Conferences in Europe
New-look SBC Summit Malta Shows Strong International Appeal
Save the date: The show will return to the island next year, from 28–30 April.
Last week, SBC Summit Malta transformed the InterContinental Hotel into a powerhouse of industry networking, bringing together 6,000 professionals from Malta and across Europe.
This year marked the debut of the event under its new identity, following the rebrand from CasinoBeats Summit. With its expanded focus covering casino, sports betting, regulation, affiliation, payments, and emerging tech, the summit officially opened on Wednesday, 11 June, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Malta’s Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri.
Clinton Cutajar, CTO of digital marketing agency MediaTroopers, praised the rebrand: “The rebranding was a successful one. Everyone I meet mentions it is a great show, with great panels and a great conference.”
In addition to content and attendance, the organisation of the event itself earned high marks. Cristina Turbatu, CTO at Malta-based operator Casumo, noted, “It’s very well organised, it’s very well structured, and for me, it just feels high-end in terms of quality, so I really enjoy it.”
Cutajar added praise for the technology behind the experience: “The SBC Connect app helped a lot to schedule appointments in advance. There was no need to search around or try to coordinate elsewhere. Everything and everyone could be found in one central place.”
Dr. Eyal Loz, CPO of game studio RubyPlay, also commented on the balance between scale and accessibility: “It’s big enough to meet a lot of interesting people and have some really good meetings, and small enough to navigate easily. The organisation, the location, the panels; I’m very happy with it. It has been brilliant.”
This year’s summit also demonstrated depth in commercial firepower with an impressive 37% of attendees holding key decision-making roles. Moreover, there was strong representation from both the operator and affiliate sides, with operators bringing over 2,100 representatives, accounting for 35% of the overall audience, and 750 affiliates focused on player acquisition in the room. Both segments recorded considerable audience growth compared to last year.
Nils Andén, CEO of operator Kindred Group, commented: “I have definitely met the people that I expected to meet here, and also some people that I was surprised to see. SBC delivered on the promise to get the right people.” Rosi Bremec, COO at Game Lounge, added: “I’ve only been in the industry for three years, and I’m always looking for good people and new ideas. Events like this help me meet those people and also expand my knowledge of the industry.”
Reflecting on the milestone edition, SBC CEO & Founder Rasmus Sojmark shared: “While the numbers for this event were strong and we delivered on our promises, the most important takeaway was the undeniable excitement I witnessed while walking the show floor, entering the conference rooms, and attending the dinners and parties.
“The audience this year was electric, and the warm feedback we have received is the greatest compliment we could ask for as organisers. A massive thank you to each and every individual who made this event, in its new shape and form, a success this year.”
Malta-based leaders were especially vocal about the event’s value for the local ecosystem. Charles Mizzi, CEO of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), underlined the event’s broader significance: “These events help to confirm the importance of the gaming industry to the local economy.”
“I was quite impressed with the setup and the number of participants. If we remain behind our desks and do not participate in events such as this, we wouldn’t have the feel of the industry,” the MGA CEO added.
Andén remarked, “I’m based here in Malta, so this is a good opportunity for me to catch up with people from all across the industry; not only the ones that are based here, but those who travel here too. It’s also good that SBC makes a concerted effort to actually get people who represent the companies that work here in Malta. That is an important kind of differentiation point.”
Jovana Popovic Canaki, CEO of iGP, a Platinum Headline sponsor of the event, said: “One of our offices is here in Malta, and for us it’s home. We walk to the venue. We want to support local events, so the sponsorship was a no-brainer and a great honour.”
Bremec further highlighted the benefit of local hosting: “Everybody is here. The product people are here, the HR people are here. Everybody loves attending these events, so we encourage that.”
Notably, while the event featured strong local representation, with 47% of the audience based in Malta, it also demonstrated its international appeal, with 53% of attendees flying in from abroad. “This shows that the event is not just for locals, but a key opportunity to connect with European, and to some extent, international stakeholders who travel to Malta specifically to attend the event,” Sojmark said.
Beyond the vibrant expo floor, the conference segment was a highlight in its own right. Hosted across three main conference rooms and two dedicated workshop spaces, the agenda featured 17 hands-on workshops and a speaker lineup of 250 experts.
Andén commented, “I really liked the particularly dedicated track on some of the regulation challenges that affect not only me as an operator, but also affect suppliers and everyone else in the industry.” Popovic Canaki added, “Sometimes we speak too loudly and don’t let our ears work. This was a fantastic opportunity to sit down and listen to what the rest of the industry has to say.”
Andre Machado, CCO of Clever Advertising, praised the programming: “The way you are building the conference and the topics are also a mixture of what the audience is looking for. There’s real sensibility in how the programme aligns with broader industry trends.”
Turbatu reinforced the value of the educational content: “Those who didn’t attend would be missing out on high-quality workshops, which I don’t think many other conferences focus on.”
Adding a cultural edge to the event, SBC hosted the Malta debut of its signature EDM experience: the INFINITY party. Held at the island’s iconic Aria Complex and headlined by international star Galantis, the evening delivered a high-energy celebration that brought the entire industry together in style. The Malta edition joins past INFINITY showcases at SBC Summit, SBC Summit Rio, and SBC Summit Americas, which featured major acts such as Afrojack and Steve Aoki.
Apart from INFINITY Malta, SBC treated attendees to multiple evening networking events. The week began with an opening party at Infinity by Hugo’s, a beloved spot for those who had previously attended SBC’s Malta events. The organiser also hosted two invite-only dinners on Wednesday, one for C-level operators at Caviar & Bull and another for affiliates at Sole by Tarragon. On Thursday, the spotlight shifted to SBC Awards Europe, a ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the industry’s brightest companies and individuals. The week concluded with a relaxed closing party at Open Waters.
The overwhelmingly positive response from attendees highlighted not only the strength of the new format but also the growing trust in SBC’s ability to deliver high-quality, high-impact industry events. As Dr. Eyal Loz of RubyPlay summed it up: “I’ve attended almost all the SBC events over the last year, and I’m going to keep on coming back for sure. It’s nice to see the evolution of SBC. The pace at which SBC is improving, becoming more relevant, more engaging, and more dynamic truly blows my mind.”
Save the date: The show returns to the island next year, 28–30 April. For exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected]
The post New-look SBC Summit Malta Shows Strong International Appeal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress 2025 Marks Record Attendance and Announces Marek Plota as Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit
Reading Time: 3 minutes
The 2025 edition of the European Gaming Congress (EGC) closed its doors in Warsaw with record-breaking attendance, a strengthened industry footprint, and an announcement that marks a new chapter for HIPTHER’s European expansion: in 2026, EGC officially evolves into the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit with renowned legal expert Marek Plota appointed as its first Ambassador.
Held across two content-rich stages – the Compliance & Operations Lad and the TechXperience Stage – alongside the hands-on HIPTHER Academy Workshops, EGC 2025 delivered its most ambitious program to date. Attendance has now tripled compared to its reintroduction in 2023, establishing Warsaw as one of the most dynamic conversation hubs for gaming, compliance, and tech in Europe.
A European Outlook With Global Relevance
The Compliance & Operations Lab brought together regulators, lawyers, and industry specialists for a panoramic review of the evolving European ecosystem. Discussions spanned the Polish market’s legal framework, cross-border compliance from Paris to Berlin, key CEE territories, the Czech Republic and Romania, and an outlook on emerging priorities in the Baltics. Experts also explored global trends with a timely update on several LATAM jurisdictions.
A highlight of the Agenda was the IMGL Masterclass – “Regulators, Legislators, and the Power of One Voice: A Legal Strategy for Industry Unity” – which explored the future of collaborative governance and harmonization.
Fintech, taxation, licensing, and responsible gaming standards added essential layers to a program designed to help operators and suppliers navigate an increasingly interconnected regulatory landscape.
Tech, Innovation, and the Human Factor
On the TechXperience Stage, conversations shifted to the future:
– AI for competitive advantage
– The evolution of esports and startup innovation
– AEO & SEO trends redefining discoverability
– Personalization and the new player journey
– Cyber resilience in iGaming
– Strategic Event Preparation in B2B PR, Marketing & BizDev
These sessions brought together marketing leaders, technologists, founders, and innovators across iGaming, fintech, digital entertainment, and cybersecurity, underlining Warsaw’s emerging status as a cross-industry meeting point in Europe.
A Key Voice: Marek Plota’s Impactful Participation
Throughout the Congress, Marek Plota – Founding Attorney at RM Legal & Gaming in Poland – played a leading role as both moderator and speaker. His contributions spanned Poland’s gambling framework, European lessons for CEE markets, and strategic taxation and licensing standards. He also brought legal depth to the IMGL Masterclass, adding critical clarity to one of the most pressing topics for operators in the region.
Marek’s widely respected presence across national and international gaming markets, combined with his years-long collaboration with HIPTHER as panelist, moderator, sponsor, and advisor, made this year’s Congress a natural moment to formalize the partnership.
Introducing the Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit
HIPTHER is proud to announce Marek Plota as the Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit, beginning with the 2026 edition.
In his own words: “It’s a real honor to serve as an ambassador for the Hipther Warsaw Summit and the European Gaming Congress. My collaboration with Zoltan Tundik and the Hipther team goes back many years as a panelist, moderator, sponsor, and above all, as a friend. These events are truly unique in the global gaming and gambling conference calendar — intimate, insightful, and refreshingly personal. Unlike the vast expos, Hipther events give people a genuine chance to meet, talk, and exchange ideas without walking 50,000 steps from one meeting to another. We are already looking forward to the next editions and to working together to make these conferences a true must-have for everyone in the industry.”
Marek is a founder and a head of the legal team at RM Legal Law Firm and Gaming In Poland, jointly providing multidisciplinary and multijurisdictional support for leading international gambling operators in the Polish, European Union, and African markets. His gambling practice includes regulatory support at the pre and post-licensing stage, IT, and taxation services, as well as the unique service of performing a function of a gambling representative. RM Legal is the only law firm in Poland representing offshore companies operating legally in the Polish gambling market. Apart from gambling Marek specializes in corporate commercial law and international investment projects.
A New Era for Warsaw, Europe, and the Global Market
The transition from EGC to the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit marks a strategic evolution with HIPTHER enhancing the region’s growing importance: Poland now stands as a crossroads of regulatory influence, iGaming innovation, and international market expansion – connecting Western Europe, CEE, and fast-emerging global markets, from Africa to LATAM.
In 2026, the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit will continue shaping the conversations and connections that define the future of gaming and tech.
HIPTHER looks forward to welcoming the industry back to Warsaw next year for an even bigger, more influential, and more globally connected event – assisted by the expertise and vision of its new Ambassador.
The post HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress 2025 Marks Record Attendance and Announces Marek Plota as Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
NOVOMATIC Italia played a key role at SiGMA Central Europe 2025, one of the leading international events for the gaming and digital technology industry, which was held in Rome from November 4 to 6. The Group showcased ADMIRAL Pay, the payment institution authorised by the Bank of Italy, and Quigioco, its online gaming brand, presenting an integrated and sustainable vision for the future of payments and digital entertainment.
The synergy between the Quigioco gaming platform and ADMIRAL Pay was at the heart of NOVOMATIC Italia’s presence at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 was. This integrated solution offers legal gaming operators a concrete response to the ongoing transformation of the market, particularly in terms of regulatory compliance.
The combined structure of Quigioco and ADMIRAL Pay ensures fully compliant financial flow management by providing operators with technologically advanced tools that are aligned with the latest Italian legislative requirements. This infrastructure represents an integrated payment system and a complete digital ecosystem that is designed to support operators in an increasingly regulated and competitive market. The model is complemented by B2C solutions, including APay E-Wallet and APay Card, which interface seamlessly with the B2B architecture to expand additional growth opportunities.
Driving the market with technology and security
The collaboration between ADMIRAL Pay and Quigioco marks a key milestone for the Italian market: by adopting integrated digital payment systems, online gaming platforms can now deliver increasingly personalized and secure experiences to their users.
ADMIRAL Pay technology enables rapid conversion between cash and digital currency, ensuring instant and secure transactions that meet the highest international standards. For PVRs (Punti Vendita Ricarica: venues authorised to sell recharges for online gaming) and operators, this means access to an advanced payment tool that simplifies operations and guarantees efficiency, even during peak periods.
Meeting new regulatory and market demands
The digital payments and gaming sector in Italy is now subject to increasingly stringent regulatory standards that are designed to ensure maximum security, traceability and transparency. The integration of Quigioco and ADMIRAL Pay fully meets these requirements, offering a unique solution that strengthens compliance while enhancing the customer experience. By managing financial flows in a compliant manner, operators can reduce risks and provide players with immediate and secure access to their funds. This model translates into trust and long-term loyalty, creating value across the entire supply chain.
Responsibility and leadership: the pillars of the future
SiGMA Central Europe 2025 was also an opportunity to highlight NOVOMATIC’s commitment to promoting responsible gaming and continuous product innovation. The target is to maintain industry leadership by investing in technologies that not only enhance the user experience but also ensure maximum player protection and operator transparency.
“Our goal is to extend the success and expertise that have always defined NOVOMATIC Italia in the land-based sector into the digital world. We want to offer operators and players an integrated ecosystem that combines technology, security, and innovation, reaffirming our Group’s leadership in online gaming,” said Markus Buechele, CEO of NOVOMATIC Italia.
This strategic vision was recognized when NOVOMATIC Italia received the “B2B Industry Leader Italy 2025” award at the SiGMA B2B Awards, in honour of the company’s excellence and ongoing commitment to an innovative, responsible and sustainable approach to development. The Group is not only addressing evolving market and regulatory challenges but also paving the way for a future in which innovation and sustainability move forward together.
Through ADMIRAL Pay, Quigioco and the major innovations showcased at SiGMA, NOVOMATIC Italia demonstrates how the convergence of digital payments and online gaming can drive growth, security, and long-term sustainability across the industry. By being built on innovation, responsibility and strategic vision, this model is positioning the company at the forefront of a tech-driven and sustainable future.
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2026 iGaming Trends Report
Presenting Industry Trends and Celebrating 100 Brands: SOFTSWISS Shines at SiGMA Central Europe
Reading Time: 2 minutes
SOFTSWISS, a global tech leader in iGaming solutions, has wrapped up a remarkable showcase at SiGMA Central Europe 2025. From the launch of the 2026 iGaming Trends Report to the live-built Alfa Romeo 4C handover, the company once again demonstrated why it stands as the industry’s leading technology provider and creative pioneer.
One of the main highlights of the event was the official release of the 2026 iGaming Trends Report. The fourth edition offers a data-driven overview of the macro- and microtrends shaping the future of iGaming – from the industrialisation of AI to regulatory shifts, cybersecurity evolution, and the rise of brand trust.
To mark the launch, SOFTSWISS hosted the 2026 iGaming Trends Marathon, a four-hour live event featuring global thought leaders. In the opening panel discussion, Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, Heathcliff Farrugia, COO of SiGMA, and Pierre Lindh, CEO of NEXT.io, arranged the ‘Ultimate Forecast Duel,’ exploring which trends will define the industry’s next chapter.
Another key moment was the Alfa Romeo 4C gifting, organised to celebrate the launch of the 100th brand powered by SOFTSWISS software in 2025. The sports car, assembled live during the expo at the SOFTSWISS stand, became a symbol of the company’s engineering precision and team spirit.
During a special ceremony, Ivan Montik handed over the keys to one of SOFTSWISS’ valued partners, Lottu, represented by Hugo Baungartner, Chief Business Officer, marking another milestone in a long-standing partnership based on trust and shared success.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 36,700 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
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