Press Releases
Parimatch: Consumers want stories, not spreadsheets
Parimatch’s Chief Product Officer Sergey Berezhnoy spoke at ICE London 2020 about how the operator plans to evolve the traditional sports betting experience with a focus not just on technology, but on storytelling. With a history in the video gaming industry, Sergey can see many narrative-building concepts that would translate nicely to the betting sector, although he believes the main overlap – esports – still has a few mountains to climb.
Following a strong 12 months in its home markets, Parimatch attended ICE London 2020 with a clear vision in mind for the future of its sports betting offer.
The international operator has grown its market share with bold marketing campaigns and a strong product backed by great tech, but the main focus for Parimatch’s Chief Product Officer Sergey Berezhnoy over the next year is to research, develop and evolve sports betting’s current customer journey. Many of the innovations at ICE provide the backbone of that journey, providing several payment methods, hundreds of ways to bet, and thousands of events and markets to bet on, with other exciting developments such as VR and AI further bolstering to the industry’s toolbox in recent years. For players, the customer journey is smoother than ever before, but for Sergey, that’s not enough. His background is in the video gaming industry, and he believes that to tap into the widest possible market, the sports betting sector has to develop a story around the act of betting that is as engaging and rewarding as current popular mobile games.
“I use one word, and it’s narrative,” said Sergey. “I joined this sector from the video gaming industry, and there the focus is not on waiting for the end result, but providing as much entertainment as possible on the way to it.
Unfortunately, sports betting is currently the opposite; you come, you bet, you leave. There is no story, no great focus on the clubs involved, and often there are very few relevant events to bet on. Players who are engaged with the betting culture might bet on anything, but new and casual players need a story to bring them in. Look at Snapchat, Instagram and Tik Tok, they only show short stories, but it’s enough to get consumers engaged.”
In fact, the immediacy of sports betting is something else Sergey wants to move forward. While the rise of in-play betting has helped, many results can take between a few hours or a few days to come through depending when bets are placed, so Berezhnoy intends to make sports betting on Parimatch something players can jump into and be rewarded whenever they choose.
“In betting, the distance between betting and reward can be very high, whereas in video games the award is more achievable. We are trying to shorten that distance, but not as short as casino games,” he said. “In our research, we have taken a lot from casual gaming. If you are riding the subway or tube, everybody plays casual games or goes on social media. The big question is, why don’t they bet? It’s about a customer journey, but many sports betting sites still look like excel spreadsheets. Instagram has changed the way we consume photos, it’s our ambition to change the way people bet on sports.”
Berezhnoy added that this will involve asking players human-centric questions on pre-selected content, providing a personal touch to short, targeted stories for players to bet through. Like in video games, they won’t be faced with a thousand choices, but with a few highly engaging ones based around content they already enjoy, whether that be through live, fantasy or virtual sports – or even esports. This is another aspect of gaming that Berezhnoy has a lot of experience in, however he still believes there’s a few challenges ahead before the rapidly rising pastime becomes a key vertical for the sports betting sectors.
“Games publishers are in control of esports and they are not interested in the regulations that are needed to elevate the level of trust required for bookmakers,” he explained. “Publishers want more players, and tighter regulations can put up barriers to that. With a few exceptions, they also don’t give access to their data feed, which makes it very difficult to trade. Sports betting operators are interested in the most popular games with the biggest events, but those publishers don’t need to include sports betting into their model to be successful, and these are major roadblocks for its expansion in the industry.”
Sergey hopes that this will change over the next decade, but in the meantime, he is looking forward to weaving the storytelling ability of video games into all of Parimatch’s sports betting offers.
“At the end of the day, most of us prefer to be told stories than to scour over spreadsheets, and that’s what I want to offer to our players,” he concluded.
Conferences
HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 Becomes History: 400 Industry Leaders Celebrate 10 Years of Impact in a Landmark Edition
The HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 has officially concluded, marking not only the end of another exceptional edition, but the celebration of a defining milestone: 10 Years of Impact.
Bringing together nearly 400 professionals from across iGaming, technology, fintech, compliance, AI, and blockchain, this year’s summit stood as the most ambitious and dynamic edition to date — two days of high-level insights, meaningful connections, hands-on learning, and unforgettable experiences.
From early-morning wellness sessions to late-night celebrations, HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 delivered a complete, immersive industry experience — one that will be remembered as a benchmark moment for the European Gaming & Tech ecosystem.
A Summit Designed for Insight, Strategy & Real Connections
Held on 24–25 March 2026 at OREA Hotel Andel’s Prague, the summit once again proved why it remains a cornerstone event where technology, compliance, and innovation converge.
The 10th Anniversary edition expanded into its full-scale format featuring:
- Three core conference stages
- The hands-on HIPTHER Academy
- The GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026
- Curated networking experiences across every touchpoint
The result? A boutique, high-impact environment where conversations weren’t just happening — they were shaping the next decade of the industry.
Four Stages. One Unified Vision of the Future
The summit unfolded across four stages, bringing together compliance, regulation, business strategy, and innovation into one cohesive narrative. From regulatory deep dives and enforcement trends to cross-industry discussions spanning iGaming, fintech, AI, and media, the agenda balanced specialization with meaningful dialogue between operators, suppliers, and advisors.
A standout element was the dedicated Responsible Gaming & Player Safety focus on Day 2, curated by the Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH). This track placed player protection and sustainable industry growth at the forefront, addressing emerging risks, early detection mechanisms, and the need for greater cross-border regulatory alignment through expert-led panels and case-driven discussions.
Elevating the conference, the HIPTHER Academy further expanded the summit’s scope into a practical learning environment, offering hands-on workshops and certifications across AI, compliance, marketing, and leadership. With a clear emphasis on real-world application, the Academy positioned itself as a platform for professionals looking to strengthen both their expertise and strategic impact.
Networking: From Morning Energy to Nights of Excellence
At HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, networking extended far beyond the conference floor, shaping the experience from early morning and delicious breaks, to late-night celebrations.
The days began with intention, from a calming yoga session on Day 1 to the Morning Networking Run on Day 2 — blending wellness, movement, and connection in true #hipthers style.
As evening fell, the spotlight turned to recognition and celebration. The GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026 honoured the industry’s standout performers, announced in the exciting Endorphina Club Party & Awards Ceremony at Buddha-Bar Prague. As the official Awards Ceremony & Party Sponsor, Endorphina delivered a premium networking experience where prestige met Asian culture and vibrant energy.
The momentum continued with the Closing Party at Reduta Jazz Club, while the now-traditional Unofficial Karaoke Afterparty added a final, memorable touch — proving once again that the strongest connections are often built beyond the stage.
Powered by Industry Leaders: Our Sponsors
The success of HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 was made possible thanks to the incredible support of its partners and sponsors:
- Grand Stage Sponsor: Tom Horn Gaming
- Grand Quality & Compliance Sponsor: Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
- Silver Sponsor & Badge/Bracelet Sponsor: Kanggiten
- Awards Ceremony & Party Sponsor: Endorphina
- Lanyard Sponsor: DSTGAMING
- General Sponsors: Gaming in Poland, RM Legal, WinSpirit Casino
Their continued support reflects a shared commitment to advancing innovation, compliance, and collaboration across the industry.
A Decade of Impact — And the Next Chapter Begins
Under the theme “Decoding the Future: 10 Years of Impact,” the 2026 edition didn’t just celebrate the past — it set the tone for what comes next.
Zoltan Tündik – HIPTHER Co-Founder & Head of Business stated: “Reaching the 10-year milestone with the HIPTHER Prague Summit is a proud moment of reflection for us. With 19 years of navigating the ever-evolving media and news landscape, we have seen firsthand how vital authentic connection is to industry progress. This edition was a celebration of a decade of impact, but it was also a launchpad for our next chapter. Over the next five years, our focus is on consolidation. We are deepening our roots in the CEE, D-A-CH, Baltic, and Nordic regions. However, we aren’t standing still. We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the HIPTHER Balkans Summit in 2027, and we are keeping a very close watch on North America. The market there is ripe for the unique ‘HIPTHER-style’ of boutique, high-value networking, and I suspect we may have some surprises in store for that region very soon.”
Get ready for the next great chapter starting next year — Save the Date & Join us: 23–24 March 2027
Over the last decade, HIPTHER Prague Summit has grown into a trusted platform for knowledge-sharing, cross-border dialogue, and real business connections, bringing together regulators, operators, innovators, and decision-makers shaping the future of Gaming & Tech .
And if this edition proved anything, it’s that the next decade will be even bigger.
The post HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 Becomes History: 400 Industry Leaders Celebrate 10 Years of Impact in a Landmark Edition appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
RAW iGaming has unveiled BONUS RUSH®, a revolutionary slot game family designed to put players front and center in the moments they love most: the bonus features.
With BONUS RUSH®, RAW flips the traditional slot formula on its head. Instead of spreading RTP between the base game and bonus rounds, these titles allocate the entire RTP to the feature rounds, transforming the base game into a gateway to the main event. The result is faster, more intense gameplay where bonus features trigger more often and deliver the full potential of the game’s rewards.
Less Waiting, More Action
In classic slots, players often endure long base-game sessions before reaching the excitement of bonus rounds. BONUS RUSH® changes that, focusing gameplay on rapid access to the moments that define the experience. By concentrating value in the feature rounds, the format delivers a highly focused, adrenaline-packed gameplay loop that players crave.
Designed to be compatible with a wide range of regulated markets, BONUS RUSH® allows operators to offer feature-centric experiences without relying on bonus purchases or optional gameplay mechanics.
Launch Title: Fortune Teller’s Charm 6 BONUS RUSH
The first game in the series, Fortune Teller’s Charm 6 BONUS RUSH, immerses players in a mystical world of fortune tellers, magical charms, and enchanting rewards. Built on RAW’s RAWVerse Arena, the game combines rich visuals with a feature-driven structure that draws players quickly into the bonus rounds carrying the full reward potential.
This title marks the beginning of a rapidly expanding BONUS RUSH® portfolio, with multiple themes and mechanics planned for release in the coming months.
Expanding RAW’s Innovation Portfolio
BONUS RUSH® joins RAW’s lineup of proprietary gameplay formats, including SuperSlice®, SuperTracks®, SuperSymbols®, Smash Pots
, and Scatter Magnets, all designed to deliver distinctive, engaging content for operators and players alike.
“Players love bonus rounds—they’re the peaks of excitement,” said Thomas Wood, CEO of RAW iGaming. “With BONUS RUSH®, we’ve designed an entirely new gameplay structure that brings players straight to those moments and makes them the heart of the experience. It’s another example of RAW focusing on innovation that truly changes the way games are played.”
What’s Next
Fortune Teller’s Charm 6 BONUS RUSH will be available to operators via RAW’s distribution network starting April 9th. Following this launch, RAW will release Scatters Matter BONUS RUSH and Popeye & Olive Oyl BONUS RUSH, with many more titles scheduled to follow.
The post RAW iGaming launches BONUS RUSH® – a new family of feature-focused games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
PG Soft, a world-class digital mobile games company, has secured a high-profile sponsorship agreement for the upcoming BiS SiGMA South America 2026 event in São Paulo, Brazil. The event will take place from April 6th to 9th at the Transamerica Expo Center.
BiS SiGMA South America is a four-day event where leading stakeholders in the global iGaming ecosystem come together to network, discuss new ideas, and grow their businesses in Latin America’s most influential market. The event has doubled in size since last year and now features three dual-language stages.
During the event, PG Soft’s branding will feature at the Registration Counter where attendees begin their BiS SiGMA experience. Additionally, PG Soft’s branded Welcome Arches will also mark two important exits connecting the main halls to the lobby.
Brazil represents a key market for PG Soft, and this sponsorship underscores the company’s dedication to strengthening its presence across Latin America.
PG Soft’s spokesperson commented: “Brazil is one of our prime markets and Bis SiGMA is the perfect venue to showcase our commitment to this market. We are really looking forward to meaningful conversation with operators and partners throughout this summit.”
The post PG Soft secures key sponsorship at BiS SiGMA South America 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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