Connect with us
building-an-ecosystem-for-the-igaming-business:-exclusive-interview-with-vitali-matsukevich,-chief-operating-officer-at-softswiss building-an-ecosystem-for-the-igaming-business:-exclusive-interview-with-vitali-matsukevich,-chief-operating-officer-at-softswiss

Interviews

Building an ecosystem for the iGaming business: Exclusive interview with Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS

Published

on

Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

How do you evaluate SOFTSWISS’ interim performance results of 2023?

We have record numbers for most of our products in the first half of 2023. We’ve picked up a good pace, so I think we’ve done quite well in  the first half of the year.  The strategy we’ve chosen and are following is paying off. We expect that the second half of the year will be even better for us. Reinforcing this idea with some numbers I am proud to note the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator has achieved a breakthrough milestone by surpassing 10,000,000,000 euro in Total Bets across all projects in July and August.

As planned, we have achieved  all-time record-breaking figures across the entire product range.

The SOFTSWISS Anti-fraud Team helped our clients save more than 9.2 million euro during the first half of 2023.

The SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggragator achieved the significant milestone of 60 partner brands.

The GGR among all Sportsbook clients soared by 769%, while the total turnover rose by 254% year-on-year.

iGaming brands, collaborating with Affilka by SOFTSWISS, harnessed its power to draw in over 10 million new players through affiliates.

Our commitment to progress remains unwavering and we maintain the current growth momentum. Perfection has no bounds, and our team embodies the spirit of relentless pursuit: “Citius, altius, fortius – communiter” like the Olympians.

We have no intention of resting on our laurels. In fact, we are geared towards accelerating our growth even further and with greater vigour.

 

For the last few years SOFTSWISS has been creating an iGaming ecosystem. Why is this approach important for the company?

SOFTSWISS has been talking about its software ecosystem for quite a while, first and foremost as a ‘one-stop shop’. We provide our clients with a fairly wide range of products.

The Casino Platform empowers clients to oversee player accounts, payment services, game vendors, and access reporting and analytics, providing a complete back office for their online casino brand management. The powerful and proven software platform is a reliable foundation for strengthening and growing business by adding new products.

With our Game Aggregator hub, it is easy and seamless to add a massive portfolio of over 16,000 games through just one API integration.

The Sportsbook, a sports betting software platform, was created for launching a bookmaker business online with over 200 sports.

The Jackpot Aggregator aims to increase operator revenue by strengthening brand competitiveness, acquiring new players and retaining existing ones, and growing their life-time value and bet sum.

The affiliate management and tracking software Affilka by SOFTSWISS, was developed with the needs of both iGaming operators and affiliate partners in mind.

Moreover, we offer Managed Services, a suite of services aimed at helping operators overcome day-to-day operational challenges.

This is the ecosystem that covers essentially all verticals in the iGaming business.

So, this is not a new trend for us. We have been actively engaged in building an ecosystem of cross-integrated products. It’s almost like a Lego just for the iGaming business. Our slogan, ‘Winning Combination, perfectly encapsulates this, emphasising the importance of creating successful product synergies.

This year, we implemented the integration between the Jackpot Aggregator and Sportsbook, and we recently completed the integration of the Jackpot Aggregator and Game Aggregator.

We are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation and functionality. We definitely make an emphasis on how our products communicate with each other, and how that makes them better.

 

What are your expectations for the iGaming industry for the rest of the year?

I anticipate a sustained growth in the industry. Things are about to change in terms of legal and compliance, and in terms of working in some jurisdictions like Curacao.

We are definitely very attentive to the LatAm region. The Latin American iGaming market is poised for rapid growth due to growing acceptance of gambling regulation, large population and a growing middle class, as well as its cultural values and, of course, high mobile adoption .

All these factors make this region a prime frontier for both domestic and international operators to explore. This anticipated surge in development holds the potential to reshape the regional gaming landscape and provide lucrative opportunities for industry leaders.

Naturally, we are closely monitoring the cryptocurrency market, which is a big component of our business. However, we do not anticipate any major disruptions or external upheavals. Our expectations align with a steadily expanding market.

 

What is SOFTSWISS preparing for the SBC Summit Barcelona, 19-21 September? What can visitors expect?

At the core of SOFTSWISS’ imaginative idea for the event is how we view success in the iGaming realm. Taking cues from the renowned Spanish artists, who embody the cultural identity of the event’s host country, SOFTSWISS will portray its pioneering solutions as contemporary cornerstones of the industry.Under the banner ‘Make your business a classic’, our experts invite industry leaders to delve into the revolutionary possibilities offered by our comprehensive suite of solutions.

As always we will have one of the largest booths at the exhibition. The highlight of the booth will be illustrations painted in the style of famous artists, dedicated to each of the SOFTSWISS products. Naturally, we took care to be able to communicate productively with our partners and build a cosy and stylish meeting room at the stand.

Our clients can expect us to be happy to talk to them about our innovations, which we certainly have.

The Game Aggregator’s tournaments features are actively being used by clients.

At the same time, the Jackpot Aggregator is rolling out network jackpots and the time-based jackpot. Be sure to ask the team about the results of the integration with the Game Aggregator.

As always expect us to welcome clients new and old at our stand. And of course, we will be happy to give you a sneak peek of the latest innovations we’ve introduced since the last event.

 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international iGaming company supplying certified software solutions for managing gambling operations. The expert team, which counts 1,500+ employees, is based in Malta, Poland, Georgia, and Belarus.  SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013 SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

 

bespoke solutions

The White Label Dilemma: Finding the Right Balance for Your iGaming Business

Published

on

the-white-label-dilemma:-finding-the-right-balance-for-your-igaming-business

It’s not just black and white label

Yoni Sidi, CEO at Wiztech, says white labels are all about striking the balance between pros and cons, but for some, it’s impossible to achieve and that’s why it’s important to consider other options.

 

For most operators, a white label solution seems to offer the best route to market. But is that actually the case?

I’ve been working in the industry for more than two decades now, and over that time, I’ve worked on both sides of the fence – so on the white label operator side and on the white label provider side. This gives me a deep understanding of the pros and cons of white label solutions, and this understanding ultimately led me to launch Wiztech. To answer your question more directly, white labels are always about striking the balance between the pros and cons they present – for some operators, a balance can be found, but for others, it can’t. Ultimately, it comes down to knowing what you want from your platform or technology stack, and whether a white label can meet those requirements with the budget and resources you have available to you.

 

So, what are the pros and cons of a white label platform?

There are plenty of upsides to white labels, and that’s why they’re used by so many operators. The main advantages are speed to market and cost effectiveness – you can literally go from first discussions to your online casino being live in a matter of weeks. The upfront fees are relatively small, and, in most cases, you pay a revenue share back to the platform provider. This can tighten margins a little, but it means you don’t have to have a large capital reserve to get going. Another benefit is that you can take on as much or as little of the operation as you like – for some, they will let the platform provider take care of the operational aspect while they focus solely on marketing and customer acquisition. Other upsides include licensing, with the white label partner securing and being responsible for the licences they hold.

Drawbacks. The biggest for me is the lack of differentiation you get with a white label. The many brands that run on the platform often look very much the same, just with different logos and branding. After a few months of operating your online casino, you’ll likely notice friction points that you’ll want to address, but the rigid nature of white-label platforms means it’s incredibly difficult to smooth out even the smallest of bumps in the road. It’s also incredibly difficult to roll out unique features and functionality as the development team is usually working through a backlog of requests – most of which are for the friction bumps that need ironing out. Factor in the frequent regulatory changes that happen, and the need for the development team to respond to them, and it’s easy to see how hard it can be to improve the experience being offered to players.

 

How can operators strike a balance between the pros and cons of white labels?

It comes down to understanding the capabilities of the platform provider and whether they offer customisation and localisation. If they don’t, the operator needs to determine if this is a price they’re willing to pay in exchange for the speed to market and cost effectiveness that white labels provide. Of course, some white label providers do offer support and are happy to help when it comes to developing and deploying bespoke features and functionality. But in my experience, most don’t have the capacity for this, even if they say they do. For me, the balance is found by accepting the limitations of white labels and working within the (often pretty rigid framework) they provide. There are plenty of examples of operators that have done this and have gone on to run very successful brands in highly competitive markets.

 

Is there an alternative to white labels?

The most obvious alternative is to develop a proprietary technology stack, but this approach comes with just as many, if not more, pitfalls. Building a platform from the ground up is incredibly expensive and tremendously risky, and this is why so few operators outside of the industry power players have been able to pull it off. And even those that do often encounter issues such as ongoing maintenance, tech debt, staffing and compliance. But there is a middle ground between white label and proprietary, and it can be found with smaller platform providers whose technologies offer the agility, flexibility and adaptability required for operators to launch highly customised, almost bespoke, online casinos and sportsbooks.

 

How does Wiztech fit into the platform mix, and how do you support your partners in achieving their goals in often highly competitive markets?

At Wiztech, we champion modular tech and the likes of AI and automation. By embracing these, we have been able to build powerful yet highly customisable casino and sportsbook solutions that are also fully compliant in tightly regulated markets. In our experience, being able to quickly respond to regulatory changes provides a competitive advantage to our customers. In Mexico, for example, our client Winpot has been able to deliver a unique player experience while always ensuring compliance. And this is against a backdrop where regulatory changes often come with very little notice. Our technology can adapt quickly while Winpot continues to capitalise on the growing demand for entertaining online casino products and experiences.

But just as important as our technology is our approach to our partners. This sees us undertake a comprehensive onboarding process where we spend a lot of time understanding the client’s “why” before we map out the “what” and the “how”. This has proved to be incredibly effective and ensures that our clients can get the most out of the flexibility of our platform and the high levels of customisation and personalisation it provides.

The post The White Label Dilemma: Finding the Right Balance for Your iGaming Business appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Interviews

The UX Revolution: Why Gaming Corps’ Website Redesign Reflects the Industry’s Digital Shift

Published

on

the-ux-revolution:-why-gaming-corps’-website-redesign-reflects-the-industry’s-digital-shift
Reading Time: 3 minutes

How Gaming Corps’ Website Redesign Mirrors the Industry’s Shift Toward Seamless Digital Journey

The online gaming industry is a whirlwind of constant change, and to stay ahead, companies must evolve their digital presence. Juha Kauppinen, CEO of Gaming Corps, explains why the company’s recent website redesign was more than a simple visual update. It was a strategic move to better reflect the company’s growth, showcase its expanded portfolio, and create a seamless digital experience for partners and stakeholders.

 

 

What prompted the decision to redesign the website?

We had clearly come to a natural point in Gaming Corps’ growth, so the need for a redesign just naturally became obvious.

We’ve had many new game releases, record-breaking quarters, and the launch of our Remote Gaming Server, so it became clear to the team that we needed a website which better reflected who we are today.

It wasn’t just about a fresh look, it was about making it easier for partners to explore what we offer and connect with us in a more intuitive, seamless way.

 

How does the new site better reflect who you are as a business today compared to a year or two ago?

A year or two ago, we were still finding our footing and growing our portfolio.

But today, we’re a more established, ambitious company with a clear identity and vision. The new site reflects that shift – it’s more polished, more dynamic, and built to showcase not just our games, but our capabilities as a partner and platform provider.

 

What were the most important improvements you wanted to make during the redesign — and why were they important for your users or partners?

We wanted to ensure the website reflected how we present ourselves as a modern, innovative studio.

So, we now have a more modern, user-friendly design and a UX that’s more intuitive. What this means is that the site is easier to use, whether you’re a client, partner or stakeholder.

Speaking of partners, it’s now easier for them to understand what we do and explore our games.

We’re very proud of the Gaming Corps portfolio, so now we can showcase it much better, with clearer vertical distinctions between our Mine, Smash4Cash and Plinko games, etc.

When it comes to us as a company, we can now highlight our careers section to support our drive for talent acquisition and to keep growing our fantastic team.

Finally, the new site also gives more prominence to our investor relations, reflecting our position as a listed company and offering clarity on that.

 

Were there any common pain points, feedback, or gaps in the old site that influenced your approach to the new one?

The main product offering wasn’t clear to partners or visitors. The site design felt outdated and more suited to an early-stage company, and those days are long behind us now.

Our investor relations content wasn’t visible or prioritised enough, considering that we’re a PLC, and existing partners weren’t highlighted.

The old site just didn’t reflect who we are, what we do and what we can do. The new one does all of those things.

 

How important is your website today in terms of attracting or informing potential partners, clients, or stakeholders? Has that role changed in recent years?

Our website has become a much more important touchpoint for us, especially as we’ve grown internationally and have expanded what we offer to our B2B clients.

Our site is often the first chance we get to make an impression on potential partners or stakeholders, so it needs to communicate who we are, what we offer, and where we’re going.

The role of our website has evolved – it’s no longer just a digital brochure; it’s a core part of how we connect and do business.

 

What would you say to other companies in the B2B iGaming space thinking about refreshing their digital presence?

Don’t underestimate the impact of a strong digital presence, because it’s more than just visuals.

It’s about clarity, usability, and showing your value at a glance.

Also, involve your people from across the company early on, as this helps create something that truly reflects your brand and speaks to your audience.

The post The UX Revolution: Why Gaming Corps’ Website Redesign Reflects the Industry’s Digital Shift appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Interviews

Scale isn’t everything: Why agility is the new advantage in live casino

Published

on

scale-isn’t-everything:-why-agility-is-the-new-advantage-in-live-casino
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Live casino’s rise has been meteoric, but the recent slowdown at the top end of the market suggests the next phase of growth won’t come from scale alone. As the sector matures, Ady Totah, CEO at LuckyStreak, explains why agility, hands-on management and a sharper product focus are fast becoming the new competitive edge.

 

There is a perception that the biggest live casino providers are the most capable. Is bigger always better?

It’s easy to assume that the biggest brands automatically deliver the best service, but with scale comes complexity. For larger organisations, adding new features or reacting to a regulatory update can take weeks or even months, especially when decisions span multiple time zones or teams have long approval chains.

At LuckyStreak, while we’re an established business with a large, dedicated workforce at our live dealer studio in Riga, our management team remains intentionally small and hands-on. In many ways, we operate more like a start-up, with fast, focused leadership at the core.

Myself and my co-founder Erez Cywier are closely involved in the day-to-day operations. This proximity shortens decision making processes, speeds up product assessments and empowers us to act quickly. We’re not tied down by long-winded protocols or bureaucracy.

A perfect example of this agility came when we saw an opportunity in the growing sweepstakes market. We already had the foundations but needed to adapt quickly. In just one quarter, we delivered compliant user interfaces, multi-coin virtual currency systems and configured both our own live games and third-party content to meet the unique needs of the sweepstakes audience. This is the kind of rapid pivot that is only possible when your decision-makers are hands-on.

 

How do boutique providers keep product planning sharp and strategic?

Knowing what matters and prioritising ruthlessly is what allows smaller providers to remain competitive in the market, when faced with more established, Tier 1 names. Speed, however, does not mean shortcuts.

We are sharpening our performance across the board and ensuring our roadmap gives us the flexibility to act when new opportunities arise. Effective product planning is all about focus. That means tuning out the industry noise, resisting trends for the sake of trends, and asking: what delivers real impact for our partners?

While some companies struggle under the weight of large and inflexible roadmaps, we have the luxury of being selective in what we build, and that makes our product roadmap  more actionable, more tailored and therefore more valuable to our partners.

 

How can providers keep up with rising regulatory pressures?

Operating across multiple jurisdictions means navigating a complicated patchwork of compliance frameworks, licensing rules and technical standards quickly.

Compliance is not a support function, but a core part of the business. For larger businesses, these regulatory changes may present disruptions, but our size and structure allow us to react quickly and stay ahead of the curve, without compromising on quality.

To maintain both speed and quality, we moved from traditional Agile sprints to a continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) model. Instead of bundling releases every two weeks, we push updates multiple times a week. This means we can react quickly to feedback, ship improvements faster, and keep our platform evolving without unnecessary delays.

 

Why is a more focused approach the future of live casino?

The criteria for what operators need from their live casino provider is changing. Reliability, flexibility, speed and compliance support are becoming just as, if not more, important than table count. We design everything with these qualities in mind, and we back that up with a strong culture of ownership and continuous delivery. This mindset allows us to innovate quickly, without sacrificing the robustness our partners expect.

In this new landscape, being lean, focused and responsive isn’t a limitation. In live casino, a genre requiring significant on-going operational investment, the providers that thrive are not always the biggest, but the smartest and the ones who can adapt fastest.

The post Scale isn’t everything: Why agility is the new advantage in live casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending