June and the weather in the UK is wonderful. It is hard not to feel more optimistic when the sun is shining. The UK industry is gearing up to the season of Open Days, starting with Park Avenue in London - where John Stergides and his team unfailingly order in sunshine to accompany the Greek barbecue and beer. This year, however, there is even more excitement than usual surrounding the event, as companies take the chance to show the new £70 jackpot machines for the first time.

On May 1st, 2009 TAB's international tournament "Las Vegas 2009" entered its second round. The tournament will be running a total of three months on every online SILVERBALL terminal.

Due to the rapid development of the Chinese economy and its increasing influence on the global economy, the China market attracts a lot of operators' attention. As one of the four "BRIC Nations," (the fast growing developing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China) China has great business opportunities.

In North Dakota, an independent panel on smoking appointed by the governor may recommend an expansion of North Dakota's smoking ban to include bars and taverns. To raise revenues, the panel may also to propose a $1.56 per-pack cigarette tax increase, raising the state's tax from .44 to $2.00.

Industry stalwarts Terry Farr and Gary Newman of Cosmic Video Amusements are both seen here road testing the cars of the future at the recent GTI show in Taiwan. "It's essential for a distributor to travel and ensure that we are offering the best range of products that are available in the World," advised Farr.

The 37th International Amusement & Gaming Machine Show will be held at the Fiera di Roma from October 7th to 9th Bearing in mind the excellent reception with which it met, the mid-week slot, concentrated in three days, is being proposed again, with an increasingly business to business slant.

Sound Leisure and Soundnet have introduced a world first for pay-to-play music - a jukebox dedicated completely to Rock music.

Despite being threatened with paying millions of Euros in compensation for contravening European law - the Greek Government has drafted a new gaming law, which will also breach EC regulations.

Jean-Luc Dieudonne has rejoined Sega Amusements Europe Ltd as Special Projects and Sales Manager after a one-year absence from the industry. Jean-Luc will use his wealth of knowledge in the industry to provide a key sales role to Sega's large number of emerging new markets and specific existing markets.

On April 18 Betson Syracuse held its 10th annual Turning Stone Expo. Betson chose this opportunity to inform and educate their operators in attendance on how to remain profitable during these tough economic times.

GLOBAL VR today has entered into a strategic partnership with one of the kiosk industries preeminent turn-key design/manufacturing companies', Streak Technology, Inc..

Amusement Expo Europe is the new trade event created by the partnership between Fiera di Genova and Messe Stuttgart, designed to meet the needs of travelling showmen and amusement park managers.

As part of its ongoing commitment to the coin-op industry, ATEI organiser, Clarion Gaming has established an important link with Greenwich Community College in London, one of just a handful of educational establishments in the UK which offers amusement and gaming qualifications. As part of the association Greenwich College has been given free stand space at ATEI to help take its message to the industry.

Pathological gambling may not rest within the competence of the commission responsible for Health and Hygiene alone. Yesterday in the Senate a proposal was put forward for the Senate Finance Commission to examine the bill introduced by Senator Baio and others, containing measures in support of actions to prevent behavioural dependencies and pathological gambling, believing it "necessary for the Commission to have a more direct involvement, it being considered that the subject of the measures to prevent a dependency on gambling is in fact extremely relevant".

At least once a month, during the first quarter of 2009, 13% of mobile phone users, i.e. approximately 6 million people, accessed the Internet from their mobile phone or from another mobile device. These are the findings supplied by Nielsen Online as a result of their research into the mobile Internet scenario in our Country. The users who go on-line do so approximately 10 times a month and for an average duration of 11 minutes.

The fixed quota sports betting market has also shown significant signs of vitality during the month of April. Exactly how much can be found in the publication of the Aaams data relating to takings from gaming during the month of April.

The bill submitted by Senator Mongiello and others, in which measures are proposed for labelling instant lottery tickets and for preventing addiction to gambling, has been assigned to the office of the re-united 6th and 12th  Commissions which means that the possible examination of this bill will be assessed with the Chairman of the 12th Commission.

CIRSA's income for 2008 was 1,704 million euros with an operating profit (EBITDA) of 193 million euros, which represents an increase of 17.2% on profits on the previous year. The results reflect the growth the Group has sustained over the past 12 quarters. The collaboration of the various divisions within the Group was one of the keys to the success.

In order to improve its prospects, Andalusian Bingo is looking to the trials suggested by the Technical Gaming Committee. Electronic Bingo is the focus of attention of the Andalusian Bingo Managers with the trials that will take place in the coming months (although unlikely before June) in Andalusian Bingo Halls under the guidance of the Technical Gaming Committee, the body that brings together those responsible for gaming in the Andalusian government, the managers of the halls and the unions.

Amusement machines in Catalonia saw a drop of 11% in takings during the first few months of this year. And in bingo halls, there was a drop of 15%. Lotteries have recorded a fall of 5.5%, somewhat less than the sales of tickets by Once and the State-run games and lotteries, with 6% fewer sales.

R. FRANCO, conscious of the lack of security at present in arcades, has included the SIPAR (System of Remote Payment) protocol in all its plans for these premises. With the call from ANESAR (National Association of Amusement Arcades Managers) to fit amusement machines with a system to make it possible to reduce the amount of cash being played, R. FRANCO working together with FACOMARE set about this task.

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States, claims that up to 70,000 Americans become legally blind each year.

The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) is urging operators to lobby their Congressional representative against the so-called "employee free choice" or "card check" legislation. It eliminates the secret ballot in union elections and could negatively impact small businesses.

If Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell's proposed video poker plan- House Bill 1317- which excludes operators, is legalized, up to half of the state's 400 amusement companies would likely close. John Milliron, legislative counsel of the Pennsylvania Amusement and Music Machine Association (PAMMA) testified before the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee on May 7. Milliron warned this formula would cut into entertainment dollars used for tavern coin-operated amusements. The Pennsylvania Tavern Association's executive director also testified, claiming state and local taxes and licensing fees taverns would negate their 25% share.

Bad news for operators with equipment in restaurants and food service operations. NPD Group, a research firm, has reported that young adults- ages 18 to 24- have restricted their restaurant visits. This group represents the most lucrative restaurant demographic. As parents seek ways to save money, more are leaving their children home. Children's parties also declined by 3%.

Accusing state legislators of hypocrisy for running a state lottery while banning privately-owned video poker, a state representative  plans to introduce a bill are underway to legalize a video poker program that could raise $500 million annually. North Carolina had legal amusement-only video poker until 2007, the year after the lottery was launched.

UNITED KINGDOM

The proportion of UK adults participating in remote forms of gambling has risen to its highest level in four years according to the latest survey data published by the UK Gambling Commission. Driven by the National Lottery, remote gambling participation was found to have increased to 9.9% for the year to March 2009, compared to 9.7% in 2008, 8.8% in 2007 and 7.2% in 2006. Source: Gaming Intelligence

The French Men's A team were runners-up to the Welsh Men's A team after an exciting final  at the European Blackball Association's annual Masters Championships held at the recently refurbished Bridlington Spa Royal Hall during April. Wales, widely regarded as the champion pool country among UK entries, beat the Frenchmen by 17 frames to 16. Which speaks for itself on how close the the contest was.

The British Association of Pool Table Operators has decided to increase its services to members by updating the scope of its activities to offer them support in all matters relating to coin-operated equipment and not just to pool tables.

The Elvis pool table which Excel Leisure undertook to make on behalf  of Lordsvale is still very much alive and its progress has not been affected by the merger with Simply Pool. Stan McKenna, of Simply Pool, told Euroslot: "The table is still very much on our agenda and we recently launched a new website, www.elvispooltable.com, which features a non-coin operated version of the branded table. We feel this is where the future of the table lies."

With the merger between Simply Pool and Excel Leisure now established the benefits of it were starting to show with brisk business being done by Simply Pool Ltd., with its range of tables in the home market as well as in Ireland and France. During a visit to an exhibition in Malaga, McKenna had  started discussions with a new customer  in Spain which would, he hoped, eventually result in sales of tables in  that country. He said the Malaga exhibition was not a pool orientated event but it provided a good opportunity to meet and talk to operators and distributors of pool equipment.

Although there are many gaming locations closing down in Tokyo, due to the financial crisis, there are some arcades that are finding no change in business - or even a slight increase.

Subsino's R&D ability has always been highly praised among the global industry; its game software, cabinets, parts, kiddie rides and the R&D and production of children's teaching machines are well received globally. Subsino has successfully built up its own brand in the world and become one of the leading manufacturers in Taiwan. It exhibited at GTI Asia Taipei Expo 2009 at booth B59, demonstrating Happy Land series of kiddie rides, CO-Dream interactive skill and redemption games - Panda Train and Skills. 

An indoor amusement hall that costs RMB 1 billion is going to be built in the Happy Valley in Beijing. Attractions like a Pirate Ship, Roller Coaster and Shipwreck Rapids will be presented in the indoor amusement hall in various sizes.

The Global Gaming Research Center (GGRC) which provides key techniques in operating the global gambling industry is the subsidiary of the Macao-based Ke Hai Group and is planning to extend its training project in to Taiwan. GGRC collaborates with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) in the United States and is going to issue diplomas for single subjects to those in Taiwan who pass the special training certificate course of GGTC, in order to nurture the gambling talents in Taiwan. 

The HESS Bill Breaker is a great help on the casino and arcade floor. It allows customers to change large banknote denominations into smaller denominations in order to be able to insert in the right amount into gaming devices.

Comesterogroup continues in its technological research and presents a preview of many interesting and advantageous new items, above all in the wide range of change machines.

The NV200 High Volume, High Security Bank Note Validator from Innovative Technology is a high volume, high security bank note validator with a 500 note cashbox. Accepting industry standard barcodes and notes up to 85mm wide the validator accepts notes at acute angles and straightens before reading.

This money-changer from Suzo Happ combines the beauty of flexibility and security at a very reasonable price. Customers can choose from a trilogy note reader from Pyramid Technologies or an electronic coin acceptor from Comestero. The major flexibility is underlined by the coin payout.

Although being relatively new to market, this belt-driven hopper is already becoming a hit due to a set of new benefits. The sturdy motor ensures longevity and the coin optics PCB are mounted on one board that can be removed for cleaning.

This coin payout hopper has been designed to the highest standards for reliability and has thus become the standard choice amongst many manufacturers in the industry. The Cube Hopper MK2 is compact in design and has a continuous opto-sensor check for ultimate security.

The ideal solution when coin payout has to be diverted upwards in the machine. For example, in slant top slots it has always been a challenge to divert the coins upwards. The positioning of the monitor does not allow a standard hopper to be fitted. The hopper must be below this but still the coins have to be paid out next to the monitor.

Suzo International offers a full range of changers. The smaller, more compact range is covered by CatCoin.

For higher coin capacity, Suzo International offers the money changers from Germany's GeWeTe.

The Pyramid banknote reader from PTI has quickly gained market share in Europe. The combination of high quality and unbeatable pricing has convinced many manufacturers of this product. The Pyramid is simple to reprogramme; essential for manufacturers with a strong focus on export.

This ingeniously developed and robust counter combines a normal currency counter with a full functional currency sorter in one unit. A currency counter that can be used in normal applications, to count banknotes in a teller's counter, or in demanding applications such as ATM loading, fitness sorting, mixed deposits or value balancing and dispensing.

FutureLogic was the company that invented the thermal barcode printer for TITO and thus has set the standard in the industry, being the preferred selection with discerning manufacturers and operators around the world.

The CatCoin Coin Counters securely count up to 2000 coins per minute. A whole range of coins can be counted at the same time as coins between 14 and 35mm can be inserted and counted. Two products are available - the Catcoin 101 and the CatCoin 102. The CatCoin 202 has the additional feature of a large bowl (for large coin counting capacities).

A new Cleaning Card for the JCM Global DBV Series Bill Validators is being launched today through KICTeam, the world leader in the manufacture of cleaning cards. Designed for the DBV 300, 301, 302, 303 Bill Validators, this cleaning card, featuring Waffletechnology^TM, incorporates a tension release waffle pattern. This pattern allows the cleaning card to maintain maximum cleaning waffle height as it passes through the currency validators.

NRI presents the new freefall validator f². With speeds of up to 10 coins per second the f² is the ideal 3.5 inch coin validator for high-speed coin acceptance and recycling applications. High coin security at maximum speeds is ensured by NRI's Multi-Frequency-Technology (MFT). Moreover LED lights at the front indicate the machine status at any time.

adp Gauselmann GmbH is well-known for setting standards in the German AWP and amusement industry. This has been the case over the last three decades from this subsidiary of the Gauselmann Group, which is based in Eastern Westphalia. The industry highlight of the past two years within the field of cash-handling has been the "Merkur Dispenser 100".

MEI is introducing a new product to its portfolio: the GEO Gravity. Similar to what MEI offered casino operators with CASHFLOW SC, the introduction of the GEO Gravity provides a similar advancement in performance for smaller scale casinos and amusement operators.  GEO Gravity effectively balances performance and price - expanding expectations for acceptance rates, security and jam performance in a market segment where MEI has not historically participated.

AstroSystems Ltd., the European division of currency validation specialist Astrosys International Ltd, has taken its portfolio of innovative bank note validation solutions to a new level with the release of the impressive GBA ST2 note acceptor.

Since the introduction of their Jetsort coin sorter, Cummins have continued to work closely with suppliers within the industry, using the latest in cash-counting technology to provide cash-handling solutions with unrivalled speed, efficiency, accuracy, and reliability. - Ranging from their high-speed M6400 and M4200 with sorting speeds of 6000 and 3000 mixed coins per minute respectively, to their compact M1000 series, capable of counting up to 1800 mixed coins per minute, the Jetsort's compatibility with industry specific software (where data from the count can be recorded directly to a PC) has enhanced the coin counting process and significantly reduced the processing time for many arcade owners.

On-machine barcode ticket scanning is increasingly popular in European Video Lottery or Betting Terminal applications.

European gaming is rapidly adopting 'Ticket Out' as a payment solution across many machines and sectors. Eurocoin's ‘Epic' range of gaming and lottery printers are proven world leaders. ‘Epic' offers manufacturers the choice of printing variable-length roll receipts or flat tickets that can be re-inserted into the machine bill acceptor for credit.

The twentieth eighth FERIA ANDALUZA DEL RECREATIVO (ANDALUSIAN AMUSEMENT FAIR) which took place in the midst of the financial crisis and was preceded by continuous rumours that it would be cancelled, will be seen paradoxically as one of the most successful fairs in recent years in the history of the sector. Despite the doubts held by the regular exhibitors, the organization never doubted the viability of its project. "The fair most wanted by the professionals in the sector", as the Andalusian operators normally describe it, did not leave anybody without some doubts. Nevertheless and in all honesty the numbers given by the organizers show that, this year, the crisis continues at the moment to affect each of the exhibitions that make up the international circuit.

Namco Europe launches its newest street-racing video simulator, Nirin: a linkable, big screen, motorbike game featuring a trail-blazing mix of ultra hi-res graphics and advanced interactive controls.

Magic Dreams has released a new casino-themed game called Break the House. This 9/15/20/25 line game is available for both its upright EGO and slant-top cabinets.

Allstar Vending is launching two new flat vending product lines and an extension to the most popular bulk vending item in the past year.