Interviews
“It is going to be a slow process – but great things take time”: Exclusive interview with R Franco Digital on the return of sports betting in Spain
After notching up a series of high profile deals with the likes of Dafabet and BetConstruct, we sat down with R Franco Digital’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mario Benito to talk Spain’s return to sports betting and his outlook for the market as the lockdown is lifted.
R Franco Digital has certainly signed a couple of notable deals recently, can you give us the lowdown?
It has been a busy few weeks as we get back on track in Spain! All in all, we’ve already signed agreements with several of the Spanish market’s leading tier one operators and will be announcing additional partnerships in further markets in the very near future.
Key to this has been our industry-leading portfolio of supporting products; including our IRIS Platform, as well as our Wallet, online games and renowned IRIS Power Vault – developed in tandem with the Spanish regulator, the DGOJ.
In terms of what we’ll be doing, R Franco Digital will be providing three major international operators with these tools to enter the Spanish market – as well as signing a succession of aggregator partnerships to further boost the reach of our fantastic collection of games.
We’re also expecting plenty of developments on the LatAm front (which is our second home), as well receiving our MGA Critical Gaming Supply licence in the very near future.
Is this a vote of confidence for the Spanish market returning to normal? What’s happening on the ground there?
There’s no question that the entire industry has felt the impact – with Spain (as you may have seen from the headlines) being no different. Given the need for entertainment under lockdown, there has been a considerable uptick in iGaming, despite the Spanish government’s two-month suspension on promotional activity.
Since the resumption of Europe’s most popular sporting tournaments, the sports betting vertical is gradually returning to full strength, although this process will not be complete until the new season. Given our home market is both dynamic and resilient, we are confident that the commercial landscape in Spain will return to its pre-COVID trajectory soon enough.
Having said that, land-based will likely take longer to re-emerge to full strength given it has received the brunt of the impact from COVID. To persevere, operators who have not already done began to diversify through digital channels. We set up R Franco Digital a decade ago with this role in mind – and it’s certainly proved instrumental for our local partners during this time.
What do you forecast for the first few week’s betting activity once La Liga has returned?
The resumption of Europe’s top football leagues, particularly La Liga, have seen dormant sports bettors return to the vertical en-masse. However, I do not believe activity will revert to its previous level until the new season begins. The numbers certainly back this up, and from what we’ve seen so far, the total amount wagered in the Spanish market has fallen by 40% compared to the week before La Liga was cancelled.
Plenty has been said around the cross-sell between sportsbook and casino in the past few months – has it rang true in Spain?
It’s been invaluable – and for many operators, turned from a promise to a reality. However, we shouldn’t get too carried away with the hype; we have not seen a whole legion of sports betting fans converted to slots in three short months.
To build a pandemic-proof portfolio, operators (and platform providers) need to take a long, careful look at what disciplines lent themselves well to sports bettors betting behaviours during lockdown (such as live casino) and capitalise on it moving forward.
What other alternative sporting markets have proven popular during the lockdown?
The most successful markets have been Table Tennis, and football leagues in more ‘exotic’ countries such as Belarus, that did not see their sporting calendar hindered by lockdown. Esports and virtuals have also experienced a similar spike activity as sports betting enthusiasts look to get in on alternative entertainment, although these disciplines are likely to attract a more niche type of player, especially in the case of esports, which has become a bastion of the millennial demographic.
And finally – how fast do you see retail betting returning in Spain?
It is going to be a slow process – but great things take time. The decision to re-open now falls under the mandate of Spain’s regional authorities, and it will be at their discretion. We can see this happening in real time – as although the state of emergency has ended, not every region has yet allowed betting shops to reopen. Along with land-based casinos, retail is by far one of the most severely affected sectors of the market, and I anticipate it will be a long road to recovery for many that had to endure three months of closure. Of course, we’ll be there to help.
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3 Oaks Gaming
Assessing the Greek iGaming market’s potential
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Greece has quickly become one of Europe’s most closely watched regulated iGaming markets, blending high player engagement with an increasingly mature licensing framework. In this roundtable, Christos Zoulianitis, Chief Commercial Officer at ENJOY, Tassos Theocharidis Senior Sales Executive at Altenar, and Iulian Nedelcu, Account Manager at 3 Oaks Gaming examine the market’s evolution, the trends shaping Greek player behaviour, and the opportunities now open to operators and suppliers, while assessing the regulatory and commercial challenges that will define the next phase of growth.
How has the Greek iGaming market developed over the past few years, and what changes have made the biggest difference?
C: The Greek iGaming market has transformed significantly in a relatively short time. The introduction of a clear and consistent licensing framework has provided the stability needed for long-term growth, giving both operators and suppliers the confidence to invest. From a supplier’s perspective, this regulatory clarity has been instrumental in attracting greater innovation and competition. The influx of new licensees underlines the market’s growing appeal, confirming Greece’s status as one of Europe’s most dynamic regulated markets.
T: Following the launch of Greece’s regulated market in 2021, it has stabilised significantly, with more than two dozen licensed operators now active and licensed by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC). Four years on, Greece’s GGR has grown by more than 25%, with online platforms powering that growth. Since obtaining our Greek licence in May last year, we have witnessed its high potential, with the market’s regulated GGR reaching €751.6 million. This demonstrates the huge potential for licensed operators and suppliers looking to achieve growth in the jurisdiction.
I: The Greek iGaming market has gone from something that seems like the “wild west” to a fully regulated playground. The biggest game-changer was licensing – suddenly, both players and operators knew the rules of engagement. Combine that with stricter compliance, stronger player protections, and improved tech infrastructure, and you have got a market that feels solid and sustainable, one that has matured into a competitive environment where quality and localisation matter more than ever. In short, regulation has turned something that seemed chaotic into a place of ample opportunity.
From a player perspective, what trends or behaviours stand out in Greece compared to other European markets?
C: Greek players are among the most passionate and engaged in Europe, particularly in sports betting and casino entertainment. There is a strong demand for immersive, entertainment-led experiences, especially within live casino and slots. Localisation plays a major role in the live environment – Greek-speaking presenters, for instance, drive deeper connection and retention. Interestingly, while tailored live content performs strongly, slots with wider European themes also enjoy success without the need for heavy localisation. Overall, Greek players are highly discerning and place strong emphasis on quality, fairness and trust – often judging an operator by the strength of the suppliers it partners with.
T: Greek players exhibit distinctive behaviours compared to other European markets, with a rich history of playing games of chance. Sports betting, particularly football and basketball, remains the most popular vertical, and contributes nearly half of all online wagering turnover. There has also been a strong uptake of mobile and live products. Over 60% of iGaming activity now occurs via smartphones, and in-play betting has become one of the key engagement drivers.
This is an area we have heavily invested in at Altenar, and our intelligent bet acceptance logic has improved the user experience by minimising the number of bets which are rejected due to a live bet delay. The unique algorithm means bets can still be placed during a live event if there is no significant change to the odds. The use of official data from the industry’s leading providers also helps to ensure live betting windows are extended and cashout availability is improved.
Compared to other European markets like Italy or France, Greek players tend to bet smaller amounts but more frequently, emphasising the social and entertainment value of betting over purely transactional motives.
I: Greek players are passionate and extremely loyal, they gravitate toward engaging features and jackpots, but what really sets them apart is their appetite for localised content and games that feel culturally familiar, relevant and immersive. They want entertainment with personality, not just another spin on the reels. When features speak the language of Greek players, both culturally and experientially, they drive ongoing engagement rather than a single interaction.
What opportunities do you think the Greek market will offer in the coming years?
T: In line with expected annual growth of around 3.5% up to 2029, the market presents significant opportunities in several areas, and is expanding with a highly engaged player base, long-standing cultural acceptance of gambling and well-developed technical infrastructure.
More so than ever, localisation is key, with Greek language support and tailored payment systems in high demand. Additionally, retail-to-online integration and software expertise are essential to help operators compete.
I: The opportunities are plentiful if you play it smart. Mobile-first experiences will dominate, as Greek players increasingly engage on the go. Localised campaigns alongside tailored jackpots and features will set successful brands apart. There is also room for growth in gamification and responsible play tools, which are increasingly valued. In short, the companies that succeed will be those that combine smart innovation with a genuine understanding of Greek player preferences. A generic slot experience simply is not enough anymore.
C: As more casinos go live under licence, competition is intensifying, opening fresh opportunities for content providers to help operators stand out. Exclusive titles, premium live content, and branded formats are all becoming key differentiators. For suppliers, there is also scope to add value through localised experiences and innovative promotional features that enhance engagement. With a robust regulatory base and consistent year-on-year growth, Greece is shaping up to be one of Europe’s most promising markets for operators and suppliers alike.
Looking ahead, what hurdles do you think the market will face in the coming years?
T: Despite growth, the market faces some structural challenges. High taxation, with GGR tax rates of up to 35%, among Europe’s highest, compresses operator margins. Meanwhile, illegal gambling continues to siphon away 10% of total wagers, prompting the HGC to establish a dedicated task force to curb unregulated activity.
The need for a refreshed regulatory framework has also become urgent. The HGC itself has noted the limitations of the current structure and advocates for a system ‘built from the ground up’ to align with international best practices.
I: The hurdles are quite clear: stricter regulations, heavier compliance burdens, market saturation, and the not-so-small matter of Greek taxation. Operators will also need to constantly balance innovation with responsibility. Yes, players want excitement, but regulators want safety. Add in fierce competition, and the market can feel like a marathon. The key challenge will be differentiation and standing out without cutting any corners. Those who prioritise sustainable strategy, localised insight and long-term trust will be the ones who move ahead.
C: Despite the strong trajectory, the market is not without its challenges. High taxation, rising operational costs, and strict compliance requirements all put pressure on margins – particularly for smaller operators and studios. Suppliers also face lengthy approval processes from the HGC, which, since 2023, have become more time-consuming. Even so, these measures ultimately uphold market integrity and professionalism, helping to ensure Greece’s long-term sustainability as a regulated market.
With factors such as high taxes and increasing competition, how do you see these shaping the future of the Greek iGaming market?
I: High taxes and competition may seem like a headache, but they are in fact forcing the industry to evolve. Margins are tighter, so operators must focus on efficiency, smarter marketing, and player retention rather than quick wins. Competition, meanwhile, drives creativity and innovation – only the best survive. The result? A leaner, more sophisticated market where localisation, responsible play, and strong brand identity separate the leaders from the pack.
C: These pressures are likely to accelerate the market’s evolution towards greater maturity. Operators will prioritise sustainable growth, efficient operations, and long-term partnerships with trusted suppliers. High-quality, localised content will remain a central advantage, while innovation in promotions and player engagement will continue to separate market leaders from the rest. Despite the challenges, the steady influx of new licensees and consistently high player demand underscore Greece’s strong potential – a compact yet high-performing market that continues to deliver impressive annual results.
T: In the years ahead, Greece’s iGaming ecosystem will reflect the tension between innovation and regulation. High competition and tax pressure will likely push smaller firms out of the market, favouring operators that invest in responsible gaming, advanced technology, and product differentiation.
However, the fundamentals remain promising. With high internet penetration, a digitally engaged population, a clear licensing regime, and a growing reputation as a Mediterranean hub for gaming innovation, Greece’s iGaming market is well-positioned to sustain steady, high-quality growth.
The post Assessing the Greek iGaming market’s potential appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
fraud prevention platform
The Brains Behind Predictive Fraud: How Frogo Turns Risk into Growth
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Fraud is evolving fast and businesses need more than reactive tools – they need a partner that can predict, prevent and adapt in real time. Frogo, the all-in-one fraud prevention platform, RedCore’s brand, is doing exactly that. From device fingerprinting and AI-powered scoring engines to graph-based forensic tools, Frogo empowers businesses to reduce losses, streamline processes and grow with confidence.
We spoke with Maksym Tkach, CTO at Frogo, about the company’s approach to fraud prevention, model management, transparency and how it’s preparing for next-generation threats.
How does Frogo ensure transparency and auditability while running a scoring engine and how do you balance that with real-time performance?
Transparency and speed don’t have to be at odds, we achieve this through careful architecture design. Every decision our system makes is fully traceable. If a transaction is flagged, we don’t just provide a score. We log the full context: the specific policy executed, all input variables and features and human-readable reasons that explain exactly which triggers were activated.
Yet, detailed logging doesn’t slow down the process. Our core decisioning engine responds in milliseconds, while the full audit details are published asynchronously to a message bus and stored separately. This ensures our partners get immediate responses without compromising traceability for our analysts.
How does Frogo manage model drift and concept drift across multiple fraud domains? What strategies ensure seamless retraining or evolution of your models?
Fraud is constantly evolving, so our system must adapt. We take a multi-layered approach:
Drift Detection: We monitor incoming data for inconsistencies, leverage anomaly detection within our rule engine and actively use partner feedback to identify potential issues early.
Seamless Retraining: When a model needs updating, we follow a ‘champion-challenger’ approach. The challenger model is backtested against historical data, shadow-tested in live traffic without affecting decisions and only promoted after proving its superiority.
This structured process allows us to maintain performance, adapt to new threats and minimize any impact on our partners’ operations.
In what ways does Frogo support explainable appeals or reversals? Is there a rollback mechanism?
We believe partners should feel empowered, not constrained by a black box. Every risk decision comes with a detailed, human-readable breakdown of the triggers and scores, forming the basis for appeals.
For reversals:
Case-by-Case: Our FinalReview API lets partners override individual false positives, while feeding back critical ground-truth for future improvements.
Policy Rollbacks: Partners can instantly disable underperforming triggers through our back-office control panel. Every action is fully logged, ensuring transparency and accountability.
As quantum computing and encrypted data processing gain prominence, how is Frogo preparing for next-gen fraud schemes?
We approach next-generation threats proactively.
Quantum Readiness: Our system is crypto-agile – we can swap in quantum-resistant algorithms quickly. Strong encryption, network segmentation and partner-dedicated accounts add layers of protection.
Encrypted Data Processing: We offer flexibility depending on partner needs. Privacy-conscious partners can provide hashed depersonalised data, allowing us to detect fraud without ever getting access to sensitive information.
This dual approach keeps us ahead of evolving threats while respecting privacy and compliance requirements.
Frogo is not just about stopping fraud – it’s about turning risk into growth. By combining real-time automation, AI intelligence and deep forensic capabilities, the platform helps businesses reduce losses, streamline operations and deliver seamless experiences for legitimate users.
If you want to see Frogo in action and explore how the platform can safeguard your business while driving growth, join Maksym Tkach and the Frogo team at SiGMA, November 4-6, booth #1047.
Leap into safety and catch the risks before they catch you.
The post The Brains Behind Predictive Fraud: How Frogo Turns Risk into Growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
7777 gaming
Shaping the Future of iLottery: 7777 gaming’s Izabel Hakim on Innovation and Engagement
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Izabel Hakim, Head Project Manager at 7777 gaming, joins us for an exclusive conversation ahead of HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress – HIPTHER Warsaw Summit 2025.
A recognized professional with a strong background in Product Development and Business Management, Izabel has nearly a decade of leadership experience in the iGaming sector. At 7777 gaming, she plays a pivotal role in driving product innovation across the company’s two key verticals: lottery and online casino.
As a General Sponsor of EGC 2025, 7777 gaming will showcase its cutting-edge iLottery solutions and 200+ game portfolio, reflecting its mission to create games for every player, niche, and taste.
Izabel, as Head Project Manager at 7777 gaming, you’ve been shaping product development in both lottery and online casino. From your perspective, how is iLottery evolving today, and why is it becoming such a central pillar of iGaming?
iLottery has evolved far beyond its traditional image of paper tickets and live draws. What we’re seeing today is the transformation of lottery into a dynamic, digital-first experience, one that resonates with modern players who value interaction, instant results, and engagement.
At 7777 gaming, we see iLottery as a bridge between tradition and innovation. It retains the thrill of chance that people love, but now enhanced with engaging visuals, storytelling, and personalized digital features. This evolution makes iLottery not just another vertical, but a central pillar of iGaming’s future, one that connects generations of players through technology and creativity.
7777 gaming is known for its bold creativity – from cinematic storytelling and unique mechanics to the expansive 7777 Multiverse. How do these innovations translate specifically into your iLottery products?
Creativity is our universal language, it flows through everything we create. The 7777 Multiverse isn’t just a feature, it’s a philosophy that connects our entire portfolio. Within iLottery, that means moving beyond static experiences and turning every game into a journey.
We weave storytelling and visual immersion into lottery formats that feel alive, games where the player isn’t just waiting for numbers but engaging with dynamic worlds, symbols, and rewarding mechanics. Our goal is simple: To make every draw feel like part of a bigger, evolving adventure. You can already see that spirit in one of our newest fully customizable Raffle Lottery products.
Only five years after launching, 7777 gaming is certified in 14 regulated jurisdictions and continues to expand globally. How does compliance ensure your iLottery solutions fit the specific needs of each market?
Compliance is one of our strongest assets. We don’t view it as a limitation, we see it as the framework that allows sustainable innovation to thrive. Every product we build is designed with regulation in mind from day one, ensuring that creativity and compliance evolve hand in hand.
When working with lotteries, the regulatory landscape can be even more complex, as in many cases the country itself is the regulatory body. That’s where our experience truly shines. We’ve successfully customized our iLottery solutions for national operators such as the National Lottery in Moldova, Azerloterya, the National Ukrainian Lottery, and others, each with its own technical, legal, and local specifics.
This hands-on experience enables us to adapt quickly to diverse jurisdictions while maintaining the creative quality, reliability, and security that define 7777 gaming. Our compliance-first mindset ensures that wherever our partners operate, our products not only meet the highest standards but also deliver the same trusted, engaging experience to every player.
Lottery has traditionally been seen as more static compared to casino gaming. How are you and your team reimagining iLottery to make it more engaging for the next generation of players?
We’re reimagining iLottery as something vibrant, social, and interactive, but also as a bridge between traditional and digital play. Many players are still accustomed to the offline lottery experience, so our goal is to guide that transition online by offering products that feel familiar, yet reimagined with fresh, engaging, and interactive twists that keep them playing longer.
Our strategy is built on variety and adaptability. We offer everything from instant win games and keno, to bingo, raffle lotteries, and themed or localized content tailored to specific markets with over 70 games for our lottery vertical. This range ensures that every player, whether they’re just discovering iLottery or already part of the digital ecosystem, can find something that resonates with their habits and preferences.
It’s all about giving players agency, connection, and excitement. We want iLottery to feel not just like a game of chance, but an evolving experience that fits naturally into how people play, connect, and engage today.
Community engagement and mentorship are passions you’ve personally championed. How do these values influence the way 7777 gaming develops products and connects with players in the iLottery space?
I’ve always believed that great products come from great teams, and great teams are built on trust, mentorship, and shared curiosity. At 7777 gaming, we nurture that culture through open collaboration, cross-functional creativity, and constant learning. Every project is a collective effort, shaped by diverse ideas and perspectives.
This mindset directly influences how we build our iLottery products. When your team feels empowered and inspired, it reflects in the final result – games that are thoughtful, well-crafted, and full of personality. It’s that internal synergy that allows us to consistently innovate and deliver experiences that stand out in the market.
Looking ahead, what can we expect next from 7777 gaming in the iLottery vertical? Are there particular innovations, markets, or partnerships that excite you most as you expand further?
The next phase of our lottery journey is all about personalization and deeper player engagement. We’re using data-driven insights to understand what excites players most and to craft experiences that truly speak to their preferences, blending the best of both verticals we work with – lottery and casino into fresh, hybrid formats that feel modern and intuitive.
We’re also entering new regulated markets and strengthening strategic partnerships that reflect our vision of responsible, engaging, and borderless entertainment. The opportunities ahead are exciting and 7777 gaming will continue to set new standards for innovation and creativity in future.
Thank you, Izabel, for sharing your insights on how 7777 gaming is redefining iLottery with innovation, compliance, and a people-first approach. We look forward to hearing more from you on stage at the European Gaming Congress 2025!
Join us at the European Gaming Congress 2025 | 30–31 October | Warsaw
Meet 7777 gaming and discover how they’re shaping the future of iLottery and iGaming.
The post Shaping the Future of iLottery: 7777 gaming’s Izabel Hakim on Innovation and Engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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