AI
Smart, AI-enhanced customer service firm Tugi Tark selected for Pitch ICE Barcelona 2026
In what has become the most competitive selection process in the event’s history, Tugi Tark has been chosen as one of just 12 startups to present at Pitch ICE 2026 during ICE Barcelona, the iGaming industry’s flagship global event.
This year’s competition saw a 200% increase in applications compared to the previous year, reflecting the heightened interest in ICE Barcelona as a launching platform for emerging technology companies. From hundreds of applicants worldwide, Tugi Tark was selected to make its case for how AI agents purpose-built for iGaming can transform player support at scale.
What is Pitch ICE?
Pitch ICE has established itself as one of the industry’s most watched startup competitions. The event brings together emerging iGaming companies and a carefully selected jury of industry leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and active investors who shape the direction of iGaming innovation.
Previous Pitch ICE competitions have launched companies that went on to secure significant funding rounds and major partnerships. This year’s competition format gives each of the 12 selected companies three minutes to pitch, followed by a live Q&A session with the jury. The challenge isn’t just to explain what the technology does, but to demonstrate why it matters to the future of iGaming, and why now.
Standing out in a crowded field
The 200% increase in applications reflects the surge of innovation happening across the iGaming industry. Startups are tackling everything from payments and marketing to game development and player protection. The competition includes companies at various stages, working on diverse problems across the iGaming value chain.
The selection committee’s choice to include Tugi Tark among the 12 finalists signals recognition that customer service, often overlooked as infrastructure, is becoming a strategic differentiator as operators compete on player experience.
Rather than positioning AI as a replacement for human support teams, the pitch emphasizes how AI agents can remove friction from growth, enabling operators to scale across markets, languages, and brands without sacrificing service quality or regulatory compliance.
The Stakes: €15,000 in AWS credits and industry recognition
The winner of Pitch ICE 2026 will receive €15,000 in AWS credits, sponsored by AWS, along with the Pitch ICE 2026 Trophy. But for most participants, the real value extends beyond the prize.
Harpo Lilja, CEO of Tugi Tark, reflected on what the selection means for the company: “Pitch ICE is highly competitive, so being selected, especially in a year with such a sharp increase in applications, is a strong signal. It shows there’s real interest in AI solutions that are built specifically for iGaming, not adapted from other industries.”
He continued: “We’re not pitching AI as a buzzword or a futuristic concept. We’re showing operators how AI agents can realistically handle player support in a regulated, high-expectation environment, and where human oversight still plays a critical role. That balance is what operators are looking for right now.”
When and where to see Tugi Tark at ICE Barcelona
All 12 Pitch ICE finalists will present on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Pitch ICE stage. Tugi Tark will present at 11:19am for exactly three minutes!
Following the pitches, attendees can meet the Tugi Tark team and explore the AI platform in person at Stand PI03 in the Pitch ICE exhibition area, located between Halls 4 and 5.
The post Smart, AI-enhanced customer service firm Tugi Tark selected for Pitch ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
2026 summit
HIPTHER Prague Summit Unveils 50% of Its Dynamic 2026 Agenda
The HIPTHER Prague Summit is shaping up to be one of the most comprehensive events of the year, with an agenda that reflects the fast-evolving landscape of iGaming, fintech, compliance, AI, media, and beyond. With four distinct stages and content spanning two days, the summit promises high-impact insights, cutting-edge knowledge sharing, and actionable strategies for stakeholders across the digital industries.
While only half the agenda has been released so far, what’s already on the table reveals an ambitious and future-forward program. Attendees can expect the remaining schedule—focused on the Expert Panel Stage and HIPTHER Academy—to further raise the bar with industry-leading panels and advanced learning formats.
Stage 1: Compliance & Regulation
This track offers a robust dive into both regional and global regulatory trends, aimed at compliance professionals, legal experts, and decision-makers navigating complex frameworks.
Day 1 will focus on market updates, regulators’ panels, and regional compliance outlooks. Highlights include a Czech Market update, a panel featuring European regulators, and regional overviews from Germany and the Balkans.
Day 2 expands into the global picture, covering enforcement trends, jurisdiction updates from Southern Europe, the USA, and LatAm, and a deep-dive GLI session on certification and trust. The day wraps with an IMGL-led masterclass exploring the intersection of AI, automation, and accountability.
Stage 2: Expert Panels Stage
This track is a powerhouse of innovation-focused dialogue.
Day 1 will feature panels on iGaming, fintech, AI, media, SEO, esports, and business growth. Industry disruptors and thought leaders will gather to unpack the trends driving momentum across verticals.
Day 2 will turn the spotlight to deep-dive panels with operators, suppliers, and advisors sharing battle-tested strategies, future bets, and lessons from scaling globally.
Stage 3: Main Focus Stage
This stage is split into two powerful themes across both days.
Day 1 is the Keynote Arena, with standout talks on branding, visibility, growth, and deal-making. Sessions like “LinkedIn as a Dealflow Engine” and “Branding in the Attention Economy” offer tactical insights for companies looking to sharpen their competitive edge.
Stage 4: HIPTHER Academy
Designed for hands-on learning and skill development, this stage blends education with real-world application.
Day 1 offers masterclasses, workshops, and practical learning sessions, setting the tone for deep engagement.
Day 2 will feature advanced education formats, including certification-oriented sessions, ideal for professionals looking to level up with verified credentials.
Don’t Miss Out – Secure Your Spot Now
With limited availability and high interest across the industry, now is the perfect time to register. Be among the first to access cutting-edge insights, connect with top-tier professionals, and help shape the future of digital industries.
Register today for HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 and be part of the conversation that drives the next wave of innovation.
The post HIPTHER Prague Summit Unveils 50% of Its Dynamic 2026 Agenda appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI
Primero Games Uses XGENIA for Their First AI-Generated Slot Game
XGENIA, the creator-first AI platform revolutionising game development, and Primero Games, a leader in retail and online gaming solutions, today announced a landmark collaboration that brings to life Primero’s first AI-generated slot game: Blackbeard Bounty. Developed entirely using the XGENIA platform, the game will debut — fully playable — at ICE Barcelona 2026, showcased at Stand 2Y22, where XGENIA is co-exhibiting alongside Storm Games, a UK-based studio acquired by Primero in 2022.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in Primero Games’ strategy to expand aggressively into the digital iGaming market by leveraging cutting-edge tools that reduce development cycles and maximize creative output.
“With XGENIA, we didn’t just speed up development — we completely reimagined the process,” said Barry Rutherford, CEO of Primero Games. “Our new AI-built slot is more than a game — it’s a statement about how we’re blending tradition with technology to lead the next wave of interactive content. ICE Barcelona is the perfect stage to launch it.”
XGENIA’s AI-native platform allows studios like Storm Games and operators like Primero to build production-ready slot games using drag-and-drop workflows, AI-generated logic, and instant deployment tools — all without traditional coding.
“We built XGENIA for creators who move fast,” said Mark Flores Martin, CEO of XGENIA. “Primero Games immediately understood the vision. Their team saw that with AI-first tools, they could go from concept to playable slot in days — not months. That kind of alignment is exactly why this partnership works.”
Building on the 2022 acquisition of Storm Games — a move that brought UK development expertise and creative IP into Primero’s portfolio — this collaboration uses XGENIA’s latest features to bring Blackbeard Bounty to life, complete with AI-driven animation, compliance-ready maths, and backend logic.
Experience it Firsthand at ICE Barcelona
Visit Stand 2Y22 to play Blackbeard Bounty live and explore the XGENIA platform behind it.
Event: ICE Barcelona
Date: January 19-21, 2026
Location: Hall 2, Stand 2Y22
The post Primero Games Uses XGENIA for Their First AI-Generated Slot Game appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI
InsightPlay.ai Raises $500K Seed Round Backed by Leading Industry Veterans to Accelerate AI Transformation in iGaming
InsightPlay.ai, the enterprise AI transformation partner for the global iGaming industry, has announced the successful raise of a $500K Seed funding round, backed by an exceptional group of industry veterans and strategic angel investors with deep expertise across gaming, payments, data, marketing and SaaS.
The funding will support InsightPlay.ai’s mission to transform how iGaming operators acquire, retain and reactivate players through enterprise-grade conversational AI Agents, compliance-first architecture and real-time business intelligence. The company is already delivering measurable impact at scale across multiple regulated markets.
InsightPlay.ai currently works with leading operators and affiliates across Latin America, Europe and North America, achieving industry-leading results in player reactivation, engagement and operational efficiency, all while meeting the highest standards for data governance and strict compliance standards.
Javier Troncoso, CEO of InsightPlay.ai said, “The backing we’ve received reflects a shared belief that AI in iGaming must move beyond isolated features and into core infrastructures.
“Our focus is building technology that operators can trust, scale and govern across regulated markets.”
Cristian Barbosa, COO of InsightPlay.ai, added: “From day one, we set out to build a company driven by customer outcomes, not technology for technology’s sake. By combining innovation, product vision and deep gaming expertise, we’re positioned to create lasting, industry-wide impact.”
The Seed round brings together an exceptional group of angel investors, including Jeffrey Haas (ex-Evoke, DraftKings, PokerStars), Marc Pedersen (Former CEO, Better Collective North America) and Benjie Cherniak (ex-Scientific Games, Don Best Sports), alongside additional industry-backed angels.
InsightPlay.ai will showcase live AI activations at ICE Barcelona 2026, demonstrating real-world use cases of conversational AI in sports betting.
“ICE is where innovation becomes reality,” said Javier. “We’re excited to show what enterprise AI truly looks like in iGaming.”
The post InsightPlay.ai Raises $500K Seed Round Backed by Leading Industry Veterans to Accelerate AI Transformation in iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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