TROY, Ala. — Betson Enterprises, the industry leader in distributing location-based amusement products, announces the completion of a 30-piece game room installation at GoodTimes in Troy, AL. This marks the second collaboration between Betson and GoodTimes to bring high-quality entertainment to their guests.

Under the guidance of Betson Sales Representative Bob Sommer, the arcade was designed to deliver a dynamic and wide-ranging experience for guests of all ages. Sommer worked closely with the GoodTimes team to carefully select an engaging mix of games, including redemption favorites, and arcade staples. Nina Byron, from Betson’s Finance Department, also collaborated with GoodTimes to provide flexible leasing and financing options, ensuring a comprehensive arcade package tailored to their business needs.

“Expanding to a second location was a massive undertaking, and there were many moving parts,” shared Scott Good, Owner/General Manager of GoodTimes. “Bob Sommer from Betson went above and beyond to guide me through arcade selections and overall game design, even enlisting Nina Byron to help build a financing plan that worked perfectly for us. Since opening, the arcade has become the centerpiece of our center and a major contributor to our success.”

The curated game room features a variety of popular titles, including Spider-Man Coin Pusher (Andamiro), Big Shot (JET Games), Fast & Furious Motion (Raw Thrills), Connect 4 Hoops HD (Bay Tek Entertainment), NBA Hoops (ICE Games), and NBA Superstars (Raw Thrills), among others.

GoodTimes Troy, which opened in June 2024, offers an all-in-one entertainment experience. From state-of-the-art bowling lanes to a diverse dining menu and an expansive arcade filled with the latest games and timeless classics, it’s the ultimate destination for families, students, and the local community.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Welcome to In The Game Fremont Street, the NEW Las Vegas arcade with a sideshow vibe packed with Games & Attractions is located inside the historic El Portal Theater. Family Entertainment Group is proud to unveil this innovative entertainment concept, blending the energy of Fremont Street with cutting-edge attractions and fun food and drinks.

Open nightly until 2 AM, In The Game Fremont Street offers an electrifying mix of arcade games, group challenge experiences, and unique attractions. From the adrenaline-pumping Giant Human Crane Experience and exciting Group Challenge Games to the thrilling Shocker Chair and Hangtime Challenge, this venue provides endless excitement for guests of all ages.

Beyond the games and prizes, In The Game Fremont Street serves up an impressive selection of food and beverages. Enjoy domestic and craft draft beers, spiked seltzers, canned cocktails, and frozen daiquiris. Guests can indulge in a variety of shareable bites and handhelds, including pretzel bites, boneless wings, and the uniquely delicious Spam™-tastic Fries. Sweet treats like Funnel Cake Fries round out the menu, offering something for everyone.

Whether you’re planning a night out with friends, a casual hangout, or a private group party in the El Portal Parlor, In The Game Fremont Street delivers an unforgettable experience that blends classic fun with modern thrills.

“In The Game brings an exciting new dimension to Fremont Street,” said Scott Brown, VP, Marketing of Family Entertainment Group. “We’re thrilled to introduce this one-of-a-kind arcade experience to such a historic and vibrant location.”

DOSWELL, Va. — Kings Dominion announced a robust lineup of special events for the 2025 season to celebrate the park’s 50th anniversary. The golden anniversary begins with the spring launch of the park’s newest rollercoaster, Rapterra, and continues all season long with new and fan-favorite special events. Guests will enjoy a jam-packed lineup of family entertainment, live shows and unique food and beverage items beginning during Spring Break and continuing through the fall, all included with Kings Dominion Gold Season Passes.  

“Kings Dominion is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages, and we are living up to that commitment this year with the launch of our world record-breaking rollercoaster Rapterra and the expanded offerings we have in store for our 50th anniversary,” said Bridgette Bywater, park vice president and general manager. “We’re delivering more entertainment, unique experiences and ways to make lasting memories all season long.”

Highlights of this season’s event series include:

• March 28 – Season Passholder Preview Night: Season Passholders are invited to enjoy the park’s amenities, including the all-new Rapterra launched wing coaster, at an exclusive park preview night. The night is open only to Silver, Gold and Prestige Season Passholders. Season Passes can be purchased on the Kings Dominion website.

• March 29 – Opening Day: Kings Dominion kicks of the 50th anniversary season, opening to the public on March 29.

• March 29 to April 6 – Spring Break Days: Kings Dominion is open to the public all week for Spring Break Days. Guests can conquer thrilling rides and create memories that will last a lifetime while enjoying a break from school.

• May 24 to Sept. 1 – Soak City Water Park Opens: Soak City water park opens for the season Memorial Day weekend and operates all summer long.

• July 4 and 5 – Star Spangled Nights: At the region’s premier, two-night 4th of July celebration, guests can experience a breathtaking fireworks display synchronized to patriotic music for an unforgettable show for all ages.

• May 31 to Aug. 3 – AGolden Summerbration: Kings Dominion’s 50th anniversary celebration is filled with exclusive, limited-time experiences including:
  • New Live shows – Two new live shows will take residence in the Kings Dominion Theater with fun for the whole family.
  • New music for the singing mushrooms – Back from their one-park world tour, the world-famous singing mushrooms have a hot list of never-before heard tracks to delight your ears.
  • New Street Party – A mobile celebration with music and dancing on the midways will celebrate 50 years of Kings Dominion thrills.
  • Kings Dominion Clown Band – They’re back – the Kings Dominion Clown Band will roam the park, delighting fans of all ages with music and hijinks.
  • New Nighttime Spectacle – Celebrate Virginia’s most iconic amusement park with a party along International Street.
  • New & Exclusive Merchandise – Throughout the year, the park will offer exclusive merchandise recognizing Kings Dominion’s rich history of making lifetime memories.
  • Unique food and beverage items – New specialties are cooking alongside past favorites that celebrate Kings Dominion’s rich history.

• Sept. 19 to Nov. 2 – Halloween Haunt: Spine-chilling mazes and elaborate scare zones return to the park along with spooky live shows and exclusive food and beverage selections on weekends and select nights.

• Sept. 20 to Nov. 2 – Tricks & Treats: Our family-friendly Halloween event returns with fun activities for kids and adults including costume contests, delicious seasonal treats and special entertainment for all ages on weekends and select days.

• Sept. 20 to Nov. 2  – Oktoberfest: This fall daytime event returns to celebrate the spirit of Germany’s world-famous festival with authentic German cuisine, a selection of craft beers, music, and performances for the whole family on weekends and select days.

Additional details for all events, including specific dates and times and detailed descriptions will be available on the Kings Dominion events web page. https://www.kingsdominion.com/events Please note that all events, dates and availability are subject to change. Kings Dominion encourages guests to check the official website or follow on social media for the most up-to-date information regarding special events and schedules.

The FEBRUARY 2025 issue includes:

• More rides, increased numbers expected at 2025 IISF Trade Show
• New Netherlands’ indoor theme park Bommelwereld underway
• OABA to be on hand with activities during IISF trade show week
• Universal Studios to retire Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit after 15 years
• Kentucky Kingdom announces new land, family-themed rides
• EnterTrainment Junction closes permanently, displays will live on
• Good weather yields excellent attendance at Greater Gulf State Fair
• Wall of Death continues to shift midway spectacle into thrilling gear
• 2024 edition of Pensacola Interstate Fair one its best attended
• Carnival industry’s fairer side shines brighter than any midway
• Cannon Beach: Surf lagoon, adventure park proposed for North Texas
• Original Kalahari Resorts location sets expansion
• RWS sustains its growth with new offices in Shanghai, Orlando
• Success continues for annual IAFE convention and trade show
• The Gravity Group acquires new facility to accommodate growth
• Woman of Influence: Molly Piveral, Fivestone Studios
• Education, connection lead to successful AIMS safety seminar
• VLocker just one part of Brundage Mountain Resort’s 10-year plan
• Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park continues progress
• Baynum Solutions updates perspective, widens offerings “Beyond The Brush” … and much more!

ATLANTA, Ga. — Fun Spot America Theme Parks is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the new Hook & Slice ride at Fun Spot America Atlanta in Fayetteville, Georgia this Saturday, February 1. The exciting new attraction, a Mini Reverse Time ride by SBF-Visa Group, delivers high-energy fun and heart-pounding excitement for guests of all ages.

“Bringing Hook & Slice to Atlanta is part of our commitment to continually enhance the guest experience,” said John Arie Jr., CEO of Fun Spot America. “Hook & Slice is a fantastic addition to our Atlanta park, and we can’t wait to see the smiles of our guests as they laugh and create memories together.”

The golf-themed Hook & Slice ride combines spins and twists with high-flying action. Guests will soar as the ride rotates in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions,  as its  mechanical arm elevates the excitement to new heights. “It’s the perfect mix of adrenaline and fun for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned thrill-seeker or just along for the ride,” Arie continued.

The addition of Hook & Slice is par for the course of Fun Spot America’s mission to bring fresh, exciting attractions to its parks while creating lasting memories for guests. Last fall Fun Spot announced it would open five new attractions across its three parks in 2025 and Hook & Slice is the first to debut. Fun Spot America Atlanta’s Season Passholders can experience unlimited access to ride Hook & Slice, the incredible ArieForce One roller coaster and the rest of the park’s rides and attractions, as well as enjoy access to Fun Spot America’s parks in Kissimmee and Orlando, Florida. Fun Spot’s Season Passes are always valid at all three parks, providing unbeatable value and HUGE fun for everyone.

Sacoa Cashless System is proud to announce its participation as an exhibitor at Atrax Expo 2025, taking place from January 30 to February 1 at the Istanbul Expo Center in Turkey. Visitors to the show are invited to stop by Booth #A-170 to discover Sacoa’s comprehensive range of cashless solutions.

At Atrax, Sacoa’s team of experts will be on hand to guide attendees through the latest innovations designed to meet the evolving needs of the entertainment and leisure industry. Highlights include the cutting-edge K5 Kiosk and Redemption Kiosks, along with groundbreaking additions such as KwikPay, a revolutionary payment solution tailored to operators with small- and route-based operations, and Time Tracker, an ideal tool for operators managing time-based attractions.

Visitors will also learn about other transformative technologies designed to optimize operations, boost revenue, decrease costs, and improve the customer experience.

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore how Sacoa’s solutions can help elevate your business. Join us at Atrax Expo Istanbul 2025 and discover the future of cashless technology!

ST. LOUIS — Two Southern bowling centers have chosen Intercard’s latest cashless technology to manage their arcades.

The big arcade at Player Two Strike and Spare FEC in Louisville, Kentucky boasts more than 65 games. The new center totals 45,000 square feet with 34 lanes of bowling including an 8 lane VIP suite, a full bar and restaurant, party areas, and the arcade. The Intercard system is integrated with the center’s Qubica bowling software so that they can sell bowling and food and beverage via the Intercard system as well.

Strike and Spare operates several other centers in the Louisville area. Player Two is their first location to incorporate cashless technology. Tyler Henson of Intercard handled the installation.

Station 300 is a 24 lane bowling center in Bluffton, South Carolina with a 50 game arcade. They recently replaced another vendor’s system with Intercard. The Station 300 chain also operates centers in Saline and Grandville, Michigan; Akron, Ohio and Gainesville, Georgia, all of which use Intercard. Sol Scribner of Intercard did the installation in Bluffton including integration with the center’s Qubica system.

NxGn Arena, a revolutionary FEC that blends cutting-edge technology with thrilling activities, has officially opened its doors in Edgewater, NJ. Strategically located in a prime area, the new, 7,000-square-foot-venue offers an array of next-level entertainment experiences for guests of all ages.

NxGn Arena has partnered with Sacoa Cashless System, the global leader in revenue management systems, to equip their establishment with the latest Spark Readers and Sacoa’s POS, the all-in-one, comprehensive solution designed to streamline payments and operations.

Mourad Elayan, owner of NxGn Arena, shared his enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We decided to go with Sacoa Cashless System for simplicity, and we see sales continuing to steadily increase since the installation!”

Sebastian Mochkovsky, CEO of Sacoa USA, commented: “We are very happy to work with Mourad and are excited to continue helping them increase sales, decrease costs, and improve their customer experience.”

ST. LOUIS — Two Southern bowling centers have chosen Intercard’s latest cashless technology to manage their arcades.

The big arcade at Player Two Strike and Spare FEC in Louisville, Kentucky boasts more than 65 games. The new center totals 45,000 square feet with 34 lanes of bowling including an 8 lane VIP suite, a full bar and restaurant, party areas, and the arcade. The Intercard system is integrated with the center’s Qubica bowling software so that they can sell bowling and food and beverage via the Intercard system as well.

Strike and Spare operates several other centers in the Louisville area. Player Two is their first location to incorporate cashless technology. Tyler Henson of Intercard handled the installation.

Station 300 is a 24 lane bowling center in Bluffton, South Carolina with a 50 game arcade. They recently replaced another vendor’s system with Intercard. The Station 300 chain also operates centers in Saline and Grandville, Michigan; Akron, Ohio and Gainesville, Georgia, all of which use Intercard. Sol Scribner of Intercard did the installation in Bluffton including integration with the center’s Qubica system.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — RWS Global has hired award-winning casting executive, Judy Bowman, as its new Vice President, Talent Casting & Recruitment. 

The addition of Bowman to the team comes as RWS Global expands turnkey entertainment operations for cruise ships, resorts, theme parks and major sporting events. RWS Global fills more than 8,000 roles around the world annually, creating opportunities for singers, actors, dancers, musicians, technicians and creatives on land and at sea. This appointment underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to sourcing top-tier talent for its global entertainment productions.

Bowman has over 30 years of experience in casting for theater, film & television, including Broadway and off-Broadway productions, numerous regional theaters and musicals, plays and experiential entertainment throughout New York, Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles markets.

Her large-scale and international projects include touring productions for Broadway Asia, the National Drama Centre of Orleáns, Toneelgroep Amsterdam, Bard Summerscape, the American Repertory Theatre and interactive theatrical events in New York City’s Central Park. Additional work includes feature films as “Hurricane Bianca,” “Mean Girls,” “Something’s Gotta Give” and “Shortbus;” series for Carsey-Werner, Amazon Prime, Hallmark and PBS. 

Judy has been a faculty member at Harlem School of the Arts, an Adjunct Professor in Columbia University’s MFA Film Department and a guest teacher at NYU, Harvard University and Carnegie Mellon University. Judy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama & Spanish from Tufts University.

“Judy’s innovation and creativity will be invaluable to RWS Global,” said Ryan Saab, Executive Vice President, Talent and Creative Casting. “Her extensive industry expertise and proven ability to lead dynamic casting projects, coupled with her commitment to building strong and diverse teams, position RWS Global to continue delivering exceptional talent to our clients worldwide.”