In just a couple of weeks, Riga will play host to a global gathering of gaming minds at the very first iGaming Studio Summit 2025. Set for 6 and 7 August at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Daugava Riga, this event promises to bring together the creative forces behind the world’s most engaging online games.
This isn’t just another industry event. Organised by Eventus International, the summit is built for studios that want to level up, whether that means breaking into new markets, building stronger teams, or mastering the latest tech trends in gaming. It’s two full days of practical discussions, future-focused strategies, and real examples from studios already putting them into practice.
The summit will explore how tools like AI personalisation, VR gameplay, and advanced data use are transforming game development, not in theory, but in ways that directly impact retention, revenue, and player satisfaction.
What to Expect at the iGaming Studio Summit
- How game studios are tackling the global talent shortage
- Ways to blend AR, VR, and multiplayer into engaging experiences
- How to get compliant with the EU’s AI regulations without slowing down
- Best practices for balancing player data safety with scalable growth
Unlike conferences that get stuck in trends and buzzwords, this one will be packed with real talk, case studies, and stories from studios who’ve tested, failed, adjusted, and found what works.
Spotlight Session: Dainis Niedra, COO, Entain
At the iGaming Studio Summit, one of the most anticipated speakers will be Dainis Niedra, COO at Entain. Known for his strategic approach to player engagement, he will share how gamification, data insights, and a player-first philosophy are helping the industry evolve.
In a recent interview, Dainis explored the challenge of maintaining a balance between offering entertainment and ensuring responsible play, particularly within varied regulatory landscapes. His view is that the two are not at odds with each other.
“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,” he said.
He added that gamification, when thoughtfully executed, “can enhance player engagement and increase LTV, especially among low- and mid-value segments.”
I believe that professional, thoughtful gamification is a powerful tool in helping operators reach one of their most important goals: building a more recreational player base and reducing dependence on high-value players. And that, ultimately, leads to lower risk for responsible gambling concerns.”
On the topic of retention, Dainis encouraged studios to move beyond just tracking what players do and start examining what they don’t.
“Currently, most strategies focus heavily on successful player actions,” he explained, “but there’s an entire layer of untapped value in analysing unsuccessful or abandoned actions.”
Things like unplayed games or ignored bonuses, he noted, could provide key insights into how to re-engage players more effectively.
“Yes, working with this type of data is more complex,” he admits, “but if done well, it can unlock an entirely new layer of value for retention marketing, making communications smarter, more relevant, and far more effective.”
On immersive game experiences, Dainis advised against the assumption that more features automatically mean better engagement.