Conferences in Europe
Can Fun Be Safe? The Role of Social Responsibility in Slot Game Design
The European Gaming Congress (EGC) returns to Warsaw for 2024 on 15-16 October, and organizer HIPTHER is proud to introduce the conference’s esteemed Sponsors – trailblazing companies and accomplished professionals that help make the magic happen! In this Sponsors Spotlight Interview, we welcome Maciej Makuszewski, iGaming Director at Promatic Group, parent company of the Platinum Sponsor for EGC 2024, Promatic Games.
For many people outside the gaming industry, putting social responsibility and online slot games in the same sentence might seem counterintuitive. What’s your perspective on this? How can a slot development company demonstrate responsibility?
You’ve hit on a very interesting point right from the beginning. From an outsider’s view, social responsibility and online gambling might seem like polar opposites—like water and fire. But within the industry, we understand that to succeed, all parties, and especially operators and game studios, need to cater to a broad audience. This includes not only players seeking excitement and adrenaline but also casual players who just want a bit of entertainment. We simply need to think about the mass market when designing the gaming experience.
From there, it becomes essential to safeguard ALL players by promoting responsible behaviors and minimizing risks. After all, even with a naturally risky activity like gambling, people still want a sense of security in their experience. This is where social responsibility becomes key. While the public often associates our industry with problem gambling or even addiction, this is a simplistic view. A problem gambler is not a good player—not for them, and certainly not for us. We aim to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all players, which ultimately benefits everyone involved.
So speaking of iGaming in general, what are the key areas when it comes to promoting responsible behavior and minimizing risks for players, as you rightly put it?
I would consider Responsible Gaming as an umbrella term that encompasses a range of measures. I usually break these down into several key categories:
- Identifying and protecting vulnerable players
- Game mechanics
- Transparency and communication
- Youth exposure
- Game design and incentives
- Financial limits and self-exclusion mechanisms
- Utilization of player data
Of course, this list can evolve depending on specific market needs, but these are the core elements. I haven’t included aspects like fairness or certification, as these are typically viewed as basic prerequisites in most regulated markets—they aren’t specific to Responsible Gaming but rather fundamental requirements for offering games to customers. Additionally, technical standards can also play a supporting role in fostering a responsible gaming environment.
Given that your role as a game studio is to provide the games themselves, how can you contribute to making the experience as responsible as possible? You’re not in full control over all of the seven areas you mentioned earlier.
You’re right—our role is narrower compared to operators, but we still have a significant impact in key areas. We can influence game mechanics, transparency and communication, youth exposure (to some extent), and game design and incentives. While we don’t manage player data, we can still support the identification of problem gambling behaviors.
Take game mechanics, for example. As a studio, we invest a lot of time in balancing the speed of gameplay with clear, accurate visualizations of the spin results. One of our key principles is ensuring that all our designs and developments are configurable to meet Responsible Gaming requirements. For instance, our games were recently certified in the Czech Republic, where the regulator mandates that each spin lasts at least two seconds. This is a Responsible Gaming measure, and our configurable software allowed us to implement this requirement quickly.
Another area that’s been a focus of many regulators is the Bonus Buy feature. We were hesitant to introduce it because some of the behaviors associated with this feature may heighten the risk of problem gambling. After months of careful consideration, we decided to launch it only with the ability to monitor every player action related to this functionality. We are committed to tracking this feature closely to ensure it aligns with responsible gaming standards.
You’re also going to touch on game design and incentives at the European Gaming Congress (EGC), correct?
Yes, that’s right! We’re excited to share the story behind one of our most innovative games, Ale Fajny BOBER. The game’s theme is inspired by a popular viral video, and it was a fascinating challenge for our team to translate the essence of a two-minute YouTube clip into an engaging slot experience. We had many discussions on how to best capture and visualize that story within a slot game format. But I’ll save the finer details for the conference—we’ll be talking about it on Day 1 during our presentation! Feel free to join and ask questions!
You mentioned the game Ale Fajny BOBER. Could our readers be familiar with other titles that have come out of your studio?
Ale Fajny Bober is indeed a new game, which had its premiere in Poland on September 26. Promatic Games has a portfolio of hundreds of exciting slot games that have been both successful and widely appreciated by players. Some of these include: Mummy’s Treasure Deluxe, Dracula’s Treasure, Janosik 30 and Miss Joker Show – the latter has even been shortlisted for the Best iGaming Product category at the EiGE2024 awards, with the final taking place at the upcoming conference. I warmly invite to join us at the event and cast your vote for our title. See you there!
Promatic Group’s iGaming Director, Maciej Makuszewski, and Product Design Manager, Luka Oblak, will be presenting a workshop at the European Gaming Congress on ‘Mastering the Art of Balanced Slot Development.
Join us in Warsaw and meet the Promatic Games Team in person:
The post Can Fun Be Safe? The Role of Social Responsibility in Slot Game Design appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 Breaking News:
Ultramarathoner Živilė Šerkšnaitė to Guide the Morning Networking Run!
Join us for an exciting running route across beautiful Vilnius, where we will be led by Živilė Šerkšnaitė – Ultramarathoner, Artist, Mountaineer, and human extraordinaire!
At HIPTHER, we’ve always believed that great ideas flow better when the body moves and the mind is clear. That’s why fitness and wellness are not just side activities at our conferences – they’re part of our DNA.
Join us for the Morning Networking Run in Vilnius: All paces are welcome – just bring your energy and running shoes!
Meet Your Running Guide: Živilė Šerkšnaitė
This year, the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 is taking that ethos to new heights – or, shall we say, new strides.
On May 28th at 07:30 AM, attendees are invited to join a Morning Networking Run across scenic Vilnius, guided by none other than Živilė Šerkšnaitė – Ultramarathoner, Artist, Mountaineer, and all-around human powerhouse. With up to 8km of easy-paced movement and conversation, the run will return by 08:45 AM – just in time for a quick refresh and a powerful Day 2 kick-off.
And of course, we’ll keep you hydrated and happy: A big shoutout to WALLETTO, our Replenish Sponsor, for fuelling our runners with vitamin water and good vibes!
👉 Secure your spot: https://hipther.com/MBGTSvilnius
A Legacy of Movement…
HIPTHER introduced Morning Networking Runs in 2022, bringing early risers together for invigorating starts in Prague, Riga, Budapest, and Warsaw. The initiative was met with open arms (and elevated heart rates), prompting us to add Morning Yoga Sessions in 2023, creating moments of calm and clarity before packed agendas.
These aren’t just wellness gimmicks. They reflect our deep commitment to human-centric growth, nurturing not just minds, but bodies and spirits too. Because in our world, strong connections are built not just in panels and presentations, but on running paths, yoga mats, and bike routes.
So whether you’re lacing up your sneakers or strapping on your helmet, we can’t wait to move with you in Vilnius!
…Beyond Conferences
To help our community stay active beyond conference days, we’ve also created two growing digital wellness spaces – where movement meets motivation:
👟 HIPTHER’s iGaming & TECH Run Club on Strava brings together runners from across the industry who are eager to stay fit, share their achievements, and inspire each other. Whether you’re training for your next 10K or just enjoying a weekend jog, this is your place to connect.
🚴 And now, for the pedal-powered pros and weekend wanderers alike, we’re proud to introduce the brand new iGaming & TECH Cycling Club. Hop on your bike, track your rides, and cycle alongside fellow gaming & tech professionals – virtually and globally.
Join the movement here:
- Run Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/igamingtechrunners
- Cycling Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1501357
Let’s run, ride, and rise – together! #hipthers
The post Running, Riding, and Rising Together: Wellness Takes the Lead at MARE BALTICUM 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Gaming in Holland Conference, which will take place June 5 in Amsterdam, has added several new speakers to its agenda.
Björn Fuchs, newly appointed Chair of VNLOK, and Henry Meijdam, who heads the VAN Kansspelen trade association, will both make an appearance at the event.
Fuchs and Meijdam join an impressive speaker lineup that includes Arjan Blok, CEO of Nederlandse Loterij; Renske Fikkers, Head of Market Supervision at the Netherlands Gambling Authority; and Henk Willem Smits, investigative reporter at Follow the Money.
Additionally, we are happy to welcome as our special guest former NOGA Chair, Peter-Paul de Goeij, who has promised to offer a no-holds-barred reflection on the (in)efficacy of Dutch gambling regulation.
Finally, we are extremely pleased to announce that Rohan Tare, Head of IT Customer Interaction at ABN AMRO, will discuss the growing threat of AI-supported identity fraud – a topic that is highly relevant for any business dependent on remote customer interaction.
The full agenda is available here.
Willem van Oort, Founder of Gaming in Holland, commented: “We are extremely pleased with our current speaker lineup. All key stakeholders and decision makers in the Dutch gambling industry will be represented at our event. As always, the Gaming in Holland Conference will is the best place to meet the people who matter in the Dutch regulated market. Moreover, we have taken the utmost care to ensure that all relevant developments and topics will be addressed at our conference. We almost can’t wait for our event to kick off!”
Breakout sessions and networking opportunities
In addition to our main program, the Gaming in Holland Conference also features several highly practical breakout sessions. Check out the full agenda for more information.
Furthermore, the Gaming in Holland Conference also offers plenty of networking opportunities during coffee breaks, lunch, and our traditional boat tour through Amsterdam’s picturesque canals.
Last but not least, the award ceremony of the Dutch Online Casino of the Year Awards will take place during the Gaming in Holland networking drinks at Holland Casino Amsterdam. All GiH Conference attendees are cordially invited to attend the festivities!
Pre-conference workshops & drinks
The GiH Conference includes free admittance to two certificate-granting workshops, which are generously provided by Chevron Consultants.
Workshop #1 is titled “Establishing a learning and training culture in your company with an LMS” and discusses the proper implementation and benefits of a Learning Management System.
Workshop #2 is titled “Compliance performance audits” and will teach participants how to structure audits in line with ISO 19011 and how to evaluate the performance of compliance procedures.
Both workshops will take place on June 4 – the day prior to the main event – and are free to attend for paying GiH Conference attendees.
Finally, all conference attendees are invited to join us for informal drinks and traditional Dutch “bitterballen” at Café Bistro Rijnbar in Amsterdam on June 4, from 19:00 until late. The first round is on us!
Registration now open
Registration for the Gaming in Holland Conference is now open. Don’t miss it! Register today: https://bit.ly/GiHC2025.
The post Gaming in Holland Conference announces new speakers, pre-conference program appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Gaming in Spain Conference, which will take place June 26 at Auditorio ECIJA in Madrid, has announced its initial agenda.
A select number of confirmed conference sessions are listed below. A more comprehensive agenda is available here: https://www.gaminginspain.com/agenda2025
Gaming in Spain Conference – Preliminary agenda
(Please note that all session titles are provisional.)
Algorithms, advertising & deposit limits: Outlines and obligations
Mikel Arana, Director General, DGOJ
Regulatory update
Xavi Muñoz, Partner, ECIJA Law Firm
The Spanish iGaming market in numbers: Increasing black-market popularity?
Josh Hodgson, COO, H2 Gambling Capital
Regulatory burdens and licensed market sustainability
Jorge Hinojosa, Director General, Jdigital; Ester Martin-Ortega, Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Flutter Entertainment; Camille Gonzálvez, Gaming Lawyer, ECIJA
The Brazilian market: A regulatory update
Matheus Puppe, Partner, ECIJA Brazil
The state of play in promising LatAm markets (panel)
Eduardo Benavides, Managing Partner, ECIJA Peru; Matheus Puppe, Partner, ECIJA Brazil; Polibio Velenzuela, Partner, ECIJA Dominican Republic
For additional sessions, click here: https://www.gaminginspain.com/agenda2025
Willem van Oort, Founder of Gaming in Spain, commented: “This year, we have decided to look a bit beyond Spain’s borders – at the opportunities offered by Latin America’s booming and increasingly regulated markets. I am, of course, very proud to welcome several local experts to our event who can tell us more about these opportunities. Even so, Spain remains the focal point of our event. The Spanish government’s efforts to turn gambling primarily into a public health issue ensures that there will be plenty to discuss this year.”
Breakout sessions, workshops, networking & more
In addition to our main program, the Gaming in Spain Conference also features several highly practical breakout sessions, as well as three certificate-granting workshops on internal audits and the EU’s AI Act, GDPR website checks, and establishing a learning culture in your organization.
The workshops will take place on June 25 – the day prior to the main event – and are free to attend for paying GiS Conference attendees.
Furthermore, the Gaming in Spain Conference offers plenty of networking opportunities during coffee breaks, lunch, and networking drinks.
Finally, all Gaming in Spain Conference attendees are cordially invited to attend the Jdigital Awards ceremony on June 26. The Jdigital Awards honor outstanding contributions to the improvement of Spain’s regulated online gambling sector.
Further details will be made available after registering for the Conference.
The post Gaming in Spain Conference announces agenda appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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