The European Gaming and Amusement Federation (EUROMAT) is a Brussels-based federation of European trade associations representing the gaming and amusement industry at European Union level.

EUROMAT
The European Gaming and Amusement Federation
Formation1979
TypeAdvocacy Group
Headquarters22-24, Rue du Luxembourg, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Location
Membership
12 national member associations from 10 European countries
President
Jason Frost
Websitewww.euromat.org

Organisation

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An example of a game in an amusement arcade: a Wizard of Oz pushing game that can be found at many arcades today.

History

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The European Gaming and Amusement Federation (EUROMAT) was established in 1979.[1] Its secretariat is located in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union (EU).[2] Although EUROMAT mainly follows European political developments, it also endeavours to monitor international developments as they happen.

Structure

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As of 2023, the federation represents 12 national member associations from 10 European countries (including two observers).[3] EUROMAT is supported by a secretariat based in Brussels, as well as an Executive Committee.

In July 2015, Eduardo Antoja, of the Asociación Española de Empresarios de Máquinas Recreativas (FACOMARE), was elected president of EUROMAT, replacing Annette Kok, of the Vereniging Automatenhandel Nederland (VAN).

In May 2023, Jason Frost was reelected as president of EUROMAT.

Mission

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The overall mission of the Federation is to contribute to the creation of a healthy business and legal environment for the gaming industry in the EU.

EUROMAT instigates dialogue with the European Union and other pan-European bodies, with whom it hopes to use its position and membership to stimulate debate and awareness. The federation also monitors and attempts to influence the European regulations on legal, commercial and technical aspects of the business to guarantee the best possible future for the gaming sector, by giving one voice to its members on all matters affecting the industry.

As well as defending the interests of the gaming industry by providing continued and accurate information on the gaming sector to citizens, European media and national administrations, EUROMAT supports all its member associations in their efforts to adopt, promote and enforce the appropriate code of conduct for themselves and their associates.[4]

Activities

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Much of the Federation's work consists of monitoring developments within the European Union, and keeping member associations informed of upcoming legislation that may potentially affect them. Additionally, the organization collects and distributes information on the amusement industry on a regular basis.

Membership

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EUROMAT's members range from operators, manufacturers, distributors and owners of amusement equipment.

As of September 2023, the following national associations are member organisations of EUROMAT. Two of them, ASL Interactifs (France) and MSZSZ (Hungary), currently enjoy observer member status. From 2024 AOGGAB (Bulgaria) also joins the membership.[5]

Country Association
  Croatia Croatian Gaming Association
  Germany Bundesverband Automatenunternehmer e.V. (BA)
  Germany Verband der Deutschen Automatenindustrie e.V. (VDAI)
  Italy Sezioni Apparecchi per Pubbliche Attrazioni Ricreative (SAPAR)
  Ireland The Irish Amusement Trades Association (IATA)
  Montenegro Montenegro Bet
  Netherlands VAN Kansspelen Branche-organisatie (VAN)
  Romania Asociația Organizatorilor și Producătorilor de Jocuri de Noroc din România (AOPJNR)
  Romania Asociatia Organizatorilor de Sloturi (ROSMLOT)
  Serbia Asocijacija Gaming Operatera Sribije (AGOS)
  Spain Club de Convergentes
  United Kingdom British Amusement Catering Trades Association (BACTA)
  Bulgaria Association of Organizers of Gambling Games in Bulgaria (AOGGAB)

Former members

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Country Association
  Belgium Belgian Gaming Association (BGA)
  Czech Republic SPELOS
  Denmark Dansk Automat Brancheforening (DAB)
  France ASL Interactifs
  Germany Deutscher Automaten-Großhandels-Verband e.V. (DAGV)
  Hungary Magyar Szerencsejáték Szövetség (MSZSZ)
  Serbia Udruženje Priređivača Igara na Sreću (JAKTA)
  Spain Asociación Española de Empresarios de Máquinas Recreativas (FACOMARE)
  Spain Confederación Española de Empresarios del Juego (COFAR)

Publications

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Since its foundation in 1979, EUROMAT has published books and brochures discussing the status of gambling issues at the EU-level, such as:

  • Responsible Gaming|Responsible Gambling: A statement of principles and a showcase of best practice from the European gaming and amusement industry (2009)
  • The Future of Gaming and Amusement in Europe: A collection of essays (2006)
  • Playing Fair: Social Responsibility in Gaming (2015)

References

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  1. ^ "European Gaming and Amusement Federation". www.gamingregulation.com. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
  2. ^ It is the de facto EU capital as it hosts all major political institutions—though Parliament formally votes in Strasbourg, most political work is carried out in Brussels—and as such is considered the capital by definition. However, it is not formally declared in that language, though its position is spelled out in the Treaty of Amsterdam. See the section dedicated to this issue.
  3. ^ Euromat - European Gaming and Amusement Federation
  4. ^ Euromat - About Us
  5. ^ Euromat - Member Countries
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