Play Meter

through Askvig. In the past all Bally
product was manufactured in
Chicago and shipped to Europe. The
changes are expected to cut manu-
faduring costs considerably.
"The object of this exercise for
Bally." said Askvig. "is to increase the
company's turnover. but at the same
time reduce its costs. As far as our cus-
tomers are concerned. the etfed will
hardly be noticeable . but the
improvement in the efficiency of our
service will be pronounced."
•
Atari's George
Opperman dies
George Opperman. director of
visual communications lor Atari
Games. died of cancer November 27.
Services were December 4 at the Lima
Family Mortuary in Sunnyvale. Calif.
Opperman is suiVived by his wife. Pat.
and children. Kevin and Heather.
"George's death was a shock to us
all." said Atari's Mary Fujihara. "He
worked until the Saturday before he
died and seemed in good spirits then.
He knew of his c ondition. but few knew
how serious it was."
Opperman had been with Atari for
1 0 years. but was the style setter for
Atari's artwork from the beginning.
Said Fujihara. " In the old days when
Atari first began. George had his own
advertising agency. and Atari con-
tracted George for its artwork. He
finally came on full time about two
years later. He designed the Atari logo
and was largely responsible for the
look and style of Atari. We will miss
him."
•
PAMMAwarns
operators to beware
The Pennsylvania Amusement and
Music Machine Association (PAMMA)
has sent a newsletter to operators
warning them that state officials may
pass a law making all video gaming
machines illegal per se throughout
the state.
The state liquor-control board in
Philadelphia is cracking down on
video-poker machines and trying to
determine it they are being used for
illegal gambling.
Gary DiVito. the board's general
counsel. was quoted as saying. "Our
position is that there will be a crack-
down. We will look much more closely
at the machines to see it they are
gambling devices. It we do see what
12
we consider to be gambl i ng
machines. we are turning that
information over to the local police
department."
Edward McQuaid. an attorney
representing tavern owners and
PAMMA sought an order blocking the
crackdown. but a judge took the
request under advisement without
acting.
DiVito said the crackdown has
been exaggerated and stressed that
the board is only investigating. not
seizing machines. McQuaid. however.
said a press release issued by the
liquor-control board indicated loca-
tions could be cited for gambling
violations it the machines were on the
premises. even it no gambling was
observed. McQuaid said the machines.
though linked to illegal gambling.
were legalized in a 1984 ruling that
allows card contests or tournaments in
liquor-llcensed locations. even if cash
prizes are awarded.
Opponents of gambling demon-
strated earlier this year how video
poker games work. and the Chester
County district attorney said orga-
nized crime is profiling from the
machines. John Milliron. lobbyist for
about 400 firms that place video
machines. called the comment "a
cheap shot."
Pennsylvania House Finance Com-
mittee Chairman Fred Trella. the
prime sponsor of a bill to legalize
video poker and have it regulated by
the state. agreed that many eJdsling
machines are being used illegally,
and organized crime is profiling. but
added that tamper-proof machines
are available that would allow local
governments to collect all the profits.
"It's an alternative to taxes." Trella
said.
PAMMA said the situation is serious
and advised operators to get involved
or see their businesses affected.
•
Coins brand withdrawn
Brown and Williamson Tobacco
Corp. is withdrawing its Coins ciga-
rettes from the market.
Introduced in February as the first
cigarette brand lor sale only in vend-
ing machines. Coins was priced to sell
for 25 cents less than regular-priced
cigarettes in the same vending
machines. But according to Brown
and Williamson. Coins did not gain the
placement needed to support the
brand.
Irv Otte. Brown and Williamson
PLAY METER. December 1 . 1985