One of the biggest conferences and shows in the gaming industry, ICE London, will be held in the UK capital in 2024 for the last time. As reported, the organizer, Clarion Gaming, unveiled the company’s decision to move the reputable conference to Barcelona from 2025 to take place from January 20-22 each year.
ICE and iGB Shows Moving to Barcelona:
According to the source, the organizer’s decision to move the ICE show to the Catalan Capital in 2025 came after the considerations of Paris, Madrid, and Barcelona as the options for the future host of the popular event. The option to keep the event in London was reportedly also considered, but the home of Gaudi, Dali, and FC Barcelona eventually prevailed as the new conference venue.
It will be there that the industry representatives will showcase their latest products and brands and meet companies and partners for common projects or the exchange of ideas and knowledge. The source reports that the associated iGB Affiliate show will also follow the ICE footsteps to be held in Barcelona. As reported, ICE will take place from January 20-22 to be followed by iGB from January 21-22 starting from 2025. The venue for both shows will reportedly be the trade fair institution Fira de Barcelona.
Strong Barcelona Bid Prevailed:
While announcing the move of ICE from London to Barcelona, Clarion Gaming reportedly said in a statement: “Dating back to 2021 a number of exhibitors as well as B2B media asked us to look at what alternative venues could offer.” The company also referred to the voting process for the move and informed that the decision was not unanimous. As reported, five represented organizations voted for the show to stay in London and one remained neutral.
However, the decision was reportedly made on the basis of the the strong Barcelona bid. Clarion Gaming reportedly noted: “ICE and iGB Affiliate will be the only major events taking place in Barcelona over the January dateline, enabling us to create an exclusive venue and city experience for exhibitors and attendees alike. Barcelona is the host city that our customers believe is best equipped to be our strategic partner for the future.”
Alternative Sought by Customers:
Alex Pratt, Group Managing Director at Clarion Gaming, told the source: “There’s a massive journey ahead, with a lot of work involved. I think people can underestimate how much work is involved in moving an event of this scale – but the decision will largely come from our customer base.”
Pratt added: ”We wouldn’t be having these conversations with the customers if they weren’t saying we need to look at alternatives to London because of a whole variety of different reasons. And if it turns out that, actually, an alternative city is the right place, we’ll go there.”
As Clarion is moving ICE from London to the Catalan Capital, the associated iGB Live show will be reportedly moving from Amsterdam to London to seemingly keep the former home of ICE covered as far as popular gaming events are concerned.
The legal status of online casinos in India is complex and varies by state. While there is no federal law that explicitly addresses online gambling, the legality depends on state regulations and the type of gambling involved.
Key Points:
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No National Law: India does not have a specific national law regulating online casinos. However, the Public Gambling Act of 1867 prohibits operating physical casinos and gambling houses, but it doesn't cover online platforms, leaving a legal grey area for online gambling.
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State-Specific Laws: Some Indian states, like Goa, Sikkim, and Daman, have legalized land-based casinos, and others, such as Sikkim, have also licensed online gambling. Many states have banned gambling altogether, including online gambling.
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Online Sports Betting: Betting on sports, particularly cricket, is very popular in India. However, it's only explicitly legal in some states like Sikkim and Nagaland, which have laws permitting online gaming and betting.
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Legal Gray Area: Many international online casinos accept Indian players and operate legally under licenses from offshore jurisdictions (like Curacao or the UK Gambling Commission). As long as players are gambling on licensed platforms, the risk is minimal, but local authorities may still choose to regulate or restrict online gambling.
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Cryptocurrency: Some Indian players prefer using cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin) for online gambling, as it provides a layer of anonymity and security.
While online casinos aren't explicitly legal across all of India, many international casinos accept Indian players, and online gambling continues to grow in popularity. Players should ensure they use licensed platforms and understand local laws before engaging in online gaming.
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