As usual, the team at Betson Enterprises will have a sizable showing at the upcoming Amusement Expo. They’ll be in booths #2044 and #2146. Among the Raw Thrills and Play Mechanix games featured will be Jackpot Racer, Godzilla Kaiju Wars Deluxe, Top Gun: Maverick, Angry Birds Boom!, Minecraft Dungeons Arcade, Buck Hunter: Reloaded and Marvel Contest of Champions. They’ll also feature games from other manufacturers, including Benchmark Games’ Wonka Claw, which is sold exclusively through Betson. As is the new Cotton Candy Machine from LAI Games. Learn more in the meantime at www.betson.com.
Author: Matt Harding
WGNS has reported that Lanes, Trains and Automobiles (LTA Depot) will close on April 4 after 15 years in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The bowling alley and arcade also offers attractions like axe throwing and laser tag. According to a statement from the business, the current landlord has sold the site to a new owner who intends to personally occupy the building. In the statement, the LTA Depot owners continued: “While this chapter is coming to an end, we are incredibly thankful for the relationships, memories and support we’ve experienced over the years.”
The bowling entertainment center Bowl 360 will soon have a location in Homosassa, Florida, according to Business Debut. The venue will feature 16 bowling lanes, an arcade, and a full-service restaurant and bar. Self-service kiosks for bowling check-in will also be available. Bowl 360 is opening in a former bowling alley location. Owner Danny Mohabir said, “One of the things I was most excited about was bringing life back to a bowling center that’s been closed for a long time. Bowling is very impactful for families and for generations, and we wanted to bring that back to Homosassa.” Learn more at www.bowl360.com.
As part of an expansion into the Middle East region, IAAPA and the Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attractions Council (MENALAC) will join forces to create IAAPA MENA. The partnership will officially launch and be celebrated during IAAPA Expo Middle East on July 1. “By establishing IAAPA MENA, we’re ensuring that members in this dynamic region receive even stronger dedicated representation and resources while remaining fully connected to our worldwide network,” said Jakob Wahl, IAAPA president and CEO. “MENALAC has been a passionate and effective advocate for the region’s attractions industry, and together we are combining the strengths of two…
Amusement Expo 2026 is March 18-19 in Las Vegas and LAI Games will be among the companies there. They’ll be in booth #1445 with their IAAPA Brass Ring Award winner Cyberpunk 2077: Turf Wars. The company will also feature their Ubisoft All-Star VR, Phantom Vanguard, Unite Kaiju Rampage, NASCAR Pit Stop, Galaxy Hunter and more. Contact them at [email protected] to learn more about their lineup.
The newest Elev8 Fun in Jensen Beach, Florida, recently added a 20,000-sq.-ft. pickleball complex to its venue. It’s operated by Diadem Sports, a pickleball operator with multiple locations in Florida. The groups also entered a multi-year and multi-term lease, “signifying the long-term plan and goals the two envision for the Jensen Beach location.” “We are beyond pleased with the addition of Diadem within our walls, as there are many synergies and overlap between our two customer bases,” said David Goldfarb, the managing partner of Elev8 Fun. “Combining our concepts of a healthy, growing sport together with safe, all-indoor fun was a no-brainer, and we look forward…
Intercard will be in Amusement Expo booth #1821 with their new hybrid Impulse Plus reader, which accepts more types of payments (including credit cards), makes more upsells and “can increase revenues by as much as 30%.” “Operators around the world have shown great interest in our hybrid Impulse readers that accept credit cards as well as game cards,” said Rob Geiger, North American sales manager for Intercard. “We are looking forward to showing the latest version, the Impulse Plus, to our global family of customers at Amusement Expo in Las Vegas. It allows arcade operators to enjoy the benefits of cashless technology…
A theatrical cocktail experience with immersive performances are scheduled to begin March 5 at the AREA15 entertainment venue in Las Vegas. Called “Oddyssey Manor,” the experience “invites guests to step beyond the velvet curtain and into a shadowy world where curiosity is rewarded and every choice determines how the night will unfold.” Oddyssey Noir will be a late-night experience with a similar nightlife vibe and theme, only with dancing and DJs. Get tickets and learn more about both at www.oddysseylv.com.
Gold Medal Products Co. has launched ReadyServe Jr., a compact, self-serve popcorn dispenser designed to help operators minimize labor and maximize convenience. The company says the heated cabinet features a built-in crisping system that holds up to 20 gallons of popped popcorn. Popcorn can be easily loaded, they say, through a top-access dome and kept warm and fresh until served. It has a simple push-button so customers can serve themselves quickly. Click here to learn more or visit www.gmpopcorn.com.
The Valley National 8-Ball League Association will celebrate their 46th Annual World Pool Championships at the Westgate Resort & Casino in Las Vegas from May 21-30. A president’s reception dinner will be held on May 28, and the awards banquet and entertainment will be on May 30. VNEA says there will be five new members inducted into their Hall of Fame, the World Team Competition, the issuing of Lifetime VNEA Sanctions, the presentation of their Meritorious Service Award, and much more. A full tentative schedule with more details is available at www.vnea.com.