ICE gaming fair in Barcelona 'normalizes addictive behaviors,' health ministry says

Thousands of people related to the industries of gaming, betting, and associated technology are in Barcelona for the 2025 edition of the ICE gaming fair. Held at Fira Gran Via exhibition halls from Monday to Wednesday, the event is expected to welcome over 55,000 attendees. The previous edition took place in London.

ICE will welcome over 600 companies, 200 regulatory bodies, and attendees from 170 countries, with an economic impact of €300 million. As a comparison, MWC mobile fair, one of the most significant events held in the Catalan capital, had over 100,000 attendees and, over four days, had an economic impact of €502 million in 2024.

"I believe these halls allow ICE to be larger, if this is even possible," Gian Carlo Ferrini, BGaming sales manager, told journalists. Organizers are planning for it to be among the largest five trade fairs in the city after the MWC, Alimentaria food fair, and ISE audiovisual fair.

The Catalan health department, however, is "worried" about the event as it "normalizes addictive behaviors," public health secretary Esteve Fernández said during a press conference.

"What we want is to free people from addictions such as this one, and others," Fernández added.

This was a shared message by Barcelona's Ombudsman, who had already urged the city council to cancel the event in October. 

"It is a contradiction that authorities are implementing great policy towards stopping gambling, but at the same time, hosting and financing the largest world's event targeting the gaming, casino, and betting industries," the Ombudsman wrote back then.

This is "one of the largest and most important trade fairs in the gaming industry," Gian Carlo Ferrini said, adding that "this fair could be considered the 'Mecca' of the industry, as it is an opportunity to meet colleagues, meet new operators, and see the technology's evolution."