The US elections have dominated the news, but what will Obama mean for the coin-op industry? Before the elections, the US trade association AMOA took an informal survey among its membership. It got 92 votes, which was not exactly representative since there are about 1500 members. Anyway, McCain got 51 and Obama got 41. Also, the gaming executives in Las Vegas were mostly McCain supporters.

Major German AWP manufacturer Bally Wulff Entertainment has decided that it will show in London in January for the first time with its own stand - and it has chosen the IGX show at the Ibis Hotel.

Innocore Gaming Ltd, one of the leading manufacturers of PC based gaming platforms announced the signing of a five-year agreement with Octavian Global Technologies Inc. to supply their DPX® based hardware platform for future Octavian gaming applications.

Spares, components and ancillary products supplier, Brent Electronic is streamlining its customer interface by merging its Sales and Customer Services functions, with effect from 10th November 2008.

Stern Pinball, Inc. solves another mystery with the new CSI: Crime Scene Investigation pinball machine. Designed by Pat Lawlor Design and Stern Pinball, the CSI pinball machine adapts CBS's original Las Vegas-based CSI: Crime Scene Investigation® television series into a pinball machine. The CSI pinball machine will surely appeal to fans of all three CSI television shows, as well as homeowners and street operators alike.

Aristocrat Technologies Europe, exclusive European distributor for PokerTek's range of PokerPro ® tables, announces the successful opening of Europe's biggest fully electronic poker room, in Hungary. Operated by Laurus Invest Hungary Kft and licensed by the Hungarian Gaming Board, the Monte Carlo Poker Club Budapest opened on 3 rd October with five, 10-seat PokerPro ® tables.

Barcrest Group and Fatspanner have entered into an agreement to jointly develop products for the SWP market.

Gamestec has announced the appointment of Peter Davies as its new Business Development Director.

After 20 years in its Elland Road headquarters NSM Music Ltd. is moving to larger premises in a prestigious suburb on the outskirts of Leeds. The move coincides with the sale of the 3000th Icon^TM digital jukebox.

Stern Pinball, Inc. is proud to announce Pat Powers as the new head of Technical Service for the company.

Money Controls' Italian subsidiary has been appointed as the official distributor in Italy for Gamesman's range of pushbuttons, toppers and other peripheral devices for gaming and amusement machines. The partnership agreement, signed at the Enada Rome show in October, demonstrates a very good match of innovative and class-leading products which will be offered to Italy's OEMs.

Link Pendley, former International Vice President for Brunswick Billiards and Valley-Dynamo, last month announced the formation of his new company, International Billiard Products. International Billiard Products is a manufacturer's representative for international markets who need access to equipment and supplies for the home game room, commercial billiard, and coin operated industries.

One of the highest mountains in the Austrian Alps - the Feuerkogel - was the spectacular venue for the funworld Distributor Meeting in September. Partners from around the world responded to the funworld invitation and spent two unforgettable days at a height of 1625 m above sea level and overlooking the broad waters of the Traunsee Alpine lake in the idyllic Salzkammergut.

PokerTek, Inc.. has surpassed its annual sales goal for Heads-Up Challenge tables within the first year. The first Heads-Up Challenge was available for purchase in November 2007. During the fourth quarter, the 1,000th table was sold. PokerTek credits its strong internal sales team and worldwide distributor network for this achievement.

The UK has a new look Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) chain following the unveiling by owners Praesepe plc of its ‘Cashino' brand. The high impact rebranding exercise follows the £25m acquisition of 31 AGCs from HJM Caterers in July of this year.

Winter opening returns to Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire, UK, this year when the park opens for an extended Christmas period. From November 22nd right through to December 23rd and also from December 27th to January 4th , the park will create Drayton's Magical Christmas for visitors when it opens its hugely popular Thomas Land area in addition to offering a major new live show, Santa's Magical Adventure, in the Big Top Theatre, throughout this winter period.

Soundnet is continuously striving to offer the lowest prices for the supply of digital music packages for jukeboxes. But Soundnet customers know that the savings don't just end there.

Ritzio Central Germany and Ritzio North, two German-based subsidiaries of Ritzio International, a leading European gaming clubs operator, report an opening of two new Vulcan Stern gaming clubs in Erkelenz, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Osnabrueck, Lower Saxony.

Ricki Chavez-Munoz, industry expert, travelled to Mexico to meet GAMMEX 2009 organizer Izkrah Pinto for the latest news on developments in the Latin American country.

The economic crisis is frightening and to handle it an increasing number of people are calling on their good luck, by deciding to invest some of their resources in betting shops, casinos or by doing the football pools. In Italy, the number of gaming enterprises has grown by 6.4% in one year, and since 2000 to date by 74.7%: these facts are highlighted by data issued by the Research office of the Monza & Brianza Chamber of Commerce.

We are clearly not short of surprises the day after the approval of the Bill on gaming by the Lower House of Parliament. Among these is the decision by the Government to accept a motion tabled by Alessandro Montagnoli, Member of Parliament for the Lega Nord, committing the Government to progressively limit the number of installed machines, whether with prizes or simply for amusement (thereby including video games) within clubs and association premises, with the ultimate goal being to forbid their installation.

Despite the economic crisis, draft law proposals are following one after the other in the municipalities asking for a casino to be established in their area. Following the requests by Taormina, where a casino existed before, the Viareggio municipality is also proposing to establish a gaming house with the help of Massimo Baldini (of the "Popolo della Libertà" party), Senator and former mayor, by tabling a special bill. The proposal of the former Mayor of Viareggio is only the latest of the many requests by parliamentarians asking for deregulation.

The cash flow is inadequate, and the Italian Treasury will have to face an appreciable reduction in income from the public gaming sector. These are the indications from data published yesterday by the Finance Minister, Sig. Tremonti, relating to the quarterly National Cash Statement. Beyond the forecasts and the increase in takings from gaming, anticipated to be clearly on the increase for the current year, in actual fact the tax revenues from public gaming will be far below what were anticipated.

The technological improvements in mobile telephony and new technical discoveries in that field are allowing devices to be used fraudulently with systems that until now have been unthinkable. This fact has been demonstrated by the case of three Chinese men charged on bail by the Office of General Prevention and Public Assistance of the Police for an attempt to steal from a video poker machine situated in a bar.

Takings from public gaming are rising ever higher, as shown by the statistical data, showing a strong rise when compared with 2007. The same cannot be said for the tax revenues from this sector. As reported by Minister Tremonti in Parliament for the period January to March 2008, the "Monopolies" have recorded an overall increase of €63 million entirely due to the sales tax, while for public gaming a reduction of €605 million has been recorded, due to a fall in tax revenues of €526 million from Lotto and Superenalotto, and a drop of €79 million from all the other games.

During the month of October, Superenalotto is driving the takings for the gaming sector ever higher. On the crest of the wave with a monster jackpot that reached €100.7 million, the 6-number game will close the month with total takings of €570 million - a huge figure, when one considers that in the previous nine months takings were just over €160 million.

A Club promoted by COFAR (the Spanish Confederation of Gaming Businesses) has been created for young business people. The event was attended by the Mayor of Madrid, Don Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, also present were Don Manuel Lao, President of COFAR and Chairman of the CIRSA Group of companies and Don Eusebi Cima, President of the Federation of Small and Medium Businesses (FEPIME).

The CIRSA amusement arcades are enjoying a surge in popularity, as can be seen by the opening in 2008 of another 18 amusement arcades in Spain. On account of their appearance, design and attention to client detail they have become the meeting place for a public who are seeking to enjoy the latest technological innovations in gaming. There are currently 123 such establishments operating throughout Spain, 18 of which have been opened during the past year.

Fifty Catalan bingo halls, grouped around various professional associations are threatening the indefinite disconnection in their halls of the game known as "Binjocs", an electronic lottery game launched by the Catalan Government through Loto Catalunya. This measure was taken one week after the disconnection of Supertoc, another game associated with the EAJA (Entitat Autònoma de Jocs i Apostes de Catalunya). The disconnection of Binjocs is another step in the bingo companies' stand against the Catalan authorities in their bid for a reduction in the exorbitant taxes, the highest in Spain apart from those in the Balearic Islands.

Each year in its enthusiasm to provide the gaming sector with a space for debate and investigation, the CODERE Foundation promotes and sponsors technical days to allow the leisure industry and Spanish society to reflect and consider matters of common interest. This year representatives of the Basque Government, of the Universities and experts in the gaming sector analysed the development of sports betting in the Basque Country.

AMOA reports that a federal court decision has affirmed that current U.S. currency discriminates against the blind. The longstanding case was filed against the U.S. Treasury Department by advocates of the blind. Both a trial judge and a lower appeals court also ruled in favor of the blind.

Following several unsuccessful attempts, on November 4, Maryland voters overwhelmingly approved a statewide referendum to authorize 15,000 slot machines to begin operation by 2011. With a 59% to 41% margin, the measure was heavily supported by the Maryland Democratic Party, its Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley and the General Assembly.

Like most American companies, Stern Pinball Inc. of Melrose Park, IL announced plans to streamline its workforce. The restructuring plan will mean downsizing assembly-line staff and reducing design departments and other development areas. The sluggish global economic situation, weaker domestic sales, plus changing values of the U.S. dollar, have created the situation. Stern exports 50% of its new games to overseas markets.

Astro introduced its omnibus digital entertainment platform - PLAYLAND in September. Players can enjoy themselves in the luxurious services of world-class casinos through the platform. The 3D-engined PLAYLAND differentiates from ordinary games through its sumptuous 3D settings, high-quality games and diversified services.

Since opening its lab in Macau in 2006, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has been continuously pressed by requests from regulators and manufacturers alike to expand its services. In response to that demand, GLI Asia is planning a multi-phased expansion, the first of which will establish a fully functional testing laboratory in Macau by the end of 2008.

Established in 1980, International Currency Technologies (ICT) is Taiwan's leading company in producing bill acceptor, coin acceptor and hopper equipment. The firm has well-established worldwide sales networks and its products have received high recognition. ICT has more than 50 R&D engineers dedicated to developing high quality currency products.

The second Gambling Forum organized by the Nevada State Office on Economic Development will be held in Taiwan in December 2008. The representative of the Nevada State Office on Economic Development - Charlyne Chen - confirmed that the senior officials of the four world's largest gambling consortiums - Harrah's, Las Vegas Sands, Wynn, and MGM and the owners of gambling foundations will participate in the forum and have a one-day inspection in Taiwan.

BELGIUM

A Fair Play for Sports Betting campaign has been launched by Stanleybet International. This campaign requests the European Commission to properly enforce the principle of free movement of goods and services in accordance with EU law, by referring non-compliant states to the European Court of Justice. It also asks for "fair, open and equal access" to all EU gambling markets for companies based in other EU member states. This campaign began with an open letter to Jose Manuel Barroso to bring an end to these delays. (Source: Euromat)

Funworld's colourful children's Touch Toy terminal is a genuine attention grabber for children. Behind this is a unique concept, which is also very useful educationally. The lovingly designed children's terminal magically attracts little ones' attention and invites them to play. Whatever the location: such as shopping centres, hotels, doctor's surgeries or banks, Touch Toy encourages young talents with sensible games and gives parents a little peace and quiet to run errands without interruption.

In January of this year funworld repositioned itself as a multi product company and introduced a modern umbrella branding concept. The four product brands of PHOTO PLAY, Touch Toy, BET-solutions and fun|select have since that time been offered under the umbrella brand name funworld, which vigorously expanded the product range.

WEBAK GAMES, founded in 1982 and based in Gmunden/Austria, was the first independent non-German company to obtain PTB approval under the new German AWP laws in January 2007.

In January 2005, the then 39-year-old Reinhard Schloh opened the firm of Nordic Company Consultancy (NordicCC). The main focus is consultancy and the marketing of its own sport game brand Versus through specialised regional distributors.

Austria is frequently confused with Australia. But no one can mix up TAB-Austria's innovations with anything else. In 2008 several spectacular news and product upgrades were released and there are even more to come in time for ATEI 2009.

For several years already, German giant Bally Wulff Entertainment has constantly provided new and exciting entertainment for the Spanish market.

F un4Four is much more than a gambling table - it offers: poker, skill and quiz, Internet, SMS and Google Maps^TM. It's the versatility of this ingenious games mixture that provides a winning formula. The design is distinctive. The workmanship of the table is of the highest technical standards. The concept is unique. And the ROI (return on investment) is truly astounding.

Azkoyen Medios de Pago is a major Company of the Azkoyen Group. They specialize in the development, manufacture, sales and support of high technology products for payment solution applications. Markets that we supply include Amusement & Gaming, Pay Telephone, Car parking, Transportation and the Kiosk Terminals sector. In all of these important sectors Azkoyen work closely with our Customers to establish their requirements and satisfy their demands.

There will be two amusement machine exhibitions in the Earls Court area of London in January. One will be the annual Amusement Trades International event (ATEI) which needs no introduction to readers of Euroslot and which will be well covered by the magazine. The second is the Intergame IGX Exhibition which is being held during the same two days as the ATEI but in the Ibis Hotel, Earls Court.

Support for this year's BAPTO Finals, played this month at Pontins, Blackpool, has improved tremendously since the event was transferred there from Bridlington two years ago after Bridlngton Spa, which had housed it since the year 2000, was closed for refurbishment.

Alan Marshall might have become a little disenchanted with pool to the extent he will still promote but does not wish to organise the European Blackball Association's World Masters event in Bridlington next year. But a news item in the Bridlington Free Press was a reminder of Alan's determination to make life happier for those less fortunate than he.

LAI Games International has a couple of good performing redemption games. Slam & Jam and Slam & Jam Junior top our list for ticket redemption and Stacker and Lighthouse are best sellers for direct prize-vend redemption games.

There is an ongoing danger from an established, acceptable product used in our industry. It is a bullet that can strike our youngest, most vulnerable customers. This is the choke-able 27mm or 1-inch superball. I speak from personal experience.

Reel in the fun with Big Bass Wheel from Bay Tek Games. Players step up and pull the handle to spin the big wheel. When the wheel stops, players are rewarded with tickets.

Brent Sales/Bandai Namco Games has released a new TV gameshow-themed game: The Price Is Right. Manufactured by leading redemption specialists, ICE, the game is licensed on the hit television programme of the same name, which has been broadcast in dozens of countries since its inception in 1956 and remains the world's longest-running gameshow.

Providing gamers with top notch redemption titles has been a specialty of Sega with a loyal background including, but not limited to, the UFO Catcher, Sonic Spinner and the infamous Spongebob Squarepants. Sega is now unleashing another edition of the ever so popular Nickelodeon character with Spongebob Squarepants Ticket Boom.

Harry Levy Amusements only source those redemption pieces that are truly entertaining and we understand this concept because we are manufacturers ourselves. We are the leading supplier of redemption in the UK and we advise customers throughout Europe on the best redemption products and mix.

Attractively themed to look like an oilrig, Strike It Rich is an exciting, stop-action game that challenges players to stop the scrolling LED light ball in the highlighted ticket area. Each successful stop moves the player thru the 5 levels of game play with each level becoming more difficult but more rewarding. If a player reaches the final level, they have the opportunity to play for a progressive jackpot.

Pang Pang Paradise is one of our latest redemption pieces and it is doing really well. It is a very simple concept, it is a two-player, where the object of the game is to throw soft balls at moving characters. The large 47-inch monitor and cute cabinet are proving to be popular with kids.

Sceptre Gaming showed its innovative new Jupiter Cabinet at this year's Betting Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Incorporating a small footprint, ergonomic design and twin lcd high resolution screens the Jupiter cabinet is recognised as a leading design in FOBT cabinets.

KICTeam, the world leader in the manufacture of cleaning cards, is pleased to announce that it has developed a new JCM Waffletechnology^TM cleaning card for JCM Global, the worldwide leader in automated transaction handling systems. The new cleaning card is similar to the one KICTeam previously designed but incorporates a larger waffle pattern to accommodate international currency validators.

Magic Dreams has unveiled a new game, full of exciting Egyptian promise. The Return of the Phoenix is a five-reel video slot, available in 9 or 25 lines configuration. Wild burning Phoenix substitutes for all others symbols except scatter and multiplies prizes x 3 when substituting. three, four or five scatters trigger 15, 20 or 25 free games.

Allstar Vending has released its new line of Disney Princess Dress Up stickers.  Every little girl longs to be a princess and now through the power of Disney and Allstar Vending, young girls can not only collect their favourite Disney Princess but they can dress them up too. This new series of 12 features favourites such as Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Bella, and Jasmine.

TouchTunes PlayPorTT, a new wireless, portable music and game system from TouchTunes, is already making a huge impact on the coin operated interactive entertainment industry.  Only just released following extensive beta testing, the entire first-run has already sold out.

Fantasy Entertainment has launched the Eventure Portable Photo Booth - the multi-product photo booth designed exclusively for the special event rental market. Advance orders for the Eventure portable booth have been taken since June, and the product began shipping in August, 2008. "After filling our initial round of advance orders, we're pleased to announce that the Eventure portable photo booth is now available for immediate delivery," says Dale Valvo, Fantasy Entertainment's President and CEO.

GLOBAL VR today announced that it has put the finishing touches on its new V3/Vortek space shooter, Sky Bandits. Based on one of the most successful Vortek titles, Operation Blockade, Sky Bandits combines fast paced action with the adventure of space.

CashCode, now exhibiting under it's parent company's moniker of Crane Payment Solutions, the manufacturer of bill validators and currency handling devices for countries worldwide is launching its next generation FrontLoad validator at this year's G2E show.  The product named CashCode One clearly articulates one of its key value propositions; to deliver innovative payment solutions that improve the customer experience while reducing Total Cost of Ownership.

Astra Games, part of the Novomatic Group of Companies, has once again enforced its commitment to the UK B3 sector with the launch of the next generation of "Slotto" games, multi-game compendium "Slotto Gambler". "Slotto Gambler" includes five new games and was born from fusing the ingenious concepts currently flowing from Astra's design team with the evergreen popularity of some of Astra's top-performing game themes.

At the Betting Show in October, Cyberview and Barcrest Group's array of new products provoked a very enthusiastic response from visitors to the show.

The deluxe production version of Raw Thrills' Safari video shooter is now available for European deliveries. Distributed exclusively by Brent Sales/Bandai Namco Games, the latest instalment of the high-earning, action-packed Big Buck Hunting series sports two rifles and a high definition 42" LCD screen.