However the ability to actually convert investors’ capital into serious increased revenue has been called into doubt of late. Seriously under-valued these corporations have suddenly come vulnerable to the interests of investment companies with stripping on the mind; a recent spate of acquisitions and mergers having started a 'domino-effect' within the amusement scene that has spilled into the gaming and attraction market. Two prominent UK corporations became the latest recipients to market forces at the beginning of the year.

Leisure Link has represented the leading applier of investment Dollar towards amusement funding. While in America the likes of Ecast have ploughed a considerable amount of investors’ capital into what their executive team has perceived as a believable route of development for broadband, Leisure Link merged existing operator servicing support to an initiate for market domination of what they envisage as the future opportunity.

The Leisure Link Group comprises four core operations, representing Leisure Link Solutions (Leisure Projects) - the largest estate of networked terminals in Europe claiming over 30,000 pay to play networked terminals in pubs shops, licensed betting offices, bingo halls and casinos, while supplying 90,000 coin operated products to over 25,000 leisure retail venues. More recently established Inspired Broadcast Networks - founded 2000, the software, development, network with Fixed Odd Betting Terminal (FOBT) management and running over 30,000 systems. The heart of the 'connected' LL future, developer of the 'iTBox' cabinet, and Witherspoons initiative, the group a pivotal gathering of executive muscle. Revolution Entertainment Systems - founded 2004, as the digital terminal manufacturer as well as provider of online content. And finally Inspired Leisure Link Italia - the subsidiary is a server based software provider to Gmatica with over 11,000 networked AWP systems across Italy, business expanding to include the newly legislated SWP 7 networked terminals and jukebox business.

From this structure management has been added to boost market recognition with previous internet flotation experience - interesting links to the infamous BOO Corp., endeavor. The corporate structure has seen projects such as The Cloud, Internet portal business cut-free to go forward into the market as an independent. Bu also high aspirations of possible flotation of the LL empire have been dashed.

With a climate of amassed debt, LL was vulnerable to market forces, and various issues concerning future market positioning forced the hands of key investors, and saw the group’s placement up for sale. The disclosure of this considerable debt put the kibosh on previous, feverish speculation on a single purchaser, and has strengthened rumors of the future fragmentation of the group into separate independent units.

The hinting of management buy-outs soon died on the vine, as more revelations arrived on the actual burden on the various groups. The whole structure, though still a prominent player in the machine management field, has the lead anchor of other high-profile investments and burdens. The attraction to own the operation side is clear, with recent press announcements of increased business such as a significant deal with players such as William Hills for 7,000 FOBT's with software within the LBO and 70% of the sites AWP business offer incredible growth.

However, recent industry upheavals have changed the way that the leisure entertainment sector views this kind of investment - and the exposure of so much of LL’s burden has done them no favors, especially as the high aspirations of the IBN terminal and connectivity business has yet to actually return significant revenue.

It is surmised that the operations will be fragmented; cut into bite-sized chunks to the highest bidder. The winners in this look unlikely to be the staff, who had been stating a defiant line to all that will not endear them to their future employers. Management claims of imminent flotation now looking doubtful.

The sudden interest in LL’s servicing group comes on the back of the PMI acquisition of Deith, the appearance of SEGA as a machine operator; but mainly on the continuing speculation of what will happen between Namco Bandai and their servicing operation Brent Sales. What will be the reality of Brent’s contact with the new structure of Namco has continued to fuel gossip. With the possible sale of LL added to the mix, and the ramifications for the amusement scene are considerable.

Finally the IBN aspirations of controlling the high frontier of connected amusement and gaming systems has taken considerable beating by the news of the sale of LL, with a lot of the hopes to dominate the market with their ITBox will now come under scrutiny of their books, and this may reveal a situation at odds at recent high claims. In particular the actual revenue return of the system at Witherspoon venues.

IBN faces heavy competition now that others have seen the opportunities that accrue from successful online operations.. Companies such as GamesTec have made great strides with a deal announced with British Telecom (major UK telecommunication provider) for 500 connected system supporting GameTec hardware and the connectivity services of BT.

The final question with regard to Leisure Link Group is the collapse of aspirations to float on the London Stock Exchange. Revelations of their financial dealings - as a result of various pressures that could be linked to the Nova legal battle with other companies - added to the challenge of going public. In addition, the UK could soon see a new structure to the way that AWP, SWP and amusement is placed in facilities. So, a dicey company in a dicey market does not make for the most promising launch into the stock market!

Breaking Stinger News - The issue of corporate denials have reached Biblical proportions of late. The promises of ‘I will still respect you in the morning!’ style of statements have not done the management teams of the respective divisions any favors. In particular the hidden agenda of possible operation of cabinets (as well as the issue of shared cash box) has proven a painful situation for many.

But an issue that has come from the ashes of Preview’06 and ATEI surrounds how much SEGA Europe is serious about planting their Pusher on UK soil. The ‘Disco Mania’ machine was shown originally at Preview with the claim that the system was a prototype example of what was to be shipped, and that the game would be significantly modified for the European market - in particular the Gaming Board requirements for such products.

However, in 2006 at ATEI, the same machine was on booth with no changes made what so ever to the play or software. SEGA wanted to avoid all comments about changes and illegal operation, and focus on market interest. This led a number of observers to speculate that SEGA may actually try a FOBT style ‘grey’ area approach to placement of this machine. This speculation was led some validity following conversations with SEGA Japan executives following AOU.

In a candid conversation, TSR spoke to well-placed sources close to the company that revealed that over 150 Disco Mania units have been stockpiled following a placement of the system in the Japanese market. The popularity of adult pushers in the prize token scene in Japan was seen as a natural progression for international sale. Even though skepticism was voiced by international managers the parent has forced the move.

Questions about the legality of the platform for amusement application in Europe were brushed aside and it is placed in action for sale. The claims of software changes, and alterations of hardware to comply with the governmental requirements of the gaming act were also brushed aside, with the statement that the game had been completed and that additional software changes seemed unlikely due to the fact that this would compound the price (as the machine is already in stock).

Other Japanese factories that manufacture adult pushers in their home sector look on with some surprise. They wonder: if SEGA could get away with selling an unchanged Japanese variant, why can’t they? As sadly seems common with much of the new gaming variants in the amusement field, a ‘suck it and see’ attitude is being adopted, with limited association or governmental support until the acid test of official scrutiny. Only time will tell, but if no software changes are seen by Preview’07 a breakdown of trust in sales words will be the real causality of this incident.