Play Meter

said that state associations which try
this approach "should make sure the
money goes to the right people"-
like an important committee chair-
man, for instance, whose committee
might directly impact on the coin-op
business.
Among the arguments against
political action funds, Hayes noted
that membership donations would
probably be less than enthusiastic.
Unless there were an immediate
crisis, he said, the association
couldn't really count on a political
action fund to generate very much.
Another thing state associations
should consider before they commit
to a political action fund, Hayes said,
is that it could get the association
embroiled in all sorts of legal hassles
"unless you know the law before you
get involved."
To avoid this problem , he
suggested the association get a good
legal opinion before committing to
this course of action.
In the question -and -answer
segment of the meeting , Bob
Rinehart of the Florida association
argued against a political action fund.
"From my experience," lie said, "I
can tell you that if you can 't raise
$30 ,000 , don 't get involved. There's
too much of a hassle involved."
Corey of the Ohio association
voiced a warning about political
action fun ds, then said they were not
a panacea to all the industry's
problems. "A PAC fund is only one
tool to use."
Most participating state
associations claim their
memberships are 50 to 70%
of the total number of
operators in their areas.
Associations data
Among the flyers and reprints
that were handed out to those in
attendance was an AMOA "Special
Report on State Associations: Orga-
nization, Management, Programs."
The "Special Report" detailed the
responses to an AMOA question-
naire that was sent to 40 state and
local associations.
Raw statistical data-such as
membership totals, dues structures,
frequency of meetings, use of
lobbyists, income and expense
reports, and other comparisons as
well-about the 14 responding
associations were detailed in the
four-page report.
Among the salient statistical data
was one dealing with the various
associations' estimates of what per-
centage of the operations in their
respective areas belonged to the
associations. The responses ranged
from a low of 20 percent (New
Jersey) to a high of 90 percent
(North Dakota). There was one 100
percent response, but that was for a
county trade association. The most
common response from the
responding state association was in
the 50-70 percent range.
The "Special Report" also stated,
in part, that " to better meet the
needs of state associations and the
industry , AMOA is developing sub-
ject files on a variety of subjects
(including statistics) and will
eventually transfer selected infor-
mation on its data processing
equipment."
There was also a remark made by
Russell Mawdsley, a former presi-
dent of the AMOA, who said, "the
AMOA will offer assistance in
organizing state associations for
states with no state associations." •
THANK YOU
To the hundreds who
crowded our showrooms
December 4 for the
Western Amusement
Games Exhibit.
Representing
the industry's finest.
The Bettelman Family
Exclusive representatives for: Atari • Bally • Centuri • Cinelf!atronics • Midway
Stern • Taito • Tournament Soccer • Valley • Umversal
Also representing: Deco • Exidy • Game Plan • Gremlin • U.S. Billiards
C.A . Robinson & Co.
Note out new address and telephone number:
2891 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, Cal. 90006
Tel: (213) 735-3001
PLAY METER , January 15, 1982
11