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Exclusive CEE interview with Evoplay Entertainment


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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Kongebonus statement: Norway’s election result signals gambling policy continuity, but licensing debate is set to intensify
With the centre-left retaining a narrow majority, Norway’s gambling framework is set to remain largely unchanged in the near term.
Norsk Tipping’s monopoly will continue, and enforcement tools such as payment and DNS blocking of unregulated operators are likely to remain in focus. While a shift to a licensing model appears unlikely this parliamentary term, the Progress Party’s stronger position as the main opposition keeps the reform debate active.
For industry stakeholders, the sensible course is to concentrate on compliant, sustainable strategies and to track policy signals closely as the debate continues.
The post Kongebonus statement: Norway’s election result signals gambling policy continuity, but licensing debate is set to intensify appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Saddle up for big wins under the Bison Moon with the latest slot from Northern Lights Gaming
Provider introduces its newest feature, Power Combo, in an action-packed slot with plenty of wild win potential
Step into the heart of the untamed frontier in Bison Moon – Power Combo, a slot from Northern Lights Gaming that captures the rugged beauty and boundless thrill of the Great Plains with plenty of big wins in store.
This action-packed slot introduces the provider’s latest mechanic, Power Combo, where three unique Scatters unlock incredible bonus features via its proprietary Link&Win feature. Players also get to experience the thrill of Expanding Reels for even more wild slotting action.
Players will feel the rush as Multipliers super-charge their payouts, amping up the excitement each time they hit. They can also seize the moment with Instant Collect, allowing them to claim big rewards as and when they drop.
But with each Scatter triggering a new layer of action, no two spins are ever the same.
Adding to the excitement is the Jackpot feature, which has been embedded within the Link&Win bonus. Players must land Jackpot Moons to trigger either Mini or Major Jackpot wins or fill the reels to unlock the Grand Jackpot and the game’s largest payouts.
For the boldest of adventurers, keep watch for the Scatters that turn into Golden Eagles. Collect five in total, and they can activate the Golden Eagle Pick’Em bonus.
From the serene beauty of the open plains to the heart-pounding moments of chasing down the Jackpots and Golden Eagles, Bison Moon Power Combo provides a slotting experience like no other.
All that players need to do to enjoy it is saddle up, embrace the wild and discover the riches waiting to be uncovered under the vast Western skies.
Chris Loftus, Commercial Director, at Northern Lights Gaming, said: “Bison Moon – Power Combo lets players take a walk on the reel wild side as they come face to face with magnificent beasts, big bonuses and plenty of slot playing action.
“Power Combo is a thrilling bonus that changes the game with every spin, and we really couldn’t think of a better game to introduce it to players. This, combined with Link&Win and plenty of jackpots to trigger, makes Bison Moon a compelling and rewarding slot to play.
“We look forward to seeing it roam into online casino lobbies, and for players to embark on their very own big win adventure under the vast Western skies.”
The post Saddle up for big wins under the Bison Moon with the latest slot from Northern Lights Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Revolutionizing Messaging: Communications Hub at SBC Lisbon 2025
Lisbon, Portugal, 16-18 of September
This September 16-18, SBC Summit in Lisbon will host the official presentation of Communications Hub (CommsHub). The new all-in-one communication management platform helps businesses integrate messaging services 75% faster while ensuring uninterrupted delivery through built-in backup and cascading traffic.
Developed by industry veterans and now operating as a standalone brand in the RedCore business group, Communications Hub is set to change the way high-volume messaging is managed – not only in iGaming and affiliate marketing, but also in fintech, e-commerce and beyond.
A New Era of Smart Messaging
Communications Hub centralizes SMS, flash calls and alpha name registration into one streamlined interface. The platform provides businesses with access to an up-to-date list of verified service providers, flexible routing options and advanced analytics – all designed to reduce costs, save time and increase reliability.
One of the platform’s key innovations is its built-in failover and cascading traffic system, ensuring that no message is lost due to a provider outage or technical disruption.
“We built a Communications Hub to take the uncertainty out of messaging,” said Viktoriia Yefimenko, CEO, Communications Hub. “Our mission is simple: make integration fast, delivery reliable and management effortless.”
75% Faster Integration
The launch announcement comes with a headline figure: Communications Hub reduces the time needed to integrate new providers by 75% – from the industry standard of 35-45 days to just 10 days.
For fast-moving industries, this speed means more than convenience; it can mean seizing market opportunities before competitors do.
Meet the Team at SBC Lisbon
Visitors to SBC Lisbon 2025 will have the opportunity to see Communications Hub at the stand #D181 in action, meet the team behind it and explore how the platform can streamline their communication strategy.
“SBC is the perfect stage for our launch,” added Viktoriia. “It’s where forward-thinking businesses come to explore new technology and we’re ready to show them what’s possible.”
Who Should Visit
Communications Hub is built for any type of messages – from marketing agencies and trading platforms to online retailers and affiliate networks.
The platform’s combination of speed, stability and smart routing makes it particularly valuable for companies where every second and every message matters.
Event Details:
SBC Summit Lisbon 2025
16-18 of September
Visit the Communications Hub at booth #D181
For more information ahead of the event, visit the website.
The post Revolutionizing Messaging: Communications Hub at SBC Lisbon 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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