Conferences in Europe
The Power of Data in Esports Betting: An Exclusive with DATA.BET’s Head of Sales Otto Bonning
The European Gaming Congress 2024 concluded with resounding success, attracting nearly 200 participants who benefitted from premier learning and networking opportunities. In this exclusive Q&A, we’re proud to feature Otto Bonning, Head of Sales at DATA.BET, our Badge, Bracelet & Networking Break Sponsor, discussing the power of data and how DATA.BET leverages it to create innovative esports tools.
Otto, thank you for sitting with us for this interview! Could you start by sharing a bit about yourself and your experience at the European Gaming Congress 2024 from moderating the panel on “The Future of Esports: Opportunities and Challenges”?
The European Gaming Congress 2024 left a lasting impression on me, standing out for its particular format and engaging atmosphere. The event’s structure seamlessly blended educational panels packed with industry insights and an open, relaxed environment that encouraged meaningful interactions with both leaders and potential partners.
During the panel discussions, Lasha Kupatadze, CPO at Atlaslive, a leading B2B software provider, focused on key aspects such as personalization and the evolution of sportsbook tools to meet user demands. I appreciated Lasha’s emphasis on adapting products for operators, as these are critical discussions that align with the challenges the industry is actively navigating
SavageTech CEO and Founder Tom Jang Lemke, a former semi-pro esports player, recalled starting out by managing trading manually for his sportsbook while analyzing streams. He delivered a compelling B2C perspective on esports opportunities and overcoming challenges. What I particularly appreciated was how the panel’s topic was explored from different viewpoints, creating more value for all congress participants and sparking meaningful discussions.
DATA.BET places a strong emphasis on leveraging official data for developing new tools. Could you explain how official data contributes to enhancing user experience and driving revenue growth for your clients?
Official data is fundamental to DATA.BET’s approach in esports, where precision and reliability are paramount.
Firstly, official data from trusted sources like Bayes Esports and GRID, who work directly with tournament organizers, ensures the highest accuracy in betting, reducing errors and enhancing the overall user experience. Combining all that with our own trading and models makes for an industry leading esports product.
Also, official data has allowed us to expand our content offerings significantly. For example, the number of CS markets has increased by 33%, and betting lines now remain open twice as long compared to platforms without official data, providing players with a broader range of options.
Moreover, official data minimizes risks by providing precise and consistent information, allowing operators to build assurance and offer a transparent betting experience. When used effectively, official data enhances platform reliability, expands market opportunities, and improves user retention – ultimately driving higher revenue and profitability for operators.
DATA.BET’s Data Feed combines Odds Feed, Live Score Feed, and in-house Risk Management. How do these elements work together to create a seamless experience for operators and their users?
DATA.BET’s premium Odds Feed, Live Score Feed, and in-house Risk Management are all powered by official data from our partners. With a low latency of 50-200 milliseconds and official data sources, our feed delivers unmatched speed and reliability.
Operators benefit from extensive coverage of 30+ disciplines and dynamic markets, including Player Props and in-game events, while integrated Risk Management ensures balanced exposure and maximized profitability.
Our official data allows us to keep an open betting line twice as long as competitors. Also, the synergy between our highly qualified traders, who possess deep expertise in their disciplines, and the advanced mathematical models developed and regularly updated by our Data Science team enables us to deliver exceptional value to operators, enhancing their performance and profitability. For example, over the past year, our clients have experienced up to 90% GGR.
Your risk management system is an integral part of your product offering. What sets DATA.BET’s Risk Management apart from other solutions on the market?
DATA.BET’s Risk Management system distinguishes itself by combining the expertise of our dedicated in-house team with advanced automated tools, providing operators with risk mitigation and platform security.
Our team of experts thoroughly analyzes betting patterns, particularly those of potentially fraudulent players. With a deep understanding of behavioral tendencies and statistical insights, our specialists identify reliable and unreliable players, proactively anticipate possible issues, and vigilantly monitor for fraud. This data-driven approach enables them to define user profiles based on in-game actions, creating a nuanced view of player behavior that enhances risk assessment.
They also work closely with the Trading team, providing them with a broader, more detailed perspective on user activity. This collaboration is precious when suspicious actions are detected, as our team’s in-depth analysis helps evaluate groups of players, assess risks, and make informed decisions on appropriate next steps.
Given the rapid growth in the esports industry, what future trends do you foresee in how data-driven solutions will impact the betting market?
Firstly, as modern UI takes central stage in sportsbooks, platforms must offer advanced personalization options, letting operators adapt seamlessly to their branding and customer preferences. Our new Single Page Application (SPA) is designed to meet these evolving needs, with features that prioritize flexibility, speed, and a seamless user experience.
Secondly, we expect to see more features from traditional sports adapted and enhanced for the esports environment. This trend will bring proven engagement tactics into esports, tailored to its audiences’ specific dynamics and preferences. For instance, Bet Builder enables users to combine multiple markets into a single bet, offering a tailored and interactive experience that appeals to savvy bettors. Operators benefit through increased stake sizes, broader market utilization, and valuable data insights for tailored marketing efforts.
Furthermore, as there is still demand for casual, fast-bet options, betting solutions will incorporate features inspired by casino gaming, adapting them to esports’ individual tempo and appeal.
Lastly, what advice would you give operators looking to stay competitive by incorporating Esports data feeds and risk management systems?
Operators aiming to stay competitive should choose providers with a full range of offerings, including official data, strong trading teams, reliable data feeds, and versatile tools like Bet Builder, ensuring optimal profitability and player engagement.
Official data from trusted sources will be vital as it ensures accuracy, minimizes risks, and builds user confidence, which is crucial in the fast-paced, highly competitive esports market. Beyond speeding up processes, it enables operators to maximize profitability by offering more reliable options, keeping betting lines open longer, and reducing errors that can lead to financial losses.
Lastly, to succeed in esports, it’s essential to understand your audience’s behavior and stay informed about industry trends. Keep track of tournaments and invest in learning how to promote effectively. While implementing progressive features can enhance your platform, generating significant revenue from esports without a solid marketing strategy is challenging. Numerous examples exist where operators leverage marketing activities to promote major esports tournaments in their projects. It provides an additional boost to the events and drives substantial revenue.
Special thanks to Otto Bonning for expertly moderating the insightful panel “The Future of Esports: Opportunities and Challenges”.
The post The Power of Data in Esports Betting: An Exclusive with DATA.BET’s Head of Sales Otto Bonning appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
Eurasia and the Middle East in Focus at SBC Summit 2025 Emerging Markets Stage
Untapped potential, surging demand, and shifting regulations are putting Eurasia and the Middle East firmly on the iGaming radar.
SBC Summit 2025 will tap into this momentum with a new Emerging Markets: Eurasia & the Middle East track on Wednesday, 17 September at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), featuring five powerhouse sessions on market entry, regulation, and long-term growth strategies.
The track will provide in-depth analysis of key jurisdictions, including Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and the UAE; markets undergoing significant change due to political shifts, evolving regulations, and growing local demand.
Sessions will offer practical guidance on entering and operating in these regions, with a focus on understanding regulatory frameworks and adapting to local market conditions.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Eurasia and the Middle East are a core focus for SBC Summit 2025. The opportunities here are real, but so are the challenges. Long-term success means understanding the local landscape and building genuine relationships on the ground.
“With this track, we want delegates to hear directly from the people who know these markets best, and to walk away with strategies they can put to work straight away.”
The track will open with the Eurasia Leaders Panel: Expansion or Contraction – Which Way Will the Bridge Between Continents Swing?, offering delegates the chance to hear directly from the leaders shaping the market across the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Balkans. Irakli Asanishvili (Head of Central & Eastern Europe, Flutter International), Adam Lamentowicz (CEO, Superbet Group), Max Potomkin (Deputy CEO, Parimatch), and Simon Westbury (Strategic Advisor, 1xBet) will examine whether political and regulatory pressures could stall momentum in markets like Georgia and Uzbekistan or if the region’s passionate fanbase and tech-savvy operators will continue to fuel expansion.
Following this, Georgia & Armenia Lead the Way will explore how these markets are adapting to recent tax and regulatory changes. Nika Gigashvili (Managing Director / Partner, SMH Global), Giorgi Gvenetadze (CCO, Flutter CEE), Vahagn Tangamyan (Head of Legal Department, Totogaming), and Gega Topuridze (CBDO, Betlive) will discuss how operators can adapt to new frameworks while capitalising on the region’s abundant talent pool and digital infrastructure.
The session Cryptocasinos & Emerging Markets – The Boom Continues will examine the rise of crypto-based gaming models in Eurasia and the Middle East. The panel will bring together Tiago Almeida (CEO, Oddsgate), Andrew Gellatly (Executive Director, Alderney Gambling Control Commission), Stefan Kovach (Founder & CEO, RARER THINGS), Melissa E. Lamb (Director of Sales – Luxury, Payhound), and Tom Waterhouse (Chief Investment Officer, Waterhouse VC) to examine how operators can maximise increasing crypto-adoption while maintaining compliance and responsible frameworks.
Crossing Borders: Cross-Selling in Balkan Markets will bring together regional experts to explore how businesses can thrive in culturally connected markets while navigating diverse regulatory frameworks. Dan Alexandru Ghiță (President, Rombet), Ivan Gojic (Chief Sportsbook Officer, Entain CEE), Rossi McKee (Vice President, CT Gaming), Alexander Popov (Director of Supervision, Gambling & Gambling Activities Directorate, National Revenue Agency (Bulgaria)), Marinos Shiapanis (Co-Founder & CEO, Campeon Gaming), and Artem Skrypnyk (CEO, Favbet Tech) will share their insights on building a consistent brand across multiple jurisdictions without compromising compliance.
Inside the UAE’s Ambitious Vision: Building a World-Class, Regulated, and Responsible Gaming Market from the Ground Up will examine the UAE’s move towards adopting a regulated gambling framework. Garret Greene (SVP Global Relationships, SBC), Christina Hu (Chief Strategy Officer, Momentum), Kevin Mullally (CEO, GCGRA), David Patent (EVP, Wynn Al Marjan Island), Lauralyn Sandoval (Vice President Gaming Strategy and Business Development, Aristocrat), will explore what a regulated betting framework in the region could look like and how the UAE’s approach could influence neighbouring jurisdictions and reshape global perceptions of gaming in the Middle East.
The Emerging Markets: Eurasia & The Middle East track forms part of SBC Summit’s Emerging Markets stage, alongside sessions analysing iGaming and sports betting growth in Africa (Tuesday, 16 September) and Asia (Thursday, 18 September).
Secure your ticket to SBC Summit 2025 today.
Choose from three pass types: VIP Event Pass, Expo+ Pass, or Expo Only Pass. Please note that an Expo Only Pass does not include access to conference panels.
Our Group VIP Event Pass offers three tickets at €400 each (down from €600)—ideal for attending with your team.
Operators and affiliates are eligible for a complimentary passes, simply apply here.
The post Eurasia and the Middle East in Focus at SBC Summit 2025 Emerging Markets Stage appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
Ivan Montik and Rubens Barrichello take stage at SBC Summit: Excellence Under Pressure
It’s hard to find a business sector evolving faster today than iGaming. Perhaps only Formula 1, with its incredible speed, comes close. Champions of innovation and speed, Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS and Rubens Barrichello, former F1 driver and Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, will take the Super Stage at the SBC Summit in Lisbon on 16 September. Their fireside chat, Excellence Under Pressure: Evolving in a Fast-Moving Space, will explore how to thrive in an industry that never slows down.
The SBC Summit is one of the world’s leading events for the sports betting and iGaming industry, bringing together more than 25,000 delegates, 600 speakers, and 1,000 exhibitors from across the globe. Its Super Stage hosts the headline sessions, featuring thought leaders who shape the industry’s future. Against this backdrop, the fireside chat between Montik and Barrichello promises to be a highlight of the Lisbon event.
In Formula 1, excellence means performing at the limit while rules and technology constantly evolve. iGaming is no different. In this fireside chat, Ivan Montik and Rubens Barrichello will explore how to sustain excellence under pressure – turning regulation into advantage, balancing speed with reliability, and building systems that adapt without breaking. Barrichello will share lessons from F1’s rapid technological changes, while Montik will show how SOFTSWISS applies similar agility in iGaming, innovating quickly while ensuring compliance and stability.
Last year, Montik and Barrichello’s dialogue on leadership became one of the highlights of the SBC Leaders Summit, sparking strong interest from the audience. Building on that success, they return to the stage this year with a new focus: innovation.
“Excellence under pressure means building systems that adapt fast without breaking. As a founder, I always stand for consistency, reputation, and delivering for our clients. We never innovate for the sake of innovation – but we always look ahead. Our R&D team closely monitors trends so we don’t miss them, but create them. At the same time, we ensure stable, uninterrupted iGaming software that runs 24/7 with uptime close to 100%. At this speed, it’s about taking every curve smoothly and helping our clients lead in every market. I look forward to meeting our partners at the Summit, sharing insights, and connecting in person,” said Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS.
Ivan Montik and Rubens Barrichello will also join the SOFTSWISS team at Stand B160 to discuss the business and innovations worldwide.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post Ivan Montik and Rubens Barrichello take stage at SBC Summit: Excellence Under Pressure appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator has been recognised as Best Aggregator at the SiGMA World Euro-Med Awards 2025, marking its second major win in just one week. Days earlier, the solution was named the Best Aggregator at the CGS Recife Awards 2025 in Brazil. Earning two prestigious titles on two continents confirms the Game Aggregator’s reputation as the standard-setter for the industry.
Being recognised twice within a week is a milestone that underscores the global stature of the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator. Latin America and Europe – two rapidly evolving iGaming markets – have both named it Best Aggregator, affirming its reputation for reliability, scalability, and innovation. These awards highlight the company’s commitment to growth, global coverage, and platform stability.
The Game Aggregator offers direct access to more than 35,000 games from 300+ providers and operates seamlessly in 24 regulated jurisdictions. Its robust infrastructure ensures 99.999% uptime and the ability to handle thousands of requests per second, making it one of the most stable aggregation platforms worldwide. With this latest honour, the Game Aggregator celebrates its eighth international award.
Recognition as Best Aggregator twice in one week reflects the platform’s ability to deliver measurable results. Its Tournament Tool raises daily betting volumes by 22%, while Jackpot Aggregator campaigns increase average player turnover by 50%. These tools translate awards into business growth for operators.
“To be named Best Game Aggregator twice in one week is a remarkable achievement and a powerful validation of our product. Recognition in both Latin America and Europe proves the Game Aggregator’s global strength. Our team will continue to expand the platform’s capabilities, delivering unmatched content, stability, and engagement tools that help our partners grow,” added Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator.
The SOFTSWISS team will be available at SBC Lisbon 2025, Stand B160, to discuss the possibilities of the Game Aggregator.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator Wins Europe After LatAm in One Week appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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