New decade and new horizons for the gaming show of Eastern Europe – BEGE
The biggest and well renowned exhibition of the gaming industry in the region welcomed its visitors, exhibitors and partners offering everything they need to strengthen and optimize their business. Edition 2018 had a record crowd of over 5,000 participants greeted on official opening ceremony by Angel Iribozov – Chairman of The Bulgarian Trade Association of Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry (BTAMOGI) joined on the podium by Merkur Gaming’s Director of Industry Relations – David Orrick and Gyursel Kyorov – General manager of Princess Ramada Sofia and Ramada Plazza Gevgeliya, Macedonia.
At the exhibition about 90 companies from 35 countries in Europe, Asia and North America presented the technological achievements in the field, products of land-based and online gaming sector, including mobile technologies and applications in 3 of the halls of Inter Expo Center, Sofia. During both two days of the event, the representatives from the global gaming industry were able to find out the latest and finest solutions, share experience and make beneficial contacts.
BEGE’s key exhibitors – the renowned casino and gaming technologies providers: Novomatic, Ainswort, Casino Technology, EGT, Suzohapp, BetConstruct, Interblock, Merkur Gaming, APEX, Alfastreet Trade BG, IGT and many more once again surprised the visitors with exclusive show programs.
Among the new players, who were inspired to add value to BEGE’s mission were: Kajot, Princess Casino & Ramada Hotel, Star Okey, Zerobet, Betegy, Efes Club, Jeton Wallet, Zeta Gaming, Altenar, Pragmatic Solutions, Military Communication Works No 1, Lotto-RU and others.
On the first day of the exhibition the visitors had the chance to see product presentations with fresh new concepts and ideas from well-known industry leaders. Dinos Stranomitis from Altenar talked about Risk management in sports betting. His presentations was followed by Alex Kornilov from Betegy who explained the advantages of the automated content creation system for sports rich-media – IMPACT. Keith Camilleri from Pragmatic Solutions presented the Mobile-Focused iGaming Platform for Regulated Markets and white label solutions of the company. Rumen Sabev – CEO of intelliStack described for the audience, why Asset Manager is the most convenient solution for organizing data about your assets.
The day finished with epic BEGE party with spectacular dance and light show. During the party the organizators gave the annual BEGE Awards, honoring people and companies for special contribution and excellent achievements in the industry:
In the category Land Based Products of 2018 there were 5 subcategories. For Game Content Debut the award went to ZITRO S.A.R.L – Link King. The Innovative Land Based Premium Product award is for Euro Games Technology – The Super Premier 75. Slot machine of the year went to Casino Technology for Ez Modulo. APEX pro gaming a.s. won in the subcategory Jackpot Concept with CLOVER LINK Jackpot Islands. In the last subcategory Innovative Electronic Tables Multiplayer Solution the winner is NOVOMATIC AG for Diamond Roulette. Land based product provider of 2018 became ABBIATI CASINO EQUIPMENT S.N.C. SUZOHAPP were awarded as Component Providers For Gaming Equipment Of 2018. JCM Global took the award for Payment Solutions of 2018. Casino Technology Interactive won in the category Online systems and solutions of 2018. Online systems and solutions provider of 2018 became BetConstruct. Online operator of the year is Vbet. The award for eSports systems and solutions of 2018 went to UltraPlay. The startup company Bethereum Limited is the winner in category Blockchain Solutions of 2018. Digitain was praised with award in category Notable companies in Gaming of 2018. Most Innovative product concept for the Eastern European Region is for ADVANSYS D.O.O. Innovation of the year went to BtoBet.
Day 2 of BEGE 2018 started with Sales pitch presentation from Anna Soja and Piotr Wilczek from Military Communication Works No 1 who pointed out the main functions of the company’s Central System for EGM terminals. Mario Ovcharov, CEO of UltraPlay explained to the audience how to attract the eSports audience to your betting brand. The winning technology of Novomatic AG and the company’s exclusive products shown at BEGE 2018 presented Antonio Penchevski. About Casino Technology’s brand new line series of slot machines EZ MODULO talked Nikolay Nenkov. Finally, the product presentations concluded with Alan Lee from JCM Global GmbH who introduced MRX – Modular Banknote Recycler.
A highlight on the second day of BEGE was the third edition of the contest for startup companies. Entrepreneurs of the industry introduced their concepts during the Gaming StartUp Challenge 3.0 and after hard competition, best scores from the jury received the US-based ZenSports, who are working to create the world’s largest peer to peer sports betting marketplace. Second place was for Bethereum – the company that combines blockchain and gamification to deliver the most engaging and secure social betting platform. The South Korean developer for VR game and PC-mobile cross platform online game Tripeaks won the prestigious third award. EyeMotion and intelliStack were the other contestants, representing innovative ideas and technologies that will change the future of the industry.
The 11th edition of BEGE stood firmly behind its mission to support the fast-developing technological sector in the country and the region. The positive feedback from both visitors and exhibitors proved the uprising interest and position of the event as a place where opportunities and challenges co-exist. In 2019 BEGE will be back to support the gaming industry today – a dynamically developing business that is prepared to embrace the newest, wildest and smartes technology innovations.