Malta
CasinoBeats Summit, Headlined by ‘Doom Guy’ John Romero, to Draw 4,500 Delegates to Malta

From May 21st to 23rd, 2024, InterContinental Malta will host the highly anticipated CasinoBeats Summit. With 4,500 delegates expected, the event will once again be the hub for all things casino, featuring insightful discussions on innovation and providing a firsthand look at the hottest products in the casino world.
A highlight of the event is the keynote address by John Romero, renowned game programmer and designer behind classics like ‘Doom,’ ‘Wolfenstein 3D,’ and ‘Quake.’ Romero will also join returning host Trudy Kerr to co-host the Game Developer Awards on Thursday evening.
The educational component of the event, featuring over 150 experts, will provide in-depth insights into various aspects of the gaming industry, ranging from slot games and live casino experiences to alternative game types. Special attention will be given to areas such as game design, mechanics, creativity, and innovation. Additionally, stages will cover advancements in the industry, leadership topics, marketing, and affiliation.
Notably, SEO will be a focal point across multiple sessions, including the return of the three-part SEO chatshow led by Ivana Flynn, SEO Director at Betinia and Campobet. These sessions will explore the intersection of SEO with AI and the latest updates from Google, among other relevant topics.
SEO will also be highlighted in a workshop led by International SEO Consultant Aleyda Solis, tackling the audience’s ongoing challenges in the SEO field. Another workshop will focus on grey hat SEO tactics. Additionally, SEO will be a key feature in a hackathon led by technical SEO experts Batuhan Sasi (Medier) and Héctor Izurrategui (888/William Hill). They will demonstrate how tools like ChatGPT can enhance the efficiency of SEO professionals, offering a practical overview of their capabilities.
Workshops and hackathons will be key features of this year’s event, offering more intimate and practical settings for learning about various topics. Workshops will cover areas such as the impact of brand design, led by Philip Sultana (Head of Design/Brand & UX/UI, PressEnter Group), building successful VIP programs with Gali Hartuv (CEO, WarriorLab), ESG with Floris Assies (CEO, Better World Casinos) and harnessing HR technology for strategic excellence. Additionally, hackathon-style sessions will provide opportunities to engage with regulators, including representatives from Curaçao and the UKGC.
Over 50 exhibitors will enliven the exhibition floor, creating a dynamic environment filled with product showcases. The show floor will also host various networking activities, including the Women in Gaming Breakfast and IMGL meet-ups. Special features will include a slot tournament led by casino streamers testing new game releases from the studios debuting their games at the event, as well as a dedicated women in gaming poker tournament.
The poker tournament is just one of the many activities at the event tailored for women in gaming. Female attendees can expect a variety of sessions, including yoga and meditation classes for stress relief, empowerment and leadership workshops, and sessions where real-life experiences of women in the industry will be shared by industry leaders.
Another exciting event highlight will be the abundance of roundtable discussions to join, totalling 19 on Day 1. These intimate discussions, lasting for one and a half hours each, will delve into the regulatory landscape and explore challenges and opportunities in various markets, including the UK, Italy, Malta, Spain, Brazil, and more.
During the evenings, attendees can enjoy networking in relaxed settings at the networking events. These include the CasinoBeats Malta Opening Party at SKYBEACH on Tuesday, 21st of May, the Official Networking Party at Infinity by Hugo’s on Wednesday, 22nd of May, and the Official Closing Party at Sky Club on Thursday, 23rd of May.
Additional evening networking events comprise the Game Developer Awards, a celebration honouring successful teams and individuals in the casino industry at Hilton (a separate ticket is required) on Thursday, 23rd of May. There are also invite-only VIP Dinners for C-level SBC Leaders at Caviar & Bull on Wednesday, 22nd of May, and for Affiliate Leaders at Sole by Tarragon on the same day.
The post CasinoBeats Summit, Headlined by ‘Doom Guy’ John Romero, to Draw 4,500 Delegates to Malta appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Malta
Leadership, Culture & Innovation Conversations – Itai Zak Joins NEXT.io Valletta

Digicode is pleased to announce that Itai Zak, Executive Director of iGaming at Digicode, will participate as a speaker at the highly anticipated NEXT.io Summit in Valletta 2025, taking place from May 5 to 8.
Itai Zak will contribute to the panel discussion titled “Blood or Business?”, part of the summit’s dedicated Personal Development Hub, which focuses on leadership, mental wellbeing, and workplace culture across the iGaming industry.
Moderated by Emily Leeb, CEO of Saroca, the panel will address the complexities of professional relationships within the sector, examining how genuine leadership can foster healthy environments while maintaining essential boundaries. Zak will be joined by other prominent industry figures, including Peter Grech (CEO & Founder, BRND WGN), Claire Adamou (VP of Development, Saroca), and Fiona Ewins Brown (Executive Coach, Mondial Coaching).
Itai Zak will share insights into how evolving leadership styles can shape a safer, more sustainable industry, while promoting genuine care without compromising professionalism.
“The iGaming industry moves quickly, and leadership needs to keep pace – not just with innovation, but also with how we support our people. It’s time for real conversations about what a healthy, high-performing workplace looks like. I’m excited to be part of this important discussion at NEXT.io”, Zak added.
This year’s NEXT.io Summit is expected to attract over 6,000 participants, making it one of the largest and most impactful events on the global iGaming calendar. The event will feature open discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, bringing together the industry’s top minds to tackle its most pressing challenges.
Digicode’s involvement in the summit underlines the company’s commitment to industry leadership, innovation, and the advancement of positive workplace practices.
The post Leadership, Culture & Innovation Conversations – Itai Zak Joins NEXT.io Valletta appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Malta
XGENIA to Unveil AI Set to Reshape the Future of iGaming

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In a bold move set to shift the foundation of iGaming, the creators behind some of the industry’s most advanced AI tools are preparing to unveil a next-generation platform — and they’re doing it with style.
On Tuesday, May 6th at 20:30 CET, Valletta’s iconic 200 Old Merchants Street will be transformed for one night only into a live, immersive showcase of what’s next. The strictly invite-only gathering will bring together top-tier media, industry leaders, developers, and innovators for the debut of a powerful new end-to-end AI system built specifically to reshape how games are imagined, created, and brought to market.
“This isn’t just another tool — it’s a paradigm shift in how we think about building games,” said Mark Flores Martin, CEO of XGENIA. “Everything from speed to quality to who gets to create and what — it’s all about to change.”
Designed to radically streamline the development pipeline, the system bridges the gap between creative vision and execution. It eliminates inefficiencies, replacing outdated workflows with a unified platform for concepting, building, and refining games with AI, at unprecedented speed — all while enhancing creative freedom and control.
Those interested in attending the event or receiving early access details can join a waitlist at https://lu.ma/7le61lye
Space is limited.
The post XGENIA to Unveil AI Set to Reshape the Future of iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry Awards
Wicked Games joins as sponsor for the 2025 Casino Guru Awards

The post Wicked Games joins as sponsor for the 2025 Casino Guru Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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