BEGE 2019 the premier trade show event for the international gaming entertainment industry in Eastern and Central European region was held 20-21 November at the Inter Expo Center, Sofia. Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo featured more than 80 companies from all sectors of the gaming industry as they showcased their newest products and services. Exhibitors from 50+ different countries, including Australia, Netherlands, Argentina, India, USA, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovenia, Italy, Latvia, Armenia, Serbia, Cypress, North Macedonia, Poland, Ukraine, Russian Federation, Malta, Germany, Sweden, UK, Bulgaria and many more have shown their innovations and got the opportunity to strengthen and optimize their business. The biggest and well renowned gaming event has recorded a great attendance of nearly 5000 industry professionals from around the world who experienced the latest trends in the gaming and entertainment business.
“At its 12th edition BEGE is already renowned as the key gaming and entertainment business hub across the continent, which offers a specialized forum to all gaming professionals to present their innovative solutions and shape the industry future” said Mr. Angel Iribozov, the Chairman of The Bulgarian Trade Association of Manufacturers and Operators in the Gaming Industry (BTAMOGI) at the official opening ceremony. Mr. Iribozov was joined on the podium by the president of The European Gaming and Amusement Federation (EUROMAT) Mr. Jason Frost.
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. The BEGE 2019 was thrilled to welcome an expanded array of new participants, as well as the loyal and dedicated returning exhibitors and supporters such as Novomatic, Ainsworth, FAZI, Casino Technology, EGT, SUZOHAPP, Digitain, Interblock, Merkur Gaming, APEX, Apollo Games, Alfastreet Trade BG, IGT, Innovative Technology, Alfastreet Gaming Instruments, Abbiati, Industrias Lorenzo, CPI, Fininvest, JCM Global, Kajot, Aberici, Avansys, Zitro, UltraPlay, JPL, Zuum and many more. Among new exhibitors came to Sofia for the first time to present new trends, developments and innovation in the gaming sector were CTC Holdings, Gambee, Mondo Gaming, TVBet, Bulgames Grup, Sega Amusements International, South Gate Tech, PLAYERS.POKER, Ruby Technology, Skilrock Technologies, DD Consultus, Winsystems, Coco Agency, Zebra Digital, Kurtyna 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. Nikolay Milev, Product Manager from UltraPlay talked about the iGaming operator’s complete package. His presentations was followed by Easy CSMS representative.
Sujit Lahiry, the Executive Director of Skilrock Technology presented the company.
Kamen Bochev from South Gate Tech presented the services portfolio targeting the Gambling and Betting sectors. His presentations were followed by Sukru Tezel from Ruby Technology who talked about Casino Assist. What is chatbot campaign was presented by Blagoy Nikushev from Zebra Digital. And at the end Coco Agency presented their wide range of entertainment products.
The day finished with glamorous Awards Ceremony at the Official BEGE party. The annual BEGE Awards, which took place at one of the most exclusive night clubs in Sofia – Megami Club honored people and companies for special contribution and excellent achievements in the industry. BEGE team is thankful for their exceptional contribution to this year ceremony sponsors EGT, Casino Technology and Merkur Gaming.
“BEGE Awards recognize excellence in businesses that grow their success, businesses who have made, and keep making, a significant contribution to the gaming industry” Milena Tsankarska, BEGE Project Manager said. “Congratulations to all our winners and finalists” she added.
The winners in BEGE Awards categories are as follows:
For Online Content Provider Of The Year the award went to EGT Interactive;
For Online Platform Provider the award went to BetConstruct;
The winner of Online Sportsbetting Operator category was Palmsbet.com;
Best Esports Betting Solutions Provider Of The Year award went to UltraPlay;
For Best Marketing Concept Program the award went to TVBET;
Casino Management Award went to Сasino Technology;
For Landbased Casino Operator Of The Year the award went to Palms Merkur;
The Component Providers Award went to SUZOHAPP;
The Game Content Award went to NOVOMATIC;
For Land Based Live Gaming Product the award went to CTC HOLDINGS;
The recognition for Most Innovative Product Concepts of the year went to Euro Games Technology;
Slot Machine Of The Year award went to ZITRO S.A.R.L;
The recognition for Notable Figure Or Company In Gaming went to Casino Technology;
The winner in Payment Solutions Provider was CountR GmbH./FININVEST d.o.o.;
For Poker category the award went to Players.Poker
For Fast Growing Online Platform the award went to Digitain.
There were also two additional categories this year. For the leader in marketing, branding, advertising and achieving the highest partnership success rates the awards went to GB Media Corporation (Casino Review and iGaming Times), Casino Life & Business Magazine and Focus Gaming News;
For those who have provided the maximum support and commitment for BEGE over the years the awards went to Casino Technology, Euro Games Technology, Alfastreet Trade, Novomatic and Merkur Gaming and JCM Global.
DEKART was honored for 30 years of success in the field of gaming industry.
Afterwards the annual award ceremony, the night went on with the solid of entertainment BEGE party program.
The second exhibition day started with Sales Pitch Presentation from Alex Dobrov from TV Bet who asked the audience if 64% growth of GGR for 30 thousand euro is not enough. Casino Technology presented their brand new line series of slot machines EZ MODULO. Antonio Penchevski from Novomatic explained to the audience about the company’s nes products. His presentation was followed by Stoil Stoilov from Hololed who pointed out that the 3D hologram is the new advertisement tool. Stefano Sottocorna from Vermin Games presented Vermin Games services. Finally, the product presentations concluded with Panda Games and Luca Fagioli who introduced the website and the back-office of Panda Games website.
The 12th 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 2020 BEGE will be back to support the gaming industry today – a dynamically developing business that is prepared to embrace the newest, wildest and smart technology innovations.
See you at BEGE 2020!