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Outlook on the gambling industry in 2021 per region by selected Way Seers

Published

5 years ago

January 5, 2021

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: 6 minutes

European Gaming and Gaming Americas Way Seers share their opinion about the new year.

There is no doubt that 2020 has changed the industry in many ways and we can expect 2021 to have lots of surprises.

We have asked our Way Seers from European Gaming and Gaming Americas to share their opinion about what they are expecting from the year 2021 in Europe, in North and Latin America.

Here is what the European Gaming Way Seers are saying:

“With Germany and the Netherlands both planning to launch their new licensing regimes in 2021 we will see some long-anticipated markets opening. This will mean new opportunities and challenges for the industry and, in general, I believe 2021 will be a year in which the industry will be tested: AML compliance and social responsibility being on the top of the agenda. The pandemic, which we are still in, will increase the need for the industry to continue to step up their game and I expect a lot more focus and discussion around responsible product design and advertising. Affiliates and possibly also streamers will likely bear the brunt of this.” – JESSICA MAIER, Chief Risk Officer, Head of Legal and Compliance at Push Gaming

“We want to be positive going into a new year, wishing health, wealth, and prosperity. 2021 must be a better one for the gambling industry. On several key issues, I believe the industry manifested how quickly and adequately we can come together and respond, in times of dire crisis. We need to do much more of that in 2021 and beyond. Rigid market restrictions are being rolled out in existing markets, at the same time, 2021 will see market openings in Europe and beyond as well as ongoing innovation by the online industry. The crisis, which has hit State revenues, should yield more discussions on the benefits of proper regulation – in a sustainable way. 2021 should see research and evidence-based policy better guiding legislators and regulators, with industry more proactively wanting to provide credible evidence to inform policy, as well as match innovation and safer gambling.” – CHARMAINE HOGAN, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Playtech

“I expect 2021 to be about the product, both in terms of increased regulatory attention and the required creativity when it comes to innovation. It will be the product that will set companies apart from their competition, especially in mature regulated markets where we will likely see the 2020 re-regulation trend continuing. Increased attention to addressing player advancement, the use of AI and automation will likely play key roles in this. When it comes to how regulation will evolve, my hope is that we will see more focus on data-driven and evidence-based regulation rather than restriction being applied across the board. The UKGC’s call for evidence on remote customer interaction and affordability will be one to watch, and of course, the US will catch everybody’s attention in 2021.” – SISSEL WEITZHANDLER, Chief Compliance Officer at Play’n GO

“2021 will certainly be a challenging year as Europe is dealing with the health and economic consequences of the pandemic. In the gambling sector, the main objective will be to continue to look for innovative, secure solutions for the growing online sector and to withdraw the restrictions that were introduced as a result of the COVID-19 situation.” – RAFFAELA ZILLNER, LL.M, Secretary-General at Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling (OVWG)

“2020 was a year of becoming aware. Suddenly there were situations that we would never have thought possible. There were threats, existential threats that we were not prepared for. The incredible impact of restrictions on the land-based gambling industry revealed the strengths of online gambling in times of crisis – both for providers and to meet demand. Policymakers cannot ignore that.” – DR. JOERG HOFMANN, Partner at MELCHERS LAW

“For me as being a passionate representative of the online gambling industry, it is fascinating to observe how well these services function in a society under the kind of pressure we now face. The transition from land-based to online has received a boost, and I believe that the entertainment from our industry together with contributions from other platforms such as streaming media services truly make people’s lives better under these tough conditions.” – GUSTAF HOFFSTEDT, Secretary-General at the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling

To dive into quality knowledge and meet up with the top names of the industry in the EU/EEA/CIS and Balkans, make sure to signup and attend our virtual meetups in 2021.

The first virtual Quarterly Meetup of the European gaming industry will take place on February 11 and you can find more information/register on the following page: https://europeangaming.eu/meetups/

Here is what the Gaming Americas Way Seers are saying:

“In terms of jurisdictions, I would say that the advances on online gaming and sports betting regulations in several provinces of Argentina will have an important protagonist in 2021, as well as the market development of recently regulated jurisdictions that are strategically important such as Puerto Rico and Panama. In Brazil, the advances to the fixed odds sports betting regulation and concession or authorization process will continue to be closely followed by the industry as well as the role that the States will also have on the operation of Lotteries and possibly participating in the sports betting market.

Also, how player behavior and preference post-Covid will shape the land-based operations, potentially propelling a faster way to the convergence of the online and land-based world, not only from the game content and player experience perspective but also in terms of possible partnerships. The Role that payment methods will play in all this will be key.

I believe operators will take much more informed decisions and give a higher priority not only to cost but also to the added value from their technological partners, especially with the significant rise of illegal gaming during the pandemic. It is crucial to bring the players back to the legal gaming offer with a better player experience and with the benefit of the protection to the vulnerable and all the related responsible gaming tools that are only available in the regulated operations.

I take the opportunity to wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe New Year!” – KAREN MARCELA SIERRA-HUGHES, Director, Latin America, and Caribbean Government Relations and Business Development at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI®)

“From a Canadian perspective, one item to look out for is Bill C-13, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Single Event Sports Betting). The First Reading took place in the House of Commons in November 2020. The House of Commons is in recess until February due to the holidays, but a Second Reading vote on Bill C-13 could be arranged as early as mid-February. Another exciting item in Ontario’s competitive iGaming regime, which will include private operators. The regime will be further developed over the coming months.

On the US side, we expect additional states to legalize sports betting and Mazooma is looking forward to expanding in those states.” – CHANTAL CIPRIANO, Senior Director, Legal & Compliance at Mazooma

“2021 will be a blockbuster year for all things sports betting. I am especially excited to see the innovative products brought to market by startups and early-stage companies that are just starting to break into the mass market.” – LLOYD DANZIG, Founder & CEO at Sharp Alpha Advisors

“2020 has been the most challenging and at times craziest year of our lives and we have all had to face and overcome unexpected situations. But there is now a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and the future of the gambling industry is looking much brighter for 2021. Of course, we must still work together and look after one another if we are to ensure this great industry not only survives but thrives over the next 12 months. At Focus Gaming News we will continue to play our part, bringing you the latest news, interviews, and analysis.” – FERNANDO SAFFORES, Founder & Director at Focus Gaming News

“2020 – the year of the ‘lockdown’ — has shown a demand for interactive products. In the US, I expect 2021 will lead to increased offerings such as e-lottery and increased acceptance of e-sports as a betting market. We should also expect to see the industry leverage the commercial success (and accompanying increase in state tax revenue) of online sports betting to justify an expansion of online casino in additional US states.” – JEREMY KLEIMAN, Gaming Attorney and Member at Saiber LLC

“One of the most important things to look for is the continued rollout of sports betting across additional states in the US. Are states like Ohio and Georgia going to actually get across the finish line? Will New York finally legalize mobile betting?

I’m also looking at whether sports betting operators are able to continue to grow their base and reach the tens of millions of casual sports fans who don’t presently bet on sports.” – EVAN DAVIS, Managing Director, Sports Betting and Gaming for SeventySix Capital Sports Advisory

All through the year, you can tune in on quality discussions and meet up with the top names from the North and Latin American gaming industry. Make sure to signup and attend our virtual meetups which will take place on a quarterly basis in 2021 and make the most of them.

The first virtual Quarterly Meetup of the North and Latin American gaming industry will take place on January 28 and you can find more information/register on the following page: https://gamingamericas.com/meetups/

For further sponsorship/speaking and marketing inquiries, make sure to reach out to Andrada Marginean (B2B Sales Executive at Hipther Agency).

For media-related inquiries, please contact Alexandru Marginean (Marketing Specialist at Hipther Agency).

Conferences

ELA Games to Speak on Sustainable Growth at HIPTHER Prague 10th Anniversary Summit

Published

2 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

ela-games-to-speak-on-sustainable-growth-at-hipther-prague-10th-anniversary-summit

The Head of Business Development at ELA Games collaborates with industry colleagues to explore the forthcoming phase of scalability.

ELA Games is happy to share that Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development, will serve as an expert panelist at the forthcoming HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Prague Summit is a focused event for leaders in gaming and technology across Central and Eastern Europe. On Day 2 (March 25, 2026) at 12:00 PM, Yaroslav will take the stage in the QUARTZ Room for a session called: “Game Innovation & Studio Growth: What Scales in 2026.”

Led by the esteemed industry personality Michael Caselli, the dialogue unites a panel of experienced experts, featuring Robert Lenzhofer (Hölle Games), Alexis Wicén (Scatters Group), Alessia Paiano, and Assaf Stieglitz. The session aims to investigate the realities of the contemporary gaming scene, aiding in differentiating between short-term experiments and the sustainable growth strategies that succeed in a competitive, regulated setting.

Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development at ELA Games, said of the upcoming session: “Innovation in 2026 is defined by how a good idea adapts to the specific needs of the market. ELA Games is focused on the artistry of our games, making sure every animation and feature meets a standard of quality that itself is a core selling point for our partners. Scaling today requires us to push creative boundaries while finding new ways to maintain a competitive edge in a crowded and ever-changing market. It’s an honor to join such a distinguished panel at the Prague Summit, particularly as HIPTHER marks a decade of bringing together some of the most influential voices in the CEE region.”

The discussion will center on various critical aspects of studio development, such as:

Strategic Innovation Cycles: Syncing ambitious creative experimentation with the practical needs of product-market fit and scalable business success.

Efficient Distribution: Ways specialized studios can broaden their audience via strategic aggregation and partnerships with platforms.

Creative Adaptation: Preserving a studio’s artistic identity while effectively managing the changing technical and regulatory requirements of European markets.

The post ELA Games to Speak on Sustainable Growth at HIPTHER Prague 10th Anniversary Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Cashpoint

EveryMatrix wins Cashpoint omnichannel turnkey platform deal in Denmark

Published

3 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

everymatrix-wins-cashpoint-omnichannel-turnkey-platform-deal-in-denmark

EveryMatrix has signed a landmark omnichannel agreement to provide turnkey technology for one of Western Europe’s leading betting and gaming brands. Under the deal, EveryMatrix will power over 1,000 sports betting terminals across 230+ shops nationwide, while also delivering a fully integrated online sportsbook platform and launching Merkur’s first online casino in the second half of 2026.

The agreement represents the second major Denmark-based turnkey deal for EveryMatrix in just two months, following Danske Spil’s selection of the provider to power its casino and bingo operations.

Cashpoint, set to rebrand as Merkur Bets once the platform migration is complete, holds strong market positions in Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Denmark, making it one of the most prominent betting and gaming operators across Western Europe.

The brand began searching for a modern technology partner in early 2025, aiming to implement a scalable, omnichannel solution capable of integrating sportsbook and casino offerings. The migration from its in-house system to EveryMatrix’s turnkey platform is scheduled to align with the start of the new football season, ensuring a seamless transition for customers.

Ebbe Groes, Group Co-CEO & Co-Founder at EveryMatrix, said:

“The Cashpoint and Merkur brands are among the most recognisable in Denmark and across Europe. Partnering with their team to deliver a project of this scale is a privilege, and it demonstrates the growing trust tier-1 operators and lotteries are placing in EveryMatrix technology.”

Mathias Dahms, Managing Director Sportsbetting at Merkur Group, added:

“Merkur Bets is taking a major step forward this year. By switching to EveryMatrix technology and rebranding, we are positioning the brand for continued growth and success in Denmark. EveryMatrix offers the ideal foundation to support our omnichannel strategy and future expansion.”

This agreement reinforces EveryMatrix’s position as a leading provider of turnkey sportsbook and casino solutions, delivering both in-store and online experiences for operators across Europe.

The post EveryMatrix wins Cashpoint omnichannel turnkey platform deal in Denmark appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

EGT

24 Years Strong: EGT’s Commitment to Excellence and Timeliness

Published

3 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

24-years-strong:-egt’s-commitment-to-excellence-and-timeliness

EGT was established to quickly rise as one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of gaming equipment worldwide. Today, as the organization marks its 24th anniversary, its narrative can be expressed in years of development, in hours of output, in minutes of accuracy, and even in seconds of engineering brilliance. Let’s reflect on how it accomplished this success.

Throughout this time, the company developed and patented more than 700 products and manufactured over 200,000 gaming devices, which have been placed in many of the most prestigious venues globally.

Numerous advancements from the EGT collection, including the Egypt Quest and Bell Link jackpots as well as the cabinets from the Premier, General, and Supreme series, have established benchmarks within the industry, defining its standards and making EGT synonymous with unwavering quality.

EGT has established 3 factories where it produces its goods and meets orders for clients globally. The company has even taken an additional step, successfully completing its production cycle at 360 degrees, which enables it to supply nearly everything required for manufacturing its machines.

This comprehensive production system enables EGT to assess its efficiency not only over years of expansion but also in seconds, minutes, and hours on the manufacturing floor.

Thanks to this, in just 24 seconds, the machines in the company’s production lines cut over 40 meters of cable used in EGT’s products. At this speed, the height of Mount Everest could be reached in under 90 minutes.

In just 24 minutes, over 16,000 components used in EGT’s products pass through the production process. At this rate, a venue the size of Madison Square Garden could be filled in about 30 minutes.

In 24 hours, 420 slot cabinets come off EGT’s production lines. Placed side by side, they would stretch almost the length of three football fields.

Impressive figures, right? Yet they represent only a fraction of what EGT has achieved over the past 24 years.

EGT is continually expanding its presence, with its products now available in more than 100 markets across 5 continents. Over 4,500 staff members across 28 global offices guarantee that the business remains close to its clientele.

In the last 24 years, EGT has been involved in more than 300 exhibitions globally. It has grown its family by adding 2 subsidiaries – EGT Digital and EGT Steel Production, which have allowed it to enhance its product offerings and now provide an even broader array of solutions to its existing and prospective clients and partners.

Throughout this time, EGT has garnered more than 30 accolades, serving as clear evidence of its standing as a leader in the gaming sector both nationally and internationally, along with its recognition as one of the most reliable firms in the Bulgarian economy overall.

Furthermore, EGT belongs to various Bulgarian and international business and industry associations. It holds more than 10 certifications for its work quality and presently utilizes systems like SAP, supported by internationally acknowledged testing labs like GLI and BMM, ensuring that the company’s products comply with all industry standards.

None of these achievements could have been realized without the company’s most important resource – its staff. EGT has established and fostered a culture of assistance and motivation for its staff to realize their potential and advance their careers within the company. Consequently, in just the past 5 years, its staff have participated in more than 200 varied courses and training sessions to enhance their professional skills and qualifications.

Simultaneously, the organization ensures a healthy balance between professional and personal life by enacting various family-focused social policies and allowing individuals to engage in their interests. EGT fields sports teams in football and athletics that frequently engage in multiple tournaments and competitions, showcasing impressive performances.

The company’s artists have the opportunity to showcase their individual creations in a unique exhibition that EGT hosts each year, and in 2025, the display was open to the public for the first time.

Annually, EGT offers internship programs that allow numerous young individuals at the start of their careers to gain essential knowledge and skills, with some going on to work at the company and utilizing this knowledge in practical applications at EGT.

Consequently, the company takes pride in a substantial percentage of long-serving employees—20% of the workforce has more than a decade of experience with the organization, which is an outstanding accomplishment.

In addition to all this, EGT continues to be accountable to society. Throughout the years, the organization has participated in various charitable initiatives focused on safeguarding the environment and assisting vulnerable individuals and those in distress.

EGT also actively backs various initiatives to encourage responsible gaming, enhancing its reputation as a developer of cutting-edge gaming solutions that lead industry trends.

Vladimir Dokov, CEO of EGT, shared: “Inspired by all these milestones achieved over the past 24 years, we have set ourselves no less ambitious goals for 2026. Along with further modernizing our production facilities, entering new markets and strengthening our leadership on a global level, an equally important priority for us will be to continue contributing to the improvement of the educational and professional environment in the country. This way, we will be able to prove once again that we not only know how to do successful business, but also that we are a socially responsible company that contributes to the overall development of society. This is the true meaning of excellence for us.”

Happy 24th birthday, EGT. Here’s to many more years where every second counts.

The post 24 Years Strong: EGT’s Commitment to Excellence and Timeliness appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.