Central Europe

Political guests of honour open gamescom 2021

Published

5 years ago

August 27, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. saw the official kick-off: gamescom 2021 was opened by the political guests of honour. The coronavirus pandemic means that this year’s gamescom is being held entirely online, as was last year’s. The official political opening ceremony was also live-streamed. The show lasted around half an hour and was presented from the studio by TV host Katrin Neumann. Ms Neumann spoke to Felix Falk, the Managing Director of game – the German Games Industry Association, which is a joint organiser of gamescom, in between the welcome addresses from the political guests of honour. These included Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure; Dorothee Bär, Minister of State for Digitalisation; Armin Laschet, Minister-President of the federal state of North-Rhine Westphalia; as well as Henriette Reker, the Mayor of Cologne and Chairwoman of the Koelnmesse Supervisory Board, and COO of Koelnmesse Oliver Frese. In their welcome addresses, the political guests of honour embraced this year’s motto of ‘Games: The New Normal’ as they described the huge potential of games for Germany and explained the need to leverage this even further in future. Despite the extensive online programme of gamescom, the hope was expressed that next year could again be celebrated in Cologne with hundreds of thousands of visitors.

The video of the gamescom 2021 political opening ceremony can be watched on demand on the content hub ‘gamescom now’: now.gamescom.global

Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure: ‘As the world’s biggest games event, gamescom is a valuable showcase. We want to build on that and make up lost ground in future as a development location on the international stage. Last year, at this very place, I gave the green light for the second phase of our games funding programme. Since then, the German government has provided millions of euros to support development studios in the games industry. That’s a real breakthrough. As things stand today, funding of 40 million euros has been approved – and we’re looking forward to receiving more applications. As well as the financial aspect, we have also overhauled our strategy and pooled the expertise to form a dedicated games unit within our Ministry. I am a firm believer that we can benefit from the innovative power of the games industry in many areas – be that the education sector, industry and science or simply in our leisure time.’

Dorothee Bär, Minister of State for Digitalisation within the federal government: ‘The motto of gamescom 2021 sums it up: games are the new normal. They have helped us stay in touch with friends and family during the coronavirus phase. Thank goodness we had games during this period! But games aren’t just the new normal as an entertainment medium, but also in the business, medical and education sectors. For example, increasing numbers of companies are “gamifying” their products– from fitness apps through cars up to videoconferencing tools. The deployment of games in education is particularly exciting: the motivation to play has a direct effect on learning success, not only for children, but also in further education and professional development. Games thus harbour immense innovative power that is demonstrated not least by the digital gamescom itself, and we need to exploit this potential even more rigorously. And that’s why we want to give the games sector in Germany even more support to become one of the best locations in the world. With the new games strategy, we have created an excellent basis for the coming years.’

Armin Laschet, Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia: ‘gamescom is a shining example of the strong social component of computer and video games, which has helped many people around the world through the coronavirus pandemic. This form of community is a fundamental building block of our society. The games industry also has enormous economic and social potential – both in the classical development of games and also beyond. The best example of this is in the field of digital education: using fun as a way of learning is part of human nature, which is why we need to be better at exploiting the available opportunities and not be afraid of blazing new trails. Here, too, the games industry will play an important role in future. Because of this huge potential, we need to keep working to improve the framework conditions for the games industry. For that reason, in North Rhine-Westphalia we have set ourselves the goal of wanting to become Germany’s top location for computer and video games some years ago. We also need this clear objective at national level in Germany so we can be the best among the international competition.’

Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – the German Games Industry Association, the joint organiser of gamescom, says: ‘gamescom is finally getting started with days full of announcements, news and shows that the fans are eagerly awaiting. Along with our partners, we are creating an event where millions of players around the world will again be able to celebrate the best games out there. However, at the same time, with the German parliamentary elections on the horizon, we don’t just want to talk about games at this gamescom, but also about what is the right games and digital policy for Germany. For that reason, I am especially pleased that we will be welcoming numerous top politicians not only during the political opening ceremony, but also at the Debatt(l)e Royale on Friday. Our intention with such formats is to give the younger generation above all an adequate opportunity to form an opinion, and to send out a clear message: go out and vote!’

Henriette Reker, mayor of the City of Cologne and chairwoman of the supervisory board of Koelnmesse: ‘I am really enthusiastic about what the entire Koelnmesse, the gamescom team, the association game and all partners created together for the second time in a row. This is exactly the innovative spirit and courage we need to move forward as a society in these challenging times. At the same time, I can hardly wait to see the numerous gamers back in town. First, because they always bring a very special flair with them and the whole city is infected by their enthusiasm. Second, because Cologne benefits from gamescom and its fans on many levels: Gastronomy, hotels and retail are just a few of the sectors that get an enormous boost during trade fair times.’

Oliver Frese, COO of Koelnmesse: ‘For the second year in a row, gamescom 2021 will take place purely digitally. But of course we have not been idle since last year and have made huge progress with gamescom 2021 and its digital offerings! Whether it’s our shows, our content hub gamescom now, or community activities like gamescom EPIX – everywhere we’ve taken advantage of the experiences of the last year and a half and further improved our program. Because our objective is clear: We want to be in pole position not only in the trade fair business in general, but also with regard to digital events in the future!’

Central Europe

Endorphina Club Returns to Host the GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony & Party at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026

Published

7 days ago

March 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

endorphina-club-returns-to-host-the-gamingtech-cee-awards-ceremony-&-party-at-hipther-prague-summit-2026

HIPTHER proudly announces the return of the Endorphina Club Awards Party & Ceremony, the official celebration of the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026, taking place on 24 March 2026 at 20:00 at the iconic Buddha Bar Prague.

Organised by Endorphina, the Awards & Party Sponsor of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, the evening marks one of the most anticipated moments of the summit’s 10th anniversary edition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to celebrate excellence across the Central and Eastern European gaming and technology ecosystem.

This year’s edition continues the successful partnership between HIPTHER and Endorphina, which began in 2023, with the Endorphina Events Team once again curating an unforgettable awards celebration concept and selecting one of Prague’s most elegant venues for the occasion.

A Celebration of Innovation, Community, and Excellence

The GamingTECH CEE Awards shine a spotlight on the companies, products, teams, and individuals shaping the future of gaming and technology across the region.

As part of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, the awards recognise outstanding contributions across a wide spectrum of categories spanning iGaming innovation, compliance leadership, technological advancement, and industry growth.

The Endorphina Club Awards Party elevates the awards ceremony into a full evening experience, where the community gathers to celebrate achievements in a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere.

Guests can expect an exclusive evening where sophistication meets the spirit of Asia, featuring premium drinks, vibrant entertainment, and the unmistakable energy of one of Prague’s most iconic venues.

RSVP Required for Summit Participants

All HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 participants who wish to attend the Awards Party are invited to confirm their participation in advance.

To secure a place on the official Endorphina Club guest list, attendees should contact the organiser to RSVP, at:

[email protected]

Due to the exclusive nature of the venue and limited capacity, online RSVP is mandatory.

Celebrating a Continued Partnership

The ongoing collaboration between HIPTHER and Endorphina has become a cherished tradition within the Prague Summit experience, with each edition introducing new creative concepts and memorable venues for the industry’s celebration night.

Commenting on the partnership, Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated: “The GamingTECH CEE Awards have always been about recognising the people and companies who push our industry forward. Over the years, the Endorphina Club celebration has become one of the most anticipated moments of the Prague Summit. It’s a place where competitors turn into collaborators and the community comes together to celebrate innovation, resilience, and creativity. We are thrilled to once again partner with the Endorphina team to host this special evening in one of Prague’s most iconic venues as we mark the summit’s 10-year milestone.”

The Endorphina Club Party for GamingTECH Awards 2026 takes place during the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, held on 24–25 March 2026 at OREA Hotel Andel’s Praha, gathering regulators, operators, technology providers, affiliates, fintech innovators, and industry leaders from across Europe and beyond.

“Prague is our home – and as a Czech company, there’s nowhere we’d rather bring the industry together! Hosting The GamingTECH CEE Awards here isn’t just convenient, it’s personal. That’s why our collaboration with HIPTHER means so much to us: together we get to welcome partners, friends, and colleagues from across the industry to the city that made Endorphina what it is today. The Endorphina Club evening is one of those nights we pour our hearts into-because home games are always the best ones.” — Irina Veselkova, Head of Marketing at Endorphina

Under the theme “Decoding the Future: 10 Years of Impact,” the summit explores the intersection of technology, regulation, and innovation through expert panels, workshops, and curated networking opportunities.

HIPTHER and the Endorphina Club Awards Party promises to deliver an unforgettable evening celebrating the achievements, creativity, and spirit of collaboration that define the gaming and tech community.

More information about HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026:
https://hipther.com/events/prague/

The post Endorphina Club Returns to Host the GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony & Party at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Austria

Blueprint Gaming Strengthens European Reach with Austria Debut on win2day

Published

2 weeks ago

March 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

blueprint-gaming-strengthens-european-reach-with-austria-debut-on-win2day

Collaboration allows the UK’s top slot provider to introduce a range of high-performing games to Austria’s sole licensed online gaming platform.

Blueprint Gaming has reinforced its presence in Europe by launching in the Austrian iGaming sector with win2day.

The significant partnership with Austria’s sole regulated operator will allow win2day players to enjoy a selection of Blueprint Gaming’s renowned titles, with Eye of Horus and Cash Strike making up the initial set of available games.

Blueprint has established a solid reputation for providing feature-rich, localized content for various countries throughout the continent, and its newest market entry marks another phase in its ongoing European growth and greater global focus.

win2day is managed by Austrian Lotteries, established over 50 years ago and is the sole licensed online casino operator in Austria. The brand has developed a strong legacy as a reliable name in the market, taking pride in being one of the most accountable players in the industry.

The partnership is poised to enhance the entertainment experience for Austrian players by merging Blueprint’s esteemed status for creating immersive games with engaging mechanics and win2day’s strong market presence.

Samuel Haggblom, Director of Business Development at Blueprint Gaming, said: “Entering Austria with win2day represents a significant milestone in our European growth strategy. As the country’s only licensed online casino operator, it sets the standard for quality and responsibility, and we are proud to see our content launch on such a dynamic platform.

“Our portfolio has consistently delivered strong performance across regulated markets, and we look forward to introducing Austrian players to iconic titles, with more high-performing releases set to follow.”

Georg Wawer, Managing Director of win2day, added: “As Austria’s only licensed online gaming operator, win2day is committed to delivering premium, secure and fully compliant entertainment to our players. With Blueprint Gaming, we are adding a well-established and internationally recognised studio to our portfolio, known for its strong brands and high production standards.

“In close cooperation, we ensure that every title is carefully aligned with Austria’s strict regulatory framework and our comprehensive player protection policies. This guarantees that innovation and entertainment always go hand in hand with responsibility and safety. Blueprint Gaming’s portfolio will be a strong and exciting enhancement to the win2day offering.”

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Alex Green Vice President Games at ZEAL

Wunderino Adds ZEAL’s Premium Slots as Partnership Kicks Off

Published

3 weeks ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

wunderino-adds-zeal’s-premium-slots-as-partnership-kicks-off

ZEAL Instant Games, part of the ZEAL Group and an online gaming provider, has initiated a new partnership with Wunderino, a prominent online slot brand in Germany. As a part of the collaboration, Wunderino is enhancing its entertainment portfolio with a forthcoming increasing range of ZEAL slots. The initial titles are now active and accessible to players on Wunderino.de.

Increased diversity for gamers – enhanced exposure for premium titles.

The new collaboration brings evident benefits for both firms: Wunderino is boosting its online gaming selection with ZEAL content, further solidifying its status as an innovation-focused provider in the German iGaming sector. Simultaneously, ZEAL Instant Games leverages Wunderino’s robust brand visibility and influence, reaching new audiences.

At launch, well-known titles like “The Bookmaker,” “Treasure Volcano,” and “Vegas Blaze” are included in the first batch of games already offered. The objective is to enhance the portfolio by adding more new games in the upcoming months.

Comments regarding the partnership

“With Wunderino, we are gaining a partner that has stood for entertainment, dynamism, and a strong brand identity for many years,” says Alex Green, Vice President Games at ZEAL. “Integrating our titles into one of the most popular platforms in Germany is another important step in making our portfolio accessible to even more players and driving our strategic expansion.”

Wunderino adds: “ZEAL Instant Games stands for creative content, high quality, and reliable performance – all values that perfectly match our brand,” says Susanne Forsman, Group Chief Gaming Officer at Wunderino. “The new ZEAL slots will help enrich our offerings and provide our users with additional exciting experiences. We are very excited about the joint launch and what lies ahead.”

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