Final Day Of Casino Exhibition Still Busy
Published: Thursday, January 26, 2006 Online-Casinos.com
FINAL DAY OF CASINO EXHIBITION STILL BUSY
Impressions of the successful 2006 International Casino Exhibition show
It is the final day of the International Casino Exhibition (ICE) at Earl's Court in London, but there is no slackening in activity or the large number of visitors, although it has to be said that following the "Fire and Ice" party last evening there were some late starters and decidedly bleary eyes!
The efficient organisation, particularly of the Interactive gaming section of this massive exhibition is worthy of a special note. Karen Cooke of ATE and her team have been unfailingly helpful and courteous despite the considerable pressure of thousands of visitors and demands from exhibitors and the media.
The exhibitor roll was substantially bigger this year, with most of the top names in the business well represented. It is clear from their displays and conversation that online casino and poker gaming is a dynamic, growing and high tech business which is using cutting edge technologies in processing and presentation in an extremely effective way.
The trend toward more casino games, more frequently is very noticeable among the major providers like Microgaming and Cryptologic, creating an ever bigger choice of innovative online caisno games for the customer.
Also good for the customer is the growing recognition that in such an intensely competitive industry, efficient customer relations and support is often the main difference between competing companies - get it right or lose business.
Consolidation is predicted by almost everyone, and there is intense interest in mergers and acquisition opportunities, and in the likely 2006 crop of major IPOs - this is an industry that is maturing fast, and very large companies are becoming the order of the day.
It's an industry that is (certainly at the top end) concerned with more player-sensitive policies and a definite move toward consistent third party standards and regulation as a means of protecting the international player community and distinguishing the good from the not-so-good.
Another encouraging sign is that those providers who have traditionally and mistakenly taken the outdated position on casino-player disputes that a "hands off" policy is acceptable or wise in today's industry are reconsidering their policies.
Standards bodies and regulators like eCOGRA, Kahnawake, Alderney, Gibraltar and Malta have recognised that this is borderless business where consistency of regulation and enforcement can be better achieved by cooperation, and it is encouraging to see that this conversation is ongoing among the leading jurisdictions, priavte standards bodies and trade associations such as the RGA. This is leading to valuable collaboration and solid contribution to important new regulatory regimes such as the UK Gaming Commission.
Better standards of practice and respectability will likely have a beneficial effect among US politicans, although all bets are open as to what may happen in that country with it's often confusing approach to online gambling.
From a online gamblers point of view this is good news because the objective is better protection, but it also means better and more responsive channels through which players can pursue complaints.
Mobile gambling seems to have disappointed most industry people. As one observer put it: "Despite tons of hype, this has been disappointing in a business sense." There is a recognition that it is early days yet, and that it is important to be prepared and in this space, however.
Online poker is still going like a train despite pessimistic predictions in September last year that have been disproved by subsequent company results. The activity in promotional effort and technical development continues unabated and shows no signs of "running out of steam"
The International Casino Exhibition has always been a great networking opportunity as well as the ideal cross-over showcase for Interactive gaming, and 2006 was no exception. Just about everybody who is anybody in the business has been in London this week and benefited from the experience...
