does a similar thing in so far as we host international gaming regulators, industry thought leaders, the CEOs of every major international gaming organisation, elected politicians and the vast majority of trade associations drawn from every continent. When an event develops momentum, these type of credentials start to come to the fore. If observers choose to refer to ICE London as the Davos of gaming, I’m certainly not going to object!
If ICE is the shop window for gaming, do you think it could have a bigger role in helping to shape the opinion of regulators and legislators?
Tat’s not really for me to say. My job, and that of my team, is to deliver a 360 degree take on the international gaming industry and to present it in an ultra-professional manner and in a way that stakeholders can feel proud of. Stakeholders already use ICE to showcase the credentials of the industry to a broad audience and we will always work to accommodate any initiatives they want to progress.
You launched your Ampersand Think Tank initiative at G2E Las Vegas. Why there and, more importantly, what is Ampersand?
vertical. Gaming is a global industry and ICE is its global event.
You have announced the launch of ICE Africa: can you explain your thinking?
Our strategy has always been to partner with the industry and that’s exactly what we have done in Africa. After a successful experience on the continent, where we tested the water with our Gaming Africa event, we took the strategic decision to fast track our presence, transitioning the 2018 event into the first ICE Africa, which will comprise an exhibition and co-located ICE VOX style conference dedicated to the development of the domestic industry. Whilst the scale of ICE Africa will not be the same as ICE London, we will be bringing the same level of commitment, thinking, creativity and professionalism that has made ICE London the world’s favourite and most international gaming expo. ICE Africa will be an event where the industry can meet, network, see the very latest gaming innovations, share best practice and progress in a strategic and sustainable manner. Te ICE Africa team is already in place and working with our stakeholders in order to deliver on our pledge to create a world class business event for the continent. Every business decision such as this comes with its own risks, but we have to be prepared to be bold and to act decisively. Te industry is behind us and I’m confident that, providing we remain true to our brand vision and principles, ICE Africa will be a success.
Someone described ICE as the Davos of gaming – do you recognise that description?
I think it’s a very flattering description. Davos brings together the most influential economic and political leaders in the world. ICE London
We actually undertook a soft launch at our WrB Responsible Gambling Innovation event held in London in September. G2E gave us the opportunity to introduce it to an influential gaming audience and to generate some interest and traction ahead of ICE London. Te aim is to make Ampersand the biggest think tank in gaming, comprising a representative cross- section of industry verticals, jurisdictions, job functions and channels. I envisage Ampersand working on a number of levels. It will enable us to validate ideas and concepts prior to launch, it will introduce a process and structure for customers to provide their feedback – both positive and negative – and it will enable the industry to make suggestions on how we can work more effectively to help in the development of sustainable gaming economies, particularly in emergent markets. We are always keen to explore new formats favoured by the industry and to receive suggestions for great new speakers and Ampersand will provide swift and direct access to the decision making process. It delivers a valuable opportunity to help shape event content. Industry professionals who agree to participate in Ampersand will receive a number of benefits in recognition of their time, including entry to Te Lounge at ICE London, as well as access to intelligence reports and surveys produced by the team at Clarion Gaming.
How do you think Clarion Gaming is viewed within the broader Clarion family?
Clarion Gaming is an important part of the Clarion Events business comprising exhibitions, conferences, technical training as well digital and print information. Our events attract more than 50,000 customers annually in locations spanning every continent and, with ICE London, we have created the world’s most influential and international meeting place for the entire industry. Te Clarion Gaming team has earned the respect of the other divisions within Clarion all of whom will take the opportunity to spend some time with us at ExCeL London in February.
Consumer Protection Zone heads to ICE
ICE London to feature first Consumer Protection Zone as Clarion cement commitment to social responsibility
Clarion Gaming will be promoting the social responsibility message at world gaming's most important business event, with the launch of the Te Consumer Protection Zone at ICE London 2018. Te Zone will provide a focus for the social responsibility message and feature key organisations that are promoting social responsibility as well as a platform for presentations. Te Zone is the latest in a series of social responsibility initiatives undertaken by Clarion Gaming and which include the annual World Regulatory Briefing on Responsible Gambling Innovation, also held in London and the Social Responsibility training streams run by the Clarion owned Totally Gaming Academy.
Ewa Bakun, Clarion Gaming’s Head of
Industry Insight & Engagement, and the person responsible for organising the Zone, explained: “ICE London is not only the biggest gaming event in the world, but many industry observers regard it as the most influential. Wherever Clarion operates, social responsibility is one of the most important topics and that’s across both emergent and mature gaming markets. Although we are not part of the operating community we also have a responsibility to serve as a forum for discussion and knowledge exchange.
“Although Te Consumer Protection Zone is at an early stage of development I can confirm that we will be creating an agenda with demos and presentations from regulators, providers and operators. I also hope to bring government officials, policy-makers and regulators to the Zone as part of the WrA and International Legislators’ Day programme. Te industry has made important headway in helping to make gambling an entertainment experience as opposed to a negative or destructive one and there have been some really significant technology driven advances in the fields of responsible gambling using data analytics.
“We have the commitment to make this into a
key part of the ICE London experience and I would like to hear from gaming stakeholders who would like to be involved. I can be contacted via:
ewa.bakun@
clariongaming.com"
NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE /
247.COM P71
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