Interviews
The Betegy story: “With a click of a button, we enable marketing teams to create entire campaigns in just a few seconds”
When it comes to the future of B2C marketing for sports betting and casino – personalisation and automation is going to be the name of the game. We caught up with Alex Kornilov, Founder and Managing Director of content and data specialists Betegy, to talk about his pioneering work in transforming the marketing operations for the likes of Parimatch, Sportsbet.io, ESPN and Yahoo Sports.
Congratulations on Betegy’s deal with Parimatch – can you take us through the agreement and what you’ll be doing for their teams?
It’s a relationship that has been in progress for some time, starting with us initially having a conversation about what we wanted to achieve. Parimatch was looking to optimise its offering to deliver a truly revolutionary style of marketing and this was something we were determined to deliver. Rather than being off-the-shelf, our discussions began with the premise of discovering the challenges Parimatch was facing and offering a bespoke solution.
Our Betegy product overcomes those pain points to engage their customers. Following the exploratory phase, we built a roadmap and a vision. It is vital that nothing is omitted at any stage, because all building blocks are essential in allowing us to create a unique product, vision and brand of the future –one that can truly resonate with players’ values.
With a click of a button, Parimatch’s marketing teams can now create compelling, personalised campaigns using Betegy’s proprietary automated content generation platform in a matter of seconds, rather than the old timeframe of two to three days.
Tell us about Betegy’s in-house technology – what was the development process behind it and how did you start out in 2012?
Back then, Betegy was working within data analytics and we had number-crunching algorithms that produced accurate predictions of football matches. We were coming up with predictions for media companies who wanted access to our feed, and this is how we ended up working with the likes of ESPN and Yahoo.
We subsequently realised that data and APIs were one thing, but that there was also a strong need for visualisation. From that starting point, we understood that we needed to create a variety of marketing tools out of that – including social, banners, landing pages and videos, for example – all driven by the APIs connected to our system. When we added odds to this mix, we realised that what we had produced could be very useful for betting operators.
Before we went live with sports betting in 2018, we had been working under the radar to help develop and hone our delivery with operator partners. This learning experience was invaluable as it allowed us to build the product in real time and only after two years of careful preparation, were we really ready to deploy with operators as a true product.
As well as the ‘revolutionary’ aspects mentioned for Parimatch, what other operators does Betegy work alongside? Does your delivery go beyond sports betting operators?
Every new client in our family benefits from our product and our growth strategy is based around continuous improvement. We work with various operators and each has their own unique pathway, allowing us to create a fully bespoke experience. Our online client Sportsbet.io has a very different strategy to German retail leader Tipico, for example.
We also work with casino products. It’s something we have been developing for a while behind the scenes but are only really starting to shout about just now. Out work with 22Bet is a great example of this – in many ways what we have created in this instance is a very similar style of visual generation, only in a new vertical, which shows that we are not simply all about sports betting.
On-air graphics, such as a Bloomberg-style trading experience from the world of finance, is also an area which we envisage as a major growth sector for us. Our platform is all about enhancing the visual experience and we believe that this is something we can certainly bring to the table for media companies in the future.
Looking globally and beyond Europe – what other key markets will you be targeting in the year ahead?
Our attention has already turned towards the Americas. This is definitely a big growth area for us with significant investment. It’s very different in scope to our home markets in Europe, which have proven to be highly valuable as learning grounds.
Asia is also a very interesting place for us, having worked closely with the China Sports Lottery previously. India as a market holds big potential too, which is understandable due to its sheer population size. When it comes to that all-famous national sport, cricket, there are some cracking creatives that can be produced to really make things look exciting. While LatAm is also on the horizon, we’re not there yet, Africa is interesting too – but we’re focusing on energies on other geographies first.
There’s a lot of talk about personalisation nowadays,but few companies aside from Betegy are bringing AI-based content personalisation to market. How do you see this changing through 2021 and beyond?
Our product came about based on client feedback. It was built upon what is needed now and also, what will be required in the future. Naturally, we have a first-mover advantage and the more we publicise and grow, the more we know where the value creation lies going forward.
We expect competitors to arrive on the scene, but we are confident in our leadership within this sphere, in relation to the typical innovation and adoption curve. We are still three to five years of creation ahead of mass market adoption, so there is plenty of time to capture more market share. Given the expertise we’ve been able to deploy already, as well as the relationships we have built and the understanding we have forged in what engages customers, we are happy to welcome additional players on the field.
What’s the case for automated content personalisation being a true gamechanger aside form cost savings? What can it enable your partners to do beyond efficiency?
Automated content personalisation allows for specialisation – bonuses and big events, for example – which can then be segmented by country. Additionally, and more pertinently, it allows for the quick testing of what is effective and what is not, with improvements deployed immediately wherever needed. This allows us to constantly test with creative teams and analyse, together, in real-time to see the effects of certain campaigns, making the tweaks needed.
Tailor-made offers and conversion tools for every single customer also allows us to generate content based on individuals. Machine generated content is another very significant growth area, which I look forward to speaking plenty more about soon enough.
Last but not least, looking ahead at 2021, and especially with the Euros on the horizon, how do you see sports betting playing out this year?
Retail is likely to be open again as we get closer to summer, and this will be welcomed by players – especially those who value the social element of betting. I also expect plenty of co-operation between media and betting companies, working together for mutual benefit and engaging players.
Taking a wider look at the market, I expect popularity of football to drop slightly, just as we saw at the start of the pandemic. When we talk about the younger generation, football has less of a passionate following. This is partially due to a changing mentality, where content is all about swipe-and-scroll and bitesize chunks– quicker gratification for driving higher engagement, rather than sitting to watch a match for 90 minutes.
Other sports offer a far faster format that appeals to younger players. Esports for example, offers lightning-fast gameplay and results and younger generations love this speed and fast action. While football can seem sterile right now, being played out as it is in front of empty stadiums, esports offers interactivity and engagement. This is where betting comes into play, enhancing the overall experience.
Congratulations on becoming the exclusive pricing and risk management supplier for Racing1 Markets. How important is this partnership for Pythia Sports?
This is a major milestone for us, and cements our position as a key racing innovation partner. This agreement sets us apart from our competition in the space, because we’re directly partnered with the four major rights holders in horse racing, which reinforces our position as a trusted partner. Horse racing is still a massive revenue driver for sportsbooks, often second only to soccer, and for one of our clients, regularly their highest trading volume sport. Offering an exciting and engaging experience for our customers is key and through the use of our new plug-and-play iFrame, running alongside our API integration, this new partnership will deliver a tier-one racing product for all our clients. These different delivery routes allow clients the flexibility to choose what best suits their needs for a horse racing and greyhounds solution.
Can you tell us a bit about how the overall Racing1 and Racing1 Markets alliance works and what Pythia’s role in it is?
Racing1 was put together by the four main global rights holders; 1/ST Content, Arena Racing Company [ARC], Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and Tabcorp. Those companies formed an alliance to consolidate their rights and deliver their content together internationally. Racing1 then agrees distribution deals for their content around the world.
Racing1 Markets is a fully outsourced racing solution, and Pythia is the risk management component of the partnership. When you combine Racing1’s core content package and Pythia’s racing solution, operators have a product that gives access to all the rights from those four rights holders, along with our pricing and risk management services, uniquely and exclusively via just 1 contract and 1 integration – making it the only one-stop shop solution on the market.
Did you have an existing relationship with ARC before the launch of Racing1 Markets? If so, how has that changed?
Yes, we have a long-standing relationship with ARC. The rebrand simplifies it so that it’s clear to operators they can find everything under one roof.
All the rights are now being packaged into one integration. That means sportsbooks don’t have to go and speak to each rights holder individually. They can simply speak to Racing1 and can then have a fully-packaged racing operation ready to go.
How does this tie in with Pythia Sports’ ambitions as a company this year?
We have very big ambitions this year and this is certainly the first step towards achieving those. Ideally, we want to take the product to as many partners as possible. We now have the iFrame solution, which is new for us and makes the integration process smoother and quicker for those with no front end solution for horse racing. We’re in the middle of exploring lots of exciting partnerships right now, and we should be in a position to announce those in the not-too-distant future, so watch this space.
What makes Pythia Sports’ pricing and risk management stand out above similar solutions in the market?
We’ve always been known for our specific expertise in the fields of horse racing and greyhound racing. We’ve been delivering healthy margins to operators as a B2B supplier for more than five years now but as a business we have experience that spans decades. In my opinion, our pricing algorithms are the strongest in the market, and we also want to make sure we offer the best customer experience. We’re excited to introduce several additions to our offering in 2025 and look forward to showcasing them to our current and potential partners throughout the year.
What are some current trends that Pythia Sports should be aware of?
We’ve witnessed the growth in revenue that our award-winning in-play product has been able to bring to the industry, and we’re excited to build on that growth, not just with additional markets, but also with greater on-screen content to support the in-play experience and make it easier for customers to make judgements during the race.
Following that theme, we’re focused on a mantra to “simplify and inform” across our product offering. Racing can be a challenging problem for customers to solve, so we want to place all the information at their fingertips. Early this year, in both greyhounds and horse racing, we’ll be rolling out enhanced form guides by aggregating race history into useful stats, badges and comments, while giving customers better data on which to make informed betting decisions.
SGP and Bet Builders have grown turnover and profitability in many sports, and our new Bet Builder product will be launching this year too. This will offer new opportunities for growth, both for avid fans, who can construct a bet based on exactly how they see a race playing out; through to more recreational bettors, who want the opportunity to win big from smaller stakes. That will work hand in hand with our enhanced form, highlighting market trends and opportunities in real time, and allowing bettors to really build a bet for any narrative.
How was exhibiting at ICE 2025 for Pythia Sports?
This year was the first time we’ve had a stand as part of Racing1, which was a great experience. As part of Racing1 Markets, we are the only provider to offer the complete package of data, risk management services and media rights, in just 1 contract and 1 integration. That is our USP and ICE provided the perfect setting for us to be able to discuss that. The interest in horse racing was as high as it has ever been, and there remains a global appetite for it among companies who clearly appreciate its importance as a product.
The post Pythia Sports Stephen Davison on the crucial role of risk management for Racing1 Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Nik Robinson, CEO, at Big Time Gaming, says the most successful slots combine masterful storytelling and innovative mechanics to deliver gameplay that is meaningful and memorable.
Just how difficult is it for a studio to constantly innovate and bring new player experiences to the market?
For us at Big Time Gaming, it’s second nature. Innovation is in our DNA – it’s what we do and what we’re known for. For years, we’ve set the industry benchmark, not only through iconic game mechanics like Megaways™, Megapays™, and Win Exchange™, but also by pairing them with immersive storytelling to deliver truly memorable gameplay. Our passion for pushing boundaries has allowed us to craft experiences that resonate with players worldwide. We don’t just create slots; we create games that hit differently – combining bold ideas, pioneering mechanics, and engaging narratives. This focus has led to some of the most beloved and successful slots in the market today like Bonanza, Lil Devil, Danger High Voltage, Who wants to be a MillionaireTM.
Looking ahead, we’re not slowing down. With a pipeline packed full of groundbreaking mechanics and fresh takes on interactivity and engagement, we’ll continue to raise the bar for what players can expect from their gaming experiences from Big Time Gaming, as innovation isn’t just part of the process – it’s the heart of who we are.
Are mechanics alone enough to ensure the success of a game? Or do mechanics and theme/design need to work together in harmony?
Mechanics and theme are the beating heart of any truly successful slot, and when they work together seamlessly, magic happens.
Players don’t just want games, they crave experiences, and this means games need to have innovative mechanics that serve a purpose, driving the narrative forward and pulling players deeper into a world they want to explore. It’s about creating a world where every spin contributes to an unfolding narrative that players want to be a part of. The combination of the right theme and mechanics makes the gameplay more meaningful and memorable – certainly more so than hitting “spin” on a standard 4 x 4 slot. A truly successful slot is the complete package, and this means a thrilling, immersive experience that players don’t just play but feel. This is what makes them hit spin again and again, not just to win but to see what happens next.
Its why our games from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire MegapaysTM , Golden Goose MegawaysTM too Bonanza Falls and Danger High Voltage 2 that features MegadozerTM mechanics, stand out! We craft worlds where gameplay, mechanics, narratives and music merge to deliver excitement, anticipation, that turns a slot into a hit – not just a game but an experience players come back to, time after time.
Can you talk us through some of the new mechanics you’ll be debuting in 2025?
Our first big releases in 2025 are Max Megaways 3, Big Bucks Deluxe, Crystal Towers and Castle of Terror 2, , with each showcasing new features and mechanics. Big Bucks Deluxe has been designed to evoke the opulence of high-stakes gaming and debuts our MegapotsTM mechanic to deliver colossal wins. In this game, MegapotsTM is combined with the Hold & Spin mechanic to reveal massive prizes, multipliers or MegapotsTM icons. Crystal Towers is powered by a first-of-its-kind real-time 3D engine technology that will set the benchmark for immersive gameplay. It also features a unique mechanic where winning clusters on the tower connect seamlessly around multiple sides of the gameboard to provide constantly transforming gameplay – imagine the thrill of a Rubik’s Cube fused with the sparkle of a crystal-matching symbol game brought to life in vivid 3D.
How will you combine these mechanics with the game theme, design and sound?
For me, the personalisation and potential for storytelling are two of the most exciting areas of slot development to further explore. By blending gripping narratives with cutting-edge mechanics and technology, we can create truly memorable games. Take our Max Megaways series, for example – the third instalment of the franchise, Max Megaways 3, sees players join Max on his most daring mission yet – deep in the icy mountains with Northen lights. The theme, design, and sound pull you into this world, making every spin feel like part of a high-stakes spy thriller. The game builds on proven mechanics like Megadozer™, the epic coin-dropping feature that unlocks spectacular rewards, and takes it to the next level! In Free Spins, Megadozer™ coins become the vehicle for Max’s arsenal of bonuses, creating thrilling new opportunities as different bonuses interact on the dozer. Every round of Free Spins feels fresh, unpredictable, and packed with excitement!
As well as mastering game mechanics, you set the standard for franchise and sequel slots. The second album is always the hardest, so how have you cracked the code with these games?
Launching a follow-up slot, as we have recently done with Danger High Voltage II, is no easy feat. You need to build on the original experience offered by the game, keeping true to the theme and gameplay, while also bringing in new elements. If you mimic the original too much, it won’t excite players but stray too far away from the core experience and there will be a significant disconnect. With Danger High Voltage II, we reimagined the visuals and mechanics, using MegawaysTM as the engine to bring massive win potential with up to 117,649 ways to win. We also took risks, adding in our new MegadozerTM mechanic as well as two entirely new free spins features – Fire in the Disco! and Danger Danger!! which were meticulously tested to ensure they brought the right blend of fun and volatility. The result is a very different game from the original but that still has a strong connection to the first game through the theme and of course the iconic song from Electric Six.
How will Big Time Gaming be providing more memorable player moments in 2025?
In 2025, our focus is to continue to lead in innovation. By staying true to our mission of pushing boundaries, we’ll create compelling player experiences with fun themes, captivating stories, and smart mechanics that deliver unforgettable gameplay, spin after spin. Our pioneering work on real-time 3D engine technology will signal a new era of immersive gameplay. The new game mechanics we’ll be rolling out that will redefine interactive experiences, across the entire gaming industry. We have some incredible games lined up for 2025, so watch this space.
The post Creating memorable moments appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Fast Track, the leading SaaS technology company and CRM provider in the iGaming industry, has unveiled the second instalment of its Inside Out video series.
Titled “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” the interview features CEO and Co-founder Simon Lidzén in a candid, behind-the-scenes discussion about the company’s growth, challenges, and vision for the future.
In the 30-minute video, Simon reflects on Fast Track’s nearly ten-year journey: “Success to me is about setting goals and achieving them. This year has been intense, but incredibly rewarding. From scaling Fast Track to launching groundbreaking products like Rewards, we’re just getting started.”
The conversation explores the launch of Rewards, Fast Track’s promotional ecosystem that integrates CRM with gamification to deliver engaging and personalised player experiences. Simon also discusses the company’s rapid global expansion and the challenges of scaling leadership within a fast-growing organisation. Looking ahead to 2025, he highlights Fast Track’s focus on leveraging AI to redefine CRM and customer engagement.
Simon’s reflections also touch on the company’s culture: “Fast Track is built on relentless innovation and a team that thrives on solving challenges. Seeing how much we’ve grown and how far we’ve come makes this journey so exciting.”
For those unfamiliar with Fast Track, the company is a high-growth SaaS leader, known for pioneering the use of AI to deliver personalised experiences to customers. Its software empowers companies to automate marketing and operational workflows, enabling teams to focus on strategy and innovation. Fast Track is reshaping CRM for iGaming, setting a new standard for customer engagement.
Watch the interview here: https://2ly.link/23JyZ
The post Fast Track CEO Shares Honest Reflections in New Interview: Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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