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Exclusive interview with R. Franco Digital: “Our success is based around making games which resonate with players”

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The Netherlands has long been talked-up as the next premier iGaming market. With the newly regulated market set to open later this year, we sat down with Javier Sacristán Franco, Director of R. Franco Digital, to uncover the strategies being put in place by those suppliers aiming to hit the ground running.

There has been some talk that the Netherlands can become one of Europe’s biggest iGaming markets – does R Franco agree with this statement and if so, why?

There is little doubt in our mind that in time, the Netherlands will become one of the most important iGaming markets in Europe. For that reason, at R. Franco we are aware of the importance in hitting the ground running when the new online regulation comes into force on October 1st, 2021. On that date, we will establish ourselves in the Netherlands armed with all our products and services. Dutch operators will be able to utilise our IRIS platform, which is integrated with more than 40 providers across sports betting and casino, the latter including R Franco Games. We also have sophisticated CRM tools, an array of market-relevant payment providers and leading affiliate programmes. In short, everything an operator could ask for to strike an early blow in a newly regulated market. It is also important to highlight the fact that within the IRIS platform, we have included a control system specified by the CDB (Controle Data Bank), in addition to all the additional requirements of the Dutch Gambling Authority.

How does the impending regulatory regime in the Netherlands compare to Germany?

Clearly, there are several important differences that must be taken into account. At the same time, there are certain truths that hold whichever regulated market you are working in. The most important thing for R Franco is that we satisfy our clients while also working alongside regulators. That way the end result is an online market that benefits everyone, from operators right down to the end user – and of course, the regulator that helps ensure the whole ecosystem is safe, secure and responsible.

How important will the Netherlands ultimately become in terms of R Franco’s overall strategy?

For R Franco, the Dutch market represents a clear opportunity for expansion and business growth in Europe, aligning perfectly with the Group’s established strategy. Thanks to the deals we have already closed with strategic partners in the online sector, we see the opening up of the Dutch market as a chance to strengthen these alliances. It’s also an opportunity for us to provide a high level of technological innovation that will assist any operator aiming to stand out within a market as interesting and attractive as the one in the Netherlands.

What importance do you place on localising content for players within this market?

One of our Spanish mottos translates as “R. Franco is Game”. This means that from our origins as a company dating back to 1965, the key to our growth has been the player. We have always created content based around what a player’s preferences are within any given market. To answer the question, we know that the success of our clients – and in turn, our own success – is based around making games which resonate with players and with which they can have fun in a responsible way.

What sort of games do you foresee Dutch players enjoying?

Without giving too much away at this early stage, we have carried out an extensive market analysis in the Netherlands. Based on the results, we plan to make available to our clients a catalogue of games that tallies with the tastes of players. That means a wide variety of games and themes, with the intention of securing 100% satisfaction from every client.

To what extent will your choice of partnerships determine your success in the Dutch regulated market?

Without a doubt, the choice of partner within a highly competitive iGaming world is crucial. The alliances that are the strongest are those that share a common goal, with each partner bringing out the best in one another. For this reason, R. Franco has pursued and secured partnerships with major players in the industry with whom we work together at a global level. The world has changed and R. Franco is proud to be an integral part of the exciting new iGaming environment we all find ourselves immersed in.

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Pay4Fun integrates payments into Betconstruct AI ecosystem for Brazil

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Integration adds Pix, account validation, fraud controls and compliance tools for operators targeting Brazil’s regulated betting market.

Pay4Fun has integrated its financial infrastructure with Betconstruct AI’s platform in Brazil, giving operators connected to the ecosystem access to payments and compliance tooling built for the country’s regulated betting market.

Pay4Fun said Betconstruct AI clients will be able to use Pix payment processing, account ownership validation, transaction monitoring, fraud prevention, and compliance tools aligned with Brazil’s regulatory requirements.

According to Leonardo Baptista, CEO and Co-Founder of Pay4Fun, regulation is pushing operators to look beyond basic processing. “The Brazilian market has entered a new phase of maturity. Today, operators require solutions that go far beyond payment processing. They need partners capable of delivering security, compliance, and operational efficiency in an increasingly demanding regulatory environment. By integrating our solutions with Betconstruct AI, we are expanding access to a financial infrastructure specifically designed to meet the needs of the Brazilian market.”

Betconstruct AI said the integration strengthens its Brazil-facing offer for clients operating in the country or planning entry. “Pay4Fun was selected based on the expertise and industry knowledge the company has built within the Brazilian betting market. As the industry continues to evolve, the importance of working with specialized partners capable of delivering security, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance continues to grow,” said Beatriz Lopes, the Brazil Regional Director.

Pay4Fun said it was the first payment institution serving the betting industry to receive authorization from the Central Bank of Brazil, and that the company’s infrastructure combines monitoring, identity verification, fraud and anti-money laundering controls, and compliance processes tailored to regulated iGaming operations.

The post Pay4Fun integrates payments into Betconstruct AI ecosystem for Brazil appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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BetConstruct AI hosts Harmony Predictstreet event in Yerevan

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Eighth Harmony edition runs July 8–9 and spotlights ADI Predictstreet collaboration ahead of the FIFA World Cup Final.

BetConstruct AI held its Harmony Predictstreet event on July 8–9, 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia, bringing together more than 300 guests for two days of networking and company updates.

The eighth edition introduced the “Predictstreet” branding to reflect BetConstruct AI’s strategic collaboration with ADI Predictstreet, described in the release as “FIFA’s Official Prediction Market Partner.” BetConstruct AI said the partnership includes integrating ADI Predictstreet’s prediction market solutions and official match streaming rights into its platform, timed for “the most important commercial moment in the four-year sports calendar, with the FIFA World Cup Final just days away.”

Day 1 was hosted at Garni Temple for an evening reception, including a live performance by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, a mapping show and music from DJ Leblanc.

Day 2 began at SoftConstruct headquarters with an office tour and networking session, before moving to Dvin Music Hall for the Harmony Predictstreet Gala Dinner. BetConstruct AI said founders and executive leadership presented updates on Eventbook, the ADI Predictstreet partnership, Betting Mate, The Last Battle Universe, Betbuilder & Powerbank, Softgates, and “the latest updates driving Vivaro.me and Open Stake forward.”

The company positioned the event as a forum for discussing future direction across its ecosystem, and confirmed plans to continue the series with a ninth edition.

The post BetConstruct AI hosts Harmony Predictstreet event in Yerevan appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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THE 57th ANNUAL WORLD SERIES OF POKER® CONCLUDES AN EXTRAORDINARY SUMMER OF GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT AND ELITE COMPETITION

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This summer’s event also saw huge growth in reach and engagement across WSOP’s social media channels, with over 378 million views

With 51 days of thrilling, high-stakes competition in the bag, the 57th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP®) at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas officially concluded its summer tournament schedule on July 15, 2026. Featuring a massive slate of 100 live gold bracelet events, this year’s festival once again demonstrated the unparalleled scale, passion, and global community of live tournament poker.

“The 57th annual World Series of Poker proved that Las Vegas remains the undisputed epicenter of the poker universe,” said Ty Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of the WSOP. “The energy inside Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas was nothing short of electric. What is truly remarkable this year is how our community expanded far beyond the physical walls of the casino floor. Through our newly redesigned final table arena, extensive linear broadcast schedule, and unprecedented digital engagement, we brought the drama, excitement, and glory of winning a WSOP gold bracelet to millions of new fans worldwide. We are incredibly proud of this summer’s success and cannot wait to witness the Final Nine battle for the World Championship on ESPN next month.”

Redefining the Live Experience on Poker’s Biggest Stage

Throughout the summer, the Las Vegas Strip was the focal point of the poker world as players from around the globe competed for poker’s ultimate prize: a WSOP gold bracelet and a place in poker history.

Key milestones from the summer tournament action include:

  • Colossal Main Event Field: The legendary $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship (the ‘Main Event’) attracted a massive field of 9,208 entrants, creating a colossal prize pool and proving the enduring allure of the world’s premier freezeout tournament
  • The New Final Table Arena: WSOP officially unveiled a completely redesigned, state-of-the-art Final Table Arena and broadcast environment. The new stage integrates advanced lighting and large-scale digital displays to elevate the presentation of poker’s most prestigious final tables
  • Historic Broadcast Expansion: Live coverage of the Main Event returned to ESPN alongside a new multi-year broadcast agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery to distribute coverage across HBO Max, Eurosport, and TNT Sports globally
  • The “Final Nine”: The final nine players survived a grueling field to punch their ticket to the historic Main Event Final Table. They will return to Las Vegas from August 3 to 5, 2026, to play down to a champion live on ESPN
  • Summer of Superstars: This year’s event saw an unprecedented number of bracelets won by poker luminaries with impressive records in the game’s history books; Daniel Negreanu won his eight WSOP bracelet by taking down Event #76 $100,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha for over $2.2M, while reigning WSOP Main Event champion Michael ‘The Grinder’ Mizrachi further burnished his reputation by winning Event #70 $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship, claiming his ninth WSOP bracelet and a $1.35M prize. The poker world’s undisputed power couple Kristen and Alex Foxen also made history by each claiming a WSOP bracelet in 2026, taking down Event #19 $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em and Event #44 $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold’em, respectively
  • Seamless Player Experience: The WSOP Live mobile app continued to enhance the playing experience, streamlining registration, virtually eliminating cage lines, and providing real-time seat alerts to thousands of players throughout the summer

WSOP 2026 By The Numbers

  • 251,899 entries – a new record for the total number of entries in a single WSOP series
  • $469,975,059 – total 2026 WSOP gold events prize amount
  • 35,157 places paid
  • 22,811 entries to Event #63 $1,000 Mystery Millions No-Limit Hold’em – the biggest field in the 2026 series, the largest Mystery Millions event, and the largest $1,000 event in live tournament poker history
  • 1,368 entries to Event #68 $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship – the largest Ladies event in live tournament poker history
  • 11,933 entries to Event #18 $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold’em – the largest Monster Stack event in live tournament poker history
  • 4,764 entries to Event #87 $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha – the largest Pot-Limit Omaha event in live tournament poker history
  • 12,560 entries to Event #72 $1,000 Mini Main Event – the largest Mini Main event in live tournament poker history
  • 41 – The number of $1M+ prizes won across the 2026 series
  • 57 events exceeded $2+ million prize pools – equalling last year’s record
  • 8 events exceeded $10+ million prize pools
  • 149 – number of countries represented in the WSOP 2026 playing field
  • Top Ten Countries by WSOP 2026 participants: 1 – United States, 2 – Canada, 3 – France, 4 – Great Britain, 5 – Japan, 6 – China, 7 – Israel, 8 – Germany, 9 – Brazil, 10 – Mexico
  • 111 – number of countries represented in the WSOP Main Event 2026 playing field, a new record
  • Oldest Player – Merle Vangieson, born June 28, 1931
  • Youngest Player – Easton Jorgensen, born July 13, 2005

Worldwide Broadcasts Drive Growth Of Game

With thrilling WSOP action broadcast exclusively on ESPN Networks, Eurosport, TNT Sports, Abema Japan, Groupe M6 in France, and other media partners, poker fans had more opportunities than ever to follow their heroes, new and old, at the felt in 2026.

Comprehensive linear and digital coverage, available in more than 300 million homes across 70+ countries, ensured that countless big moments – from calculated bluffs to cunning value bets – were analyzed and enjoyed by enthusiasts on every continent.

Edited WSOP broadcasts will air from July 21, allowing a worldwide audience to catch up on all the summer’s action.

Explosive Digital Reach: WSOP’s Social Media Footprint

A highlight of the 57th annual WSOP was its unprecedented digital growth. While fans packed the physical tournament rooms, millions more watched the action unfold online. Across all major platforms, WSOP social media channels generated an astronomical 378.3 million total views during the 100-bracelet series, adding 222,828 total new followers across its digital ecosystem.

WSOP 2026 Social Media Performance

Platform

Total Views/Impressions

New Audience Growth

YouTube

38.7 million views

103,128 new subscribers

Instagram

125 million views

54,450 new followers

Facebook

127 million views

56,800 new followers

X

36.6 million impressions

8,450 new followers

Looking Ahead: A True Global Season

While the Main Event action in Las Vegas has paused until the Final Table resumes in August, the WSOP excitement continues year-round. This year marks the formal rollout of the ambitious, revamped $1 Million Global Player of the Year (POY) race. The new global leaderboard unifies the brand’s three flagship festival pillars: WSOP Europe (which completed its historic run in Prague earlier this spring), the Las Vegas summer series, and the upcoming WSOP Paradise winter festival.

The global POY winner will be crowned at the conclusion of WSOP Paradise, hosted at Baha Mar resort in The Bahamas from December 1 to 17, 2026. In the meantime, the WSOP Circuit (WSOP-C) continues its action-packed year, including a special concurrent Circuit run in Las Vegas from July 14 to 25, 2026.

Players should follow @WSOP on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram or check WSOP.com for more news and updates on WSOP events.

The post THE 57th ANNUAL WORLD SERIES OF POKER® CONCLUDES AN EXTRAORDINARY SUMMER OF GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT AND ELITE COMPETITION appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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