Buoyant IGE confirms lead status as the world’s complete gaming show

by Clarion Gaming (International Gaming Expo / ICEi / The Betting Show / ATEI)

London / / 2010-02-04 (GlobalGamingPR) - London’s International Gaming Expo, which took place at Earls Court Exhibition Centre across 26-28 January, has been heralded as a major success by exhibitors, visitors and show organisers. The total gaming and wagering expo, which came of age as the most complete event of its kind, attracted 15,403 dedicated IGE buyers (16,692 in 2009) plus a cross-over figure from ATEI of 3,012 – giving a total audience of 18,415 drawn from 120 sovereign states, 70 of which are outside Europe.

Julian Graves, Managing Director of organising company Clarion Gaming, enthused: “We are delighted at having delivered the most complete gaming and amusements event in the world and one which has been met with such positive reviews from exhibitors and visitors representing all aspects of the international gaming, wagering and amusements sectors. At no other event in the world would you find representatives with such diverse backgrounds and from such a cross-section of countries. It’s remarkable that despite the economic pressures, we have welcomed senior gaming professionals based in 120 sovereign territories from Albania to Australia, Mexico to Macau, Singapore to South Africa and United Arab Emirates to Uruguay – and virtually every country in between. We have been told by our exhibitors that all of the relevant buying companies were represented at the show. The consensus is that 2010 has been a landmark edition in which IGE has matured into the complete gaming and wagering exhibition covering all imaginable forms of delivery in every global jurisdiction.”

He added: “The biggest testament to the success of this year’s show is the fact that 80 per cent of the show floor in 2011 is already committed, providing a solid platform for further expansion and a sound base from which to launch even more new and exciting initiatives.”

Jens Halle, Managing Director of Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH, affirmed: "Once again, IGE was Novomatic's most important show of the year and it did not disappoint. Visitor numbers may perhaps have decreased to some degree but the internationalisation of the show was clearly increased; leading to significant interest and actual business from key markets such as Asia and South America plus a very impressive delegation of key industry figures from South Africa. Novomatic made, as always, a significant investment in IGE and we can judge that investment to have been worthwhile."

First-time attendees Mozzartbet were upbeat at their exhibition debut. Executive Director, Dejan Cirovic said: “Our first show has been very positive. We have met many new potential clients at the show. It’s a very good exhibition for this kind of business – it’s the best one. People meet, look at what’s new, learn new things and incorporate this into their future products. Our company is famous in Serbia but we want to grow. We are definitely coming back next year and will probably get a bigger stand!”

Georg Steiner, Sales & Marketing Director at Amatic added: “We belong to the Casino industry and have a great position amongst all the leading manufacturers. The show has been very, very good for us, meeting existing and potential customers. It is definitely the most important show of the year for us and we will of course be back in 2011.”

The value of having an integrated presence at IGE was explained by Robert White, Vice-President of IGT-UK Group, who said: “Barcrest Group, WagerWorks and Million-2-1 have enjoyed great success, coming together as IGT-UK Group for the first time on our superb shared stand. The show has provided an ideal opportunity to showcase our great games, great platforms and great systems and interact with customers across multiple distribution channels. One of the highlights of the show has been the simultaneous launch of ‘Monty’s Millions’ games for customers in the land-based and remote gaming sectors. The increased awareness that results from the distribution of a game across multiple channels will bring benefits to all parties.”

Gamesman MD, Mark Smith believes that IGE is amongst the most productive three days of his year, saying: “More was achieved in three days at IGE than I could have done in a month of non-stop global travelling. We’ve seen all of our hit list of customers, who have been able to meet the entire Gamesman team and see the results of our commitment to innovation. As a technology company IGE is an essential component of our year.”

The calibre of visitors attending the show was also a highlight as Denis Tonic, Support Manager at Future Gaming confirmed: “IGE has the most international and high quality visitors of any exhibition Future Gaming attend. 2010 has been no exception; anyone who’s anyone in the gaming industry is here.”

Visitors were also highly positive about the opportunities offered by IGE as Marc Campman, Marketing Director of Webjam, explained: “It was great to see the beginning of a revival of the land-based gaming sector and a further expansion of e-gaming. It’s now time that the gaming industry opens up to the huge opportunities offered by social media. As a previous exhibitor, and now a visitor, it’s clear how vital IGE is to the entire gaming business.”

Ian Chuter, William Hill Group Head of UK & International Operations, commented: “The diversity of equipment, and the quality of exhibitors, means that IGE is comfortably the most important show for our business and a must-attend event.”

Whilst the break-away show undertaken by UK coin-op trade association BACTA and based in east London understandably impacted the amusements component, the exhibition attracted some 3,012 buyers, with exhibitors including PPHU Majcher reporting a good level of business. The company’s Dawid Kowalczyk stated: “It’s been an excellent show. We’ve collected many business cards and made many contacts and met with international clients we would never have otherwise seen. We are definitely going to exhibit next year and return with a bigger space.”

This view was echoed by Paddy Cronin, Managing Director of Edward Thompson, who agreed: “The quantity and quality of visitors to the 2010 ATEI has been higher than expected and higher than when we last exhibited two years ago. We’ve managed to see senior management from both Mecca and Gala, among others, this year. The layout of the show is also better. We’re pleased, it’s been really worthwhile.”

/ ends /


"Once again, IGE was Novomatic's most important show of the year and it did not disappoint. Visitor numbers may perhaps have decreased to some degree but the internationalisation of the show was clearly increased; leading to significant interest and actual business from key markets such as Asia and South America plus a very impressive delegation of key industry figures from South Africa. Novomatic made, as always, a significant investment in IGE and we can judge that investment to have been worthwhile."

- Jens Halle. Managing Director, Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH



“Barcrest Group, WagerWorks and Million-2-1 have enjoyed great success, coming together as IGT-UK Group for the first time on our superb shared stand. The show has provided an ideal opportunity to showcase our great games, great platforms and great systems and interact with customers across multiple distribution channels. One of the highlights of the show has been the simultaneous launch of ‘Monty’s Millions’ games for customers in the land-based and remote gaming sectors. The increased awareness that results from the distribution of a game across multiple channels will bring benefits to all parties.”

- Robert White. Vice President, IGT-UK Group



“As a first-time exhibitor we have found taking space at IGE very worthwhile. It’s really helped raise our profile and we're getting a lot of interest from different areas of the industry which is translating into new members."

- Tracy Damestani. The National Casino Industry Forum (NCiF)



“Our first show has been very positive. We have met many new potential clients at the show. It’s a very good exhibition for this kind of business – it’s the best one. People meet, look at what’s new, learn new things and incorporate this into their future products. Our company is famous in Serbia but we want to grow. We are definitely coming back next year and will probably get a bigger stand!”

- Dejan Cirovic. Executive Director, Mozzartbet (Stepanovic & Sipka)



“IGE’s gaming leaders seminar has been the perfect venue to showcase our new research on US Internet gambling developments – with a sophisticated and responsive audience drawn from both the land-based and online gaming communities.”

- Andrew Gellatly. Editorial Director, Gambling Compliance



“We had three suites this year – two more than 2009. Having separate areas for Games Tech, Bell-Fruit and Mazooma we were able to differentiate between our main business areas and therefore invite clients from each sector. We’ve had the opportunity to spend quality time with people and this has allowed us to engage in taking our business forward. The show has a very international feel and our three managing directors are very happy.”

- Paul Terroni. Group Business Development Director, Danoptra Limited



“At Millwall Football Club, we are currently investigating the potential of a betting and gaming licence. Therefore, the IGE Show has offered us the ideal vehicle to explore and discuss ideas from on-site betting to commercial partnerships even including shirt sponsorship opportunities for the new season.”

- Ray James. Commercial Director, Millwall Football Club



“The Betting Show provided the most logical event to launch the independent report for the RGA on Sports Betting; not only does this event provide an internationally recognised platform with associated media coverage, but it is also one of the most well-organised events of its nature. When considering if this report should be published via a standalone press event or the Betting Show, the decision was clearly apparent.”

- Brian Wright. Director of Business, RGA



“The Betting Show has joined the wider gaming stage – and it is good to see it as part of a broader spectrum. It allows visitors the chance to measure developments and see ideas across a wide range of businesses, and that can only be helpful. It is daunting when you first walk in, but armed with the guide and a measure of focus, visitors will enjoy the experience, I’ve loved it.”

- Jim Cremin, Racing Post



“We’ve been very impressed by the amount of new companies which in turn means great opportunities for new customer acquisitions.”

- Dave Wiseman. European Sales Manager, Iovation



“The diversity of equipment, and the quality of exhibitors, means that IGE is comfortably the most important show for our business and a must-attend event.”

- Ian Chuter. Group Head of UK & International Operations, William Hill Group



“Our biggest and most important customers, as well as future customers are here at IGE, we’ve met with visitors from all over the world. From the invites we sent to our most valued customers, we’ve seen a staggering 95 per cent of them here. Our largest investment in shows each year is made at IGE.”

- Johannes Weissengruber. Managing Director, Apex Gaming



“IGE has been a great start to the year; we’ve had lots of interest from decision makers offering us solid sales, not just empty promises. We’ve seen more business leads, a higher quality of customers and increased interest levels than ever before.”

- Nadia Pilitova. PR and Marketing Manager, Euro Games Technology



“IGE has the most international and high quality visitors of any exhibition Future Gaming attend. 2010 has been no exception; anyone who’s anyone in the gaming industry is here.”

- Denis Tonic. Support Manager, Future Gaming



“For greater exposure in 2010 we moved from Earls Court 1 to Earls Court 2. We belong to the Casino industry and have a great position amongst all the leading manufacturers. The show has been very, very good for us, meeting existing and potential customers. It is definitely the most important show of the year for us and we will of course be back in 2011.”

- Georg Steiner. Sales and Marketing Director, Amatic



“Moving The Betting Show to London alongside IGE has been a great success with visitors having a better offering. The seminar sessions have worked particularly well this year and having the round table sessions alongside meant that we were able to have a better one-to-one with individuals about their needs. Suppliers and operators who did not support the show this year will definitely be here for 2011. We’ve had a great show.”

- Joe Phillips. Vice Chairman, The Independent Bookmakers Association



“Year-on-year IGE becomes more of an important event delivering ever-growing opportunities.”

- Kim Northrop. Marketing Consultant, Cyberarts



“This is the best-ever ICEi and we definitely want to re-book for 2011.”

- Thorvar Haftsteinsson. Marketing Manager, Parspro



“ICEi 2010 has seen a higher quality of leads and we want to ensure that our space is secured for 2011.”

- Angelo De Gobbi. Sales and Marketing Director, Media Live Casino



“The main focus for JCM has been the launch of our iVISION bill validator and it’s been a hugely successful show in terms of delivering us the right calibre of visitors from the major OEMS and casino groups.”

- David Morosoli, JCM



“We have been impressed with the quality of visitors throughout the show and experienced unprecedented levels of interest in our latest range of innovative tablet PC-based gaming solutions.”

- Francis Davis. MD, X2 Computing Ltd



“More was achieved in three days at IGE than I could have done in a month of non-stop global travelling. We’ve seen all of our hit list of customers, who have been able to meet the entire Gamesman team and see the results of our commitment to innovation. As a technology company IGE is an essential component of our year.”

- Mark Smith. Managing Director, Gamesman



“In any commercial climate, especially an economically volatile one, successful brands need to continually innovate. IGE is where brands have the opportunity to communicate that innovation and where clients have the opportunity to participate in the cycle and turn innovation into mutually beneficial profit streams.”

- Anjali Ramdoyal. Brand Manager, Playerati



“This is now the third year that BBC Channel Islands News has used the International Gaming Expo as a vehicle with which to follow the success of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and more recently the Jersey Gambling Commission. ICEi is the only place where all the movers and shakers of the eGaming World come together in one place each year, which makes the job of carrying out research and conducting interviews so much easier.”

- David Earl. Journalist, BBC Channel Islands News



“IGE is a fantastic meeting place for anyone and everyone involved with gaming. In terms of networking, intelligence gathering, trend-spotting and generally taking the temperature of business, it's unsurpassed. It’s where everyone comes.”

- Russell Clarke. Head of Internationals, Stan James



“The quantity and quality of visitors to the 2010 ATEI has been higher than expected and higher than when we last exhibited two years ago. We’ve managed to see senior management from both Mecca and Gala, among others, this year. The layout of the show is also better. We’re pleased, it’s been really worthwhile.”

- Paddy Cronin. Managing Director, Edward Thompson



“We’re happy. The quality and number of visitors has been good and we look forward to next year’s participation.”

- Christine Wate, Laiv SL



“It’s our first time exhibiting at the ATEI and it’s been an excellent show. We’ve collected many business cards and made many contacts and met with international clients we would never have otherwise seen. We are definitely going to exhibit next year and return with a bigger space.”

- Dawid Kowalczyk, PPHU Majcher



“The round-tables worked really well and were an extremely valuable addition to the Betting Show. It allowed for the opinion formers and the heavy hitters to put their plans to the scrutiny of the show. It’s a magic formula – long may it continue.”

- David Grouse, Independent Marketing Consultant



“It was great to see the beginning of a revival of the land-based gaming sector and a further expansion of e-gaming. It’s now time that the gaming industry opens up to the huge opportunities offered by social media. As a previous exhibitor, and now a visitor, it’s clear how vital IGE is to the entire gaming business.”

- Marc Campman. Marketing Director, Webjam



“After initial trepidation regarding three shows merging into one, we’ve found that IGE has provided excellent contact with potentially new customers – who are serious about doing business. It’s been very encouraging for future involvement with the show over the next three years.”

- Ian Hunter. Account Manager, MRG Systems

Category: other / Shows