SKEEBALL LED LIGHTING TO INCREASE REVENUES
(Jason Franicevich, Laser Tag & Games)

Bright LED lighting with changing colors has been proven to attract players to games, just as it does to advertising signage.  Jason has replaced the incandescent rope lighting with LED strips on his Skeeball Marquee and added LED lights to the Skeeball lanes. The results are impressive and Skeeball revenues have shown a significant increase, especially in this case when the lanes are flanked on both sides by Big Bass Wheel’s.

The cost of materials for the Marquee enhancement is only $50 and includes $15 for the LED light strips and $25 for the power supply.  The cost/lane is also $50.  The installation time for the Marquee is 30 minutes and could be slightly longer for each Skeeball lane as it is critical that the LED strips are well adhered.

For the outer ring of the Marquee, Jason used a 3528 cool white strip and for the inner ring, he recommends 5050 dream color or dream magic strips. The color strips have programmable light patterns and colors, roughly 100 patterns in total. Also a 12vdc power supply must be connected to the ac output of the Marquee’s power supply.

After removing the old rope light, stick the LED strips to the outer side of the channel. He recommends using an additional adhesive along with the adhesive tape on the strips such a silicone or hot glue. Then just connect power and test before reassembling.

TILT MECHANISM PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR MERCHANDISERS
(Ramon Vivar, Sr. Technician, Alpha-Omega Amusements)

In many of our FEC game zones players are finding ways to tilt and shake the merchandise dispensing machines in order to move the prizes and gain an advantage. We started with a Key Master because it had attracted more frequent shaking incidents even though the game was in view of our employees. Rather than spend a few hundred dollars for the manufacturer’s ‘add-on’ kit, we built a simple and much improved one ourselves.* And the shaking of the merchandisers has stopped! This will work on any merchandiser machine.

A plumb bob assembly, (borrowed from an old pinball machine) initiates the activation when someone tries to tilt or shake the machine. …..When the plumb bob touches the ring it completes the circuit to energize a simple 12 volt relay, which in turn, opens up a set of normally-closed contacts and consequently breaks a main line that powers up the whole or most of the machine. This is accomplished by employing a unique interconnection of the other sets of contacts of the relay. The relay will now be in a “latched” mode so it stays energized even if the plumb bob is no longer connecting with the outside ring. At this point, the whole machine is now totally or partially off, depending on how the installer prefers. The only way to put the machine back into service is for someone to press the reset button which is mounted inside the machine. This button, which has a “normally-closed” switch, opens up when pressed, thereby de-energizing the relay and releasing it from its “latched” mode. The attendant can then return the prizes to their proper positions. …Then the cycle is back to zero. We found that it is much easier to spot a game when all of its lights are off and then watch it after it is reset.

*The factory made anti-tilt kit stops the game play when the game is tilted but then automatically goes back to game mode after a set time period. The cheater loses the current game play but doesn’t lose any remaining credits. The game attendant intervention is not needed to restart the machine and the cheater has accomplished his advantage and just keeps playing.

BILL OF MATERIALS

• 12 volts DPDT Relay……Radio Shack 275-0206…………$4.97
• 12 volts 1 amp power adaptor or power supply……..…$15.00
  
• Game Button with momentary normally-closed contacts…$5.00
  
• Tilt/plumb bob assembly………Happ 95-0328-00……$11.95
  
• Time of Installation…1 hour.

As you can see, the circuit is old school, not a single semiconductor component is used. No IC’s, no transistors…. (except maybe, one might want to add a simple diode across the relay coil for more accurate deactivation times, which is not critical for this application) ….In this hi tech modern time, where a simple toggle on-off switch or a knob you normally turn, are being replaced by tiny, computer connected buttons, it is easy to go over-technical in design. There are over-the –counter IC drive circuit boards out there that can be used to do the same function, plus more, but this is one case that I think simple is better, less expensive, and more reliable.

Here’s the Ticket

I am a big fan of noticing new technologies and how they are used in our industry and more importantly how they can affect our industry, both positively and negatively. Here is a brief summary of those that caught my eye over the past two months:

Smart Cards are rapidly replacing magstripe credit cards. Credit and debit cards with an embedded microchip are coming quickly to the U.S. There are already over 1 billion of these cards being used throughout the world. These new technology cards are reported to be more secure and reduce the risk of ‘skimming’ to produce counterfeit cards.  The U.S. has lagged behind because the cost is estimated to be greater than $35 billion, but come October 2015 liability for fraud losses will be by law placed on the party of any transaction that uses a lesser technology. Another reason why the changeover will happen quickly is that consumers are feeling threatened with all of the cyber-attacks that have been done to several of the leading retail chains with the older technology magstripe cards.

What this could mean. The new chip embedded readers will also be able to accept mobile contactless cell phone pin-enabled payments through the use of an app. This is called Near Field Communication or NFC. This technology will need to be incorporated by all of our industry bill changers and debit card kiosks, POS stations and ATMs. Hopefully our suppliers are already working on this. Also, we must make sure that all of our magstripe readers are upgraded to the new chip embedded technology before October 2015 or we would individually be liable for fraud losses. So far I do not have enough information to know if or how our magstripe debit card readers for a closed system would be affected. Perhaps that situation would arise if credit card and cell phone payments are made directly to each of our games independently.

Another situation to be aware of is a new technology that is being introduced by our credit card companies without us even realizing it. Credit and debit cards are currently being issued that contain embedded wi-fi chips so the cards can be used for contactless transactions. These cards show a wi-fi icon and use old RFID technology. It has been reported that ‘electronic pickpocketing’ can easily occur by someone placing a scanner near your card even when it is in your wallet or purse. There are currently more than 1 Billion of these wi-fi cards in circulation, with the remaining 2/3rds not yet having this technology added. The only solution I have seen is to put a protective sleeve around your card to reduce the risk of having your card information hacked. But what happens when we hand our card to a waiter or to have it swiped by someone?  

Combine Multiple Credit Cards into a One Card Package.

A new electronic device called ‘Coin’ (onlycoin.com) will be on the market this summer that can store up to 8 credit/debit, bank, and loyalty cards so you only need to carry 1 Coin card.  A simple mobile card reader plugs into the headphone jack of your smart phone that permits an unlimited number of magstripe cards to be synced. A button on Coin allows for your selection of a specific card and then locks that card in until Coin is swiped for payment.

One of the features we were impressed with is that Coin alerts your cell phone when it is more than 25 feet away from it, so if you forget to take Coin with you or it is stolen, you know immediately and can disable it.

This new technology does not yet work with smart cards that have embedded chips but soon will. It is an electronic device and does not yet have a replaceable or rechargeable battery chip so the Coin card will eventually need to be replaced.

What this could mean. The concept is still in the early stages, but it gives us a good sense of where payment technology is heading. First to contactless readers, then to smart cards, and then to needing to carry around just one card or one wearable item. The other option will be to be able to pay for everything with your smart phone (when it still has a charge, when it is permitted, and if you choose to carry it in certain situations). As far as our industry goes, it should be obvious that our society we will soon be cashless (people do not carry much cash around even now and the taxing authorities do not like the concept of cash) and we should not become lazy and think that people will continue to take the additional steps to go to bill changers and kiosks to get coins or debit cards to play our games and attractions. It is also reasonable to assume that in the near future, people will not want to carry loyalty cards or our individual location debit cards unless they can be included in an electronic package similar to Coin. Our best option seems to be to pay close attention to the vending industry so that our industry does not lag too far behind. There is no reason why we should be caught by surprise and crash because we did not adapt to new payment technologies. Never forget the fact that we are an impulse industry and therefore must make it very convenient for our customers to get the game started.

More New Products & New Technology

Interactive Waterslides (as reported in The Stringer Report)- WhiteWater West showed a new technology concept at IAAPA called ‘Slideboarding’ – where the inside circular walls of the water park’s enclosed waterslide is fitted with LED lighting that is used to relay visuals for a game experience interacted by the rider’s unique mat combining a waterproof game controller. The first of its kind, this is opening up a brand new genre for waterparks and interactive game play. The riders use their mat controllers, interacting with the video wall display combined within the waterslide tube. The player on these modified ‘racer mats’ uses the controls to hit the corresponding button to the colored lighted areas that they are speeding through within the waterslide. The analogy used to explain the game is like playing ‘Guitar Heroes’ while riding it!

No stranger to adding an interactive play element to the water park market, WhiteWater West however has gone to a new level of interactivity and immersion to create the ‘Slideboarding’ experience, turning the water slide tube into a video wall and a canvas for game experiences. The proposal is to utilize the game into parts of the whole waterslide attraction to begin with. The repeat visitation of a reprogrammable water slide is an element in driving this initiative by the company – with riders increasing scores, which will be recorded on the company’s RFID wristbands. The company is hoping to marry this with a home game element (so players can build their scores away from the attraction).

What this could mean. This concept can be implemented on many FEC attractions, adding to their interactivity during the experience and being able to expand levels away from the actual attraction. TRR wrote about how the laser tag industry is investing in this concept with great success. The next step is to incorporate cell phone interactivity into attractions, and of course, waterproof cell phones for waterpark applications. This concept is one that should provide FECs with additional ways to attract out-of-home entertainment experiences.

What about ‘Wearable’ Payments? We have all heard that cash will soon be replaced, but is it possible that chip embedded wearable items such as watches, wristbands, or even rings could become the most popular form of payment? This is not so farfetched when one considers that contactless payments are growing at a rapid rate and fishing out and flashing a credit card or cell phone may then seem like a wasted motion when a wearable item would accomplish the same thing.

What this could mean. It is unlikely that wearable payments will take the place of smart cards and smart phones, but there will be a place for them. Many entertainment venues are using smart-wristbands as a payment option, especially in waterparks and other venues where the public would not easily be able to carry cash or plastic or cell phones.  Wearable technology gives us the opportunity to create our own brand of payment just like a debit card system but with other wearable objects or unique product designs, rather than having only one payment option of debit cards. Children may also quickly adapt to bringing a branded wearable item to an FEC rather than a branded debit card.

Here’s the Ticket

Class Action Lawsuits

On the legal front, the storm clouds are still swirling as the attacks keep coming. Lawsuits were filed against Chuck E Cheese (has been settled), Denney’s, Boomers FEC and other chains alleging illegal gaming violations. The latest salvo are 2 class action lawsuits against SEGA. This is the first I can recollect seeing a class action complaint against our industry. It might make more sense to see a class action suit against owners of ‘wishing wells’ brought by all those who have tossed in coins and their wishes did not come true.

Class Action Lawsuits. As first reported in Replay, a law firm has filed two class action lawsuits in New York and California against SEGA for alleged state law violations over the merchandise dispensing game ‘Key Master.’ Both complaints state that the game “is set to only distribute a prize after a certain amount of money has been put into the machine, regardless of whether the player is successful at the object of, and therefore ‘wins,’ the game according to the pictorial instructions on the machines.”

Lawyers are always looking to score large paydays and a class action suit is uncommon in our industry mainly because we are such a small industry. However, in this situation, the plaintiffs have chosen a popular game made by a large company and filed in the two highest population states. Their success hinges on being able to sign up large numbers of people who have played the game and can substantiate how much they spent, how many times they played, how many times they did not succeed and how many times they won the prize. SEGA Amusements President, Paul Williams, stated that “SEGA cannot comment on specifics of on-going litigation, but we are ‘confident that the lawsuit is without merit and we will defend it vigorously.”

Both complaints also contend that the game is set to only dispense a prize after a certain amount of money has been put into the game. The suit claims that the game violates a New York deceptive practices law and the common law ‘prohibition against unjust enrichment.’ Under California law, the suit claims the game violates both the Consumers Legal Remedies Act and the Unfair Competition Law.

What this could mean. Several legal arguments for dismissal come to mind. There are thousands of examples where a person’s skill in succeeding in the object of a game or contest are more or less difficult than the preceding player or the previous attempt. Both internal and external factors can have influences on performance. There are many instances where a skilled player has won with a very high frequency. TRR believes that these lawsuits against SEGA will not prevail but even so, the publicity does not help.

RePlay summarized it best. “Both plaintiffs will have to convince a court to create a class of fellow plaintiffs in order for the class action cases to go forward. Plaintiffs pursue class action lawsuits in cases where the alleged damages are similar enough to be tried together and not enough individually to make a stand-alone lawsuit economically feasible.”

Here’s the Ticket

AMOA Council of Affiliated States Is Most Important Meeting for Both Amusement Game and FEC Industries

Thirty states were represented at the 2014 AMOA State Council Meeting in Tampa, FL Feb 6-8. This is my favorite yearly meeting where AMOA affiliated state associations discuss issues that affect our industry and how they have or currently need to deal with them. These issues include how to fight against sales taxes on prizes, gross amusement receipt taxes, personal property taxes, city, county, & state game licenses, prize/play limits, amusement game and gambling language differences, industry codes (workman’s comp), and many more that negatively affect small businesses. Almost all of these issues are the same that FECs face. Grass roots lobbying efforts are the best way to protect our industry against abusive laws.  AMOA has been doing this for 60 years and there are many success stories that are helping 3 new state associations (CEMA- California Entertainment Machine Assoc., AMOA of Florida, and Maryland AMOA) have a solid voice in how amusement game laws need to be amended.

Manufacturers also attend and present new technology ideas for moving our industry forward. There was also a presentation, AMOA Legislative Update from Washington by Michael Zolandz of Denton’s, that covered newly passed and potential federal laws including Internet gaming, the updating and possible reclassification of amusement games from the 1960-80’s to better reflect new technologies, and new regulations for credit/debit cards. 

Our industry has had better success at the state level then on a federal, county, or city level. Those states where they have personal relationships with their legislative representatives provide them with the opportunity to let them know how our industry is affected by proposed legislation. In many instances the legislators are unaware of issues that negatively affect our industry. This is happening in states that have casinos and where the legislators are intent on shutting down sweepstakes games and in some cases unregulated adult gaming.

Florida’s laws need to be amended because just about every game is illegal because of its 75 cent prize limit law and gambling machine definition. The new AMOA Florida has joined a coalition of other groups and is doing a great job of educating legislators. The Florida Lottery Commission has proposed changes to increase prize value limitations (currently 75 cents) to $5.25 or 15 times the price per play for traditional ticket-style redemption and a prize limit of $50 wholesale for machines that vend prizes directly. This proposed law also requires that an amusement game “enable a person to play a game in which by application of skill (that person) may receive merchandise or points or coupons that may be exchanged on site for merchandise.” Other amendments include reducing the 50 game requirement for redemption status and that games can be activated by other payment methods than only by coins.

It may take some time because behind the scenes there is a strong lobby to legalize casino gambling in 2 southern counties and this will require a complete rewrite of the current gaming laws. The new association is confident that the above changes will soon be amended.

In California, CEMA is fighting a proposed $10 prize limit and the same is happening in Maryland. The sad fact is that law enforcement likes prize limits so they have a quick and easy way of policing violations. I am hoping that one of the State associations will come up with proposed language that can be used to legally define the difference between an amusement game and a gambling device that will be acceptable to many of the states. What we all learned was that one state can learn from another on how to be successful in protecting our industry and use the actual language that was passed in that state.

Perhaps over the next few years, all 50 states will be represented and FECs across the nation will join together in grass roots state and federal lobby efforts.