Alessio Crisantemi, founder of the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference (IGE), said the organization struck a fresh partnership with ICE Barcelona to link Italy's gaming sector to the world market. He said that the goal of the move was to improve communication among Italian operators, legislators, and technology companies while resolving the €22 billion illegal gambling in Italy.
Crisantemi described ICE Barcelona as the “natural reference point” for IGE. He said the international event was more than just a trade show, calling it a platform for innovation, business development, and strategic thinking. “Its strength was in bringing together the entire value chain,” he said, noting that the collaboration went beyond annual exhibitions.
The partnership involved joint projects, communication campaigns, and shared editorial content throughout the year. Crisantemi said it would bring more foreign companies to Italy and increase Italian attendance at ICE Barcelona.
Illegal gambling was still a major problem for the sector. Estimates indicated that the black market could be valued at almost €22 billion. Crisantemi stressed that fighting illegal activity required more than punishment. He said it needed cooperation among regulators, operators, and the media. He also emphasized promoting responsible gaming as a key part of industry sustainability.
“Sustainability was now a strategic driver of competitiveness,” Crisantemi said. “An industry that did not integrate responsible gaming risked losing legitimacy and trust.” He highlighted that Italy’s strong regulatory tradition positioned the country as a model for balancing growth with consumer protection.
Crisantemi also outlined the practical benefits of the ICE Barcelona platform. He said IGE used the event to showcase Italian innovation, regulation, and expertise in responsible gaming to a global audience. The partnership allowed Italian companies to form new international connections and share best practices in both operations and regulation.
He explained that Italy’s gaming industry faced several challenges. Updating regulations in a clear and consistent way, balancing physical and digital operations, and building a strong narrative around legal gaming were all critical issues. IGE’s mission, he said, was to foster dialogue between institutions, operators, and society while keeping an international perspective.
The new collaboration with ICE Barcelona also aimed to address illegal and unregulated gambling in Italy. Crisantemi said that a well-informed industry was key to combating illegal activity. Through IGE events and platforms, he said the organization worked to promote transparency, knowledge, and legal gaming culture.
Crisantemi predicted the partnership would produce shared formats, new projects, and stronger links between Italian and international operators. He said success would be measured by increased engagement of all stakeholders on a common global platform. “The real success would be seeing Italian and international operators, institutions, and stakeholders finally engaging together,” he added.
Crisantemi emphasized that collaboration and responsible practices could help the legal market grow while limiting the black market. Ongoing partnerships will provide chances to improve regulation, raise standards, and help Italy to solidify its place in the world gaming sector, he noted.
Hesaid the strategic cooperation signaled a major stride in Italy's quest for a safer, more environmentally friendly, and globally linked gaming sector. He said the cooperation would benefit operators, regulators, and players alike by providing platforms for innovation, networking, and responsible development.
