Conferences
ProgressPlay Celebrates Major Success at ICE Barcelona 2026 and Prepares to Expand Worldwide
ProgressPlay, a prominent iGaming platform provider, today looked back on a transformative and highly successful presence at ICE Barcelona 2026, where its recently launched Dual-Engine Strategy struck a strong chord with operators and industry leaders. The occasion acted as an active confirmation of the company’s targeted vision, creating notable partnership momentum and paving the way for rapid international expansion in the coming year.
The company’s strategic focus on its Standalone and dedicated Sweepstakes solutions was central to discussions at its booth, indicating a distinct market need for more sophisticated and bold partner opportunities.
ProgressPlay indicated a remarkable number of high-caliber meetings with well-known brands and driven newcomers, all in search of strategic resources to develop, possess, and grow their gaming enterprises effectively.
“The response at ICE was phenomenal and precisely aligned with our thesis,” said Itai Lowenstein, CEO of ProgressPlay. “The industry is actively seeking more than a one-size-fits-all solution. Operators are strategists, and they came to us looking for the right engine for their specific ambition.”
Lowenstein continued: “Whether it was the profound control of the Standalone model for building a legacy asset or the agile, acquisition-focused power of our Sweepstakes framework, we demonstrated that ProgressPlay is the versatile partner for this new era. The conversations have moved from ‘what can you do’ to ‘how do we build our future together’.”
Operators expressed strong appreciation for the Standalone solution’s potential for genuine commercial autonomy, allowing full ownership of the player relationship from start to finish, while utilizing ProgressPlay’s powerful technology framework. At the same time, the Sweepstakes category was acknowledged as a brilliant way to access high-growth, engagement-driven markets, especially in areas where combining entertainment with gaming elements is essential.
“ICE 2026 was a defining moment for our partner-centric narrative,” stated Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing at ProgressPlay. “We engaged with visionary leaders who saw our Sweepstakes solution not as a niche product, but as a strategic funnel for community building and market entry.”
Nahhas explained: “Equally, the Standalone model attracted partners with deep brand equity looking for a technology ally, not just a supplier. The energy confirmed we are providing the essential toolkit for the next wave of iGaming innovation.”
After the achievement in Barcelona, ProgressPlay is now strongly dedicated to transforming this momentum into enduring partnerships. The company reiterates that its robust, adaptable platform is accessible to operators in every market, as long as the operator secures the required local license.
This concept of empowered collaboration allows brands to utilize ProgressPlay’s acclaimed casino and sportsbook offerings, managed services, and unique technology to enter their selected markets effectively and in compliance.
The team is currently getting ready for the upcoming series of significant industry events where they will further promote discussions on growing strategic partnerships.
“The journey continues from here,” concluded Lowenstein. “ICE was the launchpad. Now, we enter a phase of execution and collaboration with the partners who joined our vision in Barcelona. Our platform is ready, our strategy is proven, and our commitment is to be the growth engine for every licensed operator, anywhere in the world, who shares our ambition for excellence.”
The post ProgressPlay Celebrates Major Success at ICE Barcelona 2026 and Prepares to Expand Worldwide appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Conferences
Private London Forum Connecting iGaming Leaders, Investors and Advisers on Growth and M&A
London’s status as a key global financial centre will serve as the backdrop to the launch of the industry’s first World Gaming M&A Summit (WGM&A). Taking place on 1 July and serving as the curtain raiser to iGB L!VE, the WGM&A represents the only dedicated forum for corporate development officers and M&A advisors working in iGaming.
The WorldGaming M&A Summit brings a dedicated focus on mergers and acquisitions in iGaming. Convening leadership from public and private operators alongside sector-focused investment banks, legal advisers and corporate finance specialists, attendees will benefit from a highly targeted opportunity to engage with key decision-makers, originate deal flow, assess strategic fit and gain insights from active market participants.
The event provides direct access to London’s deep sector expertise built over decades of transactions and its unparalleled ecosystem of strategic acquirers, potential targets, leading advisory firms and business leaders across the M&A value chain.
Industry expert and WorldGaming chairman Michael Caselli stated: “M&A is a business imperative in the current iGaming landscape and this event features insights from sector-specialist advisers and industry leaders including Morgan Stanley’s Laurence Hopkins and Paolo Della Rovere, and Bally’s Robeson Reeves.
“Also featuring strategic intent sessions, industry leaders will host round tables to explain their growth theses, define their M&A criteria and share their business’ vision for consolidation and growth. Following the sessions attendees are invited to the M&A Summit cocktail reception and dinner where conversations will continue and deals will be cemented.”
Explaining the background to the Tier 1 event, World Gaming managing director Stuart Hunter said: “Legislative and fiscal developments, including the increase in UK gaming taxes which were announced by the government in the November 2025 budget, evolving European regulations and wider global legislative adjustments, have prompted the introduction of the World Gaming M&A Summit.
“The WGM&A is part of a broader programme of business-critical events taking place at iGB L!VE. With so many investors and decision makers based in London, iGB L!VE is closer to the people who are critical to the future development of the iGaming industry.”
In order to maintain a focused, high-level attendance, the WorldGaming M&A Summit is limiting its attendance and tickets are by application only. Applicants should be actively seeking strategic partnerships or be an experienced adviser in the sector. Applications are being accepted at igblive.com/igb-live-ma-summit.
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Baltics
HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 Agenda Unites Digital Governance, AI, Fintech & Regulated Growth
HIPTHER has officially revealed the Agenda for HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026, taking place on 2 June at Hilton Tallinn Park, bringing together regulators, operators, fintech builders, founders, compliance leaders, legal experts, AI practitioners, and startup innovators for the grand finale of the HIPTHER Baltics 2026 series.
Tallinn is not just another conference destination for HIPTHER — it is home base. The city where the #hipthers story evolves, and the natural setting for a conference built around digital governance, startup ecosystems, operational resilience, and the future of regulated innovation.
The newly released program features:
- 16 sessions across one focused day
- 2 parallel stages
- 3 practical HIPTHER Academy workshops
- 40+ speakers & experts from across the Baltics, Nordics, and wider European ecosystem
One Agenda. Multiple Industries. Real Operational Conversations.
Tallinn 2026 brings together discussions that typically happen in separate rooms: AML supervision, fintech scaling, AI implementation, digital identity infrastructure, crypto payments, operational risk, behavioural science, startup growth, and commercial strategy.
Across the Compliance & Operations Lab and the TechXperience Stage, attendees will explore topics including:
- AML supervision, financial intelligence & market trust
- Operator-supplier partnerships under mature regulation
- Digital identity infrastructure & eIDAS 2.0
- AI-powered operations & compliance automation
- Player acquisition after the easy-growth era
- Stablecoins, Travel Rule & trusted payment infrastructure
- Governance, board accountability & operational risk
- VC, alternative finance & cross-border startup scaling
- Agentic AI and production-ready AI workflows for regulated sectors
The agenda also includes a focused Finland regulatory update alongside keynote sessions examining CRM strategy under tightening Nordic regulation, behavioural science in regulated environments, and the realities of operational AI adoption beyond the hype cycle.
HIPTHER Academy Expands the Practical Layer
Tallinn 2026 continues the expansion of HIPTHER Academy with practical workshops designed for professionals operating inside fast-changing regulated industries.
This year’s Tallinn workshops focus on:
- Digital body language & executive communication
- Production-ready AI agents for regulated industries
- Agentic AI workflows and orchestration systems
More Than a Conference Floor
HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 also brings back the curated social experiences that have become part of the HIPTHER DNA.
Welcome Drinks – Olympic Park Casino
1 June · 18:00–22:30
Meet & greet in the relaxed and luxurious atmosphere of the new flagship Olympic Park Casino – located at Hilton Tallinn Park hotel.
Nordic Flow: Morning Reset & Networking
2 June · 07:15–08:45
A gentle yoga and breathwork session inspired by the calm, grounded energy of the Baltics and Nordics. Designed for the conference guests and busy professionals, this session will help participants release tension, reconnect with the body, and start the day with balance, energy, and presence. No previous yoga experience is needed.
HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards + Karaoke @ Fort Bar
Sponsored by Amusnet
2 June · 20:00 – Late Night
Recognising Excellence Across the Baltics & Nordics and connecting in a celebratory atmosphere. Because some of the best conversations happen long after the panels end.
A Baltic-Nordic Industry Room Built for Decision-Makers
HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 closes the 2026 Baltic series by bringing together the people shaping regulated growth across gaming, fintech, AI, compliance, payments, cybersecurity, and startup innovation — all inside one highly focused, boutique environment built for real conversations instead of expo chaos.
Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, commented: “Tallinn has always represented something unique for us. Not only because HIPTHER OÜ proudly calls Estonia home, but because the Baltic-Nordic region continues to prove that practical innovation, digital governance, and entrepreneurial resilience can coexist without unnecessary complexity.
With Tallinn 2026, we wanted to build more than another conference agenda. We wanted to create a room where operators, regulators, founders, compliance leaders, fintech innovators, and AI practitioners can have honest operational conversations about what comes next.
The future of regulated industries will not be shaped in isolated verticals. It will be shaped through collaboration between technology, compliance, governance, finance, and human decision-making. That is exactly why Tallinn felt like the natural grand finale for our Baltic series.
And frankly, there is no better city in Europe to host these conversations than Tallinn.”
As HIPTHER returns home to Tallinn, the final stop of the series promises a high-level gathering designed around substance, operational insight, and the future of the Baltic-Nordic innovation economy.
HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026
2 June 2026
Hilton Tallinn Park
More information & registration:
https://hipther.com/events/tallinn/
The post HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 Agenda Unites Digital Governance, AI, Fintech & Regulated Growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alea
Alea returns to NEXT.io Valletta with Alexandre Tomic joining key industry discussions
Alea is returning to NEXT.io Valletta from May 26th to 28th, with Founder Alexandre Tomic taking part in several sessions focused on leadership, regulation, and the future direction of the iGaming industry.
The week begins on May 26th during NEXT Focus: Start-Up & Investor Day, where Alexandre will join the panel “Founders Anonymous – The Conversations That Don’t Make the Press Release.” The discussion will focus on the realities behind building companies, from fundraising and acquisitions to the difficult decisions founders face as businesses grow.
On May 27th, Alexandre will also moderate “The Day the Lights Go Out,” an interactive keynote built around a simulated regulatory crisis scenario, challenging industry leaders to react live to the sudden shutdown of major markets.
Later that day, he will present “The World Under One Lens,” a keynote exploring how behavioural data at an aggregator scale is reshaping the industry’s understanding of player behaviour, game performance, and global market trends.
Beyond the conference stage
Alongside the conference agenda, Alea will once again sponsor the Ice Bath & Yoga/Breathwork session on the morning of May 26th, led by world-record open water swimmer Neil Agius.
The session has become one of the more unique traditions surrounding the event week, giving attendees a slower start before the pace of the conference takes over.
That same evening, Alea and NEXT.io will host an exclusive CXO dinner at Contessa Restaurant inside The Phoenicia Malta, where selected industry leaders will meet for an evening of conversation, vegetarian dining, cocktails, and live music ahead of the conference opening.
Supporting the Malta community
To close the week, Alea will also attend the BGaming Charity Gala on May 29th in support of DAR Bjorn, the Maltese neurological home founded by ALS advocate Bjorn FormMosa.
“I came to the DAR Bjorn gala last year not knowing very much about Bjorn or the foundation. And then I saw him there, in his bed, while we were all standing on our two legs having a good time. That changes you.
You can’t unsee it. We take so much for granted, the body working, getting up in the morning, walking across the room. Bjorn is fighting for all of that and still showing up. I’m coming back because I believe I have to. If you’re in Malta that week and you’re on the fence, come. There’s something about that room that stays with you,” said Alexandre Tomic, Founder of Alea.
Representing Alea in Malta will be Alexandre Tomic alongside members of the company’s Business Development, Partnerships, Account Management, and Marketing teams.
Event Schedule
- NEXT Focus: Start-Up & Investor Day – May 26
- NEXT.io Valletta – May 27 & 28
- BGaming Charity Gala – May 29
About Alea
Alea is a leading iGaming aggregator, offering a customizable platform that provides operators worldwide with seamless access to over 23,000 games from 170+ top-tier providers through a single API integration.
Known for its innovative technology, Alea simplifies the integration journey and delivers a flexible, scalable solution designed to enhance game variety, player experience, and operational efficiency.
Alea is highly committed to a security-first infrastructure, ensuring reliability and trust at every level. In 2024, the company strengthened its cybersecurity framework through a strategic partnership with Continent 8 and achieved VAPT certification.
In addition to game aggregation, Alea has introduced Alea Pay, an exclusive payment gateway that further optimizes financial transactions. With a strong focus on security, compliance, and ongoing support, Alea continues to empower operators with cutting-edge tools to thrive in the evolving iGaming market.
For more information, visit www.alea.com.
The post Alea returns to NEXT.io Valletta with Alexandre Tomic joining key industry discussions appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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