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Decoding Success in the iGaming: A Conversation with Victor Sekushenko, Head of Sales at SOFTSWISS Sportsbook

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SOFTSWISS has been a prominent player in the iGaming industry. Based on your experience, what are the top three success strategies that betting operators should adopt to thrive in today’s competitive market?

First of all, sportsbooks should extend their offerings beyond football. We highly recommend operators explore low-season sports and those traditionally underestimated by the industry, such as basketball and Australian football. SOFTSWISS supports its partners by delivering informed recommendations and comprehensive reports on diverse sports events. The strategic diversification of bets across various sports and events serves to mitigate risks effectively.

The second recommendation centres on increasing betting volume by prioritising live and imminent events, given their tendency to attract higher stakes. Notably, in Q3’23, live bets surpassed pre-match bets by almost two-fold. Consequently, it is imperative for operators to provide a user-friendly platform with live broadcasting capabilities to facilitate a seamless betting experience. Additionally, promoting the placement of parlay or combo bets emerges as an additional strategy to enhance revenue, given their inherently higher profit margins.

Player engagement is another key to igaming success. Surely, you’ve heard this many times. But it is. Otherwise, it wouldn’t get so much attention. Recognising this, SOFTSWISS provides a diverse array of engagement tools, encompassing exclusive bonuses and jackpots. At the same time, we advise operators to meticulously evaluate the value of bonuses, ensuring they reward players judiciously without excess. Finding the right balance between bonuses and odds is critical, and we help our partners with that.

 

With the rapid evolution of technology in the betting industry, how does SOFTSWISS leverage technological advancements to aid betting operators in achieving success? Can you share a specific example or case study?

The most buzzing technology for the last year is artificial intelligence (AI). I believe that using such a powerful tool is a revolutionary shift in an operator’s approach. We have a dedicated team working with AI. Currently, we utilise AI-based tools to personalise content within the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook. This involves tailoring event displays according to individual player preferences, gathering real-time data on player activity, and implementing various advanced functionalities. Our system is designed to discern and present the most attractive options for players, enhancing their overall gaming experience.

All these tools help operators engage players more and influence metrics like the number of bets or the average bet. When a player is presented with a match involving their favourite team, the likelihood of them placing a bet significantly increases. This contrasts with the scenario where they have to navigate through the feed to find something of interest, highlighting the significance of personalised and easily accessible content in driving user engagement and betting activity.    

 

Regulations play a crucial role in the betting industry, especially in Europe. How does SOFTSWISS assist betting operators in navigating the complex regulatory landscape, and what strategies do you recommend for staying ahead of regulatory changes?

Our commitment is to simplify the operator’s journey from a legal perspective. One of the most challenging things is licensing. We strive to offer the highest quality product that adheres to international standards. It’s not just words. Recently, we received GLI-33 certification for Event Wagering Systems, which marks a huge advancement for us in securing country licences. This certification reflects the substantial effort we’ve invested in meeting standards, encompassing a significant portion of local software requirements worldwide.

Also, we carefully monitor gambling regulation news and share our expertise with current and potential partners. SOFTSWISS experts have experience in the licensing process for a number of countries, so we work closely with every partner to provide optimal support on the legal aspects of their business. Our flexibility and customer-centric approach enable us to tailor solutions that benefit all parties involved.

In response to your second question, a key strategy involves selecting an experienced partner with high-quality software. This decision significantly streamlines the operator’s journey into the legal aspects of the business, providing a foundation for a smoother and more successful operational landscape.

 

Engaging and retaining customers is vital for any betting operator. What innovative strategies or tools does SOFTSWISS offer to help operators enhance customer engagement and loyalty?

Within the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, we feature a range of unique bonuses that stand out in the industry. These bonuses, including the Hunting and Lootbox Bonus, Hunting Tournaments, and Freebet Booster, are pivotal in significantly enhancing player engagement.

As I said earlier, operators often struggle to determine the right amount of bonuses to offer players without overdoing it. Tailoring bonuses to match individual betting activity is crucial, creating an incentive structure that resonates with players and encourages sustained engagement.

Our Hunting System is an excellent example of how to achieve this balance. It operates automatically, guaranteeing that players who bet larger amounts receive proportionally sized free bets while those with smaller bets receive more modest bonuses. This approach prevents scenarios where players making, for instance, two or three thousand euros in bets receive bonuses that may not align with their preferences. Conversely, the system also caters to smaller bets, avoiding the presentation of bonuses that might be disproportionate for such betting amounts.

In addition to tools, SOFTSWISS provides engaging systems like the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator. It offers a variety of different jackpot types designed to capture the interest of diverse players. For example, the recently launched Prime Jackpot is a new type of progressive jackpot. Its uniqueness lies in its connection to a broad network of multiple online casino brands. Through Prime Jackpot, iGaming brands wishing to participate in a network jackpot campaign contribute a proportionate amount based on their overall betting volume. Once a jackpot is won, the reward is disbursed from this shared pool which continues to grow progressively through player bets. This gamification strategy enhances player interest and entices former players to return to the platform.

 

As you prepare for SiGMA Europe this November, what are SOFTSWISS’ main objectives for the event? Are there any specific success stories or strategies you’re eager to share with attendees?

SiGMA Europe presents a valuable opportunity to forge connections with both existing and potential partners within the industry.

Our presence at the exhibition comes with a fresh concept celebrating the tenacity and resilience of iGaming businesses. Inspired by the diverse Maltese wildlife, our theme focuses on the resolute grip of local crabs and lobsters in their natural habitats. 

Just as these creatures tenaciously cling to rocks and reefs, SOFTSWISS is committed to assisting our partners in achieving their goals, even in the face of challenges. Our comprehensive suite of solutions provides the foundation for success in the ever-evolving iGaming landscape.

I am confident that our presence at SiGMA Europe will be valuable for industry professionals. Using this opportunity, I invite you to visit our stand 2129 to meet in person.

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Cultural nuance: Localising customer service for Latin America

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By Giuseppe Barbanera, Head of Commercial LATAM at Games Global

In an industry that prides itself on global reach, it is easy to assume that scale alone guarantees success. But in iGaming, “global” should never mean uniform.

The markets we serve are not interchangeable and nowhere is this clearer than in Latin America.

Too often, companies attempt to replicate European or US customer service models across every region, assuming efficiency and standardisation will translate universally.

In reality, operating across multiple regions does not necessarily mean the same model applied everywhere will succeed. In practice, success depends on how well strategies are adapted to each market.

A strategy that works effectively in Europe or the US can fall flat in Latin America if it does not consider cultural nuances and the way people prefer to communicate and build trust.

The real question for our industry is not whether we can operate globally, but whether we are willing to adapt locally. Are we prepared to meet markets on their own terms?

While iGaming is international in scope, when it comes to customer service and account management, there is no universal rule of thumb. Each region brings its own business culture and has its own expectations.

Understanding those differences is essential to building lasting partnerships. Ignore this, and you risk missing the full potential of high-growth markets. Latin America exemplifies this particularly strongly.

The region is expanding rapidly and offers significant opportunities with its own distinct dynamics and pace of development.

Different regions require different approaches, and success depends on adopting a much more hands-on and adaptable approach that reflects local market conditions.

Relationships and trust form the foundation of business, and partners value time, presence and consistency.

Account management is not just about supporting day-to-day operations; there is a heavy focus on guiding partners through regulatory change while tailoring solutions that reflect both cultural preferences and player behaviour.

Cultural nuance therefore plays a key role in building strong partnerships. Speaking the same language and recognising local customs helps create genuine connections.

These small but important touchpoints turn business conversations into personal relationships, which in turn build trust and make collaboration much easier, ensuring strategies are more relevant and effective.

After all, a business is built by people, and if you were choosing a partner, would you not favour one who has taken the time to understand your culture and values?

Flexibility and empathy are equally important. While priorities may vary by market, balancing efficiency with strong communication and collaboration is key everywhere.

In Latin America, dialogue and relationship-building play an especially important role. Operators and partners want to know their challenges are understood and that the solutions offered reflect their business needs and are tailored to the local market.

That means technical expertise is not enough. True success comes from being culturally aware and having the willingness to adapt global models to fit local needs, rather than forcing local markets to adapt to global models.

Having a presence on the ground also makes a tangible difference. Local teams and studios provide direct insight into shifting trends, regulations and player preferences.

The proximity allows companies to respond quickly, whether by launching content that resonates with global audiences, tailoring campaigns to local celebrations, or helping partners navigate evolving compliance requirements.

Combining global scale with a local presence enables support that feels both relevant and reliable.

What we see in Latin America is that customer service is never a one-size-fits-all exercise. It is shaped by people just as much as by products.

By listening to local perspectives, investing in relationships and embracing cultural nuance, customer service becomes more than problem-solving and becomes a driver of long-term growth.

That is the difference between being just another supplier and a true partner.

The region rewards those who take the time to listen, adapt and connect, and as Latin America continues to grow and mature, cultural understanding will remain a defining factor in the most successful collaborations.

The post Cultural nuance: Localising customer service for Latin America appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Betting at the Speed of Chat

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As legacy sportsbooks struggle with ‘search and click’ fatigue, Josh Swerdlow, Founder and CEO of ChatBet, says the next industry titan will win by owning the conversational intent layer where billions of users already live.

 

Why is the current sportsbook UX struggling to keep up with modern tech?

It comes down to legacy debt. Current sportsbook apps are just digital spreadsheets – grids from the 1990s that have been optimised for desktop and not mobile-first intuition. With the majority of sportsbooks, users are forced through deep menus and endless scrolling, creating a “hurdle race” for every transaction. This leads to cognitive overload – while hardcore bettors might tolerate the clutter, casual punters encounter analysis paralysis and this usually leads to betslip abandonment. As user behaviour shifts from “search and click” to “intent and fulfilment”, and against a backdrop of spiraling acquisition costs and high levels of churn, this is really putting the squeeze on operator profitability and ultimately long-term sustainability.

What do you mean when you say we are moving from “search and click” to “intent and fulfilment” and what does this mean for online sportsbooks?

In a “search and click” world, the user does the heavy lifting – navigating deep menus and grids just to find a single market. “Intent and fulfillment” flips that script. It’s the shift from a user searching for a bet to simply commanding it. If a consumer can book a five-star hotel in Rome by sending a single text, they naturally expect to back their favorite team with the same level of ease. For the operator, this means the sportsbook evolves into a high-powered back-end utility – the engine – while the messaging interface becomes the front-of-mind “steering wheel”. By moving away from the friction of standalone apps and capturing intent directly within WhatsApp or Telegram, operators stop being a destination the user has to find and start being a conversation the user is already having.

How does conversational betting actually chance user behaviour and crush the conversion funnel?

Traditional betting can take between 10 to 12 steps and up to 60 seconds – a solution like ChatBet reduces that to a single text or voice note and ten seconds or less. It also shifts the player from architect to director – instead of manually building complex parlays by scrolling through 50+ toggles, the user simply asks the AI to “Build a safe 3-leg parlay for the United game” and then confirms the wager. The result? Data from a ChatBet pilot shows an 82% drop in time-to-bet and a 28% increase in conversion rates.

From an operator’s perspective, is this a rip and replace of the current technology or is it much easier to implement than that?

Conversational betting solutions such as ChatBet are an orchestration layer, not a replacement. Our solution literally plugs into existing APIs. This also helps from a regulatory and compliance perspective, with core functions such as KYC, wallet management and responsible gambling triggers remaining securely within the operator’s existing stack. This allows for overnight modernisation – operators can update their UX for the “TikTok generation” without the multi-year cost of rebuilding their entire core tech.

Why is intent data now considered the ultimate competitive moat?

It’s about context over clicks. Traditional trackers show where the user clicked but conversational data reveals exactly what they want in their own words. Then there’s the network effect – every interaction trains the AI on local slang, fan sentiment and individual patterns and preferences. This provides operators with an insurmountable defence. A competitor can copy your odds, but they cannot easily clone a refined, high-context relationship with millions of users.

Why is this a billion-dollar venture-scale opportunity right now?

Viral distribution. Conversation betting piggybacks on billions of WhatsApp and Telegram users to allow operators to solve the skyrocketing customer acquisition cost crisis they face. There’s also the retention advantage, with messaging-native users showing a 35% higher day-30 retention rate because the interface is “always on”. What’s more, chat-based betting allows for “nudge” technology and lower-friction, smaller-stake engagement, which aligns with 2026 global regulatory shifts toward safer play.

Predictions markets are throwing the sports betting industry into chaos. How does conversational betting help traditional operators get in on the action?

Prediction markets are exploding because they tap into the “stock market of everything” but for traditional operators, these markets are often too complex to display in a standard grid and too intimidating for the average punter to navigate. Conversational betting bridges this gap by acting as a natural language translator for complex binary contracts. Instead of forcing a user to decipher order books or probability curves, a chat interface allows them to simply trade on their opinions, like the weather or political shifts, as easily as sending a text. Because chat has “unlimited shelf space”, operators can offer an infinite array of niche markets without clogging their app’s UI. Ultimately, it turns prediction markets from a niche financial product into a social, real-time experience, capturing “hot takes” in WhatsApp or Telegram and instantly converting them into priced, compliant transactions.

If this shift is as inevitable as you say, what is the one thing legacy operators need to do right now to avoid becoming the ‘Blockbuster’ of the betting industry?

They need to stop thinking about their “app” and start thinking about their “API”. The battle for the customer has moved off the home screen and into the chat thread. Right now, the opportunity is to be the first mover in the conversational space – to own the “intent layer” before it becomes the industry standard. The winners of 2026 won’t be the ones with the loudest marketing, but the ones who make placing a bet as easy as telling a friend who you think will win.

The post Betting at the Speed of Chat appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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TQJ bets on entertainment and responsible gaming in Brazil’s regulated market

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Backed by Grupo Silvio Santos, founded by Silvio Santos, the company aims to position itself as a platform that goes beyond traditional betting.

In an interview during BiS SiGMA South America, Fernando Justos Fischer, CEO of TQJ, detailed the company’s strategic pillars, the sector’s challenges and its long-term vision for the Brazilian market.

According to Fischer, the current moment is one of consolidation in the regulated market.

The expectation is that the sector will move toward more mature discussions, focusing on compliance, sustainability and user protection.

In this context, the event is seen as a strategic space for alignment between operators, regulators and partners, driving more structured growth.

TQJ’s strategy is based on three main pillars: strengthening brand and distribution by leveraging the group’s assets; a data-driven operation focused on efficient acquisition and sustainable retention; and responsible gaming as a core principle of the business.

All of this, according to the executive, is supported by technology and intelligence applied to the user experience.

The backing of Grupo Silvio Santos is highlighted as a key competitive advantage.

For Fischer, the combination of credibility, scale and expertise in entertainment allows TQJ to position itself as an accessible, trustworthy brand with a strong connection to the Brazilian audience.

The goal is to lead the market in trust and responsibility.

In a highly competitive environment, the company is focusing on integrating proprietary distribution, gamified experiences and the intensive use of data and artificial intelligence for personalization.

Fischer notes that competitive advantage will increasingly lie in retention, supported by advanced CRM, engagement mechanics and solid responsible gaming practices.

During the event, this positioning was also demonstrated in practice.

Bet do Milhão came to life in a live game show format, directly connecting entertainment and betting. The activation generated engagement and reinforced the company’s value proposition.

Among the main challenges in the Brazilian market, Fischer highlights the need to build a sustainable environment amid intense competition, as well as the importance of educating consumers and combating illegal operators.

He states that operators with discipline, governance and a long-term vision will have a competitive advantage.

In terms of responsible gaming, TQJ already implements tools such as deposit limits, self-exclusion, behavioral monitoring and active communication with users.

The company adopts a preventive and continuous approach that goes beyond regulatory compliance.

This monitoring is carried out through real-time behavioral analysis, enabling the identification of risk patterns and allowing for fast and precise interventions.

Fischer emphasizes that the company aims to go beyond regulatory requirements, viewing responsible gaming as both a competitive differentiator and an institutional commitment.

Artificial intelligence plays a central role in the operation. In marketing, it is used for campaign optimization, prediction and content generation.

In product, it supports the continuous evolution of the user experience. In security, it strengthens analysis and protection systems.

Additionally, AI enables deeper integration between entertainment and betting, creating more interactive and personalized experiences.

Features such as real-time personalization and gamified mechanics are already part of the company’s roadmap.

Even so, Fischer stresses that there is a clear limit when it comes to personalization: user protection. All strategies must operate within responsible parameters, without encouraging risky behavior.

In summary, the CEO defines TQJ’s role in this new phase of the market as a platform capable of connecting entertainment and betting in Brazil with responsibility, technology and trust.

The post TQJ bets on entertainment and responsible gaming in Brazil’s regulated market appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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