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NEWS BULLETIN .,. VIDEO GAMING ALLIANCE FORMED . .. AMOA is spearheading the formation of a coalition known as the Video Gaming Alliance (VGA), a group devoted to the promotion of private sector involvement in state video lottery systems. Membership is targeted to amusement operators, state associations, manufacturers and suppliers of video gaming equipment, government regulators, and state lottery officials. VGA, headquartered in Milwaukee, will serve as a central resource bureau by providing written materials and guidance. Art Manske, a Wisconsin coin machine operator and executive of the National Pocket Billiards Association, is the executive director. He has been a member of the amusement industry for 24 years and also has experience as a lobbyist. Manske's company, Hometown Amusement, is now headed by his sons. "We're going to compile as much material as we can to help state associations and individual operators with video gaming efforts," he said. "We'll make sure that operators are protected, because we want to assure them a reasonable return on their investments." Manske's agenda includes standardizing video gaming language so "we can all sing from the same songbook, so to speak." For more information on VGA, contact Manske at 20411 Janesville Road, Muskego, WI 53150; (414) 679-3900; FAX (414) 679-9270. .,. OREGON EXPANDS COMPANY PARTICIPATION ... The Oregon Lottery Board has revised its earlier position and will now allow five companies to sell VLTs in the state (it was only three originally, and none of them were part of the coin-op amusement game industry). The five are Premier Technology, WMS Gaming, GTECH, IGT, and VLC. Commented Premier president Gil Pollock, "After our acquisition of a New Jersey-based manufacturer, we naturally felt the video lottery market would expand. It has, and we are looking forward to being a major player. We couldn't be more pleased with being named as one of the few companies authorized to sell equipment in Oregon. In addition, we are excited about being a part of video lottery in Louisiana, especially since operators and distributors will be included." .,. COPY BOARD UPDATE . .. AAMA director of enforcement Bill Kidwell reports that from late October to early January, various U.S. Customs ports seized 15 shipments involving counterfeit boards. Some involved only copy boards; most were a co-mingling of copies with legal parallels. "We haven't seen anywhere close to 15 seized shipments in the past three years, much less three months," Kidwell said. Further details-the names of the shippers, the games involved, where they were sent from, etc.-will be forthcoming as Kidwell's office gathers more information. Anyone with questions can reach him at (319) 337-9618. .,. SNK, LELAND ON THE MOVE ... SNK Corp. of America is moving from Sunnyvale to Torrance, Calif., effective Feb. 15. The address is 20603 Earl St., Tarran~, CA 90503. The telephone and FAX numbers weren't available as we went to press. Not all top managment have made a final decision as to whether they will relocate-including president Paul Jacobs. In late January, The Leland Corporation moved from El Cajon to San Diego, Calif. The address is 4444 Zion Ave., San Diego, CA 92120. The new phone and FAX numbers are (619) 280-4000 and (619) 284-9458, respectively. .,. CHANGES AT DATA EAST USA ... Effective March 1, Tetsuo Fukuda, president of Data East Corp., will succeed Joe Keenan as president of Data East USA Inc. and Data East Pinball. Fukuda, who founded both subsidiaries, will divide his time between Japan and the United States. Also, Shinichi lkawa has been appointed executive vice president of Data East's coin-op divisio11, replacing Gene Lipkin. He will be responsible for its sales and marketing. Speaking of Data East USA, the company has recently encountered law enforcement problems concerning Hop-A-Tic-Tac-Toe, the redemption game it manufactures under license from Lazer-Tron. The San Jose Police Department visited Data East USA on Jan. 16 and requested a sample of the game, as authorities believe it is a gambling device under California statutes. The following is a statement by Data East USA: "(We have) not agreed or disagreed with the position that HTTT is a gambling device. Our attorneys are currently working with the district attorney's office to resolve the issue. As of this time, there have been absolutely no charges filed against Data East USA. "This is a California-only issue. If any changes to the game are required for it to be sold in California, Data East USA will make those changes for any games sold or to be sold in California. However, Data East USA will not ship any other games in California until approved by appropriate authorities. It is and always has been our policy to only sell games in compliance with the laws in the jurisdiction that they are sold." .,. LAMOA ELECTS OFFICERS . .. The Louisiana Amusement and Music Operators Association (LAMOA) elected the following officers at its annual membership meeting, held Jan. 14 in Baton Rouge: Albert Huffine of BAG. Amusement, president; Kevin Craighead of Craighead Amusement, vice president; and Bill Atkins of Atkins Novelty, secretary/treasurer. Elsewhere, the La. State Police continues to aim for a mid-year start-up of legal video gaming in Louisiana. A legislative oversight committee must review the rules and regulations. In the meantime, background checks are underway on central computer system suppliers and game manufacturers. Distributor packets are in the mail; operator packets will be sent out later in February. A police representative gave assurances that all written and verbal comments on the rules and regulations are being taken into consideration. The coin machine industry's concerns will be communicated to the oversight committee, he added . For more information on Louisiana, see the " News Feature" on pg . 43 and " Video Gaming Outlook" on pg. 48. .,. N.E. REGIONAL CHANGES DATES ... The dates for the Northeast Regional Trade Show have been changed to May 29-31 , though it will still take place at the Westchester Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown, N.Y. The show is a joint effort of AMOA-NJ, AMOA-NY, and the NYSCMA. For more information, contact Karen Nagel or Frank Seninsky at AMOA-NJ, (908) 287-4990 or FAX (908) 287-3079. .,. PHONE COMPANIES ON THE OFFENSIVE . .. The regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs) are unleashing their financial might in an attempt to sway public opinion on the Cooper bill (it's pending in a House subcommittee), if the radio stations in New Orleans are any indication. Play Meter staffers report hearing commercials on some of the city's most popular stations that urge listeners to call their congressmen in protest of the bill, which seeks to severely curtail the RBOCs' content control desires (see Play Meter, January 1992, pg. 40, for the full story). We have no doubt that similar ads are running all across America. The coin-op industry could be adversely affected if the RBOCs get their way, so it's critical that you get involved. Call AMOA government relations liaison Bob Wilbur at (202) 857-1124 to find out how to best utilize your energies in this battle. .,. WILLIAMS PIN LOOKING STRONG ... Since our lukewarm review of Williams' new Hurricane pin last December, we've received calls from operators who say that the game is earning quite well. We will, therefore, give the game another, more extensive review next month. .,. JAMES ADDS OFFICE ... James Industries has opened a new office in the Boston area. The address is 271 Great Road, Suite 24, Acton, MA 01720. The phone and FAX numbers are (508) 264-4456 and (508) 264-4846, respectively. Dave Elich and Joel Rodriguez are the contacts. .,. VIDEO CONNECTION RELOCATES ... Video Connection, which specializes in conversion kits, has moved to a big new building at 1150 Industrial Place, #110, Dixon, CA 95620. The company can be reached at (800) 444-6854. PLAY METER MAGAZINE, February 1992, Volume 18, No. 3. Copyright 1992 by Skybird Publishing Company. PLAY METER MAGAZINE (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, LA 70184, USA. Phone: 504/488-7003; FAX 504/488-7083. For subscriptions: 504/488-7003. Subscription rates: U.S. and Canada-$60. Advertising rates are available upon 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. PLAY METER 3 FEBRUARY 1992