GIGSE 2002

The 4th Annual Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo in Toronto, demonstrated continued growth in the interactive gaming industry, with a nearly 40% increase in attendance from the 2001 event, and 125% increase in exhibit space from the previous year. Over 1100 i-gaming executives, government officials, and suppliers to the industry were on hand to discuss issues, attend the many informative seminars, conduct business on the exhibit floor, and network at the parties held every evening. Delegates from over 50 countries were represented.
Among the notable and well attended seminars included "Payment Problems & Solutions", "Consolidation Begins: M&A's in I-Gaming", marketing seminars, and "Niche Products". Dennis Mills, a Canadian House of Commons member, told delegates that Canadian law may be amended as early as this Autumn to make internet gambling legal in that country, following Britain's lead in legalizing and regulating the industry. Clive Hawkswood from the UK Department for Culture, Media & Sports gave delegates ‘a view from Britain’ of on-line gambling. The pre-conference Workshop, a sort of "Internet Gaming 101", demonstrating that many new faces are entering the industry and launching i-gaming properties.
Exhibitors and sponsors included two first-time participants from the transaction processing sector, Platinum sponsor Neteller and Gold Sponsor CNWB (CyberCredit), both of interest to operators of i-gaming properties. Real Time Gaming exhibited for the first time at any event, with a large and popular booth. The Summit appears to be a popular launching pad for both new products from existing companies and new vendors to the industry. Live gaming software was presented by more than one company. Asian firms had a strong presence with G-Master Technology and SmartTransact both exhibiting.
Next year's Summit is planned to return to Toronto, May 28-30, 2003. Other I-gaming events planned by the River City Group include the ‘European i-Gaming Congress & Expo’ in Barcelona this fall.