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NEWS
BULLETIN
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.. . .. . . . . . . . . . . Satish Bhutani has resigned from Atari . Shane Breaks will assume Bhutani 's position temporarily until
a replacement is named . Bhuta ni JOined Atari earlier this year, ironically, taking a position vacated by Breaks.
... . . . . . . . .. An exhausti ve investigation that began in late July has resulted in the seizure of 83 counterfeit Double
Dragon printed c1rcu1t boards across the country, following attempts to enter them from Canada as paralle ls. Bill
Kidwell, AAMA director of investigations, said the investigation was conducted by AAMA, U.S. Customs , and
Taito; U.S. Customs performed the sei1ure. The investigation began, according to Kidwell , when two boards
being shipped as parallel Double Dragon boards were intercepted by customs in Chicago. Subsequent
examinations by a technician proved them to be counterfeit. The 83 confiscated boards had been shipped to
various U .S. operators by Canadian dealers. He added that 90 percent of all boards shipped from Canada to the
U.S. are counterfeit. Kidwell also noted that aJJ but one of the seized boards had a mode l number e nding in
" 260A ." Ta1to says this indicates that the boards had been shipped to Europe. "This is the type of counterfeit
board we can expect to continue to see, .. he said. "The industry and AAMA will continue to diligently pursue
counterfeit activity in efforts to curtail it as much as possible ... If an operator has a question about a board, he
can call Kidwell at (3 19) 337-9618 or the AAMA office at (703) 548-8044. No questions will be asked .
... ....... ... .. Grayhound Electronics is sponsoring the 1988 Coors Light Sharpshooter National Basketball
Tournament , to be held on Nov. 18-20 at the Claridge Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. The tournament is
expected to attract 200 to 300 participants . Beside!. a total prize fund of $ 10,000. first place winners in each
event will receive free airline tic kets from co-sponsor American Airlines. During Septembe r and October,
Sharpshooter contestants have been qualifying for the Nationals in local and regional competitions. On Nov . 20,
world record free-throw shooter Ted St. Martin will make a special appearance.
DON"T FORGET TO VISIT THE WEST TOWER REGENCY BALLROOM FOR MORE EXHIBITS!!
.......... . .... Joe Dillon has been named president of Taito America. Dillon had resigned from WMS subsidiary
Williams Electronics in March 1987 and was snapped up by Bally Manufacturing. Ironically, WMS Corp.
purchased the coin-op amusement division of Bally earlie r this year and moved that company into the California
Avenue headqua rte rs of Will iams Electronics. Dillon made the move with Bally, where he has been since the
purchase. Taito America Preside nt Paul Moriarity left the company a year ago, whereupon Yoshi Suzuki was
named president.
.............. Bob Lloyd , president of Data East . will be leaving the company the end of Marc h 1989 at the
expi ratio n of his contract. Lloyd has lead the company for six successful yea rs during which time Data East has
had some top games. Data East added a pinball division two years ago. There has been no word on who will
replace him .
.. . . . . . . . . . . .. . Distributors around the country have announced dates for post-AMOA open houses. Whether or not
you attended AMOA, take the opportunity to meet with fellow operators, see the latest equipment. o r inspect it
more tho roughly. Those we know about include: Colorado Game Exchange in Denver on Nov. 11 , Birmingham
Vending in Orlando on Nov. 12, Betson in Syracuse on Nov. 12 , Betson in Moonachie on Nov. 15, C.A.
Robinson in San Francisco on Nov . 16, C.A . Robinson in Los Angeles on Nov . 18, Betson Pacific in San
Francisco on Nov. 16, Betson Pacific in Los Angeles on Nov. 18 , New England Coin-Op on Nov . 20, State
Sales and Service on Nov. 20. and Betson Long Isla nd o n Nov. 22. Check with your distributor if he is not
listed here .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . During the show AMOA is planning a fund-raising raffle for the Wayne Hesch Memorial Scholarship
Fund in addition to the $ I 0 per nig ht charge added to hotel rooms at the Hyatt for AMOA attendees, which is
also earmarked for the Fund. Raffle tickets cost $25 each or $100 for a book of six . Last year the raffle netted
$72,000 for the fund . Prizes incl ude several pieces of dedicated equipment donated by manufacturers. For
example, Rock-Ola has donated a Model 496. Drawings will be held throughout the show. In addition , those
purchasing books of tickets will be eligible for special prizes, plus each name will be placed in a special drawing
for a trip to Hawaii. Tickets can be purchased near the registration area at a special booth or from
representatives walking the floor .
........ ... .. Jukebox Aisle, a new concept at AMOA, will hold all o f the jukebox manufacturers' booths along
with music and j ukebox related exhibitors. Jukebox historian Charlie Hummel will have a collection of nostalgia
jukeboxes. including some of the first ones. Mobile Records will have several singing stars in its booth, including
LaToya Jackson. Stop hy for an autograph . AMOA will be selling JUkebox memorabilia, including clocks, T-
shirts. hats , golf shirts, sweatshi rts, pens, and key chains . Supplies are limited, so make your choice early.
Proceeds will go toward funding activities of the j ukebox promotion committee .
. . Newsweek music edi tor Bill Baro! is coming to AMOA to do a story either on the show or on
jukeboxes Billboard will also be send mg representatives. Fred Newton, AMOA '!. public relations manager. said
he expect' a lot o f publ 1c1ty on the show.