Everyone who’s anyone in the European online gaming industry will gather in Barcelona this September for the 7th Annual European i-Gaming Congress and Expo, which will consist of three days packed with workshops, seminars, debates and networking with the most important people in online gaming.
The very comprehensive gaming congress will cover topics ranging from new technologies to US legislation while also touching on emerging markets and marketing topics. The networking opportunities and top speakers make this a very popular expo; according to their website, “With over 1300 attendees expected, the 7th annual EiG will be the biggest ever and once again provide a truly dynamic and valuable platform for debate, networking and deal-making.”
A big focal point is the legal situation on gaming in the US, which will be discussed by industry leaders and policymakers such as Mark Mendel (Antigua’s lawyer on the World Trade organization) and Frank Catania, the respected consultant and regulation expert who is currently in charge of investigating Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker.
Up and coming gaming entrepreneurs will try to make the most of the new EiG launchpad: a platform in which five selected start-ups will get a chance to pitch their ideas to an expert panel of industry leaders, in the hopes of securing investment or at least scoring some sterling advice. The gaming hopefuls will have to face the likes of Sportingbet founder Mark Blandford, CyberArts CEO Ken Arnold and St. Minver’s Managing Director Leigh Nissim.
Another big topic to be discussed is that of emerging markets: now that the US is closed, where should the gaming industry focus next? Some suggest it is South America, and the
panel “South America: Brazil and beyond present a world of opportunity” will feature speakers Maximiliano De Muro (Founder and CEO of Latin Interactive Gaming, Uruguay) and Almir Ribeiro (CEO of BetBoo in Brazil.) Other markets to be discussed include Eastern Europe, Spain and of course Asia, which will be represented by Tony Tong, Chairman and CEO of PacificNet in Macau.
There will be two major industry leaders’ debates: “The Software Suppliers Speak” and “The Gaming Operators Speak.” The software debate will feature heavyweights Paul Mathews (President of WagerWorks and Senior Vice President of IGT,) Playtech’s CEO Mor Weizer and Cryptologic’s CEO Brian Hadfield. The gaming debate will not fall short, with PartyGaming’s Jim Ryan, 888’s Gigi Levy, PKS’s Jez San, BWin’s Norbert Teufelberger and Sportingbet’s Mark Blandford.
Other speakers include Remote Gambling Assocation’s chief exec Clive Hawkswood, SonyEricsson’s VP Kouji Kodera, Wired Magazine’s author David Kushner and the editor of The Sun Online, Pete Picton.
The EiG will take place in Barcelona, Spain on September 23-25. For more information visit http://www.eigexpo.com .
