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INTERNATIONAL NEWS - USA www.euroslot-online.com
PENNSYLVANIA BARS GET A BOOST
CONSUMERS USING
MORE CASH
C
oinstar, Inc. commissioned a
survey of consumers last
A
lthough a statewide smoking ban took effect in Pennsylvania on
November, which revealed that 23%
September 111, more than 1,700 taverns have been granted exemptions,
of those questioned claimed they are
according to the commonwealth’s Department of Health. Governor Ed
using more cash now than in 2007.
Rendell reluctantly signed the Clean Indoor Air Act last June –
Based on their responses, researchers
accepting the bill's exemption language to gain enough votes
determined that 69% were using cash
for passage. He favoured fewer exemptions, but has
to reduce credit card debt; 84% think
admitted that the law is "succeeding... by a wide margin" in
that paying with cash restricts their
protecting citizens from secondhand smoke.
spending to their families’ budgets.
Pennsylvania's smoking ban offers exemptions to taverns
What may prove to be troublesome
that derive 80% or more of sales from non-food sales. That
to the amusement industry is that
should include coin-operated amusement and vending equipment.
due to the struggling American
Smoking is banned in most public spaces and offices, including restaurants
economy, more than 60% plan to
and sports stadiums.
alter their spending patterns in 2009.
Local press outlets said more exemptions may be given to bar/restaurants with
Since the coin-operated amusement
separate entrances for the respective bar and restaurant zones. Conversely, some
industry is purely a leisure activity,
smoking-ban proponents predict that the legislature will pass tougher
operators will have to work harder to
regulations next year.
capture the diminishing
entertainment dollar.
MERIT LAUNCHES NEW CASHLESS PAYMENT SYSTEMS
A
lthough 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.
Merit believes the ePort will prove more convenient for players and more efficient for operators,
while improving reliability over coin- and bill- only systems. Younger customers prefer card payment
because many are students who carry minimal cash.
Merit is pioneering the introduction of the ePort cashless payment solution to the multibillion-dollar countertop
touchscreen entertainment market. An estimated 250,000 existing Megatouch games provide more than four billion game
playing events each year.
AMOA ASSOCIATION DUES
Maryland approves
A
MOA members will be happy to learn that for 2009, there will be no increase in dues.
slot machines
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.
However, the Jukebox License Office (JLO) will raise its dues by 3.66% for 2009. That will
A
fter multiple failed attempts to get statewide slot
machines, Maryland voters approved a statewide
cover CD and vinyl jukeboxes. The fees will be charged at $434 for the first license, a $15
referendum on election day to legalize 15,000 slot machines
increase over 2008. Each additional jukebox license will be $100, up from $96 in 2008. March
in five locations by 2011. The measure passed by roughly
15 is the deadline for payment of fees for commercially operated jukeboxes.
59% to 41%, and was supported by Gov. Martin O'Malley
The Jukebox License is administered by the JLO on behalf of the performing rights
and legislators. Backers said slot revenues could approach
organizations (PROs) ASCAP, SESAC and BMI. It enables operators to pay a blanket fee to
$1.2 billion annually and help make up an expected $1.7
cover all public performance of copyrighted music that is protected by the PROs. In 2007,
billion shortfall in next year's state budget.
approximately 44,500 boxes were licensed through the JLO, compared with 54,000 in 2006.
O'Malley and top lawmakers plan to move quickly to
The declining number of CD and vinyl boxes has been offset by the increased deployment of
appoint a commission. They will select slot operators from a
digital machinery whose copyrighted play content is covered by agreements set by the jukebox
group of bidders. The Maryland Jockey Club immediately
music providers and recording companies.
applied for rights to operate slots. If approved, Laurel Park
Licensing information is available online at jukeboxlicense.com or by calling (800) 955-5853.
could be awarded Maryland's largest concentration of slots,
with 4,750 machines.
22
JANUARY 2009
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