

Conferences in Europe
Can Fun Be Safe? The Role of Social Responsibility in Slot Game Design
The European Gaming Congress (EGC) returns to Warsaw for 2024 on 15-16 October, and organizer HIPTHER is proud to introduce the conference’s esteemed Sponsors – trailblazing companies and accomplished professionals that help make the magic happen! In this Sponsors Spotlight Interview, we welcome Maciej Makuszewski, iGaming Director at Promatic Group, parent company of the Platinum Sponsor for EGC 2024, Promatic Games.
For many people outside the gaming industry, putting social responsibility and online slot games in the same sentence might seem counterintuitive. What’s your perspective on this? How can a slot development company demonstrate responsibility?
You’ve hit on a very interesting point right from the beginning. From an outsider’s view, social responsibility and online gambling might seem like polar opposites—like water and fire. But within the industry, we understand that to succeed, all parties, and especially operators and game studios, need to cater to a broad audience. This includes not only players seeking excitement and adrenaline but also casual players who just want a bit of entertainment. We simply need to think about the mass market when designing the gaming experience.
From there, it becomes essential to safeguard ALL players by promoting responsible behaviors and minimizing risks. After all, even with a naturally risky activity like gambling, people still want a sense of security in their experience. This is where social responsibility becomes key. While the public often associates our industry with problem gambling or even addiction, this is a simplistic view. A problem gambler is not a good player—not for them, and certainly not for us. We aim to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all players, which ultimately benefits everyone involved.
So speaking of iGaming in general, what are the key areas when it comes to promoting responsible behavior and minimizing risks for players, as you rightly put it?
I would consider Responsible Gaming as an umbrella term that encompasses a range of measures. I usually break these down into several key categories:
- Identifying and protecting vulnerable players
- Game mechanics
- Transparency and communication
- Youth exposure
- Game design and incentives
- Financial limits and self-exclusion mechanisms
- Utilization of player data
Of course, this list can evolve depending on specific market needs, but these are the core elements. I haven’t included aspects like fairness or certification, as these are typically viewed as basic prerequisites in most regulated markets—they aren’t specific to Responsible Gaming but rather fundamental requirements for offering games to customers. Additionally, technical standards can also play a supporting role in fostering a responsible gaming environment.
Given that your role as a game studio is to provide the games themselves, how can you contribute to making the experience as responsible as possible? You’re not in full control over all of the seven areas you mentioned earlier.
You’re right—our role is narrower compared to operators, but we still have a significant impact in key areas. We can influence game mechanics, transparency and communication, youth exposure (to some extent), and game design and incentives. While we don’t manage player data, we can still support the identification of problem gambling behaviors.
Take game mechanics, for example. As a studio, we invest a lot of time in balancing the speed of gameplay with clear, accurate visualizations of the spin results. One of our key principles is ensuring that all our designs and developments are configurable to meet Responsible Gaming requirements. For instance, our games were recently certified in the Czech Republic, where the regulator mandates that each spin lasts at least two seconds. This is a Responsible Gaming measure, and our configurable software allowed us to implement this requirement quickly.
Another area that’s been a focus of many regulators is the Bonus Buy feature. We were hesitant to introduce it because some of the behaviors associated with this feature may heighten the risk of problem gambling. After months of careful consideration, we decided to launch it only with the ability to monitor every player action related to this functionality. We are committed to tracking this feature closely to ensure it aligns with responsible gaming standards.
You’re also going to touch on game design and incentives at the European Gaming Congress (EGC), correct?
Yes, that’s right! We’re excited to share the story behind one of our most innovative games, Ale Fajny BOBER. The game’s theme is inspired by a popular viral video, and it was a fascinating challenge for our team to translate the essence of a two-minute YouTube clip into an engaging slot experience. We had many discussions on how to best capture and visualize that story within a slot game format. But I’ll save the finer details for the conference—we’ll be talking about it on Day 1 during our presentation! Feel free to join and ask questions!
You mentioned the game Ale Fajny BOBER. Could our readers be familiar with other titles that have come out of your studio?
Ale Fajny Bober is indeed a new game, which had its premiere in Poland on September 26. Promatic Games has a portfolio of hundreds of exciting slot games that have been both successful and widely appreciated by players. Some of these include: Mummy’s Treasure Deluxe, Dracula’s Treasure, Janosik 30 and Miss Joker Show – the latter has even been shortlisted for the Best iGaming Product category at the EiGE2024 awards, with the final taking place at the upcoming conference. I warmly invite to join us at the event and cast your vote for our title. See you there!
Promatic Group’s iGaming Director, Maciej Makuszewski, and Product Design Manager, Luka Oblak, will be presenting a workshop at the European Gaming Congress on ‘Mastering the Art of Balanced Slot Development.
Join us in Warsaw and meet the Promatic Games Team in person:
The post Can Fun Be Safe? The Role of Social Responsibility in Slot Game Design appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
When 5 Votes Make All the Difference: A Special Moment at the GamingTECH CEE Awards

At this year’s GamingTECH CEE Awards, we witnessed something rare—and pretty remarkable—in the “Best iGaming CEO in CEE” category.
With 214 total votes cast across 9 nominees, two names clearly rose to the top, standing apart from a highly competitive field:
- Vlastimil Venclik, CEO at Oddin.gg
- Dario Jurčić, CEO at NSoft
But here’s where it gets interesting: the difference between them? Just 5 votes.
That’s right—after weeks of online voting and a live secret ballot from summit participants, the final count came down to a 5-vote margin. In a category filled with respected leaders, innovators, and visionaries, two CEOs clearly resonated with the industry in a big way.
And while only one person can technically take home the winner’s trophy, this razor-thin result was too significant to ignore. So, for the first time in the history of the GamingTECH CEE Awards, we decided to introduce something new:
- An Honorary Runner-Up Trophy for “Best iGaming CEO in CEE” awarded to Dario Jurčić, CEO of NSoft.
Why This Matters
The intent behind this decision is simple: When excellence is nearly indistinguishable, it deserves to be recognized.
Dario Jurčić has played a vital role in expanding NSoft’s influence, strengthening its presence in new markets, and leading with a people-first approach in a rapidly evolving sector. His visibility, leadership, and impact were clearly acknowledged by the voting community—and with just a handful of votes separating him from the top spot, it felt only right to shine a spotlight on that achievement.
A Testament to a Vibrant Industry
The closeness of this race also speaks volumes about the caliber of leadership we’re seeing in the Central and Eastern European iGaming space. With companies like Oddin.gg and NSoft pushing boundaries in their respective verticals, the region continues to establish itself as a dynamic force in the global gaming landscape.
We congratulate Vlastimil Venclik on his well-earned win, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation and applause to Dario Jurčić for standing out in such a competitive field.
Sometimes, even second place can tell a powerful story—and this year, it certainly did.
The post When 5 Votes Make All the Difference: A Special Moment at the GamingTECH CEE Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
Amusnet Wins Best Online Casino Provider in CEE at the GamingTECH Awards 2025

Amusnet has been named Best Online Casino Provider in CEE at the prestigious GamingTECH Awards 2025, solidifying its leadership position in the gaming industry across Central and Eastern Europe.
The award was announced on March 25, 2025, during the official GamingTECH CEE Awards Ceremony, part of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit. Since its launch in 2017, the Summit has evolved into a boutique-style event that champions innovation and facilitates valuable connections among industry leaders. Amusnet representatives from the Compliance, Legal, and Account Management teams attended the event, joining discussions on some of the most relevant topics shaping the industry today. The conference focused on key themes such as artificial intelligence innovation, blockchain integration, regulatory updates, fintech evolution, and sustainability practices within the gaming ecosystem.
Celebrating excellence and forward-thinking developments, the GamingTECH Awards recognize outstanding achievements of companies operating on a global scale. Amusnet’s recognition highlights the company’s commitment to delivering top-notch casino products, expanding its diverse portfolio of slot games and live casino offerings.
“We are truly honored to receive the Best Online Casino Provider in CEE award,” commented Irina Rusimova, Chief Commercial Officer at Amusnet. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and our ongoing drive to deliver exceptional gaming experiences for players while empowering our partners to succeed. It inspires us to keep pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in the industry.”
This award highlights Amusnet’s ongoing commitment to excellence and its role in shaping the future of the online gaming landscape in CEE and beyond.
The post Amusnet Wins Best Online Casino Provider in CEE at the GamingTECH Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Balkan's
BEGE and EEGS Unveil Visionary 2025 Concept Focusing on Proximity, Collaboration, and AI

BEGE (Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo) and EEGS (Eastern European Gaming Summit) are excited to announce their groundbreaking 2025 concept, which emphasizes the critical importance of proximity, collaboration, and forward-thinking strategies – all while integrating the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence.
At the heart of this initiative is a strong commitment to fostering meaningful connections within the industry. Together, BEGE and EEGS are creating a vibrant platform for networking and idea exchange, bringing industry leaders together to explore the future of gaming. With multiple networking opportunities throughout the BEGE and EEGS, attendees will have countless chances to engage with one another, share insights, and forge valuable partnerships.
“The power of community is essential to our mission,” says Natalia Baevska, Project Manager of BEGE and EEGS. “By collaborating, we can harness our collective strengths to unlock new opportunities for growth within the region.”
Nino Berezhiani, Marketing Manager, highlights the significance of the initiative’s theme, “Proximity to Potential: Where Every Piece Matters.” She explains, “This slogan captures the essence of our vision. It underscores the idea that every connection and collaboration serves as a vital piece of a larger puzzle, driving innovation and success in our industry. We are excited to create an environment where companies can showcase their achievements, celebrate excellence and engage in meaningful dialogue.”
In addition to the networking events, the initiative will feature an impressive lineup of thought-provoking lectures and lively panel discussions led by industry experts, all designed to spark engagement and collaboration.
Furthermore, the integration of AI into this initiative promises to elevate gaming experiences and enhance operational efficiency, setting a new benchmark for innovation in the sector.
With this ambitious initiative, BEGE and EEGS are poised to transform the gaming landscape in the Balkans, encouraging all stakeholders to come together and actively shape the industry’s future.
The post BEGE and EEGS Unveil Visionary 2025 Concept Focusing on Proximity, Collaboration, and AI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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