Record-breaking of iGB L!VE in Amsterdam
The biggest edition of iGB L!VE officially opened on Wednesday July 12, at the RAI Amsterdam.
Organisers welcomed industry professionals from over 100 nations to an event which is poised to break all records.
Boasting 14,805 gross sqm of space dedicated to product, learning and innovation the iGB L!VE show floor features 207 exhibitors, a 20% increase on the previous high set in 2022.
The net figure, which reflects the space occupied by exhibitors, stands at 5,870 sqm making it 30% bigger than the previous high of 4,513sqm recorded last year.
High profile features include the first Consumer Protection Zone (CPZ) which has been created to provide visitors with the tools and insight to ensure businesses are compliant in relation to safer gambling, player affordability requirements and new advertising/marketing requirements such as those recently introduced in the Netherlands.
Visitors to iGB L!VE had access to two content-rich days with streams delivered by teams of expert speakers.
Wednesday July 12th was dedicated to new markets. The business-centric topics included a review of the Global iGaming map, an assessment of new frontiers within Europe, game content for new markets, localising brands for Latin America, and a session examining the off-shore license.
On Thursday 13th, the focus switched to content specifically curated for the iGaming Affiliate sector. Key topics comprised an analysis of the winners and losers in the AI wars, the impact of Google updates and what they mean to affiliates, mastering influencer marketing, an SEO update including what to expect in Q3 and Q4 of 2023, and an assessment of the most promising geolocations.
Day 1
Despite a gloomy start to the morning in Amsterdam, there was a buzz around the RAI conference centre as visitors gathered at the entrance.
At the TCS John Huxley stand, there were discussions about how the land-based sector is continuing to exploit an iGaming revenue stream by building solutions for online developers.
However, iGaming dominated and at the various payment providers there was a growing sense of their focus on cryptocurrency and how it is offering a fresh avenue for the industry.
There was also a new feel to the iGB L!VE map, which pointed towards tens of exhibitors showcasing at the RAI for the first time.
Other topics up for discussion were the advertising crackdown in the Netherlands and the increasing challenges of operating in the UK – even before the white paper gets a grip of the market.
Responsible gaming has its own bespoke focus just outside the main conference hall too, with BetBlocker revealing that its gambling stop tool is being expanded into the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
Also away from the main conference hall is Pulse at iGB L!VE, where a range of educational and informative fireside chats have been scheduled.
Late in the first day, Javier Troncoso, chief commercial officer at Futbol Sites, led a conversation on forming successful sports partnerships to break into the burgeoning LatAm market.
The successful first day of iGB L!VE saw exhibitors and delegates discuss all the latest developments from across the igaming industry.
Day 2
If the measure of an iGaming exhibition is the buzz (or not) of the show floor at the start of the final day, then iGB Live must be considered to be in good health.
In truth, to most exhibitors, the transfer of EiG– Clarion’s autumn B2B showpiece, held for the last four years in Berlin – to Amsterdam will have barely been noticed, yet there has undoubtedly been a change from prior iGaming Super Shows.
The B2B portion of the Hall 8 floor at RAI is bigger and busier and this morning, on the exhibition’s second and final day, the floor is undeniably busy – certainly compared with prior years.
Last night’s networking party at Club Panama on the city’s waterfront was a typically heady affair with many continuing the ‘networking’ until the early hours. The Novotel, a popular event hotel, saw the iGaming sector holding court in its bar until the skies began to lighten once more.
And yet here they are – and in numbers, too. Is EiG gone? In a material sense, yes. Is it here in spirit? Kinda – certainly a number of companies have been loyal to the organisers and migrated their marketing spend to Amsterdam.
The majority will surely have found it a worthwhile move while iGB L!ve passed second-day test.
See you all next year at iGB L!VE 2024 in Amsterdam!
