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Q&A w/ Timothy Hill, Senior Project Manager at Betsson Group, on how an operator prepares for the World Cup

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How does a tier-one operator such as Betsson prepare for a big betting event such as the World Cup? 

The World Cup is a huge event for football and also for Betsson. A major sporting (and betting) event such as this touches nearly every department within the company from analytics to IT via marketing, facilities and commercial. Each of these departments must be in sync and we go to great lengths to constantly align so that we are fully prepared for when the first game kicks off. From infrastructure to promotions, everything has to have been tested so that we can be confident that our platform and systems can handle the significant increase in new players and bet volumes that we expect during such tournaments.

To make sure this is the case, we have been preparing since the start of the year. We have teams allocated specifically to this tournament’s activity and they have been laser-focused on making sure that we are ready for the biggest betting event of the year. Of course, we have to be ready for this major event, while also delivering the same superior player experience across all our brands and verticals in the build-up to the tournament and throughout. It’s a massive undertaking that requires strong internal communication and the ability to track teams and activities at all times.

 

What are the biggest challenges you face? How are these challenges overcome? 

The incredibly high level of competition in each of our markets is probably the biggest challenge we face. Betsson is not the only operator looking to take advantage of the huge potential this tournament has to offer, so we have to ensure that we are the best across all areas from sportsbook promotions to payments. It’s all well and good being able to attract new players, but once they are active with our brands, we have to make sure they receive the best possible experience; doing this in multiple global markets is a significant challenge, to say the least. The surge in active players and bet volumes is another challenge, and operators must stress-test their platforms and systems to ensure they can handle the huge increase in activity. Finally, for tier-one operators such as Betsson, it’s important to make sure this tournament does not distract from our regular business. This requires a lot of multi-tasking within teams.

 

What has been the biggest lesson learned from previous tournaments?

Start preparing early and keep the momentum going. We’ve actually had more time to prepare this year since it is taking place in the autumn/winter, and this has really helped make sure that we’re 100% ready and firing on all cylinders. Any major sport tournament is such a big branding and acquisition opportunity that operators should give it the time and resources it needs and that’s why we’ve been working on our proposition for nearly a year now.

 

Does your approach to the World Cup change for each brand? How does it change from market to market? 

In terms of the sports promotions we are running, we have a big global offer available in all markets and then local offers specific to each jurisdiction. We give our local teams the freedom and flexibility to tailor their marketing plans and campaigns as they know their audiences better than anyone else.  In corporate, we see it as our responsibility to give them the resources, tools and support they need to do this.

 

Player acquisition is a key focus for many operators. What approach are you taking? 

Bonuses and promotions are very important for player acquisition during sporting tournaments. Our flagship, The Betsson Million, is available in most of Betsson Groups core markets. Each player is credited with €1 Million in cash and can use the money to predict the outcome of 20 football match questions. An example of such question may be “Will there be more than 2.5 goals in the Qatar vs Ecuador match”. The player can invest the full million in ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ or split the money 70/30 or 50/50 or however they chose. Whatever money remains after the match has been played is taken to the second question. The cash the player has left after 20 questions is theirs to keep without any wagering restrictions or requirements. All players get unlimited chances to win €1M, and the game is available 365 days per year.  But this is just one aspect of player acquisition and to successfully onboard new players at scale, operators must provide a seamless user experience from the moment they arrive at the brand. This includes sign-up, KYC, payments, markets and odds, customer support and more.

It’s not just about acquiring players, either. Retention is hugely important, especially considering the bonuses some rival brands are offering to tempt players to their books. At Betsson, we’re looking to super-charge retention with a range of initiatives including football-themed slot games, incentives for trying casino and live gaming and in some market, we are also even offering a Football True or False online contest where players try to answer their way to a share of €1,500. In short, we want to welcome new players looking to bet on the upcoming exciting matches and then show them the incredible entertainment and betting experience they can enjoy across our brands.

 

Are big bonuses the only way to stand out from rival brands? If not, how else do you look to differentiate and drive player sign-ups? 

Bonuses are a huge part of how brands look to differentiate in markets where they are allowed, but they are not the only way. At Betsson, we want players to know that we offer a huge range of betting experiences and options and cross-selling sports bettors to casino and live casino tables is a big focus of ours. To do this, we are running the football theme across our sportsbooks and casinos and have lots of special promotions, themed slots and dedicated live casino environments to help achieve this.

 

Just how important is retention during big betting events like the World Cup? Is it more challenging with so many bonuses flying around? How do you ensure players remain loyal? 

As touched on already, retention is mission-critical for Betsson during sporting events and beyond. Due to the high costs of acquisition, it’s important for operators to retain players and mitigate churn as much as possible for as long as possible. That’s why the quality of the player experience offered once they have signed up is vital. When it comes to ensuring that players remain loyal, we do this via on-going promotions, the availability of markets and value of odds, a lobby stocked with a wide range of slots, casino and live dealer content, localised payment options and the best customer support in the business. The full package, if you like.

 

What does a successful World Cup look like for Betsson? 

We want to see an influx of new players sign up to our brands, and for this to be a driver of higher bet volumes and turnover. Of course, it’s important to retain these players and we hope to see a positive response to our promotions and campaigns. The fourth quarter is often a strong one for gambling companies, and this huge event has a good chances of becoming the biggest sports event ever for Betsson!

 

How do you ensure that players acquired during the tournament continue to wager with your brands after the final whistle is blown? 

It comes down to the retention tactics mentioned earlier. That this tournament is also taking place in the middle of regular football and sports seasons across the globe will also help with retention. In the UK, for example, Boxing Day is just a couple of weeks after the World Cup climax and is one of the biggest betting days in the English Premier League. So long as we can keep players engaged during the Christmas period, I think we will be able to drive loyalty for a long time to come.

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Assessing the Greek iGaming market’s potential

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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.

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The Brains Behind Predictive Fraud: How Frogo Turns Risk into Growth

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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.

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Shaping the Future of iLottery: 7777 gaming’s Izabel Hakim on Innovation and Engagement

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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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