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NEWS ·BULLETIN Fla., Jan. 20-22, and Indianapolis, Ind. , Jan. 2729 for regional events. The Series schedule also includes stops in Ham Lake, Minn., Mar. 17-19; Port St. Lucie, Fla., April 7-9; and Honolulu, Hawaii, April 21-23. The average guaranteed payout this year will be over $9,000, plus trophies, medallions, and MVP jackets. Merit will continue to use the Tournament King software program that has streamlined tournaments by running multiple events simultaneously. Dart Mart Inc. wil co-sponsor the Series. For more information contact Bob Wiles or Kim Morgan, (215) 6294700. VLTS BACK ON IN SOUTH DAKOTA Call it Round One: Video lottery terminals were reinstated on Nov. 22, 1994 after voters changed the Constitution to include the games under the description of a lottery. Game play was reportedly back to 80-85 percent of what it was before the machines were turned off on Aug. 12 following a Supreme Court ruling that declared them unconstitutional. This is not the final word on video lottery in the state. Prepare for Round Two: In a Dec. 7 address to the Legislature (which reconvenes this month), outgoing Gov. Miller recommended raising the video lottery tax from the present 37 percent up to 42 percent. Incoming Gov. Bill J anklow has said publicly that 42 percent is inadequate; he would prefer 50 percent! Cited as the purpose for the increase: personal property tax relief. A local operator commented, "We've weathered the storm but our biggest problem now is dealing with government. Will it leave us in a position to be a strong industry or a weak industry? A 50 percent tax will start a very significant erosion of the industry in South Dakota. " DATA EAST SHIPS LOCKED N' LOADED Look for the new Data East two-player video gun game, Locked N'Loaded, at your local distributor. Starting in late December, the game became available as a dedicated upright and in two different kit formats: Basic Kit with PCB, conversion adaptors , game graphics , and manual for existing gun game cabinets; and Gun Kit with all the same items as the basic plus two guns, holsters, and cables to convert a generic cabinet. WASHINGTON APPROVES SUPER ROCK 'N BOWL STATE GATHERING NEXT MONTH Bromley Inc., the Illinois-based manufacturer of novelty and redemption games, is happy to advise that its Super Rock-N-Bowl has been approved under Washington state's stringent redemption game guidelines C100 percent skilD. Super Rock-N-Bowl's double targets and intermittent lights added to the skill factor and put it over the top as far as Washington is concerned. Now is the time to contact your state association to e xpress your views on importan t issues in your area. State association executive directors and other officers will be gathering in Orlando. Fla. , Feb. 2-4, for the winter meeting of AMOA's Council of Affiliated States. Slated for discussion are topics near and dear to our hearts, such as taxes and regulatory issues. Bill Treger of Betson Enterprises, chairman of AMOA's state associa tion committee , directs this year's program. CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDER Bob Snyder of Bob Snyder & Associates, the Walnut, Calif., consulting firm that specializes in regulatory issues, gaming, licensing, and product evaluation, has been awarded status as a Diplomate: Board Certified Forensic Examiner of the American Board of Forensic Examiners . The ABFE recognizes experienced individuals who have achieved proficiency in a variety of fields. Information from such skilled experts is often used in court testimony, with implications oflocal and national significance. Snyder is frequently called upon to participate in coin machine industry educational sessions. SYMPATHY TO KOENIGSBERG FAMILY We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of AAMA president Steve Koenigsberg of State Sales and Service Corp. in Baltimor e , Md., on the death of his mother. Anita Koenigsberg passed away recently following a lengthy illness. STEVE KAUFMAN JOINS PREMIER Steve Kaufman recently left Electronic Art s where he was the general manager of the coinop division. He will be joining Premier, where he spent a brief time in the company's gaming division several years ago. He can be reached at Premier after the first of the year. .A. MERIT KICKS OFF SERIES Merit Industries of Bensalem, Pa., commences its 8th Annual World Series of Darts schedule this month, traveling to Jacksonville, PLAY METER 3 JANUARY 1995