G3 was given exclusive access to the latest meeting of the ICE Ambassador group which provided insight to what each participating Ambassador regards as being the key issues and topics ahead of what will be the biggest edition of ICE London on record.


play in this. It’s clear that if the breadth of society isn’t represented in a consumer-facing business then business will be commercially disadvantaged.


Simon Tomas, Executive Chairman, Te Hippodrome Casino


Dr Laila Mintas Co-Founder, PlayEngine


From a US perspective my wish list has to be the legalisation of i- gaming including online casinos across more states. I would also highlight the industry’s appetite for innovation as well as a focus on crypto and betting on esports. Te industry looks to ICE for inspiration across all gaming and gambling verticals as well as debate on the key issues that impact business. In this respect, the interface between regulation and technology is key.


I see ICE as being the industry’s main and most important meeting point and the networking opportunities are without comparison. But to take advantage of this ICE would benefit from having more spaces on the show floor where visitors can sit down and have a conversation.


Te industry focus certainly in the UK, is the timing of the government’s long-awaited white paper on gambling. Te aim of the review when it was announced in December 2020 was to strike the right balance between protecting the vulnerable and providing enjoyment for customers. Publication is expected in the next few weeks, and it is certain to be one of the hot topics of debate at ICE in February. A key issue impacting all aspects of the hospitality industry is the shortage of staff and I think there will be a focus on how technology and mechanisation can reduce staffing requirements and as a consequence we can expect to see more electronic versions of games on the show floor


And one certainty. Te newly opened Elizabeth line is fantastic for ICE. It links the Custom House station at ExCeL to stations like Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road in the heart of London’s West End: for example, I can now get from the Hippodrome in Leicester Square to ExCel in just 18 minutes. For international arrivals the journey from Heathrow Airport to Custom House station at ExCeL has been reduced to under an hour. Te Elizabeth line is a huge benefit to everyone coming to ICE London.


I concur with my colleagues who have travelled the Elizabeth line – it provides, improved speedy access to all the hospitality offerings that London is famous for.


Victor Rocha - Conference Chair Indian Gaming Association


Jason Frost EUROMAT President


Te industry needs a far more progressive relationship with our regulators throughout Europe. I would like to see more at show opportunities to engage with politicians and policy makers from the European Union and take full advantage of the show’s status as the industry meeting place. When you walk into ICE it takes your breath away and I’m concerned that regulators might get the wrong impression. Operators are dealing with huge spikes in business costs, staff shortages and the pressure on disposable income. It’s important to be able to explain to regulators what the realities are of running a high street gaming business.


US visitors will be or should be coming to ICE researching the lessons of the UK and Europe and what they mean for the US industry. Specifically, I’m talking about safer gambling which if you choose to ignore will come back and bite you on the butt. Te Consumer Protection Zone will be a good starting point to find out more about how safer gambling has been embraced by operators. We need to take the lessons from Europe, get ahead of the problem and be optimistic.


ICE London, (7th – 9th February, ExCeL London) is the biggest b2b gambling industry event in the world and features games creators, distributors, operators, retailers, innovators, trade associations, strategic bodies and regulators – representing every gaming vertical. To register and join the global gaming community visit: www.icelondon.uk.com.


We believe that


equality, diversity, and inclusion in C-Suite roles as well as throughout the business are central to delivering a modern


Daniel Bliss – Director of External Affairs, YGAM


Simon Collins Chairman, Jogo Global


Te big issues for me are going to be Crypto, NFTs and AI. What I like about ICE is its randomness and the ability it delivers to bump into people in an arbitrary non- organised sense. If people have made the commitment to travel significant distances to be in London, you know they are serious. You can also get a feel for trends and what markets are thriving. I always gauge who’s doing well by the size of their stand – the bigger and glitzier the better they are doing! It’s the energy of like- minded people that you find at ICE that’s so valuable.


Tracy Damestani - Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Ambassadeurs Group


For me the key topics are innovation – particularly in relation to web3, and the future of payment processing via the blockchain, we await the white paper review and its recommendation on legislation and regulation.


We believe that equality, diversity, and inclusion in C-Suite roles as well as throughout the business are central to delivering a modern entertainment offering. Tere’s no doubt the industry can do far more in terms of EDI and ICE has a role to


As the official charity partner for ICE 2023, we are pleased to see an increased focus on the Consumer Protection Zone as it provides charities like ours with a platform to engage with a wide range of stakeholders. All organisations working in this sector in the UK are still waiting to find out what the White Paper means for them, and the third sector is no different. It is important that any outcomes of the White Paper support the long-term delivery of a diverse range of programmes aimed at preventing gambling harms. YGAM will be launching an ambitious new strategy in January 2023, and this will incorporate our plans to safeguard young people as new technology and trends emerge.


WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS P21 entertainment


offering. There’s no doubt the industry can do far more in


terms of EDI and ICE has a role to play in this. It’s clear that if the breadth of society isn’t represented in a consumer-facing business then business will be commercially disadvantaged.” Tracy Damestani


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