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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NOVOMATIC Italia announced its return to ENADA with a completely updated exhibition offering that embraces the full ecosystem of land-based gaming, digital solutions, and payment services. The Group will present cutting-edge technologies designed to meet the needs of operators and stakeholders, with a strong focus on security, reliability, and innovation. The centerpiece of its presence will be NOVOLAND, a huge immersive exhibition area created specifically for the event, where visitors and partners will be able to explore the latest developments from the NOVOMATIC universe at first hand.

Highlights include:

• XTENSION LINK Games, marking the Italian debut of the celebrated game family on the NOVOLINE VLT platform. This exclusive launch introduces Italy to a new generation of high-impact titles featuring striking visual content, advanced functionalities, and innovative game mechanics, elements designed to elevate and redefine the entire VLT experience.

• NOVOLINE Easy VLT, the new cashless model for land-based gaming. This state-of-the-art solution introduces electronic payments directly on VLTs, delivering a fully integrated experience with the APay E-Wallet system and connecting the NOVOLINE ecosystem to ADMIRAL Pay, the Group’s payment institute. A true bridge between physical and digital channels, NOVOLINE Easy VLT simplifies the customer journey and expands the range of services available to operators.

• NOVOELSY Game Server, bringing AWP excellence online. A newly enriched portfolio that transports the top-performing AWP titles into the digital space.

• Vabanq N Live, a next-generation solution that elevates the thrill of live casino entertainment, combining immediate engagement with the high security and quality standards guaranteed by NOVOMATIC Italia.

AWP Innovations

The NOVOMATIC Italia exhibition area will also showcase the latest advancements in the AWP segment, including:

• New in-house titles developed specifically for the Italian market, such as the highly anticipated Top 7 Olympia and Top 7 Brasil, along with the Game Club VIP multigame board, which was presented at the latest edition of ICE Barcelona;

• These innovations follow the launch of AWPina, NOVOMATIC Italia’s first virtual influencer, who was created to introduce a new communication style for sharing updates, trends, and best practices within the AWP sector.

ADMIRAL Pay and Quigioco: the phygital future

ENADA provides the Group with a key opportunity to showcase the evolution of its digital ecosystem. Quigioco, NOVOMATIC Italia’s online brand, introduces a completely redesigned platform aimed at enhancing competitiveness and brand recognition, featuring an updated, high-performance, and user-friendly interface. The platform operates under the new remote gaming concession, which is valid until 2034, and benefits from a steadily expanding PVR network, supporting a fully integrated, secure, and compliant offering.

Alongside Quigioco, ADMIRAL Pay is strengthening its position as a leading provider of digital gaming services through an ecosystem built around the access point of the APay E-Wallet. This solution seamlessly connects the physical and digital worlds, ensuring traceability, simplicity, and efficiency in cash withdrawals and pagoPA payments and delivering a modern, seamless, and fully integrated gaming experience.

The Novocash VLT, Novocash X6 and APay Station systems, while not directly part of the ADMIRAL Pay offering, have been enhanced with features that enable direct interaction with the APay E-Wallet. These solutions allow players to top up their digital wallet, withdraw cash, and pay for services such as PagoPA, ensuring a smooth and fully integrated experience between PVRs and online gaming accounts.

“ENADA Primavera 2026 is much more than an exhibition. It marks the moment at which we renew our dialogue with stakeholders and look ahead to the profound transformation of our industry with the drive of a company that chooses to engage and invest. NOVOLAND is our window into the future, an ecosystem where omnichannel solutions, technology, and responsibility converge to redefine the experience of a leading product and an entertainment offering that anticipates trends and delivers top level performance. Here, we are showcasing all that we are creating for the Italian market: integrated, secure, and connected solutions. NOVOLAND is the place where we shape our future together with our customers, our partners, and our people,” said Markus Buechele, CEO of NOVOMATIC Italia.

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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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