IGB LIVE REVIEW
Stuart Hunter: Collaborations, quality connections and a unique tempo power iGB L!VE
Following on from a successful iGB L!VE in London, Stuart Hunter, managing director of World Gaming (formerly Clarion Gaming) reflects on the performance, new additions and future of the show.
with stakeholders. As a consequence, ‘New’ was central to the iGB LIVE experience. Highlights included the launch of the inaugural iGB L!VE Africa Summit, a significantly expanded Sustainable Gambling Zone - which was the largest in the history of iGB LIVE – and the reimagined iGB Affiliate Awards which were held at The Shard, Western Europe’s tallest building. In partnership with ICE Barcelona, iGB LIVE also hosted the first Summer Gala at The Savoy Hotel, London’s first luxury hotel and a legendary hub for film stars, artists, authors and royalty. This exclusive, invitation- only event brought together senior leaders, regulators and investors from the global gaming industry. All of our networking events were full to capacity, and showed the very best of London as our host city. All of the prestige networking opportunities reflected the infectious energy that’s powering iGB LIVE.
Alongside some great networking opportunities, the show also had summits this year, how were they received? Our new content streams including the Africa Summit and M&A Summit were sold-out and provided a unique deep-dive that’s fundamentally different to the approach that most event organisers are applying to content. Using the Africa Summit as an example, we worked extremely closely with the African iGaming Alliance (AiA) to produce what was a high-level session that featured chief executives and senior officials from across the continent who exchanged views and policy experiences on pressing regulatory challenges. Regulators focused discussions on critical issues such as sustainable taxation models that balance government revenues with market competitiveness as well as strategies to channel players towards licensed operators, and enhanced player protection mechanisms. Underlining the tier one nature of the iGB LIVE hosted event the Summit included discussions to advance a continent-wide Africa Safer Gambling Week, which was proposed by the AiA.
How was the show received? Are there any recurring themes in the feedback so far? Certainly, based on the feedback received by the team, the post show research that we are in the midst of conducting, media reports that have been published and from scanning socials – the show has been received extremely well across the broad online gaming community. A recurring theme relates to the importance the industry places on having an international mid-year opportunity for the industry to come together and continue the conversations and connections made six months earlier at ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona. There has been a recognition that the show has a unique energy, that participants appreciated the opportunity to spend more time to develop the connections that generate multiple collaborations and genuine business. One attendee described iGB LIVE as being characterised by ‘less noise and more action’ compared to other shows on the
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circuit, welcoming what he felt was a refreshing and ‘more positive’ industry experience. The combination of having a sharp focus on quality product on a manageable scale was extremely well received. The industry seemed to really enjoy the different tempo, which encouraged longer conversations and the opportunity to engage with a more concentrated audience of what will be in the region of 13,000 attendees – a figure which is subject to the publication of independently audited figures. The opportunity to build new connections and establish quality partnerships continues to drive the iGB LIVE brand.
‘New’ was arguably the most quoted adjective used in relation to iGB LIVE – do you think the show had more energy and something of a spring in its step this year?
Live events must always aim to deliver something different and fresh in order to connect and engage
What were the biggest trends at the show this year?
iGB LIVE provides an invaluable opportunity to explore all of the various trends and developments impacting the industry. Speaking with stakeholders in the lead-up to the show the themes they referenced included the latest developments and practical implementation of AI, player value, player retention and player engagement, personalised content, influencer marketing, the tightening of regulatory oversight, consumer protection and ensuring that regulated markets remain the go-to-choice for players. It’s safe to say that every trend and initiative impacting the industry will have been debated, developed and progressed at iGB LIVE London.
Are you already planning for iGB LIVE 2027 and if so, what can attendees expect? It’s a bit of a cliché but the fact is that successful event organisers never stop planning and working
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