For IGT, the upcoming Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas marks a significant homecoming. The 25th edition of the world’s largest gaming industry trade show, opening Monday at The Venetian Expo, is the first since 2015 with IGT once again headquartered in Las Vegas.
Slot machines and gaming systems are the centerpiece of G2E, which is sponsored by the American Gaming Association and features around 400 exhibitors and over 100 educational sessions with 330 speakers. Keynotes will include MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle, Flutter Entertainment CEO Peter Jackson, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, and AGA President Bill Miller, all providing updates on the state of the casino industry.
This year’s show floor will dazzle attendees with new technology and products, especially from major local manufacturers like IGT and Light & Wonder. IGT’s journey has come full circle: after being acquired by Italy’s Gtech in 2014 and moving headquarters to London, IGT’s identity remained rooted in Nevada. Recently, a merger with Everi Holdings and an acquisition by Apollo Global Management returned IGT’s base to Las Vegas, blending top brands and products from both companies.
On Tuesday, IGT will mark its return with a celebration at its G2E booth, the largest on the expo floor. Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and entertainer Mark Shunock will join the event, which will showcase IGT’s newest offering: the Wheel of Fortune Cash Machine. This new product combines Everi’s Cash Machine and IGT’s Wheel of Fortune games in the impressive 11-foot MegaTower Rise cabinet. The Wheel of Fortune Cash Machine will debut at G2E before hitting casino floors next year, joining 251 slot machines on display at IGT’s booth, alongside video poker, video lottery terminals, electronic tableware, and fintech products.
Light & Wonder will unveil its new LightWave cabinet, a cutting-edge platform that merges slot screens and signage to create a dynamic, immersive canvas for game designers. Demonstrations will feature the Frankenstein game, with popular titles like Jackpot Party, Invaders, Dancing Drums, and Ultimate Firelink to follow. Executives believe these new cabinets could redefine the look and feel of casino floors, drawing players in with interactive features and bold displays.
Other companies are also bringing innovation: Aristocrat Gaming will showcase new Monopoly-themed products following its multiyear Hasbro license, and Konami Gaming will highlight new releases and dedicated spaces for land-based games, lottery, and video terminals.
A notable addition to G2E this year is the first-ever U.S. Dealer Competition, where top blackjack and roulette dealers from over 30 casinos will be judged on technical skills, hospitality, and game control.
While G2E remains the premier event for gaming technology and business, it also faces industry debate, such as the ongoing controversy over prediction markets operating as unlicensed sports wagering companies, a topic likely to arise in some educational sessions.
G2E 2024 will be a showcase for innovation, competition, and the reemergence of iconic brands in the heart of the gaming world.