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A two-day event dedicated to Italian gaming attracts more than 1,200 attendees and international recognition: a new date in April 2025
Italian Gaming Expo & Conference, Rome, first edition, entitled ‘The Sustainable Future of Gaming’, dedicated to the Italian Gaming Market, delves into the realities of a market whose significance is internationally recognized, together with experts, academics and opinion leaders. Around 1,200 delegates attended from more than 12 different countries, and there were multiple media personalities and political figures in attendance.
Figures:
More than 130 speakers from Europe and around the globe. Content in more than 35 sessions. More than 50 companies, including exhibitors and partners. More than ten organizations and over 20 politicians were present, including the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, CONI, AGCOM, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, MASAF, State Police, Italian Finance Police, Europol and Interpol, as well as Government and Parliament, with a significant presence of members from the Chamber and Senate. We must also include foreign regulators like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta Gaming Authority, and other international organizations such as EASG and G4, International Masters of Gaming Law, International Association of Gaming Regulators, and United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports. This is the number of attendees for the IGE’s first edition. In the first two days, 1,187 participants attended the IGE.
The event will focus on the key topics which will shape the legal gaming industry in the months to come, as well as the guidelines that companies can use to plan for the future and innovate towards sustainability. In addition to reforming horseracing, there will be discussions on the future sustainability of gaming and how to promote it between consumer protection and reorganization. The first day of discussions covered a number of topics.
IGE’s primary goal is to provide participants with the opportunity to discuss and meet experts and opinion leaders at the national and international levels to develop new solutions and ideas for their businesses. It can be said that it was achieved if you consider the wide consensus of participants at the event. This included Andrea Pancani and Nicola Porro from La7, as well Andrea Pancani who is the host of La7’s news program, and Paolo Petrecca, the director of RaiNews24.
Mario Lollobrigida said that the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli has been a leader in the promotion and defence of principles which are the foundations for gaming. The principles of safety, legality and consumer protection and order are the most important. The agency was pleased to welcome this Italian gaming conference and expo event, as this is a focus on communication values. We are particularly impressed by the scientific nature of this event. This is thanks to participation from famous personalities, and universities like the Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi, as well as the Luiss and Bocconi.
The reform that the government has just initiated in the IGE sector was at the forefront of current pressing issues. The new law offers the government the chance to find additional revenue from taxation, which will allow it to choose the best course of action. Marco Osnato is the President of Finance Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. With this decree, we’ve managed to create a healthy balance between interests for all. Always, we start with the protection of citizens, using effective, traceable, and precise legal services, also with respect to legal systems which have been more restricted with the aim of protecting and professionalising businesses. A more peaceful approach.”
Ettore Roseto, COPASIR secretary, member of Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, said: “Gaming has been a subject that I’ve dealt with since a very long time. I think it is important that the political world recognizes its importance, both economically and in terms of social impact. The public gaming system is designed to prevent organized crime. It is also a regulated and controlled system that allows us to manage the risk of addiction to gambling.
Pay attention to the current events and topics that are relevant in this sector. The advertising ban, for example, is still valid today. Laura Aria said, AGCOM commissioner: “Article 57 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union does not allow the complete ban of the gaming services. A prohibitionist attitude towards gambling does not appear to be an efficient way of managing a highly addictive phenomenon such as gambling. A better campaign of awareness and cooperation between institutions is necessary, according to me. The monitoring and legislation of gambling allows for a better management of addiction to gambling. “Investing in prevention should be the main focus.”
There was talk about match-fixing, and an Italian intelligence network that is based in the betting industry. This represents excellence at a global scale. Ugo Taucer is the Attorney General of CONI. He said: “Even prior to the Macolin Convention, it was a tradition in Italy that discussions were held between the police, the institutions responsible for game control, the private operators, the federations, and the sports, through the Luiss Office, which established institutional cooperation and news exchange. The exchange of information and ideas is wide-ranging, with a good correspondence among the different areas.
Matteo Caroli explains that there is much content on responsible gaming, with a special focus on the investigational works, which are presented as a preview. “In Italy, no independent foundations have been dedicated to responsible gambling. We want to encourage a culture of gaming that is centered on respect, prevention, and protection of people through scientific research and studies. “We also want to encourage cooperation and study with third-party qualified parties. This will allow us to adopt a multidisciplinary, open discussion approach.”
Alessio Critsantemi is the co-founder of Gn Media and President of IGE. He said: “The gaming sector, in particular, has a lot of talent. It’s a cradle for excellence. We are therefore proud that this event has been a great success, as it offers an excellent opportunity to discuss and train stakeholders, institutions, and operators about important issues such as innovation and sustainability for the future. Innovation isn’t just for the sake of it, nor only for profit or to appeal to consumers. It must also be applied in order for systems and solutions that protect and ensure consumer safety and protection. These two days of discussions and meetings are therefore even more crucial to promote a sector which can contribute significantly to the development of the country, but on a sustainable basis.
This event is aimed to become an annual industry event. The next dates are April 9 and 10, 2025.
Launch of the Italian Gaming Awards:
Paolo Petrecca and Giorgia fiori hosted the Italian Gaming Awards gala, which celebrated excellence in gaming throughout Italy by awarding 19 awards to operators, providers and other categories. The complete list of winners can be consulted at this address: https:/ /ItalianGamingAwards. com/IGA2024/it/page/iga-2024-winners.
