The second day of ICE Barcelona 2026 maintained its intense pace of activity with over 65,000 attendees touring the Fira Barcelona Gran Via exhibition center. Tuesday, January 20th, focused on sports betting, highlighting the opportunities presented by major events like the 2026 Football World Cup, which is projected to generate over $35 billion in global bets.
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DAZN Presents Vision on the Future of Sports Betting
Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN, was the main speaker of the day at the World Gaming Forum. During his participation in the global sports betting conference, Segev shared his perspective on how integrated media and betting ecosystems are transforming the sports fan experience.
The executive highlighted the opportunities the 2026 World Cup presents for the industry, as well as the role of strategic alliances between entertainment platforms, sports teams, and digital media. The Sport Leaders conference complemented this vision with panels on innovation, artificial intelligence, and new ways of engaging with digital audiences.
ICE Innovators Challenge Crowns its Winner with Microsoft
One of the day’s highlights was the final of the ICE Innovators Challenge, developed in collaboration with Microsoft. Five finalists presented AI-based solutions focused on responsible gaming and player safety to a panel of judges composed of investors and industry experts.
The winner received 15,000 euros (approximately $17,672) in AWS credits, as well as exposure to potential investors and business partners. This partnership with Microsoft represents one of the most significant collaborations between a tech giant and the gaming industry.
Pitch ICE Presents Startups from 9 Countries
The Pitch ICE program, which saw a 200% growth in applications compared to the previous year, featured 12 finalist startups from 9 different countries. The emerging companies had the opportunity to showcase their innovations in areas such as payment solutions, identity verification, new game mechanics, and data analysis tools.
The initiative is part of the ICE Startups Accelerator, designed to support the growth of entrepreneurs within the regulated gaming industry.
Exhibitors Present Technological Innovations
Several exhibitors took advantage of the second day to launch innovative products and solutions. IGT showcased over 100 electronic gaming machines at its stand, presenting next-generation cabinets and omnichannel titles designed to work both in land-based casinos and on digital platforms.
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EGT unveiled its new slot machine with advanced screen technology, while GoldenRace presented innovative products for the virtual sports and retail market, including multi-race systems and spinning screen features for physical stores.
Regional Spaces Maintain Active Programming
Casa Brasil and La Plaza Española continued operating on the second day with specialized sessions. Casa Brasil facilitated strategic meetings for Brazilian delegations, while La Plaza Española hosted discussions on responsible gaming as a strategic business pillar.
The Italian market also took center stage with presentations on the regulatory transformations the country is undergoing, attracting the interest of international operators seeking to understand the opportunities in one of Europe’s most important markets.
Experiential Activities and Evening Networking
The ICE Esports Arena hosted the semifinals of its World Cup-style tournament, solidifying its position as one of the most crowded spaces. Several exhibitors organized tournaments and interactive activations, including the popular McLaren x ICE experience that combines racing simulators with vehicle customization.
The day concluded with the exclusive World Gaming Forum reception at the Sky Garden, bringing together high-level executives in an environment designed for quality networking. In parallel, themed dinners on payment innovation were held, and Casino Barcelona opened its doors free of charge for accredited attendees.
Final Day Promises Closure with Awards and Conferences
The event is heading towards its final day on Wednesday, January 21st. The last day will include the ICE Landmark Awards ceremony, the European Casino Association’s Slot Floor Excellence Awards, and Academia América Latina, a seminar dedicated to the Latin American market.
Organizers expect the intensity of commercial negotiations to increase during the final day, when the event’s most important deals are traditionally closed.
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