Conferences
Ewa Bakun: ‘Pitch has never been more important to the start-up community’ as Sports Betting USA deadline is confirmed

Clarion Gaming has confirmed the details, format and timings for the first digital version of Pitch, part of the upcoming Sports Betting USA and Investor Digital Summit taking place across 9-11 November.
October 2nd is the first competition deadline when companies wishing to be part of Pitch – which has helped propel industry brands including BlueBat Games, NumberFire and Vigtory, – are required to forward their 2020 application form together with a supporting 2-minute video to [email protected].
Following receipt of the submissions, an invited community of senior international business leaders will vote for what they consider to be the three start-ups with the most commercial potential. The finalists will then go forward to pitch as part of Sports Betting USA 2020 in front of a live audience of industry professionals including key angel investors.
Ewa Bakun, who serves as Director of Industry Insight at Clarion Gaming, believes initiatives such as Pitch have never been more important to start-up enterprises. She explained: “It’s always been difficult for new businesses to secure the funding they need to progress and develop their concepts and ideas. There’s every indication that Covid-19 and the devastating impact it continues to have on economies throughout the world is making that task even harder, which is why Pitch is so important.
“Giving gambling start-ups the opportunity to debut their companies in front of an influential audience is part of Clarion Gaming’s commitment to the development of an industry which is founded on a dynamic and creative culture of entrepreneurship.”
In what has become a not-to-be missed touchpoint for the industry, Sports Betting USA and Sports Betting Investor Summit unite the worlds of sports betting, media and investment. The Sports Betting Investor Summit features, analysts, industry experts, investors, operators and suppliers to explore the sports betting opportunity and its value chain. Sports Betting USA welcomes media and finance professionals, sports betting operators, service providers and suppliers to network and discuss maximizing media channels for player acquisition and activation, as well as financing the expansion of Sports Betting in America.
Conferences
Merkur Group to Exhibit its Gaming Innovations at G2E in Las Vegas

Merkur Group has confirmed its participation at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2025 in Las Vegas.
From October 7 to 9, 2025, the internationally successful gaming expert from Germany, together with its sister companies and strategic partners, will exhibit its extensive portfolio of premium jackpot systems, captivating games, and state-of-the-art cabinets at stands 3353 and 3650.
“The G2E has long been one of the most important industry events for the Merkur Group – especially because it provides us with an ideal opportunity to welcome our international customers, in particular from Latin America, into the Merkur World and to foster personal interaction. Since receiving our manufacturing and distribution license for the State of Nevada just a few months ago, the show has taken on even greater significance for us. I am confident that G2E will play a key role in strengthening existing relationships, establishing promising new contacts, and driving our business activities in the North- and South American market with a future-oriented approach,” said Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member of Merkur Games.
This will be achieved in part through an impressive product showcase, the centerpiece of which will undoubtedly be the company’s latest content portfolio. Among the highlights, the German gaming powerhouse will present the Link Overdrive jackpot system – first unveiled at ICE 2025 – which has been winning over players with its high-frequency Jackpot feature, free games with additional Diamond Reels, and its distinctive Big Reel feature. Another standout is the brand-new Link Palace Linked Progressive Jackpot System. Featuring a total of four different games, it invites guests into diverse gaming worlds where they can encounter Wild Reels, Free Spins, and Symbol Boosts as they play for substantial rewards.
Having become a true player favorite in its home market of Germany – thanks in large part to its thrilling Hold & Spin Mechanic – the Jackpot Feature Dragor is now set to make its international debut as Merkur Gaming brings this highly popular, adrenaline-charged System to the global stage. Another promising content highlight in the German company’s portfolio will be the successful M-Prime multigame package. Distinguished by its clear, user-friendly menu design and highly intuitive player interface, M-Prime also delivers an even more immersive gaming experience through the addition of new game titles, harmonized soundscapes, and cohesive win animations.
Merkur Gaming will highlight its content creations on its latest cabinet family, Mod Ex. This innovative line stands out for its unique modularity, enabling customers to configure the monitor, body, and base entirely according to their operational needs and the preferences of their players. At G2E, the Mod Ex 332 and Mod Ex J55 will be on display. In addition, Merkur Gaming will feature its content on the internationally acclaimed Zonic Trio, which continues to impress operators and players alike with its ergonomically arranged 31.5-inch Full HD screens.
As in previous years, Merkur Gaming will be joined by additional subsidiaries and strategic partners of the Merkur Group at the booth with the iconic laughing sun. Building on last year’s success – Gaming Arts presented itself together with Merkur Gaming at a joint stand for the first time at G2E 2024 – the Las Vegas-based partner will once again be part of the expansive Merkur World. Among others, Gaming Arts will showcase its two brand-new products, “Glory of Giza” and “Eternal Riches”, at this year’s fair. Each title features two individual games, presented on the Mod Ex J55, delivering fresh and exciting content for operators’ gaming floors.
Moreover, the cash handling experts from GeWeTe will make an impression in Las Vegas with their machine-optimized solutions for banknote and coin validation, dispensing, and recycling, while the software supplier Bede Gaming will give guests exciting insights into its high-performance gaming platform. Also returning to the Merkur exhibition space is strategic partner and Slovenian ETG specialist Spintec, showcasing an extensive portfolio of electronic table games. Their latest Charisma line features a diverse range of automated, virtual/video, and live games, including Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps, and Sic Bo. Recognized as the Best ETG in Asia and proven to be a top-performing ETG in Western Europe and LATAM, Charisma has set new benchmarks for excellence in electronic table gaming.
“The anticipation for G2E is immense. Engaging with industry colleagues, customers, and long-standing partners during the event, and presenting our latest product developments in such a distinguished setting, is a valuable opportunity for us every year. I am confident that G2E 2025 will once again be a resounding success – not only for us but for the entire industry,” says Dominik Raasch.
Conferences
VIP Play CEO to Deliver Keynote at AI4 2025 Conference
VIP Play has announced that its CEO, Les Ottolenghi, will deliver a featured keynote at the AI4 2025 Conference in Las Vegas on August 13. The presentation, titled “Real-Time AI at the Edge: How Data Velocity Is Redefining Consumer Engagement,” will focus on how next-gen & AI technologies are transforming real-time player interaction and reshaping the future of gaming and entertainment.
Ottolenghi, a pioneer of innovative & disruptive technologies across various industries, recently transitioned from his role as Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer at Lee Enterprises to lead VIP Play, a tech-forward company applying real-time data modeling and predictive analytics to personalize engagement in high-velocity digital environments such as online gambling.
At AI4, Ottolenghi will unveil the Information Refinery Model—a strategic enterprise framework designed to deliver scalable, intelligent experiences in milliseconds. This model draws on Ottolenghi’s leadership in gaming technology, as CIO of Caesars Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, and Codere Inc, and his role in co-founding the Blackfire Innovation Center, a hub for gaming and hospitality technology innovation.
“Gaming and tech executives understand that speed is the new currency of engagement. This keynote at AI4 is about how real-time systems, intelligent automation, and predictive modeling can unlock new revenue and retention models—across gaming, media, and beyond,” said Ottolenghi.
AI4 is one of the most respected global forums for applied AI, drawing enterprise leaders, technologists, and venture-backed innovators. Ottolenghi’s talk is expected to provide immediate, actionable insights for CTOs, product leaders, and strategists seeking to deploy real-time AI at scale, particularly in high-frequency industries such as gaming, streaming, fintech, and mobile.
Conferences
Andrew Cardno to Present on Resilient Casino Strategies at the 2025 Casino Marketing & Technology Conference

Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) is proud to announce that Andrew Cardno, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Casino Marketing & Technology Conference (CMTC), taking place July 29–30, 2025, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.
Cardno’s session, titled “Effective Database Strategies To Help Casinos Prosper During Tough Economic Times,” will be held on July 30 from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM on the Summit Mainstage.
In this timely presentation, Cardno will explore how traditional KPIs lose value during economic downturns and what database strategies actually work when markets shift. Drawing on his deep expertise and lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis, Cardno will offer insight into how casinos can build decision agility, redefine success metrics, and adapt their business models in volatile environments.
“Andrew is a dynamic and forward-thinking speaker whose sessions are always among the most anticipated at CMTC,” said Deana Scott, CEO of Raving. “His ability to translate complex data strategies into practical solutions has helped countless operators improve performance, especially during times of uncertainty. We’re thrilled to have him back on the mainstage this year.”
In addition to Cardno’s session, the QCI team will be exhibiting at Booth #12–14, where attendees can explore private demos of the QCI Enterprise Platform, including Chatalytics™, QCI Host®, QCI Player™, and QCI Marketing®.
Also on display will be the newly released Book 12 of The Math That Gaming Made, Compendium—a full-color edition co-authored by Andrew Cardno and Dr. Ralph Thomas, offering a deep dive into data activation, AI, and casino optimization strategies.
QCI invites all CMTC attendees to visit the booth, meet with our team and see a live demo.
The Casino Marketing & Technology Conference is renowned for bringing together industry leaders and professionals to share knowledge, discuss trends, and explore the future of the gaming industry. Andrew Cardno’s session is set to be one of the highlights of the event, offering attendees a unique opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s foremost experts.
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