i-Gaming focus at ICE

The online gaming industry will be to the fore at January´s International Casino Exhibition (ICE) in London. The sector will be represented by no fewer than 29 exhibiting companies from 13 nations, occupying 624.1 square metres (6,715 sq.ft.) of net floor space.

The heavily branded ´i-Gaming Zone´ has more than doubled in size since it was launched at ICE in January 2001. The number of i-gaming companies represents around 20 per cent of the total exhibitor base (147) at ICE 2003. 19 of the 29 exhibiting companies are from outside the UK, making the specialist zone one of the most international showcases for i-Gaming to be found anywhere in the world. Spearheading the i-Gaming Zone group, the five largest stands will contain showcases from leading suppliers in the field based in the UK (Microgaming Systems), Sweden (Boss Media), Spain (Cirsa Interactive), Israel (Playtech) and Gaming & Entertainment Technology (Australia).

The importance of ICE to the i-gaming sector has been underlined by the number of key industry events taking place at the exhibition. The Interactive Gambling, Gaming and Betting Association (iGBBA), which is recognised by the Gaming Board of Great Britain, GamCare and the UK Government´s Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), holds its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 23rd January and iGGBA chairman, Nick Harding believes that the choice of venue is perfect. He explained, „ICE is the premier event for us. It incorporates a far broader spectrum of sectors than any other gaming and gambling exhibition. This is our second AGM and we will be looking at key issues such as the timescale for new legislation, the licensing process and payment methods.“ Harding continued, „This is a crucial period for i-gaming and, as the mouthpiece for the online industry in the UK, we are confident that senior representatives from the DCMS will attend the AGM to provide us with the latest updates on the government´s position.“

The annual Gaming Regulators Luncheon will also be held at ICE against the backdrop of deregulation. In 2002, the event was attended by over 60 individuals representing regulators from 19 jurisdictions comprising the Bahamas, Channel Islands, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Israel, Kenya, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The 2003 event, which takes place across 21st, 22nd and 23rd January at London´s Earls Court Exhibition Centre, will be the largest ICE show on record and will comprise no fewer than 147 exhibitors from 27 nations, occupying 7,270 square metres (78,225 sq.ft.) of booth space. Online ticket registration and more information can be found at www.ice-london.co.uk