Article featuring Ayumi [Yahoo] 10/22/07, translation please.

[omEigaMan]

OK, I guarantee there are mistakes in this translation (sorry), but here's my best guess. (I put my comments in brackets[]). Too bad, I bet the machine would be pretty cool.
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It's doubtful that the Ayumi Hamasaki (29)[her age] pachinko machine, which was previously announced to be released by the end of the year, will be launched. While Pachislo machines [recent devices more like slot machines than pachinko] are being heavily regulated[?? my best guess], the pachinko halls throughout the country are anticipating the creation of the "song princess" [ie. Hamasaki] pachinko machine. What in the world happened?

According to someone involved with the project: "The reason this commercializaiton [ie. Hamasaki's machine] is behind schedule is because of overcharging for character use fees on the part of Hamasaki. The tie-in machine of mutual Avex artist Kumi Koda is a huge hit, selling 130,00 units since it's release 6 months ago. It's common for even big names to sell with a 1% royalty (on average 200,000 yen [$2,000 - I'm assuming this is per machine]), but the bold company Avex is demanding 3% and that spells trouble for the negotiations."

Because there's always a possibility of continuing successful series such as "Umi Monogatari" and "Pachinko Hissatsu Shigoto Ningen" by making changes to the merchandise [ie. the machines - I'm thinking this means they can always make sequels to successful machines] the days of 3% being a "fair price" are long gone.