R. Franco becomes latest firm to pull out of ICE 2022

Spanish igaming supplier R. Franco has withdrawn from ICE 2022 due to ongoing difficulties caused by Covid-19 restrictions.

The firm said it made the decision not to attend the rescheduled event, which will take place at the ExCeL London from 12 to 14 April after being postponed from the first week of February due to international restrictions over the Omicron variant.

The decision will mean it will be the first year R. Franco will not exhibit its latest products ICE, with the group confirming it would switch its attention to other European events throughout the rest of the year.

R. Franco joins Novomatic, Zitro, Merkur Gaming and TCSJohnHuxley in withdrawing from the trade show which attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year and suppliers from across the globe.

Despite the number of withdrawals continuing to rise, event organisers Clarion Gaming confirmed ICE would go ahead as planned in mid-April.

Group MD Alex Pratt said: “I can confirm the show will go ahead as planned in April.

“I’d like to assure exhibitors that we will do everything we can to support the land-based sector to participate in this year’s ICE and, if that’s not possible, we will protect their stand allocation into 2023,” he added.

An R. Franco spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, adverse circumstances have made it very difficult to participate in ICE London 2022. It is with great regret that we have taken the decision not to exhibit at one of the most important events in the calendar.

“We are already working to return to the event in 2023, where we plan to present one of the widest and most advanced product catalogues available across Spanish, European and Latam markets.”