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Exclusive CEE interview with Evoplay Entertainment
Reading Time: 5 minutes
With the CEE region no doubt set to be one of Europe’s biggest growth stories this year, we caught up with Evoplay Entertainment’s CBDO, Vladimir Malakchi, to talk through the region’s demographics, opportunities and hottest markets through 2021 and beyond.
The CEE region has become an increasingly important factor for growth on the continent, which markets do you see being the main drivers?
It’s all about the big-hitters that have an established framework in place, whether that be Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Croatia or any of the other regulated markets. What we’ve seen in the last few years has been exponential in terms of growth, and that’s undoubtedly a good thing. Solid, concise frameworks that allow a safe and level playing field for both player and operator has created a wide berth of entry for multiple international brands across the region. Given the windfall on revenue for governments, rather than seeing GGR go offshore, will undoubtedly prove to be a good thing for local economies, and has already proven to be a significant contributor to national budgets.
In hand with that development comes a surge in the quality of gaming available – as well as a more advanced menu of entertainment experiences – whether that be table games, instant games or slots. I’m fully confident that the advantages of a safe, regulated market will continue to be felt by countries that have established a steady GGR growth rate and a favourable environment for doing business.
In general, how would you define the typical CEE player’s profile towards slots, instant and table games? What kind of entertainment are players looking for?
The typical CEE player mainly shares characteristics with those you’d find elsewhere in Europe. Having said that, the transition to online has indeed come later than in the West, so it is inevitable that we see games that have a lot in common with the land-base sector to appeal to players. We’re also seeing plenty of interest in instant games (especially when it comes to our stable of titles), which I believe to be a massive growth area. Why? The clue’s in the name – they give players a chance to enjoy instant entertainment, lighting-fast game rounds and a quickfire result.
Are there any particular territories that stand out for you as having a unique player demographic?
While we’re certainly not a brand that believes in a ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to global delivery, from personal experience I can say that the extent that one sees unique player demographics vary from country to country is relatively minimal. A greater factor that shapes delivery of product, and in effect defining the demographics of the players you deliver to in each market – is the infrastructure and accessibility. For example, with rural or highland areas, slower internet speeds are inevitable and therefore require more adaptable content that can either be leveraged via game engines to enhance the download speed, or alternatively through the application of light technical requirements for the game itself.
Having said that, CEE is digitising at an impressively fast pace. Heavy investment in high-speed broadband coverage can be observed throughout Europe, with 86% of the Czech Republic’s rural locations now connected to the internet, for instance, while Romania (as I’m sure any citizen there will be fast to tell you), has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world!
How should operators in the region be looking to tailor / customise their content to further drive retention and engagement?
There’s really no substitute for analysing the market in depth. That means closely studying the preferences of local players and the state-of-play for any potential competitors. Operators who get that process right can adapt their offering accordingly, thus driving revenue in the long-term.
We know that while session durations are relatively consistent across Europe, the average stake value is not. This is especially the case in the CEE region, where arguably the economic fallout from COVID-19 can be felt harder than most, which requires a gaming experience that can provide extended entertainment without draining player’s bank balances in minutes. This is especially the case for what is a hugely tech-savvy demographic – who are far more discerning than many outsiders would assume – and therefore require a solid product with the maths to back it up. Success here is all about authenticity, and players will recognise a lack of it from a mile off.
Gamification’s going to be a hot topic in the months ahead given the need for entertainment – as a market expert, what types of features do you believe will be key in 2021?
Tournaments are very strong right now – and formats that allow players to compete against each other in real time are going to be a mainstay in gaming development this year. I see this as being indicative that providing players with an additional sense of competition, such as pitting players against players through formats like multiplayer gameplay, is a whole new level of gamification in itself that can do wonders for making your products more interesting for your audience locked down at home.
I’m particularly excited about what multiplayer can offer, and we’re taking this area very seriously. They’re going to be a serious asset when it comes to providing an additional dimension of gameplay. Combine that with faster rounds with instant games (which are very hot right now), as well as the opportunity for more varied stakes – and you have a lightning-fast experience that can create a hugely exciting betting environment and really drive engagement and retention.
Ukraine of course is going to be very closely watched – how would you rate the regulation process so far and do you believe we’re on track to go live by mid-next year?
We’ve seen good progress in Ukraine since July last year when online gambling was officially made legal – and the government has been working hard to get a regulatory framework in place, with a commission already formed to monitor the issuing of licenses to casino operators.
It is also expected that the number of licences that the authorities choose to grant will be limited – this, just like we’ve recently seen in Argentina, means that we have a queue of foreign operators waiting for certification, and I predict will start seeing the results show in around six months. I look forward to contributing towards the creation of a safe and regulated gaming environment for all, as well as seeing the benefits that gaming revenue will bring to our national economy – just as it has for other regulated CEE territories. The future is certainly looking bright!
And last but not least, are there any leading figures or businesses you can recommend to our readers for 2021 inspiration?
The biggest source of inspiration to me personally continues to be the fantastic team of staff we’ve got right here at Evoplay Entertainment. The tremendous success we’ve enjoyed as a company drives me to strive for more, and I genuinely believe that when we work together as a company, there is almost nothing we can’t achieve.
Don’t be afraid to take inspiration from your own accomplishments, no matter how large or small. It’s a reminder that your greatest days lie ahead – something that’s particularly important to remember in the current circumstances!
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Esports organisation G2 returns to Kings League Germany with G2 FC, building on a groundbreaking debut
Reading Time: 3 minutes
- G2, one of the world’s leading global esports and entertainment brands, is back in Kings League Germany for its second season
- G2 FC, the football team created by G2, finished 3rd in Kings League Germany in its debut season and qualified for the Kings League World Cup
- G2’s competitive DNA, innovation, and storytelling has made them the number 1 supported esports team by German fans, with 46.33% naming the team their favourite, according to recent findings from Esports Bund Deutschland
- Season 2 brings back leadership with Ron Stublla as Team Manager and Malik Hadziavdic as Head Coach, building on the strong foundation established in Season 1
- New presidents for 2026 – Mohammed ‘MoAuba’ Harkous – professional EAFC player (World Championship winner and 5x German champion) and Konygebony – German lifestyle influencer and rapper
- By bridging traditional football and esports, G2 FC continues to expand the boundaries of sports entertainment and engage audiences across platforms and generations
G2, one of the world’s leading esports and entertainment brands, has announced the return of its football team, G2 FC, to Kings League Germany for its second season. The team officially kicked off the season on October 12th, building on a debut that saw them finish 3rd in the league, qualify for the Kings League World Cup and were the second most watched team in Germany (via Esports Charts). Quickly winning over fans across Germany, G2 FC blends high-level performance, innovation, and storytelling to deliver a unique football and esports experience.
Kings League Germany officially launched its second season on October 12, 2025, in Cologne with an event announcing the new rosters and pro kits for teams competing in the tournament. Part of the global 7-a-side Kings League, founded in 2022 by former FC Barcelona and Spanish national team player Gerard Piqué, the German league features two groups of four teams competing throughout October and November at MMC Studios Cologne, culminating in the Final Four on November 15. The German Kings League Cup winner will advance to the European Final in Berlin on November 22, facing teams from Spain and Italy at the Velodrom.
This season, G2 FC returns with continuity, tactical expertise, and renewed energy as it enters its second season. The team continues to showcase G2’s commitment to innovation and cross-cultural sports experiences, providing a platform to merge traditional football with esports and entertainment. By engaging fans across live and digital channels and exploring new media genres and formats, G2 FC is helping position Kings League as the future of sports entertainment, where esports meets football.
G2 FC is bringing back Team Manager Ron Stublla, whose background in Sports Management and experience in the Youth Bundesliga provide strong leadership on and off the pitch, alongside Head Coach Malik Hadziavdic, a former member of the German National Futsal team and player for FC Liria Berlin in the Futsal Bundesliga, who combines tactical knowledge with hands-on playing experience. The presidents for the club have changed, however, and G2 FC welcomes Mohammed ‘MoAuba’ Harkous, a professional EAFC player who’s a World Championship winner and 5x German champion, and Konygebony, a German lifestyle influencer and rapper. Tarik Haadziavdic, Kevin Moreira, Ahmed Omeirat and Cihan Ucar return to the squad for another season alongside a line-up of exciting new players that qualified for the team after a series of trials in Berlin.
2025 marks G2’s 10-year anniversary, highlighting a decade of growth into a global esports powerhouse with teams across multiple regions and long-standing partnerships with brands such as Mastercard, Red Bull, Ralph Lauren, Jägermeister and Herman Miller. Expansion into traditional sports remains a key pillar for G2, and its strong connection to fans is clear, with 46.33% of German esports fans naming G2 their favourite team. This connection drives its approach in Kings League, offering a fresh way to experience football by blending sport, entertainment, and digital innovation while bringing competitive excellence, creativity, and a fan-first mindset to engage the next generation of sports fans.
Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2, comments: “Our debut season in Kings League Germany demonstrated the potential of combining esports and traditional sports. For Season 2, we are focused on delivering new content, connecting with fans in innovative ways, and pushing the boundaries of what sports entertainment can achieve. G2 FC perfectly aligns to our long-term vision of blending competitive performance with storytelling and digital innovation for the next generation of sports fans.”
G2 FC’s return reinforces the organisation’s commitment to redefining sports and esports. With returning leadership, fresh talent, dynamic content, and a passionate fanbase, the team is ready to make Season 2 its most exciting chapter yet.
The post Esports organisation G2 returns to Kings League Germany with G2 FC, building on a groundbreaking debut appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Featuring cinematic storytelling and powerful visuals, the content reinforces Parimatch’s passion for pushing boundaries alongside UFC
Parimatch’s latest campaign brings cinematic flair and raw intensity to the screen, capturing the emotion and energy required to compete in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation. The campaign builds on major sports partnerships that have made Parimatch a global backer of professional sports, with a strong presence across Asia and the MENA regions. Released ahead of UFC 321: ASPINALL vs GANE, it sets the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable event.
The innovative campaign labelled “Get Closer. Feel Everything” redefines fan connection, bringing audiences closer than ever to the intensity of the Octagon®. Raw energy. Elite strikes. Heart-stopping moments. Experience what TV screens can never capture.
“UFC has always been personal – first for me, then for Parimatch,” said Sergey Portnov, CEO of Parimatch. “I grew up dreaming of becoming a pro fighter, training Muay Thai twice a day to the extreme. That passion never left me, and it evolved into years of partnership with the UFC. As someone who lives and breathes combat sports, I know fight fans want more than watching through screens – they want to feel the cage shake, to experience raw, unfiltered access to the Octagon®. This is only the beginning. Campaigns like this will drive our fan engagement strategy as we expand into new regions and strengthen our global presence.
Video: youtube.com/watch?v=T-fTXXrkwCY
Beyond the Screen: Where Real UFC Lives
Most fans watch fights through a screen and miss the thunderous roar of the crowd, the powerful force behind every strike, and the electric tension that fills inside the arena – now Parimatch is changing the game entirely. The campaign delivers cinematic-quality content that brings viewers closer to the Octagon® for every jaw-dropping knockout, lightning-fast dodge, and emotional victory celebration.
The high-octane video captures:
- Recreations of UFC events, showcasing the raw power and precision that makes champions
- Unfiltered athlete emotions – from the focused intensity before the fight to the explosive celebrations after victory
- Crowd energy that makes your pulse race and adrenaline surge
- Music-synced editing that amplifies every moment of impact and triumph
The post PARIMATCH REVEALS ACTION-PACKED NEW UFC AD CAMPAIGN appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Regulating the Game (RTG) has announced Evive Australia as the first innovation to take the stage at Pitch! – part of the annual RTG gathering in Sydney in March.
The event will take place at the famous Sydney Opera House on 9 March 2026, as part of the sixth edition of the international regulatory and industry conference.
Evive is an app designed to help people change how they play or seek support for gambling harms. Created by Sam DeMello, a tech specialist drawing on his lived experience of gambling harm, and supported by Jay Robinson, a safer-gambling expert with over two decades of harm-minimisation and prevention experience, Evive Australia aims to deliver personalised tools, resources and pathways for anyone seeking to reduce risk or access help.
“Evive brings together real-world experience, clinical expertise and technology to create an accessible and credible platform for change. Pitch! was conceived to spotlight exactly these kinds of innovations – ideas that challenge convention, improve safeguards and reimagine the future of regulation and industry practice,” said Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch and founder of Regulating the Game.
“Evive isn’t just another app, it’s a bridge between lived experience, behavioral science and practical support. It shows that compliance and compassion can coexist, and when they do, everyone benefits. The app gives regulators and operators confidence in credible harm reduction tools, while giving people a safe, stigma free path to change,” Robinson said.
The post RTG Announces Evive Australia as the First Innovation to Take the Stage at Pitch! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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