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The International Gaming Expo (also known as IGE) has voiced opposition in the past year over another online gambling event, the London Affiliate Conference (LAC) "piggy backing" off its own show. But as Gambling911.com observed this past week, IGE might now need the LAC, put on by the folks at Casino Affiliate Programs (CAP).
While IGE is seen as a more stuffy and - some would say expensive - affair, the LAC has gained a reputation for its debauchery and more "network-friendly" appeal, not to mention new relationships were quick to blossom.
According to Jenni Shuttleworth of Intergame Online, there was another increase in the number of online exhibitors at the exhibition and this year saw IGE incorporated for the first time. The stands remained consistently busy throughout the three days, with companies receiving a high number of quality leads for potential new business.
The market has recently seen operations from a number of amusement companies and land-based casino branch online, Shuttleworth states.
But the industry is already saturated and legality questions remain.
And some of the information presented at this year's IGE is nothing short of pipe dreams. In particular, the idea that online gambling may become legalized in the US over the course of the next 18 months.
Vice president of marketing at racing2day.com, Mark McGuinness, told iNTERGAMINGi that online bingo is likely to be introduced to the market first. "Bingo is seen as a softer form of gambling as opposed to the likes of poker."
Yet there is nothing to substantiate such remarks.
The buzz around this year's London affiliate show increased all the more dramatically, especially as LAC embraces the online poker community, something that IGE seems less inclined to do. And if you happen to be someone from outside of Europe looking to meet and mingle at IGE, you're pretty much out of luck since you're not already part of the established clique.
It is indeed interesting that so many people this year chose to forego the IGE show and fly into London specifically for LAC.
Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
