London focus for i-gaming in January

The world-renowned ICE show, which takes place at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre on 27-29 January, has become the first and, some would argue, foremost date on the international casino industry calendar. Indeed, last year’s event succeeded in attracting an all-time high attendance of 6,388, with a further 8,582 cross-over visitors from the adjacent ATEI amusements and soft gaming expo. ICE 2004 will be 33 per cent bigger, following a move downstairs into Earls Court 2

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Since 1991, ICE has become so much more than a buying and selling exhibition for traditional bricks-and-mortar gaming operators with the influx of a whole host of suppliers specialising in interactive gaming, betting and sportsbook products and services.

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This year’s show will feature no fewer than 19 companies (confirmed exhibitors as at 1st December) demonstrating the latest developments in i-gaming. More than half of those will be making the journey to London from outside the UK, comprising two companies from each of Canada, Malta and Sweden and one each from Australia, Israel, Spain and the USA.

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Four i-gaming suppliers will be exhibiting at ICE for the very first time, including Canadian giants Cryptologic, Tribeca Tables and Vuetec (both UK-based) and Worldmatch from Malta.

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Whilst British companies form the largest representation (nine exhibitors) from any one nation, the real heavyweights – if their stand size is anything to go by – come from outside the UK. Boss Media, Sweden gets top billing with a display covering 90sqm., followed by Cirsa Interactive, Spain (70sqm.), Cryptologic, Canada (50sqm.), Chartwell Technology, Canada and Playtech, Israel (both 40sqm.), Worldmatch, Malta (36sqm.) and Gaming & Entertainment Technology, Australia (28sqm.)

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The i-gaming focus on London doesn’t end when the doors to ICE close, however, on 29th January. With an on-going programme of gaming deregulation in the home market, the London-based Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association (iGGBA) continues to work closely with the British government and has just finalised a Social Responsibility Code of Practice for its members, developed in conjunction with problem gambling charity GamCare. iGGBA chairman Andrew Tottenham comments: “It has been a pleasure working with GamCare and both parties hope that the UK government and Gaming Board will consider this Code as the basis for their future regulation in this area.” iGGBA representatives will be available to discuss the new Code and any other i-gaming issues on stand 3098 at ICE.

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For more information on ICE 2004, including FREE entry badge registration, the latest show news, exhibitor lists and floor plans and details of discounted hotel accommodation and travel info, visit www.ATEOnline.co.uk/ICE