Peter Naessens is head of the unit Regulatory Advice, Research & Development for the Belgian Gaming Commission. He studied law at the university of Brussels, criminology at the university of Leuven and social work at Campus Kortrijk. He has a large experience in legislative advice. Within the Gaming Commission his focus of activities is on the development and maintenance of the regulatory framework of gambling, the implementation of internet gambling and he follows with special interest the European debate on regulation of the Gambling Market. He’s also the initiator for the European Regulatory Platform (ERP).

The fourth annual I-gaming Forum will bring all business critical areas to operators and investors in the online gaming businesses in Europe. This well-established meeting will bring high level panelists and participants from across the Nordics and Europe to meet members of parliament involved in the drafting of bills of laws, gaming boards responsible for licensing, tax and other regulatory issues as well as CEOs of operators and venture capitalists which shape the online gaming business in the Europe.

These are in short some of the reasons you should not miss the I-gaming Forum 2012:

• • The market is undergoing significant change as gaming’s popularity increase among consumers and continuous regulation enables sustainable growth. If you don’t keep up to date with the new regulatory advances and gaming trends, you risk falling behind.
• • Expectation is being built about the 2012 market landscape to i-gaming business. Several key countries are in discussions about new regulatory models which will bring unrestricted business opportunities to operators – ready to take new market share and return on investments.
• • Other countries have instead made the control over gaming even more rigorous and imposed new restrictions to the market players. With these very diverse developments at hand, it is crucial to keep close contact with the regulators, policy makers and legal experts involved in the implementation of new laws and regulations.
• • In addition to regulatory developments, it is also important to be on top off new business models, M&A and other consolidation alternatives as means to strengthen their stake at the European i-gaming market.
• • Player retention strategies and strategic partnering on the commercial side are also necessary actions to be considered and taken.

Regardless of which of the above mentioned business models you choose to prioritize, it is essential to understand the dynamics of the I-gaming market to capitalize on your investments.

Bearing these aspects in mind, I-gaming Forum 2012 brings you practical & up-to-date insights through an exceptional breadth and depth of speakers who will share experiences at panel discussions. Sign up now to reap the benefits of attending the most comprehensive, high level gaming event focusing on the Northern European market.

We look forward to welcoming you and your team in Stockholm, on April 14^th – 16^th, 2012.

Warm regards,

Josephine Elofs, Content Director, I-gaming Forum 2012

The conference was based around a day of panels moderated by Michael Caselli and led by experienced individuals hand selected from the group of professionals mentioned above. Tables were set up in an elegant room in the Grand Hotel, networking breaks took place every few hours and dinner was organized for all delegates as an additional opportunity to socialize in a more relaxed environment.

CEO’s Pontus Lindwall of Betsson, Henrik Persson of Betsafe, Anders Invges of PAF and Thomas Petersen of Bet24 made up the popular CEO panel that kicked off the conference to a great start. Lindwall was quick to point out that despite the physical proximity, the Scandinavian market is quite fragmented and each government is going their own way in terms of tackling online gaming regulation. Seeing as many Scandinavian players look to companies licensed in foreign jurisdictions for the best offers and bonuses, Lindwall is pushing for Scandinavian countries to adopt a licensing system that would allow local operators to compete against those with a foreign license. Persson agreed and added that the license should include all games, and all four CEOs agreed that it is expensive to get into the Scandinavian market and operators who are looking for a piece of the pie should partner with an established company rather than going at it alone.

The legislative update was another popular panel featuring representatives from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark, all providing an update on what is happening with igaming regulation within their respective nations. It looks like there is no clear position within Sweden but that the introduction of IP blocking is highly unlikely, Norway has no plan to change their laws and they are pleased with the results of IP blocking which has reduced the placement of impulsive bets, Finland will continue with monopolies and strict marketing rules and Denmark plans to liberalize and regulate online gambling in June. Quite a few people believe that if Denmark’s model proves to be successful, it could very well become the model for its neighbors and beyond.

Later in the afternoon Michael Caselli did an excellent job moderating the heated Swedish gaming policy panel that featured three members of the Swedish Parliament. It appears that the Swedish government is split into two camps- the moderates and liberals who are pushing for liberalization of online gambling and the conservative or “left wingers” who want the monopoly to remain.

Throughout the debate it was pretty clear to delegates that all parties want the same thing, 1)money and 2)the safest environment possible for their players to play online. The liberalization policy for online gambling would bring in tax dollars that are now lost to foreign operators, it would bring back highly skilled workers who have left Sweden to work in regulated jurisdictions such as UK and Malta, and there would be steps put into place to insure that players are safe. Seeing the same goals would be met by regulation, it appears that left wingers who are anti-liberalization and pro monopoly and have no real argument as to why the monopoly should remain other than the fact that it has always been that way.

By the end of the day delegates left the room acknowledging that it will be at least a few years before anything changes in Sweden, a lot of eyes will be on Denmark and Spain over the coming months to see if their models work, M&A are often talked about and dreamed about but can look better on paper than how they work in reality and that the regulation of online gambling across Europe is has always been, and will likely always be, one very complicated situation. This of course is nothing new for the informed, but the iGaming Forum continues to be a very well organized event that attracted the top professionals in the Scandinavian market under one roof for some very interesting and timely debates.

Rebecca Liggero, Calvin Ayre

link to article >>http://calvinayre.com/2011/04/13/conferences/igaming-forum-2011-review/

You may find more specific information about him (in Swedish) at:
http://www.riksdagen.se/webbnav/index.aspx?nid=1111&iid=0316345926026

Gaming is certainly a controversial topic in Sweden, where a great focus is devoted to preventing abuse by gaming companies and ensuring social needs are accounted for. Would you like to learn more about the “Future Outlook: Swedish Gaming Policy” and the EU Commission views, following the recent elections?

At the Third Annual I-gaming Forum 2011, we will have not only the presence of all gaming boards in Scandinavia, but also a unique debate on this matter. We are glad to announce that Annika Qarlsson, Member of Parliament, Centerpartiet and Torbjörn Björlund, Member of Parliament, Vänsterpartiet will be amongst the panelists.

I look forward to seeing you in April!

Kind Regards,

Beatriz Viellas, Senior Project Manager, The 3rd I-gaming Forum 2011

Gaming is certainly a controversial topic in Sweden, where a great focus is devoted to preventing abuse by gaming companies and ensuring social needs are accounted for. Would you like to learn more about the “Future Outlook: Swedish Gaming Policy” and the EU Commission views, following the recent elections?

At the Third Annual I-gaming Forum 2011, we will have not only the presence of all gaming boards in Scandinavia, but also a unique debate on this matter. We are glad to announce that Annika Qarlsson, Member of Parliament, Centerpartiet and Torbjörn Björlund, Member of Parliament, Vänsterpartiet will be amongst the panelists.

I look forward to seeing you in April!

Kind Regards,

Beatriz Viellas, Senior Project Manager, The 3rd I-gaming Forum 2011

You may find more specific information on her previous assignments and work within the party (in Swedish) at:
http://www.riksdagen.se/webbnav/index.aspx?nid=1111&iid=0962841101917

Spain is one step closer to opening the market for online gaming, having approved a draft law in February. If all is according to plan, the European Commission could be sanctioning the law by June or July. But uncertainty remains on, amongst others, the specific rate of taxation which certainly affects the business plans of operators.

If you are looking at new markets to expand such as Spain, The Netherlands, Denmark, you cannot miss the next I-Gaming Forum 2011, where you may meet Juan Carlos Alfonso, Co-ordination Director for Loterias y Apuestas del Estado, one of our panelists.

We are fast closing applications for the event, which has 85% of state monopoly members booked already.

I look forward to seeing you in April!

Kind Regards,

Beatriz Viellas, Senior Project Manager, The 3rd I-gaming Forum 2011

____________________________________________________________________

How to book your room:
Arrival: April 11^{th –}  Departure April 13^th

Standard room SEK 2190 per room, per night (reg ave. price 2890 SEK)
Superior room SEK 2800 per room, per night (reg ave. price 3600 SEK)
The above prices include VAT, WiFi Internet and includes access to gym and relaxation area.
Breakfast buffet will be an additional 175 SEK per person.

To make your room reservation to the DISCOUNTED ROOM RATE please go to http://www.nobishotel.com/ and state Promo Code: MFM4
The rooms are available on http://www.nobishotel.com/  until March 21, 2011.

From March 22, 2011, rooms are subject to availability, please mail your request to reservations@nobishotel.com and state Promo Code: MFM4

Accommodation, breakfast and extras paid for by the guests on site before leaving.

Activities during the I-gaming forum at the Nobis Hotel:

Monday, April 11th
EARLY REGISTRATION AND CHECK IN
17.00 (appr) Check in and early registration
18.00 Welcoming Address and Evening Networking Cocktail

Wednesday, April 13^th
MASTERCLASSES AND ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS
09.00 Start of Masterclasses
10.00 (appr.) Round table discussions
12.00 End of Conference

About Nobis Hotel:
Located in two historic late 19th-century buildings on Norrmalmstorg square in the heart of downtown Stockholm, Nobis Hotel is an independent 201-room hotel offering every convenience and service any business and/or pleasure traveler could ever call for, in an environment of casual elegance. The mission is to provide guests with nothing but superior quality in every detail — plus something more in addition to that.  Nobis think that nothing in the hotel is standard or routine, but always with something extra to add quality to guests’ experiences.

At Nobis Hotel, you are at the heart of Stockholm, with the best restaurants, shops, museums, sights, attractions and nightclubs our city has to offer within easy reach

The extensive public area of more than 800 square meters features Italian restaurant Caina, a spacious lounge
 —It’s called Stockholm’s new living room — a larger afternoon and evening bar, The Gold Bar, and a smaller 24-hour bistro and bar, the 24/7 bistro, serving freshly cooked brasserie food and drinks.

These public spaces form an inviting and exciting downtown scene and focal point, a dynamic main hub — not just for our guests, but also for all Stockholmers. When staying at Nobis Hotel, you are at the very center of what’s going on in Stockholm in every sense. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEC8FCD8DCA35536

Videos from i-gamingforum.com 2009, press the arrows to the left and right on the video screen to navigate thru the interviews. (For full screen view doubble click on the video screen.)

The I-Gamingforum.com Scandinavia in Stockholm April 1, 2009

Interviews from the conference:

Pontus Lindwall, CEO, Betsson

Petter Nylander, CEO, Unibet

Johan Öhman, CEO, Net Entertainment

Marcus Forsell, CEO, Bonnier Gaming

Jake Pollard, Editor, eGamingreview

Quirino Mancini, SCM Partners

Peter Alling, Lawyer, Swedish Gaming Board

William Scott, Boss Media Gtech

Rolf Sims, Minister of Culture

As an i-gaming operator and a professional following the online gaming business, you may want to reach the full article at here (in Swedish).

Why not take a couple of days in April to learn more about the Scandinavian challenges to the i-gaming business? Book now to the 3rd Annual I-gaming Forum 2011, where the Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finish Gaming Authorities, legal experts and CEOs from Bonnier Lottery, Betsson, Nordic Gaming Group, PAF, BET24, Betsafe will join us, amongst others.

I look forward to seeing you in April!

Kind Regards,

Beatriz Viellas, Senior Project Manager, The 3rd I-gaming Forum 2011

These are in short some of the reasons you cannot miss the I-gaming Forum 2011:

• • Strong Nordic focus: whilst in Europe online gaming accounts for 10% of the market, estimates show that online gaming in the Nordics range from 20-25%. Gain the latest on the Danish liberalization, the Swedish policy developments after the election and the latest regulations in Finland and Norway.
• • CEO Operators debate: liquidity issues, market trends, M&A and consolidation issues affecting the i-gaming market.
• • European liberalization & developments: the Netherlands, Spain, the European Commission Green Paper and case-law developments
• • Leverage the life-cycle of your customers: player retention strategies, business partnerships and advertising initiatives

If you are looking at having serious business critical conversations that take this industry forward, then we look forward to seeing you in Stockholm, on 11th – 13th April, 2011!

Beatriz Viellas, Senior Project Manager, I-gaming Forum Team

He is a qualified lawyer with experiences in regulatory matters, intellectual property and negotiation, having worked previously as the director for the legal affairs department at Sogecable, as a partner at KPMG Abogados and as a director of legal affairs at the Correos y Telegrafos.

As you know, a lot of expectation is being built about the 2011 market landscape to i-gaming business. Several key countries are in discussions about new models and increasingly liberal regimes which will bring unlimited opportunities to operators eager to conquer new market share and return on investments. Others have increased control over gaming and imposed new restrictions to the market players, which shall not be missed. Rather than digging around a myriad of sources and relying on “word-of-mouth” speculation, it is crucial to establish close contact with the regulators, policy makers and legal experts involved in the implementation of new laws and regulations.

Adding to that, operators are following carefully new business models, M&A and other consolidation alternatives as means to strengthen their stake at the European i-gaming market. For the more conservative players, player retention strategies and strategic commercial partnerships seems to be the path to generate the necessary level of revenue to survive the 2011 challenges. Regardless of your particular choice of business model, as an operator, it is essential to understand the dynamics of the post-credit crunch i-gaming market to capitalize your investments!