Gaming manufacturers Bell-Fruit Group and Project Coin have announced they will not be taking a stand at the ATEI/IGE show, which is due to take place at London's Earls Court in January next year.

Offering reasons for pulling out of the London show, which is organised by Clarion Gaming, Bell-Fruit managing director John Austin said: "There has been a degree of confusion over the direction in which the show is heading; the split between ATEI and IGE, the rapid growth of the ICE sector.

Austin also said the "breakaway" show, InterGame Expo, has also thrown an uncertain light over ATEI and its effectiveness.

This state of flux has provided us with an opportunity to take a step back this year and review the situation," Austin continued. "We have made this decision regarding the 2009 show; participation in any future events will be given full consideration at the appropriate time."

Project managing director Tony Boulton, meanwhile, offered his reasons for his company’s hiatus in 2009: "We haven’t taken this decision lightly - it has involved a great deal of consideration," he was recently quoted as saying in a trade journal.