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Interviews

Maxim Slobodyanyuk on Euro 2024: Innovative Atlaslive’s Sportsbook for Operators’ Success in iGaming

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As we draw closer to the start of Euro 2024 on June 14, the sporting community buzzes with anticipation, along with operators in the iGaming industry and their eager sports bettors. Today, we’re interviewing a particularly fascinating figure, Maxim Slobodyanyuk, whose company has developed one of the world’s most innovative and adaptable Sportsbook. We’ll hear firsthand about football innovations and the unique possibilities that modern technology brings to the field.

Maxim Slobodyanyuk, Chief Executive Officer at Atlaslive, a dynamic iGaming platform, will share his insights and expert thoughts on the eve of the highly awaited Euro 2024. He will discuss the innovations in football for modern operators and the incredible opportunities for iGaming businesses, thanks to the integration of Atlaslive’s powerful Sportsbook Platform.

Maxim, Euro 2024 approaches, which begins on June 14th, the excitement around football betting is becoming palpable. Could you please share how Atlaslive’s innovative sportsbook is setting up to enhance the betting experience for this major event?

As Euro 2024 nears, starting on June 14, the anticipation in the world of football betting is indeed palpable. At Atlaslive, our in-house developed Sportsbook is designed to significantly enhance the betting experience for this major event. We’re prepared to handle peak loads effortlessly, thanks to our robust Platform that boasts a 99.9% uptime. This reliability means that our players can place their bets almost continuously, without the risk of losing access during critical moments.

Moreover, our Platform offers tools for objective and highly professional betting management, ensuring accurate and timely results. We understand that our partners may have unique needs, and we are equipped to develop and integrate new, exclusive modules swiftly, tailored to their specific business requirements. All these capabilities give us a significant competitive edge in both existing and new markets.

 

Maxim, what do you think about expanding promotional activities to include a variety of sports beyond just football? Could you explain how operators can benefit from this approach and what impact it has on their success?

Expanding promotions to include a wider range of sports is definitely a smart move for any iGaming operator. While football typically holds the top spot in betting, other sports have a lot to offer too. When we spread out our efforts to include these other sports, we reach more markets and make the most of different sports seasons.

Let’s take a simple example. Say an operator focuses only on football and runs a big ad for a Premier League game. This might bring in a lot of bets at first, but it also makes the business really depend on how that game goes. If the game doesn’t turn out well, the operator could lose a lot of money.

That’s why at Atlaslive, we offerl operators to think wider. Our Platform supports this strategy by providing detailed business analytics, helping our partners identify the most lucrative opportunities, and tailor their promotions to maximize returns across different sports and seasons. So they can make smarter choices and do better in the long run.

 

As the trend of online casinos offering sports betting continues to grow, could you tell us more about the advantages for operators in integrating a sportsbook into their platform? Please, share any unique features or innovations that set Atlaslive’s sportsbook apart.

Certainly, launching a sportsbook before major events like UEFA Euro 2024 is a proven strategy. There are plenty of other events that also draw attention. But what really matters is how the operator plans to move forward.

As the trend for online casinos to include sports betting grows, it’s clear there are big advantages for operators who integrate a sportsbook into their platform. People’s habits are changing, most of them are not just spinning slots in the casino lobby for hours anymore. They want more engaging, live experiences tied to real-world events. A sportsbook, especially one with a variety of betting options, really taps into this desire for more dynamic entertainment.

Our Sportsbook at Atlaslive is designed to boost engagement and conversions — our current partners have seen increases of over 30% in these areas. This is thanks to the unique features and special gamification techniques we’ve built into our Platform.

Sure, an online casino can succeed on its own. For example, in Europe, online casinos have generated billions in revenue without sports betting. But think about how much more successful they could be if they added sports betting. Sports events naturally draw a lot of attention and excitement, which makes them easier to promote than casino games alone. Plus, sports betting is often more socially accepted, which helps attract and retain players.

What sets our Sportsbook apart? It’s developed in-house with a focus on user-friendliness. We make it easy for players to find and bet on exciting events, which keeps them coming back. We’re also continuously enhancing our Platform to ensure it’s lightning-fast, intuitive, and equipped with the latest in real-time risk management and anti-fraud technology. It’s designed to scale and adapt to multiple markets as needed.

I’m sure casino operators who offer both slots and sports betting will always maintain a strategic advantage in attracting and retaining players.

 

You mentioned Atlaslive’s strategy includes growing with partners and adapting to different market conditions. How does this help improve your sportsbook’s performance and reliability for operators in new markets?

Yes, really, our strategy at Atlaslive is all about growing alongside our partners and adapting to diverse market conditions. This approach greatly enhances the performance and reliability of our Sportsbook, especially in new markets. By understanding and adjusting to local needs, we keep our Platform robust and highly relevant to specific regional demands.

Each market has its unique challenges, from regulatory requirements to player preferences. Our ability to swiftly adapt allows us to offer solutions that are both flexible and compliant, which is crucial for maintaining smooth operations and securing trust among operators.

At the same time, our ongoing commitment to refining our technology means that we can handle the demands of various markets without sacrificing speed or functionality. This ensures that our partners can offer their customers a reliable and engaging betting experience, no matter where they are.

 

How do you see the future of sports betting, what new technologies and trends do you consider pivotal for boosting the overall betting experience?

Sports betting is all about staying current with technology. At Atlaslive, we’re really pushing the limits with live and mobile betting. That’s why we continue to optimize our Platform for mobile use, making sure that our users have a seamless, fast, and reliable experience.

According to our current statistics, over 90% of users are now betting through mobile devices, and this trend continues to grow. People find it easier to bet on the go, which is why we’re heavily focused on improving our mobile betting apps.

eSports, virtual reality, data analytics, and AI are reshaping how fans interact with sports betting. These technologies make betting more exciting and more responsive to the real-time actions sports fans love. We’re seeing a strong preference for live betting because it lets bettors engage with the game as it happens, adding an extra thrill to every match.

The post Maxim Slobodyanyuk on Euro 2024: Innovative Atlaslive’s Sportsbook for Operators’ Success in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Brazil

Interview w/ Renato Almeida, Director at FBM

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Looking Back: Growth & Achievements

FBMDS is celebrating five years of expansion and innovation. How would you describe the brand’s journey during this time?

Our journey over the past five years has been one of bold moves, strategic growth, and relentless innovation. As part of the FBM® Group, we began as pioneers in Video Bingo, but our vision extended far beyond that. We have focused on delivering profitable products to our clients and engaging gaming experiences to players. By expanding into multiple gaming categories and strengthening our global presence in key markets like Mexico and Brazil, we have redefined what a localized, player-centric gaming experience should be.

 

What were the key milestones that shaped FBMDS’ success over the past five years?

Several milestones have defined our success. First, our solidification as a market leader in Video Bingo and Lotto Games, setting the gold standard with best-seller products like Multi Mega, Power Pick Lotto, and Champion IV. Our leadership in Video Bingo is reinforced by unique features like the jackpot system, Magic Ball, and attractive paytables, all of which drive engagement and retention.

Second, our presence at international trade shows has played a crucial role in strengthening relationships with key partners and clients while reinforcing our brand positioning, as seen in events like G2E Las Vegas 2024. Lastly, our rapid expansion in the LATAM region, particularly in Mexico and Brazil, has solidified FBMDS as a trusted and respected brand in a highly competitive landscape.

 

What has been the most significant challenge, and how did FBMDS overcome it?

The online gaming industry is highly competitive, and differentiation is key. Our challenge was to deliver games that not only stood out but also ensured profitability for operators and engaging experiences for players. We tackled this by investing in customization, localization, and innovation—ensuring that every product aligns with the preferences of specific markets. Our ability to adapt game mechanics, themes, and retention strategies has positioned us ahead of the competition, creating unique gaming experiences that drive business success.

 

Product Evolution & Market Leadership

FBMDS has built a strong reputation in Video Bingo. How has this segment evolved, and what makes FBMDS a leader in this category?

Video Bingo is our DNA, and we have continuously pushed its evolution by refining gameplay mechanics, introducing engaging themes, and incorporating advanced technology to enhance user experience. Our commitment to differentiation sets us apart: our jackpot feature, the Magic Ball, and attractive paytables are tailored to maximize player engagement and operator profitability. Customization is at the heart of our strategy, ensuring our games resonate with local markets and drive long-term success.

 

Among FBMDS’ product portfolio, do you have a personal favorite? Why?

It’s hard to pick just one, but I’d highlight our Video Bingo games because they represent our legacy and continued leadership in the industry. We believe Video Bingo is an essential asset for any online casino, as it offers a nostalgic yet modern experience, combining interactive features with high retention rates. Our jackpot system enhances player excitement, while innovative game mechanics keep engagement levels high. In addition, our crash games showcase our adaptability and innovation, delivering high-quality visuals and dynamic gameplay. These two categories reflect our strategic pillars: player engagement and profitable gaming solutions for operators.

 

Future Outlook & Expansion Plans

Looking ahead, what’s the vision for FBMDS’ next five years?

We are just getting started. Our vision is to expand our influence by continuously delivering innovative and engaging gaming experiences that drive profitability for operators. While we maintain our leadership in Video Bingo, we are also focused on strengthening our position in other gaming verticals. We will continue investing in localized, player-driven innovation, ensuring that every product we launch enhances both player experience and operator success.

 

Brazil is a key market with huge potential. How does FBMDS plan to strengthen its presence in this region?

Brazil is a strategic priority for us. With regulatory developments and increasing demand for online gaming, we see tremendous opportunities to expand. Our approach is centered on offering tailored gaming experiences that resonate with Brazilian players, ensuring our products align with their cultural and gaming preferences. Additionally, we are forging strategic partnerships with operators to facilitate seamless and impactful expansion in the region, ensuring that our games drive engagement and profitability for our partners.

 

Innovation & What’s Next

Can you share any insights about upcoming products or features that FBMDS is working on?

Absolutely. We are developing a new generation of Video Bingo games featuring advanced jackpot systems, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and even more engaging features tailored to player preferences. Our goal is to create experiences that keep players entertained while maximizing operator revenue. In addition, we are working on new slots and bonus structures designed to drive engagement and profitability, ensuring that FBMDS remains at the forefront of gaming innovation.

 

What can operators and players expect from FBMDS in the near future?

A: More expansion, more innovation, and an even stronger, more diverse gaming portfolio. Players can expect cutting-edge experiences featuring interactive and rewarding mechanics, while operators will benefit from flexible, high-performance gaming solutions designed to optimize engagement and profitability. We are committed to maintaining our leadership in Video Bingo while continuously evolving to meet market demands.

 

Final Thoughts

After five years of continuous growth, what message would you like to share with FBMDS’ partners and players?

First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to our players, partners, and the entire FBMDS team. Your trust and support have been instrumental in our journey. As we move forward, we remain committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences, driving profitability for our partners, and continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation. The best is yet to come!

 

If you had to describe FBMDS’ journey in one word, what would it be?

Transformational.

 

The post Interview w/ Renato Almeida, Director at FBM appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Interviews

Irina Laivina, Media 24: “Our content is meant to educate and entertain”

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We’ve sat down with Irina Laivina, Head of Content at affiliate marketing company Media 24, to discuss how iGaming content could evolve, the key elements of a successful content strategy, the traits of top content managers, and more.

 

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to the iGaming industry?

Since childhood, I have been attracted to philology and the study of foreign languages. After university, I realized that content creation was where I could combine my passion for languages with creativity. When I moved to Latvia and changed my social circle, I became more and more drawn into the world of iGaming. Over time, this industry fascinated me so much that I found my professional niche there.

I started at Media24 as a senior content manager, where I introduced new ideas to improve both content and design. These changes had a positive impact on our business goals, eventually leading to my promotion to head of the content department. Now, I continue to optimize and shape our content strategy.

 

How do you see the role of content evolving in the iGaming affiliate marketing industry over the next five years?

In affiliate marketing content will still play a key role, especially for the SEO-driven affiliate companies. But the way we will create and deliver it will change. The average reader today is more demanding than ever, expecting more value in the content he consumes daily, and willing to spend less time doing it.

The number of content sources has also increased now, too, and that has created many additional angles and opportunities. There’s live streaming, new social media formats, short form videos, and everything in between. So you have to think outside of the traditional strategies and experiment with new ways to connect with your audience to keep up.

Mobile traffic dominance will require adapting for the relevant formats. This trend is already happening globally and will only develop further. Internally, we are following along and are aligning our design and content strategies. Everything must be optimized for mobile-first consumption today.

 

What are the key elements that make up a successful content strategy in your opinion?

The best content strategy starts with clear goals. At Media 24, we believe that our content should educate and entertain, not take advantage of players. We aim to be a source of helpful information for the reader, not just a platform to promote iGaming brands. In a world of informational overload, your content should be focused on providing real value. Users love it, and search engines prioritize this kind of content too.

We are thinking about the long-term perspective. If content that we produce helps a reader to find what he’s looking for, and is engaging, search engines will naturally rank it higher. So for us it’s not a question of how we can exploit the algorithms, but what is the best way to help a reader make an educated decision.

 

What role does SEO play in shaping the content strategy at Media 24, and how do both teams collaborate for the best results?

At Media 24 content and SEO departments always work hand by hand. It’s hard to imagine our success without close communication between the two teams. We work closely together to develop content plans, conduct competitor analysis, and rely on the SEO team to guide us in the right direction with their data-driven insights. From there, we apply our editorial expertise to make sure our content is relevant, valuable and helpful. So the SEO team navigates us strategically, while the content department is responsible for creating valuable content that keeps readers coming for more.

 

When building your team, what traits do you value most in a content manager, and why?

For a content manager, first of all, the key thing is attention to details. In content creation, even small errors can affect credibility, user experience, and performance, so precision is key. I also highly appreciate the initiative and the desire for learning new things. The industry does not stand still, so a good content manager is constantly exploring new tools, trends and working methods, offering fresh ideas and solutions.

We work with 90+ geos and with such a reach it’s very important for the content to be relevant to every country niche specifics and language. That’s why we prioritize hiring native speakers and local experts in every given market. The ones that have a deep understanding of cultural nuances, player preferences and market regulations. This guarantees our content is authentic and resonates with readers in every region.

 

Are there any long-term goals you’re focusing on at Media 24?

I would really like to optimize all our processes as much as possible. This is something that we are working on actively, and we see that the development of technology can assist us in that. For example, we are currently exploring how we can use the possibilities of AI agents to save time for our team. The main goal is to create smarter work processes.

AI will not replace human content creators, as it lacks originality and niche-specific expertise. But this technology can enhance how we work in many ways. That’s why we’re already developing AI-driven solutions to speed-up our operations and assist us in different repetitive tasks. Once we are able to automate routine and time-consuming parts of our work, this will allow the content team to focus more on creativity and strategy. So by experimenting with AI, we’re not replacing creativity. We are giving it extra space.

The post Irina Laivina, Media 24: “Our content is meant to educate and entertain” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Affiliate Industry

Affiliates in the US Sports Betting Market – Has The Game Gone Cold?

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A lot has changed since the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA (The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992) as being unconstitutional, effectively ending Nevada’s near-monopoly on sports betting in the country. With every US state now free to legalize and launch its own sports betting market, in-person, online, and mobile sports betting grew at a neck-breaking pace.

This explosive growth saw the emergence of ‘affiliate companies’ – marketing agencies specializing in performance marketing and promoting licensed sports betting operators. However, as the market entered a new phase and growth slowed, some affiliates have been seeing mixed results in the past year.

We sat down for a chat with Shmulik Segal, Founder and CEO of Media Troopers, an advertising agency specializing in sports betting and iGaming in North America, to hear his views on the gambling marketplace and what the future holds for affiliates. Segal takes a realistic approach and acknowledges the days of insatiable growth are gone, but he still sees great potential in the market.

 

Looking at the bigger picture, how bad were things for affiliates in the past year?

Segal: “I won’t tell you the past year hasn’t been challenging for marketing agencies like ourselves. Looking at 2024 earning reports of publicly traded marketing agencies in the gambling industry, the results are a mixed bag, Segal says. “While some of the largest players in the space saw their US revenues drop by over a third compared to 2023, the earnings of others just flatlined.”

 

What causes you to be optimistic then?

“But on the flip side of the coin, there were also companies that saw double-digit growth in earnings,” Segal compares. “So what does that mixed bag of results tell us? Although the days of explosive growth are over, the market is certainly not on a one-way street. I still see tons of opportunities for companies that are adjusting and doing the right things.”

 

So what are the main challenges the affiliate market is facing?

“I can divide the challenges into two main categories: objective and subjective. Objective categories would be anything that’s ‘man-made’, such as legislation (new states that open up), increased regulation (restrictions on advertising, increased taxation), the evolution of technology (Artificial Intelligence and further mobile personalization), competition (both operators and other marketing channels and companies), and all other factors that are created by governments, companies, and individuals,” he explains.

“The subjective factors are more geographical or permanent. Let’s take sports betting as an example. According to the American Gaming Association’s state tracker, Out of 51 potential jurisdictions across the country (50 states + Washington DC), 38 have legalized sports betting. However, only seven states have legalized iGaming.”

 

So, how do you treat these challenges differently?

“As an affiliate, you understand the fundamental difference between the two types of challenges: your level of control. While you can mitigate objective challenges, you must adapt to subjective ones.”

 

How do you stay relevant as an affiliate amidst these challenges?

“The first thing we must always keep in mind is that we make a living out of providing our customers with additional value, i.e. unique knowledge and expertise that the operator doesn’t have and fits perfectly into its marketing mix. We must provide our customers with a competitive, cutting edge.”

“Case in point: we constantly strive to be ahead of the curve in everything we do. Our technology platform constantly adapts and upgrades to include more powerful AI tools for segmentation, targeting, and personalization. A huge part of our media teams’ job is to look for the ‘next big thing’ be it a fresh marketing channel or a new source that will enable us to expand our reach and tap into new markets.

Our commercial teams work closely with existing and potential operators to find new ways to bring value to players, be it new games, news, or promotions. And it goes without saying that our compliance team takes great care of ensuring we adhere to the highest standards of safe advertising and responsible gaming.”

“But no less important,“ he concludes, “is the operations team that ties all the pieces together and executes everything. That’s one of the biggest challenges, given operations can be slow-moving, we constantly need to improve our execution to keep up with the changes the other parts of the team bring.”

 

What about other types of challenges? The ones you can’t mitigate?

“When it comes to subjective challenges, however, you have much less control, and this is where companies must brace themselves and adapt quickly. Case in point, there are 38 sports betting states, while a portion of the remaining ones, such as Hawai, Utah, Texas,  and California, won’t introduce sports betting or iGaming in the foreseeable future.

 

With fewer states regulating gaming in the foreseeable future, is the market bound to shrink?

“I don’t see it that way. Long gone are the days when a new market opened every few months. What would you do? You can’t ‘magic up’ more states. But you can certainly adapt and brace yourself to improve and grow your share in existing markets, which is exactly what we are focusing on doing,” he explains. “Along with acquiring new players through new and existing markets, we are constantly looking for new channels that will bring our customers (operators) loyalty and higher lifetime value.”

 

You are talking about increasing share and value, does that mean there are no new opportunities?

“We see huge potential, with opportunities constantly coming to knock on our door. North Carolina and Vermont were the two new markets that launched in 2024, and we are already seeing a lot of growth there. For example, North Carolina, which only went live with sports betting in March 2024, but by the end of the year, already clinched ninth place in the Top 10 sports betting states, reporting revenues of over $583.

This is why we treat every state as a standalone ecosystem with its unique set of challenges, requirements, and potential. The next exciting challenge (and opportunity) we are preparing for is Missouri, which legalized sports betting at the end of 2024 but has yet to launch. We have already been hard at work since the ballot was approved in November, so we can hit the ground running and start sending our MO sportsbook partners newly depositing customers from day one.

 

What about organic growth in existing markets?

“There’s certainly that also. While every new state that launches sports betting can potentially bring a spike in growth, we are certainly seeing organic growth and improved results across the board year after year. Take as an example the Super Bowl. In 2025, legal US bets on the Super Bowl grew 10% year-on-year. Or March Madness, on which best are expected to grow 13% from last year.

So, is there still organic growth in existing markets? For us, it’s a big, fat yes.”

 

Are you planning on staying within the iGaming and sports betting markets in the near future?

“That’s a very good question I ask myself every day, Segal smiles and immediately corrects himself. “Actually, scratch that. I ask myself this question many times over the course of a day in the office.”

He elaborates: “iGaming is tangent to other gaming verticals, and sports betting has an overlap with a whole universe of sports and its related verticals. Every website in these verticals needs traffic, and we know how to provide it. So new opportunities knocking on our door. But how do we capitalize on these without losing our focus and commitment to our core business? We keep our ears and eyes open, but never lose focus.”

 

The post Affiliates in the US Sports Betting Market – Has The Game Gone Cold? appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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