Industry News
European Gaming Q3 Meetup Part II: The Importance of Company Culture in iGaming
The European Gaming Q3 Virtual Meetup that took place on 13 September had it all: from Commercial Marketing and the Player Lifecycle, to Employer Marketing, Talent Acquisition and Retention, industry experts from the European iGaming scene provided insights in two informative and honest panels that no professional should miss! Read on and find the link to the Livestream recordings to watch the EGQ3 Meetup on YouTube!
The European Gaming Meetups by Hipther Agency are designed to keep you up-to-date with what is fresh in the European gambling industry.
The meetups feature several panel discussions per region and topics that are joined by key industry experts, CEOs, C-Level Executives, Business Development Managers, and sometimes government officials/regulators.
The European Gaming Q3 Virtual Meetup featured two thought-provoking panels: “Mastering the Player Lifecycle” and “The Importance of Company Culture in iGaming”.
Panel 2: “The Importance of Creating a Company Culture in iGaming”
Speakers: Kevin Perks, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at Van Kaizen | Nana Shneider, HRD at BETBAZAR | Tom Galanis, CEO at TAG Media & First Look Games
Moderated by: Zoltan Tundik, Co-founder and Head of Business at Hipther
Watch the Panel Discussion on YouTube and HiptherTV!
The panel discussion promptly emphasized the pivotal role of fostering a positive company culture within the iGaming sector.
Nana Shneider, HRD at BETBAZAR, initiated the conversation by underlining the significance of motivation and growth in the workplace, recognizing the impact of personal lives on employees’ well-being. She stressed that a positive company culture can contribute to achieving a harmonious work-life balance.
Tom Galanis, CEO at TAG Media & First Look Games, shared insights from companies that operate as remote workplaces. He highlighted the indispensability of strong communication, especially in remote work settings. While attractive salaries can incentivize talent acquisition, Tom emphasized that for talent retention, a company must offer something unique that motivates individuals to work and grow within the organization.
Kevin Perks, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at Van Kaizen, offered insights from a recruiter’s perspective. He emphasized the essence of company culture both in general and from the job seekers’ viewpoint. Interestingly, he noted that candidates typically inquire less about “superficial” perks like game rooms or ping-pong tables and focus more on company culture. Key questions revolve around whether a company is people-centric, if employees are trusted to perform their tasks without micromanagement, and if there are ample learning and development opportunities. Kevin also stressed that while talent attraction involves marketing communications, the foundation for retention begins with building honest and strong relationships with candidates during the recruitment phase, where the company culture and values play a vital role.
The discussion then delved into the contemporary workspace and remote work environments. The panelists explored the role of company culture in these settings.
Nana emphasized the importance of motivation and connection. She contended that companies must motivate employees by fostering a sense of unity and support, even among remote workers. Tom, with his experience leading remote-work companies, highlighted the challenge of forming meaningful connections in remote work settings. He emphasized that a strong company culture provides meaning and motivation in such environments.
Kevin pointed out that company culture is fundamentally what the business stands for, making it essential for companies to establish a clear culture. In remote settings, effective communication becomes even more critical, with middle managers playing a crucial role in shaping and maintaining company culture.
The discussion also touched on employer marketing and the challenges of conveying company culture in media within a remote work context. Nana highlighted the need for clarity and conciseness in messaging and values to reach everyone, regardless of diverse backgrounds. She emphasized the value of democracy and finding common ground between the company and employees. Tom emphasized honesty and trust as fundamental values, while Kevin reiterated that a positive company culture equates to a people-centric culture, with every individual responsible for creating a safe environment, upholding company values, and advocating for them.
Regarding leadership and company culture, Nana stressed that leaders set the tone for the company and are crucial not only for business development but also for employee growth. Tom echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of leaders displaying soft skills and prioritizing training tools while fostering empathy in interactions with employees. Kevin agreed and reinforced the significance of managers in establishing company culture, emphasizing the promotion of people not just for task completion but also for their people management skills.
Lastly, the discussion explored changes companies can implement to promote a positive company culture. Nana emphasized the importance of companies attending to employees’ needs, embracing flexibility, and fostering communication through calls, discussions, and meetings between top management and employees. Tom urged leaders and management to revisit their vision and culture, offering support and assistance to employees. Kevin emphasized that candidates now closely scrutinize a company’s culture during the recruitment process. They seek signs of culture, which are often not evident in a company’s media communications. Thus, the recruitment process and the relationships established during it are vital.
In conclusion, the panelists underscored that people should be at the heart of company culture, enabling them to derive satisfaction from their work and personal growth. They emphasized that everyone within a company shares the responsibility for shaping its culture.
Read more about the first part of this exciting and informative edition of the European Quarterly Meetups, a panel discussion on Company Culture in iGaming!
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The Spanish Association of Gaming and Recreational Hall Entrepreneurs (ANESAR) has held its 43rd Ordinary General Assembly this Tuesday, November 4, in the Carlos Ferret Salat room of CEOE, in Madrid, where it once again brought together a large representation of members, in a meeting marked by reflection, collaboration and the firm will to continue working with data, arguments and responsibility.
Following the institutional opening by Javier Calderón, Director of Companies and Organisations of CEOE, aspects of mandatory statutory compliance were addressed, such as the approval of minutes, the explanation and approval of accounts and budgets, or the approval of the Annual Report of Activities.
Next, José Vall presented the president’s report, in which he emphasised that, although political decisions are often difficult to understand, “our duty is to continue providing arguments and evidence to defend the sector with rigor, knowledge, and sound judgment.” In this regard, he stressed the need to anticipate events, prepare information and coordinate common messages that reinforce the image of a sector committed to legality, prevention and responsible gaming.
For his part, Juan Lacarra, technical general secretary of ANESAR, reviewed the main current issues from a regulatory and operational perspective, addressing relevant aspects such as sanctioning procedures, opening hours, biometrics and hiring difficulties.
During the Assembly, the “Key Data and Sector Dynamics” were also presented, highlighting that there are currently 3600 gaming arcades (more than 240 have closed in the last four years) and 30,060 slot machines. It was also specified that the average spend per visit is €16, that 85% of people are accompanied by family and friends, and that 60% are men around 30 years old. Regarding employment data, it was explained that the sector supports more than 47,000 jobs, including both direct and indirect workers, making it a significant driver of employment. The ANESAR Training Plan was also emphasised, with 8725 students and 16,539 formal enrollments (data as of October 15, 2025). Furthermore, it was noted that, with a real estate investment of €260 million, gaming arcades represent one of the largest private investments in the leisure sector. A sector that, as was recalled, collects more than 320 million euros in taxes annually, which benefit hundreds of thousands of people, as well as society as a whole.
The Assembly also included the participation of experts in politics and institutional relations, such as Jaime Criado, from the firm ACENTO, who provided insights into the current political situation and its potential impact on the sector. ANESAR Vice Presidents Enric Sanahuja, Raúl Rubio and Antonio Fornés also offered their perspectives on current issues affecting the sector. Finally, Ramón Cubián, Director General of Land and Delegate for Gaming Regulation and Management of the Community of Madrid, accompanied by Gracia Martín Duarte, Deputy Director of Gaming Management and Regulation, and their team, officially closed the 43rd ANESAR Assembly.
The post ANESAR Holds its 43rd Ordinary General Assembly appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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CreedRoomz, a leading provider of live casino content, has officially launched its new game show, Mr. First Live. This thrilling, fast-paced bouncing ball game show takes place in a vibrant, adventure-themed studio, blending the excitement of gumball machines with an innovative, endless-runner-style bonus game.
In the main game, players match numbers on up to eight game cards, which are randomly enhanced to one of three types: Normal, Safe or Risk. Players can also choose from three bonus ticket levels Sprint, Trailblaze and Marathon, each offering a different path to the bonus round and a bigger potential win. What truly sets this game apart is its unique bonus round, where players are launched into an exhilarating, interactive adventure, collecting coins to boost their prize with up to a 10,000x multiplier.
This launch is a significant milestone that validates the provider’s strategy to create a new generation of game shows. Mr. First Live is designed to not only captivate players but also serve as a powerful new tool for the partners to drive acquisition and retention in a competitive market.
The post CreedRoomz Launches New Game Show: Mr. First Live appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Romanian lawmakers have introduced new legislative proposals aimed at tightening gambling access and advertising rules, particularly to protect young people. The bills, submitted by MPs Raluca Turcan (PNL) and Diana Stoica (USR), would raise the minimum legal gambling age from 18 to 21 and restrict online gambling advertising between 06:00 and 24:00.
Under the proposals, individuals under the age of 21 would be prohibited from participating in gambling activities, while gambling ads would be banned across online platforms during daytime hours. The legislation also seeks to outlaw the use of influencers, athletes and public figures in gambling promotions.
Protecting young audiences
“We have an obligation to protect our children from the threat of gambling,” said USR deputy Diana Stoica, citing studies showing early exposure to slot machines and online betting among Romanian minors. According to Stoica, brain development, particularly in areas linked to impulse control and decision-making, continues until around the age of 21, making younger individuals more vulnerable to gambling addiction.
“One in four adolescents has played on these so-called ‘machines of death’ before turning 18,” she added, arguing that the legislation is a necessary step to reduce risks.
Aligning with European trends
PNL deputy Raluca Turcan called the proposed age increase a “simple change with deep effects,” noting that countries including Portugal, Greece and Moldova have adopted similar measures. She highlighted that individuals aged 18 to 21 often face increased financial pressure and impulsivity as they enter adulthood, making them a key target group for gambling marketing.
“By raising the age threshold, we protect young people during a vulnerable stage,” Turcan stated, referencing international examples where similar policies reportedly reduced early-age indebtedness and problem gambling cases.
Tighter ad rules and warning messages
The draft legislation further proposes:
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A complete ban on online gambling advertising between 06:00 and 24:00
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A ban on influencer and public-figure participation in gambling promotions
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Mandatory visible harm-prevention warnings across digital and physical gambling environments, modeled after tobacco and alcohol regulation
The measures would amend Romania’s existing legal framework under Emergency Ordinance 77/2009.
What comes next
The bills will now proceed through the legislative process, including debate and committee review. If adopted, the changes would introduce some of the most restrictive gambling-advertising and access rules in the region.
The initiatives reflect an ongoing trend across Europe, where regulators are increasing focus on consumer protection, youth safeguards, and advertising limitations in the gambling sector.
The post Romania Proposes Raising Gambling Age to 21 and Restricting Online Advertising appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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