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Gaming in Central and Eastern Europe in focus at #EGC2020VE with +10 industry experts from the region
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Central and Eastern Europe in focus at European Gaming Congress VE (Virtual Edition).
#EGC2020ve – The CEE gaming industry has been in the highlights of many media outlets and believe it or not there is always something big happening in this region.
In the Czech Republic: Just one week ago, Czech Lawmakers have voted in favor of a new decree to ban all electronic and mechanical gaming machines in the Czech capital. The decree awaits a nod from the city council.
If it gets the council’s approval, it will mean the end of all legal slot machines and video lottery terminals in the Czech capital once the current licensing period completes in 2024.
In Austria: The Austrian Financial Police have carried out a total of 278 inspections on suspected black-market gambling venues since January, resulting in the confiscation of over 660 gaming machines. Over half of the seized machines were found in Vienna, the capital city of Austria.
In a statement issued on July 28, Austria’s financial police set out the progress it has made this year towards a reduction in illegal gambling in the country. It made clear that the majority of illegal gambling activity is taking place in larger urban centers such as Vienna and Linz.
In rural areas, illegal gambling has been largely reduced – for example, in the states of Burgenland, Styria and Vorarlberg combined, only two devices have been found since January.
In Poland: The new figures published by Poland’s finance ministry have revealed that while the gambling revenue decline for the year to date, newly regulated products helped mitigate the falls in online betting and land-based gaming.
The gross gaming yield projections provided by H2 Gambling Capital revealed that the total for the year to June 11 is expected to fall 9.5% from 2019’s figures. This is significantly lower than the 19.6% decline projected across all EU markets.
Poland’s lower projected decline was due to the development of newly regulated verticals such as online casinos and land-based arcades. Online casino revenue grew 96.7% for the year to June 11, aided by growth from Totalizator Sportowy’s Total Casino site.
Also in Poland, ace football striker Robert Lewandowski has signed an investment deal with Movie Games, in a Polish manufacturer of sports-related video games, which has gained publicity during the coronavirus lockdown.
According to Movie Games, Lewandowski will become a shareholder in a company that is going to be started in launched by September to develop sports video games.
Lewandowski said in a statement released by Movie Games: “I see a huge potential in this segment.”
In Bulgaria: The National Revenue Agency (NRA) has officially assumed the power of regulating the gambling industry in Bulgaria. The country’s National Assembly passed a resolution to this effect last month. It replaces the State Commission on Gambling (SCG).
NRA Director Galya Dimitrova, who has the option to nominate a deputy to oversee the regulated gaming market, will be in charge of all proceedings.
The previous licenses will remain valid until they expire. NRA will process license applications and renewals within six months.
SGC was dismantled from the gambling regulation responsibility following several scandals, leading to the resignation of Chairman Alexander Georgiev in February after he was questioned in connection to an investigation into Vasil Bozhkov, owner of Bulgaria’s oldest betting operator, Eurofootball.
The is plenty of news to share about the Hungarian, Slovakian and Romanian gambling industry as well, but we will leave that to the professionals who will join the 3 special panel discussions at the virtual edition of European Gaming Congress 2020.
The virtual edition of European Gaming Congress 2020 is taking place between 6-7 October and gathers top names of the gaming industry who will present their insights to create Europe’s largest gaming compliance gathering.
THE EASY AND FREE REGISTRATION PROCESS IS SPONSORED BY ALTENAR AND YOU CAN REGISTER FOR FREE HERE!
The conference will cover +28 jurisdictions and you have the opportunity to dive into quality information about the CEE region via 3 special panels.
The “GAMING REPORT: CENTRAL EUROPE (PART ONE)” panel discussion will focus on the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. The discussion will be moderated by Jakub Kolomicenko (Head of the legal department at Endorphina) and will be joined by Jan Rehola (Director at IFGR and Partner at PS Legal), Ewa Lejman-Widz (Head of Polish Desk at WH Partners), Anna Wietrzyńska-Ciołkowska (Legal advisor, Local Partner at DWF Poland), Jakub Myszkorowski (Chief Commercial Officer at STATSCORE) and Dr. Robert Skalina (Senior Advisor at WH Partners).
The “GAMING REPORT: CENTRAL EUROPE (PART TWO)” panel discussion will focus on Hungary and Slovenia under the moderation of Dr. Robert Skalina (Senior Advisor at WH Partners).
The discussion will be joined by Helembai Gabor (Attorney-at-law at Bird & Bird Hungary) and Jaka Repansek (Media and Gaming Expert, Partner at Hipther Agency).
The third panel discussion is going to focus on the updates from Romania and Bulgari and is titled “GAMING REPORT: EASTERN EUROPE”.
The discussion will be moderated by Ana-Maria Baciu (Managing Partner Simion & Baciu Law Firm) and will be joined by Dan Iliovici (Vice President of ROMBET – Romanian Gambling Organizers’ Association) and Georgi Dimitrov (Legal counsel at EGT Interactive Ltd).
You can find more details about the speakers’ and moderator bios below.
AS MENTIONED ABOVE THE EASY AND FREE REGISTRATION PROCESS IS SPONSORED BY ALTENAR AND YOU CAN REGISTER HERE NOW!
The HIPTHER FESTIVAL includes a full week of conferences that are designed to bring together innovation with compliance via several talks and discussions in multiple industries and will run between 5-9 October.
The festival includes the following conferences:
- PICANTE Marketing Summit (#MS2020ve) – 5 October
- European Gaming Congress (#EGC2020ve) – 6-7 October
- PICANTE TECH Conference Europe (#TCE2020AutumnVE) – 8-9 October
The registration is free and you can attend all three conferences with just one registration!
You can find more details about the Agenda here or you can register here!
For further inquiries about the speaking/sponsoring options, make sure to send an e-mail to Andrada Marginean (B2B Sales Executive at Hipther Agency) or subscribe to the weekly newsletter on the following link.
For media-related inquiries, please contact Alexandru Marginean (Marketing Specialist at Hipther Agency).
Ana-Maria Baciu – Managing Partner Simion & Baciu Law Firm
Ana-Maria Baciu is a regulatory and intellectual property lawyer, assisting clients in various industries, including gambling, IT, e-commerce or pharmaceuticals, for more than 20 years.
In the gaming field, Ana-Maria has been guiding betting & gaming companies, solution providers, marketing affiliates, other companies with an interest in this sector and industry-relevant associations, on the full range of regulatory and operational gaming aspects.
Ewa Lejman-Widz – Head of Polish Desk at WH Partners
Ewa is heading the Polish Desk of WH Partners as part of the strategic partnership under the WH Partners brand with Izabella Żyglicka and Partners, a very well reputed full-service law firm in Poland and a member of Ally Law.
Ewa is a business lawyer with over 12 years of experience. She assists clients on matters related to gaming and gambling, contract law, M&A and IT service market law.
Anna Wietrzyńska-Ciołkowska – Legal advisor, Local Partner at DWF Poland
Anna Wietrzyńska-Ciołkowska is a corporate lawyer dealing with M&A transactions focused on the gambling and insurance sectors.
She advises clients from the gambling sector on setting up a business and obtaining a permit to run a gambling business in Poland, providing gambling services to Polish residents from other jurisdictions, organising promotional lotteries, organising betting transactions, distributing gaming machines, gambling components in computer games or lotteries, acquiring gambling companies and structuring cooperation between partners in such companies, outsourcing of gambling functions, restrictions on making payments or advertising activities in gambling, as well as matters related to gambling tax.
Jan Řehola – Director at IFGR and Partner at PS Legal
Jan Řehola has over eight years of experience in the gambling field, both from the public and private sector.
He holds a Master’s of Law from Charles University in Prague. Jan worked for four years for the Ministry of Finance – the Czech gambling regulator; firstly, as a Head of the Legal Unit and later, as a Director of Gambling Department. In his work for the Czech gambling regulator, Jan was responsible for all gambling policy issues, including the drafting of new legislation, the issuing of gambling licenses and cooperation with other European regulators as a member of the European Commission Expert Group on Online Gambling.
After leaving the Ministry of Finance in 2014, Jan became a member of Petroš Sedláčková Legal and co-founder of the consultancy company BetOnSkill Consulting, a full-service international gaming consultancy.
Georgi Dimitrov – Legal Counsel / Compliance Manager at EGT Interactive
Georgi Dimitrov is a legal counsel at EGT Interactive Ltd., with a focus on legal, regulatory and technical compliance matters related to the iGaming industry. He specializes in international gambling regulation and provides guidance on licensing and certification frameworks, policy drafting, and compliance processes. His line of work involves communication with focal stakeholders in the business such as testing labs, regulators and operators.
Gábor Helembai – Senior Associate at Bird & Bird Budapest
Gábor is a Senior Associate in the Corporate and Commercial teams in the Budapest office of Bird & Bird. He advises on both domestic and cross-border transactions and investments in various industries. He has a special sector focus on gaming/betting, advising major online and land-based operators, and slot machine manufacturers on regulatory matters.
Dan Iliovici – Vice President of ROMBET – Romanian Gambling Organizers’ Association
Dan Iliovici is the Vice President of ROMBET – Romanian Gambling Organizers’ Association, one of the most important associations of the industry.
With rich experience in the gambling industry, former President of the Romanian gambling regulator – The National Gambling Office.
Dr. Robert Skalina – Senior Advisor at WH Partners
Robert Skalina is a Czech Advocate as well as a Registered European Lawyer in Malta. He is based in Prague and works in Malta regularly.
He is a financial service and corporate lawyer and provides advice to a wide range of investment managers, advisors and funds, including private equity and hedge funds. Robert also regularly advises clients in the gaming/gambling industries and has vast experience in the area of mergers and acquisitions and complex cross border transactions.
Jakub Myszkorowski – Chief Commercial Officer at STATSCORE
With more than 10 years of experience in the professional sport and betting industries, Jakub is now leading the Sales and Marketing operations at STATSCORE, a Polish company aiming at becoming the Biggest Sports Data Center in the world.
As a former football UEFA A coach and soccer performance analyst, he merges the best sports practices into managing the staff.
Jaka Repanšek – Media and Gaming Expert, Partner at Hipther Agency
Jaka has worked for various TIME (Telecom, Internet, Media, Entertainment) companies since 1996. He is recognized as one of the leading experts on gaming, media and digital law in Slovenia. Jaka graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia and gained his graduate degree from Cambridge University in England and Faculty of Law in Ljubljana (Diploma in European Community Law) and completed two-year MBA graduate studies at the University of Kansas in the USA.
Jakub Kolomicenko – Head of the legal department at Endorphina
Jakub Kolomicenko started his practice as a corporate lawyer and member of the Czech Bar Association but then he changed his focus and as an in-house counsel specializes in IP law and all aspects of gaming law
He is currently the Head of the legal department at Endorphina and works with a team that consists of highly qualified international professionals with many years of experience in online casino games creation.
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: Gaming in Central and Eastern Europe in focus at #EGC2020VE with +10 industry experts from the region
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday 29 November, when Red Bull’s one-of-a-kind League of Legends tournament ‘Red Bull League of Its Own’ is set to make its grand return.
Taking place in the iconic SAP Garden in Munich, reigning champions and esport titans T1, along with some of Europe’s most celebrated teams – G2 Esports, Karmine Corp, NNO Old and Los Ratones, will go head-to-head in an unmissable end-of-year showdown.
Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 is set to light up Munich’s SAP Garden, turning the state-of-the-art arena into an electrifying esports stage in the heart of Olympic Park. 11,500 fans will fill the stands, with countless more watching online, as international icons and Europe’s elite face-off in this year’s ultimate League of Legends clash. Red Bull League of Its Own is all about pushing the action to the limit, delivering high-energy matchups, unexpected twists, and the possibility of mixed rosters that keep every game fresh. All matchups will be played in a Ultimate Fearless best-of-1 format, keeping every game high-stakes and unpredictable.
The 2024 Red Bull League of Its Own delivered an unforgettable spectacle in Paris’ Accor Arena as T1 swapped roles, Los Ratones stunned after causing an upset, and Rekkles made a triumphant reunion on stage. This year’s edition aims to raise the bar even higher, promising elevated competition and moments that will captivate the global League community once again.
Returning as the official Monitor Partner for 2025, AGON by AOC will once again deliver high-performance gaming monitors to ensure contestants get the ultimate gaming experience. Razer makes its debut as the official Chair Partner of Red Bull League of Its Own, bringing the Razer Iskur V2 – an ergonomic chair built for comfort, durability, and focus – to keep players at their best throughout every match. MSI also joins as the official Gaming PC and Laptop Partner, while KFC comes on board for the first time as an event partner.
With record viewership last year, Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 promises unforgettable clashes, daring strategies, and moments fans will talk about long after the final match.
See below for full event details, timings, and where to watch.
Schedule:
- -15:00 CET – Opening Ceremony
- -15:15 CET – G2 Esports vs NNO Old
- -16:00 CET – Los Ratones vs Karmine Corp
- -17:00 CET – G2 Esports vc Karmine Corp
- -18:00 CET – T1 vs Match 3 Winner
- -19:00 CET – T1 vs NNO Old
- -20:00 CET – T1 vs Los Ratones
Talent:
- -Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere – Host
- -Keltoum “Giniro” Baddaje – Host
- -Robert “Dagda” Price – Caster
- -Aaron “Medic” Chamberlain – Caster
- -Joe “Munchables” Fenny – Caster
- -Daniel “Aux” Harrison – Caster
- -Jona “JustJohnny” Schmitt – MC
- -René “MasterPlay” Geigenberger – MC
On-Site Streamers:
- -Caedrel
- -Kameto
- -NNO Old (NoWay, Tolkin, Agurin, Karni, and Broeli)
- -Ilha das Lendas (Baiano, Tay, Brucer, and Pedro Bosco)
Where To Watch:
- -Fans can tune in to Red Bull Gaming’s YouTube and Twitch channels at 3 PM (UTC+1).
- -YouTube: youtube.com/live/mNV9ZU_YunA
- -Twitch: twitch.tv/redbull
The post Legends Collide and the Stage Ignites at Red Bull League of its Own 2025, Munich appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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1xBet has signed a partnership with the VALORANT roster of esports powerhouse MIBR, becoming the first-ever official betting partner in the Riot Games ecosystem.
Under this partnership, 1xBet and MIBR will focus on creating a new, immersive fan experience, strengthening the team’s global fanbase, and boosting overall engagement with VALORANT.
MIBR’s VALORANT roster currently includes players from the United States and Brazil. Over the past few years, the team has been a regular competitor in VCT Americas, and in 2025 they qualified for VALORANT Masters Toronto — the only Latin American team to do so. Later that year, MIBR also earned a spot at VALORANT Champions 2025, finishing in the Top 5 worldwide.
Beyond their esports success, MIBR continues to expand its media presence through collaborations with leading Brazilian influencers such as Sacy, producing original entertainment content, and hosting watch parties during major tournaments — all helping the organization remain one of the most talked-about and fan-favorite names on the regional scene.
Among the team’s stars is Erick ‘Aspas’ Santos, widely regarded as a VALORANT legend in Latin America. In 2025, he set the VCT Americas record for the most kills in a BO3 series and became the first player in VALORANT Champions history to surpass 1,000 kills across tournaments (2022–2024). Outside of competition, Aspas is a three-time Prêmio eSports Brasil “Athlete of the Year” winner and a massive fan favorite — during VCT Americas 2024 Kickoff, he became the most-mentioned player on Twitch chats, with over 11,300 mentions.
1xBet is one of the most recognized brands in esports betting, regularly supporting major global tournaments and sponsoring top-tier teams around the world.
Simon Westbury, Strategic Advisor at 1xBet: “This is a historic step for 1xBet — becoming the first official betting partner of an esports team within the Riot Games ecosystem. MIBR features some of the most talented and visible players in Latin America, and together we aim to strengthen VALORANT’s presence across the LATAM region, elevate its appeal internationally, and deliver a unique fan experience for audiences around the globe.”
Raphael Castanheira, MIBR’s Director of Marketing and Partnerships: “Being the first organization in the entire Riot ecosystem to obtain approval for a betting sponsorship is a direct result of how MIBR operates today, as an organized company with robust governance, clear processes, and protected by policies that put competitive integrity at the forefront. ”
The post 1xBet Becomes the First Official Betting Partner of MIBR’s VALORANT Team appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ComeOn Group climbs to 21st place in the EGR Global Power 50 following a year of strategic growth
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Leading iGaming operator ComeOn Group has secured the 21st position in the 2025 EGR Power 50 rankings, reflecting a year defined by expansion, product innovation, and strengthened regulatory presence across Europe.
In 2025, the Group broadened its footprint in the regulated European markets with the launch of its casino-first brand Casinostuen in Denmark. The Group also advanced its activities in the Netherlands through the operation of Evoke’s 888 brand within the regulated Dutch market.
ComeOn Group continues to benefit from its strategic focus on locally regulated jurisdictions, which is powered by its own technology platform including an in-house sportsbook platform, proprietary games studio SpinOn, and unique, innovative jackpot products have been key contributors to differentiation and growing market share in core territories.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our proprietary technology is powering our products and services, giving us a strong competitive edge in highly dynamic and regulated markets. This foundation allows us to innovate faster, deliver differentiated experiences, and scale with confidence.
At the same time, artificial intelligence is transforming how competitive we can operate. We’ve equipped our teams with the tools and governance to experiment boldly and apply AI where it creates the most value. At ComeOn Group, we want to learn faster than our competition, because speed, agility, and innovation are essential to staying ahead in this industry.”
The Group closed the period with strong financial performance, demonstrating consistent growth across all key indicators for the 12 months ending 30 June 2025. Combined with the company’s increased market reach and accelerated innovation initiatives, ComeOn Group enters the coming year with robust momentum and a strengthened market position.
The post ComeOn Group climbs to 21st place in the EGR Global Power 50 following a year of strategic growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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