Topping points to consolidation in UK gaming ahead of his ‘Fireside Chat’ at ICE VOX

Gaming industry pioneer and former CEO of William Hill, Ralph Topping, believes mooted changes in the regulatory and tax environment will bring further industry consolidation and in the near – to mid-term see the UK gambling market dominated by three or four huge and predominantly digitally focused organisations. Topping, who is one of the key note speakers at February’s ICE VOX learning and networking programme, which takes place alongside ICE Totally Gaming, the world’s biggest gaming technology event, added the potential dominant forces he was referring to may not ’necessarily be the usual suspects’.

Gaming industry pioneer and former CEO of William Hill, Ralph Topping
Gaming industry pioneer and former CEO of William Hill, Ralph Topping
Reflecting on an industry he joined in the 1970’s, Ralph Topping said: „Since its legalisation in the 1960s, betting has grown as a popular and strong recreational activity in the UK. Significant regulatory and tax changes since then, the advent of satellite TV and its extensive coverage of football, the arrival of the internet and many developments in technology have combined to deliver a huge increase in markets and betting opportunities and access to them for the customer.” He added: „Two or three companies dominated the first five decades of legalised betting and the landscape has totally changed in a relatively short period of time to the ultimate benefit of the modern recreational customer.“

Looking ahead to ICE VOX, he said: „I welcome the opportunity to spend a bit more time than I used to have as a CEO to engage with people who have a view on how the future is going to change thanks to new technology and have practical ideas on how to generate commercial success. I’ll also have more time to wander the exhibition, which is a big positive!“

ICE VOX is the new learning brand which is debuting at February’s ICE Totally Gaming Event. ICE VOX comprises a programme of free to attend seminars taking place on the ICE show floor as well as a programme of eight paid for learning modules. The modules comprise: The International Casino Conference; World Regulatory Briefing; Cross-Platform & Multi-Channel Gaming; Modernising Lotteries; Data Science & Personalisation; BetMarkets; Cybercrime Security and Regulatory Compliance in Gaming, and Game Design and Development.

ICE Totally Gaming is the only b2b gaming event in the world that brings together the online and offline gaming sectors. Featuring exhibitors drawn from the casino, betting, bingo, lottery, mobile, online and street gaming sectors, ICE provides the most comprehensive shop window on world gaming and in 2016 attracted a record 28,487 visitors drawn from 150 nations.

Gaming professionals wishing to secure their place at ICE Totally Gaming 2017 should visit icetotallygaming.com. The ICE VOX Brochure and Agenda can be downloaded at icetotallygaming.com/icevox