RTFM 265: Looking at next week’s iGB LIVE! event with World Gaming’s Stuart Hunter

Speaker A: Sam.

Speaker B: Uh,

Speaker C: Hello and welcome to the Gambling Files podcast. The podcast that's been running for over four years now. Four fabulous years. And I think we all know that the highlights have come at days like today where Finton is absent. Um, I'm your host, John Bruford, lacking a co host in Finton Costello. Sad times. It does mean that there's a bit less back and forth during this intro period, but I'll do my best to uh, to make up for Finton's absence, possibly by doing the occasional Irish accent and coming out with popular Irish phrases to be sure. Um, I would like to um, do a little read about our sponsors, uh, because today's episode is brought to you by Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world class testing, inspections and certification company committed to. Am I going to edit this? No. Committed to delivering the highest quality land based lottery and iGaming testing and assessment services around the world. GLI provides suppliers, operators and regulators with expert guidance for navigating the future of gaming and ensuring gaming innovations meet regulatory standards. With confidence in more than 710 jurisdictions. That's 710 more than. For more information, visit gaminglabs.com but that's not all because this episode is also brought to you by Optimove, the creators of positionless marketing and the number one player engagement solution for iGaming and sports betting operators. Now we always say go see Optimove get the demo because it's mind blowing. You can find out more@optimove.com you can find out about how operators using Optimove's positionless marketing platform to launch personalized CRM campaigns. Dynamically changing casino lobb and bet slips, creating engaging gamified experiences. Optimove.com um, and mention that you came to them m via us and you will get a month free. That's pretty cool. Also it helps us to keep our sponsors which helps to keep us doing this. Um, because you know, it's not easy. It's not easy. An easy lifestyle to sustain living in social housing in Wales. Um, we also have a third sponsor. Um, they can do their own fucking ad read. Uh, and that is World Gaming the Artist Formerly known as Clarion Gaming. Uh, Stuart Hunter, would you uh, do your ad read please?

Speaker B: Wow, thanks John. Actually before I do that, slightly confused. I thought I was on here interviewing for Finton's role. Is that not what we're doing?

Speaker C: Well, it's, it's partly. That's about seeing how you think on your feet, how you react to um, coasting with somebody so much more handsome than you. Um, you know, seeing how you handle that kind of pressure. So, uh, so far, it's not going so well. Is that thinking on your feet part?

Speaker B: Yeah, never been too good at that. Look, pleased to be here on behalf of WorldGaming, who are obviously the number one gaming media brand in the universe. The home of ICE, the home of IGB affiliate, the home of IGB live, home of IGB.com, iGB exec, all of our great products and services, and always a pleasure to be partnering with the Gambling Files. So nice to be here, John. Thank you for having me.

Speaker C: Well, thank you for being here, Pru. We appreciate that. And if Finton were here, I think he would appreciate it as well. Hard to tell with him, though, all that hair. So, uh, Stuart, has your job title changed at all since last time you were here?

Speaker B: No, absolutely not. Well, not unless anyone's told me so. Still Managing Director of World Gaming Events. So I look after all the cool live stuff in, uh, World Gaming, which includes the aforementioned shows, ICE Barcelona, IGB Affiliate, Barcelona, and IGB Live. Plus a few other things in the distant horizon, perhaps.

Speaker C: Oh, what are they?

Speaker B: Can't tell you.

Speaker C: Why not?

Speaker B: Uh, just because they're top secret.

Speaker C: That's disappointing.

Speaker B: That'll be for another podcast, maybe when nobody's listening. Well, I hope they are. At least some of the. Some friends and family.

Speaker C: Dar, they're definitely not listening.

Speaker B: All right.

Speaker C: Although I did say something in one episode about, um, that I told my kids that we couldn't afford new bikes for them and I secretly could. Um, and that happens to be the one episode they listened to.

Speaker B: They got the quote stuck up on the fridge, I imagine.

Speaker C: Yeah, I definitely can't, uh, can't afford new bikes now, so. Stuart, the reason we asked you on is IGB Live is next week.

Speaker B: Uh, well, it depends how this goes out. Yeah, of course.

Speaker C: Yeah, that's the thing. So I'm putting this out next week.

Speaker B: But then you're correct, aren't you? Perfect. That was a school way error of mine. I should just let you get on with it.

Speaker C: Yeah, I was doing that, like, to be like, oh, aren't, um, we current?

Speaker B: Uh, one week or two weeks? It doesn't really get much more current than this. We are locked and loaded for RGB Live. But I appreciate the.

Speaker C: The detail, but your additions. It's going badly, but don't panic. You can still swing it.

Speaker B: Hope so.

Speaker C: Um, so, uh, IGP lives next week or the week after? What are the dates of IGB live. It's the first week of July, isn't it?

Speaker B: Yeah, first and second of July. We've got some action on the 30th of June, which is our, uh, day zero with our welcome party, etc. But yeah, trade show conference. All the serious stuff runs on the 1st and 2nd of July.

Speaker C: Okay.

Speaker B: Um, some stuff on 3rd of July as well, to be fair. For those that have got the endurance. Definitely.

Speaker C: You broke up a little bit there. I really didn't hear that. Did I miss anything exciting?

Speaker B: Sorry, I was just saying there's obviously things that happen on the third of July too, but the main event is first and second.

Speaker C: Okay. Uh, so basically it's on the first of second, it's first and second of July, but there's some stuff on the 30th of June and some stuff on the third of July.

Speaker B: Correct.

Speaker C: That's great. Thank you for clarifying the dates there. Um, now, um, so the show moved to London. First year in London was last year from Amsterdam.

Speaker B: Correct.

Speaker C: Um, and I know that you, you had planned, um, using the area by the water and all of that sort of stuff, and I know that there was. There were, uh, sort of feelings in. Can I say that Clarion had feelings. Is that a. That's probably not true, is it? Um, but the, the people had said within the business that, that, you know, aspects of it worked really well, aspects of it didn't work so well. Has anything changed for the second year in London? Have you improved on any of the things that you felt weren't quite perfect?

Speaker B: Uh, look, uh, we've never run an event that has been a cookie cutter the year before. So, uh, I guess important to start with that point and to your point. Yeah, every event we run, there's always things that, uh, go as well as we expected or hoped, things that go better than perhaps we expected, and things that don't go quite to plan for lots different reasons. That is the nature of running a live event. When you've got 15,000 people in one space and you put all the plans in place, you never quite know how it's all going to gel together. And more often than not it does beautifully. But I think definitely with the transition of RGB Live last year from Amsterdam to London, totally new canvas. So for us it was like, okay, how do we try and ensure some continuation of all the cool stuff that people loved about Amsterdam, but also bring in some fresh new perspectives on the event being in London? And I think there was a ton of those, actually. I think, um, certainly in terms of where we've grabbed hold of some changes this year. We've implemented a whole host of different kind of new propositions, which I'm happy to talk about now a bit later, whatever. But I think you've obviously got a lot of learning from last year. Uh, it landed really well across the industry, which is brilliant. People loved being in London, certainly in the British summertime. I think the show, um, in terms of its content and proposition grew um, immeasurably versus the Amsterdam show, as did attendance. So statistically it was the biggest and busiest show we've ever had and that's always a good sign. But in terms of how we migrate and move things forward, yeah, lots of looking at the core proposition, making some really exciting tweaks and then grabbing hold of some new iterations this year. Do you want me to give you one or do you want.

Speaker C: Tell me some sexy things.

Speaker B: Okay, take some sexy things. So, um, obviously we've got, um, uh, we're sort of leaning in a bit more to the on site experience this year because, you know, you mentioned the Waterfront, as you did before, actually, really cool proposition. Obviously getting business done at RGB Live is our number one priority. Right. That's what we get out of bed for. But we also understand the value of networking, the value of those fun experiences, um, and those kind of connections that are created in that format. So we explored extending the campus a little bit last year. But obviously what you are competing against is uh, human nature with people kind of migrating to different parts of the venue. Um, but obviously where that. Sorry, we're going to have to. There's a whole hundred people coming out.

Speaker C: It's okay. They're not going to stop and talk. You're fine.

Speaker B: No, they're good. Um. Where did I get to? So, uh, yeah, so you can't challenge human behavior. So actually what we found is that creating all these cool experiences, people were migrating to some of the well trodden places that they recall from ICE's long history in the venue. So rather than fight against that, we've leaned into it. So we've taken over the whole of the Fox, which is great British boozer at the bottom of Excel. And we've done Takeover for the whole two days of the show. So get yourself in there. There is complimentary drinks post show, there's great sponsorship, even broadcasting some World cup, obviously leaning on that sports betting angle for IGP Live and really delivering a much more cohesive post event networking experience. So super keen to see all that come together, which I think will Be great. Um, and that's landing. Well, we get obviously a lot of international visitation and Great British Pub is something that, you know, is something that is attractive, we're told. So we're just you know, leaning towards that and building that proposition out a little bit.

Speaker C: But you're not definitely saying that there's a free bar at the Fox after the event closes each day?

Speaker B: No, we are. That is absolutely what I'm saying. Yes, for a period of time. Are you considering coming now? Are you canceling the caravan holiday in Dorset and you're coming?

Speaker C: That's madness.

Speaker B: Kind of is. Well, we, you know, uh, it's a way of thanking people and congratulating them for a great first day and second day at IGB Live. So we're leading into that. Do you want to know something else really exciting?

Speaker C: Yeah, of course.

Speaker B: We are partnering, we're partnering with uh, our brother sister brand, whichever way you want to position it, ice and we're bringing our World Gaming Gala, which is our uh, very formal networking event that runs in Barcelona, tends to sort of lean towards sea level operators, sea level suppliers and the regulatory community. And we're bringing it to London for a summer version combined with RGB Live. And that is by invitation only. Um, but you can register your interest with me personally. And that is going to be at the Savoy at the end of day one, later on the evening. Um, so a great opportunity to bring those super high level people together in a slightly more discerning environment, one should say. Um, and that is obviously using the power of our ICE relationships and our ICE database and bringing that all important regulatory community to RGB Live, which perhaps hasn't been there in the past to the same numbers that we're expecting this year. So looking forward to bringing that as a new proposition.

Speaker C: Okay, that's quite exciting. What do you think is the most exciting thing?

Speaker B: I think there's lots of different exciting things. I think actually the change up on the floor plan this year, um, has evolved massively. I think we've been much more clearer in its breakup between affiliate and the B2B element of it. We've been more intentional in bringing sports betting to the front. Sports betting has always been a key part of RGB Live, but probably hidden underneath all the rest of the noise. So it's just a little bit clearer now in terms of those component parts because we do get these two affiliates very much in that affiliate part of IGB Live. And then the B2B element is very much the kind of Igaming suppliers, um, so having a much more intentional way of designing that at the show this year. And actually that's going even further for the 20, 28, 20, uh, 27 edition, which we've already started working on. So it's about bringing those communities, making sure they feel interconnected, but also we know there's a differential there that we're designing. So the on site experience will definitely feel different, which we're looking forward to. Um, and then mentioning the affiliate space. Total redesign of the affiliate awards this year, uh, taking over the Shard for uh, the evening, uh, on the end of day two, second of July. Um, and that is going to be a, uh, brand new way that we're presenting the year for the awards. Less tables, five hour sessions, too many awards, rubber chicken, you know, cheap wine. We're going high level, shorter, but absolutely in one of London's iconic landmarks at the Shard, um, even more discerning kind of collection of individuals. Same great recognition for affiliate awards. So we're looking forward to bringing that new proposition as well this year.

Speaker C: Yeah, that bar, restaurant thing at the top in the Shard is really quite nice.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, we're going to be in Aquashard, which is arguably amongst the best viewpoints of the city of London. So looking forward to bringing that together. There are a plethora of award shows out there in the market. Igb, ah, Affiliate Awards has always been unique purely for the affiliate space. Um, and it's been running very successfully for a good few years. We've had a very different proposition. You know, it's been black tie, seated kind of dinner table type environment, as you'd expect, a little bit more traditional. But this year we've turned it on its head, creating something even more elaborate and cool. So looking, looking forward to seeing the industry come together for that one.

Speaker C: Do you know, I don't know whether I mentioned it on this podcast, but I did uh, originate and develop uh, an uh, awards thing. Do you know that?

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, you told me that last time actually.

Speaker C: Well, it's still true.

Speaker B: That's good.

Speaker C: But the basic principle behind it was let's make something that's not shit, not boring. Uh, and you know, you get people in, you give them a good, you know, a good night. Um, you're, there's brevity, there's no speeches. You do say 15 awards or whatever, you know, feed them nice food, two hours, two and a half hours in and out, I think feed them, give them a slap up meal and drinks and you know, everybody leaves happy and they've still got some of the night left for their own fun.

Speaker B: I think that last point is. That last point is not to be ignored. You know, we've got an international community coming in for two or three days in London in the middle of summer and you know, the city of London in terms of experiences, amazing dinners, in terms of uh, nightlife, etc. We don't want to kind of for our attendees to have to make a choice. So you can kick start the night with a couple of drinks in the Fox straight after doing some deals in RGB Live, then a quick hop over to the shard in your finery to celebrate the best of the affiliate space. Um, and then you still got plenty of time afterwards to go catch an incredible dinner somewhere or continue to continue the kind of celebration. So I totally agree with that model. Looking forward to getting it over the line this year.

Speaker C: I'm thinking though that in something that London has to raise its game in and I don't know whether this is something that you could sort of import from the ICE experience, but you need more and better pickpockets.

Speaker B: Do you know any?

Speaker C: I've met a couple. I swore at one, um, and the others, there were two of them and I didn't swear at those two, but they also didn't steal from me.

Speaker B: That's your wisdom coming in. I think there many years experience, I think you opting for um, a bum bag or as they refer to them in the states of fanny pack. I think that's always good advice for your listeners.

Speaker C: Do you know what? And this is quite by accident, this is this. But I'm gonna tell you the long winded version of this. It's not that long winded, so don't worry too much. My mum, she bought me this hoodie like I don't know, about 10, 12 years ago, maybe more, which is like this hoodie from Fat Face. And I'm like, oh, you got me a fat face hoodie, you cheeky. What are you trying to say? Um, and um, and I, I wore that hoodie to death. I actually really loved it. And then she bought me another one. My mum wasn't in the habit of buying me clothes generally, not even when I was a kid, but you know, as an adult, certainly not. But she bought me this hoodie and I loved it again. And I wore it until it fell apart on me m pretty much. And uh, so mum died like uh, six years ago coming up and um, I kept the last one and it's still sitting in my wardrobe. It's just folded up, it's just full of holes. And um, and I went, uh, last autumn, late summer last year, I went to Fat Face because it's one of their staples.

Speaker B: Mhm.

Speaker C: And I went and I bought myself a hoodie and it was, I was, it was really emotional for me. I know it's just like a little thing, but it was really emotional and they hadn't put them out for sale yet but the girl went and found me one and, and I was able to buy it and they were really lovely about it. Probably because, you know, a fucking 51 year old man crying on their fucking shop floor is not ideal. Um, so I bought this hoodie and I wore it to Barcelona for ice. I didn't take a proper coat even though it hammered it down. I just took my hoodie. And the latest update on that hoodie between the last one that my mum got m me and the first one that I bought is they put zips on the pockets. And that saved me some serious, serious hassle whilst in Barcelona. But anyway, that's not a Barcelona thing necessarily, it's not an ice thing. It's just, you know, if you're in a major city, you're gonna meet some

Speaker B: dodgy fuckers, it's a volume thing too. Right. Any major event like uh, the events we run, when you're bringing huge swathes of people into a city, you know, it's just the way of the world. But as long as you're street wise and you play smart and you listen to the advice, then you're totally fine. And that is the experience both in London and Barcelona for the very vast majority of our attendees, staff, exhibitors, contractors, etc.

Speaker C: So listen, I'm not panic mongering here, but can I tell you the story about the two incidents?

Speaker B: If you wish.

Speaker C: You were going to say if you have to.

Speaker B: If you have to.

Speaker C: So the first one, this dude, I felt his hand go into my pocket because I think he'd underestimate.

Speaker B: Sorry, is this a different story?

Speaker C: No, he'd underestimated just how big my stomach was, I think. And I felt his head go into my pocket and I just turned around, I said to him, take your fucking hand out of my pocket. And he's looking at me all innocent and he got a fucking fake bandaged arm, um, off. And he looks all innocent, holding his hands up, I don't know what you're talking about. And goes, right, so do the zip up. And I'm like, you cheeky twat. Anyway, the train was really packed, and he couldn't get on any of the other characters. And he had to come back and stand next to me. It was awesome. He just stood and he just faced the doors with his nose an inch from the door while I'm just stood next to him.

Speaker A: Like,

Speaker B: What's the moral of the story?

Speaker C: Um, choose an honest path.

Speaker B: Good, good advice.

Speaker C: But the second guys, this was my favorite, right? These two guys stopped me in the street in Barcelona and they said, do you speak English? And I thought, that's a really odd question in Barcelona, but, okay, yeah, I do. And, uh, the guy gestured to his phone. I'm trying to find such and such, and I don't know where it is. Can you tell me where it is? Show me your phone. And he wouldn't show me his phone. I'm like, well, I can't really help you then, can I? I think he expected me to take my phone out, but I didn't because I'm immediately thinking, okay, let's see where this goes. And the one guy was really big, and the other guy had clearly had his nose spread across his face several times. So I thought, this is going to end badly for one of us, at least. So I'm just seeing where this goes. And the guys say, you're from England. Whereabouts? I said, you won't know it. London? No, nowhere near London. He said, oh, well, I'm flying to Manchester tomorrow. My son is in a judo competition. And I'm thinking, where is he going with this? It was so bizarre. It might be true. And then his friend says, yes. Do you know how much a judo suit costs in England?

Speaker B: Weirdly, you do, right down to the pound.

Speaker C: I just said, how the would I know that? And I started laughing. And the, the, the big guy, he's talking to me. And like, I'm a big eye contact kind of person. I'm not shy. He's talking to me about judo suits and how expensive they are. And I feel while he's talking to me, he's just slightly off over here. I feel his hand trying to go into my pocket because the zip's done up. I felt his hand hit the zip.

Speaker B: And this is inside or outside the nightclub?

Speaker C: Neither. I was, uh, just walking down the street, heading back to my hotel, and the guy was like, uh, just chatting away, looking me dead in the eye while he's got his hand down here. It's really quite clever. Um, and I just said, ah, Terry, sorry, chaps, I'm going to have to go. Good luck. Um, so the moral of this story is get yourself a fat face hoodie with zips on the pockets.

Speaker B: Good advice. Branded by the. Branded with the gambling files, by the sounds of it.

Speaker C: Well, you know they're doing M on Amazon.

Speaker B: I was going to say, do you do merch? Seems like you should do Merge.

Speaker C: Yeah, we do. Uh, Finton's got loads. I've got a gambling files dog bowl.

Speaker B: That is. That's back of the merch pamphlet, that one, isn't it? But I guess if you've got a dog, it's quite nice.

Speaker C: Um, a listener sent us a picture of their dog licking something out of their gambling files mug. So Finton's like, we need dog bowls, so we have dog bowls.

Speaker B: Now, that is a great piece of evidence for consumer centricity. Brilliant.

Speaker C: But like I say, Amazon is doing merch on demand, so I think we're going to spread our wings a little bit now.

Speaker B: Good.

Speaker C: Expect gambling files condoms before too long. So. Not joking. Um, but, um, London, very, um, safe city, um, in general terms, is a massive city as well. And seriously, for its size, London is astonishingly safe. Um, and, um, it's lovely to hear that you're still developing the IGB experience because Excel and I've always bitched and moaned about Excel, but with the Elizabeth line, I think Excel is probably coming into its own as a venue, because I do think it's an excellent venue. I've been there a few times over the years because they have the London Marathon Expo there. Um, and, you know, I mean, that's. That's an insane number of people. Just over two or three days. Um, and I was, you know, I think it's a great venue now that the transport aspect's been sorted out. You know, it's, uh, it's kind of like there are no wrinkles for Excel now. It's like everything is go, go, go. Are you. Can. Can IGB live grow? Particularly, I mean, not saying is it ever going to be on the scale of ice necessarily, but, you know, you're in a great venue. Fantastic city in the summer. In London, in the summer is great. Transport's good to and from. It opens up the whole city for people to stay, you know. What's stopping you, Stuart?

Speaker B: Well, uh, it's an interesting question because any business measures its success on a level of growth. I think live events is one of those where you're laying out your business for the world to see in terms of size of scale. And if it grows, people think, great, it's doing good things. If it shrinks it's the opposite. But I think that IGB Live has gone on actually quite a, uh, tremendous growth path probably since post Covid really. Um, it was actually the first live event experience we, we brought back after Covid, which for those that attended, um, the IGB Live in Amsterdam. I think it was kind of one of those memorable experiences because you know, seeing that face to face connection after, after all those years, I think was, was huge, irrespective of having to do all the COVID testing and all that other kind of stuff. So I'll never forget it for that. But it has been on a huge growth path and like I said, it grew when it left Amsterdam and went to London last year. Growth is good, but equally for us, more importantly for IGB Live, I think it's maturing now into kind of really understanding what its purpose is and where it sits, uh, from an articulation perspective to the industry. And like I said, thinking about that affiliate space, really kind of using that unique relationship we've got with gaming affiliates through IGB Affiliate Barcelona and IGB Live and then that B2B supplier perspective through ice and through IGB Live and kind of making sure that actually the experience is a little bit more um, discerning, a bit more intimate. I think that's really important. Especially when you think of our other product set in Barcelona, which is just now a metropolis of gaming where it's, you know, even though we've redesigned to make it much more effective and efficient, you're still walking 15 kilometers a day. You know, it's huge, it's a huge operation and that carries loads of benefits for it. But RGB Live, we almost want to be a bit more of the antithesis to that, which is actually you can take a bit more of a pace down, you can have probably easier opportunity for some more quality conversations. Um, you don't have to put quite as many yards in in terms of navigating the experience. So um, you know, obviously we try and curtail people's aspirations for growth in terms of their investment on booths and stands. We don't just take big stands for the sake of it, we're much more curated than that. So I think where we've got it now is a really big show. It's a massive show. Can it grow more? Yeah, absolutely. You know, we've got the campus of Excel. We recall how big Ice and IGB Affiliate were the last time they were in London. Do I think that that is the right proposition for IGB Live? Not really. Um, because I think Actually, otherwise then we're creating another big igaming event and who wants another big igaming event that's just a little bit loose around the edges? I think there's enough of those for our perspective. It's about creating this mid year opportunity in arguably the strongest I gaming region, uh, globally and creating a much more intellectual piece of property. Better quality meetings, better quality opportunity for connections, more intimacy and creating that value. And I think it's timing being in July. Time is not to be underestimated. You've had that big influx of conversations and engagement in Barcelona and then you're kind of moving them forward to July and then kind of looking forward to that Q3, Q4 period. So that is what the industry tell us. That's where they see the value and that's what we're trying to do more of creating more one to one type meetings, engagements, um, and making sure that it's just super effective. And not just bigger stands, bigger passes, all that kind of stuff. That's kind of the low hanging fruit really. So we've got a business model that operates in that way in Barcelona and I think this is just an opportunity for us to create something different.

Speaker C: That's a phenomenal answer. You really should think about politics post Clarion.

Speaker B: You never know. You never know.

Speaker C: Just throwing it out there. I'll happily be your campaign manager.

Speaker B: Thank you.

Speaker C: What could possibly go wrong?

Speaker B: Maybe some merchandise choices.

Speaker C: See, I can see the Stuart Hunter dog Bolt taking off really well.

Speaker B: I'm not gonna lie, I've thought about it before.

Speaker C: Yeah, Yeah. I think we've all been there. I think we've all thought what kind of merch is me? Um, yeah, I had a great bit of merchandise at uh, ice. I had a World Gaming employee pass.

Speaker B: There you go. That was good.

Speaker C: Got me everywhere. Even got me into the ladies. I'm just kidding.

Speaker B: I think actually Barcelona was our first kind of formal launch uh, of World Gaming. So it's still on that journey in terms of that migration from Clarion Gaming to World Gaming. Obviously we're still part of the Clarion events family. But like we've always said, and actually is factually correct, we operate exclusively in the gambling space. You know, I run only events in gambling spaces. Um, Alex runs the, you know, across the whole piece in the gambling space. We don't converge into other sectors like other event organizers necessarily. So for us, on top of all our media brands, going back to the opening comment I made, it's just actually neater for us to kind of just describe A bit more eloquently about what it is that we do and why we do it. Um, so that was the rationale behind it. And it's slowly drip feeding in and you'll see more of it. IGB Live. And over time it'll be a thing. So, um, there's definitely some world gaming merch that's better than a staff lanyard. And if you make it to London, I'll look after you.

Speaker C: Well, it depends whether I did a decent job last time. I just don't know.

Speaker B: One thing I can't guarantee though is there'll be zips on the pockets of the hoodie. I know for a fact there isn't. So, um, I don't think we've got time to reprint those.

Speaker C: Not Barcelona proof then, is it.

Speaker B: Depends where you're hanging out. Uh, in Barcelona.

Speaker C: Yeah, my hotel probably wasn't in the best bit. I think we can take that as a given. I don't think Finton would have been pickpocketed, let's put it that way. Um, so, uh, in fact my hotel was horrible thinking about it. But it's a lottery, isn't it?

Speaker B: Well, it doesn't have to be. Use our partners. B Network. Absolutely. The only way to book your hotel in Barcelona and only guaranteeing at least 30% off the booking.com rate. You're also getting recommendations on where to stay. They're not going to put you anywhere that's, that's not up to the standards we expect. So there's my sponsor plug, but I

Speaker C: might bump into people I know.

Speaker B: Well then that is the disadvantage.

Speaker C: Yeah, I need, I need the cloak of anonymity. Yeah, fair. Um,

Speaker B: the hoodie of anonymity.

Speaker C: There's a merch idea. Um, so, um, you know, obviously we're going to have to ask you on again to talk about those secret projects that you can't tell me about. I mean, I think I know what one of them is.

Speaker B: Well, I'll tell you some non secret projects that are going to be RGB Live, which are brand new, which I didn't mention.

Speaker C: Why are you waiting until now to tell us?

Speaker B: Because you know, you can't give all the gifts in one sitting. You never do your Christmas presents a bit on Christmas morning and then some in the afternoon.

Speaker C: Do I look like a disciplined person?

Speaker B: Perhaps not. Thank you. So look, we're talking about the London centricity of IGB Live, right? Clearly we love the show, was beautifully, uh, formed in Amsterdam. A lot of the industry love it, we love it. It's a great city. But moving to London opens up a whole new wealth of opportunities. And one of those which is unique really to London outside of probably New York, um, is its proximity and its relationship with the finance industry. And I think when we talk to a lot of our big customers across the iGaming space, M& A and investment acquisitions, mergers, all of that kind of cool financial stuff is absolutely moving to the top of a lot of our lot of the kind of igaming industry leaders sort of positioning. So that got us thinking. We utilize a lot of uh, our relationships in the city here being based in London. Relationships like Morgan Stanley, relationships like Blackstone for example. And that has culminated in the launch of an M and A summit which is closed door, super high level, small room, rare access which is giving you the opportunity to meet with investors, um, listen to their kind of strategy on the types of brands they're looking to invest in from an igaming perspective. Um, build out that kind of content but also have some of those kind of unique conversations and build those introductions. Doesn't happen anywhere. Total exclusive. Um, and actually we brought it to RGB Live, which we're really excited by, ends with some cocktails and a private dinner in the evening. So that is something that is brand new to this year's RGB Live. And again adding that value around, kind uh, of quality of connections and delivering on a business orientated um, experience. So we're excited to see that come to life in uh, in just a matter of days.

Speaker C: That is pretty sexy. Yeah. I was expecting to be disappointed when you were like uh, let me tell you about this sexy thing, but yeah, that's pretty sexy.

Speaker B: It's pretty cool. It's landed really well actually. I think we are um, if not at capacity now, uh, not far off, which is brilliant. Um, so it's something that we clearly all going well. We'll tend to build out next year and it'll be one of those kind of key pillars for RGB Live going forward. Really that kind of, that access and that is something that you won't find across the rest of the gaming landscape. So we're excited for it.

Speaker C: Amazing. That does sound sexy. What was it called?

Speaker B: The M and A Summit.

Speaker C: Nice M. Yeah. That's lovely.

Speaker B: That is on the first of July. That's first of July, day one of IGB Live.

Speaker C: Or yeah, I suppose that is day one if June 30th is day zero.

Speaker B: Uh, correct. You're following. I like that.

Speaker C: My mother didn't really.

Speaker B: It just feels weird that it's a different month. Right. June and July, it's just tricky, but we are.

Speaker C: When's, uh, your birthday?

Speaker B: My birthday's in January. When's yours?

Speaker C: July.

Speaker A: Uh. Ah.

Speaker B: Uh, anywhere close.

Speaker C: No, it's like a couple of weeks in. Something like that.

Speaker B: Um, does it, does it move every. Does it change every year?

Speaker C: No, no, no. It's just. It's not something I pay particular attention to.

Speaker B: Fair enough.

Speaker C: Um, especially, you know, you reach a certain age and you're like, yeah, great.

Speaker B: Yeah. Mine's at the beginning of July, so everyone is totally fed up of celebrating after Christmas and New Year. So I just kind of take a low profile under the radio.

Speaker C: Yeah, I'm a year older. What of it? Be arches. Yeah.

Speaker B: Get a. Chris, get a leftover Christmas pudding with a candle in it. That's pretty much, uh. It's pretty much my outcome.

Speaker C: Christmas pudding does mature quite well.

Speaker B: I'm a big fan. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm a big fan.

Speaker C: Okay. Okay. Um. I'm not sure why I asked you when your birthday is. I think there was a. There was some logic there, but it's gone. So sorry about that. Oh, well, um. Well, that's great News. So, uh, IGB Live, uh, at Excel in London, 1st and 2nd of July, um, which is next week. Um, although there is stuff going on on 30th of June and on the

Speaker B: 3rd or last week, if you're listening, uh, to this podcast, uh, the second week in July.

Speaker C: Yes. Or, um, 18 weeks ago for anybody that is listening, in black and white in the archives. So, um, I don't know if you remember this. It was one of those classic sort of common balls things, but it was snooker commentary. Are you familiar with this one?

Speaker B: Yeah, well, it depends what you're going to say, but I, uh, can't remember

Speaker C: the exact, the exact expression, but it was something like, um. And I've got a feeling this might have been John Virgo. It was something along the lines of, uh. Um. So now he's going for the pink. For anybody watching in black and white, that's the one behind the blue.

Speaker B: I do remember that. That's. That's a great line.

Speaker C: That is pretty, pretty lovely.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker C: Um, but Stuart, thank you very much for joining us. It's much appreciated. I mean, I know you guys are our sole event sponsors, our exclusive event sponsors. Um, but, um, we've, we've. We always enjoy, you know, we enjoy having you as sponsors. We enjoy your, you appearing on these shows, so.

Speaker B: Likewise. Thank you John, always a pleasure to chat. Um, and look, I do, I do hope you make it down to RGB Live. I think, um, London is primed. It's going to be a, going to be a great event and like I said, different, different to the rest of the game, gaming events on the landscape. So, um, come and experience something totally unique. I think there's loads going on so I would be foolish not to recommend your listeners to check out the website where you can find access to all of the cool stuff. I've only touched on probably about half the stuff that is new to this year's show. So get on there and engage with it all and get that registration through. By the way, registrations are flying. Uh, igb. Just Google IGB Live, you'll find it.

Speaker C: Yeah, but what if somebody's done one of those dodgy domain hijacking things?

Speaker B: I think we've done that. You've done it? Yeah, we've done it.

Speaker C: Oh, it's IGB live.com.

Speaker B: there you go.

Speaker C: That, um, does seem easy.

Speaker B: Yeah. So we've got some cool emerging market stuff, uh, bringing an Africa summit for the first time. There's some cool details about that. The content obviously is outstanding, plus all the additional networking stuff. So, yes, huge loads going on and

Speaker C: if, if the website is anything to go by, there's going to be some very good beards and mustaches there as well.

Speaker B: Yeah, definitely. I think all the usual kind of, uh, all the usual unique Personas that are unique to the I gaming community will be on, uh, on. Good show. And you've got British Summertime, you have got World cup action, you've got Wimbledon. So it's. Yeah, we're looking forward to it. Last little finishing touches, but everyone's ahead of the game. And actually interestingly, the exhibitor, uh, investment this year in terms of their stand design and investment continues to blow our minds. Really, you think at some point can it get any more beautiful and complex and detailed and dynamic? And I have to say with the designs that are coming through that we're signing off at the moment, it's going to be a real spectacle, so I look forward to, uh, sharing it with everyone.

Speaker C: Fabulous. Stuart Hunter, uh, M.D. world Gaming. Thank you for joining us.

Speaker B: Thank you, John.

Speaker A: If you've enjoyed this episode of the Gambling Files podcast, please find us on LinkedIn.

Speaker C: Give us a big juicy succulent like

Speaker A: that nearly went wrong. Um, you can find us under the name the Gambling Files Podcast. You find us on Twitter under the Gambling Files. I think the handle is just Gambling files you can connect to myself, John Bruford, or Finton Costello, also on LinkedIn. We're also both on Twitter and you can find all of our previous episodes@www.thegamblingphiles.com. if you enjoyed it, uh, please share, tell your friends, tell your family, tell your colleagues, and we'll see you next time.