iGaming Industry
Riga Gaming Congress: speaker interview with Eman Pulis
Eman Pulis is an expert with fifteen years of experience in organizing exhibitions, summits and conferences. His projects include the largest international gambling forum SiGMA in Malta. The first SiGMA gathered several thousands of participants; with every year, their number increases. At Riga Gaming Congress, Eman Pulis will tell how the work on such a large-scale event is conducted, present the SiGMA-2017 announce and take part in the discussion session concerning gambling legal aspects. We asked the expert to answer some questions about his personality and activity.
– You often refer to yourself as a “startup-romantic”. What does it mean for you and how does it describe your business approach?
EP: I have been a start-up all my life, trying new things, often failing because I didn’t know better and also because I could have used a little more support and mentoring. I still consider my projects to be at the start-up level, but with a very solid proof of concept. The business, be it events (SiGMA, Affiliate Grand Slam), software development (SMSwarriors) or affiliation (BonusVikings), is growing healthily.
As a result, thanks to the SiGMA platform, I’m using this show as a launchpad for other start-ups to network, get the necessary mentoring and support, not only from us (our knowledge is limited), but especially from dedicated mentors and investors, who are attending the show for this purpose. We launched the SiGMA startup pitch last year and feedback this year is phenomenal with over 80 startups having applied already and some of the best gaming venture capitalists worldwide attending. We are giving startups around 20,000 Eur worth of goodies, from a booth at SiGMA to free office space in our Gaming Hub in Malta and much more. All of this is free!
– Tell us briefly about the results of the last SiGMA summit. How many participants, speakers, and presentations have been involved? What about the feedback? What was implemented for the first time?
EP: SiGMA is literally doubling in size every year for the past four years. What started as a humble show with 1,300 delegates is this year anticipating 250 sponsors and exhibitors, 150 speakers and 6-7,000 delegates – including affiliates, operators, vendors, startups, investors and regulators. The floor plan is sold out six months before the show – which is unprecedented in this industry.
– You are known as a founder and organizer of SiGMA, but you also have other gambling projects. Could you say a few words about them?
EP: I actually made it clear to myself that I would never do business in gambling outside SiGMA. I have been unofficially blessed with the privilege of putting the spotlight on Malta thanks to this event called SiGMA and I want to carry this project with no conflicting interests.
Imagine me, as the CEO of SiGMA, trying to sell a sponsorship to a games developer if I have vested interests in another games development company? Or trying to sell an operator a booth whilst at the same time competing for traffic with that casino with my own casino brand. Would these companies trust their brands with me and with SiGMA? No.
As a result of this line of thinking I have respectfully declined offers for shares in a number of companies, even when I saw that the profits were lucrative. I take the time to explain that my neutrality in the show is what made them approach me in the first place and, in all cases, they have their mind at rest that I would never have vested interests in any other gaming company.
This, I must say, is an intangible asset that I hold very dear.
– What could be considered as the most challenging in preparation to the event of such scale?
EP: Oh my! So many challenges! Thankfully I’m a bit of an OCD (ha!) so I strive for perfection in every little step we make as a team – be it content writing, manning of stands, customer service – the biggest challenge is managing a team of around 200 employees on the two days of the show – from securities, ticketing staff, cleaning, speakers, booth builders – it needs to run as smooth as an orchestra.
Thankfully, I’ve been in the business of organising events for fifteen long years – be it parties, concerts, conferences or expos.
The bigger the show gets the more I realize on the need to delegate and resist micro-managing everything. To this extent, surrounding yourself with the best talent is paramount.
– Who is involved in the team of SiGMA organizers? How many people are necessary to get the massive event ready in one year?
EP: WE are only around five people in total, working full time all year round. Closer to the show we beef up those numbers obviously.
– What is planned for SiGMA-2017 participants? Something special for the fourth congress?
EP: After three years, we felt the time was right to shift to a bigger venue that meets the needs of a growing show. This year SiGMA will be situated a stone-throw away from the old charming city of Mdina. The focus by day will be at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre (MFCC), then once the sun sets down, the focus will shift back to the official hotel, Corinthia San Gorg, and the surrounding restaurants in the city that seldom sleeps, St. Julian’s.
This year there’s something new, quite literally, for everyone:
- IMGL are officially endorsing this show for the very first time with two regulatory panel discussions;
- The GPI European Poker Conference shifted to Malta within SiGMA;
- Gaming Malta partnered with SiGMA to launch the very first DFS conference;
- A new, dedicated conference on Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies;
- A new, dedicated conference on Bingo;
- A new top-tier SEO masterclass for the very advanced;
- KPMG strengthened their partnership with their e-Summits;
- New world-class investors have joined last year’s lot, including Mark Blandfort, Simon Collins, Walker Parker, Julie Meyer and many more;
- The line-up of start-ups shot up from a humble eight last year to over fifty this year;
- The number of delegates shot up from 3,800 to a staggering 7,000 delegates;
- The number of affiliates shot up from 1,200 to a staggering 2,600 (check graphs so I tally);
- The foot print of our expo as well as the number of exhibitors tripled;
- World class brands are gracing our floor plan for the first time – Bet365, William Hill, Ladbrokes, PokerStars, Processing.com, Kindred, iGaming Platform, NetRefer, MyAffiliates, Twin, Casino Cruise, White Hat Gaming, Ikibu, Viarsys, Authentic Gaming, Blexr, Booming Games, Gambling Affiliation, Af2Af and many more first time exhibitors;
- The Malta Gaming Awards have been upgraded to recognise emerging trends in the industry;
- Our careers convention will welcome over 1,000 recruits, all hoping to land the career of a lifetime;
- We kept in close contact with all stakeholders throughout the year with a series of lavish dinners called iGatherings;
- We launched Affiliate Grand Slam; Tallinn in April, then Bucharest in September, flying a whopping 200 affiliates to each destination on an all-inclusive treat, saving no shillings along the way;
- Our publications grew bigger, slicker and reached more corners around the world;
- We persuaded the industry to ditch the vodka red bull; and started a new whiskey & cigar culture!
- 1,000 top level delegates benefited from our VIP Program.
– Are you aiming to expand the event geography and organize it in Europe, Asia, America? Or perhaps Malta and SiGMA are together forever?
EP: Only time will tell whether we expand the show further – for the time being SiGMA belongs in Malta and there is little scope for us to relocate elsewhere. Malta has been very kind to us and we feel right at home with the show in this charming Mediterranean state.
…
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Source: EEGaming.
BetConstruct
BetConstruct to Showcase Latest Innovations at G2E Las Vegas 2024
BetConstruct, a global leader in the iGaming industry, is going to showcase its cutting-edge solutions at the highly anticipated Global Gaming Expo (G2E), taking place from October 7-10.
As the premier event for the global gaming industry, G2E serves as a hub for innovation, driving growth by bringing together industry professionals from around the world to foster business opportunities.
Taking place at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, this all-in-one event features both an education program from October 7-10 and an expansive expo hall running from October 8-10.
BetConstruct’s stand is 5230, where the team will showcase an exciting range of products, including the newly launched the Last Battle, a novel loyalty system that is the byproduct of BetConstruct’s commitment to innovation. The company will also demonstrate its comprehensive Sportsbook and Casino Suite, along with DECA, its next-level decentralised casino platform, and Umbrella, an AI-powered risk management solution. These offerings are designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of operators, ensuring seamless and engaging experiences for players across the regulated market.
Amusnet
Amusnet Sets the Stage for Global Gaming Excellence at G2E Las Vegas
Amusnet has announced its participation in the 23rd edition of G2E Las Vegas (Global Gaming Expo) at The Venetian Expo from October 7-10. As one of the largest expos globally, G2E provides a platform for the company to showcase products across its Online Casino, Live Casino, and Land-based verticals, positioning Amusnet as a prominent all-casino provider in the competitive iGaming industry.
“We are excited to attend G2E Las Vegas 2024 to present our latest online casino portfolio and Type S slot cabinets: our first-ever product series for Land-based casinos, designed to offer a competitive edge by combining Amusnet’s top-notch game portfolio with an immersive player experience. Our focus is on delivering solutions that maximize performance and cater to the evolving needs for both online and land-based casinos,” said Borislav Marinov, Head of Business Development, Land-based, at Amusnet.
Alongside its technical excellence, the premium Type S series showcases the company’s award-winning titles, including 20 Golden Coins, Extra Crown, Fruits & Gold, and Cocktail Rush. It also features Amusnet’s popular four-level bonus game, Jackpot Cards, along with other exciting features like Free Spins, Buy Bonus, Pick Me Bonus, and Symbol Upgrade.
Amusnet will host an activation featuring its premium slot cabinets at the upcoming expo, offering attendees the opportunity to experience the thrill of Type S in real time and win exciting gifts.
Canada
SoftGamings Doubles Down on Global Expansion by Introducing Tobique Gaming Licence
SoftGamings, the market leader in iGaming solutions and services, announced the arrival of the Tobique Gaming License on the market. The move reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing regulatory compliance and expanding its footprint in the competitive iGaming industry.
Tobique Gaming, managed by the Tobique First Nation in western New Brunswick, Canada, oversees the issuance of online gambling licenses through the Tobique Gaming Commission (TGC) — a regulatory body established under the Tobique Gaming Act of 2023. This initiative is known for its stringent standards and emphasis on responsible gaming. Furthermore, it promotes economic development within the Tobique First Nation community.
The Tobique Gaming license provides operators an entry point into the online gaming and gambling industries. With it, businesses and iGaming operators can conduct operations in various global regions and offer multiple services, from betting to casino games and lottery promotions. The best of all is the streamlined application process, which lasts only 4 to 6 weeks.
SoftGamings is fully prepared to support clients and those interested in obtaining this license. Leveraging its innovative technology and diverse game portfolio, SoftGamings is ready to support clients in navigating the application process and leveraging the benefits of the Tobique Gaming License. The company’s comprehensive services include game development, casino management systems, and payment integrations, making SoftGamings a preferred partner for numerous operators and developers worldwide.
Consequently, helping the clients obtain the Tobique Gaming license and being an entry point represents a significant milestone in SoftGamings’ ongoing efforts to refine its service offerings, maintain the highest standards of gaming integrity, and bolster its regulatory standing. As the company moves forward with this licensing process, it anticipates a positive impact on its operations and continued success in delivering exceptional gaming solutions to its global clientele.
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