Some industry observations on the US Presidential election have started to come through to InterGame.
Frank Ballouz, the US citizen who handles international sales for Chinese company Wahlap and who is domiciled in Greece, said: “Trump speaks as a protectionist, but he is a businessman first. I believe that he will be in favour of fairness to everyone.
“Obviously he is a gambler or he would never have run for President. I can see a more sympathetic attitude towards online gambling and even things like medical and recreational marijuana becoming legalised. I agree with those things, but I also think that there will be no major effect on our amusement industry.
“Republicans are business friendly. We will see higher taxes, possibly higher duties as suggested by his protectionist views. The US has a long, hard road in front of it.”
Joe Coppola of ICE, the US-based games supplier with a strong international market, said: “The American people spoke and the vote was a vote for change and for no more Clintons and the baggage they bring with them everywhere they go. Plus holding the Senate and the House was a mandate from the American people that they want to give Trump and the Republicans a chance to make some positive change.
“The amusement business is growing and flourishing worldwide and this will continue under Trump. I think it will be business as usual, both in the short term and long term. Trump is very pro-business and much better for the small and medium-sized factories and businesses of America.
“I know many in the US and certainly the rest of the world are in shock right now and they think Trump is nuts, but that sentiment will change over time. We have an incredible export business, for example in Mexico, and I have had 20-year relationships with customers there who are now as much personal friends as they are customers and I am very confident our business there will continue in a very positive way.
“Plus I feel very strongly that ICE and our relationships with our customers all over the world will remain very positive and very close. These political situations are at times challenging and sometimes provide some short-term hurdles. But people are people and we, not our politicians, will dictate our relationships with customers at home and abroad. Gene (Brogowsky) does such a nice job for us particularly in the international markets, keeping the attitude positive regardless of the political situations that may exist, creating as much opportunity for ICE as possible.
“Between Brexit and now Trump, some big moves this year but our outlook at ICE remains very positive and upbeat.”
