For the fifteenth consecutive year, the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo solidified its position as a leading event in the European gaming industry. Held from November 27-28 at the Inter Expo Center in Sofia, the exhibition welcomed over 6,700 visitors from more than 60 countries and 80+ exhibitors, showcasing the latest innovations and trends in the gaming and entertainment sectors.
Key Takeaways:
The BEGE exhibition is renowned for providing a platform for building strategic partnerships and entering new markets. This year’s edition saw the participation of long-term partners, including EGT, BetConstruct, Digitain, Advansys,JPL, IGT, Abbiati, Alfastreet, Industrias Lorenzo, Novomatic, Amusnet, Merkur, Fininvest, JCM, IGT, CT Gaming and many more.
The event also featured the Gaming StartUP Challenge, a platform that allowed new companies to present their ideas to industry leaders.
The Proximity Zone, a live-streaming area, was also a huge hit among the exhibitors and partners once again.
The prestigious BEGE Awards ceremony took place at the Black&White Club and recognized outstanding achievements in the gaming industry across 25 categories. The winners included:
1. Online Game of the Year – Amusnet with Slot Stoichkov Number 8
2. Online Platform of the Year – Betconstruct
3. Online Provider of the Year – EGT Digital
4. Sports Betting Platform of the Year – Altenar
5. Innovative Online Product of the Year – Evoplay
6. Esports Solution of the Year – Oddin
7. Payment Solutions Provider of the Year – IGT
8. Online Casino Operator of the Year – Betano
9. Marketing Campaign of the Year – Palms Bet with “Lambo, Bate!”
10. Innovative Marketing Concept of the Year – 8888.bg with Generous Pets
11. Customer Support Program of the Year – Alphawin
12. Slot Machine of the Year – Euro Games Technology (EGT)
13. Slot Game Product of the Year – CT Gaming with Mermaid Quest
14. Casino Management System of the Year – IGT
15. Live Game Product of the Year – Vermantia and John Huxley
16. Jackpot Concept of the Year – Euro Games Technology (EGT)
17. Innovative Product of the Year – Novomatic
18. Slot Operator of the Year – Sesame
19. International Casino Operator of the Year – Palms Royale Sofia Casino
20. Property of the Year – Golden Eye
21. Customer Service Program of the Year – Palms Merkur Casino
22. CSR Program of the Year – Euro Games Technology (EGT)
23. Responsible Gaming Program of the Year – Palms Bet
24. Industry Innovation of the Year – Telematic Interactive Bulgaria
25. CEO of the Year – Vladimir Dokov (EGT) and Lachezar Petrov (Telematic Interactive Bulgaria)
As part of BEGE 2024, the annual Eastern European Gaming Summit (EEGS) brought together a diverse group of professionals from both offline and online sectors, including regulatory authorities and industry experts, to facilitate rich exchanges of information, experiences, and innovative ideas. The summit provided in-depth analyses of key developments and trends in the gaming industry, addressing critical topics such as the future of iGaming, restrictions on gambling advertising, e-sports betting, online player protection, cybersecurity, and anticipated regulatory changes for land-based casinos and betting shops, ultimately setting the groundwork for future advancements and best practices in the global gaming community.
On November 26th, the second edition of the EEGS Affiliate Conference took place, uniting top professionals from the affiliate and iGaming sectors. This event served as a crucial platform for sharing innovative strategies, exploring emerging trends, and fostering collaboration within the industry. Notable speakers included Gjorgje Ristikj, CEO and Founder of LinkDataMedia.com and iGamingWise.com; Stefan Paul Muehlbauer, an award-winning expert in affiliate management and an author; and Stoyan Stoyanov, CEO of Expand Frame. The conference’s highlight was an engaging panel discussion moderated by Eugene Ravdin, Head of Communications & Marketing at MightyTips, which captivated attendees and stimulated dynamic exchanges of ideas.
On November 25th was held an EEGS Masterclass on gambling addiction prevention among employees in the gaming industry.
BEGE 2024 exceeded all expectations and solidified its position as a leading event in the European gaming industry. It provided a platform for building business, partnerships, and progress in the world of gaming and entertainment.