Leisure Link, is set to transform the pay-to-play amusement industry by launching a range of digital machines in pubs, clubs, bingo halls and licensed betting offices.
As reported in
The Independent, the privately held company has set aside £58m from its own cash flow to fund the roll-out of its next-generation technology in 2001. Russell Hoyle, chief executive, said: "At the moment, machine operators are basically removal men – replacing units that have become unpopular in one location with other new or different machines."
He said Leisure Link could formally launch its first internet-enabled, pay-to-play terminals as early as next month. The machines, currently being trialled across the country, will provide a wide choice of content, including skill and trivia-based games, digital music and e-commerce services. They will be tailor-made to fit local requirements.
Mr Hoyle said that, crucially, the machines will act as specially-designed Net portals, rather than not providing full public internet access. Restricting the Web access in this way will help protect Leisure Link's revenue streams and prevent people from using the terminals to download unsuitable, pornographic material. This problem is being addressed by companies such as Yava, the business backed by the pub entrepreneur Hugh Osmond.
Leisure Link manages 90,000 pay-to-play machines in the UK. The group will today announce unaudited results, showing a 21.3 per cent jump in turnover to £139.5m in the year to 30 September. Operating profit before goodwill and exceptionals rose from £10.1m to £17.7m.
