Interviews
Crush Test for iGaming Projects: SOFTSWISS on Why High Load Performance Defines Operator Success
For iGaming operators, success depends not only on content and marketing but on their ability to stay online when it matters most. We spoke with a SOFTSWISS expert, Deputy CTO Denis Romanovski, to understand what’s really at stake during high load events, what mistakes others make, and what architectural decisions allow platforms like the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator to consistently deliver 99.999% uptime – even at peak moments.
When a platform fails under high load, what are the main negative consequences for operators?The fallout hits three fronts at once. First of all, you lose revenue. Every failed bet is a direct GGR gone. In a one-minute outage during peak hours, you could lose tens of thousands of euros before you even spot the issue. Second, frustrated players flood the support team with refund claims and bad reviews. Most of them switch to your competitor. Getting those players back costs far more than keeping them happy in the first place. And third, in the scramble, tech teams try to spin up extra cloud capacity at premium rates or engage pricey third-party consultants. Those crisis-mode costs often hit the usual infrastructure budget for weeks afterwards.
So in short, downtime isn’t just an IT problem – it’s a full-blown business crisis that affects finance, marketing, and customer experience.
How does SOFTSWISS prevent those failures? Which patterns are most effective for operating without breaks?
Our resilience comes from layering proven patterns. We run Kubernetes in multiple regions – Europe, Latin America, and South Africa – so player connections go to the nearest point of presence. Databases replicate asynchronously, enabling instant failover if one zone degrades.
We develop containerised microservices, which means that some of our features and tools run in isolated pods. Rolling updates and canary deployments let us push fixes to a tiny slice of traffic first; if any metric goes beyond the threshold, Kubernetes automatically rolls back.
Static assets and game binaries are cached on regional Content Delivery Networks to reduce the load on central servers. Players receive data from the closest edge node with round-trip times of under 100 milliseconds, even on 3G connections. We also have an efficient system for DDoS Defence. Our stable partnership with Cloudflare provides multi-terabit scrubbing. Malicious traffic is cleanly filtered at the network edge, leaving genuine players uninterrupted.
But one more piece is just as crucial as technology: the team behind it. You can invest in the cutting-edge hardware and build the best architecture, but if engineers lack experience working under pressure, reaction times slow down, and players notice.
SOFTSWISS brings together experienced SREs, database experts, and network architects with deep knowledge of real-world stress situations. This means we don’t just detect issues quickly – we fix them before operators lose trust.
Together, these layers of design and expertise ensure that, no matter what stress tests occur, our platform consistently delivers on its 99.999% uptime promise.
From an operator’s standpoint, what scenarios trigger the greatest anxiety during traffic surges – flash promotions, major sporting events, or something else?
Operators worry most about the unknown spikes. Scheduled events are planned for, like a Champions League kickoff or a midnight bonus reset. But unexpected surges, for example, when a progressive jackpot hits 10 million euros or a social-media post goes viral, can triple traffic in hours, if not minutes. These are the moments when lobbies freeze and players see spinning wheels that never load.
The fear is not theoretical. I think every operator is familiar with this feeling when you see the queue at the support service filling up with complaints. Every frozen second undermines the player trust that operators spent months building. That’s why they need a reliable tech partner with proven protocols for handling traffic spikes and a track record of keeping the software running without downtime.
Can you walk us through a real “crash test” you’ve seen: what operators see on their dashboards when systems go down?
I can describe a typical scenario that happens in one form or another quite often. Let’s say it’s a Saturday free spins sale on a new slot, paired with double loyalty points. Traffic can jump from 5,000 to 15,000 concurrent users in ten minutes. On the dashboard, CPU usage rises above 90 per cent, Redis cache miss latency jumps from 5ms to over 50ms, and the error rate exceeds 5 per cent. Players see “502 Bad Gateway” errors or simply blank game tiles.
Behind the scenes, operators struggle to issue refunds, while marketing watches their promotional budget turn into failed KPIs. That kind of slippery slope, where one service slowdown affects another, can turn a simple spike into a full-scale outage.
Another case we had at SOFTSWISS involved a live stream event run by one of our operators. They hadn’t properly forecasted the traffic surge, and the load hit fast. We saw system strain building within minutes – API response times climbing, queues backing up. Our team had to act quickly to rebalance and optimise the infrastructure on the fly by adding resources and redistributing load.
Are there any general recommendations or lifehacks operators can use to ensure the stability of their platforms under high load?
Sure – stability is not just about servers and code; it starts with the way people work together and the processes they follow. Regardless of the platform, there are some crucial questions and data points operators should agree on with their provider’s technical account manager before any big launch.
First, operators need to track traffic dynamics closely – how many players arrive, how many register, and how many stay in play. They should share these forecasts with their provider and flag any risk of actual traffic far exceeding expectations.
The provider, in turn, will map its load models against planned promotions or events. That way, capacity gets reserved in advance instead of scrambling when reality outpaces the plan. At SOFTSWISS, for example, we continuously monitor load on our core components and build in redundancy to absorb traffic spikes.
Operators also need clarity on which SLAs guarantee that extra capacity or failover will be authorised the moment it’s needed. When seconds count, no one should be hunting for the required approvals.
Finally, a new brand or promo campaign must be introduced gradually. Operators can start with low-traffic markets or off-peak windows, verify performance in real‐world conditions, and only then ramp up traffic. This approach will let them avoid unpleasant surprises when the big day arrives.
Nevertheless, high-load incidents do occur. If this happens, blaming is the last thing to think about. However, the tech partner must provide a copy of its post-mortem playbook with root cause analysis, updated runbooks, and clear remediation steps.
Following these checkpoints, operators can trust their tech partner to handle any traffic surge. Potential failures that once threatened to crash the system become routine operations, no matter how intense the load.
The post Crush Test for iGaming Projects: SOFTSWISS on Why High Load Performance Defines Operator Success appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
European Gaming speaks with Wedia Group CEO, Carl-Henrik Tuwezén, about building a modern affiliate and streamer-led marketing group that thinks beyond acquisition.
Can you take us back to Wedia’s founding story: what sparked the idea, and what sets you apart from other affiliate and streamer-led marketing groups?
For me, it all started with a streamer I believed had real potential. I helped him informally at first – how to get better deals, what to prioritise on stream, and a few years later an investment opportunity came up for him. He asked if I wanted to join and I left my role at Videoslots to scale what was, at the time, essentially a small stream into a broader operation. From late 2021 we’ve grown to a core team of 16–17 plus a wider network of writers, streamers and editors, and we run a multi-channel mix across SEO sites, streaming and paid social. What differentiates us is the mindset – we try to manage the full lifecycle of a player. We don’t want to be the affiliate that ranks, sends traffic and disappears. We build reasons for people to come back to the brands we’ve introduced.
You’ve said Wedia focuses on long-term value rather than pure acquisition. What does that look like in practice for operators and providers?
Practically, it means planning retention and reactivation from day one. We will try to agree with partners what happens three months after the first push: what are we doing to re-engage those players? That’s not always an easy conversation as many Affiliate Managers are still measured on acquisition alone, but operators value it. We also leverage social and product ideas to create repeated touchpoints and also build their brand via us. One example is a free-to-play sportsbook concept we trialled; another is running content and campaigns with game and software providers. The point is that we’re not just chasing a keyword win. We want sustained usage of our products and a measurable lift in lifetime value for partners, by being a reliable, good source for players to come back to.
Streamia.io is a big part of that story. What is it, and why is it a game-changer for streamers, providers and operators?
Streamia is a transparent, gamified way for streamers and influencers to start earning, and for providers and operators to activate creators at scale. Streamers pick up “missions” with clear criteria and rewards; as they level up, they earn more while our cut reduces. That alignment matters – we only win if they do, and over time they keep more of the upside. On the provider side we’ve run missions like “stream the new title this week and submit a highlight clip” with the potential for cash or merch rewards. On the operator side we can add performance missions: hit a target this week and unlock a payout. We also give vetted streamers an offer wall – essentially a dynamic link hub that aggregates offers from multiple operators. It’s Geo-IP targeted, so the wall automatically localises to each viewer’s country and surfaces the most relevant operator offers. That lets creators present a mix of brands inside a single stream and convert audiences beyond their home market without manual juggling. It’s simple to start, transparent to grow, and built for repeat collaboration.
You’re entering new territories over the next year. Which regions are you most excited about, and what opportunities or challenges do you see?
We view Streamia through a global lens, with a strong focus on Europe and LATAM – Asia is also on the radar. Across Wedia’s in-house affiliate brands, we typically launch with SEO first, then add streamer activations once there’s traction. Wherever we go, we do it properly: local language, local nuance, local community. The opportunity is clear, creator-led engagement travels well when you respect the market.
When choosing partners, what do you look for in operators and providers, and how do you ensure relationships deliver value on both sides?
We operate a thorough ‘KYC’ process because we want reliable, long-term partners. We also try to be fair on deal setup and very transparent on performance. If a launch underperforms, we don’t wait for a quarterly review – we’re the first to call and ask what we can test, where the funnel drops and what “good” looks like relative to a benchmark. Sometimes it’s a landing-page tweak, sometimes a different creator, sometimes timing. That proactive stance is part of our USP – it’s better for operators and it’s better for us.
Looking ahead to the next couple of years, what’s your vision for Wedia and Streamia?
Affiliation will always reward teams that are quick and light-footed, so we’ll keep that adaptability. For streaming, the ambition is simple: if a brand wants to try or scale streaming, we want them to think of us first, to come to Streamia to connect with creators in a structured, measurable way. And as Wedia Group, we want to be seen as more than a Nordic player. The plan is to add more markets, more depth and more product so we can offer a broader, acquisition and retention-oriented proposition to operators and providers. Ultimately, we’re building products, websites and communities that people enjoy and return to. We care that the players we send genuinely like the experience, not just that they signed up once.
The post Wedia on retention-first affiliation and the rise of Streamia.io appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
Building the Future of iGaming Business: DSTGAMING on Powering Casinos from Launch to Scale
Reading Time: 3 minutes
DSTGAMING and Digital Marketer John Tan, join us ahead of the European Gaming Congress 2025.
DSTGAMING brings over a decade of expertise in delivering advanced iGaming solutions, and will be supporting this year’s European Gaming Congress as Lanyards Sponsor. Known for its white-label and turnkey casino platforms, custom game development, powerful aggregation, and secure payment solutions, DSTGAMING empowers operators to launch, scale, and succeed with confidence in today’s competitive landscape.
John, DSTGAMING has built a reputation as a trusted iGaming solutions provider. From your perspective, what makes the company stand out in such a crowded industry?
DSTGAMING stands out by combining over a decade of industry expertise with a truly end-to-end portfolio. While many providers specialize in a single area, DSTGAMING integrates platform solutions, aggregation, payment systems, and bespoke development under one umbrella. This holistic approach ensures that operators not only gain access to advanced technology but also benefit from a partner that understands scalability, compliance, and market dynamics across regions.
Many providers offer white label and turnkey solutions. How does DSTGAMING approach these models differently, and how do you see operators deciding which is the right path for them?
DSTGAMING approaches both models with flexibility and operator growth in mind. White-label solutions are designed for newcomers seeking a fast and cost-effective market entry, complete with licensing and operational support. Turnkey solutions, on the other hand, cater to established operators who want greater control over branding, customization, and scalability. By clearly defining the strengths of each pathway, DSTGAMING helps operators choose the model that aligns with their resources, goals, and long-term strategy.
With over 10,000 games integrated from 100+ providers, your aggregator is one of the strongest in the market. How does this scale benefit operators and players alike?
For operators, this scale reduces integration complexity and ensures they can meet diverse player preferences with a single API. For players, it translates into variety and choice, whether they are looking for classic slots, live dealer tables, or innovative new mechanics. The sheer depth and diversity of the portfolio allows operators to maximize engagement and retention while staying competitive in multiple markets.
Beyond ready-made solutions, DSTGAMING also offers custom game development. Could you share how bespoke development enhances brand identity and player engagement for your clients?
Custom development enables operators to stand out in a marketplace where many platforms look similar. By creating games that reflect a brand’s theme, culture, or promotional goals, DSTGAMING helps operators deliver a unique experience that strengthens brand recognition and loyalty. Bespoke games also give operators the opportunity to innovate around player preferences, building stronger engagement through originality.
Secure, seamless payments are vital to iGaming. What are the biggest challenges DSTGAMING solves for operators when it comes to multi-currency and crypto transactions?
Operators often face fragmented payment channels, regulatory complexities, and cross-border transaction hurdles. DSTGAMING addresses these by offering a unified payment gateway that supports multiple fiat currencies and leading cryptocurrencies. The focus is on ensuring fast, reliable, and compliant transactions that reduce player friction while safeguarding operators from risk.
Gamification has become a buzzword in the industry. How do DSTGAMING’s gamification tools, like loyalty programs, mini-games, and missions, translate into measurable retention results?
Gamification tools are built to extend the player lifecycle and drive consistent engagement. Loyalty programs reward repeat activity, missions add a layer of progression, and mini-games offer instant entertainment. Together, these elements encourage players to stay active longer, return more frequently, and increase their lifetime value. The measurable impact for operators is higher retention rates, stronger brand stickiness, and improved revenue sustainability.
Looking ahead, what trends in iGaming solutions excite you most, and how is DSTGAMING preparing to stay ahead of the curve?
Key trends include the rise of localized content, the growing role of cryptocurrencies and blockchain in payments, and the increasing demand for AI-driven personalization. DSTGAMING is actively investing in these areas by expanding its crypto solutions, enhancing data-driven tools for player engagement, and building stronger localization capabilities. The company’s strategy is to anticipate shifts in player behavior and regulation, ensuring operators can adapt quickly and capture new opportunities.
Thank you, John, for sharing DSTGAMING’s perspective on building scalable, innovative iGaming platforms that empower operators worldwide!
Join us at the European Gaming Congress 2025 | 30–31 October | Warsaw
The post Building the Future of iGaming Business: DSTGAMING on Powering Casinos from Launch to Scale appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
Strategies that Scale: Evoplay’s Alex Malchenko on Cracking the Code of Localised iGaming Success
Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, joins us for an exclusive conversation ahead of HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress 2025.
Evoplay, proud Pen & Paper Sponsor of this landmark event, continues to pave the way in iGaming with pioneering content, creative game design, and strategic market expansion.
With over a decade of B2B sales experience, Alex has played a lead role in entering regulated territories, forging new Bingo and Lottery partnerships, and launching fresh business directions – making him the ideal voice to explore insights around localising content for different markets: challenges, nuances, and successful strategies.
Alex, with your background scaling new markets and products, what challenges have you encountered with content localisation in the iGaming space?
When we enter or grow in a new market, we look at its own specifics. In some markets, the main challenge is regulation, whether it’s strict certification rules, requirements on game content and promotions, RTP levels, or even small details like how session time is displayed. That’s why we take time to understand the rules, the culture, and what local players actually want.
One good example is our instant game Penalty Shoot-Out: Street, which we created for Brazil and its strong football culture. The challenges there were both technical and regulatory, since Latin American markets often have very different rules. In some countries, just certifying the game isn’t enough — additional RGS and RNG certificates and official confirmations are also required.
On top of that, we had to make sure the gameplay matched what players expected. With Penalty Shoot-Out: Street, we achieved this by combining fast bets, quick results, a familiar theme and the thrill of every goal, and it worked.
Another case is our Hot Triple Sevens, a worldwide-popular slot, which we’ve refreshed with new mechanics like Hold & Win. Then we re-skinned the game to suit different audiences — for example, American Sevens and Fogo do Brasil 777 — to make them resonate more with local styles and tastes.
When games are built with the right themes and mechanics for a specific market, they feel more engaging and relevant to players, which can significantly boost their appeal. That’s why localisation is something we put thought into every time, learning from experience, working with partners, testing locally and improving as we go.
When it comes to Evoplay approaching localisation for a new market, what are the first strategic frameworks or priorities you put in place?
In short: regulation, communication with partners, and understanding players. When entering a new market, we carefully study all aspects, analyse the situation, and build a strategy. This includes legal, commercial, marketing and financial components, among others. Of course, for a complete picture, we also look at competitors’ experience, talk extensively with local participants, and study players — sometimes launching special campaigns independently, sometimes in collaboration with partners.
In this regard, Evoplay has made significant progress this year, reaching a new level. To support this approach, we also run campaigns that help us better understand players and their preferences. For example, the Oath of Steel campaign with SlotsCalendar, featuring a shared prize pool, invited players to take part and share their feedback, which we looked at thoughtfully. Similarly, we worked on a joint game with SlotCatalog, drawing on insights from their player preference analytics. Initiatives like this give us a better sense of what players enjoy and help us shape our games for different audiences, supporting our broader approach when entering or growing in new markets.
Could you share an example where you had to adapt a game significantly – theme, mechanics, or language – to resonate with local players? What were the specific market nuances you had to tune into?
In our business, every game must meet regulatory requirements, and it’s normal that adapting a game for a specific market requires some extra adjustments. A good example of this is the lottery vertical, which is quite different from standard iGaming. In our business, every game must meet regulatory requirements, and it’s normal that adapting a game for a specific market requires some extra adjustments. A good example of this is the lottery vertical, which is quite different from iGaming. Here, we need to follow particular rules regarding content and promotions, along with other market-specific restrictions.
Other bright examples of our games adapted to local markets include mythology-inspired hits like Temple of Thunder II Bonus Buy and Roman Rule, as well as the previously mentioned American Sevens and Penalty Shoot-Out: Street. These games work well because everything comes together — the theme clicks with players, the visuals fit the concept, and the mechanics are engaging. I’d also highlight the simplicity of the games and their user-friendly UX/UI, which players appreciate no matter the region.
Operating in regulated markets obviously adds complexity. How do you strike the balance between compliance (e.g., legal, cultural mandates) and maintaining the brand’s creative integrity during localisation?
In situations like this, branded games are a good approach. Creating them involves working closely with partners, discussing details such as logos and technical settings like RTP or bet ranges.
At the same time, we like to experiment with small creative touches to see what really clicks with players. A good example is The Easter Catch slot, an updated version of our worldwide popular The Greatest Catch, especially designed for the Easter holidays. Taking this approach keeps the game flexible, meets legal and cultural requirements, and still feels like our brand. Tailoring it for the partner and their audience also makes the game more engaging and usually leads to better performance.
You’ve been instrumental in forging Bingo and Lottery partnerships. How does localisation differ when tailoring for those verticals versus standard casino-style titles?
First of all, I want to emphasise that Bingo and Lottery are quite different from standard iGaming. These are established verticals with their own history, unique communities, and regulatory features. The lottery market is also largely monopolised and moves at a slower pace compared to the fast-moving world of iGaming.
Some online lotteries, while offering more dynamic and engaging experiences than paper versions or traditional online formats, are subject to many restrictions. For example, design themes common in slots are often prohibited, RTP requirements differ, and other regulatory rules apply.
When it comes to trends in this area, the World Lottery Association sets the pace, and other lotteries tend to follow their lead.
Evoplay entered this sector to bring a fresh, innovative perspective, showing how classic games can be reimagined for a new generation of players and enthusiasts seeking new experiences. The projects we’re currently developing here hold great promise and add a fresh spark to this traditional space.
Thank you, Alex, for walking us through Evoplay’s thoughtful approach to content localisation and the art of balancing strategy with respect for local flavor. We can’t wait to hear more from you and other industry leaders live at the European Gaming Congress 2025.
Join us at the European Gaming Congress 2025 | 30–31 October | Warsaw
The post Strategies that Scale: Evoplay’s Alex Malchenko on Cracking the Code of Localised iGaming Success appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Canada6 days agoEzugi partners with PokerStars to further extend live casino game choice for players
-
Asia6 days ago
Fight vs. illegal gambling gets boost with Php50M PAGCOR grant to NBI
-
Aquisitions/Mergers6 days ago
NextBet Launches as Acquisition Vehicle (AV) to Consolidate Mid-Market Operators; Announces Flagship Acquisition and Growth Strategy
-
Amusnet6 days ago
Investing in the Future: Amusnet Modernises Facilities at the Technical University of Sofia
-
Big Fishing Net Fortune6 days ago
INSPIRED EXPANDS ITS iGAMING PORTFOLIO WITH THREE NEW SLOT LAUNCHES: PHARAOH’S BIGGER BIG MONEY, BIG FISHING NET FORTUNE & COPS ‘N’ ROBBERS GRAND CHANCE
-
Latest News6 days agoRed Rake Gaming Launches Million 777 Coins with Exciting Minigames and Big Wins
-
Latest News6 days ago
PG Soft dazzles again with Arabian-inspired Majestic Empire slot
-
Brian Christner Chief Online Gaming at Stadtcasino Baden6 days ago
Gaming Corps signs new content partnership with Stadtcasino Baden
