AMOA completes survey
Vol. 5, No.10
June 1,1979
The AMOA member "Cost of
Doing Business Survey" shows rev-
enues from jukeboxes and amuse-
ment games rose significantly in
Staff
1978.
Publisher and Editor:
Ralph C. Lally II
Editorial Director:
David Pierson
Managing Editor:
Mike Shaw
Marketing & Research:
Beau Eurell
International Editor:
David Snook
Editor, Coin Slot
Technical Editor:
Zac Oliver
Correspondents:
Roger C. Sharpe
Pat Matthews
DickWelu
Tom Howarth
Art Direction:
Katey Schwark
Administrative Assistant &
Classified Advertising:
Valerie Cognevich
Typography:
Vickie Lofton
Circulation Manager:
Gloria Dering
Advertising Representative:
David Pierson
European Representative:
Esmay Leslie
PLAY METER, June 1,1979. Volume
5, No. 10. Copyright 1979 by Skybird
Publishing Company. PLAY METER
( ISSN 0162-1343) is published twice
monthly on the 1st and 15th of the
month. Publishing offices: 112 North
Roadway, New Orleans, La. 70124,
P. 0. Bo:: 24170, New Orleans,
70184. Tel.:
504/282-0261. Sub-
scription rates: U. S. and Canada-
$25; Europe and Japan-$45; else-
where- $50. One order subscription:
2-9, $20 each; 10-24, $17 each; 25 or
more, $15 each. Advertising rates
available on request. No part of this
magazine may be reproduced without
e::pressed permission. The editors are
not responsible for unsolicited manu-
scripts. Second-class postage paid at
New Orleans 70113 and additional
mailing offices. Postmaster: Send
Form 3579 to PLAY METER, P. 0.
Bo:: 24170, New Orleans, La. 70184.
European office: PLAY METER Pro-
motions, "Harescombe" Wa~,ord
Road, Northwood Midd::. Engl~nd,
Northwood 29244.
Western Regional Office: P. 0. Bo::
692, Chatsworth, Ca., 91311. Tel.:
213/882-4005.
Music Research Dept.: Dennis Dan-
ko, Mgr.; Bonnie Focazio.
A 6.3 percent reply to the
distributed questionnaires, was term-
ed a good return by AMOA officials.
The reply indicated an especially
good year for game operators.
Sixty-four percent of those partici·
pating in the poll reported revenues
up by an average 15.5 percent, while
a mere 18 percent of those operators
showed a decrease in revenue by an
average 13.6 percent.
Twenty seven percent of the
jukebox operators to answer the
questionnaire reported revenue up
by an average 10.1 percent, and 22
percent said their revenues were
down 9.8 percent. Others reported
no significant change.
The operations of survey partici·
pants varied in that 43 percent
operate music and games only, while
45 percent operate music, games
and candy, cigarette, and soft drink
vending machines.
Those who answered the survey
averaged about 2.5 machines per
location.
Forty nine percent of the amuse-
ment games operators bought more
machines in 1978 than they did in
1977, while 24 percent bought fewer
pieces. Fifty-three percent of the
jukebox operators bought fewer
machines in 1978 while only 15
percent bought more than they did
the previous year.
Of the listed expenses, the survey
demonstrated operators' costs were
greatest on employees salaries (20. 7
percent), equipment and auto/truck
depreciation ( 19.1 percent), and
officers' salaries (12. 7 percent).
Those answering the survey own-
ed approximately twice as many
amusement games as jukeboxes.
Safety standards published
for bill, coin changers
The First Edition of the Standard
for Safety, Coin and Currency
Changers and Actuators, UL- 756,
has been published by Underwriters
Laboratories Inc. (UL). The require-
ments in this edition of the Standard
are now in effect, with the exception
of certain designated sections which
will become effective Oct. 1, 1980.
The Standard describes the re-
quirements for the construction,
performance, and protection against
risk of injury to persons from
self-contained coin, currency, and
token changers and actuators rated
not more than 600 volts for use in
accordance with the National Electri-
cal Code. These requirements do not
cover antitheft protection features.
The requirements cover open-
type appliances and controls, intend-
ed for indoor use, that are factory or
field installed in vending machines or
other equipment. Investigations of
appliances for outdoor use can be
requested by the manufacturer.
Calendar
June 7-9
Music Operators of Texas, Marriott
Hotel, Austin
September 15-16
North Carolina Coin Operators
Association, Sheraton Center, Char-
lotte
June 14-17
Illinois Coin Machine Operators
Association, West Port Sheraton, St.
Louis, Missouri
October 5-6
Amusement and Music Operators of
Virginia, John Marshall Hotel, Rich-
mond
July 20-21
Montana Coin Machine Operators
Association, Holiday Hotel, Helena
October 11-13
West Virginia Music & Vending
Association, Ramada Inn, South
Charleston
August 16-19
Music Operators of Michigan, Boyne
Mt. Lodge, Boyne Falls
November 9-11
AMOA International Exposition,
Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago