ELA, the international gaming expo initially scheduled for May 15-16 in Mexico City, has been postponed.
The organisers have announced that “in all probability” it will be replaced by an event which would include an international gaming congress featuring keynote speakers from leading industry names, along with a “salon” for leading manufacturers to showcase their wares.
After consulting with several leading figures from the sector, the organisers took the decision based on a number of factors. The first is the uncertainty of the political situation in Mexico, after a new government led by Enrique Peña Nieto took over on December 1.
PRI, a centre-left party, replaces Felipe Calderón's rightist PAN party. This means that the country in general, and gaming in particular, can expect some drastic changes. The SEGOB, or Mexican Home Ministry, responsible for all gaming in the country, has prioritised the fight against organised violence in Mexico and the subject of gaming barely merits a mention in the agenda of the new minister, Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong.
Moreover, the serious repercussions of the boycott of the most recent edition of ELA by APJSAC, one of Mexico's two major associations of gaming operators, are still being felt. Their refusal to attend seems to have been based on some rather unfortunate declarations made by rival association AIEJA before the inauguration of the 2012 event.
“The constant bickering between the two associations is enormously detrimental to the Mexican gaming sector and, unfortunately, no end seems near,” said an ELA splkesman. "In view of the situation, we have decided that it may be better to take a sabbatical and leave ELA for another year.”
