Baltics

Post-Event: MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit Tallinn (hybrid edition), the first of its kind

Published

5 years ago

August 13, 2020

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The third edition of the MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit took place on the 6^th of August in Tallinn and has organized under special circumstances. Due to the travel restrictions, which change weekly in Europe among the states, we had to switch to a hybrid conference.

The hybrid format allowed the speakers and moderators who were restricted from traveling to attend the conference with the help of streaming technologies.

Thanks to this quick fix, the conference has once again been confirmed as the only quality conference in the region that gathers a high number of important delegates and provides quality content about the Baltic and Scandinavian region.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The agenda of the conference included several panel discussions, a fireside chat, several networking opportunities, and last but not least the second edition of the BSG Awards (Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Awards) which rewarded the top 36 companies from the Baltic Sea region for their hard work.

With this occasion, we would like to thank the supporting sponsors of the unique boutique-style conference and the praises go to:

Tom Horn Gaming – Main Stage Sponsor
DS Virtual Gaming – Lanyards Sponsor
NSoft– General Sponsor
Golden Race – General Sponsor
Nordic Gambling – General Sponsor
Trustly – General Sponsor
Singular – General Sponsor
CBet – Badge Sponsor
Tal Ron, Drihem and Co. Law Firm– Legal and Banking Sponsor
PLANZER LAW, Zurich– European Regulatory Sponsor
Altenar – Pen, Paper and Pamper Sponsor
Bankera – Networking Break Sponsor
ConnectPay – Payments Provider Sponsor

The attending delegates had the unique opportunity to hear the recent updates and enjoy network sessions with some of the leading names of the industry. You can find the full list of speakers below at the end of the press release!

The audio recordings of the panel discussions and videos will are available for European Gaming PREMIUM Members.

“We are navigating uncharted waters, but it is very important to motivate ourselves that we have already gone through a hard road to get here. We owe ourselves not to give up and to continue our path. It was very hard to decide if we will host the 2020 edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit, but having the attention of so many companies that were interested to attend from the region, we had to do it. We of course were limited in terms of size by the local law, however, we are happy to say that at least some of the Baltic industry’s like-minded peers have had the occasion of shaking hands and hugging each other. Special thanks to our MARE BALTICUM Ambassador Andrius Gabnys and Jovita Gabnienė, our TECH Conference Ambassador in the Baltics, for helping us by being on the ground in Tallinn. MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit is an awesome platform that grows year by year and we are thankful to have this opportunity to meet so many great people each year. We are coming back next year as well and we will keep coming back yearly!” stated Zoltan Tuendik, Head of Business at European Gaming Media and Events (part of Hipther Agency)

As usual, the conference featured the yearly Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Awards (BSG Awards) and the winners have been decided by a final vote, which was submitted by the attending participants.

The winners at the BSG Awards 2020 are the following:

1/36 – BEST ONLINE CASINO IN THE BALTICS 2020: PAF
2/36 – BALTICS – BEST CUSTOMER SUPPORT IN ONLINE CASINO 2020: OPTIBET
3/36 – BEST SPORTS BETTING OPERATOR IN THE BALTICS 2020: BETSAFE
4/36 – BALTICS – BEST CUSTOMER SUPPORT IN SPORTS BETTING 2020: CBET
5/36 – BEST ESPORTS SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE BALTICS 2020: SPORTRADAR
6/36 – BEST FANTASY SPORTS / VIRTUAL SPORTS PROVIDER IN THE BALTICS 2020: GOLDEN RACE
7/36 – RISING STAR IN BALTIC FANTASY SPORTS / VIRTUAL SPORTS 2020: DS VIRTUAL GAMING
8/36 – RISING STAR IN BALTIC SPORTS BETTING TECHNOLOGY 2020: SINGULAR
9/36 – BEST SPORTS BETTING INNOVATION IN THE BALTICS 2020: SG DIGITAL
10/36 – BEST SPORTS BETTING PROVIDER IN THE BALTICS 2020: SOFTGAMINGS
11/36 – BEST MOBILE BETTING PROVIDER IN THE BALTICS 2020: GOLDEN RACE
12/36 – BEST ONLINE CASINO PROVIDER IN THE BALTICS 2020: TOM HORN GAMING
13/36 – BEST ONLINE CASINO INNOVATOR IN THE BALTICS 2020: BETGAMES.TV
14/36 – BEST SLOTS PROVIDER IN THE BALTICS 2020: EVOLUTION GAMING
15/36 – BEST LIVE CASINO PROVIDER IN THE BALTICS 2020: EVOLUTION GAMING
16/36 – RISING STAR IN BALTIC ONLINE CASINO TECHNOLOGY 2020: MICROGAMING
17/36 – BEST PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE BALTICS 2020: CONNECTPAY
18/36 – BEST TESTING LABORATORY IN THE BALTICS 2020: GAMING LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL(GLI)
19/36 – BEST ONLINE CASINO IN THE NORDICS 2020: CASUMO
20/36 – NORDICS – BEST CUSTOMER SUPPORT IN ONLINE CASINO 2020: NINJA CASINO
21/36 – BEST SPORTS BETTING OPERATOR IN THE NORDICS 2020: BET365
22/36 – NORDICS – BEST CUSTOMER SUPPORT IN SPORTS BETTING 2020: OPTIBET
23/36 – BEST ESPORTS SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE NORDICS 2020: ULTRAPLAY
24/36 – BEST FANTASY SPORTS / VIRTUAL SPORTS PROVIDER IN THE NORDICS 2020: SCOUT GAMING GROUP
25/36 – RISING STAR IN NORDIC FANTASY SPORTS / VIRTUAL SPORTS 2020: GOLDEN RACE
26/36 – RISING STAR IN NORDIC SPORTS BETTING TECHNOLOGY 2020: ALTENAR
27/36 – BEST SPORTS BETTING INNOVATION IN THE NORDICS 2020: NSOFT
28/36 – BEST SPORTS BETTING PROVIDER IN THE NORDICS 2020: TGLAB SPORTSBOOK & MODELLING
29/36 – BEST MOBILE BETTING PROVIDER IN THE NORDICS 2020: BEST GAMING TECHNOLOGY (BGT – PLAYTECH)
30/36 – BEST ONLINE CASINO PROVIDER IN THE NORDICS 2020: NETENT
31/36 – BEST ONLINE CASINO INNOVATOR IN THE NORDICS 2020: TOM HORN GAMING
32/36 – RISING STAR IN NORDIC ONLINE CASINO TECHNOLOGY 2020: GREENTUBE
33/36 – BEST SLOTS PROVIDER IN THE NORDICS 2020: PLAY’N GO
34/36 – BEST LIVE CASINO PROVIDER IN THE NORDICS 2020: EVOLUTION GAMING
35/36 – BEST PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE NORDICS 2020: TRUSTLY
36/36 – BEST TESTING LABORATORY IN THE NORDICS 2020: GAMING LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL(GLI)

To have the award delivered to your office, please contact Andrada Marginean for more details.

You can view the full official image gallery of the conference on the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/165468093@N04/albums/72157715457973032

The 2021 edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit is scheduled for May 2021 and the location will be revealed soon based on a final surveying and strategy setting.

We are already working hard on our next events and we look forward to seeing you in the digital sphere at European Gaming Congress 2020 Virtual Edition!

Here are a few of the testimonials that have left by the attending delegates of the 2019 edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit:

Jan Urbanec (CEO at Endorphina): “I very much enjoyed the fresh and dynamic approach of the organizers. Even though all imaginable obstacles were in front of them, they were very flexible and facilitated us to have a great panel with top panelists. The topic of casino and sportsbook cross-promotion post-COVID will still require more deep exploration with experience and time”

Priit Pajumaa (Head of Online Operations at Olympic Entertainment Group): “Great event with high focus on Baltic markets with industry side notes”

Ineta Macinskiene (Head Of Sales at ConnectPay): “The concept of gathering Operators-Regulators-Service providers for sharing news, insights and open discussions are bringing a high value. Well done with a hybrid conference in Tallinn 2020!”

The lectures and industry insight during the conference were given by:

Andrius Gabnys (Attorney At Law – Gabnys Law Firm), Lolita Sumskaite (Head of Unit at Ministry of Finance, Lithuania), Signe Birne (Director of Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of the Republic of Latvia), Sören Meius (Estonian Ministry of Finance), Janis Laganovskis (Lotteries and Gambling Supervision Inspection of the Republic of Latvia), Rūta Giedrienė (Compliance and Regulatory Officer at the Gaming Control Authority of Lithuania), Dr. Simon Planzer (Partner at PLANZER LAW), Dainis Niedra (Managing Director Central & Eastern Europe at Enlabs), Kaido Ulejev (Commercial Director CEECA at Betsson Group), Karolis Gogaitis (General Manager at CBet.lt), Kristaps Dobrajs (Sales Director at ConnectPay), Henrik Norsk Hoffmann (Partner at Nordic Gambling), Gustaf Hoffstedt (Secretary-General at the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling), Jakub Kolomicenko (Head of the legal department at Endorphina), Dr. Joerg Hofmann (Partner at MELCHERS LAW), Araksi Sargsyan (Head of Business Development at DS Virtual Gaming), Robert Dowling (Chief Commercial Officer at Singular), Nadiya Attard (Director of Sales at Relax Gaming), Jan Urbanec (CEO at Endorphina), Justinas Badaras (Business Development Manager at Bankera), John Mallia (Team Manager – Gaming Accounts at Trustly), Dmitrijus Borisenka (Co-Founder and CEO of CoinGate), and Sergei Verbitski (CEO of Cointraffic).

For media-related inquiries, please contact Alexandru Marginean (Marketing Specialist at Hipther Agency).

Baltics

Rīga City Council to Ban Gambling Halls in the Latvian Capital

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

Niji Narayan

riga-city-council-to-ban-gambling-halls-in-the-latvian-capital

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The Rīga city council is planning to ban gambling in the Latvian capital almost completely according to new regulations it has prepared.

The municipality has developed new binding regulations that will determine the territories in which the organisation of gambling will be prohibited. Rīga Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis said at a press conference that the main goal of the binding regulations is to make Riga gambling-free.

However, the plan is not in fact a blanket ban, though it stipulates that gambling is only possible in a few small areas.

Gambling will not be allowed to be organised in municipal real estate, neighbourhood centres, cultural monuments and their territories, their protective zones and in the building protection territories specified in the Riga spatial plan.

Juris Celmārs, Chairman of the Board of Olympic Casino Latvia Ltd., said that the planned restrictions could promote the development of a new niche of the shadow economy – unregulated, illegal gambling halls which would not generate any tax revenue.

“By preventing a legal and strictly supervised industry from operating, illegal places will begin to satisfy consumer demand,” Celmārs said.

The Latvian Interactive Gambling Association (LIAB) said that decisions must be proportionate and legal, otherwise the industry will be forced to go to court to defend its rights. There have already been lengthy legal battles over the matter.

“As a result, the industry’s losses and legal expenses may have to be compensated from the city budget,” LIAB representatives said.

The post Rīga City Council to Ban Gambling Halls in the Latvian Capital appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Baltics

Bombay Group Enters a New Era with Kevin McGowen taking the lead as CEO

Published

2 weeks ago

February 7, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Bombay Group, renowned for its innovative approach to luxury gaming and hospitality, is set to embark on an exciting new chapter by appointing Kevin McGowen as the new CEO.

“Time has arrived to welcome all suitable discerning players from across the globe to experience our unparalleled gaming offerings,” said Mr McGowen as he sees Bombay Group as a global leader in redefining the gaming experience that combines cutting-edge technology, cashless systems, and private, exclusive environments to reshape the traditional casino industry. “I’m hugely impressed by the Bombay team’s dedication to elevating standards in the high-end gaming industry from a product and compliance perspective. One of my goals for the near future is to engage even broader global experience in the team,” added the new CEO.

The company’s interim CEO, Anita Brinke, has set the stage for Bombay Group’s next phase of growth as the final preparations for the opening of the unique venue are concluded, and the organisation is well-prepared for its ambitious goals. “The ultimate goal of my work of recent years has been to realise the unique vision of a destination that is totally worth a separate journey regardless of how much one has experienced in life. Only a few weeks remain until the opening of The Burman and in combination with the Bombay Club they will complete the redefining of modern high quality entertainment. Now is a good time to pass the baton so that Kevin can give our crown jewel the final shine,” said Brinke assuredly.

Kevin McGowen, a Chief Executive has over 30 years of experience in gaming, hospitality and relationship marketing. Most recently, he served as CEO of Les Ambassadeurs, a prestigious private members’ casino in Mayfair, London. Kevin’s career spans across major global gaming jurisdictions and client feeder markets, including Las Vegas, The Bahamas, London, the Far East, and the Middle East. Kevin’s extensive experience in both land-based and online gaming will play a pivotal role in realising the Group’s ambitious vision.

The Group is also pleased to announce Dajana Tiitsaar as Chief Operating Officer. Dajana’s strong operational background and extensive knowledge of local market dynamics will play a critical role in ensuring seamless daily operations. Dajana joined Bombay Group from Enefit, an Estonian based energy company where she last held the country manager position, she also has over a dozen years of experience in tourism, hospitality and marketing. Her appointment underscores Bombay Group’s commitment to operational efficiency and long-term success.

In August 2024, Bombay Group proudly opened the Bombay Club, alongside world-class restaurant, bars, and lounges in Tallinn. Looking ahead to March 2025, Bombay is set to open its highly anticipated hotel, The Burman, in Tallinn’s historic Old Town. Dating back to 1850, The Burman is among the city’s historic gems. The hotel will open with two additional restaurants, a bakery, and a spa, further enhancing and enriching the character of Tallinn’s historic Hanseatic town. This addition will complete the full buildout of the project, cementing Bombay Group’s commitment of delivering premium world-class experiences in gaming and hospitality.

The post Bombay Group Enters a New Era with Kevin McGowen taking the lead as CEO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Baltics

iDenfy and 7bet team up to stop multi-accounting with AI-powered ID verification

Published

1 month ago

January 23, 2025

George Miller

idenfy-and-7bet-team-up-to-stop-multi-accounting-with-ai-powered-id-verification

Reading Time: 3 minutes

iDenfy’s advanced KYC tools will help streamline the onboarding process for 7bet’s gaming platform, minimizing multi-accounting or promo abuse rates

iDenfy, a Lithuania-based RegTech company specializing in AI-powered ID verification and fraud prevention solutions, partnered with 7bet, a leading Lithuanian iGaming operator offering sports betting and iGaming services. iDenfy’s Know Your Customer (KYC) software will help 7bet’s gamers access the platform quicker while ensuring legal compliance and minimizing fraudulent accounts, such as those who abuse the bonus system or want to overcome bans using multi-accounting.

In 2024, the iGaming industry witnessed a significant surge in fraudulent activities, with overall fraud increasing by 64% compared to previous years. Much of this fraud is due to duplicate accounts, commonly known as multi-accounting. According to Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy, e-commerce marketplaces and iGaming establishments are the leading industries for multiple account fraud. This is part of the convenient nature of such services: you can access games or shop multiple items easily online.

However, D. Ciulde stresses that from a business perspective, this results in major financial losses, especially since fraud rings use bots and other techniques to bypass weak authentication measures. In regions like Western and Central Asia, sign-up and welcome bonuses are usually prevalent, which caused a decline rate in new signups due to fraudsters attempting to exploit these promotions through multiple accounts.

iDenfy’s newest partner, 7bet, offers a dynamic platform for sports betting and online gaming, focusing on providing a secure and engaging environment for users. Operating in a high-risk sector, 7bet faced challenges managing suspicious registrations, including users who are attempting to bypass KYC checks with duplicate accounts, fraudulent documentation, or automated bots. To detect multiple accounts, blocklisted users, or simply players who are abusing the promo system more efficiently, the iGaming business understood they needed a fully automated solution. As a result, by integrating iDenfy’s innovative solutions, 7bet has implemented a highly scalable and automated player onboarding process that helps to fully reduce the reliance on manual reviews and boost verification accuracy.

By integrating iDenfy’s identity verification software, 7bet benefits from an innovative system that is capable of recognizing, verifying and extracting data from over 3,000 identity documents across 200 countries and territories. This technology supports global compliance while providing 24/7 expert oversight to minimize fraud and system errors. Additionally, advanced biometric algorithms, including facial recognition and 3D liveness detection, ensure that only legitimate users are granted access. The system prevents attempts to use fake images, 3D masks, or other forgeries in the verification process, offering bulletproof authentication and security.

In addition to that, with iDenfy’s passive liveness checks, the company now ensures a frictionless onboarding experience, reducing duplicate account rates as the innovation evaluates the validity of a user’s selfie without requiring them to perform additional actions, such as turning their head. This dual approach, coupled with document verification, not only saves time for the user but also obscures security processes, deterring potential fraudsters from accessing exploitable information. According to iDenfy, this also works as a way to spot underage users who are trying to bypass KYC checks. “Our solution ensures that only age-appropriate, legitimate players access their beloved games, which is the key to maintaining transparent and fair play in this age-restricted sector,” said Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy.

Justinas Bakšys, the COO of 7bet, highlighted, “Working with iDenfy has revolutionized our KYC procedure, allowing us to onboard consumers easily while guaranteeing regulatory compliance. Specifically, the passive liveness feature has lowered onboarding friction, giving our users a seamless and safe experience while safeguarding the platform against fraud.”

Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy, added: “We’re thrilled to work with 7bet and bring up-to-date ID verification technology to their platform. Our goal is to deliver secure and user-friendly solutions that build trust while safeguarding the integrity of iGaming operations.”

The post iDenfy and 7bet team up to stop multi-accounting with AI-powered ID verification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.