The German IMA trade show was formally opened for bookings at the beginning of May and show director Petra Lassahn reports that there has been a strong reaction from the domestic and international industry.
The show is set to be held at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre on January 14-17, 2014, having been cancelled in 2013 because of the political situation in Germany over the operation of gaming machines.
“I think that the show will be at least the same size as in 2012,” said Lassahn. “It is clear that the industry has been looking forward to the resumption of the IMA event.”
Germany’s 16 semi-autonomous Lander, or provinces, have combined to impose severe restrictions on the operation of the country’s arcades and the VDAI trade association, in concert with the other machine organisations in Germany, is now launching a series of legal challenges to the imposition of what it sees as illegal regulation contrary to German federal law and also in contravention of European laws.
The operation of AWP-style machines have come to dominate the German industry to the exclusion of almost everything else. IMA has made a strong attempt to broaden its base in recent years introducing sections for sports betting and the yet-to-be-legalised internet gambling business. It has also added strong sectors for tenpin bowling and for coffee machines (central to all German arcades).
This year, however, the organisers are attempting to renovate the amusement machine market in Germany, which has virtually disappeared. Rigid laws on child and youth protection combined to depress the amusement machine market and restrict it to arcades where the players had to be aged 18 to enter, thus missing most of the potential players.
In recent times, however, mainly through bowling centres, there has been some signs of a resurrection in the fortunes of amusement machines. The IMA organisers are also mindful of the threats to the AWP machine and view amusements as a possible alternative source of business for frustrated operators.
