Latest News

BtoBet’s founder Alessandro Fried discusses vision, strategy and product innovations for 2021

Published

5 years ago

January 7, 2021

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: 3 minutes

2020 was hugely successful for BtoBet. What are the set targets for 2021?

Further consolidating our presence in those markets where we are already considered as market leaders, whilst seeking to strengthen our partner portfolio in mature and new markets must be the target we set for ourselves for this year. During 2020, despite all the challenges brought about by the novel coronavirus pandemic, we have not only continued strengthening our positions in markets, such as Africa and Latin America, announcing strategic partnerships that will reap substantial benefits for the company on the medium to long term, but we have also set out a clear vision to make a similar impact in more mature markets such as Europe, whilst setting our eyes on new opportunities.

Increasing our footprint on an international level has always been our intention from the very onset, and what the company has achieved in a relatively short period of time is testimony to the determination and talent within the company’s ranks to meet the set targets.

Furthermore, BtoBet’s acquisition by Aspire Global now puts us in the ideal position to be able to enter more complex market scenarios, such as Europe, which are highly characterised by an overwhelming level of regulation. Together we are able to meet the requirements of all operators requiring a technological partner serving the entire iGaming value chain, providing them with a cutting edge sports betting platform, and also all requirements from a content and services point of view. All this whilst adhering to the compliance requirements of the vast majority of regulated jurisdictions, keeping to a minimum the time-to-market.

Having said this, the overzealous regulation and over taxed market scenarios characterizing the European market have led to businesses turning towards the fresh, and new opportunities other emerging markets can offer them. And our strong presence in these markets, puts us at in an optimal position to assist those operators seeking to gain an advantageous position in these so-called emerging markets.

The past months have seen BtoBet very active in different markets, announcing key partnerships – such as Betfair and William Hill in Colombia, and Sports Lotteries LLC in Russia – and in the coming weeks we seek to maintain the momentum.

Any new products in the pipeline from BtoBet?

We are currently finalizing a string of new tools that are set to have a great impact for both operators and players.

The major trend today is that we live our lives on screens and this affects every aspect of our daily life. In order to stay current, especially in online gaming, you need to be disruptive. By producing a better product that incorporates the way people live, you can disrupt the space in an industry. Innovation is a constant objective of any company within the iGaming industry.

Having said that, whilst other industries especially the entertainment industry, have harnessed new technologies based on ML and AI in order to ameliorate the customer experience, the betting industry has yet to truly harness this form of disruptive technology. And this is what we have been working on for the past months… tools based on in-depth data analysis allowing operators to fully understand the different player demographics, psychographics and playing habits, ultimately enabling them to create enhanced, personalized experiences based on the individual player preferences and behaviours.

Whilst this will undoubtedly play a major role towards a player-centric UX, bookmakers will also be able to harness great benefits from the technology from an operational perspective. A primary example that comes to mind is that these tools are able to single out suspicious betting patterns and payments. And all these in an automated environment.

How disruptive was the coronavirus pandemic for the industry?

2020 was deeply marked by the global coronavirus outbreak. It has affected the industry in many ways, with many businesses – both B2C and B2B – having to re-dimension the traditional way of how they operate.

Luckily for us, we had been investing for quite some time in widening the content portfolio for all verticals, and simultaneously having had invested heavily on our platform in order to better assist those retail operators opting to start wholly or partially migrating their business to the digital channels in an interlinked environment.

Now the big question is will everything revert back to pre-Covid scenarios? In reality I don’t envision the development of widely available vaccines, which will mark the end of the pandemic, to prompt the industry to go back to the 2019 situation.

The pandemic has undoubtedly brought about a digitalisation reform, and this is reflected in all those industries which featured retail as part of their business model. Adults who have entered the digital age of wagering may shift some of their spending to more traditional forms of entertainment channels – namely retail casinos – but many of those adults will undoubtedly continue sharing their wallet with the digital channels. Does this mean that this is the end for the industry’s retail outlets? Definitely not, but I do expect the digitalisation of the industry to maintain its momentum.

BC.GAME

BC.Game Names Kar Kheng Giam as CEO

Published

2 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

BC.Game, a leading global crypto-focused online gaming platform, has announced the appointment of Kar Kheng Giam (“KK”) as its new Chief Executive Officer. Giam brings over 30 years of international leadership experience across gaming, technology, and consumer industries.

Before joining BC.Game, KK served as Vice President International at Coyote Bioscience, leading global expansion initiatives. He also co-founded Topgame and Tinymobi, developing successful mobile social and casino-style games. Earlier in his career, KK held executive positions including CEO roles at multiple organizations and regional leadership at Nabisco Asia.

In his role as CEO, KK will oversee BC.Game’s strategic direction, operational leadership, and financial performance, with a focus on scaling globally, expanding into regulated markets, and driving innovation in crypto gaming.

“BC.Game has built a strong global community by combining cutting-edge technology with engaging entertainment experiences,” KK stated. “With the rising adoption of crypto in online gaming, our focus will be on enhancing the platform, building trust, and strengthening our presence in licensed markets.”

BC.Game currently holds licenses in multiple jurisdictions, including Anjouan, Nigeria, Kenya, Mexico, and Tanzania, as part of its long-term strategy to expand into fully regulated markets worldwide. This appointment aligns with the company’s ambitions to grow its global footprint and strengthen compliance while delivering innovative gaming experiences.

The post BC.Game Names Kar Kheng Giam as CEO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

2025 financial results

ZEAL Reports Strong Double-Digit Growth

Published

3 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

ZEAL Network SE, Germany’s leading online lottery provider, closed 2025 with another year of robust double-digit growth.

Despite a weaker jackpot environment, the company significantly strengthened its core lottery business, accelerated diversification, and expanded its customer base—setting a solid foundation for long-term scalability.

The group delivered 16% revenue growth, reaching €218.5 million, while EBITDA rose 11% to €68.8 million. EBIT also climbed 12% to €60.1 million year over year. These results reinforce ZEAL’s strategic focus on building a multi-pillar digital entertainment ecosystem.

“At every level, our results confirm that our strategy works,” said Dr. Stefan Tweraser, CEO of ZEAL Network SE. “Expanding scalable products alongside our strong core lottery business increases resilience and positions us for ambitious future growth.”

CFO Andrea Behrendt highlighted continued investment in reducing jackpot dependence: “Our efforts create a sustainable and profitable growth structure.”

Core Lottery Business Continues to Lead Growth

ZEAL’s primary lottery brokerage remains its strongest revenue driver. Even with softer jackpot cycles:

Monthly active users climbed 8% to a record 1.558 million.
Lottery billings reached €1.1 billion, up 2%.
Gross margin increased to 17.7%.
Lottery-specific revenue surged 16% to €195.3 million.

These gains underline the brand’s ability to attract and retain large numbers of customers independent of jackpot volatility.

Dream House Raffle Becomes a Major Growth Pillar

The Traumhausverlosung (Dream House Raffle)—launched in 2024—has rapidly evolved into a strong secondary revenue stream. With guaranteed winners and high-appeal prize structures, the charity lottery generated:

€38.9 million in billings across four draws in 2025.

This success demonstrates the value of proprietary lottery products that complement ZEAL’s core business and enhance market differentiation.

Games Segment Accelerates With Expanded Portfolio

ZEAL also posted substantial growth in its digital Games division. The company extended its catalog to 650+ games, adding 400 new titles and strengthening collaborations with leading game developers.

As a result:

Games revenue increased 46%, reaching €14.4 million.
Active user numbers rose sharply.
Player protection remained a top priority, supported by AI-driven safeguards.

Customer Base Expansion Remains a Strategic Priority

ZEAL made targeted investments to grow its user base, acquiring 1.171 million new customers in 2025. As expected with aggressive acquisition:

Customer acquisition cost (CPL) increased to €46.47.
Marketing spending rose 20% to €68.6 million.

This investment is key to sustaining ZEAL’s long-term market position and unlocking additional cross-sell opportunities in games and charity lotteries.

2026 Outlook: Continued Growth and Diversification

Looking ahead to 2026, ZEAL aims to expand its German market leadership and scale its charitable lotteries freiheit+ and Traumhausverlosung, while continuing to strengthen its Games offering.

Forecasts for 2026 include:

Revenue between €250–260 million
EBITDA between €70–75 million

These projections already factor in increased investment to accelerate diversification and future-proof the business.

The post ZEAL Reports Strong Double-Digit Growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026

WinSpirit wins Best Online Casino in CEE at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026

Published

8 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

winspirit-wins-best-online-casino-in-cee-at-the-gamingtech-cee-awards-2026

Online casino brand WinSpirit has been announced as the winner in the Best Online Casino in CEE category at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026 — a respected industry event celebrating excellence across the iGaming sector.

Since launching in mid-2022, WinSpirit has rapidly gained recognition for its dynamic approach to product development, creative marketing, and a genuine player-first philosophy. The brand stands out by successfully combining innovative features, high-quality entertainment, and strong focus on player experience.

Over the past year, WinSpirit has demonstrated impressive growth across key metrics, significantly expanding its loyal player base, VIP segment, and overall betting activity. The brand has also introduced unique interactive formats, enhanced its loyalty system with the real-time Gift Shop, and continued to invest in smart personalisation across the platform.

This award adds to WinSpirit’s growing list of international recognitions. The brand also maintains excellent player ratings across major review platforms, consistently receiving high marks for service quality and user experience.

With this latest victory, WinSpirit continues to solidify its reputation as one of the most dynamic and player-oriented online casinos in the industry — combining rapid growth with innovation and a clear focus on player satisfaction.

The post WinSpirit wins Best Online Casino in CEE at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.