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CEEGC Budapest brings back the magic to the CEE and Balkans region with the 2022 comeback conference

Published

3 years ago

September 26, 2022

Reading Time: 4 minutes

CEEGC Budapest and CEEG Awards shine again as comeback event brings magic back to the region

Two weeks ago, on 16 September, industry experts of the CEE and Balkans region gathered in Budapest for the 7^th edition of the Central and Eastern European Gaming Conference (CEEGC). The conference was held at its now traditional location, The Ritz-Carlton in Budapest, and the participants enjoyed quality learning and networking sessions throughout the day.

The team at Hipther Agency would like to thank the excellent support of the conference sponsors: Nordic Gambling, Endorphina, UltraPlay, Oddin.gg, Global Bet and NETSHOP ISP.

There have been many hand-shakes, business cards exchanges, hugs, and smiling faces in Budapest during the event and you can find the full photo gallery at the following link: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA7Vif

The panel discussions approached regulatory, tax, and operations in markets such as Hungary, Romania, Czechia, Poland, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Sweden, Denmark, and Ukraine.

The experts who joined the panel outlined some of the main aspects of each market and here are headlines:

Czechia: “The first step was made, but the improvement will take time.” – Petr Kozák – IFGR Lawyer and Secretary General

Hungary: “It will be a very tricky position for new online gaming operators.” – Gábor Helembai – Counsel in the Corporate Practice Group of the Budapest office of TaylorWessing

Romania: “The good news in Romania is that the law is going to change and hopefully it will change for the benefit of the operators.” – Dan Iliovici – Vice President at Rombet

Romania: “Taxes are really high in the iGaming industry. That’s the bottom line.” – Andrei Cosma – Managing Associate at SIMION & BACIU

Sweden: “We [Sweden] are going from a left-wing government to a centre-right-wing government, so I am expecting some changes.” – Gustaf Hoffstedt – Secretary-General at the Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling

Denmark: “We really find these regulatory steps [in Denmark] counterproductive.” – Stephan Normann Østergaard – Nordic Gambling team Denmark

Poland: “I’d like to debunk some of the myths saying that it is difficult to enter the Polish market.” – Marek Plota – Founding Attorney at RM Legal & Gaming In Poland

Ukraine: “I’ve heard some good things about Poland. (…) We [Evoplay] are looking to enter Sweden and Denmark as well.” – Vladimir Malakchi – Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Evoplay Entertainment

Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina: “I believe, the biggest problem we have is the education of the players. (…) That’s also why land-based casinos are so popular.” – Lazar Miučin – CEO and Co-Founder of iGaming Advisor

Serbia, Montenegro: “There is a similar political uncertainty in Montenegro as well. There is a big chance that after the potential elections, the situation will be the same as now, which means the same parties would have to negotiate.” – Luka Popović – Partner at BDK Advokati

Bulgaria: “Despite the new players on the [Bulgarian] market, the competition is still very low.” – Silviia Baykoucheva – Senior Compliance Officer at Amusnet Interactive

The technological advancements of the online gaming industry: “We need to understand where this [AI, NFT, Crypto, Blockchain] is going (…) and how it will effect us.” – Robert Dowling – Chief Commercial Officer at GlobalBet

The technological advancements of the online gaming industry: “It is very likely that crypto will be regulated in some form, and players will understand that it is not anything illegal. (…) Once that happens, the industry will experience a new boost.” – Péter W. Szabó – CEO of AceTech

The technological advancements of the online gaming industry: “[In eSports] most of the betting volume (86%) comes in live. (…) The prize pools of eSports are coming to match normal sports.” – Vladan Blagojevic – Oddin.gg’s Marketing Project Manager

Responsible Gaming: “I think we should let the academics sit down and work out a system that provides information [on problem gaming] that is beyond any doubt.” – Dan Iliovici – Vice President at Rombet

Responsible Gaming: “Entain (…) is getting more and more involved in the prevention of problem gaming.” – Bill Pascrell, III – Partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group, Inc.

The video recordings of the panel discussions are available on-demand on HIPTHER TV. You can access it here: https://hipther.com/tv/premium-access-ceegc-budapest-2022/

– You can also order the 2022 full collection of conference recordings (4 conferences) and benefit from a substantial discount. You can find more details here: https://hipther.com/tv/premium2022/

“We are delighted about the outcome of CEEGC Budapest and being the final in-person event we host this year, I would personally like to thank all participants who joined us over the course of 2022 in Vilnius, Prague, and recently in Budapest. It has been a very busy year with many conferences colliding in several months, but it is important that the industry has evolved to a new level. We would also like to thank our media partners for the coverage throughout the year. We are looking forward to hosting our final virtual event this year, The HIPTHER FESTIVAL, and will soon announce the 2023 calendar with many new changes coming to our portfolio of in-person events and virtual meetups. So, watch this space for our upcoming announcements,” stated Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at Hipther Agency

Besides the panel discussions and networking session, the winners of the 2022 edition at the CEEG Awards have also been revealed, after a final secret vote by the attending participants.

With all this been being said, the #hipthers are busier than ever and many new announcements will land soon in your inbox, social media channels, and news outlets.

Hipther Agency is the parent brand of European Gaming, PICANTE, WireUp Zone, Gaming Americas, eSports Connect, the HIPTHER news app, and the WireUp networking app found on the Play Store.

To receive constant updates from Hipther Agency and conference agenda updates, subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/hfyZxf

For sponsorship/speaking inquiries, make sure to reach out to Zoltan Tuendik (Co-Founder and Head of Business at Hipther Agency) at [email protected] / [email protected]

For media-related inquiries, please contact Alexandru Marginean (Marketing Specialist at Hipther Agency) at [email protected]

Latest News

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

14 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

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:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
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.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

14 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

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:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
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.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

14 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

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

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.
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: