Russian Gaming Week 2014 Results

On the 5th of June, 2014, ECC Sokolniki hosted 8th International gambling and entertainment exhibition-forum Russian Gaming Week. So, dear friends, let’s sum up the results!

This year, exhibition was expected literally by all manufacturers and casino operators. The event was held one day prior to the implementation of important law amendments which will regulate main bookmaking and lottery businesses on the Russian market, starting from July, 2014.

These events have been reflected in the exhibition concept and its participants, as well as Conference program with leading professionals and most significant industry representatives taking their part.

About 2,000 people visited exhibition for its two full days.

As expected, bookmaking and lottery business representatives were among the exhibitors: companies from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Austria, Serbia, Bulgaria, UK, Portugal and other countries -- about 40 venues, including Betconstract, Tradologic, Superomatic, Game Traffic, Holo Loto, CasExe, Bingo-Boom, Rub-90, BC Olimp, Euromir, Baselogic, GK-Trio, InfoIntsale, Golden- Race, Igaming-Consulting, UB Gaming, Pari Match, MeridianBet, Betting's, NPS, Market Music, ScentAir, Outcomebet, Sensis, Chestnoe Lotto, Electroloto.info, Lotomag, Formula55, Winline, Hermes, Hotel magazine, Login Casino magazine, SaveSystems, Hot Games etc.

Oleg Vlasov, RGW director, welcomed guests at the official exhibition opening in gala format. Sponsors have been asked to cut the red rope, including Suren Khachatryan, Betconstruct director, Evgeniy Morshchinin, OMI founder (Superomatic brand), and Dmitriy Cherkasov, Game Traffic CEO.

 “I’m very surprised about the attendance and interest to products as law becomes even more strict on this market. As the participant, I find exhibition very interesting. Organizational aspects have been implemented amazingly; I like this place, Sokolniki. Organizers took it very seriously – everything is positive, neat and great.

Considering legislative changes, market players now have two choices: utilization or modernization. Using program products represented at this exhibition, one can modernize his business,” said Artur Donskoy, director of RuVegas and one of the participants.

Holo Loto company’s product has become one of the most interesting novelties presented on the floor. Holo Loto demonstrated their new patented lottery system with modern holographic technologies that create three-dimensional visualization. Such technology allows combining colorful characters and constantly developing fairytale worlds with unbelievable graphics and game dynamics. Lottery is unique because it’s implemented exclusively, depending on the law of each country.

Some unusual marketing approach in 2014 has been fulfilled by Bingo-Boom. Famous Russian futurologist Evgeniy Plushchenko visited Russian Gaming Week as an official company ambassador. Plushchenko has been delighted to communicate with people and dispense autographs at Bingo-Boom’s booth.

Two-day Conference has been organized as part of the business program. Professional business trainer Denis Nikitas acted as moderator, being “2С Communication group” partner and chief editor of Segment magazine.

First Conference day has seen a lot of famous specialists, lawyers, analysts, as well as authorities and businesses representatives: President of NBA Yuriy Fedorov, Russian Gambling Business Development Association (RGBDA) council chair Valeriy Ivanov, CEO Deputy of RGBDA Samoil Binder, Konstantin Makarov - lawyer and CEO at Bingo Boom, Thanos Marinos - gambling expert form Greece, Sarkis Darbinyan - lawyer at Moscow City Advocates' Chamber, Leonid Obozniy - President of First Gaming, Sergey Ilyushchenko – lawyer and co-founder of Germes, Maria Lepschikova - legal counsel of Pravovaya liniya, LLC, Ivan Montik – SoftSwiss group (Austria) founder etc.

Experts discussed a lot of important topics concerning the latest legislative changes in operation, market state, gambling zones, potential deployment of gambling zone in Crimea. Audience enjoyed exploring exclusive Russian market data and numbers, online and land-based bookmaking volumes in 2014. In some presentations visitors also found out how to protect business legally.

Halfway through the first day, roundtable took its place to discuss CRO benefits in gambling industry. In the end, participants united in their opinion that CRO is important but laws need to be significantly improved in accordance with the global practice and Russian realities.

Second Conference day has been devoted to promoting and monetization of online projects, bookmaking software innovational technologies, online casino licensing, cryptocurrencies in gambling, marketing strategies and new ways of online players acquisition and retention.

Summarizing business activity of Russian Gaming Week participants, one thing becomes clear: gambling is still in the highest demand in Russia. Gambling business is one of the most important sectors of national economy and requires reasonable policy and regulation. In spite of all legislative restraints taking effect on the 1st of July, 2014, market operators now make preparations before the new season and look for the alternatives and ways to surprise competitors.

Russian Gaming Week 2014 successfully reached its goal and demonstrated a whole range of new equipment and services on the Russian market, promoting meaningful dialogue between state and business bodies, as well as helped to establish productive cooperation between Russian and foreign companies. Exhibition participants claim that Russian Gaming Week is today’s best business floor for sharing ideas and experience in Russia.