ECA Unveils Supplier Partnership Initiative to Encourage Cooperation

The European Casino Association (ECA) has announced the creation of a new partnership that will foster collaboration between the association and gambling industry providers. Unveiled at the ECA Casino Industry Forum in Slovenia, the so-called ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership will encourage industry cooperation and dialogue with policymakers and industry stakeholders.

The Partnership Will Encourage Industry Cooperation

The ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership seeks to usher in a “new era of cooperation within the European gaming landscape.” To that end, the partnership welcomed Aristocrat, IGT, Light & Wonder and Novomatic as its first four members.

The four supplier giants attest to the initiative’s ambition to be a game-changer and encourage meaningful collaboration within the sector.

In addition to that, the partnership will promote responsible gambling and open dialogue with European regulators. This will allow its members to raise awareness of certain issues and promote moderate and fair regulations.

According to the ECA’s announcement, the initiative will explore a variety of industry aspects, such as equipment standardization, enhanced security measures and anti-illegal gambling measures.

Last but not least, the partnership will serve as a platform for networking and knowledge exchange, allowing providers to connect with operators and promote responsible gaming practices.

The overarching ethos of the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership is to nurture sustainable growth for the European gaming industry as a whole.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

Representatives commented on the new partnership, expressing their thoughts on the matter. Erwin van Lambaart, chair of the ECA, welcomed the four inaugural members of the Strategic Supplier Partnership and said:

This collaboration allows us to share diverse perspectives and work towards solutions that benefit the entire gaming community, while respecting the distinct roles of operators and suppliers.

Erwin van Lambaart, chair, ECA

Light & Wonder’s VP of sales for the EMEA region, Jon Lancaster, said that his team is honored to join the partnership and shape the future of gaming integrity.

NOVAMITC’s Stefan Krenn, a member of the company’s executive board, was likewise pleased to be one of the founding members of the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership. He added that his team is looking forward to joining forces with the association and other members to promote long-term success for gambling.

Marcel Heutmekers, Aristocrat’s president of sales and operations for EMEA, echoed Krenn and Lacaster’s thoughts, saying that his company is thrilled to join the ECA and other suppliers to expand the industry’s collective industry when it comes to regulations and the evolution of gaming as a whole.

Last but not least, IGT’s SVP of gaming sales for EMEA, Canada and LATAM, David Flinn, said that the partnership will drive fantastic growth opportunities for IGT’s customers and will shape a positive framework for the future of gaming in Europe.