SPiCE 2019 Fulfilled All Palates Hungry for a Regulated Market in India
Published March 15, 2019 by Lee R
SPiCE 2019 gave attendees an A-list feel in a boutique conference environment.
In its marvelous location, SPiCE 2019 had no shortage of flavour.
Event Site
The two-day Strategic Platform for iGaming Conference and Exhibition (SPiCE) 2019 kicked off at Goa Marriott Resort and Spa in Goa's capital of Panjim on February 25th with the casual Pre-event Networking Function “SPiCE Breaker.”
Glamorous Sponsorship
SPiCE Breaker was sponsored by Spartan Poker, BetConstruct, ConversionX, Play’n GO and FashionTV Gaming Group, complete with a FashionTV Party introducing FashionTV Gaming Group to the Indian market, with the schedule stream adding a new dimension to global SPiCE programming.
Sponsors Effusive
Coversion X and SpiCE sponsor Abhishek called the occasion a “great” event:
“It’s a very mixed crowd and it’s a good opportunity for us to meet many people from outside India.”
Cultural Twist
The SPiCE Breaker included traditional Goan dancing, a fireworks showcase and dance performance by the organisers.
Day 2 Coverage
Topics covered over the first full day of business ranged across regulation and legalisation, obstacles to entering the Indian market, data handling, taxation and the growth of poker in India.
SPiCE Chairperson and 1710 Gaming Ltd. Principal Consultant Christina Thakor-Rankin celebrated the fact that “India is getting closer and closer to getting legislation and regulation in place,” while encouraging the many bright local gaming groups “to pull together and start coming up with a game plan.”
In the evening, a “SPiCE It Up” poker tournament aboard the Deltin Royale Ship.
Day 3 Regulation Discussions
Day 3 discussed regional regulation, with J. Sagar Principal Associate Zain Pandit suggesting his own brand of pro-activity:
“In the absence of government regulation, self regulation becomes paramount to the investor. The void created by the current lack of regulation needs to be filled by the sector itself.”
Genius Sports Group general counsel Tom Russel identified the drivers of sports betting regulation as the creation of tax revenue, protection of consumers and protection of sports integrity, calling “transparent, fair and unpredictable competition” the key to the sports betting industry in India.
Outlook
In an industrious region with over one billion people still to come online, all who attended SPiCE 2019 will turn out fortunate to have participated at such an early moment in this burgeoning market's development.
