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Vol. 50, No. 5, May 2010
| Apriva To Unveil Unattended Payments Solution In Chicago
by Staff Reporter
Slated to debut at NAMA's upcoming OneShow is Apriva Vend, a comprehensive cashless payment solution for the vending machine industry. The service integrates secure wireless technology with advanced hardware from MEI and powerful back-office software tools...
| | Buffalo Rock Teams Up With Apriva And MEI To Explore Cashless Vending Sales
Tim Sanford
The Southeast's largest independent Pepsi bottling company has been examining cashless vending as a practical means to grow revenue and expand the razor-thin margins that plague the vending industry. A recent test with Apriva, a leader in wireless payment solutions, resulted in an average revenue uplift of 22% at the cashless vending machines...
| | Canadian Vending Association Doubts New Coins Will Deliver Intended Benefits
Emily Jed
Canada's federal government announced plans to change the metallic composition of the country's $1 and $2 coins to multi-ply plated steel to cut costs. The mint claims its new coins will work in vending machines, but the Canadian Automatic Merchandising Association (Mississauga, ON) is voicing its doubts...
| | Cantaloupe Systems Debuts Seed Cashless Vending Payment Option
Tim Sanford
Cantaloupe Systems’ new cashless technology enables patrons to make purchases from vending machines using their credit cards, eliminating the need for coins or bills. It makes use of Cantaloupe's existing Seed vending machine monitor, offering operators an easy upgrade path...
| | Cantaloupe Systems Raises $12.4M
by Staff Reporter
Cantaloupe Systems has completed its third and largest round of funding, securing $12.4 million managed by two venture capital groups. The wireless vending solutions provider has raised approximately $18.4 million since its inception in 2002. Cantaloupe said it will use the proceeds to support an aggressive growth plan...
| | Coca-Cola Begins Deployment Of HFC-Free Venders On Capitol Hill
by Staff Reporter
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer joins government officials and Coca-Cola Enterprises executives to introduce 35 climate-friendly Coke venders being installed in buildings on Capitol Hill. The unveiling took place at the Cannon House Office Building on April 29...
| | Cotton Candy Factories Begin Shipping
by Staff Reporter
VendEver Corp. said its automated cotton candy machine, the Cotton Candy Factory, is now shipping to U.S. operators. Strong demand resulted in initial delays. VendEver plans to move production to the U.S. in four months to help meet growing demand...
| | FDA Launches Salt-Reduction Initiative
by Staff Reporter
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is planning to launch an initiative to reduce the salt intake of Americans. The project reportedly will launch this year, and would eventually impose legal limits on the amount of sodium allowed in processed food...
| | G&J Acquires SpecMark Sales, Names Kozlak National Accounts VP
by Staff Reporter
G&J Marketing Co. has acquired SpecMark Sales & Marketing (Northfield, IL), effective May 1. The transaction positions G&J as a national marketer of candy, snacks, food and beverages to the vending, coffee service, concession and correctional segments...
| | GPS-Based Locating System Takes Key Control To New Level
Emily Jed
The vending industry's top loss-prevention specialist has formed an alliance with an asset-tracking system provider and leading lock maker to create a high-tech solution for key control. The new system allows operators to track and control keys using GPS technology secured by locking keyrings...
| | ITC Systems Offers Replacements For Debitek Mag Stripe Readers
by Staff Reporter
ITC Systems reports that its extensive line of card readers includes models compatible with legacy Debitek magnetic-stripe readers, which have been discontinued by Heartland Payment Systems. ITC has supplied magnetic card readers for card formats including XCP, ICS, ACT, ACDI, Danyl and Debitek...
| | Mayor Newsom Welcomes Cantaloupe To San Francisco
by Staff Reporter
Cantaloupe Systems Inc. is relocating its corporate headquarters from Berkeley, CA, to San Francisco's SoMa district. Cantaloupe said the move better positions the company to recruit and accommodate an expanding staff of engineers, analysts and customer support personnel...
| | MB Media Launches High-Visibility Digital Sign At OneShow
Tim Sanford
MB Media Brokers plans to introduce the production version of its retrofittable electronic sign this week at NAMA's OneShow exhibit in Chicago. Designed for easy installation inside the door of a glassfront vender, the low-cost, high-impact LED raster display can be programmed remotely over a wireless network...
| | New York State Senate And Assembly Reject Proposed Soft Drink Tax
Emily Jed
Both houses of the New York State Legislature have excluded Gov. Paterson's proposed tax on sugar-sweetened beverages from their budget resolutions, according to the New York State Automatic Vending Association. NYSAVA and the New York State Conference of Teamsters held protests in the state capital, appealing to legislators to reject the proposed tax...
| | Penn. Board Of Education Ponders Nutritional Guidelines
Emily Jed
Pennsylvania's state Board of Education is considering new regulations that would bring all foods sold or served by schools into compliance with nutritional standards for government-funded school breakfast and lunch programs that have been in force for years...
| | Pepsi Beverages Closes On California Bottler
by Staff Reporter
Pepsi Beverages Co. has completed its acquisition of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Yuba City Inc. The Sacramento area company is a Pepsi-Cola franchised bottler serving parts of northern California. Financial terms were not disclosed...
| | PepsiCo To Roll Out Thousands Of Recycling Machines
Emily Jed
PepsiCo plans to deploy thousands of recycling kiosks at gas stations, stadiums and public parks to make it more convenient and rewarding for consumers to recycle on the go. The beverage giant is deploying the "Dream Machines" through a multiyear partnership with Waste Management Inc...
| | Protestors Rally Against Philly Soda Tax
by Staff Reporter
Beverage company employees, small business owners and union members protested outside City Hall against Philadelphia Mayor Nutter's proposed tax on sugary beverages. The mayor says the 2¢-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks can help close more than half of the city's estimated $150 million deficit for the 2011 fiscal year...
| | Snickers Celebrates 80th Anniversary
Emily Jed
Mars is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its Snickers Bar, which currently ranks as the No. 1 selling candy bar in the U.S. and is a consistent top-seller in vending...
| | USDA Moves Toward Setting School Food, Vending Standards
Emily Jed
The Senate Agriculture Committee approved legislation that would allow the USDA to create standards for all foods in schools, including items sold through vending machines. The legislation, aimed at giving students healthier options, would designate $4.5 billion more over 10 years for nutrition programs...
| | Washington State Levies Taxes On Candy, Soft Drinks And Bottled Water
Tim Sanford
Washington has enacted or increased a number of taxes that concern vending operators as part of a measure designed to address the state's revenue shortfall. These include a boost in the business and occupation tax service rate, and taxes on candy, bottled water and soft drinks...
| | 41-Year-Old Gamer Breaks Longest-Standing Asteroids Record
by Staff Reporter
John McAllister broke the 28-year-old record for high score on the classic videogame Asteroids on April 5. The previous record, set in 1982, was 41,336,440 points; McAllister scored 41,338,740 points in a marathon session...
| | Ala. Bingo Referendum Could Come Next Year
Marcus Webb
A bill in Alabama to let citizens vote on bingo legalization in a statewide referendum may have died when the state Legislature adjourned last week, but it could be resurrected in the new session next January, since leading candidates for governor support the measure...
| | Alabama Bingo Bill Moves To House; FBI Probes Vote-Buying Charges
Marcus Webb
Following the Alabama Senate's 21-13 vote on March 30 to allow a public referendum on electronic bingo, the voting bill is now under consideration by the House Tourism and Travel Committee. And charges of bribery have surfaced in connection with the measure, adding electricity to a years-long controversy that was already stormy...
| | Alabama Legislature Adjourns Without House Bingo Vote
Marcus Webb
The contentious bill to legalize Alabama's estimated $2 billion electronic bingo market -- and to create a voter referendum on the issue -- appears to be stalled. The state Legislature concluded its regular session on April 21 without a vote by the House of Representatives on the Senate's bingo bill...
| | AMI Sues A&E For Infringing Trademark
by Staff Reporter
AMI Entertainment Network filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against A&E Television Networks. AMI alleges that A&E has been using its trademarked Photo Hunt in connection with network's online videogame based on "The Sopranos." AMI has employed the Photo Hunt mark for its coin-operated touchscreen videogames since 1997...
| | Associations Contribute $15,000 To Aid Haitian Children
by Staff Reporter
The Amusement and Music Operators Association and American Amusement Machine Association together raised more than $15,000 to contribute to relief efforts for young earthquake victims in Haiti. Immediately following the quake, the board of directors of AMOA's Coin-Op Cares Foundation pledged $5,000 to support the efforts of two children's charities...
| | AVS Closes New Jersey Office
Marcus Webb
American Vending Sales is closing its New Jersey distribution office, AVS East, which opened for business four years ago. The branch, located in Clifton, NJ, served amusement and vending operators in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania...
| | Benchmark Gives Andamiro U.S. Exclusive To Sell Winners' Cube
by Staff Reporter
Benchmark Games and Andamiro USA have entered into an agreement that gives Andamiro exclusive rights to market Winners' Cube in the United States. Andamiro's Winners' Cube is one today's most popular prize-dispensing skill games...
| | Chicago Council May Vote On Video Poker
by Staff Reporter
Hundreds of union workers and key Chamber of Commerce leaders rallied at Chicago City Hall on April 26 to show their support for video poker. City Council committee chairman Eugene Schulter said the group persuaded him that his committee should hold hearings on the legalization question...
| | Chicago Councilmember Predicts Video Poker Approval
by Staff Reporter
Chicago Alderman John Pope said he expects that a "large majority" of the Windy City's council members will vote to permit video lottery terminals. Chicago's lifting its current gambling ban is considered crucial to the viability of a statewide VLT market in Illinois...
| | Club Lucky Names Elbert President, Establishes Board Of Directors
Nick Montano
Club Lucky Group LLC has named Larry Elbert president of the nationwide alliance of coin machine equipment and tournament operators. Elbert is owner of Camden Amusement, based here. He succeeds Matt Pascal of Denver's Entertainment Experts. Separately, Club Lucky announced the formation of a board of directors...
| | Court Ruling Says Moxie Mania Empire Edition Is Illegal
Marcus Webb
A New York appeals court ruled that Pace-O-Matic's Moxie Mania Empire Edition is an illegal gambling device because it contains strong elements of chance in its prize award phase. The ruling overturned last year's finding by a state Supreme Court justice that Moxie Mania was "a game of skill and not of chance" and therefore legal...
| | Court Says No To 'Net Neutrality'; Digital Juke Company Sees No Impact
Nick Montano
A U.S. appeals court said the FCC exceeded its authority when it sanctioned a cable company for deliberately preventing some subscribers from using peer-to-peer file-sharing services to download large files. At issue is "net neutrality." But the decision is likely to have no impact on broadband jukeboxes...
| | Firestone Inducts Platinum Partners, Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Tim Sanford
Firestone Financial Corp., which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, inducted nine amusement and music equipment distributors and four manufacturers into its Platinum Partner Club. The inductees were honored for their innovation and leadership roles in the industry...
| | Florida Lawmakers Overwhelmingly Approve Tribal Slots And Blackjack
by Staff Reporter
The Florida House on April 19 approved a proposed 20-year gambling compact with the Seminole tribe by a vote of 74-39, after passing the Senate weeks earlier. The measure now awaits signature by Gov. Charlie Crist, a strong supporter, and formal approval by the U.S. Interior Department, which regulates Native American gaming...
| | Illinois Governor: Successful VLT Industry Doesn't Need Chicago
Marcus Webb
Gov. Pat Quinn, who signed the Video Gaming Act last year, said that Illinois' planned video lottery market could succeed even if Chicago does not participate. Chicago proper is the state's largest and most populous city with 2.8 million of the state's 12.9 million citizens...
| | Kalkomat’s Spider Streamlines Punching-Bag Game
Nick Montano
Kalkomat is responding to the widespread popularity of its classic punching-bag game by offering a model with a substantially smaller footprint. Called Spider, the new piece is designed to fit easily into locations where floor space is limited...
| | LA Sheriff’s Dept. Backs Revised Redemption Bill, Snyder Reports
Marcus Webb
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department is supporting an amended version of a new anti-gaming bill that is said to be more favorable to the amusement industry in California. Introduced in the California General Assembly on Feb. 8 at the department's request, the bill in its original form could have penalized ordinary prize-awarding skill games...
| | NC Sweepstakes Games Win Another Court Victory
by Staff Reporter
Some 56 gamerooms that were raided and shut here in mid-March might reopen soon. On April 19, Burke County became the third North Carolina district to uphold the right of operators to run Internet-based sweepstakes gaming machines...
| | North Carolina Lawmakers May Ban Sweepstakes Videogames
by Staff Reporter
North Carolina House Speaker Joe Hackney (D-Chapel Hill) said the state Legislature is attempting to expand the statewide ban on video pokers and may amend the law to prohibit video sweepstakes games if the courts fail to do so. Operators see video lottery terminals as an alternative to sweepstakes, and taxable income...
| | Operators In Virginia, Florida Jump On The Sweepstakes Bandwagon
Marcus Webb
As the deployment of sweepstakes machines increases in Florida and Virginia, so is the legal confusion. As a result, police in both states have raided sites where sweepstakes games operate. Lawmakers in both states are considering legislation to regulate the games...
| | Retro Pinball Recreates Classic Gottlieb King Of Diamonds
Nick Montano
A modern revival of a classic Gottlieb pinball machine, King of Diamonds, will soon be available to coin machine operators. The original was manufactured in 1967, and Retro Pinball's contemporary update retains the game's classic look and electromechanical play action while enhancing serviceability...
| | Robbins Buys Shelti Inc., A Maker Of Pool And Dart Games
Nick Montano
Industry veteran Mark Robbins has closed a deal to purchase the assets of Shelti Inc., a maker of pool, dart, foosball and air hockey games based in Bay City, MI. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The new owner plans to retain the current management team and enhance the coin-op line...
| | Sega Closes Nearly 50% Of Gameworks Stores
Marcus Webb
Sega Entertainment USA Inc. is closing 15 Gameworks stores. Venues that will shut their doors are in Minneapolis, Long Beach, CA, Columbus, OH, Detroit, Indianapolis, Miami and Tampa, FL. Sega chief executive Corey Haynes called the move a "tough financial decision" forced by the difficult economy...
| | Sega Shuts Down GameWorks Arcade-Restaurant Chain
Marcus Webb
Sega Entertainment USA has closed the last of its 15 remaining GameWorks stores and will liquidate their assets under a "general assignment proceedings" in California courts, according to a letter sent to creditors on April 22...
| | Speedy's Repair Service Offers Operators Tech Support
Nick Montano
Speedy's One Stop Repair Service, originally established by Namco Cybertainment Inc. to support its own equipment, is now offering its expert technical services to operators nationwide. The "one stop shop for all your repair needs" offers quick, thorough equipment repair...
| | Stride Gum Goes Live With Second 'Save the Arcades' Contest
Emily Jed
Following the success of its 2009 Save the Arcades promotion, Kraft announced that its Stride gum brand is once again inviting gamers to play an arcade- style game online and donate points to one of three gamer-nominated arcades competing for $25,000...
| | U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Videogame Content Case
Marcus Webb
The U.S. Supreme Court said it would hear the case of Schwarzenegger vs. Video Software Dealers Association. At stake is California's regulation of videogame content and, by implication, similar laws nationwide...
| | UPDATED: Florida Government Okays Indian Slots, But Not VLTs For Small Businesses
Marcus Webb
The Seminole tribe will have a five-year exclusive on rights to run slot machines in all seven casinos and blackjack tables in five casinos under a compact announced April 7 by Gov. Charlie Crist and leading Florida lawmakers. Video lottery terminals off reservations will not be part of the agreement. The casino deal was approved this week...
| | VNEA: 160 Million Games Will Be Reached In Season 30
Nick Montano
Amid the celebration of 30 seasons, the Valley 8-Ball League Association is calling attention to several other milestones that it will mark this year. One of them will be the association's 160 millionth league game, expected to happen at the upcoming VNEA Championships...
| | W. Va. Operators, Locations Find Compromise On VLT Licensing
Marcus Webb
The Mountaineer State appears to be moving toward new procedures for awarding licenses that permit businesses to operate video lottery terminals. Operators and location owners agreed to a compromise proposal in March that would permit locations to shield 40% of the individual machine licenses in their venues from the re-bidding process...
| | Beyond Basic Machine Heads
Hank Schlesinger
New skills, steady nerves and factory support help a traditional bulk vending operator expand into amusement merchandising. Alabama's Capital Vending works with LAI Games to get Mini Stacker up, running and earning...
| | NBVA Hails 2010 Convention And Show A Success
Hank Schlesinger
By many accounts, the National Bulk Vendors Association's 60th annual convention and trade show can be hailed a success. Held at the Ramada Orlando Celebration Resort here from April 8 to 10, the trade show featured a lively lineup of events, product exhibits and educational seminars...
| |  | Just Before The Dawn
Tim Sanford
Anyone considering the history of the modern vending and office refreshments industry is likely to be struck by the correlation between economic difficulties and substantial advances in technology... by Tim Sanford
| | | Are Amusements Necessary?
Marcus Webb
Now and then the amusement industry gets scolded for its supposed failings in a very public -- and unfair -- way. An example is illustrated in a recent opinion piece penned by Pulitzer Prize winner George F. Will... by Marcus Webb
| | | Navigating The Complexity Of Change
Hank Schlesinger
Spotting the subtle complexities of their business environments is second nature for many longtime bulk operators. But there are some operators who are shooting at ducks that are no longer standing still... by Hank Schlesinger
| | Green Mountain Launches B2B Website Targeting OCS Business
by Staff Reporter
The Specialty Coffee Business Unit of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. has launched a new e-commerce website to meet the beverage needs of small businesses. The B2B site features the Keurig single-cup brewing system and K-Cup portion pack...
| | Lavazza Debuts Dual Espresso/Drip Brewing System
Tim Sanford
Lavazza plans to introduce a combination espresso/American coffee system at the upcoming NAMA OneShow. The new Lavazza Dual offers the ability to prepare authentic espresso-based beverages and premium-quality drip-brew coffees with a single machine...
| | NRA Pilots 'Greener Restaurants' Program
Emily Jed
The National Restaurant Association is piloting Greener Restaurants, a national program to recognize restaurants' environmental sustainability efforts. Its goal is to help restaurant operators save money and manage costs while incorporating sustainability practices...
| | United Food Group Rolls Out Perfect Servings Office Sweepstakes
by Staff Reporter
United Food Group is highlighting the environmental benefits of its novel Perfect Servings bulk-loaded soluble products dispenser for offices with a "Go Green" sweepstakes. The countertop dispenser can eliminate the solid waste resulting from use of condiments in single-portion packets...
| | Customer Communication Is Best Reply To Nutrition Initiatives
by Dave Levine
A political chain of events has put the vending industry directly in Washington's crosshairs. Nutritional labeling for vending machines is among several regulations that will impact operators. This battering is not going away, so the industry must take action now to avoid becoming the "next tobacco" in the United States... by Dave Levine
| | From 99¢ To $5,000: The Operator’s Most Important Tools
by Frank Seninsky
If amusement machines are the heart of operating, and cash the lifeblood, then an operator's tools are the medical equipment that helps to keep the patient fit, healthy and earning more money. There are five basic toolsets for the route, office, shop, vehicle and home... by Frank Seninsky
| | SEM To Roll Out Next-Generation MDB Tester
Emily Jed
SEM Inc. is now offering a portable, lightweight MDB tester. The CTX MDB PRO Tester allows technicians in the field or in the shop to check most MDB coin changers and bill validators, as well as many cashless systems...
| | MOMA Plans Summer Confab For June 9-10
Nick Montano
The Minnesota Operators of Music and Amusements has scheduled its annual summer conference for June 9 and 10 at the Radisson by the Mall of America in Bloomington. The venue is new for the Minnesota operators, who in recent years held their annuals at scenic fishing resorts in the northern part of the state...
| | SFM Critical Issues Conference Tackles Obesity, Legislation On April 15
Tim Sanford
Topics of immediate concern to professional foodservice managers will be addressed at two workshops on April 15, organized by the Society for Foodservice Management. The SFM 2010 Critical Issues Conference will be presented live in New York City, and video-conferenced to the Seattle area...
| | | Trade Show Survival
Alicia Lavay
The present era seems not to favor trade shows, and our industry in particular has witnessed a good deal of contraction and consolidation. Still, I thought this year's bulk vending show was productive and worthwhile. Whether or not others would agree depends on their mindset... by Alicia Lavay-Kertes
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John McKee, who created the very popular Wunderland gamerooms in Oregon as an adjunct to his movie theater business, died on April 4. McKee, a cinema enthusiast, began operating the Ross Theater in Toledo, OR. He was 70... 
A Spanish manufacturer of dartboards and jukeboxes is producing a new pinball machine aimed at professional amusement operators. Marsaplay's New Canastra is both a remake of a 1986 pinball and platform for new flipper game technology... 
The new Fire Storm air hockey table from Valley-Dynamo retains time-proven features while offering a striking new look. It provides an alternative for locations favoring a more colorful, futuristic appearance...
