The gaming industry in the Russian Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) may be young but it is increasingly an economic factor in the countries concerned. Major international companies are keen to sell to the CIS market, have distributors in the area and have an increasing presence at trade shows in the region. The annual Eelex exhibition in December in Moscow is the major industry show in the CIS, but other gaming exhibitions are demonstrating that there is interest and sales to be generated throughout the region.

In June there was the successful World Of Games expo in Moscow following just a week after the spectacular Slot Revolution 1-day event organized by Unicum. Later this month there will be an exhibition organized by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Entertainment Industry 2005, from 21-23 September. Next month in beautiful St Petersburg there will be the Art of Amusement Expo 2005 from 21-23 October. Last April Astana in Kazakhstan hosted a gaming industry show and this week there is Entertainment Siberia in Novosibirsk, Russia.

Of course it is CIS manufacturers and service providers that take up the most space at these exhibitions but international companies are increasingly present. The market potential is immense, despite recent rumblings in Russia to outlaw gambling to its nether regions. Regulations may need tightening but gaming is a booming industry and the number of global firms looking for a piece of the action will continue to grow.

Firms exhibiting in the CIS come from around the world, including Great Britain, Canada, Germany, Austria, U.S.A., Spain and Eastern Europe, and the list lengthens even at the smaller shows. Seminars and conferences add further substance to the shows as they help to facilitate the establishment, development and promotion of entertainment and the gambling industry. (E-09.08.05)

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