The US amusement machine market has suffered the loss of two of its most notable pioneering suppliers within a few days of one another.
Robert Jones, who was one of the country’s most familiar characters at international trade shows, died just short of his 100th birthday two weeks ago. The other is Harold Bettelman, a member of the famous distributor family CA Robinson and Co. Harold died at his home in California aged 95.
Bob Jones was the son of Welsh immigrants and his company was Arjay Export Co based at Hyannis, Massachusetts. He dealt mainly in new and used jukeboxes, novelties and some gaming machines over the years, mostly exporting them to other countries. Jones was an acolyte of Si Redd, the founder of IGT.
Bob continued to work until his late eighties and continued to play golf until he was 97. He has a son, living in Australia, and many grandchildren. Harold Bettelman worked for many years at CA Robinson - he was a brother of the late Al Bettelman. He worked as manager of security at the company’s Los Angeles offices and in the route operations.
