ROCKVILLE, IL — Arachnid concluded its 2007-'08 BullShooter Regional Tour by staging the last qualifying regional dart contest from March 14 to 16 in Atlanta. Greater Southern Distributing cosponsored the $10,000 contest. The $120,000 BullShooter Finals take place from May 22 to 26 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, IL.

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BENSENVILLE, IL — Betson Midwest will host a spotlight show and seminar here this Thursday from noon to 5:00 PM. On display will be some of the latest music and games products introduced at last month's Amusement Showcase International in Las Vegas.

Several educational programs will be held during the Betson spotlight show. They include informative seminars on Merit's Tournamaxx, operating amusement merchandisers on the "street" and taking Big Buck Hunter Pro online with the CoinUP system.

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MESA, AZ — Hanover Partners Inc. has acquired Pyramid Technologies, a fast-growing manufacturer of currency validators for vending, amusement and gaming equipment. Pyramid was founded here in 2001 by David Mays. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Mays, who continues to own a substantial stake in the company, hailed the acquisition. "Pyramid had reached a point where I needed to take on a partner in order for the company to continue its growth," he explained.

Hanover Partners, which maintains offices in San Francisco and Oswego, OR, financed the deal largely through Tuckerman Capital (Hanover, NH). Hanover's ability to turn to Tuckerman for both debt and equity financing helped expedite the all-cash transaction. Pyramid Technologies fits Hanover's criteria for acquisition, which call for a candidate to be a U.S.- based company with stable customer relationships, engaged in or serving industries with above-average growth prospects.

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BALTIMORE — Maryland operators, distributors and manufacturers are working to form a state association, in response to a new wave of legislation banning slots-style amusement devices.

On April 13, state lawmakers passed a bill requiring operators to shut down these games by July 1, 2009. An estimated 15,000 units currently operate statewide.

On April 19, the State Senate voted 45 to 2 to pass "emergency" legislation banning instant bingo machines and similar machines immediately. Gov. Martin O'Malley said he would sign the legislation if it came to his desk. The new law allows sentences of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine for violations.

In response to the first bill's passage, some 30 amusements industry members met on April 18 in the offices of Betson Distributing here to consider forming a state association. Its first mission likely would be to defend the legal status of slot-style videogames.

The Senate's emergency ban passed the next day.

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