Conferences in Europe
European Gaming Congress surpasses all expectations and achieves supreme goal

Good morning Hipthers!
Digital events have been key for the industry this year and we’ve made it a priority to not only keep things going with our hybrid conferences but to also make sure that we’re able to adapt and offer the latest in technology to make sure that the format never gets old.
Last week’s Congress and PICANTE MARKETING Summit smashed all our expectations, and we want to thank each and every one of you for taking part to make it truly brilliant!
With more than 500 registrants and more than 3,000 viewers over the festival via our streams, it was truly an honor to have close to 100 brilliant speakers draw up a virtual chair and offer some of the industry’s best insights on Europe.
We also saw plenty of firsts at the Congress, with our new Altenar-sponsored interactive panel discussions topping out at more than 400 viewers at both sessions – and based on your feedback, we’ll definitely be doing more to bring the audience into the panel conversations at our upcoming events.
Our (newly launched) virtual networking platform also had the chance to make its trial appearance, and we’ll be doing plenty of work to develop it in the coming months to ensure we can start making more connections for our community during the coming winter!
Of course, these events could never happen without our fantastic sponsors, and special thanks goes to Altenar (Registration Sponsor) and Golden Race (Gold Sponsors), as well as Trustly, SoftSwiss, BetGames.TV and Nordic Gambling.
Looking ahead, we’re already planning our live calendar for Q1 2021 – with our Prague Gaming Summit 2021 and MARE BALTICUM going ahead on-location as planned, as well as plenty of virtual appearances for those who can’t make it!
Here is a small break-down of the hybrid events we are planning for 2021:
Prague Gaming Summit – 30 March – (Registrations are open)
MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit and BSG Awards – 13 May (Riga)
CEEGC Budapest – End of September
European Gaming Congress – beginning of November
You can subscribe to our communications on this link to be updated with all it’s happening at Hipther!
Make sure to also register for our upcoming free webinar: What is Hipther and what are our plans for 2021?
Until then, stay tuned for plenty more awesome news soon enough, and enjoy your October!
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Conferences in Europe
Global EDM Icon Alok to Lead the INFINITY Lisbon at SBC Summit

One of Brazil’s most iconic music exports, Alok, will headline the INFINITY Lisbon at SBC Summit, delivering his signature fusion of Brazilian rhythms and electronic dance music to the global event audience.
Set to raise the roof with an unforgettable fusion of lights and sound, the MEO Arena, home to SBC Summit’s ‘Super Stage’ during the day, will shift into high gear on September 18 as it transforms into the venue for the INFINITY Lisbon. Having hosted global icons like Beyoncé and The Weeknd, the arena promises an electrifying night designed to captivate the global gaming community.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, said: “The INFINITY is about blending high-level business networking with unforgettable experiences, and bringing someone of Alok’s caliber to the stage takes that to a whole new level. I’m proud that we’re able to deliver this kind of energy and entertainment to our attendees.”
Alok rose to global fame with his breakout hit ‘Hear Me Now’—now nearing 850 million streams on Spotify—and has since become a trailblazer in the Brazilian Bass genre. Ranked 4th in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs for three consecutive years (2021–2023), he commands a massive global following with nearly 22 million monthly listeners on Spotify and 29 million Instagram followers.
In addition to headlining some of the world’s biggest festivals, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and Lollapalooza, Alok has collaborated with international stars such as Dua Lipa, Jason Derulo, and Ed Sheeran. His influence extends into gaming culture as well, with his inclusion as a playable character in the hit game Garena Free Fire.
Beyond the stage, Alok is a passionate philanthropist and the founder of the Alok Institute, which supports educational programs, environmental preservation, and social impact projects across Brazil.
He also champions the next generation of artists through his labels Controversia Records and UP Club Records—platforms dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and promoting emerging talent in the electronic music scene, both in Brazil and internationally.
With accolades such as Forbes Brazil’s 30 Most Influential Brazilians and Spotify’s Top 100 Global, Alok is the ideal artist to headline SBC’s second INFINITY experience, according to Sojmark.
“The INFINITY brand was born in Lisbon. It’s where we dared to try something different, hosting our first-ever EDM-style festival with massive names like Don Diablo, Miss Monique, and Darude. The energy that night was off the charts, and it confirmed what we already felt: we had created something truly special for the industry,” he said.
The INFINITY Lisbon is the grand finale of SBC Summit, the industry’s fastest-growing global event uniting 30,000 professionals across betting, gaming, payments, and affiliation. After making the move from Barcelona, Lisbon’s second edition is gearing up for an even bigger return this September 16-18.
Sojmark added: “Funny enough, Alok was originally set to headline the INFINITY Rio, but plans shifted—and now it feels even more right to have him take the stage in Lisbon, where this whole journey began. It’s going to be one hell of a night.”
Asked about his vision for the INFINITY brand, the SBC CEO said: “I see it as a thank-you to our community—a celebration for those who believe in SBC and the connections built at our events. Experiences like this strengthen those bonds. That’s the power of joy, and that’s the essence of The INFINITY brand.”
The INFINITY Lisbon is an exclusive experience reserved for VIP Event Pass holders. Secure yours now for just €400 and take advantage of a €200 early bird discount.
Operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary VIP Event Passes.
The post Global EDM Icon Alok to Lead the INFINITY Lisbon at SBC Summit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Affiliate Industry
SBC Summit Malta: Empowering Affiliates with Strategy & Market Insight

As affiliates strive to expand their reach and build deeper player connections, SBC Summit Malta offers the ultimate platform to learn how to diversify marketing channels, gain access to game-changing technologies, and strengthen their market position.
Education will be a key pillar of the event, with 250 industry experts taking the stage to share their insights. The dedicated ‘Affiliation‘ conference track will take place on Wednesday, 10th June, at the InterContinental Hotel in St. Julian’s. The speaker lineup will feature affiliate professionals, marketing specialists, and operator-side representatives who work closely with affiliates.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, said: “With changing regulations, evolving player behaviours and preferences, and a constant wave of new tech and marketing channels, having the right insights and strategies is crucial to staying ahead in the region.
“If you’ve attended what was formerly CasinoBeats Summit, you already know how dedicated we are to driving progress in the affiliation space. Now, with SBC Summit Malta serving as our gateway to Europe, you can expect to hear from some of the region’s leading affiliates as they tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges.”
Attendees can look forward to a range of sessions addressing key opportunities and pain points for European affiliates, including integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into SEO strategies, leveraging affiliate networks to enhance growth, diversifying content output, and drawing lessons from outside the industry.
The track opens with the ‘Diversify Your Channels Before It’s Too Late!’ panel, which will explore how affiliates can future-proof their strategies in an unpredictable digital landscape. Featuring experts Jarl Modén (CPO, Dilanti Media), Johan Svensson (CEO, Raketech), Mathew Symmonds (CEO, Web Analysis Solutions Limited), Richard Dennys (CEO, Game Lounge) and John Wright (CEO, Statsdrone), the session will examine the shifting social media landscape, the growing influence of AI, and how to manage diverse content types.
The session ‘Explore How Affiliate Networks Drive Growth for Start-Up Affiliates and Operators’ will highlight how affiliate networks can serve as powerful catalysts for growth for both emerging affiliates and operators. Experts Joshua Gamble (Managing Director, Activewins), Vadim Aidlin (CEO, Mamuta Media), Johan Styren (CEO & Co-Founder, Dilanti Media Ltd), Clinton Cutajar (CTO, MediaTroopers) and Brendon Spiteri (Head of Partnerships, AffiliationSpace) will discuss how these networks can be leveraged to help build strategic partnerships, expand market reach, and boost overall performance.
The panel ‘Game Changers: Lessons from Other Industries to Transform Affiliation in 2026’ will explore how the gaming industry can adapt and innovate by drawing inspiration from sectors such as e-commerce, dating, and Nutra. Speakers will examine successful strategies from these industries and discuss how these insights can be applied to reshape and strengthen affiliate models heading into 2026 and beyond.
Additionally, the track will feature a dedicated ‘SEO Trilogy‘, hosted by SEO expert Ivana Flynn. This series of SEO-focused panels will cover key developments, including crafting strategies for optimising AI-driven systems, protecting players against blackhat SEO tactics, and ensuring seamless operations across multiple platforms.
Affiliates looking to dive deeper into the latest marketing trends shaping the European landscape can attend the dedicated ‘Marketing’ conference track on Thursday, 11th June—the second day of the summit. Sessions will cover how to harness AI to create unique content, navigate advertising restrictions, and use data to boost player retention and loyalty.
The post SBC Summit Malta: Empowering Affiliates with Strategy & Market Insight appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
When 5 Votes Make All the Difference: A Special Moment at the GamingTECH CEE Awards

At this year’s GamingTECH CEE Awards, we witnessed something rare—and pretty remarkable—in the “Best iGaming CEO in CEE” category.
With 214 total votes cast across 9 nominees, two names clearly rose to the top, standing apart from a highly competitive field:
- Vlastimil Venclik, CEO at Oddin.gg
- Dario Jurčić, CEO at NSoft
But here’s where it gets interesting: the difference between them? Just 5 votes.
That’s right—after weeks of online voting and a live secret ballot from summit participants, the final count came down to a 5-vote margin. In a category filled with respected leaders, innovators, and visionaries, two CEOs clearly resonated with the industry in a big way.
And while only one person can technically take home the winner’s trophy, this razor-thin result was too significant to ignore. So, for the first time in the history of the GamingTECH CEE Awards, we decided to introduce something new:
- An Honorary Runner-Up Trophy for “Best iGaming CEO in CEE” awarded to Dario Jurčić, CEO of NSoft.
Why This Matters
The intent behind this decision is simple: When excellence is nearly indistinguishable, it deserves to be recognized.
Dario Jurčić has played a vital role in expanding NSoft’s influence, strengthening its presence in new markets, and leading with a people-first approach in a rapidly evolving sector. His visibility, leadership, and impact were clearly acknowledged by the voting community—and with just a handful of votes separating him from the top spot, it felt only right to shine a spotlight on that achievement.
A Testament to a Vibrant Industry
The closeness of this race also speaks volumes about the caliber of leadership we’re seeing in the Central and Eastern European iGaming space. With companies like Oddin.gg and NSoft pushing boundaries in their respective verticals, the region continues to establish itself as a dynamic force in the global gaming landscape.
We congratulate Vlastimil Venclik on his well-earned win, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation and applause to Dario Jurčić for standing out in such a competitive field.
Sometimes, even second place can tell a powerful story—and this year, it certainly did.
The post When 5 Votes Make All the Difference: A Special Moment at the GamingTECH CEE Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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