The Spanish gaming and amusement industry has suffered badly at the hands of the recession and combined with the implementation of a recent smoking ban it all equals a recipe for disaster.
Speaking with exhibitors at the FER Interazar show, which closes today, it seems that machine income is still down across the board, the industry is not showing any signs of improvement and is not likely to do so for at least another 12 months, according to some.
Moving the show to March was welcomed by some, who feel it slots in easier with the other international shows on the calendar, while others feel it has come too soon after the show in September, for them to be able to show anything new. Some were complaining that no one in Spain is in a position to buy right now and that the show was merely a PR exercise, while others had been very pleased with their customers’ reaction to product and the quality of customer they had seen.
While the show wasn’t overly busy, the aisles weren’t completely empty either. The usual pattern was assumed of a quiet first morning, which picked up in the afternoon, the second day was extremely well received by most and today will no doubt be very quiet.
Whether the Spanish market will now stick to one show per year, reflecting the current needs of the market, is yet to be seen as there were rumours circuling the show that Malaga may still happen but during the autumn months.
A full show report will feature in the May issue of InterGame.
