Conferences in Europe
Speaking the Player’s Language: Promatic Group’s Take on Game Localization in CEE
The Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 brought together some of the brightest minds in the iGaming and tech industries – and the conversation didn’t stop when the curtains closed. As this year’s General Sponsor through its Promatic Games brand, Promatic Group made a powerful impact on-stage and behind the scenes. In a dynamic keynote presentation titled “Localizing Slot Games: Does the Central European Player Need Localized Content?”, Maciej Makuszewski, iGaming Director, and Luka Oblak, Head of Product Design, explored how cultural nuances shape player engagement and game performance across regional markets.
Now, post-event, we caught up with Maciej Makuszewski to delve deeper into the topic of localization, player behavior, and what makes content truly resonate in Central and Eastern Europe.
Maciej, your keynote at the Summit offered compelling insights into how culture and language affect game engagement. What do you believe is the biggest misconception about localization in the iGaming industry today?
It is that it is enough to hire a translator of a game to deliver localized content. This is not the end of the road – on the contrary – this is just the beginning. This may sound like saying the sun rises in the east, but I still would say there can be a lot more attention paid to giving games a local touch.
But coming back to translations, nowadays, even at this basic level, we can observe so many pitfalls and mistakes that could have been avoided if people really had the player at the core of their strategy. I guess we are past this time in history of globalization that unified products and content simply entered new markets with no tailoring whatsoever and there was demand for them, because there hadn’t been much of a choice of anything else. We’d like to see companies try harder when they enter new markets. I hope we will become one that actually gets the hyperlocalization just right.
You and Luka presented some standout cases on localized content. Could you share one example that truly surprised your team – either by outperforming expectations or revealing a cultural insight you hadn’t anticipated?
I guess that would be the transformation of a simple fruit game launched as Red Hot Jackpot in Poland, into a rich animations theme game it became in Nigeria. The nigerian version of Red Hot Jackpot is called Naija Wheels and it is the exact the same math model and game logic as Red Hot Jackpot, but what makes it appealing to the local customers of slot halls in Nigeria is its hyperlocal theme. Naija Wheels is a funny story of things you see in Lagos traffic. So instead of a Cherry symbol you have a symbol of a police officer. Instead of a plum symbol, you have an okada driver from Lagos etc.
Very different game themes, same logics, same business effects – the game is a great performing slot in Poland and a superb hit in Nigeria.
In your view, what are the non-negotiables when designing localized slot content for Central and Eastern European markets? Are there elements developers often overlook?
There are so many local markets in the CEE that it is really hard to unify this. But in a nutshell – we know in our region, highly volatile fruit themed games are very popular. Having said that, it is not a surfire way to success. You may want to localize the content even further through cultural and humor references.
The ROI of local-branded slots is often debated. Based on Promatic Group’s experience, when does it make strategic and commercial sense to invest in hyper-local content – and when is it better to focus on broader appeal?
It all depends why you do this and how you measure the ROI. If you measure a single game ROI this might be a trap. It will very much depend on the math model and features of the particular game. Apart from revenue stream, there are also costs to be considered. If we’re talking about a “game reskin” then certification will be something you can optimize and so on. There are numerous ways to tackle this issue. Sometimes you can come up with a hyper local game and just launch it somewhere else to test if it works, which will boost your revenue stream and the total ROI. All in all we are very happy with our local approach and we intend to stick to it.
Let’s talk about the future. With shifting player expectations and tech advancements like AI personalization, how do you see the localization strategy evolving over the next 2–3 years at Promatic Group?
I would expect this hyperlocalization becomes a commodity in the industry. This will also require a lot of human factor so that it is done the right way. AI will speed things up, but I believe that the human touch will be key. We already have amazing tools, but using them the right way is what will make a great difference.
The post Speaking the Player’s Language: Promatic Group’s Take on Game Localization in CEE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Save the date: The show will return to the island next year, from 28–30 April.
Last week, SBC Summit Malta transformed the InterContinental Hotel into a powerhouse of industry networking, bringing together 6,000 professionals from Malta and across Europe.
This year marked the debut of the event under its new identity, following the rebrand from CasinoBeats Summit. With its expanded focus covering casino, sports betting, regulation, affiliation, payments, and emerging tech, the summit officially opened on Wednesday, 11 June, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Malta’s Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri.
Clinton Cutajar, CTO of digital marketing agency MediaTroopers, praised the rebrand: “The rebranding was a successful one. Everyone I meet mentions it is a great show, with great panels and a great conference.”
In addition to content and attendance, the organisation of the event itself earned high marks. Cristina Turbatu, CTO at Malta-based operator Casumo, noted, “It’s very well organised, it’s very well structured, and for me, it just feels high-end in terms of quality, so I really enjoy it.”
Cutajar added praise for the technology behind the experience: “The SBC Connect app helped a lot to schedule appointments in advance. There was no need to search around or try to coordinate elsewhere. Everything and everyone could be found in one central place.”
Dr. Eyal Loz, CPO of game studio RubyPlay, also commented on the balance between scale and accessibility: “It’s big enough to meet a lot of interesting people and have some really good meetings, and small enough to navigate easily. The organisation, the location, the panels; I’m very happy with it. It has been brilliant.”
This year’s summit also demonstrated depth in commercial firepower with an impressive 37% of attendees holding key decision-making roles. Moreover, there was strong representation from both the operator and affiliate sides, with operators bringing over 2,100 representatives, accounting for 35% of the overall audience, and 750 affiliates focused on player acquisition in the room. Both segments recorded considerable audience growth compared to last year.
Nils Andén, CEO of operator Kindred Group, commented: “I have definitely met the people that I expected to meet here, and also some people that I was surprised to see. SBC delivered on the promise to get the right people.” Rosi Bremec, COO at Game Lounge, added: “I’ve only been in the industry for three years, and I’m always looking for good people and new ideas. Events like this help me meet those people and also expand my knowledge of the industry.”
Reflecting on the milestone edition, SBC CEO & Founder Rasmus Sojmark shared: “While the numbers for this event were strong and we delivered on our promises, the most important takeaway was the undeniable excitement I witnessed while walking the show floor, entering the conference rooms, and attending the dinners and parties.
“The audience this year was electric, and the warm feedback we have received is the greatest compliment we could ask for as organisers. A massive thank you to each and every individual who made this event, in its new shape and form, a success this year.”
Malta-based leaders were especially vocal about the event’s value for the local ecosystem. Charles Mizzi, CEO of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), underlined the event’s broader significance: “These events help to confirm the importance of the gaming industry to the local economy.”
“I was quite impressed with the setup and the number of participants. If we remain behind our desks and do not participate in events such as this, we wouldn’t have the feel of the industry,” the MGA CEO added.
Andén remarked, “I’m based here in Malta, so this is a good opportunity for me to catch up with people from all across the industry; not only the ones that are based here, but those who travel here too. It’s also good that SBC makes a concerted effort to actually get people who represent the companies that work here in Malta. That is an important kind of differentiation point.”
Jovana Popovic Canaki, CEO of iGP, a Platinum Headline sponsor of the event, said: “One of our offices is here in Malta, and for us it’s home. We walk to the venue. We want to support local events, so the sponsorship was a no-brainer and a great honour.”
Bremec further highlighted the benefit of local hosting: “Everybody is here. The product people are here, the HR people are here. Everybody loves attending these events, so we encourage that.”
Notably, while the event featured strong local representation, with 47% of the audience based in Malta, it also demonstrated its international appeal, with 53% of attendees flying in from abroad. “This shows that the event is not just for locals, but a key opportunity to connect with European, and to some extent, international stakeholders who travel to Malta specifically to attend the event,” Sojmark said.
Beyond the vibrant expo floor, the conference segment was a highlight in its own right. Hosted across three main conference rooms and two dedicated workshop spaces, the agenda featured 17 hands-on workshops and a speaker lineup of 250 experts.
Andén commented, “I really liked the particularly dedicated track on some of the regulation challenges that affect not only me as an operator, but also affect suppliers and everyone else in the industry.” Popovic Canaki added, “Sometimes we speak too loudly and don’t let our ears work. This was a fantastic opportunity to sit down and listen to what the rest of the industry has to say.”
Andre Machado, CCO of Clever Advertising, praised the programming: “The way you are building the conference and the topics are also a mixture of what the audience is looking for. There’s real sensibility in how the programme aligns with broader industry trends.”
Turbatu reinforced the value of the educational content: “Those who didn’t attend would be missing out on high-quality workshops, which I don’t think many other conferences focus on.”
Adding a cultural edge to the event, SBC hosted the Malta debut of its signature EDM experience: the INFINITY party. Held at the island’s iconic Aria Complex and headlined by international star Galantis, the evening delivered a high-energy celebration that brought the entire industry together in style. The Malta edition joins past INFINITY showcases at SBC Summit, SBC Summit Rio, and SBC Summit Americas, which featured major acts such as Afrojack and Steve Aoki.
Apart from INFINITY Malta, SBC treated attendees to multiple evening networking events. The week began with an opening party at Infinity by Hugo’s, a beloved spot for those who had previously attended SBC’s Malta events. The organiser also hosted two invite-only dinners on Wednesday, one for C-level operators at Caviar & Bull and another for affiliates at Sole by Tarragon. On Thursday, the spotlight shifted to SBC Awards Europe, a ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the industry’s brightest companies and individuals. The week concluded with a relaxed closing party at Open Waters.
The overwhelmingly positive response from attendees highlighted not only the strength of the new format but also the growing trust in SBC’s ability to deliver high-quality, high-impact industry events. As Dr. Eyal Loz of RubyPlay summed it up: “I’ve attended almost all the SBC events over the last year, and I’m going to keep on coming back for sure. It’s nice to see the evolution of SBC. The pace at which SBC is improving, becoming more relevant, more engaging, and more dynamic truly blows my mind.”
Save the date: The show returns to the island next year, 28–30 April. For exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected]
The post New-look SBC Summit Malta Shows Strong International Appeal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
N1 Partners is gearing up for iGB Live London 2025, and will bring something visitors won’t want to miss. On July 2–3 at ExCeL London, guests will find N1 Partners at Booth J50 — where a black-and-red stand designed to resemble an elegant bus stop welcomes guests beneath the slogan: Hop on the Wealth Bus.
The stand is designed to be more than just a place to visit — it’s a lively lounge where you can grab a drink, chat with the team, and explore real ways to scale your affiliate profits against the backdrop of a bus stop-style design.
N1 Puzzle Promo: Your road to the helicopter prize
N1 Partners is tying the Wealth Bus theme into its N1 PUZZLE Promo — the campaign that’s literally driving our partners toward a brand-new Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter.
Here’s how it works:
- 1 puzzle piece for every 10 FTDs from SEO traffic
- 1 puzzle piece for every 40 FTDs from PPC and ASO
- 1 puzzle piece for every 100 FTDs from FB and other channels (social media, SMS, Email, UAC, In-App)
The more puzzle pieces you collect, the closer you get to taking home the helicopter. And since London is one of the key stops on this journey, N1 Partners will showcase exactly how affiliate traffic can help drive progress toward the prize.
Of course, it’s not just about the final prize. N1 Partners is already running two mini-lotteries (April–July and Sept–Nov) packed with luxury prizes — and everyone wins something. Whether you’re driving PPC, SEO, or social traffic, you can turn volume and speed into puzzle pieces and prizes.
What’s on board at Booth J50
The stand will offer plenty of engaging activities for visitors:
- Bar — visitors can grab a drink and connect with the N1 Partners team.
- Puzzle Collection merch drop — every item gives you +1 puzzle piece in the promo. Plus, each merch owner enters a special giveaway: a custom hoodie, an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a branded case.
- Plinko-style game — everyone wins! Grab a guaranteed prize right at the booth.
- Meet the N1 Partners team — the team will be on hand to answer questions and show how to boost your current promo results and earnings.
Why meet N1 Partners in London
N1 Partners has been driving affiliate success for over 7 years, with 12+ licensed casino and betting brands and top deals across Tier‑1 markets.
Here’s what the program offers:
- CPA up to €650
- RevShare up to 45% + NNCO
- Hybrid deals
- No shave, no delays, guaranteed payouts
At Booth J50, N1 Partners will be ready to talk about real business — no fluff. If you run SEO, PPC, FB, or any other traffic, we’ll show you how to turn it into bigger profits with our offers.
N1 Partners stands for reliability, honesty, and speed — and we’re always open to new partners who are ready to scale.
Let’s meet in London!
Attendees can visit N1 Partners at Booth J50 during iGB Live London on July 2–3.
Hop on the Wealth Bus, grab exclusive merch (get an extra Puzzle Piece with it) — and discover how to boost your affiliate marketing performance with N1 Partners.
The post Hop on the Wealth Bus: N1 Partners heading to iGB Live London 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
International iGaming holding PIN-UP Global will participate in IGB L!VE, one of the industry’s premier events taking place July 2-3 in London. Booth K40, spanning 168 square meters, will feature two distinct zones – PIN-UP Global and PIN-UP Partners. The holding will create valuable networking opportunities for industry professionals.
Visitors to the PIN-UP Global booth will have the opportunity to meet with the holding’s teams to explore the B2B portfolio designed to boost operational performance and drive business growth in the iGaming sector. The holding’s team will focus on growing its partner network and demonstrating the company’s latest technological developments.
PIN-UP Global team will be on hand throughout the event to explore potential investment opportunities and discuss partnerships with promising startups. The holding continues to identify and support promising teams developing innovative solutions in MarTech, iGaming, FinTech, AI/ML, and analytics.
PIN-UP Partners is joining iGB Affiliate London with top-performing offers, exclusive merch, and proven partnership models. Recognized as the Best iGaming Affiliate Program by AW’2024, MAC’2024, and SiGMA’22, PIN-UP Partners team is ready to build strong, long-term partnerships.
For industry professionals seeking new career opportunities, HR representatives from PIN-UP Global will be present at the event. Interested candidates can book meetings to discuss current openings within the international holding.
With the holding growing rapidly — a remarkable 58% just over the past year — new opportunities and prospects are opening up every day, both for existing team members and for those looking to join. As a result, the holding is actively seeking strong specialists for managerial positions, as well as professionals in tech, marketing, media buying, and more. Visit our booth to become part of the PIN-UP Global team.
For convenient meeting scheduling with holding representatives, exhibition delegates can use the touchscreen booking system and conduct meetings in specially equipped meeting rooms.
PIN-UP Global welcomes all IGB L!VE London attendees – industry experts, potential partners, and talented professionals – to connect with their team during the event to discuss tech solutions, collaboration opportunities, and career prospects.
PIN-UP Global is an international iGaming holding company specialising in developing and implementing advanced technologies, B2B solutions, and innovative products for the iGaming industry.
The post PIN-UP Global to Participate in IGB L!VE London appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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