Striving each year to develop and grow, the event has not escaped controversy in the past, but has picked itself up and pushed itself forward in a bid to move with the times.
The global gaming community will once again gather at ExCeL London, from the 7th – 9th February 2023, for what promises to be a truly triumphant return to form. After two years of disruption, event organisers Clarion Gaming expect to see more than 35,000 visitors attend the industry's flagship exhibition, making ICE London 2023 bigger and better than ever.
Launched in 1990, and originally called the International Casino Exhibition (ICE for short), the exhibition has evolved from a routine business-to-business (B2B) industry gathering into the all-encompassing must-attend event it is today. Striving each year to develop and grow, the event has not escaped controversy in the past, but has picked itself up and pushed itself forward in a bid to move with the times.
In 2018 the annual event, known at the time as ICE Totally Gaming, came under attack by British media outlet The Guardian. In an article titled ‘TIme to Wake up’: gambling industry criticised over sexism, The Guardian went undercover to film elements of the ExCeL exhibition, releasing footage of scantily clad female models, entertainers and hostesses, some of whom performed pole-dancing routines. The seedy gambling industry cliché of men in dark suits and women wearing ‘less than bathing suits’ was thrust into the spotlight. However, once the light was shone on the apparent sexism, organisers and industry insiders were quick to respond. Rather than shy away from the controversial topic, women in the iGaming industry replied with a rally cry, calling out for ‘real change’. Since then, organisers, exhibitors, and attendees have worked together to ensure ICE London celebrates women in gaming and presents a more professional front, all round. Indeed, ICE London 2021 featured sessions by iGB’s ‘Most Influential Women in Gaming’, which celebrated diversity within the industry.
ICE London 2023 promises to be a sleek and vibrant corporate affair. Curated under the strapline, ‘Stronger Together’, ICE London 2023 sees the exhibition back in its traditional February slot for the first time since 2020. Focusing on ‘Community, Exhibition and Education’, with 40,925 square feet of exhibition space, and over 650 exhibitors, ICE London 2023 is jam-packed full of corporate networking opportunities and dazzling displays that will enthral even the most casual of players.
Visitors to ICE London 2023 can expect to be greeted by the biggest and the best the industry has to offer. Representatives from gaming studios, software and hardware providers, affiliate marketers, payment solution companies, land-based and online casinos, sportsbook and lottery retailers (to name but a few), all come together under one roof to innovate, share ideas and showcase their latest games and industry solutions. Big name attendees and exhibitors include IGT, Pragmatic Play, Spinomenal and WAZDAN, eCOGRA and ecoPYAZ.
Of course, you don't have to be part of the iGaming or gambling world to join in the fun at ICE London 2023. Visitors to the city in early February are more than welcome to pop by and enjoy the atmosphere and exhibitions. Previous attractions that drew huge crowds include Microgaming’s Jurassic World 2017 stand, featuring a 5m x 5m replica of the shark-eating Mosasaurus. Playtech hosted a meet and greet with famous Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos. And the Big Betty Esports truck made its debut earlier this year hosting the 2022 Allied Sports live Esports arena playoffs. There are also loads of coffee stands and bars, freebies and food trucks, games demos and novelty attractions, to make it a fun day out in London that anyone over 18 can enjoy.
Those visiting London specifically for ICE London 2023 will be able to enjoy the return of Pitch ICE, the Consumer Protection Zone, Ampersand, the Hosted Buyer Programmes, and of course, ICE365 Live.
iGaming professionals, executives and industry insiders will also be able to participate in ICE VOX. Running parallel to ICE London 2023, ICE VOX takes place from the 6th – 9th February. Powered by ICE365, ICE VOX features attractions such as a ‘Year in review’, ‘An audience with…', and the world-leading ‘International Casino Conference’ and ‘World Regulatory Briefing’. There are also four masterclasses taking place, covering industry topics such as ‘entering new markets’, ‘enhancing the iGaming customer journey’, the ‘evolution of safer gambling’, and ‘modernising lotteries’.
Of course, since ICE London 2023 is run in conjunction with GamCare and GambleAware, there is also an abundance of information to be found in relation to safer gambling practices. And, putting their money where their mouth is, the ICE Consumer Protection Zone raised over £46,000 for safer gambling charities at ICE London 2022.
All visitors to ICE London 2023 are invited to register on the ICE London 2023 official website, where full details of the exhibition can be found. This includes travel and accommodation options, directions to ExCeL London, ICE London 2023 floor plans, and ‘how to guides’.
ICE London 2023 will also feature insights by ICE365, who offer streaming and videos, CEO panels and interviews, and daily round-ups and highlights online – ideal for those who cannot attend the event in person.
For those who wish to do some research to familiarise themselves with the online casino games that are showcased at ICE London 2023, our affiliate website casinos.win can help point potential players in the direction of the biggest software providers in the industry.
Those wishing to try demos or play real money games will find the links on our site, and a representative from our team will even be at ICE London 2023 should you wish to get in touch.
So, whether you are out and about around London’s Royal Docks or are travelling to London in February to network and hobnob with industry’s brightest and best, ICE London 2023 can offer you an exhilarating and exciting fun-filled three days of insights and innovation.
