DATE: July 9-11, 2013

LOCATION:  W Hotel, Barcelona, Spain

IGC members enjoy 10% discount; claim the discount by quoting VIP code IGC

Unique in its positioning, the WGES is the only forum in the world where the industry’s elite, from both the online and offline community, gather to share ideas and debate strategies in an open forum.

This year’s agenda showcases perspectives from outside of the industry inviting visionaries in technology and media such as Kevin Slavin and David Rowan to bring unique perspectives to the challenges and opportunities in our ever changing markets.

• Meet and network with the right people: 300 participants; 50% operators; 90% boardroom level executives; 14 hours of networking
• Find out what the most influential eCommerce experts think the biggest disrupter of your business will be
• Understand how Kevin Slavin, TED’s all-time #18 top speaker, thinks the fundamentals of your business are going to change
• Discover what social, mobile and online tech David Rowan, Editor of WIRED UK, thinks will matter 10 years from now
• Find out what Facebook really thinks of gaming. Ask Sean Ryan, Head of Game Partnerships
• Hear how Bill Hornbuckle of MGM thinks Vegas will drive the convergence land and online in the States

Website: http://www.terrapinn.com/2013/wges/index.stm

DATE: July 9-11, 2013

LOCATION:  W Hotel, Barcelona, Spain

IGC members enjoy 10% discount; claim the discount by quoting VIP code IGC

Innovation, innovation, innovation- the biggest challenge for the lottery executives is how to breed innovation at the heart of their industry. Social, mobile and cloud technology: successful eGaming partnerships and alternative models that work, are forcing Directors to change the way lotteries are run.

The Global Lotteries Executive Summit is the only place where innovation is put at the heart of every discussion.

• Gain perspectives on disruption, technology and regulation from outside of the lotto & gaming sectors
• Hear the most influential lotto directors in outside the sector debates on innovation
• Have one on one access with the keynotes during their lotto workshops
• Learn how casino, online and land-based approach economics, customers and growth strategies
• Discover the reality of regulatory cooperation and cross-border liquidity in Europe
• Understand how to drive innovation within strict regulatory and social parameters
• Learn how lotteries can master mobile, social and internet technology

Website: Click here

Interstate Play is Key to Success of Internet Gambling

By Frank Catania

January 14, 2013

A bill that would authorize Atlantic City casinos to offer poker and other casino games on the Internet to players within New Jersey has been passed by the Legislature and is on Gov. Chris Christie's desk. The governor has 45 days from passage to sign it, veto it, or do nothing, in which case the bill will become law automatically.

At this point, the arguments in favor of the bill have been rehashed many times and are compelling. First, given the steep drop in Atlantic City's profits caused by competition from surrounding states - and the corresponding decrease in state tax revenues - anything that can stimulate our casino business seems worth a try.

Second, my experience as a former director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement showed me that casino gaming can be well-regulated and safe if it is properly controlled by a capable and efficient regulatory body. My later experience in the online gaming world has taught me that Internet gaming can be regulated as well, if not better, than casino gaming, given the electronic trail of all transactions and the ability to monitor in real time. Age verification and geo-location software have also become widely available and are very effective.

Finally, just as when casino gaming was initially authorized, New Jersey has a chance to become a leader, only this time in the field of Internet gaming regulation. Already, Nevada has a statute and regulations in place for Internet gaming, and other states - including California - are in the process as well. It would be a shame if one of the premier states for casino regulation were to cede its existing head start and become an "also-ran" in the race to Internet gaming authorization and regulation.

Press Release

The IGC Responds to Online Casino Reports Re: Another Canadian Province Launches Online Gaming (by John W. April 16)

April 19, 2012 - On behalf of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC), I would like to address a handful of inaccuracies in this article published by Online Casino Reports.

First, while it's true that Manitoba has recently announced its decision to join the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and Loto-Quebec in the Canadian PokerNetwork, it is worth noting that as this model launched, European nations that had already attempted to enforce a monopoly were pulling back in favour of licensing and regulating recognized and reputable operators. Many other listed entities are all licensed in Europe and willingly subject themselves to regulatory control of the highest standards. This means they compete openly in the market to the benefit of all stakeholders, including players, as opposed to relying on a state-sanctioned monopoly to support their business. 

We do not feel it is correct to represent companies who are unable to apply for a license in Canada as “illegal” or that they offer “no responsible gambling features”. In Europe the general trend is to move away from state monopolies and to allow licensing of independent groups who meet the relevant regulatory requirements and government standards. 

These companies are typically licensed in European countries and territories such as the UK, Denmark, France, Italy, Malta, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man. These countries all require high standards on such matters as under-age gambling, money laundering, responsible gambling, player protection and 3^rd party testing of systems for fairness and security.

Finally, Ontario and the Atlantic provinces have not contrary to your assertion, launched regulated online gambling environments in the last two years. Yes, they sell lottery tickets online, but that is far different from offering regulated casino-style games. It is also easy to verify that Ontario's launch date for its online model will take place sometime in 2013. 

There is a lot of information readily available about the benefits associated with regulated environments and there are many associations, including the IGC, who would be happy to provide it to you in the future.

 Amanda Brewer

Spokesperson, IGC (Canada)