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European Gaming Congress 2024

Interviews

Exclusive Interview with Milena Tsankarska, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at ZettaOnline

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At the beginning of May, Milena Tsankarska stepped into her new role as Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at ZettaOnline, a prominent Bulgarian company known for its expertise in Software Development, Technical Compliance, Managed DevOps Services, and Cloud Hosting solutions. With a strong presence across Europe, North America, and Africa, ZettaOnline continues to expand its impact in various business industries. In this interview, Milena shares insights into her new role and ZettaOnline’s ambitious vision for the future. Let’s dive in to hear what she has to say!

Can you start by giving us an overview of ZettaOnline and its mission? How does it stand out in the fintech services industry?

In the fintech industry, technical compliance and software development are closely intertwined, as the sector is heavily regulated and requires adherence to strict standards. ZettaOnline has a strong focus on delivering innovative and all-encompassing solutions to help the business not only to meet the legal requirements, but to integrate those requirements into the very fabric of software development. Our mission is to provide businesses with state-of-the-art technology, helping them remain competitive and compliant in a constantly changing digital world. By adopting a compliance first-approach, ZettaOnline helps the fintech companies avoid costly fines, build trust with users, and create secure, reliable products that can scale in a highly regulated environment.

ZettaOnline operates in multiple regulated markets across the globe. What are some of the unique challenges and opportunities you face in different regions like the UK, USA, Germany, and South Africa?

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To operate in diverse markets such as the UK, USA, Germany, and South Africa is both challenging and full of possibilities. Each market has its own diverse and unique regulatory framework requirements that we have to tailor and adjust in the delivery of our services to our clients. The opportunity lies in utilizing our expertise across these regions to provide global solutions that are fine for local impact. For instance, as businesses strive to comply with data protection laws and industry standards, partners like ZettaOnline that offer compliance, security, and data protection are in high demand.

ZettaOnline offers a broad range of services, including software development, technical compliance, and managed IT services. Which of these services do you see as the most in-demand among your clients, and why?

Technical compliance is currently seeing the highest demand, especially in the heavily regulated sectors. Clients increasingly seek customized software solutions that can be easily integrated with their existing systems while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards in which they operate. With the rise of cyber threats, businesses need to ensure their systems meet specific security requirements, making compliance a priority. Our clients appreciate our ability to deliver both cutting-edge software and the assurance of meeting compliance requirements. After the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more of our clients are seeking security of their operations, data, and payments. We do detect and respond to threats using real-time and proprietary analysis and threat data, offering flexibility and personalization.

Your company provides auditing and certification according to PCI-DSS and ISO standards. How important are these certifications for your clients, and what role do they play in maintaining trust and security?

Certifications like PCI-DSS are vital for our clients, as they guarantee that their operations adhere to the highest security and quality standards. We also ensure compliance with other applicable requirements stemming from the financial regulations. And of course, this builds trust between the company and the customers, which gives the clients trustworthiness and more opportunity to grow.

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Cloud hosting solutions are a critical part of your offerings. Can you share how ZettaOnline ensures the reliability and security of these services for your clients?

At ZettaOnline, this is a top priority, and we offer a real-time strategic advantage: instant business insights. We implement advanced security protocols; we regularly audit and continuously monitor our systems in order to achieve efficiency with sustainability. Thus, our clients trust us to provide a secure and stable environment for their operations, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

With the fintech industry rapidly evolving, how does ZettaOnline stay ahead of technological trends and ensure its services remain cutting-edge?

Staying ahead in the rapidly evolving fintech sector requires ZettaOnline to be proactive, innovative, and adaptable. We allocate resources to continuous research and development to explore new technology, trends, and market needs. We aim to incorporate the latest technology into our services and products. This allows us to develop cutting-edge solutions that meet future demands in the fintech sector.

As the Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, what strategies do you implement to drive growth and expand ZettaOnline’s market presence? Our plans include determining a marketing strategy that develops and strengthens relations with existing clients. One of our topics is also to expand our services to different markets by establishing and cultivating long-term partnerships with new clients. One of my personal goals is to strengthen the company’s group of different brands and keep their level high in both the fintech and gaming markets. We also aim to achieve additional certifications, which will confirm our leading position in fintech and IT solutions worldwide.

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What role does strategic partnerships and collaborations play in ZettaOnline’s growth? Can you highlight any key partnerships that have been particularly impactful?

Yes, the strategic partnerships are a key component of ZettaOnline’s growth strategy. By collaborating with some of the industry leaders, we can offer more comprehensive services and enter new markets. For example, our partnership with The Betting Coach. This collaboration will allow us to promote our fintech solutions, increase their visibility, and attract new users in the online gaming market. For us, those partnerships are crucial to our success and expansion.

Given the competitive nature of the fintech industry, how does ZettaOnline differentiate itself from other service providers?

At ZettaOnline, we don’t just provide services; we offer customized solutions tailored to each client’s specific needs. We set us apart through a combination of deep technical expertise, knowledge of global regulatory aspects, and a client-centric approach. We are very dedicated to innovation, security, and compliance, and these ensure that we offer high-quality and reliable services that help our clients achieve their objectives.

10. Looking ahead, what are some of the key trends in fintech and IT services that you believe will shape the future of the industry?

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AI is playing a transformative role in the fintech and IT sectors. The key areas AI is being leveraged are fraud detection and prevention, personalized financial services, regtech and compliance, customer onboarding, and identity verification, along with many other areas. The offering of customer-centric solutions should consider compliance with the requirements for developing or deploying AI.

What are ZettaOnline’s future goals and objectives, and how do you plan to achieve them in the next 3-5 years?

Of course, our plans are with a glance for the future and especially to how to expand our global presence, particularly in emerging markets, while continuing to innovate our service offerings. We intend to invest both in AI and machine learning to stay ahead of industry trends and provide even more robust solutions to our clients. Our goal is to be recognized as a leader in the fintech services industry, known for our innovation, reliability, and client-focused approach.

Can you share a bit about your journey to becoming the Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at ZettaOnline? What experiences have shaped your approach to leadership and strategy?

My professional experience belongs to different managing roles in marketing, business development, and strategic planning across multiple industries. Each of them gave me more and more added values that shaped me in the way to drive growth and lead teams effectively. My personal approach emphasizes collaboration, team leadership, and maintaining a strong focus on the client’s needs.

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In your opinion, what are the most critical skills and attributes needed to succeed in the fintech industry today?

It is crucial to adapt rapidly to the latest innovation in the industry, to have strong technical expertise, and to have a deep understanding of regulatory environments. Of course, to have strong problem-solving abilities, creative thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning. We have to quickly adapt to new technologies and market dynamics as the industry evolves.

What advice would you give to aspiring professionals looking to enter the fintech or IT services sector?

My advice to those that are looking to enter both the fintech and IT services sectors is to stay close to the innovation and trends of both industries in order to be up-to-date with the latest developments. That will assure them some advantage in the future and will put them in a stronger position.

Finally, is there anything else you would like our audience to know about ZettaOnline or any upcoming projects you are particularly excited about?

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I am excited to share that our team will be attending five major gaming events before the end of 2024. With our deep interest in the gaming industry, it is only fitting that we showcase our services at these significant events. We are kicking off with Sigma East Europe, scheduled for September 2-4, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary. This event is set to be one of the largest and most influential in the gaming industry, offering significant events and valuable industry insights. We continue with SBC Events, 24-26 September in Lisboa, and in November, 11-14, 2024, ZettaOnline is going to attend Sigma Europe.

After that, we are going to attend BEGE and EEGS, which are two of the premier events in the gaming and entertainment industry (Sofia on November 27-28, 2024). If you want to find out what ZettaOnline’s services are, please contact us at [email protected] to arrange a meeting.

The post Exclusive Interview with Milena Tsankarska, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at ZettaOnline appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Interviews

Exclusive Q&A w/ Radek PĹĄurnĂ˝, CEO at Match Hype

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Match Hype has just won two industry competitions. Talk us through your product.

Match Hype brings engagement from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram into the sportsbook. Our technology automatically turns raw sports data into short videos full of sports and betting insights. We have the capacity to create up to a million videos daily in more than 30 languages. We also provide hosting and streaming of the videos, and we track everything in the video thanks to our own player. The high level of video experience and the scale make us unique in the market, and we believe that this innovation is extremely needed in the industry—and the judges in the competitions probably agree with us.

 

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What technologies are you leveraging to deliver such a cutting-edge tool/product?

We have more than six years’ experience in developing dynamic video solutions for clients like Microsoft, HBO, and SAP, and a decade in high-end video production for similarly well-known clients. Match Hype is the essence of this. We have developed our own robust cloud infrastructure that enables us to work on a huge scale. We can also leverage the integration of third-party solutions that help us make the video content rich and engaging. The AI boom came at the right time to help us make the experience for the viewer even better.

 

Who is Match Hype aimed at?

We focus mostly on sportsbook operators, where we think we can bring the biggest value. But we also have clients on the affiliate and media side. Our “competition” at the moment are creative professionals who are able to create one video at a time. To cover hundreds or thousands of events daily, you need huge manpower. With Match Hype, you don’t need that—it’s all automated. Anybody who appreciates this level of efficiency will benefit.

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The end users are any sports fans who enjoy engaging videos. So basically everybody.

 

Has this industry been slow to embrace video content and unlock the potential it offers? If so, why?

It’s hard for us to talk about the whole industry, as we haven’t been part of it for that long. But iGaming feels like a conservative industry where only truly meaningful innovations make it. Fingers crossed for Match Hype being one of them. We are confident because of our track record in other industries, and mostly thanks to the results of our dynamic videos that are already used by significant igaming industry players.

 

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What makes video content so effective at customer acquisition? How can Match Hype be used in this regard?

People just love video content. In the last review, TikTok said that the average user spends around 90 minutes a day on their platform. Platforms like Spotify used to be music and podcasts only; now they are full of videos. You just can’t ignore that. Video killed the radio star, and a static sportsbook is next to die.

 

And what about retention? How can it be used to keep players engaged and coming back for more?

Imagine that a 30-second video gives you the exact insights to help you make a betting decision without spending dozens of minutes on different resources to gather all the information. People don’t want to read anymore. This is probably an even bigger strength of Match Hype than user acquisition.

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What can we expect from Match Hype in the coming months?

We will establish Match Hype as an industry standard for dynamic video content. We’ll bring many more sports like tennis, basketball horse racing and. We are preparing real-time video use cases—for example, half-time updates in football—and new distribution channels like integration directly into streams. The potential is huge. Stay tuned.

 

Any final thoughts?

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For the last year, we have talked with literally hundreds of iGaming experts, investors, and executives. Almost every one of them sees fan engagement as a huge topic in the upcoming months and years. And video will definitely play a key part in it.

Video says more than a thousand words. Give it a go—watch one of our 30-second videos and see for yourself.

The post Exclusive Q&A w/ Radek PĹĄurnĂ˝, CEO at Match Hype appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Fantasy Sports

Will Booth: blending the best of fantasy and sports with Pick’Em Player Props

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For those that might not know, can you give us a brief overview of Pick’Em Player Props?

In simple terms, the new Pick’Em Player Props product from WA.Technology is almost like a hybrid between fantasy sports and sports betting. In the same vein as traditional player props products that you see in traditional sports, players can select markets on individual players – we have just taken that model and elevated it.

During the game, players can make between two and six bet selections. For example, will Erling Haaland score more or less than 2.5 shots? The number of bet selections the player makes then determines their multiplier. By allowing bettors to unleash their sporting knowledge and provide engaging games for them to play, we are helping our operator partners to not only engage with a wider player base but also to fuel long-term retention. It really is a one-of-a-kind product and one we’re incredibly excited about. It’s already proving to be a top performer in LatAm.

 

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Why has now been the right time to unveil Pick’Em Player Props?

Over the last few years, we’ve seen significant growth in the number of player proposition products. There are several reasons for that. Sports fans have shown a growing affinity for individual players rather than a team. They follow players on social media and engage with content featuring that player.

This reflects the wider trend we’re seeing: the new generation of fans is more in love with the players than the team itself. A great example of this is both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Bettors worldwide would wager on either of those players and engage with their content regardless of which team they played for or what club they supported.

The appetite for player-driven betting is increasing dramatically, resulting in a greater demand for products specifically tailored to individual athletes.

With more traditional sportsbooks, however, we’ve found that there isn’t as much depth of product regarding player propositions – aside from goal scorer markets. We wanted to change that – we wanted to deliver a fun, engaging product that helps build a sense of community among players.

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Since Pick’Em Player Props is also a hybrid of fantasy and sports, it can act as an attractive tool to facilitate new market entries, as fantasy sports are not regulated like sportsbooks or iGaming. Take the US for example. In most states, operators do not need a licence to offer a fantasy sports product. This is the case for many markets around the world, too. I believe this will be an attractive proposition for operators looking to expand their international footprint, and as a truly global provider, we’re here to make that happen.

 

In your view, what differentiates WA.Technology’s Pick’Em Player Props from other player props products on the market?

Currently, we are the only B2B provider to offer a player propositions product that combines sports and fantasy. A handful of companies in the US offer something similar, but they are all B2C companies – we are bringing something totally unique to the B2B space.

Fantasy Sports have always been popular in the US. But over the last 18 months, we’ve seen a meteoric rise in the demand for player proposition markets; we wanted to develop a product that caters to that growth in demand and delivers something unique for our partners.

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For other player props products on the market, something that is worth noting is that the design and UX are doing little to engage Millennial/Gen Z bettors. This audience demands a streamlined UX that is easy to use. Our Pick’Em version has been specifically designed with this demographic in mind, although we have been careful not to disenfranchise other age groups. We have kept the design sleek, streamlined and easy to use to deliver that. It’s extremely well-designed compared to what you might see in a more traditional sportsbook.

The game is straightforward to understand because we have fixed multipliers. This decision differentiates us from more traditional products, where the multipliers vary depending on how many bets you place. It also makes the product much more accessible for players who might otherwise not be familiar with fantasy or player props.

Another major defining factor is that we have ensured players can add multiple bets from different markets together. On most sports betting sites out there, you cannot combine player props markets. You couldn’t, for example, have a bet slip combining Erling Haaland’s Over/Under Shots and Kevin De Bruyne’s Shots on Target. We know this is frustrating for many bettors. We wanted to eliminate that barrier and elevate sports fans’ experience.

 

How does the level of data granularity influence the design and effectiveness of player proposition betting products, particularly in terms of player engagement and personalised betting options?

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We are very fortunate that the data feed we use for our player props markets is the best. We have a wide range of insights and data analytics available, giving us an edge over other companies within the space – this is a serious differentiator.

The enhanced data range means we can deliver many more bespoke, personalised betting options to players while also getting more granular with the markets we can offer.

Our Managed Services Team, which oversees all things trading, also closely monitors the markets that are most popular with players. For example, if we see an influx in bets on ‘shots on target’, we know how to create more promotions around this particular market. We can tailor the CMS to engage better with players and create a more personalised experience.

Players can also ‘favourite’ particular players and clubs. Any market featuring that player will automatically appear when the Pick’Em Player Props application loads up.

 

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Are there any markets where you believe Pick’Em Player Props will prove to be particularly popular? If so, why?

In all honesty, I can’t think of a market where this won’t be popular! Regions such as LatAm present an enormous opportunity for the growth of player proposition markets. I believe we can really plug a gap in the products currently offered to bettors.

Across the continent, we’ve seen players show a real passion for player-focused markets, and we’re here to capitalise on that. In Brazil, for example, if we were to create markets on Neymar, I’d anticipate this would gain much traction!

The real selling point for Pick’Em Player Props here is that we offer an extensive range of sports and markets that cater to a broad audience – but within that, we can personalise sports and bet selections not to overwhelm the player. I’d expect that markets on football will perform exceptionally well across Africa and LatAm, while countries such as South Africa may have a stronger preference for Rugby or Cricket.

Ultimately, it’s about understanding the unique preferences of players within each jurisdiction our partners operate in and tailoring the product accordingly. With teams based in various markets worldwide, we can get to grips with the local knowledge and fully understand what resonates with bettors.

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In your view, what are some of the factors behind the growth of player props products in the last 12 months?  

Most definitely shows how sports media companies are incorporating more player-specific content into their roster. This already has a huge impact, and I can’t see it changing anytime soon.

Whether it’s interviews with specific players, post-match analytics on performance or even the inherent growth of social media, the balance is undoubtedly tipping more towards the player rather than the team.

Personalisation will also have a considerable knock-on effect on the growth of player propositions. Bettors want more bespoke offers, specific bet suggestions and more instant content tailored to their unique playing habits. With a product like Pick’Em Player Props, you can personalise that betting experience to your heart’s content.

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It also becomes much easier for sportsbooks to align with a specific user’s interests when we deliver unmatched data analytics and levels of personalisation that are available via WA.Technology’s product suite.

In short, Pick’Em Player Props gives operators the tools they need to create wide-ranging engagement opportunities without sticking to the rigid sporting calendar, where sometimes you might have to wait several days between a game. By incorporating fantasy sports, we can deliver round-the-clock content much faster, therefore meeting the demands of players. If you want to find out more – make sure to stop by Stand 1095 at SiGMA!

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Interviews

Peter & Sons- Maths and Mechanics

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Behind every stellar online slot is an equally stellar maths model. These are becoming more experimental as the industry flirts with an increasing array of innovative new mechanics. We spoke to Pablo Martinez, Math/Design Lead and Founder at maverick game studio Peter & Sons to find out more.

 

Do you have to be a maths genius to build a slot machine?

Nah, you don’t need to be a maths genius. It’s more about having the right mix of skills and loving what you do. You need to play a lot of games, see what’s working out there, and understand what makes them fun. Knowing maths helps, sure, but it’s more about creating something players want to keep coming back to.

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Peter & Sons is known for making games that dare to be different, visually and thematically. Is the underlying math equally experimental?

Definitely! We love pushing boundaries, both in how our games look and how they play. Sure, it’s a bit of a gamble to have a bunch of games with unique mechanics, but we’re all about trying new things. Games like Peter Hunter and our upcoming Muddy Waters are great examples — they bring fresh gameplay and new experiences to the table. Each year, we try to put out at least one or two experimental titles, keeping things interesting while mixing them with more familiar styles.

 

Do you come up with the maths model first and then build the game around that? Take us through the process of building the game from start to finish.

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We usually start with an idea for the mechanics first. We make a quick prototype to see if the concept can work with the maths. Then we bring in the art team to brainstorm themes that will fit well. Once we have a basic prototype, we go through a bunch of tweaks and changes until the art, mechanics, and maths all feel right together. It’s a back-and-forth process where we’re constantly finetuning everything to get the best balance.

 

Why do you think a mechanic like Megaways was so successful?

Megaways took off because it’s a fun, exciting mechanic that gave players something fresh, but smart brand marketing really helped it catch on.

 

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Is there pressure as a slots developer to come up with the ‘next’ Megaways?

Not really. Coming up with new mechanics is always fun, but it’s not the only way to make a hit. Plenty of top games are just clever twists on classic mechanics. It’s more about creating a great experience that keeps players coming back, whether it’s something brand new or just a fresh spin on something more familiar.

 

Which slots are more popular, high or low volatility, and why do you think that is?

It depends on the market, but in some unregulated markets — and especially with some operators — high-volatility slots are really popular. A big reason for this is streamers. High-volatility games make for exciting content, so they get a lot of attention and hype online. That thrill factor really draws players in.

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Which is your favorite Peter & Sons mechanic and why?

Right now, I’d say the fishing mechanic in our upcoming game Muddy Waters. It’s a new twist on the fishing genre that really brings something fresh to the gameplay. It’s exciting to take a familiar theme and make it feel totally different.

 

Tell us about the mechanics in your latest release, Barbarossa Revenge.

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Barbarossa Revenge is a pirate-themed, high-volatility game with 243 ways to win. It’s a DoubleMax game, meaning the multiplier doubles with each cascade. You’ve also got Multiplier Jumps and a Cashout feature that guarantees wins. During Free Spins, the multipliers don’t reset and can keep growing unlimited. With a max win potential of 30,000x the bet, this game is a real thrill!

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