IEWS BRIEFS
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The Amusement Operators Expo is noted for its no-nonsense, nuts-and-bolts approach to
operator education . AOE '84 , to be held March 9-11 at the O'Hare Expo Center in Chicago, gives
operator education top priority. AOE '84 will feature 47 two-hour seminars while Amusement
Showcase International will have only 23 one-hour seminars . Operators will not only learn , but see
new equipment as well because the AOE claims 57 exclusive exhibitors.
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The Pla y Meter Awards, given for the top video and pin of the previous year, will , for the fir st
time , also recognize the top novelty piece of the year when they' re presented at AOE '84 . Ballots are
being mailed now. Please return your ballot by February 24.
The U.S. justice Department may lift a consent decree it imposed on Bally in 1972. If the decree
is lifted , Bally could set up exclusive territories for its distributors. The decree was agreed to by Bally in
accordance with a regulation prohibiting exclusive territories. But a 1977 Supreme Court ruling now
allows exclusivity providing a review determines it does not inhibit free competition.
A Public Safety subcommittee recommendation that the state of Connecticut place 100 video
lottery games in bars and lounges throughout the state for a six-month trial was rejected by Attorne y
General joseph Lieberman ' s opinion that they are not permitted under current law. New legislation
also appears unlikely; Governor William O'Neill said he opposed the games, calling them " electronic
slot machines. "
Leisurcor Inc., a Minneapolis-based management company, has purchased the nine Tex
Pizza Jamboree restaurants and 12 Superfun video arcades which previously composed two of
three operating divisions of Cast le Entertainment. Castle has been operating under Chapter 11
federal bankruptcy code . According to Marc Teren , CEO of Leisurcor and already a partner in
Minneapolis Chuck E. Cheese franchises , the new stores are closed for major renovation .
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Auto-Photo Company of Costa Mesa, California , operator of coin-op photo studios, ha s
acquired operations from firms in Philadelphia , Houston, and Boston to increase its number of units in
operation to more than 1,000. To accommodate the increased number of sites and to upgrade
equipment, the firm has added a new assembly plant in Long Island , New York .
Continuing its move toward diversification, Williams has announced a new venture , The Enter-
tainment Television Company , which will produce musically oriented television programs . The venture
is being launched in cooperation with two accomplished producers, Charles Koppelman and Martin
Bandier .
MVS Amusements of Indianapolis and Williams Electronics have jointly donated the use of a
}oust pinball to the Children ' s Pavilion of Methodist Hospital there . Hospital officials said }oust helps
meet the patients ' total needs.
PLAY METER. March 1. 1984