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European Gaming Q1 2024 Meetup: Exploring Innovation, Marketing, and the iGaming Industry Hubs
HIPTHER’s staple Quarterly Meetups for the Gaming industry have officially returned for 2024! The European Gaming Q1 Meetup 2024 took place on February 28 online, featuring an incredible lineup of speakers, including Ilya Machavariani, CEO and Senior Partner at 4H Agency, Krysta Muscat and Kevin Perks, International Recruiters at Van Kaizen, Jekaterina Dubnicka, Marketing & Communications Manager at Slotsjudge, Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale Productions, and John Chyriwsky, Head of Marketing at Fincore Ltd. HIPTHER’s Co-founder and Host-Extraordinaire, Zoltan Tuendik, moderated the panel discussions.
The Meetup sessions explored the gaming and technology industry, focusing on various topics such as the importance of innovation and transformation in the sector, strategies to combat offshore gambling, the emergence of Malta and the Isle of Man as iGaming industry hubs, potential future hubs for the gambling industry, marketing strategies in the gaming industry, and innovation in the gaming with a particular emphasis on personalization.
Gaming and TECH: Future Journey and Fight Against Offshore Gambling
The meeting kicked off highlighting the importance and intersection of gaming and technology industries, which will be explored at the upcoming MARE BALTICUM and Prague Gaming & TECH Summits by HIPTHER. Our first guest, Ilya Machavariani, CEO and Senior Partner at 4H Agency delved further into technology and the latest strategies in the global fight against offshore gambling.
Ilya discussed strategies to combat offshore gambling, proposing a separation into active and passive instruments. He suggested that governments should legalize all verticals of the industry and ensure operators obtain licenses. Ilya also emphasized the importance of transparent and sensible regulations and the role of technology in identifying and preventing access to offshore gambling sites. He highlighted the challenges of regulating and blocking websites from a governmental perspective and the need for international cooperation.
The discussion ended with a focus on improved consumer protection measures and the importance of educating consumers about potential risks associated with illegal gambling activities.
Gaming Industry Hubs: Malta, Isle of Man and Beyond
For the 2nd Session of the European Gaming Q1 Meetup, we welcomed Krysta Muscat and Kevin Perks, International Recruiters at Van Kaizen, to discuss iGaming hubs and hotspots of the Gaming Industry. Kevin introduced their global headhunting company that primarily serves the gaming sector, recruiting for approximately 140 businesses. The discussion revolved around the factors contributing to Malta and the Isle of Man emerging as hubs for the iGaming industry, with Krysta highlighting Malta’s modernized infrastructure and highly regulated environment, and Kevin pointing out the supportive government and dedicated government agency in the Isle of Man, along with its tax breaks. Both islands were found to have a skilled workforce and a multilingual population. Kevin also discussed the benefits of living on the Isle of Man, emphasizing the slower pace of life, the island’s 40% open space, and its status as one of the safest places in Europe. The discussion ended on the topic of the government’s efforts to promote the island and attract businesses, with a focus on recruitment strategies for gaming companies in competitive markets.
The session concluded with a discussion on potential future hubs for the iGaming industry, with Krysta and Kevin emphasizing on the US, Canada, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and Bulgaria, highlighting the significant interest and potential opportunities in these regions.
Marketing, Communication, and Community building in iGaming
In this first Marketing-focused session, Zoltan hosted our special guest Jekaterina Dubnicka – Marketing & Communications Manager at Slotsjudge. The conversation focused on marketing strategies in the gaming industry, with Jekaterina explaining the shift towards more interactive and immersive content by leveraging social media and video interviews, and focusing on SEO tools to gain insights into audience interests. She also provided insight into the role of community in the gaming experience, the importance of navigating strict regulatory environments while maintaining compliance and a strong brand voice, the importance of innovation in content creation and delivery, and emerging trends in the gaming industry.
Innovation and Personalization in Gaming Industry
The last panel discussion focused on innovation in the gaming industry, with a particular emphasis on personalization. Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale, and John Chyriwsky, Head of Marketing at Fincore Ltd joined us to discuss innovation in iGaming and Sports Betting. John highlighted the potential for improvement in the area of personalization and user experience, suggesting that platforms should “step up” to respond better to user needs. Eberhard pointed out the industry’s flexibility and the importance of meeting customer expectations, while John emphasized the need to enhance customer experience, suggesting the use of real-time data to create personalized experiences. He cited examples of successful companies that prioritize customer experience, such as Amazon and Uber. Eberhard also discussed the potential of AI and machine learning in the industry. The conversation concluded with a group exercise where participants shared their hopes for technology implementation in the gaming industry by the end of 2024.
Coming up Next:
Watch the recording of the European Gaming Q1 Meetup on HIPTHER TV, and keep an eye out for our next European Gaming Quarterly Meetups!
Latest News
New focus for safer gambling as Clarion confirms launch of Sustainable Gambling Zone
The Consumer Protection Zone (CPZ), which since its launch at ICE 2018 has developed to become the highest profile feature on the ICE show floor has been re-branded to become the Sustainable Gambling Zone (SGZ).
The strategic decision has been taken following extensive stakeholder consultation and is set against the heightened importance placed on proactive customer interventions at earlier stages of the player journey.
The SGZ will be debuted at July’s iGB L!VE prior to its official launch at ICE 2025, the first edition of the industry’s most influential b2b gaming show to be held at its new home in Barcelona
Clarion Gaming’s Director of Industry Insight and Engagement, Ewa Bakun, who has seen the CPZ develop to become the key platform for the industry to advance its understanding and implementation of safer gambling measures and raise standards said: “I must stress that this is much more than just a cosmetic exercise. Instead, the Sustainable Gambling Zone, with its refreshed focus, will engage with the broader stakeholder group of operators who are focused on long-term sustainability, something which goes way beyond simply meeting the regulatory mandate.
“The overarching objective of the Sustainable Gambling Zone is to be at the vanguard of initiatives to help develop healthy play from the outset which includes the incorporation of safer gambling considerations from the very start rather than as a compliance requirement.
“While not yet standard across the whole of the industry, this more holistic approach underpins the safer gambling dynamic. Its goal is to create a more sustainable business in which players continue to enjoy their gambling entertainment experience with the small proportion who are at risk of developing problems pro-actively identified and assisted by operators.”
Clarion Gaming Managing Director, Stuart Hunter added: “The relocation to Barcelona will enable us to expand the ICE and iGB Affiliate offerings but also raise the bar in terms of what we already deliver on behalf of the international industry.
“The intended broader appeal of the Sustainable Gambling Zone dovetails with our relocation and will bring the SGZ closer geographically to continental Europe and closer culturally to the Latin American markets that we serve.
“Barcelona will open a new chapter for ICE/iGB Affiliate and their respective features, not least the Sustainable Gambling Zone.”
Latest News
INSPIRED LAUNCHES SOLID GOLD™: THE LATEST GEM IN THE FORTUNE COMMUNITY™ LINEUP!
Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems, and solutions, is delighted to launch Solid Gold™ to the Cat C market, the latest addition to our Fortune Community™ slot lineup. Fortune Community offers a multiplayer gaming experience tailored for the Category C and bingo markets. Fortune Community games can activate a community bonus during play, ensuring all eligible players can share in the rewards.
Prepare to embark on a nostalgic journey with Solid Gold™, a classic retro slot that seamlessly blends vintage charm with exhilarating thrills.
In Solid Gold, a Gold Bar character hovering above the reels brings players closer to victory. When these characters grace each of the three reels, they unlock one of three bonuses. During the Wild Pick bonus, players take charge and choose one of three reels to turn Wild – or two if they’re lucky. Once a reel is selected, a stack of Wilds fills the entire reel, whilst the Wild symbol substitutes for all other symbols to enhance or create wins.
Players fortunate enough to trigger the Wild Pick bonus will have the opportunity to win a bonus spin. During this feature, the Wild reels will lock in position while the remaining reels spin again, providing players with an additional opportunity to win.
The Solid Gold community bonus steals the spotlight, played on alternative reels and offering 6 enticing prizes up for grabs. The reels will continue to spin until either a £100 jackpot prize is awarded, or a losing combination appears. Solid Gold not only offers players the opportunity to relive the golden era of slots but also engages them in a community bonus.
Richard Terry, UK Market Product Director, said: ” Solid Gold is the latest in a series of fantastic Fortune Community Cat C titles from Inspired, and once again sees the return of a much-loved classic game brand from yesteryear, likely to engage both new players with its absorbing presentation and experienced players with fond memories of the original product”
eSports
ESIC Announces Establishment of Global Esports Industry Advisory Board
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) is pleased to announce the establishment of its Global Esports Industry Advisory Board, designed to enhance integrity and ethical practices across the esports landscape. The Advisory Board will serve a pivotal role by providing expert advice to ESIC’s Chief Executive Officer on a range of critical industry issues.
The primary function of the Advisory Board is to create a robust framework for integrity and fairness, setting a global benchmark for ethical conduct and fair competition in esports. The board will offer strategic insights, help shape policies governing fair play, liaise with key industry stakeholders, and act as ambassadors advocating for ethical practices.
ESIC has appointed two highly esteemed members to inaugurate this board:
- David Neichel, Senior Vice President of Public & International Affairs at ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), joins the Advisory Board with over fifteen years of experience in the video games industry, including significant roles at Activision-Blizzard and Electronic Arts. David’s profound impact on international and public affairs initiatives makes him an invaluable addition to the board.
- Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, also joins the Advisory Board, bringing a wealth of experience from his roles at Google and Disney, along with his leadership through major acquisitions. Robbie is celebrated for his strategic leadership and his instrumental role in elevating esports to a significant global entertainment platform.
The formation of the Advisory Board is an engagement that underscores the commitment of its members to upholding and promoting the highest standards of integrity within the esports industry. The board will meet as required to address strategic challenges and ensure that ESIC’s initiatives effectively meet current and future industry needs.
“Both David and Robbie bring a remarkable depth of knowledge and a passion for advancing the integrity of esports,” said Stephen Hanna, CEO of ESIC. “Their expertise will be crucial as we navigate the evolving landscape of esports and strive to maintain the integrity that our community expects and deserves.”
Robbie Douek, CEO at BLAST, said: “I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to support the Global Esports Industry Advisory Board and ESIC in their ambition to create the best and fairest environment possible for players, teams and fans.”
David Neichel, Senior Vice President of Public & International Affairs at ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) also commented: “It is a true honour to join the Global Esports Industry Advisory Board and support ESIC’s successful journey. Fairplay and integrity are at the core of esports. We owe it to the players and to the fans and for a better endemic industry governance”
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