ICE Research Institute

Overview

The ICE Research Institute is not a standalone company but a corporate social responsibility initiative and public-private partnership announced by Clarion Gaming in partnership with Fira Barcelona and the city of Barcelona. It functions as a grant-making body, not a commercial business with employees, products, or a traditional leadership hierarchy. The initiative was announced in mid-2025 as part of the build-up to the first ICE Barcelona exhibition in 2027.

Mission and Focus Areas

The Institute's mission is to fund projects that address the broader societal impacts of the gambling industry, with a particular focus on harm prevention and sustainability of gambling operations. It aims to provide reliable, evidence-based data for regulatory and operational decision-making, building partnerships between academic researchers and industry stakeholders and encouraging international academic collaboration. The Institute draws inspiration from the Mobile World Capital Foundation model.

Governance and Process

The Institute's governance is designed to uphold research integrity, scientific rigor, and impartiality, free from commercial or political influence. Projects are expected to have strong research-industry partnerships and may involve co-funding. The Institute solicits, reviews, and funds research projects from universities and scientific institutions. At this stage, no specific funded projects, published research, or operational staff have been publicly detailed beyond the initial announcement.

Current Status

As of the announcement in 2025, the ICE Research Institute remains a planned undertaking. No named individuals have been confirmed in leadership roles at the Institute. The person who announced the initiative, Ewa Bakun, is a Clarion Gaming executive, but her role at the Institute, if any, is unconfirmed. The initiative's website provides mission and vision statements but no further operational details.