Day 3 of the 7th Annual Strategic Platform for iGaming Conference & Exhibition (SPiCE) South Asia 2026 brought the conference programme to a close with a thoughtful and forward-looking series of discussions, as global leaders explored the evolving intersection of experience, technology, and regulation at the elegant Shangri-La Colombo in Sri Lanka.
From customer engagement to governance frameworks, the day’s conversations centred on a defining theme: how to align innovation with responsibility while building a resilient and future-ready gaming ecosystem across South Asia.
The day kicked off with a panel discussion, ‘The Experience Economy: When Gaming Inspires Dining, Storytelling, and Brand Identity’, examining how gaming increasingly intersects with hospitality and brand-building to create immersive, compliant customer experiences.
Moderated by Mahesh Madan Bhat (MMB Legal), the session featured Kishore D. Reddy (Platinum Realty Investments), M. Raghuraman (Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Prasad Narasimha (Sherlock’s Hospitality), and Navneeth Srinivas (LogNormal Analytics).
In a focused presentation, ‘What Land-Based Casinos Must Do to Survive’, Shaun McCamley, Founder & Chairman of GameWorkz, outlined the need for operators to adopt hybrid models and embed digital capability into core operations.
He emphasised that long-term competitiveness will depend on building continuous player engagement through data, technology, and integrated customer strategies.
As the agenda progressed, attention turned to the foundational role of infrastructure in enabling growth. Insights from Ayoma Wickramaarachchi, Deputy General Manager of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, underscored how connectivity and telecom capability are critical in supporting the expansion of Sri Lanka’s digital gaming economy.
Reflecting on both the session and the broader discussions shaping the day, Wickramaarachchi noted:
“It has been an incredible 3rd day at the 7th Annual SPiCE South Asia 2026 at Shangri-La
Colombo, where global leaders are truly shaping the future of gaming, tech, and regulation. A huge thank you to the organisers for putting together such an event.”
Across the agenda, a range of sessions brought diverse perspectives into focus. Contributions from Ashish Chandra, ChanakiMallikarachchi, Sanduni Rathnayake, and Samadhi Chathuranga Rathnayake shaped discussions on AI governance and policy, while conversations on talent and workforce development featured insights from Ashwini Natesan, Chanakya Jayadeva, Rahul Dua and Sid Gupta. Together, these sessions reinforced a clear message: the industry’s long-term success will depend on its ability to invest not only in technology, but in people and capability.
The final session, ‘The Road Ahead: Innovation, Investment, and Responsible Growth’, brought the summit’s core themes into focus, framing the opportunities and priorities shaping the region’s future trajectory.
Moderated by Navneeth Srinivas (LogNormal Analytics), the discussion featured Ashish Chandra (Junglee Games), Chanaki Mallikarachchi (Ministry of Digital Economy), Sanduni Rathnayake (International Alliance for Sustainable Development & Livelihood Enhancement), and Samadhi Chathuranga Rathnayake (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology).
The conversations extended beyond the conference floor, with attendees gathering for farewell drinks and continuing into the SPiCE It Up Networking Poker Tournament at Majestic Pride Casino, Sri Lanka. The tournament provided a relaxed setting where relationships built throughout the event were further strengthened over the cards.
Day 3 once again reinforced SPiCE South Asia’s role as a platform for informed dialogue, practical insight, and industry alignment. As the event concludes, the conversations and partnerships formed in Colombo are set to carry forward into the next phase of growth across South Asia’s gaming sector.
As the summit drew to a close, the sense of connection and shared purpose remained evident, reflecting the value of bringing together diverse voices from across the industry in Colombo.
Reflecting on his experience at SPiCE South Asia 2026, Boshan Dayaratne (International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka), shared:
“A truly excellent platform for meaningful dialogue, networking and opening doors of opportunities for companies from the Lanka region”
Key moments and highlights from the day can be checked on the official Spice South Asia event website.
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