Conferences
NOVOMATIC Delivers Spectacular Innovation at ICE 2026
From January 19 to 21, ICE Barcelona was once again the global hub of the gaming industry. With a booth of over 4500 m², NOVOMATIC brought its comprehensive 360-degree portfolio to life, spotlighting the latest advances in gaming technology and integrated solutions. Alongside representatives of NOVOMATIC headquarters, numerous subsidiaries and technology partners, including NOVOMATIC Gaming Spain, NOVOMATIC Gaming UK, NOVOMATIC Italia, LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT, APEX and Ainsworth, showcased their latest innovations. A dedicated area for visitors from Latin America was another highlight of this year’s presence. Bespoke market solutions and regional concepts underlined the Group’s strong footprint across more than 130 markets worldwide.
Besides its technology showcase, NOVOMATIC’s booth offered a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere as well as distinctive hospitality and entertainment. Traditional culinary specialties, including freshly prepared Austrian sausages and the AdmiralBet Pub with live sports coverage, were complemented by interactive attractions such as a darts challenge with German pro Max Hopp and a dedicated Fiesta Spirit photo booth.
Premium Cabinet Engineering: Next-Generation Performance on the Gaming Floor
A major focus at ICE 2026 was NOVOMATIC’s continuously advancing premium cabinet portfolio, which underlines the Group’s technical expertise in hardware development, player ergonomics and audiovisual immersion. The internationally acclaimed V.I.P. X Galaxy 2.65 turned many heads, with its premium comfort concept further expanded through the global launch of the V.I.P. X Galaxy Lounge 2.65. This version of the cabinet delivers a high impact immersive experience in the more compact footprint enabled by the “Mamba” seating solution.
NOVOMATIC also showcased the DIAMOND X Quattro 1.55J, the Group’s flagship cabinet and one of the most successful concepts on the international market. With their cutting-edge display technology, refined glass touch deck, and optimized sound performance, the DIAMOND X models featured monumental sign solutions that dominated the booth. The scalable DIAMOND X family of cabinets supports multiple game formats, Linked Progressives and high-impact jackpot installations, enabling high-visibility flagship deployments.
XTENSION WORLD in Action: Linked Progressives and Game Innovation
NOVOMATIC unveiled a strong lineup of new Linked Progressives and Multiple Feature Games under the XTENSION WORLD umbrella. Key premieres included VISION LINK, a new generation of jackpot mechanics and player engagement models engineered to maximize dwell time and floor performance. Another highlight was XTENSION LINK Volume 5, expanding one of NOVOMATIC’s internationally most successful game families with a powerful new portfolio of feature-rich titles designed for sustained player appeal. A further addition to the multi-feature portfolio, IMPERA PROLINK 2, delivers advanced jackpot mechanics and feature-driven gameplay designed to enhance performance across multiple markets.
On the NOVO LINE platform, RISING TREASURES II attracted strong attention, expanding the established brand with new themes, enhanced bonus structures, and high-volatility win potential tailored to evolving player preferences. Completing the showcase, NOVOMATIC presented its latest game mixes, including the highly customizable GAMINATOR X5 and the new Impera Line HD Edition 10, whose powerful tools allow operators to tailor content portfolios to local requirements and strategic floor objectives.
System Intelligence: Novo Unity Pro and NOVOVISION
In the Electronic Table Games segment, Novo Unity Pro confirmed its status as one of the industry’s most advanced ETG platforms. With a highly modular architecture that meets the evolving operational demands of modern gaming floors, the solution supports a broad portfolio of electronic live games, including Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Sic Bo, while advanced functionalities such as Simultaneous Betting deliver maximum flexibility, throughput and table utilisation for operators.
NOVOMATIC’s visionary Casino Management System NOVOVISION was once again a top attraction at ICE, underlining its role as a strategic backbone for state-of-the-art gaming floors. With its cutting-edge technology, the scalable CMS was demonstrated to new record numbers of visitors, with its broad functionality, real-time data analytics and seamless floor-wide integration.
Frontrunner at the European Casino “Oscars”
ICE 2026 once again hosted the prestigious European Casino Awards, where NOVOMATIC emerged as the most successful company, securing four major honors and reinforcing its preeminent position in global gaming. The Group received awards for the Best Slot Machine – DIAMOND X Quattro 1.55J, Best Electronic Table Gaming Product – Novo Unity Pro, and Best CMS/Software Product – NOVOVISION, as well as the Sustainability Initiative Award – Photovoltaic Systems.
NOVOMATIC also received the ICE Landmark Award 2026 to honor its founder Prof. Johann F. Graf for 45 years of entrepreneurial vision, innovation and sustained international expansion. The award was accepted by Stefan Krenn, Member of the Executive Board of NOVOMATIC AG, on behalf of Prof. Graf. Together, these awards highlight the strength of NOVOMATIC’s 360-degree portfolio and firmly position the Group at the forefront of the international gaming industry.
Stefan Krenn, Member of the Executive Board of NOVOMATIC AG, said: “ICE 2026 marked yet another defining moment for NOVOMATIC. The international recognition that we received reflects the consistency of our strategic course and the capabilities of our technology solutions. Our award-winning portfolio of cabinets, games, ETG platforms, and system intelligence illustrates the scale and integration of our global offering. We would like to thank our customers and partners worldwide for their continued trust, and our more than 26,000 employees, whose professionalism and commitment drive our sustained success.”
Thomas Schmalzer, VP Global Sales and VP Product Management NOVOMATIC AG, said: “The response to our innovations at ICE 2026 confirmed that we are precisely meeting the needs of today’s gaming floors. We greatly value the close collaboration with our customers and partners worldwide, whose feedback enables our teams to deliver state-of-the-art products and solutions that drive player satisfaction and operator performance. We look forward to a successful year for the industry and to meeting again at ICE 2027 and other international events in the months ahead.”
The post NOVOMATIC Delivers Spectacular Innovation at ICE 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Central Europe
Endorphina Club Returns to Host the GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony & Party at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026
HIPTHER proudly announces the return of the Endorphina Club Awards Party & Ceremony, the official celebration of the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026, taking place on 24 March 2026 at 20:00 at the iconic Buddha Bar Prague.
Organised by Endorphina, the Awards & Party Sponsor of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, the evening marks one of the most anticipated moments of the summit’s 10th anniversary edition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to celebrate excellence across the Central and Eastern European gaming and technology ecosystem.
This year’s edition continues the successful partnership between HIPTHER and Endorphina, which began in 2023, with the Endorphina Events Team once again curating an unforgettable awards celebration concept and selecting one of Prague’s most elegant venues for the occasion.
A Celebration of Innovation, Community, and Excellence
The GamingTECH CEE Awards shine a spotlight on the companies, products, teams, and individuals shaping the future of gaming and technology across the region.
As part of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, the awards recognise outstanding contributions across a wide spectrum of categories spanning iGaming innovation, compliance leadership, technological advancement, and industry growth.
The Endorphina Club Awards Party elevates the awards ceremony into a full evening experience, where the community gathers to celebrate achievements in a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere.
Guests can expect an exclusive evening where sophistication meets the spirit of Asia, featuring premium drinks, vibrant entertainment, and the unmistakable energy of one of Prague’s most iconic venues.
RSVP Required for Summit Participants
All HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 participants who wish to attend the Awards Party are invited to confirm their participation in advance.
To secure a place on the official Endorphina Club guest list, attendees should contact the organiser to RSVP, at:
Due to the exclusive nature of the venue and limited capacity, online RSVP is mandatory.
Celebrating a Continued Partnership
The ongoing collaboration between HIPTHER and Endorphina has become a cherished tradition within the Prague Summit experience, with each edition introducing new creative concepts and memorable venues for the industry’s celebration night.
Commenting on the partnership, Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated: “The GamingTECH CEE Awards have always been about recognising the people and companies who push our industry forward. Over the years, the Endorphina Club celebration has become one of the most anticipated moments of the Prague Summit. It’s a place where competitors turn into collaborators and the community comes together to celebrate innovation, resilience, and creativity. We are thrilled to once again partner with the Endorphina team to host this special evening in one of Prague’s most iconic venues as we mark the summit’s 10-year milestone.”
The Endorphina Club Party for GamingTECH Awards 2026 takes place during the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, held on 24–25 March 2026 at OREA Hotel Andel’s Praha, gathering regulators, operators, technology providers, affiliates, fintech innovators, and industry leaders from across Europe and beyond.
“Prague is our home – and as a Czech company, there’s nowhere we’d rather bring the industry together! Hosting The GamingTECH CEE Awards here isn’t just convenient, it’s personal. That’s why our collaboration with HIPTHER means so much to us: together we get to welcome partners, friends, and colleagues from across the industry to the city that made Endorphina what it is today. The Endorphina Club evening is one of those nights we pour our hearts into-because home games are always the best ones.” — Irina Veselkova, Head of Marketing at Endorphina
Under the theme “Decoding the Future: 10 Years of Impact,” the summit explores the intersection of technology, regulation, and innovation through expert panels, workshops, and curated networking opportunities.
HIPTHER and the Endorphina Club Awards Party promises to deliver an unforgettable evening celebrating the achievements, creativity, and spirit of collaboration that define the gaming and tech community.
More information about HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026:
https://hipther.com/events/prague/
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Andrew Cochrane Chief Commercial Officer at Soft2Bet
Soft2Bet Powers NEXT Summit: New York as Headline Partner for Third Consecutive Year
NEXT.io, the World’s iGaming Community, Soft2Bet as Headline Partner for NEXT Summit: New York 2026, marking the third consecutive year of partnership between the two organisations.
Taking place on 10–11 March 2026 at Convene, Brookfield Place, NEXT Summit: New York has become the definitive US-focused iGaming and sports betting event on the East Coast.
As one of the first major industry gatherings of the year, the Summit brings together senior leaders shaping the future of regulated gambling in North America and beyond.
Now entering its third year, the Soft2Bet – NEXT collaboration has evolved into a long-term strategic alliance, reflecting shared growth, stability, and a commitment to advancing meaningful industry dialogue. What began as headline sponsorship has developed into an ongoing partnership that has helped scale the event’s seniority, relevance, and commercial impact year after year.
Overall NEXT Summit: New York 2026 is expected to welcome over 1,500 industry professionals, with a highly curated audience dominated by C-level executives, founders, and directors. The agenda will focus on regulation, market entry, M&A, player engagement, brand trust, and long-term value creation in regulated markets.
As Headline Partner, Soft2Bet’s collaboration with NEXT.io is designed to create a collaborative environment for sharing market intelligence and strengthening professional ties within the iGaming community.
Additionally, Soft2Bet will have key senior executives participate in in various keynote and panel sessions including:
Andrew Cochrane, Chief Commercial Officer at Soft2Bet, will deliver a keynote session, drawing on more than two decades of leadership experience across regulated markets, international expansion, and large-scale commercial transformation.
David Yatom Hay, General Counsel at Soft2Bet, will join a panel discussion exploring the evolving dynamics of player engagement, bringing legal and regulatory perspective to one of the industry’s most commercially critical challenges.
“Reaching a third year with Soft2Bet as our Partner says a lot about the strength and stability of this relationship,” said Pierre Lindh Co-Founder and Managing Director of NEXT.io. “We’ve grown together, we’ve scaled together, and we share the same belief that meaningful industry progress comes from collaboration, not just visibility. Soft2Bet consistently shows up with insight, ambition, and a genuine commitment to moving the industry forward, which is exactly what NEXT Summit: New York stands for.”
“Our partnership with NEXT.io is built on alignment, not just sponsorship. We share a belief that sustainable growth in regulated markets comes from open dialogue, transparency and collaboration across the ecosystem. Supporting NEXT Summit: New York for a third consecutive year reflects our commitment to contributing to the industry’s long-term development — bringing operators, suppliers and regulators into the same room to exchange insight and raise standards together.” said Andrew Cochrane, Chief Commercial Officer at Soft2Bet.
Soft2Bet is widely recognised for its innovative approach to iGaming product development, including its proprietary Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), as well as its expanding presence across regulated global markets. Its continued headline partnership reinforces both the company’s long-term commitment to North America and its role in shaping the industry’s most important strategic conversations.
NEXT Summit: New York 2026 will also be supported by a dedicated side event, NEXT Focus: Emerging Verticals, alongside an expanded programme designed to maximise senior-level networking, deal-making, and knowledge exchange.
The post Soft2Bet Powers NEXT Summit: New York as Headline Partner for Third Consecutive Year appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Conferences
SportsGrid to return to NEXT NYC 2026
Tuesday 3rd March 2026 – SportsGrid has confirmed its renewed media partnership with NEXT.io and will attend NEXT Summit: New York to cover key discussions and insights from North America’s premier iGaming and sports betting event. The content will be syndicated across SportsGrid’s streaming and digital platforms.
NEXT Summit: New York, in partnership with Morgan Stanley, will take place from 10–11 March at Convene 225 Liberty Street, bringing together 1,400 senior-level delegates for two days of high-impact content and networking.
This year, Emerging Verticals will accompany NEXT Summit: New York, providing a dedicated focus on the fast-growing sectors reshaping the industry — including sweepstakes, micro-markets, crypto, esports, new betting formats, and the evolving intersection of technology and capital.
Now in its fifth edition, the Summit continues to deliver insider knowledge, high-level networking, and direct access to the latest innovations shaping the future of the industry.
Across the two days, leaders from the most influential operators, investment firms, regulators, and technology providers will take to the stage.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM;
- Adam Rosenberg, Senior Advisor, Gaming & Leisure at Blackstone;
- Benjie Cherniak, Principal at Avenue H Capital;
- Lloyd Danzig, Managing Partner at Sharp Alpha Advisors;
- Roger Ehrenberg, Managing Partner at Eberg Capital;
- Ramy Ibrahim, Managing Director at Moelis & Company;
- Joey Levy, Founder and CEO of Betr;
- and Gavin Isaacs, Former CEO of Entain.
The programme will also feature voices from across the regulatory, legal and association landscape including:
- Tres York, VP of Government Relations at the American Gaming Association;
- Paul Burns, President & CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association;
- Kelci S. Binau, Gaming Law Attorney at McDonald Carano;
- and Katie Lever, General Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer & Corporate Secretary at Great Canadian Gaming Corporation.
From the casino floor to emerging tech and capital markets, sessions will also include:
- Brooke Hilton, Head of Casino at PointsBet Canada;
- Chris Garrow, Director of Gaming at Prairie Band Casino & Resort;
- Davis Catlin, Managing Partner at Discerning Capital;
- Jeffrey Haas, Venture Partner at DreamCraft VC;
- Jamison Selby, CEO of Rubystone;
- Desiree Dickerson, Founder of THNDR;
- Kevin Scott, Chief Technology Officer at PGA of America;
- and Darren Woodson, Former NFL Player.
“NEXT Summit: New York continues to set the standard as North America’s premier meeting point for senior leaders in online sports betting and iGaming. With Emerging Verticals joining the Summit this year, the conversations are expanding into some of the most disruptive and fast-moving areas of the industry. We’re excited to once again partner with NEXT.io and bring on-the-ground coverage of the event’s most important discussions to a wider audience across SportsGrid’s streaming and digital platforms,” commented Jeremy Stein, CEO, SportsGrid, Inc.
“NEXT Summit: New York is where the industry’s biggest names come together to define the future of online gaming and sports betting,” said Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder & Managing Director at NEXT.io. “With Emerging Verticals accompanying the Summit this year, and more than 1,400 senior decision-makers attending, having SportsGrid on-site strengthens our mission to share critical insights and discussions with the broader iGaming community.”
SportsGrid will be on the ground at NEXT Summit: New York, covering conference sessions, interviews, and key discussions. Content from the event will be syndicated across its streaming video network and relevant media channels, extending the reach of discussions to a broader audience.
This initiative marks the continuation of a long-term collaboration between SportsGrid and NEXT.io, with plans to provide rich, curated content exploring the latest trends, innovations, and developments shaping the global gaming industry.
For more information on NEXT Summit: New York and to register for the event, visit: next.io/summits/newyork/
The post SportsGrid to return to NEXT NYC 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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