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Post-Event: The Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Summit and Awards (MARE BALTICUM) sets a precedent in the region
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The second edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit took place on the 9th of May in Vilnius and has set a precedent in the region, being confirmed as the only quality conference in the region that gathers a high number of delegates and provides quality content about the Baltic and Scandinavian region.
The 2019 edition of the conference gathered +100 industry stakeholders and managed to almost double the size of the inaugural event which was held in Riga in 2018.
With this occasion, we would like to thank the supporting sponsors of the unique boutique style conference and the praises go to:
- NetEnt– Main Stage Sponsor
- Tom Horn Gaming – Silver Sponsor
- SBTech– Lanyards Sponsor
- NSoft– General Sponsor
- Play’n GO – General Sponsor
- Ondato – General Sponsor
- Tal Ron, Drihem and Co. Law Firm– Legal and Banking Sponsor
- PLANZER LAW, Zurich– European Regulatory Sponsor
- Hyperon Tech– Technological Sponsor
- BETEGY– Technological Sponsor
- ConnectPay – Payments Sponsor
The agenda of the conference included several panel discussions, an exclusive IMGL MasterClass, unique and informative keynote presentations, a fireside chat, several networking opportunities and last but not least the inaugural BSG Awards (Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Awards) which rewarded the top 21 companies from the Baltic Sea region for their hard work.
The attending delegates had the unique opportunity to hear the recent updates and enjoy network sessions with some of the leading names of the industry. You can find the full list of speakers below at the end of the press release!
The audio recordings of the panel discussions and videos will are available for European Gaming PREMIUM Members.
“MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit 2019 in Vilnius was a great opportunity for us to meet new friends and grow our family in the Baltic and Scandinavian region. We are so happy to see that the MARE BALTICUM series has been taken as a breath of fresh air by the industry and the 2019 edition consolidates our footprint in the region as a key event and source of information. We would also like to congratulate the winners of the inaugural BSG Awards and we will be back in 2020 with an even bigger and more interactive conference.” stated Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder, Co-Owner and Head of Business at European Gaming Media and Events.
You can view the full official image gallery on the following link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/165468093@N04/albums/72157691440842943
BSG Awards 2019 – The Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Awards
The inaugural Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Awards (BSG Awards) was be held during the second edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit and rewarded the hard work of companies (gaming software suppliers, operators and service providers) that are active in the Baltic and Scandinavian region.
The official list of winners can be found below:
- B2B Providers (Sports): Best eSports Service Provider in the Baltics 2019 – UltraPlay
- B2B Providers (Sports): Best eSports Service Provider in the Nordics 2019 – Sportradar
- B2B Providers (Sports): Best Fantasy Sports / Virtual Sports Provider in the Baltics 2019 – Golden Race
- B2B Providers (Sports): Best Fantasy Sports / Virtual Sports Provider in the Nordics 2019 – NSoft
- Casino Operators: Best Online Casino in the Baltics 2019 – Optibet
- Casino Operators: Best Online Casino in the Nordics 2019 – Betsson
- Sportsbetting Operators: Best Sports Betting Operator in the Baltics 2019 – Tonybet
- Sportsbetting Operators: Best Sports Betting Operator in the Nordics 2019 – Bet365
- B2B Providers (Sports): Rising Star in Baltic Sports Betting Technology 2019 – Inplaynet
- B2B Providers (Sports): Best Sports Betting Innovation in the Baltics 2019 – BetConstruct
- B2B Providers (Sports): Best Sports Betting Provider in the Baltics 2019 – SBTech
- B2B Providers (Casino): Best Online Casino Provider in the Baltics 2019 – SoftGamings
- B2B Providers (Casino): Best Online Casino Innovator in the Baltics 2019 – Tom Horn Gaming
- B2B Providers (Casino): Rising Star in Baltic Online Casino Technology 2019 – Tom Horn Gaming
- Connected Services – Payment Providers: Best Payment Service Provider in the Baltics 2019 – ConnectPay
- B2B Providers (Sports): Rising Star in Nordic Sports Betting Technology 2019 – Altenar
- B2B Providers (Sports): Best Sports Betting Innovation in the Nordics 2019 – BetConstruct
- B2B Providers (Sports): Best Sports Betting Provider in the Nordics 2019 – SBTech
- B2B Providers (Casino): Best Online Casino Provider in the Nordics 2019 – NetEnt
- B2B Providers (Casino): Best Online Casino Innovator in the Nordics 2019 – Play’n GO
- Connected Services – Payment Providers: Best Payment Service Provider in the Nordics 2019 – Trustly
Make sure to also subscribe to the social media channels of the conference for continuous updates regarding the 2020 event: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram
The 2020 edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit will be held in one of the following two destinations, Tallinn (Estonia) or Copenhagen (Denmark), based on a final surveying and strategy setting.
The team is already working hard on our next events and we look forward to seeing you in Budapest at CEEGC & CEEG Awards and in Milan at European Gaming Congress!
Here are a few of the testimonials that have left by the attending delegates of the 2019 edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit:
Anastasios (Tassos) Panagiotaros (Sales Director at Golden Race – Virtual Sports & Betting Solutions):
“MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit reconfirmed the Organizers’ efficacy, to bring together the region’s main stakeholders, for structured and multi-faceted interactive discussions. In parallel to the educational aspect, though, it offered the chance of personalized networking, in a relaxed and unpretentious way. I look already forward to the next edition!”
Ineta Mačinskienė (Head of Sales at ConnectPay):
“MBGS is focused on people looking for collaboration with well-known companies in the Gaming industry.”
Lyubomira Petrova (Chief Marketing Officer at UltraPlay):
“I had the pleasure to speak at Mare Balticum Gaming Summit and present why eSports is going to play a key role in the gambling industry in 2020 and beyond. Discussing what the future holds for the industry, we see the tremendous growth of eSports and its importance in terms of betting and player’s engagement.”
Margo Prylypska (Director of International Sales at Hyperion Tech):
“We would like to thank Zoltan and Betty for another great event! The organization was at a very high level, great timing and amazing people attending the event! It is definitely the best place to meet good old friends and partners, as well as find new ones and of course, get insights about things happening in the iGaming industry!”
Jaka Repanšek (Media and Gaming Expert):
“Great event. Great timing. Great location.”
Domenico Mazzola (Commercial Director at Altenar):
“MBGS was a pearl in the sea of so many conferences around the world. Such interesting panels! Zoltan and Betty did a great job inviting so many relevant people from the industry, regulators, and from governments putting all of them together to discuss regulations, exchanging ideas, and solutions on how different countries regulate the gambling sector. A must-attend event!”
Kristina Bučinskaitė (Customer Experience Manager at ConnectPay):
“Well organized, industry-focused event. It is a great opportunity to connect with potential clients, partners and create valuable business relationships. Looking forward to the next year!”
Agnė Galvelytė (Head of Legal and Compliance at Matching Visions):
“Great conference, bringing together regulators, legal specialists, and igaming business professionals. Perfect opportunity to catch up with the latest developments in the region and the industry.”
Dainis Niedra (Regional Director Baltics at Enlabs – Optibet):
“This is a very nice initiative to create and develop such kind of event in the Baltic countries. By working together and establishing a strong base no matter is it compliance or marketing, we build the right environment for the future development of the business and society.
Baltics are small but at the same time are very different in many aspects. It’s becoming challenging to replicate the previous experience in the new markets and such events are here to help us. Organizational wise – on a very high level. It’s hard to say where did we benefit more – from the main event of from the networking parts.”
Sara Urbanovicova (Chief Commercial Officer at Tom Horn Gaming):
“This is a fantastic event and it is sure to establish itself as a must-attend conference in the diary for the online gaming community. Its Baltic and Scandinavian focus, with a careful selection of high-quality speakers on the panels, an amazing location, organizers’ dedication to creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, make it a one-of-a-kind event that proved to be really productive for us. We’re sure to return next year!”
Andrius Gabnys (founding attorney at Gabnys Law Firm, Ambassador of the MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit):
“MBGS2 was literally a very pleasing event. Both content-wise and visually. It’s one of those examples when you can feel it goes smooth throughout the whole event, where the interest of the audience is not lost somewhere in the middle, and you don’t find yourself waiting for something else, other than what is happening on stage. It’s where the organizational talent of Zoltan and Betty really kicks in. This second edition proves that the idea of having the Baltics and Scandinavia in a single event is spot on. It was a pleasure to serve as an ambassador of this event and already looking forward to the third edition.”
Andrius Čepkus (Chief Business Development Officer at Ondato):
„The event was very well organized. Especially networking breaks and how participants were seated, which opened many new networking and business opportunities. The content was very up to date and valuable. Thanks again for the great experience!“
The lectures and industry insight during the conference were given by:
Lolita Sumskaite (Head of Unit at Ministry of Finance, Lithuania), Rūta Giedrienė (Gaming Control Authority, Lithuania), Kaido Ulejev (Managing Director Baltics at Betsson Group), Karolis Gogaitis (General Manager at CBet.lt), Zlatan Omerspahić (Data Protection and Compliance Lawyer at NSoft), Robert Toth (Key Account Manager at Global Bet), Lyubomira Petrova (Chief Marketing Officer at UltraPlay), Signe Birne (Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of the Republic of Latvia), Taivo Põrk (Ministry of Finance, Estonia), Linda Reneslāce (Associate at law firm Sorainen), Viktorija Antanaviciute (Managing Director at TonyBet), Margo Prylypska (Director of International Sales, Hyperion), Eduard Rogov (CMO at Quints.io), Paul Plewman (COO at CurrencyTransfer.com), Dr. Simon Planzer (Partner at PLANZER LAW, Zurich), Birgitte Sand (Director of the Danish Gambling Authority), Morten Ronde (CEO at Danish Online Gambling Association and Managing Partner at Nordic Gambling), Sissel Weitzhandler (Group Compliance Manager at Play’n GO), Gustaf Hoffstedt (General Secretary at the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling), Rolf Sims (Public Affairs Manager for Kindred Group in Norway and Board Chairman of the newly formed Norwegian Trade Association for Online Gambling Companies), Alex Kornilov (CEO & Founder at BETEGY), Bogdan Coman (Executive Director at Rombet), Martin Arendts (Founder of ARENDTS ANWAELTE), Julia Kotanko (Associate with Dr. Christian Rapani).
Special gratitude is also extended to the panel moderators for keeping the discussions flowing and educative:
Andrius Gabnys (Founder at Gabnys Law Firm), Jaka Repanšek (Media and Gaming Expert), Tal Itzhak Ron (Chairman & CEO at Tal Ron, Drihem & Co., Law Firm), Pieter Remmers (CEO at Assissa), and last but not least, Dr. Joerg Hofmann (Partner, MELCHERS LAW).
For further inquiries about the 2020 edition of MARE BALTICUM Gaming Summit, speaking/attending/sponsoring options, make sure to send an e-mail to [email protected] or subscribe to the weekly newsletter on the following link.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Post-Event: The Baltic and Scandinavian Gaming Summit and Awards (MARE BALTICUM) sets a precedent in the region
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.
The Full Story
Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.
The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.
Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.
Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.
The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.
The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.
Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:
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Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
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Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
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Player’s Pick Award.
Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:
“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”
The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.
The Full Story
Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.
The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”
The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:
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Plinko
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Mines
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Tower
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Limbo
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Crash
Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.
Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.
Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:
“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”
Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.
The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.
The Full Story
Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.
Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.
The Commercial Deal
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SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
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The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.
A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.
Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:
“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”
Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:
“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”
The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year:
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9th Jan: Wolverhampton
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6th Feb: Newcastle
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20th Feb: Southwell
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20th March: Wolverhampton
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27th March: Newcastle
The post Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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