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2mee appoints Dragon’s Den contestant as Head of HoloAd
Brian Smillie JR successfully tamed the Dragons and is now breathing fire into powerful online influencer ad platform
He’s taken on the Dragons and come out on top, and now he’s taking on the role of Head of HoloAdTM at influencer brand platform, 2mee. Brian Smillie Jr is the latest member of the team and has been tasked with driving awareness of HoloAd among operators and affiliates.
Smillie JR is the founder of Beezer, a platform that allows anyone to create, distribute, manage and market their own app without requiring any technical skills. He took Beezer to BBC’s Dragons Den in what has become known as the toughest negotiation in the Den.
He tamed the Dragons, leaving the Den with a £125,000 investment from Peter Jones after an action-packed standoff. You can watch the pitch here.
In his new role as Head of HoloAd at 2mee, Smillie will be responsible for negotiating similarly successful deals with a range of affiliates and operator brands so that they can unlock the power of influencer marketing through HoloAd.
HoloAd puts the power of next-generation influencer brand marketing in the hands of affiliates and their operator partners. It allows publishers to create new advertising real estate, unlock additional revenue streams and take audience engagement to the next level.
For operators, it allows them to deliver brand ambassadors as hologram messages via their affiliate and publisher partners, creating unique channels to deliver brand narrative and acquisition messaging to wider audiences.
A HoloAd can be inserted anywhere on a website page or within an app. Messages can be launched from existing empty space or can sit on top of page content, both editorial and advertorial. This means it delivers 100% added value.
The early numbers being generated by HoloAd are unrivalled. The average engagement rate is surpassing 33% and for those who are already onboard, the conversions are massively exceeding expectations.
This unprecedented level of engagement is already leading to a large number of enquiries from affiliate publishers and operators.
James Riley, CEO of 2mee, said: “Brian is one of the most naturally talented negotiators out there having provided his skills in front of some of the biggest names in the business world. Brian joining 2mee as Head of HoloAd is therefore a major milestone for us.
“HoloAd is a game-changer, and with Brian onboard we will be able to make more affiliates and operators aware of what it can do for them. I’d like to welcome Brian to the team and look forward to working with him as we take HoloAd to the next level.”
Brian Smillie, Head of HoloAd at 2mee, added: “I am hugely passionate about technology and in HoloAd we have the future of influencer marketing in our hands. I look forward to connecting with affiliates and gambling operators to show them what a truly stand-out platform and product it is.”
ACDV certification
GoldenRace becomes the first and only Virtual Sports provider certified for Retail in Colombia

GoldenRace, leading B2B provider of Virtual Sports and betting solutions, has become the first and only Virtual Sports provider officially authorised to operate in Colombia’s Retail betting market under the new ACDV regulation.
The certification is based on ACDV (Virtual Racing and Sports Betting) standards, published by Coljuegos, Colombia’s national gambling authority, at the end of last year (2024) as part of a new regulatory framework for Virtual Sports in the Retail sector, outlined in Resolution No. 20241200028984.
With this updated certification now in force, GoldenRace proudly leads the way, allowing betting shops across Colombia to legally continue offering its award-winning Virtual Sports portfolio – including bestsellers like Virtual Football, Horse Racing, and Greyhound Racing – fully compliant with the latest national requirements.
“This process involved extensive testing at a prestigious, internationally accredited laboratory,” explained Julio César Duque, LatAm Director at GoldenRace. “For us, it’s a clear confirmation of the strength of our portfolio and how well our solutions perform in Colombia.”
With the ACDV certification now active, the company is expanding its market-leading Virtual Sports content to Retail, giving local operators more.
“After a successful GAT Colombia 2025 and with the Peru Gaming Show on the horizon, we’re thrilled to keep growing in LatAm,” added Martin Wachter, CEO & Founder of Softquo, the Holding behind GoldenRace. “Colombia holds a special place for us: it’s home to one of our offices and our reforestation initiatives. We are deeply proud that its Retail operators can now enjoy the best of GoldenRace through this new certification.”
The post GoldenRace becomes the first and only Virtual Sports provider certified for Retail in Colombia appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Latest News
DBET partners with Swedish Basketball Association for multi-year sponsorship deal

Immense Group is proud to announce that its sport betting brand DBET has entered a multi-year strategic partnership with the Swedish Basketball Association (SBBF) and the top leagues SBL Women and SBL Men. The collaboration, which will kick off with the Women’s European Championship 2025, marks a significant step in DBET’s ongoing commitment to deepening its presence in Sweden’s sports landscape and enhancing the experience for Swedish basketball fans.
As part of the partnership, DBET will sponsor the senior national teams and the SBL leagues, SBL Dam and SBL Herr. The deal will extend through to the Men’s World Championship 2027, providing ample opportunity to engage with Swedish sports fans across multiple platforms and events.
“Partnering with DBET, a dynamic and innovative player in the betting market, is an exciting opportunity for Swedish basketball,” says Susanne Jidesten, Chairwoman of the Swedish Basketball Association. “Together, we can broaden the reach of Swedish basketball and create new engagement opportunities for both fans and players.”
Launched in 2024, DBET has quickly gained recognition in the Swedish gaming market with a focus on responsible gaming and community involvement. This new collaboration with Swedish basketball underscores DBET’s commitment to growing its brand presence while supporting the expansion of Swedish basketball on both the national and league levels.
“We are excited to partner with Swedish basketball, a sport that is rapidly gaining popularity in Sweden,” says Jesper Kärrbrink, Group CEO/Chairman of Immense Group. “This partnership will help us engage with Swedish sports fans and strengthen DBET’s position in Sweden’s sports betting market.”
This collaboration builds on DBET’s growing presence in Swedish sports, including its recent partnership with football legend Anders Svensson and its involvement with the Swedish Bandy Association. DBET remains committed to expanding its reach in the Swedish sports sector through strategic alliances with iconic teams and athletes.
The post DBET partners with Swedish Basketball Association for multi-year sponsorship deal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Eberhard Dürrschmid CEO at Golden Whale
Golden Whale to broaden horizons with Logrand partnership

Pioneering data-driven service provider teams up with fast-growing Mexico-focused online casino group to extend its operations into Latin America for the first time
With Golden Whale’s mission to extend its innovative data-driven services to every corner of the globe continuing to pick up pace, the company has announced it has formed a new partnership with Logrand Entertainment Group that will see it enter Mexico in 2025.
Rightfully recognised as one of the fastest growing markets in the Latin American region, over the coming months Golden Whale will work with Logrand’s Strendus.mx online casino brand to implement a number of AI and ML-backed solutions that will enhance the platform’s operations.
Already one of the country’s best-loved online gambling destinations, Strendus.mx was the first Mexican site launched by Logrand and currently offers customers a market-leading selection of over 4,000 slots, table games and live casino options as well as a dedicated sports betting hub.
Active since 2017, Strendus.mx has steadily built up a loyal following among Mexican players thanks to its generous promotions, popular loyalty scheme and engaging gamification mechanics – all of which are major areas where Golden Whale’s solutions can add further value.
In addition to its commitment to innovation and customer engagement, Strendus.mx also maintains a strong focus on corporate social responsibility. This year, the brand has further strengthened its efforts by supporting a variety of charitable initiatives, including programs that promote donations to institutions dedicated to helping children affected by catastrophic illnesses. These activities reflect Strendus’ broader vision of not only delivering top-tier entertainment but also contributing positively to the communities in which it operates.
Given the wealth of player data the site has accumulated since its launch, there will be plenty of information that can be run through Golden Whale’s advanced AI and ML modules to optimise Strendus.mx’s operations, and both companies are excited about the opportunities ahead.
Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO at Golden Whale, said: “Many iGaming companies have already woken up to the benefits that Golden Whale’s powerful AI and ML-backed technology can bring, so the next step for us is making sure our solutions are available in as many markets as possible. This new partnership with Logrand will enable us to breach new frontiers in Latin America via the Strendus.mx casino brand and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact we can make there.”
Eduardo Pelaez, COO Online at Logrand Entertainment Group, said: “Launched in 2017, Strendus.mx is already one of Mexico’s flagship online casino brands – but we want to push this legacy further. By partnering with Golden Whale, we’ll be able to harness the power of AI and ML to deliver an even more personalised experience to Strendus.mx’s customers, helping us cement our position as both a genuine innovator and a true market leader in the LatAm region.”
The post Golden Whale to broaden horizons with Logrand partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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