Central Europe
Casinos Austria Appoints New Members to the Supervisory Board
NEW MEMBERS WERE APPOINTED TO THE SUPERVISORY BOARD AT CASINOS AUSTRIA AG ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND SUPERVISORY BOARD MEETING.
- Reorganisation of the Supervisory Board: Wolfgang Hesoun is the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board – additional experts have been appointed
- Syndicate contract brings stability to the corporate group
- Player protection is to be a focus of the Supervisory Board
- Implementation of extensive restructuring programme
- Strengthening of distribution and online offers – fight against illegality
Reorganisation of the Supervisory Board
New members were appointed to the Supervisory Board at Casinos Austria AG Annual General Meeting and Supervisory Board Meeting.
At Casinos Austria AG, Wolfgang Hesoun, a top Austrian manager, took the helm as the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board. His currently sole Vice Chairman is SAZKA Group CEO Robert Chvatal, who has chaired the Board since Walter Rothensteiner’s departure.
ÖBAG Director and former PwC CEO Christine Catasta and compliance and player protection expert Erika Stark-Rittenauer were appointed to the Supervisory Board. Gerhild Hofer and Thomas Polzer are leaving the committee.
“I am delighted that we were able to secure an experienced top manager as President of the Supervisory Board, and that person is Wolfgang Hesoun. Our current personnel decisions show that after a challenging period, we are embarking on a new chapter for the company, one in which the Managing Board, the employees, the Supervisory Board and the owners work together to create a positive future for the company,” says ÖBAG Managing Board member Thomas Schmid.
Syndicate contract brings stability to the company
The basis for the changes in membership of the Boards is the syndicate contract between the SAZKA Group (majority owner) and the state-owned holding company ÖBAG. This contract was recently approved by the EU Competition Commission. “The syndicate contract between the two main owners amicably regulates the strategic development and alignment of the corporate group. Our shared vision and long-term strategy provide the stability that the company needs. This is particularly important in the current difficult situation as well as with regard to the challenges facing the corporate group in the near future. In particular, the two main owners will make a substantial contribution to strengthening distribution and building up new online services, as well as driving forward the urgently needed fight against illegality,” SAZKA CEO Robert Chvatal says about the new cooperation between the owners.
Player protection is to be a focus of the Supervisory Board
Player protection and handling gambling responsibly has always been a central issue within the Casinos Austria/Österreichische Lotterien Group. In future, the Supervisory Board will provide tangible support for the company’s efforts in this crucial area. “Casinos and lotteries bear great social responsibility in the gaming sector. As a core shareholder, it is of particular interest to ÖBAG that our shareholdings continue to expand their pioneering role in the area of player protection in Europe. With Erika Stark-Rittenauer, we on the Supervisory Board can provide valuable input in this regard,” Schmid says with respect to the future focus.
Implementation of the restructuring programme
The report on the ReFIT restructuring programme was discussed at length in today’s meetings. Following intensive negotiations, a comprehensive package was put together in a very short time, and most of it has already been implemented. These far-reaching measures will save 50 million euros in the long run and reduce the number of employees by around 500 FTEs across the entire Group. The fact that almost the entire personnel reduction could be carried out in the form of amicable separations and accompanied by corresponding social plans, new collective agreements and company agreements was noted as a positive aspect. This was possible because an amount in the high double-digit millions was spent on the design of these separation packages. Far-reaching internal restructuring has made processes much more efficient and made it possible to focus on new entrepreneurial tasks. This has created a basis for the long-term security of the corporate group.
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Central Europe
Endorphina Club Returns to Host the GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony & Party at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026
HIPTHER proudly announces the return of the Endorphina Club Awards Party & Ceremony, the official celebration of the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026, taking place on 24 March 2026 at 20:00 at the iconic Buddha Bar Prague.
Organised by Endorphina, the Awards & Party Sponsor of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, the evening marks one of the most anticipated moments of the summit’s 10th anniversary edition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to celebrate excellence across the Central and Eastern European gaming and technology ecosystem.
This year’s edition continues the successful partnership between HIPTHER and Endorphina, which began in 2023, with the Endorphina Events Team once again curating an unforgettable awards celebration concept and selecting one of Prague’s most elegant venues for the occasion.
A Celebration of Innovation, Community, and Excellence
The GamingTECH CEE Awards shine a spotlight on the companies, products, teams, and individuals shaping the future of gaming and technology across the region.
As part of the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, the awards recognise outstanding contributions across a wide spectrum of categories spanning iGaming innovation, compliance leadership, technological advancement, and industry growth.
The Endorphina Club Awards Party elevates the awards ceremony into a full evening experience, where the community gathers to celebrate achievements in a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere.
Guests can expect an exclusive evening where sophistication meets the spirit of Asia, featuring premium drinks, vibrant entertainment, and the unmistakable energy of one of Prague’s most iconic venues.
RSVP Required for Summit Participants
All HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 participants who wish to attend the Awards Party are invited to confirm their participation in advance.
To secure a place on the official Endorphina Club guest list, attendees should contact the organiser to RSVP, at:
Due to the exclusive nature of the venue and limited capacity, online RSVP is mandatory.
Celebrating a Continued Partnership
The ongoing collaboration between HIPTHER and Endorphina has become a cherished tradition within the Prague Summit experience, with each edition introducing new creative concepts and memorable venues for the industry’s celebration night.
Commenting on the partnership, Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated: “The GamingTECH CEE Awards have always been about recognising the people and companies who push our industry forward. Over the years, the Endorphina Club celebration has become one of the most anticipated moments of the Prague Summit. It’s a place where competitors turn into collaborators and the community comes together to celebrate innovation, resilience, and creativity. We are thrilled to once again partner with the Endorphina team to host this special evening in one of Prague’s most iconic venues as we mark the summit’s 10-year milestone.”
The Endorphina Club Party for GamingTECH Awards 2026 takes place during the HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, held on 24–25 March 2026 at OREA Hotel Andel’s Praha, gathering regulators, operators, technology providers, affiliates, fintech innovators, and industry leaders from across Europe and beyond.
“Prague is our home – and as a Czech company, there’s nowhere we’d rather bring the industry together! Hosting The GamingTECH CEE Awards here isn’t just convenient, it’s personal. That’s why our collaboration with HIPTHER means so much to us: together we get to welcome partners, friends, and colleagues from across the industry to the city that made Endorphina what it is today. The Endorphina Club evening is one of those nights we pour our hearts into-because home games are always the best ones.” — Irina Veselkova, Head of Marketing at Endorphina
Under the theme “Decoding the Future: 10 Years of Impact,” the summit explores the intersection of technology, regulation, and innovation through expert panels, workshops, and curated networking opportunities.
HIPTHER and the Endorphina Club Awards Party promises to deliver an unforgettable evening celebrating the achievements, creativity, and spirit of collaboration that define the gaming and tech community.
More information about HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026:
https://hipther.com/events/prague/
The post Endorphina Club Returns to Host the GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony & Party at HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Austria
Blueprint Gaming Strengthens European Reach with Austria Debut on win2day
Collaboration allows the UK’s top slot provider to introduce a range of high-performing games to Austria’s sole licensed online gaming platform.
Blueprint Gaming
has reinforced its presence in Europe by launching in the Austrian iGaming sector with win2day.
The significant partnership with Austria’s sole regulated operator will allow win2day players to enjoy a selection of Blueprint Gaming’s renowned titles, with Eye of Horus and Cash Strike making up the initial set of available games.
Blueprint has established a solid reputation for providing feature-rich, localized content for various countries throughout the continent, and its newest market entry marks another phase in its ongoing European growth and greater global focus.
win2day is managed by Austrian Lotteries, established over 50 years ago and is the sole licensed online casino operator in Austria. The brand has developed a strong legacy as a reliable name in the market, taking pride in being one of the most accountable players in the industry.
The partnership is poised to enhance the entertainment experience for Austrian players by merging Blueprint’s esteemed status for creating immersive games with engaging mechanics and win2day’s strong market presence.
Samuel Haggblom, Director of Business Development at Blueprint Gaming
, said: “Entering Austria with win2day represents a significant milestone in our European growth strategy. As the country’s only licensed online casino operator, it sets the standard for quality and responsibility, and we are proud to see our content launch on such a dynamic platform.
“Our portfolio has consistently delivered strong performance across regulated markets, and we look forward to introducing Austrian players to iconic titles, with more high-performing releases set to follow.”
Georg Wawer, Managing Director of win2day, added: “As Austria’s only licensed online gaming operator, win2day is committed to delivering premium, secure and fully compliant entertainment to our players. With Blueprint Gaming, we are adding a well-established and internationally recognised studio to our portfolio, known for its strong brands and high production standards.
“In close cooperation, we ensure that every title is carefully aligned with Austria’s strict regulatory framework and our comprehensive player protection policies. This guarantees that innovation and entertainment always go hand in hand with responsibility and safety. Blueprint Gaming’s portfolio will be a strong and exciting enhancement to the win2day offering.”
The post Blueprint Gaming Strengthens European Reach with Austria Debut on win2day appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alex Green Vice President Games at ZEAL
Wunderino Adds ZEAL’s Premium Slots as Partnership Kicks Off
ZEAL Instant Games, part of the ZEAL Group and an online gaming provider, has initiated a new partnership with Wunderino, a prominent online slot brand in Germany. As a part of the collaboration, Wunderino is enhancing its entertainment portfolio with a forthcoming increasing range of ZEAL slots. The initial titles are now active and accessible to players on Wunderino.de.
Increased diversity for gamers – enhanced exposure for premium titles.
The new collaboration brings evident benefits for both firms: Wunderino is boosting its online gaming selection with ZEAL content, further solidifying its status as an innovation-focused provider in the German iGaming sector. Simultaneously, ZEAL Instant Games leverages Wunderino’s robust brand visibility and influence, reaching new audiences.
At launch, well-known titles like “The Bookmaker,” “Treasure Volcano,” and “Vegas Blaze” are included in the first batch of games already offered. The objective is to enhance the portfolio by adding more new games in the upcoming months.
Comments regarding the partnership
“With Wunderino, we are gaining a partner that has stood for entertainment, dynamism, and a strong brand identity for many years,” says Alex Green, Vice President Games at ZEAL. “Integrating our titles into one of the most popular platforms in Germany is another important step in making our portfolio accessible to even more players and driving our strategic expansion.”
Wunderino adds: “ZEAL Instant Games stands for creative content, high quality, and reliable performance – all values that perfectly match our brand,” says Susanne Forsman, Group Chief Gaming Officer at Wunderino. “The new ZEAL slots will help enrich our offerings and provide our users with additional exciting experiences. We are very excited about the joint launch and what lies ahead.”
The post Wunderino Adds ZEAL’s Premium Slots as Partnership Kicks Off appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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