)
Earls Court 2, London, UK
January 25th - January 27th 2005
Amuse UK
Norbrek Castle, Blackpool
March 16th-17th 2005
International Casino Operator Forum
Hotel Grande Britagne, Athens, Greece
May 25-26th 2005
BACTA steps up Bill campaign
BACTA members will today step up their campaign to secure further changes to the Gambling Bill and to safeguard seaside jobs and the seaside economy.
BACTA, the largest trade association for the UK gaming industry, is holding a countrywide industry lobby of the House of Commons today to launch the publication of a YouGov opinion poll on the Gambling Bill and separate research on the impact of the Bill on seaside businesses.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has already been forced to make a series of amendments to the Bill, including placing a limit on the number of regional, large and small casinos. BACTA is seeking to remove the new government power to set an age limit for playing Category D machines; to maintain existing stakes and prizes for low stake and prize machines; to ensure parity of treatment for equivalent adult gambling environments; and to protect grandfather rights for existing games, stakes and prizes.
BACTA President, Tim Batstone, said: “We’re pleased the government has seen sense and limited the number of new regional casinos. But much more is required before this Bill will be acceptable to BACTA members.
“The government’s plans seriously threaten already fragile seaside economies. Our survey of seaside arcades shows that 78 per cent say that the government’s plans will lead to job losses. This is the last thing seaside businesses need at the moment.
“A YouGov poll indicates that three quarters of the public believes the government should not ban children from using low-stake, low-prize machines such as cranes that grab cuddly toys, pushers, and novelties like Derby races”.
Key findings in the poll include:
• Three out of four do not believe the government should ban children from playing Category D machines.
• 85 per cent believe reducing the prize value a child is able to win when using category D machines (from £8 to £5) will make no difference to the likelihood of a person developing a problem with gambling in later life.
• 57 per cent of respondents do not support a super-casino in their area.
• 67 per cent think the introduction of super-casinos will lead to an increase in problem gambling.
The seaside business survey claims that:
• 78 per cent said the government’s plans would lead to job losses.
• 90 per cent of businesses said that the Secretary of State’s power to impose an age limit on Category D machines would threaten their investment plans and they would now be less likely to invest.
• 85 per cent said they expected fewer visitors if they were forced to cater for over 18s only.
• 57 per cent said the government’s proposals would make their businesses less viable.
BACTA members will assemble at the St. Stephens entrance of the House of Commons at 2pm today to be addressed by MPs including John Whittingdale, Don Foster and John Grogan, at 2.30pm in Committee Room 7. From 3pm onwards, BACTA members will hold further meetings with their local MPs.
Source eCoinOp UK
BACTA, the largest trade association for the UK gaming industry, is holding a countrywide industry lobby of the House of Commons today to launch the publication of a YouGov opinion poll on the Gambling Bill and separate research on the impact of the Bill on seaside businesses.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has already been forced to make a series of amendments to the Bill, including placing a limit on the number of regional, large and small casinos. BACTA is seeking to remove the new government power to set an age limit for playing Category D machines; to maintain existing stakes and prizes for low stake and prize machines; to ensure parity of treatment for equivalent adult gambling environments; and to protect grandfather rights for existing games, stakes and prizes.
BACTA President, Tim Batstone, said: “We’re pleased the government has seen sense and limited the number of new regional casinos. But much more is required before this Bill will be acceptable to BACTA members.
“The government’s plans seriously threaten already fragile seaside economies. Our survey of seaside arcades shows that 78 per cent say that the government’s plans will lead to job losses. This is the last thing seaside businesses need at the moment.
“A YouGov poll indicates that three quarters of the public believes the government should not ban children from using low-stake, low-prize machines such as cranes that grab cuddly toys, pushers, and novelties like Derby races”.
Key findings in the poll include:
• Three out of four do not believe the government should ban children from playing Category D machines.
• 85 per cent believe reducing the prize value a child is able to win when using category D machines (from £8 to £5) will make no difference to the likelihood of a person developing a problem with gambling in later life.
• 57 per cent of respondents do not support a super-casino in their area.
• 67 per cent think the introduction of super-casinos will lead to an increase in problem gambling.
The seaside business survey claims that:
• 78 per cent said the government’s plans would lead to job losses.
• 90 per cent of businesses said that the Secretary of State’s power to impose an age limit on Category D machines would threaten their investment plans and they would now be less likely to invest.
• 85 per cent said they expected fewer visitors if they were forced to cater for over 18s only.
• 57 per cent said the government’s proposals would make their businesses less viable.
BACTA members will assemble at the St. Stephens entrance of the House of Commons at 2pm today to be addressed by MPs including John Whittingdale, Don Foster and John Grogan, at 2.30pm in Committee Room 7. From 3pm onwards, BACTA members will hold further meetings with their local MPs.
Source eCoinOp UK
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
News Update
Denham in at FutureLogic
FUTURELOGIC Europe, the developer of thermal printers for ticket-in, ticket-out systems, has appointed Rob Denham as technical manager. Based in FutureLogic's sales office and warehouse facility near London, he is responsible for all technical sales, integration and support activities with OEM partners, as well as quality assurance programmes in the UK facility. "The appointment of Rob further consolidates our commitment to the European market and gives local support to our customers and partners," said John Edmunds, general manager of FutureLogic Europe. Mr. Edmunds, former European sales manager of Mars Electronics International's gaming operations, worked with Mr. Denham at that company. Mr. Denham held a variety of technical positions at MEI.
TCS in the zone for ICE
TCS John Huxley is creating a new concept for ICE 2005 by demonstrating its products in a way that "focuses on core product values and technical innovation." The stand will consist of six zones, each one designed to demonstrate how the company's products can "increase performance, add value and deliver competitive advantage.
MEI signs Czech deal
MEI has secured a new supply contract for its MEI Cashflow SC83 note acceptor. It will be fitted in the majority of terminals being installed by Cyberview Technology in the Czech Republic for lottery operator SAZKA. Cyberview recently announced its appointment to supply the country's central lottery system over a 19-year period. The MEI Cashflow SC series was launched in Europe in January, 2004, following success in the US market. The note acceptor has generated considerable interest since its launch and this contract represents a significant breakthrough into the eastern European market place.
IoM clears up online debate
THE Isle of Man Government has formally cleared the way for online gambling companies set up on the island to deal with punters in the US. It had never officially banned the practice, but a perceived ban had discouraged major online gambling companies from setting up on the island.
More aid for tsunami victims
ROBERT Dykstra at Guildford gaming solutions company Octavian has brought to our attention the work an old friend of his is undertaking in the wake of the Asian tsunami. Jan van Stokkom, who has lived in Sri Lanka for many years, has formed Ekamuthu, a foundation whose aim is to provide relief for the people of the village of Ilukgoda in Sri Lanka. The main goal of the foundation is to solve problems together with the villagers, so self-motivation plays an important role. The foundation raises the financial resources and the villagers use these resources for the benefit of all. More information can be found on the website, www.ekamuthu.org. The contact address for the foundation is: Stichting Ekamuthu, Vlietwijck 80, 2271 EW Voorburg, Netherlands.
Source: eCoinOp UK
FUTURELOGIC Europe, the developer of thermal printers for ticket-in, ticket-out systems, has appointed Rob Denham as technical manager. Based in FutureLogic's sales office and warehouse facility near London, he is responsible for all technical sales, integration and support activities with OEM partners, as well as quality assurance programmes in the UK facility. "The appointment of Rob further consolidates our commitment to the European market and gives local support to our customers and partners," said John Edmunds, general manager of FutureLogic Europe. Mr. Edmunds, former European sales manager of Mars Electronics International's gaming operations, worked with Mr. Denham at that company. Mr. Denham held a variety of technical positions at MEI.
TCS in the zone for ICE
TCS John Huxley is creating a new concept for ICE 2005 by demonstrating its products in a way that "focuses on core product values and technical innovation." The stand will consist of six zones, each one designed to demonstrate how the company's products can "increase performance, add value and deliver competitive advantage.
MEI signs Czech deal
MEI has secured a new supply contract for its MEI Cashflow SC83 note acceptor. It will be fitted in the majority of terminals being installed by Cyberview Technology in the Czech Republic for lottery operator SAZKA. Cyberview recently announced its appointment to supply the country's central lottery system over a 19-year period. The MEI Cashflow SC series was launched in Europe in January, 2004, following success in the US market. The note acceptor has generated considerable interest since its launch and this contract represents a significant breakthrough into the eastern European market place.
IoM clears up online debate
THE Isle of Man Government has formally cleared the way for online gambling companies set up on the island to deal with punters in the US. It had never officially banned the practice, but a perceived ban had discouraged major online gambling companies from setting up on the island.
More aid for tsunami victims
ROBERT Dykstra at Guildford gaming solutions company Octavian has brought to our attention the work an old friend of his is undertaking in the wake of the Asian tsunami. Jan van Stokkom, who has lived in Sri Lanka for many years, has formed Ekamuthu, a foundation whose aim is to provide relief for the people of the village of Ilukgoda in Sri Lanka. The main goal of the foundation is to solve problems together with the villagers, so self-motivation plays an important role. The foundation raises the financial resources and the villagers use these resources for the benefit of all. More information can be found on the website, www.ekamuthu.org. The contact address for the foundation is: Stichting Ekamuthu, Vlietwijck 80, 2271 EW Voorburg, Netherlands.
Source: eCoinOp UK
Saturday, January 08, 2005
It's Top Of The Pops for Juke Boxes + More
Gala splits with Harrah's over UK caps
THE Government's U-turn on casinos has directly led to casino operator Gala Group pulling out of its partnership with major US operator Harrah's, it was announced this week.
The reduction in the number of new casinos in the UK, announced by the DCMS minister Tessa Jowell, unravelled the £1bn proposals by the UK/US partnership. The capping of the number of new casinos to 24 - only eight of them in the regional category which so interested the partnership - was described by John Kelly, Chairman of Gala as "disappointing". He added: "The industry has been let down by the Government."
Stanley profits slump
A PROFITS warning from Stanley Leisure surprised the markets yesterday. The casino operator lost £10m since its Chairman, Lord Steinberg, sold £36m of shares at the end of November. Of that loss, £3m is understood to have been down to one single high-rolling gambler.
There have also been unfavourable soccer and racing results and some bad debts that have contributed to the downturn in the company's performance. Full-year profits will now be in line with last year when the company chalked up nearly £42m pre-tax.
As you were for Happ and Suzo
IT is likely that parts specialists Happ in the US and Suzo in the Netherlands - newly merged by their owners following the acquisition of Suzo - will continue to operate separately under their old names.
Tom Happ will remain President of the US company and Patrick Suverein will continue as CEO at Suzo. Eventually, Happ UK, the British offshoot of the American company, will be merged with Suzo as the Dutch company will probably look after international sales of the newly-united companies, with Happ working on North American sales.
DT signs TOTP deal
DT PRODUCTIONS has signed a landmark deal with the BBC to use the Top of the Pops TV show brand in all its juke box packages.
The pop music show will be used in three different TOTP juke box themes: TOTP CD ROM, TOTP Online and TOTP On Demand. The first TOTP juke boxes, created in association with Sound Leisure, will be on show at ATEI 2005.
The Top of the Pops CD ROM start-up package will almost double the amount previously offered by SoundNet. In total over 2,000 tracks will now be available on the juke box at launch, with the addition of the Top of the Pops theming, buttons, flash animations, glass and original content. SoundNet is also launching a new Greatest Hits selection.
Customers can choose tracks from 20 of 100 Greatest Hits artists, making up their total number of start-up tracks to 2,500. Updates of 50 tracks, many pre-releases, will be supplied every fortnight.
For those operating VIDEO CD ROM juke boxes, the choice at start-up has been increased to one of four categories of 1,000 videos and original TOTP performances from the 60s, 70s and present day will be available as part of the updates at no extra cost.
Top of the Pops Online allows customers to download their content via the Internet. The same choice of upgrades as the CD ROM will be available but users will also receive the entire Top 30 Official Top of the Pops Chart on their juke boxes every week.
On Demand will allow customers to access every Top 40 hit since the charts began in 1952. No other juke box is able to offer this service, using the Top of the Pops format. The entire back catalogue has been licensed to DT Productions and will be available via its server. In addition, all the latest chart listings will also be available.
"We are incredibly excited to have secured this amazing exclusive licence for Top of the Pops," commented Simon Davis, Director of DT Productions. "Top of the Pops has been running since 1964 and is one of the most popular music programmes of all time. People of all ages will be attracted to the juke boxes because of it."
Interactive ties up double deal
INTERACTIVE Gaming Holdings (IGH) has signed two major online gaming operators as paid advertisers through its wholly owned subsidiary Interactive Entertainment Network (IEN), the online gaming content and advertising division.
Golden Palce, and iGlobal Media are the new additions.
IEN comprises a network of over 1,100 portals, and network sites. Properties cover all sectors of the online gaming industry including casino, bingo, sportsbook and lottery. IEN derives its revenue from the sale of advertising to third party operators based upon a cost per click model.
Thomas Taule, IGH Executive Chairman, said: "We are very excited by the rapid growth and successful customer conversion rate on our IEN portals and network sites. Major gaming operators now recognise the quality and benefits of our service and we look forward to further significant growth. We remain focused on making value enhancing acquisitions in the gaming related media and technology sector."
Do you have a machine crisis? Looking for something specific? Or just the best deal. Then contact Deith Group for all your amusement & gaming needs: e-mail:sales@deithgroup.com, Phone: 01737 222777 Fax: 01737 222006 Mobile: 07957 135216
Source: eCoinOP UK
THE Government's U-turn on casinos has directly led to casino operator Gala Group pulling out of its partnership with major US operator Harrah's, it was announced this week.
The reduction in the number of new casinos in the UK, announced by the DCMS minister Tessa Jowell, unravelled the £1bn proposals by the UK/US partnership. The capping of the number of new casinos to 24 - only eight of them in the regional category which so interested the partnership - was described by John Kelly, Chairman of Gala as "disappointing". He added: "The industry has been let down by the Government."
Stanley profits slump
A PROFITS warning from Stanley Leisure surprised the markets yesterday. The casino operator lost £10m since its Chairman, Lord Steinberg, sold £36m of shares at the end of November. Of that loss, £3m is understood to have been down to one single high-rolling gambler.
There have also been unfavourable soccer and racing results and some bad debts that have contributed to the downturn in the company's performance. Full-year profits will now be in line with last year when the company chalked up nearly £42m pre-tax.
As you were for Happ and Suzo
IT is likely that parts specialists Happ in the US and Suzo in the Netherlands - newly merged by their owners following the acquisition of Suzo - will continue to operate separately under their old names.
Tom Happ will remain President of the US company and Patrick Suverein will continue as CEO at Suzo. Eventually, Happ UK, the British offshoot of the American company, will be merged with Suzo as the Dutch company will probably look after international sales of the newly-united companies, with Happ working on North American sales.
DT signs TOTP deal
DT PRODUCTIONS has signed a landmark deal with the BBC to use the Top of the Pops TV show brand in all its juke box packages.
The pop music show will be used in three different TOTP juke box themes: TOTP CD ROM, TOTP Online and TOTP On Demand. The first TOTP juke boxes, created in association with Sound Leisure, will be on show at ATEI 2005.
The Top of the Pops CD ROM start-up package will almost double the amount previously offered by SoundNet. In total over 2,000 tracks will now be available on the juke box at launch, with the addition of the Top of the Pops theming, buttons, flash animations, glass and original content. SoundNet is also launching a new Greatest Hits selection.
Customers can choose tracks from 20 of 100 Greatest Hits artists, making up their total number of start-up tracks to 2,500. Updates of 50 tracks, many pre-releases, will be supplied every fortnight.
For those operating VIDEO CD ROM juke boxes, the choice at start-up has been increased to one of four categories of 1,000 videos and original TOTP performances from the 60s, 70s and present day will be available as part of the updates at no extra cost.
Top of the Pops Online allows customers to download their content via the Internet. The same choice of upgrades as the CD ROM will be available but users will also receive the entire Top 30 Official Top of the Pops Chart on their juke boxes every week.
On Demand will allow customers to access every Top 40 hit since the charts began in 1952. No other juke box is able to offer this service, using the Top of the Pops format. The entire back catalogue has been licensed to DT Productions and will be available via its server. In addition, all the latest chart listings will also be available.
"We are incredibly excited to have secured this amazing exclusive licence for Top of the Pops," commented Simon Davis, Director of DT Productions. "Top of the Pops has been running since 1964 and is one of the most popular music programmes of all time. People of all ages will be attracted to the juke boxes because of it."
Interactive ties up double deal
INTERACTIVE Gaming Holdings (IGH) has signed two major online gaming operators as paid advertisers through its wholly owned subsidiary Interactive Entertainment Network (IEN), the online gaming content and advertising division.
Golden Palce, and iGlobal Media are the new additions.
IEN comprises a network of over 1,100 portals, and network sites. Properties cover all sectors of the online gaming industry including casino, bingo, sportsbook and lottery. IEN derives its revenue from the sale of advertising to third party operators based upon a cost per click model.
Thomas Taule, IGH Executive Chairman, said: "We are very excited by the rapid growth and successful customer conversion rate on our IEN portals and network sites. Major gaming operators now recognise the quality and benefits of our service and we look forward to further significant growth. We remain focused on making value enhancing acquisitions in the gaming related media and technology sector."
Do you have a machine crisis? Looking for something specific? Or just the best deal. Then contact Deith Group for all your amusement & gaming needs: e-mail:sales@deithgroup.com, Phone: 01737 222777 Fax: 01737 222006 Mobile: 07957 135216
Source: eCoinOP UK
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
News 04.01.05
CHRISTMAS EVE DEAL FOR SUZO
THE forecast of a merger between the Netherlands' Suzo International and Happ Controls of the US, made in this column some weeks ago, has been proved correct.
Suzo has been bought by US-based venture capital company Pfingsten Partners, owner of the major US parts supplier Happ Controls, which has some European business.
The price was undisclosed and the deal was concluded on Christmas Eve.
BLACKPOOL CASINO TENDER
BLACKPOOL has launched an international tender for a resort casino development.
The resort sees itself as a front-runner to win one of the eight regional casino licences which will be awarded by an independent panel.
Sir Peter Hall, Chairman of ReBlackpool, the resort's regeneration company, said it aimed to create a casino and conference centre.
Hilton is one of the main front runners in Blackpool, favouring a £200m super casino development. The town has advertised in the official journal of the European Union to invite expressions of interest.
DEITH AND ORION WORKING TOGETHER
DEITH Group and Dutch casino slot and AWP manufacturer Orion Gaming have agreed to work together in the UK and Ireland and will be exhibiting at the ICE and ATEI shows. Matthew Deith commented:
"We are delighted to represent Orion in the UK and Ireland; it has considerable expertise in the casino sector and its products are among the market leaders in Europe. "
Deith Group is committed to diversifying into the casino market and feels that the two companies are well placed to take advantage of all the opportunities available.
TRM WINS THREE-YEAR RANK CONTRACT
REFLECTING its increased presence in the gaming industry, TRM (ATM) Ltd. has entered into a three-year contract with leisure giant Rank Group Gaming Division, operator of Mecca Bingo, Grosvenor Casinos and Hard Rock Casinos.
TRM cash machines are currently being installed in Rank Gaming sites across the UK. The London-based company was successful in winning the contract because of its variety of products and solutions. Rank Group Gaming Division's director of purchasing, Michele Jennings, commented:
"Our market sectors offer complex demands and TRM was able to provide flexible solutions to accommodate our cash machine estate."
BALD MOVE BY ATRONIC'S DORSEN
ATRONIC'S regional sales manager Simon Dorsen recently made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of charity after agreeing to have his head shaved to raise money for the UK charity Children in Need.
Nearly £400 was raised after Simon's UK colleagues sent a secret e-mail round the company asking for pledges to convince the Australian to shear his ever-expanding mop of curls.
The pledges came flooding in with various employees offering their head shaving services as well their donations and once enough was collected the UK office put the idea to the man himself who, to his credit, didn't take much arm twisting before agreeing to lose his locks for charity.
DANCE STAGE FUSION
Dance Stage Fusion, the newest brightest dancing game from Konami. Out soon. Order now to avoid disappointment. PMT Sales UK & Ireland exclusive distributor 0113 2178300
Source: eCoinOp UK
THE forecast of a merger between the Netherlands' Suzo International and Happ Controls of the US, made in this column some weeks ago, has been proved correct.
Suzo has been bought by US-based venture capital company Pfingsten Partners, owner of the major US parts supplier Happ Controls, which has some European business.
The price was undisclosed and the deal was concluded on Christmas Eve.
BLACKPOOL CASINO TENDER
BLACKPOOL has launched an international tender for a resort casino development.
The resort sees itself as a front-runner to win one of the eight regional casino licences which will be awarded by an independent panel.
Sir Peter Hall, Chairman of ReBlackpool, the resort's regeneration company, said it aimed to create a casino and conference centre.
Hilton is one of the main front runners in Blackpool, favouring a £200m super casino development. The town has advertised in the official journal of the European Union to invite expressions of interest.
DEITH AND ORION WORKING TOGETHER
DEITH Group and Dutch casino slot and AWP manufacturer Orion Gaming have agreed to work together in the UK and Ireland and will be exhibiting at the ICE and ATEI shows. Matthew Deith commented:
"We are delighted to represent Orion in the UK and Ireland; it has considerable expertise in the casino sector and its products are among the market leaders in Europe. "
Deith Group is committed to diversifying into the casino market and feels that the two companies are well placed to take advantage of all the opportunities available.
TRM WINS THREE-YEAR RANK CONTRACT
REFLECTING its increased presence in the gaming industry, TRM (ATM) Ltd. has entered into a three-year contract with leisure giant Rank Group Gaming Division, operator of Mecca Bingo, Grosvenor Casinos and Hard Rock Casinos.
TRM cash machines are currently being installed in Rank Gaming sites across the UK. The London-based company was successful in winning the contract because of its variety of products and solutions. Rank Group Gaming Division's director of purchasing, Michele Jennings, commented:
"Our market sectors offer complex demands and TRM was able to provide flexible solutions to accommodate our cash machine estate."
BALD MOVE BY ATRONIC'S DORSEN
ATRONIC'S regional sales manager Simon Dorsen recently made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of charity after agreeing to have his head shaved to raise money for the UK charity Children in Need.
Nearly £400 was raised after Simon's UK colleagues sent a secret e-mail round the company asking for pledges to convince the Australian to shear his ever-expanding mop of curls.
The pledges came flooding in with various employees offering their head shaving services as well their donations and once enough was collected the UK office put the idea to the man himself who, to his credit, didn't take much arm twisting before agreeing to lose his locks for charity.
DANCE STAGE FUSION
Dance Stage Fusion, the newest brightest dancing game from Konami. Out soon. Order now to avoid disappointment. PMT Sales UK & Ireland exclusive distributor 0113 2178300
Source: eCoinOp UK
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