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Smartico Develops a Rockstar AI Predictive Tool for CRMs

Published

5 years ago

August 13, 2021

Wladimir P.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Knowing me, knowing you … There’s nothing we can do …

Goes the famous ABBA song of the 1970s.

Ironically, this is exactly the conundrum that customer relationship management (CRM) executives face when they design and implement a marketing strategy. Especially those in the gaming and betting industry. They know who their customers are. They know their customers could punt big.

But they don’t know the most ideal time to send a simple email to their customers. Or they don’t know the best time to push a social media post.

Shortcomings of One-size-fits-all Strategy

Oftentimes, CRM executives resort to a one-size-fits-all strategy. Take the email campaign as an example. They push their mails over the night so that the job is done by the next day. That is one neat tick on the box of weekly tasks.

But does it get the job done? The job of making the customers read the mail and follow the call for action?

Well, a no has to be the answer here. Different customers have different reading habits and different routines. The mail, for example, may not reach them at the exact time when a user engages most on the internet.

How would a CRM executive know this? That’s why we are back again to the ABBA song of the seventies: Knowing me, knowing you … There’s nothing we can do.

But not quite so now. This is 2021. And there has to be a way.

Enter Smartico’s AI Model

Smartico’s new AI tool automatically customizes the communication schedule of each and every customer, based on the real-time data on the online habits of the customer.

If X is most active during the mornings for the last six months or so, and is most likely to make a bet on that time on Sunday, it is a no brainer that the CRM executive must push the mail and social media posts on Sunday mornings.

The new module of Smartico CRM does exactly this. The AI tool analyzes the real-time data on customer behavior and predicts the optimum timings for communication.

Let’s look briefly into how it is done.

How It Works

The Smartico AI model relies on machine learning. It can make accurate predictions from large data sets. It will be of great use in customer retention. The model predicts the best time of the day to send email communication to the customers.

The model uses the user data on the existing CRM. It predicts the best time for sending communications to the user. Communications can be

Emails
Push messages
Short messages
Social media posts

The next step is to define the best time. Is it mornings, evenings or later nights? Smartico’s model uses a 24-hour time frame.

The model analyzes the past activities of a customer in the CRM database to predict the best times. Customer activities can be any of the following:

Just being online – opening mails or seeing social media posts
Engaging with the message – reading mails, clicking links on messages or interacting with social media posts
Doing business – making deposit, posting a bet, or signing up

This is not a plug-and-play AI model. It needs active involvement of a CRM operator for best setup. Smartico offers a smooth interface that allows the operator to set up the tool. While it could take some hours to set up the campaign initially, the tool will provide results within much more quickly once perfected.

During the setup, the operator can perform any of the following tasks:

Finding optimum timings for communication – The tool will offer multiple optimum timings during the 24-hour period. Human intervention is required to identify the best timing among them.
For short term campaign – The model will predict the nearest best timing for sending a communication.
For long term campaign – The tool will offer a range of best timings over a week for scheduling a campaign.

Simplifying AI

Smartico’s team spent long hours to create a working AI model that could improve the CRM platform’s customer retention and conversion rate. The team tried and discarded several models, and tried again, found and improved the present prediction model. It has the proven capability to improve the conversion rates.

AI is going to change the way a CRM system works, especially for highly competitive segments like betting and gaming. It is here to stay. It’s like a sweeping wave. The smart way is to harness its power to improve your CRM and enhance customer retention.

The AI systems do not come often with a low entry point. It’s high-end engineering. Smartico’s AI model is perhaps the one with the lowest entry level. It simplifies the human tasks so much so that the user does not need to worry about the architecture or data processing. Just follow the interface and see the results.

Knowing all these things, this is the best you can do – for your CRM that is.

eSports

Esports Awards 2026 Returns for Global Honors

Published

5 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-awards-2026-returns-for-global-honors

The Esports Awards is set to return in 2026, bringing together the global esports community for its annual celebration of excellence.

Scheduled to take place in North America later this year, the awards will honor the top players, teams, creators, and innovators who defined the past year in competitive gaming. Exact dates and venues will be revealed in the coming months.

Last year marked a major milestone for the Esports Awards, celebrating 10 years of esports achievements at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony recognized industry icons such as Mathieu “Zywoo” Herbaut, iShowSpeed, and Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, while inducting six new members into the Lifetime Achievement in Esports: Class of 2025. Earlier in 2025, the Esports Awards hosted the one-off Decade Awards, which drew a global audience of 36.25 million live viewers.

For the 2026 edition, fan-favorite categories such as Esports Game of the Year, Esports Personality of the Year, Streamer of the Year, and Esports Team of the Year will return, giving fans a direct voice in recognizing the standout moments and figures in esports over the past year. Winners will be determined through a combination of community voting and input from the Esports Awards Panel, which includes seasoned industry veterans, broadcasters, creators, and professional players, ensuring both credibility and integrity.

In addition to the main ceremony, the Esports Awards Golf Invitational will make a comeback, offering a day of networking and friendly competition for industry leaders, creators, and esports competitors ahead of the awards.

Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards, said: “The Esports Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the very best in esports and gaming, and we’re pleased to return for 2026. Following the success of the Decade Awards and our 10th anniversary celebrations, we look forward to recognizing the individuals, teams, and moments that defined the past year in esports.”

Fans are encouraged to follow the Esports Awards’ official X account for updates on venues, dates, nominees, and voting.

The post Esports Awards 2026 Returns for Global Honors appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Acquisition

Optimove Buys Smartico, Keeps Independence

Published

5 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

optimove-buys-smartico,-keeps-independence

In a strategic move set to reshape the competitive landscape of iGaming marketing technology, Optimove has announced the acquisition of Smartico. Despite the deal, both companies will continue to operate independently—preserving their brands, leadership teams, and product strategies.

This acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for the global online gambling industry. According to recent market research, the sector reached an estimated $95.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to nearly double to $185.17 billion by 2033. As the industry scales, so does its complexity, driven by evolving regulations in Europe, fragmentation in the United States, and rapid expansion across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In this environment, robust customer relationship management (CRM) solutions are no longer optional—they are essential.

A Strategic Alliance Without Integration

Unlike traditional acquisitions that lead to integration, Optimove’s approach is notably different. Smartico will remain a fully autonomous business unit, with its founders continuing to lead strategic direction, product development, and day-to-day operations. Clients can expect no disruption in services, pricing, or product offerings.

This independence reflects a deliberate strategy: fostering competition within the same ecosystem. Both companies will continue to innovate separately, pushing each other—and the broader industry—forward.

Two Distinct Visions of iGaming CRM

The deal unites two of the most influential approaches to CRM in iGaming:

Optimove built its reputation on advanced data analytics and AI-driven marketing. As the originator of the “Positionless Marketing” concept, the company enables marketers to orchestrate campaigns using intelligent agents that deliver hyper-personalized experiences at scale. This approach has reportedly improved campaign efficiency by up to 88%.
Smartico, on the other hand, carved out its niche by integrating gamification directly into CRM systems. By embedding game-like mechanics into player engagement strategies, Smartico has helped operators drive deeper interaction and retention. The company is now advancing further by incorporating generative AI across its platform.

Together, these two philosophies—data-centric intelligence and gamified engagement—represent the future of player retention and marketing in iGaming.

Strengthening Market Leadership

According to Pini Yakuel, the decision to acquire Smartico was driven by its originality and execution. He emphasized that Smartico stood out as a competitor due to its pioneering role in combining gamification with CRM—an innovation that has since become a key differentiator in the market.

Similarly, Arman Gal highlighted that the partnership allows Smartico to scale faster while maintaining its identity. With Optimove’s backing, the company gains additional resources to expand its innovation capabilities and global reach.

Competition as a Catalyst for Innovation

Interestingly, both companies will continue to compete in the same market. Optimove will further develop its gamification solution, Optimove Gamify, while Smartico continues executing its independent roadmap. This dual-track strategy is rooted in the belief that competition drives better outcomes for operators.

Rather than consolidating power, the acquisition creates a dynamic ecosystem where two leading platforms evolve side by side—each pushing the boundaries of what CRM can achieve in iGaming.

The Role of AI in the Next Phase of Growth

Artificial intelligence remains at the core of this transformation. Optimove has been embedding AI into its platform since 2012, long before it became industry standard. Today, its AI-powered decisioning agents enable real-time campaign orchestration across multiple channels.

Smartico is following a similar trajectory, integrating generative AI to enhance its gamification-driven engagement model. This convergence signals a broader trend: the fusion of AI, CRM, and user experience design as the next frontier in digital marketing.

A Defining Moment for iGaming Marketing

This acquisition underscores the maturation of the iGaming CRM sector. What began as a niche category has evolved into a critical component of modern marketing infrastructure. With two leading innovators now aligned—yet independent—the industry is poised for accelerated innovation.

For operators navigating an increasingly complex global market, the message is clear: the future belongs to those who can combine data intelligence, personalization, and immersive engagement.

THE ESPORTS AWARDS RETURNS IN 2026 FOR A CELEBRATION OF ESPORTS EXCELLENCE

Published

5 hours ago

April 7, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

the-esports-awards-returns-in-2026-for-a-celebration-of-esports-excellence

The Esports Awards will return later this year for its 2026 edition, taking place in North America and honouring the outstanding players, teams, creators and innovators of the past year in esports
Last year marked a major milestone for the Esports Awards, celebrating 10 years of excellence at the HyperX Arena, alongside the one-off Decade Awards, which reached 36.25M live views globally
The Esports Awards Golf Invitational will also return, bringing together industry leaders, creators and competitors for a day of networking and competition ahead of the main ceremony
Full details on the venue, date, nominees and voting will be revealed in the coming months

The Esports Awards has announced the return of its annual ceremony for 2026. Bringing together the global esports community under one roof, the Esports Awards will once again recognise the players, teams, creators and innovators who have defined the past year. The ceremony will take place in North America later this year, with exact dates and venue to be revealed in the coming months.

Last year’s edition of the Esports Awards marked a significant milestone, celebrating 10 years of esports excellence at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony honoured some of the industry’s most recognised figures, including Mathieu “Zywoo” Herbaut, iShowSpeed and Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, while welcoming six new inductees into the Lifetime Achievement in Esports: Class of 2025 award. Earlier in the year, the Esports Awards also hosted the one-off Decade Awards in August, presented by Trevor “Quickshot” Henry, Jessica “JessGOAT” Bolden and Barney Banks, reaching 36.25M live views globally.

For the 2026 edition, fan-favourite categories including Esports Game of the Year, Esports Personality of the Year, Streamer of the Year and Esports Team of the Year will return, giving the community a voice in recognising the moments and individuals that shaped the past year in esports.

Winners will be determined through a combination of community voting and input from the Esports Awards Panel, a group of industry veterans, broadcasters, creators and players, ensuring the integrity and credibility of the awards.

In addition to the main ceremony, the Esports Awards Golf Invitational will return, bringing together industry leaders, creators and competitors for a day of networking and competition ahead of the awards.

“The Esports Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the very best in esports and gaming, and we’re pleased to return for 2026” said Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “Following the success of the Decade Awards and our 10th anniversary celebrations, we look forward to recognising the individuals, teams and moments that defined the past year in esports.”

Further updates regarding the venue, date, nominees and voting will be announced in the coming months. Fans are encouraged to follow the Esports Awards’ X account for the latest updates.

The post THE ESPORTS AWARDS RETURNS IN 2026 FOR A CELEBRATION OF ESPORTS EXCELLENCE appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.