Latest News
Xace names Annie Osborne as Chief Commercial Officer

Fast growing account and payment services provider strengthens management team as it looks to drive growth across Europe
London: 8 March 2021 – Xace, the fast-growing account and payment provider has added significant industry expertise to its senior team with the key appointment of Annie Osborne as Chief Commercial Officer, further strengthening its position as a specialist gaming payment account provider.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Annie will be responsible for shaping & executing Xace’s Commercial Sales & Marketing strategies, including Product Development & Customer Experience, reporting directly to Xace CEO David Hodkinson.
With a distinguished ten-plus-year payments career, with roles held at big-name companies including American Express and ACI, Annie has unrivalled experience in international merchant banking, payments & fraud management, covering an expanse of verticals including enterprise retail, Gaming, Hospitality & Entertainment.
Xace has expanded rapidly since launching under a year ago and particularly among gaming companies that struggle to acquire traditional high-street bank accounts. The company already counts some of gaming’s most well-known and respected businesses as customers.
Xace currently provides EUR and GBP business and personal accounts, each with virtual debit cards, throughout Europe. The company has ambitious plans to further expand throughout Europe this year, with Osborne playing a key role in driving growth.
David Hodkinson, Xace CEO, said: “I am delighted to welcome Annie to the team and for Xace to leverage her tremendous knowledge and experience not only of international payments but also of the global gambling industry as we continue to expand rapidly.
“Xace provides a quality solution to a common problem that gaming companies across Europe encounter and this has seen us ride an incredible wave of growth in our first year. We now want to build on that and with Annie on board as CCO it will undoubtedly be another successful year for Xace.”
Annie Osborne, Chief Commercial Officer at Xace, said: “I’m delighted and immensely proud to be joining Xace at this stage of its growth. It is an incredibly exciting opportunity and I am looking forward to playing a part in its continued success as the business expands its reach across Europe over the coming months.
“Its product offering, especially to gaming businesses, has led Xace to become the account and payment provider of choice for a number of companies both in and out of the sector. Now is the time to rapidly scale up and I look forward to playing my part in continuing the impressive journey.”
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ACOS
Player protection focus for ITL at London’s Autumn Coin-op Show (ACOS)

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The post Player protection focus for ITL at London’s Autumn Coin-op Show (ACOS) appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
Unforgettable Networking in Warsaw: HIPTHER Announces Venues for the European Gaming Congress 2025

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HIPTHER is excited to announce the official networking venues for the European Gaming Congress (EGC) 2025 – HIPTHER Warsaw Summit, taking place between 29–31 October 2025 in Warsaw.
This year’s networking program is sponsored by PICANTE PR HUB – HIPTHER’s PR Distribution Hub powered by PICANTE Today with a reach of 200,000+ articles and Human-reviewed content trusted by thousands of startups.
The networking agenda combines sophistication, celebration of excellence and Halloween tradition – creating the perfect backdrop for meaningful connections, business discussions, and unforgettable memories.
First Handshakes & Catch-ups: Welcome Meet (Day 0)
- Date: 29 October 2025
- Time: 19:00 – 22:00 (local time)
- Venue: Charlie Bar (Mokotowska 39, 00-551 Warszawa, Poland)
We kick off the Summit with a cozy pre-conference gathering at Charlie Bar, where attendees are invited to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones in a relaxed, family-like atmosphere. With complimentary drinks (Open Bar), laughter, and good company, the Welcome Meet sets the stage for two inspiring days ahead. Raise your glass to new beginnings and shared adventures!
EiGE Awards Ceremony & Evening Social Gathering Sponsored by PICANTE PR HUB (Day 1)
- Date: 30 October 2025
- Time: 19:30 – Late night (local time)
- Venue: Podwale Bar and Books (Wąski Dunaj 20, 00-256 Warszawa, Poland)
Celebrate excellence in iGaming at the EiGE Awards Ceremony and our exciting Evening Social Gathering, hosted at the iconic Podwale Bar and Books. Nestled in Warsaw’s historic “White House,” this New York–style venue blends elegance and intimacy across two floors: a cozy ground floor with an outdoor patio and an upstairs cigar lounge with plush seating, a fireplace, and balcony views.
Known for its refined British colonial style, Podwale Bar and Books offers an outstanding drinks variety: from Scotch and Japanese whiskies to premium spirits, fine champagnes, wines, and signature cocktails. Cigar lovers will appreciate a curated selection of world-renowned brands alongside the bar’s own handmade exclusives.
This evening promises an atmosphere perfect for networking, celebrating achievements, and connecting with industry peers in one of Warsaw’s most distinctive lounges.
Zoltan Tündik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, shared his thoughts: “We’re thrilled that PICANTE PR HUB is sponsoring all three evening networking parties at this year’s European Gaming Congress. From the Welcome Meet at Charlie Bar, to the EiGE Awards Ceremony and social gathering at Bar & Books, and closing with our traditional Halloween Party at Steam Bar, we’ve lined up incredible venues. What started as a Halloween tradition in Warsaw has grown into a full series of memorable nights, and we can’t wait to take the networking experience to the next level.”
EGC Closing Party: Halloween Edition 
- Date: 31 October 2025
- Time: 19:30 – 24:00 (local time)
- Venue: Steam Bar (Nowogrodzka 23, 00-511 Warszawa, Poland)
The Summit wraps up in true HIPTHER style with the 3rd annual Halloween Closing Party at the beloved Steam Bar. Once again falling on October 31st, this year’s edition invites attendees to embrace the spooky spirit and dress to impress (or scare!) in their best Halloween costumes.
And while costumes are optional, conversations are mandatory! Expect a night of great company, delicious food, flowing drinks, and a lively atmosphere as we close out EGC 2025 with fun, flair, and celebration.
Join us in Warsaw
The European Gaming Congress 2025 – HIPTHER Warsaw Summit is not just about premium learning opportunities, panels and discussions – it’s about the people, the stories, and the connections made to last beyond the conference halls. With these three unique venues, attendees are guaranteed an unforgettable networking experience in the heart of Warsaw.
Don’t Miss Out – Secure Your European Gaming Congress Tickets Today!
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BetterGambling
BetterGambling Exclusive Report: 800+ UK Casino Operators Face Closure as 2026 Regulations Trigger Industry Apocalypse

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BetterGambling, the UK’s independent gambling industry think tank, released its comprehensive Market Intelligence Report, indicating over 800 casino operators will be forced out of the UK market by 2027, the largest industry slump in British gambling history.
The study, authored by BetterGambling’s stable of former casino bosses and regulatory experts, projects a precipitous 30-40% drop in authorised operators as the 2026 regulatory landscape renders continued operation economically non-viable for the low-to-midsized players.
“We are witnessing the greatest scale of change since the Gambling Act 2005. Our analysis proves that this is not just market consolidation – it’s a structural realignment of an industry that today supports 2,262 licensed operators as of March 2024,” said Diana Tunsu, Reviewer at BetterGambling.
Key findings from the BetterGambling report include:
• 680-900 operators anticipated to exit the market by the end of 2027 (30-40% of the current market)
• New casino launches will drop by 60-70% relative to 2024 levels
• White-label operations will see a 45-55% closure rate as a result of shifts in platform economics
• Stand-alone casinos will see 40-50% market consolidation as a result of compliance barriers
• Total first-year compliance investment of £800,000-2.8 million per operator.
The Compliance Investment Reality
BetterGambling’s in-depth analysis of operators reveals the true cash investment required for 2026 compliance. The regulatory fee alone will remove £100 million from the industry annually, and technology infrastructure upgrades will cost individual operators between £500,000 and £2 million.
“The economics are straightforward. Operators with GGY below £3 million per year are faced with a stark choice: spend significantly on compliance or consider strategic options including withdrawing from the market,” explained Diana Tunsu.
For more detailed analysis of the impact on different forms of casinos, see our in-depth UK Casino Reviews section.
White-Label Market Transformation
White-label casino businesses are recognized as being severely tested in this report, with 45-55% predicted to merge or close down. Of the estimated 350-450 current white-label businesses, BetterGambling predicts 200-300 will survive past 2027.
“White-label operators have a complex equation,” said the BetterGambling research team.
“They must navigate through the same compliance for independent operators when handling revenue-sharing arrangements with platform providers.”
The post BetterGambling Exclusive Report: 800+ UK Casino Operators Face Closure as 2026 Regulations Trigger Industry Apocalypse appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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