What was Project Coin and why was it significant in UK gaming?
Project Coin was a British gaming machine manufacturer that operated for four decades in the UK pub and arcade industry. The company was incorporated on 22 January 1979 and dissolved on 6 May 2019. Project Coin specialised in manufacturing fruit machines, digital gaming cabinets, and coin-operated entertainment systems for pubs, clubs, and arcades across the United Kingdom.
The company played a role in the British pub gaming sector during a period of significant technological transition from mechanical fruit machines to digital gaming systems. Project Coin manufactured gaming machines that became fixtures in British pubs and contributed to the social gaming culture that characterised UK drinking establishments from the 1980s onwards.
How did Project Coin get started and what were its early years like?
Project Coin was initially incorporated as “Croydaire Limited” from 22 January 1979 to 31 December 1979 before adopting the Project Coin Machines Limited name. The company was based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, with its registered office at 4 Stirling Court, Stirling Way, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 2BT.
The company entered the fruit machine manufacturing market during the late 1970s, a period following the golden age of arcade video games. This timing positioned Project Coin to capitalise on the growing demand for gaming machines in British pubs and social clubs as the industry shifted from traditional mechanical fruit machines towards electronic systems.
What was the UK fruit machine industry like during Project Coin’s era?
The UK fruit machine industry during Project Coin’s operational period was characterised by rapid technological advancement and evolving regulatory frameworks. The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of pub gaming as a mainstream form of entertainment, with fruit machines becoming standard fixtures in British pubs.
The industry transitioned from electro-mechanical systems to fully electronic and later digital gaming platforms. Established manufacturers like Bell-Fruit had dominated the market since earlier decades, creating a competitive environment for newer entrants like Project Coin.
Regulatory changes throughout Project Coin’s operational period affected machine categories, payout limits, and operational requirements. Gaming machines were classified into various categories (such as B3 and Category C machines) with different stake limits and jackpot caps.
What types of gaming machines did Project Coin develop and manufacture?
Project Coin evolved from manufacturing traditional fruit machines to producing sophisticated digital gaming systems. The company developed modern digital gaming machines with twin screen cabinets featuring games like “Advantage,” “Mega Bars,” “Find the Lady,” and multi-game selections.
The company manufactured both B3 and Category C gaming machines, which represented different regulatory categories with varying stake limits and payout structures. Project Coin’s machines incorporated standard coin operation systems and later integrated note acceptors for higher denomination play.
The company’s products featured operator test modes, adjustable game parameters, and front-end menu systems that allowed venue operators to configure machines according to their requirements and local regulations.
What were Project Coin’s most popular games and machine formats?
Project Coin’s multi-game digital machines offered “16 games including some absolute classics such as Poker, Roulette, chase the Ace, Find the lady and Leprechauns Gold”. “Find the Lady” poker machines were described as “real classics from Project Coin” and became particularly associated with the brand.
The company’s machines featured jackpot denominations ranging from £100 to £500, catering to different market segments and regulatory categories. Stake levels typically ranged from 25p to £2 per game, reflecting the varying demographics and spending patterns of different venues.
Project Coin’s gaming portfolio included traditional fruit machine formats, poker-based games, and casino-style games adapted for the UK pub market. The company’s machines integrated both coin operation and note acceptor systems to accommodate different payment preferences.
How did Project Coin distribute and market its gaming machines?
Project Coin targeted the pub and club gaming market throughout its operational period. The company distributed its machines through specialist gaming equipment suppliers including Wessex Coin and JNC Sales, which served as intermediaries between manufacturers and venue operators.
The company participated in both primary sales of new machines and the secondary market for refurbished equipment. This distribution model allowed Project Coin to reach independent publicans, social clubs, and arcade operators across the UK.
Project Coin’s market position focused on providing reliable, feature-rich gaming machines that met regulatory requirements while offering engaging gameplay for pub customers. The company’s machines were designed to integrate into existing pub environments without requiring significant infrastructure modifications.
How did Project Coin adapt to technological changes in gaming?
Project Coin successfully transitioned from traditional fruit machine mechanics to PC-based digital systems. The company’s later products used “a bespoke gaming PC and drive for optimum performance and reliability”, representing a significant technological advancement from earlier electro-mechanical systems.
The company integrated modern features including operator test modes, adjustable game parameters, and user-friendly front-end interfaces. These technological improvements allowed venue operators to better manage their gaming machines and comply with evolving regulatory requirements.
Project Coin’s digital systems eliminated many mechanical components that required regular maintenance, improving reliability and reducing operational costs for venue operators. The shift to digital platforms also enabled the company to offer multiple games on single machines, increasing their value proposition.
What challenges did Project Coin face in the gaming industry?
Project Coin operated during a period of significant regulatory change in UK gaming. Evolving gambling legislation affected machine categories, stake limits, payout ratios, and operational requirements. These regulatory changes required continuous product development and compliance adjustments.
The company faced increasing competition from larger gaming corporations with greater resources for research and development. The consolidation of the gaming industry during Project Coin’s operational period created pressure on smaller manufacturers.
Changes in British pub culture, including smoking bans, licensing hour extensions, and evolving entertainment preferences, affected the traditional pub gaming market. The rise of online gaming and mobile entertainment provided alternative options for consumers.
What happened to Project Coin in its final years?
Project Coin’s last accounts were filed up to 30 November 2013, indicating reduced business activity in the company’s final years. The company’s status changed to dissolved on 6 May 2019, ending four decades of operation.
Despite the company’s dissolution, Project Coin gaming machines remain in circulation through the secondary market. Equipment dealers continue to refurbish and sell existing Project Coin machines to collectors and venues seeking classic gaming equipment.
The company’s dissolution coincided with broader changes in the UK gaming industry, including increased online gaming options and evolving regulatory frameworks that favoured larger operators.
What is Project Coin’s lasting legacy in UK gaming history?
Project Coin contributed to British pub culture during a significant period of social gaming evolution. The company’s machines provided entertainment in thousands of pubs and clubs across the UK, becoming part of the social fabric of British drinking establishments.
The company influenced gaming machine design through its transition from mechanical to digital systems. Project Coin’s approach to multi-game platforms and user interface design contributed to industry standards that continue to influence modern gaming machine development.
Current collector interest in Project Coin machines demonstrates the company’s cultural significance. Enthusiasts and pub owners continue to seek original Project Coin equipment for restoration and display, preserving the company’s contribution to British gaming history.
Why does Project Coin matter in the broader context of gaming history?
Project Coin’s 40-year operational period coincided with the transformation of British pub gaming from mechanical fruit machines to sophisticated digital entertainment systems. The company’s evolution mirrors the broader technological and cultural changes that affected the UK gaming industry.
The company’s role in the evolution from mechanical to digital gaming represents a significant chapter in British gaming history. Project Coin’s products bridged the gap between traditional fruit machines and modern gaming systems, helping to maintain the continuity of pub gaming culture during a period of rapid technological change.
The enduring appeal of Project Coin machines among collectors and gaming enthusiasts demonstrates the lasting impact of well-designed gaming equipment on British popular culture. The company’s contribution to the social gaming environment of British pubs remains part of the cultural heritage of UK gaming industry.