The opening day of the Gaming Executive Summit 2009, held at the Eurstars Madrid Tower, Spain, brought together those who will undoubtedly shape the future of the online gaming industry.
John Kelly, chairman and founder of Gala Coral Group, chaired the morning session during which the honorary president of Euromat, Eduardo Antoja, explored the possibility of a peaceful co-existence between online and land-based gaming, and Gabi Campos, managing director of Dragonfish, discussed the key to successful mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures.
The afternoon session saw arguably the most influential men in the industry, including Jim Ryan, CEO of PartyGaming, Gigi Levy, CEO of 888 Holdings, Norbert Teufelberger, co-CEO of Bwin, Mor Weizer, CEO of Playtech, and Oliver Lofthouse, director and general manager of Wagerworks, debate the merits of a variety of business models, business consolidation, new markets and the potential reopening of the US market.
Considering the online gaming market in the US, Levy predicted that the current ban will be overturned. "When it opens it’s going to be extremely protectionist," he said. "It’s going to be local companies.
"I think there is a realisation at the government level - and the regulator’s level - that the market is there anyhow. It’s never gone anywhere."
Online gaming will be legalised in order to raise tax revenues, which are estimated by some to be tens of billions of dollars, he added.
