I would like to wish our readers around the globe a Happy New Year. Normally, I would say a Happy and Prosperous New Year, but given the current situation, I am sure we would all settle for happy, healthy and financially stable. January is a time to look forward and make those decisions and resolutions that will shape the next 12 months. For our industry, it is also a time to descend upon London, meet our friends and colleagues and buy and sell machines.

Only a few weeks after the remodelling the Merkur Casino in one of the biggest and most modern local shopping centres in the heart of Prague, Cerny Most saw a glamorous reopening. More than 500 guests from politics, culture, sports, and entertainment had accepted the invitation of Rolf Klug, member of the board of Gauselmann AG, Rolf Falke, managing director of Merkur Casino, and country director Patrik Flaisinger and celebrated the reopening of the Merkur Casino until the small hours. The gaming centre was given a totally new look and the gaming surface was expanded from 600 square meters to almost 1000 square meters.

Cyberview Technology has launched a brand new website at www.cybview.com. The new site provides in-depth information about Cyberview's products and features an up-to-date listing of all the games available to customers.

Alsart has opened a new office in Armenia. The modern office is situated in the centre of the town of Yerevan. The move comes after Alsart signed several large contracts in the region. "Entering the Armenian market is strategically important for us. We have carried out the research into market trends, preferences and demands of the clients and now we have clear understanding of what product will become a real hit", said Lyubov Loginova, Chairman of Board of Directors.

Praesepe plc, the low stake high volume gaming group which recently launched the Cashino brand of adult gaming centres, has agreed a strategic partnership with Jackpotjoy, the UK's most popular bingo, casino, fruit machine and instant win games web site. The agreement will see the launch of cashinogaming.com, with players having full access to a range of over 100 Jackpotjoy online games, supported by the company's ‘best of breed' customer service support. Cashinogaming.com is scheduled to go live at the beginning of December 2008.

A stra has announced an agreement to provide Sky Vegas, part of BSkyB's Betting and Gaming arm, with premium online gaming content for deployment on both the Sky Vegas online website and Sky TV interactive service. The content will be supplied through NRGS, Novomatic's remote game server system. The deal signals the first commercial outing for the NRGS, whose comprehensive content provision solution empowers operators with the ability to introduce Novomatic's and Astra's globally successful games to their internet platform. 

The recent ENADA exhibition in Rome saw the launch of Texas Hold ‘Em Heads Up Challenge to the Italian coin entertainment market. Cosmic Video Amusements chose this prestigious show to gauge the response not only from operators but also possible distributors to establish a country specific route to market.

The Trade Rugby representatives "The Old Vulgarians" were recently in action again at the World Rugby Golden Oldies Festival held in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Funworld has revealed that playing figures have increased by 16 per cent since it introduced its latest Photo Play system in October.

Scientific Games has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Games Media has been awarded an agreement to supply an integrated digital solution to major pub retailer Enterprise Inns PLC in the United Kingdom. The formal agreement follows a successful trial in 140 Enterprise pubs, and will add 110 additional sites, comprising approximately 590 digital server-based gaming machines in total across the estate.

NSM Music has just received a large order for its best selling Icon jukebox from luxury car hire firm 1st Class Limos of Scotland. The limousine company specialises in renting out vehicles, such as 1950's buses, humvees, as well as the traditional American stretched limos, for parties, celebrations, anniversaries and other events.

Kare Technology has selected Innocore Gaming to supply the platform for its next generation games.

EMBED, a leading provider of Debit Card and Point of Sale Systems for the amusement and family entertainment industry has installed the Embed System in Kuwait's first Baroue store located in the Avenues Mall. The brainchild of MS Retail, this 6,500 square metre location is the first of its kind in Kuwait and is designed especially for children.

Gaming industry professionals from across the UK attended a unique event with a difference last month, when Heber invited key members of the gaming community, to join them for an Exclusive Technology Event at their Mill headquarters in Chalford, UK.

Experience acquired on domestic coin op market, and high quality design and functionality, led the Italian Magic Dreams' 404 model to gradually establish its presence even on European street market.

UK-based Pan Amusements, world leader in the manufacture of electronic shooting galleries, recorded an extremely successful time at IAAPA. Firm orders and strong commitments will yield up to half a million dollars of sales.

The management company Alsart Group has confirmed its strategic interest towards Ukraine's market and reports that two arcades have opened in Kharkov and Donets. They join the network of 45 halls that already exists.

Betting continues to grow: we have had a new record in November, with takings of over e477 million, against the previous record of e421 million set in March. Takings in November 2007 were ?272 million lower than today. The on-line sport betting market is growing, with takings of e135 million in November. This is equivalent to 28% of the e477 million in total, an increase of 75%.

Once again a great achievement for the Sindacato Totoricevitori Sportivi (the Italian Association of football pools offices), a member of the Italian Federation of Tobacconists", says a press release from STSFIT "A few minutes ago, the Senate Budget Commission approved an amendment adopting the proposals made by the Sindacato Totoricevitori Sportivi regarding 3,000 betting outlets as set out in the recent Law 184/2008.

It is the Government's responsibility to coordinate regulations pertaining to lawful gaming, but in the meantime FIPE (Federazione Italiana Pubblici Esercizi - Italian Federation of Commercial Concerns) alerts its members to the risks deriving from "poker sportivo" tournaments. The association of owners of commercial concerns has invited its members through its bulletin no. 90, dated 4 December, not to allow the organisation of tournaments within their premises.

After the report coming from Viareggio, other reports are coming in regarding winnings in excess of the percentages set by law, even from outside Tuscany.

On-line poker has gone from being a prohibited game, outlawed in gaming halls and played only occasionally with some trepidation at Xmas with friends and relations, to a mass phenomenon, encouraged by the spread of games on computer monitors and has grown into a multimillion euro business on the web. The mania for on-line poker in Italy is spreading exponentially.

Italy is being transformed into a big Rolettemburg, the city where Feodor Dostoyevsky set his novel "The Gambler". You do not need to have a great insight to realise that it is just a question of turning the corner from one's house, and of coming upon the first tobacconist, or of going in a store, a bar or a mall. The password is "Scratch and win".

A large number of businessmen affiliated to the Europer Association met recently in the Europer headquarters in Barcelona to witness a detailed demonstration of the range of products developed by the IPS company, directed at companies operating amusement machines. As a result of the collaboration agreement reached, among other advantages, the Members of Europer-Seremop will benefit from special conditions when purchasing products and services from the IPS company which specializes in control software and hardware for the management of amusement machines.

The Ludicus company, which continues to be the technological partner of CONEI, has become part of the group of companies led by Zest Gaming. Both companies have reached an agreement under which the former, located in Barcelona, will develop amusement machines and other technologies for the second. The fruit of this new alliance is a new product that is expected to be presented at the Málaga Fair under the joint brand ZL. 

An urgent meeting took place in the Intercontinental Hotel in Madrid to discuss the present situation in the market. It was attended by representatives of all the Associations of Arcade Businesses that exist in Spain as well as those members of the Governing Committee of ANESAR representing the Autonomous Regional Governments that are not members of the Association of Arcades.

They say that in times of crisis, people spend more money on games of chance, hoping to change their financial fortunes. However, the bingo hall operators do not agree with this interpretation. Not surprisingly, the sector has registered a fall of 11.5% in the Rioja region. Although worrying, the figure is well below the national average, which according to the forecasts for this year will be around 15 or 16%.

Although a statewide smoking ban took effect in Pennsylvania on September 111, more than 1,700 taverns have been granted exemptions, according to the commonwealth's Department of Health. Governor Ed Rendell reluctantly signed the Clean Indoor Air Act last June - accepting the bill's exemption language to gain enough votes for passage. He favoured fewer exemptions, but has admitted that the law is "succeeding... by a wide margin" in protecting citizens from secondhand smoke.

Coinstar, Inc. commissioned a survey of consumers last November, which revealed that 23% of those questioned claimed they are using more cash now than in 2007. Based on their responses, researchers determined that 69% were using cash to reduce credit card debt; 84% think that paying with cash restricts their spending to their families' budgets.

Although the trend is for less credit, Merit Entertainment will soon offer its players a choice of cashless  options, in addition to cash. The company will install USA Technologies' (USAT) ePort system in thousands of new Megatouch touchscreen entertainment systems over the next three years. Similar to its successful vending and kiosk applications, Already a success in vending and kiosk applications, USAT's cashless technology will accommodate payment via debit or credit cards. USAT hold the exclusive rights to provide Merit with card processing and credit-debit card data services.

AMOA members will be happy to learn that for 2009, there will be no increase in dues. Association leadership has recognized the tough economic times for operators, and has decided that now is not the  time to increase fees. They proudly point to their ability to hold costs to only one increase in the past 10 years.

After multiple failed attempts to get statewide slot machines, Maryland voters approved a statewide referendum on election day to legalize 15,000 slot machines in five locations by 2011. The measure passed by roughly 59% to 41%, and was supported by Gov. Martin O'Malley and legislators. Backers said slot revenues could approach $1.2 billion annually and help make up an expected $1.7 billion shortfall in next year's state budget.

The 16th GTI Asia Taipei Expo organized by GTI Magazine will take place at Areas B & C, Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center on May 7th-9th, 2009. Over the years, the trade show has been expanding in scale and diversity of content. The event's exhibitors range from manufacturers of whole machines, providers of game boards, software and hardware equipment to suppliers of various parts and accessories such as main boards, cabinets, pushbuttons and bill devices. 

To strengthen the supervision and management of cultural entertainment venues, ensure a healthy development of the cultural entertainment market and protect the legal rights of cultural entertainment operating entities and consumers, the Shanghai Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and Television on November 7th, 2008 issued the "2008 notice for implementing collective inspection and validation work toward cultural entertainment venues in Shanghai" to the bureaus of culture, radio broadcasting, film and television in all districts and counties. 

After being affected by bankruptcy rumours concerning the three gambling consortiums in Las Vegas, Astro's stock price declined. However, a spokesman pointed out that due to the global financial storm, there is hardly any business that remains unaffected; Astro has no business relations with MGM, Las Vegas Sands and Boyd Gaming Corporation, therefore the company is still operated normally.

Disney has been in discussions with Rita Lau Ng Wei-lan, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong, over the prospects of investing tens of billions of dollars in expanding Hong Kong Disneyland. According to a report, after Disney makes the investment, the government of Hong Kong that currently holds a 57% stake of Hong Kong Disneyland will remain the majority shareholder. However, the report did not reveal whether the government of Hong Kong would increase its investment in Hong Kong Disneyland.

SWEDEN

Sweden's Ministry of Finance will unveil its much anticipated proposal for a new lottery law today at a presentation in Stockholm. Jan Nyren, a lawyer for the police authority and the man charged with formulating the proposal,  is expected to announce the end of Sweden's gambling monopoly in favour of a licensing system open to foreign operators, as well as the break up and sell-off of Svenska Spel. (Source: www.GamingIntelligence.com)

The 32nd BAPTO Finals in November were, according to Rob Pearce of Pool Pockets and Liam Barrett, BAPTO's PRO, the busiest yet and gave hopes for the future of "grass roots" pool despite it having become a victim of the economic climate, which has helped to close so many public houses.

After two successful pool tournaments at Punch Taverns Roadshows, one in October  at Bolton Wanderers Reebok Stadium and the other at soccer's "stadium of dreams", Wembley Stadium, in November the company's commercial director, Adrian Ah-Chin-Kow said the shows gave his company the opportunity to meet its customers face to face. He said the roadshows were good fun on the day and demonstrated to Punch Taverns' tenants that Gamestec's products were a great addition to their pubs and would prove very popular with their own customers.

Intergame has advised Euroslot that Hazel Grove Music will be showing at the Intergame IGX Exhibition in London's Ibis Hotel later this month as will Heywood Pool and Snooker. Excel Leisure has also booked but SAM Leisure, because of the company's global interests, will continue to support the ATEI.

In January 2007, the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, signed the law called "On introducing amendments and additions in some of the legislative bills of Republic of Kazakhstan on gaming business" and "On gambling business", which defines "legal foundations for organizing gaming business in Kazakhstan". According to the new law activities of all the gambling venues in the territory of Kazakhstan is strictly regulated and allowed only in two gaming zones: Kapchagai and Schuchinsk.

De La Rue, the world's largest commercial security printer and cash sorting company, has unveiled its new DLR7000, high-speed banknote sorter. Newly appointed Managing Director of the Cash Processing Solutions (CPS) division, Kevin Freeguard, launched the sorter at The Currency Conference in Prague, Czech Republic. The DLR7000 is the latest innovation in a range of hardware and software products to offer bulk cash handlers improved productivity, performance and security in their cash processing centres.

Microgaming (www.microgaming.com), the world's largest provider of online gaming software, has launched its revolutionary ‘MySlot' software which allows players to create their own unique slot using personal pictures, colours and music.

The Hollywood Bowl in Watford has made history by becoming the first venue in the United Kingdom to install the complete prize redemption and marketing set-ups on Clena-Flex, Bandai Namco Games' top earning 100 per cent skill game.

Jolly Roger (Amusement Rides) Limited, the UK based manufacturer, announces the launch of an exciting new three-seat carousel based on the hugely popular International Speedway series. The carousel features great sound effects, exciting commentating and the thrills and spills of high-octane speedway.

Seeben from Belgium and Astra Games from the UK are launching a new machine into the Belgian market.

Display Solutions has delivered an all-new platform to the UK gaming market today. Small, powerful, secure and stable, the innovative ACP-GM45 has been developed specifically for the rigorous demands of gaming and delivers high-quality graphics, including 3D, without the need for an independent graphics chip.

Soundnet and Sound Leisure have created ultimate pay for play music and entertainment package - with The Jukebox AV.

Tecway has released a new game machine called "Chocolate Castle". This exciting game requires the player to catch the chocolate prize using the crane and then to drop it into the area close to the hole. There is then a pusher feature which will deliver the chocolate into the hole and to the player. There is an optional fridge available with this game, to keep the confectionery fresh.

Aristocrat Technologies Europe has released 5 KoiTM, a new oriental fish-themed Power Pay game for XCite.

Allstar is happy to announce that it has acquired the Disney licence for stickers and tattoos for Europe.

Acrosser Technology has announced that its ACE-B5290/ACE-SS5290FL Series products have passed the Comma 6A Regulation in the Italian Gaming Market.