G2E Asia | Experts optimistic about region’s gaming market

The G2E Asia 2016 Conference commenced yesterday at The Venetian, welcoming over  180 exhibitors, 800 VIPs, and buyers from across the globe. The event’s opening ceremony brought together local government, business organizations, and representatives of the international gaming industry.
This year’s exhibition will be highlighting the fast-growing iGaming Zone, which has attracted more than double the number of exhibitors compared to last year.
“The 2016 edition presents yet another exciting lineup of events and opportunities to learn about the development in Asia’s gaming conference,” said Hu Wei, President of Reed Exhibitions Greater China.
Hu Wei believes that Asia’s gaming industry is currently undergoing a transformation and is to present “numerous exciting opportunities.”

“With 6500 pre-registered visitors from over 95 countries, it is clear that this is a show the industry trusts,” added the president in his welcoming remarks during the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association is optimistic about the gaming market’s stabilization in Macau.
“The numbers are still quite strong, it’s still a 27-28 billion dollar market. I know that our members that are here, they’re making investments for the long term,” stated Freeman to the reporters on the sidelines of the event.
When asked if Macau could be similar to Las Vegas, where income is generated from both gaming and non-gaming markets, Freeman claimed that Macau is already making billions of dollars from the development of the city’s non-gaming activities.
“There’s a bright future for it, non-gaming has great potential but it has to move in concert with the customers. It’s developing here in Macau,” said Freeman. “People should feel good about the development.”
Although the penetration of the market within China is still quite minimal, Freeman stated that the potential for continued growth in the region’s gaming market is “enormous,” and admitted optimism about gaming revenues in the upcoming second quarter. Staff reporter