Industry News
ZenSports’ New Funding is for Customer Acquisition Drive
ZenSports has completed a busy 12-month period since the launch of its new betting app, with substantial funding now in place to help generate increased marketing activities.
The startup had generated $675,000 in funding last October as part of a broader $1m-plus seed round from the launch of the app in March 2019. In December, additional interest from potential angel investors, combined with new funding round, helped the company close an additional $770,000 through several investors.
“After officially closing our $1m-plus seed round in October 2019, we felt more than comfortable that we had enough funding to execute on our growth strategy for 2020. However, we had numerous angel investors who approached us about putting more money into our company,” Mark Thomas, Co-founder and CEO of ZenSports said.
“We decided to offer a time-boxed raise without a target amount for these investors who approached us and shared our vision of how decentralised, peer-to-peer sports betting using cryptocurrencies was the future. We were fortunate to have a lot of choices in the investors we decided to ultimately bring on board, and we’re thrilled to be working with them as we continue to grow and scale ZenSports,” Mark Thomas added.
Thomas added that heavily new funding will be allocated to paying consumer procurement platforms.
“Up to this point, we haven’t spent any money on paid marketing to acquire new customers. Instead, we’ve focused on optimising the post-customer acquisition and retention funnel through constant product iteration and via our SPORTS Rewards Program. We’ve got incredibly loyal customers who are very active on a daily basis in placing bets in our app. It’s now time to get very aggressive in growing our overall customer base via paid marketing,” he said.
AI
Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams
Nils Ristau and Daniel Schmitz debut a work enablement platform aimed at day-to-day execution across product, retention and AI adoption.
Sparky Space, a new AI-powered work enablement platform founded by former German Air Force officer Nils Ristau and tech leader Daniel Schmitz, has launched and is now available globally for iGaming operators and suppliers.
The founders are positioning the product around execution support inside daily workflows as teams face tighter regulatory demands, faster product cycles and higher player expectations. The company cited industry research suggesting only 10-20% of learning is consistently applied in day-to-day work, creating a gap between training and on-the-job outcomes.
“In military operations, performance depends on clarity, structure, and disciplined execution in changing environments,” said Ristau. “The iGaming industry operates under similar pressure.
“Competitive advantage does not come from knowledge alone – it comes from how effectively teams apply it every day.”
Sparky Space said its platform supports areas including product development, player retention and AI adoption, with use cases spanning customer-centric experimentation, agile product and game development, decision-making and prioritisation, practical generative AI prompting, and cross-functional collaboration. The company said the tools are intended to help teams launch features, respond to regulatory change, and optimise marketing and support processes.
While initially focused on iGaming, Sparky Space said it has been built for broader use in other fast-moving, technology-driven industries.
Relevant data as follows:
- Sparky Space: https://www.sparkyspace.com Official company site for product and launch details.
- UK Gambling Commission: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk Regulatory context referenced in the article’s discussion of increasing compliance pressure.
- Malta Gaming Authority: https://www.mga.org.mt Key European regulator relevant to operators and suppliers navigating shifting regulation.
The post Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Belatra
Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign
The slots supplier says its portfolio now exceeds 150 games and highlights recent LatAm expansion from its Buenos Aires base.
Belatra is marking its 33rd birthday with an anniversary campaign running throughout April, the iGaming slots developer said.
The company said it was founded in 1993 and has since transitioned from building gaming machines for land-based casinos to producing digital content. Belatra added that its portfolio has grown to more than 150 games.
Belatra also pointed to its strategic Latin American headquarters in Buenos Aires as a key base for regional partnerships and growth.
Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, said: “We’re only just getting started, but birthdays provide the perfect chance to reflect on our successes and the path that’s brought us here. From launching our innovative ‘multi-universe’ content strategy to our rapid expansion in Latin America, the successful launch of our first Crash game, and multiple high-profile industry award wins — we are always developing, creating, and evolving. 33 years of innovation, dedication, and gaming excellence — and the best is yet to come.”
Belatra did not provide additional detail on upcoming releases or the timing of any new product announcements beyond saying updates will land during April.
The post Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
iGaming Real Talk
iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community passes 500 members
Founder Surya Palli positions the group as a real-time extension of the brand’s long-form podcast conversations.
iGaming Real Talk said its WhatsApp community has crossed 500 members, marking what the company described as a growth milestone for the group.
The community is positioned as a space for candid discussion among iGaming professionals, including operators, studios, affiliates, and suppliers. The company attributed the group’s growth to its structure, stating it operates with minimal moderation and allows promotions.
Surya Palli, Founder of iGaming Real Talk, said: “Reaching 500 members is a proud moment, but what matters more is the quality of the conversations happening inside the group every day. This community is built on trust, openness, and a genuine desire to help each other grow.
Our long-form podcasts can only cover so much at a given time, but the WhatsApp community is an always-on, real-time extension of those conversations. We’re just getting started.”
iGaming Real Talk said it plans to expand the community through exclusive content, industry interviews, and collaborative discussions.
Those interested in joining the iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community can join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K2UoLJdluQdFJXvV1uDw6Z
The post iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community passes 500 members appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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