The 1st edition of BEGE - Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo was held in Sofia between 30 September 2008 and 2 October 2008.

The event was organized by the Bulgarian Trade Association of the Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry (BTAMOGI) and under the patronage of Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling as a response to the dynamic growth of the entertainment and gaming industry in Bulgaria and the Balkans. During recent years both gaming manufacturers and gaming operators have been increasingly interested in the region’s potential, which is also a result of increased investor confidence after a number of Balkan countries joined the EU.

Following the event the organizers are more than satisfied with the results. The show was attended by more than 2000 visitors from 40 countries. The exhibition floor (over 5200 square meters) was fully booked by 78 companies from 18 countries. The majority of exhibitors were from Slovenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Serbia and Russia. There were also exhibitors from the United Kingdom, Australia, USA, Canada and Dubai. Internationally recognized companies such as WMS, Aristocrat, TCS John Huxley, Shuffle Mater, SUZO, JCM, MEI, Fair Play, Casino Technology, EGT, Alfastreet, Gold Club, etc. demonstrated their latest products.

All visitors had a unique opportunity to explore the latest achievements of regional and world leaders in the entertaining business, the equipment, systems and specialized techniques for entertainment and theme complexes, hotel and resort projects and entertainment centers. Most of them were unanimous that already BEGE has become a real contender for the best and most successful gaming show in the Balkans. The facilities for both visitors and exhibitors were well organized and everybody was really satisfied with the services and the business they had during the show.

EEGS 2008
Held in parallel with the 1st Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo was the 1st Eastern European Gaming Summit. The aim of the events was not only to consolidate companies for the trade show, but also to present the opportunity to gain expertise and experience from the professionals in the Gaming Industry, along with the chance to learn more about the situation in Bulgaria from the most reliable sources with the presentations from the Chairmen of Bulgarian Institutions such as the Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling and the Bulgarian Institute of Metrology.

The first 3-day edition of EEGS 2008, focused on Gaming Legislation, Casino Marketing, Integration of Gaming and Tourism and Best business practices, calling together 46 Speakers from countries including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Macedonia, (FYROM), Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Latvia, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Slovenia, UK and USA.

Gaming Legislation in Bulgaria was presented by Dimitar Terziev, the Chairman of the Bulgarian State Commission on Gambling and was the discussion point of the audience. The program of the Summit included practices in countries like Spain, presented by Honorary President of EUROMAT, Eduardo Antoja, USA, presented by Fredric Gushin Managing Partner of Spectrum Gaming Group and Bob Miller, Chairman of International Association of Gaming Advisers (IAGA), as well representatives from Russian Federation, Latvia, Slovenia, Serbia and Austria overviewed the situation, problems and possible solutions in their countries.

The track ‘Integration of Gaming and Tourism’ gained much interest from the audience, where Thomas Tait, President & CEO of Nevada Tourism Alliance, Jordan Jordanov, Member of the Board of Bulgarian Association for Rural and Ecological Tourism, Blagoi Ragin, Chairman of the Bulgarian Hotel & Restaurant Association were uncovering huge collaboration possibilities for creating an attractive product to be presented to the Bulgarian Market.

The First trial at calling together Industry Leaders, Decision Makers and Gaming Experts in the Balkan region received a very positive response and encouragement for the event to become a regular meeting point for worthwhile relationships.

The Awards
The special importance of the events were highlighted in the BEGE 2008 Awards Ceremony, which was a memorable event distinguishing, in various categories, individuals and companies with special merit for development of the gaming industry in Bulgaria and the Balkans.

The main motive for the organizers to establish this kind of Gaming Awards was to emphasize the tradition that BEGE and EEGS have been creating but also to mention the fact that these events do not happen accidentally but they mark the long dynamic and challenging process of the gaming industry development on the Balkans.

At the official ceremony, which took place during the Gala Dinner at the Kempinski hotel Zografski in Sofia, the Awards were given in 13 categories. WMS gaming was awarded the prize for International Casino Equipment Manufacturer on the Balkans – Slot machines; TCS John Huxley took the award for International Table Games Manufacturer, JCM was distinguished as the most Successful Market Entry on the Balkans of a Peripheral Equipment and Parts Manufacturer. Three companies received awards in the Gaming Equipment Industrial Design category, respectively: Euro Games Technology for their Vega Vision Slant top series, Aristocrat technologies for Viridian upright slot series and Casino Technology for their PlayMe grand piano multi-player system PlayMe. Casino Technology also took the award for the ‘Most successful video-slot game on the Balkans’ for their multi-game bestseller Mega Jack, which has been a top performing product for 10 years in a row.

On the Operators side, two companies were awarded in the category Innovative casino strategy on the Balkans: Princess Casino International – as casino operator and City Casino Group as electronic casino operator. Storm International was distinguished as the most successful ‘Eastern European Casino Operator adoption of a Responsible gaming program’.

Conclusion
All the events provoked great media interest and wide public response. They were attended by all the leading gaming magazines, including InterGaming, Casino Review, Casino International, G3, Global Gaming Business, Casino Life, etc. not only interested to cover the show but also to learn more about the history, economics and perspectives of the Balkans as one of the most attractive, challenging and fast growing areas in the world. On the other side BEGE & EEGS provoked great interest within the local society, putting at the top of the agenda the most important problems with Bulgarian and Balkan gaming activities, including online gaming regulation, social responsibility of the business and the synergy between tourism, entertainment and gaming industries in order to make the Balkans a more attractive and profitable tourist destination.

Striking the balance from the first BEGE & EEGS the hosts from BTAMOGI remain ambitious to establish them as one of the most sought after and popular events in the global gaming calendar. The 2nd Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo will be held from 5th October to 7th October at Inter Expo & Congress Centre Sofia. The majority of the current participants have already confirmed their participation in BEGE 2009 and it is anticipated the number of the exhibitors will almost double. The exhibition floor will take 3 halls in the modern and spacious Inter Expo Center in Sofia.

10/2008