This year’s EELEX, the first in its new venue and with its new, international-friendly dates, should be the busiest ever, but it’s not going to be. It could go back to its former state of being almost a Russian-only exhibition, with very few international exhibitors, which would be a great shame, not least for the organisers.
EELEX 2006, if World of Games gave us any indications, could be very, very quiet and is likely to show which companies have the courage to underline their commitment to the Russian market. At World of Games, Aristocrat led by example, among other companies – but after that lean exhibition, EELEX will be the real test.
EI, the show in Kiev, may yet benefit from this, as may the fast-growing show in Kazakhstan, but only if they can keep their laws clear and, should any changes occur, speed them through and make them easily understood for everyone involved. The word on the street is that Kazakhstan may be moving the same way as Russia, with casinos relocated outside cities, though hopefully things will move quicker there.
Internationally, more and more exhibitions are growing in significance as laws flex and relax; South America especially, as you can see from our show report on pages 22 and 24, courtesy of Ricardo Chavez Munoz, one of our star columnists. Speaking of which, Roy Katz has contributed an interview with Marcus Prater of Bally Technologies this issue, on page 32, and Sharon Harris, as well as her exciting column, has chipped in with a piece on Gasser, the seating company. All in all, it’s a great read.
Your feedback is vital to the magazine, and as ever, it is invited to jonbruford@yahoo.co.uk
Enjoy.
Jon Bruford, Editor
jonbruford@yahoo.co.uk
Will the plans for Russia's 'remote' gaming areas go ahead as the State Duma has described?
- 22 - 23 October, 2008
The Betting Show 2008 - UK - 17 - 20 November, 2008
Global Gaming Expo - USA - 27 - 29 January, 2009
International Casino Exhibition 2009 - UK
