Conferences in Europe

Looking back at the 2018 GiH Conference

Published

6 years ago

June 26, 2018

George Miller

Photo Credits: gettyimages

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The 7th annual Gaming in Holland Conference concluded last week in sunny Amsterdam. We had some big news and some big names. Today, we will highlight some of most notable sessions, as well as the festive Responsibility in Gaming Awards Dinner, celebrating responsibility in Dutch gaming.

Breakthrough in Dutch Remote Gaming Impasse

As the first day of the Gaming in Holland Conference was drawing to a close, Ministry of Justice and Security official Dennis van Breemen announced that Minister for Legal Protection, Sander Dekker, had sent a letter to the Dutch Lower House clarifying the additional conditions for future licensees that had been agreed in last year’s coalition agreement.
Specifically, Dekker’s letter addressed the coalition agreement’s requirement for online licensees to establish some form of physical presence in the Netherlands. Referring to a recent decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Dekker said that only online licensees without a presence in the EU or European Economic Area could be obligated to open an establishment in the Netherlands.

All online licensees, however, even those already established in the EU/EEA, will need to appoint a local representative in the field of addiction prevention.
The Dekker’s proposals also include measures to erect greater barriers between (social) gaming and gambling.
As the Ministry letter obviously represents the official government position, the main roadblock to further legislative progress in the Senate, where the current government coalition commands a majority, has now been removed.
While it is clear that the legislative process will resume in short order, unforeseen obstacles could still emerge. “We’re back on track, but the Remote Gaming Bill hasn’t been enacted yet,” warned Rutger-Jan Hebben of Dutch industry association Speel Verantwoord. “Maybe the remote market will now open in a year, but it could also take three.”

Responsibility in Gaming Awards Dinner and Charity Raffle

This year, for the very first time and in close cooperation with a wide range industry stakeholders, Gaming in Holland introduced the Responsibility in Gaming Awards, celebrating excellency and responsibility in the licensed Dutch gaming industry.

The 2018 winners are:

Responsible Gaming Initiative of the Year: HANDS 24×7
Best Use of Technology for Responsible Gaming: E-Assyst B.V.
Governance, Oversight and Social Care Organization of the Year: HANDS 24×7
Operator of the Year: Janshen-Hahnraths Group
Gaming Destination of the Year: Holland Casino Rotterdam
Industry Innovation of the Year: HANDS 24×7 & Mindway
Female Role Model of the Year: Yvon Jansma, Centrum voor Verantwoord Spelen
Gaming Industry Ambassador of the Year: Jan Suyver, Chairman of the Netherlands Gaming Authority

During the Responsibility in Gaming Awards Dinner, a charity raffle was held for the benefit of Fonds Gehandicaptensport, a charitable foundation for handicapped sports.

Netherlands Gaming Authority CEO Calls for Innovation in Land-based Sector

In her keynote speech, Marja Appelman, CEO of the Netherlands Gaming Authority, stressed the importance of innovation, in particular in the land-based sector, in order to keep players away from unlicensed offerings.

“I invite the entrepreneurs among you to innovate. Look for opportunities within existing rules and regulations to innovate and get results. The Netherlands Gaming Authority finds it important that licensees are able to offer attractive gambling possibilities, right now,” Appelman said.

According to Appelman, there is room to do so, while still keeping within the boundaries of even outdated rules and regulations.

“Look for new possibilities within the restrictions of current laws and regulations,” Appelman told her audience, promising that the Netherlands Gaming Authority “will accommodate this process.”

Holland Casino and Nederlandse Loterij

The CEOs of the Netherlands’ leading gaming companies, Holland Casino and Nederlandse Loterij, both spoke at the 2018 GiH Conference.

Holland Casino CEO Erwin van Lambaart discussed his company’s long-term strategy. In the coming years, the casino operator will specifically target the 25-36 age cohort, for instance with a soon-to-open “Millennial Zone” in Holland Casino Utrecht, as well as with an even greater focus on Food & Beverage. “Food & Beverage will become even more important than before, especially when remote gaming will be legalized,” Van Lambaart said.

Van Lambaart also said that the gaming sector should take the lead in responsible gaming; and called on the Netherlands Gaming Authority to apply existing rules in a fair and consistent manner.

The current prohibition on remote gaming should thus be more strictly enforced, Van Lambaart argued. Operators who do not withdraw immediately from the Dutch online market, should be excluded from obtaining remote licenses once the market opens.

Nederlandse Loterij CEO Niels Onkenhout agreed: “I believe that unlicensed operators should withdraw from the market right now, or be blocked from operating in the future regulated online market for at least five years.”

“In order to protect consumers, the Remote Gaming Bill must be enacted as quickly as possible,” Onkenhout added. “The letter sent by Minister Dekker is an important step in the right direction, but we must move far more quickly.”

Onkenhout also said that once the Remote Gaming Bill is enacted, Nederlandse Loterij expects to receive a remote license “with priority.”

Gaming Brand Awareness in the Dutch Market

Jeffrey Kruk, Research Director at media agency Wavemaker, shared the results of a study on the strength and vitality of gaming brands in the Netherlands. With the exception of Staatsloterij and Postcode Loterij, most gaming brands are relatively unknown and lack relevance to most consumers.

Surprisingly, 52% and 38% of Dutch consumers, respectively, are aware of the Unibet and PokerStars brands, despite being unlicensed in the Netherlands. Both brands, moreover, are perceived as offering something completely new and potentially relevant to consumers. These brands are thus well-positioned for strong growth:

See You Next Year?

While the last year has been rather quiet for the Dutch gaming industry, it now appears that we are moving forward again. The last details of the Remote Gaming Bill and its accompanying secondary legislation might soon be finalized, allowing the political process to continue at last.

Even now, other reforms are already on the agenda: the privatization of Holland Casino, a further restructuring of the Dutch lottery system, and, finally, a new regulatory framework for the arcade hall sector.

In the mean time, Gaming in Holland continues to build the infrastructure for the industry to meet, to network, and to stay informed. And also, of course, to celebrate its achievements.

Source: Willem van Oort/gaminginholland.com

Conferences in Europe

Soft2Bet celebrates a year of growth and innovation at SiGMA Malta Europe 2024

Published

2 weeks ago

October 25, 2024

George Miller

Soft2Bet celebrates a year of growth and innovation at SiGMA Malta Europe 2024

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Soft2Bet is set to make a major impact at SiGMA Malta Europe, focusing on MEGA, turnkey solutions and key speaking engagements from senior executives from 12-14 November.

Soft2Bet, the iGaming industry’s leading turnkey solutions provider, is gearing up to unveil a new format for its MEGA Workshop during 4 closed sessions on 12 and 13 November at SiGMA Malta Europe. After a highly successful MEGA Workshop experience at the SBC Summit Lisbon for more than 250 visitors, Soft2Bet intends to showcase how its solution drives engagement, activity and revenues for Soft2Bet and its B2B partners.

Turnkey solutions and new launches driving growth

Soft2Bet will also unveil its latest turnkey solution, newly-launched gaming engines and casino solutions that are delivering impressive results for partners as they increase player engagement, retention and drive revenue growth in the most competitive iGaming markets. As Soft2Bet continues to expand into new markets, it will provide exclusive insights into its recently-launched partnerships and brands.

Product focus

The Soft2Bet MEGA workshop will also demonstrate how MEGA seamlessly integrates as a standalone solution through an API, providing the best UX to its players, ensuring quick and efficient deployment for operators looking to elevate their platforms.

The results of these efforts speak for themselves, with the group’s Scandinavian brand Betinia reporting strong growth in Q3 2024.

Denmark: active player numbers increased 129%, deposits increased 213% and GGR climbed 200%.
Sweden: active player numbers increased 85%, deposits increased 129% and GGR climbed 58%.

Soft2Bet SiGMA Speakers

Soft2Bet’s founder and CEO, Uri Poliavich, will deliver an exclusive Keynote on 12 November at 11:45 where he will update the market on his latest insights.

Senior executives will be joining key industry panels:

David Yatom Hay, General Counsel, will join a panel discussing the future of player protections in light of potential advertising bans in Northern Europe.
Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer, will lead a discussion on using collectables to enhance loyalty programmes and increase player retention.

Expansion and growth

Soft2Bet is rapidly expanding and holds more than 13 licences across nine different jurisdictions, while launches in Romania (Don.ro) and Ontario, Canada (Tooniebet), and upcoming expansions into Mexico, Greece and Nigeria demonstrate the company’s continued focus on growing its commercial and regulatory footprint.

Conferences in Europe

SiGMA Europe Summit Alert

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Endorphina is a B2B online slots provider based in Prague, Czech Republic. Up and running since 2012, we operate under the Malta License MGA and release at least 12 thrilling slots every year. In total, we have developed 90 games, including the popular over the world Golden Ox slot machines, Chance Machine 20, 2020 Hit slot, The Rise of AI, 100 Zombies, Buffalo 50, and many more. When it comes to fairness, Endorphina is known to be rigorously tested in 2019 by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to ensure consistent and proven behavior and mathematics.

Endorphina Slot Games

Endorphina games are executed in perfect modern graphics, with original music, thoughtful game elements and a set of exciting features, which make them stand out from the competition. There is a theme crafted for everyone, from old-time classic fruity slots to cultural highlights and to modern themes to keep up with the times. High rollers and beginners will find their favorite games with us at Endorphina. We’ve established ourselves on the market all games can be played on both desktops and mobile devices.

A 2020 wrap-up

In 2020, Endorphina has released 18 catchy games that have successfully caught the attention of users worldwide. As we usually release 12 games each year, 2020 was definitely a highlight as we released 6 more! More than 1,000 online casinos currently house Endorphina games and we have over 50 new affiliates around the world and counting.

As we put forth new games every month, we also love expanding and entering new markets. This past year in 2020, we entered the markets of Romania, Croatia, and Belarus. In the first quarter of 2021, we have successfully partnered with over 75 online casinos worldwide.

Main growth indicators

When it comes to growth overall in 2020, we’ve noticed an increase in Total Bets made by our players in euros (including Q1 of 2021).

There was also a handful of spin gains (total number of spins) as a percentage for the last year (including Q1 2021).

Conferences in Europe

Almost 200 Participants Grace European Gaming Congress 2024, as Organizers Already Plan Warsaw Return

Published

2 weeks ago

October 23, 2024

George Miller

Almost 200 Participants Grace European Gaming Congress 2024, as Organizers Already Plan Warsaw Return

Reading Time: 3 minutes

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!