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How Parimatch Use Data-Driven Approaches to Launch Experimental Betting Projects

Published

5 years ago

February 19, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Parimatch is changing the betting industry, and data is the key to these changes. Together with Head of BI and Analytics Parimatch Anna Gayvoronskaya, we’ll tell you how we applied data-driven approaches to launch the session game Footboss — a new gamified way to involve customers in the betting world.

Parimatch Betting Experiment: game Footboss

Footboss is a simple soccer-themed IDLE RPG game integrated into the Parimatch app: the player doesn’t need to register anywhere else if he already has an account in the system.

Games are designed for relaxation and chilled-out gameplay — conventionally, there are 5 minutes for which you can manage to go through a couple of bosses, acquire new skills and get prizes. Among the awards were Samsung Galaxy Note 10, iPhone 11 Pro Max, MacBook Air 13″, Sony PS4, iPad Air 10.5″, and other branded gifts from Parimatch.

Parimatch natively integrated betting into the game: the player could place a couple of bets and speed up the progress, but this was completely unnecessary.

How Footboos Engaged Players

The global goal of Footboss is to refresh the world of betting: the game was conceived as an alternative to the boring campaigns and promotional offers for Euro 2020. In addition to focusing on high odds, bonuses, and competitions in marginality, the goal was to give players variety and new emotions.

Thanks to Footboss, the player returned to Parimatch not only because he wanted to place a bet or check the odds but to take a break, win a few fights and get a prize in a process. The game developers specially made it session-based so players would not get stuck in it for hours and returned to their business after a couple of boss fights.

Footboss’s main gaming adventure is to free ten soccer stadiums from the giant invaders. The game’s key character is the Coach, whose task is to prepare his players for effective penalties and non-standard decisions day after day.

At first glance, the game seems simple, but with each new level, the player discovers many directions to deepen and develop their characters. Thanks to the random distribution of awards and achievements, the journey became unexpected: different things, tasks, heroes always dropped out. And then there’s the added interest of loot boxes: a kind of “kinder-surprise for adults.”

Ways to Use Data-Driven Approaches

Nowadays, in business, not enough to be guided by feelings or intuition. We must base global steps on data and analytics because analytics answers the question, “what can we do to make this product better?”

Before the launch of Footboss, a BI team completed the game’s mathematical model, which was the basis for the player’s interactions with Parimatch products. Also, data specialists developed a mathematical system for the equiprobable drop of prizes, according to which the player could get a prize regardless of how much money he spent on the game.

*quote*

Placing some bets could speed up the game’s passage, but this does not affect the dropout of prizes.

The compilation of models and comparison with the bases of active players of Parimatch helped to attract the number of players to Footboss, calculate the possible increase in GGR and the costs of the project.

For developers, data analytics prepared dashboards of the game progress, the number of participants, and their activity.

We frequently analyzed players’ engagement during the promotion period and made updates based on this data, for example, extra-levels or new characters.

We carried out the work with data at all stages of the project, including calculating the retrospective results. Here’s the data we’ve collected for future versions of the game:

the number of players
player engagement rate
number of fights
number of completed quests
the average and the maximum duration of a gaming session
number of open loot boxes
game speed run
the number of registrations on the site and application
conversion of landing pages
email open rate
costs of prizes per active player
the financial result of an experiment

Data to Highlight the Pandemic Damage

It’s hard to describe 2020 projects without mentioning the pandemic impact. The crisis and quarantine dealt heavy damage to the entire market, and the Footboss campaign was no exception. Everything went wrong: change of concept due to the cancellation of Euro 2020, anti-crisis measures in the company, limiting the launch of the game to 1 region out of 7 planned.

We calculated not only positive results but also what we received less due to the pandemic and crisis:

loss of audience and GGR due to the cancellation of Euro 2020
losses due to launch in only one region of the brand’s presence
losses due to out of sync with the marketing campaign
losses from the lack of integration of other company’s entertainment

Data-Driven Approaches for Future Experiments

The fundamentals of data-driven approaches lie in that data can be collected not only for retrospective activities but also throughout the entire process. You can build mathematical models at the beginning of the experiment, compare them with real performance, make adjustments, and achieve a positive effect for the business.

If earlier everyone in betting analyzed only the results of campaigns, now the data is used at all stages. We plan and build the mathematical models, make adjustments based on the results we obtained, and then we conduct a retrospective for future projects. Working with data has now become a continuous process from post facto analysis of results.

For Footboss data-driven, the approaches helped to calculate the number of potential players, the profit from their attraction, and the losses caused by the pandemic.

The first launch of Footboss opened the door to a new approach to attracting players to the world of betting. As CPO Parimatch Sergey Berezhnoy said: “We have built a stadium where we held the first championship.”

So new adventures await the players, and we are developing new quests and game levels — and all game activities will improve thanks to the data from previous versions of the project.

Africa

State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report

Published

8 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

state-of-the-african-video-game-industry-2026:-xsolla-backs-spielfabrique’s-definitive-market-report

Xsolla today announced its support for State of the African Video Game Industry 2026, a comprehensive new report from SpielFabrique and researcher PhD Prince Oguguo that maps the size, structure, and growth dynamics of Africa’s fast-evolving games ecosystem. The study delivers data-driven insight into developer realities, market infrastructure, monetization trends and strategic recommendations for partners and investors.

Key findings at a glance

Market size: Africa’s video games industry generated approximately $1.8 billion in revenue in 2024, driven predominantly by mobile gaming (≈90% of the market).
Growth drivers: A young, mobile-first population, rising smartphone adoption and broader digital services are fueling above-average expansion across the continent.
Structural challenges: Persistent pain points include payment friction, limited funding, uneven internet and platform infrastructure, and the lack of a unified continental market.
Diverse ecosystems: The report stresses regional variation — with deep dives into Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco — showing how local payment systems, regulation and culture shape monetization and discoverability.

Why this report matters

“Supporting research like this helps ground industry conversations in real data and lived developer experience,” said Ilayda Bayari, VP of Business Development, MEA + Southern Europe at Xsolla. The report equips publishers, platforms, investors and policy-makers with actionable intelligence to build more sustainable partnerships with African developers.

Focus areas and recommendations

SpielFabrique’s study examines three critical levers for growth:

Payments & distribution: Local payment methods and mobile money are essential to improve conversion and lifetime value for African titles.
Funding & infrastructure: Targeted investment and improved developer tools/platforms are needed to scale studios beyond domestic markets.
Talent & esports: Clearer talent pathways, education programmes and esports ecosystems will strengthen local production and audience engagement.

Regional snapshots

The research highlights how national differences influence outcomes: strong indie scenes in Nigeria and Kenya, established studios and distribution channels in South Africa, and growing developer communities in North African markets such as Egypt and Morocco.

Launch and supporting activity

The State of the African Video Game Industry 2026 report became available on January 29, 2026, and was launched with a coordinated website feature, social media rollout and a post-launch community webinar to share insights and facilitate industry discussion.

Voices from the field

“After more than seven years working alongside African game makers and ecosystem builders, I’m proud to share this comprehensive overview of where the market stands today,” said Pr. Odile Limpach, Co-founder of SpielFabrique. The report aims to catalyze cooperation and make markets more visible — enabling partners to act on opportunities while appreciating local challenges.

The post State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

betting automation

Huddle Launches Upgraded Ice Hockey Odds Feed for 2026 Winter Olympics & NHL Coverage

Published

9 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

huddle-launches-upgraded-ice-hockey-odds-feed-for-2026-winter-olympics-&-nhl-coverage

Huddle, the premium odds-feed provider, today announced a major upgrade to its global ice hockey product ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The release adds proprietary automation, broader market coverage and enhanced uptime—bringing sharper player-prop pricing and deeper pre-match and live micro-markets for operators worldwide.

Automated, adaptable trading for every competition

Huddle’s enhanced offering is powered by an adaptable trading model built to handle tournaments, league play and one-off matches. Operators accessing the product via Huddle’s Unified Odds Feed or through direct integration will gain reliable markets across top competitions including the NHL, Sweden’s SHL, and the Czech Extraliga. The update targets historical volatility in non-major leagues and simplifies trading across rule variations and local formats.

Deeper markets, better player-prop accuracy

The upgraded feed increases market depth for both pre-match and in-play action, with focused coverage on popular player-prop markets such as Player Goals, Points, and Next Goalscorer—plus a range of micro-markets that drive re-betting and longer player engagement. Improved automation reduces manual intervention, delivering faster, more accurate lines and higher uptime for operator platforms.

Engineered for uptime and regional coverage

Huddle reworked the underlying architecture to meet the demands of global distribution and local league nuances. The resilient framework gives operators confidence that regional competitions and live events are priced consistently—removing friction and reducing operational risk when covering the full ice hockey calendar.

Operator benefits: trust, revenue, and retention

By combining precise player props, expanded market coverage and robust uptime, Huddle’s ice hockey upgrade helps operators:

Increase re-bet frequency and session length through granular micro-markets
Improve conversion with reliable live pricing and reduced latency
Expand product breadth across markets and regions without excessive engineering overhead

Leadership view

Francesco Borgosano, CEO at Huddle, said the Winter Olympics spotlight makes consistent coverage crucial: “We recognize that an NHL-centric approach isn’t enough… we’ve established a model that accounts for all variables to deliver the most premium, wide-ranging odds feed. From the gold medal game in Milan to a regular season match in the Extraliga, we’ve honed our product to be adaptable and profitable.”

Market context and next steps

The ice hockey upgrade follows Huddle’s recent distribution expansions for its NBA pricing feed, applying the same granular trading approach to hockey markets that are growing across Europe and the U.S. Operators can integrate via the Unified Odds Feed or direct API to unlock expanded ice hockey markets in time for Olympic and league-season demand.

The post Huddle Launches Upgraded Ice Hockey Odds Feed for 2026 Winter Olympics & NHL Coverage appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

combat sports

GoldenRace & ISIBET Pro Partner to Expand Virtual Sports Across Italy

Published

9 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

goldenrace-&-isibet-pro-partner-to-expand-virtual-sports-across-italy

GoldenRace has signed a strategic distribution and integration deal with ISIBET Pro to accelerate the availability of premium Virtual Sports across the Italian online market.

The partnership connects GoldenRace’s award-winning portfolio to roughly 20 operators through a single technical bridge, instantly scaling reach and simplifying operator onboarding.

Fast scale, one integration

By integrating with ISIBET Pro’s platform, GoldenRace offers operators a turnkey route to deploy high-performance virtual betting content without multiple separate integrations. This “one integration, many operators” approach reduces time-to-market and technical overhead while giving operators immediate access to GoldenRace’s most popular titles.

A sportsbook-first virtual experience

ISIBET Pro selected GoldenRace to meet growing operator demand for “sportsbook-first” Virtual Sports—products engineered to mimic real sporting dynamics, deliver authentic betting markets, and drive sustained player engagement. GoldenRace’s portfolio emphasizes realism and playability, including:

Virtual Football — the world’s most-played virtual football product
Realistic Horse Racing — high-frequency, realistic race simulations
Combat Sports — unique, fast-paced virtual fight content

Executive perspectives

“Our focus has always been to be where the players are, but doing so efficiently is what separates a good strategy from a great one,” said Martin Wachter, CEO & Founder of GoldenRace. “Italy is a core market for us, and by joining forces with ISIBET Pro, we ensure that our market-leading Virtual Sports are just a click away for a huge segment of the Italian online audience.”

Romano Biondi, CEO of ISIBET Pro, added: “Integrating GoldenRace into our platform allows our partners to offer a premier Virtual Sports experience that Italian players already know and trust. It’s about adding real value and reliable revenue drivers to the online vertical.”

Benefits for Italian operators and players

Operators on the ISIBET Pro network gain competitive advantages including:

Immediate access to proven Virtual Sports content via one unified technical bridge
Enhanced player engagement through sportsbook-style markets and realistic simulations
Faster deployment and reduced integration costs, increasing potential revenue streams

Outlook

This strategic alliance strengthens GoldenRace’s footprint in a key European market and solidifies ISIBET Pro’s position as a platform provider focused on premium, sportsbook-first virtual content. For Italian operators seeking high-quality virtual product integrations and reliable revenue drivers, the GoldenRace–ISIBET Pro partnership delivers scale, speed, and proven player appeal.

The post GoldenRace & ISIBET Pro Partner to Expand Virtual Sports Across Italy appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.