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Sponsors Spotlight: Winning the iGaming Technology Race – GR8 Tech Shares Winning Formula at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit

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Ahead of the highly-anticipated Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, organizer HIPTHER is thrilled to introduce and put the spotlight on the companies and people that help make the magic happen: our conference sponsors! These innovative, accomplished professionals and teams make magic happen everyday, and they will be joining us at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 taking place on 26-27 March, to share insights, network and collaborate with you! Get to know them, connect, and meet them in Prague!

In this Sponsors Spotlight Interview, the #hipthers meet Artur Ashyrov, Chief Technology Officer at GR8 Tech, Main Stage Sponsor of the upcoming Prague Gaming & TECH Summit. Artur will be speaking at the Summit, offering an insightful exploration into the world of cutting-edge technology development.

 

EG: Hello Artur, thank you for taking the time for this interview. We are delighted to get to know you and introduce you to our readers! Speaking of introductions, let’s kick things off by hearing more about you and your role as a CTO at GR8 Tech.

AA: Thank you for having me! I’m thrilled to share insights into my journey and the impactful work we do at GR8 Tech. As the CTO, I focus on achieving revenue-driven company goals and developing our engineering team.

My overall journey in tech started in 2006, and since then, I’ve navigated through various sectors, from outsourcing projects to spearheading platform development in industries such as booking systems, CRM, media, iGaming, and more. I love solving complex challenges, driving meaningful tech advancement, and improving large, unwieldy projects to deliver great results, even if it goes along with challenging the status quo in technology, company culture, and mindsets.

At GR8 Tech, I’m also deeply involved in the GR8 Tech Academy, mentoring the next generation of tech professionals. This project, aimed at people entering IT and ensuring they have not just theory but hands-on experience, is very close to my heart. Many of the Academy’s graduates join our team and work to push the boundaries of what’s possible, using technology as a catalyst for growth and transformation.

 

EG: GR8 Tech’s “About” section on LinkedIn begins with the intro “GR8 Tech is an international iGaming solutions provider”. Breaking this description down, what are the solutions and products that GR8 Tech offers to clients?

AA: We create a full kit of iGaming products necessary to launch and run a long-term successful, profitable iGaming operation. The front and center of our product lineup is, of course, the high-performance GR8 Sportsbook platform, designed to handle high loads with ease and bring tangible financial results to the operators through unique margin management capabilities. The Sportsbook is complemented by many other products, from the Casino platform to the CRM system, payment gateway, iFrame, etc.

 

EG: So, GR8 Tech boasts a 360° suite for the iGaming industry, including a payment gateway and CRM system, as well as over 15 successful cases worldwide in its first year alone! What is the secret behind that vast and fast success? Something tells us it’s all about Tech – how do you make it “GR8”?

AA: Having a great background in technology, we are able to develop products that scale seamlessly but also evolve alongside our clients’ growing needs. Understanding that every business eventually requires increased processing capacity and flexibility, we preemptively integrate SDKs and APIs, and ensure data-sharing capabilities within our products, connecting and integrating it all into a unified, well-functioning ecosystem. It sets us apart from many competitors – and is rooted in our commitment to a data-driven approach, which creates additional value for our clients.

 

EG: In this first year of GR8ness in the industry, from your first steps till now, what are the most important milestones the company has conquered and its most significant updates?

AA: We are a young company but an experienced team with the long-standing, well-known tech behind the name. So, the biggest challenges for us were associated with finding our own B2B voice and our unique value proposition and presenting it to the market loud and clear. That’s exactly what we did last year, and I think the recognition our products received with nominations in several respectable industry awards, including the SBC Awards and SiGMA Awards, are our most significant milestones, showcasing the growing recognition of GR8 Tech in the industry. This year, we have already opened the business season exhibiting at ICE London, winning several new clients for GR8 Tech, and shortlisting in SiGMA Eurasia and SiGMA Africa. Quite a start – I’m excited for what comes next!

 

EG: GR8’s chosen brand language and communications are built around the concept of racing; in the race for innovation in the modern Tech scene – especially in iGaming – which emerging technologies are truly useful, and what’s overhyped?

AA: We are always looking at all emerging technologies, but we are very careful about implementing them for the sake of being “innovative.” We don’t enter the same race for innovation just to put a proud “AI-powered” sticker somewhere on our website for implementing Chat-GPT prompts in our products.

But we look at all trending technologies and implement them when they bring real value to customers. For example, AI has been in our systems for 4-5 years. Now, we are looking at LLM to enhance customer support and other functions.

It is also always interesting to find some useful applications for blockchain, but in our industry, it is really an overhyped technology because it is being pulled everywhere, just like Chat GPT. The metaverse is also very overhyped, and I don’t think this technology will change user habits dramatically because the convenience of AR/VR devices is still far behind the value of the experience. It will be interesting to see what kind of impetus the new Apple Vision Pro will give to this – it seems to me that this is the first step towards making these devices more convenient and mainstream.

 

EG: At the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, you will be speaking about “Engineering Excellence”. Can you give our readers and the Summit’s participants an idea of what exactly constitutes Engineering Excellence in today’s Tech, and the key points you will be analyzing at the Conference?

AA: To understand engineering excellence, you should first think about what the industry is like nowadays. With technologies like Chat GPT, tech specialists can now super quickly do tasks for which before they were paid thousands – for their knowledge, expertise, and amazing coding. So these new technologies raise an interesting question: What is engineering excellence in the world where a machine can do a lot of ‘monkey jobs’ for you?

It turns out, today, technological excellence is not so much about technology but about the ability to think ahead, to design, to not overcomplicate things where they can be avoided, and so on. The latter is especially important, as it is a pressing issue in the industry, as everyone just loves to invent some problems and then create even more problems when trying to solve them.

Another interesting aspect is what engineering excellence is from the client’s point of view. I think that engineering excellence can be measured in how little you pay attention to your tech – everything just works, and that’s it. Not thinking about the number of cores in your processor or the capacity of RAM is the best indication that everything is just how it should be. But to make it so, developers should think rather broadly, investing in great technology and creating stable, scalable infrastructure that’s capable of providing this level of customer experience.

 

EG: Thank you for this very interesting and insightful interview, Artur! We look forward to seeing you in person at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, and hearing all about Engineering Excellence and the development process in your exclusive one-on-one session.

Join us in Prague to connect with Artur and the GR8 Tech Team:

Get your Tickets to the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit Now!

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Belatra ready to make waves at SBC Summit Lisbon with immersive Blast the Bass experience

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Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, is heading to SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 — and it’s bringing more than just its award-winning games.

Visitors to Stand B523 will be treated to an unforgettable experience inspired by Blast the Bass, Belatra’s smash-hit slot that exploded onto the market with massive success. Belatra’s expert team will be laying on a themed bar built around the game’s legendary energy, giving guests a taste of the excitement through a special menu, immersive design, and vibrant conversation.

This unique activation sets the tone for Belatra’s SBC presence, where the fusion of entertainment, innovation, and bold design is front and centre.

On top of that, Belatra will be dropping exclusive merch that is as bold and fun as its games. Guests to the stand will be able to get their hands on fantastic designs, top-tier quality, and 100% Belatra vibes.

The biggest catch of the day will be for the quickest winners during Lisbon’s show. Belatra is launching something totally new, breathtaking, and — most importantly — unforgettable, but only for the champions.

Kateryna Goi, Belatra Games’ CMO, said: “SBC Summit Lisbon is one of the standout events on the iGaming event tour. As ever, Belatra is not just rolling up, we’re showcasing what drives our success – creativity, energy, and unforgettable experiences.”

The post Belatra ready to make waves at SBC Summit Lisbon with immersive Blast the Bass experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Peter Schmeichel Returns as SBC Awards 2025 Host as Finalists Are Announced

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SBC has officially announced the shortlisted nominees for the 12th edition of the SBC Awards, set to take place at Lisbon’s MEO Arena on Thursday, 18 September, the final day of SBC Summit 2025.

Celebrating excellence across the global betting and gaming industry, the ceremony will spotlight standout achievements from operators, industry leaders, and suppliers across a broad spectrum of sectors, including payments, marketing, and platform innovation.

This year’s edition has already broken records, with the highest number of nominations ever received across its 37 diverse categories, reflecting the industry’s growing commitment to delivering exceptional performance.

Leading the shortlist are Pragmatic Play and Sportradar, each earning seven nominations. Close contenders include BetConstruct and Betsson Group with six nominations apiece. Other standout nominees include Bragg Gaming, Campeon Gaming, Novibet, Playtech, and Top Bet, each securing five nominations.

Returning to co-host the ceremony is football legend Peter Schmeichel, former Manchester United goalkeeper and UEFA European Championship winner, who previously brought his trademark charisma to the stage in 2024.

The 2025 edition of the SBC Awards will also mark the first year without dedicated affiliate categories. Instead, SBC will host a dedicated and expanded Affiliate Leaders Awards on Wednesday, 17th September, at the same venue.

Commenting on the upcoming SBC Awards ceremony, Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “This industry never stands still. New talent, ideas, and technologies are constantly changing the game. The SBC Awards are our way of recognising those who are making a real impact and giving the community a moment to celebrate together.”

In the operator categories, alongside Betsson Group’s notable six nominations,  TotoGaming also stands out with four nominations, including Marketing Campaign of the Year and Innovation in Casino & Gaming Entertainment. Meanwhile, Kaizen Gaming and Campeón Gaming return to defend their titles in the Operator of the Year – Medium and Large categories, respectively.

The hotly contested Casino Operator of the Year category includes names such as  LeoVegas, Bally’s, Codere Online, and Winbet. 1xBet, EstrelaBet, and Sportsbet.io are among the frontrunners for Sportsbook Operator of the Year.

In the operator and supplier categories, competition for Employer of the Year includes Alea, Flutter Entertainment, Parimatch, and Play’n GO, all aiming to take the crown from reigning champions SOFTSWISS. The Socially Responsible Initiative of the Year category features nominees such as Associação de Mulheres da Indústria do Gaming (AMIG), BGaming, EveryMatrix, and Pay4Fun.

The highly anticipated Leader of the Year award will be kept under wraps until the night, with nominees and the winner to be revealed live during the ceremony.

In the payments and compliance categories, Noda and payabl. lead the way with nominations in all three awards: Payment Solution of the Year, Payment Innovation of the Year, and Fraud & Compliance Solution of the Year. MiFinity, Monnet Payments, OKTO, Pay4Fun, Paysecure, and Trustly have also earned multiple nods across the categories.

The supplier categories, which will span 22 awards, will include several new additions this year, such as Aggregator of the Year and Crash Game of the Year.

Fast Track and BETBY will look to retain their titles in Acquisition & Retention Partner and Esports Supplier of the Year, respectively. Meanwhile, Delasport, Evolution, Evoplay, iGP, Optimove, and Spotlight Sports Group are among the fifteen companies competing for the Industry Innovation of the Year award.

Soft2Bet will return in pursuit of back-to-back wins for Innovation in Casino Entertainment and Innovation in Mobile, while Digitain will aim to defend its title as Sportsbook Supplier of the Year.

The sought-after Platform Provider of the Year award features a strong field of contenders, including EGT Digital, GiG, GR8 Tech, Sportingtech, and White Hat Gaming.

Continuing SBC’s commitment to shining a light on the future stars of the industry, the evening will once again feature four ‘Rising Star‘ awards: Rising Star in Casino, Rising Star in Sports Betting, Rising Star in Sports Betting Innovation / Software, and Rising Star in Casino Innovation / Software.

The post Peter Schmeichel Returns as SBC Awards 2025 Host as Finalists Are Announced appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SBC Summit 2025 to Tackle Regulation and Retention in Europe’s Most Competitive Gaming Markets

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SBC Summit 2025 will sharpen its focus on one of the world’s most tightly regulated and commercially significant regions with the launch of the Global Markets – Western Europe track.

Taking place on Wednesday, 17 September at Lisbon’s Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), the track will deliver strategic insights into how major operators are navigating escalating compliance demands, shifting player expectations, and intensifying global competition.

As part of the summit’s broader Global Markets programme, the Western Europe track will equip delegates with actionable strategies for thriving in regulation-heavy markets like Italy, the Nordics, the Netherlands, and Portugal. From revised licensing frameworks to new consumer protection mandates, the sessions will unpack the real-world challenges and opportunities facing operators on the ground. Whether expanding regionally or maintaining position in legacy markets, attendees will gain critical tools to drive innovation, compliance, and player retention in a changing European landscape.

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Western Europe has long set the standard for gambling regulation, but the landscape continues to evolve. Today’s leading operators must build strong relationships with regulators, drive responsible innovation, and retain customers in an increasingly complex global environment. This track provides the practical insight and expert guidance delegates need to succeed in Western Europe.”

The track will open with the European Leaders Panel: Old World, New Way Forward How the Most Established Brands Are Rethinking Regulation and Retention, bringing together some of the industry’s most prominent voices to discuss how operators can navigate tightening regulations, foster player loyalty, and remain competitive. Pascal Chaffard (CFO & Strategy Officer, FDJ), Axel Hefer (CEO, Tipico), Vlad Kaltenieks (CEO, BoyleSports), Mattias Wedar (CEO, LeoVegas), and moderator Martin Collins (Chief Business Development Officer, Soft2bet) will share their strategies for maintaining compliance while continuing to innovate, engage players, and thrive in Western Europe’s highly regulated markets.

Conversation will then turn to Italy’s post-licensing landscape in Italy’s New Online Gambling Regime: A Game-Changer for the Industry. The session will explore how stricter regulations, higher licensing fees, and enhanced player protection measures are reshaping the market. Industry leaders Fabio A. Bufalini (Country Director Italy, Stake), Marco Castaldo (CEO, Microgame), Will Shuckburgh (CEO, eCogra), Nicola Tani (Chief Editor, Agipro), Stefano Tino (Managing Director Italy, Betsson), and Marco Tiso (Managing Director, Sisal), will examine whether this transition has the potential to strengthen market sustainability or create unforeseen roadblocks, as they offer delegates practical strategies for navigating Italy’s new framework.

The session Portugal: Smooth Sailing or Danger Ahead? will bring together Tiago Bessa (Partner, Vieira de Almeida), Tomas Goncalves (Managing Director, Apostas Sociais (Santa Casa)), Americo Loureiro (Director, Solverde), Rui Magalhães (CEO, Estoril Sol Digital), Bernardo Neves (Secretary General, APAJO), and Tiago Pereira (Head of Portugal, LeBull.pt) to examine the current state of Portugal’s sports betting and iGaming market. With iCasino activity growing while sports betting declines, the panel will consider whether this could signal tighter regulation.

Other sessions featured in the track include Over the Finnish Line: Regulation in the Nordics, which will analyse Finland’s upcoming move to open its market to private operators, and Dutch Courage: Collaboration in the Changing Face of Regulations, which will look at Dutch proposals to raise the age threshold for online slots and introduce stricter deposit limits.

The Global Markets – Western Europe track forms part of SBC Summit 2025’s Global Markets series. Other markets explored across 16–18 September include Global Markets – Latin America and Brazil, and Global Markets – North America, each offering delegates region-specific insights to support international growth and strategic market entry.

Secure your ticket to SBC Summit 2025 today.

The post SBC Summit 2025 to Tackle Regulation and Retention in Europe’s Most Competitive Gaming Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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