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New Look Gaming Expo Draws in Crowds

The success of the 15th annual event was due to the wide-range of equipment exhibited
and the new format of the conference sessions, according to event organisers, the
Australasian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association (AGMMA).

AGMMA Executive Officer Mr Ross Ferrar said the number of gaming machines on
display outstripped last year's figures, in terms of both numbers and country-of-origin.

"We had 750 gaming machines and 20 tables on show – that represents a bigger
presence than in many Australian casinos," Mr Ferrar said.

"The Expo demonstrated the increasing globalisation of the gaming industry with
industry representatives and exhibitors from countries including the Ukraine, Austria,
Malaysia, France, Japan, Canada, Italy and the United States."
Mr Ferrar said the gaming industry in Australia was very much a part of the hospitality
industry, a fact borne out by the wide variety of non-gaming industry exhibitors at this
year's Expo.

"There were more than 225 exhibits in total across 20,000 square-metres of exhibition
space.

"The exhibition is about much more than gaming machines and tables. It's about
furniture, air conditioning, décor, promotions, venue fit-out and design, and hospitality
equipment."

The conference component of this year's Expo trialled a dynamic and interactive format
similar to a news broadcast, with Channel 10 personality Tim Webster playing the role of
"anchorman".

Mr Ferrar said the conference, titled "The Wide World of Gaming", allowed
presentations to flow smoothly which resulted in a highly engaged audience.
"The highlight of the 2005 conference was undoubtedly the new format of the forum –
there wasn't a cough to be heard or a yawn to be seen," Mr Ferrar said.
"We had some big names in the conference this year including two of the State's top
politicians – the New South Wales Minister for Gaming and Racing Grant McBride, and
the New South Wales Liberal Leader John Brogden.

"The common theme that came through was the need to connect with the population.

The industry needs to re-connect with the younger population, and connect with its
customers in general."

Mr Ferrar said plans were already underway for next year's Expo which will again be
held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour on September
3-5, 2006.

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