If you thought the iGaming world was already on fire, hold on because the ICE Barcelona 2026 is about to redefine the game. We’re talking the ultimate showdown where 65,000+ delegates from 190+ countries enter the vibrant city of Barcelona from January 18-23, 2026, turning it into igaming’s centre of attraction.
This isn’t just another grand meetup; it’s World Gaming Week, kicking off with Day Zero at the iconic Time Out Market for badge pickups, DJ beats, and networking that feels like a party with purpose. With over 1,000 off-floor events, exclusive dinners to thought-provoking seminars, all buzzing with innovation, deals, and that electric vibe where the next big iGaming era gets crafted right before your eyes.
The event will be hosted at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, and spans six days packed with cutting-edge tech exhibitions, conferences discussing regulations and tech shifts, and networking that creates partnerships over cocktails. Whether you’re chasing leads on the expo floor or debating crypto casinos in a workshop, ICE Barcelona 2026 promises to be the blueprint for iGaming’s future, so let’s take a look at the key agendas to keep an eye on!
ICE Barcelona 2026: Key Agendas to Watch
The ICE Barcelona 2026 agendas are stacked with drama, from regulatory to tech breakthroughs that’ll have you rethinking your playbook. Here are the main events that will keep you hooked:
- World Regulatory Briefing: Opening with a focus on unlicensed operators threatening regulated markets, black market enablers like content and payment gateways, and U.S. policy shake-ups. Dive into emerging markets’ regulations, Alberta’s marketing vs. responsibility clash, and global regulator spotlights on consumer protection and fines.
- Casino & Leaders Conference: Erwin van Lambaart welcomes the ICE Barcelona 2026 crowd, tackling tax hikes in the UK/Netherlands, pillars of regulated strength, land-based competition, and P&L evolutions beyond casino floors. Cruise casinos and market entries like Nevis round out the land-based fireworks.
- Innovating Lotteries Conference: Forces shaping digital lotteries, new game types/prizes, iGaming’s influence on player expectations, and LatAm/Africa regulations, pure gold for spotting iGaming crossovers.
- Sport Leaders Conference: Innovations in sports betting tech, fan engagement drivers, fixture integrity collabs, AI automation, 2026 World Cup bettor expectations, and in-venue real-time betting hype.
- Esports Betting Conference: Next-gen data insights, AI/real-time analytics transforming engagement, widgets redefining fan/bettor interactions, and sponsorship ROI in esports’ wild frontier.
- Workshops Galore: iGaming Customer Journey on smarter ads/segmentation; Cybercrime & Fraud battling bonuses, exploits and deepfakes; Entering New Markets eyeing Japan/India/Brazil; Safer Gaming on controlled spending strategies.
These ICE Barcelona 2026 sessions aren’t just dry talks; they’re battlegrounds where ideas clash, and winners emerge, setting iGaming’s 2026 tone.
ICE Barcelona 2026: Spotlight Speakers
The ICE Barcelona 2026 lineup? Absolute legends dropping knowledge that’ll shift your strategy overnight. Some of the key speakers to listen to are:
- Behshad Behzadi, CPTO & Chief AI Officer, Sportradar: The AI master unpacking how machine learning is automating bets and supercharging sports data, expect mind-bending insights on real-time edges.
- Becky Harris, Distinguished Fellow, Gaming and Leadership, University of Nevada: Policy powerhouse diving into leadership in regulated chaos, perfect for navigating tax hikes and black market threats.
- Brendan Bussmann, Partner & Director of Government Affairs, B Global: Government affairs maestro breaking down U.S. disruptions and emerging market regulations, your go-to for policy chess moves.
- David Bean, Chairman, Indian Gaming Association: Tribal gaming titan discussing institutional respect and competition ramps, with eyes on underserved segments like cruises.
- Atle Hamar, General Director, Norwegian Gambling Authority: Regulator extraordinaire tackling consumer protection fines and advertising bans—raw truths on keeping the industry clean.
- Ana Paula Castello Branco, CMO, BetMGM Brazil: Brazil’s betting boss on market consolidation post-regulation, blending marketing magic with LatAm realities.
These voices aren’t just speakers; they’re the legends shaping iGaming’s next chapter.
So, if iGaming’s evolution has you on edge, ICE Barcelona 2026 is your front-row seat to the revolution. From regulations to AI-fueled future, this week’s got the drama, deals, and disruptors to craft tomorrow’s winners