Special guests and plenty of activities reported on the second day of ICE Barcelona

Running from 20-22 January, ICE Barcelona has attracted more than 1000 exhibitor brands and 100 regulatory bodies, while the new venue, Fira Barcelona Gran Via, reflects ICE’s continuing growth with a floorspace of 120,000 sqm compared to 100,000 sqm at the 2024 edition of the show.

As the trade show continues, participants can look forward to a comprehensive range of conference sessions, seminars, and networking opportunities - such as The World Gaming Forum, the Sustainable Gambling Zone; and the ICE Esports Arena - designed to foster innovation and collaboration within the gaming sector.

 iGB Affiliate 2025 took place 21-22 January at Fira Gran Via Barcelona, which is located within close proximity to both the airport and the historic centre of the city. This event is a great networking opportunity and offers the chance to meet new professionals and companies, as well as explore areas where they can collaborate with each other in a friendly atmosphere. 

This year’s event features a record 250 industry-leading exhibitors and sponsors, and brings together a community of 8000+ iGaming affiliates and tech vendors in a dynamic and engaging environment. 

ICE World Regulatory Briefing

In this briefing, held Tuesday 21. Chief Executive Gambling Commission Andrew Rhodes delivered a drafted speech, in which he analyzed British industry statistics and, besides, he remarked the importance of fighting against illegal gambling. “As is the case in many countries, the debate about gambling, gambling regulation, personal freedom and on the other hand consumer protection is often tense”, he said.

He added that they have been working closely with other regulators around the world and created the International Association of Gaming Regulators the Illegal Gambling Working Group, which now covers every populated continent in the world. “Respectable regulators around the world all want the same thing – illegal gambling to stop, which is why we are active in signing Memorandum Of Understandings (MOUs) with those regulators and sharing information to help them as well as us.”

Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights

The ICE Esports Arena at ICE Barcelona 2025 plays a key role in educating people about esports and how to access, integrate and regulate this growing vertical, says Clarion Gaming's leader in Emerging Technology and Esports, Will Harding.

“Part of the role of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference is explaining exactly what esports is,” said Harding. “There is still work to be done in helping regulators to better understand esports. That's why showcasing esports here at ICE is so important - we're empowering people who are at the forefront of shaping regulatory policy.”

Commenting on ICE’s move to Barcelona, Harding highlighted that both the city and the show’s new venue Fira Barcelona Gran Via have extensive experience with esports, providing a perfect location for the ICE Esports Arena’s continuing expansion. “It’s very established here. You can walk around Barcelona and see large-scale internet cafes catering for esports fans,” he added. “This represents an ideal foundation for the continued growth of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference in the years ahead.”

 The successful launch of ICE Barcelona once again underscored the truly global nature of the gaming industry and reaffirmed the show’s status as the must-attend event in the gaming calendar.