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HIPTHER FESTIVAL XXI (virtual) starts today, join Day 1 – TECH Conference Series: America

HIPTHER FESTIVAL takes place between 8-12 November and includes 5 conferences hosted by the #hipthers.
We are really thankful for the interest which has been shown towards our meetups / virtual conferences and especially the HIPTHER FESTIVAL XXI. We would like to send you this reminder note that today we are going to open the virtual doors and welcome you and +6000 other participants on the virtual stage of TECH Conference Series: America.
To kick things off we would like to thank our sponsors for their support: Plaid, Altenar, nanocosmos, Playân GO, Nordic Gambling, PLANZER LAW, and All-In Global.
The mega speaker lineup is the result of a great collaboration with our strategic partners, GameOn and Square In The Air.
Here is the breakdown of todayâs program:
Day 1 – TECH Conference Series: America – 8 November
- 10:40 – 10:45 ET (15:40 â 15:45 CET) – WELCOME MESSAGE BY THE #HIPTHERS
- 10:45 – 11:15 ET (15:45 – 16:15 CET) – KEYNOTE PRESENTATION – HOW INTERACTIVE LIVE STREAMING IS DRIVING AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
- Presenter: Oliver Lietz – CEO at nanocosmos
- 11:15 – 12:00 ET (16:15 – 17:00 CET) – ETHICALLY DESIGNED TECHNOLOGY & DEMYSTIFYING DECENTRALIZED FINANCE
- Panelists:
- Dr. Mihaela Ulieru – President at IMPACT Institute for the Digital Economy
- Dean Rakic – Chief Scientist at TAAL Distributed Technologies
- Dr. Robin Kiera – Founder and CEO at Digitalscouting
- Moderator: Stefania Barbaglio – Founder and Director at Cassiopeia Services
- Panelists:
- 12:00 – 13:00 ET (17:00 – 18:00 CET) – ESPORTS ON THE RISE, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR TECH COMPANIES IN NORTH AMERICA
- Panelists:
- Marius Adomnica – Lawyer at Segev LLP
- Alex Iaroshenko – CEO at Betbazar
- Flavien Guillocheau – CEO at PandaScore
- Bart Barden – COO and Managing Director at Esports Technologies
- Moderator: Stephen A. Crystal – Managing Director and owner of SCCG Management
- Panelists:
- 13:00 – 14:00 ET (18:00 – 19:00 CET) – INVESTING IN AI AND SPORTS
- Panelists:
- Daniel Bernard – Investor and General Partner at Mindspring Capital
- Lloyd Danzig – Founder & Managing Partner at Sharp Alpha Advisors
- Matt Davey – President & CEO at Tekkorp Capital LLC
- Moderator: Wayne Kimmel – Managing Partner at SeventySix Capital
- Panelists:
- 14:00 – 14:45 ET (19:00 – 19:45 CET) – AI FOR HUMANS AND THE PLANET (IS THERE ANY BUSINESS VALUE FROM AI)
- Panelists:
- PĂ©ter W. SzabĂł – CEO of AceTech
- Ana-Maria Stancu – Robot Fleet Admiral at Bucharest Robots
- Felix NegoiÈÄ – Software Engineer
- Moderator: Alex MÄrginean – Marketing Specialist at Hipther Agency
- Panelists:
- 14:45 – 15:15 ET (19:45 – 20:15 CET) – CRYPTO CATCHUP WITH SEGEV LLP
- Panelists:
- Matt Bailey – CEO & Director at GameOn
- Santiago Jaramillo – Chief Product Officer at GameOn
- Moderator: Ron Segev – Founding Partner of Segev LLP
- Panelists:
The full agenda of the conference (times and speakers) can be found here: https://hiptherfestival.com/#schedule
All the session can be joined via ZOOM, YouTube, or in NEOS Metaverse in collaboration with ViARsys.
Calendar .ICS file | Add to Google Calendar
Here a few things you should remember:
Conference Stream
To access the live stream and engage with the speakers, you have multiple options:
Option 1 (by app):
Join directly with your Zoom app (you can download here) and use the below details to join the meetings between 8-12 November:
Direct ZOOM link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5286247083?pwd=V3M3ejBoRHZndWJkTUFkZlM2MGdzdz09
Meeting ID: 528 624 7083
Passcode: #hipthers
Option 2 (via WireUp):
Log into your WireUp account and hover your mouse to “Events” and click on the “Live Streams” option. Enter your name, email and click Join
Option 3 (just watch via browser):
To only watch the raw live stream, you can visit https://hipther.com/tv/ or subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified once we go live: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfMx3Bqx90E4Pax1Xzg3EtA
The HIPTHER FESTIVAL focuses on some of the most talked-about industries and is powered by the agencyâs media outlets.
Hipther Agency is the parent brand of European Gaming, PICANTE, WireUp Zone and Gaming Americas and the team is excited to invite interested parties to review their android news app on the Play Store.
To receive constant updates from Hipther Agency and conference agenda updates, subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/hfyZxf
For sponsorship/speaking inquiries, make sure to reach out to Andrada Marginean (B2B Sales Executive at Hipther Agency) on [email protected]
For media-related inquiries, please contact Alexandru Marginean (Marketing Specialist at Hipther Agency) on [email protected]
Central America
21VIRAL Boosts Latin American Reach Through Strategic Partnership with Virtualsoft

21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, has strengthened its expansion by signing an agreement with platform provider Virtualsoft
21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, today announced a strategic agreement with prominent platform provider Virtualsoft, significantly strengthening its expansion across the region.
This collaboration will integrate 21VIRALâs extensive portfolio of games into Virtualsoftâs platform, providing enhanced content options for operators across key Central and Latin American nations. Virtualsoft is a key supplier with a strong presence in markets including Ecuador and Peru, delivering innovative gaming solutions to a diverse range of operators.
Christoph HĂ€rtel, CEO of 21VIRAL, commented: “Partnering with Virtualsoft is a pivotal moment for 21VIRAL as we deepen our engagement with one of the worldâs most rapidly advancing online gaming markets. Virtualsoft underpins numerous leading brands in the region, and integrating our GameConnector solution will allow swift access to their operational brands. We look forward to working closely with Virtualsoftâs talented team to deliver innovative and revenue driving gaming experiences.”
Alejandro Velez, General Manager at Virtualsoft, stated: “21VIRAL has a strong reputation for seamless integrations and profound expertise in the Latin American gaming market, making them an ideal partner for us. Together, we are streamlining operations and elevating the gaming experience for players, aiming to set new benchmarks for the industry.”
Compliance Updates
New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming

California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 831 to protect Californians from unregulated online gambling by prohibiting online sweepstakes games that use a âdual currencyâ model to mimic casino-style wagering.
âSweepstakesâ platforms sell virtual coins that are used to play casino-style games and can be redeemed for cash or prizes, essentially operating as unlicensed gambling businesses. By exploiting âNo Purchase Necessaryâ disclaimers, they sidestep Californiaâs regulatory framework and evade the stateâs voter-approved proposition related to Tribal-State gaming. Many of these âsweepstakesâ operators are based offshore and function without proper oversight, avoiding requirements like consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, background checks, and tax compliance.
âWe cannot look the other way while these platforms exploit legal grey areas. These operations undermine the voter-approved framework that affirms Tribal governmentsâ sovereign right to conduct gaming in California. AB 831 strengthens that framework and ensures gaming in California remains fair and accountable,â said Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.
AB 831 fortifies existing sweepstakes laws and clarifies the illegality of internet-based sweepstakes that use the dual currency model. It reinforces the shared responsibility between the State, licensed operators, and Native Nations to keep gaming safe, transparent, and accountable. AB 831 is co-sponsored by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), reflecting strong support from across Indian Country.
âFor over 25 years, Tribal governments like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, have upheld the will of California voters by operating gaming with integrity. That commitment has allowed us to reinvest in our communities, boost local economies, and support essential public services on reservations and in partnerships across the state. Illegal online gaming now threatens this foundationâcompromising voter-approved law and putting Californians at risk,â said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.
âWe support this legislation that will close dangerous loopholes and strengthen the integrity of Californiaâs gaming system. We remain committed to defending a proven framework that protects the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and delivers real and lasting benefits to all Californians. Together, Tribal governments and the State of California will continue to address and take decisive action against illegal internet gaming in all its forms,â said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez, Jr.
âTribal government gaming contributes nearly $25 billion to Californiaâs economy, sustains over 112,000 jobs, and funds critical community programs. Unregulated online sweepstakes threaten this voter-approved system by imitating casino gaming without oversight, accountability, or community investment. These illegal platforms erase the benefits of regulated gaming while exposing consumers to serious risks,â said CNIGA Chairman James Siva.
AB 831 is pending a hearing in the Senate.
Compliance Updates
New Initiative from DI Council Aims to Enable Betting on Professional Sports

The Division I Council introduced a proposal that, if adopted in October, would change sports betting rules to permit student-athletes and staff members to bet on professional sports and refocus the Association’s enforcement efforts on college sports betting and behaviors that directly impact game integrity. If adopted, the change will be implemented only if Divisions II and III also vote to allow betting on pro sports.
The council’s introduction of the proposal, which comes after a directive from the Division I Board of Directors in April that the council adopt changes to sports betting rules, is not an endorsement of sports betting behaviors, especially for college athletes. The NCAA’s prohibition against betting on college sports would remain in place, as would the prohibitions against sharing information about college events with bettors. The NCAA also would continue to maintain its prohibition for NCAA championships  against advertising and sponsorships associated with betting.
“NCAA rules prohibiting sports betting at all levels were written and adopted at a time when sports gambling was largely illegal nationwide,” said Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the council. “As betting on sports has become more widely accepted across the country, Division I members have determined that further discussion of these sports betting rules is warranted, particularly as it relates to the potential distinctions between betting on professional versus collegiate sports. Throughout our discussions, the council has remained focused on student-athlete wellness and educating student-athletes about the risks and potentially harmful impacts of betting.”
Current NCAA rules do not allow student-athletes or institutional staff to engage in sports betting at any level (professional, college or amateur) for any sports that have NCAA championships, and NCAA members have continually maintained that any betting by a student-athlete on his or her own team or own sport in college should continue to result in a permanent loss of any remaining collegiate eligibility. However, in 2023, Division I changed the reinstatement guidelines for student-athletes who participate in sports betting on professional sports to focus on harm reduction for problematic betting behaviors.
“Deregulating professional sports betting may provide schools an additional opportunity to implement harm-reduction strategies, which can be more effective and have long-term benefits not seen with abstinence-only approaches. Harm-reduction strategies include education, stigma reduction and acknowledging actual behaviors,” said Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “By meeting student-athletes where they are, schools may be more effective at preventing, identifying and supporting student-athletes with problematic gambling behaviors. Regardless of the change, schools are encouraged to use the many sports betting resources already available.”
The recently released Harm Reduction Considerations for Gambling & Sports Betting in Collegiate Sports references available sports betting resources, including the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices. Additionally, more than 100,000 student-athletes, coaches and administrators have been reached through the NCAA’s education efforts with EPIC Global Solutions, and the NCAA has launched an e-learning module to educate student-athletes on problem gambling harms and the integrity risks associated with sports betting.
Several sports betting-related violations by staff members at NCAA schools have been resolved through the infractions process in recent years, and the enforcement staff is working on issuing Notices of Allegations in several ongoing cases that involve allegations of betting on professional and college sports by student-athletes and/or athletics department staff members at a handful of NCAA schools.
The proposed rule change would not be retroactive. If it is adopted, it would apply only to sports betting activities that occur after the effective date of the proposal.
“The enforcement staff’s sports betting-related caseload has significantly increased in recent years, and our staff â including our new sports betting integrity unit â has been effective in detecting and pursuing violations,” said Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement.
The Association prioritizes competition integrity, which is vital to college sports. The NCAA uses a layered strategy to respond responsibly to the rise in sports betting across the United States by monitoring over 22,000 contests per year, advocating for limits on  prop bets that pose heightened risks, reducing the potential for student-athlete abuse by aggrieved bettors, and creating greater transparency to assist with the timely investigation and resolution of integrity-related issues.
This layered approach includes the most recent agreement extension with Genius Sports to establish unprecedented betting restrictions on high-risk proposition bets. Sportsbooks licensing NCAA championship data must cooperate fully with NCAA investigations, including providing access to account data, financial history and geolocation records. This will allow the NCAA to work with the sportsbooks to gather detailed account information when harassers are identified to prevent repeat offenders from continuing to place bets across platforms, increasing safeguards to protect student-athlete mental health and well-being.
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