Abbiati joins list of withdrawals from ICE London 2022

Italy-based gaming supplier Abbiati Casino Equipment on Tuesday announced its withdrawal from ICE London 2022, thus becoming the fifth exhibitor to cancel participation in the event following the new April dates announcement.

“After a deep analysis, we decided to not participate at ICE London this year. The pandemic situation, the travel restrictions in force, the changes in logistic situation and an uncertain future drove us to take the decision,” CEO Giorgio Abbiati explained in a statement. “It wasn’t a simple decision to take but there are too many variables on the table. We know that the surveys that Clarion did were positive, but we cannot risk the security of our Team and Clients, at this stage.” 

“We wish to Clarion, to all the participants and visitors a great show with the hope to see each other in 2023 with more favorable conditions and maybe without pandemic waves,” the company's CEO concluded.

Clarion Gaming decided to postpone ICE London from its traditional February dates to April 12-14 at ExCeL, due to concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant spread. Last week, Merkur Gaming, NOVOMATIC, Zitro, and TCS John Huxley announced their decision to cancel their participation as exhibitors. They all cited similar reasons leading to unguaranteed positive returns of their investments, including dates running up to the start of the Easter holiday period, Omicron spread’s health risks, all combined with logistical difficulties stemming from Brexit, and resulting in possible low attendance particularly of customers from other continents.

However, ICE London's new dates found support from the owner of London Hippodrome Casino, Simon Thomas; European Casino Association Chairman Per Jaldung; ECA Secretary General Hermann Pamminger; and The Gambling Business Group.