The third edition of the Macao Gaming Show (MGS) will take place from November 17 to 19 at the Venetian Macao. Organizer Jay Chun says he expects the trade show will gradually become a one-stop supply station, for both gaming and non-gaming interests.
This year’s Macao Gaming Show (MGS) will have a floor area of more than 10,000 square meters, bringing exhibitors from both the gaming and non-gaming sides. There will be also two pavilions for companies from Korea and France, as a way of expanding the event further, says the chairman of Macao Gaming Equipment Manufacturers Association and organizer of the show, Jay Chun.
The event is divided into six segments: gaming equipment and accessories; junkets and VIP clubs; casino fixtures and fittings; promotional services and memorabilia; food and beverage; entertainment and performance.
And with gaming revenues dropping every month during the course of this year, Mr Chun says the structure of MGS is also adjusting to this trend.
“Traditionally, we have equipment, manufacturers, junkets and also the slot experience centre, but this year we have, in the non-gaming sector, wines, lighting, service, souvenirs and decorations”, he says.
Compared to last year, the show will be similar in size, but the local artistic and cultural offering section will also be bigger.
“There are many paintings and creative arts that we can nurture and integrate with the gaming industry”, he explains, adding: “In the future, we want MGS to be a one stop supply. If you want to open a large size business, with or without casino, we can give you everything you want. That’s our ultimate target.”
The organizers have invested more in promoting the event by partnering up with a big UK media firm, and Mr Chun says they are expecting more people to come from a wider region, considering that gaming is growing around Macau.
“We should have clients from the US, South America, Australia, Korea, the Philippines, even Russia.”
And in terms of the number of exhibitors, Mr Chun says it will be quite similar to last year.
“About 10 percent new exhibitors for the gaming sector”, he notes, adding that the increase for the non-gaming sector will probably be around 20 percent.
On the other hand, the strong participation from the junket side seen last year is likely to decline by 30 percent, given the current market situation.
“Especially now, everyone realizes in the future that the mass market is more important”, he explains. “Still, since their partners may have closed down, some sub-junkets will probably come to find new partners.”
Regardless of the challenges that the local gaming sector is experiencing, Mr Chun believes “more people will come to the show, both from the manufacturing and the casino side.”
And he is optimistic that the current downturn situation in the gaming industry will not continue long term.
“Definitely, in the future, we’ll see an increase again, when there is a bottom. Since the whole market is getting bigger and the number of tables and machines is increasing, everything will pick up.”
Looking to the future, Mr Chun expects MGS to be one of the top three events of its type in the world and he is confident they will manage to achieve this due to “the large floor space, the attendance” and the fact that “if you really help manufacturers find a buyer, it’s a good show”. At the previous edition, “more than 90 percent of exhibitors” reported that they were happy, since they did meet buyers.
“In the future, maybe next year, we will bring companies from the Philippines and Singapore and let them integrate into our show.”
On the conference side, Mr Chun says they will have more speakers this year.
“On the first day, they will be talking about the situation in Macau and how it can be an opportunity for the whole of China’s policy.” On the following two days, the topics will focus on equipment, mathematics, graphics and other more technical issues.
Overall, he says 60 percent of the show will cover the gaming side, while the rest will be for non-gaming. This is a reflection of what he expects to happen in the future in the territory. He believes the current market conditions provide opportunities for the growth of mass gaming. In fact, as the chairman and managing director of Paradise Entertainment, a supplier of gambling equipment in Macau, Mr Chun says this is also a good opportunity for his own company.
“The manufacturers can now offer alternatives, giving machines that increase revenues”, he says, adding: “It’s the same as in the US – with the human resources being less and less, operators need to put more and more machines on the floor, more automation”.
Mr Chun’s company will present new “revolutionary” products at the opening of MGS, which, for now, he prefers not to disclose.
MGS is organized by the Macau Gaming Equipment Manufacturers Association (MGEMA), co-organized by the General Association of Administrators and Promoters for Macau Gaming Industry, Associação de Mediadores de Jogos e Entretenimento de Macau, Macau Jockey Club, MACAUSLOT, and Macau Yat Yuen Canidrome.
