Latest News
D-A-CH market in focus at CEEGC2019 Budapest, updates from Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Germany
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Mainly German-speaking region in focus at CEEGC2019 Budapest!
There has always been quite a stir when it comes to discussing the D-A-CH region at the European Gaming Media and Events organized conferences, however, this time it is different.
Germany:
The industry has seen lots of news coming out about the German gambling industry during the summer and among them is the report which showed that gambling advertising spend in Germany had increased 300% in last five years, but also PayPal’s Crackdown in Germany for transactions that are tied to online gambling.
In other news, the Regional Council of Darmstadt in the German state of Hesse has issued the guidelines to apply for sports betting license in the country.
As per the new guidelines, the gambling operators seeking licenses for online sports betting in Germany will have to show that they are not associated with online casino operators or affiliates offering online casino products to locals.
The guidelines explicitly mention that the licensed online gambling operators in Germany would not be allowed to “operate or broker unauthorized gambling in Germany, either themselves or through affiliated companies, once the license has been granted.”
Austria:
IWG – the award-winning supplier of online, instant win games – has been selected to supply the Austrian Lotteries (Österreichische Lotterien) with its portfolio of games.
Following the initial launch at win2day.at, the gaming site of the Austrian Lotteries, titles from IWG’s portfolio of over 100 games will be regularly added over the coming months giving players an alternative and unique playing experience.
Other news also mention that players in Austria have filed a lawsuit against the online casino websites, reclaiming the losses incurred over a period of past two and a half years. It is estimated that players who have filed the lawsuit lost sums to the tune of €3,000 over the past two and a half years.
OVWG, the Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling, said that the gambling operators would have to contest the lawsuit on their own. The lawsuit is filed against the gambling operators who were offering online gambling without having the necessary permits to operate in Austria.
Liechtenstein:
Casinos Austria International will open Liechtenstein’s second casino in the Pirandello business center in Schaanwald on 25 October.
Liechtenstein saw the opening of its first casino, operated by Admiral, part of the Novomatic group, in August this year.
Local newspaper Wiener Zeitung reported that businessman Wolfgang Egger planned to open a casino near the principality’s capital city of Vaduz after the entrepreneur won the constitutional monarchy’s initial public tender for a license.
Switzerland
On Friday 5th July 2019, jackpots.ch, the online brand of Grand Casino Baden became the first legal online casino to go live in Switzerland under the new regulatory framework. It was announced earlier this year that Grand Casino Baden had made a strategic move to secure its own online destiny by investing in Gamanza, a highly promising start-up with the capacity to build a world-class platform solution.
As mentioned above, there is more to talk about the D-A-CH region than ever before and we are excited to announce that the “D-A-CH regional update compliance panel discussion will be joined by leading experts such as Hannah Kennish (Legal and Regulatory Affairs Manager at Playtech), Jessica Maier, LLM (Partner at MELCHERS law firm) and Robert Toth (Key Account Manager at Global Bet).
The compliance panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Simon Planzer (Partner at PLANZER LAW), who is the key expert in the region when it comes to the gambling industry.
The 2019 edition of CEEGC Budapest takes place on the 24th of September at The Ritz-Carlton Budapest and welcomes some of the biggest names of the online and land-based gambling industry from all around Europe with an emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe, North America, D-A-CH region and the Balkans.
Make sure you take advantage of this unique opportunity of learning and networking with the gambling industry in the CEE and Balkans region via the CEEGC platform which is committed to bringing together industry shareholders and government officials from the region on a yearly base.
You can view the profiles speakers and moderator below:
Hannah Kennish – Legal and Regulatory Affairs Manager at Playtech
Hannah Kennish is a Legal and Regulatory Affairs Manager for Playtech, the gambling industry’s leading software and services supplier, which supports operators in over 25 regulated markets worldwide.
Since joining Playtech in 2018 Hannah has been responsible for all regulatory compliance matters in newly-regulated markets, including Switzerland, Sweden and is leading Playtech’s license applications in various states in the USA. Hannah also focuses on Playtech BGT Sports compliance, which includes retail sports betting operations in Austria and Germany.
Hannah has a master’s degree in International Business from the University of Edinburgh and a Master of Laws LL.M in International Corporate Legal Practice from the University of Law, London.
Jessica Maier, LLM – Partner at MELCHERS law firm
Jessica is a partner with MELCHERS law firm in Germany. She advises clients on all aspects of gambling law with a focus on regulation, licensing and compliance. She has been involved in regulatory due diligence reviews in the context of corporate acquisitions and provides strategic advice to her clients. Jessica is experienced in lobbying and regularly contributes to industry publications. She is a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) and Global Gaming Women (GGW).
Robert Toth – Key Account Manager at Global Bet
Robert Toth started in the iGaming industry more than 10 years ago. He joined Global Bet in 2012, where he was responsible for high profile customer accounts, during a period of considerable business growth. Currently, he is managing the company’s various aspects of business development, project coordination, and account management.
He has extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the gaming industry and his exceptional interpersonal skills enabled him to bring together his business experience from across all continents. As one of the pioneers in virtual gaming development, he is one of the few people in the industry with sufficient in-depth know-how regarding virtual sports-related matters.
The company he works for, Global Bet, is the biggest independent provider for virtual sports, with an in-house team of expert developers and award-winning 3d artists. With customers on all continents, Global Bet provides a fully customized Virtual Sports portfolio of more than 15 sports and number games. Global Bet offers a broad portfolio of games, including everything from Football and Tennis to Basketball, Horse and Greyhound races.
Dr. Simon Planzer – Partner at PLANZER LAW (panel moderator)
Dr. Simon Planzer is a partner at PLANZER LAW, a Zurich-based gaming law boutique.
PLANZER LAW’s team provides strategic, regulatory and legal advice to companies, regulators and other stakeholders across all areas of the gaming and entertainment industry.
The firm’s primary focus is on EU/EEA gaming law, compliance issues such as AML as well as Swiss gaming law and related commercial, corporate and financial matters.
Dr. Simon Planzer is General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law. An alumnus of the College of Europe, he specialised early on in EU affairs and gaming law, working at the EFTA Court, the legal service of the EFTA Secretariat and as research fellow in European business law.
Dr. Simon Planzer is the author of the monograph (PhD) ‘Empirical Views on European Gambling Law and Addiction’(2014) and the book chapter ‘Gambling Law’ in The Handbook of EEA Law (2016), both published by Springer International Publishing. Simon also works as a Lecturer in Law at the University of St.Gallen where he teaches European Economic Law. He studied and did research i.a. at Harvard University, the College of Europe and the European University Institute.
Dr. Simon Planzer, founding partner of PLANZER LAW has recently received the recognition from Chambers & Partners and has been listed as a global gaming law expert. Clients and firms across many practice areas and geographies have trusted Chambers’ research for nearly 30 years.
Dr. Simon Planzer, founder of Planzer Law, is endorsed by interviewees (Chambers & Partners) as “absolutely excellent” and “the top Swiss lawyer” for gaming. He is actively involved in the shaping of gaming regulations in Switzerland, regularly interacting with the authorities, as well as providing regulatory advice to private clients. Based in Zürich, he is additionally active representing fantasy sports companies.
Browse the official event website for more details: www.ceegc.eu
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: D-A-CH market in focus at CEEGC2019 Budapest, updates from Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Germany
Latest News
BETBY TAKES CENTER STAGE AT NEXT SUMMIT VALLETTA WITH A STANDOUT APPEARANCE BY MAGNUS CARLSEN
From the 7th to the 8th of May, the Mediterranean Conference Center in Valletta, Malta, transformed into the global hub of iGaming innovation at NEXT Summit Valletta, and BETBY made a memorable mark with a powerful blend of star power, strategic thought leadership, and engaging tournament action.
The highlight of BETBY’s presence was the appearance of Magnus Carlsen, five-time World Chess Champion and BETBY’s global brand ambassador, who captivated the audience as the headline speaker of the summit. In an exclusive fireside chat titled “iGaming Chess World Championships – Hosted by Magnus Carlsen & BETBY,” Carlsen joined NEXT.io co-founder and managing-director Pierre Lindh on stage to explore the synergies between chess, poker, and iGaming. The chess GOAT shared personal reflections on his journey from prodigy to world champion, discussed how strategic thinking shaped his mindset, and drew parallels between classic board games and modern betting dynamics, offering a unique perspective that resonated deeply with both chess lovers and iGaming professionals.
Magnus Carlsen’s keynote was followed by a thrilling showpiece: a blindfold chess match against the winner of the inaugural iGaming World Chess Championship, a tournament hosted by BETBY in partnership with the Malta Chess Federation. Open to all delegates, the tournament offered a rare opportunity to go head-to-head in a high-stakes strategic challenge, with the once-in-a-lifetime prize being a live match against Carlsen himself. The tournament underscored BETBY’s commitment to creativity, innovation, and connecting gaming communities in new and exciting ways.
Continuing its thought leadership momentum, BETBY’s Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Nikolopoulos, took the stage on the second day of the event, contributing to a high-level panel discussion titled “LATAM – A flash in the pan or a long-term powerhouse?” Sharing the stage with fellow industry leaders, Nikolopoulos provided insights on the evolving dynamics of Latin America’s iGaming market. Topics included Brazil’s standout role, the growth potential in Colombia and Peru, and strategies for balancing short-term success with long-term sustainability. His participation cemented BETBY’s position as a key voice in the global conversation about emerging market opportunities and investment strategies.
NEXT Summit Valletta 2025 was a celebration of innovation, connection, and cross-industry creativity, with BETBY standing at the heart of it all. From inspiring keynotes and a groundbreaking tournament to meaningful conversations and strategic insights with both existing and potential partners, the event reinforced BETBY’s position as a bold, forward-thinking leader in the iGaming industry.
The post BETBY TAKES CENTER STAGE AT NEXT SUMMIT VALLETTA WITH A STANDOUT APPEARANCE BY MAGNUS CARLSEN appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SolutionsHub is pleased to announce the promotion of Zita O’Kelly-Hills to Head of Operations, a leadership role central to delivering operational efficiency and scalable business infrastructure across its expanding portfolio.
A former legal professional, Zita brings a unique combination of expertise, operational insight, and leadership maturity to the role. Since joining SolutionsHub, she has steadily expanded her remit—taking on increasingly complex responsibilities in areas such as treasury, governance, and regulatory coordination. Her promotion recognises her significant contributions and the critical role of operations in SolutionsHub’s continued growth.
As Head of Operations, Zita will oversee the day-to-day functioning of the group and lead the refinement of internal systems and processes, while ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives set by the Board.
Zita’s background in legal services informs her disciplined, process-oriented approach, while her aptitude for optimising workflows and driving cross-functional collaboration has already resulted in meaningful improvements to the company’s internal efficiency and governance capabilities. In addition to overseeing essential operational functions, she continues to play a key role in supporting clients with complex governance requirements.
“Zita’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for SolutionsHub,” said Nick Wright, Chief Operating Officer. “Her attention to detail, governance expertise, and ability to bring structure to fast-moving environments make her an invaluable part of our leadership team. This promotion not only recognises her past performance but underscores the central role operations plays in keeping SolutionsHub agile, compliant, and future-focused.
It strengthens our operational foundation and positions us to support growth across both established and emerging service areas.”
The post SolutionsHub Promotes Zita O’Kelly-Hills to Head of Operations Amid Continued Growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Gaming in Holland Conference, which will take place June 5 in Amsterdam, has added several new speakers to its agenda.
Björn Fuchs, newly appointed Chair of VNLOK, and Henry Meijdam, who heads the VAN Kansspelen trade association, will both make an appearance at the event.
Fuchs and Meijdam join an impressive speaker lineup that includes Arjan Blok, CEO of Nederlandse Loterij; Renske Fikkers, Head of Market Supervision at the Netherlands Gambling Authority; and Henk Willem Smits, investigative reporter at Follow the Money.
Additionally, we are happy to welcome as our special guest former NOGA Chair, Peter-Paul de Goeij, who has promised to offer a no-holds-barred reflection on the (in)efficacy of Dutch gambling regulation.
Finally, we are extremely pleased to announce that Rohan Tare, Head of IT Customer Interaction at ABN AMRO, will discuss the growing threat of AI-supported identity fraud – a topic that is highly relevant for any business dependent on remote customer interaction.
The full agenda is available here.
Willem van Oort, Founder of Gaming in Holland, commented: “We are extremely pleased with our current speaker lineup. All key stakeholders and decision makers in the Dutch gambling industry will be represented at our event. As always, the Gaming in Holland Conference will is the best place to meet the people who matter in the Dutch regulated market. Moreover, we have taken the utmost care to ensure that all relevant developments and topics will be addressed at our conference. We almost can’t wait for our event to kick off!”
Breakout sessions and networking opportunities
In addition to our main program, the Gaming in Holland Conference also features several highly practical breakout sessions. Check out the full agenda for more information.
Furthermore, the Gaming in Holland Conference also offers plenty of networking opportunities during coffee breaks, lunch, and our traditional boat tour through Amsterdam’s picturesque canals.
Last but not least, the award ceremony of the Dutch Online Casino of the Year Awards will take place during the Gaming in Holland networking drinks at Holland Casino Amsterdam. All GiH Conference attendees are cordially invited to attend the festivities!
Pre-conference workshops & drinks
The GiH Conference includes free admittance to two certificate-granting workshops, which are generously provided by Chevron Consultants.
Workshop #1 is titled “Establishing a learning and training culture in your company with an LMS” and discusses the proper implementation and benefits of a Learning Management System.
Workshop #2 is titled “Compliance performance audits” and will teach participants how to structure audits in line with ISO 19011 and how to evaluate the performance of compliance procedures.
Both workshops will take place on June 4 – the day prior to the main event – and are free to attend for paying GiH Conference attendees.
Finally, all conference attendees are invited to join us for informal drinks and traditional Dutch “bitterballen” at Café Bistro Rijnbar in Amsterdam on June 4, from 19:00 until late. The first round is on us!
Registration now open
Registration for the Gaming in Holland Conference is now open. Don’t miss it! Register today: https://bit.ly/GiHC2025.
The post Gaming in Holland Conference announces new speakers, pre-conference program appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
BETBY TAKES CENTER STAGE AT NEXT SUMMIT VALLETTA WITH A STANDOUT APPEARANCE BY MAGNUS CARLSEN
SolutionsHub Promotes Zita O’Kelly-Hills to Head of Operations Amid Continued Growth
Gaming in Holland Conference announces new speakers, pre-conference program
Ines Ledo, BetBrothers: “Our Content Philosophy Is Built on Quality, Value, and Responsibility”
Soft2Bet, Betinia & Campobet Shortlisted for 12 EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025
iQOO Neo 10 Named Title Sponsor of the Skyesports Championship 2025 BGMI Grand Finals
Esports World Cup Foundation Welcomes OBSBOT as Official Camera and Webcam Partner for Esports World Cup 2025
Casino Kings Celebrates Double Nomination at the AffPapa iGaming Awards 2025
MAKE AGENCY INCREASES SPORTS BETTING AND iGAMING POSITION WITH STRATEGIC ACQUISITION OF INDUSTRY SPECIALIST TWO-UP
AOJND and FEDBET to Appoint Expert Task Force to Support ONJN in Combating the Illegal Gambling Market
-
Latest News1 month agoExclusive Q&A With Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame
-
Latest News1 month ago
SARA TENDULKAR JOINS JETSYNTHESYS’ GLOBAL E-CRICKET PREMIER LEAGUE AS MUMBAI FRANCHISE OWNER FOR SEASON 2
-
Latest News3 weeks agoWeek 17/2025 slot games releases
-
Latest News3 weeks agoFortuna Partners with 2025 UEFA Under-21 EURO
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
Esports World Cup Foundation Confirms Full Game Lineup, Schedule, and Club Championship Rules for EWC 2025
-
Latest News6 days agoELA Games Receives Key Nomination at EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards
-
Latest News1 month ago
DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
ACR POKER’S NEXT HIGH STAKES ADVENTURE TAKES PLAYERS TO MONTENEGRO FOR PRESTIGIOUS SUPER HIGH ROLLER SERIES
You must be logged in to post a comment Login