The head of Hippodrome Casino, Simon Thomas, has been named the first official representative for ICE London, the main event of RX Gaming.
Thomas will take on this honorary position from September 2021 to August 2022, making sure RX Gaming stays closely linked and responsive to the business needs of the broader group of stakeholders.
Stuart Hunter, the head of RX Gaming, explained: “We invite leading figures from the gaming sector to be ICE ambassadors, making sure we have a diverse group of people, roles and experiences who can assess our strategy and provide the widest range of industry feedback.”
Hunter commended Thomas as a well-known figure in the industry who brought a new kind of casino to the UK.
He stated: “Thomas has cleverly combined core gaming with entertainment and hospitality services, something never seen before in the industry.” “All of this takes place in a venue that employs over 600 people and has now become a key part of the wider tourist experience in central London.”
“Thomas has also become a champion for London’s West End, frequently appearing in national and international news, speaking out on behalf of the industry, business growth and government policy.”
Thomas hails from a lineage deeply rooted in the realm of entertainment and gaming. He fondly recounts his formative years, practically growing up amidst the bustling atmosphere of the International Entertainment Trades Exhibition, an event that eventually transformed into the renowned ICE London. His professional journey has been marked by significant leadership roles, including chairmanship of the National Casino Forum, presidency of Bacta, the UK’s esteemed entertainment trade organization, and membership on the policy-shaping committee of the Bingo Association. Thomas previously shared insights at ICE365, shedding light on Hippodrome’s experiences navigating the unprecedented challenges posed by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and how the establishment underwent a comprehensive transformation during the period of lockdown. “I eagerly anticipate this fresh ambassadorial endeavor and the opportunity to collaborate with Stuart and the guiding force at Clarion Gaming,” he expressed. Sign up for the iGaming newsletter.