G2E 2021: crowds return to Las Vegas

There’s been a strong turnout in Las Vegas for the first edition of the Global Gaming Expo since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

US.- The gaming industry has descended on Las Vegas for a triumphant return of the Global Gaming Expo (G2E). One of the world’s largest gaming events is back in style, with a huge turnout considering the ongoing disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gaming industry professionals have convened on The Venetian Expo for four days in which attendees can see and touch the next generation of casino tech. Many of the biggest companies in gaming are present, among them BetConstruct, BMM Testlabs, EGT, EGT Digital, EGT Interactive, EvenBet Gaming, Genius Sports, Kambi, Konami, Sportradar, TCSJOHNHUXLEY and TransAct Technologies.

Focus Gaming News’s team is attending the event. The mood was highly optimistic on the opening day, with a palpable sense of energy in the air as a reinvigorated industry looks ahead, eager to do business.

Attendees have proved to be keen to discover new innovations and debate industry issues in the areas of sports betting expansion, online gaming and payment modernisation.

American Gaming Association president Bill Miller welcomed attendees on Tuesday with an opening address in which he expressed a prosperous outlook for the industry. “I’ve never been more proud to be part of this industry,” he said.

“AGA’s inaugural Gaming CEO Outlook reflects the strength of our recovery and consumer demand for our world-class entertainment offerings,” he continued. “The promising outlook is built on our innovation, but like many industries, supply chain and worker shortages continue to slow our full recovery.”

Meanwhile, Nevada governor Steve Sisolak and Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev) took to the stage to discuss land-based casinos’ recovering from the Covid pandemic. They highlighted the way Nevada’s casinos had successfully reopened after the shutdown.

One panel yesterday debated how casino companies can prioritise diversity, while today MGM Resorts International’s Bill Hornbuckle, Wynn Resorts Ltd.’s Matt Maddox and Hard Rock International’s Jim Allen will weigh in on industry topics. The final keynote today will see Miller return to the stage with Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill.

The event looks set to offer a major energy boost to the industry, right on the heels of iGB Live! in Amsterdam last week.