Russian Gaming Week Sochi 2014: Summary

On 5-6 of November, Sochi exhibition pavilion by the seaport hosted the event gathering representatives of all gambling market layers – Russian Gaming Week Sochi, for the first time after casino has been banned in Russia.

This event became the starting point or active and meaningful planning of Sochi gambling zone.

RGW Sochi exponents have been represented by leading gambling operators, including:

Belatra, manufacturer of gambling machines, operational systems and tools for increasing casino and arcade games profitability;

Casinopool is a casino equipment provider from Chezh Republic. The company is operating worldwide, demonstrating its products at all major exhibitions;

Octavian is a leading Russian developer and provider of software and hardware casino complexes;

Casexe, casino online developing platform;

Login Casino, magazine about gambling business;

Also, international gaming network Pari Match has become one of the exponents and a Coffee Break Sponsor. “At this exhibition we present our own product – self-service terminal,” said Alina Zhadan, Pari Match representative.

“At our exhibit we demonstrated our gaming equipment, including gaming machines, new games and jackpot system. We brought new “Billionaire” kit, consisting of 10 various games including small lines, roulette and poker. We also presented new “Neostan” cabinet with LED lighting, and “Semerki” kit of seven games of American style,” said Alexandr, representative of Belatra to RGW Sochi guests.

At the same time, RGW  floor hosted theme Conference with leading industry specialists. Business event program has been divided into several theme blocks:

• Sochi gambling zone: expert opinion;
• bookmakers: changes to regulation;
• real casinos and acting gambling zones experience for Sochi gambling zone;
• Sochi gambling zone development: expert predictions;
• online gambling innovations.

Expert speakers at the Conference included Zhanna Grigoryeva (Sochi  authorities representative), Yuriy Barzykin (Russian Travel Union Vice-President), Michael Boettcher (Storm International  President), Konstantin Makarov (СРО President of bookmaking) and a lot more. Moderators: Elena Botvinnikova, ALexandr Dobrov.

Zhanna Grigoryeva has become one of the most eagerly awaited speakers at the Conference, being the Director of Powers Implementation Department for Preparation and Holding of FIFA 2017 Confederations Cup, FIFA 2018 World Cup games and other program events of Sochi municipal administration. Unfortunately, she couldn’t answer the question that has been of quite interest for the audience, namely “Where will be gambling zone constructed?”, not because she hasn’t been preparing for presentation or lack of competencies, but because legislative process is not finished and it’s still early for making specific statements.

Nevertheless, she said: “Some kind of new construction is not planned. Existing objects could be modernized if it is mentioned in the Law and complies with requirements. Existing infrastructure and lack of construction needs is a factor that promises a quick gambling zone launch.”

Yuriy Barzykin, Russian Travel Union Vice-President, noted that one or two casinos could be open in Sochi zone next spring, and their ‘home’ might be Krasnaya Polyana mountain cluster.

Poker Club Management Executive Artur Voskanyan told about the potential role of poker tournaments in Sochi casinos. Russia has at least 10 thousand poker players, so casino poker will provide a great additional visitor traffic.

Michael Boettcher, Storm International  President, has become a star of the program. The company manages Shangri La casino in Tbilisi, Erevan and Minsk, slot halls in Germany, Belarus and Romania etc.

Michael made a detailed one-hour presentation with data and analytics of the future gambling zone. During his presentation, there was no enough space in the hall for everyone – so many people wanted to listen to expert. Everybody wanted to talk to Mr. Boettcher, and in spite of his busy schedule, he devoted his time to everyone. The speaker told that key condition for Sochi cluster success was that casinos should be located in the city center, and gambling houses could be located only at 5-star hotels.

As part of the Conference, there was also a roundtable devoted to discussing the real casino experience from acting gambling zones. Its participants were represented by casinos from Italy, Austria, Turkey, Georgia. During the discussion, all speakers – Lavrentiy Gubin (Shangri La), Peter Hötzinger (Century Casinos, Inc), Carlo Pagan (Campione d’ Italia) – addressed a topic of gambling taxation and shared useful practical advices and real numbers.

Although exhibition floor presented not many companies, organizers point out that this has been just the beginning of the bright RGW Sochi future. RGW team is sure: after the launch of first gambling houses in Sochi and in Crimea, specialized exhibition will boost its potential.

Great attention of mass media to RGW Sochi proves the event efficiency. In particular, journalists have been interested in Conference speaker line-up: authorities, international experts, investors and business owners. Exhibitors have been happy to visit Sochi, as their products and services weren’t unnoticed.

“At Russian Gaming Week Sochi, our company presents a virtual casino that attracted a lot of visitors. Our booth has a monitor showing the image in Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, so one could choose chips, make bets and other actions. Also, we have drawn a bet-accepting website among visitors,” said Alexandr Semenko, Betroniс co-founder.

Russian Gaming Week Sochi team thanks everyone, who became a part of this significant event.

See you on next RGW exhibition!

Gallery.