

Eastern Europe
Merkur to Participate in Entertainment Arena Expo 2022
Merkur is in preparations to participate in the 14th Entertainment Arena Expo (EAE) in Bucharest.
Being held from September 6 to 8 at the Romexpo Fair Ground in Romania’s capital city, Bucharest, EAE 2022 will have a major exhibitor presence from MERKUR. On booth 306, the German gaming giant will indeed “entertain” with a strong presence of its top jackpots, cabinets and new games; backed up by the presence of cash handling experts GeWeTe and next-generation payment options from Merkur eSOLUTIONS.
Bucharest in Romania has been the country’s capital city since 1862 and, through its long history, has been known as both the “City of Joy” and the “Paris of the East”. It is also the centre of the country’s gaming industry where both casinos, gaming arcade premises and venues in the sports betting and gastronomy sectors are hugely popular.
Romania has the largest number of slots in operation in east Europe, currently well over 70,000 machines. The Merkur brand has been active in Romania since 2004 and has a Group subsidiary company, Merkur Gaming Distribution, based in Bucharest and with Hannelore Fuica as its managing director and team leader.
Speaking ahead of EAE Ms Fuica confirmed her belief that the two most popular game types with Romanian players are Fruit games and, in recent years, Roulette. Already in both slot hall and sports betting operations throughout the country, the new MERKUR Roulette features stunning 3D graphics, a new animation of the roulette wheel itself and an enhanced speed of play.
This will be a significant highlight of Merlur’s EAE presentation, as will the new linked progressive jackpots Link Zone (shown in the Avantgarde Max Trio cabinet) and Solar Link (featured on the stylish Allegro Trio cabinet) plus the innovative MERKUR Mystery jackpot that will display on the Avante Trio cabinet that hosts a multiplicity of new multigame titles powered by the latest software and boasting a brand new player interface.
EAE’s ambition is to become internationally recognised as THE standout gaming show for the Eastern Europe and Balkan region, something on which Athanasios “Sakis” Isaakidis, Chief Executive, International commented: “We are all anticipating a really great EAE show in Bucharest.
And he added: “Romania is a significant and highly successful market for MERKUR and we are set to make a great representation of our history, experience and great products at EAE in Bucharest as we demonstrate, as the show’s title exemplifies, our commitment to gaming Entertainment across Romania, and beyond.”
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.
Compliance Updates
Ukraine Creates New Agency Named “PlayCity” to Control Gambling and Lotteries

Ukraine has created a new agency named “PlayCity” to control state policy in the field of gambling and lotteries.
The work of “PlayCity” will be coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers through the Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology — Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
In 2025, the agency will be financed within the budget of the liquidated Gambling Commission (CRGL).
In December 2024, the parliament decided to liquidate CRGL and transfer gambling regulation functions to the Ministry of Digital Economy. It was decided to automate licenses to remove the human factor from the process and reduce corruption.
The post Ukraine Creates New Agency Named “PlayCity” to Control Gambling and Lotteries appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Eastern Europe
GGBET UA is expanding its presence in football: first press conference with FC Zorya held in Kyiv

The first media event as part of FC Zorya Luhansk’s partnership with their title sponsor, GGBET UA, has taken place in Kyiv. Zorya is the second Ukrainian football team that the brand has successfully collaborated with. The partnership with the leading betting brand has boosted Zorya’s media activity and brought the club closer to fans.
By working with GGBET UA, Zorya have strengthened their presence on social media, regularly sharing engaging and interactive content. Thanks to this new strategy for interacting with fans, the reach and engagement of certain types of social media posts have doubled. The club have launched an updated version of their official site, where you can now find all the information about their history and current activities. Zorya will also soon be delighting fans by launching an official fan shop.
This approach to the partnership between GGBET UA and FC Zorya Luhansk is bringing the team closer to their fans, creating real value for all involved, and promoting Ukrainian football.
GGBET UA CEO Sergii Mishchenko shared his thoughts about the collaboration and the future of the partnership: “GGBET chooses its partners carefully. Signing football clubs just for the sake of a portfolio is not the approach we take. Shared values, a drive for growth, and a desire to evolve and improve are all important to us. Our partnership with FC Zorya is a brilliant example of our philosophy when it comes to collaboration. We only started working together at the end of 2024, and we’re already seeing results. And we have many new and interesting things to look forward to in the future.”
During the press conference, club representatives also shared the results of their winter training sessions and discussed how the team is preparing for the second half of the Ukrainian Premier League season. The club also announced that it has signed some new players: Bosnia’s Dejan Popara and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Bilotserkovets.
You may recall that previously GGBET UA broadened its support for Ukrainian football by partnering with FC Dynamo Kyiv. A press conference with the club was held in autumn 2024 and was an important step forward in terms of strengthening the brand’s ties with Ukrainian football.
The post GGBET UA is expanding its presence in football: first press conference with FC Zorya held in Kyiv appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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