The partnership was announced during the ECA Casino Industry Forum, hosted by HIT universe of fun in Nova Gorica, Slovenia. Four leading gaming suppliers have joined as founding Strategic Supplier Partners: Aristocrat, IGT, Light & Wonder, and Novomatic.
This exclusive partnership creates a platform for enhanced industry cooperation and dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders on matters of mutual interest. The initiative represents a significant step forward in European gaming industry collaboration, focusing on responsible practices within the licensed gaming sector while creating opportunities for meaningful stakeholder engagement.
The partnership will explore several key areas, including equipment standardization, security measures, and strategies to combat illegal gambling. The framework also serves as a networking and knowledge-sharing platform, connecting suppliers with operators while promoting responsible gaming practices and compliance standards.
Erwin van Lambaart, Chairman of the European Casino Association, commented: "We are pleased to welcome Aristocrat Gaming, IGT, Light & Wonder and Novomatic as the founding members of the ECA’s Strategic Supplier Partnership. 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."
David Flinn, IGT SVP EMEA, Canada and LatAm Gaming Sales, stated: "IGT is pleased to join the European Casino Association’s Strategic Partnership Alliance and collaborate with other global gaming suppliers to help drive growth opportunities for our customers and to shape a positive framework for the future of casino gaming across Europe."
Jon Lancaster, VP of Sales, EMEA at Light & Wonder, said: "Light and Wonder are honored to be collaborating with the ECA on this strategic partnership. We have long considered that casino operators, trade bodies and suppliers need to work closely together on issues that impact the future of our industry and this partnership represents a great opportunity to actively address those challenges together."
Stefan Krenn, Executive Board Member at NOVOMATIC AG, added: "As Europe’s largest gaming technology group, NOVOMATIC is pleased to join other major suppliers in laying the foundation for the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership. In this exclusive collaboration, we look forward to shaping the future of European gaming in a responsible and sustainable way, fostering collaboration across the industry and upholding the highest standards of compliance and player protection. We are excited to partner with the European Casino Association and firmly believe that together we can promote the long-term success of the industry."
The Strategic Supplier Partnership aims to create sustainable growth and maintain integrity within Europe’s casino industry. By facilitating dialogue with European authorities, members seek to address crucial industry issues and promote fair regulatory frameworks that support both operators and suppliers.
The European Casino Association represents national associations and individual operators of licensed land-based casinos across Europe, with approximately 900 casinos and over 70,000 employees in 30 countries.
