A Look Back at GIGSE 2000 in Toronto

In May 2000, my first trip from Africa to Toronto was locked and loaded and I was about to experience the world’s first conference that only focused on iGaming, GIGSE. A couple of us from South Africa were travelling together so I did not feel alone. 

One thing today’s conference-goers may not fully appreciate are the small challenges we faced in 2000. Our laptops felt like they weighed as much as ten bricks. There was no free-roaming Wi-Fi, no email on the go, no mobile phones with Google Maps and definitely no Uber. I really appreciate how seamlessly we can move around the planet today.

So, we checked into the beautiful Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, and the stage was set. The minute we entered the hotel we were blown away by its beauty and the conference organizers greeted us with such warmth and professionalism.

That first night, I received an invite which was slid under my hotel door, personally inviting me to a VIP party. It said that I had to be downstairs by 6 pm to step into a private limo that would take me to a secret venue. WOW, what a feeling and such a mystery. 

I suited up and was downstairs promptly, hopped into the Limo and was treated to a 1-hour sightseeing mission around the city while the limo driver gave me an informative tour I sipped on the finest scotch and felt like a king, having no idea where the night was about to take me.

Later on, I arrived at a beautiful seaside venue. The first thing that greeted me at the door were 2 body-painted models holding leashes to two full-size adult tigers! 

Next, I entered the room which was filled with poker tables with women lying down on the tables covered in sushi. This was over the top in 2000 rockstar style! The party was well attended by all the right people in the industry. 

It was still a very small and boutique industry, so networking was easy and we all got to know each other pretty quickly. What a POWER evening, and it absolutely set the stage for the next couple of days in Toronto.

In the early days of iGaming, conferences were the beating heart of an industry still finding its feet. Among the most iconic gatherings was GIGSE (Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo), an event that brought together industry pioneers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. This conference was a gathering of visionaries who would go on to shape the online gaming world we know today.

Online Gaming in Its Infancy

At the time of GIGSE’s prominence, online gaming was still an uncharted frontier. 

Regulation was fragmented, with many jurisdictions unsure of how to handle the explosion of internet gambling. The major players were battling for market share, and new brands were springing up, fueled by early adopters who saw the potential of online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks.

The sentiment around online gaming at that stage was mixed. Some saw it as an unstoppable force that would revolutionize gambling, while others, particularly regulators and land-based casino operators, viewed it with skepticism or outright resistance. 

Despite these challenges, there was a fantastic energy among attendees, a belief that they were part of something groundbreaking.

The River City Group

At the core of GIGSE’s success was The River City Group, a company that played a pivotal role in shaping the online gaming industry. The group, led by Sue Schneider, was instrumental in building a dialogue between operators, regulators, and technology providers. Schneider was a true pioneer, helping to legitimize the industry at a time when skepticism was rampant.

River City Group didn’t just organize conferences; they created a forum for education, networking, and collaboration. Back in the day, GIGSE wasn’t just about flashy booths and sales pitches. The events were about discussing the future of iGaming, addressing regulatory hurdles, and pushing innovation. Without groups like River City, the industry’s trajectory might have been very different.

Sue and I have developed a great friendship through the years and she is still very involved as a pillar within iGaming. Sue has helped so many entrepreneurs navigate their way within the industry and I have endless respect for such a magnificent woman.

Who Was There?

The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto hosted some of the most influential brands in the early iGaming industry. At GIGSE, attendees could expect to rub shoulders with executives from the biggest gaming operators, software developers, payment providers, and regulators.

Some of the dominant brands and industry leaders at the time included:

• Casino Brands: PartyGaming (PartyCasino, PartyPoker), 888.com, and Microgaming-powered casinos.
• Poker Boom: PokerStars, UltimateBet, and Full Tilt Poker were rising stars, capitalizing on the online poker craze that was about to explode.
• Sports Betting Giants: Sportingbet, Bet365, and William Hill were solidifying their dominance in the online sportsbook world.
• Software & Platform Providers: Microgaming, Playtech, and Cryptologic were among the biggest tech enablers, providing cutting-edge solutions for operators.
• Payment Solutions: Companies like Neteller and Firepay were essential to the ecosystem, helping players deposit and withdraw funds in an era when traditional banks were hesitant to process gambling transactions.

A funny story… One of the biggest legends in the business was standing next to me eating a little triangular hors d’oeuvre and we were inspecting the Party Poker Product. 

During that conversation in 2000, we both agreed that online poker would never work. We believed it was doomed from the start, and it is a game that can only be truly appreciated offline, as body language and the human appeal were paramount to its success. 

HOW WRONG WE WERE!

Unforgettable Networking and Legendary Events

One of the highlights of GIGSE, and indeed, most iGaming conferences, was the networking events. 

Deals weren’t just made in meeting rooms; they were forged over cocktail receptions, lavish dinners, and after-parties that became legendary. It was during these moments that industry veterans and newcomers alike could swap ideas, form partnerships, and, more often than not, share war stories over a drink.

GIGSE had a reputation for hosting some of the best events in the industry. Whether it was an exclusive VIP gathering or a wild party at a Toronto hotspot, these events were where real business was done. Attendees left with more than just brochures and business cards, they left with connections that would shape their careers and companies.

I hit it off with one of the Toronto locals from the industry and during the last day at the conference, he asked me to step outside. He wished to introduce me to some business partners. 

I had no idea I was about to meet the Chief of the Mohawk Kahnawà:ke Indian tribe and his 2 sons. I have never met such larger-than-life individuals, they towered over me wearing suits but also draped in traditional jewelry. 

They asked me all about South Africa and were looking for new business opportunities. They even offered to fly me to their hosting facility to show me their online gaming server farm and their tobacco factory. It was an absolutely surreal experience.

The Games That Defined the Era

During GIGSE’s peak years, online gaming was dominated by a few key verticals:

• Online Poker: The poker boom was in full swing, and brands like PartyPoker and PokerStars were leading the charge.  They had great conference swag!
• Slot Games: Early online slots were simple compared to today’s offerings, but titles from Microgaming and Playtech were already proving wildly popular.
• Progressive Jackpots: Games like Microgaming’s Cash Splash were capturing players’ imaginations with life-changing payouts.
• Live Dealer Games: While still in their infancy, early live dealer games were starting to take shape, setting the stage for future innovations. Dr Ho in Macau was one of the companies leading the charge.

Sports Betting: The rise of betting was beginning, paving the way for the massive sportsbook operations we see today.  Intertops and CentreBet were huge innovators.

The Legacy of GIGSE and the Future of iGaming Conferences

Looking back, GIGSE was more than just a conference – it was a cornerstone of the iGaming industry’s evolution. It gave a platform to the pioneers who would go on to build billion-dollar brands and helped shape the regulatory and technological landscape of online gaming.

Though the industry has changed dramatically, the spirit of GIGSE lives on in today’s major conferences, like ICE, SBC Summit, and SiGMA. These events continue to push the industry forward, much like River City Group and Sue Schneider did all those years ago.

As the industry expands into new territories like Latin America, Africa, and Asia, the need for high-quality, well-organized conferences remains as strong as ever. And while the faces may change, one thing remains the same: iGaming thrives on innovation, connection, and the visionaries who dare to push boundaries!

For those who were lucky enough to attend GIGSE in its heyday, it remains a cherished memory. For those entering the industry now, the opportunities are greater than ever. The iGaming world never stops evolving, and as long as there are conferences bringing people together, the future will always be bright.

“The Power Play by Moshe Adir” is released weekly on the Vegas Kings website and LinkedIn. Drawing from nearly 30 years of experience in design and development for online gaming, Moshe shares exclusive industry insights, lessons learned, and behind-the-scenes stories from the evolution of iGaming. Stay tuned for fresh perspectives from one of the industry’s OG!