Spintec, R. Franco and Quixant also step down from ICE 2022

Spintec, R. Franco Group and Quixant are joining the growing list of companies canceling participation from ICE London 2022 following the event's postponement to April 12-14.

The Slovenia-based gaming supplier said Friday that the decision came after a "long and difficult deliberation." "The decision was especially challenging as the show has been a staple in their operations for decades with great success. The exhibition is one of the most important gaming industry events in the world and Spintec was always extremely committed to participating, exhibiting, and promoting the event with their partners," the company stated in a release.

Spintec cited a volatile situation related to the ongoing pandemic preventing several of its partners to travel, and argued that the "recent withdrawals by the largest exhibitors are also bound to decrease the attraction for international visitors. Additionally, the effort to participate in the fair would be much increased this year due to more complicated Brexit-related import procedures, operational challenges due to the Easter holidays and the proximity of the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention." The provider said it will focus its efforts on exhibiting in 2023, "when the circumstances are bound to be more favourable both to the company and to their partners." 

On Thursday, R. Franco Group, Spain’s omni-channel gaming provider, also announced its withdrawal from participation at ICE London 2022, alleging international restrictions over the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the difficulties posed by logistics for new dates.

As the first year that R Franco Group will not be participating at ICE London, the provider said it will now switch attention to events across Europe later in the year, where its Digital division will showcase its range of products boosted by the acquisition of its Critical Gaming Supply Licence from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). 

A spokesperson for R Franco Group stated: “Unfortunately, adverse circumstances have made it very difficult to participate in ICE London 2022. It is with great regret that we have taken the decision not to exhibit at one of the most important events in the calendar. We are already working to return to the event in 2023, where we plan to present one of the widest and most advanced product catalogues available across Spanish, European and LatAm markets." 

Quixant, a UK-based designer and manufacturer of platforms and monitor solutions exclusively for the global gaming industry, said that discussions with "numerous key customers", and fellow exhibitors made clear that attendance was going to be "considerably impacted by the challenging revised timing of the show, and ongoing global COVID challenges."

Duncan Faithfull, EVP and CCO at Quixant stated: “With the last show taking place in February 2020, the whole team really wanted ICE 2022 to go ahead and to have the opportunity to reconnect and collaborate as an industry in person. But timing and favourable conditions are key to the show’s success. Quixant’s decision to withdraw from ICE this year was made after considerable reflection and was reluctantly decided.”  

“After being rescheduled to mid-April, the show presented many logistical challenges for exhibitors and attendees, having to juggle existing personal and work commitments, navigate travelling during the Easter holidays, conflicts with existing industry events and not mention the further travel challenges and safety concerns due to Covid,” Faithfull explained.

"Our decision follows numerous cancellations by domestic and international show exhibitors and attendees, which made it clear that the show was proving challenging and less favourable for those in the Land-Based Casino industry,” he added. However, Quixant plans to attend in a reduced capacity, with its local team available to meet with customers still planning to attend. 

Last week, Merkur Gaming, NOVOMATIC, Zitro, and TCS John Huxley announced their decision to cancel their participation as exhibitors. They were followed this week by Italy-based gaming supplier Abbiati Casino Equipment and Euro Games Technology (EGT).

Clarion Gaming on Wednesday revealed independent research results showing that 74% of industry professionals pre-registering for the event have confirmed their participation when the exhibition returns to ExCeL London on the new dates of April 12-14. ICE organizers also said they have signed-up 15 new exhibitors in less than two weeks occupying in excess of 1,000 sqm of net space.