ICE London 2020 “Not Acceptable” due to “Disrespectful” Usage of “Sexualized” Models

6.02.2020, 16:16

The ICE London 2020 has been deemed as “not acceptable” by Carolyn Harris, the UK Labour MP due to the “disrespectful” use of “sexualized” models for promotion. The global gaming industry event has been highly criticized by the public due to models being dressed in revealing outfits. This year’s expo takes place in ExCel Centre in London and is the largest so far.

The Disrespect

Kajot, one of the 633 brands on the never-larger ICE event used models dressed in leather catsuits. The ICE London, organized by Clarion Gaming, is an event that hosts numerous brands of the gambling industry.

The allegations of sexism and the event’s critique is not a novelty. In the past, the event had female pole dancers too. Due to past public pressures, Sarah Harrison, the former Chief Executive of the gambling commission has promised in 2018 to disrupt this use of female models.

Sexism on the Conference

Sarah has said that ICE London is an event where men are seen “wearing expensive tailored suits” and female colleagues are wearing “nothing more than swimsuits”. 
Carolyn Harris, a Labour MP has characterized this type of behavior as “not acceptable” for a business event such as the ICE London. 

Clarion Gaming CEO Kate Chambers has said that Kajot was indeed breaching the code of conduct but none of the other brands did.

Additionally, an employee of the UK Gambling Commission has said that they informed the event in 2018 that a code of conduct is a necessity. However, according to the Gambling Commission itself: «It is a matter for the organizers to enforce that code. Our focus at the conference is on making gambling safer for British consumers.”

Annual ICE Event

The event takes place from 4th to 6th February this year and there are an estimated 35 thousand attendees who will have to pay up to £250 for a ticket. The event will feature Richard Bosworth from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and Ulrik Bengtsson, the CEO of William Hill, among many others.