The introduction of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, last year, caused a u-turn in i-gaming companies’ strategic outlook, encouraging US facing operators to direct their attention to Europe, rather than America, for future growth.

As the industry targets the European market with renewed vigor, there seems little doubt that this year’s EiG Congress & Expo in Barcelona will be the biggest i-gaming event anywhere in the world. “Considering last year’s events, which rocked the online gaming industry, companies like us focus today more than ever on Europe. EiG 2007 looks to be an important event for the European online gaming industry” stated Gigi Levy, CEO, 888.com.

The three day EiG Conference will be addressing the most pertinent issues facing the global igaming industry today, and to kick the event off with impact and controversy, EiG will open with five hard-hitting conference sessions featuring the keynote, political spotlight debate, industry CEO panel, USA update and discussion and the player focus panel.

Confirmed for the CEO panel are industry heavyweights: Gigi Levi, 888.com; Andrew McIver, Sportingbet; Petter Nylander, Unibet; Roger Raatgever, Microgaming; and Ron Martin, NETELLER. The session aims to get their views on what’s happening in the industry and what direction the industry will take in the future.

EiG reaches out to the web, mobile and TV providers of gambling and gaming services, and to ensure that EiG reinforces its position as Europe’s premier i-gaming event, its organisers have surveyed over 200 delegates to find out exactly what they want from EiG. The results have been used to create an exciting new conference format plus a huge range of new features. With more conference hours than ever before, EiG will also feature a new interactive format including 20 different roundtables enabling delegates to explore key themes in a deep yet informal manner.

One of the star attractions at this year’s EiG is Andrew McIver, CEO, Sportingbet, who has selected EiG as the first conference he will have spoken at as CEO since his appointment in October 2006.

Asked what his expectations are of this year’s event, McIver says, “I am very much looking forward to it as I always welcome the opportunity to hear new ideas and hear how competitors are trading.” And with anticipation building amongst with world’s i-gaming elite, he continues, “In addition, many of the problems we all face are common and a common solution and cooperation are often the right answer.”

His thoughts were echoed by EiG regular, Ebbe Groes, CEO, BetBrain, commented on the importance his business places on EiG: “Among the many conferences and exhibitions in the gaming industry, few stand out as “must attend”. EiG is one of those few. We’ve visited EiG almost from the birth of our company and we’ll continue to do so. The program is usually outstanding and the networking opportunities are unparalleled among European gaming events.”

Amongst the new ideas, technologies and igaming formats that will be taking centre stage at this year’s event, social networking is one of the biggest developments capturing the imagination of the industry, as gaming operators remain eager to attract casual gamers and build stickiness through community based applications.

In response to the consumer surge of interest in websites such as Facebook, EiG is examining whether a Web 2.0 and social networking business model can work in i-gaming. Speaking as part of this discussion, Wim Vernaeve, CEO of Gottabet and pioneer of the concept of ‘Social Betworking’, who considers the time is right for a merging of social networking and gambling: “I believe betting is now ready for the masses and not just hardcore punters. The world has gone crazy for user generated websites and the online gambling industry is next on the list.”

Lawrence Goutt, CEO of GameVillage.com (a social gaming network company) and another EiG speaker, concurs: “…Gaming companies need to evolve their products to meet the ever demanding needs of this audience... In the future it will be companies that can combine the best of e-gaming with strong community and unique casual entertainment that will win the day.”

In addition to social networking, over the three days EiG will focus on all of the key issues affecting i-gaming companies operating on all platforms, including: legal, regulatory and business challenges in emerging and established jurisdictions; affiliate marketing; advertising and sponsorship; sports betting; user experience; poker and much more.

This year’s EiG will be the largest EiG expo ever seen, set to showcase the best in i-Gaming products, a conference program designed to give delegates more hours of insightful and interactive sessions and truly stunning networking events.

The buzz is building about Barcelona in October so book your flights now or miss out on the event of the year.

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