Conferences in Europe
Practicing my free speech: Feminism
Even though this article might not hit the headlines (because the truth is always kept off the record or some might not share it due to their politically correct worldview), I am going to share my thoughts on the current wave that is sweeping the world and the gambling industry.
I have been thinking a lot before engaging into the topic. However, if one keeps silent and just shares Press Releases and Latest News, one question pops up immediately: what’s the role of journalism in all this?
Growing up in a former communist region (about which some of you have only a theoretical knowledge) makes me raise awareness about the dismaying times towards which we are heading.
“The dual-systems theory of patriarchy and capitalism which was a common form of socialist feminism in the 1970s and ‘80s was viewed as a failed project by many in the 1990s and beyond. In any event, the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe probably had a negative effect on the popularity of socialist feminism.” (Source: monthlyreview.org)
It is clear that if you switch on the TV, listen to the radio, read printed newspapers and browse through the online media, you will find the words “sexism” and “feminism” everywhere. There is no denying that with these public allegations and mainstream media helping the movement, we are heading towards the theory Marx developed in 1844.
Probably the majority of you would contest these facts, stating that Western society is a free one and will never apply Marxism to its social realities. However, the statements of the UK Gambling Commission Chief Executive, Sarah Harrison, and the statements of the representatives of Clarion Gaming Events are exactly related to Marxist theory.
Marxism has always been at the forefront of the cause of women’s emancipation and the Bolsheviks always took the question of revolutionary work among women workers very seriously. Lenin, in particular, attached an enormous importance to this question, especially in the period of the revolutionary upsurge from 1912-14, and during the First World War. It was at this time that International Women’s Day (8th March) began to be celebrated with mass workers’ demonstrations. It is not an accident that the February (March, according to the new calendar) revolution arose from disturbances around Women’s Day, when women demonstrated against the War and the high cost of living.
Now, don’t get me wrong here: I’m a billion miles away from being sexist and was just pointing out the fact that the ideology of these “Wonder Women” is clearly a sign that the spirit of Marx is living today and has now made its way into all industries.
Just by reading that the British Gambling Commission (GC) issued a demand to halt the promotion of sexism in the Gambling industry, referencing to this week’s ICE Totally Gaming event and that the regulator emphasized that it could boycott the trade show unless there is some change in this attitude makes you raise an eyebrow and ask: What exactly is the real role of Ms. Harrison?
It’s utterly funny how she tries to de-eroticise the adult entertainment industry while the modern society is full of women drinking themselves into stupor, parading their naked derrière and flashing of their breasts in public after the booze starts kicking in. Why? Because this is seen as THE attention-grabbing behavior. The cool one.
I guess the women in this picture are all part of some promoter’s group which was contracted by a company active in the gambling industry. Now that’s class for you! Why not starting an education program about women’s self-esteem in today’s society if you want to trigger off a movement? Commenting on marketing techniques and promoters just looks like silly tactics towards a straw dummy.
This sounds clearly like some grand plan that will make the world better. Probem is that it’s hooking a large audience and snaking its way into many industries out there. Basically it’s happening in all industries. Just read through the article about Sexism in eSports or just consider what is happening in the auto industry, where the subjects of the new rule have made a statement saying that their activity should not be scrapped because they don’t see it as a sexist or exploitative job.
How are the “ladies” in the picture above “classier” than the ones pictured below, who are used for brand or sport promotion? Guess promo girls are being mistreated and forced to strut their bodies. It’s farcical how feminists from all corners of the world like to dress sexy on dates and go out partying in seminude clothes. Or maybe they’re going out in their jammies and slippers?
Do you really think that men are going to races or watching live broadcast because they want to see the promo girls? I bet that if there were male models promoting this or that brand, the female audience would be chatting incessantly about them during their girl talk.
Most of the female sports fans are following athletes or racers for their good looks (e.g. Beckham, Ronaldo, Hamilton…). Now, following the slippery logic of feminist vigilance, shouldn’t FIFA ban famous players from doing underwear commercials because it’s scandalously sexist?
If you’re smart enough to get this correctly or if you’re an ‘out of the box’ type of person, you will easily see that scrapping stereotype behavior should not be combated by rules. It should be encouraged by the genuine role models via proper education.
Back to the gambling industry and the clear statements meant to abolish sexism in the industry….
Bringing to notice some previous editions of the event, the Chief of the UK Gambling Commission spoke about the “scantily clad” women who were featured on stands to promote certain gambling products and services. Referring to her own visit to the show last year, the authority figure said this is a “significant stain on the industry’s reputation” and that it led her to speak with the senior figures from across the gambling sector about implementing a big change to this.
Taking a look at the situation of the UK’s gambling industry, which is currently being bombarded with irrational changes, we can already declare that the Gambling Commission has started this boycott based on skirt length of mannequins and just goes with the flow to somehow keep the industry on a tight feminist leash.
The photo and some of the promoters were subject to outrage by BBC and, of course, Chief Sarah Harrison, who earlier this week told BBC’s Radio 4 about her dismay at seeing a gender disparity at the show, with some women on exhibition stalls doing promotional work in revealing clothing.
“The men were wearing smart suits and women were being asked to wear not much more than swimsuits. That’s totally unacceptable; it’s not reflective of the modern economy,” she said.
“This isn’t about political correctness. It’s about good regulation and good governance, because businesses that have a more diverse workforce are more likely to make better decisions. And that’s critical from a regulator’s point of view.”
Now I ask you: how is this different than seeing the minds that shape the youth in society doing promotional skits for different brands? See the picture below with Katy Perry showing that she is a fangirl of West Ham United.
Another statement that got under my business owner skin was the statement issued by the organizer of the event. Given the fact that all these companies attending and exhibiting at the event are already obeying thousands of rules and paying heavy money for their participation, they have to commit to promoting their brand names via personalized agendas or pens (freebies that are usually thrown away by delegates anyway) without having any instant presence of their brands in the eyes of attending delegates.
The European Casino Association (ECA) and Clarion Gaming, which are the event’s organisers, have backed the UKGC, issuing an open letter urging exhibitors to take note of the warning before the event opens tomorrow.
According to The Guardian, the letter said: “In the spirit of the 21st century, when both women and men play strategic and decision-making roles in businesses, we encourage all exhibitors to mindfully represent support staff promoting their products at the show in a non-offensive and non-stereotyping way.”
The question here is: Are women not allowed to take part in decision-making bodies in the gambling industry? Having the experience in organizing events and discussing marketing plans, 90% of the decision makers which I’ve discussed with and which gave the green light for everything promotional; were women. There is nothing wrong with and the statement makers should closely consider the fact that all the promoters and their outfits are mostly picked by female event planners and event managers working for the exhibiting companies.
Do you really think that “male” business owners are attending these events to ogle at the promo girls? I think that we have passed this point a couple of years ago and the ones that do attend especially for such entertainment are just plain old horny anyway. I mean, let’s not squeeze the male mindset evolution into the stereotype thinking you are claiming to oppose.
It’s really funny how just 8 – 9 names have evolved to the statuses of leaders of a movement which is backed by their egos and is just shared by fellow industry colleagues (from both genders) just to be associated with the leading company.
As I put it in the article’s introduction, I don’t expect many to share my view on the situation, but just think about how such a rewrite of social codes is taking back open mindedness to a dangerous level where you are inhibited to wear clothing that has been the subject of harsh regulation.
The subject will be a main discuss on “The Morning Show” with Hawkie which is streamed Monday morning on iGamingRadio.com
Make sure you add your comments on our social media channels and look forward to receiving your backlash!
PS: The featured image was picked to lure in the female readers of the article. How stereotypical of me…..
Conferences in Europe
Gamecity Hamburg connects Decision Makers from International Studios with new “Portside Game Assembly” Conference Format
Gamecity Hamburg announces the premiere of the “Portside Game Assembly” (PSGA) for June 27, 2025. The new B2B conference format focuses on networking and the exchange of learnings between leading international indie game studios. Portside Game Assembly enables studio heads and decision-makers to exchange knowledge in a confidential setting in extraordinary locations of Hamburg, around the harbor – and on the water.
“The idea for Portside Game Assembly was born out of conversations with studio heads and managers from Hamburg and around Europe. Anyone navigating an indie studio through the games market benefits greatly from exchanging learnings with other decision-makers facing similar challenges. With a curated guest list and a focus on impulse talks and roundtables, PSGA will offer studio leads contacts and discussions which are highly relevant to their work and current developments in the industry,” explains Margarete Schneider, Project Manager at Gamecity Hamburg.
“The heart of PSGA is the conference, which will be held on a ship sailing through the Hamburg harbor and to which we welcome attendees from all over Europe and beyond. The conference will be complemented by a networking brunch and two evening events, which invite PSGA participants to meet the vibrant and diverse Hamburg games scene,” adds Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg.
The conference program for decision-makers at game studios
On June 27, 2025, the first Portside Game Assembly will kick off with a networking brunch.
Afterwards, the studio managers and decision makers will enter the conference ship, which offers three decks for keynote speeches, roundtables and networking, including a cruise through the famous Hamburg harbor.
Studio managers and decision-makers from the following studios are already attending:
- bippinbits (Dome Keeper, PVKK: Planetenverteidigungskanonenkommandant) / Germany
- Ghost Ship Publishing (Deep Rock Galactic) / Denmark
- Indoor Astronaut (Unrailed 1 & 2) / Switzerland
- Landfall Games (Content Warning, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator) / Sweden
- mooneye studios (Lost Ember) / Germany
- Maschinen-Mensch (Curious Expedition 1 & 2, Mother Machine, Codecks) / Germany
- Overhype Studios (Battle Brothers, Menace) / Germany
- Rockfish Games (Everspace 1 & 2) / Germany
- Torpor Games (Suzerain) / Germany
Leads and executives from established indie game studios can register to take part in the Portside Game Assembly via our registration form.
Networking events as part of the Portside Game Assembly
The evening closing event “Games Industry Party” brings conference guests and other members of the games industry together for networking with cool drinks and snacks. Tickets for the Indie Networking Brunch and the Games Industry Party are available separately for non-conference attendees and will go on sale at a later time.
On the evening before, June 26, 2025, there will be an “Opening Mixer” with a panoramic view over Hamburg’s famous St. Pauli district in the Astra Tower, at Bytro Labs office. Portside Game Assembly participants and contacts from the games industry in Hamburg will be invited.
Registration for studios and participants
The conference itself is aimed exclusively at studio managers and decision-makers from internationally successful indie game studios. To enable a curated selection of participants, there will be no direct ticket sales, but studios can register for participation here: registration form.
The conference ticket includes the Opening Mixer event the evening before, access to the Networking Brunch, the main Conference and the Games Industry Party for a total of 189 euros.
Conferences in Europe
The iGaming Conference Boom: A Catalyst for Industry Growth or Event Overload?
As the iGaming industry rapidly expands, so too has the frequency of events, summits, and conferences held worldwide. While some within the industry have expressed concerns over the seemingly endless cycle of iGaming conferences, many organizers are now strategically responding by integrating multiple industry sectors into single events. This shift could mark a new era where iGaming conferences are not just more numerous but also more impactful, driving sustained growth and collaboration across the industry.
An Industry on the Rise
The iGaming sector has seen phenomenal growth in recent years, with new regions regulating online gaming, an influx of advanced technology, and changing consumer behaviors. Conferences are a direct reflection of this growth. In response to an industry that is evolving at breakneck speed, these gatherings allow professionals to stay informed, network, and showcase innovations in a competitive, fast-paced market. According to recent reports, 2024 has maintained a similarly robust lineup of conferences as seen in 2023, indicating a steady demand for these industry forums.
Consolidation: Bringing Multiple Industries Together
One of the biggest shifts in recent years has been the move towards event consolidation. Instead of organizing niche, standalone conferences, major event organizers are combining multiple related industries under one roof. For example, some organizers have extended their conferences to cover related fields such as emerging technologies, fintech, and affiliate marketing. This integrated approach creates a unique space for professionals across interconnected sectors to gather, learn, and share insights. This evolution aims to streamline event schedules while providing a more holistic experience for attendees.
Consistency in the Number of Conferences
While some expected the number of iGaming events to decrease in 2024 as the industry reaches a more mature stage, the calendar has remained steady with a full slate of global conferences. Sources highlight extensive lists of major iGaming conferences for the year, covering multiple regions and themes, from regulatory updates to technological advances and new market opportunities. This consistency signals that the demand for these conferences remains high, suggesting that attendees continue to find value in them as essential business and networking platforms.
Why More Conferences Might Actually Be Beneficial
The prevalence of iGaming conferences can be viewed positively when considering the growth trajectory of the industry. These events provide valuable exposure for startups, facilitate knowledge sharing, and foster collaborations that might not happen otherwise. For industry veterans, they’re an opportunity to reconnect, reassess strategies, and stay informed about the latest trends. For newcomers, conferences offer a way into the industry through educational sessions, networking, and visibility.
Furthermore, the diversity in conference topics allows professionals to choose events that best align with their interests or expertise. The range of events caters to everyone from affiliate marketers and game developers to regulators and financial specialists. The right conference can provide insight into specific challenges or growth areas, helping companies refine their strategies.
Balancing Act: Growth Without Saturation
While it’s clear that iGaming conferences play a crucial role in the industry, there’s an argument to be made for balancing quantity with quality. Some attendees feel that with too many events, resources and attention can become stretched thin. To counteract this, organizers who offer integrated, multi-industry conferences are not only addressing the issue of event overload but are also creating more comprehensive forums that offer greater value and insight. A well-curated, diverse conference can draw higher-quality attendance and provide a richer experience for those participating.
Conclusion
The iGaming conference landscape in 2024 reflects an industry that continues to expand, innovate, and adapt to the demands of a global, interconnected world. While the sheer number of conferences may be daunting to some, the strategic consolidation of industries within these events speaks to a forward-thinking approach by organizers. The trend toward integrated, multi-focus conferences provides an opportunity for even greater collaboration, allowing the industry to continue thriving. As long as these events evolve to meet the needs of their audiences, the iGaming industry stands to benefit immensely from its vibrant and active conference ecosystem.
Conferences in Europe
Aviatrix approved for Sweden take-off
Award-winning crash game Aviatrix has been certified and licensed in Sweden, as it continues its tour of major, regulated European jurisdictions.
As well as being certified, Aviatrix has been granted a B2B licence from the Swedish regulator Spelinspektionen, meaning it can now provide the game to licensed operators in the country.
Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “We’ve been busy over the last few months gaining the relevant licences and certifications to bring Aviatrix to regulated markets across Europe. Sweden was always a high priority. We know players there appreciate games that provide something a little different, and we’re always looking to innovate. We can’t wait to see players in the country enjoying Aviatrix.”
During Q2 2024, Swedish online gaming revenues reached almost 400 million euros, the highest quarter since records began. The market has quickly become one of the most appealing in Europe.
Operators in Sweden looking to find an edge will now be able to turn to Aviatrix, a unique product that combines a traditional crash game with innovative NFT mechanics.
-
Latest News2 days ago
Make every pixel personal: Opera GX facelift lets you match your browser to your setup down to the smallest detail
-
Latest News2 days ago
Casino Management System Market to Reach USD 29.09 Billion by 2032 | Enhanced Security and Operational Efficiency Drive Growth | Research by S&S Insider
-
Balkans7 days ago
EGT Digital’s iGaming platform X-Nave and successful titles to deliver high-quality experience to BetHub’s customers
-
Asia7 days ago
Mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong ready for China’s 15th National Games
-
Australia7 days ago
ACMA: Tabcorp Pays $262,000 Penalty for Illegal In-Play Bets
-
Latest News7 days ago
AGREEMENT BETWEEN ZITRO AND GRUPO OSGA TO PROMOTE THE LABOT INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
-
Latest News7 days ago
Week 46/2024 slot games releases
-
Latest News2 days ago
Fast Track Celebrates Third Year as a Great Place to Work Certified™ Tech Company