Intergame Consolidates its position and buys AB Europe Magazine
InterGame Limited and Centaur Communications have announced that InterGame has agreed to acquire the magazine AB Europe from Centaur for an undisclosed amount.

Photo Play Update 2002 with "Intelligent Games Operation"
A new screen design, new games and an intelligent system in the background are the words that come to mind when describing I.GO. "This is why I.GO is no normal update, but much rather a revolutionary power pack" as Peter Berger, responsible person for games, states with conviction. I.GO will first be presented to the public during the Löwn-Days, which will take place from 23rd to 26th September in Mallorca. Sales will be launched during the trade fair in Madrid. What is behind I.GO? I.GO is the abbreviation for "Intelligent Games Operation" which consists of five steps:

1. New Games
   The power pack will contain about eight new games, that will have been tested in a large-scale players' survey by the end of August.
2. New Screen Design
   New surface, new games design! Here too, tests were carried out amongst players several times during the development phase.
3. Interactive Player Assistant
   A new Photo Play mascot will assist especially newcomers to find their way through the compre-hensive selection of possibilities. The goal is to enable beginners to find their way to a top game in a category most interesting to them right from the start.
4. Interactive Demo Mode
   This is a fundamental change during which the rigid system was opened up and extended by an interactive dimension. In future, a player can reach a chosen game directly from the teaser without having to go via the main menu. Specially designed comic strips allow for additional entertainment. Further, games' rules are now described through animation as well as in words. "This is the start of a whole variety of possibilities" as funworld-owner, Joseph Öhlinger points out.
5. Games Carousel
   The top-9-button shows the nine games which are currently most popular on a particular Photo Play terminal. This list is updated on a fortnightly basis, allowing for regional peculiarities and playing habits at each respective operating location.

The new games.
The exact composition of games will take place once the market survey has been closed off at the end of August. According to Peter Berger: " Two hits are apparent already: ‚Rumbling Marbles'and ‚Girls Only'.""Rumbling Marbles" is one of those logic- and concentration games that one just can't get enough of, once one has begun. To score, it is necessary to bring marbles into a correct sequence. With a widened field of vision one will find quite a number of combinations. The choice of "playing pieces" is just as varied: Golfers, for example, can exchange their "marbles" for "golf balls". In "Girls Only" completely new options were applied during the conception of the game. "Girls only" is based on a quiz of knowledge and was especially developed for the high share of female players (about 40%). For this reason, the job of writing questions was not outsourced as usual, but written by a funworld team consisting of female staff right through the various departments of the company. As soon as two questions of a particular category have been answered in the course of the game, an in-between game (skill/concentration/knowledge) appears on the screen. A player can score additional points by playing this in-between game.

An autumn full of suspense.The power pack for the existing system is complete excepting a few final touches. There will however be yet another novelty in autumn. Currently a new operating system is being tested on the market. "The new product will come on the market as soon as international players' surveys have confirmed that players are really satisfied with it" informs funworld boss, Josef Öhlinger. First results of the market survey are expected at the beginning of September. "The actual operating system as such is unsignificant to the end user and not really distinguishable at a first glance" states Josef Öhlinger. "This is why the intelligent system behind it is just as important. I.GO meets these prerequisites." This innovation promises a better picture resolution, more animation possibilities and more elements guaranteeing long-term excitement for our players. First projects, like a built-in camera being integrated into the playing process, turning the Photo Play terminal into an interactive medium, are being worked out.

Several terminals of the Net-Generation (in other words: all terminals that were distributed since January 2001) are suitable for both systems and can be alternated with an easily applied kit.Masters will be available in a joint ranking list by the way. So, funworld is promising an exciting "Photo Play autumn". Although no more will be given away about it at this stage, another activity being awaited in suspense is the "Thank-You" promotion for five years of loyalty.

Gambling in the USA getting more, not less, popular
Americans continue to embrace new lotteries, casinos and gaming Machines despite the National Gambling Impact Study Commission's call in 1999 to halt the expansion of legalized gambling.

Entertainment Industry 2001
The 8th Ukrainian Gaming & Amusement Exhibition - Entertainment Industry 2001 will be held in the largest and most prestigious exhibition centre in Ukraine - The Kiev Palace of SportThe total area of the exhibition will be 2000 square metres. A special section - CaBaRe (for cafes, bars, restaurants) will be added this year. 50 companies from Ukraine and Russia and 30 companies from European countries will present their equipment and services.This will include equipment for casinos, night clubs, bars, hotels, including gambling machines, childrens entertainment machines, billiard tables and accessories, bowling and accessories, electronic darts, golf and accessories and specialised publications. Exhibits will include equipment, furniture and accessories for casinos, gambling machines, children entertainment simulators and machines, billiard tables and accessories, bowling and attractions. 80 exhibitors from 15 countries are expected to take part. The expected exhibition area is around 1 500 sqm. Expected number of visitors is more than 15,000. For hotel accommodation contact Pan Ukraine. Tel/fax + 38-044/2380848. Email tour@panukraine.kiev.ua Contact person Elena POVAR. Customs clearing and cargo handling: JV Expo-Dan. Tel/fax + 38-044/2124189, 2120817, 2122938. The organiser is the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. For further information contact Valeriy Bilyy. Tel + 38-044/2122805. Fax + 38-044/5685751. Email expo@ucci.org.ua or belyy@ucci.org.ua or vad-expo@ucci.org.ua.

Eurocoin announces new customer services line-up
Eurocoin has introduced a number of changes to its customer services function to enhance speed of response and efficiency for each sector of its customer base. Long-established sales specialists Steve Smith and Ron Vinson are joined by two Product Managers, Alan Marsh (monitors and touchscreens) and Colin Fitton (note acceptors and stackers). Both are technical graduates with extensive experience in their relevant product fields and offer expert advice and support directly to manufacturing and operating clients. At the London office Roger Atkinson has been promoted to the role of Customer Services Manager, responsible for the scheduling and support of client orders through the Eurocoin sales administration system. He is assisted by customer services executive Sami Ross. The reorganised team absorbs the sales support services provided by Paul Smith who has left Eurocoin to pursue alternate employment. In another important customer services function, Gemma Kittel has joined the Eurocoin Marketing Department. In recent months Gemma has driven the highly-successful relaunch of the company's website www.eurocoin.co.uk as a freelance contractor and now joins Eurocoin as full-time webmaster. "The needs of our customers are changing and our new customer services line-up reflects this" explained Colin Veitch, Eurocoin's Group Sales & Marketing Director. "Our website now carries a vast amount of product information for sales purposes as well as a comprehensive library of technical support manuals and industry news.

ROCK-OLA: new jukeboxes
In September Rock-Ola will begin output of two new models: the ´Wallette´ a remote selector and the ´R-91´ a retro countertop. President, G. Streeter noted that only Rock-Ola is producing new CD Jukes. As other manufacturers new models appear to be going into the MP3 arena it will be interesting to see how successful these new models are in this time of new technology.

Brent and Leisure Link first with Link Lock
Brent Electronic, suppliers of the ground-breaking SecurDor range, is believed to have scored another first with the announcement of its latest dedicated security device, the Link Lock.

Sales director Peter Murphy explained: "This initiative was put to us by Leisure Link's Technical Forum team led by Julian Lees. We have worked closely with them to develop a secure locking system designed to give added cashbox protection for all Barcrest Genesis cabinets."The Link Lock is described as a time and money saving device which brings all the security benefits of a security bar but without the need to drill any holes in the cabinet. "It's a first line of defence," stated Murphy, "which takes less than five minutes to fit on site. The Link Lock has been extensively tested in the field for some months now and has earned some extremely positive feedback."Brent Electronic is a major supplier of spares and components to Leisure Link, the two companies having recently renewed their contract following a highly successful first year. As well as supplying Leisure Link on an exclusive basis, Brent has stated that the Link Lock will be available to all end users of AWPs in Barcrest Genesis cabinets.Murphy concluded: "The development of this lock bolsters the excellent working relationship that exists between Brent Electronic and the UK's number one operator and we look forward to more joint projects in the near future."

Tekken Europe by storm
Namco Europe has reported a 'phenomenal response' to Tekken 4, the latest instalment of the record-breaking fighting video game.With the first wave of deliveries scheduled to begin next week, Namco Europe has already allocated and sold its first three shipments from Japan.Gary Newman, Namco Europe's sales director, said: "Even though it was only seen at our Open House last month, the response from buyers throughout Europe has been exceptional. We are now taking orders for the fourth shipment which will be delivered to customers in September." He added: "In addition to all of the benefits associated with the Tekken name, the game has massive play appeal in its own right. Another significant factor which explains the level of demand is the fact that it will not be available on home platforms until mid-2002."

Leisurehub in rebuild?
The UK Amusement Internet Portel: Leisurehub is now offline and the web site appears to be in the process of a rebuild by its purchasers Penton Leisure.Contact mailto:mike.robertson@pentoneurope.com for further details

Namco gunning for success
Namco Europe has announced that it will be undertaking an additional production run of its Ninja Assault shooting video game. Unveiled to the European market in January, high demand for the game has prompted a second run of the deluxe 50" version.Namco's decision follows similar success achieved with Vampire Night which also sold out. "We've certainly had a great response to our recent shooting games," revealed Namco Europe's sales director Gary Newman. "We're confident of extending this successful run with Biohazard, our latest shooting game, which has tested very well since its first showing in Japan." Based on Resident Evil, Capcom's hugely popular consumer game, Biohazard provides an interactive experience for players who move characters using the gun assembly as a joystick. A tournament scoring system is also included in the game, allowing the player to enter high scores onto the Namco website.

2001 A Big Year For IGT In Estonia
Since ICE 2001, orders for 350 machines have dramatically increased IGT's presence in Estonia. Major group operators AS Arge, Benetreks Casino Group, Ltd. and Casinos Monte Carlo, Ltd. have shown great interest in IGT's 17" iGame-Plus and Game King series platforms. Installations of new machines in existing casinos and at new locations across Estonia are continuing to grow in number.IGT's Game King series machines continue to be the most popular games in Estonia. It isn't surprising that 1/3 of the new machines ordered by both the Benetreks'.

Eurocoin's New Validator Passes Euro Test
Eurocoin has launched a new Euro-secure single-coin comparitor for high-security validation of all euro denomination coins including the bi-metallic 1 and 2 euros. Having recently performed extremely well under test conditions at the Dutch Mint in Utrecht, the Micro Comparitor (MC) Series manufactured by Coin Mechanisms Inc is now Eurocoin's recommended validator for the new currency in single-coin applications. The MC has a number of advanced coin recognition features and anti-fraud safeguards made possible by its on-board micro controller. Coins are validated by calculating the electronic signature of the coin played and comparing it against the sample coin resident in the unit. A number of different parameters are taken into account to arrive at the electronic signature. This ensures that only valid coins are accepted and enables the unit to accurately validate the more complex structure of the bi-metallic 1 and 2 euros. Four sensors - two at the entry point and two at the exit - check that the coin passes right through the unit as protection against stringing attempts. "For fast cash-play using euro coins the MC is difficult to beat" said Eurocoin's Colin Veitch. "The resident technology of the MC Series has been well-tried and tested in the US gaming market and we are delighted to bring our customers an additional coin comparitor from the same high-quality designer and manufacturer who has brought us the market-leading CC and IC units."

Sega ships NCAA college football 2K2
Sega has introduced a college football video stateside Sega Sports(tm) announced today the release of "Sega Sports(tm) NCAAŽ College Football 2K2," for the 128-bit, Internet-ready Sega Dreamcast(tm) video game console. Produced by Visual Concepts, a member of the Sega group and creators of the best-selling "Sega Sports(tm) NFL 2K" series. "Sega Sports NCAA College Football 2K2" delivers online gameplay, team-specific playbooks, conference championships, bowl games, extensive gameplay modes and all the action college football fans could want in a college football video game.

"Sega Sports fans have been asking us to develop a college football video game, and we've answered in a big way," said Chris Gilbert, EVP Sales & Marketing, Sega of America. "With all the trademark features Sega Sports fans have come to expect from our pro titles, like authentic plays, incredible graphics and Internet gameplay, 'Sega Sports NCAA College Football 2K2' delivers with true college flavor - poising this title to be one of this year's best sports games." "We strive for perfection with every sports title we produce and 'NCAA College Football 2K2' was built with that same passion," said Greg Thomas, president, Visual Concepts, a member of the Sega group. "In the usual Sega Sports style, we spent countless hours watching, tracking and compiling every detail of college football to make this the best, most realistic college sim possible. This game is realism at its best." The distinctive style of college football is evident throughout the game. More than 120 college stadiums, from the "The Horseshoe" at Ohio State to "The Swamp" in Gainesville, are re-created in amazing detail. More than 700 plays are at gamers' disposal and reflect characteristics of all NCAA Division I team playbooks. Gamers can access team-specific playbooks and run plays that authentically mirror each team's actual style, or design their own plays and create custom playbooks to hit opponents where it hurts. "Sega Sports NCAA College Football 2K2" also lets gamers run option plays from numerous formations and sets, giving players total control of who gets the ball. "Sega Sports NCAA College Football 2K2" has a mode for everyone. Feel the thrill in Season mode of taking a team through an entire 2001 schedule and winning the national championship at this year's Rose Bowl. Feel the power of being coach and athletic director in Legacy mode, managing the team from the top down. With Scrimmage mode, players can work out all the kinks before the big game on Saturday. Gamers can also track player stats throughout the season to see who has a shot at the coveted Heisman* Trophy. To ensure that college rivalries are played out in the best possible fashion, "Sega Sports NCAA College Football 2K2" has incorporated online gameplay, allowing gamers everywhere to play against each other via the Internet. Online gameplay will track wins and losses as well as rank the top 50 players nationwide. Endorsed by Heisman Trophy finalist and San Diego Chargers' quarterback Drew Brees, "Sega Sports NCAA College Football 2K2" is available at retailers nationwide and at www.sega.com for $39.95. The game is rated "E" for everyone.,The "Officially Licensed Collegiate Products" label is the exclusive property of the Collegiate Licensing Company. The "Collegiate Licensed Product" label is the property of the Independent Labeling Group. All names, logos, team icons, and mascots associated with the NCAA, universities, bowls, and conference are the exclusive property of the respective institutions. Heisman Memorial Trophy and likeness of the actual trophy are registered service marks owned by the Downtown Athletic Club under registration numbers 936,853 and 935,852 respectively. Heisman and Heisman Trophy Award are service marks owned by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City, Inc.

Sega Europe: Shrinking
Sega President Hideki Sato has stated that although the workforce may shrink in Sega Europe, there are no plans to close any offices at this time. Hideki Sato is quoted as saying, "The size of our operations in the region may be smaller. But they won't be closed" Sega is currently undergoing a shift in business strategy after exiting the game hardware business. Sega as a game maker will now offer titles in Europe for the Playstation 2 to be published by Sega Computer Entertainment Europe. Infogrames will publish Xbox and Gamecube titles developed by Sega in the region.

US Virgin Islands Passes 'Landmark Legislation
The U.S. Virgin Islands became the second U.S. state or territory this summer to give the legislative green light to Internet gambling when the Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill giving the OK to Online casinos.

Microsoft delays release of Xbox game in Japan
Microsoft Corp., the largest software maker, will delay the release of its Xbox video-game console in Japan until Feb. 22, missing the holiday shopping season, to focus on US game operations. Microsoft had planned to introduce Xbox, its first game console, in Japan by year-end. Microsoft said it is on track to introduce Xbox in the United States on Nov. 8 at a price of $299 - challenging GameCube maker Nintendo Co. and PlayStation 2 maker Sony Corp. for a piece of the $20 billion video game market. The delay will give Japanese game makers more time to create Xbox software tailored for their domestic market. ''There are very different types of gamers in the Japanese, US, and European markets,'' said Greg Vogel, an analyst with Banc of America. ''It's better to focus on what you are really good at and be successful there.''

Microsoft shares rose 26 cents to $62.31. The company's stock has risen 44 percent this year. Microsoft didn't announce shipment targets in Japan or a sales price. Delays are not uncommon in the video-game industry. Nintendo Co. said last week it will put its new GameCube system on sale in the United States Nov. 18, or 13 days later than scheduled.

Japan accounts for about 25 percent of the worldwide game market. Microsoft may also delay the introduction of Xbox in Europe from the first quarter of next year to the second quarter, to gain more time for manufacturing, said James Lin, an analyst with Jefferies & Co.

The company has also been dogged by speculation that the console introduction in the United States will be pushed back or that supplies will be less than planned. Japanese game software developers such as Sega Corp., Capcom Co., and Konami Corp. have announced they will make games for Xbox. Microsoft said it expects up to 20 game titles to be released when its game console debuts in Japan. ''It is a competitive market and one in which Microsoft is starting from scratch,'' Vogel said. ''By no means is Microsoft necessarily going to be able to come in and take over.''

British gaming lawyers agree with UK gambling review report
The three British gaming lawyers working on the Gambling Review Report have endorsed it, and also welcomed the report's conclusion that online gambling should be legalized and regulated. Steven Philippsohn, of the London firm of Philippsohn Crawfords Berwald, Solicitors, calls Internet and online gambling "the most interesting area covered in the report." The report recommends that online gambling sites be licensed if they are operated by a company registered in Great Britain and if the site's server and Web address are based in Great Britain. "By legalizing online gambling and regulating, the gambler is encouraged to use onshore sites and consequently the gambler is protected both by regulations and the greater come back he may have through the use of civil remedies," Philippsohn says in comments prepared for RGT Online. "The report makes a number of recommendations which will hopefully lead to more adequate protection of the on line gambler than currently exists. It recommends that gamblers should be made aware of all rules, terms and conditions before they are permitted to play on the sites. This is reminiscent of the new Distance Selling Regulations aimed at protecting consumers who purchase goods and services over the telephone or Internet. "The report recommends that on line gambling software should be tested and inspected by the Gambling Commission to ensure that random generators are in fact random." In their lengthy commentary on the report (see below), Julian Harris and John Hagan of the London law firm of Pinsent Curtis Biddle state, "We have long advocated that online gaming should be legalised and regulated. It is a nonsense that none of the licensed terrestrial casino operators in Great Britain are able to accept bets on the internet, even though they operate within a highly regulated and well respected environment.

"A British resident is, however, free to place bets on offshore websites, many of which have little or no regulation. British residents are therefore at risk from unscrupulous operators of some websites, whereas casino operators, who have passed stringent tests and obtained casino licences under the Gaming Act 1968, cannot provide online gambling facilities under that heavily regulated system.

"This cannot be right and this consideration alone is, in our view, justification for the legalisation of online gaming and the establishment of a proper regulatory system." Harris and Hagan argue that implementation of the Review Body's recommendations on online gaming "will give Great Britain the opportunity to establish itself as the leading online gaming jurisdiction in the world." The combination of a British Gambling Commission license and the country's reputation as a strongly regulated gambling jurisdiction "will make Great Britain highly attractive to potential licensees and players alike," they say. Philippsohn, however, cautions that effective implementation will depend on the technical capabilities of the Gambling Commission: "Any regulations or laws are ineffectual if not backed up by resources or an adequate framework. It will mean that the Gambling Commission will need to be overhauled in order that it can cope with the technical impact of the regulations. They will need to be able to test complex software and formulate guidelines, which will require expert IT knowledge." Philippsohn welcomes the report's sections on combating money laundering, but questions whether the recommendations regarding the identify of gamblers are realistic. "Identity theft is already a relatively common crime over the Internet," Philippsohn says, "and the Gambling Commission will face a tough challenge in formulating guidelines to ensure that identification standards are comparable to real casinos." The big question, of course, is whether and when the Review Body's recommendations will be implemented. The report asks for comments to be sent by Oct. 31; beyond that, there is no timetable for action. "It is clear that particularly where on-line gambling is concerned," Philippsohn concludes, "a great deal of work needs to be undertaken to formulate guidelines and software to deal with recommendations. The overhaul is substantial and already faces opposition from charities and religious organisations. "However, the current legislation is seriously outdated and never conceived of the possibility of the Internet. This aspect has to be dealt with if for no other reason than to protect the public from unscrupulous operators and money launderers." Harris and Hagan are optimistic that the key recommendations will be implemented. "We do not believe that this is a Report which will be shelved," they conclude. "Equally, we would not expect it to be implemented wholesale, not least because some concessions are likely to be won by the lobby for further restrictions. "Whatever compromises are made, we believe that Government will certainly want to have a single regulatory authority; that they will allow a liberalisation of the gaming machine regime in casinos; that there will be a significant, if not total, relaxation of the permitted areas; there will be greater scope for advertising; the 24 hour rule and the restriction of entry to members will be lifted, and on-line casino licences will be granted. We believe these to be the minimum changes. If we are right, casino gaming in Great Britain is set to change radically."

New Spanish AWP from Maygay
Maygay's new Spanish AWP is called GLADIADOR. As is evident from the title, the theme is a humorous take, on the sporting heroes of Ancient Rome. The machine is fully switchable between Pesetas and Euro… The price of play for a single game can be set at either 25/50 Pesetas, or 20/40 cents, and the maximum single game jackpot is either 15,000 Pesetas or 120 Euros. Twin hoppers are fitted, and these will carry either 25 and 50 Peseta coins or 20 cents and one Euro coins.GLADIADOR is fully homologated and will be launched for sale on September 1st through Video Valencia. In addition, to underline their commitment to the Spanish market, two further models have been developed to complement SUPER BOTE and GLADIADOR, and these new games will go on site test in early September, following the Spanish Summer holiday season. All four games will be displayed at the forthcoming FER Interazar show in Madrid (Oct 26-28), where Maygay and Video Valencia will be exhibiting in their own right, independently of the remainder of the Comatel Group. For further information please contact Nick Hardy, Group Marketing Manager, Maygay Machines Limited. Direct Tel: +44 (0) 1902 792320. Mobile: +44 (0) 7971 148311. E-mail: nick@maygay.com Websites http://www.maygay.com or http://www.impulse-gaming.com or http://www.extremegaming.co.uk

Fun Port s.r.o.
Krystalová 560
196 00 Praha 9 - Čakovice
tel.: (02) 83 93 09 09
fax: (02) 83 93 36 44
e-mail: office@funport.cz
http://www.funport.cz/