Betson will hold its 11th Northwest Amusement Showcase on Oct. 1 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Portland – Columbia Riverfront in Oregon. There, participants can get a first-hand look at some of the industry’s latest and greatest arcade equipment. The event is free for industry friends and family with lunch and dinner provided. Click here to RSVP. Learn more here: www.betson.com/portland-office-to-host-annual-showcase.
Author: Matt Harding
A new arcade bar called Double Tap Beercade recently opened in Iowa City, according to The Gazette. The Iowa business now has two locations, adding to the previous Cedar Falls establishment (Des Moines is coming soon). Located in the basement between The Roxxy and The Stuffed Olive, Double Tap (also known as Tap Tap) officially opened June 22. They have dozens of new and classic arcade games, pizza, beer, cocktails and other specialty food and drink. All three businesses are owned by the Paramount Bar Company. Learn more at www.paramountbarco.com.
Sir Goony’s Fun Zone is the newest addition to Semnox’s growing list of clients, the company recently reported. Semnox has installed a POS system, a swipe card system and a self-service kiosk at the Chattanooga, Tenn., fun center. “We could not be happier to have Dutch Magrath and his Sir Goony’s FEC as part of our ever-growing Semnox family,” said Brian Duke, senior sales partner for the Americas. “Before we invested in Semnox’s Parafait system, our self-service kiosk only allowed cash to be put on cards for arcade game use,” said Magrath, president of Sir Goony’s. “We have many attractions,…
Upgrade kits for Stern Pinball’s Insider Connected platform are now available online at the company’s web shop. Go to www.shop.sternpinball.com for more info. The Insider Connected upgrade kits are available for pro and premium games – both at a cost of $199.99. (The premium upgrade kit also allows you to upgrade limited-edition units.) The kit includes an instruction manual, QR reader, stickers, cables a USB dongle and more. Insider Connected allows players to “enhance and extend your engagement with Stern home games or in commercial environments.” Learn more at www.sternpinball.com.
Bowling operators from around the country (and world) gathered in Las Vegas this week for Bowl Expo as BPAA celebrated its 90th anniversary. Not to mention every type of bowling equipment imaginable, the show also had quite the selection of new coin-op product, such as Raw Thrills’ Fast and Furious racing game and Sega’s Allstars Basketball. BPAA’s executive director Frank DeSocio said the show “exceeded expectations by a lot.” Last year’s show, he explained, was tough with Covid still being a factor. In general, he added, the bowling industry is “off the charts” right now. That was evidenced in Vegas…
Creative Works will host their popular entertainment industry education program Amusement 360 from Aug. 16-18 in Indianapolis. For the third time, the event will be hosted as a hybrid event, with both in-person and online registration options now available. The event also met in March with a record number of attendees. “We were inspired by all the entrepreneurs and business owners who came together at our last event,” said Danny Gruening, the VP of marketing at Creative Works. “The upcoming event in August will build on this momentum and provide a platform for startups and operators to learn practical business insights…
The AMOA Coin-Op Cares Foundation recently presented a $10,000 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Many families in our industry have been recipients of support from Ronald McDonald House Charities,” said Foundation chair and AMOA president Tim Zahn. “It’s great to be able to support a cause that provides a home away from home offering comfort, support and resources to families who travel far from home for the medical care their child needs.” “Tim is no stranger to Ronald McDonald House Charities in Minneapolis,” added Lori Schneider, AMOA’s executive vice president. “Early in his career,…
On June 17, BumbleBear Games released a new Killer Queen beta version 17.17. The company reported it was a “release candidate beta,” which means unless there is major feedback, this will be the next release build for everyone to play. To turn on the new beta, operators should press the “Service” button behind the Blue Coin Mech; navigate to “Boot Into Beta” and press the queen jump button; and then the game will restart and you can toggle through the maps to see the new Twilight maps to confirm you’re on the correct beta. (You can also press the “Service”…
SPREE Interactive’s battery-powered VR bumper cars won “Best in Location-Based Entertainment” at the Augmented World Expo’s Auggie Awards 2022 at the recent trade show. “SPREE Interactive’s popularity in the public vote and recognition of Battery Powered VR Bumper Cars by the AWE committee, in a highly competitive group, is a testament to the universal popularity of the attraction,” the company said. Learn more at www.jointhespree.com.
Registration is now open for the 2022 AAMA Annual Meeting & Gala, to be held for members from Sept. 19-23 in Lombard, Illinois. Click here to register. Attendees can book a room at the Westin Chicago Lombard with the AAMA group rate through Aug. 29 (click here for that). The event will have networking opportunities as well as chances to preview new products and learn. Scheduled to speak so far are Doreen Burse (United Airlines), Joe Camarota (Alpha Omega Sales), Pete Gustafson (AAMA) and John Russell (Dentons). If you’re not an AAMA member, there’s still plenty of time to sign…