IMA Cancellation Means New Title for ICE 2015

With the cancellation of the IMA trade show, London’s ICE Totally Gaming is set to step in and take over the title as Germany’s ‘international trade show.’ IMA was arranged to take place in January of 2015 in Dusseldorf, but has since been cancelled. Quite a few of those who had planned to attend, are now expected to show at this year’s ICE event in London.

According to Lars Rogge, Managing Director of Bally Wulff, a prime German machine manufacturer: “I would expect there to be at least 300 of the most important German operators visiting London for the show. For us – and our fellow machine-makers in Germany – ICE will therefore become our principal international showcase. We will feature our machines for Italy and Spain there."

Portfolio Director for ICE, Kate Chambers, was happy to make the necessary accommodations prompted by the IMA cancellation, stating, “When Germany had no IMA show in 2013, we welcomed a large number of German gaming professionals to what was the first year at our new home at ExCeL. As part of the broader gaming family we sympathize with the complex political situation, which has caused the cancellation of IMA. ICE is a unique meeting place for the international gaming industry and we look forward to welcoming German operators in even bigger numbers to London in February."

Gauselmann Group is just one among a number of German exhibitors expected at one of the biggest events in gaming in February. Along with it will bring a wide assortment of gaming cabinets which is expected to include WB 4, Vision Plus, Uno, Evolution, Privilege Plus, Highflyer and others. Additionally, 20 new HD games will be showcased, which have been designed specifically for international markets.

The company’s managing director, Ralf Markmann, stated, “Never before has Merkur Gaming offered so many gaming possibilities at an exhibition. We understand that each market has its own special requirements, which is why visitors to our stand can expect solutions for a host of markets, including Spain, UK, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy and South Africa."

David Snook, editor of the ICE Show Daily newspaper, believes that future postponements are likely to come for Germany. Snook states, “The reason behind the diminished frequency of IMA shows is the current state of confusion in the German domestic market where the 16 German provinces or 'Länder' have combined to propose a new series of laws which will drastically reduce the number of machines in German arcades and bars. A period of uncertainty running up to the imposition of the new laws in 2017 will probably see more cancellations of IMA shows between now and then."

Now, even more are expected to flock to this year’s busiest show in gaming. To register for ICE 2015, click on: FREE Registration