Clarion Gaming Confirms No More London Beginning 2025: Brexit to Blame
There have been less-than-subtle hints that ICE London will no longer be taking place in London, quite possibly after this week's big i-Gaming show. Now the organizers have confirmed ICE365, perhaps the industry's biggest event, will be relocating to another European city in two years. That leaves the door open for one last hoorah in London next year.
Freelance reporter points to an article appearing here discussing the decision:
Nice story from Ted Menmuir as Clarion Gaming confirm that ICE365 will not be taking place in London from 2025.
Apparently London will still bid for the event alongside Madrid and Paris, but major exhibitors such as Novomatic and TCS have simply decided they don't want to deal with all the Brexit-related import duties and costs, on top of London already being one of the pricier European cities. COVID-enforced absences have not helped, but still.
If memory serves I think each ICE turns over c£20-£25m per show and is one of the top three shows that takes place at Excel, with all the subcontracting jobs that go with it. Another of those fabled Brexit benefits.
Alex Pratt, Group Managing Director, Clarion Gaming, stated: “This robust process is customer-centric and the decision will be taken in the best interests of our stakeholders and of the global gaming industry.
“The four short-listed cities will progress through a selection process with the help of the experienced and knowledgeable team at Equimore which is overseeing every aspect of what is a robust programme.”
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
