Dublin Show Delivers

There may have been a few sore heads this morning in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin’s Santry district. Certainly, spirits were high last night after the first day of the Irish Gaming Show, which delivered exactly what everyone expects from a small regional gathering for what is a strategically important market for many.

The show didn’t open until midday as John Purcell, co-organiser (alongside stalwart Susan Freery) set out a regulatory update to operators, following meetings with gambling regulatory representative Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO Designate, GRAI.

“The legislation is ready to be rubber stamped, we know that we have been saying the new law is coming for some years now, but it really is happening,” said Purcell.

For those who are not familiar with the Irish gaming law as it currently stands – it is so horribly out of date that operators have been forced into something of a grey area for decades – particularly on stakes and prizes. This has meant that some of the main gaming machine suppliers into the country are brands more normally associated with the casino rather than low-stakes gaming sector.

Jonathan Lauder, Sales Director at UDC, who was exhibiting alongside colleague Richard Crompton told us of the incredibly high quality of arcade offer in Ireland. He said, “Richard and I made a couple of trips to see customers at the end of last year and I couldn’t believe the size and scope of some of the locations we visited. They had arcades, cinemas, bowling, restaurants – they were proper year-round attractions.”

E-Service enjoyed a good show and Paul Scott reported particular interest in the 3004e change machines, the value refurbished classic offer which has been a massive success for the company. Also on the stand was the e-Payhub and the MyCheckr age verification system. Andy Bullock of Innovative Technology was on hand to demonstrate this to the Irish market.

RBW Systems had a busy stand and it was great to see a familiar face – Barry Knowles – industry veteran and thoroughly lovely chap, who has joined the company following a spate of bad health which kept him out of the industry for a period. Barry entertained us with stories of DIY disasters which resulted in several visits to A&E as he helped to do up his daughter’s flat in recent months.

NSM Music has a strong affinity with the Irish market going back many decades and Alex Kirby and Martin Agabeg were on hand to show the latest Atom to their Irish customers. Alex managed to snag a huge cuddly toy in the raffle which will no doubt make him a very popular dad to his angelic 18 month-old daughter when he gets home.

As well as UDC, Brent, Crown and Electrocoin had good selections of their latest amusement products and Whitehouse Leisure managed to squeeze a huge array of their plush onto the stand. OKTO and Semnox were present for the cashless payment options and Marko Kmetic of Slovenian currency handling/banknote dispensing company showed the impressive CountR (among other products) available in the UK through e-Service.

Following the show, Joyce’s raffle in aid of Barnados Children’s charity was compered by Bob Hepworth as usual. Joyce had managed to get together a marvellous array of prizes, donated by her friends in the industry – including a huge 55inch TV from Dransfields. In total, she made around a thousand pounds through raffle and auction for this worthy cause. There was a generous drinks/reception for exhibitors and visitors in true Irish tradition to accompany this and following dinner, the hotel bar was heaving with industry folk enjoying a good catch up!

For a complete album of photos from the Irish Gaming Show click here

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6 March 2024

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