As the iGaming industry enters 2026, award-winning platform and aggregator Groove Technologies is reflecting on a transformative 2025. This landmark year was defined by strategic expansion, technological innovation, and a significant deepening of its global roots, solidifying Groove’s role as a comprehensive growth engine for operators worldwide.

Strategic Leadership and Market Penetration

A key catalyst for this growth was the appointment of Giusy Campo as Business Development Director. With over 15 years of experience (including a notable tenure at GLI), Campo’s mandate was to structure and accelerate the company’s push into complex regulated markets.

The “LATAM Story”: Brazil and Argentina

A headline achievement for the year was securing a license to operate in Brazil as the country launched its regulated market on January 1, 2025. Coupled with established activity in Argentina, this move forms the foundation of Groove’s Latin American strategy.

“Brazil isn’t just another market; it’s a statement of intent,” says Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO. “With Giusy Campo leading our business development, we are systematically building the partnerships necessary for long-term success in regulated regions.”

 

Technological Innovation: Groove Command & Instant Tournaments

2025 saw Groove transition from a powerful aggregator to a complete engagement ecosystem with the launch of its proprietary Instant Tournaments tool, integrated directly into the Groove Command (Sinatra) Back Office.

Key Platform Advancements:

• Self-Service Marketing: Operators can now launch and manage tournaments and Free Round Bonuses (FRB) in minutes without technical intervention.

• Ecosystem Growth: The platform onboarded 20+ new game providers and 10+ new operator partners in 2025.

• Vertical Expansion: Significant growth in the Sweepstakes and Crypto gaming sectors, responding to evolving partner demand.

Diversified Partnerships: From Crypto to National Lotteries

Demonstrating the platform’s versatility, Groove secured a landmark partnership with Azerlotereya, the national lottery of Azerbaijan. This collaboration validates the robustness and compliance of Groove’s infrastructure in government-backed, high-stringency environments.

Operational Scale and Global Infrastructure

To support these ambitions, Groove scaled its global support network. The company now maintains offices in Israel, Georgia, and Malta, offering 24/7 multilingual technical and account services.

“Our expansion into sweepstakes and crypto wasn’t opportunistic; it was a response to clear partner demand,” reflects Meltzer. “When an operator in Georgia or a partner in São Paulo has a question, they get an answer from someone who understands their market context, not just their technical issue.”

The post How Groove Technologies Powered a Landmark Year of Global Expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

USA Pickleball is heading back to the “Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World” for the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Las Vegas, presented by Tommy Bahama.

Taking place from February 18–22, 2026, the event moves to a new iconic home at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. As a premier qualifying event for the 2026 USA Pickleball National Championships, this tournament offers amateur players their fastest “Path to Nationals.”

The “Golden Ticket” Advantage

In the competitive world of pickleball, a “Golden Ticket” is the ultimate prize for amateur athletes.

• Priority Registration: Gold medalists in each age and skill bracket receive a Golden Ticket, granting them guaranteed priority registration for the National Championships in November.

• Tiered Point System (TPS): Participants who do not win gold still earn maximum ranking points toward Nationals eligibility, as Golden Ticket events sit at the highest tier of the sanctioned points system.

• Official Rankings: As a sanctioned event, results are reported to DUPR, providing athletes with verified skill ratings.

Venue Spotlight: The Plaza Hotel & Casino

The Plaza has established itself as the premier pickleball destination in Las Vegas, boasting more courts than any other hotel-casino resort in the city.

• 16 Tournament-Level Courts: The venue features 12 permanent rooftop courts and a dedicated championship court area that can expand to accommodate large-scale tournament play.

• Rooftop Experience: Players compete on the Plaza’s fifth-floor pool deck, offering panoramic views of the Las Vegas valley and the historic Fremont Street District.

• Capacity: The event expects to host over 500 athletes across five days of high-stakes competition.

“This venue allows us to deliver an extraordinary athlete experience, from professional operations to the energy that makes Las Vegas such a special host city,” said Jose Moreno, Chief Marketing Officer of USA Pickleball.

Tournament Registration & Logistics

Registration for the Las Vegas Golden Ticket is currently open, with several key deadlines and costs for participants:

• Registration Deadline: February 8, 2026.

• Cost: $95 Registration Fee + $45 Event Fee (Amateurs).

• Skill Levels: Open to players in skill brackets 3.0 to 5.0, with age divisions ranging from 19 to 80+.

• Exclusive Rates: A special hotel rate is available at the Plaza using group code SUSAPGT for bookings made by February 2nd.

For more information on Golden Ticket tournaments and the Path to Nationals, visit https://usapickleball.org/goldenticket/.

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