G2E Asia 2019 Conference: Spotlight on Japan

This was an interesting experience. On the surface, I am very proud that we were able to gather an all-Japanese panel. We received quality media exposure in Japan, and it was a great chance for the local Japanese stakeholders to speak on a foreign stage. Unfortunately, there were no interpreting machines handed out to the audience or media, and we lost a lot of time due to translation of some of the speakers’ comments. (Huge disappointment considering some of the new takes we had in store.)

There were some great takes on how the IR industry will affect the amusement (pachinko/pachislot) industry, and how regulation of government-run gaming is also in need of an overhaul. History plays a big role in how new challenges like IR implementation are moved forward, and I thought Ishikawa-san and Kiriyama-san really brought that to the forefront.

At the end of the day, we made it on NHK, and at the least set up a forum for future opportunities for Japanese stakeholders to speak abroad on the gaming industry topic.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190522/k10011924261000.html