Baltics
“We’re moving and scaling our market presence worldwide”: Exclusive interview with Evoplay CCO

As the famous tech-first studio prepares to take the Baltic region by storm following its debut in Estonia, and soon Lithuania, we caught up with Evoplay’s CCO, Vladimir Malakchi to talk about the supplier’s expert insight into the CEE market and player profiles.
Congratulations on Evoplay’s latest market debut! How long have you had your eye on the Baltics?
Thank you, it’s a real milestone for us and we’re very pleased to be expanding and building a first-class network. The Baltics is an important market and we’ve been planning entry for some time.
The growth there has been astounding – in Latvia, for example, Euro 11.5 million was generated by the online casino sector just a few years ago. And in Estonia, a recent survey showed that 80% of adults said they had, at least once, placed bets on games of chance, which shows what a tech-savvy audience we’re dealing with.
Our games have proven to resonate really well with CEE players, and we first entered Romania with WinBet, as well as expanding into Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia. Alongside that, we have already certified our games with local certificates and we’re about to enter Lithuania with one of its most credible casino operators to continue building our Baltic presence
Tell us about your latest deals – what do they encompass and what are you set to deliver?
We’re moving and scaling our market presence worldwide. The CEE region, Estonia and Lithuania are three markets we’ve been looking at this year, and I’m sure we’ll have plenty more exciting news to announce soon enough.
In 2021, we entered Estonia with Slots.io, and with our Lithuanian regulatory approval added to the mix, one can certainly say that our approach is globally local.
When it comes to our offering, we’ve hand-picked our very best to please not only the regulator but also our new players, including Ice Mania, Fluffy Rangers and Forest Dreams. Having really made a name for ourselves as one of the most tech-first suppliers around, we’re very confident that we’ll be able to bring a truly exciting gaming experience to the table that will showcase just how much we stand out as a unique supplier.
What’s your overall view of the three markets available? How do they compare to other CEE markets where Evoplay is live?
The preferences are similar to the typical CEE player, and accordingly relate to the European player profile. We find that CEE countries have similar tastes with regards to games, but with slightly differing needs from country to country.
What we need to remember here is that mobile is the key channel. This means each of our games need to be designed for a highly discerning audience that knows exactly what they should expect when it comes to next-gen gaming. This means flawless graphics, pitch-perfect sounds and an immersive atmosphere that can compete on a par with other types of mobile-based games that they’re accustomed to outside of gambling.
When it comes to the tech – what’s the primary channel of choice for Estonia and Lithuania, and how do you aim to tailor your offering?
As already mentioned, mobile is king – and this is where we really excel. Of course, we go far deeper than that when it comes to evaluating what we have to offer and tailoring our games accordingly. Now it’s too early to say, as we’re still testing and analysing the feedback from players from these markets and adjusting our offering based on the incoming data and each game’s performance.
This, is of course, means that we plan to bring plenty more of our games to the table as we continue to hone our offering, and we will share more specific data and feedback after six months in these markets, but the initial findings are interesting and positive. As everywhere, players choose quality, interesting games that they find familiar to the ones that they are used to seeing on the market.
So, this fits very well with Evoplay’s approach of giving the games you feel you know, but with a new spin based on stunning graphics, great mechanics, and incredible technological implementations.
Taking a look at the games you have prepared for your partners – what have you selected as the best in your catalogue? What can players look forward to?
For the Estonian and Lithuanian markets, we’ve certified a selection of 40 slot titles and we’re pleased to see that all of them have good performance rates in Estonia already, and in some cases – have knocked even our most optimistic expectations right out of the park. Players really like what we have to offer, and we’re delighted to be making a real difference when it comes to entertainment.
Delving into our titles, we think, for example, that Ice Mania, Forest Dreams and Fluffy Rangers are going to be big hits in Estonia, and we’re confident that this will carry over to Lithuania, too – especially, of course, our worldwide evergreen hits such as Hot Triple Sevens, Elven Princesses and Fruit Nova.
Last but not least, how do you see further CEE expansion fitting into Evoplay’s strategy? Should we expect plenty more news soon enough?
We’re exploring all opportunities with regards to our CEE market expansion – it’s a strong marketing that’s ripe for our gaming experience. In many ways, we’re only just getting started – with the Balkan markets proving especially exciting as player interest continues to surge there.
Moving southwards, of special interest to us is Greece – and we’re working hard to assemble a catalogue of regulation-friendly products as we undergo the suppliers’ licencing process, adapted this year. This changing nature of regulation is something I predict to continue to be a hot topic throughout 2021 on the continent, and it’s all about being innovative and agile to adapt to both the regulator and our partners’ needs.
Further afield, we’re open and looking to new markets to reach in Central Western Europe, LatAm and emerging markets. Having a global reach, but with locally relevant games, is a core driver for us, and we’re very much looking forward to keeping our momentum going from last year, which was a record-breaking time for us, across markets, launches and new games. Do stay tuned for plenty more exciting announcements soon enough!
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AI customer service
Introducing the newest testing tool for AI-boosted customer engagement

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Is AI technology really at the point where it can truly add value to customer engagement? Tugi Tark’s new sandbox environment allows operators to find out.
Tugi Tark, the Estonian-based international AI customer service company, has launched its sandbox this week with the aim of giving operators the ability to explore how AI could work for their players, using their specific casino policies and player profiles, all in a real-world scenario.
By testing an unlimited number of situations wherein players interact with AI agents, the sandbox allows operators to experience how conversations and escalation flows would work if they implemented Tugi Tark as their customer service solution.
Harpo Lilja, CEO of Tugi Tark, explains: “The sandbox is essentially a controlled environment we’ve created where operators can test the AI agent capabilities against their own needs. They can configure the sandbox to their specific casino policies and adjust the agent’s tone of voice — which gives them a first-hand preview of how our AI agent can serve their players.
He continues: “One reason we built the sandbox is that we know from conversations with operators that people are still hesitant about whether AI solutions have reached a point in customer service where the impact is worth implementing – or if AI technology is still at a level where it risks alienating players due to poor quality. And people don’t want to commit if they don’t really know what they’re getting, which is often the case, as companies usually don’t provide enough testing to do so.
What does the sandbox allow operators to do?
Tugi Tark’s sandbox can mimic everything operators need to see how it actually works, including:
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player frustrations
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technical troubleshooting
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KYC concerns, bonus requests
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payment issues, and more.
Casinos can manually add synthetic player data without integration, which showcases how well the AI agent can handle player inquiries when it has access to both policy documentation, player data, and gaming history.
Tugi Tark’s hybrid AI model blends operational automation with human oversight, focused on compliance, emotional intelligence, empathy, service mindset, and player safety. And now, that’s available for operators to test fully using their own unique circumstances.
The testing environment allows manual casino player profile inputs, such as name, account creation date, birthday, KYC status, account limits, player segment, available bonuses, transaction and game history, and a brand’s all policies.
Using intuitive automation, the AI agent is contextually appropriate for each conversation – there are no drop-down menus or prompts, but rather, ‘natural’ language that mimics how humans communicate. For example, if users misspell, abbreviate, or use slang, the agent will understand, and if not, it will ask follow-up questions until it does.
Another feature that was integrated for customer comfort is that if a player is a little vague, rather than return the classic AI chatbot “I didn’t understand your inquiry”, the agent can check all the KYC documentation, including status, player history, exact amounts and date, so it can ask intuitive follow-up questions and arrive at a solution more quickly and thoroughly.
“With the sandbox up and running, any operator in dozens of languages and geos is able to test how Tugi Tark’s AI agents will work, on their site, within their player base. That means without having to endure lengthy sales pitches or commit to a product, operators are able to test exactly what it’s like having our technology work for them,” concludes Lilja. “And the great thing is that the entire process has a setup time of 30 minutes.
The post Introducing the newest testing tool for AI-boosted customer engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Baltics
Bombay announces strategic C-Suite appointments with a view towards regulated online growth

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Bombay Group is pleased to announce two strategic appointments to its C-Suite, Rhiannon Bach as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and Lauren Findlay as Chief Digital Officer (CDO). Bach and Findlay join the executive leadership team at a pivotal moment in the Group’s evolution.
The Group encompasses Bombay Club Tallinn, the exclusive Bombay Yacht and Jet, a collection of high-end restaurants and bars, the five-star Burman Hotel, and most recently the launch of Yolo.com, a newly licensed, Estonian-regulated online casino. Yolo.com is set to become a unique digital destination where players can unlock exclusive rewards and experiences across Bombay’s prestigious offline assets. Bombay forms part of Yolo Group’s luxury B2B and B2C offering, covering a suite of online and land-based options.
Bach will lead the global marketing and advertising for Bombay Group, overseeing the company’s Clubs, maritime operations, and expanding hospitality and concierge brands. Her mandate includes strengthening brand identity, elevating guest experiences and expanding loyalty and VIP engagement across markets. With a career spanning four continents, Bach brings more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in casino marketing, hospitality, and technology. She has held executive roles with multinational casino operators in Macau, Australia, and the United States, and most recently served as Head of North American Growth for Atomize RMS, a Sweden-based hospitality technology company.
Findlay is tasked with leading the Group’s new flagship online casino, Yolo.com, and driving the digital transformation of Bombay Group’s luxury offline ecosystem into a seamlessly integrated premium digital experience. She brings over 15 years of combined experience in iGaming, agency, and e-commerce, having previously held senior leadership roles including Commercial Strategy Director at LeoVegas Group, Chief Marketing Officer within Happy Hour Group. More recently, she has served as Fractional CCO/CMO for multiple start-ups and scale-ups through her consultancy. Her expertise lies in go-to-market launches, brand development, and optimising commercial performance across digital acquisition and retention operations.
“We are delighted to welcome Rhiannon and Lauren to the executive leadership team,” said Kevin McGowen, Chief Executive of Bombay Group. “The combined and extensive international backgrounds of both individuals and proven track record make these executive appointments exceptionally well-suited to lead Bombay’s digital and marketing strategies as we continue to expand globally.”
These appointments underscore Bombay Group’s commitment to investing in world-class leadership and delivering innovative, memorable experiences to guests worldwide.
The post Bombay announces strategic C-Suite appointments with a view towards regulated online growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Baltics
SEOBROTHERS ambassador Jevgenijs Aleksejevs crowned IBF Europe Middleweight boxing champion

Reading Time: < 1 minute
Latvian boxer and SEOBROTHERS ambassador Jevgenijs “The Hurricane” Aleksejevs has captured the IBF Europe Middleweight title, defeating Poland’s Przemysław Zyśk in a commanding performance at the KOK 127 World Series event, held on Saturday night at the Xiaomi Arena in Riga.
The victory continues Aleksejevs’ unbeaten streak and marks his second major title. In September 2024, the 32-year-old claimed the IBO European Middleweight belt.
Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, said: “Congratulations to Jevgenijs and all the team behind him. This title took an awful lot of effort from an awful lot of people. We’re proud of Jevgenijs. Winning the IBF Europe title confirms his place among Europe’s top middleweights.”
Aleksejevs dictated the pace from the opening bell, targeting the body and mixing in precise combinations. Zyśk, known for his resilience and inconvenient style, attempted to disrupt Aleksejevs’ rhythm through frequent clinches, but struggled to find momentum.
As the fight progressed, Aleksejevs showcased his technical versatility — alternating between body and head attacks, using sharp uppercuts, and controlling the distance.
The final rounds saw the Polish fighter pushing for a knockout, but Aleksejevs’ composure and defense ensured a decisive finish. The judges delivered a unanimous decision: 100-89, 99-90, and 98-91, all in favour of Aleksejevs.
Aleksejevs said: “To be honest, I got sick a day before the fight – I didn’t tell anyone, but I felt like I was run over by a truck. Still, to stand here now as European champion is incredible.”
“In the first round, I landed some good shots, but then I decided to slow down and not waste too much energy. My opponent is a tough, tricky boxer. Even though I wasn’t at my best physically, I stuck to the plan and it worked.”
The post SEOBROTHERS ambassador Jevgenijs Aleksejevs crowned IBF Europe Middleweight boxing champion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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