Interviews
Branding & shaping the perfect corporate image
What’s in a name?
Branding is key for operators, but shaping the perfect corporate image is also important in the ultra-competitive world of iGaming studios. In this feature, we look at the reasons why already successful suppliers would seek to craft fresh identities.
What key factors are taken into consideration when creating a fresh identity for a games studio?
Joey Hurtado, Managing Director of Games at Wizard Games: In this saturated market, it is important that we focus on our distinct competitive advantages. This boils down to what we can provide for our partners, based on a level of experience and knowledge within our ranks that we believe is up there with the best in the industry. At Wizard Games, we have assembled a wonderful management team with decades of experience in the industry and a studio team that boasts tons of creativity. Add to the mix an extensive network of operators who are already offering our games, extremely fast integration capabilities, the tournament tools offered by Pariplay, and the support of our solid public parent company, Aspire Global, and it is clear that our brand stands out from the crowd. We know the market and our finger is on the pulse of what players want across major industry operators. This gives us the advantage of creating exactly the sort of content people are looking for in different markets.
Yanina Kaplya, Head of Marketing at BetGames: There are many reasons for creating or updating a brand image for a games studio, (or indeed any other type of business). This can range from reputational and international expansion or repositioning to reflect a company’s new vision. Depending on the exact reasons driving it, there will be external factors such as target market trends and culture, the wider industry and product portfolio – and of course, the brand’s archetype. Internal factors can also include how we see and position ourselves, as well as the mission, vision, and value of the company not only as a product provider but also as an employer. Invariably, a company may need help from an external consultancy to see the bigger picture, while some companies decide to create their own brand image and identity in-house, as they have internal brand ambassadors who can show them the way to go. Defining your brand personality, your target audiences’ preferences, and value proposition can help greatly in setting a clear identity for a company. Looking at the gaming market today, we can see competition is fierce and every brand wants to cultivate uniqueness through product or brand identity and messaging to be able to differentiate itself.
Vladimir Malakchi, CCO at Evoplay: The concept of a brand is much more fundamental to a game studio or developer, at Evoplay we are in the fortunate position of being a brand that has a proactive philosophy on creating games, this is something not everyone in the industry has. Having a clear brand identity makes it very easy for partners and consumers alike to understand the company’s position and how it conducts itself across its markets. It’s the perfect reflection of a company’s vision, goals, and ambitions. When it comes to making an impact on the global stage – the most important is a well-formed brand compass that will be the landmark and goal behind every step of the company – vision, mission, values, strategic goals, and purpose as a business. Since the main barometer of a gaming studio’s value is the games it provides, it is crucial to understand the uniqueness of the games being created by the company, as well as what it means to the player and partner, and how it will be perceived by competitors. These insights foster a path for the company’s development and lay the foundations for further activity.
Stay close to an existing well-known brand, or move in a completely new direction: what persuaded you to move down one route or the other?
Malakchi: I wouldn’t say that Evoplay started moving in a completely new direction after the rebranding. The rebrand was about creating a new starting point in the Evoplay story and a transition to a new level, which is quite logical and harmonious in light of the great achievements made in the last 2 years. It serves as recognition of the experience we have gained over 3 years in the market, as well as setting more global goals and methods of achieving them. Some paradigms have remained with us and are still the basis of the company, some have been modified and adapted to new visions and beliefs, and some have been expanded due to stronger capacity and resources.
Kaplya: We are very proud of having built our BetGames brand and product portfolio completely from scratch. Our success has stemmed from our passion for unique products and solutions, which is such that it prevents us from stepping away from our core values and vision. In rebranding, we wanted to keep the vibrant, cool, visual themes of BetGames, as well as our recognizable name, for both our business partners and legions of fans. These factors give us the confidence and knowledge that our brand has a great reputation in the industry and that’s something we want to maintain throughout our lifetime. BetGames recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, and we’ve reflected this important milestone with an evolved business statement, upgrades to our operations, as well as corporate strategy and team alignments. The main driver behind our rebranding was our strategic plan to develop our corporate identity over the next decade. We identified a clear vision on a logo, fonts, color palette, and photography that would reflect how we grew from a start-up to a global entertainment provider.
Hurtado: This was a question that we considered extensively during the brand creation process before we reached the conclusion that our identity should lie within the middle ground between innovation and tradition. We have since focused on transmitting this identity to potential partners by embedding the concept within our brand design, guidelines, product, and every aspect of our communications. We see ourselves as a progressive brand. That means our games are deeply rooted in what players want, which is in the main set of traditional themes and features. From that starting point, we innovate – gradually and not in a disruptive way, incorporating technological advances, creative features, and attractive bonuses, all the way testing the results game by game. So far, this approach is working perfectly. We have achieved notable progression with each game release in terms of reception, which is a testament to our studio team’s hard work in evolving our offering.
Does the name, logo, and presentation of a brand tell a story in itself, or is it all about the games?
Hurtado: The expression of our brand identity is achieved through a combination of the logo, name presentation, and design. The Wizard element represents a wise character who constantly comes up with outstanding creations that nobody expected. As a universally recognizable character from a range of fantasy stories, the appeal is nostalgic while also hinting at the creation of new, surprising solutions. The combination of tradition with modernity is also present within the design of our logo, website, and visual elements.
Kaplya: We do have a story behind our logo. When you look at it – it’s a simple, recognizable, and unique mark that represents BetGames as well as its operating principles. The ‘B’ and ‘G’ in BetGames are combined in our new logo to represent our core value as a people company. It also resembles Superman taking flight, his arms pointing to the sky, which perfectly captures BetGames’ commitment to growth and people. While the diagonal lines mirror our dynamic personality, it is also no coincidence that they are tilted at a 24° angle, the same as the earth on its axis, symbolizing BetGames as a global company. The all-new logo is a modern representation of a company with operating principles and ideals at its heart.
Malakchi: The main goal of Evoplay’s rebranding was to take ownership over our brand identity, positioning the company as one with a unique vision for gambling products and a pragmatic approach to doing business in the industry. Everything that comes out of Evoplay, including communications, promotions, and marketing materials, reveals the personality of the brand and aligns with its vision, values, and goals. Our name – a combination of both the words “evolution” and “play” – expresses our desire as a brand, while our logo features the wing of our mascot, an owl, Evo, which symbolizes wisdom and transformation – the exact two powers we’re driven by. Our slogan is representative of our interaction with players and partners – ‘The future of iGaming of Today ‘, where players can enjoy an unparalleled gaming experience, and our partners can improve their business in multiple ways.
What are your brand’s values and how do they relate to your future plans?
Kaplya: We have incredibly ambitious plans for 2022 and our values are integral to them. We are using the best that tech can offer and are busy developing some fantastic ideas that we’ll bring to the market. When it comes to our core values – we start with compassion as we are a people company. Innovation is key, and we always aim to stay unique as pioneers rather than copycats. This is reflected in a soon-to-be-launched new vertical from us in 2022, which we’re all very excited about. Results, of course, always count – and we take pride in never failing on delivery, which I’m sure will continue to place us as a key industry partner through the next decade. Last but not least, we always think big and stretch what is possible!
Malakchi: I have always believed that the brand’s values begin with the corporate culture. It means that in-house values can be incorporated among employees, and directly impact our brand image. Speaking about Evoplay’s values in more detail, they are based on six P’s – People, Partners, Profit, Productivity, Portfolio, Place. Resting on these core pillars, we have been able to achieve our main goals for 2021 and expect to carry this momentum into the New Year by being a responsible employer and trendsetter in the iGaming industry, creating exciting titles, and building valuable partnerships.
Hurtado: The brand personality we have created is reflective of our core values: expertise, modernity, trustworthiness, progressiveness, and entertainment. It connects with our plans for the future, as we continue to add to a team that is rich in expertise, having been within the industry for decades. They know what they are doing and are committed to the continual improvement of our products and services so that we can deliver to players what they want and provide them with the most engaging, entertaining gaming experience. Our commercial team has also grown a lot in quality and quantity and we are striving to deliver the best possible customer service to our partner operators. As anyone can see from looking at our product roadmap, we innovate gradually from game to game, incorporating new, attractive bonus features. Our marketing team has also advanced the quality of our assets and they are working on numerous different projects to substantially improve the asset delivery. This year, we are also set to launch several features that have never been seen in the market before and which we are very enthusiastic about. Watch this space!
Adam Wilson, CEO at Splash Tech, looks at how operators can best utilise free-to-play (FTP) solutions to drive engagement with their customers.
It is often said that one of the main attractions of sport is the anticipation of the event, even more so than the event itself. How much do FTP games for sportsbooks tap into the buzz around sporting events for fans?
As we saw recently with all the attention paid to Super Bowl in the run-up to the game, people were heavily invested to the extent that even the half-time show became the subject of countless articles in the media and commentary on social channels. Naturally, predicting outcomes for teams and players is a major focus for sports fans worldwide and that is where free-to-play (FTP) games come in for sportsbooks by tapping into the sense of excitement. Combining the lure of free rewards and often big cash prizes with the promise of compelling sporting action definitely creates a perfect storm for marketeers. At Splash Tech, we have the technology and product to create tangible results on the back of pre-game noise, be it in the United States or anywhere else in the world, across all sports.
In terms of technology, across UI/UX, data and other areas, what refinements have you seen that have had a big impact in the way end users interact with FTP games?
Over the years, the FTP vertical has certainly become sophisticated in terms of how slick and engaging games and products are when presented to the end user. The effectiveness of a modern FTP strategy rests on how segmentation is carried out. It is all about rewarding the right user at the right time with the right prize and this is the secret to success.
If we look at dynamic segmentation, player experiences can be tailored to their progress within an operator’s ecosystem. New customers encounter more compelling offers, incentivising initial deposits, while established players experience gamified reward systems, promoting and recognising continued engagement. All incentives are personalised based on player lifetime value, delivering appropriate rewards to each user instantly. By offering players pertinent, timely, and enjoyable games, providers of promotional solutions can significantly boost operator revenue.
You recently struck a deal with Wildz Sports to roll out a series of Daily Predictor and Pick 6 games across a wide range of sports. How do you plan to keep these games fresh and interesting?
Localisation is very important when working with multi-regional partners. You can have the same game types running, but the content has to be tailored to user and regional preferences. With the Wildz Sports deal, we are rolling out game experiences across football, ice hockey, cricket, rugby and all US sports. Naturally, you wouldn’t expect a huge take-up for a cricket-based experience in the United States, but operators have found that it’s a sport that is extremely popular with bettors in other geographies. As such, FTP can play a major role in acquisition and retention in countries and regions that love the sport.
Finally, what is the future direction of FTP games? How can they evolve to become even more seamless and attractive as both acquisition and retention tools?
FTP can and should start at the top of the funnel and follow a user all the way through their journey with a sportsbook or casino. With the data we now have at our disposal, we can trigger real-time game experiences tailored to user preferences, optimised to enhance their loyalty with a brand. Given the diverse preferences of players, a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t cut it in what is an extremely competitive market. Highly targeted and relevant engagement is crucial for capturing and retaining player attention and neglecting the tools that enable this can be a costly mistake.
The post Splash Tech: How operators can tap into the hype appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
How does the Atlaslive Platform leverage AI to enhance responsible gaming and player protection as a leading B2B iGaming tech provider?
At Atlaslive, we see AI as a game-changer in responsible gaming, offering smarter, data-driven solutions to protect players while empowering operators. Our platform integrates machine learning tools that continuously analyze player activity, detect early signs of risky behavior, and provide personalized interventions—all while maintaining a seamless gaming experience. The goal is to equip operators with proactive tools that support player well-being without unnecessary friction.
Looking ahead, we’re diving deeper into AI’s potential, exploring more advanced profiling techniques to refine risk assessments and deliver interventions that feel intuitive and effective. The responsible gaming landscape is evolving rapidly, and we’re committed to staying ahead, ensuring our solutions meet market demands and regulatory expectations.
AI is also revolutionizing compliance by automating key processes like KYC verification, real-time player monitoring, and reporting. This not only saves operators time but also strengthens regulatory adherence without adding operational complexity. As AI technology continues to advance, it’s clear that its role in responsible gaming will only grow, creating a safer, more responsible, and ultimately fairer gaming ecosystem where both operators and players benefit.
What AI-driven technologies does the Atlaslive Platform use to detect potentially harmful player behaviors?
The Atlaslive Platform uses real-time behavioral analytics powered by AI to detect patterns that may indicate risky player activity. Our system continuously monitors key behavioral signals, such as sudden increases in deposit frequency or unusually long gaming sessions, helping operators identify potential concerns before they escalate.
We leverage advanced machine learning models to refine these detections, ensuring accuracy and minimizing false positives. However, we also prioritize usability—our AI-driven insights are designed to be clear and actionable, allowing operators to intervene at the right time with minimal disruption. It’s about striking the right balance between cutting-edge technology and practical, real-world solutions that enhance player protection.
What are the opportunities and challenges for suppliers and operators when integrating AI into responsible gaming, player engagement, and operational efficiency?
AI presents significant opportunities for both B2B tech providers and operators in iGaming. On the player engagement side, AI-driven personalization is a game-changer. By analyzing real-time player behavior, AI can recommend games, promotions, or responsible gaming interventions tailored to individual habits. Research shows that AI-powered alerts can be highly effective—over 50% of high-risk players who received targeted warnings adjusted their gambling behavior the same day, with 54% continuing to play more responsibly a week later. This level of personalization not only supports safer gaming but also fosters stronger player loyalty by making interactions more relevant and meaningful.
From an operational perspective, AI enhances efficiency across multiple areas. It automates KYC processes, detects fraud, and streamlines resource allocation. Machine learning models can also identify risk patterns—such as sudden spikes in deposits or extended play sessions—and trigger timely interventions, helping operators act proactively rather than reactively.
However, these benefits come with challenges. Transparency remains a key concern, as players increasingly want clarity on how AI-driven decisions impact them. Studies indicate that over 80% of people have concerns about AI transparency, according to research by Jobin et al. Additionally, navigating evolving regulations, such as the EU’s AI Act, requires operators to ensure their AI tools meet strict standards for fairness, privacy, and accuracy.
Ultimately, while AI is reshaping responsible gaming and operational efficiency, success depends on balancing innovation with compliance and building trust with players. The real challenge lies in leveraging AI’s potential while ensuring ethical, transparent, and player-friendly implementation.
What ethical considerations should iGaming operators keep in mind when implementing AI for responsible gaming?
When it comes to using AI for responsible gaming, operators need to understand that it’s about supporting players, not controlling them. Transparency is very important here, and players should know how AI is being used and feel confident that it’s there to help, not to invade their privacy or manipulate their behavior.
It’s also important to keep the human element in mind. While AI can handle a lot of the heavy lifting, like spotting risky patterns or automating interventions, as I mentioned before, operators should make sure there’s still room for empathy and personalized support when it’s needed. AI should complement human oversight, not replace it entirely.
Another consideration is fairness. AI systems need to be designed and monitored to avoid any unintended biases or outcomes that might negatively impact certain groups. I think it is more about creating tools that genuinely protect players while building trust and a sense of fairness in the gaming environment.
How do you see AI shaping the future at Atlaslive, not just in responsible gaming but across your entire iGaming platform?
AI is set to play an even bigger role at Atlaslive, enhancing multiple aspects of our platform beyond responsible gaming. One of the most exciting areas is real-time odds optimization — AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data instantly allows us to adjust odds dynamically based on live events. This makes betting faster, smarter, and more responsive, ensuring that operators can offer the most competitive and accurate odds at any moment.
Another major focus is automated customer care. AI-powered support systems can efficiently handle player queries, from setting limits to finding specific games or resolving account issues. By streamlining these interactions, AI ensures that customer service is not only faster but also more personalized, creating a smoother user experience.
We’re also exploring AI-driven content personalization. By analyzing player preferences and behavioral patterns, AI can recommend games, bonuses, and features that feel uniquely tailored to each user. This level of customization keeps engagement high and makes every interaction on the platform more relevant and immersive.
Ultimately, AI is helping us refine and elevate every part of the iGaming experience, from betting mechanics to customer engagement and operational efficiency. As technology continues to evolve, its role in optimizing both player satisfaction and operator performance will only grow.
About Atlaslive
Atlaslive, formerly known as Atlas-IAC, underwent a rebranding campaign in May 2024. It is a B2B software development company that specializes in creating a multifunctional and automated platform to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Key components of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management and Anti-Fraud Tools, CRM, Bonus Engine, Business Analytics, Payment Systems, and Retail Module. Follow the company on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news in iGaming technology.
The post The Future of Responsible Gaming: AI’s Role in Player Protection – Atlaslive’s View appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
2024 was your debut year with Xanada Investments. Looking back, what are the key highlights or moments that defined this first year for the fund?
2024 marked the beginning of an ambitious journey for Xanada Investments – a year where we laid a strong foundation for what’s to come. While the real work lies ahead, I can confidently say that we’ve set the stage.
The highlight was undoubtedly our successful allocation of $9 million across 8 impactful projects, selected from a pool of 350 submissions. Each startup impressed us with its scalability, strong team, and ability to deliver real results – qualities we value as the cornerstone of every successful partnership.
Another defining moment was the debut of the Xanada Startup Contest. It was a platform not just to identify potential investments. We actively participated in major industry events like iGB LaunchPad, SiGMA Pitch, and SBC First Pitch – events we couldn’t pass up. As a newcomer, we not only made our presence known but also earned recognition, securing awards and forging valuable connections.
Beyond numbers, the year was about building a community – a network of partners, founders, and investors who believe in driving transformative change.This is just the start of an exciting journey.
What inspired you to launch the Xanada Startup Contest, and how would you evaluate its impact in 2024?
It’s no secret that many startups are in need of investment. But the real question is, do they have the expertise, networks, and strategic foundation to actually make that investment work? This was one of the key insights that led us to create the Xanada Startup Contest. It wasn’t about running a competition with just a single winner; it was about creating a transparent process: a live showcase of how startups grow, pivot, and adapt in real-time.
Too often, what happens behind the scenes stays hidden, but we wanted to change that. The results speak for themselves. With 250 applications pouring in, representing a diverse range of ideas from around the globe, we witnessed firsthand the depth of creativity within the startup ecosystem. And through a rigorous selection process, we identified and elevated one standout winner – FTDx. The real impact of the contest lies in its ability to challenge founders to think bigger and execute better. That’s what makes the Xanada Startup Contest more than just a competition.
Many associate investment funds with slow decision-making processes. Yet Xanada Investments has been incredibly dynamic. What’s your secret to keeping up this pace in the previous year?
The secret lies in creating frameworks that balance precision with speed. We’ve developed rigorous evaluation processes that combine both quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess startups effectively without losing momentum.
But beyond frameworks, it’s about having a team with the right mindset. At Xanada Investments, we embrace adaptability and foster collaboration. Our team operates with the energy and agility of a startup, and that allows us to move quickly, even in an industry often seen as traditional and slow.
You partnered with 8 startups this year. What caught your attention in these projects, and what’s your strategy for picking the “perfect match” for Xanada Investments?
At Xanada Investments, our focus has always been on backing projects that bring something unique to the table. What sets us apart is not just what we look for, but how we see it. For us, it starts with the people – the founders. Their vision, resilience, and ability to execute are what capture our attention first. These are individuals who truly understand their markets, are ready to pivot when challenges arise, and have the determination to turn ideas into reality.
Among the projects we’ve backed this year, Promofy is revolutionizing user retention with AI-driven gamification, delivering personalized engagement at scale. Gamixter is helping operators optimize player interaction with real-time engagement tools, creating more immersive gaming experiences. Bettorify, focused on the rapidly growing Asian market, provides localized white-label and turnkey solutions, enabling operators to navigate regional complexities with ease.
These are just a few examples of the startups we support. Each project we invest in plays a role in building a stronger, more dynamic iGaming landscape. And we’re only getting started.
With 11 award nominations and 2 wins already, success is clearly part of Xanada’s DNA. But how do you define success beyond the numbers?
For us, success isn’t measured by the number of awards. Of course, we are talking about financial returns, about impact, although we deeply appreciate the recognition – it’s always rewarding to see our efforts acknowledged on such a level. These awards are proof that we’re on the right track, but they are only part of the story.
But are we helping startups achieve their goals? Are we setting new benchmarks in the iGaming industry? The true measure of success lies in the growth of the projects we support and the people behind them. When we see startups flourishing, scaling their businesses, and turning ideas into impactful solutions, that’s the ultimate reward.
Another key indicator of success for us is the relationships we cultivate. When founders and partners come to see Xanada Investments not as just an investor but as a trusted collaborator and ally, we know we’re doing something right. These connections, built on trust and mutual ambition, are the foundation of our ecosystem.
What does the future hold for Xanada Investments in 2025? Are there any ambitious goals or projects you can share with us?
2025 is about scaling powerful results. We plan to invest in 10–12 new startups, focusing on projects with strong business fundamentals, exceptional teams, and clear strategies for growth. Our approach prioritizes opportunities with a targeted IRR of 25–40% and a MOIC of 3–5x, ensuring every investment aligns with our commitment to sustainable, measurable returns.
We’re taking the Xanada Startup Contest to the next level this year. Xanada Investments is expanding its reach and updating the evaluation process to attract a wider range of participants from diverse industries and markets. To ensure the best selection, we’re involving not only our team but also top industry experts to evaluate the entries. This will help us find and support the most promising ideas out there. With more transparency and live engagement, you’ll have the chance to see and hear these groundbreaking ideas in action. Stay tuned, big things are on the horizon!
Xanada Investments is also focused on strengthening our internal capabilities. A key priority for 2025 is to grow our team by bringing in top talent, including a dedicated analyst, to refine our data-driven approach to startup evaluation. We want to be a partner that equips startups with the tools, mentorship, and connections they need to succeed. The road ahead is ambitious, but we’re ready to seize the opportunities 2025 has in store.
The post XANADA’S BREAKTHROUGH YEAR AND THE ROAD AHEAD appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018
