The topic of online gambling proved to be one of the most talked about at G2E in November.
As interest around the US continues to build surrounding efforts to legalise online poker and establish online gaming regulatory controls, gaming executives were eager to learn more about igaming at G2E. The all-new iGaming Congress was one of the most popular events at G2E 2010 and the igaming sessions not only appealed to existing offshore online gambling operators, but also to commercial and native American casinos and gaming equipment manufacturers.
"The internet has been a game-changer for our industry and internet gambling has grown from a small cottage industry into a multinational, multi-billion dollar business during the past decade," said Frank J Fahrenkopf Jnr, president and CEO of the AGA.
"As it’s evolved, issues related to internet gambling have been thrust into the spotlight, raising myriad questions and spurring vigorous debate among international gaming industry leaders, regulators and legislators. Therefore, we felt it was important to showcase igaming at G2E 2010," he continued.
The one-and-a-half day iGaming Congress addressed the potential impact of online gambling legalisation in the US and advised the gaming market on how to take advantage of new opportunities and react to the changing industry. It also provided information regarding the players, resources, legislative framework and other topics that are important to those working in the online gambling sector or those looking to enter it.
"While G2E always has addressed igaming as part of its comprehensive coverage of industry issues, G2E 2010 provided attendees with a unique opportunity to advance their understanding of the complex and intricate issues affecting this sector," said Courtney Muller, senior vice president at Reed Exhibitions, co-organiser of G2E with the AGA. "With 18 sessions on the topic and nearly 500 participants at the iGaming Congress, this growing industry segment proved to be of particular interest to conference attendees."
In addition to the iGaming Congress, G2E 2010 offered an igaming conference track and the show floor incorporated a new igaming pavilion that included online gaming software products to support online games such as poker, sports betting and bingo. The pavilion - which featured igaming suppliers for the first time since G2E 2006 - also featured support systems including marketing tools, live gaming software, payment technologies, plus more.
