HIPTHER, organizer of the European Gaming Congress (EGC) and other renowned GameTech boutique conferences, is thrilled to announce the triumphant success of EGC 2024 and the exciting news of the conference’s return to Warsaw in 2025.

Building on the momentum from its 2023 edition, European Gaming Congress 2024 expanded its program into a multi-faceted, 2-day agenda packed with learning and networking opportunities. Attendance more than doubled to nearly 200 delegates, and all exhibitor spaces sold out.

EGC 2024 brought together the vibrant Polish iGaming market and the broader European GameTech industry for a series of insightful panels, unique networking opportunities, and unforgettable moments. The event educated and connected delegates in a meaningful and constructive way.

Distinguished experts from iGaming, Compliance, Technology, Blockchain, Fintech, Marketing, and Human Capital Management took the stage, offering invaluable insights and hosting workshops on the latest trends and strategies for business growth and success.

In an innovative move to validate expertise and reward continuous learning, all attendees were awarded a Certificate of Professional Distinction for their successful participation in the European Gaming Congress 2024.

One of the event’s highlights was the prestigious European iGaming Excellence Awards 2024, celebrating the best companies and brightest professionals in the European iGaming industry, as voted by their peers. And the winners are:

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Promatic Group

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Gaming Laboratories International, LLC

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: CoinsPaid

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Miss Joker Show (by Promatic Group)

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: SOFTSWISS Managed Services

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Evoplay (Adrenaline Rush)

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Mindway AI

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Evoplay

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Promatic Group

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Evoplay

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: ICONIC21

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: N1 Partners Group

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: DATA.BET

🏆 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: SOFTSWISS

🏆 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Xanada Investments

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Superbet

🏆 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Ivan Montik, Founder at SOFTSWISS

🏆 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Gal Ehrlich, CEO at BETER

🏆 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay

🏆 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Valentina Bagniya, CMO at SOFTSWISS

🏆 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: Aleksandra Mouton, CEO at Amarix

The illustrious event was Sponsored by top-tier companies, including:

• Promatic Games by Promatic Group – Platinum & Welcome Meet Sponsor
• Xanada Investments – Main Stage Sponsor
• BET – Badge, Bracelet and Networking Break Sponsor
• NSoft – Pen and Paper Sponsor
• Nordic Gambling – Scandinavian Legal Expertise Sponsor
• RM Legal – General Sponsor
• Gaming In Poland – General Sponsor
• Zondacrypto – Selfie Mirror Sponsor
• Superbet – General Sponsor
• LV Bet – General Sponsor
• PIGBRiB – General Sponsor

The European Gaming Congress has been warmly embraced by both the Polish gaming market and the wider European iGaming industry, solidifying its status as a must-attend event and key meeting point for the industry.

Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, commented: “We are thrilled with the incredible success of the European Gaming Congress 2024, and we are grateful to our esteemed sponsors, participants, and the remarkable Polish Gaming Community who made it possible. We’re excited to announce our return to Warsaw for another year, but stay tuned – we have a few surprises in the works for the years ahead!”.

The #hipthers team is already planning the grand return of the European Gaming Congress to Warsaw in mid-to-late October 2025. Stay tuned for more, and we’ll see you in Warsaw!

Esports betting provider to drive key discussions and compete for awards in Warsaw

DATA.BET, a prominent provider in the competitive betting industry, will participate in the upcoming European Gaming Congress 2024 (EGC), organized by Hipther. The renowned event, held in Warsaw on October 15-16, brings together key players from the gaming, esports, blockchain, AI, and fintech industries across Europe to discuss the sector’s most pressing trends and challenges. DATA.BET’s team will present the latest developments in esports betting and take center stage in a key panel discussion.

At the congress, Otto Bonning, the Head of Sales at DATA.BET, will participate in a panel discussion, “The Future of Esports: Opportunities and Challenges.” As the panel moderator, Otto will lead conversations with other experts, exploring the potential growth of esports and highlighting the strategic importance of esports betting in the evolving iGaming ecosystem.

Also, DATA.BET supports the event, contributing to Badge, Bracelet & Networking Break Sponsor categories. These efforts underscore the company’s commitment to facilitating meaningful industry interactions and enhancing attendees’ experience.

Moreover, DATA.BET has been shortlisted for two notable awards at the European iGaming Excellence Awards 2024, which will be held on the first evening of the congress. The company has been nominated as Best Esports Betting Provider in 2024 and Innovation in iGaming Technology in 2024 (Player Props). These nominations highlight companies leadership in esports betting and its steady contributions to technological advancements within the iGaming industry.

The upcoming conference provides DATA.BET with a valuable platform to connect with industry leaders, share insights and showcase its latest advancements in esports betting. Otto Bonning, Head of Sales, stated, “The EGC 2024 is crucial for exchanging ideas, sharing expertise, and discussing the future of esports betting. It also allows us to highlight our ongoing efforts to improve our solutions and meet the evolving needs of the industry.”

The European Gaming Congress (EGC) returns to Warsaw for 2024 on 15-16 October, and organizer HIPTHER is proud to introduce the conference’s esteemed Sponsors – trailblazing professionals and innovative organizations that help make the magic happen! In this Sponsors Spotlight Interview, we are proud to welcome Vladimir Malakchi, CEO and Managing Partner at Xanada Investments.

Thank you for joining us for this interview Vladimir! Let’s introduce you and Xanada Investments to our readers: What inspired you to create an investment fund with such an ideological and philosophical approach?

Thank you for having me! The idea for Xanada Investments came from my extensive experience in the industry, where I witnessed firsthand how many promising startups struggle—not just due to a lack of funding, but because they lack proper strategic support and long-term vision. Over the years, I saw how typical investment funds often limit themselves to providing capital, without addressing other crucial aspects of business growth.

This inspired me to create a fund that goes beyond the traditional investment approach. At Xanada Investments, we focus not only on financial backing but on building an ecosystem where startups can grow together, share knowledge, and support one another. Our philosophy is centered on mutual growth. Every project in our portfolio receives more than just capital; they gain access to strategic consulting, a network of industry contacts, expert resources, and development opportunities.

It’s not just about the success of one project—it’s about creating a community where every participant contributes to the overall success of the Xanada ecosystem. Our goal is to ensure that our investments not only help businesses grow but also elevate the entire industry by setting new standards and driving innovation.

Your investment philosophy focuses on mutual growth within your portfolio. Can you share an example of how your approach has fostered collaboration between different projects under the Xanada umbrella?

At Xanada Investments, we strive to build a diversified ecosystem by supporting projects of different types, sizes, and stages of development. Our current portfolio consists of five projects, all carefully selected from over 150 applications. We invest significant resources in understanding each project and offer tailored support to ensure successful partnerships.

While we maintain an individualized approach for each project, collaboration within our portfolio is key to accelerating growth. By working together, our projects are able to share insights, resources, and strategies, allowing them to achieve significant results faster. This collective effort not only strengthens each project but also enhances the overall ecosystem, ensuring mutual success.

With Xanada Investments primarily focusing on startups within the iGaming sector, what trends do you foresee shaping the future of this industry in the next 2-3 years?

The iGaming industry is going through an exciting period of change, driven by new technology and shifting player needs. One trend we see is the growing use of AI and machine learning to create more personalized gaming experiences. Startups are using AI to make gameplay and marketing more tailored to individual players. Another big focus is on player retention. With more competition, companies are using gamification, social features, and real-time engagement to keep players interested.

At the same time, there’s increasing attention on following regulations and promoting responsible gaming. As rules become stricter in different regions, startups that can stay compliant while still offering great experiences will have an advantage. The future of iGaming will belong to those who can innovate responsibly while meeting players’ changing needs.

You emphasize the importance of a strong team and leadership in your investment criteria. What are the top qualities you look for in a startup’s leadership team when considering an investment?

No matter how great the idea or technology, at the end of the day, it’s the people behind the project who make the difference. We invest in people—their experience, potential, and vision. The leadership team is the backbone of any startup, and we believe that a strong team is key to a project’s success. We look for resilience and adaptability—qualities that help a team navigate challenges and pivot when necessary in today’s fast-changing market.

We also value experience—leaders who know their industry well and understand how to manage its complexities. They must be hands-on and not afraid to get involved in every aspect of their business. Integrity is crucial, along with a collaborative mindset, both with us as investors and within the broader ecosystem of startups. These are the qualities that set successful teams apart.

Beyond financial support, Xanada offers strategic consulting to its startups. Can you elaborate on the specific types of support that have the most impact on helping these companies scale?

At Xanada Investments, we understand that successful startups require the right guidance and strategic support to scale effectively. We provide comprehensive consulting services that encompass various aspects of business growth. Our strong network of top industry experts also offers insights in key areas such as marketing, sales, and business development.

This community of experts plays a crucial role in our support system, helping startups analyze their current challenges and develop tailored strategies for growth. We work closely with our startups to create robust business strategies that integrate all critical components, ensuring a cohesive approach to scaling.

 You’ve expressed plans to invest in 10-15 projects within the next year. How do you prioritize which projects to invest in, and what excites you most about this upcoming batch of investments?

As we look ahead, our goal is to invest in 10-15 projects that will help us build a diverse ecosystem, driving deep, foundational growth for each company. We believe that a robust ecosystem made up of various types of businesses enhances our collective strength, allowing us to offer a range of innovative solutions. We are particularly focused on finding startups in game development, casino operations, and player retention strategies.

What excites me most about this upcoming batch of investments is the talent and creativity we are seeing in these areas. We are actively seeking startups that provide relevant solutions to the iGaming industry, addressing specific pain points and offering viable business models. By concentrating on these critical areas, we are positioning ourselves at the forefront of industry innovation and ensuring our portfolio companies have the resources they need to scale effectively.

You recently launched the Xanada Startup Contest. What were the key drivers behind this initiative, and what do you hope to achieve by giving startups this platform?

The Xanada Startup Contest was created in response to the challenges many startups face in today’s market. We observed that while there are numerous startups with incredible potential, they often struggle due to a lack of resources and proper guidance. This competition was designed to bridge that gap by offering a solution that goes beyond just financial support.

What makes our contest unique is that it provides more than funding—it offers a platform for continuous learning and development. We want to ensure that startups not only receive capital but also the tools, mentorship, and strategic insights they need to maximize their potential. The contest also gives visibility to deserving startups that might otherwise go unnoticed, helping them connect with industry leaders and gain the consulting support they need to scale effectively. Our goal is to create a lasting impact by empowering startups to succeed in the long term.

 Given the challenges faced by startups in securing both funding and guidance, what advice would you offer to early-stage entrepreneurs looking to break into the iGaming sector?

My biggest piece of advice is to focus on building a strong team and a clear, scalable business model. Investors are not just looking for great ideas—they want to see that your startup can execute and grow. Be prepared with detailed financial projections and a solid understanding of your market. Finally, seek out mentors and advisors who have experience in the industry. The right guidance can make all the difference in navigating the complexities of the iGaming space.

As an investor and former gaming executive, what do you believe is the biggest challenge currently facing the iGaming industry, and how is Xanada Investments positioning itself to address these challenges?

One of the biggest challenges in the iGaming industry is player retention. With so many options available, keeping players engaged long-term is becoming increasingly difficult. At Xanada Investments, we’re positioning ourselves to tackle this by investing in startups that focus on innovative engagement strategies, such as real-time personalization, gamification, and social elements that enhance the player experience. Additionally, we’re helping our portfolio companies optimize their operations and user acquisition channels to stay competitive in this fast-paced industry.

Vladimir Malakchi will be speaking in an exclusive Fireside Chat with HIPTHER’s Co-Founder Zoltan Tuendik at the European Gaming Congress, “Mythbusting Investment in iGaming: Missed Opportunities and Xanada Investments’ Vision for Startup Success”.

Join us in Warsaw and meet Vladimir in person:

Get your tickets for the European Gaming Congress 2024 Now!