The National Dart Association (NDA) celebrated the 40th anniversary of their Team Dart event from May 7-13 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. The milestone event marked four decades of competitive excellence, camaraderie and growth within the plastic tip darting community, the association said. “This year’s tournament was a tremendous success, with more than 3,000 players competing and representing over 130 separate operators from across the world,” said NDA’s executive director, Rachel Kamuda. “Participants showcased their skills across four leading manufactured dartboard systems, including BullShooter, Gealco Darts, Phoenixdarts, and the welcomed return of Löwen dart boards to the…
Author: Matt Harding
The 42nd Pinball Expo is set for Oct. 14-17 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center right near Chicago – the epicenter of the pinball industry. Attendees can expect very popular factory tours, special guests Paul Faris (Centaur, Xenon, Back to the Future, etc.) and Tony Ramunni (Black Knight, Spy Hunter, Elektra, etc.), the Homebrew Community of homemade pinballs (featuring 40-plus titles), the 1930s Pinball Tournament and so many more special events. Stern Pinball will be celebrating their 40th anniversary at the show, so the expo’s chairman Rob Berk said to look forward to many surprises in their booth. Visit www.pinballexpo.com/admission…
The F1 Arcade chain is bringing their racing action to Chicago’s River North neighborhood this summer, Timeout reports. The venue will have 70 full-motion racing simulators, which are designed in conjunction with Formula 1. The arcade will be inside the former Rock Bottom Brewery space at 1 W. Grand Ave. and is also set to offer the full-service “Octane Bar” and a food menu featuring Wagyu beef sliders and a seafood tower. In the U.S., F1 Arcade is also in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Denver, Las Vegas and Atlanta. Learn more at www.f1arcade.com.
Miller High Life is “bringing the dive bar home” with the JukeKeg, a beer-pouring jukebox made in collaboration with Crosley. The one-of-a-kind piece is listed on eBay (the auction is set to end at 8 a.m. Eastern time today, June 8). The fun juke is valued at more than $30,000 and features Bluetooth, CD player and radio functionality – and, of course, a fully functioning beer keg. “Dive bars have always had an authentic way of making people feel connected,” said Chris Steele, the senior director of Value Brands. “The JukeKeg is our way of bringing that feeling to life…
Eugene Jarvis of Raw Thrills and Play Mechanix is being celebrated this year with AAMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The association’s charitable arm, AAMCF, is now taking donations for their annual ad journal, which will honor Jarvis. Their goal this year is to raise $330,000. Funds raised benefit the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, KEEN USA (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) and the Sunrise Association. The deadline for the congratulatory ads is July 10. Click here to learn more and support the ad journal. Any questions can be directed to [email protected] or call the AAMA office at 847-290-9088.
The first AMOA Regional Tech School of the year is scheduled for July 21-22 at the Hilton Garden Inn – Chicago O’Hare Airport. (Click here for the hotel reservation form and be sure to complete and return to [email protected] no later than June 17.) Day 1’s agenda will have a jukebox and darts session with TouchTunes/Arachnid, a networking lunch, a pool table session with Bob Burnham of Paradise Pinball, a jukebox session with AMI Entertainment and a networking reception and dinner. Day 2 will feature a crane session with Tommy Hendley of B & H Vending & Amusement, a pinball…
Sega Amusements’ Mini Cube Prize World is not just a merchandiser but a scalable attraction at flagship destinations like Urban Fun Kingston, Funbox Entertainment’s £4 million, 24,000-sq.-ft. venue. “We’re showcasing how the best of arcade amusements and cutting-edge interactive play can sit side by side, encouraging people to play longer, return more often and enjoy a complete entertainment experience,” said Matthew Deith, the managing director at Funbox Entertainment. Sega says that Mini Cube Prize World’s Premium Combo – 10-20 modular cubes configured as a wall, island or centerpiece layout – “becomes an instant focal point the moment a guest walks…
The new Pinstack in Loudoun County, Virginia, their first outside of Texas, had Sacoa Cashless System put in nine K4 self-service kiosks, a Redemption Station and more than 250 Spark card readers. Sacoa noted that the facility features Brunswick bowling lanes, laser tag, bumper cars, a ropes course with zipline, a six-route climbing wall and an arcade with the latest games and an expansive redemption store. “We are extremely grateful to Sacoa for once again being an incredible partner throughout the entire process,” said Brian Cohen, the vice president of operations at EPG Inc. “We have worked together since the…
You can submit Hall of Fame nominations to IAAPA now through June 22. Since 1990, the association has recognized “extraordinary individuals whose creativity, leadership and contributions have left a lasting mark on our industry.” If you know someone whose story deserves to be celebrated at this year’s IAAPA Expo awards ceremony, click here to make the nomination. The IAAPA Brass Ring Awards are also now open, although prospective entrants have time to make their case. The submission deadline isn’t until Oct. 16.
Following their 2026 selection of Star Lanes Polaris (pictured below at the 2026 Amusement Expo), AAMA is now accepting applications for their next FEC of the Year. Other past winners include Alley Cats Burleson, Elev8 Adventure Park, Rev’d up Fun, Wild Island Coconut Bowl, Xtreme Action Park and Pinstack Las Colinas. “The top finalists selected during the judging process will each receive a professional secret shopper evaluation report as part of the competition experience,” the association explained. “These detailed reports provide meaningful feedback on the guest experience, operations, service standards and overall facility performance – offering valuable takeaways that can…