U.S.A. — Seventy-six percent of Americans prefer $1 bills to $1 coins, according to a new Harris Poll survey. Harris said the public continues to show "a strong reluctance... to use $1 coins," and noted that only 25% of those surveyed said they had ever seen the coinage. The study did not address possible correlations between exposure and acceptance.

In related news, Massachusetts state representative Denis Guyer (D-Dalton) recently proposed legislation to limit use of $1 coins with vending machines run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Guyer described the new money as "the most unpopular and inconvenient form of currency ever devised," and wants venders to dispense banknotes when giving more than $5 in change (they currently pay back $1 coins). Critics of the bill point out that the supplier of paper used by the U.S. Mint for its bills happens to be based in Guyer's home town, and believe that this has influenced his position

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CANTON, MA — Betson Enterprises hosted the grand opening of its newest branch, Betson New England, on March 16. The facility is located at 560 Turnpike Street here, about 20 miles south of Boston. Operators were welcomed for a day of entertainment, prizes, food and sales specials, and also saw the U.S. debut of many new amusement and vending machines. Betson displayed its full line of licensed billiard products, which employ MLB, NFL and NBA logos. Joe Beston is general manager of the new branch.

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NEW YORK CITY — The Ecast BarPulse survey for March demonstrated a diverse array of music tastes with the month's most-played songs. The chart, which tracks the most popular new music added to the network each month, included early singles from soon-to-be-released albums by Madonna and Disturbed. Also on the list was Flo Rida's "Low," which has seen consistently strong play since its addition to Ecast's network in December as a single, and now continues to drive play for the recently released full album, "Mail on Sunday." Music categories ranging from pop to country and R&B were represented on the chart, officials said.

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ROSEMONT, IL — Incredible Technologies reports that it will host its seventh annual Operator Summit at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare here. Events commence on May 29, with a welcoming reception set for 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM; a daylong seminar program follows on May 30. Sessions will feature IT executives and operators from around the country as speakers, and are designed to help operators maximize the earning potential of IT's products and services. Breakout sessions will encourage feedback and suggestions relating to new and improved features on future products. IT said it will unveil a new game during the affair, and that 10 operators will be selected to test units on location. For more information, contact IT at (847) 870-7027. For room reservations through the hotel at a nightly rate of $191, call the Hyatt at (847) 696-1234; a block of rooms reserved under the manufacturer's name will be available through May 2.

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BRISTOL, PA — Merit Entertainment said it has released a new "Sneak Peek" game called Lucky 11's, which downloaded automatically to all MegaNet- connected Megatouch IONs, including Aurora models. The Las Vegas-themed game challenges players to tally casino chips that total 11 and clear the board as quickly as possible. Operators with units not connected to MegaNet will receive the game in a few months, officials said.

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