Carnival & Fair News

Magic Money/MagicTix, a national provider of cashless ticketing and event management systems for carnivals, has announced the acquisition of C.A.T. Carnival Accounting and Reporting Software, a trusted name in the industry since 1985.

Magic Money's operational partners - CEO Zack Enright and  President Brian Meade — together with C.A.T. Software founders Dale McIntosh and Tom Drake, agreed that the partnership represents a positive step for both companies. Enright continues to spearhead strategic growth, financial initiatives, and expansion into new sectors, while Meade leads development and operations, ensuring the partnership delivers innovation, reliability, and seamless integration for clients nationwide.
 
“This is one of those rare situations where everybody wins,” Enright said. “C.A.T. users will gain access to the resources and innovation of the Magic Money platform, while our clients benefit from the decades of back-office expertise that C.A.T. brings. Together, we're creating a more complete and efficient system for the carnival industry.”

The acquisition brings together Magic Money's digital ticketing and cashless processing, currently used by 46 carnivals and handling more than $500 million in annual transactions, with C.A.T.'s financial reporting, payroll, and operational tools. The combination aims to create one of the most comprehensive management systems available to carnival operators.

Sean Butler, CEO of Butler Amusements, welcomed the news. “The platform couldn't have found a better home,” he said. “Magic Money shares our focus on innovation and reliability, and I'm confident they'll continue to expand and enhance C.A.T. for fairs and carnivals nationwide.”

“We've trusted both systems for years,” echoed Mary Talley of Talley Amusements. “I can't imagine a better partnership for the future.”

Tom Kay, CEO of Helm and Sons Amusements, said the acquisition aligns with Magic Money's ongoing development. “Magic Money continues to innovate in ways that improve daily operations,” he said. “This partnership will only accelerate that progress.”

Enright confirmed that current Magic Money clients will gain access to C.A.T. software at no additional cost. “Our goal is to build on what already works,” he said. “For carnivals not yet using Magic Money, we'll be reaching out to determine the best approach for each operator.”

Magic Money President Brian Meade noted that the acquisition allows the company to modernize a proven system while preserving its strengths.

“We're building on a solid foundation rather than starting from scratch,” Meade said. “By integrating C.A.T.'s reporting and payroll tools into Magic Money, we're creating a unified platform that simplifies operations and improves transparency. At the same time, we're updating C.A.T. itself with Mac compatibility, more efficient code, and an improved user interface, to ensure it continues to meet the industry's needs for years to come.”



Additional details on the integration and rollout will be announced in the coming weeks. For questions regarding the C.A.T. Software, contact Zack Enright at zack@magicmoney.com or by calling 941-448-8882.