The 29th Irish Gaming & Amusement Trade
Exhibition was held at the Green Isle Hotel, Dublin on Tuesday 4 &
Wednesday 5 March 2008.  The show had a definite upbeat atmosphere,
contributed to by a further increase in both exhibitor and visitor
numbers. Once again this year's event had a very busy first day and busier
than usual second day with many visitors returning on the Wednesday
and a far greater number of pre-registered visitors showing up than
in previous years.

There was a broadening of the visitor base to include Casinos and
Betting Shops in addition to the traditional Gaming and Amusement
operators.  There was also a noticeable increase in the number of
visitors from locations such as Bowling and Play Centres.
International visitors this year included trade members from Britain,
USA, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany,
Austria, Spain, Latvia, Russia, Hungary, Slovenia, Czech Republic and
Poland.

New exhibitors included British companies, anxious to conduct
business abroad while the industry at home currently offers them very
few opportunities, and companies offering equipment for the
developing casino and betting markets in Ireland.
The number of exhibitors and visitors were both up by more than 10
percent and new exhibitors resulted in a greater variety of products
being offered.  In addition to exhibitor-to-visitor sales, AmEx also
continued its role of fostering exhibitor-to-exhibitor sales and
visitor-to-visitor sales.
Most exhibitors were more than happy with the amount of business
conducted - some were actually overcome by the level of business
transacted and the potential for additional orders in the coming
months for a wide variety of products.

The Casino Committee presented its report to the Minister For Justice
and is awaiting his instructions to prepare legislation for Ireland's
growing casino sector. It now seems likely that the same committee
may also examine arcade gaming and other aspects of the gaming and
betting business.
However, those involved in the trade could be forgiven for not
attaching too much importance to promises of legislation.  In recent
years the industry has not only survived but prospered without
amending legislation and looks like continuing to do so in the short
to medium term.

There was a wide variety of gaming equipment shown - some aimed at
the Southern market and some at the very different Northern market.
Amusement, novelty and redemption games continue to play an important
role in the growing Irish coin-op market and were included in the
range of equipment presented.
In addition to the exhibition there was a programme of meetings,
business presentations and social gatherings, continuing the show's
reputation for bringing together Irish and international
manufacturers, distributors and operators in a businesslike
atmosphere.

Visitors from all over Ireland and further afield converged on Dublin
for the two most important days in the Irish Gaming & Amusement Trade
Calendar, combining business activity and social events, making it an
occasion not to be missed.

Coin-Op Expo - AmEx 2009 will be held on Tuesday 3 & Wednesday 4
March 2009.  For further information contact Martin Dempsey. Phone
+353 (0)45 521 190. Fax +353 (0)45 521198. Email
martin@coin-opexpo.eu