ICE launches i-Gaming Zone

ICE launches i-Gaming Zone

Online gaming will be given a major platform at January's International Casino Exhibition (ICE). Launched as ‘Future Game' at ICE 2001, the area, which will be twice the size, has been rebranded as the ‘i-Gaming Zone' and will benefit from a range of services including a dedicated bar and café where exhibitors can mix with buyers, separate cloakroom facilities and a special hi-tech branded exhibition area.

Situated in the part of the exhibition dedicated to the casino sector, the i-Gaming Zone will benefit from a range of services including a dedicated bar and café where exhibitors can mix with buyers, separate cloakroom facilities and a special hi-tech branded exhibition area.

Julian Graves, Marketing & Commercial Director responsible for ATEI, believes that the i-Gaming Zone will be one of the major talking points of the exhibition, which in 2001 attracted a record total of 21,795 buyers: "We believe that the i-Gaming Zone will provide an unrivalled opportunity for members of the on-line gaming community to get their name, services and products across to a large and influential market of casino professionals," he said.

"70 per cent of the inaugural exhibitors have already re-booked for 2002, most with much bigger stand space. Our commitment to this sector not only reflects the dynamic nature of the market but also the great success achieved by the specialist internet gaming suppliers who exhibited in 2001."

Brian Morgan, Managing Director of the Cyberslotz on-line gaming portal, which has a go live date of August 2001, said: "This part of the gambling industry is growing at an exponential rate. There are an estimated 1,000 internet casinos, with analysts predicting the total global value, including sports betting, to reach $3 trillion by 2015. As such it is vital that exhibitions such as ATEI respond to the changes and developments taking place in the market."

He added: "With the ability to look at demos on the web it could be argued that exhibitions are declining in influence, however as a buyer I believe that there's no substitute for seeing a range of products from different suppliers at first hand and, as importantly, meeting face-to-face the people that you might be doing business with."

The list of exhibitors which have confirmed their i-Gaming Zone stand space as of 1st July is as follows: Access Gaming Systems (Ireland), BetandChat.com (Israel), Boss Media (Sweden), Chartwell Technology (Canada), First Multimedia Group (Argentina), Gamblingsoftware.com (Grenada), Global Internet TV (Spain), IQ Ludorum (UK), Net Entertainment (Sweden), Oddson (Canada), Thrive Media (Canada) and World Gaming (Antigua).

ATEI and ICE 2002 take place across 22nd, 23rd and 24th January at London's Earls Court Exhibition Centre.