Frustration Grows as Crypto Gambling Firms Take Center Stage at Industry Events
Senior executives at regulated gambling operators are growing increasingly frustrated with the hypocrisy of major gambling trade shows. LeoVegas’ Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) has spoken out a lot on Linkedin this past few days, calling for a wake-up call in the industry as unregulated crypto gambling firms continue to dominate exhibition space at key events.
« Enough is enough » the executive states, voicing the concerns of many within the regulated sector. Gambling expos claim to champion responsible gambling, sustainability, and compliance, yet they simultaneously sell prime floor space to operators who circumvent local licensing laws and player protection measures.
The Contradiction at the Heart of Industry Events
Each year, these events promote responsible gambling as a central theme. They charge licensed operators tens of thousands of euros for stands, feature panels on sustainability, and invite regulators to discuss the threats posed by the black market. These discussions are meant to emphasize the importance of protecting players and maintaining industry integrity.
And yet, in a stunning contradiction, over 70% of exhibition space is reportedly sold to unregulated crypto gambling operators, many of whom actively target players in highly regulated markets without proper licensing.
The contradiction goes even further ;tt appears that Chris Welch has fueled the debate around this topic and particularly the role of LeoVegas in this schizophrenia. Apparently, it seems that the operator had ties with streaming communities on Twitch and YouTube where these same crypto-casinos were promoted, according to Daniel Hansson Sokcic, founder of Bigwinboard
Crypto Gambling Firms and the Shadow Market
One of the most concerning aspects of this trend is the rise of crypto gambling firms openly advertising in jurisdictions where they lack legal approval. Some of these companies market themselves on platforms specifically designed to attract problem gamblers—offering « no Gamstop » or « no Spelpaus » services to players who have self-excluded in the UK and Sweden, respectively.
Even more shocking is the continued promotion of illegal gambling in Spain. Despite strict regulations, operators without a Spanish license are allegedly allowed to exhibit at major trade shows, further blurring the line between the regulated and unregulated sectors.
An Uneven Playing Field for Regulated Operators
For companies like LeoVegas, which operates within strict licensing frameworks, the issue extends beyond fairness—it’s about industry integrity. Regulated operators invest heavily in compliance, responsible gaming initiatives, and consumer protection. Yet, at these events, they often find themselves exhibiting alongside firms that openly disregard the very regulations they follow.
The frustration is particularly acute in Sweden, LeoVegas’ home market. Swedish operators adhere to some of the strictest gambling laws in the world, yet at international trade shows, they share the floor with crypto operators targeting Swedish players without a local license.
Time for Event Organizers to Take Responsibility ?
The call to action is clear: gambling trade shows need to reassess their priorities. If they truly stand for responsible gambling, they cannot continue to enable companies that operate in regulatory grey areas—or outright defy local laws.
As frustration among regulated operators reaches a boiling point, the question remains: will the industry’s biggest events listen ? Or will they continue to profit from the very practices they claim to oppose? Is this even their fight ?
Expos and shows are built to showcase the industry as a whole thing. And still, even though it looks like unbelievable, illegal gambling is still part of the market. Having them in shows still remind us that they exist. They exist through the suppliers providing the back-office; affiliates providing traffic. The question is :
If regulators have a booth in front of those illegal platforms : why aren’t they doing anything ?
