Central Europe

Pinnacle look to expand with focus on central and eastern European partners at iGB Live!

Published

4 years ago

June 14, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Pinnacle Solution will be attending July’s edition of iGB Live! in confident mood boasting an expanded sales team, an MGA gaming licence which was gained earlier this year and a clear focus on expanding into new territories. Describing April’s return of ICE London as representing a ‘tipping point’, Business Development Director, Rohini Sardana, confirmed: “It’s great to be back in full swing with regards to industry events and iGB Live! is always one that’s not-to-miss. It not only brings together European suppliers, operators, and affiliates, but it also succeeds in attracting delegates from outside the region – it’s set to be a great mix of companies looking to develop and drive the industry forward.”

Reflecting on the last 2-years the Pinnacle Solution Director believes the period spent under lockdown whilst not conducive to relationship building also had a positive impact on the business. “Not being able to attend live-events represented a major loss at the time” Rohini acknowledged. “But it also meant that we were able to reassess our service and analyse how we can best help our operator partners. The lockdowns allowed us to refine our product offering, in order to add the most value possible. Coming back to events such as iGB Live! with a more targeted offer makes business development easier, particularly in the booming esports vertical where we continue to be a game-changing partner with what is a truly market-leading product.

“Our sportsbook offering is proven to drive revenue, including on esports, and our ability to generate above-market hold is clear, but it’s always useful at these events to explain in more detail how we can work to each partner’s specific needs, and that’s what we’ll be looking to push at the RAI. Having seen a lot of our early success out in Asia, we now have the foundation and enlarged team to grow into new territories. We’ll particularly be looking at speaking with central and eastern European partners at iGB Live!”

With market saturation and regulatory headwinds affecting the sector, building trust and acquiring a sustainable flow of players are seen as the key challenge for sportsbooks. “The way digital natives operate online is so different to how online sportsbooks planned for decades ago. Customer behaviours are also changing, with different channels, different streaming requirements, and different content needs, and these have to be addressed to bring them onboard.”

“Attracting this demographic is also a massive opportunity that could lay the foundations for a sustainable sportsbook for years to come. Acquiring the esports bettor remains a challenge to many brands, and it’s our role as a specialist esports supplier to bring the knowledge and tools to operators which will allow them to engage authentically and then retain the esports fan, who we understand extremely well.”

The combination of right product mix, right people and right energy are, according to Rohini Sardana, the foundations of a successful show. “With a less frantic atmosphere than ICE, it allows for constructive, in-depth and value-building product conversation. Gaming shows don’t always have to be flashy to be successful; as long as you can get the right people in the right rooms sharing information and innovation, it’s going to be a successful event and that’s how I see iGB Live! going. I want to feel invigorated by a passionate trade show; where we’ve had the opportunities to solve problems and drive success for potential operator partners, as well as catch up with existing clients. The networking events in Amsterdam are always first-class and it’s no surprise that iGB Live! is regarded as being right up there as a major industry event.”

iGB Live! provides a forum of opportunity for industry professionals to connect and converse with key suppliers, convert expert-led insights into actionable business growth and converge with the 4,000+ visitors and 250 exhibitors expected at what is one of the world’s fastest growing gaming expos.

Central Europe

Poland to Classify Gambling Streaming as Serious Crime

Published

2 days ago

February 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

poland-to-classify-gambling-streaming-as-serious-crime

The Polish Parliament is considering a landmark draft law to curb harmful digital content, specifically targeting the phenomenon known as “patostreaming.”

Patostreaming is recognised as a new term to categorise criminal offences related to the broadcasting of online violence, abuse and sexually degrading content.

The proposed legislation would criminalize the broadcasting of violence, abuse, and sexually degrading material. Additionally, the bill seeks to outlaw the promotion of online gambling by social media influencers. By amending the Penal Code, supporters aim to bridge the legal gap between digital behaviour and offline criminal acts, ensuring online offenders face the same accountability as those in the physical world.

The bill carries the backing of ministers of Poland’s new Civic Coalition (KO) government, formed in late 2025 by the union of the Citizens Platform (PO), Modern (Nowoczesna) and the Polish Initiative (iPL).

Supporters call for clearer enforcement powers to treat the online broadcasting of serious criminal acts as a punishable offence, aligning digital conduct with crimes already sanctioned offline.

If adopted, the legislation would introduce prison sentences ranging from three months to five years for individuals who publicly share real or staged content depicting serious criminal acts via online platforms.

The same penalty range would also apply to influencers found to be illegally promoting online gambling activity that remains heavily restricted under Poland’s state-controlled gambling regime.

KO ministers have framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen online protections for Polish youth, citing rising exposure to violent digital content and illegal gambling promotions across social media platforms.

The post Poland to Classify Gambling Streaming as Serious Crime appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Casino-Groups

Sebastian Jarosch Becomes Head of AI at Casinos Groups

Published

3 days ago

February 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

sebastian-jarosch-becomes-head-of-ai-at-casinos-groups

Sebastian Jarosch is no longer solely the founder and managing director of Casino Groups as he is also taking on the role of Head of AI, at least on an interim basis. This personnel decision marks a conscious step towards closer integration of corporate management and technological responsibility.

In future, Jarosch will not only be responsible for the strategic direction of the company, but also for the further development of the AI systems that already form a central part of the product landscape. Casino Groups is one of the best-known platforms, which has been using and continuously developing an AI-supported rating system for online casinos for some time.

The decision to anchor the role of Head of AI directly at management level was a conscious one. Artificial intelligence now influences almost all areas of the affiliate business, from content structures and data analysis to regulatory documentation and product logic. Such a development requires decisions that bring together economic objectives, technological possibilities and legal frameworks.

Sebastian Jarosch brings this perspective from years of experience in the iGaming sector. As an entrepreneur, he is familiar with economic dependencies as well as the challenges of increasing regulation. The additional responsibility in the AI area makes it possible to set technological courses more quickly, define priorities more clearly and establish innovation as an integral part of corporate management.

The new role of Head of AI fits in perfectly with current developments in the iGaming market. Increasing regulatory requirements, rising acquisition and content costs, and the growing influence of AI-powered search systems are changing the economic fundamentals of the affiliate business. Visibility is no longer achieved solely through reach, but through authority, consistency and verifiable quality.

With this appointment, Casino Groups is sending a clear signal to the outside world. Affiliate companies are increasingly being valued like media or technology companies. Partners and investors are placing greater emphasis on compliance, data competence and sustainable product development. The bundling of management and AI responsibility strengthens the company’s credibility in these areas.

At the same time, Casinos Groups is positioning itself as a player that does not delegate innovation, but actively drives it forward. The interim nature of the role creates space for further development and adaptation without diluting the strategic ambition. For the industry as a whole, this step underlines that AI expertise has arrived at the management level.

The role of Head of AI forms the organisational foundation for this development. It ensures that technological innovation, editorial standards and economic objectives are interlinked. Casino Groups is thus pursuing a clear line: technology as a tool, people as an authority and quality as a connecting element.

The post Sebastian Jarosch Becomes Head of AI at Casinos Groups appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Birgit Wimmer

Birgit Wimmer Named Chairwoman as NOVOMATIC AG Reshapes Supervisory Board

Published

2 weeks ago

January 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

birgit-wimmer-named-chairwoman-as-novomatic-ag-reshapes-supervisory-board

During the General Meeting of NOVOMATIC AG, Birgit Wimmer, MSc., MBA, was designated to the Supervisory Board and subsequently elected as its Chairwoman in the constitutive meeting. She steps into the role of Dr. Bernd Oswald, who served as a Member of the Supervisory Board of NOVOMATIC AG for roughly ten years and will now assume a different role within the company group.

As a co-shareholder, Birgit Wimmer has engaged for many years in key governance roles within the top holding companies, including stints as a Non-Executive Member of the Board of Directors for the Swiss holding companies and as Managing Director of NOVO Invest GmbH. She possesses substantial experience in investment and management, along with numerous years of involvement in the banking sector.

“As Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, I look forward to working together with my colleagues on both the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board as we help to successfully shape the Group’s strategic and sustainable development,” says Birgit Wimmer.

Dr. Haig Asenbauer, an internationally experienced lawyer with particular expertise in cross-border M&A transactions, company reorganization, and complex investment structures, was elected to serve as Deputy Chairman. Martina Flitsch retains her position as a Member of the Supervisory Board. She has many years of experience in international group structures and in providing strategic and legal support for corporate investments. Dr. Robert Hofians, a recognized finance and capital markets expert who also has extensive experience in the fields of governance and regulation in his roles as a professor and public accountant, also remains a Member of the Supervisory Board.

As of January 1, 2026, the Supervisory Board of NOVOMATIC AG is now composed as follows: