Central Europe

The long-awaited opening of the German market has arrived

Published

4 years ago

June 30, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Catalin Negoita, Commercial Manager at Kalamba Games

The long-awaited German legislation allowing online gaming nationwide finally enters into force this week. Even before fully opening up, the market has become a key focus for many industry players, with a multitude of factors making the potential of the region an attractive proposition.

Firstly, there is the sheer size of the country itself. With a population second only to Russia in Europe and relatively high average earnings, the potential value of the player pool is vast. The second reason is perhaps more subjective, but we have found that German players are fairly easy to satisfy. Their preferences are well established, which makes it straightforward for an online casino supplier to adequately cater for this sizeable new clientele.

Because of the country’s strong history of land-based gambling, classic games that resemble titles found in brick-and-mortar venues with popular themes like ancient Egypt and book games work very well with local players. Taking inspiration from what works in the land-based sector is therefore often a safe bet in Germany. Mobile usage is also a lot higher than your average market because of the good infrastructure so it’s worth considering creating games that are optimised for mobile.

Strict rules and regulations around responsible gaming and player protection have already presented some challenges for the industry with slot suppliers required to make fundamental changes to the makeup of their content.

Operators must adopt a €1 maximum stake limit on online slots, alongside a 5-second minimum duration on slot spins. Jackpots will be banned, removing an important acquisition and retention tool for operators. Monthly deposit limits of €1,000 will also be introduced and players must be offered tools to set spending and time limits, along with cooling-off periods.

These restrictions will influence the shape of the market with the main effect being that retention will have a greater focus than in many other markets with fewer restrictions.

Despite being a hot topic in the industry for quite some time, providers will now be trying even harder to retain more players for longer and will have to be creative in order to succeed. Legislative changes are part of every regulated market and it is key for operators and suppliers to embrace them and try to adapt as best we can. We are known to be a very innovative industry and I’m sure as the market matures, we will see pioneering new ways to acquire and retain players while ensuring maximum player protection.

Basically gamification, customer service and the quality of games in general will be the differentiator in the German market, and that is for both providers and operators to address.

Gambling will become more of a social thing because the maximum limit is so low. It’s not exactly going to be the thrill of winning big – it will be the social aspect and making sure that retention factors, gamification side missions and different functionalities are top notch.

You could say a laser-like focus on promotional tools and social gaming elements, such as those that we are introducing on our own Kalamba Bullseye platform, are going to be very important. Basically, everything that enhances the player experience will be key such as promotional tools, UX elements, and/or in-game gamification features. Similarly, game production values will have to be high and match those of other entertainment media.

At Kalamba, we believe that Germany will be a very strong market. The way to monetise the market will just be a little bit different there. There won’t be VIP players, so the industry will have to adjust to a volume model. Player values will decrease but because of the social acceptance of gaming, and slots in particular, the player numbers will increase and that’s how it will balance itself out over time.

Initially, when the legislation comes into force, we will just have to analyse the player behaviour and see in what direction the market is going and how we can fully capitalise on this new opportunity. Germany will be a market that could completely change with providers having to adapt to the new conditions as there will be a lot of new players entering the market now that it’s completely regulated.

We must work very closely with our partners to figure out the best way to make the player experience as engaging as possible and this will lead us to success in this new and exciting environment.

Bazoom

Bazoom Becomes the Official Sponsor of Gamblers Connect’s SiGMA Central Europe Delegation

Published

13 hours ago

October 27, 2025

George Miller

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Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, is excited to share that Bazoom will be the official sponsor of Gamblers Connect’s delegation at the upcoming SiGMA Central Europe Summit in Rome, Italy.

As one of Gamblers Connect’s long-standing partners and one of the most trusted link-building and content platforms in the iGaming industry, this collaboration is another great example of creating real impact through strong partnerships. Both companies share the same vision, building with quality, not noise, and this sponsorship perfectly reflects that shared belief.

Thanks to Bazoom’s support, the Gamblers Connect team will have a greater presence at one of Europe’s most important iGaming events, connecting directly with operators, affiliates, and industry leaders from all over the world.

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder & CEO at Gamblers Connect: “Thanks to Bazoom Group’ support as our sponsor, Gamblers Connect will be present at SiGMA Rome. Partnering with companies that believe in our mission and invest in our growth is exactly what allows us to show up, connect and deliver even more value.”

Bazoom’s innovative platform has become an essential ally for companies looking to strengthen their digital footprint. With access to nearly 100,000 verified media outlets worldwide, the platform makes it easier than ever to acquire quality backlinks and tailored content that drives real growth, all through a transparent, pay-per-link model.

Kristoffer Krog, Head of Global Partnerships at Bazoom: “At Bazoom we always strive to stay ahead of our competition and maintain our position as industry leader within link building. The partnership with Gamblers Connect for SiGMA Rome reflects exactly that, as we share the same ambitions, know-how and expert knowledge within the industry.”

The post Bazoom Becomes the Official Sponsor of Gamblers Connect’s SiGMA Central Europe Delegation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Central Europe

Mr.Booster to Showcase Growth-Driven Marketing Solutions at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome

Published

4 days ago

October 24, 2025

Niji Narayan

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Full-service marketing agency mr.Booster is set to participate in SiGMA Central Europe 2025, taking place in Rome on November 4–6. With an interactive booth at the heart of the exhibition, mr.Booster will highlight its expertise in performance-driven digital marketing and invite partners to discover new ways to scale in iGaming, fintech and beyond.

Known for its integrated approach that combines media buying, SEO, influencer campaigns, creative production and data-driven retargeting, mr.Booster has established itself as a trusted growth partner for brands navigating highly competitive digital landscapes.

“SiGMA is a key meeting point for innovation and partnership. For us, it’s not just about showcasing services, but about sparking conversations and co-creating growth strategies with ambitious teams from across the world,” said Leonid Pudov, CEO of mr.Booster.

At Sigma Central Europe, the mr.Booster team will welcome visitors to explore how creativity meets performance. Guests will see the mr.Booster Ad Platform in action, learn how data-driven retargeting turns audiences into loyal players and dive into case stories that prove measurable growth is never accidental. The booth will also feature quick strategy sessions with mr.Booster experts, a vibrant entertainment corner with photo moments and exclusive merch — plus a few surprises for those ready to spin, snap and win.

This year also marks an important milestone for mr.Booster as the agency continues its expansion across European markets.

mr.Booster has been shortlisted for the SiGMA Central Europe Awards 2025 in the category INDUSTRY RISING STAR 2025, recognizing its innovative contributions to media buying, affiliate marketing and cross-channel performance strategies.

The post Mr.Booster to Showcase Growth-Driven Marketing Solutions at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Betsson Group

Betsson to Attend SiGMA Central Europe 2025

Published

6 days ago

October 22, 2025

Niji Narayan

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Reading Time: < 1 minute

Betsson Group is going to participate in SiGMA Central Europe 2025, taking place in Rome, Italy, from 3–6 November. As one of the region’s most awaited iGaming conferences, SiGMA Central Europe brings together top industry leaders to explore new technologies, business opportunities and market trends shaping the future of the industry.

Betsson Group Joins the Stage at SiGMA Central Europe

Two of Betsson Group’s leaders will take the stage to discuss regulated markets, compliance and brand strategy.

4 November | 10:15–10:45 CET

Speaker: Dario Evangelista, Deputy General Counsel, Betsson Group

Panel: Licence to Launch: Winning Strategies for Entering Regulated Markets

This panel will explore key strategies for operators expanding from emerging to regulated markets, focusing on compliance, customer protection and cultural adaptation.

4 November | 13:20–13:35 CET

Speaker:Ronni Hartvig, Chief Commercial Officer, Betsson Group

Keynote: Global Power, Local Passion: Evolving Betsson’s Brand for a Regulated World

Ronni will discuss how Betsson Group has evolved its global strategy – rebranding, navigating regulation and uniting multiple brands under one identity while maintaining local relevance.

The post Betsson to Attend SiGMA Central Europe 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.