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INTERNATIONAL NEWS - USA
Stern Pinball on the History
Channel’s Modern Marvels
Legally defining video games
S
tern Pinball, Inc. appeared in a show titled “Coin-Operated” on The N
ew York Governor David Paterson has recently signed a law that
requires clearer labeling of videogames sold or rented in New York.
History Channel’s Modern Marvels. The show, which will run numerous The New York chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) may
times over the next year, spotlighted the modern day coin-op industry, respond with a lawsuit challenging the act on constitutional grounds. At
including pinball. Every 15 minutes, Americans insert over 3.5 million coins least 12 other states courts have struck down similar laws as unlawfully
into vending machines, so it is big business. The show will run several times infringing on First Amendment rights to free expression.
over the next 12 months. The law mandates that within two years, all new game consoles sold
The program visits a sprawling factory that mass-produces the latest in in New York must have parent-controlled V-chip type technology, used
high-tech vending machines, a small company that makes a giant gumball as a lockout feature. The legislation also establishes an advisory council
machine that holds 40,000 gumballs and Stern Pinball, America's last pinball to assess game ratings issued by the Entertainment Software Ratings
factory. It will also show various coin operated fare that amused people 100 Board, a voluntary ratings group for the home game industry, and to
years ago. Next is the transporting of Coinstar coin counting machines to a educate the public on games' potential influence on children's behavior.
Brinks warehouse. The program ends at Marvin's Marvelous Mechanized Separately, the New York chapter of the Amusement and Music
Museum, housing some of the weirdest coin-op machines ever invented. Owners Association reports a bill to repeal the law banning free and/or
extra games and balls on coin-op amusement devices should reached
the governor's desk as of press time. Legal counsel for the AMOA-NY
Cross promotion for ASI
has alerted the governor's office that the new videogame content law
has no impact on commercially operated coin-op devices.
and Pizza Expo
M
ike Rudowicz, president of the American Amusement Machine
State news
Association (AAMA) announced that the Amusement Showcase
International (ASI), sponsored by the AAMA, and the International Pizza • The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) reported that the state of
Expo are negotiating a cross-promotional agreement for next year’s Minnesota has paid $65,000 in attorney fees and expenses incurred as a
shows. Topics under discussion are promotional ideas and badge result of the group's successful challenge to Minnesota's unconstitutional
reciprocity. The shows, to be held next spring at the Las Vegas videogame law. The ESA, which prevailed over similar unconstitutional
Convention Center have overlapping dates-¬ ASI runs from March 11 to laws in nine other jurisdictions, now has been awarded close to $2 million
13, and Pizza Expo from March 10 to 12. in fees and expenses spent in defending gamers', developers' and
The potential for attendance is great for amusement operators, who publishers' First Amendment rights.
often have equipment in pizzerias and pizza restaurants. The • In Iowa, a new statewide smoking ban took effect at midnight, and
International Pizza Expo is the world's oldest and largest trade show for includes bars and restaurants. Fines of up to $300 and loss of business
the $30 billion pizza industry, attended by more than 6,000 and liquor licenses may be imposed on venues that violate the ban. Iowa is
international pizzeria owners and operators from around the world. More the 23rd state to put restrictions on indoor smoking in public places. It is
than 500 exhibitors showcase their products and services, and has been too soon to know the impact on operators.
part of the AAMA's Location Trade Show schedule for several years. It is another blow to the Iowa amusement industry, following record
floods this past summer in numerous counties. Many operators lost huge
amounts of their own equipment and inventory, not to mention the
NAMA will have one
destruction of many of their customers’ locations. The total loss is still
unknown.
trade show in 2010
• A new state law in Indiana permits taverns that purchase a $250 gambling
license to offer low-stakes gambling, including pull-tab vending machines.
More than 450 gambling licenses have already been requested by taverns
statewide. This new program eliminates operators from participating in the
T
he board of directors of the National Automatic Merchandising Association new gaming market. This may be a reaction to a crackdown by state law
(NAMA) in Chicago will merge its national and spring expositions into one enforcement officials on the gray-game market in recent years, prior to
large springtime event, starting with the April 28-30, 2010 trade show at legalizing pull tabs for bar owners.
McCormick Place North in Chicago. They aim to have the shows rotate between Pull-tab machines vend small paper cards, sold for up to $1 each. Players lift
Chicago and Las Vegas. NAMA leadership cited a decision to create a more the tabs, hoping the revealed symbols earn a prize. Winners may collect their
powerful event that would attract everyone in the industry. cash instantly. Award amounts and payoff percentages are strictly regulated.
The association cited that a single show would enable manufacturers and Only state licensed dealers may sell gaming tickets, supplies and machines.
suppliers to focus marketing efforts and new product introductions more • The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement agency is stepping up its
effectively, saving exhibitors and registrants alike a significant expense. It campaign to shut down illegal slots and pokers. Hundreds of video poker
would also assemble all the industry's decision-makers under one roof at the machines have been seized in recent months, and dozens of clubs and fire
same time. halls have been cited for violations.
SEPTEMBER 2008
25
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