Central Europe
Quarantine Leads to the Popularity Growth of Online Casinos
An increasing number of online casino ads can be seen in Switzerland. The experts believe however, that those problematic players shall not be exploited by using the satiation with COVID-19 pandemic. If they are going to be exploited this way, it would lead to increased risks.
This started as a hidden but apparently important topic for China, now, however, this is a topic for the entire world. Coronavirus has influenced the way we live our daily lives. The drawbacks can be observed in the casino industry, as well. Disruptions though will become a new normality, even though nobody was ready for it.
All the gamblers around the world found themselves unable to go to a casino. Thus, they are migrating to online casinos. It happens because due to coronavirus, all the big gatherings are forbidden.
The same is happening in Switzerland. The providers are well aware that this is the best time to invest in advertisement. The results of those advertisements online are seen everywhere, whether on TV, or in a newsletter, or at a train station.
People suffering from addiction are exposed to higher risks. It happens because they are isolated and don’t have social contacts. The access to healthcare services is bad, and the everyday life has changed completely. Therefore, such people shall be very careful if they want to avoid this problem because during the coronavirus-crisis, they are under an additional stress.
It is not a coincidence that the advertisements and emails to the clients of online casinos are more frequent. They offer free bets for casinos and roulette. These options have a much higher addiction rate than sports betting, for example.
The vast majority of gambling now is performed online. There is no fear that the websites will close. However, what will people bet with if they run out of money? Well, one can always bet with something. There are always Live sports available. They are open day and night, and even during the global pandemic, one can always place a bet of a couple of pounds there. People who are already in a disadvantageous position can get into even a worse situation.
Responsible Approach Could Reduce the Risk
There are a lot of opportunities to play your favorite online casino games. The time came when the excitement from gambling can mitigate the stress. It is known already that online casinos offer some benefits in comparison to land-based casinos. You can get access to them round the clock, just like it is the case with Online-Casino wie SwissCasinoHEX.com. It absolutely doesn’t matter where you are located. It is not important whether you are playing on your mobile device or you are lazing with your lap or tablet on the sofa or even in bed. You will not experience a single problem with accessing your online casino. This is a huge advantage now, during the times of Coronavirus crisis.
A responsible approach to gambling is decisive in this special situation to keep the industry and its clients healthy. Those clients who gamble more and play new games with higher sums shall be carefully managed and treated. Very frequently, gambling services shall be denied to such clients.
Online gambling can lead to different addiction forms, and this shall be controlled now. Online providers shall not enrich themselves with the money of addicted people. It is especially important for support establishments to keep their doors open in case an addicted person needs help. In the situations of a crisis, such as emotional stress, insecurity, people are attracted by gambling. It helps them to escape reality.
Gambling can be also one of the reactions on packages that people get as one-time help. It can also stimulate a wish to gamble. There are different reactions to both positive and negative times. By some people, these situations can lead to increased gambling activities. On the other hand, this pandemic can make people think about the reasons to gamble and those effects that gambling can have in their lives.
Support services for problematic gamblers, including consulting over the phone and video, are expecting demand increase within the next few weeks.
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Central Europe
Poland to Classify Gambling Streaming as Serious Crime
The Polish Parliament is considering a landmark draft law to curb harmful digital content, specifically targeting the phenomenon known as “patostreaming.”
Patostreaming is recognised as a new term to categorise criminal offences related to the broadcasting of online violence, abuse and sexually degrading content.
The proposed legislation would criminalize the broadcasting of violence, abuse, and sexually degrading material. Additionally, the bill seeks to outlaw the promotion of online gambling by social media influencers. By amending the Penal Code, supporters aim to bridge the legal gap between digital behaviour and offline criminal acts, ensuring online offenders face the same accountability as those in the physical world.
The bill carries the backing of ministers of Poland’s new Civic Coalition (KO) government, formed in late 2025 by the union of the Citizens Platform (PO), Modern (Nowoczesna) and the Polish Initiative (iPL).
Supporters call for clearer enforcement powers to treat the online broadcasting of serious criminal acts as a punishable offence, aligning digital conduct with crimes already sanctioned offline.
If adopted, the legislation would introduce prison sentences ranging from three months to five years for individuals who publicly share real or staged content depicting serious criminal acts via online platforms.
The same penalty range would also apply to influencers found to be illegally promoting online gambling activity that remains heavily restricted under Poland’s state-controlled gambling regime.
KO ministers have framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen online protections for Polish youth, citing rising exposure to violent digital content and illegal gambling promotions across social media platforms.
The post Poland to Classify Gambling Streaming as Serious Crime appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Casino-Groups
Sebastian Jarosch Becomes Head of AI at Casinos Groups
Sebastian Jarosch is no longer solely the founder and managing director of Casino Groups as he is also taking on the role of Head of AI, at least on an interim basis. This personnel decision marks a conscious step towards closer integration of corporate management and technological responsibility.
In future, Jarosch will not only be responsible for the strategic direction of the company, but also for the further development of the AI systems that already form a central part of the product landscape. Casino Groups is one of the best-known platforms, which has been using and continuously developing an AI-supported rating system for online casinos for some time.
The decision to anchor the role of Head of AI directly at management level was a conscious one. Artificial intelligence now influences almost all areas of the affiliate business, from content structures and data analysis to regulatory documentation and product logic. Such a development requires decisions that bring together economic objectives, technological possibilities and legal frameworks.
Sebastian Jarosch brings this perspective from years of experience in the iGaming sector. As an entrepreneur, he is familiar with economic dependencies as well as the challenges of increasing regulation. The additional responsibility in the AI area makes it possible to set technological courses more quickly, define priorities more clearly and establish innovation as an integral part of corporate management.
The new role of Head of AI fits in perfectly with current developments in the iGaming market. Increasing regulatory requirements, rising acquisition and content costs, and the growing influence of AI-powered search systems are changing the economic fundamentals of the affiliate business. Visibility is no longer achieved solely through reach, but through authority, consistency and verifiable quality.
With this appointment, Casino Groups is sending a clear signal to the outside world. Affiliate companies are increasingly being valued like media or technology companies. Partners and investors are placing greater emphasis on compliance, data competence and sustainable product development. The bundling of management and AI responsibility strengthens the company’s credibility in these areas.
At the same time, Casinos Groups is positioning itself as a player that does not delegate innovation, but actively drives it forward. The interim nature of the role creates space for further development and adaptation without diluting the strategic ambition. For the industry as a whole, this step underlines that AI expertise has arrived at the management level.
The role of Head of AI forms the organisational foundation for this development. It ensures that technological innovation, editorial standards and economic objectives are interlinked. Casino Groups is thus pursuing a clear line: technology as a tool, people as an authority and quality as a connecting element.
The post Sebastian Jarosch Becomes Head of AI at Casinos Groups appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Birgit Wimmer
Birgit Wimmer Named Chairwoman as NOVOMATIC AG Reshapes Supervisory Board
“As Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, I look forward to working together with my colleagues on both the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board as we help to successfully shape the Group’s strategic and sustainable development,” says Birgit Wimmer.
Dr. Haig Asenbauer, an internationally experienced lawyer with particular expertise in cross-border M&A transactions, company reorganization, and complex investment structures, was elected to serve as Deputy Chairman. Martina Flitsch retains her position as a Member of the Supervisory Board. She has many years of experience in international group structures and in providing strategic and legal support for corporate investments. Dr. Robert Hofians, a recognized finance and capital markets expert who also has extensive experience in the fields of governance and regulation in his roles as a professor and public accountant, also remains a Member of the Supervisory Board.
As of January 1, 2026, the Supervisory Board of NOVOMATIC AG is now composed as follows:
- Birgit Wimmer, MSc., MBA (Chairwoman)
- Dr. Haig Asenbauer (Deputy Chairman)
- Martina Flitsch (Member)
- Dr. Robert Hofians (Member)
The post Birgit Wimmer Named Chairwoman as NOVOMATIC AG Reshapes Supervisory Board appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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