New Orleans taxes
Until I stand corrected may I
advance the statement that Lou-
isiana, particularly New Orleans,
has by far the highest tax
structure on amusement games
in America.
Here is what each and every
operator has to pay on flippers
and amusement games: $50 city
or parish license, $50 state
license, $10 amusement tax and 6
percent sales or use tax, what-
ever the case may be, and if
outside of New Orleans the use or
sales tax amounts to 5 percent. In
addition to the aforementioned
license fees and taxes, there is
also a personal property tax and
in Orleans Parish, an operator's
license of $1,000 if over fifty
games are operated.
TomBahman
Algiers, Louisiana
[For those t'nterested in getting
copies of Roger's book at the
reduced price, contact BiU White-
head, E.P. Dutton Company, 201
Park Avenue South, New York,
New York 1000S. Also, Roger
and his book were featured in the
Living Section of Time Maga-
zine's September 26 issue-Ed.]
•••••••••••••
Certified mechanics
•••••••••••••
How come in such an advanced
industry as ours there is no
testing procedure which would
qualify individuals as certified
game mechanics? As it is now,
anyone who can solder or turn a
screw is a "mechanic." Some of
these guys are giving us a bad
name.
Jack Guarnieri
Brooklyn, New York
I really enjoy your magazine,
especially all the information you
supply on pinball. I would also
like to commend you on the
"Critic's Corner" section by Rog-
er C. Sharpe. I really find that
informative and look forward to
reading it each month.
However, I would like to see
more articles on the smaller
manufacturers of pinball and
amusement games. Every article
so far brings up the same
names-Bally, Gottlieb, and Wil-
liams.
I work for Allied Leisure and
rarely see our name mentioned.
We may not be considered a
major manufacturer of pin balls
yet, but watch out. I have just
begun designing pin games for
Allied and can tell you we've got
some really good products com-
ing out. So how about some more
stuff on us small guys?
Also, Roger C. Sharpe says in
one of his articles that we can
order his new book for half of the
newstand price, but how?
Enjoy all your articles very
much, glad to be a subscriber.
Bob Betor
Allied Leisure Ind.
Hialeah, Florida
[The problem you speak of does
not exist in this industry alone.
You would encounter the same
situation if you owned a TV
repair shop or an auto repair
shop. The truth of the matter is
that the demand for good techni-
cal help far exceeds the supply.
Naturally, this creates a void
when it comes to the mechanic/
technician. Personally, rve never
been one to be impressed by
"certified" people; it seems that if
a person has put in his time to
gain a certificate, he has not put
in enough time working in the
real world. There doesn't seem to
be an immediate solution to the
problem of the lack of qualified
help in this industry. If you want
to attract the right people, you
are going to have to offer
reasonable pay, benefits, and job
security. There have been many
changes in the last few years
when it comes to servicemen.
Operators are offering more and
more, and talented young ener-
getic people are coming t'nto the
job market. No one knows if this
means that the supply may one
day exceed the demand, but it
does indicate that there has
definitely been an improve-
ment - Tech. Ed.]
Sharpe reader
'If
~
COIN MACHINE
TRAINING FOR
REPAIR
MAINTENANCE
Trouble Shooting
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
..
~-
SLOTS
PIN BALLS
ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENTS
ARCADES
BINGOS
VIDEO ELECTRONICS
~
MUSIC and VENDING
"Your future is our business . ..
,
Nevada Gaming
Schools, Inc.
3100 Sirius Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
Tel: 702/873·2345
(I
Certified BALL Y trainong school
sixth year
PROPER
TEXTURE
for the
PERFECT
TIP
ELK MASTER is the finest cue tip
that "know how," skilled workman·
ship and proper materials can pro·
duce.
Ask for ELK MASTER and you will
get cue tips that have long life,
wear well , stand up under the
roughest use ... still holding their
shape and proper resiliency. (Sand
base of tip before gluing to cue.)
Available in sizes 1l·12·13·14MM
and assorted.
.~.
2003 West Fulton St . • Chicago, III. 60612
7