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The inaugural iGaming Studio Summit 2025 is set to transform how gaming studios approach innovation and competition when it opens its doors on August 6-7 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Riga, Latvia. Organized by Eventus International, the two-day summit positions itself as more than a networking event—promising practical strategies for studios looking to gain competitive advantages in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
Beyond Hype: Real-World Technology Applications
The summit’s agenda focuses on moving emerging technologies from conceptual frameworks into measurable business results. Attendees will explore how AI personalization, VR environments, and sophisticated data models are delivering tangible outcomes—from doubling retention rates to refining monetization mechanics and helping studios capture niche player segments ahead of competitors.
The conference promises “sharp, real-world examples from studios that are already executing—and ready to share what they’ve learned,” distinguishing itself from events focused on abstract trend forecasting.
Entain COO Shares Strategic Insights
Among the summit’s key speakers is Dainis Niedra, COO of Entain, who brings extensive experience in gamification, data strategy, and player-first engagement approaches. In pre-summit discussions, Niedra addressed critical industry challenges, particularly the balance between entertainment value and responsible gaming practices.
“Any healthy and sustainable business should have a robust responsible gambling framework that sits on top of all other processes—including marketing communications, compliance, and HVC player management,” Niedra explained. He emphasized that professional gamification “can enhance player engagement and increase LTV—especially among low- and mid-value segments.”
Niedra advocates for building more recreational player bases while reducing dependence on high-value players, ultimately lowering responsible gambling risks. His approach challenges conventional wisdom by encouraging analysis of unsuccessful player actions—games browsed but not played, bonuses left unclaimed—as untapped retention signals.
Comprehensive Industry Focus Areas
The summit’s structured agenda addresses four critical areas:
Talent Management: How leading studios build and retain standout teams amid global talent shortages
Immersive Design: New playbooks integrating VR, AR, and multiplayer ecosystems for sustained player engagement
Regulatory Compliance: Practical steps for navigating EU AI Act requirements, including risk assessment and documentation tailored for iGaming suppliers
Growth Strategy: Balancing expansion with data security and player trust as regulatory landscapes tighten
Distinguished Speaker Roster
The summit has assembled industry leaders spanning design, technology, business development, and regulatory expertise:
Aglaja Geta
– Head of UX & Analytics, BETBY
Anete Dūniņa
– Group Head of Sales, Revpanda Group
Boris Utimisovs
– Head of Product Design, Evolution
Christian Rajter
– CEO & Co-Founder, Split the Pot
Cosmo Currey
– Global Head of Talent Acquisition, Van Kaizen
Diana Kutubidze
– Studio Manager, Evolution Global
Faruk Aydin
– CRO, Revpanda Group
Gleb Chernov
– Lead Expert & Owner, PlatformGuru
Gunārs Rītiņš
– XR UX Designer, Mintra
Ivan Samuilin
– Studio Technical Manager, Winfinity
Jan Malicher
– Head of Platforms, SYNOT Games
Jochen Biewer
– Managing Director, Chevron Group
Līga Tarasova
– Account Director, PRace
Maksims Nefiodovs
– Product Manager, BetGamings
Monika Zlateva
– CCO, CT Interactive
Nikita Lukanenoks
– Editor in Chief, Slotsjudge
Strategic Simplicity Over Complexity
Niedra’s philosophy of “less is more” resonates throughout the summit’s approach. He emphasizes that engagement doesn’t automatically translate to retention, advocating for gamified ecosystems that remain “vibrant without being chaotic—rewarding but never manipulative.”
For studios competing against mainstream entertainment for player attention, Niedra highlights three essential elements: “Everything needs to work fast, feel effortless, and be tailored to a specific market and individual player. Only then do we stand a real chance of competing for attention.”
Riga as Innovation Hub
The choice of Riga reflects the Baltic region’s growing prominence in gaming technology and innovation. The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa venue provides an intimate setting for the type of detailed, practical discussions the summit promises to deliver.
With just two weeks remaining before the summit begins, registration continues for studios ready to move beyond theoretical discussions toward actionable strategies that drive measurable business outcomes in an increasingly competitive iGaming landscape.
Gambling industry journalist with a background in online poker and trading. Covering the regulated US casino industry and the exciting world of poker.
