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NEWS s·uLLETI N ROWE DEBUTS NEW DIAMOND Rowe distributors were elated when the company introduced its latest "jewel" during its annual distributor meeting in Orlando, Fla., in early June. While Marilyn Monroe look-alikes belted out renditions of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," Joel Friedman and Jerry Gordon donned sequined gowns and flowing wigs to drive home the point that diamonds may indeed be a girl's best friend, but Rowe's new LaserStar Diamante also called the Diamond) is an operator's best friend. Friedman began the introduction by telling distributors about the four Cs that jewelers use to describe a diamond: cut, clarity, color, carat. He then asked the audience if they could name the four Cs Rowe uses to describe its new Diamond. The response: cashbox, cashbox, cashbox, cashbox. The new CD jukebox, which Rowe describes as its "crown jewel," is spectacular, said distributors seeing it for the first time. "We led our distributors through a simulated diamond mine; when they emerged they saw the new LaserStar Diamante. I can say I've never seen such an enthusiastic response. They loved it! " said Friedman. We 'll have some photos and more details next month. By the way, Rowe will grace our August cover and we're fully expecting to see Joel and Jerry "dress" for the occasion. Gordon has been selected "Man of the Year" by the Amusement and Music Operators Association of New York. He will be honored at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J ., in early August. LOUISIANA MAY RAISE ANTE, TIGHTEN POKER RULES Fear of video poker game proliferation in pseudo-truck stops and other locations , combined with a desire for funds to finance the governor's proposed crime package, has led the Louisiana Legislature to consider numerous bills designed to redefine video poker locations and deliver more funds to the state coffers . The proven state money-maker eannot be repealed as some legislators proposed, but higher franchise fees and tighter rules for truck stops in particular could be the outcome if House Bill 419 is adopted. Rep. Raymond Lalonde CDl sponsored the bill, which would limit truck stops to 50 machines. Such a limit was in place via the video poker rules and regulations formulated by the regulating body, the Louisiana State Police. Challenges to the rules earlier this year resulted in the courts' determining that the State Police did not have the authority to formulate the rules. See the June issue of Play Meter.) Since the video poker law of 1991 was ambiguous , the rules became unenforceable. Additional legislation is needed to put the bite back into the rules and regulations. Under the proposed bill, truck stops seeking a new license or renewal would have to meet strict requirements, including being in business for at least two years and selling a minimum of 100,000 gallons of fuel a month (45 percent of it diesell. On a more far-reaching note, the "franchise fee " of 22.5 percent to the state could be raised to 26 percent for small operators with one to three machines and 27.5 percent for operators with over three devices. According to Charles Pasqua, executive director of the Louisiana Amusement and Music Operators Association, "If the Legislature increases the franchise fee to a figure in excess of 25 percent, it would be outrageous. They're being greedy. Such a fee doesn't give our members enough time to pay their debt service." It is questionable whether taxes will need to be raised since none of the costly crime bills were passing in the June special session, still underway at press time. SNOOK TO PUBLISH INTERGAME After 26 years with The World's Fair Ltd., publishers of EuroSlot, Coin Slot, and Park World, editorial director David Snook has resigned. Trade magazine cohorts Christine Butterworth and Neal Barrington quickly followed suit. The team plans to introduce the first issue of its new international coin-op amusement magazine , InterGame, in September. LAZER-TRON RECLAIMS RIGHTS TO SUPER BANK-IT,, MIDWAY ADOPTS REVOLUTIONARY PROMOl'ION Lazer-Tron, the Pleasanton, Calif.-based redemption and novelty game designer and manufacturer, has reclaimed the rights from Capcom of its popular game, Super Bank-It. The company will release a new version, Super Bank-It II, in midJuly. The new title has several unique features and play characteristics, including the opportunity for players to win a large jackpot on a single game. Super Bank-It II can also be linked to the company's patented Progressive Jackpot system. A conversion kit for those wishing to update their Super Bank -It games will be available soon. In other company news, Lazer-Tron Corp. announced the sale of 1,035,000 shares of its common stock and 65,000 shares of common stock by certain selling shareholders pursuant to an underwritten public offering. The price of the common stock was $8 per share, sold by Van Kasper & Co. as the lead underwriter. A copy of the prospectus for the offering can be obtained from Van Kasper & Co., 50 California St., Suite 2400, San Francisco, CA 94111 , (415) 391-5600; or 11661 San Vincente Blvd., Suite 709, Los Angeles, CA 90049, (310) 820-2970. When it comes to selling the video game Revolution X, music isn't the only weapon in Midway Mfg.'s arsenal. The cornerstone of the firm's all-out assault strategy is a unique promotional package featuring the game 's legendary rock superstars , Aerosmith. To accompany the impending Aerosmith domestic concert tour that kicks off Aug. 1, Midway is collaborating with distributors, operators, and location owners to offer hundreds of Aerosmith concert tickets, backstage passes, T-shirts, caps, posters, and CDs to be given away at the location level. These items are available from Midway distributors. This revolutionary media blitz is designed to foster game play and create game awareness. Adding fuel to the flame of interest will be MTV's national coverage, combined with the local media and feature footage of Revolution X on wide screens during Aerosmith concerts. Aerosmith recently completed its European tour. KIDDIE RIDES USA GAINS UL APPROVAL IFECA STAGES AUCTION AT FUN EXPO In an effort to prepare first-class market research and educational programs , the International Family Entertainment Center Association will hold a silent auction at the upcoming Fun Expo in Las Vegas, Nev., in October. Items already donated range from a weekend travel package to Las Vegas to a basketball signed by b-ball superstar Charles Barkley. Anyone interested in assisting in this effort can contact auction chairman Gary Warner of Coin Concepts Inc. (908) 390-9009. Kiddie Rides USA has gained Underwriter's Laboratories' approval for its rides manufactured at the new Denver plant. In addition, the company says it is the only ride company to feature seat belts as standard equipment for the past several years. Stuart Heller, president of Kiddie Rides USA, notes that UL approval is "another step forward in achieving a top quality line that is manufactured in the United States. Customers can be assured that our rides will be approved by all municipalities throughout the nation." PLAY METER 3 JULY 1994 I