Conferences in Europe

The inaugural Prague Gaming Summit surpasses all expectations and becomes a huge success for EEGEvents

Published

7 years ago

June 15, 2017

Reading Time: 7 minutes

The inaugural Prague Gaming Summit became a huge success and has managed to surpass a competitive event which was held 2 weeks prior to 8th of June! We have to add, that the mentioned event has a long tradition in Prague and focuses on an Eastern European Briefing.

The feedback during the event was music to the organizers ears, especially given the fact that the attendees have expressed gratitude for the initiative of having such a well-organized program during the 2 days of the conference.

The organizers would like to thank the sponsors for once again helping conferences in the region grow. Special thank you goes to NetEnt(Main Stage Sponsor), Betting Gods(Gold Sponsor), SBTech(Silver Sponsor), Nsoft(Silver Sponsor) and BetConstruct(Lanyards and Badge Sponsor).

With +80 delegates attending the event, the attendees had to chance to take advantage of some very informative content and of course had the chance to network in specially scheduled breaks and side-events.

Jan Urbanec(VP of Sales at Endorphina) has stated that, “The quality of the event and attendees exceeded my expectations. The information from the panels was relevant and well presented. I enjoyed the informal networking atmosphere, that helped create good connection between delegates.”

As you may already know, the event took place at Andel’s by Vienna House Prague and the venue provided the ideal location to spending some pre-event time for the delegates because of its location.

From the beginning till the end….

After a smooth registration process and a refreshing morning coffee, the delegates took their seats in the conference room and the first panel commenced.

The first panel (Focus on the Czech Republic) was specially designed to point out the flaws and the negative points of the new regulatory framework which came into force starting with the 1st of January 2017 in the Czech Republic and had a seasoned speaker lineup which was applauded by the attending delegates.

The panel was moderated by Dr. Joerg Hofmann (Melchers Law Firm in Germany) who has introduced the 4 Czech speakers, DR. Robert Skalina (WH Partners), Jan Rehola (PS Legal), Vojtěch Chloupek (Bird & Bird) and Jan Urbanec (Endorphina). The panel was very informational and very interactive, given the expertize of Dr. Joerg Hofmann, who has been moderating and speaking at gambling events for well over 20 years.

Jan Rehola(PS Legal) has shared his views about the newly enforced legislation and has stated that there is still a long way to have a good regulation in place, but he trusts the Czech Republic Gambling Department and he is positive about the outcome.

The experts of the panel have highlighted the main concerns which are in their perspective a hazard to the operators, but are looking towards the new amendments that were announced in rumors prior to the event.

The biggest concerns were expressed about the many pending license applications and of course about some of the local operators who have already received a license to operate.

The first panel has been well received by the audience, especially since the Q&A session has managed to shed light upon some of the less transparent inside news about the Czech Republic’s online gambling market.

The event continued with a 30 minute Networking Break during which the delegates got the first chance to network with attending peers, enjoy coffee or tea and of course some delicious cookies.

The panels continued after the Networking Break and the second panel commenced at 11:30. The second panel focused on The Benefits of the European Gambling Laws, where the speakers have expressed their positive overlook on the online gambling market in the European Union.

The panel was moderate by Yancy Cottrill (Nsoft) and the main stress points of the discussions focused around regulations and amendments which shape the future of global operators. Businesses that set a transparent course of doing business and apply for local licenses are benefiting of exposure and safety of the market regulations.

The panel was missing two speakers, however the experts on the podium have managed to point out each benefit of countries that have regulated their markets and enable remote operators to apply for a license.

The discussion was presented by high level experts of the industry such as DR. JOERG HOFMANN (Melchers Law Firm in Germany), DR. SIMON PLANZER (Planzer Law) and JAKA REPANSEK (Republis d.o.o.).

The Benefits of the European Gambling Laws panel was followed shortly by a 30 minute presentation, part of the Innovation Talks series(launched by EEGEvents) and focused on a preview of Snapscreen, presented by Thomas Willomitzer.
“Snapscreen joining the Prague Gaming Summit 2017 was a huge success for us. The organizers were extremely helpful in connecting us to the right people and also provided Snapscreen and the other participants with a very professional platform to engage in meaningful and fruitful conversation. A special thanks for giving Snapscreen the occasion to present its solutions in front of the all the participants – including a live demo that was well received.” – Thomas Willomitzer, CEO Snapscreen

The second Networking Break included a complimentary lunch during which the delegates have had a new round a talks and exchanged cards while enjoying a specially sorted meal.

The second part of the day and the third panel has started at 2 PM(Prague Local Time) and had the focus of bringing some inside information about the correctness of the market directly from the two regulators which were present at the event. The panel was moderated by Zoltan Tundik(EEGMedia/EEGEvents) and had guest speakers from the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Finance, Czech Chamber of Lottery Industries and local gaming provider Endorphina.

The regulators have addressed a warm welcome for all the delegates and had also informed the attending audience about an amendment which is going to be introduced in a couple of days for the voting session. The amendment contains a correcting of the challenges that the Supervision of Gambling Department has noticed during the first 6 month after the law has been passed and were signaled by the operators.

Ms. Tereza Cejpová and Ms. Jiřina Jůzlová have asked the audience to sign up for the round table talks which was scheduled for the late afternoon or to send their queries via e-mail to avoid the delays with the technical replies for the questions that could have been addressed during the panel.

The panel was also joined by JAKUB KOLOMICENKO (Endorphina), STANISLAV BRUNCLIK (Czech Chamber of Lottery Industries (ČKLP)), who both have pointed out that even if the current standing regulatory law isn’t perfect, it is still a good start and exciting times are awaited in the Czech Republic’s online gambling market.

The panel was followed shortly by an affiliate industry aimed panel which was titled as Affiliates in regulated markets.

The panel was moderated by TAL ITZHAK RON (Tal Ron, Drihem & Co., Law Firm) and had also been attended by the whole audience with seasoned keynote speakers on the podium.

The speakers of the panel have stressed on the new emerging markets which regulate the status of the affiliates. The positive and negative aspects of such regulations which move towards a safe affiliate eco-system were discussed by EMAN PULIS (SIGMA & AGS), ASSAF STIEGLITZ (Odds1x2.com) and KLAS WINBERG (Catena Media).
“I found the panel discussion about regulatory issues facing affiliates to be very pertinent given the central role affiliates play these days in the overall business model of many operators. We touched upon a number of state regulations, such as the one in Romania, where affiliates have to pay a yearly license. We also discussed law of the land, which often are quite clear, as well as laws of the likes of Google, social media giants like Facebook and others. The latter laws are at times more ambiguous, making it harder for the affiliate to adopt best affiliate practices.

Love these more intimate conferences because they allow delegates to nurture a working relationship. Love the guys behind this event! I’ll be back next year.” EMAN PULIS (Founder and CEO of SiGMA, the summit of igaming in Malta & AGS(Affiliate Grand Slam))

All the affiliate talks got everyone excited and the event continued with a 30 minutes Networking Break to prepare for the final presentation and the Exclusive Round Table discussion with the regulators.

The final presentation of the event was presented by Knut-Olaf Skarvang (Deloitte Legal) and focused on a Norwegian Market Update.

Knut has highlighted the main taxing brackets of the Norwegian market and shed light upon the current and expected situation about any licensing possibilities.

The panels have ended with a thank you speech held by organizer, Zoltan Tundik, who has thanked the attending delegates and speaker for their presence and has also mentioned that Prague Gaming Summit will be back next year as well.

The agenda of the day ended with the Exclusive Round Table discussion with the regulators, where 25 delegates have addressed their questions for the two government representatives and have also addressed their complaints.

“Prague Gaming Summit was a focused and well-organized event, that shed light to the local market specifics, bringing together all the main stakeholders. We look forward to the next edition, as well as the other upcoming events, for more market insights and networking opportunities.” – Anastasios (Tassos) Panagiotaros (Sales Director at Golden Race)

Even if the panels and discussing have ended at 17:30, the treatment of the delegates hasn’t ended there. All delegates have been invited for a Networking Party sponsored by the organizers at a nearby bar which has been recommended by the locals working at Endorphina.

The Networking party took place at Back Doors Prague and has been a great relaxing get together for all delegates who have enjoyed some of the finest beer Prague has to offer and of course some even danced.

The second day(9th of June) has been planned as a short sightseeing tour for the delegates that have remained in Prague and concluded with a river cruise networking lunch which has been enjoyed by +25 top delegates.

“The Prague Gaming Summit was a refreshing change to the usual gaming conferences. The first day of talks included a great line up of industry professionals covering both the Czech market and wider European regulation. The second day provided a relaxed networking session and a lovely tour of Prague! Thank you to Zoltan and all at EEG for organising such a fab event.” – Michele Spiteri, Business Manager, All-in Translations

The organizers would like to thank all delegates once again for attending and look forward to welcoming the guests at the next events!

CEEGC Budapest

The next event in the EEGEvents Calendar is CEEGC Budapest(Central and Eastern European Gaming Conference and Awards) and will be held between 19-20 September 2017. You can find more details about the event by visit the official website of the event: www.ceegc.eu

Conferences in Europe

Success for the First Edition of the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2024

Alan Campbell

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The two-day conference dedicated to the Italian gaming market registers over 1,200 participants and gathers international acclaim: new appointment in April of 2025

The first edition of the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference (IGE) in Rome entitled ‘The sustainable future of gaming’ dedicated to the Italian gaming market is delving into the reality of a sector whose importance is recognized internationally together with institutions, experts, academics, opinion leaders and influencers. With the participation of around 1,200 delegates from over twelve different countries and the presence of multiple political, institutional and media personalities.

IGE Figures:

Over 130 speakers coming from several countries in Europe and the world. More than 35 sessions of content. Over 50 companies involved including partners and exhibitors. Over 20 political representatives and more than ten institutions represented including Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (the Italian gaming regulator), CONI, AGCOM, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF), the State Police, Italian finance police, Europol and Interpol as well as the Government and Parliament with a large presence of representatives from the Chamber and Senate. To which we must add foreign regulators such as the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and various international entities such as EASG, G4, the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL), the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and the United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports (ULIS). These are the numbers of the first edition of IGE. With a presence that reached 1,187 delegates in the two days of the event.

At the heart of the event, the main topics that will drive the world of legal gaming in the coming months and years and the definition of the approach guidelines for companies that want to look to the future to innovation to sustainability. The reform of public gaming, the sustainable future of gaming, the strength of promotions between reorganization and consumer protection and the Italian model as a reference to ensure the integrity of sport in addition to the reform of horse racing. These are some of the topics discussed during the first day.

One of the primary goals of IGE is to allow participants to meet and discuss with experts, opinion leaders, scholars and some of the best C-levels at national and international level to find new ideas and solutions for the growth and development of their business. And it can certainly be considered achieved, taking into account the broad consensus recorded by the event, which also recorded the presence of authoritative exponents of the world of information, from the television presenter and deputy director of Il Giornale, Nicola Porro, to the deputy director of the La7 news program and host, Andrea Pancani, to the Director of RaiNews24, Paolo Petrecca.

“The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, as a regulatory body for the public gaming sector, has always been at the forefront in the defence and promotion of the principles representing the cornerstones on which the gaming industry is based,” the Central Games Director for the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, Mario Lollobrigida, said. “Those of legality, safety and protection of consumers and public order. For this reason, the agency welcomed this Italian gaming expo and conference event as it is exactly focused on these communication values. In particular, we appreciate the highly scientific profile of the event, thanks to the participation of famous personalities and leading universities such as those of the Luiss, Bocconi and Politecnico di Milano, who will participate in these two days of debate.”

As regards the pressing current issues that animated the IGE discussion, the reform of the sector just launched by the government was undoubtedly at the center. “The new law is a chance for the state to undoubtedly find some additional resources from the tax levy, resources that allow the administration to make its choices,” Marco Osnato, President of the Finance Commission, Chamber of Deputies, said. “With this decree we have managed to achieve a balance of interests that is healthy for everyone. We always start from the protection of the citizen, the use of effective, traceable and exact legal services also in compliance with legal systems that have become more limited with a view to protecting and professionalising companies. A more peaceful approach.”

According to Ettore Rosato, COPASIR Secretary, member of the Foreign Affairs Commission, Chamber of Deputies: “Gaming is a sector that I have been dealing with for a long time and I believe it is essential that politics recognize its value both in economic terms from tax revenue to the number of employees and companies on the market to the terms of legality and social impact. Public gaming is an obstruction to organized crime and is a controlled system, which also allows us to control the risks of gambling addiction that may arise.”

However, pay attention to all the topics of interest and current affairs that revolve around the sector, starting with the ban on advertising, which is still in force today. Laura Aria, AGCOM Commissioner, declared: “According to article 57 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the provision of gaming service cannot be completely banned. Moreover, managing highly addictive phenomena such as gambling addiction with a prohibitionist approach towards the medium, ie gambling, does not seem to be an effective solution. I believe that a better awareness campaign and inter-institutional cooperation is needed. Legislation and monitoring of gambling allow for better management of gambling addiction. Therefore, investing in prevention is the central point.”

But there was also talk of match-fixing and the Italian intelligence network based on the betting sector that represents excellence on a global level. According to Ugo Taucer, Attorney General, CONI: “Even before the Macolin convention, there is an Italian tradition of discussion between police forces, institutional bodies responsible for games control, private operators, federations and sports through the Luiss office, which establishes institutional cooperation and an exchange of news. There is a wide scope for exchange and discussion, a strong correspondence between the various areas.”

There is a lot of content relating to responsible gaming with particular attention to the investigative works presented in preview by the FAIR Foundation, as its President, Matteo Caroli, explains: “In Italy, there are no independent foundations dedicated to responsible gaming. With the Fondazione FAIR, we want to promote a gaming culture that focuses on prevention as well as respect and people protection through the development of lines of scientific research, studies and research. We also aim to promote cooperation and study activities with qualified third parties, thus adopting a multidisciplinary approach open to discussion with everyone.”

According to Alessio Crisantemi, co-founder and Gn Media President, Organizer of IGE: “The gaming industry is a real source of talent and cradle of true excellence, especially in Italy. In this sense, we are proud of the success of this event, which offers a precious opportunity for discussion and training between stakeholders, institutions and operators on crucial issues for the future of the sector such as sustainability and innovation. But innovation is not for its own sake, neither only oriented to profitability or product appeal, but applied above all in the search for solutions and systems for consumer protection and safety. Therefore, these two days of meetings and discussions are even more important in order to give proper prominence to a sector that needs to be promoted and enhanced as it can substantially contribute to the growth of the country but in a sustainable way.”

The event, which aims to be an annual event for the industry, closed by announcing the next dates of April 9 to 10, 2025.

The debut of the Italian Gaming Awards:

The first edition of IGE was crowned by the gala evening of the Italian Gaming Awards hosted by the Director of RaiNews24, Paolo Petrecca, and the actress Giorgia Fiori, who celebrated the excellence of gaming in Italy awarding 19 prizes to operators, suppliers and other categories. The complete list of winners can be consulted at this address: https:/ /ItalianGamingAwards. com/IGA2024/it/page/iga-2024-winners.

Conferences in Europe

ITL Spain head to Madrid for the largest gaming exhibition in the Spanish calendar

Published

2 days ago

April 23, 2024

George Miller

ITL Spain head to Madrid for the largest gaming exhibition in the Spanish calendar

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Innovative Technology (ITL) have announced their participation at the largest global network of gaming professionals in Spain. From 7-9 May 2024, Madrid will become the centre of the Spanish gaming industry, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Feria Internacional del Juego (FIJMA).

FIJMA is the most important event in the leisure and gaming industry in Spain where the main companies, manufacturers and experts in the industry gather to learn about the latest slots and gaming equipment innovations. The Spanish team at ITL will be exhibiting their solutions on stand A49 and plan to have their latest note recyclers and coin handling products centre stage, as well as demonstrating how their biometrics solutions can be utilised to benefit the gaming industry to prevent underage gambling.

Jose Garcia Escudero, General Manager for ITL Spain said, “We are looking forward to showing how combining our compact note recycler (NV22 Spectral) and advanced coin recycler (SMART Coin System) gives the best fit for cash handling efficiency for gaming machines in Spain. These solutions now dominate the Spanish gaming market giving operators considerable float management savings, fewer refills, and a massive reduction in coin starvation for improved machine uptime. We’ll also show the new NV4000 mixed denomination note recycler to the Spanish gaming market for the first time, ideal for high volume applications like change and redemption terminals.”

ITL have a range of AI-powered biometric solutions which perform accurate age verification at gaming venue entrances or integrated in gaming machines.

Continuing Jose said, “We will also have our age check devices on the stand for visitors to demo which can help operators prevent someone potentially underage or even self-excluded trying to play a machine or access an age restricted area. ICU Lite can be fully integrated in a gaming machine or betting terminal to automatically estimate age to prevent minors from playing. MyCheckr can be utilised at 18+ entrances to prevent access. Both devices have a one-off cost with no subscriptions and no internet required. Our technology is affordable, available to all and trusted, with no biometric personal data stored.”

Concluding Jose said, “We have very strong relationships with the Spanish market and we’re proud to know that our products will be displayed on a number of stands from our long standing customers. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in person in Madrid and we welcome you all to stand A49.”

Baltics

MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit Announces Final Agenda for 2024 Event

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

George Miller

MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit Announces Final Agenda for 2024 Event

Reading Time: 2 minutes

HIPTHER, the premier event organizer in the iGaming and Technology sectors, is thrilled to unveil the final agenda of the highly anticipated MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, packed with expert-led sessions and significant networking opportunities. Scheduled for June 4-5, 2024, at the Hilton Tallinn Park, this annual event serves as the leading platform for learning and networking in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Hosted yearly in a Baltic capital, it attracts top professionals from the iGaming, blockchain, fintech, and artificial intelligence communities.

This year’s event promises to foster groundbreaking discussions and provide actionable insights across several dynamic sectors. The summit will feature an impressive lineup of topics, including “Regulatory Evolution in iGaming: Adapting to the Baltic and Nordic Standards,” “Global Stakes: Navigating iGaming Regulation in Serbia, the USA, Spain, and Austria” and “Financial Evolution: Merging Traditions with Fintech and Blockchain Innovations.”

The MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit serves as the main hub for industry leaders to connect, share ideas, and explore new partnerships. The summit’s strategic location rotates among the capitals of the Baltic states, underscoring its importance and central role in shaping the tech and gaming landscapes in the region.

Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated, “We are proud to host another edition of the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit. Each year, we strive to surpass the expectations of our attendees, providing them with invaluable insights and networking opportunities that are second to none. This year’s agenda is especially significant, tackling some of the most pressing issues facing the industries of our focus.”

Highlights of the summit include:

Expert panels discussing the integration of new regulatory frameworks and technological innovations.
Networking opportunities with industry leaders and policymakers.
Interactive workshops designed to provide hands-on experience in dealing with current challenges and leveraging emerging opportunities.

In addition to the comprehensive conference sessions, the summit will host several networking events, including welcome drinks and exclusive evening parties, offering attendees the chance to form lasting connections with peers and industry leaders.

Professionals from across the globe are invited to join this landmark event to gain deeper insights into the future of these rapidly evolving industries and to network with fellow experts in a collaborative setting.

For more information and to register for the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit, please visit https://hipther.com/events/tallinn/