Euroslot-Sep08-pg06-07 8/21/08 9:01 AM Page 6
INDUSTRY NEWS www.euroslot-online.com
Aid for Bingo not AWPs
Milliken in Asia
P
roposals to help bingo clubs by a slight easing of restrictions on A
fter its recent successes in Canada and
the US, Milliken SuperPro pool cloth has
gaming machines were announced by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe received official certification by the Asian
last month. Pocket Billiard Union (APBU) – the governing
In a statement to Parliament Mr Sutcliffe proposed that the number of body of pool in Asia.
category B3 (£1 stake/£500 prize) gaming machines allowed in licensed Recognition by the APBU will open new
bingo clubs should increase from four to eight. The move is a one off marketing opportunities for the company
measure designed to help the bingo industry, which has seen about 15% of throughout Asia where both pool and snooker
bingo clubs close in the last four years. is producing talented amateur and professional
Mr Sutcliffe also announced plans to bring forward by a year a review of players in growing numbers.
stakes and prizes for low stake gaming machines. The review will only look As a member of the World Confederation of Billiard Sports and the World
at category C and D (50p stake/£35 prize and 10p stake/£5 prize Pool Billiards Association, the APBU is playing an influential role in the
respectively) ‘fruit’ machines typically found in pubs and some seaside development of pool and the conditions under which the game is played.
arcades and traditional seaside amusements like ‘penny falls’ and ‘crane And as part of this, Milliken intends to become a stronger player, with
grabs’. SuperPro and Strachan 6811 tournament snooker cloth an essential element
But the Government has rejected proposals from the adult arcade at many international events.
industry to increase significantly the numbers and stakes of B3 machines in E J Goh [pictured] Milliken’s marketing executive in Asia, said that the
Adult Gaming Centres (arcades commonly found in high streets). quality of West of England made snooker and pool cloth was highly valued.
Mr Sutcliffe said that proposals by the industry could create high street “Most of the regulators in pool and snooker acknowledge that Milliken cue
‘machine sheds’ and put public protection at risk. It would also pre-empt sport cloth is the finest available and this is driving up play quality across the
work being carried out by independent regulator the Gambling Commission board. It means that Asian players are catching up with their rivals in
into the risks associated with high stake high prize gaming machines. Their America and Europe at pool and snooker. Playing conditions play a big part
current limit of four will remain unchanged and there will be no review of in this process and we are pleased to be at the heart of it.”
stakes and prizes for category B machines until this work is complete.
Earlier this year industry body BACTA proposed that Adult Gaming
Centres be allowed category B3 gaming machines at a ratio of 20% of the
total number of machines per arcade, an increase on their current limit of
four. They also proposed a doubling of the maximum stake to two pounds.
Mr Sutcliffe said: “Bingo clubs also play a crucial role in many
communities and we want to see that continue. For some people, especially
older and retired women, bingo is their main leisure pursuit. It is therefore of
great concern that nearly 100 bingo clubs have closed in the last four years.
“Having listened carefully to the case put forward by bingo clubs, I am
persuaded that a number of special circumstances apply to the bingo
industry. I’m confident that allowing a small increase in bingo clubs, where
gaming machines are not the main reason for people to attend, will provide
much needed help to struggling clubs without putting public protection at
risk. I hope to implement these plans by the end of the year. Funworld’s Italian Open
“I am also concerned that traditional seaside arcades are struggling and I
want to help. Though public protection will still be our number one priority,
we will bring forward a review of stakes and prizes for low stakes machines T
he “Italian Open” PHOTO PLAY CUP was held on 8 June 2008 in
Caorle. Italy’s 13 top players challenged one another in four
by a year. tournaments: Quiz Maniac, Roman Towers, Shanghai and Twins.
“However, the proposals put forward by the adult arcade industry could Emerging victorious in the four PHOTO PLAY championships at the Italian
encourage ever larger ‘machine sheds’ in town centres across the country, Open were Ste De Matteis (Twins), Werner Gruber (Shanghai), Filippo
with significantly higher numbers of high stake high prize machines. I Cocchella (Quiz Maniac) and Aldo Tagliaferri (Roman Towers). Afterwards
believe this would put public protection at risk and pre-empt the Gambling they celebrated their victory together with the other players at a special party.
Commission’s ongoing research into the risks associated high stake and “The national PHOTO PLAY Cup in Caorle was a resounding success for
prize gaming machines. funworld and an unforgettable experience for the players. Italy’s top PHOTO
“While I understand that some parts of the industry are experiencing PLAY players met, got to know each other and exchanged experiences. They
difficulties, ever increasing stake and prize levels should not be a general played passionately and with great enthusiasm,” said Andrea Scampini,
solution to the industry's economic problems.” managing director of funworld italy.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is launching consultations The players were particularly enthusiastic about the unique multiplayer
on these plans immediately which will affect England, Scotland and Wales. feature, whereby they were able to play online against one another live and
If Ministers then decide to proceed, necessary Orders will be put forward in real-time. Moreover they were impressed by the ergonomic design of the
which will need to be approved by Parliament. This will require a debate, PHOTO PLAY RACER PRO terminals and their numerous technical
and potentially a vote, in both Houses. refinements, such as the streaming video, which makes it possible for
opponents to interact during the game.
6
SEPTEMBER 2008
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