The world’s top executives from the online gambling industry have descended on the Bella Centre in Copenhagen for The European i-Gaming Congress and Expo. On the second day of the expo, the top brass of seven of the industry’s biggest online gambling companies gathered for a panel discussion and weighed in on the future of the online gambling industry.

The panel, a who’s who of the online gambling world, 888.com CEO GiGi Levy, Petter Nylander of Unibet, Bwin’s Norbert Teufelberger, Betfair’s David Yu, Ladbrokes’ Ed Andrewes, Party Gaming CEO Jim Ryan and William Hill’s Henry Birch.

Mr. Levy was particularly optimistic about online gambling industry’s future, mentioning that only 8% of the $350 billion online gambling industry comes from online activities and that there is plenty of room to grow. Still, he did seem somewhat reserved about the new regulations facing the European market. “Regulation, and in particular the recent ECJ verdict, is the big thing facing us,” said Levy. “It is the one thing that could change the industry altogether on the European side.”

Norbert Teufelberger, Bwin head honcho and man with my favorite name ever, though admitting the ECJ ruling was not a help to his company, took the high road and had some positive things to say about European regulation of online gambling. “This will benefit local operators too, and will create3 a very tough time for the pirates.”

CEO of PartyGaming, Jim Ryan maintained that the recent Harrah’s deal would not be the last of inked deals in the USA and that he was sure his company would be back in the US in one form or another eventually. In fact, all present are currently looking for ways to include the US market in their future plans.

In fact, Betfair is super busy in the states with their hores racing deal with TVG. David Yu made it clear that Betfair approaches the legalities in the US conservatively and with caution, but added that the demand was definitely present in the American market. Rumor has it, in continuation of their recent marketing strategies, they will be launching an aggressive Happy Meal campaign with McDonald’s that is in no way aimed at minors featuring toys like “play fake-ids,” Pokey the Poker Player and Rolly the Roulette Wheel action figures and Betty BetFair dolls for girls women.*

While the industry as a whole seems confident in the future of US online gambling, they seem divided over the Asian market. Jim Ryan mentioned that Party Gaming will be steering efforts away from the Asian market while Bwin is continuing to invest in the possibility of a regulated online gambling market.

* I’m kidding. I’m kidding. Relax Betfair lovers. That Happy Meal thing is completely false and untrue. I think they’re working with Wendy’s.