SPiCE India and Sri Lanka Merger 2024

SPiCE India is a premier gaming industry event that brings together stakeholders from South Asia to discuss key issues, share insights, and explore opportunities in the gaming industry. Traditionally, the event is held in Goa, India. But after merging it with SPiCE Sri Lanka, the 2024 edition was held from 26th to 28th February at the Shangri-La Colombo Hotel in Sri Lanka.

SPiCE India and Sri Lanka Merger 2024 brought together two trailblazing markets, creating new partnerships, exhibiting the latest trends, and highlighting regulatory frameworks driving the gaming industry in South Asia. The event featured over 200 exhibitors, prolific speakers, industry pioneers, and new investors looking to invest in the over 1.5 billion market.

In this article, we will discuss the key talking points from the SPiCE India and Sri Lanka Merger 2024.

About the SPiCE India & Sri Lanka Merger 2024

SPiCE India & Sri Lanka Merger 2024 was held at Shangri-La Colombo Hotel, located at 1 Galle Face, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka. The event provided a business-focused atmosphere, bringing together over 200 exhibitors and 1,000-plus gaming landscape experts to discuss online gaming regulation in India, key gaming insights across South Asia and Sri Lanka, and the best practices within the region.

Let’s break down the event into digestible points.

India & Sri Lanka Merger 2024 Agenda

Day 1: 26 February 2024

• 12:30 – 17:00: SPiCE India & Sri Lanka Conference – Affiliate Day, a session dedicated to affiliate marketing and its impact on the gaming industry.
• 17:00: Affiliate Networking Drinks, allowing attendees to connect and discuss potential collaborations.
• 18:00: SP’iCE’ Breaker Pre-Event Party to kick off the event.

Day 2: 27 February 2024

• 09:00 – 17:30: SPiCE India & Sri Lanka Conference & Expo, featuring exhibitions and discussions on key industry trends.
• 18:00: SPiCE South Asia Eventus Awards & SPiCE After Party to celebrate unmatched technology and innovation in the gaming industry.

Day 3: 28 February 20243

• 09:00 – 16:30: SPiCE India & Sri Lanka Conference & Expo
• 16:30: Farewell Networking Drinks, a final chance for attendees to network and exchange contacts.
• 19:00 – Onwards: SPiCE Networking Poker Tournament, a EUR150 Buy-in event combining skill and strategy with networking opportunities.

SPiCE India & Sri Lanka Merger 2024 Speakers

SPiCE India & Sri Lanka Merger 2024 featured insights from reputable gaming experts. Abhinav Shrivastava, Partner at LawNK, talked about legal perspectives on regulation and compliance. Arun Mashettey, a popular gaming influencer, provided insights on how to build an online audience. 

Dr. Amy Remes, CEO of Kootac, discussed innovations in lottery systems and player engagement. Marketing specialists (Ashish Rana of Sisu Group and Ashutosh Rawat of Crazy Dots Digital) shared practical promotional strategies tailored for the region.

Specialists in emerging technology sector discussed blockchain, analytics, and responsible gaming to showcase how the South Asian market is evolving.

SPiCE India & Sri Lanka Merger 2024

SPiCE India and Sri Lanka Merger featured 1,000+ top-tier experts from across the gaming ecosystem who provided global insights and face-to-face connections.

35% of the attendees were from leading operators, offering insights into the future of real-money gaming. Suppliers and developers made up 25% of the C-Suite investors. They focused on driving business by showcasing their latest technological innovations.

20% of the participants were marketing affiliates and media partners, focusing on customer acquisition and branding. Ten percent were specialists in payment methods, providing secure and reliable transaction solutions. The remaining 10 percent represented government policymakers and regulators from India and Sri Lanka.

SPiCE India & Sri Lanka Merger

SPiCE India offered tiered pricing to accommodate both local and international delegates. Below is the pricing model adopted at the event:

• The premium 3-day pass. This ticket grants full access to the conference, exhibition, networking events, meals, and more. It goes for €995 for international attendees, €795 for Asia-based delegates, and €595 for locals.
• 2-day pass. This ticket goes for €795 (international participants), €595 (Asia-based participants), and €395 for India/Sri Lanka residents.
• Single-day Affiliate Networking pass. This ticket costs from €195-€395are and is ideal for player acquisition partners.
• A €150 buy-in ticket. This pass gives you a seat at the poker tournament table, allowing you to compete with peers and new contacts in this game of skill.

Key Talking Points from SPiCE India and Sri Lanka Merger 2024

If you missed SPiCE India and Sri Lanka Merger 2024, here are the key takeaways from the event:

Skill-Based Gaming in India

A key takeaway from the Colombo “SPice” Merger Conference was the need for clear guidelines on regulation, innovation, and responsible play in the growing South Asian gaming community.

A panel led by Vidushpat Singhania, Managing Partner at Krida Legal, discussed policy and regulatory framework in South Asia to enhance responsive online gambling and overall industry growth.

The Vidushpat Singhania-led panel also discussed the skill-based gaming regulation in India. It was evident that the online gambling landscape in India had varying legislation across states, leading to ambiguity for companies in the region.

Gaming Future

Another panel discussed iGaming in India under the title “Gaming in India & Sri Lanka: Shaping the Future,” highlighting key trends and growth strategies within the region. The panel was led by Joe Pisano (Jade Entertainment and Gaming Tech), Parul Bhargava (vCommission Media Pvt Ltd), Manmohan Kohli (GLI India), and Gaurav Sawant (The Nestling Network). They also insisted on the need for collaboration to make the gaming industry prosperous.

Game-Changing Presentations

Varun Khare (NimbleEdge) and Hitesh K. (Dream 11) led discussions on the complexities of intellectual property rights and the future prospects of iGaming in India. They provided an overview of the frontiers of “Real-time Personalization in Gaming,” demonstrating the transformative power of data and machine learning in crafting tailored player experiences.

Innovation in iGaming

Despite the regulatory complexities, India’s skill-based gaming industry is leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, 5G, and virtual reality technologies to provide immersive gaming experiences. These innovations are being integrated into fantasy sports platforms and responsible play.

The industry is also using AI technology in identity verification systems, reducing the risk of fraud, impersonation, and unauthorized access to online gambling accounts.

Online Gambling Regulation

A panel led by Vidushpat Singhania, Abhinav Shrivastava, Partner at LawNK, Gourav Pilania, iGaming Consultant – Content, and Manmohan Kohli, Manager – BD & Govt. Relations at GLI India discussed the complex online gambling regulation in India and Sri Lanka.

The panel established that most operators were overlooking scientific tests to classify games. It emphasized the need for a clear gambling policy and law to avoid penalties for games that resemble betting activities.

From the panel revelations, it was evident that both India and Sri Lanka lacked a centralized online gambling legislation. This could potentially affect cloud gaming (server-based gaming) offered in online casinos.

These factors, together with tax and delays in publishing legal online gambling parameters and an independent regulatory body could scare away potential foreign investors.

SPICE South Asia Eventus Awards

SPICE South Asia Eventus Awards ceremony recognized trailblazers and innovators in the gaming industry. The prestigious award winners were:

1. Technology Provider of the Year Award 2024: Digitain
2. Developer of the Year Award 2024: DSTGAMING
3. Best Platform Provider Award 2024: BetConstruct
4. Innovative E-sports Product of The Year Award 2024: The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook 
5. Emerging Startup of the Year Award 2024: NimbleEdge
6. Affiliate Platform of the Year Award 2024: vCommission Media Pvt Ltd
7. Best B2B Digital Platform Award 2024: BetConstruct 
8. Skill Gaming Operator of the Year Award 2024: Parimatch
9. Fantasy Gaming Operator of the Year Award 2024: JADE ENTERTAINMENT AND GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
10. Legal Adviser of the Year Award 2024: Vidushpat Singhania, Krida Legal

SPiCE India 2024: Celebrating 5 Years of Global Networking & Market Impact

SPiCE India 2024 proudly marks its 5th anniversary as India’s epicenter of transformative connections among industry leaders. It champions emerging iGaming innovators and elevates success metrics through impactful B2B networking.

SPiCE India has not only grown exponentially but has evolved into a magnetic force, attracting leading gaming organizations and influential figures from the Indian subcontinent, across Asia, and globally. Over the years, it has seamlessly transformed into an annual spectacle, fostering meaningful connections, propelling business growth, and transforming Goa into a monumental iGaming gathering.

SPiCE Series, SPiCE India remains a crucial platform for brands to showcase their stories, emphasizing accessibility, relatability, and real-time engagement with current and prospective partnerships. Delivering value to all industry stakeholders, including operators, start-ups, regulators, affiliates, investors, advisors, and beyond, the summit has solidified its reputation as an indispensable cornerstone in India’s iGaming market.

Final Thoughts

Held in the prestigious Colombo Hotel in Sri Lanka, SPiCE India and Sri Lanka Merger 2024 brought together two trailblazing markets, creating new partnerships, exhibiting the latest trends, and highlighting regulatory frameworks driving the gaming industry in South Asia. The event featured over 200 exhibitors, prolific speakers, industry pioneers, and new investors looking to invest in the over 1.5 billion market.

The attendees had the opportunity to experience the ever-growing gaming market in India and South Asia. It was the perfect environment to connect with experts from various domains and discuss online gambling regulatory compliance in India and the latest technologies driving the gaming landscape.

India 2024:

• Date: 26-28. February 2024
• Location: Shangri-La Colombo Hotel in Sri Lanka

SPiCE India 2024