On November 25, Hyatt Regency Sofia hosted the third edition of the Gaming Industry Gala Dinner – an established format that brings together the industry, institutions and international partners around key topics for the sector. This year’s event, organized by AOGGAB in partnership with EUROMAT, was held under the motto “Together in Europe”, shaping both the official dialogue and the artistic dynamic of the evening.

The Gala welcomed guests from more than 15 countries, including EUROMAT President Jason Frost, Merkur Gaming International Senior Vice President Marcel Heutmekers, AGOS President Dragan Skarbic and Chairman of the Board Jovo Zagorac, ROMSLOT Representative Karoly Buzas, HUPIS Secretary General Filip Zelavic, Founder of GN News and organiser of the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference Alessio Crisantemi, as well as InfoPlay Director and organiser of the Responsible Gaming and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards in Spain, Jacqueline Mecinas.

Among the Bulgarian representatives were Aleksandar Popov, Director of the Gambling Supervision Directorate, and Paun Ilchev, Chairman of the Bulgarian Institute of Metronomy, highlighting the strong institutional support for transparency and sustainable development of the legal industry.

 

AI Opening Film – Illegal Gambling in Europe

 

A European Dialogue with a Clear Cause: Regulations, Fiscal Impact and the Future

The official program opened with a powerful AI-generated film addressing two of the most serious challenges facing the European gambling sector: the increasingly complex EU regulatory framework and the rapid expansion of illegal gambling, which consistently drains public resources.

The central message presented from the stage was firm: excessive regulation fuels the growth of illegal gambling, turning it into a threat not only to licensed operators but also to national budgets. According to data from the European Casino Association, unlicensed online operators generated €80.6 billion GGR in the EU in 2024 – representing 71% of the online market.

Against this backdrop, the organizers emphasized a key counterpoint: the industry is not waiting for solutions — it is offering them. The legal sector is not part of the problem; it is part of the solution.

Once again, the forum proved the role of the Gaming Industry Gala Dinner as a platform that unites the sector and positions it as an active participant in regulatory and institutional dialogue.

 

 

Golden Spade’s Awards 2025 – Honoring the Leaders of the Industry

The highlight of the evening was the official ceremony of the Golden Spade’s Awards 2025, celebrating excellence across the main verticals of the industry:

• Most Successful Bulgarian Company Abroad – 7777 Gaming
• Most Successful Foreign Company in Bulgaria – Pragmatic Play
• Slot Machine of the Year – EGT
• Land-Based Operator of the Year (up to 15 venues) – Palms Merkur
• Land-Based Operator of the Year (over 15 venues) – Efbet
• Casino of the Year – Merit Grand Mosta
• Casino Supplier of the Year – Cards Print
• Payment Solution of the Year – GeWeTe
• Debut of the Year – Amusnet
• Online Operator of the Year – Winbet
• Online Provider of the Year – Amusnet
• Online Platform of the Year – EGT Digital
• CSR Initiative of the Year – 8888.bg
• Affiliate of the Year – Websa Ltd
• Betting Shops of the Year – Sesame
• Special Certificate for Individual Contribution – Vladimir Dokov (CEO of EGT and EGT Digital)

 

 

An Artistic Program that Transformed the Motto into Emotion

The motto “Together in Europe” was masterfully translated into an artistic concept that captivated the audience from the very beginning. A surprise flashmob by The Three Bulgarian Tenors, singing directly from the guest tables, created a powerful emotional and unifying moment.

The final performance by violinist Svet and ballerina Mina elevated the message even further through a graceful narrative of harmony, movement and synchrony – a symbolic bridge between cultures, countries and partners. It reaffirmed that the European identity of the gaming industry is not only business, but also culture and shared belonging.

 

Event Partners and Support

 

The Gaming Industry Gala Dinner 2025 was made possible thanks to the support of its main sponsors: EGT, EGT Digital, Cards Print, Amusnet, Zitro Gaming, Dench Solutions, Golden Eye Casino, Novo Investment Bulgaria – the official distributor of Novomatic, както as well as the event partner GIGA Expo, the largest upcoming exhibition in Eastern Europe for the online and affiliate sector.

The event received broad international coverage thanks to its media partners  SBC Eurasia, IGE Magazine, InfoPlay, Focus Gaming News, InterGaming and Yogonet, whose contribution helped the industry’s messages reach audiences from Eurasia to Latin America.

 

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