Warsaw is preparing to put Central and Eastern Europe back in the spotlight this autumn, as the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit returns on October 27–28, bringing together iGaming executives, technology specialists, regulators and industry experts for two days of discussions at the intersection of gaming, compliance and innovation.
Hosted at the InterContinental Warsaw, the 2026 edition is expected to welcome more than 300 delegates and 60 speakers from over 20 countries, according to HIPTHER. The event will focus on some of the issues currently shaping the European gaming landscape, including regulation, technology, fintech, AI, blockchain and the evolution of the CEE market.
Why CEE is becoming harder to ignore
Central and Eastern Europe continues to attract attention from gaming companies looking for growth, new partnerships and opportunities in regulated markets.
That makes Warsaw a particularly relevant location for conversations around the future of European iGaming.
Rather than treating CEE as a single market, the summit is expected to explore the different regulatory, technological and commercial realities across the region — an increasingly important consideration for operators and suppliers navigating Europe’s fragmented gaming environment.
Regulation will be one of the central themes. The event’s speaker lineup already includes senior regulatory and legal voices, including Kimberley Vella, Head of Regulatory Oversight at the Malta Gaming Authority, and gaming law expert Dr. Joerg Hofmann, Partner at MELCHERS LAW.
Where compliance meets technology
The regulatory conversation will sit alongside discussions about the technologies reshaping the gaming industry.
HIPTHER’s 2026 programme is built around iGaming, Fintech, AI and Blockchain, reflecting how closely these areas are becoming connected to the daily operations of gaming businesses.
For operators and suppliers, the conversation is no longer simply about adopting new technology. It is increasingly about making technology work within complex regulatory frameworks while maintaining efficiency, security and a competitive customer experience.
That creates a natural meeting point between compliance specialists, technology providers and commercial decision-makers — precisely the audience the Warsaw Summit is designed to attract.
From business conversations to industry recognition
The summit will also provide a more celebratory moment with the EiGE Awards 2026, which will take place during the Warsaw event.
The European iGaming Excellence Awards recognise companies and individuals across the European gaming and technology ecosystem, with categories covering operators, suppliers, affiliates, payments, regulatory excellence and technology innovation.
Among the 2026 categories are Operator of the Year, Best Casino Supplier, Best Sports Betting Supplier, Affiliate of the Year, Regulatory Excellence Award, Innovation in Technology, Best Payment Solution, Rising Star of the Year and Individual of the Year.
Unlike awards decided solely by an internal judging panel, the 2026 EiGE Awards have been shaped through a public voting process, with the winners set to be revealed live during the Warsaw Summit.
A business-first event for a changing European market
The combination of summit sessions, networking and awards gives the Warsaw event a broader role within the European iGaming calendar.
HIPTHER’s historical attendance data shows a mix of providers, operators, aggregators, service providers, compliance and regulatory professionals, and affiliates, creating an audience that spans both the commercial and regulatory sides of the industry.
That mix could make Warsaw particularly relevant for companies looking to build relationships across CEE while keeping an eye on wider European developments.
As markets become increasingly regulated and technology continues to transform everything from payments and player protection to AI-powered operations, the industry’s conversations are moving beyond traditional casino and sportsbook topics.
The question for Warsaw will be what comes next — and which companies, technologies and regulatory ideas will shape the next chapter of European iGaming.
When is the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit 2026?
The HIPTHER Warsaw Summit 2026 will take place on October 27–28, 2026, at the InterContinental Warsaw in Poland.
With more than 300 expected delegates, over 60 speakers and a programme spanning iGaming, fintech, AI, blockchain and regulation, the event is set to be one of the key CEE-focused gatherings on the European iGaming calendar this autumn.
The EiGE Awards 2026 will be presented during the summit, bringing an awards element to two days focused on business, regulation, technology and networking.