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• NEWS BULLETIN ~ ~ ~ LARRY KESSELMAN DI ES . .. We were saddened to hear of the death of Larry Kesselman at the age of 44. He was with Wico-his uncle is Max Wiczer-and most recently with Williams before leaving to start his own company, L.H. Kesselman & Associates. Larry was in Taiwan attending a trade show when he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was a manufacturer's representative for companies like Bromley, Meltec, and Coin Controls. In addition, he was helping Entrophy Co. of Taiwan set up arcades and had completed a deal with Burger King for game rooms in its locations. Larry is survived by his wife Beverly and three children. He will be missed by his many industry friends. DOLLAR COIN LEGISLATION INTRODUCED ... New dollar coin legislation-H.R. 1245-was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 5. It has been referred to the Committee on Banking, Finance, ~nd Urban Affairs and will be considered first by the Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs and Coinage. The bill calls for a clad coin with a design recognizing "America's Veterans." It would be gold in color and have an unreeded edge, along with metallic, anti-counterfeiting properties present in existing U.S. coinage. The dollar coin will be put in circulation no later than 18 months after H.R. 1245 becomes law. Six months after the coin is in circulation, the Federal Reserve Bank will be prohibited from ordering new dollar bills and placing them in circulation. Any dollar bills that come into its possession or control afterward will be retired. "The first order of business is adding co-sponsors to the bill and getting the new subcommittee chairman, Rep. Esteban Edward Torres (DCalif.), to hold hearings as soon as possible," said Richard Funk, director of government affairs for the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA). "With him being new to the post, we're kind of starting over again. But we feel that recognizing America's Veterans will be helpful to passing the bill. The American Legion is behind it, which adds to the broad support we already enjoy." On the downside, Funk says, both House and Senate subcommittees on banking are going to have their attention diverted with the S&L mess, and Americans are generally apathetic toward the issue. A Senate dollar coin bill was expected to be introduced shortly after we went to press. Funk says this one is fundamentally the same bill introduced last session, but it still contains two major flaws: it doesn't take the dollar bill out of circulation, and it keeps Christopher Columbus on the coin instead of America's Veterans. Should both bills pass, the matter would then go to a joint House-Senate conference, where it is hoped that the House version's key points would be adopted, Funk says. is one of the poorest in Canada. Any local operators who have built their businesses on poker games will be totally out of the picture, since "gray area" games are now illegal. ~ ment lawsuit against Crane Co. and its subsidiary, Unidynamics Inc. (doing business as Nati9nal Vendors in St. Louis). The complaint names National Vendors' Shopperton vending machine as infringing two Rowe patents. However, the complaint isn't limited to this unit; other machines may be named later. Rowe seeks damages for alleged past infringements, as well as an injunction prohibiting further manufacture, use, or sale of machines proven to be in violation . Said a company spokesman, "Rowe considers its patent rights to constitute extremely valuable company assets, which will be enforced to the full extent of the law." ~ WEST VIRGINIA CLOSER TO VIDEO LOTTERY ... The West Virginia Music and Vending Association (WVMVA) feels confident that a video lottery program with operator participation is imminent for the state. Now it's just a matter of setting a date. The West Virginia Lottery Commission has the power to add a video lottery program to its lottery activities. The process of developing a program of rules and regulations is underway. Proceeds from the video lottery would be earmarked for the educational fund and senior citizen programs. Leoma Ballard, president of WVMVA, said, "I think it's a progressive move for the operators and the government. The coin machine industry already has the qualifications and the know-how to take care of the equipment. I really think this is the correct way for a state to look at video lottery." ~ OPEN HOUSE ADDITIONS ... C.A. Robinson will hold its annual post-ACME open houses on Wednesday, April 3, in San Francisco and on Friday, April 5, in Los Angeles. Betson Enterprises (New Jersey) will stage its open house on April 3, while New England Coin-Op plays host to one on April 7. ~ IFPA OFFERS MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT ... The AMOA-International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA) and its manufacturer cosponsors-Williams, Bally/Midway, Data East, and Premier-are providing coupons worth $50 off the association's membership dues. These coupons will be included in the packaging of new pinball machines as they leave the factory. Only those applying for new membership can utilize the coupons, however. By acting now, they will have their membership extended through May 1992. For more information, contact AMOA-IFPA executive director Doug Young at (414) 263-0233; the FAX is (414) 265-9199. ~ NEW BASKETBALL GAME ... Operators of coin-op basketball games, take note: there's a new company and proquct on the market. Acces Entertainment is based in Anaheim, Calif., and headed by Eric Brashear, a member of the design team for Adastra's Hoops basketball game. The name of the company's new game is Hoop. Available now, Hoop sets up in a mere nine minutes, Brashear says. It's constructed of steel, and the black, high-tech-looking gloss gives it a contemporary appearance. Brashear added that Hoop is designed for upscale locations. ~ BOARDS CONFISCATED ... U.S. Customs at Anchorage, Alaska, recently seized a shipment of counterfeit boards at the Federal Express hub; they were destined for Houston. They are presently awaiting destruction by U.S. Customs. Also, recent checks at ttie U.S. Customs Foreign Mail Division in Los Angeles turned up two shipments of counterfeit boards headed for California. They too will be destroyed by U.S. Customs. NEWFOUNDLAND OPERATORS FEEL THE STING ... Coin machine operators in the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador are taking a heavy financial hit as a result of not being included in the video lottery program passed by the provincial government in late 1990. Said one operator, " Our revenue has been cut by 40 to 70 percent as a result of this action. Locations are calling to ask me to take out pinballs and videos. I've lost my first pool table as well; they are the backbone of our business. If it weren't for pool tables, I'd be out of business. I've had to cut back on my payroll and let seven employees go. I've also reduce,cj the number of vehicles and taken other steps to cut expenses. Smaller operators are dying on the vine. They can't hang on any longer." Newfoundland operators have fought to change the situation, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Newfoundland is an island of some 565,000 people. There are about 45 operators in the province, which ROWE FILES SUIT . .. Rowe International has filed a patent infringe- PLAY METER MAGAZINE, April 1991 , Volume 17, No.5. Copyright 1991 by Skybird Publishing Company. PLAY METER MAGAZINE (ISSN 1048-8243) (UPS 358-350) is published monthly, except for the two issues in January. Publishing office: 6600 Fleur de Lis, New Orleans, LA 70124. MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 24970, New Orleans, 70184, USA. Phone: 504/488-7003; FAX: 504/488-7083. For subscriptions: 504/488-7003. Subscription rates: U.S. and Canada-$50. Advertising rates are available on request. NO PART OF THE MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION. The editors are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. PLAY METER MAGAZINE buys ALL RIGHTS, unless otherwise specified , to accepted manuscripts, cartoons, art work, and photographs. Second-class postage paid at New Orleans, LA 70113 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER Send Form 3579 to Play Meter, P.O. Box 24970, New Orleans, LA 70184. April 1991 /PLAY METER 3