After a ‘virtual’ 2020 and few events taking place in 2021, without a doubt, 2022 fully represented the return of in-person meetings, a key element when doing business, whether in the gaming industry or in any other area of the economy.
Reality shows that the desire to gather together also led to an overabundance of congresses, expos and conferences globally, both on-site and online. To clarify 2023 landscape and help readers identify the best opportunities, G&M News decided to summarize the first six months of the year by selecting twelve of the events in the USA, Europe, LatAm and the rest of the world that we consider the most interesting to attend for commercial reasons, the attractiveness and potential of their markets, or the possibility they offer to increase gaming contacts.
JANUARY
Event: SiGMA Africa
Date: January 16-19th
Venue: Trademark Hotel (Nairobi, Kenya)
Organizer: SiGMA Group
Why attend: The first foray of SiGMA into the African continent promises to be a great opportunity to learn more about this region, with huge potential and lots of work to be done. African suppliers, operators and affiliates will be attending, as well as delegates from the rest of the world, interested on doing business in this continent. Of course, there will be the exhibition, key sessions, AIBC, AGS, the SiGMA Pitch, the awards, a charitable auction as part of the SiGMA Foundation’s mission to support those in need, and the best networking dinners and drinks held in some of Kenya’s most beautiful entertainment hotspots.
FEBRUARY
Event: ICE London
Date: February 7-9th
Venue: ExCeL London (London, United Kingdom),
Organizer: Clarion Gaming
Why attend: It is the largest gaming event in the world, with more than 35,000 global executives, more than 600 exhibitors offering innovative products, conferences with high-level experts, awards, parties and so much more.
MARCH
Event: G&M Events Mexico
Date: March 9-10th
Venue: Mexico City, Mexico
Organizer: G&M News
Why attend: The main operators of land-based and online gaming in Mexico, as well as representatives of associations, regulators and other executives from LatAm, will meet to share experiences, discuss their needs and dialogue in order to solve the problems of the sector. There will be valuable interactive conferences and spaces for networking and business.
Event: SiGMA Eurasia
Date: March 13-16th
Venue: Intercontinental Festival Arena, Dubai Festival City (Dubai, UAE)
Organizer: SiGMA Group
Why attend: Opening its doors to a record-breaking turnout in 2022, this lucrative event was host to three separate conferences (SiGMA, AGS and AIBC) and 9,000 delegates from across the world. As the intersectional landmark connecting the Asian and European gaming markets, Dubai is an excellent melting pot of cultures and ideas, and also a business crypto hub. With plans to unite the policy-makers, developers, C-suite executives and legal experts of the burgeoning gaming, AI and Blockchain sectors, every expectation will be exceeded.
Event: Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention
Date: March 27-30th
Venue: San Diego Convention Center (San Diego, California, USA)
Organizer: Indian Gaming Association
Why attend: The largest event of tribal leaders and casino executives in the country, entering its 37th year, this is both the meeting place where the community gathers to learn, network and exchange industry-specific ideas, and a cultural celebration of success, strength and self-reliance. Besides largest gaming manufacturers exhibiting their products, there are also interesting Native American Arts & Crafts booths to visit.
Event: GAT Expo Cartagena
Date: March 29-30th
Venue: Las Americas Convention Center (Cartagena de Indias, Colombia)
Organizer: 3A Productions
Why attend: This is one of the most outstanding gaming business events that bring together operators, suppliers, regulators and unions of the sector in Latin America, with its hub in Colombia. Exhibitors will show their most attractive solutions, while speakers will explain their views on the market. In addition, there will be wonderful networking activities (March 27-28th) and the Esports Betting Bar, which will seek to boost the betting business in this growing discipline.
APRIL
Event: Global Table Games and Game Protection Conference
Date: April 24-27th
Venue: Sahara Hotel (Las Vegas, United States)
Organizer: Richard Marcus
Why attend: With an intense agenda that includes the world’s leading experts in land-based casino security, this event aims to help executives from the Table Games, Surveillance and Compliance departments to perform at optimal levels. Issues such as artificial intelligence, facial recognition and new technologies to protect casinos from criminal activity will be discussed. First day will feature an open mic workshop/seminar covering the most relevant aspects of gaming protection, including slots and ETGs.
Event: G&M Events European Summit
Date: April 26-27th
Venue: Admiral Casino & Lodge San Roque (Cadiz, Spain)
Organizer: G&M News
Why attend: A dreamy setting on the Costa del Sol, a golf tournament at La Hacienda Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort, the most delicious food and drinks, and interactive panels with an academic focus, aimed at exchanging know-how and networking are the unique characteristics of this exclusive boutique event. The show will bring together 150 C-Level leaders of gaming operators, regulators and associations from Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, Ceuta, Melilla, Andorra and other European and LatAm countries for an unforgettable gathering.
MAY
Event: SiGMA Americas
Date: May 15-19th
Venue: São Paulo, Brazil
Organizer: SiGMA Group
Why attend: Based on its extensive experience in organizing fairs, the SiGMA Group ventures into LatAm to follow the pulse of what is happening in Brazil, waiting for the regulation of sports betting. The meeting will join suppliers, affiliates, experts, operators and those interested in the dynamics of gambling in LatAm, through talks, networking, awards and various other activities.
JUNE
Event: GAT Expo Caribbean
Date: June 1-2nd
Venue: Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic)
Organizer: 3A Productions
Why attend: Authorities, legislators, unions, operators, suppliers and regulators from the Dominican Republic, as well as businessmen from Central America, the Caribbean and the rest of LatAm will congregate in a paradisiacal landscape to discuss issues such as regulation, compliance, cybersecurity and new products in the sector. There will be land-based, online gaming and sports betting firms presenting their solutions, as well as different networking options.
Event: G&M Events Peru
Date: June 12th
Venue: Baco y Vaca Grill (Miraflores, Lima, Peru)
Organizer: G&M News
Why attend: An exclusive dinner no Peruvian gaming operator (land-based and online) wants to miss. In a cordial and friendly ambiance, with a warm and modern setting, and the best food and drinks, attendees will have the possibility to meet face to face with 80+ C-Level executives and managers of local operators. Friendship, business, entertainment, as well as the chance to try new products in the industry, all of these activities will occur in one place.
Event: Brazilian iGaming Summit
Date: June 15-17th
Venue: Transamerica Expo Center (São Paulo, Brazil)
Organizer: Jericho Events
Why attend: More than 55 speakers, 40+ exhibitors and 1,000+ attendees are the numbers for this event that proposes interesting debates on current gambling regulations in Brazil. In addition, there are exhibitors of products and services, spaces for networking, an awards ceremony and all the passion and color of this gigantic South American market.