The Pacific Congress on I-Gaming (PCIG) is scheduled this year in Macau at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on February 26-27. Seeking to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western online gambling industries, the PCIG is a unique conference offering a grand opportunity to gaming companies and online casino operators seeking to globally expand their services within the constraints of new and imposing governmental regulations.

Bringing together regional executives and major players from all sectors of the gaming industry, PCIG hopes to facilitate the sharing of ideas and understanding that will help gaming operators successfully cater to online gamblers from regions throughout both the east and west. In order for this to happen more fluidly, operators need to understand the difference in gambling preferences for players of different cultural backgrounds.

Sue Schneider, from River City Group - official host and organizer for the event - reports that attendance is expected to be better than it has in previous years due to a growing interest of I-gaming operators seeking to expand internationally. An increasing number of European online casino operators and gaming companies essentially have no other choice but to tap into the Asian market, since the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the U.S. has drastically caused a drop in their revenue earnings. And with more doors opening to the Asian online gambling sector, gaming analysts say the time is right to secure a place in this blossoming market.

In addition to marketing discussions for westerners regarding the Asian culture, other topics covered at this year's Pacific Congress on I-Gaming include payment processing, Chinese gaming operations, poker horseracing and lottery in Asia, mobile casino gambling, player to player gaming, and casino gambling in Macau. Sponsors of PCIG include title sponsor, Playtech, Continent 8 Technologies, Microgaming Systems, Everest Online Poker Room, FunTown Skill Games, and Future Bet.