As a global hub for cutting-edge discussions and educational initiatives, we at HIPTHER and European Gaming are honored to support the upcoming Online Conference on Problem Gambling, hosted by the Danish Problem Gambling Committee. Scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Danish time), this event promises to be a vital gathering of researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the gambling industry.

Why You Should Attend

Problem gambling affects millions worldwide, influencing not just individual lives but also families and communities. This conference provides a unique opportunity to learn from leading international and Danish researchers about the latest advancements in problem gambling prevention, treatment methodologies, and regulatory strategies.

Highlights of the Program

The carefully curated program ensures a comprehensive look at the key issues and solutions surrounding problem gambling:

• Welcome and Opening Remarks
  Marie Weinreich Petersen, from the Danish Problem Gambling Committee, will kick off the event, setting the stage for an insightful discussion.
• Introduction by Anders Dorph, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority, highlighting the role of regulatory bodies in tackling gambling-related harm.
• Keynote Presentation by Jakob Johnsson, a clinical psychologist and PhD from the Karolinska Institutet. His presentation, “Preventing Gambling Problems – A Step-Wise Approach for Duty-of-Care,” will focus on creating structured frameworks to mitigate risks effectively.
• Flash Talk by Anna Westh Stenbro, a psychologist and PhD candidate at Aarhus University Hospital, exploring the comparative effectiveness of internet-based therapy versus traditional cognitive behavioral therapy in treating gambling disorders.
• Research Insights from Anne Mette Thorhauge, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen. Her talk, “Gamblified Game Mechanisms in Danish Children and Young People’s Gaming,” dives into the impact of game mechanics that mimic gambling on youth behavior.
• Keynote Presentation by David C. Hodgins, a prominent researcher from the University of Calgary, on “How Much Is Too Much? Development and Impact of Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines.” This talk will address the critical question of establishing thresholds for safer gambling.
• Interactive Q&A and Final Remarks
  Participants will have the chance to engage directly with speakers, followed by closing insights from Marie Weinreich Petersen.

Key Themes to Watch For

• The Role of Duty-of-Care in Gambling Prevention: Learn about structured approaches to reducing harm while fostering responsible gambling practices.
• Innovations in Therapy: Discover how online therapeutic interventions are transforming the treatment landscape for gambling disorders.
• Youth and Gambling-Like Gaming Mechanisms: Explore the overlap between gaming and gambling and its implications for younger demographics.
• Evidence-Based Guidelines: Gain a deeper understanding of how lower-risk gambling thresholds are developed and their real-world impact.

How to Participate

The conference will take place online, making it accessible to a global audience. To join, simply register via this link by Monday, January 6, 2025, 3:00 PM (Danish time). A link to access the virtual event will be shared with registrants closer to the date.

HIPTHER’s Commitment to Responsible Gaming

Our involvement in supporting this event underscores HIPTHER’s dedication to fostering responsible gaming and raising awareness about gambling-related harms. By backing initiatives like this, we aim to drive meaningful conversations and actionable outcomes within the industry.

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Mark your calendars for January 15, 2025, and join us for a transformative discussion on combating problem gambling. Together, let’s pave the way for safer and more sustainable gaming environments worldwide.

How to stay ahead in the face of fierce competition? SOFTSWISS, a leading tech provider with over 15 years of experience in iGaming, shares fresh insights from a customer survey conducted by Kantar in November 2024.

With around 25% of the world’s population ever involved in iGaming, according to Global Gambling Statistics, the industry hosts thousands of projects and hundreds of software developers. To gain data-driven insights into the needs and expectations of iGaming operators, SOFTSWISS invited Kantar, the world’s leading analytics agency, to conduct a comprehensive customer survey. 

Expertise Comes First

The survey revealed the top 5 most important characteristics for iGaming operators when choosing a technology supplier:

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• High level of professionalism and expertise in the team
• Security of operations at all stages
• Supplier’s long-term and reliable reputation
• Flexible approach to collaboration terms
• Creation of new opportunities for business revenue growth

Notably, many of the characteristics highlighted by respondents in the Kantar survey align closely with those outlined in the recent iGaming Trends 2025 Report. 

Fewer operators prioritise a strong client portfolio and responsible gambling initiatives, as these are not viewed as immediate business drivers and have a less direct impact on operator success. Furthermore, responsible gambling tools are mandatory under licensing requirements in many jurisdictions, making them a standard feature in the offerings of licensed providers.

Valentina Bagniya, Chief Marketing Officer at SOFTSWISS, comments: “Delivering exceptional products starts with a profound understanding of client needs and expectations. That’s why marketing research and customer surveys are integral to daily operations. By sharing valuable insights with our partners and competitors, we actively contribute to driving innovation and growth across the industry”. 

Sources of iGaming Insights

According to respondents, the top 5 sources of information about the iGaming industry are:

• Recommendations from colleagues, partners
• Industry news resources
• Company websites that provide products and services
• LinkedIn
• Employees of partner companies

The importance of companies’ websites almost tripled compared to the previous year’s results. Similarly, the value of recommendations also increased significantly, climbing from fourth place to the top of the ranking. 

“The trend of growing recommendations’ importance extends beyond the iGaming industry. In 2024, consumers are navigating an overwhelming media flow, where much information gets lost. While brands still communicate actively, capturing audiences has become harder. Personal connections are becoming more significant, offering a more direct and trusted way to reach consumers,” shares Kateryna Kaliuzhna, Senior Client Partner at Kantar.

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The primer position of recommendations underscores the growing importance of partnerships and networks, highlighting the value of community-driven insights from trusted experts. This dominance also amplified the role of news resources and company websites, which serve as key channels for industry professionals to share their expertise. These shifts reflect a broader trend towards trust, transparency, and the demand for credible, easily accessible information in the rapidly evolving iGaming market.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The global esports organization GIANTX has officially presented the roster for its League of Legends Superliga team, the most prestigious esports competition in Spain, organized by the LVP. The roster includes Feisty (midlaner) and Aetinoth (ADC), who continue for another year after establishing themselves as key players for the organization, and newcomers Badlulu (toplaner), Ferret (jungler), and Lospa (support).

The team, known as GIANTX Pride, will be led by Fearless, a veteran coach who has already won three Superliga titles with GIANTX. After previous stints with teams like Guasones and Rebels, Fearless returns to lead this young and promising roster as they pursue the organization’s long-awaited eighth Superliga trophy, with the season set to begin in January 2025.

The roster was revealed during an event at the Home of GIANTX in Málaga, attended by over 150 fans and supported by Opel, the team’s main partner in the Superliga. The event featured activities, giveaways, and a showmatch against Barça Esports, where fans got a first glimpse of the team in action.

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Feisty (South Korea, 2003) and Aetinoth (Turkey, 2005) return for another year, having gained recognition as rising talents with potential for the LEC, Europe’s premier competition in which GIANTX also competes. Badlulu (France, 2002), with prior experience in the Superliga at CASE Esports, joins as the toplaner. Ferret (Turkey, 2001), a promising jungler from the Turkish scene, comes from FUT, while Lospa (South Korea, 2002), a former Iberian Cup champion, joins as support after training in Gen.G Academy.

GIANTX Pride is the most decorated organization in Superliga LVP history, with seven titles to its name. The last victory came in the summer of 2021, and the team is determined to add the elusive eighth trophy to its collection. The Superliga for 2025 will feature ten teams, including Barça Esports, Guasones, Los Heretics, LUA Gaming, Movistar KOI, Ramboot Club, UCAM Esports, VENI VIDI VICI, and ZETA, competing across three splits—winter, spring, and summer.

The LVP, part of Grupo Mediapro, has introduced changes to the Superliga’s format for 2025. The updated calendar will be released soon, setting the stage for another thrilling season.