ICE Barcelona will start in a positive way in 2026 with the announcement of a record charitable fund of €80,000 raised for organizations dedicated to safe gambling in the Sustainable Gambling Zone (SGZ). The total will be formally presented in a ceremony on Monday, January 19 at 11 a.m. on the SGZ stage, highlighting the industry's commitment to responsible gaming and the well-being of players.
Drive the sector to achieve record donations
The 2026 charitable fund is the result of generous contributions from a wide range of leading gaming operators and providers, including Zitro, Acordjoc, Cirsa, Flutter, Orenes, Betsson Group, Merkur, Merkur Dosniha, BGaming and Novomatic. These donations raise the accumulated total collected in ICE since 2019 to €462,500, demonstrating growing support for efforts to promote safe gambling in the sector.
Expansion of the Sustainable Play Zone
This year's edition of the SGZ will be the largest so far, with 27 organizations dedicated to safe gaming from 10 countries, and will offer attendees access to the latest technological trends, as well as debates on the future of safe gambling and regulation. Prominently located in the main corridor between pavilions 4 and 5, with an open space design, the SGZ continues to be the main platform to promote responsible gaming practices at ICE Barcelona.
Beyond financial support
According to ICE Portfolio Director Margaret Dunn, this record sum reflects the industry's growing commitment to player protection. Dunn notes that the SGZ goes beyond financial contributions, promoting collaboration, debate and shared learning that have helped drive advances in safe gaming practices over the years.
Legacy and impact of donations
At ICE Barcelona 2025, charities such as Gordon Moody, Fejar and FES received support through the SGZ fund, which allowed impact initiatives such as the launch of campaigns in Catalan on the risks of digital gambling for schools and families. This year's funding seeks to expand that legacy of significant social impact.
Main sponsor and innovation
The main sponsor of the SGZ 2026 is Gamecheck, a blockchain-based verification technology provider that helps operators ensure the integrity of games and strengthen trust with players, turning responsible gambling into a competitive advantage.
Dingnews.com 19/01/2026