Operator News

Argentina – Muted mood at SAGSE

The three day long South American Gaming Expo and Congress (SAGSE) which took place between November 11 and November 14th in Buenos Aires drew to a close on Thursday.

Taking place at the Costa Salguero Conference Centre, the change in the conference’s size was dramatic with the exhibition space reduced by around two thirds. There were many noticeable absentees this year as a result of a restriction on imports still in place and growing economic woes in Argentina. Noticeable absentees included Bally, which normally occupies one of the most prominent spaces of the conference, while other major operators such as IGT had much smaller stands. However there were still around eighty exhibitors in all and those operating in the online space had a more marked presence this year.

The second day had a more vibrant feel with visitor numbers on the up from day one and many operators were keen to highlight the fact that SAGSE was still a very good platform from which to launch their new products to visitors coming from all over the region. Indeed many operators remained positive when it came to the wider market despite the current problems operators now face locally. This year there were a number of events including SAGSE University, an operator Training event held by JCM Global, as well as the 4th Global Gaming Woman event which was presented by Janine Roth IGT Vice president for South Latin America and Caribbean.

While the mood was slightly muted, as pointed out by operators at the show, there are many markets in Latin America which have still room for considerable expansion such as Colombia and Peru. And while the reduction in the conference’s size is a reflection of the growing uncertainly of the future industry in Argentina SAGSE still remains a key date in the Latin American gaming industry calendar.