In a deal announced this week, the organisers of Global Gaming Expo – a major and mainly land gambling expo and conference in the United States – revealed it is to partner with the UK-based iGaming Business magazine for the 2010 show, scheduled for November 16-18 in Las Vegas.
“Internet gambling continues to draw significant interest and debate, within both the U.S. and global gaming industries, as well as on Capitol Hill,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA).
“While G2E always has addressed iGaming as part of its comprehensive coverage of industry issues, this partnership with iGaming Business will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to advance their understanding of the complex and intricate issues affecting this sector.”
It is well known that the AGA has traditionally adopted a neutral stance on whether to support or oppose the legalisation of online gambling in the United States, as its land operator members are divided on the issue. However, the fact that it is moving closer to the industry through the deal with iGB has to seen as a positive development.
According to H2 Gambling Capital, Internet gambling is currently estimated to be a $21 billion industry worldwide. More than three-quarters (77 percent) of the experts surveyed for the 2009 G2E Future Watch Survey expect that number to increase to $31 billion or more in the next five years.
“Year after year, G2E draws professionals with an interest in Internet gambling from around the world,” said Courtney Muller, senior vice president at Reed Exhibitions, co-organiser of G2E with the AGA.
“G2E always has adapted to meet the business needs and preferences of industry professionals, and we are confident this partnership with iGaming Business will provide both Internet and land-based casino operators with the information and insights to address the growing interest in this field.”
G2E 2010 will feature dedicated conference content on iGaming developed by some of the sector’s leading experts.