Central Europe
New German Regulations Give Much Focus on Age Verification
The progress of legalising online gaming across Germany has been patchy, but there was a breakthrough on 12 March 2020 when the latest GlüNeuRStV was approved by the German heads of state. It acts as a compromise between states wanting the market to be open and those wanting gambling to be more restricted.
This treaty will open up the online market to all products and verticals, specifically poker and virtual slots, with the legislation set to come into force on 1 July 2021. It will, therefore, significantly liberalise the market, subject to strict conditions concerning player protection.
Ahead of July 2021, a transition period was agreed to enable all existing operators and the German Länder to adapt to the new legal framework. This period began on 15 October 2020 and will be used to clarify existing and forthcoming mandates, including those on age verification. However, it’s important to note the industry must comply with the new laws as of 15 October (with a few exceptions deferred to 15 December).
Age verification has been a hot topic in Germany since an investigation by the Bavarian Consumer Centre highlighted the ease at which under-18s could access five major online gambling sites. To get a license in Germany under the new regime, online gambling operators will need to demonstrate a robust age verification solution.
The risks of failure to demonstrate a system of age and identity verification, are significant. It will likely result in a licence application being rejected. For current operators in the German market, it could lead to the revocation of their license and fines of up to €500,000.
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Central Europe
Promatic Games now live in Slovakia
Promatic Games, a polish game-tech brand and a slots studio specializing in game design and software solutions for online casinos, officially entered the Slovak market on January 24th, 2025. Eurogold, a long-time partner of Promatic Group in the land-based gaming sector, became the first online casino in Slovakia to launch 10 of the studio’s popular online slot games.
“Entering the Slovak market has been a significant milestone for us. This year, we are focused on strengthening our presence in Central Europe, with Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Croatia and other markets in the region as key strategic priorities. Our portfolio of over 100 online slot games is designed to meet the expectations of players in these markets, as proven by our success in Poland. Partnering with a long-time customer for our initial launch in Slovakia was a natural choice, but our ultimate goal is to become a widely recognized game provider in the country and a trusted partner for all operators “– says Maciej Makuszewski, Head of iGaming at Promatic.
The collaboration with Eurogold online casino marks a significant milestone in Promatic Games’ journey. This partnership brings a selection of top-tier games to Slovak players, including fan-favorites such as Jumping Fruits, Ultra Reels, 81 Show, and Miss Inferno Deluxe. As a highlight for this market, Promatic Games has developed an exclusive slot for Eurogold – Kmeťo King Deluxe – which is a tribute to a popular Slovak folk singer Igor Kmeťo. The game is available exclusively at Eurogold.sk and features some of Mr. Kmeťo’s music during the gameplay. The launch of Kmeťo King Deluxe underscores Promatic Games’ commitment to delivering localized and tailored gaming experiences for new audiences.
All ten games introduced to the Slovak market have successfully passed rigorous certification by TSU Laboratory, a local Slovak authority specializing in game testing and certification. TSU ensures that all gaming software complies with international standards, guaranteeing fairness, reliability, and security for players. Promatic Games’ adherence to these high standards emphasizes the company’s dedication to delivering trusted and quality experiences.
Promatic Games is already preparing its next lineup of titles, promising to bring even more unforgettable gaming experiences to Slovak players. The new games will include, amongst others, Janosik 30 game based on the character of both Polish and Slovak folk hero. This expansion signals the company’s dedication to growing its presence in the Slovak market while maintaining the exceptional standards it is known for.
The post Promatic Games now live in Slovakia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
IGT Modernizes Central Lottery System for LOTTO Thüringen in Germany via Seven-Year Contract Extension
International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Services Limited, has signed a seven-year contract with the Thuringian State Lottery (“LOTTO Thüringen”) in Germany to deploy its retail central system technology, Aurora™, and related software upgrades. The contract term will begin upon go-live of the new platform, planned for March 2026.
An integral part of OMNIA™, IGT’s player-centric, omnichannel solution for lotteries, Aurora helps drive lottery innovation and profitability. The platform will provide intuitive, user-friendly applications, tools and reporting capabilities which will handle all of LOTTO Thüringen’s transaction processing, game management and back-office operations.
“LOTTO Thüringen has relied on IGT’s versatile and strong-performing central system technology throughout the course of our decades-long relationship,” said Jochen Staschewski, LOTTO Thüringen Chief Executive Officer. “Upgrading our central retail system to IGT’s advanced platform and back-end software will enable us to streamline our business processes and continue operating with the highest levels of efficiency.”
“IGT’s retail central system incorporates a suite of flexible solutions designed to help manage, transform and further grow LOTTO Thüringen’s business,” said Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Global Lottery. “With this long-term contract extension, LOTTO Thüringen is well-positioned to continue benefiting from IGT’s secure, responsible and modernized technology and software. Leveraging these best-in-class solutions will aid in the Lottery’s goals of supporting good causes throughout the state.”
The post IGT Modernizes Central Lottery System for LOTTO Thüringen in Germany via Seven-Year Contract Extension appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
SYNOT Games teams up with win2day to revolutionize Austria’s iGaming scene
SYNOT Games, a leading iGaming provider, has partnered with win2day, taking a major step in its Austrian market growth strategy.
The collaboration marks its debut with the launch of Resin Joker, a fan-favorite slot that combines the simplicity of a classic gaming experience with a fresh, modern twist. With its smooth gameplay, vibrant audio-visuals, and universal appeal, Respin Joker has become a standout title for players seeking both entertainment and nostalgia.
As this partnership progresses, players can look forward to a steady rollout of additional games from SYNOT Games’ extensive portfolio, further enriching win2day’s already robust catalog. This collaboration is designed to offer Austrian players a premium gaming experience, with a diverse selection of games that blend cutting-edge innovation and top-tier quality.
Georg Wawer, Managing Director of win2day, said: „As the sole licensed operator in Austria, our goal is to host all leading iGaming providers on our platform. Synot, being a major player on the international stage, makes us proud to feature their content. We regard SYNOT Games as a skilled and trustworthy partner for win2day, and we are confident that this collaboration will yield great success.„
Martina Krajčí, CCO at SYNOT Games, commented: “We are excited to partner with win2day and bring our games to Austrian players. At SYNOT Games, our focus has always been on providing quality entertainment, and this partnership highlights our commitment to delivering an outstanding gaming experience.”
The post SYNOT Games teams up with win2day to revolutionize Austria’s iGaming scene appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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