Ahead of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, we speak with Džangar Jesenov, Head of Compliance at Endorphina, to explore how the company approaches regulatory excellence, market expansion, and certification in an increasingly complex global iGaming landscape – and how strong compliance frameworks support sustainable growth across Tier-1 European markets.

You have been leading Endorphina’s compliance function since 2021. How has the regulatory landscape in Europe evolved during this period, and what shifts have had the biggest operational impact on suppliers?

If I were to compare Endorphina in 2021 and Endorphina in 2026, I would describe them as two fundamentally different projects that nevertheless share the same core identity. The primary objective remains unchanged. However, the tools, scope, and operational framework used to achieve that objective have evolved significantly.

The development of the project reflects various external factors, including increasingly stringent regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions, technological advancements particularly within the financial sector and, importantly, substantial strengthening of human resources. Ultimately, people remain the most critical element in any successful project.

–          From a regulatory perspective, I would particularly highlight the introduction and expansion of B2B licensing policies

Across jurisdictions on different continents, and the increased responsibility placed on game suppliers.

–          Most notably, the heightened focus on player protection and security

In my view, enhanced player safety is one of the most important developments in the industry. Delivering engaging, high-quality games that are fully compliant with applicable legal frameworks is the foundation of any successful online platform and this is a commitment we uphold 24/7/365.

Endorphina has successfully expanded its presence across Tier-1 European markets. From a compliance perspective, what are the key pillars that enable smooth market entry and long-term sustainability?

In practice, there are unfortunately no “miracle tools” that would allow us to operate seamlessly at the highest regulatory level.

–          I may not be saying anything new or particularly surprising here, but behind every jurisdiction we enter lies a substantial amount of work

Each market requires extensive hours of analysis, including a detailed review of regulatory obligations, comparison of local data requirements and reporting outputs, development of internal policies tailored to the specific regional framework, structured internal data sharing across project teams, and the implementation of oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance with newly introduced rules.

There is a significant amount of daily routine involved continuous processes, reporting, analysis, and, where necessary, re-implementation of procedures, including updates or revisions of internal regulatory frameworks.

Certification and regulatory alignment remain major challenges for many suppliers. How does Endorphina structure its internal processes to ensure efficiency while maintaining full regulatory integrity?

With the development of regulatory obligations, our practices in this area are also evolving. Compliance in the gambling business matures like fine wine. The more stable your team is, the stronger your position on the market becomes. Today, regulations are being introduced in many new jurisdictions where gambling was completely prohibited just a few years ago, and I see this as progress from a regulatory perspective.

–          Our internal processes are continuously evolving toward the automation of data that does not require increased attention

Human resources are instead focused on information that is more relevant and requires deeper integrity.

With increasing focus on information security, responsible gaming, and technical standards, how do you see the role of compliance teams evolving within modern iGaming organisations?

As regulatory obligations continue to evolve, so does our practical experience in this area. Compliance in the gaming industry matures over time – much like fine wine.

–          The more stable and experienced your team is, the stronger your position in the market becomes

Today, regulation is being introduced in many new jurisdictions where gambling was completely prohibited just a few years ago. I see this as a positive development and a clear indication of progress from a regulatory perspective.

Endorphina has built a reputation as a trusted slot provider with a strong global partner network. How should compliance, product development, and commercial teams collaborate today to support scalable growth?

As Head of Compliance, I believe scalable growth is only achievable when compliance, product development, and commercial teams operate in full alignment rather than in silos. Compliance must be involved from the earliest stages of market entry and product design to prevent delays, reduce regulatory risk, and support sustainable expansion.

–          Product development should focus on modular, certification-ready solutions that allow efficient adaptation across multiple jurisdictions

Commercial strategy must remain closely aligned with regulatory feasibility, ensuring that opportunities are both attractive and compliant. Ultimately, stable and experienced teams are the key factor in building long-term, regulatorily resilient growth.

Looking ahead to the next 12–24 months, which regulatory or market developments should operators and suppliers be preparing for most carefully?

In this area, we are working very intensively. Looking ahead, I anticipate further increases in regulatory obligations, faster development of regulated markets, and structural changes in core online gaming products.”

–          I expect deeper integration of games with the player environment, placing greater emphasis on individual profiling and personalization of each session

These evolving models will inevitably be reflected in regulatory frameworks, with a stronger focus on player protection and proper tax accountability. At the same time, regulators will increasingly compete to attract high-quality market participants, a category to which Endorphina clearly belongs.

In the near-term perspective, many of today’s processes will become standard industry practice, while additional requirements will emerge, particularly those linked to the accountability and oversight of key individuals within licensed entities.

Endorphina is the GamingTECH Awards Party & Ceremony Sponsor at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026. What would you like operators, partners, and industry peers to take away from engaging with your team during the event?

Thank you for the opportunity to be among the first to welcome our friends. First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who will be joining us in person in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Prague.

I wish all participants a truly enjoyable experience.

–          Make the most of every moment spent among inspiring people

Boost your personal endorphin levels and take the opportunity to get to know the Endorphina team more closely.

The post Endorphina Compliance Strategies Explained ahead of HIPTHER Prague Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

FlexPlay is entering a new phase with the launch of its own casino platform. Leonid Matison, Head of Customer Success, speaks with EEGaming about what inspired the company’s evolution, how it is helping partners adapt to change, and why a focus on flexibility, creativity, and collaboration is driving its vision for the future.

What inspired the move into the platform space, and how did that background shape your approach to creating it?

FlexPlay was born from EvenBet Gaming out of working closely with operators and studios as an aggregator, so we had a very clear view of where existing platforms were falling short. Many operators were forced to adapt their business models to rigid technology instead of the other way around.

Moving into the platform space was a natural evolution. We wanted to build a product that reflects how the market actually works today: fragmented regulation, fast-changing player behaviour, and the need to launch, test, and adapt quickly. That background shaped our approach significantly. Instead of building a “one-size-fits-all” platform, we focused on modularity, flexibility, and speed, so operators can grow without having to rebuild their infrastructure every time their strategy changes.

The platform market is full of established names. What makes FlexPlay stand out, and what kind of identity are you building for the brand?

Our differentiation isn’t about being louder or bigger — it’s about being more adaptable. FlexPlay is designed as a partner-centric platform, not a closed ecosystem.

We are building an identity around flexibility, transparency, and collaboration. Operators can customise their product, UX, content strategy, and growth roadmap instead of fitting into predefined templates. Commercially, we also remove unnecessary pressure at early stages, for example with models where partners don’t pay content fees until they actually start growing.

In a crowded market, identity comes from how you work with partners day-to-day, not just from features on a website.

You have described FlexPlay as a platform that “evolves alongside its partners.” What does that look like in practice for operators working with you?

We don’t treat launch as the finish line. We stay actively involved after go-live.

Operators receive ongoing support in analysing performance, adjusting content portfolios, testing new mechanics, and refining player engagement strategies. Our platform allows operators to add, remove, or prioritise content quickly, run experiments, and respond to real player data instead of assumptions.

We also actively listen to partner feedback and translate it into platform improvements. If a feature or workflow doesn’t serve operators in real conditions, we adjust it.

How does that flexibility help brands entering fast-changing or emerging markets where conditions can shift quickly?

Emerging markets rarely follow a stable or predictable path. This year, we are going to SiGMA Africa for the first time, and this continent is just the right example of how quickly and often market transforms. Regulation changes, payment preferences evolve, and player behaviour can shift very quickly.

FlexPlay’s flexibility allows operators to adapt without disruption: adjusting payment flows, reconfiguring bonuses, changing content focus, or localising UX. The platform isn’t locked into rigid structures, so operators can react to market signals in weeks rather than months.

This is especially important for brands entering highly volatile markets in Africa or LatAm, where the ability to pivot often determines success.

AI is a hot topic right now. How are you exploring its potential at FlexPlay, and what do you find most exciting about how it can genuinely support operators and players?

We approach AI very pragmatically. For us, it’s not about replacing people or creating black-box systems, but about enhancing decision-making.

We are exploring AI in areas like player segmentation, behavioural analysis, and content recommendations. It may help operators understand what players actually want and when. AI can also support smarter lobbies, more relevant promotions, and better detection of engagement patterns.

What excites us most is AI’s ability to reduce noise. It can highlight what truly matters and help them act faster and more confidently. But it can’t and will not fully replace strategic decision-making by humans.

Personalisation has become an essential part of modern player engagement. What does it mean to you in practice, and how is FlexPlay helping operators bring it to life?

For us, personalisation means relevance. Not just visuals or messages, but the entire player journey. FlexPlay enables operators to segment players based on behaviour, preferences, and performance, and then tailor content, bonuses, and communication accordingly. This helps players discover games that actually match their interests instead of scrolling through endless lobbies.

Good personalisation improves retention and trust. Players feel understood rather than pushed, and operators benefit from stronger long-term engagement.

But we suggest avoiding over-personalisation: if the players see only the recommended “long tail”, it may affect the operator’s revenue. Manual curation in addition to personalisation (like featuring a seasonal game during a holiday, or an operator’s personal favourite) allows for strategic promotions and branding.

Growth can be exciting but also challenging for operators. How do you and your team at FlexPlay support partners as they take that next step?

Growth often exposes weaknesses in technology or strategy. Our role is to help operators scale without losing control.

We support partners with analytics, reviews, and strategic guidance, helping them prioritise what to scale and what to optimise first. Technically, the platform is built to handle growth without forcing structural changes. Commercially, we remain flexible so that a transition is easier for operators.

Looking ahead, what are the key milestones or developments you are focused on for the year ahead?

Our focus is on deepening platform intelligence and partner value. This includes expanding AI-driven tools, improving content discoverability, and enhancing automation where it adds efficiency.

We are also investing in better insights for operators: not just reporting, but actionable recommendations that help them make smarter decisions faster.

Another priority is continuing to refine our platform based on real partner use cases, not theoretical ones.

And finally, when you think about FlexPlay’s future, what do you hope the company will represent within the wider iGaming industry?

I hope FlexPlay will be seen as a trusted growth partner — a company that helped operators build sustainable businesses rather than short-term results.

In an industry that often focuses on speed and scale, we want to represent balance: technology that adapts, content that makes sense, and partnerships built on mutual success.

If operators look back and say, “FlexPlay helped us grow the right way,” that will be the real measure of success.

The post FlexPlay: building a platform made to grow with its partners appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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