ICE Confirms Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim as Headline Keynote for 2026 World Gaming Forum

Bally’s Vision in Focus: Soo Kim to Lead 2026 World Gaming Forum Keynote

ICE has officially secured Bally’s Corporation Chairman Soo Kim as the opening keynote speaker for the 2026 edition of the World Gaming Forum, taking place on Monday, January 19. The high-profile session will gather senior leaders and regulators from across the global gaming spectrum, placing Kim at the centre of one of the industry’s most anticipated conversations.

Damien Ashton-Wellman, Conference Manager and Head of Content for ICE Barcelona, highlighted the significance of the announcement: “We are delighted to confirm Soo Kim, who chairs one of the most dynamic casino-entertainment brands operating in the world, as our first keynote at the 2026 edition of the ICE World Gaming Forum.”

An “Always-On” Strategy for a Connected Future

Ashton-Wellman underscored that with competition intensifying across digital and land-based gaming, Bally’s forward-looking “Always-On” strategy offers a blueprint for integrated entertainment. The approach aims to unify online and physical experiences across Bally’s global footprint — from Rhode Island to Sydney — ensuring seamless engagement whether players are visiting a casino, wagering via mobile, or playing online games.

The keynote’s exclusive fireside chat will explore the strategy behind Bally’s unconventional expansion trajectory, shedding light on two major developments:

The company’s recent approval in New York City, marking a pivotal moment for Bally’s metropolitan growth vision.

The transformation of the Las Vegas Strip, with the brand preparing to reinvent the iconic former Tropicana site.

Las Vegas Reinvented: Inside Bally’s 35-Acre Mega-Project

A central highlight of the session will be Bally’s upcoming Las Vegas resort destination, which will share a 35-acre campus with the future Las Vegas Athletics Major League Baseball ballpark. The ambitious project includes:

Two luxury hotel towers featuring 3,000 guest rooms

A world-class casino and exclusive VIP offering

A 2,500-seat entertainment venue

Over 500,000 square feet dedicated to dining, retail, and entertainment

This undertaking positions Bally’s Las Vegas as a case study in next-generation integrated entertainment — a fusion of sports, hospitality, dining, gaming, and live events designed to meet evolving consumer expectations.

About Soo Kim: A Key Figure in Global Gaming and Investment

In addition to chairing Bally’s Corporation, Soo Kim is the founding partner of Standard General, where he serves as Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer. His extensive investment career spans roles at Bankers Trust Company, Och-Ziff Capital Management, and Cyrus Capital Management. Kim currently sits on the Boards of Intralot SA, Pursuit (formerly Coalition for Queens), and the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, among others.

His leadership experience across gaming, media, and investment sectors positions him uniquely to address the Forum’s high-level audience.

Keynote Access for Delegates Across All ICE Conferences

Soo Kim’s keynote will be accessible to all attendees of the ICE World Gaming Forum’s nine conferences and workshops, including:

Casino Leaders Conference

World Regulatory Briefing

Newly launched Sports Leaders Conference

Visitors and exhibitors can upgrade their ICE badges to access all available keynote sessions and content tracks.

As anticipation builds for ICE 2026, Soo Kim’s participation solidifies the Forum’s status as the premier platform shaping the future of global gaming strategy, regulation, and innovation.