HIPTHER is proud to announce the Responsible Gaming & Player Safety Day of HIPTHER Prague Summit, curated by  the Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH). This special section is scheduled for Day 2 (25 March) of the Main Focus Stage at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026.

The thematic day will focus on current issues related to safer gambling, player protection, regulatory trends, compliance, and illegal gambling and its emerging forms. It will bring together legal experts, regulators, safer gambling specialists, and representatives of the gaming industry to discuss how approaches to safer gambling, consumer protection, and the sustainable development of the legal market are evolving across Europe. Attention will also be given to the way new trends in illegal gambling weaken player protection and why tackling the illegal market is an essential part of the debate on a safer gambling environment.

IPRH has long been regarded as a respected voice in the field of gambling regulation, with its representatives regularly contributing to expert discussions on legislation, public policy, and practical player protection tools in the Czech Republic and across the wider Central European region. Its cooperation with HIPTHER builds on a shared ambition to connect innovation in the sector with responsible governance, regulatory dialogue, and a strong public-interest perspective.

Three Key Topics to Watch

Alongside the broader discussion on developments across Europe, the programme will also highlight several concrete topics that are currently shaping both the market and the regulatory debate.

IRIS: one player, one view, across operators

One of the main highlights of the programme will be the presentation of IRIS, a project that introduces a new perspective on player protection. What makes it unique is that it does not look at risky behaviour solely within a single operator’s environment, but through the lens of one player across multiple operators. This approach has the potential to significantly improve early risk detection and strengthen player protection in practice. The current stage of the project will be presented by Petr Rybák, Project Manager of IRIS.

How much does illegal gambling cost the Czech Republic?

Another key session will feature a new economic study by the Centre for Economic and Market Analyses (CETA) focused on illegal gambling in the Czech Republic. The study will provide data on the scale of the illegal market, the volume of money lost outside the legal sector, and the related losses in tax revenues. Its findings will be presented by Jakub Žofčák, one of the study’s authors.

Can the IPRH model expand beyond the Czech Republic?

An important part of the programme will also be a panel discussion featuring representatives of the Czech, Slovak, and newly emerging Polish institutes. The debate will focus on cross-border cooperation in addressing shared issues in regulation and player protection. It will also explore whether the IPRH model can be transferred to other countries. IPRH is not a traditional industry association, but a unique platform bringing together business, regulators, public authorities, experts, and addiction specialists into one functional ecosystem and one shared discussion.

A Programme Connecting Law, Regulation, Research, and Practice

The Responsible Gaming & Player Safety Day will offer a series of expert discussions on regulatory developments, modern player protection tools, responsible marketing, and cross-border cooperation between regulators, experts, and operators.

The programme brings together a broad range of respected professionals from the legal, regulatory, research, and operational sides of the industry. Confirmed speakers include, among others:

• Petr Kozák, Lawyer and Secretary General at IPRH
• Petr Rybák, Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH)
• Jan Řehola, Director at IPRH and Partner at PS Legal
• Šimon Vincze, Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling at Casino Guru
• Bill Pascrell III, Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group
• Martin Lycka, Vice President Institutional Affairs at Oddin.gg
• Nika Gigashvili, CEO and Partner at SMH Global
• Václav Ulrich, Co-founder of the Institute for Gambling Regulation
• Jakub Žofčák, Centre for Economic and Market Analyses (CETA)
• Alina Tace, Partner at WH Simion & Partners
• Olesea Naidion, Brand Manager at Nightrush
• Dan Illovici, Vice President at ROMBET
• Dávid Lenčéš, Executive Director Institute for Gambling Regulation of the Slovak Republic
• Justyna Grusza-Głębicka, Attorney-at-law and Founder at Kancelaria Adwokacka dr Justyna Grusza-Głębicka

Participants can expect practical insights from different jurisdictions as well as discussion on how regulatory requirements, innovation, and the long-term sustainable development of the legal market can be effectively aligned.

A Shared Commitment to a Safer Market

The cooperation between HIPTHER and the Institute for Gambling Regulation reflects a shared commitment to promoting safer gambling and encouraging informed dialogue between regulators, experts, and market representatives.

“As the gaming environment continues to evolve, so must our approach to player protection. This dedicated day gives us an opportunity to show how technology, data, research, and responsibility can work together in the field of safer gambling. We look forward to discussing how modern regulatory frameworks and practical tools can contribute to a safer and more sustainable environment for all stakeholders,” said Petr Kozák, Lawyer and Secretary General at IPRH.

The Responsible Gaming & Player Safety Day will form a central part of the 10-year anniversary edition of HIPTHER Prague Summit, bringing together leaders from gaming, fintech, AI, blockchain, and regulatory sectors for two days of discussions shaping the future of the industry.

Secure your place at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026

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Tom Horn Gaming is excited to be the Grand Sponsor of the upcoming Hipther Prague Summit 2026, strengthening its enduring collaboration with event organizer HIPTHER and maintaining a tradition that has become essential to the company’s yearly industry schedule.

Hosted in the historic city of Prague, the 10th anniversary edition of the summit features the theme “Decoding the Future: 10 Years of Impact.” The gathering will unite over 400 participants and over 100 presenters from 35 nations, establishing a lively forum for exploring the newest advancements influencing gaming, AI, fintech, and emerging technologies.

Throughout the years, Tom Horn Gaming has developed a strong bond with HIPTHER and its community, backing the summit as it transformed into one of Central Europe’s key events for the gaming and technology industries. Once again serving as Grand Sponsor demonstrates the company’s dedication to significant industry conversation, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration.

The 2026 version assures an exceptionally diverse lineup. Participants will be able to explore three concurrent content tracks, providing in-depth insights into industry trends, regulatory changes, innovations, and market opportunities. Enhancing the conference schedule is the HIPTHER Academy, offering extra educational chances and expert perspectives for professionals keen to remain at the forefront.

In conjunction with the conference, the summit will feature the renowned GamingTECH CEE Awards ceremony, honoring outstanding achievements in the region’s iGaming industry. Tom Horn Gaming has been nominated in three significant B2B categories: Best Online Casino Provider in CEE, Best Slot Developer in CEE, and Best RNG Game Portfolio in CEE. The winners will be revealed on 24 March at the GamingTECH CEE Awards event, which takes place during the summit.

For Tom Horn Gaming, the occasion provides more than merely a venue for conversation. It presents a chance to reestablish connections with partners, share insights with industry leaders, and interact with the wider technology community in one of Europe’s most motivating cities.

“Over the years, the Prague Summit has become a staple event for our team,” said Ondrej Lapides, CEO at Tom Horn Gaming. “Our partnership with HIPTHER goes back many editions, and it’s fantastic to see how the summit has grown into such an important hub for dialogue across gaming, AI and fintech. Being the Grand Sponsor of this special 10th anniversary edition makes it even more meaningful. We’re looking forward to the insightful discussions, meeting industry peers and celebrating a decade of innovation together in beautiful Prague.”

From the organiser’s side, the continued support from Tom Horn Gaming is equally valued.

“Long-term partnerships are what truly build strong communities, and Tom Horn Gaming has been part of the Prague Summit journey for many years,” said Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER. “We are delighted to welcome them back as Grand Sponsor for this landmark 10th edition. Their continued involvement reflects the collaborative spirit that has shaped the summit since day one, and we look forward to another inspiring gathering with industry leaders from across the globe.”

With the summit marking ten years of influence, the 2026 edition will include a reflection on the changes in the industry and its community over the last decade. With a full schedule, international involvement, and a significant anniversary to celebrate, this year’s event is set to be one of the most unforgettable so far.

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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.

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