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Conferences in Europe

Francisco Vidal on the prospects of gambling business development in the CIS

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Francisco Vidal Speaker at RGW 2017
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Francisco Vidal is the CEO at major entertainment complex Sortis & Golden Lion Casinos in Panama. Francisco is an expert of gambling business, having started as a croupier at London and Las Vegas casinos and becoming the head of several casinos in a very short term, namely Comar Group and Cirsa International in the Dominican Republic. Over the couple of years, he traveled almost throughout all countries of the West Indies, gaining the managerial positions. At the Russian Gaming Week 2017 conference, he will make a presentation titled “Building a Healthy Casino Industry in Russia – Casino Operations point of view”.

The expert told the RGW team about the prospects of the CIS market development, confirming his interest in attending of the RGW 2017 conference to surprise the audience with his presentation.

1) Is the CIS market considered as promising for the European companies that work in the gambling industry? Please explain your opinion.

Francisco: I would not see the CIS market as a whole, but more on a country by country basis and on those terms obviously the main opportunities are in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus (to name just a few); countries with bigger populations and with a stronger customer base (in terms of income and gaming culture). As long as the different markets are at this moment underdeveloped, there is of course opportunities for several of the main gaming groups in Western Europe (British, French, Germans, Austrians, etc.) but I do not see them entering the CIS countries without local partners. In my view, there is a lot of work to be done in terms of building trust, social connections, and comprehension of the business environment from the part of the foreign operators before starting operations in the CIS countries.

2) What can the European/American and CIS businessmen offer one another? What are the opportunities and risks?

Francisco: Obviously both the American and the Western European operators are more experienced, they have been involved in the gaming sector for more years, and depending on the country, they do have specific expertise in running different formats of casinos (from the classical, pure gambling operation to the more sophisticated integrated resorts that you find in Las Vegas, Macau, etc.). I do think that there is a natural divide when thinking about the possibility of potential partnerships between western operators and CIS businessmen, the former would provide the operational know how (CRM systems, management staff, operational procedures, product mix and configuration, etc.) and the latter – their understanding of the business/political environment, and the social/political connections to get things done. In my experience, those partnerships are quite difficult to maintain over the long term, so it would be smart to have a clause that specifies the potential sale of the partnership to the other part when the time comes.

Regarding the opportunities and risks, I do see the potential of a mature collaboration once the proper bond of trust has been built between the partners of developing attractive and well-designed venues that will be managed professionally with a long term focus. Overtime, well managed operations are profitable for the corporations behind them and provide the customer with a genuine and enjoyable casino experience, apart from generating taxes for the government and have a positive impact on their communities through social initiatives financed by casino operators. Obviously, the main risk is losing the investment, I was involved directly in a partnership between a Spanish operator and Mexican businessmen in 2012-2014, and that was the perfect example on how not to do things, in the end, the Spanish operator lost millions of Euros, the operation never opened (although it was built and ready to operate) and the Mexicans walked away almost unharmed.

3) How will the CIS gambling market develop in the future? What trends can be observed?

Francisco: I hope that each country will establish a proper legal environment for operators according to the nature of their economies, for example: the integrated resorts model is not for everybody, every country should adapt their laws to the needs of its populations. Most probably in the long term, the decisions made by the biggest countries (Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan) will set the path for the rest, because depending on what they do, that will create opportunities in the surrounding countries or not.

The way I see it now, the developing of specific gaming zones is the main trend on the CIS market, and probably, at this point in time it is the right thing to do. Most probably, Russia is not ready yet to have casinos in every city, for me it is a question of maturity of the economy and the social fabric of each country; for more than 45 years, gaming in the USA was allowed only in the state of Nevada, nowadays there are casinos almost in every state and Indian reservations. Regarding the customer base, I think that for some time, untill the economies of the CIS countries develop more, casino venues will be targeted towards VIP customers and will offer a luxury product (high limits, credit lines, refunds and so on).

4) You have an insider knowledge of the casino market. What do you think is the problem of gambling development in the CIS?

Francisco: From the distance, what I can see is the weakness of the gaming regulation and business environment, there are no clear rules in most countries; so potential investors both local and foreign are afraid of losing their investment. Most of the CIS countries are relatively new, they have a lot of things to fix before gaming, and that is quite understandable; for me it is a question of priorities, what to do first. Most probably, the gaming agenda is a secondary issue within the general regulation of the economic activities in most of the CIS countries, however as an industry we have to defend our interest in a proper manner, and work side by side with government institutions in order to design and implement a legal framework that will give gaming operators confidence and stability. Once the legal infrastructure is in place, the investments will flow as the economy of the different CIS countries improve.
When looking at my responses, take into account that I have never worked directly in a CIS country, my European experience is related to United Kingdom, Spain and Croatia.

5) Why are you interested in attending the Russian Gaming Week 2017? What do you expect from the conference?

Francisco: I really like the country, its culture, gastronomy and the sophistication of its people (speaking in general terms), more specific to the conference; I hope to learn a little bit more about the potential opportunities for business in the region and to establish professional connections with local businessmen/casino executives.

6) How would you impress attendees at the conference? What new things could they learn?

Francisco: Well, it would be very naive from my part to tell the local operators how to conduct business on their markets (I managed several casinos in Croatia in the past, which is a relatively close market, but that doesn´t mean that I have some kind of special knowledge that relates to CIS operators); what I will try to do is to give some ideas or principles that from my point of view could serve them to operate their venues with a long term focus, something that new operators normally do not take into account. Every time that a new city or region is exposed to a full-fledged casino venue, people gamble very aggressively, and overtime many customers get burned in the process, something that is not healthy nor desirable for the gaming operators. My presentation covers several topics related to the protection of the customer and how to improve the gaming experience, everyone knows the potential negative effects of having a gaming offer right at your doorsteps, but there are actions and policies that could help to reduce them, and that is what my presentation is about.

I hope that the attendees will discover several ideas that will help them when conducting their day to day operations (my presentation is directed towards casino operators and executives), including: what can they do to minimize problem gambling in their customer base, which information should we provide to the customers in order to extend their life cycle, what can they do to improve the gaming experience both in table games and slots and how to train casino management, just to name a few.

 

On 7-8 of June, 2017, ECC Sokolniki in Moscow will host 11th International gambling and entertainment exhibition-forum Russian Gaming Week 2017.

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Slotsjudge Awarded Best Affiliate in CEE at Prague Gaming & Tech Summit 2024

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Slotsjudge Awarded Best Affiliate in CEE at Prague Gaming & Tech Summit 2024
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It has been announced that iGaming entertainment and comparison site Slotsjudge has been awarded Best Affiliate in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) at the Prague Gaming & Tech Summit. This prestigious accolade marks a significant milestone in the Slotsjudge roadmap and is a recognition of the company’s services to the iGaming industry.

The Prague Gaming & Tech Summit brings together organisations and projects from a multitude of sectors including iGaming, eSports, Blockchain, AI, Fintech and VR. It is a highly regarded event that recognises and celebrates the works that make up and shape, the future of gaming and technology.

The Achievement and Its Significance

Winning the award for Best Affiliate in CEE is a huge achievement for Slotsjudge as it recognises the services and experiences created by the company within the iGaming industry. It is a reflection of the growth of the brand, innovation, relationships and adaptation in the wider market.

By winning the category for Best Affiliate in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Slotsjudge had to rise above some tough competition. The highly competitive shortlist featured big players in the industry, including AskGamblers, Casino Guru, and Gamblers Connect among others.

Slotsjudge is a project that stands out from others on the market due to its player-centric ethos, trustworthy guidance and unique, community-led SJ Shop. It is a specialist adviser and comparison guide in the region that aims to connect experts with operators and consumers in the industry.

Importance of the Award

The award for Best Affiliate is a testament to Slotsjudge excellence and credibility in the industry. It elevates their status and positions them as a leading player in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond.

The GamingTECH Awards is a remarkable celebration that honours industry excellence, embracing the latest advancements and trends. Not only do they recognise outstanding accomplishments in the CEE region, but also celebrate exceptional achievements across a wide range of sectors, showcasing the diverse talent and innovation within the industry.

Future Outlook

The award demonstrates Slotsjudge’s exceptional framework for performance and credibility to continue on its path to success, centred around core pillars, including gamification, community engagement and consumer personalisation. It holds immense significance as it not only boosts confidence but also opens doors for further future growth. As well as providing increased opportunities and industry-wide recognition within the iGaming affiliate market.

Editor in Chief of Slotsjudge and Product Owner of parent company SEOBROTHERS Aleksandra Andrishaka commented on the award: “I am incredibly grateful to accept the award for Best Affiliate in CEE at the Prague Gaming & Tech Summit. It is a true honour and a validation of our hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence in this competitive market. Thank you to everyone who voted for us, and thank you to our wonderful Slotsjudge team.”

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Conferences in Europe

2024 Gaming in Spain Conference

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The 2024 Gaming in Spain Conference, which is set to take place May 6, 2024, in Madrid, is rapidly approaching.

The 2024 edition of our annual conference is conveniently scheduled one day prior to FIJMA24, Spain’s leading land-based gambling event. Combine two events with one visit!

If you are interested in the latest developments in Spain’s iGaming market, please also consider attending our FREE webinar “Regulatory & market update” on Wednesday, April 3 at 15:00 CET.

For more information on this webinar, please look below.

Gaming in Spain Conference agenda overview

The 2024 Gaming in Spain Conference will feature the following topics & speakers:

  • Regulatory update
    Santiago Asensi, Managing Partner, Asensi Abogados
  • IMGL Masterclass on regulation and compliance
    Santiago Asensi, Managing Partner, Asensi Abogados; Jochen Biewer, Managing Partner, Chevron Group; other speakers TBA
  • Cross-operator deposit limits and other pressing industry issues
    Jorge Hinojosa, DG, Jdigital; other speakers TBA
  • The Spanish iGaming market in numbers
    David Henwood, Director, H2 Gambling Capital
  • Responsible gaming & player protection
    Annika Lindberg, psychologist, academic researcher & author of “The Gambling Addiction Recovery Journal: The Ultimate No Nonsense Guide to Getting off the Ground in Your Recovery;” other speakers TBA.
  • Program intermission: Applying neuroscientific insights to self-improvement for C-level executives
    Kim Mouridsen, Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University

Breakout sessions for Spanish-licensed operators

The 2024 Gaming in Spain Conference will also feature several in-depth technical sessions specifically aimed at Spanish-licensed operators:

  • E-Money for on- and offline gambling
  • Smart training solutions
  • Compliance training
  • Effective compliance management
  • KYC best practices

These sessions are free to attend for all registered conference visitors.

Registration now open

Registration for the 2024 Gaming in Spain Conference is now open.

Don’t wait, register now!

Gaming in Spain Webinar | Regulatory & market update

Despite increasingly strict regulations to protect players – with cross-operator deposit limits now also looming over the market – Spanish-licensed operators have managed to maintain and even increase their overall profitability, figures recently released by the DGOJ show.

Ahead of the 2024 Gaming in Spain Conference, we are organizing a Gaming in Spain webinar to assess the state of the Spanish iGaming market and how to address its current and future challenges.

The Gaming in Spain webinar will take place Wednesday, April 3 at 15:00 CET.

This webinar will feature the following topics and speakers:

  • Regulatory update – Alla Serebrianskaia, Partner, Asensi Abogados
  • The industry’s perspective – Jorge Hinojosa, DG, Jdigital
  • Compliance challenges – Jochen Biewer, Managing Director, Chevron Group

Attending the webinar is free!

 

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Central Europe

HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 Boasts All-star Sponsors and Record Registrations

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HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 Boasts All-star Sponsors and Record Registrations
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HIPTHER, leading event organizers for the iGaming and Technology industries, are thrilled to announce that the 2024 edition of their Prague Gaming & TECH Summit has reached an all-time record of registrations and renowned Speakers participations, while being supported by a star-studded lineup of Sponsors from the sectors of iGaming, Compliance, and Web3.

Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 will be the 8th edition of HIPTHER’s boutique conference that stands proudly in the heart of Europe as the pioneering event merging the future of iGaming and Technology. HIPTHER’s guiding principle for 2024,“Via Infinita” – the boundless journey of discovery – set the tone for the conference to reach new heights.

On March 25th, #hipthers will be welcoming more than 250 registered participants and over 90 speakers, sponsored by renowned companies from iGaming, compliance, and technology.

 

Sponsors Spotlight: The Companies Supporting Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024

HIPTHER is proud and humbled to have received increased Sponsorship interest by the gaming and technology ecosystems, gaining the support of innovative and successful companies. The #hipthers are thankful to these amazing sponsors for their invaluable contribution to the Premier iGaming & Tech Event in CEE, the Balkans, and D-A-CH regions:

GR8 Tech – Main Stage Sponsor

GR8 Tech is an International iGaming provider of high-performance Sportsbook and Casino platforms.

Atlas-IAC – Bracelet and Badge Sponsor

Atlas-IAC is a next-generation platform for iGaming operators, built by a team of industry professionals with key development offices in Europe.

SYNOT Games – Lanyards Sponsor

SYNOT Games is an innovative iGaming company crafting visually stunning and highly playable original slots, boasting 130+ titles in several jurisdictions.

NSoft – Pen and Paper Sponsor

NSoft is a B2B software development company specializing in custom software solutions for the iGaming industry.

Endorphina – Party Sponsor of the Endorphina Club 777 Networking Party

Endorphina is a top slot game provider for online casinos, captivating diverse markets by prioritizing player engagement.

Relax Gaming – Wellness & Relaxation Sponsor

Relax Gaming Group simplifies B2B content delivery for modern iGaming companies through a vast portfolio of 1000+ casino games.

Pixpel – Delegates Bag Sponsor

Pixpel.io is a multiplatform specialized to provide all-around services for the Web3 community.

Nordic Gambling – Scandinavian Legal Expertise Sponsor

Nordic Gambling is the only legal firm in the Nordic countries which specialises in gambling related law such as licensing, compliance advice and public affairs.

Gaming in Poland | RM Legal – CEE Legal Expertise Sponsor

Gaming in Poland is the only company in Poland offering multidisciplinary support for gambling industry entities operating in the Polish market.

Institute for Gambling Regulation (IFGR) Czech Republic – Strategic Partner

IFGR is the largest national professional association in the field of gambling, representing 95% of the legal gambling market in the Czech Republic.

Find out more information about the Sponsors at the official Prague Gaming & TECH Summit website

Zoltan Tuendik, Co-founder of organizing company HIPTHER, commented about the record-breaking numbers of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit for 2024:

“As we approach another edition, the Summit continues to embody our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the exploration of future frontiers. It’s a testament to the power of community and the endless possibilities when we come together to shape the future”.

HIPTHER is looking forward to welcoming the distinguished 250+ participants of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, including top-tier executives, compliance experts, government officials, and thought leaders across iGaming, eSports, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Virtual/Augmented/Mixed Reality, for an extraordinary experience of learning and networking!

There is a limited number of spaces still available – Register Now and Join us in Prague!

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