CI_Calendar_0708_complete.qxd 8/7/07 1:01 pm Page 20
EASTERN EUROPE
been reduced to two, probably due to the scale of investment required to realise the plans.
Investment is being led by PBL, an Australian gaming and media group headed up by James
For most of us, Eastern Europe has, of late, meant one thing – EuroVegas. That's been the Packer, son of the late Kerry Packer.
buzz-word on so many lips since it was announced that, thanks to law changes, the The idea has been doing the rounds for some time, but it finally looks as though
Hungarian government was open to the idea of developing an area around the town of EuroVegas may actually happen some time within the next three to five years. As always,
Bezenye. time will tell.
This small town – with an approximate population of 1600 – is attractive for a number of Casino Technology is a slot manufacturer competing in the Eastern European market –
reasons, but the main one is that within less than a two hour drive is a potential catchment as well as many other markets worldwide – and with their home in Bulgaria, it's one they
area of 11 million. The town is in Hungary's north-west, putting it close to Vienna, Budapest know well.
and Bratislava. But these cities are well-served with gaming, so the Hungarian plan is to A large proportion of business for slot manufacturers in Eastern Europe comes from slot
build the biggest resort destination in Europe, and to do it in style so it appeals to wealthy halls rather than traditional casinos. Casino Technology's Steve Surch, Group Director of
Russians and players from much further afield. International Sales and Marketing, explained: "We're still growing rapidly, so slot halls are a
The initial plan was to have up to five major casino developments in the area, but this has core part of our business as well as traditional casinos. Romania is probably the strongest
market for slot growth; they've just joined the EU, and it seems to be quite expansive at the
moment.
We opened our Romanian office last year, Budapest the year before and the Czech
Republic, too. They are important markets for us and we're establishing well in all of them."
Ukraine, which many thought would have reached saturation point by now, is also a key
market for the company, despite rumours that Russian-style legislation is on the way. Steve
said: "Ukraine has been good for us too, it seems to still have some growth in the market
there. People there open small halls and they grow steadily, it's that kind of expansion, quite
organic. They introduce better facilities and it all improves, they become nice operations
for slot halls. They've matured."
But it's not a simple market, by any means; there is competition for all slot companies in
Eastern Europe thanks to the 'shrinking' of the Russian market in the last two years. Steve
added: "There's a lot of slot machines from the closures in the Russian market to contend
with in Ukraine, but if you're established and have good product you always have a chance.
"It's been a major factor for manufacturers who deal in Eastern Europe, the glut of slots
coming in from Russia. There's a lot of talk about it, but it's not just this market, it's in lots
of places."
Traditional casinos are growing too, for example with the Olympic group expanding
aggressively across Eastern Europe, and many other operators seeing opportunities open
up. With Russia's apparent inertia regarding gaming, many companies have cast their nets
wider, and filled the gap left by the Russian market with growth in many smaller territories
across Eastern Europe.
For a more efficient, profitable and
exciting gaming future. Learn more
about our full range of solutions at
www.octavianinternational.com
info@octavianonline.com
OctaSystems OctaGames OctaSupplies
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28