The producer of the G2E Asia trade show has quashed rumors that there are plans to move the show from Macau to Manila in the Philippines. “G2E Asia is rooted in Macau, and G2E Asia is going to stay in Macau, Josephine Lee, chief operating officer of show producer Reed Exhibitions Greater China, told GGRAsia.
The rumors of a move surfaced after regulatory restrictions limiting the type of online gaming content that may be displayed were imposed by Macau. Online gaming is illegal in Macau, but until now, no restrictions had been placed either on G2E Asia or the rival Macao Gaming Show.
GamblingCompliance reported that the restrictions on online gaming had also impacted the conference track of G2E Asia 2018, adding that limitations on online gaming content at the event were directly discussed between the organizers and Macau’s gaming regulator, the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
Lee confirmed to GGRAsia that there had been restrictions imposed on the type of online gaming content exhibitors were able to showcase at this year’s G2E Asia.
“While there were restrictions on live online casino operations and demonstrations at the show, there was an increase in online gaming content on the show floor,” she said. That included “games, gaming software, platforms, backend and payment systems that serve the gaming industry,” she pointed out.
Despite the restrictions on online casino operations content, the exhibit floor of G2E Asia 2018 was 30 percent larger than the prior year.
“We are happy to work closely with the Macau SAR government to develop G2E Asia as the annual key networking and sourcing platform for the Asian gaming-entertainment industry,” Lee said. “We will keep diversifying the event’s content with gaming and non-gaming elements to serve the industry’s needs.”
