www.casinointernational-online.com EDITOR’S COMMENT Managing Editor: Jon Bruford


What strange times we live in. There we were, all raring to go for ICE, and the new variant reared its head and bit us all in the arse. Milder, perhaps; more infectious, certainly; and combined with Brexit and Easter, unbeatable for some companies. The list of cancellations for ICE is getting like a Who’s Who of European casino suppliers, and it keeps growing. I do wonder if, for those companies, the Brexit aspect was at least as important as


everything else. It must be a factor, surely? Just in terms of people hours, the additional paperwork would be a tremendous ball-ache. For the drivers of the lorries bringing their equipment, I’m pretty sure three hours waiting for the ferry in Calais then untold additional waiting on the British side, hoping their paperwork is in order or they have to just go back again… Well, I’m sure they have things they would rather be doing, like stapling their eyelids to a goat. Add the Easter holiday factor in, and it’s the perfect storm for many people. It would mean going home on Good Friday or even on Easter weekend, and the additional fare boost that would mean makes travel costs pretty unpredictable to say the least. All in all, it makes the entire outing a lot more expensive, especially as so many companies bring tens or even hundreds of staff with them. But on the bright side, ICE 2023 is going to absolutely ROCK.


Jon Bruford Managing Editor, Casino International +441584 877177 / jonbruford@yahoo.co.uk / @RunJontyRun @CasinoInt


NEWS ICE ’22 hit by further withdrawals


ICE (April 12-14) has suffered a series of cancellations from major exhibitors. The rescheduled dates, travel restrictions and ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19 have prompted some of the industry’s key Europe-based suppliers to cancel their participation at the international event. Despite the numerous cancellations, ICE


organisers Clarion Gaming remain optimistic about the event. Clarion MD Stuart Hunter said: “I’m delighted that the market we serve is eager and committed to get the show back on the road. The senior team has worked tirelessly with our colleagues at ExCeL London to fi nd alternative dates for what is one of the most successful and biggest in-person business events held in the UK which in conjunction with the co-located iGB Affi late London comprises more than 700 gaming industry exhibitors. Securing new dates has been a mammoth task and has involved migrating six other events to enable ICE to have the entirety of ExCeL which is the space required to operate at full capacity.”


Spintec Spintec’s statement read as follows: “The show has been a staple in its operations for decades and Spintec had originally planned to participate, exhibit, and promote the event with its partners.


“Spintec has made the decision to withdraw from


the event based on circumstances that will prevent it from participating to its full potential. The volatile situation related to the ongoing pandemic has prevented several of its partners to travel, and recent withdrawals from the largest exhibitors are bound to cause a decline in attraction for international visitors. Additionally, participation would require more effort due to Brexit-related import procedures, operational challenges due to the Easter holidays and the proximity of the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention. “This creates a double bind that puts Spintec in


EVERI Apr19 CI:Layout 1 05/04/2019 09:06 Page 1


an untenable position. Despite its commitment to the trade show and its long-standing partnership with the organisers of ICE, it has been compelled to withdraw its participation. Instead, Spintec will focus its efforts on exhibiting in 2023, when the circumstances are likely to be more favourable for both the company and its partners.”


AMATIC A statement said: “With the current spread of the omicron-variant, the decision to attend the event was called into question, not only presenting renewed logistical problems for AMATIC, but also the moral issue of participating in an international event under such conditions. “Clarion


Events’ recent rescheduling to an unfavourable date had the unfortunate effect of compounding these issues and leading to an expected drop in visitor numbers. After careful consideration, AMATIC decided it can no longer guarantee a satisfactory and safe exhibition, neither for participants, other exhibitors nor for AMATIC itself. ICE remains the most important event of the year and AMATIC are looking forward to participating again in 2023.”


R. Franco Group This marks the fi rst year that R. Franco Group will not be participating at ICE London, the Group made the decision based on international restrictions over the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the diffi culties posed by logistics for new dates. A spokesperson for R.


Franco Group said: “Unfortunately, adverse circumstances have made it very diffi cult to participate in ICE London 2022. It is with great regret that we have taken the decision not to exhibit at one of the most important events in the calendar.


4 FEBRUARY 2022


Deputy Editor: Anjali Sooknanan asooknanan@datateam.co.uk


International Editor: Ricki Chavez-Munoz Tel: +44 1202 418547 | cwiberoamerica@yahoo.co.uk Publishing Director: Paul Ryder | pryder@datateam.co.uk Administration: casino@datateam.co.uk


CORRESPONDENTS USA correspondent: Sharon Harris +1 609 601 7890 | sharonhar@aol.com


Managing Director: Parvez Kayani, pkayani@datateam.co.uk


Circulation Enquiries: Curwood CMS Ltd | datateam@c-cms.com Tel: 01580 883844 | Fax: 01580 883849


Annual Subscriptions: UK £85 | Overseas £150


Subscriptions and renewals to below address or contact: +44 (0)1622 687031 casino@datateam.co.uk


Published by Datateam Business Media Ltd London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LY Tel: +44 (0)1622 687031 | Fax: +44 (0)1622 757646


© Copyright: All materials in this publication remain the copyright of Datateam Business Media Ltd and no part of it may be reproduced without the written permission of the proprietors.


A request to insert an advertisement is deemed to be an acceptance of Datateam Business Media Ltd’s conditions of trading, copies of which are available on request.


CASINO NEWS


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52