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INTERNATIONAL NEWS - USA www.euroslot-online.com
Will IALEI and
Obama and small businesses
IAAPA merge?
P
resident Barack Obama unveiled a $730 million small-
business stimulus package on March 16. Banks receiving
federal bailout money must increase lending to small businesses
I
n May, a membership board vote will decide if the to help make payroll, purchase equipment and maintain (or
International Association for the Leisure and Entertainment expand) employment levels.
Industry (IALEI) will be absorbed into the Family The plan also includes several new pro-business Internal
Entertainment Center (FEC) committee of the International Revenue Service (IRS) rules for temporary tax breaks. Businesses
Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). earning up to $15 million may claim losses for the past five years
IAAPA’s board must also approve a merger. this tax year. Businesses may write off up to $250,000 in
A merger would let IALEI focus on providing member investments this year; estimated tax payments will be reduced up
benefits. Like all businesses, the group faces the challenges to 90% over the previous year’s filing. Businesses may deduct for
of declining revenues and trade show attendance, decreasing greater depreciation within the first year of property purchases
insurance program feeds and lower membership income. and exclude up to 75% of capital gains small business investors.
Lower ASI number
F
ewer attendees were at the March Amusement Showcase
International (ASI) and co-located Fun Expo trade shows. The
economy and stricter company travel policies were the explanations.
Preliminary registration numbers of 1,982 was a 26% decline from
2008. Organizers said many exhibiting companies brought fewer staff
members. The 43% decrease in registered buyers was more extreme,
dropping to 602 from 1,062 last year.
It was the first time Fun Expo was co-located with the ASI, sponsored
by the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA), traditionally
alongside the Amusement and Music Operators Association’s
International Expo.
Ninety-six firms exhibited in 250 booths, down from 133 in 181 booths
in 2008. Organizers claimed those attending were serious buyers.
• Two Native American tribes threaten to withhold millions of the $440 annual
Exhibitors focused on quality visitors with serious buying power.
slot revenue tax dollars, plus sue Connecticut’s government if smoking is banned
Fun Expo, sponsored by the International Association for the Leisure
in their hugely successful casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. Both properties
and Entertainment Industry (IALEI), reported 1,115 participants, compared
currently permit smoking in the casino.
with last year’s 1,283. Registered buyers decreased by from 780 to 594.
House Bill 5608- introduced in January- invalidates the casinos’ liquor licenses
Its 82 exhibiting companies in 140 booths- 13 first time attendees-
without a total smoking ban. The legislature’s Public Health Committee voted to
dropped by one. ASI and Fun Expo will again co-locate at the March 10-
approve HB 5608 by 28 to two.
12, 2010 show in Las Vegas.
Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribal officials claim the law violates tribal
sovereignty, the U.S. constitution and the state’s gaming compact with them.
• South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds signed a major expansion of the statewide
smoking ban on March 20. Effective July 1, the law will only permit smoking in a
National dart news
few cigar bars and smoke shops. Taverns and their video lottery terminals could
lose 30% in traffic and revenues, devastating operators. Tax proceeds, currently • The National Dart Association’s (NDA) new MySpace page
generating $110 million annually from South Dakota’s legal VLT terminals, could went live in March. NDA officials hope its presence
drop by up to 25%. showcases the association via videos, slideshows and
The Video Lottery Establishments industry of South Dakota fear it could force blogs. The MySpace page lets visitors sign up for NDA’s
some venues out of business entirely, which would also damage operators. player e-newsletter and find quick links to the association’s
Across the U.S., 25 states now ban smoking in restaurants and bars. Some of services. MySpace members can add NDA as a friend at
these states also permit legalized VLT play. myspace.com/ndadarts.
• Effective in early April, the Obama Administration enacted a 62-cent increase in • The NDA is expecting almost 10,000 entrants from seven
federal excise taxes on cigarettes, and tobacco companies immediately boosted the countries at Team Dart XXIV.  As of press time, the NDA
levy on a pack of cigarettes from 39¢ to just over $1. Projected sales losses range had already registered the same number of entrants as in
from 3% to 9% as a result. 2008.    Popular competition levels and increased payouts
More tax hikes on cigarettes are expected this year, as almost half of all state will enhance the multi-day tournament’s appeal. Team Dart
governments discuss increasing state taxes to raise money. Currently, the average XXIV will hold its Opening Ceremony and Players’ Party on
per-pack state taxes are $1.21. Monday, April 20 in Las Vegas. The NDA represents
Officials at the Office of Smoking and Health at the Centers for Disease Control approximately 300 operator members and 250,000
and Prevention predicted the higher fees may motivate at least one million players worldwide. To learn more, visit
smokers to quit. Currently, 45 million adults smoke in the U.S. www.ndadarts.com. 
16
MAY 2009
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