With preparations for the Atrax show in Istanbul under way, Steph Norbury takes a look at Turkey – a market that may offer exciting opportunities for the industry.
Turkey is in a unique position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its amusement and gaming industry is also at a crossroads – the amusement sector growing through foreign investment, while the Turkish government continues to fight an increasingly futile battle against foreign online gambling sites targeting its citizens.
The amusement arcade and FEC sector is estimated to be worth around €100m, with video and amusement machines allowed to be freely sited. There are strict rules banning gambling machines, however, and even redemption games are not allowed. Amusement machines are a welcome import, however, and the majority come from China and Taiwan, although the Japanese giants Sega and Namco are also very popular.
The majority of the large arcades are situated in shopping malls that have sprung up all over the country and their sizes vary from 100sq.m to large 6,000-7,000sq.m sites (there are even two new projects that will occupy 12,000sq.m).
“Shopping malls have been a big trend in Turkey in the last 10 years,” said Suleyman Erdogan of Turkish amusement machine manufacturer Alba. “There are more than 100 shopping malls in Istanbul already and five more are under construction. In every shopping mall there is usually one entertainment centre with machines designed for children aged from four to 12 years old.”
Traditional theme parks are relatively new to Turkey and two are currently being built in Istanbul. However, there are lots of Lunaparks, with one in almost every city in the country.
This article can be read in full in the December issue of InterGame.
