Sega Amusements Europe Ltd. today reported that it was positive about 2009 after what it reports was a successful London Preview last week. The company taking up a new pitch in the champagne suite put on an impressive display of both product and stand presentation.

Sega’s Justin Burke commented after the show “The figures are in as best they can at this early stage and yes we are pleased with the outcome, it is up on last year. Aside from UK business we also did good trade with many of our European visitors. Whilst no one can deny it was not the busiest show ever, I ask anyone to recall the last packed show they visited in any territory in recent years. Unfortunately times have changed and whilst it is disappointing that many faces were not there to see the efforts all the exhibitors had gone to you have to address that contact in other ways. The second day was certainly busier than last years and it was a well presented and well run show as ever”.

This was the first opportunity for Sega to show itself in a new light since its announcement last week that it was to sell direct to the UK market place. This was most evident on the show stand by the presence of Steve D’Arcy who joined the company last week as the first appointment for the new UK direct sales team. Steve clearly pleased to be back on the scene said “It has all happened very quickly but is an exciting future never the less. I’ve joined a great team with a real passion and hunger for success and have got a top new product range to deal with - Sega Rally 3, Rambo, Shoot This Win This and Sponge Bob Ticket Boom are all strong in their own right to suit inland and coastal through winter and beyond the ATEI”.

Commenting of Steve’s appointment Justin continued, “Every time I looked around Steve was talking to one operator or another, he hardly had breath in between them. It is clear that despite economic and industry tough times and key issues ahead such as stakes and prizes, there is an appetite for good product. Steve is clearly going to add a great dimension to the team, there have been people coming out of the woodwork all over the place wanting to talk to him and talk shop, which is great”.

The Sega Kids division dedicated to merchandise supply and Sega Total Solutions, Sega’s spares division both reported excellent sales at the show.

Steve D’Arcy is based at Sega’s Chessington head office and can be contacted on 0208 391 8082 or steved@sega.co.uk.

To address a concerning increase of piracy in the gaming industry, the major players of the industry have come together to form a Gaming Industry Piracy Alliance (GIPA), providing a structure through which members can jointly participate in the enforcement of intellectual property rights and other anti-piracy activities and initiatives.

Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, WMS Gaming Inc, International Game Technology, Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH a 100% subsidiary of Novomatic AG, Bally Technologies Inc, Konami Gaming Inc, SPIELO Manufacturing ULC, Progressive Gaming International Corporation and ATRONIC International have now joined forces to carry out investigative and other operations targeting piracy on an international scale.

 The regions that this group’s anti piracy efforts are targeting include North America, South America, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE Countries) and the Middle East.

”GIPA members expend significant resources in creating intellectual property.  The formation of GIPA demonstrates the importance we place on protecting those valuable assets” commented Orrin Edidin, President of WMS Gaming Inc. 

Over the last two years, members of the alliance have successfully commenced criminal and civil proceedings in various countries worldwide against persons known or suspected of product piracy and intellectual property theft.

These proceedings have resulted in court orders and raids that have permanently shut down a number of international pirate operations.

With the formation of this anti piracy alliance, the global gaming industry will be able to aggressively act against offenders.

MEI has expanded its offering to casinos with the introduction of EASITRAX Soft Count.  The integrated software/hardware solution places information collected in the CASHFLOW SC bill validator into a database that can be networked to multiple locations and be accessed to analyze slot floor performance.

“This is a natural evolution for MEI,” said Tom Nugent, executive vice president - Gaming.  “Our core business is security and acceptance.  The CASHFLOW SC bill validator’s success illustrates MEI’s leadership in those areas and their importance to the industry.  EASITRAX Soft Count extends the application of our knowledge – enabling casinos to make their cash management process more efficient.”

RFID technology is used to connect slot machine asset numbers and bill validator operational information to a specific cashbox.  Accessing data has never been faster – allowing operators to base decisions on several instant reports programmed within the accompanying software:

•Acceptance rate of what is in the cashbox

•Currency report documents how many bills are in each Cashbox and the percentage of collected denominations over a period of time

•Drop status manages the daily collection of the money and cashboxes

•Jams reports, if they occur, identifying potential problems

•Rejection types defines one of seven categories as to why the bill was rejected

•Version report ensures each bill validator has up-to-date software.

“EASITRAX Soft Count is another example of how MEI technology is finding more uses within the Gaming industry,” said Tom Shuren, MEI chief technology officer.  “The result is the same – tools that increase operators’ profitability.  Whereas CASHFLOW reduces jams and increases acceptance rates, EASITRAX provides data to optimize machine placement, advance troubleshooting, make drop schedules more efficient and eliminate unnecessary jurisdictional fines.” 

The EASITRAX Soft Count system has been designed to be easily retrofitted to the CASHFLOW SC bill validator.  Building a comprehensive cash management solution is as simple as applying these basic components:

•Placing an antenna board to the CASHFLOW SC interface board

•Applying RFID tags into the cashbox to allow information to be transmitted

•Tying EASITRAX reader bases (up to four) into a soft count room system that includes a USB hub and a computer

•Installing software that creates a SQL database and loads available reports.

EASITRAX-enabled bill validators and cashboxes can be ordered directly from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).  MEI has also made all of these components available in retrofit package kits to simplify the ordering process.  The system has been configured to be compatible with sorter/counter equipment produced by Cummins, G&D, Glory and Toshiba – further illustrating the ease in which it can be incorporated into an existing operation.  EASITRAX can be implemented with minimal capital (using existing components reduces system costs) and with the hardware each operation has specified for its particular needs.

“We have been able to apply our knowledge of the Gaming industry into an existing product developed and implemented in our Vending division,” said Mr. Nugent.  “The result is an ideal solution – launching a new product with proven technology that targets a specific industry need.  EASITRAX Soft Count allows the CASHFLOW SC to redefine what a bill validator can offer operations and, in so doing, enhance the value that MEI can offer our industry partners.”

Sound Leisure and Soundnet are offering a unique deal on the innovative and great value One Stop Music digital jukebox.

Sound Leisure have lowered the price of the One Stop Music to its lowest price ever and for a limited time Soundnet is offering cash-back on the purchase of the Sound Leisure One Stop Music box, bringing the price down to an all-time low of £1,595 per unit, if ten boxes are bought, meaning a total of £200 cash-back on each box.

If five boxes are purchased Sound Leisure is also lowering its prices and Soundnet, will give a cash-back of £150 per box, making the individual purchase price £1,695 per box. This increases to £1,795 if only a single box is bought – constituting a £100 cash-back from Soundnet. Leasing deals are also available on the One Stop Music box, from £26.99 per week, including all music updates.

The One Stop Music is the fastest selling jukebox in the UK. It is also one of the lightest jukeboxes ever produced by Sound Leisure, meaning that it can be easily installed by just one person.

“Sound Leisure has the largest number of installed digital jukeboxes in the UK and can truly be called a pioneer in digital technology,” says Chris Black, Sound Leisure Managing Director. “And as with all types of new technology, over time prices come down, therefore we are now able to offer this model at the budget end of the market. Operators can still rest assured, however, that One Stop Music contains the highest quality components and is backed up by Sound Leisure’s unparalleled customer service.”

“The time has never been better to stock up on this fantastic entry-level digital jukebox,” says Soundnet Director Simon Davis. “But the offer is only limited, so make sure you place your order without delay.”

Display Technology Ltd is proud to announce that it has completed the purchase of Apollo Display Technologies Ltd from Apollo Corporation USA for an undisclosed sum, creating one of the largest TFT display specialists in the UK.  Display Technology specializes in Industrial, Gaming, Digital Signage, retail, kiosk and complete custom Display solutions including software and its own proprietary hardware for the retail and Digital Signage markets, including full custom solutions.

Display Technology Managing Director, Chris Bartram, commented “This was a natural move for us to compliment our rapid organic growth and offers great benefits and opportunities not only for our Group, Suppliers & Employees, but most importantly for our customers who have reacted very positively to this development”.