One of the world’s biggest annual gaming industry exhibitions and trade shows, Global Gaming Expo, kicked off overnight Macau-time at Sands Expo in Las Vegas.
Running from Monday 8 to Thursday 11 October 2018, with the main exhibition beginning on Tuesday, the show known globally as G2E celebrates its 18th anniversary this year with a record crowd of more than 28,000 visitors expected.
G2E provides a unique opportunity for manufacturers from all corners of the industry to come together and present their latest products and innovations to operators. In 2018, that adds up to around 450 different exhibitors representing 111 different countries.
G2E also brings together some of the industry’s brightest minds to take part in one of the event’s many conference offerings, of which this year’s Sports Betting Symposium promises to be of particular interest following the US Supreme Court’s landmark decision to void the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May. Sessions will cover the business and legislative aspects of sports betting and offer an interactive, guided tour of the G2E expo hall to connect attendees with the top suppliers of sports betting technologies.
“As states and sovereign tribal nations consider whether or not to enact legalized sports betting, the Sports Betting Symposium at G2E will offer the world’s foremost experts, business leaders and operational solutions to build a thriving legal market in the United States,” said Sara Slane, senior vice president of public affairs for the American Gaming Association.
Slane, who led the AGA’s advocacy campaign to highlight the failures of PASPA, will discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s PASPA decision in a special one-hour interview-style panel session on the morning of 10 October alongside ESPN’s SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt.
Likewise, the show floor will see an “expanded presence” from companies supporting sports betting, according to Reed Exhibitions/G2E Event Director Korbi Carrison.
“We’ve put a major focus on the evolution of G2E to ensure it is staying ahead of the curve as the gaming industry changes,” Carrison said. “The expo hall will feature highly anticipated offerings from across the core gaming sector, along with exhibitors presenting their products in sports betting technology, iGaming, integrated resort products and other non-gaming amenities.”
Among the leading manufacturers on the expo floor will be the likes of Aristocrat, which will debut its new “Mad Max: Fury Road” slot, and IGT who will unveil its new “The Price is Right” and Adam Levine slots.
Meanwhile, Scientific Games has promised to “create a dynamic environment to show its customers how it is evolving entertainment when it comes to casino, lottery, digital and sports betting.”
Inside Asian Gaming has a team of three at G2E all week and will bring you all the latest news and developments from the exhibition floor.