Conferences in Europe
Important IMGL MasterClass about the restrictions trend at Prague Gaming Summit 2020
A special IMGL MasterClass will be included in the agenda of the Prague Gaming Summit 2020.
The gambling industry restrictions have been trending in the news outlets and it seems that there is no limit which could not be crossed by legislators and regulators in order to keep the operators on a tight leash.
Whenever we are talking about payment restrictions or advertisement banning, the gambling industry has been the clear target of a masterplan that might change the industry forever.
At the 2020 edition of the Prague Gaming Summit, which will take place on the 6th of March at Vienna House Andel’s Prague, we are honored to announce that a special IMGL MasterClass has been included in the program.
Restrictions in payment methods, in advertising and payment processing as well as reducing the scope of games and betting types. Negative developments in various jurisdictions and how to approach this topic from different cross-border perspectives are the main topics of the discussion.
The IMGL MasterClass will be moderated by local and internationally recognized gaming expert, Dr. Robert Skalina (Senior Advisor at WH Partners) and will be joined by Dr. Joerg Hofmann (Partner at MELCHERS LAW), Justin Franssen (Partner at Kalff Katz & Franssen), Dr. Simon Planzer (Partner at PLANZER LAW) and Morten Ronde (CEO at Danish Online Gambling Association and Managing Partner at Nordic Gambling).
Dr. Robert Skalina (Senior Advisor at WH Partners) – panel moderator
Robert Skalina is a Czech Advocate as well as a Registered European Lawyer in Malta. He is based in Prague and works in Malta regularly.
He is a financial service and corporate lawyer and provides advice to a wide range of investment managers, advisors and funds, including private equity and hedge funds. Robert also regularly advises clients in the gaming/gambling industries and has vast experience in the area of mergers and acquisitions and complex cross border transactions.
Robert has previously held the position of head of legal of a London based investment advisor active throughout the EMEA region. Prior to that, he served as legal counsel for the largest retail bank in the Czech Republic.
Dr. Joerg Hofmann (Partner at MELCHERS LAW)
Dr. Joerg Hofmann is a Past President of the International Masters of Gaming Law (“IMGL”) and group leader of the Gaming & Betting Law Practice Group of Melchers Law Firm. He has been practicing gaming law since the mid-90s and Melchers’ legal advice is highly valued by global market leaders in all sectors of the gaming industry. A highly recognized expert in the field, Joerg has been consistently ranked as a leading individual and expert in gaming law by prestigious legal directories including Chambers Global and Best Lawyers for many years.
Justin Franssen (Partner at Kalff Katz & Franssen)
Justin Franssen is an attorney at law and partner at Kalff Katz & Franssen, where he leads the Gaming Practice. His comprehensive advisory and litigation practice regularly deals with sector-specific acquisitions and complex public affairs processes.
Prior to his admission to the Dutch Bar, Justin acted as general counsel for a gaming developer in Amsterdam and New York. His career as an attorney at law began at an associate firm of KPMG, where he founded their European Gaming & Entertainment Services Group. He subsequently spent 12 years as head of the Gaming, Sports & Entertainment practice group at a medium-sized law firm in Amsterdam.
Justin regularly publishes in national and international professional journals, is a frequent speaker at sector events and conferences, and is on the editorial boards of Gaming Law Review & Economics and Online Gambling Lawyer. He is a board member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL). Justin is also a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) and holds a seat on the Advisory Board of the International Research Institute for Gambling and Gaming in Bonn.
Justin has received no less than eight consecutive Band 1 ranking in the Chambers Global Guide.
Dr. Simon Planzer (Partner at PLANZER LAW)
Dr. Simon Planzer is a partner at PLANZER LAW, a Zurich-based gaming law boutique.
PLANZER LAW’s team provides strategic, regulatory and legal advice to companies, regulators and other stakeholders across all areas of the gaming and entertainment industry.
The firm’s primary focus is on EU/EEA gaming law, compliance issues such as AML as well as Swiss gaming law and related commercial, corporate and financial matters.
Dr. Simon Planzer is General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law. An alumnus of the College of Europe, he specialised early on in EU affairs and gaming law, working at the EFTA Court, the legal service of the EFTA Secretariat and as research fellow in European business law.
Dr. Simon Planzer is the author of the monograph (PhD) ‘Empirical Views on European Gambling Law and Addiction’(2014) and the book chapter ‘Gambling Law’ in The Handbook of EEA Law (2016), both published by Springer International Publishing. Simon also works as a Lecturer in Law at the University of St.Gallen where he teaches European Economic Law. He studied and did research i.a. at Harvard University, the College of Europe and the European University Institute.
Dr. Simon Planzer, founding partner of PLANZER LAW has recently received the recognition from Chambers & Partners and has been listed as a global gaming law expert. Clients and firms across many practice areas and geographies have trusted Chambers’ research for nearly 30 years.
Dr. Simon Planzer, founder of Planzer Law, is endorsed by interviewees (Chambers & Partners) as “absolutely excellent” and “the top Swiss lawyer” for gaming. He is actively involved in the shaping of gaming regulations in Switzerland, regularly interacting with the authorities, as well as providing regulatory advice to private clients. Based in Zürich, he is additionally active in representing fantasy sports companies.
Morten Ronde (CEO at Danish Online Gambling Association and Managing Partner at Nordic Gambling)
Morten Ronde has 20 years of experience from working in the gambling industry.
His background is in gambling regulation. He started his career in the Danish State Lottery and worked later 12 years as legal counsel for the Danish Gambling Authority. During his time as a regulator, he drafted the Danish online gambling reform that allowed for open licensing of betting and online casino operators in Denmark. The Danish gambling model is still considered one of the best gambling regimes in the world and has inspired many countries to adopt similar regulations.
Morten received the ”European Regulator of the Year Award” in 2010 from the International Masters of Gaming Law.
Since 2012 Morten has been working in the private sector of the gambling industry and has been advising clients in all sectors of the industry on regulatory affairs issues.
Morten acts as CEO of the Danish Online Gambling Association (DOGA), a trade association for online gambling operators in Denmark and as Director of Education and Association Development of the International Masters of Gaming (IMGL), the pre-eminent global gambling law network.
Make sure you take advantage of this unique opportunity of learning and networking with the gambling industry via the Prague Gaming Summit platform, book your ticket now in order to avoid disappointment and also book a meeting with their team. The seats are limited!
Order your Delegate Pass or VIP Package (Delegate Pass +Accommodation) now!
Conferences in Europe
When 5 Votes Make All the Difference: A Special Moment at the GamingTECH CEE Awards
At this year’s GamingTECH CEE Awards, we witnessed something rare—and pretty remarkable—in the “Best iGaming CEO in CEE” category.
With 214 total votes cast across 9 nominees, two names clearly rose to the top, standing apart from a highly competitive field:
- Vlastimil Venclik, CEO at Oddin.gg
- Dario Jurčić, CEO at NSoft
But here’s where it gets interesting: the difference between them? Just 5 votes.
That’s right—after weeks of online voting and a live secret ballot from summit participants, the final count came down to a 5-vote margin. In a category filled with respected leaders, innovators, and visionaries, two CEOs clearly resonated with the industry in a big way.
And while only one person can technically take home the winner’s trophy, this razor-thin result was too significant to ignore. So, for the first time in the history of the GamingTECH CEE Awards, we decided to introduce something new:
- An Honorary Runner-Up Trophy for “Best iGaming CEO in CEE” awarded to Dario Jurčić, CEO of NSoft.
Why This Matters
The intent behind this decision is simple: When excellence is nearly indistinguishable, it deserves to be recognized.
Dario Jurčić has played a vital role in expanding NSoft’s influence, strengthening its presence in new markets, and leading with a people-first approach in a rapidly evolving sector. His visibility, leadership, and impact were clearly acknowledged by the voting community—and with just a handful of votes separating him from the top spot, it felt only right to shine a spotlight on that achievement.
A Testament to a Vibrant Industry
The closeness of this race also speaks volumes about the caliber of leadership we’re seeing in the Central and Eastern European iGaming space. With companies like Oddin.gg and NSoft pushing boundaries in their respective verticals, the region continues to establish itself as a dynamic force in the global gaming landscape.
We congratulate Vlastimil Venclik on his well-earned win, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation and applause to Dario Jurčić for standing out in such a competitive field.
Sometimes, even second place can tell a powerful story—and this year, it certainly did.
The post When 5 Votes Make All the Difference: A Special Moment at the GamingTECH CEE Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Amusnet has been named Best Online Casino Provider in CEE at the prestigious GamingTECH Awards 2025, solidifying its leadership position in the gaming industry across Central and Eastern Europe.
The award was announced on March 25, 2025, during the official GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony, part of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit. Since its launch in 2017, the Summit has evolved into a boutique-style event that champions innovation and facilitates valuable connections among industry leaders. Amusnet representatives from the Compliance, Legal, and Account Management teams attended the event, joining discussions on some of the most relevant topics shaping the industry today. The conference focused on key themes such as artificial intelligence innovation, blockchain integration, regulatory updates, fintech evolution, and sustainability practices within the gaming ecosystem.
Celebrating excellence and forward-thinking developments, the GamingTECH Awards recognize outstanding achievements of companies operating on a global scale. Amusnet’s recognition highlights the company’s commitment to delivering top-notch casino products, expanding its diverse portfolio of slot games and live casino offerings.
“We are truly honored to receive the Best Online Casino Provider in CEE award,” commented Irina Rusimova, Chief Commercial Officer at Amusnet. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and our ongoing drive to deliver exceptional gaming experiences for players while empowering our partners to succeed. It inspires us to keep pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in the industry.”
This award highlights Amusnet’s ongoing commitment to excellence and its role in shaping the future of the online gaming landscape in CEE and beyond.
The post Amusnet Wins Best Online Casino Provider in CEE at the GamingTECH Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
BEGE (Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo) and EEGS (Eastern European Gaming Summit) are excited to announce their groundbreaking 2025 concept, which emphasizes the critical importance of proximity, collaboration, and forward-thinking strategies – all while integrating the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence.
At the heart of this initiative is a strong commitment to fostering meaningful connections within the industry. Together, BEGE and EEGS are creating a vibrant platform for networking and idea exchange, bringing industry leaders together to explore the future of gaming. With multiple networking opportunities throughout the BEGE and EEGS, attendees will have countless chances to engage with one another, share insights, and forge valuable partnerships.
“The power of community is essential to our mission,” says Natalia Baevska, Project Manager of BEGE and EEGS. “By collaborating, we can harness our collective strengths to unlock new opportunities for growth within the region.”
Nino Berezhiani, Marketing Manager, highlights the significance of the initiative’s theme, “Proximity to Potential: Where Every Piece Matters.” She explains, “This slogan captures the essence of our vision. It underscores the idea that every connection and collaboration serves as a vital piece of a larger puzzle, driving innovation and success in our industry. We are excited to create an environment where companies can showcase their achievements, celebrate excellence and engage in meaningful dialogue.”
In addition to the networking events, the initiative will feature an impressive lineup of thought-provoking lectures and lively panel discussions led by industry experts, all designed to spark engagement and collaboration.
Furthermore, the integration of AI into this initiative promises to elevate gaming experiences and enhance operational efficiency, setting a new benchmark for innovation in the sector.
With this ambitious initiative, BEGE and EEGS are poised to transform the gaming landscape in the Balkans, encouraging all stakeholders to come together and actively shape the industry’s future.
The post BEGE and EEGS Unveil Visionary 2025 Concept Focusing on Proximity, Collaboration, and AI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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