Central Europe
Czech Republic joins global initiative to tackle gambling in video games
The Czech Republic has decided to join an international front of 14 other countries and the state of Washington in its bid to fight gambling in video games. Children are the most vulnerable prey to this particular form of gambling. The initiative was formed to tackle the blurring lines between digital entertainment like gaming and gambling.
The following countries are going to be part of this initiative: Austria, Czech Republic with Karel Blaha that is the director of the State Oversight Over Gambling Department, France, Gibraltar, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Latvia, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, UK, The Washington State.
As video games become more popular thanks to the advances in technology, competition also heats up in the industry, which in turn leads to a mad rush for revenue. That is when new revenue streams like “soft” gambling: “loot boxes” are introduced, which are in effect a surrogate form of gambling, the initiative reckons.
Loot boxes started to appear in the US with the release of Star Wars Battlefront II, by Electronic Arts. Players began to flag that with the increasing presence of loot boxes they were being forced to gamble to improve their gameplay.
This is a clear reflection of the challenges that the video games industry has had to face since the late 1990s: production costs have continued to increase, but retail prices have remained stagnant. Loot boxes offer the opportunity to increase revenue and were firstly available in Blizzard’s Overwatch (2016) but are not regular features also in video games like FIFA 17, Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Halo 5, Gears of War 4, Forza Motorsport 7, and Star Wars Battlefront II.
In 2017 the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which is the regulator that classify games in regards to sex, violence and other age factors refused to classify loot boxes as a type of gambling. In 2018, however, the ESBR released a new label for games that do include loot boxes or similar features.
Until now, however, there has not been a single approach to the problem with different legislators that have had different views on the subject: in Belgium, for example, the gaming regulator said that Battlefront II has loot boxes that involve money and addiction: the result was that both Belgium and Netherlands have banned games that have loot boxes.
Source: PraguePost
Central Europe
Spinomenal teams up with Slovakian market leader Niké
Spinomenal, the leading iGaming content provider, has agreed a new content partnership with Slovakian giant, Niké. The integration will be completed via the Easit platform, part of Synot Group.
As one of Slovakia’s star performers, joining forces with Niké enables Spinomenal to amplify its presence in the region. Niké’s casino players will have seamless access to Spinomenal’s stunning selection of titles, which includes big hitters Queen of Ice, Wildfire Fruits, and Wacky Monkey.
Lior Shvartz, CEO for Spinomenal commented: “Teaming up with Niké adds momentum to our ongoing mission of increasing our presence within regulated markets. We’re buoyed by the chance to showcase our games to more players within Slovakia.”
Jan Pecha, Casino Director for N I K É added: “The collaboration aims to leverage the unique strengths and expertise of each company, fostering a synergistic relationship that will propel both entities to new heights. By combining forces, N I K É and Spinomenal are poised to deliver unparalleled value to their clients.”
Central Europe
HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 Boasts All-star Sponsors and Record Registrations
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!
Central Europe
HIPTHER’s Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 reaches new milestones with record registrations and prominent sponsors
HIPTHER, a leading event organiser for the iGaming and Technology industries, is proud to announce that the 2024 edition of their Prague Gaming & TECH Summit has achieved record-breaking registrations and secured the support of renowned sponsors from the iGaming, compliance, and Web3 sectors.
The Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024, the eighth edition of HIPTHER’s boutique conference, stands as the pioneering event in the heart of Europe, merging the future of iGaming and Technology. Guided by the principle ‘Via Infinita’ – the boundless journey of discovery – the conference is set to reach new heights.
On March 25th, #hipthers will welcome more than 250 registered participants and over 90 speakers, sponsored by distinguished companies from iGaming, compliance, and technology.
HIPTHER is honoured to have received increased sponsorship interest from the gaming and technology ecosystems. The #hipthers express their gratitude to GR8 Tech, Atlas-IAC, SYNOT Games, NSoft, Endorphina, Relax Gaming, Pixpel, Nordic Gambling, Gaming in Poland and the Institute for Gambling Regulation in the Czech Repulic for their invaluable contribution to the premier iGaming and tech event in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Germany, Austria and Switzerland (D-A-CH) regions.
Zoltán Tűndik, Co-founder of HIPTHER, the company behind the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, said: “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 looks 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!
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