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Nordic Gambling Keeps GamingTECH CEE Posted on Nordic Updates

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2023

Reading Time: 4 minutes

HIPTHER Agency and the #hipthers are delighted to introduce the Nordic Updates Sponsor of the upcoming GamingTECH CEE Summit taking place in Budapest, on 26-27 September, 2023!

Nordic Gambling is the only legal firm in the Nordic countries specialising in gambling related law such as licensing, compliance advice and public affairs.

Having extensive experience in the industry through successful collaborations with operators, suppliers, service providers and Government regulators, Nordic Gambling is the ideal partner to keep the CEE region posted on the latest news from the Nordics! Especially since they have been closely involved in the development of the law and regulation in a number of European jurisdictions, including Denmark and Sweden.

We caught up with Maria McDonald, Founding Partner at Nordic Gambling, to find out more about the firm that helped shape gambling regulation in the Nordics, get their expert opinion on the current status of the industry, and hear their estimations for the future.

Hi, Maria, thank you for joining us today! Can you please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a few things about your role at Nordic Gambling?

I am a Swedish lawyer and a founding partner of Nordic Gambling. I consider myself specialized in all legal matters related to gambling, including licensing, regulatory and general compliance matters. I also have worked extensively within media, sponsorships, dispute resolution, IT and data protection.

Previous experience includes roles as Head of Legal in Unibet and General Counsel Scandinavia in Lagardère Sports. I have also previously acted as Chairman of the Danish Online Gambling Association (DOGA) and treasurer of the Swedish Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS).

How did the idea for a law firm specialising in the gambling industry occur? Did the founding partner(s) have any prior experience with the industry, or did they happen to spot a gap in the legal services market?

Yes, all founding partners have previous experience from the gambling industry. In addition to my own experience as Head of Legal for a leading operator, Morten Ronde has worked in the industry for more than 20 years, including for the Danish Gambling Authority and as head of the Danish trade group Spillebranchen (Danish Online Gambling Association). Furthermore Henrik Norsk Hoffmann has specialized in gambling law, corporate and commercial law and arbitration for over 14 years and has been the lead counsel for some of the most important court cases regarding gambling in the Danish market.

The idea to start a firm in the already re-regulated Danish market was originally founded between Morten and Henrik in 2017 and when the re-regulation in Sweden started to take shape, I decided to join the exciting opportunity to also offer an office in Stockholm.

Do the Nordic countries share a common legislative framework for gambling compliance and regulation, or are there notable differences among them?

Currently the Swedish and Danish markets are re-regulated and have a lot in common. The Swedish Gambling Act used the Danish Gambling Act as a starting point and even though there are some important differences these days, the similarities are striking.

Norway and Finland are currently markets with monopolies in place but as many will be aware, the Finnish market is moving and we can anticipate a re-regulation there in a not too distant future. It will be interesting to continue to follow these developments and you can rest assured that Nordic Gambling will be looking to provide services in Finland too.

What do you consider the most important legislative step for the gambling industry in the Nordics in the last few years?

Definitely the abolishment of the monopoly in Finland and hopefully eventually also Norway.

Hipther’s GamingTECH CEE that you are sponsoring, is the leading gaming industry event for the Central and Eastern Europe region. What are the fundamental differences (if any) between the legal framework and regulations of the Nordics and CEE for gambling?

I think it is very difficult to give specific examples. The European markets for online gambling are still so fragmented. The positive news and something that is a similarity is that more and more countries are moving towards regulated markets where there is not just one, state owned, actor in the gambling field. My hope is that the gambling markets will become more and more similar with common standards on e.g. how to counter problem gambling and that we will see implementation of best practices here.

Closing, what is your advice to the participants of GamingTECH CEE Summit, in terms of their operations in the Nordic region?

Make sure you have a good understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements. Sanctions are harsh, both under monopoly markets and the re-regulated Danish and Swedish regimes. A good start is to use Nordic Gambling for your legal advice 🙂

Outro:

Thank you very much for your time and insightful responses, Maria! We are thankful to Nordic Gambling for their continued support and for sharing their expertise with our readers.

For more information about the law firm, and to seek their legal advice, get in touch with Nordic Gambling here.

We look forward to seeing you in Budapest at GamingTECH CEE for the annual reunion of the best companies and professionals from Gaming and Technology in Central and Eastern Europe!

Join the #hipthers and Nordic Gambling in an event that will redefine the future of gaming in the CEE region! Get Your Tickets for GamingTECH CEE Now!

If you’re looking to contribute to the iGaming industry’s most established events and expand your network in the industry, Become A Hipther Event Sponsor!

Latest News

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

Published

11 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

11 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

11 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: