Clarion Gaming, which launched The Betting Show in 2003, has announced that the flagship event for the UK, Irish and European bookmaking industry is to relocate from its traditional October slot at Birmingham’s NEC to take residence at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre across 26/27/28 January. The show will form part of the 2010 International Gaming Expo, consolidating what will become the most comprehensive b2b betting, gaming and gambling event in the world, comprising over 300 exhibitors and an attendance in excess of 20,000 drawn from more than 100 nations.

Whilst the environment and timing are set to change, organisers are committed to retaining and enhancing The Betting Show’s existing business format. The 2010 edition will retain its own identity and structure including an integral two-day programme of workshops and seminars in the Earls Court complex’s Brompton Hall, as well as a dedicated entrance and registration facility at the Brompton entrance, directly opposite West Brompton Underground Station.

The move has firm backing from a number of industry organisations who will continue to endorse the event, including the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), the European Sports Security Association (ESSA), the Independent Bookmakers Association (IBA) and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA).

Joe Phillips, IBA Vice Chairman and proprietor of Cheshire Racing, commented: “The current trading environment is tough, with everyone in the business feeling budgetary pressures. Rescheduling The Betting Show to the end of January, when the calendar of racing fixtures is less congested, makes the IGE show a sensible and logical move for bookmakers, their suppliers and everyone involved in this industry.”

Exhibitors too have been quick to get behind the new-look show with a number of key suppliers already having confirmed their floor space, including A Bet A Technology, Betradar.com,BMIT, Cashpoint Agentur & IT Services, CBC-X Betting Systems, Chartwell Games, Cyberview Technology, Diplomat-Sportwetten, Funworld, Gamestec Leisure, Malta Lotteries & Gaming Authority, MRG Systems, Parspro, Sceptre Gaming, TAB Austria and The Global Draw. Organisers are currently in discussions with further big hitters to stage what they describe as a ‘more extensive and expansive showcase than in recent years’.

Betting software and systems provider, A Bet A Technology is confident that the new format will provide an improved business platform for suppliers looking to increase their international profile and open up new market leads. The company’s Operations Manager, Debbie Hardman explained: “As long-standing supporters of The Betting Show, we have also experienced the benefits of having a platform at the International Gaming Expo. We know that our primary domestic market of UK and Ireland will still be well served by IGE, and since we are also expanding our market share across a number of European jurisdictions we consider that the cosmopolitan audience delivered by IGE, working in both online and traditional betting operations, is a perfect fit to meeting the needs of our growing customer base.”

Julian Graves, managing director of Clarion Gaming, believes that the move will benefit not only exhibitors, who will have access to a huge international audience of buyers and influencers, but also core Betting Show visitors who will now be able to have access to the full range of ideas, trends and technologies that are being deployed across the international gaming and wagering landscape. He explained: “The synergies between the Betting Show and the International Gaming Expo are huge. Many existing IGE exhibitors offer betting products and a number of companies exhibit at both events. Combining the attendance of IGE visitors who have indicated a strong interest in betting with Betting Show delegates will deliver a total audience in excess of 5,000. Our IGE visitor metrics also indicate that there is a strong cross-over interest in betting services and sports betting from industry professionals whose primary interests are land-based casinos and remote gambling, which underlines the clear commercial opportunities which exist.”

Graves added: “The decision to incorporate The Betting Show into our Earls Court flagship event has been taken following extensive consultation with our betting industry stakeholders and we look forward to establishing the sector as a key component within what will be the most comprehensive betting, gaming, gambling and coin-op exhibition in the world. No other event can bring together the best brains in betting, remote, low stake high volume, land based casino gaming, lotteries and amusements. It represents a huge opportunity for everyone involved in the betting business.”