Russian bill passes final Duma reading
RUSSIA: The bill that would seek to close most casinos and slot-machine halls in Russia and exile gambling to four relatively uninhabited zones has passed a third and final reading in the Moscow State Duma.
To become law, the bill now only needs the approval of the Federation Council and of President Vladimir Putin - who submitted the draft back in October.
The bill received the support of 428 out of 450 deputies, which would seem to indicate that the law is virtually certain to be adopted.
The bill calls for the creation of four zones for legal gambling - the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, the Primorsky region on the Pacific coast, the Siberian region of Altai and the southern Krasnodar-Rostov area.
Casinos and slot-machine operations elsewhere in the country would be banned as of July 1, 2009.
However, some experts have said that Primorsky, which is situated close to China, can sustain a gaming industry, as many Chinese already visit the region to gamble. But they have voiced doubts that the other areas will be able to draw enough visitors to make gambling viable there.
Merit conducts Malaysia crack-down
MALAYSIA: Merit International has carried out raids on companies in Malaysia, seizing copy games and components.
On Tuesday of this week, the company's Malaysian attorneys, Wong Partners, accompanied by the Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, used search warrants to make the raids.
One of the companies involved was Cosmic Hitec in Penang, where authorities seized six complete Merit copy games, five hard drives and 19 mother boards.
The second raid, on an undisclosed company, yielded 15 complete Merit copies.
Harrah’s accepts buyout bid
US: Harrah’s Entertainment, the world's largest casino group, has accepted a US$17bn bid from two private equity firms.
Following two months of negotiations, Apollo Management and Texas Pacific Group will acquire Harrah's large entertainment and leisure portfolio, which includes the Harrah's, Caesars and Horseshoe brands - giving it a 350-acre stretch along the Las Vegas Strip.
Harrah's said the deal was expected to be completed in about a year, but said its special committee would continue to solicit third parties for a possible higher bid for the next 25 days.
MachineGuard launches gold member scheme
UK: MachineGuard UK, the company that helps to reduce theft from coin-op machines, has introduced a gold member status for companies and individuals with five or more years’ continuous membership.
The first businesses to be awarded the gold member status will receive two bottles of fine wine in a presentation box, a laminated gold member’s certificate and their picture in the gold members’ gallery on the soon-to-be-launched MachineGuard website.
Gary Pettengell, MachineGuard managing director, said: “We are hugely grateful to those members who have been with us since the beginning. It’s largely due to their support and commitment that MachineGuard continues to thrive and we are able to help the industry combat and reduce crime.”
Bwin still going strong in Bavaria
GERMANY: A Swiss regional court has suspended an order by the German state of Bavaria that tried to ban Austrian online sportsbook bwin.com from accepting sport bets with Bavarian residents.
"Bwin can continue to offer sporting bets in Bavaria and to accept bets from Bavarian customers," bwin said in a statement. The court ruling means Bavaria cannot enforce a ban immediately, before the main case is decided in court, bwin said.
German states including Bavaria, Hesse and Saxony have ordered bwin to stop offering sports bets. Court cases are pending in all cases.
Sound Leisure jukebox to receive a facelift
UK: Sound Leisure will once again push the boundaries of digital jukebox capabilities at ATEI.
Last year the company unveiled its Milestones in Music, which has broken all records in cashbox performance. This year, a new milestone has been reached, although the exact details will not be unveiled until the show.
The company will also reveal a range of other exciting new products to be seen for the first time in London. Among these is the Micro wall-selector, which for the first time will be compatible with the branded Top of the Pops cabinet, giving customers access to every Top 40 chart hit since 1952 and allowing operators to maximise cashbox from this product by placing a second unit into a venue at a competitive price.
The Music Express free-standing digital jukebox will now benefit from a facelift and take Milestones in Music technology if required.
Sound Leisure is expecting great things from its newly reconfigured Nostalgia digital boxes, which combine hand-crafted good looks with the latest digital technology and in addition the Milestones in Music audio package - 25,000 tracks held on the hard drive with updates available either on CD ROM or via broadband internet connection.
Merkur touts new AWPs
GERMANY: Merkur Gaming of Germany had a whole number of novelties to offer at the recent G2E in Las Vegas.
On the stand of Atronic, a fellow member of the Gauselmann Group, Merkur presented its latest video-based AWP machines, Alhambra and Secrets of India.
“These two innovative gaming systems are brilliant because of their unique graphics and outstanding features, like Secrets of India’s 50 win lines and Alhambra’s free games with triple wins,” said CSO Axel Pawlas. Another highlight is a three-tier multi-level jackpot. The three levels, mini jackpot, medium jackpot and maxi jackpot add additional thrill to the game.
Merkur also exhibited further state-of-the-art AWPs from its comprehensive portfolio, all with special features, free games and two different risk levels, the hi-lo risk and the beat-the-dealer risk.
The new video-based Merkur machines come in a new casino-style cabinet with two TFT screens. The company also offers customization of all AWP machines for target markets in eastern Europe and South America.
Photo-Me unveils divestment plan
UK: The sell-off of the component parts of the Photo-Me International Group, released in this column on Tuesday, will place its coin-op interests into one of the three portions to be sold.
The Jolly Roger kiddie ride manufacturing and operating company and the majority interest in Deith Group will apparently fall within the 'vending' sector which comprises one of the areas of business which will be sold off in one segment.
The others are the minilab manufacturing business and wholesale lab manufacturing.
The prospect of piecemeal sale has been gradually emerging over the past year since the company failed to find a buyer for the entire business.
Source: IGI
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Astra Holiday Times
Once again the holiday period is approaching and so Astra Games / Novo Casino UK would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the Technical Support / Spares department opening hours.
For your convenience, below is a complete list of our opening hours during the Christmas and New Year period.
• Friday 22nd December - 10am – 2.00pm
• Wednesday 27th December - 10am – 2.00pm
• Thursday 28th December - 10am – 2.00pm
• Friday 29th December - 10am – 2.00pm
We will be resuming our usual operating hours of 9am – 5pm commencing Tuesday 2nd January 2007.
From all at the Technical Support / Spares department we would like to wish our valued customers a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
For your convenience, below is a complete list of our opening hours during the Christmas and New Year period.
• Friday 22nd December - 10am – 2.00pm
• Wednesday 27th December - 10am – 2.00pm
• Thursday 28th December - 10am – 2.00pm
• Friday 29th December - 10am – 2.00pm
We will be resuming our usual operating hours of 9am – 5pm commencing Tuesday 2nd January 2007.
From all at the Technical Support / Spares department we would like to wish our valued customers a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Friday, December 15, 2006
News (now world-wide)
JPM set to take ATEI by storm
UK: JPM International is planning a line-up of more than 40 different products for ATEI 2007 in London, including the brand new Prestige cabinet which houses dual-screen video and a new machine for the UK club market.
Designed specifically for UK clubs, Around the World is built on a world travel theme. It includes a pre-gamble base game and a hi/lo stake feature game that can be accessed through a variety of trails including Economy, Business Class and First Class. This reinforces JPM’s commitment to launching new Linear club product into the UK market.
The new Prestige cabinet houses the innovative Cyclone Games compendium of arcade games for the central and eastern European sector as well as a casino compendium.
Although initially aimed at central and eastern Europe, the flexibility and universal appeal of the Prestige cabinet has inspired a number of concepts, which are to be developed for markets across the globe.
Industry to fight new US currency initiative
US: The coin machine industry in the US is fighting plans to introduce new currency which is designed to help blind and visually impaired people.
The move is being spearheaded by the huge American vending industry, but the coin-operated amusement business and - to a lesser extent because it is becoming more ticket oriented - the casino industry, are also affected.
A court ruling at the end of November, which resulted from a lawsuit brought against the US Treasury by the American Council for the Blind in Washington, has brought the matter to a head.
The charity demanded that currency should be redesigned to help blind and visually impaired people distinguish denominations. If the ruling was passed into law, it would cost the vending and amusement industry hundreds of dollars per machine to amend mechanisms.
There are seven million food and beverage machines in the US, and 1.5 million of them accept $1 and $5 bills - which are the same size and colour.
The judge in the court case gave the US Government 30 days to present possible solutions and 10 days to appeal
Excel introduces American pool tables
UK: Excel Leisure has introduced a range of American size pool tables after numerous requests from operators.
Rather than moving away from the UK pool table market of pubs and clubs, which simply do not have the room for an 8ft American pool table, Excel said it sees this latest venture as an add on to its range of tables currently available.
Twins Corp to close down
JAPAN: One of the best-known sales companies for refurbished video games coming out of Japan into the international market is to close down.
Tokyo-based The Twins Corporation will close at the end of December as its founder Mike Kiuchi is going into retirement. He joined Nihon System 17 years ago, but nine years ago started The Twins Corporation.
Germany imposes gambling monopoly
GERMANY: Sports betting machines in Germany got a reprieve - but only a temporary one - when the German states postponed a plan to impose a state monopoly on gambling, banning private lottery agents and sports betting companies.
The postponement is only until next year, when ministers will ratify proposals to extend the states' monopoly for four years. The new law will take effect in January 2008.
In March of this year the Federal Constitutional Court decided that the states can only insist on a monopoly if they amend their marketing techniques for their lotteries to conform with gambling addiction avoidance.
The states have already taken action against some sports betting companies, notably based in Austria.
Source: IGI Worldwide
UK: JPM International is planning a line-up of more than 40 different products for ATEI 2007 in London, including the brand new Prestige cabinet which houses dual-screen video and a new machine for the UK club market.
Designed specifically for UK clubs, Around the World is built on a world travel theme. It includes a pre-gamble base game and a hi/lo stake feature game that can be accessed through a variety of trails including Economy, Business Class and First Class. This reinforces JPM’s commitment to launching new Linear club product into the UK market.
The new Prestige cabinet houses the innovative Cyclone Games compendium of arcade games for the central and eastern European sector as well as a casino compendium.
Although initially aimed at central and eastern Europe, the flexibility and universal appeal of the Prestige cabinet has inspired a number of concepts, which are to be developed for markets across the globe.
Industry to fight new US currency initiative
US: The coin machine industry in the US is fighting plans to introduce new currency which is designed to help blind and visually impaired people.
The move is being spearheaded by the huge American vending industry, but the coin-operated amusement business and - to a lesser extent because it is becoming more ticket oriented - the casino industry, are also affected.
A court ruling at the end of November, which resulted from a lawsuit brought against the US Treasury by the American Council for the Blind in Washington, has brought the matter to a head.
The charity demanded that currency should be redesigned to help blind and visually impaired people distinguish denominations. If the ruling was passed into law, it would cost the vending and amusement industry hundreds of dollars per machine to amend mechanisms.
There are seven million food and beverage machines in the US, and 1.5 million of them accept $1 and $5 bills - which are the same size and colour.
The judge in the court case gave the US Government 30 days to present possible solutions and 10 days to appeal
Excel introduces American pool tables
UK: Excel Leisure has introduced a range of American size pool tables after numerous requests from operators.
Rather than moving away from the UK pool table market of pubs and clubs, which simply do not have the room for an 8ft American pool table, Excel said it sees this latest venture as an add on to its range of tables currently available.
Twins Corp to close down
JAPAN: One of the best-known sales companies for refurbished video games coming out of Japan into the international market is to close down.
Tokyo-based The Twins Corporation will close at the end of December as its founder Mike Kiuchi is going into retirement. He joined Nihon System 17 years ago, but nine years ago started The Twins Corporation.
Germany imposes gambling monopoly
GERMANY: Sports betting machines in Germany got a reprieve - but only a temporary one - when the German states postponed a plan to impose a state monopoly on gambling, banning private lottery agents and sports betting companies.
The postponement is only until next year, when ministers will ratify proposals to extend the states' monopoly for four years. The new law will take effect in January 2008.
In March of this year the Federal Constitutional Court decided that the states can only insist on a monopoly if they amend their marketing techniques for their lotteries to conform with gambling addiction avoidance.
The states have already taken action against some sports betting companies, notably based in Austria.
Source: IGI Worldwide
Thomas Holiday
HOLIDAY CLOSURE - 22.12.06 thru 01.01.07
Our factory and offices will be closed for holidays:
From close of business on Thursday 21.12.06 until start of business on Tuesday 02.01.07
However, on every day except Monday 25.12.06:
Our 24 / 7 Messaging Service will be available on:
+44.(0)700.2.THOMAS (84 66 27)
Our Service Hotline will be open from 09.00 to 21.00 on:
+44.(0)700.4.HOTLINE (468 54 63)
or:
0845.130.44 44 (inside UK only)
Our factory and offices will be closed for holidays:
From close of business on Thursday 21.12.06 until start of business on Tuesday 02.01.07
However, on every day except Monday 25.12.06:
Our 24 / 7 Messaging Service will be available on:
+44.(0)700.2.THOMAS (84 66 27)
Our Service Hotline will be open from 09.00 to 21.00 on:
+44.(0)700.4.HOTLINE (468 54 63)
or:
0845.130.44 44 (inside UK only)
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Update On Barcrest cabinets - Critical
There is a way in which tampering can be performed on Barcrest cabinets via the JCM note acceptor.
In order to combat this Barcrest have developed a security kit to protect the note acceptor and its wiring. This kit is available from Barcrest Group After Sales as KS58650. These kits will be fitted to all JCM Rio machines leaving Barcrest Group from w/c 11th Dec 2006.
For details of the availability of these kits please contact Barcrest Group After Sales department.
Please note our contact numbers:
Technical enquiry line: 0161-830-6549
Spares order line: 0161-343-1101
BBS Line: 0161-830-6553
In order to combat this Barcrest have developed a security kit to protect the note acceptor and its wiring. This kit is available from Barcrest Group After Sales as KS58650. These kits will be fitted to all JCM Rio machines leaving Barcrest Group from w/c 11th Dec 2006.
For details of the availability of these kits please contact Barcrest Group After Sales department.
Please note our contact numbers:
Technical enquiry line: 0161-830-6549
Spares order line: 0161-343-1101
BBS Line: 0161-830-6553
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