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Roundtable: Marketing responsibly within a stricter environment

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With emerging markets and countries taking a stricter approach to regulation in recent weeks, the subject of responsible marketing remains high on the agenda.

As an industry we understand the importance of being safe and responsible when engaging with end users with marketing material, but how exactly are operators and suppliers working together to ensure that best practices are maintained on a daily basis?

We asked Daniela Speranza, Head of Compliance at Betsson, Liesbeth Oost, Sustainability Manager at Aspire Global and Peter Christian Noer, Head of Country Managers at Soft2Bet, to discuss the tools and measures that are being utilised to improve the execution of responsible marketing.

 

Given the increased scrutiny around marketing across multiple regulated markets, do you think more can be done at platform level to support operators in their efforts to be more responsible?

Peter Christian Noer: Yes and no, we believe the responsibility falls on every operator, to ensure its marketing practices are kept in line with regulations. However, the more tools that can be provided the better. Especially in terms of targeting, so that operators can filter out under-age people easily.

It all comes down to data and what opportunities the platform provider has in place, if the system is kept secure and a trusted source of compliant traffic, then increased marketing budgets will be allocated to the platform.

Overall, it is in everyone’s interest that the platform can offer great protection, betting and data tools, although the responsibility of the allocated marketing budget should always fall on the operator.

Daniela Speranza: Yes, ideally platforms would be designed with responsible gambling considerations at their core, making it simpler for operators to achieve their objectives in this sense and comply with their ever-increasing obligations. For example, if platforms were to be tailored to cover market-specific legislation and advertising standards, I believe that it would be easier to protect the end-user, this of course being the ultimate goal of any responsible gambling requirements. The greatest thing about software is that it is plastic, and it can be moulded as we desire. This benefit must be used to our advantage as operators, always subject to the exigencies of the market competition, of course.

Furthermore, artificial intelligence and real-time alerting models can be integrated with platforms to provide efficient monitoring and analyses, enabling operators to interact proactively with players and ultimately providing end-users with the ability to make informed choices.

Liesbeth Oost: With AI and machine learning technology coming on in leaps and bounds in recent years, there’s a lot more that providers can do for operators in this space. For instance, in the world of affiliate marketing, an operator can have dozens of affiliates and the operator is responsible for ensuring each one remains compliant. When platform providers invest in developing the right solution, they have the ability to offer greater oversight on affiliates. This leaves the operator open to a lot less risk, which is a huge step forward, especially as stricter marketing rules are being enforced.

The industry has embraced a lot of different aspects of sustainability such as responsible marketing in the last two years. It’s easy to see how that is becoming more a part of the culture now, and this isn’t purely motivated by a fear of getting fined. Embracing compliance has led to better business, so it is no surprise that doing so with responsible marketing, for which Aspire is a strong advocate, has had a similar impact. It would be fantastic to see those efforts replicated in the wider industry, which could only serve to benefit operators.

 

What are the key differences between different jurisdictions approach to responsible marketing?

Liesbeth Oost: There are massive differences between jurisdictions. However, one steadily emerging trend is the markets that have regulated most recently seem to be the strictest. In the Netherlands, which has recently introduced its new regulatory framework, penalties on advertising violations result in non-eligibility to apply for a license.

Elsewhere, the US is very serious about each business’ role in the environment and its overall social governance. Embedding a culture of responsible gambling in a newly regulated country bodes well for the future of the market, promoting safer gaming experiences that players can enjoy.

Daniela Speranza: Whilst the intention of responsible marketing measures in different jurisdictions is more or less the same, namely, to reduce rates of gambling addiction and ramp up player protection efforts, especially for vulnerable groups such as problem gamblers and minors, there are key differences when it comes to how different jurisdictions approach it.

Certain measures in jurisdictions which do permit marketing are often similar regarding what can and cannot be included in communications regarding marketing material. For example, requiring ads to be socially responsible, not targeting minors or portraying sexual content.

At Betsson, we believe that advertising is vital for channelisation. Associations like the European Gaming & Betting Association’s (EGBA) are aiming to set long-term standards for gambling advertising content in Europe. Betsson is a member of EGBA and follows its Code of Conduct on Responsible Advertising for Online Gambling with a firm commitment on responsible gambling.

Peter Christian Noer: I wouldn’t say that there are many differences. Overall, they are quite similar with each jurisdiction having a unique trait. For example, some regulators will want a license number included in banners whereas others don’t mind.

The main rules to follow are quite consistent, such as not targeting minors, following good marketing practices, indicating terms associated with offers, offering full terms and including references to responsible gambling helplines or services.

Perhaps one of the biggest differences between jurisdictions is how many disclaimers need to be included. However, in my opinion, this doesn’t serve much of a purpose. In certain jurisdictions, regulators differentiate the number of disclaimers based on the market channel, as some allow for more to be included. However, this allows these regulators to bloat the requirements. I personally fail to see the point of including several disclaimer sentences in marketing messages, no one reads them, and, in any case, they are available online.

 

What sort of solutions does your company provide in supporting operators with their responsible marketing efforts?

Peter Christian Noer: As an operator ourselves, we mostly rely on the tools provided by partners at our disposal. In general, we maintain a strong level of communication with our provides and external partners.

We also normally work with partners that have operated within the industry before, since they have experience with special regulatory, technical and business requirements. More importantly they’ll also understand that our iGaming industry probably has more restrictions than others.

Since players’ trust is crucial in all markets, it’s also important that we as an operator market ourselves in a responsible and balanced manner. We also ensure that we stay within the guidelines and not go outside of them. Facing courts for marketing violations not only hurts the operator but the industry as a whole. We must acknowledge that we are an easy target and that we should all work collectively to improve the presentation of our offers so that they are clear and fair, otherwise future marketing restrictions will continue.

Daniela Speranza: Betsson understands the importance of identifying early signs of potential gambling-related harm and with this in mind, constantly invests in technology to develop automation and tools to help identify end-users at risk, such as late-night gamblers, chasing losses, heavy spenders, frequent depositors and limits being changed frequently. Our in-house built RG Prediction Tool with the help of various other reports, alerts and escalation processes is in use by a dedicated safer gambling team that is collating all data, analysing, and using the outcomes for interactions and interventions.

Betsson also ensures that marketing and advertising efforts are conducted in a socially responsible manner. Marketing and advertising communications are not aimed at, nor appeal to, underage persons (i.e., any age below the legal age for gambling in any jurisdiction where the communication is targeted) and carry appropriate warnings about underage gambling.  By way of example, no logos or names of gambling products or services are found on products intended to be used or worn by underage persons. Advertising is not shown on any websites that children may frequent; YouTube and social media content are age-gated; celebrities or prolific persons are not used in marketing if they are under the age of 25, and persons that are shown, are shown to be gambling responsibly, for example no links to alcohol and gambling together.

The Compliance team is well integrated with the marketing teams and provides guidelines and training so that marketing is responsible and meets the various regulatory standards of moderation. Furthermore, the Compliance team oversees these functions to ensure that published marketing material follows internal guidelines and policies.

Liesbeth Oost: A huge challenge for most operators is how they monitor their affiliate partners to ensure they are always compliant. Overseeing every aspect of how multiple affiliates are performing is a massive task that cannot be done without the support of technology. To help with this, Aspire has partnered with Rightlander, which offers a range of solutions for affiliate compliance monitoring. Through its technology, we can identify affiliates bidding on client brand names, hijacking traffic and using their own tracking codes to intercept traffic.

Significant strides have been made in the world of machine learning and AI, which means that advanced platforms can actively optimise campaigns to a much greater extent and reduce the need for judgement calls on employees’ part. Most importantly for this issue, these tools can monitor a huge number of sites and flag any that may not be compliant in that market in an efficient manner.

Although our operating partners take care of their own marketing and relationships with affiliates, we are equipped to assist them in their operations and provide them with a service that ensures affiliates are not misrepresenting their brand.

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Reliability in Motion: Why Modern Digital Businesses are Abandoning the Single-Vendor Model

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In the fast-paced environment of digital businesses, communication isn’t just a utility – it’s the heartbeat of the business. Whether it’s a high-stakes trade confirmation or a time-sensitive user’s notification, a lost message is often a direct precursor to lost revenue. Today, we sat down with Bohdan Bulatsan, CTO at CommsHub to discuss why the industry is shifting away from traditional messaging setups toward a more resilient, “strategic redundancy” approach. We explore how CommsHub is redefining delivery standards through intelligent routing and financial transparency.

In the high-stakes world of digital businesses, we often talk about “guaranteed delivery,” but the reality of infrastructure is that things break. From a technical leadership perspective, why is the “Single Vendor” model becoming a terminal risk for modern enterprises?

That’s right. No technical system is infallible. Downtime and glitches are inherent to infrastructure; the real differentiator is how you manage those failures to protect the business. Relying on a single vendor creates a “Single Point of Failure.” If that one provider goes down, your entire operation grinds to a halt.

At CommsHub, we address this by implementing a sophisticated provider cascading system. This architecture ensures that if one path is blocked, the traffic finds another. By eliminating the reliance on a single provider, we transform communication from a financial gamble on uptime into a stable, predictable business process.

CommsHub moves the conversation from “sending messages” to “strategic redundancy.” Can you walk us through the logic of your automated routing – how does the platform decide which path a message takes in milliseconds to ensure the highest delivery rate?

Our cascading logic functions as an intelligent safety net. When our system detects a failure signal from a provider, it triggers a reaction in milliseconds. The mechanism immediately consults a predefined routing roadmap and reroutes the message through the next optimal path in the chain.

Crucially, we allow clients to configure response wait times in both static and dynamic modes. This is a game-changer for businesses where speed is as vital as the delivery itself. Ultimately, our system is built for flexibility; we don’t just send messages – we architect a logic that supports virtually any messaging scenario a business requires.

Integration speed is often a bottleneck; you’ve managed to cut the industry standard from 45 days down to just 10. How does this technical agility impact a brand’s ability to scale into new, unpredictable international markets?

In the modern economy, standing still is the same as moving backward. Our clients are constantly expanding into new geographic territories and they need a partner that moves at their speed. By shrinking integration time to around 10 days, we allow businesses to respond to market opportunities almost instantly.

Our priority is the continuous onboarding of validated providers. This doesn’t just give our clients access to new GEOs; it gives them the power of choice within their existing markets, ensuring they always have the most competitive and reliable options available.

We’ve seen that “lost messages” translate directly to “lost revenue.” How does CommsHub’s unified dashboard bridge the gap between technical delivery logs and the financial transparency that C-level executives need?

Data is only useful if it’s actionable. C-level executives need to see the “why” behind the spend. The CommsHub analytics module is divided into two pillars: Performance and Finance.

The Performance section allows teams to monitor delivery rates and message statuses by country in real-time. Meanwhile, the Financial section provides total visibility into spending, broken down by provider and region. This bridge between technical performance and cost-efficiency allows Finance and Marketing departments to make data-driven decisions rather than educated guesses.

Looking at the mission of CommsHub – to make communication “simple, clear and predictable” what is the one technical myth about bulk messaging you want to debunk for businesses currently struggling with delivery stability?

The most dangerous myth is the belief that finding one “perfect” or “premium” provider is enough. The reality is that no provider – regardless of their size – is immune to regional outages, regulatory shifts or sudden performance drops.

If you want stability, stop looking for the perfect provider and start building a resilient strategy. True reliability comes from intelligent routing, multi-vendor redundancy and the ability to adapt to changing conditions in real-time. That is the mission we fulfill at CommsHub.

As we’ve discussed, the transition from a single-vendor dependency to a diversified, intelligent routing system is no longer a luxury – it is a necessity for survival in high-growth sectors. CommsHub continues to lead this charge, proving that when technical agility meets financial transparency, businesses can scale without the fear of silence. For those looking to turn their communication infrastructure into a competitive advantage, the path forward is clear: prioritize resilience over the illusion of a “perfect” single source.

 

The post Reliability in Motion: Why Modern Digital Businesses are Abandoning the Single-Vendor Model appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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AI Meets Accountability: DSTGAMING on the Future of Regulatory Automation

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As the Lanyard Sponsor of HIPTHER Baltics: Vilnius 2026, DSTGAMING brings more than a decade of iGaming technology expertise to the Baltic stage. Known for white-label and turnkey casino solutions, advanced game aggregation, secure payment gateways, and GLI-19 compliant platforms certified by BMM Testlabs, DSTGAMING represents the next generation of scalable and regulation-ready gaming infrastructure.

Ahead of the conference, we speak with John Tan, Digital Marketing Analyst at DSTGAMING, about one of the most important topics shaping regulated industries today: The role of AI and automation in regulatory processes.

 

Regulation is becoming faster, stricter, and more data-heavy. Where do you see AI making the biggest immediate impact in regulatory and compliance workflows?

AI is already proving valuable in areas where large volumes of operational data must be processed quickly and accurately. One of the most immediate impacts is in automated data validation, reporting preparation, and anomaly detection. Regulatory workflows often involve reviewing player activity logs, financial transactions, and system records, which can be time-consuming when handled manually.

For platform providers like DSTGAMING, AI can assist operators by flagging irregular patterns, organizing compliance-related records, and improving the speed and consistency of reporting processes. This reduces the burden on compliance teams while helping ensure that submissions to regulators are more accurate and timely. The ability to turn raw operational data into structured insights is where AI delivers strong short-term value.

 

Many businesses still view compliance as reactive and manual. How can automation transform it into a smarter, proactive function?

Automation shifts compliance from a task-driven activity into a continuous monitoring function. Instead of waiting for scheduled checks or audits, automated systems can monitor key indicators in real time and notify operators when thresholds are exceeded or unusual activity is detected.

This proactive approach allows operators to address potential risks before they escalate into compliance issues. Over time, automation also creates consistent records and audit trails, making regulatory reporting more structured and transparent. From a platform perspective, embedding automation into workflows ensures that compliance checks become part of daily operations rather than a separate responsibility handled only during audits or investigations.

 

From AML monitoring to player protection and fraud detection, which regulatory areas are best suited for AI-driven decision support today?

Fraud detection and transaction monitoring are among the most mature use cases for AI-driven support, as they rely heavily on identifying patterns across large datasets. AI models are particularly effective at detecting irregular transaction behaviors, unusual login patterns, or activity sequences that differ from typical user behavior.

Player protection is another area where AI can add value by identifying behavioral signals that may indicate risk, such as sudden changes in activity intensity or spending patterns. While AML monitoring also benefits from AI, the most practical applications today involve supporting human analysts by highlighting suspicious cases rather than replacing manual decision-making entirely. The strength of AI lies in prioritizing risk signals so compliance teams can focus their attention where it matters most.

 

How can operators balance efficiency through automation while still maintaining human oversight, judgment, and accountability?

Automation should be viewed as a decision-support layer rather than a decision-maker. The most effective balance is achieved when automated systems handle repetitive tasks—such as monitoring, logging, and flagging—while human teams retain authority over final decisions and interpretations.

Clear governance frameworks are also essential. Operators should establish defined escalation paths, validation checkpoints, and audit procedures to ensure that automated outputs are reviewed when necessary. This hybrid approach preserves accountability while still benefiting from improved speed and efficiency. Human judgment remains critical, particularly in complex cases that require contextual understanding or regulatory interpretation.

 

What are the biggest mistakes companies make when trying to introduce AI into regulated environments?

One of the most common mistakes is adopting AI without clearly defining its role within regulatory workflows. Without structured objectives and validation processes, organizations risk creating systems that generate outputs without meaningful oversight or traceability.

Another challenge is underestimating the importance of data quality. AI systems depend heavily on reliable, well-organized datasets, and inconsistent data can lead to inaccurate outputs. Companies also sometimes move too quickly without aligning AI deployment with regulatory expectations, which can create compliance risks instead of reducing them. Introducing AI gradually, with clear documentation and validation processes, helps ensure responsible adoption.

 

As a technology provider, how does DSTGAMING approach building solutions that are both innovative and regulator-ready from day one?

DSTGAMING prioritizes architecture that supports transparency, scalability, and operational clarity. From the early stages of development, systems are designed to maintain structured logs, clear data flows, and configurable reporting capabilities that help operators meet regulatory expectations across different jurisdictions.

Innovation is approached with practicality in mind. New technologies, including AI-driven features, are integrated in ways that enhance performance and usability without compromising system reliability. The focus is on delivering tools that support operators in maintaining operational discipline, while also enabling flexibility to adapt to evolving regulatory standards.

By aligning technical development with industry compliance requirements from the outset, DSTGAMING ensures that innovation and regulatory readiness progress together rather than in conflict.

The post AI Meets Accountability: DSTGAMING on the Future of Regulatory Automation appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Expanding on excellence: The power of sequels

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Relax Gaming CEO Martin Stålros explores the growing power of slot sequels, revealing how data, player feedback and innovation are driving franchise success in today’s gaming landscape.

Relax has built a reputation for turning strong titles into even stronger sequels. What signals tell you a game has the potential to evolve into a franchise rather than remain a one-off success?

The main signal is the engagement response from both players and operators. Within the first couple of weeks following a launch, we get a clear indication of whether a game has long-term potential, as there needs to be strong demand for a sequel to even be considered.

From there, our in-house studios analyse behavioural patterns to understand what resonates with players, identifying how a game can be further developed while aligning with both player preferences and operator requirements.

We typically see franchise potential when player retention is driven by the core gameplay loop and the excitement of “near-miss” moments, rather than simply high RTP or jackpot size. Increasingly, the response from the streaming community also plays a role, with titles that deliver high volatility, watchable moments tending to sustain interest over time.

Mechanical versatility is another key factor, and we look for frameworks where the underlying math model is robust enough to support feature layering. If a mechanic can be expanded or refined without breaking the game’s logic, it becomes a strong candidate for a sequel.

Alongside this, distinct character and theme identity are crucial. Memorable protagonists, such as the Money Train crew or the duo in Bill & Coin, help build an emotional connection with players. For example, in Bill & Coin 2, we introduced Dicey and The Mummy to extend the narrative and integrate them into gameplay.

Looking at Relax’s most successful titles like Bill & Coin 2 and the Money Train series, how do you approach evolving mechanics and features without losing the simplicity and appeal that made the original resonate with players?

Our approach is to retain a familiar base game while introducing one major new layer or hero mechanic. This allows us to deliver an exciting experience that still feels natural and recognisable to players.

As mechanics become more complex, such as the addition of more symbols in Money Train 4, we rely on intuitive visual cues. We use distinct animations and sound design to ensure that players clearly understand why they have won, even if the underlying math behind it is more sophisticated.

At the same time, we focus on retaining the soul of a title and preserving what we consider the non-negotiables, which are the specific features that players loved in the original. These elements remain the anchor of the experience, even as we expand volatility or increase maximum win potential, maintaining that balance is key to evolving a game without losing the original appeal.

The Money Train series is often cited as a benchmark for sequel success. How important has player and operator feedback been in shaping each iteration of the franchise?

Operator feedback is crucial when it comes to technical and UI refinements, while player feedback directly influences feature frequency and volatility curves, and together these insights play an important role in shaping how each instalment evolves and improves on the last.

Building on this, each Money Train sequel has been developed using the data from its predecessor; for instance, the introduction of persistent symbols was a direct response to player desire for high-anticipation, long-tail bonus rounds. This allows us to refine the experience while continuing to build on what players already enjoy.

As a result, the Money Train series has become part of the Relax DNA, with each instalment somehow managing to take the game even further. Everyone has their favourite Money Train slot, and that is a testament to all of the teams involved in creating such a powerful series over a number of years.

With recognisable IP now proving so effective, how do you balance investing in established franchises versus taking risks on entirely new concepts?

Established franchises act as an anchor for stability and performance within our roadmap, which is carefully planned, and this foundation allows us to invest in new concepts and bring fresh ideas to market.

We believe taking risks on new titles is essential, as this is how future franchises are discovered. Without backing original concepts like Bill & Coin, we would not be able to create the “new classics” of tomorrow.

From a resource perspective, this balance is reflected in how we operate, with our core internal studios focus on developing flagship sequels, while our Silver Bullet and Powered By partners are empowered to explore more niche or experimental gameplay. This ensures we can continue to innovate while building on proven successes.

Looking ahead, do you think the industry is moving toward a more franchise-driven approach?

We are seeing a clear trend shifting from simple sequels to broader ecosystems, where a franchise can span multiple verticals, including slots, crash games, and even brand-integrated jackpot systems like Dream Drop. This reflects a move towards more connected, long-term player experiences, where a title can evolve beyond a single release into something more expansive.

Franchises will continue to play a dominant role, but the breakout hit will always come from a new concept, with the future belonging to those who can build a franchise around genuine innovation rather than simply reskinning existing ideas.

The post Expanding on excellence: The power of sequels appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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