Alberici S.p.a. launches its new range of change machines: HAMMER 1 and HAMMER 2, HIRA 1, HIRA CD and HIRA D. Their elegant and solid design has been shaped so as to stand side-by-side with the gaming machines. The components are the reliable Alberici ChangeOne control board, various types of Hoppers and the Taiko (JCM) bill acceptor. They can be provided with or without Alberici coin selectors. All models operate in ccTalk mode, the serial communication protocol that guarantees highest precision and security against fraud attempts. The different models and capacities (up to 7200 coins) allow various combinations, to cover any possible needs of the gaming halls.

Other brand new items to be seen are the illuminated metal entry slots. Their round-shaped outer body is made of zinc-aluminium alloy. The inner core incorporates the polycarbonate coin entry path: it is highly resistant to splintering and does not tarnish.
The coin entry path conveys a series of interwoven and multi-sequenced light effects: players will be fascinated by the glittering lights flashing out from the entry track. Various models, with proper slant for different assembly conditions, are available. Customers can also choose their introduction to be chrome plated or gold-like plated.

Alberici S.p.a. will be showing these new products, together with the celebrated AL66-AL55 range of multi-coin selectors, and with the booming disc HopperCD Maxi, at the ATEI Show, 22-24 January 2008, in London Earl’s Court, stand G 400.

Display Technology will be showing the New and Exclusive Multi-Touch Touchscreen solution at the International Casino Exhibition (ICE 2007) from 23rd to 25th January at Earl's Court 2, London, UK. This dedicated solution designed for the Gaming industry will be available in Medium and Large Sizes (17” upto 46”) for Multi player or single player games. Multi-touch technology will bring more flexibility and functionalities to game design.

Display Technology based in Rochester Kent is a totally focused displays, interface, embedded computer, and touchscreen specialists and Samsung semiconductor’s only official partner in the UK. Samsung semiconductor and ourselves provide UK / European Gaming and Kiosk Manufactures better support both technically and commercially offering direct access to Samsung with a manufacturers guarantee, and a range of video controller cards designed and manufactured in Europe.

With already 300 hardware / software  developments in the past 12 months, our expertise in flat panel solutions is why we are the leading supplier of LCD and touchscreen integration technology to the Gaming and Kiosk Industry.

On the eve of ATEI 2008, Namco Bandai Games has announced a number of new additions to its Fun Factory line-up with over a dozen new products making their world or European debuts at the London show on stands U2340/U2334.

The European distributor – which holds key exclusive distribution rights for some of the best marques in the business including Namco Bandai Games, Benchmark Games, Betson, Fantasy Entertainment, ICE, IMotion!, PopNoggins, Raw Thrills, Universal Space, Yubis and 5 Star Redemption, as well as its own collection of Brent Sales-branded games – is aiming to build on huge successes recorded across several product sectors over the past 12 months.

Prize merchandising is one of the company’s key growth areas with skill-based vending games and ticket redemption being spearheaded by the well received introductions of Clena-Flex, Japan’s current leader in the prize vending field, Sweet Land Premia and Deal or No Deal. Joining them for the first time at ATEI are: Barber Cut, a two-player prize vendor of crane-sized proportions; Battle Forge, a redemption game that turns coin/token firing into a virtual video world; Hollywood Reels, a new coin roll-down redemption game; NFL 2 minute challenge, an American football-themed adaptation of ICE’s popular basketball redemption game NBA Hoops; 3-in-a-row, a new spin on the traditional alley roller; and Tickets to Prizes, an all-in solution designed to help operators introduce redemption into their estates. Crazy Typhoon makes its world debut at ATEI. This single-player game, themed on coins spiralling down a funnel to land on prize areas, has been designed specifically for the European market by Namco Bandai’s Japanese development team and is available in both coin-in/coin-out and ticket redemption formats throughout Europe.

The company’s line of photo-imaging booths, which currently includes Fantasy Entertainment’s Foto Cube and Portrait to Anywhere, is being expanded to incorporate the brand new Pop Noggins, a booth which places photographed faces onto singing and dancing cartoon characters – all dispensed to the customer via DVD.

Videogames, remain the company’s hallmark as Namco Bandai Games’ Maximum Tune 3 continues its reign as the highest income earning driver and Time Crisis 4 heads the field in video shooting cash box whilst Raw Thrills enjoys its current status as the world’s biggest selling brand of coin-op video. New for 2008 is BNG’s Tekken 6, the latest instalment in the ultra popular combat video series, and Raw Thrills’ Safari, an African-themed shooting game modelled on the proven Big Buck Hunter phenomenon. The Illinois-based games developers have combined with Namco Bandai Games to stage its launch at ATEI 2008, marking the first time a Raw Thrills game has made its debut outside of the United States.

Highlighting its ‘Fun Factory’ status as a total supplier of family entertainment games, the company will also feature a brand new range of kiddie rides on its ATEI stand.

The Regency Entertainment Group of casinos in Greece operates two major casinos – in Thessaloniki in Northern Greece and Mont Parnes in Athens. Both casinos belong to one of the largest and most profitable casino groups in the whole of Europe. Indeed Regency Casino Thessaloniki alone welcomes over 1 million visitors every year. With the combination of 911 slots, 77 tables, restaurants, bars and a theatre, customer entertainment is assured and the casino draws visitors from far and wide. Casino Mont Parnes operates 708 slots and 76 tables with plans for a major expansion which will see the number of the slots being doubled. It was back in 1994 that the Greek State decided to privatise casino ownership at Mont Parnes and Hyatt Regency assumed 49% with 51% remaining in state ownership. It was the intention of the State to allow private enterprise to modernise the casino. In 1996 Hyatt Regency opened Casino Thessaloniki, situated very close to the airport.

Over the years, Regency Entertainment has focused on growth via customer care and has always welcomed  technological advancements. While the move to TITO provided a real challenge to the casino industry,  it gave Regency the opportunity to review all facets of their business. Given the growth in slots, they needed to make sure the best banknote reader was selected for their TITO initiative. Indeed, the strong usage of slots makes the banknote reader a real focal point. Increased acceptance rates, but more importantly higher acceptance of normal, everyday used notes can increase the take on the slot floor and thus increase its profitability. In a group that will soon have over 2500 slots to its name, banknote reader quality is key. Thus, both Slots Directors, Dmitris Kristallis at Regency Casino Thessaloniki and Evaggelos Dimou at Regency Casino Mont Parnes, welcomed the opportunity to trial the banknote reader from MEI – the CASHFLOW® SC83. Dmitris Kristallis stated, “The positive feedback that MEI has created amongst casinos in America and now into Europe and Asia made it clear to us that we should participate in the VAT process. We tested the MEI CASHFLOW® SC83 over 6 months against the best that the market has to offer. Our results clearly demonstrated that MEI is the market leader in casino banknote technology. The product is really user-friendly and is virtually free of problems; a key benefit that our technical team really appreciates ”.

Regency Entertainment indeed performed a major, extensive VAT. Over 50 units were involved in the trial with data being finely analysed. The technology of the MEI CASHFLOW SC83 has again proved its worth. Its technology has underlined the advantages MEI brings to casinos. The product design ensures that each and every banknote can be analysed with excellent accept rates of banknotes in all conditions – regardless whether new or old and worn – thus increasing the banknote take and increasing profitability. The management of both casinos have pledged their support to MEI and will be specifying MEI as the standard banknote reader for future slot purchases.

Mark Greenawalt, MEI’s European and African Gaming Director stated, “We are absolutely delighted with Regency's decision to specify MEI CASHFLOW on all new machine purchases.  I am convinced they have selected the best product for their casino floor and I know they will continue to see the benefits of the CASHFLOW.   The results of the trial confirm the promise of making more money with MEI.  We look forward to working with Regency now and with their expansion plans.  With all of the major OEM slot producers supporting and offering MEI, we will be able to satisfy Regency's future specifications and their performance demands”.  Mark added, “We are very pleased with the results of Regency trials, and would like to thank the Regency team for their support and for their continued business.

Evaggelos Dimou confirmed why Regency Casino Mont Parnes has decided to specify MEI on all future slots, “We wanted to make sure our decision was the best for the business.  So, we took a look at the banknote readers which are the most well-known brands in Europe. After the trial, we concluded MEI outperformed their competitors by a favourable margin. To this end, we know we can make more money with MEI. When MEI suggested the VAT to us, we asked what we would get out of it. Now that it is over, we are pleased with the outcome. MEI and the CASHFLOW product delivered what was promised”. Dmitris Kristallis added: “The choice at the end of the day was simple. MEI offers us more advantages at no extra cost as it is priced the same as other banknote readers available from slot OEM’s. The CASHFLOW SC83 has brought something new to the casinos – something we can see the benefit in using”.

DT Productions will from now on be known exclusively as Soundnet. Soundnet was previously the name used solely for the division of DT Productions that dealt with the digital jukebox industry. However, the name will now cover all the company's business supplying audio and audio/visual content to pubs, bars, shops and clubs.

Soundnet sums up the business activity of our company and with a number of new audio, video and karaoke products set for release in 2008 it makes sense to standardise the business into only one brand for recognition purposes. Soundnet specialises in bespoke music and video compilations that capture a brand's unique personality. From mainstream pop to hardcore rock, every programme is carefully compiled from our exclusive library of 50,000 audio titles, 30,000 video titles and 5,000 karaoke tracks. The programming department sources all the content directly from the record labels at the same time as it is despatched to radio and TV. Therefore, audio and video generally appears on jukeboxes and background systems before it can be bought in the shops.

With 20 years experience, Soundnet programmes music that is heard by over four million people a week. Content is received in CD, DVD, Beta SP and Digi Beta format and is converted to the required specifications using a bank of encoders. All manufacturing and dispatch is completed in-house from Soundnet's offices in London with five multi CD/ DVD burners producing over 300,000 discs per year - for sites all over Europe. Soundnet and Sound Leisure will be launching a revolutionary new addition to the record-breaking Milestones in Music digital jukebox range at the upcoming ATEI show at Earls Court. For more details visit the Sound Leisure/ Soundnet; stand number U2530.