ICE London to address diversity, safer gambling, states ECA Vice Chair Tiina Siltanen

Tiina Siltanen, the recently appointed Vice Chair of the European Casino Association and General Manager of Casino Helsinki and Tampere, is the latest industry thought leader to focus on the importance of February’s full-scale edition of ICE London, underlining its importance to the development of the international industry post-COVID

Focusing on the power of adopting a collective response to the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities that face the industry, she stated ICE London's 2023 creative of “Stronger Together” captures the industry mood from her own perspective and that of colleagues. 

“February’s ICE will mark the return of the major supplier brands that we missed in April 2022 and that sense of solidarity and togetherness is both profound and really powerful,” she said. “As a global industry we are stronger when we are together sharing challenges, solutions, ideas, inspiration, energy and the infectious ‘can do’ spirit that underpins our industry.”

“I also believe this mindset goes beyond product. We are also ‘stronger together’ when we are addressing diversity in all of its forms, safer gambling and protection of the vulnerable,” she noted. “In this respect, the Consumer Protection Zone at ICE represents a stand-out feature on the show floor. Safer gambling has moved center stage at ICE and the industry is much stronger when we collectively address consumer protection."

Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of Clarion Gaming, also commented: “In the research that we undertake with stakeholders on a regular basis the primary reason quoted for attending ICEis the calibre of the exhibitions and the access their presence provides to the very latest innovations, and technology solutions.”

“However, it’s clear that when so many of the industry’s influencers and strategic bodies come together in one place it’s also possible to address broader issues,” he added, and pointed out that the ICE Consumer Protection Zone will continue to be the focus for discussions regarding the industry’s safer gambling undertakings. 

Hunter also noted there will also be events and debates regarding diversity and inclusion in the gambling industry. “I think it’s fascinating to reflect on how the hundreds of thousands of conversations that will take place on and off the show floor at ICE will help to fashion the direction of the industry,” he stated. 

“The common denominator whether you are an operator from South Africa, a machine developer from Europe, a regulator from Australia, or a safer gambling charity working out of London is the power that ICE has to help stakeholders make the connections that power the industry, which is why the return of a full-sized ICE in February is so exciting and compelling,” Hunter concluded. 

ICE London is taking place February 7-9 at ExCeL London, featuring games creators, distributors, operators, retailers, innovators, trade associations, strategic bodies and regulators, representing every gaming vertical.