The panel discussion last  week, at the European Gaming Congress made me feel inspired to contemplate on critical facets of Ukraine’s burgeoning gambling industry, positioning the nation as an appealing prospect for Western European investors. Although unique challenges, including historical financial corruption and external pressures, exist, Ukraine’s European identity makes it an attractive hub for investment. As the country grapples with ongoing conflict, it must simultaneously address customary market concerns such as safeguarding against Russian interference and protecting the personal data of its citizens.

A striking parallel emerged between Ukraine’s gambling landscape and the realm of cryptocurrencies, where combating money laundering and terrorist financing poses significant challenges. The National Bank, equipped with the capacity to monitor financial flows, plays a pivotal role, in conjunction with law enforcement agencies. A comprehensive strategy to combat mis-selling and gray schemes is being executed by the National Bank of Ukraine, alongside the Commission and the Ministry of Finance, resulting in the revocation of licenses, particularly among operators with Russian ties. Comparable license revocations have occurred in several European nations that have issued cryptocurrency licenses.

However, amid the ongoing struggle against these challenges, errors have emerged, exemplified by the imposition of sanctions on prominent Ukrainian industry leaders like Parimatch and Pokermatch. These sanctions have not only significantly impacted the legal gambling sector but have also cast a shadow of caution over Western investors. Notably, the President’s directive to the Cabinet of Ministers, prompted by a citizen petition with 25,000 signatures, seeks to investigate the circumstances leading to the inclusion of Parimatch in the sanctions list of the National Security and Defense Council.

In the wake of the Parimatch case, it’s worth noting that the Cosmolot brand has also recently faced heightened scrutiny, with law enforcement agencies conducting searches and investigations, further emphasizing the need for a robust law enforcement process. Ukrainian Gambling Council, representing 80% of licensed gambling operators, committed to serving its members by actively working on player protection, advertising regulation, and acting as a valuable business ombudsman for the industry, contributing to a more secure and transparent gambling landscape in Ukraine.

As technical impediments are surmounted, the regulatory body demonstrates its efficiency. Critical issues, such as streamlining market access through license issuance, promoting responsible gambling, stricter advertisement rules,  and reinvigorating investments, are coming to the fore.

Once the security concerns are addressed, Ukraine is poised to unleash pent-up demand in its gambling sector. This situation will spur investors to contemplate their entry into the market, whether through direct investment, partnerships, or mergers and acquisitions, underlining the evolving landscape of opportunities in Ukraine’s vibrant gambling industry.

Article by Viktoriya Zakrevskaya, Founding Member and Deputy Chairwoman for Communications, Ukrainian Gambling Council

Viktoriya was a speaker at the European Gaming Congress by Hipther, that took place on 31 October at the InterContinental Warsaw. She discussed the emerging Ukrainian iGaming market at the Panel “The Greek Odyssey, La Dolce Vita, La Fiesta Española, The Ukrainian Spirit, and The Portuguese Fado”.

New guiding principle ‘Via Infinita’ highlights limitless knowledge to be gained at trio of events

Hipther Agency, a leading Gaming and Technology sector event organizer and parent brand of acclaimed global media outlets, has revealed its event calendar for 2024, along with its guiding principle, ‘Via Infinita’.

Ahead of next week’s highly-anticipated European Gaming Conference on October 30^th and 31^st in Warsaw, Poland, Hipther has announced its event line-up for 2024, all united by a common purpose, with ‘Via Infinita’ representing infinite growth.

To kick start its unmissable 2024 line-up, Hipther will return with the hugely popular Prague Gaming & TECH Summit from March 26^th to 27^th, at Vienna House Andel’s Prague, Czech Republic. Industry professionals are promised an endless voyage of discovery, exploring the boundless opportunities, innovations and developments that are shaping the future of gaming and technology.

With a jam-packed schedule of speaking slots and discussions, delegates will receive new insights into the ever-evolving sectors of iGaming, eSports, Blockchain, AI, Fintech, Virtual Reality and more.

The event will also see the launch of the GamingTECH Awards, formerly held under the GamingTECH CEE Budapest Conference. The awards recognize and honour the best companies of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region.

In June, MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit returns on the 4^th and 5^th, transforming Tallinn, Estonia, into the epicenter of gaming and tech excellence. Industry leaders and innovators from the aforementioned sectors, along with FashionTech, Mobility, Climate Change and EdTech will meet to discuss new developments and findings.

In addition, the Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Awards (BSG) 2024 will take place to celebrate the most successful and popular companies in the Nordics and Baltics.

As the Baltic Sea region’s leading in-person event, MARE BALTICUM Gaming & Tech Summit promises to be a groundbreaking opportunity for insightful discussions and invaluable networking opportunities to share the future of the industry.

The third event in Hipther’s unmissable calendar is the European Gaming Congress 2024, hosted in October, in Amsterdam, bringing together compliance experts, regulators and gaming industry professionals to discuss the latest updates on gambling industry compliance in Europe.

From the Nordics and the D-A-CH region, to Poland, Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy and Greece, the European Gaming Congress unites the gaming industry with blockchain, AI and Fintech experts.

Following this year’s inaugural European iGaming Excellent Awards (EiGE Awards), the second edition returns to celebrate the accomplishments of significant contributors to the European iGaming sector.

The embodiment of prestige and recognition, they provide an exceptional platform for industry leaders, innovators and influencers, from online gambling, operators to suppliers, testing laboratories and payment providers.

Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder of Hipther, said: “Reflecting on 2023, our events portfolio flourished with unparalleled success, setting a golden precedent.

“As we stride into 2024, we embrace the infinite possibilities with Via Infinita ahead of Prague, Tallinn, and Amsterdam. A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, participants, and media partners for journeying with us. Our path is boundless, our ambition limitless.”

Mark your calendars for the most significant in-person events for Gaming and Technology in Europe and let Hipther Agency be your guide in the Infinite Way to growth.

Join the #hipthers in a constructive and enjoyable journey of discovery throughout 2024, filled with networking adventures and learning opportunities!

About Hipther:

Hipther Agency is the parent brand of European Gaming, PICANTE, WireUp Zone, Gaming Americas, eSports Connect, the HIPTHER news app, and the WireUp networking app found on the Play Store.

➔ To receive constant updates from the HIPTHER network and conference agenda updates, subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/hfyZxf

Hipther Agency is proud to unveil the highly anticipated shortlists for the inaugural European iGaming Excellence Awards (EiGE Awards 2023)! The European iGaming Excellence Awards will be making their debut at the European Gaming Congress, held at the illustrious InterContinental Warsaw on 31 October,organized by Hipther.

The European iGaming Excellence Awards aim to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions and accomplishments of industry leaders, innovators, and influencers within the European iGaming landscape. EiGE Awards serve as a resplendent platform to applaud excellence, foster a sense of community, and inspire ongoing innovation within the European iGaming sector. As we prepare to celebrate the remarkable achievements of those shaping the future of the industry, the EiGE Awards proudly stands as the beacon where excellence meets recognition.

Here are the shortlisted nominees in each category for the EiGE Awards 2023:

EiGE Awards 2023 – Shortlists

BEST IGAMING OPERATOR IN 2023

• BETANO

• 1XBET

• BET365

• 888

• UNIBET

BEST IGAMING SUPPLIER IN 2023

• WAZDAN

• BGAMING

• BETGAMES

• PRAGMATIC SOLUTIONS

• EVOPLAY

BEST TESTING LABORATORY IN 2023

• GAMING LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL (GLI)

• ITECH LABS

• ECOGRA

• BMM TESTLABS

• QUINEL

BEST PAYMENT PROVIDER IN 2023

• TRUSTLY

• GUMBALLPAY

• NUVEI

• COINPAYMENTS

• COINSPAID

BEST IGAMING PRODUCT IN 2023

• WAZDAN

• BETGAMES

• BGAMING

• NUXGAME

• SOFTSWISS

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE IN 2023

• SOFTSWISS

• SPORTRADAR

• NSOFT

• BETBY

• FAST TRACK

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN IN 2023

• WAZDAN

• BGAMING

• SQUARE IN THE AIR

• SOFTSWISS

• OPTIMOVE

BEST RESPONSIBLE GAMING PROGRAM IN 2023

• SOFTSWISS

• ENTAIN

• BETTER CHANGE

• BETSSON GROUP

• GAMBAN

BEST GAME DEVELOPER IN 2023

• WAZDAN

• BGAMING

• PRAGMATIC PLAY

• GREENTUBE

• RELAX GAMING

BEST EMERGING IGAMING COMPANY IN 2023

• SHAPE GAMES

• NUXGAME

• AVIATRIX

• UNIBO

• GAMZIX

BEST MOBILE GAMING PROVIDER IN 2023

• WAZDAN

• BGAMING

• BETGAMES

• EVOPLAY

• RELAX GAMING

BEST LIVE DEALER PROVIDER IN 2023

• BETGAMES

• PRAGMATIC PLAY

• PLAYTECH

• EVOLUTION

• WINFINITY

BEST IGAMING AFFILIATE PROGRAM IN 2023

• N1 PARTNERS

• SCATTERS GROUP

• PIN-UP PARTNERS

• KINDRED AFFILIATES

• ROYAL PARTNERS

BEST ESPORTS BETTING PROVIDER IN 2023

• 1XBET

• ODDIN.GG

• SIS

• PANDASCORE

• BETCONSTRUCT

INNOVATION IN IGAMING TECHNOLOGY IN 2023

• WAZDAN

• BETGAMES

• BGAMING

• PRAGMATIC SOLUTIONS

• SOFTSWISS

View the EiGE 2023 Shortlists

Get Your Tickets for EiGE Awards & the European Gaming Congress – Group Pass Offer Now Available!

About Hipther:

Hipther Agency is the parent brand of European Gaming, PICANTE, WireUp Zone, Gaming Americas, eSports Connect, the HIPTHER news app, and the WireUp networking app found on the Play Store.

➔ To receive constant updates from the HIPTHER network and conference agenda updates, subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/hfyZxf

➔ For sponsorship/speaking inquiries, make sure to reach out to Zoltan Tuendik (Co-Founder and Head of Business at Hipther) at [email protected]  

➔ For media-related inquiries, please contact Maria E. Arnidou (Event marketing Coordinator at Hipther) at [email protected]