Music & Games

AMOA-NY reviews regulatory challenges, honors Michael Pace

Michael Pace, founder and chairman of Pace-O-Matic Corp., received the 2023 guest of honor plaque from AMOA-NY President Kenny Goldberg, center, of Emerson Amusements and AMOA-NY Vice President Joe Bossolina, right, of McGee Amusements.

May 1, 2023

Music and amusement operators got an update on the continuing challenges of government regulation during the Amusement Operators Association of New York gala, held recently at Ben & Jack's Steakhouse in New York City, according to a press release.

Kenny Goldberg of Emerson Amusements in Woodside, New York, president of the association, noted how the different levels of government have engaged many policies which continue to make business difficult for operators.

Goldberg cited the association's legislative and regulatory accomplishments:

• Repealing New York City tax stamps and tax records.
• Repealing the New York City tax on coin-operated amusement devices.
• Getting the New York City consumer affairs department to legalize nine games per location.
• Legalizing two pool tables per location not included in the common show law.

Introducing Michael Pace, Goldberg said the theme of the event was opportunity and optimism as he reviewed the guest of honor's five-decade history.

"We need to be inspired, we need to learn from Michael Pace's dynamic and courageous success," Goldberg said during his presentation. He highlighted many of Pace's new product launches, a number of them "firsts" in amusement games.

"The most recent is Dragon's Ascent, combined with a variety of inventive, advanced technology tools which support the operator. It has captured the imagination of many electronic game sector leaders by way of its creativity, architecture and business model. Michael Pace, together with his talented team demonstrates the potential and excitement in the future of our industry," Goldberg said.

Accepting the honor, Pace called himself "a mad scientist" who was inventing a multitude of games to power small business growth and provide a whole lot of fun.

Reaching out to operators, Pace declared: "We rely on the relationships you have with customers, your knowledge of the best locations and your workforce who service and collect the game terminals. We wouldn't exist without the essential work you do."

He gave accolades to his wife, Karmin, and described her as a long-time invaluable partner.

"Now, I want to tell you something you might not know about Karmin. She is a proud gold digger. I know what you are thinking, but not that type of gold digger. We were just at our ranch in Montana, tons of snow. But on the ranch, we have a gold mine — for real. So Karmin likes to say she is a gold digger…. And I also own a pick axe and shovel … so I guess I am too."

Photo provided by AMOA-NY.