| The recent European Casino Association Slot Summit held in Hannover proved to be a great success for a number of reasons,not least the fact that no other event like it exists in Europe. Asked if they would like a repeat event next year at the same locale 90% of attendees put up their hands. Sponsors also expressed how pleased they were having the ability to talk one-to-one with their existing and potential clients. Exhibitions are just that - a place to look and see but a three-day event with presentations and product displays enables much better understanding of issues both commonly shared with peers and able to be solved by manufacturers who are onhand. We look forward to the next ECA event which will be held in Paris in September. www.slotsummit.com is being updated but you can still pop onto it and register your interest to recieve further information. Remarkable news from Macau, the only place where Chinese nationals are legally allowed to casino gamble, which has seen gambling revenue surge 24.4 percent last month (March) to $3.1 billion. Income reached $33.5 billion last year, and has shown robust growth over the past three months. Australia meanwhile is trying to fight back with a move by the Casinos to get Government to make it easier for Chinese gamblers to visit them. According to figures provided by the industry, 1.1 million international tourists visited Australian casinos in 2007-08, spending $4.9 billion while holidaying in Australia, with international high rollers splashing an additional $739 million. A record 558,600 Chinese visited Australia over the past 12 months, a 17 per cent increase, and the market was worth more than $3.8 billion in 2011, up 15 per cent on the previous year. Among other demands, casinos therefore want: Multi-visit visas and longer term visas for Chinese tourists; More Australian consulates in China's major cities; Online visa applications for Chinese visitors. Here in Ukraine I would be happy to be able to gamble legally in a casino but the Government have passed over the legislation that would have allowed casinos to open pre Euro 2012. With elections looming later this year, it would not do to upset neighbouring Russia especially if the ruling party is hoping for some donations to its election campaign. 2013 it is then. Glyn Thomas
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