Interviews
Artificial Intelligence and online poker: will technologies change the future of the game?
Today we sat down to talk with Igor Terebinov, Deputy CEO of PokerMatch International, about whether artificial intelligence could kill the future of online poker
AI can launch a new era of poker
The world’s coding geniuses have always considered poker to be the most complex game. Whereas, for example, all pieces are clearly visible on a chessboard, and the strategy itself is calculated for many moves ahead, in poker, the cards of all opponents are closed, so the winning options were selected based on incomplete data. Nevertheless, the machine with a specially launched program managed to master the methodology of using the well-known bluff. Before that, it was believed that machine intelligence was incapable of deliberate provocation and that only a human could bluff in poker.
Speaking about the beginning of a new era of poker, we can say that we are all already in it. Poker is a game that never stands still and is constantly evolving, and we can already see how much it has changed since its creation or over the past few years. However, it’s too early to say that AI will replace human speaking skills. It can be argued that artificial intelligence can make a significant contribution to the development of poker and change its dynamics, but it is a mistake to believe that it will start a new poker era. The game of poker is a challenging task for AI as it requires decision-making based on uncertainty and incomplete information. Thus, AI can help players make more informed decisions and improve their game strategy, but it cannot completely replace a player.
It is expected that the development of artificial intelligence will have an impact on poker as the technology improves over time. Currently, artificial intelligence is not flexible enough in terms of strategies and is very expensive to use. Therefore, it is not yet used in real online games.
How artificial intelligence is used in poker
I have to admit that artificial intelligence can be a useful tool for poker players, helping them to make more informed decisions and improve their game strategy. However, it is important to understand that the use of AI in poker does not guarantee victory at all, as the game of poker depends primarily on random factors and the intellectual and psychological skills of players.
AI in poker can perform the following functions:
- Game strategy development: AI can be used to develop optimal poker strategies that can help players make more informed decisions during the game.
- Data analysis: artificial intelligence can analyze large amounts of data that can help determine optimal strategies and predict game outcomes.
- Probability analysis: AI is able to analyze the probability of a particular combination of cards appearing on the table.
- Predicting opponents’ actions: analyzing the behavior of opponents and predicting their actions during the game.
- Determining the opponent’s level: analyzing the opponent’s gaming style and determining their level. This can help players adapt to the opponent’s playing style.
Ethical and legal implications of using AI in poker
First of all, it should be remembered that the use of artificial intelligence in online poker is illegal in many countries and can lead to serious legal consequences. As I have already mentioned, the game of poker is based largely on human skills, such as reading facial expressions, making strategic decisions, and understanding the game and behavioral characteristics of other players. Using AI to influence the outcome of the game contradicts the ethical principles of the game and may harm the experience of other players. If you personally want to improve your poker skills, artificial intelligence will not help you in this, but will only harm you. After all, over time, you may lose your intuitive abilities and skills of behavioral characteristics of your opponents.
Moreover, the use of AI can lead to a threat to player privacy, as some of them can access poker players’ personal data and use it for their own purposes.
Can AI “kill” the future of online poker?
I would say no, it is almost impossible. Yes, artificial intelligence can harm gaming in its classic sense – users will play for money, not pleasure, using AI algorithms and tactics. Players may stop improving their skills by trusting artificial intelligence. Some argue that AI may kill the original spirit of the poker game, as the winner may no longer be the one who can read opponents and calculate everything in advance, but the one who can memorize the most patterns and apply them in the game.
That is, AI can harm online poker, but it does not mean that it will completely replace human intelligence in this game. After all, poker is a game that requires not only computational abilities but also intuition, experience, and the ability to read other players.
In general, the prospects for the development of artificial intelligence in the field of gambling can be useful if they are used to create fairer and safer conditions for the game.
The future of the poker industry in general
The poker sector has long been one of the most popular and profitable gambling industries. In recent years, the online poker market has expanded significantly thanks to innovative technologies that continue to be constantly introduced into the game. Therefore, all indicators and favorable development conditions point to an increasing demand for online poker among users.
Gamification will become a separate development vector. Gambling will increasingly move towards gamification, become faster and more interesting. We can already see trends when users choose a platform to play not because it has the best conditions, but because it has some unique feature, you can boost your level, character, get achievements, etc. To some extent, our niche competes with games, video hosting, and other entertainment platforms where users come to get their own kind of dopamine.
Let’s not forget about artificial intelligence. In the future, AI will definitely be used to create interesting and dynamic gaming situations that will adapt to the player’s level and style of play. Also, AI can be used to create more realistic virtual opponents using VR technologies that will take into account all possible game development options.
The use of blockchain technologies in poker will also grow rapidly. Blockchain will be used to store and exchange information between players, such as game history and results. This will help to increase the transparency of the game and reduce the possibility of disputes.
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Interviews
Scaling Up in iGaming: Strategic Role of Platform Migration with SOFTSWISS
![scaling-up-in-igaming:-strategic-role-of-platform-migration-with-softswiss](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/139402-scaling-up-in-igaming-strategic-role-of-platform-migration-with-softswiss.png)
Platform migration has emerged as a critical strategy for operators looking to scale their operations, enter new markets, or address technical shortcomings. In an interview with European Gaming, Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operational Officer at SOFTSWISS, delves into the intricacies of the migration process, the challenges operators face, and how SOFTSWISS has positioned itself as a leader in ensuring seamless transitions.
What drives operators to consider migrating from one platform to another? Could you explain the key issues they aim to resolve and why migration becomes necessary?
Vitali Matsukevich: The most popular reason is that the current platform no longer meets technical requirements, especially in terms of scalability and reliability. Operators often face issues like handling user loads they are currently experiencing or planning for. This often forces operators to seek a more stable and technically advanced solution to support their business growth. For example, in LatAm, we know of cases where operators face significant challenges due to downtime or unreliable operations. In some cases, this situation becomes unmanageable, and operators realise they need to migrate to a platform like ours, which offers 99.9% uptime and a seamless user experience.
Another reason for migration is the desire to expand to new geographies. For instance, if the current platform is not certified in a particular country, the operator may consider migrating to a platform that already has the necessary certification. While launching a new project on a different platform is an option, it can lead to operational challenges, such as managing two different projects on different platforms, which is not always convenient. In such cases, if the new market is attractive enough, it may be simpler to migrate to a platform that is already certified, obtain the necessary licence, and continue developing the project.
The third reason is dissatisfaction with the current software provider. This could be due to poor communication with business account managers, slow response times, lack of support, or the provider’s failure to implement client feedback. In the case of SOFTSWISS, we not only offer better service – as confirmed by various studies – but prioritise collaborative partnerships. Our partners highly appreciate our flexibility, openness to their suggestions, and commitment to developing the business together.
Moreover, operators who choose platforms used by major industry players benefit from being part of a community and gain access to features requested by those larger brands. For example, when large operators asked for specific product updates, we later rolled them out to all clients, which received positive feedback. We also have a well-structured workflow for managing client requests, where we gather all ideas, suggestions, and comments from our partners, and our product team evaluates which of them will have the most impact.
What specific technical and operational advantages does the SOFTSWISS platform offer to operators who decide to migrate?
Vitali Matsukevich: I would highlight two key advantages: the high technical performance of our platform and the well-established interaction with our partners. Because our partners don’t experience technical difficulties, they can scale their projects without worrying about the technical aspects of their business. Our recent migration case, where we transitioned over a million players to our casino platform and sportsbook within five hours, further confirmed the high technical level of our solution and well-defined migration process.
A unique feature of migration is that after reopening a project post-update, there’s often a surge in user activity, with more people visiting the platform than usual. This contrasts with the gradual user growth seen when launching a new project, where users join the platform over time.
After migration, a large number of users might access the platform simultaneously. To prepare for this, we conducted numerous stress tests before the launch and executed the migration flawlessly. The number of issue reports was even lower than we expected.
What are the main challenges operators may face during migration, and how does SOFTSWISS help minimise these risks?
Vitali Matsukevich: The main challenge is the inevitable player churn. Before the transition, operators conduct extensive information campaigns about technical changes and migration to a new platform, but not all users take the necessary actions to transfer their accounts. On our side, we assist in communication, share experiences from previous migrations, and make the process as easy as possible for users.
Another challenge is that users might notice differences between the two platforms. For example, even if both platforms offer the same types of bonuses, they might be implemented differently or might have other slight differences. In this case, we strive to visually adapt the new platform to resemble the previous software. We also transfer all possible and significant information about players’ gaming preferences, for example.
Overall, this is a complex process. We need to assess which aspects of the previous user experience should be transferred to the new platform. Sometimes, it may also be decided to enhance certain features.
Another important challenge is maintaining SEO rankings so that the project continues to receive stable traffic from this channel. Our experienced specialists help transfer all necessary information, adapt pages, and take other actions to ensure that search engines either don’t notice the difference or even improve the project’s search ranking.
What steps are taken to minimise player churn and ensure their loyalty after migrating to the new platform?
Vitali Matsukevich: An individual strategy is developed for each project and specific user groups. This can include additional email campaigns offering players bonuses or other unique personalised offers during the transition period. This approach helps retain users and makes the migration process as attractive and seamless as possible for them.
What metrics do you use to evaluate the migration success, and how do you measure its impact on the operator’s business?
Vitali Matsukevich: The key metrics we use to evaluate the migration success include the speed, downtime, player retention rate (how many users successfully transitioned to the new platform), and the load on customer support. These metrics allow us to objectively assess how smoothly the migration went and identify any areas that may need improvement in future migrations.
What are SOFTSWISS’ plans for further developing and improving the migration process?
Vitali Matsukevich: After each migration, we refine our current workflow, adding new elements based on the experience gained. We are also actively working on obtaining additional certifications, as we are currently doing in Brazil so that our partners can quickly and seamlessly launch their projects as soon as they have the necessary licence.
How does operator feedback play a role in improving the migration process, and how does SOFTSWISS incorporate their suggestions and feedback?
Vitali Matsukevich: We actively gather feedback from our partners and conduct retrospective discussions within our team. During these meetings, we analyse the metrics and identify any delays or issues. It’s important to note that each migration is a unique project, and while the core steps remain the same, the workflow is always adapted to the specific case. This approach allows us to continuously improve our migration process and ensure successful collaboration with our partners.
Can you provide examples of successful migrations where your approach led to significant improvements for the operator?
Vitali Matsukevich: Yes, one of the most compelling examples of a successful migration is when we transitioned over a million players from a competitor’s platform to the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform and the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook in just five hours. This migration was a significant achievement, showcasing our platform’s technical robustness and our team’s ability to manage complex, large-scale transitions with minimal downtime.
During this process, we meticulously planned and executed the migration to ensure that player accounts, balances, and gaming histories were seamlessly transferred without any data loss.
The post Scaling Up in iGaming: Strategic Role of Platform Migration with SOFTSWISS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gaming Corps
Getting Social With Gaming Corps
![getting-social-with-gaming-corps](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/139368-getting-social-with-gaming-corps.png)
Graeme Savill, the Account Management Team Lead at Gaming Corps, sits down with us to talk everything social gaming, including the rise of gamification, how to engage players through tournaments, the future of social gaming, and more.
Building communities of players has become a popular trend over the last 18 months, with players demanding a much more social-led experience. Why do you think this is?
I believe the increased demand for social-led experiences is driven by the broader social shift towards connectivity, which is a result of the influence of social media and online communities. Players, especially Gen Z players, crave authentic experiences, and as such, casinos are seeking more interactive and community-focused ways to capture their interest.
Players want the opportunity to share big wins, compete with friends, and interact with a broader community, and casinos and providers are looking innovative ways to provide that experience.
Crucially, players want to feel like they are part of something and be kept in the loop. Social media is a key part of this, and the online casino industry is learning a lot from these platforms about how to create communities and drive engagement.
In your view, what’s the secret behind creating a more social experience for players? Is it gamification, features like chat functionality and live streaming, or something else?
Several factors are driving the evolution of players’ social experiences. Gamification, for example, plays a key role in bringing out players’ competitive sides while engaging them with new products.
Chat functionality is also crucial; you can’t build a community if players can not talk to one another. It has also allowed players to interact with streamers, influencers, and the casinos themselves.
Finally, streamers can significantly contribute to exposing players to new content and innovations. They hold significant sway within the online gaming communities and are well-respected by players. This level of influence contributes massively to the success of new product launches.
And how is Gaming Corps creating that social experience for players?
Crash games are extremely effective at driving engagement and building communities. The fast-paced action stirs players, and the chat logs quickly become a stream of instant reactions and shared excitement.
We saw this, particularly during the EURO 2024 and Copa America tournaments over the summer. Likeminded football fans engaged with one another while playing Football Freestyler, and Samba Soccer, helping to build a community of players who played and engaged with each other throughout the tournaments.
Likewise, using live streamers has helped build communities and increase engagement in several of our games, with Piggy Smash and Snoop’s High Rollers being two of the most popular.
Tournaments have become an increasingly popular way to engage with new players. From your experience, are there certain game types that tournaments lend themselves to? And how do you retain those players once a tournament has concluded?
Tournaments are an extremely useful method of retaining customers and upselling to both new and existing customers. I believe these will continue to be a strong tool in the upcoming years, particularly with the rise of network tournaments offering substantial prize pools for participants.
They also attract customers and are an excellent way of promoting community-building and social engagement.
At Gaming Corps, we have positioned ourselves uniquely to capitalize on tournaments as effective promotional tools. Our brand new Smash4Cash vertical and our crash games have a strong appeal among a new generation of players due to their mobile-friendly accessibility and adaptability to tournament setups.
Retaining players after a tournament concludes is essential for growth. We do this by offering ongoing loyalty programs and rewards. We also need to constantly refresh and enhance our content to ensure that players continue to come back for more.
Do you think this trend of gamification will continue into 2025? Or is it just a passing fashion?
I believe that gamification will continue to be a significant trend well into 2025 and beyond due to its ability to tap into fundamental human desires for achievement, competition, and social interaction.
It will remain at the forefront of our strategy in the coming years as we aim to foster a sense of community around our games and find new and exciting ways to engage with our customers.
Of course, we have to be able to adapt to market localisation and understand that different markets have different requirements. Our products are worldwide, and we want to ensure they are for everyone.
Interviews
Exclusive Interview with Milena Tsankarska, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at ZettaOnline
![exclusive-interview-with-milena-tsankarska,-chief-commercial-and-marketing-officer-at-zettaonline](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/139316-exclusive-interview-with-milena-tsankarska-chief-commercial-and-marketing-officer-at-zettaonline.jpg)
At the beginning of May, Milena Tsankarska stepped into her new role as Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at ZettaOnline, a prominent Bulgarian company known for its expertise in Software Development, Technical Compliance, Managed DevOps Services, and Cloud Hosting solutions. With a strong presence across Europe, North America, and Africa, ZettaOnline continues to expand its impact in various business industries. In this interview, Milena shares insights into her new role and ZettaOnline’s ambitious vision for the future. Let’s dive in to hear what she has to say!
Can you start by giving us an overview of ZettaOnline and its mission? How does it stand out in the fintech services industry?
In the fintech industry, technical compliance and software development are closely intertwined, as the sector is heavily regulated and requires adherence to strict standards. ZettaOnline has a strong focus on delivering innovative and all-encompassing solutions to help the business not only to meet the legal requirements, but to integrate those requirements into the very fabric of software development. Our mission is to provide businesses with state-of-the-art technology, helping them remain competitive and compliant in a constantly changing digital world. By adopting a compliance first-approach, ZettaOnline helps the fintech companies avoid costly fines, build trust with users, and create secure, reliable products that can scale in a highly regulated environment.
ZettaOnline operates in multiple regulated markets across the globe. What are some of the unique challenges and opportunities you face in different regions like the UK, USA, Germany, and South Africa?
To operate in diverse markets such as the UK, USA, Germany, and South Africa is both challenging and full of possibilities. Each market has its own diverse and unique regulatory framework requirements that we have to tailor and adjust in the delivery of our services to our clients. The opportunity lies in utilizing our expertise across these regions to provide global solutions that are fine for local impact. For instance, as businesses strive to comply with data protection laws and industry standards, partners like ZettaOnline that offer compliance, security, and data protection are in high demand.
ZettaOnline offers a broad range of services, including software development, technical compliance, and managed IT services. Which of these services do you see as the most in-demand among your clients, and why?
Technical compliance is currently seeing the highest demand, especially in the heavily regulated sectors. Clients increasingly seek customized software solutions that can be easily integrated with their existing systems while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards in which they operate. With the rise of cyber threats, businesses need to ensure their systems meet specific security requirements, making compliance a priority. Our clients appreciate our ability to deliver both cutting-edge software and the assurance of meeting compliance requirements. After the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more of our clients are seeking security of their operations, data, and payments. We do detect and respond to threats using real-time and proprietary analysis and threat data, offering flexibility and personalization.
Your company provides auditing and certification according to PCI-DSS and ISO standards. How important are these certifications for your clients, and what role do they play in maintaining trust and security?
Certifications like PCI-DSS are vital for our clients, as they guarantee that their operations adhere to the highest security and quality standards. We also ensure compliance with other applicable requirements stemming from the financial regulations. And of course, this builds trust between the company and the customers, which gives the clients trustworthiness and more opportunity to grow.
Cloud hosting solutions are a critical part of your offerings. Can you share how ZettaOnline ensures the reliability and security of these services for your clients?
At ZettaOnline, this is a top priority, and we offer a real-time strategic advantage: instant business insights. We implement advanced security protocols; we regularly audit and continuously monitor our systems in order to achieve efficiency with sustainability. Thus, our clients trust us to provide a secure and stable environment for their operations, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
With the fintech industry rapidly evolving, how does ZettaOnline stay ahead of technological trends and ensure its services remain cutting-edge?
Staying ahead in the rapidly evolving fintech sector requires ZettaOnline to be proactive, innovative, and adaptable. We allocate resources to continuous research and development to explore new technology, trends, and market needs. We aim to incorporate the latest technology into our services and products. This allows us to develop cutting-edge solutions that meet future demands in the fintech sector.
As the Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, what strategies do you implement to drive growth and expand ZettaOnline’s market presence? Our plans include determining a marketing strategy that develops and strengthens relations with existing clients. One of our topics is also to expand our services to different markets by establishing and cultivating long-term partnerships with new clients. One of my personal goals is to strengthen the company’s group of different brands and keep their level high in both the fintech and gaming markets. We also aim to achieve additional certifications, which will confirm our leading position in fintech and IT solutions worldwide.
What role does strategic partnerships and collaborations play in ZettaOnline’s growth? Can you highlight any key partnerships that have been particularly impactful?
Yes, the strategic partnerships are a key component of ZettaOnline’s growth strategy. By collaborating with some of the industry leaders, we can offer more comprehensive services and enter new markets. For example, our partnership with The Betting Coach. This collaboration will allow us to promote our fintech solutions, increase their visibility, and attract new users in the online gaming market. For us, those partnerships are crucial to our success and expansion.
Given the competitive nature of the fintech industry, how does ZettaOnline differentiate itself from other service providers?
At ZettaOnline, we don’t just provide services; we offer customized solutions tailored to each client’s specific needs. We set us apart through a combination of deep technical expertise, knowledge of global regulatory aspects, and a client-centric approach. We are very dedicated to innovation, security, and compliance, and these ensure that we offer high-quality and reliable services that help our clients achieve their objectives.
10. Looking ahead, what are some of the key trends in fintech and IT services that you believe will shape the future of the industry?
AI is playing a transformative role in the fintech and IT sectors. The key areas AI is being leveraged are fraud detection and prevention, personalized financial services, regtech and compliance, customer onboarding, and identity verification, along with many other areas. The offering of customer-centric solutions should consider compliance with the requirements for developing or deploying AI.
What are ZettaOnline’s future goals and objectives, and how do you plan to achieve them in the next 3-5 years?
Of course, our plans are with a glance for the future and especially to how to expand our global presence, particularly in emerging markets, while continuing to innovate our service offerings. We intend to invest both in AI and machine learning to stay ahead of industry trends and provide even more robust solutions to our clients. Our goal is to be recognized as a leader in the fintech services industry, known for our innovation, reliability, and client-focused approach.
Can you share a bit about your journey to becoming the Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at ZettaOnline? What experiences have shaped your approach to leadership and strategy?
My professional experience belongs to different managing roles in marketing, business development, and strategic planning across multiple industries. Each of them gave me more and more added values that shaped me in the way to drive growth and lead teams effectively. My personal approach emphasizes collaboration, team leadership, and maintaining a strong focus on the client’s needs.
In your opinion, what are the most critical skills and attributes needed to succeed in the fintech industry today?
It is crucial to adapt rapidly to the latest innovation in the industry, to have strong technical expertise, and to have a deep understanding of regulatory environments. Of course, to have strong problem-solving abilities, creative thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning. We have to quickly adapt to new technologies and market dynamics as the industry evolves.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals looking to enter the fintech or IT services sector?
My advice to those that are looking to enter both the fintech and IT services sectors is to stay close to the innovation and trends of both industries in order to be up-to-date with the latest developments. That will assure them some advantage in the future and will put them in a stronger position.
Finally, is there anything else you would like our audience to know about ZettaOnline or any upcoming projects you are particularly excited about?
I am excited to share that our team will be attending five major gaming events before the end of 2024. With our deep interest in the gaming industry, it is only fitting that we showcase our services at these significant events. We are kicking off with Sigma East Europe, scheduled for September 2-4, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary. This event is set to be one of the largest and most influential in the gaming industry, offering significant events and valuable industry insights. We continue with SBC Events, 24-26 September in Lisboa, and in November, 11-14, 2024, ZettaOnline is going to attend Sigma Europe.
After that, we are going to attend BEGE and EEGS, which are two of the premier events in the gaming and entertainment industry (Sofia on November 27-28, 2024). If you want to find out what ZettaOnline’s services are, please contact us at [email protected] to arrange a meeting.
The post Exclusive Interview with Milena Tsankarska, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at ZettaOnline appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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