Conferences in Europe

CEEGC Budapest brings back the magic to the CEE and Balkans region with the 2022 comeback conference

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2022

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

CEEGC Budapest and CEEG Awards shine again as comeback event brings magic back to the region

Two weeks ago, on 16 September, industry experts of the CEE and Balkans region gathered in Budapest for the 7^th edition of the Central and Eastern European Gaming Conference (CEEGC). The conference was held at its now traditional location, The Ritz-Carlton in Budapest, and the participants enjoyed quality learning and networking sessions throughout the day.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The team at Hipther Agency would like to thank the excellent support of the conference sponsors: Nordic Gambling, Endorphina, UltraPlay, Oddin.gg, Global Bet and NETSHOP ISP.

There have been many hand-shakes, business cards exchanges, hugs, and smiling faces in Budapest during the event and you can find the full photo gallery at the following link: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA7Vif

The panel discussions approached regulatory, tax, and operations in markets such as Hungary, Romania, Czechia, Poland, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Sweden, Denmark, and Ukraine.

The experts who joined the panel outlined some of the main aspects of each market and here are headlines:

Czechia: “The first step was made, but the improvement will take time.” – Petr Kozák – IFGR Lawyer and Secretary General

Hungary: “It will be a very tricky position for new online gaming operators.” – Gábor Helembai – Counsel in the Corporate Practice Group of the Budapest office of TaylorWessing

Romania: “The good news in Romania is that the law is going to change and hopefully it will change for the benefit of the operators.” – Dan Iliovici – Vice President at Rombet

Romania: “Taxes are really high in the iGaming industry. That’s the bottom line.” – Andrei Cosma – Managing Associate at SIMION & BACIU

Sweden: “We [Sweden] are going from a left-wing government to a centre-right-wing government, so I am expecting some changes.” – Gustaf Hoffstedt – Secretary-General at the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling

Denmark: “We really find these regulatory steps [in Denmark] counterproductive.” – Stephan Normann Østergaard – Nordic Gambling team Denmark

Poland: “I’d like to debunk some of the myths saying that it is difficult to enter the Polish market.” – Marek Plota – Founding Attorney at RM Legal & Gaming In Poland

Ukraine: “I’ve heard some good things about Poland. (…) We [Evoplay] are looking to enter Sweden and Denmark as well.” – Vladimir Malakchi – Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Evoplay Entertainment

Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina: “I believe, the biggest problem we have is the education of the players. (…) That’s also why land-based casinos are so popular.” – Lazar Miučin – CEO and Co-Founder of iGaming Advisor

Serbia, Montenegro: “There is a similar political uncertainty in Montenegro as well. There is a big chance that after the potential elections, the situation will be the same as now, which means the same parties would have to negotiate.” – Luka Popović – Partner at BDK Advokati

Bulgaria: “Despite the new players on the [Bulgarian] market, the competition is still very low.” – Silviia Baykoucheva – Senior Compliance Officer at Amusnet Interactive

The technological advancements of the online gaming industry: “We need to understand where this [AI, NFT, Crypto, Blockchain] is going (…) and how it will effect us.” – Robert Dowling – Chief Commercial Officer at GlobalBet

The technological advancements of the online gaming industry: “It is very likely that crypto will be regulated in some form, and players will understand that it is not anything illegal. (…) Once that happens, the industry will experience a new boost.” – Péter W. Szabó – CEO of AceTech

The technological advancements of the online gaming industry: “[In eSports] most of the betting volume (86%) comes in live. (…) The prize pools of eSports are coming to match normal sports.” – Vladan Blagojevic – Oddin.gg’s Marketing Project Manager

Responsible Gaming: “I think we should let the academics sit down and work out a system that provides information [on problem gaming] that is beyond any doubt.” – Dan Iliovici – Vice President at Rombet

Responsible Gaming: “Entain (…) is getting more and more involved in the prevention of problem gaming.” – Bill Pascrell, III – Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc.

The video recordings of the panel discussions are available on-demand on HIPTHER TV. You can access it here: https://hipther.com/tv/premium-access-ceegc-budapest-2022/

– You can also order the 2022 full collection of conference recordings (4 conferences) and benefit from a substantial discount. You can find more details here: https://hipther.com/tv/premium2022/

“We are delighted about the outcome of CEEGC Budapest and being the final in-person event we host this year, I would personally like to thank all participants who joined us over the course of 2022 in Vilnius, Prague, and recently in Budapest. It has been a very busy year with many conferences colliding in several months, but it is important that the industry has evolved to a new level. We would also like to thank our media partners for the coverage throughout the year. We are looking forward to hosting our final virtual event this year, The HIPTHER FESTIVAL, and will soon announce the 2023 calendar with many new changes coming to our portfolio of in-person events and virtual meetups. So, watch this space for our upcoming announcements,” stated Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at Hipther Agency

Besides the panel discussions and networking session, the winners of the 2022 edition at the CEEG Awards have also been revealed, after a final secret vote by the attending participants.

With all this been being said, the #hipthers are busier than ever and many new announcements will land soon in your inbox, social media channels, and news outlets.

Hipther Agency is the parent brand of European Gaming, PICANTE, WireUp Zone, Gaming Americas, eSports Connect, the HIPTHER news app, and the WireUp networking app found on the Play Store.

To receive constant updates from Hipther Agency and conference agenda updates, subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/hfyZxf

For sponsorship/speaking inquiries, make sure to reach out to Zoltan Tuendik (Co-Founder and Head of Business at Hipther Agency) at [email protected] / [email protected]

For media-related inquiries, please contact Alexandru Marginean (Marketing Specialist at Hipther Agency) at [email protected]

Balkans

Belgrade to Welcome Over 2,000 iGaming Experts for the BIG Conference

Published

4 days ago

February 20, 2025

George Miller

belgrade-to-welcome-over-2,000-igaming-experts-for-the-big-conference

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Belgrade is set to become a hub for the iGaming industry as it prepares to host the BIG Conference on June 12-13 and connect Western gambling companies with colleagues from the CIS and Balkan regions.

Attendees will step into a lively space with exhibition booths, dedicated networking and chill zones. The conference audience includes SEO specialists, affiliate experts, representatives from casinos, affiliated services, and agencies. An internationally renowned brand, 1xBET serves as the event’s general sponsor.

The second day will close with an afterparty headlined by the star performers — Die Antwoord.

Dates: June 12–13 2025
Location: Belgrade, Serbia, Belgrade Fair
Tickets: confbig.com
Sponsorship & Business Opportunities: [email protected]

The post Belgrade to Welcome Over 2,000 iGaming Experts for the BIG Conference appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Central Europe

GamingTECH CEE Awards 2025: The Online Voting Battle Begins February 12!

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

George Miller

gamingtech-cee-awards-2025:-the-online-voting-battle-begins-february-12!

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The highly anticipated GamingTECH CEE Awards 2025 is entering its next thrilling phase as the online voting period kicks off on February 12 and runs through February 28, 2025. Nominees, get ready to enter the spotlight and prepare your communications campaigns! From the moment voting opens, all nominated companies and individual professionals will be visible, giving them the opportunity to rally support via social media and beyond to secure votes.

The GamingTECH CEE Awards celebrates outstanding achievements, embracing the latest advancements and industry trends in the region. Following a rigorous nomination process that concluded on January 19, the upcoming online voting session will determine the shortlists.

Key Dates:

Online Voting Period: February 12–28, 2025
Shortlist Announcement: March 4, 2025
Final Live Vote & Awards Ceremony: March 25, 2025, at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit

New Rule for 2025:

This year, the GamingTECH CEE Awards introduces an important update: Each voter will only be allowed one vote for the entire online voting period. Nominees are encouraged to actively engage their industry peers and supporters to maximize their chances of advancing to the finals.

From “Shortlisted” to “Finalist”

Additionally, only shortlisted nominees who confirm their attendance at the Awards by purchasing a ticket for the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit will be eligible to advance to the final voting stage. This ensures a fair competition for the Awards between equally committed finalists, and a strong industry presence at the Summit to foster greater networking and engagement.

The final live vote will take place at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit on March 25, 2025, where all event participants will have the opportunity to cast their votes and determine the ultimate winners. The winners will then be officially announced at the GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony, proudly sponsored and presented by Endorphina.

Awards Categories:

Individual Categories:

CEE iGaming Leader of the Year: Recognizing an individual from the CEE region who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and a strong impact in the iGaming industry. This person has driven growth and innovation in the region, setting the benchmark for others.
CEE Rising Star in iGaming: Celebrating an individual from the CEE region who has shown remarkable promise and potential in the iGaming industry early in their career. This award highlights emerging talent that is expected to shape the future of iGaming in the region.
CEE Innovator of the Year: Awarding the individual who has introduced the most groundbreaking innovations in the CEE iGaming sector. This person has significantly contributed to the evolution of the industry through unique products, services, or technologies tailored to the regional market.
CEE iGaming Influencer of the Year: Honoring a prominent individual whose influence and insights have significantly shaped the CEE iGaming community. Their thought leadership, content, or social presence has driven trends and fostered growth within the regional iGaming space.
Best iGaming CEO in CEE: Recognizing the CEO based in the CEE region who has led their company to new heights with outstanding strategic direction and business acumen. This award honors their ability to navigate the unique challenges of the CEE market and achieve exceptional business growth.

Get Involved & Secure Your Spot

Set your reminders and be ready for action on 12 February 2025! Encourage your peers, partners, and clients to participate in the voting process and ensure that your company or favorite nominee makes it to the final stage!

For more details on the awards, voting process, and ticketing information, visit https://hipther.com/events/prague/gamingtech-awards/ or contact HIPTHER at [email protected].

Join us in shaping the future of gaming and technology in CEE – Cast your vote and be part of the journey!

The post GamingTECH CEE Awards 2025: The Online Voting Battle Begins February 12! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Balkans

BEGE and EEGS 2025 Dates Announced!

Published

3 weeks ago

February 3, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Get ready for an unforgettable experience, because we’ve got some exciting news! The dates for the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo (BEGE) 2025 and Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) have officially been locked in!

��️ When? – November 26-27, 2025
� Where? – Inter Expo Center, Sofia

Join us for two exhilarating days packed with fascinating talks, networking with industry leaders, startups, and loads of fun activities. Here are some of the key events and highlights you can look forward to during this edition:

 Exhibition Hall – Discover innovative products and services from leading companies in the industry. Our exhibition features a diverse range of exhibitors, showcasing the latest technologies and solutions in gaming and entertainment.
 Networking Opportunities – Connect with fellow professionals, potential partners, and investors during different networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and idea exchange. With over 80 exhibitors from 60 different countries, this is the perfect chance to build valuable relationships and explore new business opportunities.
 BEGE Awards Ceremony – We are privileged to recognize the best achievements in the industry over the past year. Join us to celebrate the outstanding performances and contributions of individuals and companies that have made a significant impact on the industry.
 The legendary BEGE Party – After an exciting day of networking and learning, get ready to let loose and have a blast at the BEGE Party! Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment, music, and celebration. Expect an electrifying atmosphere, special performances, and great company. Don’t miss out on the ultimate networking
and entertainment experience
 Startup Zone – Explore the next big thing in gaming with our Startup Zone, showcasing innovative new companies that are redefining the industry landscape.
 Keynote Presentations – Hear from industry visionaries as they share their insights on the latest trends and innovations in gaming and entertainment.
 Panel Discussions – Engage with experts on critical topics such as regulatory changes, technology advancements, and market strategies that will shape the future of the industry.
 Proximity Zone – Become a part of the live-stream interviews throughout both days of
the exhibition.

Mark your calendars, set those reminders, and get ready to join the best in the business!

We’ll be rolling out more details soon, so keep an eye on your inbox for updates, sneak peeks, and all the juicy tidbits. Trust us, you won’t want to miss what we have planned!

Let the countdown begin!

The post BEGE and EEGS 2025 Dates Announced! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.