Hosted by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and organized by Reed Exhibitions, the Global Gaming Expo 2022 (G2E) will exhibit developments both on the casino floor and in online gaming.
The Expo returned in person in 2021, following a one-year hiatus, and there was some hope for a ‘full house’ at the Sands Expo. However, the event was ultimately stifled by strict Covid-19 precautions, which put a dampener on the social element of the convention and prevented many companies from attending altogether.
Things are different now. No direction and distance markers, no temperature screenings and an easing of the number of sanitizing stations. Every handshake and physical interaction won’t be put under a microscope, and this increased freedom has whipped up enthusiasm over the event.
Registration opened in June, four months ahead of the event, in anticipation of high demand from industry players and experts. G2E Event Vice President Korbi Carrison wasn’t surprised to hear about this eagerness for places, saying: “The demand we’re seeing for G2E 2022 reflects not only the strength of gaming’s recovery but also the impressive growth of new gaming verticals and technology.”
A lot has happened in the last year and many of the attendees are arriving at G2E for the first time in its 21-year history. Newbies on the scene will bring a fresh dimension to the event, the "new gaming verticals and technology" that Carrison alluded to.
Play’n GO CCO Magnus Olsson will be attending for the first time. Despite his company’s long-standing success, he says it needed to wait and build its portfolio in order to “make the right impression,” adding that: “We’re excited to introduce our games to a new audience, listen and learn from others and explore opportunities at the frontier of regulated US gaming.”
Another G2E first timer is Velvix CEO Stanley Ku, who agrees that G2E should be treated as an educational experience, commenting, “We greatly appreciate learning about new trends in the industry. These are important and help us make data-based decisions on the development of new products and services.”
Education is something that is both valued and emphasized by G2E organizers. Those who’ve attended G2E will know how the event plays a balancing act, toeing the line between a friendly celebration and a fast-track academic course. There are numerous educational sessions divided into different spheres: one focusing on iGaming, another on digital payments, and so on; attendees can decide which to go to depending on their chief interests.
What’s more, the ‘Innovation Lab’ has become a staple of the convention, offering fifteen-minute TED-style talks and demo kiosks, and allowing G2E attendees to learn about cutting-edge gambling technologies and the impact they may have on the industry.
According to the G2E site, the Innovation Lab inspires companies young and old alike. The Lab has evolved over seven years, to inspire conversation and spark creative approaches to issues like artificial intelligence, cyber defense and more. It promises to showcase the most exciting developments in the gaming world.
Few well-established companies rest on their laurels when it comes to G2E. For instance, Casino Trac (founded in 1995) knows that it needs to attend the convention to “gain exposure to other casinos that need our solutions but who may not be familiar with us,” in the words of company CEO Chad Hoehne.
The main event will kick off in the Upper Hall of the Venetian, which will be transformed into a gigantic tradeshow floor, flush with vendors from across the industry. Gaming machine operators, hospitality professionals, iGaming specialists and journalists will all freely mingle. This allows for what Hoehne describes as a “space where introductions and cooperation for mutual benefit arise.”
G2E 2022 promises a return to form for the world’s premier gambling trade convention. Advances in gaming, and gaming technology in particular, were not halted by the pandemic and this year’s event will reflect this. As Carrison puts it: “Just like the gaming industry itself, G2E will continue to evolve and expand to meet the needs of its customers, reflect the changing global landscape, and provide a platform for the future of gaming.”
