Latest News

Hipther Introduces Rite NRG and Darek Hiliński

Published

3 years ago

May 10, 2023

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The #hipthers are delighted to introduce Darek Hiliński, Chief Growth Officer of our Right Energy Sponsors for the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & Tech Summit, Rite NRG!

Rite NRG is a Polish-Swedish IT consulting hub, where a close-knit assembly of under 70 experts integrate IT services, delivery consulting, and digital transformation. They foster an analytical approach to guiding businesses through the multifaceted digital realm.

Darek Hiliński is a seasoned Manager with extensive experience in the Technology sector. #Hipther had the pleasure to catch up with him in our previous sold-out Tech Event, the Prague Gaming & Tech Summit 2023 that took place in March, and we were thrilled to discover his contagious positive energy! In this interview, he will share more about himself and Rite NRG – the Right Energy Sponsor for MARE BALTICUM Gaming & Tech Summit!

Hello Darek! Thank you for taking the time to catch up, it’s a great pleasure to speak with you again! Would you take a minute to introduce yourself to our readers in your own words, please?

Hey there! I’m Darek from Rite NRG, and yes, I’ve got the right energy (pun intended).
Technology has always been my playground, from my uni days in Sydney AU to my postgrad adventures in Coventry UK. When I’m not being a full-time super dad to my amazing daughter Roma, you can find me indulging in my passions for riding bikes, making music, surfing and testing my body’s resilience with fasting and icy dips. You know, just keeping things exciting!

What do you do as a Chief Growth Officer in Rite NRG? Beyond job descriptions, what do you consider to be the key points in your work? And what’s your main goal?

I might wear the sales hat, but my true superpower lies in forging human bonds. It’s been my joyride, steering countless thrilling initiatives. Sure, life’s a rollercoaster, but nothing beats authentic relationships.
As we all race through today’s fast-paced market it’s crucial not to lose our grip on core values. So my main focus is on creating something amazing together whenever the time is #rite for both parties! My experience demonstrates that this is the #riteway; however, in the majority of cases, business is propelled by aggressive KPIs. Seizing the opportunity to elevate the human factor, to stand out and be remembered, is essential when the chance arises. That is why I’m really fascinated by the way you pave the ground to keep networking on such a high level during these tech events!

Going back to the big picture and introductions, please tell us more about Rite NRG, the company’s work and objectives.

This is yet another chapter of my life story because, let’s not sugarcoat it, RITE creates a rather unique environment in the IT world. Why? Find me another company that, along with steady organic growth (100% YoY), places such a strong emphasis on culture fit and understanding the values of their business partners. Working in such an environment means we often understand each other without speaking a word. And the best part? Our clients appreciate it, and they rarely drift away. Some do, but most return and value our consultative approach, openness, and unparalleled speed in action. What’s ahead? We’ll maintain our growth trajectory by attracting talents who truly resonate with Rite NRG’s vision for doing business 🙂

What is it that differentiates Rite NRG from its competition? And how does your own work influence that?

That’s an excellent question I’ve touched on earlier. Essentially, we trust that the right attitude, paired with boundless energy and a thirst for self-betterment, creates a powerful blend that exceeds any “delivery” expectation. Sure, others might say the same, but do they deliver? We do! It takes extraordinary precision across the whole “supply chain” but the payoff is phenomenal. As I mentioned in a LinkedIn post, “We are the ones creating music… We perform for every occasion, yet not for every listener.” I’m entirely in tune with Rite NRG’s values, and our collective harmony makes any extra engine oil redundant. Perpetual motion? We’re not there yet… but give us a few years, and watch this space! :))

Tell us more about your work with iGaming and casino companies: your personal experience, the connection of Rite NRG with the sector. What other industries do you cover?

The gaming industry is always buzzing with excitement! We genuinely enjoy the experience and, most importantly, have a fantastic time working on it. Our skills and approach have taken us to the point where we’ve built an iGaming platform for one of Europe’s biggest providers and are now crafting another for the Asian market. Chances are you know these companies quite well 😛
As we cherish diversity, our passion extends also to medtech, fintech, blockchain, IoT, and banking. This is where Rite’s co-founders initially spread their wings and gained the solid experience that propelled the company forward. So yes, from that point onwards, our legacy has resonated more and more.
It’s no coincidence that Monika Szwed, holding a senior business analyst position at Rite, is joining the speakers’ panel in Riga, as I firmly believe that everything starts with a proper understanding and challenging of a client’s vision. Why do we have such faith in this approach? Many clients think that having just an idea and a team is enough, but a thorough business analysis breaks down potential problems into manageable pieces. And you know what? We apply this approach as the starting point for every industry in which we operate!

Closing, how do you see the future in Tech, Gaming and Software Development? What’s more in demand right now in terms of skill set and services, and how do you think this could evolve?

Hmm, I believe AI will have a significant impact on how we, as consumers, perceive the final product and influence it as creators. I feel that the ongoing changes will make human interactions even more important, which I’m quite pleased about because the human factor is crucial, and its further evolution can only be beneficial. Regardless, I still think people will create products for other people, at least on a commercial level 🙂 . As for the competition between AI and humans from a consumer perspective, I believe AI will only further fuel our human creativity.

On a more down-to-earth note, my feeling is that the software development industry will need to become even more personalised and customer-focused in terms of both business ethics and the desire to be more natural in their approach. Rite has been aiming in this direction for quite a few years now!

Thank you so much for your time Darek, and for this opportunity for us and our readers to get to know you and Rite NRG better! We look forward to seeing you in Riga, on 16-17 May!

The MARE BALTICUM Gaming & Tech Summit brings together top decision-makers and business influencers, C-level executives, compliance experts and government officials from a variety of industries: iGaming, eSports, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Virtual/Augmented/Mixed Reality, FashionTech, and more.

Rite NRG will play an important role in Hipther’s upcoming MARE BALTICUM Gaming & Tech Summit in Riga, on May 16-17: they are the event’s “Right Energy” Sponsors, and one of their executives, Monika Szwed, Senior Business Analyst at Rite NRG, will be speaking at the panel moderated by Astra Tikas, “Decentralizing the Future: Insights from Blockchain Business Analysts, Cryptocurrency Expertise and Blockchain Development”.

Get Your Tickets to Join Us at the MARE BALTICUM Gaming & Tech Summit!

Latest News

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

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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: