EGC rebrands to HIPTHER Warsaw Summit with focus on AI and regulation in 2026
The European Gaming Congress (EGC) 2025, held recently in Warsaw, spotlighted key digital trends shaping the gaming industry, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), esports, cybersecurity, and regulatory frameworks. Organisers HIPTHER reported record attendance for the event, underscoring its growing influence as a hub for discussions across iGaming, fintech, digital entertainment, and cybersecurity sectors. Looking ahead, HIPTHER announced a significant rebranding, confirming that from 2026, the congress will evolve into the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit, with renowned attorney Marek Plota appointed as its Ambassador.
Key sessions at EGC 2025 were divided between two distinct tracks, the TechXperience Stage and the Compliance & Operations Lab, each tackling critical industry-side issues. The TechXperience programme gathered marketing leaders, founders, and technologists to explore the intersection of emerging tech such as AI, esports developments, startup ecosystems, and SEO/AEO trends. This forum scrutinised how these innovations influence product delivery, player engagement, brand positioning, and operational strategies. Parallel to this, the Compliance & Operations Lab concentrated on the regulatory climate across European markets. Legal experts examined Poland’s gambling framework, compliance challenges within central and eastern Europe (CEE) markets, including the Czech Republic and Romania, and regulatory updates from LATAM jurisdictions, giving attendees a comprehensive regional overview useful for navigating cross-border licensing and taxation complexities.
Marek Plota, founding attorney of RM Legal & Gaming, played a prominent role throughout the Congress, serving as both speaker and moderator. His contributions centred on Poland’s gambling legislation, taxation policies, licensing models, and insights into wider European regulatory trends impacting CEE markets. Plota’s law firm is notable for advising operators not only within Poland but across the EU and African regions, specialising in licensing and taxation services. Significantly, RM Legal is the sole Polish firm representing offshore companies legally operating in Poland’s gambling sector, highlighting its unique expertise. Reflecting on his new role as HIPTHER Warsaw Summit Ambassador, Plota emphasised the intimate and collaborative atmosphere of HIPTHER events compared to larger industry expos, valuing the opportunity for meaningful engagement and idea exchange without the logistical challenges of vast venues. He expressed enthusiasm for advancing the Summit’s reputation as an essential gathering for global gaming professionals.
The transition from EGC to the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit signals the next stage in the Polish event’s evolution, with organisers intending to strengthen ties among markets in Western Europe, CEE, Africa, and LATAM. This expanded scope aligns with HIPTHER’s wider ambitions to foster cross-regional dialogue and collaboration. The Summit will continue to offer a robust agenda, including topical workshops through HIPTHER Academy, which in previous editions demonstrated practical training sessions on leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT alongside real-world business applications. These workshops provide attendees with immediate skill development opportunities and certification, enhancing their competitive edge.
HIPTHER’s expanding footprint in the European gaming conference landscape is further demonstrated by its growing programme of specialised events. For 2026, the organisation plans to enhance its presence in the Baltic region with three separate summits in Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn, each tailored to key industry themes such as regulation, fintech integration, player protection, cross-border compliance, and digital governance. These regional events complement the overarching Warsaw Summit, collectively reinforcing HIPTHER’s role as a vital platform for education, networking, and industry leadership.
Overall, the 2025 European Gaming Congress emphasised the rapid technological and regulatory evolution shaping the gaming sector while setting the stage for a more integrated, multi-market approach through the new HIPTHER Warsaw Summit. By combining cutting-edge tech discussions with legal and compliance expertise, the event offered valuable insights for operators and suppliers aiming to navigate the complex, interconnected landscape of global gaming.