ICE World Gaming Forum 2026 set to prioritise regulation, innovation, and security in an evolving global industry
The ICE World Gaming Forum has announced its key content themes for the 2026 edition, reaffirming its position as the gaming industry’s premier event for strategic debate and innovation. Scheduled to take place from 19 to 21 January 2026 at Fira Gran Via Barcelona, the Forum will convene over 1,200 delegates from more than 79 countries, including CEOs, ministers, regulators, and industry associations. The event aims to facilitate high-level discussions addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the global gaming ecosystem.
The curated themes have emerged through extensive collaboration with industry stakeholders and reflect the sector’s evolving landscape. Among these, combatting the illegal gambling market stands out as a critical concern, particularly as tightening European regulations inadvertently fuel the resurgence of unregulated operators. These illegal sites often exploit greater flexibility, including cryptocurrency options, benefiting from regulatory pressures on licensed operators such as tax hikes, anti-money laundering scrutiny, and advertising constraints. The Forum will explore how regulators can strike a delicate balance between robust consumer protection and fostering innovation within legal markets—an issue particularly acute in rapidly expanding regions like Latin America and Africa.
Land-based growth in Europe presents another significant focus. Traditional casinos face intensifying competition, not only from digital platforms but also from diversified leisure offerings such as integrated resorts. To thrive, operators must rethink conventional casino layouts and enhance visitor experiences by integrating food, entertainment, and innovative gaming formats. Strategic omni-channel expansion and diversifying into cruise and street gaming are anticipated to drive sustainable growth. The event will analyse how collaboration between B2B partners can bolster efficiency and engagement, prioritising long-term customer retention over short-term revenue gains.
The Forum will also delve into the transformative potential of collaboration in sports betting. Advances in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and partnerships with Big Tech are reshaping marketing strategies and integrity monitoring. Personalized marketing, real-time fraud detection, and ensuring data security and regulatory compliance are at the forefront of industry efforts. The burgeoning esports sector and the expanding markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Latin America, and North America provide fertile ground for innovation that enhances transparency, trust, and responsible betting practices.
In the realm of iGaming, personalisation driven by AI technologies will be a key discussion area. Operators are increasingly leveraging precise data segmentation to optimise player engagement and lifetime value, while embedding responsible design principles to maintain player trust and business sustainability. Drawing lessons from entertainment technology, the industry seeks to deliver tailored gaming experiences efficiently, balancing excitement with ethical safeguards.
Lottery technology and innovation will also feature prominently, particularly as lotteries evolve through digitisation, gamification, and hybrid models. These new prize structures aim to attract younger, experience-oriented players but introduce fresh regulatory challenges. Policymakers and operators must navigate this evolving landscape to maintain public trust and support growth in a global context of rapid technological convergence.
Addressing security threats such as bonus abuse and cyberattacks remains a vital priority. Industry data indicates a 70% increase in cyberattacks against gambling operators since 2022, resulting in annual losses nearing €1 billion. The Forum will highlight emerging fraud tactics including deepfakes and sophisticated exploitations of bonus systems. Operators are increasingly adopting AI-driven defences and biometric authentication measures, recognising cybersecurity as foundational to building player trust and preserving competitive advantage.
The ICE World Gaming Forum is set within a premium environment, including an exclusive VIP lounge for delegates and speakers, a dedicated networking garden, and concierge services. It runs alongside the ICE and iGB Affiliate exhibitions, further enriching opportunities for knowledge exchange and business development. The full programme will be released on 27 October, with expanded details available on the event’s official platform.
This comprehensive agenda underlines the Forum’s commitment to “growing the power of play” by fostering a robust dialogue on regulation, innovation, security, and market development across all gaming verticals globally. As the sector faces mounting complexities, such high-level convergences will be essential in shaping resilient, responsible, and prosperous futures for the industry.