Organisers of the upcoming ATEI and International Gaming Expo (27-29 January) are reporting an uplift in pre-registration figures from buyers based outside the United Kingdom. The depreciation of the British pound against the euro, US dollar and other major currencies has had a considerable bearing on the cost of staying in London and in some cases the cost of purchasing equipment which has been sourced and manufactured in the UK.

Karen Cooke, Head of Exhibitions at Clarion Gaming, explained: “Year-on-year the euro and the dollar have appreciated substantially against sterling. In January 2008 the pound was worth in the region of 1.35 euros and 2 dollars. 12 months later the respective figures are 1.1 euros and 1.5 dollars. In real terms, visitors holding US dollars have 25 per cent more purchasing power than at the beginning of 2008 and those with euros nearly 20 per cent more.”

She added: “With budgets going so much further, we are anticipating that new companies will attend, that existing visitor delegations will bring additional colleagues and that visitors will stay for additional days.”

ATEI and the International Gaming Expo, incorporating ICE and ICEi, will have a combined exhibitor base of around 450 companies drawn from nearly 50 nations, showing the latest amusements, gambling, betting and remote gaming products and services. To register for free entry badges visit www.atei-exhibition.com and www.ige-exhibition.com respectively.