Gaming Awards
The winners of the 2023 Game Developer Awards are in

Relax Gaming, AvatarUX, BGaming, NetEnt and streamer Brian Christopher were amongst some of the winners at the 2023 edition of the Game Developer Awards, which took place last night at the InterContinental Hotel in Malta.
Closing the final day of what was a record-breaking CasinoBeats Summit, the coveted awards ceremony was presented by Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva and returning host Trudy Kerr, who handed out 23 awards aimed at celebrating the best companies, casino titles and people in the following category groups: Game Performance, Game Creation, Game Marketing, Game People and SlotCatalog.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “ Last night’ awards were phenomenal, especially with the addition of our new categories, dedicated to individual achievements in the industry. I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all our winners for innovatively pushing the boundaries of excellence and helping redefine the industry.”
Relax Gaming continued their winning streak this year by collecting the Slot of the Year award for Money Train 3, and SlotCatalog’s Game Studio of the Year – medium award, whilst BGaming took home both the Slot to Watch award for Potion Spells and Game Music/Soundtrack award for Elvis Frog TRUEWAYS.
Other winners in the game performance categories included Barbara Bang who picked up the Slot Debut award for Mustang Freedom and NetEnt who were awarded the highly regarded Slot Legacy Title for Gonzo’s Quest.
It was a successful night for casino streamer Brian Christopher who was awarded Streamer of the Year, whilst also picking up Slot Collaboration of the Year award alongside Gaming Arts for their collaborative effort Brian Christopher’s Pop’N Pays More!
The game creation categories saw Wazdan awarded Game Feature of the Year, for their work on Mystery Drop and Playtech receiving the award for Game Licensed Content, for the game Cash Collect: Gold Rush. Amusnet picked up the award for Game Retro-style with Fruits & Gold, whilst ELK Studios were awarded the Game Design & Art Direction for the stylish Nitropolis 4.
AvatarUX were big winners on the night, collecting Game Mechanic of the Year for their innovative PopWins Mechanic, whilst AvatarUX’s very own Hannah Farrugia took home the Product Manager award for her contributions to the company and wider industry.
Other titans of industry that were recognised for their individual contributions were Iris Wallner of GAMOMAT who collected the Game Composer award and Justin Chamberlain who collected the Game Designer award for his contributions to HungryBear Gaming.
SlotCatalog presented a selection of data-based game studio awards. Print Studios were awarded the SlotCatalog’s Rookie of the Year award, Push Gaming collected the SlotCatalog’s Game Studio of the Year – Small award, whilst the SlotCatalog’s Game Studio of the Year – Large award, was presented to Play’n GO.
In the Outperforming Game Studio Categories, Snowborn Games were winners of the SlotCatalog’s Outperforming Game Studio of the Year – Small award, whilst Hacksaw Gaming were awarded SlotCatalog’s Outperforming Game Studio of the Year – Medium and Pragmatic Play took home the SlotCatalog’s Outperforming Game Studio of the Year – Large award.
Decided by a live audience vote throughout Thursday afternoon, the winner of the esteemed Game Innovation Spotlight award was Nailed It! Games for their groundbreaking and forward thinking contributions over the course of the past year.
“Last night was truly unforgettable, a special thank you to our headline sponsors BetConstruct, Evoplay, SBC Advisory Partners and SYNOT, as well as all supporting sponsors, for helping us commemorate the special achievements accomplished by these Game Developer studios and the talented individuals behind the most successful titles,” Said Sojmark.
Conferences in Europe
Hipther Reveals EiGE Awards 2023 Shortlists: Honoring iGaming Excellence in Europe

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
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]
Gaming Awards
And the nominees for the Dutch Game Awards 2023 are……..!

Last week the jury of the Dutch Game Awards came together to make their final decision about the 2023 nominees. We can now present to you our nominees of the Dutch Game Awards 2023. From more than 60 submitted games, the jury has narrowed its selection down to three games per category. Some of the submitted games have made it on to multiple nominee lists and are in the race for multiple awards!
The winners of the special awards; Awesome Achievement, Inclusion Award, Best Studio and Career Achievement Award will be revealed during the awards show.
And the nominees are…
Best Game (sponsored by TransPerfect Gaming Solutions)
Once Upon a Jester – Bonte Avond
Age of Wonders 4 – Triumph Studios
Mail Time – appelmoes games
Best Art
Mail Time – appelmoes games
Isonzo – Blackmill Games
Horizon Call of the Mountain – Guerrilla and Firesprite
Best Audio
Secret Shuffle – Adriaan de Jongh & friends
Isonzo – Blackmill Games
Deliver us Mars – KeokeN Interactive
Best Innovation
The Past Within – Rusty Lake
Secret Shuffle – Adriaan de Jongh & friends
Robo Maestro – Joost van Dongen
Best Technology (sponsored by i3D.net)
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered PC – Nixxes Software
Kayak VR: Mirage – Better Than Life
Horizon Call of the Mountain – Guerrilla and Firesprite
Best Game Design (sponsored by Total Mayhem Games)
The Past Within – Rusty Lake
Secret Shuffle – Adriaan de Jongh & friends
Iron Line – Team Trainwreck
Best Applied Game (sponsored by City of Rotterdam)
Can’t Wait to Learn: Ukraine – &ranj
ReAction – ImproVive
Klankkr8 – Game Tailors
Best Student Game (sponsored by GameForce)
Iron Line – Team Trainwreck (BUas)
Ornament Express – Choo Choo Studios (BUas)
Viking Hiking – Team Asgardeners (BUas)
Debut Game:
The Tale of Bistun – Black Cube Games
Kayak VR: Mirage – Better Than Life
Mail Time – appelmoes games
You don’t want to miss the Award ceremony! Come join us live on Oct 4 at Beeld & Geluid in Hilversum.
Conferences in Europe
Hipther’s GamingTECH CEE 2023 Agenda Explores the Intersection of Gambling with Technology and Fintech

Hipther Agency is thrilled to reveal the Agenda of the highly-anticipated GamingTECH CEE Summit, set to take place on 26-27 September 2023, at The Ritz-Carlton Budapest. The thought-provoking, multifaceted GamingTECH CEE Agenda covers the entire spectrum, from Compliance and Responsible Gaming to exploring the convergence of Gambling with Fintech, Web3, XR/VR/AR, and discussions on Marketing Strategy.
The star-studded Agenda features iGaming and tech industry leaders, legal experts, pioneers in blockchain, AI, web3 virtual reality spaces, and seasoned marketers.
This intergalactic learning expedition will delve into the cutting-edge realm of gaming technology through engaging discussion panels spread across the two days of the conference, accompanied by exciting networking activities.
The speaker lineup includes professionals from renowned companies such as Damir Hasaković from Luckia, Trueplay’s Alex Antsyferov, Paula Murphy from Mindway AI, Dan Iliovici of Rombet, William J. Pascrell, III, Esq, of Princeton Public Affairs Group, and many more. Legal experts from established firms, including Petar Pešić of Pešić Law, Merit Leib of LEIB Regulatory & Compliance Risk Consulting, and Dr. Arthur Stadler of STADLER VÖLKEL Attorneys, will shed light on compliance and responsible gambling matters.
GamingTECH CEE 2023 Program – Discussion Panels
DAY 1 – 26 September
- Compliance Challenges and Opportunities in the CEE #Gambling Industry: Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia Croatia.
- Balancing Play and Responsibility: Nurturing a Culture of Responsible Gaming.
- Vital updates from the Nordics and D-A-CH regions.
- Cross-Industry Opportunities in Gambling: Harnessing Mobile and Video Game Mechanics (keynote).
- Compliance Challenges and Opportunities in the Eastern European Gambling Industry: Romania, Bulgaria.
- The Intersection of Gambling Industry with Web3/Blockchain/XR/VR/AR.
- Esports and Gambling: The Next Frontier.
- Current State and Effective Strategies for Marketing and Social Media Campaign Analytics.
Day 2 – 27 September:
- The Intersection of Gambling Industry with Fintech.
- Compliance Challenges and Opportunities in the Balkan Gambling Industry.
- AI and Machine Learning in the CEE region.
GamingTECH CEE 2023 Program – Networking
As always, HIPTHER has prepared a range of unique, constructive, and enjoyable activities to facilitate connections and foster business networking and growth, offering an unforgettable conference experience with a personal touch.
This year at GamingTECH CEE keep an eye out for:
Welcome Drinks and Early Registration on September 25th, ahead of the official event schedule, providing an opportunity to unwind, meet new and familiar faces, and set the tone for the conference.
Morning Networking Sessions on the 26th and 27th, offering coffee, snacks, and quality time to connect with peers, fostering the special social energy of Hipther Events.
Complimentary Lunch Break on the 26th, a delicious opportunity for further networking.
Afternoon Networking Session on the 26th, offering more coffee, snacks and opportunities for socialization.
The Prestigious GamingTECH Awards 2023 Ceremony on the 26th uniting gaming industry trailblazers and luminaries to celebrate achievements and technological advancements in style.
Lastly, the Evening Social Gathering of the 26th, keeping attendees entertained and connected into the late hours.
Day 2 kicks off dynamically, with the invigorating Morning networking run! Run 5-7km in Budapest with like-minded peers at an easy tempo while enjoying the sights.
Finally, The Networking Boat Cruise and Luncheon on the Danube – Budapest will gloriously conclude our inspiring GamingTECH CEE 2023 Experience in an unforgettable way, as we will be sailing down the iconic Danube River in a specially curated event that combines breathtaking scenery, delicious cuisine, and exceptional networking opportunities!
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity for learning, networking, and growth. The #hipthers look forward to welcoming you at the GamingTECH CEE Summit, where knowledge and innovation collide!
See you in Budapest!
Get Your GamingTECH CEE Tickets
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]
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