2023
Publisher ’ s Letter
All You Need Is Love
By Roger Gros
The Global Gaming Expo ( G2E ) has been a part of my life since … well , since the beginning in 2001 . And before that I attended the World Gaming Congress and the International Gaming Business Exposition ( IGBE ) going back to the 1980s . And let ’ s not leave out the International Casino Exposition ( ICE ) held every year in London ( until 2025 when it moves to Barcelona ).
I always enjoy meeting my colleagues and friends who I ’ ve connected with throughout my long career . But until this year , I didn ’ t really appreciate how important that is .
Some of our readers know that I had a health scare earlier this year . I had open heart surgery in early May and was on the operating table for more than seven hours .
That brush with death has made me appreciate G2E and every opportunity to network with people that I didn ’ t think I ’ d see again . And the older I get the more friends I lose . Unfortunately , several close friends have passed in the last year , giving me more appreciation to just be alive and well .
Like many who have gone through an incident like this , the world seems brighter , the air sweeter and you realize the very fact that life is to be lived with joy — and every aspect should be cherished .
Of course , I ’ m old enough to already have enjoyed life to its fullest . I ’ ve had several careers , from musician to editor to publisher , and I ’ ve learned much from each of them . And coming so close to the end has shown me that family , friends and relationships are to be treasured .
That ’ s why G2E and other gatherings of this sort are opportunities to renew relationships and friendships that bring you joy , that teach you things you may have forgotten because life moves so quickly . It may seem a bit trite , but if you take time to smell the roses , you won ’ t regret it .
As for G2E , I look back on what my small role had been in its growth . I like to think that the show ’ s commitment to education continues the imperative that I tried to include when I helped to put together the program . This year ’ s education program is as good as it ever was . The depth of the learning and the breadth of the subjects is awesome . If you can ’ t find something that interests you , something that piques your curiosity , you ’ re not really trying . And many of the speakers are new and fascinating , and truly worth your while to go out of your way to hear their views .
At the time of this writing , the Keynote Presentations have not been announced but it ’ s always standing-room-only when the speakers are finally announced . Don ’ t miss them .
And as I already pointed out , the networking opportunities are second to none . Most attendees will get invitations to private parties or receptions , but don ’ t miss the Welcome Reception on Monday evening . That ’ s always a way to connect with colleagues you may have missed over the years . But the highlight of G2E is always the show floor and the products and technology that are on display . And this year ’ s G2E is no different .
Technology has been advancing more quickly every year , and much of that is in the payment processing space . To be able to seamlessly transfer money from your bank account to your gaming budget is not so unbelievable anymore . And the protections built into these systems to prevent problem gambling are also quite impressive .
But the stars of the show are , of course , the slot manufacturers who pour millions of dollars into their stands for the three days of the show . When you see some of the products that the slot manufacturers are displaying , you will truly have your mind blown . And of course , slot machines can mean many things these days — historic horse racing games , Class II games , skill games , and the list goes on .
And even if you ’ re not yet in the iGaming space , you have to witness the amazing displays offered in the special iGaming Zone at this year ’ s show . Ready or not , iGaming is coming and you must get up to speed or get left behind .
But once again , the value of G2E , at least to me , is the chance to renew old friendships , to catch up with career and personal changes in their lives , make new friends and to simply enjoy being alive !
2023 EDITION
PROGRESSIVE PRODUCTS PREVIEW
Roger Gros , Publisher | rgros @ ggbmagazine . com twitter : @ GlobalGamingBiz
Jess Marquez , Editor jmarquez @ ggbmagazine . com
Frank Legato , Managing Editor | flegato @ ggbmagazine . com twitter : @ FranklySpeakn
John Reger , Associate Editor jreger @ ggbmagazine . com
Monica Cooley , Art Director mcooley @ ggbmagazine . com
Terri Brady , Sales & Marketing Director tbrady @ ggbmagazine . com
Becky Kingman-Gros , Chief Operating Officer bkingros @ ggbmagazine . com
Lisa Johnson , Communications Advisor lisa @ lisajohnsoncommunications . com twitter : @ LisaJohnsonPR
Columnists Carl Long | Bill Miller
Contributing Editors Dave Bontempo twitter : @ bontempomedia | Alan Campbell Pamela Jones | Marjorie Preston | Patrick Roberts _______________
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Rino Armeni , President , Armeni Enterprises
• Mark A . Birtha , Senior Vice President & General Manager , Hard Rock International
• Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs , President , Lifescapes International
• Nicholas Casiello Jr ., Shareholder , Fox Rothschild
• Jeffrey Compton , Publisher , CDC E-Reports twitter : @ CDCNewswire
• Dean Macomber , President , Macomber International , Inc .
• Stephen Martino , Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer , MGM Resorts International , twitter : @ stephenmartino
• Jim Rafferty , President , Rafferty & Associates
• Thomas Reilly , Vice President Systems Sales , Scientific Games
• Michael Soll , President , The Innovation Group
• Katherine Spilde , Executive Director , Sycuan Gaming Institute , San Diego State University , twitter : @ kspilde
• Ernie Stevens , Jr ., Chairman , National Indian Gaming Association twitter : @ NIGA1985
• Roy Student , President , Applied Management Strategies
• David D . Waddell , Partner Regulatory Management Counselors PC
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The views and opinions expressed by the writers and columnists of GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS are not necessarily the views of the publisher or editor .
Copyright 2023 Global Gaming Business LLC . Boulder City , NV 89005
GLOBAL GAMING BUSINESS is published monthly by Casino Connection International , LLC . Printed in Nevada , USA . Postmaster : Send Change of Address forms to : 1000 Nevada Way , Suite 204 , Boulder City , NV 89005
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