The Global iGaming Summit & Expo convened yesterday for the first time in two years as online and land-based gambling industry professionals discussed the future of the industry in North America.
Michael Pollack, the managing director of the Spectrum Gaming Group, compares the initial negative attitude to the legalization online gaming, from the land-based sector, to the same resistance baseball and the film industry had towards the emergence of new radio and television. Far from cannibalizing their industries, however, the new technology boosted their popularity.
“In both cases it went from complete rejection to complete embrace,” said Pollack. “It’s a continuum. Technology did not alter the social aspects of spectator sports or movie theaters. Clearly, we believe that technology will not alter the social aspects of visiting brick and mortar casinos.” It’s a similar message to the one Mitch Garber, CEO of Harrah’s Interactive, gave at the International Gaming Awards in London in January. Read more.
