According to reports in the Tri-County Times and the NACS Daily news, Michigan House Bill 4377 has been approved by the house and senate. The legislation approved a smoking ban for all workplaces, bars, and restaurants, to take effect in May 1, 2010, if Gov. Jennifer Granholm signs the bill, which is expected.

The Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) opposed the bill, due to concerns over the detrimental impact on businesses. The MLBA's Executive Director, Lance Binoniemi, was quoted by NACS Daily News: "It's our elected officials' responsibility in this economic climate to pass legislation that helps all Michigan businesses, not just a few select business groups." When the ban goes into effect, Michigan will become the 38th state to restrict smoking in public places. 

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Eugene Jarvis of Raw Trills is honored to be named "Man of the Year" by the New York Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA-NY). Jarvis said, "Being honored by the AMOA-NY is especially meaningful to me. Although my games and companies have received numerous awards over the years, this is the first time I have been personally recognized by the arcade game industry. There is no better judge of value in our industry than the game operators. Hopefully, no one will ask me for a refund! It is a great honor, and after 33 years in the business, I am ready to party!"

AMOA-NY President Ken Goldberg commented, "Through his designs and leadership, Eugene has helped the coin-op industry grow and reach new levels of success. We owe a lot of gratitude to him and his achievements. His games have allowed the operating community to flourish."

Stinger REPORT Skinny!

(25/11/09) In the second part of this three-part feature The Stinger Report covers the European exhibition scene, including the EAS, Kiosk show, Museum Association and VAC events. Included in this coverage are revelations of the new use of gesture-recognition technology in the public-space interactive digital entertainment scene. This latest feature also looks into the trends that shaped the whole of the leisure entertainment trade events.

Recordings and synchronized Powerpoint slides of most of the 2009 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo seminar programs are now available for purchase and download through IAAPA's new Live Learning Center. For more information, visit (www.iaapa.org).

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FEATURED SPONSOR

Hypoluxo, FL--2009 was a real winner for Benchmark Games as it created and developed successful new products, game machine add-ons and expanding worldwide sales in tradeshows.

New products for the year included Red Hot Single, Pop-It X-Treme 8.5', Wheel Deal X-Treme and PokerKard along with other favorites such as Slam-a-Winner X-Treme, Red Hot Fire & Ice, and Tickets-to-Prizes.  Game machine add-ons released were the Receipt Printer for Ticket-to-Prizes, the Ticket Emulator and the Card Dispenser.

Pop-It X-Treme 8.5' has been a huge success with its 42 inch HUGE balloon and giving players a big BANG when the balloon X-plodes.  This product features L.E.D. lights (no bulb changes), Intelli-Triple ticket dispensers (holds 36,000 standard tickets) and holds 36 balloons when fully loaded.

The Wheel Deal X-Treme, introduced in late summer, is a major centerpiece for amusement facilities.  The game features fast coin play where up to four players test their skills sending glowing play-pucks twisting and turning along a brightly lit pathway into the spinning wheel, attempting to land in the colorful ticket-value-marked win zones.  Intelli-Triple ticket dispensers are at all four stations, each holding 18,000 tickets in an easy-service pullout drawer and a huge 66-inch square centerpiece cabinet with mind-bending lights and sound.