Press Releases
Hipther Agency partners with IT Labs to enhance service offering
Leading media and event organizer expands services by partnering with leading outsourcing service provider.
The team at Hipther Agency (parent brand for European Gaming Media and Events / PICANTE Media and Event), leading media/news organization and boutique-style conference specialist, is excited to announce a partnership with IT Labs.
The partnership helps expand the service offering of the agency and also adds another step towards becoming a one-stop agency.
Among the company-owned brands, you can find the leading news portals such as EuropeanGaming.eu, EEGaming.org, iGamingRadio.com, Picante.Today, TheBlockchainExaminer.com, TheFintechBuzz.com, Roboticulized.com, and GrassNews.net
Hipther Agency also has a famous events portfolio, which includes CEEGC Budapest, CEEG Awards, Prague Gaming Summit, MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit, The Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Awards, European Gaming Congress, Southern European Gaming Awards and the TECH Conference Europe (TCE) series.
“Hipther Agency is built to include a platform of services that aim to help startups, mid-size companies, and even big companies gain the relevant exposure they need to increase their brand awareness. Among the services, we are happy to start offering scaling tools which come under the form of outsourcing services. IT Labs has over fifteen years of experience in the field and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and skills, making them the perfect partner for our clients and future partners”, stated Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder, Co-Owner and Head of Business at Hipther Agency.
“When you have a business partner with whom you share the same vision, passion and have smooth cooperation, you know you’ve hit the jackpot. I can honestly say, that in Hitpher, we found that, and much more. I’m sure that in future we’re going to accomplish many great things together”, added Kostandina Zafirovska, General Manager of IT Labs.
The newly offered services include:
- Consultancy & technical strategy
- Innovative solutions development
- Big data & data science solutions
- Cloud & DevOps
- Mobile apps
- Graphic design & user experience
You can read more about the newly listed services and get in touch to start a collaboration on the following link.
About Hipther Agency
Hipther Agency is the parent brand for several new outlets and boutique-style conferences which are represented in large by European Gaming Media and Events, and PICANTE Media and Events.
Launched in 2019, the agency enhances the offering of the two leading brands under one strong parent brand by also offering new services and tools for a worldwide reach.
For more details visit www.hipther.agency
About IT Labs
IT Labs, the Outsourcing Sponsor of Prague Gaming Summit, is a global technology development company specializing in providing next-generation, high-performance teams for organizations that wish to develop their project or extend their internal team with a long-term, process-driven, and high-quality team.
Their teams focus on the entire product lifecycle management cycle, from idea and concept-building to a polished, high-quality product. With a presence on three (3) continents, the IT labs footprint continues to grow on an international scale.
Since the beginning, their teams have been providing high-quality, innovative solutions in multiple industries and for different size customers ranging from small, funded startups, all the way to Fortune 1000 companies. For more details, visit www.it-labs.com
Affiliate Succes
Free Bets Appoints The Racing Blogger as Exclusive Horse Racing Brand Ambassador for 2026
Freebets.com, the leading U.K. sports betting affiliate, has announced an exclusive partnership with Stephen ‘The Racing Blogger’ Power, the renowned horse racing influencer.
This collaboration will run throughout 2026, positioning Stephen as the official brand ambassador for Free Bets and delivering expert insights across the National Hunt calendar.
The partnership will see Stephen cover all major racing events, including the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, sharing his unique, energetic analysis with fans via Free Bets’ digital platforms and social media channels. Known to his 300,000+ followers as Blogger or Bloggsy, Stephen will provide betting previews, tips, and expert commentary on both horse racing and football.
Additionally, Stephen will promote Free Bets’ soon-to-launch free-to-play games, offering users a dynamic and engaging betting experience on the Freebets.com website.
Dominic Celica, Head of PR at Free Bets, said: “The Racing Blogger has built an incredible following across X and Instagram and is a leading voice in horse racing content. We’re thrilled to collaborate with him and have an exciting pipeline of content planned for racing fans in 2026.”
Stephen Power added: “I’m delighted to work with Free Bets to bring engaging, insightful content during the biggest race meetings of the year. Together, we’ll provide racing enthusiasts with expert tips, exclusive offers, and a deeper connection to the sport.”
With this partnership, Free Bets aims to strengthen its position as a go-to destination for horse racing fans in the U.K., combining expert insights, exclusive content, and interactive betting experiences.
The post Free Bets Appoints The Racing Blogger as Exclusive Horse Racing Brand Ambassador for 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
Aston Villa Foundation and Kaizen Foundation Celebrate Success of ‘Play it Forward’ Programme in Birmingham
The Aston Villa Foundation, in partnership with the Kaizen Foundation, has announced the successful progress of the Play it Forward programme, a community-focused initiative designed to tackle inequalities in physical activity and access to sports facilities in neighborhoods surrounding Villa Park.
Supported by the Premier League, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), and Birmingham City Council, the programme is investing in the long-term sustainability of community-led sports spaces. As part of its delivery, Play it Forward will fund an additional 350 hours of physical activity on mini outdoor pitches across Birmingham, helping to create safer, more accessible environments for young people to engage in sport.
Expanding Community Sports Access Across Birmingham
Since its launch, the initiative has successfully established four community sports sites across the City of Birmingham. Working in collaboration with local partners Birmingham United, Spark Active, and Our Community Foundation, the programme is using football as a powerful tool to engage, inspire, and support young people in areas facing social and economic challenges.
The programme officially launched in October with two high-profile community events. Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans made a surprise visit to the Concord Youth Centre in Sparkbrook, while Aston Villa Women players Sabrina D’Angelo and Maya Hijikata visited the Birmingham Settlement Sports & Community Centre in Kingstanding. During these events, young participants took part in football activities, Q&A sessions, and discussions about the players’ journeys into professional sport.
Long-Term Support Beyond the Pitch
In addition to funding facilities and activity hours, the Aston Villa Foundation is providing extensive professional expertise to strengthen partner organisations. This support spans grants and fundraising, marketing and communications, governance, monitoring and evaluation, health and safety, safeguarding, and risk management, ensuring the programme delivers sustainable, measurable impact.
Siraj Hussain, Founder of Birmingham United Foundation, highlighted the importance of safe community spaces: “Sparkbrook is one of the most deprived areas in Birmingham, with young people struggling to access provisions and safe spaces to take part in sport. Bringing young people to a place like Concord Youth Centre, supported by trusted youth mentors, gives them the chance to be off the streets and engaged in something positive. Sport is an incredible engagement tool.”
Sport as a Catalyst for Youth Development
Panos Konstantopoulos, President of the Kaizen Foundation, emphasized the broader social value of the programme: “Access to sport is not a luxury; it is essential for youth development. It supports physical and mental wellbeing while fostering teamwork, respect, and healthy competition. Play it Forward creates opportunities for young people to channel their energy in ways that can be life-changing.”
Alison Mapp, CEO of Spark Active, also praised the initiative’s impact on grassroots football:
“We are committed to developing girls’ football and offering affordable, accessible sports provision in deprived areas. Many girls prefer community-based football over formal settings. Play it Forward has helped us strengthen our relationship with the Aston Villa Foundation and elevate our work. Their funding, equipment, coach mentoring, and player visits have taken our girls’ football programme to the next level.”
Building Sustainable Impact Through Football
The Play it Forward programme demonstrates how strategic partnerships between football foundations, charities, and local organisations can drive meaningful change. By improving access to facilities, investing in long-term community infrastructure, and using sport as a vehicle for inclusion, the initiative continues to make a lasting difference for young people across Birmingham.
The post Aston Villa Foundation and Kaizen Foundation Celebrate Success of ‘Play it Forward’ Programme in Birmingham appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
blask
Greece Led Europe’s iGaming Growth in 2025 — Now the Drivers Are Fully Explained
In the second half of 2025, Greece emerged as Europe’s fastest-growing iGaming market. While several major jurisdictions slowed or declined, Greek market demand rose by more than 50% between June and December, standing out as one of the year’s clearest growth stories.
According to data from Blask, the surge was not the result of a single tournament or seasonal spike. Instead, it reflected a structural shift driven by a combination of sports momentum, regulatory reform and casino market dynamics — factors that can now be traced in detail through Blask’s newly released Market Explanation feature.
Continuous sports momentum without demand gaps
Greece’s growth was underpinned by a tightly stacked sports calendar that sustained engagement across multiple months. EuroBasket 2025 in late August, the kickoff of the Stoiximan Super League, UEFA Champions League matchdays under the new league-phase format, and the EuroLeague season featuring Greek clubs created a continuous rhythm of high-interest betting cycles throughout autumn.
Rather than short-lived peaks followed by sharp declines, demand remained elevated well beyond individual events. This is a pattern clearly visible on the Blask Index trend line.
Casino reform reshaped demand behavior
One of the most significant contributors came from the casino segment. Greece’s decision to raise RNG stake limits from €2 to €20 altered the mechanics of the market, allowing online casinos to absorb demand during sports off-peak periods.
As sports-led acquisition increasingly converted into casino play, operators reported double-digit iGaming growth. Market Explanation analysis shows that this effect persisted over time, confirming the shift as structural rather than seasonal.
Enforcement redirected demand to licensed operators
Regulatory action further reinforced the upward trend. In December, Greek authorities blocked approximately 11,000 illegal gambling domains. Instead of suppressing demand, the move redirected player interest toward licensed platforms, strengthening regulated market performance.
The impact was amplified by the adoption of IRIS instant payments, which reduced deposit friction and improved conversion from interest to activity.
From tracking trends to understanding causes
To surface these drivers, Blask has introduced Market Explanation — an AI-powered layer within the Blask Index that allows users to click on any country’s trend line and instantly see a sourced breakdown of the forces behind the movement. Sports calendars, regulatory changes, casino dynamics and macro factors are analyzed together, turning raw demand signals into actionable market context.
Greece’s 2025 performance illustrates how this approach changes market analysis. Rather than simply observing that demand is rising, operators, suppliers and investors can now see why it is happening — and which levers are shaping the trajectory of a market in real time.
The post Greece Led Europe’s iGaming Growth in 2025 — Now the Drivers Are Fully Explained appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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