ICE REVIEW
from new exhibitors drawn by the event’s business opportunities and established partners scaling up their presence at what is now regarded as the industry’s single most important growth platform. The total number of exhibitors and sponsors broke the 200 mark (203) for the first occasion, with iGB Affiliate attracting 73 first-time exhibitors. A busy conference programme featured 17 sessions and 48 speakers over the two days of the show. Commenting on its opening, Portfolio Director, Naomi Barton said: “iGB Affiliate Barcelona is the heartbeat of the global iGaming affiliate community and stands proud as the world’s only dedicated event for iGaming affiliates. It brings together the industry’s most ambitious affiliates, operators and tech vendors to meet, connect and grow their businesses by building trust-based partnerships that last.”
The Clarion Gaming organising team took part in the opening ceremony of ICE Barcelona 2026 which marked the start of the world’s largest gathering of the global gaming industry so far this year
approximately 25,000 product launches, ICE also featured The World Gaming Forum, the largest gathering of leaders from across the global gaming ecosystem. Bringing together 1,200+ delegates from 79+ countries, the World Gaming Forum was attended by CEOs, ministers, politicians, regulators, and industry associations, all coming together in Barcelona to share knowledge, stimulate debate, and engage on policy, strategy and new technology.
The opening day of ICE Barcelona included a key note from Soo Kim, Chairman of Bally’s Corporation, the official opening of the Sustainable Gambling Zone, which featured 27 safer gambling organisations drawn from 10 countries, the Casino Leaders Conference, the Innovating Lotteries Conference, the opening of Casa Brasil, a private space dedicated exclusively to the Brazilian market, and the Landmark Awards which celebrate outstanding achievements, industry personalities and key events.
ICE LANDMARK AWARDS The great and the good of the international gambling industry were recognised at the annual ICE Landmark Awards. Taking place at ICE Barcelona ‘26, the Awards celebrate key events and outstanding contributions made by organisations and individuals, spanning industry leadership, business development and community impact.
ICE Portfolio Director, Margaret Dunn said: “The Landmark Awards were created to recognise the personalities and businesses setting new standards and inspiring others across the gaming sector. Based on industry recommendations and proudly endorsed by ICE they shine a spotlight on the people and organisations that are shaping the business. “First introduced at ICE 2019, the
GIO FEBRUARY 2026 9
It really feels like we’re all building a history here
‘Landmarks’ have celebrated excellence across every discipline, from game design and technology innovation to sustainability, safer gambling and community impact. “Above all, this year’s recipients reflect the creativity, collaboration and
entrepreneurialism that underpin the global gaming business. In that sense, the Landmark Awards celebrate not just success, but the spirit of the industry itself,” said Dunn.
RECORD-BREAKING IGB AFFILIATE EVENT
The 2026 edition of iGB Affiliate was the largest on record, 20 per cent bigger than in 2025 and nearly double the footprint of the 2022 event. The expansion reflects demand
Phil O’Shaughnessy, VP Global Communications, Government Relations & Sustainability at IGT, at ICE Barcelona, where the company highlighted the show’s importance as a key forum for engaging with its global customer base
She added: “The growth of iGB Affiliate has been phenomenal which reflects the popularity and status of the brand as one of the key business events on the affiliate calendar.”
Commenting on the success of this year’s events, Stuart Hunter said: “ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona are two world class events on the international gambling industry calendar and as a team we are fully aware of how important they are to the entire global gaming ecosystem. As such, it would be unrealistic not to acknowledge a sense of achievement at seeing so many gaming industry professionals flooding through the doors of the Fira on the opening morning. It set the tone for the three days and carried a huge symbolic significance. In many ways it fired the starting pistol on the year ahead, not just for us, but for so many commercial and non-commercial organisations from every corner of regulated gambling.
“In macro terms I think that ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona crystalised the continued growth of the industry across all sectors with Barcelona firmly established as its global meeting point,” he concluded.
Novomatic picked up an ICE Landmark Award recognising the group’s long-term impact on global gaming 45 years since its founding
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