iGB Live, Clarion Gaming’s summer showpiece, held traditionally at the RAI in Amsterdam, is the latest gaming event to fall victim to the continuing COVID-19 crisis.
In an email to delegates today, iGB Events Group Director Naomi Barton wrote: “Taking into consideration the recent travel restrictions and challenges we are facing in Europe, we have taken the decision to postpone iGB Live 2020 until July 2021.”
The event, which had already been rescheduled to take place in Amsterdam in September, will now return to the Dutch capital on 13-16 July, 2021.
“We always said that we would only run this event if it was safe and secure and made customers feel comfortable to attend, if we could deliver a live, enjoyable experience,” continued Barton. With reference to the limitations on travel, she said the “lack of clarity around how this will play out,” had given the organiser “no option but to postpone”.
Posting to an igaming networking group on LinkedIn, Alex Pratt, Managing Director of Digital Marketing Portfolio and iGaming Business, said the postponement was “fundamentally the right thing to do,” adding that he is “personally gutted”.
This week SBC Events also announced that its Betting on Sports Europe and Betting on Sports America shows will become digital events, as well as launching virtual conferences for Africa and CIS regions.
Stewart Darkin, Managing Director of CasinoBeats, commented: “It is very disappointing to learn that iGB Live will not be going ahead in 2020. We all look forward to meeting in Amsterdam and, like many others, I’d hoped this would be the moment we would see old friends again.
“It is proving to be an extremely challenging time for the events sector and it is worrying to have seen G2E Las Vegas, ICE London and now iGB Live cancelled or delayed, as the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 continues to hold the sector in its grip.
“The hope is that the gaming business community and the events organisers can continue to support one another through digital events until travel restrictions are lifted, confidence is restored and physical shows can resume, hopefully early in 2021.”
