Conferences in Europe

Practicing my free speech: Feminism

Published

6 years ago

February 8, 2018

Zoltan Tundik

Photo credits: rebelcircus.com

Reading Time: 7 minutes

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.

Credits: dailymail.co.uk

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?

Credits: examiner.co.uk

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.

Credits: Firelotto.io Twitterfeed

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.

Credits: mirror.co.uk

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

CasinoBeats Summit 2024: Providing the Tools to Balance Innovation and Regulation in the Digital Age

Published

18 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Alan Campbell

Reading Time: 2 minutes

As the industry seeks optimal methods to responsibly integrate innovative technology, the upcoming CasinoBeats Summit will provide delegates with an exploration of the latest emerging technologies, regulatory frameworks and future trends to ensure a safe yet immersive gaming experience for players.

The Industry and Leadership track will take place across both core days of the CasinoBeats Summit, May 22 to 23 at the InterContinental Malta. Panel sessions will delve into key topics such as global gaming regulations, the evolving digital payment landscape and an in-depth exploration of the world of M&A.

The panel entitled Responsible Gambling in the Digital Age will delve into the latest responsible gambling initiatives influencing the digital landscape. Expert speakers Pedro Romero (RG Consultant and psychologist, University of Gibraltar), Matthew Curtis (Head of Responsible Gaming, L&L), Georgia Wise (Head of Responsible Gaming, PlayNorth), Eduards Jakubovs (Head of Responsible Gaming, Betsson) and panel moderator Maris Catania (Senior SG Consultant, SG: Certified) will analyse the impact of landmark regulatory guidelines such as the 3.4.3 regulation on remote customer interaction and the United Kingdom’s ‘white paper’ as well as discuss the latest distinctions between regulated, grey and black markets.

The Industry Trends and Future Predictions panel will look at the future of the casino sector, examining upcoming industry trends and their potential impact. Industry leaders Itai Zak (Executive Director, Digicode, and former/ex-Chief Executive Officer, SBTech), Matthew D’Emanuele (Chief Executive Officer, Yolo Entertainment), Alexander Martin (Chief Executive Officer, SKS365), Inesa Glazaite (Chief Commercial Officer, iGaming Platform), Dmitry Starostenkov (Chief Executive Officer, EvenBet) alongside panel moderator Martyn Elliott (Project Director, SBC Media) will offer insights into key emerging markets, innovative game formats and strategies to effectively cater to evolving player needs.

Commencing the second day is the panel entitled The Evolving Landscape of Gaming Sector Payments, which will explore the current state of the industry’s payment sector. Expert speakers Sean Spiteri (Head of Payment Solutions, PressEnter), Enrico Giancaterina (Managing Director, Funtech) and Ian Perrygrove (Chief Risk Officer, Kwiff) will discuss the current payment innovations driven by the casino sector, analyse the future of digital payment methods and the potential risks of such rapid innovations.

The Navigating the Future: Global Gaming Regulations panel will explore strategies to effectively address the challenges posed by current and future global regulations. Regulator representatives Aideen Shortt, (Advisor to the Minister, Curacao), Andrew Lyman (Gambling Commissioner and Executive Director, Gibraltar), Andrew Rhodes (Chief Executive, Gambling Commission) and Brandon Debattista (Deputy Chief Regulatory Officer, Malta Gaming Authority) will provide insights into their respective markets whilst assessing the possibility of a unified global regulatory standard and the importance of cross-market collaboration.

Additionally, track attendees will have the opportunity to garner insights into the world of acquisition and investment during an exclusive IMGL-led masterclass, Acquisition Strategy: Gearing up for Investment, which is set to take place on Thursday, May 23, the second core day of the event.

For groups of three or more, you can purchase the Group Pass Ticket and gain access to all three days of the CasinoBeats Summit for the discounted price of €400 per person (a saving of €200 per ticket). Additionally, operators and affiliates can apply for a free pass to the event.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest news, speakers and exhibitor additions and conference content by subscribing to the bi-weekly CasinoBeats Summit LinkedIn newsletter.

Conferences in Europe

Success for the First Edition of the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference

Published

3 days ago

April 24, 2024

Alan Campbell

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The two-day conference dedicated to the Italian gaming market registers over 1,200 participants and gathers international acclaim: new appointment in April of 2025

The first edition of the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference (IGE) in Rome entitled ‘The sustainable future of gaming’ dedicated to the Italian gaming market is delving into the reality of a sector whose importance is recognized internationally together with institutions, experts, academics, opinion leaders and influencers. With the participation of around 1,200 delegates from over twelve different countries and the presence of multiple political, institutional and media personalities.

IGE Figures:

Over 130 speakers coming from several countries in Europe and the world. More than 35 sessions of content. Over 50 companies involved including partners and exhibitors. Over 20 political representatives and more than ten institutions represented including Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (the Italian gaming regulator), CONI, AGCOM, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF), the State Police, Italian finance police, Europol and Interpol as well as the Government and Parliament with a large presence of representatives from the Chamber and Senate. To which we must add foreign regulators such as the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and various international entities such as EASG, G4, the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL), the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and the United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports (ULIS). These are the numbers of the first edition of IGE. With a presence that reached 1,187 delegates in the two days of the event.

At the heart of the event, the main topics that will drive the world of legal gaming in the coming months and years and the definition of the approach guidelines for companies that want to look to the future to innovation to sustainability. The reform of public gaming, the sustainable future of gaming, the strength of promotions between reorganization and consumer protection and the Italian model as a reference to ensure the integrity of sport in addition to the reform of horse racing. These are some of the topics discussed during the first day.

One of the primary goals of IGE is to allow participants to meet and discuss with experts, opinion leaders, scholars and some of the best C-levels at national and international level to find new ideas and solutions for the growth and development of their business. And it can certainly be considered achieved, taking into account the broad consensus recorded by the event, which also recorded the presence of authoritative exponents of the world of information, from the television presenter and deputy director of Il Giornale, Nicola Porro, to the deputy director of the La7 news program and host, Andrea Pancani, to the Director of RaiNews24, Paolo Petrecca.

“The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, as a regulatory body for the public gaming sector, has always been at the forefront in the defence and promotion of the principles representing the cornerstones on which the gaming industry is based,” the Central Games Director for the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, Mario Lollobrigida, said. “Those of legality, safety and protection of consumers and public order. For this reason, the agency welcomed this Italian gaming expo and conference event as it is exactly focused on these communication values. In particular, we appreciate the highly scientific profile of the event, thanks to the participation of famous personalities and leading universities such as those of the Luiss, Bocconi and Politecnico di Milano, who will participate in these two days of debate.”

As regards the pressing current issues that animated the IGE discussion, the reform of the sector just launched by the government was undoubtedly at the center. “The new law is a chance for the state to undoubtedly find some additional resources from the tax levy, resources that allow the administration to make its choices,” Marco Osnato, President of the Finance Commission, Chamber of Deputies, said. “With this decree we have managed to achieve a balance of interests that is healthy for everyone. We always start from the protection of the citizen, the use of effective, traceable and exact legal services also in compliance with legal systems that have become more limited with a view to protecting and professionalising companies. A more peaceful approach.”

According to Ettore Rosato, COPASIR Secretary, member of the Foreign Affairs Commission, Chamber of Deputies: “Gaming is a sector that I have been dealing with for a long time and I believe it is essential that politics recognize its value both in economic terms from tax revenue to the number of employees and companies on the market to the terms of legality and social impact. Public gaming is an obstruction to organized crime and is a controlled system, which also allows us to control the risks of gambling addiction that may arise.”

However, pay attention to all the topics of interest and current affairs that revolve around the sector, starting with the ban on advertising, which is still in force today. Laura Aria, AGCOM Commissioner, declared: “According to article 57 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the provision of gaming service cannot be completely banned. Moreover, managing highly addictive phenomena such as gambling addiction with a prohibitionist approach towards the medium, ie gambling, does not seem to be an effective solution. I believe that a better awareness campaign and inter-institutional cooperation is needed. Legislation and monitoring of gambling allow for better management of gambling addiction. Therefore, investing in prevention is the central point.”

But there was also talk of match-fixing and the Italian intelligence network based on the betting sector that represents excellence on a global level. According to Ugo Taucer, Attorney General, CONI: “Even before the Macolin convention, there is an Italian tradition of discussion between police forces, institutional bodies responsible for games control, private operators, federations and sports through the Luiss office, which establishes institutional cooperation and an exchange of news. There is a wide scope for exchange and discussion, a strong correspondence between the various areas.”

There is a lot of content relating to responsible gaming with particular attention to the investigative works presented in preview by the FAIR Foundation, as its President, Matteo Caroli, explains: “In Italy, there are no independent foundations dedicated to responsible gaming. With the Fondazione FAIR, we want to promote a gaming culture that focuses on prevention as well as respect and people protection through the development of lines of scientific research, studies and research. We also aim to promote cooperation and study activities with qualified third parties, thus adopting a multidisciplinary approach open to discussion with everyone.”

According to Alessio Crisantemi, co-founder and Gn Media President, Organizer of IGE: “The gaming industry is a real source of talent and cradle of true excellence, especially in Italy. In this sense, we are proud of the success of this event, which offers a precious opportunity for discussion and training between stakeholders, institutions and operators on crucial issues for the future of the sector such as sustainability and innovation. But innovation is not for its own sake, neither only oriented to profitability or product appeal, but applied above all in the search for solutions and systems for consumer protection and safety. Therefore, these two days of meetings and discussions are even more important in order to give proper prominence to a sector that needs to be promoted and enhanced as it can substantially contribute to the growth of the country but in a sustainable way.”

The event, which aims to be an annual event for the industry, closed by announcing the next dates of April 9 to 10, 2025.

The debut of the Italian Gaming Awards:

The first edition of IGE was crowned by the gala evening of the Italian Gaming Awards hosted by the Director of RaiNews24, Paolo Petrecca, and the actress Giorgia Fiori, who celebrated the excellence of gaming in Italy awarding 19 prizes to operators, suppliers and other categories. The complete list of winners can be consulted at this address: https:/ /ItalianGamingAwards. com/IGA2024/it/page/iga-2024-winners.

Conferences in Europe

ITL Spain head to Madrid for the largest gaming exhibition in the Spanish calendar

Published

4 days ago

April 23, 2024

George Miller

ITL Spain head to Madrid for the largest gaming exhibition in the Spanish calendar

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Innovative Technology (ITL) have announced their participation at the largest global network of gaming professionals in Spain. From 7-9 May 2024, Madrid will become the centre of the Spanish gaming industry, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Feria Internacional del Juego (FIJMA).

FIJMA is the most important event in the leisure and gaming industry in Spain where the main companies, manufacturers and experts in the industry gather to learn about the latest slots and gaming equipment innovations. The Spanish team at ITL will be exhibiting their solutions on stand A49 and plan to have their latest note recyclers and coin handling products centre stage, as well as demonstrating how their biometrics solutions can be utilised to benefit the gaming industry to prevent underage gambling.

Jose Garcia Escudero, General Manager for ITL Spain said, “We are looking forward to showing how combining our compact note recycler (NV22 Spectral) and advanced coin recycler (SMART Coin System) gives the best fit for cash handling efficiency for gaming machines in Spain. These solutions now dominate the Spanish gaming market giving operators considerable float management savings, fewer refills, and a massive reduction in coin starvation for improved machine uptime. We’ll also show the new NV4000 mixed denomination note recycler to the Spanish gaming market for the first time, ideal for high volume applications like change and redemption terminals.”

ITL have a range of AI-powered biometric solutions which perform accurate age verification at gaming venue entrances or integrated in gaming machines.

Continuing Jose said, “We will also have our age check devices on the stand for visitors to demo which can help operators prevent someone potentially underage or even self-excluded trying to play a machine or access an age restricted area. ICU Lite can be fully integrated in a gaming machine or betting terminal to automatically estimate age to prevent minors from playing. MyCheckr can be utilised at 18+ entrances to prevent access. Both devices have a one-off cost with no subscriptions and no internet required. Our technology is affordable, available to all and trusted, with no biometric personal data stored.”

Concluding Jose said, “We have very strong relationships with the Spanish market and we’re proud to know that our products will be displayed on a number of stands from our long standing customers. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in person in Madrid and we welcome you all to stand A49.”