February 2, 2024
February 2, 2024
Welcome to WA.Technology’s iGaming roundup, replete with intriguing and thought-provoking news from around the iGaming world.
ICE London 2024 is set to ignite the iGaming industry from 6 to 8 February at the renowned ExCeL London. This premier event, the final ICE extravaganza in England’s capital before its journey to Barcelona in 2025, is a global hub for over 45,000 gaming professionals, offering many networking, business, and educational opportunities. Alongside the main event, ICE VOX will be running from 5 to 8 February, featuring a cast of leaders and experts, presenting invaluable insights into the iGaming sector.
Attendees can expect an immersive experience with various show features such as the Esports Arena, Ampersand, Consumer Protection Zone, and Growth Market Zone. ICE 2024 is set to be a fascinating and engrossing event where the latest innovations, regulatory updates, and technological solutions are showcased, catering to both emerging and established markets in the gaming industry. This final UK-based extravaganza looks to be a behemoth farewell to England before its exhilarating journey to the European mainland commences next year! Are you gearing up for ICE London 2024?
Don’t forget, you can meet the WA.Technology team at stand S4-240 or at their exclusive area in the WA.Technology-sponsored Meeting Zone S1-360. Visitors to the WA.Technology stand will also have the opportunity to take part in Daily Free Prize Draws to win one of a selection of fantastic Apple products. Contact the team to book a meeting.
Brazilian betting operator Pixbet – powered by WA.Technology – is setting its sights on the Mexican gambling market as part of its strategy to establish a global presence. Originating from the state of Paraíba, Pixbet has made a name for itself in Brazil as a leading sports betting and online casino operator. The company's ambitious international expansion plans were highlighted by CEO Ernildo Júnior in a recent interview. He expressed the brand's aspirations to cross its national boundaries, with Mexico being the primary focus for its overseas operations. Pixbet's vision for global growth signifies a significant leap from its initial focus on the Brazilian market.
Pixbet's rise to prominence is further underscored by its recent lucrative sponsorship deal with Flamengo, one of Brazil's top Serie A football clubs. The agreement, worth R$170 million annually, marks a huge leap for the company and a personal triumph for Júnior, who hails from rural Paraíba. Júnior welcomed the approval of Law No. 14790/23, regulating sports betting within Brazil, emphasising Pixbet's commitment to regularisation, mirroring the company's compliance efforts in Brazilian states like Rio and Paraná. This regulatory milestone and Pixbet's expansion into new markets position the company for an influential role in the global iGaming industry.
In 2023, Brazilians invested approximately R$54 billion in online gaming and betting, surpassing the nation's beef export earnings of R$46.3 billion. This spending, detailed by Folha de S. Paulo and based on Central Bank data, reflects the growing interest in online gambling. The recent regulation changes begin a new era in Brazilian online betting.
This regulatory shift coincides with projections by Fhoresp and IDT-Cema that the Brazilian sports betting and online casino market could surpass R$100 billion in revenue over the next three years, spurred largely by tourism. The approval of these regulations is anticipated to catalyse over 500 new hotel projects in the next few years. The expansion isn't limited to the hospitality sector either; it's poised to boost multiple industries, including music, art, infrastructure, and services, promising substantial job creation. Things are looking very positive for Brazil in 2024 and the years ahead.
Mohegan’s Inspire Entertainment Resort in South Korea has secured a casino licence and earned a five-star hotel rating from the Korea Tourism Association. This development, announced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, comes after the resort's soft opening on November 30. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority's project boasts three hotel towers with 1,275 rooms, a 15,000-seat arena, an indoor water park named Splash Bay, and extensive Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities. The resort also features signature restaurants and a unique digital entertainment street.
Raymond Pineault, CEO of Mohegan Gaming, expressed pride in the achievement, highlighting the team's dedication to maintaining industry-leading standards. Chen Si, President of Mohegan Inspire, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the team's facility, hospitality, and operations management efforts. This recognition highlights South Korea's luxury resort and casino sector advances.
Rome is gearing up for the first Italian Gaming Expo & Conference (IGE) and the Italian Gaming Awards (IGA) on April 18 – 19, 2024. This pioneering event, set to occur at the Palazzo dei Congressi, will highlight innovation and sustainability in the gaming industry. Applications for the IGA, featuring 20 categories for gaming operators and suppliers, are open until February 29, 2024.
The B2B event, themed ‘The sustainable future of gaming’, aims to shape the industry's future, focusing on environmental, social, and digital transformation. Key topics will include emerging technologies like the metaverse, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and regulatory issues. The event will be a new platform for dialogue and development in the sector.
Join us again next time for more iGaming news from WA.Technology. If you want to know more about getting your own iGaming business off the ground or expanding your current brand, contact us at [email protected]