Interviews
Q&A w/ Timothy Hill, Senior Project Manager at Betsson Group, on how an operator prepares for the World Cup
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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You’re the Founder and CTO of AmaraTech—what inspired you to start the company, and how has your journey shaped where you are today?
Our Story: Technology Innovation Born from Purpose:
AmaraTech IT Solutions, founded in 2020 in the Washington, DC metro area and expanding strategically into Africa, dedicated to transforming communities through technology. Our journey began with a profound experience in Liberia, a country riddled by 14 years of brutal civil war, witnessed the limitations on human potential and economic growth due to inadequate technology infrastructure. This experience sparked a deep commitment to making advanced technology accessible for all, enabling organizations to flourish amid challenges. We truly believe in technology’s amazing ability to empower and transform communities everywhere.
Intro Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wstteIwaSKk
What’s one big lesson you’ve learned as a founder that you wish you knew earlier?
Learning to say no as a founder is one of the most critical yet counterintuitive skills for startup success. The natural instinct is to say yes to every opportunity, partnership, feature request, and meetings, but this creates resource dilution, product confusion, and team fatigue that ultimately kills focus and progress. Startups with limited time, money, and energy must recognize that every “yes” is an implicit “no” to something else, and that niche dominance beats broad mediocrity. The cost of learning this lesson late includes providing so many products that confuse users, burning resources on low-impact initiatives, and missing opportunities in core focus areas. Successful founders develop “hell yes” criteria, create decision frameworks, practice graceful declines, and conduct regular priority audits to maintain laser focus. The paradox is powerful: saying no to more opportunities allows you to say a much bigger yes to what truly matters, creating clearer product vision, stronger team alignment, better resource utilization, and ultimately more fundable and successful business.
In your view, what makes great managed services today—and how do you bring that to life in the work you do?
At AmaraTech, we believe great managed services today go far beyond traditional IT support—they require proactive, AI-driven cybersecurity intelligence tool that prevents threats before they impact business operations. We deliver this through our integrated ecosystem approach, where cutting-edge threat detection, cloud infrastructure, and business applications work seamlessly together under 24/7 SOC monitoring. What sets AmaraTech apart is our commitment to being true strategic partners: we develop deep industry expertise to understand each client’s unique compliance requirements and operational challenges, then translate our technical capabilities into measurable business outcomes like revenue protection and competitive advantage.
Through transparent reporting, continuous innovation with leading cybersecurity vendors, and flexible engagement models that scale with growth, we don’t just manage technology—we architect security-first solutions that drive business success. When you partner with AmaraTech, you’re not getting a vendor; you’re gaining a cybersecurity-focused technology advisor dedicated to keeping your business protected, compliant, and positioned for innovation in an increasingly complex threat landscape. My passion for helping organizations embrace progressive technology drives successful business transformation and seamless technology integration, positioning our company as a leader in next-generation cybersecurity solutions.
Do you see any gaps in the tech industry that you think more companies should be addressing?
The cybersecurity industry urgently needs to develop AI-native security frameworks that can match the speed and sophistication of AI-powered attacks, which are scaling exponentially while traditional defenses remain linear. Current cybersecurity frameworks are built on reactive, signature-based models that cannot adapt fast enough to counter AI-generated attack variations, creating dangerous gaps in real-time threat response.
The industry must prioritize developing adaptive security architectures that integrate human expertise with AI-driven defense systems, democratize advanced security tools for organizations of all sizes, and establish rapid threat intelligence sharing networks that operate at machine speed. At AmaraTech, we’re addressing these framework gaps by building AI-enhanced security operations that evolve with threat patterns, making enterprise-grade adaptive defenses accessible through managed services, and creating collaborative intelligence systems that amplify human analyst capabilities rather than replacing them. The critical challenge is shifting from traditional periodic security updates to continuous, proactive AI-native frameworks that can defend against tomorrow’s threats today—because the window for reactive cybersecurity approaches is rapidly closing in an AI-accelerated threat landscape.
How do you keep up with the fast-changing tech landscape—especially when it comes to things like cybersecurity, compliance, or AI?
As cybersecurity threats evolve at unprecedented speed with AI-powered attacks and constantly shifting compliance requirements, AmaraTech maintains its competitive edge through a comprehensive intelligence ecosystem that combines strategic vendor partnerships, real-time threat monitoring through our Security Operations, and active participation in threat intelligence sharing communities. Our team maintains cutting-edge certifications while operating hands-on testing labs for emerging AI security technologies, ensuring we can rapidly assess, deploy, and scale new defensive measures across our client portfolio within hours of threat emergence. This systematic approach to continuous learning—from regulatory compliance partnerships to client-driven insights and internal knowledge sharing—positions us as a proactive cybersecurity advisor who anticipates and prepares for threats before they impact business operations. While many MSPs react to security incidents, our commitment to staying ahead of the threat landscape through multi-layered intelligence gathering and rapid adaptation capabilities ensures our clients receive protection against both current attacks and tomorrow’s emerging cyber challenges, making cybersecurity readiness a competitive advantage rather than a reactive necessity. It enables organizations to thrive in our increasingly connected, threat-aware digital landscape by fostering inclusive partnerships that bridge technology gaps and accelerate innovation adoption across diverse business sectors.
What’s coming up next for you and AmaraTech—any big plans, goals, or ideas you’re excited to roll out?
I’m currently leading the development of a groundbreaking AI-powered cybersecurity platform designed to revolutionize security management for businesses and organizations through advanced technology integration and intelligent automation. This comprehensive solution leverages custom AI models built on cutting-edge large language models to enhance user interaction and automate complex security workflows, delivering protection through a dual-module architecture. The platform combines systematic Vulnerability Management—featuring automated assessment, structured remediation workflows, and continuous monitoring capabilities—with advanced Threat Intelligence that generates operation-specific insights tailored to each organization’s unique risk profile, industry sector, and business context. By delivering actionable threat intelligence for informed risk assessment and strategic remediation planning, this innovation empowers organizations to systematically identify, prioritize, and address security risks while maintaining regulatory compliance, ultimately improving overall security posture and delivering personalized cybersecurity experiences that create measurable business value across diverse client platforms.
The post HIPTHER Community Voices: Alieu Kamara – Founder and CTO of AmaraTech appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
It’s not just black and white label
Yoni Sidi, CEO at Wiztech, says white labels are all about striking the balance between pros and cons, but for some, it’s impossible to achieve and that’s why it’s important to consider other options.
For most operators, a white label solution seems to offer the best route to market. But is that actually the case?
I’ve been working in the industry for more than two decades now, and over that time, I’ve worked on both sides of the fence – so on the white label operator side and on the white label provider side. This gives me a deep understanding of the pros and cons of white label solutions, and this understanding ultimately led me to launch Wiztech. To answer your question more directly, white labels are always about striking the balance between the pros and cons they present – for some operators, a balance can be found, but for others, it can’t. Ultimately, it comes down to knowing what you want from your platform or technology stack, and whether a white label can meet those requirements with the budget and resources you have available to you.
So, what are the pros and cons of a white label platform?
There are plenty of upsides to white labels, and that’s why they’re used by so many operators. The main advantages are speed to market and cost effectiveness – you can literally go from first discussions to your online casino being live in a matter of weeks. The upfront fees are relatively small, and, in most cases, you pay a revenue share back to the platform provider. This can tighten margins a little, but it means you don’t have to have a large capital reserve to get going. Another benefit is that you can take on as much or as little of the operation as you like – for some, they will let the platform provider take care of the operational aspect while they focus solely on marketing and customer acquisition. Other upsides include licensing, with the white label partner securing and being responsible for the licences they hold.
Drawbacks. The biggest for me is the lack of differentiation you get with a white label. The many brands that run on the platform often look very much the same, just with different logos and branding. After a few months of operating your online casino, you’ll likely notice friction points that you’ll want to address, but the rigid nature of white-label platforms means it’s incredibly difficult to smooth out even the smallest of bumps in the road. It’s also incredibly difficult to roll out unique features and functionality as the development team is usually working through a backlog of requests – most of which are for the friction bumps that need ironing out. Factor in the frequent regulatory changes that happen, and the need for the development team to respond to them, and it’s easy to see how hard it can be to improve the experience being offered to players.
How can operators strike a balance between the pros and cons of white labels?
It comes down to understanding the capabilities of the platform provider and whether they offer customisation and localisation. If they don’t, the operator needs to determine if this is a price they’re willing to pay in exchange for the speed to market and cost effectiveness that white labels provide. Of course, some white label providers do offer support and are happy to help when it comes to developing and deploying bespoke features and functionality. But in my experience, most don’t have the capacity for this, even if they say they do. For me, the balance is found by accepting the limitations of white labels and working within the (often pretty rigid framework) they provide. There are plenty of examples of operators that have done this and have gone on to run very successful brands in highly competitive markets.
Is there an alternative to white labels?
The most obvious alternative is to develop a proprietary technology stack, but this approach comes with just as many, if not more, pitfalls. Building a platform from the ground up is incredibly expensive and tremendously risky, and this is why so few operators outside of the industry power players have been able to pull it off. And even those that do often encounter issues such as ongoing maintenance, tech debt, staffing and compliance. But there is a middle ground between white label and proprietary, and it can be found with smaller platform providers whose technologies offer the agility, flexibility and adaptability required for operators to launch highly customised, almost bespoke, online casinos and sportsbooks.
How does Wiztech fit into the platform mix, and how do you support your partners in achieving their goals in often highly competitive markets?
At Wiztech, we champion modular tech and the likes of AI and automation. By embracing these, we have been able to build powerful yet highly customisable casino and sportsbook solutions that are also fully compliant in tightly regulated markets. In our experience, being able to quickly respond to regulatory changes provides a competitive advantage to our customers. In Mexico, for example, our client Winpot has been able to deliver a unique player experience while always ensuring compliance. And this is against a backdrop where regulatory changes often come with very little notice. Our technology can adapt quickly while Winpot continues to capitalise on the growing demand for entertaining online casino products and experiences.
But just as important as our technology is our approach to our partners. This sees us undertake a comprehensive onboarding process where we spend a lot of time understanding the client’s “why” before we map out the “what” and the “how”. This has proved to be incredibly effective and ensures that our clients can get the most out of the flexibility of our platform and the high levels of customisation and personalisation it provides.
The post The White Label Dilemma: Finding the Right Balance for Your iGaming Business appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Interviews
The UX Revolution: Why Gaming Corps’ Website Redesign Reflects the Industry’s Digital Shift
How Gaming Corps’ Website Redesign Mirrors the Industry’s Shift Toward Seamless Digital Journey
The online gaming industry is a whirlwind of constant change, and to stay ahead, companies must evolve their digital presence. Juha Kauppinen, CEO of Gaming Corps, explains why the company’s recent website redesign was more than a simple visual update. It was a strategic move to better reflect the company’s growth, showcase its expanded portfolio, and create a seamless digital experience for partners and stakeholders.
What prompted the decision to redesign the website?
We had clearly come to a natural point in Gaming Corps’ growth, so the need for a redesign just naturally became obvious.
We’ve had many new game releases, record-breaking quarters, and the launch of our Remote Gaming Server, so it became clear to the team that we needed a website which better reflected who we are today.
It wasn’t just about a fresh look, it was about making it easier for partners to explore what we offer and connect with us in a more intuitive, seamless way.
How does the new site better reflect who you are as a business today compared to a year or two ago?
A year or two ago, we were still finding our footing and growing our portfolio.
But today, we’re a more established, ambitious company with a clear identity and vision. The new site reflects that shift – it’s more polished, more dynamic, and built to showcase not just our games, but our capabilities as a partner and platform provider.
What were the most important improvements you wanted to make during the redesign — and why were they important for your users or partners?
We wanted to ensure the website reflected how we present ourselves as a modern, innovative studio.
So, we now have a more modern, user-friendly design and a UX that’s more intuitive. What this means is that the site is easier to use, whether you’re a client, partner or stakeholder.
Speaking of partners, it’s now easier for them to understand what we do and explore our games.
We’re very proud of the Gaming Corps portfolio, so now we can showcase it much better, with clearer vertical distinctions between our Mine, Smash4Cash and Plinko games, etc.
When it comes to us as a company, we can now highlight our careers section to support our drive for talent acquisition and to keep growing our fantastic team.
Finally, the new site also gives more prominence to our investor relations, reflecting our position as a listed company and offering clarity on that.
Were there any common pain points, feedback, or gaps in the old site that influenced your approach to the new one?
The main product offering wasn’t clear to partners or visitors. The site design felt outdated and more suited to an early-stage company, and those days are long behind us now.
Our investor relations content wasn’t visible or prioritised enough, considering that we’re a PLC, and existing partners weren’t highlighted.
The old site just didn’t reflect who we are, what we do and what we can do. The new one does all of those things.
How important is your website today in terms of attracting or informing potential partners, clients, or stakeholders? Has that role changed in recent years?
Our website has become a much more important touchpoint for us, especially as we’ve grown internationally and have expanded what we offer to our B2B clients.
Our site is often the first chance we get to make an impression on potential partners or stakeholders, so it needs to communicate who we are, what we offer, and where we’re going.
The role of our website has evolved – it’s no longer just a digital brochure; it’s a core part of how we connect and do business.
What would you say to other companies in the B2B iGaming space thinking about refreshing their digital presence?
Don’t underestimate the impact of a strong digital presence, because it’s more than just visuals.
It’s about clarity, usability, and showing your value at a glance.
Also, involve your people from across the company early on, as this helps create something that truly reflects your brand and speaks to your audience.
The post The UX Revolution: Why Gaming Corps’ Website Redesign Reflects the Industry’s Digital Shift appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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