The expansion of the iGaming sector is one of the main highlights of the 10th edition of G2E Asia, running from 17 to 19 May at The Venetian Macao. At the press conference to launch the event yesterday, Josephine Lee, the representative of Reed Exhibitions, the fair’s main organiser, stressed the growing influence of this component of gambling to the fair.
“There is a 52 per cent increase in terms of exhibitors from the iGaming segment. In terms of area occupied by this segment, it has more than tripled [compared to the previous edition]” the Executive Vice President of Reed Exhibitions Greater China said.
“The show continues to evolve, according to the changing rhythms of the industry, which is why it remains so relevant, and why the gaming and entertainment industry throughout Asia trusts G2E Asia as the right exhibition platform to drive business forward”, she said.
The main segments of the fair will continue to be slot machines and table games, as per previous editions. Last year alone there was a total of 9,867 visitors, an increase of 19.8 per cent year-on-year from 8,233. The number of exhibitors declined in 2015 to 160 exhibitors from 161 in 2014.
The 2016 edition of the fair will also publish a report about the trend in the Asia market for the gaming industry titled ‘The Asian Gaming White Paper’. According to the organisation, the goal of this working paper is to ‘deepen industry understanding of gaming trends, casino operations, players’ profiles and behaviour’.
Diversification and retail
With diversification now so prominent in the gaming sector, G2E Asia will also focus on the sector with the ‘Macau Retail Summit’, discussing the creation of the ideal customer service experience. This part of the event will focus on next-generation retail and how to use such technologies to enhance the customer experience.
One of the new features of G2E Asia is the introduction of the Gaming Asia Awards. These awards are introduced to the show in order to ‘recognize operators, regulators, suppliers and service providers’ contributions to the industry’.
This year’s edition will also host the second edition of the All Asia Dealers Championship, which aims at distinguishing the best dealer’s skills and achievements in the industry.
G2E Asia was first organised in 2007, since when the exhibition has become one of the most important events in the Asian gaming market. “Today, G2E Asia is three times bigger than when it was launched in 2007”, Ms. Lee explained yesterday at a press conference in the Pacha Club in Studio City.
