Vending machine operator association disbands
In a significant development for the gaming industry in Germany, the Association of Amusement Machine Entrepreneurs (AAME) announced its dissolution at the end of 2022. Financial difficulties were cited as the primary reason for the decision, which was made at an extraordinary general meeting.
Founded in 1953, the AAME represented the legal and economic interests of companies in the gaming industry, including operators of gaming halls and amusement machines. The association, which has been in operation for over three decades, has around 2000 members and is a member of the association "Die Deutsche Automatenwirtschaft e.V.", an umbrella organisation for over 2,000 medium-sized companies in the peak associations.
Despite the dissolution, the broader gaming industry in Germany remains strong and supported by government initiatives such as the German Computer Game Awards. Active industry associations like the German Games Industry Association (game) also play a crucial role in supporting the broader gaming ecosystem. However, the AAME did not specifically cover amusement machines, focusing more on digital games.
The Federal Association of Automated Entrepreneurs e.V., the umbrella organisation for the eleven regional automated associations and two specialist associations in Germany, will continue its operations. The business office in Berlin will remain open for inquiries until the end of 2022.
Negotiations between the AAME and the Federal Association of Amusement Machine Entrepreneurs e.V. ended without result. Intensive discussions between the two associations revealed differing views on association work and independence. The Association of Amusement Machine Entrepreneurs is being liquidated by Managing Director Anja Bischof and Chairman Andreas Engler, who thanked the employees for their good cooperation.
The future of the amusement machine industry in Germany is uncertain, but it is likely to involve integration with the broader digital gaming ecosystem and adaptation to technological and regulatory trends. The global slot machine market, a proxy for amusement machine market trends, is projected to grow significantly, driven by factors such as increased consumer demand for gambling and entertainment, innovation in game development, technological advancements, regulatory compliance, and integration of new features like blockchain and social gaming.
Nick Baldus, Board Member of the AAME, stated that they will resume talks with the state associations and the BA on how members can continue to contribute to the industry. The members of the think tank also want to continue working together, suggesting a possible reorganisation or collaboration in the future.
While no direct replacement or new association specifically for amusement machine entrepreneurs in Germany has been indicated in the recent market or industry reports, the general environment for gaming and related entertainment technologies in Germany appears positive, with ongoing growth and innovation expected. Stakeholders in the amusement machine sector might be aligning more closely with broader digital gaming and entertainment industry groups or looking to integrate new technologies and business models to adapt to the changing market.
What will happen to the amusement machine industry in Germany without the AAME?Nick Baldus, a board member of the AAME, plans to negotiate with state associations and the Federal Association of Amusement Machine Entrepreneurs to find a way for members to continue contributing to the industry, possibly through reorganization or collaboration. However, the future of the amusement machine industry may involve integration with the broader digital gaming ecosystem and adaptation to technological and regulatory trends, such as blockchain and social gaming.
