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The Pinball and Modern Art Museum “Dino Merluzzi” A SPACE WHERE CULTURE, EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT MEET

Published

3 years ago

February 17, 2023

Reading Time: 3 minutes

A space where culture, education and entertainment meet. All of this is enclosed in the “Dino Merluzzi” Pinball and Modern Art Museum, which celebrates its debut on Saturday, February, the 18th, in an official ceremony crowned by the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and the Umbria Region. The Museum is dedicated Dino Merluzzi, one of the first Italians collector of vintage gaming machines, nurturing the dream of being able to put them in a museum one day. Today that dream is being realized by the Ifpa Italia Association, in cooperation with the Municipality of Terni, the Marmore turist office and the ARCI of Terni, which thanks to the contribution of the Fondazione Carit, has managed to make the Pinball and modern ant museum real, dedicated to the passed away collector from Terni, in the spaces of the former elementary school of Marmore, in Via Montesi 59.

Today, the Museum is a unique place in Italy and aims to perform various functions, in the cultural, educational and recreational fields. Promising to obtain a role of attraction at national and international level, since it is in an already tourist context such as that of the Marmore Falls, going to be one more reason to go to this wonderful place, contributing to the further enhancement of the territory.

From a cultural point of view, it is a real museum of modern art, able to offer a series of pinball machines from different eras: from the very first examples of the 1950s to the current ones of our times, covering all the different eras that have occured (60s and 70s electo-mechanical ones, 80s and 90s electronic ones, modern, 2000s), in a thematic itinerary in which set the technological progress that has taken place over the last seventy years, describing in detail the change of the customs and traditions of society during the same period, described through the settings of pinball machines and other material of the time proposed together with the gaming machines (posters, window decals, records, books, vintage juke boxes and various vintage material). In addition to offering old movies on the history of the pinball machine.

From an educational point of view, the Museum offers a permanent location that aims to become a point of reference for schools and institutes in the area (and beyond), for a real and concrete approach to understanding science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Creating a “EduFun” program that would provide an exciting opportunity for teachers, students and various stakeholders to look at the inner operation of real, working pinball machines and learn how thousands of files and of electronic and mechanical parts work together to create complex electromechanical systems.

From a recreational and social point of view, the Museum offers a permanent location for organizing entertainment events, which perfectly fit with the tourist destination of the area. Also hosting international pinball tournaments, through the permanent activity of Ifpa Italia. All this in order to exploit the unique power of the pinball machine, which is one of the few games capable of being used by both children and the elderly people, belonging to practically any era.

Over 25 amusement machines are inside the building, including pinball machines, juke boxes and various types of vintage games, together with other collector’s items, including rare ones. But the permanent collection will be continuously enriched and updated thanks to loans and donations. The Museum is a non-profit one and even the recreational activities do not require payment for the game to play, but can be freely tested by visitors. It is therefore an ideal location for families and for any type of user. The entrance is totally free, by reservation only. The facility is temporarily not open to the public.

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE MUSEUM

The museum is spread over a total area of over 260 square meters, located on the first floor of the building of the former Marmore elementary school. The structure consists of six different rooms, thematically organized.

The first is the “Electromechanical Room”, dedicated to these games, hosting pinball machines from the 60s and 70s and other vintage games (such as Rotamint and Rotomat and other automatic games).

The second, which represents the main room, is the “Electronic Room”. Here you can find over 15 games from the 70s to the 2000s, with some collector’s items.

The third is the “Projection and Conference Room”, where there is a multifunctional space used as a cinema and conference center, where movies, documentary or historical movies, presentations, debates and various activities are held.

In the “Arcade Space” there are some video games from the 80s and 90s, available to the visitors of the Museum.

The Museum is also equipped with a “Restoration Room”, located next to the Electromechanical Room, where repairs and maintenance of individual devices are carried out.

While in the “warehouse room” games and various materials are kept for future installations and updates of the permanent collection.

All the games shown in the Museum are fully working and can be evaluated in terms of their game dynamics. The venue does not pursue any profit: it is not a game room or a private club and does not require the payment of any ticket.

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

10 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

17 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

17 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.