Sports & Social DraftKings, coming this fall to Metro Detroit, will be the first location that joins those companies together. According to The Detroit News, the venue will have a full bar and restaurant, sports viewing and “wagering experience.” Guests can use the DraftKings app to play fantasy sports and place their bets from mobile devices on a variety of sports while watching live. The 10,400-sq.-ft. venue will have a dog-friendly patio, live music and bar games like foosball, Skee-Ball and some arcade games.
Author: Matt Harding
Pinball Expo is all set for Oct. 19-22 in Schaumburg, Ill., and the organizers recently announced that Magic Girl is back. “After seven years in the making, the elusive Magic Girl pinball game is finally complete!” they said. “The storied history of this machine can be traced back to 2015 when its first designs were being formulated. Through a troubled development cycle only 19 machines were ever built, but none of them were truly complete and had many missing components. “But, through the hard work of American Pinball and an intrepid team of builders in the Netherlands, Magic Girl has…
A massive indoor go-kart track dubbed “the world’s largest” will open at Supercharged Entertainment. According to Philly Voice, the business has an existing complex in Wrentham, Mass., and is putting the finishing touches on their New Jersey location now. The new venue will additionally have a 140-game arcade, axe throwing, a Drop & Twist tower, bumper cars and much more. The multi-level track has 10 elevation changes; the track’s surface was completed this month and is 28% larger than their other one. Learn more at www.superchargedracing.com.
IAAPA Expo Europe is right around the corner, set for Sept. 12-15 at the ExCeL London. A number of companies in our coin-op sector of the industry will be there. Team Play said it will bring their redemption game Carnival Wheel to showcase. TouchMagix plans to bring their top-selling Mega Blaster, SpaceWarp 66 and other games now in stock. Among the other many exhibitors are: Apple Industries, Bandai Namco, Creative Works, Digital Centre, Embed, Frontgrid, Hologate, Intercard, LAI Games, Magnetic Cash, QubicaAMF, Sacoa, Sega and Triotech. A full list of exhibitors is available here at www.iaapa.org.
Dodgeball from ICE will ship from the New York-based manufacturer this fall. According to the company, the “ultimate arena” will come in deluxe and standard models and is an interactive ball toss game using the nuances of the dodgeball theme. The eye-catching cabinet will feature an arena jumbotron so players can compare their high scores with others in competitive play mode; moving blue and red target holes that allow for point multipliers to increase ticket winnings; real dodgeballs; LED RGB lighting; and a single training competition mode. The deluxe edition measures 141” x 123” x 132” and the standard edition…
The Michigan Coin Machine Operators Assn. had a good turnout for their annual meeting on Aug. 9, reports Tim Acord, amusement and gaming manager for the hosting Bavarian Inn Lodge. AMOA President Tim Zahn was on hand to give an update on the national organization’s end. The main topic was Michigan’s SB1065, redemption law legislation that was recently voted out of committee to the Senate floor. “This bill is for nudge-style and video slot machines with an element of skill being clearly defined in redemption law so there are no gray areas,” Acord explained. “Certain Michigan agencies were saying that…
Joe LaSpina, vice president of Maple Family Centers, was recently elected president of the New York State Bowling Proprietors of America, nearly 40 years after his father John held the position. “I am proud that Joe and I are the first father-son pair to serve as NYSBPA presidents, but I am especially proud of how capable Joe is, and I know NYSBPA will be in great hands,” said John LaSpina, president of Maple Family Centers. “As bowling center proprietors, it is important that we share our knowledge and time to help advance the sport that has given us so much.”…
On VR expert Bob Cooney’s latest episode of “The Being Virtual Show,” he spoke with a fellow industry expert, George Smith of FEG, who he says is the “earliest adopter of VR.” Click here to watch the conversation. The duo spoke about all aspects of operating VR games in family entertainment centers and arcades, as well as Smith’s history in the industry. Visit www.bobcooney.com for additional episodes of The Being Virtual Show” and other Cooney content.
EndGame Mini Golf recently opened its doors at the Cedar Mall in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Owned by Jennifer and Justin Fonfara, it’s a blacklight 18-hole indoor course in a space that was previously occupied by Hallmark. According to The Chronotype, the owners also operate nearby Tactical Escape 101, an escape room business. “We know that the community needs entertainment,” Jennifer Fonfara said. “We don’t have to drive to another city to have fun – we just have to provide it.” Artist Anita Sykes led the course design process. The course’s theme is games – video games, board games, TV games…
The 15th annual Big Buck World Championship is coming to Rosemont, Ill., from Oct. 14-15. It will be hosted at Joe’s Live, a music venue and events center right by Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. In addition to crowning a world champion, there will be a Young Buck Hunters Tournament for kids ages 13-17. Organizers will also host an open pinball competition. Click here to see the event trailer or learn more at www.bigbuckhunter.com/world.