Although it had an ‘Online Gaming Area’, the giant G2E show came out with something of an online whimper when it opened its doors this week.
The Las Vegas gambling extravaganza will immediately point out that it is there with a land-based gaming reputation, which is true enough, but we did expect a little more in the way of further evidence of cross-polination between bricks and mortar and the etherial this year.
We didn’t get it. Perhaps for two reasons: the proximity of the EiG show, set for Barcelona October 16-18, which is, after all, a specialised event for the online business; and secondly, because the US market does not have legalised online gambling yet.
Amaya Gaming was there with a big stand, but tripled by the presence of Cadillac Jack on the other side of the floor, of which Amaya completed the acquisition a week ahead of the show. The company also announced, 24 hours before G2E opened, that it had bought Ongame from Bwin.party for C$15m.
Apart from Amaya there was little to show for the online business, perhaps except for companies like Inspired Gaming, showing its SBG products, and a general awareness of VLTs around the hall.
