Central Europe

A Q&A session with Endorphina’s Head of Legal!

Published

5 years ago

June 11, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Recently, Jakub (Head of Legal at Endorphina) had an interview and dropped some professional insights and thoughts about Germany, their new regulations, the treaty, and more.

So, big things are happening in Germany, right?

Yes, Germany was always a rather complicated market. The need for new gambling legislation to fully legalize online gambling was very urgent. Finally, there is hope when the new legislation has been introduced in 2020. And in spring 2021, the number of states to approve the new gambling treaty was met and Germany’s State Treaty on Gambling aka “Der Glücksspielneuregulierungstaatsverag” will become effective from the 1^st of July 2021.

The Treaty on Gambling becomes effective in July, does that mean that starting from July all operators must have a respective gambling license issued by German regulator?

No, it does not mean that. Germany is not that far in the process and the new regulatory body must first be established. Work to establish this body is underway, and sources suggest it will be fully operational by the end of 2022.

When the regulatory body is not established yet, how will Germany apply or enforce new rules introduced in the Treaty on Gambling?

The transitional regime has been introduced and does stipulate guidelines that certain online gambling offerings, namely those of virtual slot machines and online poker, which are actually not yet permitted under the current Interstate Treaty on Gambling, will be exempt from enforcement if operators meet certain requirements that are recognized as technically feasible. Basically, it is some sort of “gentleman agreement” between operators and the government saying: “follow the rules and we will leave you alone”. However, such “guidelines” cannot be mistaken with an effective law!

What requirements must be met in order to comply with the guidelines of the transitional regime?

It is a set of various rules. For example, for virtual slot games, the maximum bet must be 1 euro, the spin duration must be at least 5 seconds, no jackpots or auto-spins are allowed, reality checks must be triggered after 60 minutes session of un-interrupted duration and after that, the player must take a 5-minute cool-down break, where they are unable to place a bet, etc. As you can see, the new Treaty on Gambling really focuses on player protection and preventing gambling addiction.

Are there any problematic parts of the new regulation?

There are always some problematic parts and challenges from the regulatory point of view. On one side, the regulator tries to protect players but on the other side, games still must remain attractive compared to other markets. So, we can see those lacking jackpots, spin duration, and EUR 1 maximal bets could potentially cause some issues with the attractiveness of games and that is even before we will get into taxes.

What is wrong with taxes?

There is a proposal of new taxation of poker and online slots in the amount of 5,3% from all stakes. Considering that the average RTP (return to player) rate from slot games is 96%, such taxation would mean that the operators would be losing money on slots. Actually, to make the revenue from slots equal as without the proposed tax, the RTP of the slots would have to be reduced. And here we come back to the attractivity of games for players. Why would you play a game with a lower RTP when, just a click away, you can play the very same game with a higher RTP, only in an unregulated casino? This is why many experts are afraid that such taxation would drive players to the black market, which is very risky, especially if the jurisdiction is just opening. This taxation is still not yet agreed upon, but unfortunately, there is a high probability that it will actually happen. Even with bet limits or spin durations, Germany is still a very interesting market so we can only hope that the German parliament will reconsider their tax proposal.

Central Europe

NOVOMATIC Once Again Recognised as an “Austrian Leading Company”

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

novomatic-once-again-recognised-as-an-“austrian-leading-company”

NOVOMATIC AG has been recognised as an “Austrian Leading Company” for 2026/2027 by the independent excellence platform Leitbetriebe Austria.

NOVOMATIC has been a certified leading company since 2013 and this prestigious status has now been confirmed once again following a comprehensive screening. The evaluation process, which takes place every two years, ensures that certified companies meet the highest quality standards. Decisive criteria include sustainable corporate goals such as innovation, growth and targeted employee development. As one of Lower Austria’s largest employers and a substantial taxpayer, the international gaming technology group makes a sustainable contribution to Austrian value creation. At the same time, NOVOMATIC is pursuing a long-term ESG strategy that combines economic performance with ecological responsibility and social sustainability.

“Long-term corporate success is based on stability, innovative strength, and a clear sense of responsibility towards employees, society, and the environment. This renewed recertification as a leading company confirms our strategic orientation and our commitment to combining economic strength with sustainable corporate management,” emphasised NOVOMATIC Executive Board Member Stefan Krenn as he received the certificate at the Group’s Lower Austrian headquarters alongside fellow Executive Board Members Ryszard Presch and Johannes Gratzl.

Monica Rintersbacher, Managing Director of Leitbetriebe Austria, also emphasised the significance of the award: “For many years, NOVOMATIC has been exemplary in the areas that define a leading company: international technological innovation on the one hand and a clear commitment to its location, employees, and society on the other. With this renewed award, the company is underscoring its role as a stable driving force for the economy and employment in Austria.”

This recertification confirms NOVOMATIC’s position as an economically reliable and responsible company both nationally and internationally.

The post NOVOMATIC Once Again Recognised as an “Austrian Leading Company” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Central Europe

Gaming Realms expands into Switzerland through tie-up with Swiss Casinos

Published

7 days ago

February 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-realms-expands-into-switzerland-through-tie-up-with-swiss-casinos

Gaming Realms, the inventor of the distinctive Slingo format, has strengthened its international standing by launching its market presence in Switzerland with top operator Swiss Casinos.

The provider’s renowned Slingo game is now accessible to local players for the first time, offering an engaging gaming experience that combines the thrill of slots with strategy.

Games with demonstrated worldwide success and a large fanbase, like Slingo Sweet Bonanza, Slingo Da Vinci Diamonds, and Slingo Gold Cash, are now accessible to patrons of Swiss Casinos, a top online casino brand in Switzerland.

The latest market entry represents another significant accomplishment for Gaming Realms, as the provider has recently broadened its presence to new areas in Europe.

Mariachiara Lagravinese, Regional Account Manager at Gaming Realms, said: “Entering the Swiss market for the first time marks another milestone in our global growth strategy across regulated markets.

“Swiss Casinos is a renowned operator with a deep understanding of the local landscape, making them the ideal partner to introduce our unique content to Swiss players.”

Patrick Mastai, Managing Director Online Casino at Swiss Casinos, said: “Partnering with Gaming Realms is a testament to our commitment to delivering world-class gaming content to our customers.

“Their Slingo titles have a proven track record of global success, and we are proud to be the first operator offering these games in Switzerland. Titles like Slingo Sweet Bonanza and Slingo Gold Cash provide exactly the kind of high-quality, engaging variety our players have come to expect from us, and we look forward to a successful partnership.”

The post Gaming Realms expands into Switzerland through tie-up with Swiss Casinos appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Central Europe

Hölle Games Partners with DAZN Bet

Published

1 week ago

February 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

Hölle Games has expanded its footprint in the German online gaming market through a new partnership with DAZN Bet (daznbet.de), an innovative sports betting and entertainment platform.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Hölle Games’ ongoing growth within Germany. Having already established a strong presence in the regulated market, the addition of DAZN Bet as a distribution partner ensures that even more players will have access to Hölle Games’ portfolio of visually striking, character-driven slot titles.

Through daznbet.de, German players can now enjoy a broad selection of Hölle Games’ top-performing titles, which blend classic slot inspiration with contemporary visuals and smooth, intuitive gameplay. Developed in Germany, Hölle Games’ content is known for its attention to detail, local market resonance and commitment to player entertainment.

Robert Lenzhofer, CEO of Hölle Games, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see our games featured on DAZN Bet, a brand that is revolutionizing how fans engage with sports and entertainment. This partnership is another step in strengthening our local presence and making our uniquely German-crafted slots more accessible to players nationwide. At Hölle Games, we take great pride in combining creativity with compliance — building experiences that resonate with players while meeting the highest regulatory standards.”

Daniel Berthold, EVP Growth Markets at DAZN Bet, said: “We’re thrilled to enhance our offering with Hölle Games’ impressive portfolio. Their content is a perfect match for our mission to deliver high-quality, engaging, and locally relevant entertainment to the German market. We’re confident our players will enjoy the unique craftsmanship that Hölle Games brings to the table.”

The partnership underlines Hölle Games’ commitment to strengthening its relationships with key regulated operators in Europe and reinforces DAZN Bet’s reputation for delivering diverse, premium gaming content tailored to local preferences.

The post Hölle Games Partners with DAZN Bet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.