International Trade Fair for Amusement and Vending Machines 2015 cancelled
The German association of the amusement and vending machines industry (Verband der Deutschen Automatenindustrie e. V. – VDAI) has cancelled the International Trade Fair for Amusement and Vending Machines that was scheduled for January 2015. The cancellation of the leading trade fair of the industry is due to economic reasons resulting from political decisions on the part of the German states and the Federal government.
Written by Redazione
VDAI represents the manufacturers of amusement machines with cash winning options, the so-called coin-operated gaming machines. Manufacturers, dealers and operators of commercial coin-operated gaming machines, and the German amusement and vending machine sector with them, have faced increasing political pressure over the last few years. The German State Treaty on Games of Chance (GIüStV) between the states which entered into force in 2012, the laws on gaming establishments passed by individual German states as well as the significant increase in local amusement taxes in some communities combine to massively repress the amusement and vending machine industry and severely limit its economic prospects. Further drastic limitations are to be imposed by the planned amendment of the Gaming Ordinance. Years of development work are abruptly rendered obsolete. The manufacturers represented in the VDAI face production setbacks of previously unknown proportions. At the same time, the German amusement and vending machine industry is expecting the loss of more than 50% of currently 70,000 jobs directly dependent on the industry as well as approximately 35,000 jobs indirectly dependent on it, should all restrictions be confirmed as being legal in the precise form they have been drafted.
In the opinion of the manufacturers represented in the VDAI, entrepreneurial and financial prudence requires them to refrain from participating in IMA until such time as the legal situation has been clarified. As a result, the basis for holding IMA does not exist. The VDAI expresses its thanks to all trade fair exhibitors and visitors for their loyalty of many years.