from the editor
i
Among the various problems facing today's operator are some
that seemingly must be lived with. Yet while, for a long while, the
industry lived with its "image" problem, as of late great strides
have been made in enhancing the image of the amusement machine
industry. Indeed, the industry has risen from the "Dark Ages" and
is presently rocketing through a "Renaissance" of enlightened
thinking as well as technological advancement.
As the results of PLAY METER's Annual Operators Survey are
gathered and tabulated, it is distressing to note, however, the vast
inconsistencies in licensing fees, property taxes, sales taxes and
legislation regarding amusement machines in different states and
municipalities. Many state and local government agencies are still
living in the "Dark Ages" insofar as this industry is concerned.
Unenlightened thinking has led to countless inequities in tax areas
and legislative ones. The resulting legal "harassment" that today's
operator faces must no longer be tolerated.
Just as today's commission structure is for the most part identical
to the commission arrangements of forty years ago, so it is with
laws pertaining to the industry. And legal problems are far more
complex and widespread than problems with ''image,'' for example.
Manufacturers have done a great deal toward solving the image
problem by holding tournaments, by conducting national pro-
motions and by establishing many of the games of our trade as
home recreational devices.
And one can be sure that the
manufacturers are making a concerted effort to combat legal
problems--in their own selfish interests perhaps, but still for the
good of the operator and the industry.
But operators themselves will have to become actively involved
in bringing about the changes that are necessary. Manufacturers
can be expected to do only so much; and their efforts are most
practically spent at the national and state levels and must be
concerned primarily with illegal machine laws as opposed to tax and
license laws. Those laws should be monitored at the state and local
level and combated by state associations. Unfortunately one can
count the number of good, effective state associations on almost one
hand. In many states, associations do not even exist. So the
operator finds himself faced with unfair tax and license laws and no
one really to turn to for help.
More enlightened operators . will, of course, and do band
together, hire legal counsel if necessary and fight local problems
with a common interest. The rest, those who live in an unfavorable
competitive climate where operators refuse to get along with each
other, will have to go it alone. But don't say it can't be done and
choose to "live" with the problem. You can fight city hall and win!
You are a tax-paying citizen operating a respected business
concern; it is your right to be treated fairly and honestly. It's time
you ensure that right and demand that your business be taxed
intelligently and licensed fairly.
In this issue of PLAY METER, we come to grips with the "legal"
problem and focus in on some legal troubleshooting. Staff writer/
operator Gene Beley relates his successes and failures as a modern
day operator in singlehanded combat against ancient laws and
backward thinking politicians. And Marshall Caras examines the
realm of location contracts, how effective they are and if and when'
one should be negotiated.
This issue marks the beginning of a commitment to dealing with
legal problems facing the industry. We will be taking a serious look
at more legal problems in future issues. Our only hope is that you
the operator will make 1\ commitment to yourself and become
actively involved in fightmg for justice.
Ralph C. Lally II,
Publisher & Editor
Calendar
Jul y23-25
Montana Coin Machine Opera-
tor A ' 'ociation , annual con -
ve nt ion . W t Ye llow ·ton e,
Montana .
August 19-22
Michigan Tobacco & Candy
Distributors & Vendors Ass'n.
Boyne Mountain Lodge, Boyne
Mountain , Michigan.
Augu t 27-29
:\orth arolina oin Operator
A ·sociation . annual con ve n -
tion . 'harlottc. 1\ orth Caro-
lina . Site not ye t selected .
. e ptemb r1 6- 1
'ic Op rator of Virginia,
annual con ve ntion. Hya t t
Hou e , Ri chmond. Virginia.
~u
September 17-19
Florida Amusement Merchan-
dising Association, annual con-
vention. Deauville Hotel, Mi-
ami Beach, Fla.
Oct. 14-16
We ·t Virginia Mu ic & Ven-
ding A ociation , annual con -
vention. heraton Inn , Clark '-
burg , We tVa .
November 12-14
Music Operators of America,
Expo 76. The Conrad Hilton
Hotel , Chicago, Illinois.
November 18-21
IAAP A (Parks how ). The
Rivergate , New Orleans, La.
Let's
help
each
other.
~Od
neighbor.
+
The American Red Cross
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