The Amusement Network

08/01/2025

This week, we are back to Brazil for SALEX 1999 in our browse through Norman's archives...
📸 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/gallery/73/salex-brazil-1999

08/01/2025

MH Leisure Ltd is set to debut its first licensed children's ride, featuring the popular character Bluey, at EAG International 2025 in London. 🎠

The ride, modelled after the show's family 4x4 vehicle, includes familiar characters, music, and voices. Hand-built in the UK, it showcases high-quality British engineering.

Additionally, MH Leisure will present the Police Tempest, a two-seat police-themed supercar ride equipped with emergency lights and LED displays.

Read our full interview with Gareth Jones, General Manager, with a sneak preview of what visitors can expect to see from MH Leisure at January’s EAG 👇

Gareth Jones, General Manager at MH leisure Ltd has participated in EAG since its launch. He exhibited every year as a coin-operated ride manufacturer with Northern Leisure/Kiddy Rides where he worked for a total of 26-years until its closure as a result o

08/01/2025

Excited for EAG International 2025 next week! It's always a highlight for connecting with industry peers and showcasing the best in out-of-home .

This year promises to be exceptional, with 96 exhibitors from 14 countries, plus two new co-located events: the London Casino & Gaming Show and the Social Immersive Entertainment Expo.

On a bittersweet note, it's unfortunate that Instance Automatics Ltd won't be attending due to a surprise announcement. Their presence will be missed, and I hope any issues are resolved for future events.

Read more 👇

Ian Eason, Managing Director of Instance Automatics has announced that he is pulling out of next week's EAG show.

20/12/2024

The last Norman archive gallery for 2024... It's 1997 and Norman is capturing the action at the SALEX show in Brazil.

📸 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/gallery/72/salex-brazil-1997

20/12/2024

Merry Christmas from the Amusement Network Team! 🎄

Soon you will be swapping the stress of work for the stress of time at home with the extended family!

I often get lovely messages from saying how much you enjoy reading the newsletter, catching up with the gossip from Joyce and seeing the old photos that we publish from Norman Leftly's archive. Ruth Leftly wrote to me last week and is so pleased that Norman's photos are still being enjoyed each week and I think he would have liked that too.

This truly is a unique and wonderful industry to work in and I look forward to seeing many of you at the EAG in January. 🎁

www.amusementnetwork.co.uk

13/12/2024

For this week's throwback, it's 1998 and Norman is in Atlanta for the AMOA show, y'all!
📸 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/gallery/71/amoa-1998

13/12/2024

Reflex Gaming will be celebrating its 20th appearance at January’s EAG Expo, an event which it has supported every year since the leading independent machine manufacturer was launched...

🚀 The role of EAG in the sales cycle is evident in the number of new products that Reflex will be launching to the industry when the doors open at Excel London on 14th January.

🕹️ “We are really excited to be showcasing our latest machines, menus and new games to our customers at EAG,” stated Managing Director Quentin Stott.

“Our Cat C and B4 Community suite will feature the latest game launch - Gold Knight Community whilst customers will also be able to experience the 8 Balls Of fire Community game prior to its official launch."

Read more 👇

Reflex Gaming will be celebrating its 20th appearance at January’s EAG Expo, an event which it has supported every year since the leading independent gaming machine manufacturer was launched.

13/12/2024

That's Entertainment! Millions Being Spent on UK & leisure with Chuck E. Cheese being the latest US brand to announce its expansion into the UK.

🎂 The FEC diner with it's 'birthday' focus is targeting areas of the UK with large populations of Under 12s and the capacity to take the huge footprint that the model requires.

🍔 There is undoubtedly a new kind of -entertainment-dining-leisure mix growing up in the UK and a new breed of leisure brands – although Butlins Bognor Regis proves that even old dogs learn new tricks.

Read more 👇

A major name in family entertainment, Chuck E. Cheese, is set to make its debut in the UK, bringing its renowned blend of pizza, arcade games, and live entertainment to British shores.

05/12/2024

It's 1999 and what happened in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas because Norman took a pretty comprehensive record of the ASI show – including one photo dedicated to the most famous industry ponytail!

📸 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/gallery/70/asi-vegas-1999

05/12/2024

Boomerang Digital to have stand-out presence at EAG Bingo Hub...

Boomerang Digital, which was officially launched to the industry at the 2024 edition of the UK’s leading expo for the out-of-home entertainment sector is backing 2025 in some style – taking the biggest stand presence within the Bingo Hub, which itself occupies a high profile presence on the EAG show floor.

"It provides a focus for our commitment to a sector which we are immersed in and which we have been serving for more than three decades," says Andrew Ludlow, Group Chief Executive at Boomerang Digital.

Read more 👇

‘The most important opportunity of the year to connect with bingo operators and to showcase the ground-breaking technology that underpins the bingo customer experience’ is how Andrew Ludlow, Group Chief Executive at Boomerang Digital is describing the

05/12/2024

Gross yield and machine numbers see positive growth in latest report by the Gambling Commission...

The report, compiled from data submitted by licence holders, sheds light on Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) by sector, alongside the number of licensed operators and premises.

📈 For land-based /AGCs during the period of April 2023 - March 2024, the total GGY reached £663.91 million, reflecting a 10% increase compared to the previous year.

🎰 The number of machines in operation also showed a 6% growth, rising to 86,189—a significant rebound from earlier declines in machine numbers.

Read more 👇

The latest Gambling Industry Statistics released by the Gambling Commission provide an insightful overview of the gambling industry's size and shape in Great Britain, highlighting positive growth trends across key sectors. The report, compiled from data su

29/11/2024

In Joyce's November column, she catches up with her friends in the industry and looks back on the recent show...

📖 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/n/n330/joyce-s-column-november

29/11/2024

Slap! Bang! Wallop! Another blow was delivered to the industry on Wednesday by the with the shock announcement of the Statutory Levy and Online Slot Stake Limit...

💷 The statutory levy, a long-debated reform, will require operators to contribute to a central fund designed to tackle gambling-related harm. The funds will be directed toward research, education, and treatment programs, marking a significant step in addressing the social impact of gambling.

％ The statutory levy will hit our sector at 0.4 per cent. This is of course four times as much as was originally mooted in the White Paper... If it is an indication of what is to come, then the light at the end of the tunnel may well turn out to be an oncoming train.

Read more 👇

The UK Government has announced new measures aimed at reducing gambling harm, including the introduction of a statutory levy and stake limits for online slots. These initiatives form part of a broader effort to protect vulnerable individuals while ensuring

29/11/2024

There was plenty to talk about at yesterday's Bacta Convention...

It was incredibly well organised – one of the best I have attended, albeit online due to unforeseen circumstances. The length of talks and variety of speakers and panel sessions was excellent.

Unfortunately, there were no party bags to leave with, no slices of cake to enjoy later. Instead, we had a variety of stating that they were very sorry for the predicament our industry finds itself in and they wish it were different, but it is beyond their control. Something of a party pooper.

There were some excellent one-liners however. A personal favourite was Chris Jones saying, "The Party has not so much hit the ground running, as just hit the ground." Rueful laughter all round.

Someone else said we are suffering 'death by a thousand cuts' and this sums it up – increases in NIC, minimum wage rises, loss of rates relief, the new levy, increases in energy prices and possibly interest rate rises in future to stymie investment. Welcome to the 'Growth Agenda'.

Finally, I would like to thank Bacta for inviting me to the Parliamentary Reception last night. It is always such a privilege to attend a gathering in the Houses of Parliament.

amusementnetwork.co.uk

21/11/2024

This week's Norman gallery is in Blackpool in the Year 2000 at the Hall of Fame Dinner... Some of the familar faces include Derek Horwood, Paul Terroni and even Jim Crompton.

📸 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/gallery/16/blackpool-2000-hall-of-fame-dinner

21/11/2024

TouchTunes UK revolutionises jukebox revenues with app innovation... 🎶

Offering a seamless way to choose and pay for , the app has rapidly become a game-changer for venues and music lovers alike.

🎷 According to Toby Hoyte, Commercial Director of TouchTunes UK, app-based payments have already surpassed card transactions in revenue for some pubs — a testament to the global growing preference for mobile-first experiences.

🎸 Recent industry research underscores the value of mobile commerce, with app users demonstrating higher engagement and spending compared to traditional payment methods.

Read more 👇

TouchTunes UK is redefining the jukebox experience in pubs across the nation through a significant investment in its innovative customer app. Offering a seamless way to choose and pay for music, the app has rapidly become a game-changer for venues and musi

21/11/2024

It's the end of November and thoughts turn to the annual Bacta Convention which will see me take my annual trip to Westminster this time next week for a morning of political thinking and a certain amount of posturing... 💂

This year will be particularly interesting as the tables are turned for the first time in 9 years and we see the in opposition. It's a great line-up of speakers and topics and a crucial time for us to take stock of the upcoming .

Speaking of timing, yesterday marked exactly 50 years of Bacta's formation. On the 20th November, in 1974 Bacta was formed by the amalgamation of the four big industry trade associations, following a series of meetings at the Bonnington Hotel in London.

"Since then, Bacta has survived global recession, war, near constant regulatory change and 12 Prime Ministers. Through it all, our association has stood firm in our commitment to our members and industry," says current President John Bollom.

amusementnetwork.co.uk

15/11/2024

It's 1997 and Norman is in Singapore. This poor chap has a right old shiner... must have been a good night out!

📸 https://www.amusementnetwork.co.uk/gallery/68/singapore-1997