"In 2024, AGEM aims to further cement its relationships and roots with stakeholders in our markets around the world"

As the year winds down, Daron Dorsey, Executive Director of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), in an interview with Yogonet takes stock of the industry's progress in 2023 and sets the stage for what lies ahead in the coming year.

For AGEM and its members, 2023 brought a sense of relief and progress, witnessing a continued recovery in regulated markets worldwide. After enduring a string of challenging circumstances, the stabilization of these markets signifies a welcomed period of stability for the industry.

Meanwhile, discussing the pivotal role of technological advancements, Dorsey emphasizes their continuing significance in the gaming industry's evolution. Innovations like AI, cashless systems, and other transformative technologies are progressively integrating into consumer experiences. Dorsey hopes that regulatory bodies will recognize these ongoing advancements as positive steps, presenting opportunities for the industry to thrive further.

Based on the feedback you've received from the companies that form AGEM, and its work with regulators and local authorities, what is your assessment of the closing year and which do you anticipate will be the main issues driving the 2024 agenda?

AGEM and its members were happy to see the continued recovery and progress made in regulated markets around the world in 2023. After a few years of incredibly challenging circumstances in most, if not all, of those markets around the world, some stability is welcomed for our industry. 

In 2024, the overall goal will be continuing that momentum and serving the needs of operator customers, with both well-established products and new ideas, concepts and technologies, while being mindful that unexpected events and circumstances may always be lurking.

Do you think new technologies such as AI will play a key role in the development of products and services in the gaming industry in the next year? Which other trends, such as cashless, do you see gaining momentum in 2024?

Yes. New technologies and ideas will continue to play a key role. Every year, cashless, similar payment technologies and product innovations continue to become more ingrained in the consumer experience. That will find its way into the regulated gaming space more and more with each passing year. 

As an industry, we hope that our regulatory bodies similarly see that the continued evolution of innovation are positive steps and opportunities for our sector.

What markets and verticals surprised you the most in how they developed this year?

The resilience of our overall global gaming markets was, and is, a nice surprise. Consumers around the globe continue to enjoy products in the regulated marketplaces where they are located. That's a great thing for our industry.

We hope to see growth and gains in 2024 in those regulated markets because that will benefit all our stakeholders, whether companies, the consuming public or the communities in which we operate. Public policy frameworks across the globe depend on the success of regulated gaming, so its continued success is very important to all of us. 

Where will AGEM's focus be in 2024 and how will AGEM support the gambling industry and the association's members in their endeavors? Are there any specific goals the association is trying to accomplish in 2024 and beyond?

AGEM wants to be a voice for its supplier sector members. We have an important industry that creates a lot of good around the globe, so we want to deliver and share that message however we can.

AGEM aims to further cement its relationships and roots with stakeholders in our markets around the world, so creating opportunities and communication amongst its members remains a goal in 2024 and beyond.

Whether at industry gatherings, conferences, trade shows, regulatory events, responsible gaming research and assistance initiatives, educational outreach or charitable endeavors, AGEM and its Officers aim to keep sharing our supplier sector success story.