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Not Just Games. Experiences: Interview with Gabor, CPO at DreamPlay
The iGaming industry has evolved far beyond spinning reels and flashy win screens. Today, it’s a rapidly shifting space where player expectations define innovation. Creativity, data, and emotional design have become central to building not just games — but experiences.
We sat down with Gabor, Chief Product Officer at DreamPlay, to discuss what modern slot development really means, how ideas transform into products, and why the future belongs not to games that are simply entertaining — but to those that resonate.
What makes a slot competitive today — math, visuals, gameplay, or a combination of factors? And which matters most?
Gabor: A great game is like an orchestra: you need every instrument playing in harmony or the whole thing falls apart.
The math and design are the heart and soul of every game — without them, even the best art is just a pretty face. Today’s players also expect to be entertained: strong pacing, polished audiovisuals, and features that feel meaningful, not gimmicky.
I always say that one of the challenges of creating great slots is that you have to be able to tell a whole story just through a push of the button — making them feel exciting while being simple and smooth for the player, but this means a lot of complexity for the creator.
So the real magic happens when everything clicks together. The best slots feel effortless, but behind that effortlessness is a very deliberate balance of math, flow, visuals, and just the right level of innovation.”
When working on a new release, what helps you shape the product vision before development even begins?
Gabor: Ideas can come from anywhere – a family vacation, a conversation, a movie, a meme, pretty much anything you can think of.
Creativity thrives when everyone on the team can chip in with their own ideas – we actively encourage that.
But inspiration alone isn’t enough. Every game needs a clear purpose. Is it pushing boundaries? Refreshing a classic theme? Continuing a successful series? We always start by defining the ‘why.’
Then we let data and experience meet in the middle. When the numbers support the idea and our collective instincts say ‘yes, this will work,’ that’s when a concept becomes a vision worth building.”
Do you see potential for an even closer integration of video games and slots, or are they still two different markets?
Gabor:There’s definitely potential — and honestly, the two worlds have been borrowing from each other for years. iGaming has embraced progression systems, more complex storytelling, achievements… while video games picked up loot boxes and other elements from gambling.
They will never fully merge, because the motivations and regulations are different, but there is clearly much more overlap than 10–15 years ago when these two industries were completely different. Today’s players grew up with games that blend entertainment, challenge, psychology, and reward, and they
expect a different form of entertainment than previous generations.
So we’re moving from ‘old-school gambling’ toward ‘interactive entertainment with a gambling core.’ And that trend will only continue.
Is the industry truly ready for bold experimentation, or does it still prefer playing safe?
Gabor: This is where it gets interesting. The industry loves talking about innovation and bold ideas – but in reality, the audience is still quite conservative. Most players enjoy evolution, not revolution.
We’ve seen a few big hits like Megaways and crash games, but they didn’t throw the core DNA of gambling out the window. These mechanics are mainly focused on enhanced entertainment value and presentation.
So yes, there’s room to experiment, but true format-breaking innovations tend to become niche and usually struggle to gain wider traction. The sweet spot is pushing boundaries without losing the essence of why players show up in the first place.”
What was your first step in iGaming, and when did you realize this was your industry?
Gabor: My start was completely unplanned. I moved to Israel from Hungary at 26, didn’t speak Hebrew yet, and was looking for any English-speaking job. A friend worked at an online casino, said they were hiring, and I thought, ‘Perfect, something temporary to help me get settled, I will find a proper job once my Hebrew improves.”
I have never even tried finding a ‘proper job’ afterward. That ‘temporary’ role turned into a 15+ year career across multiple countries, teams, and roles across casino management and game production — and I’ve loved every minute of it.
This industry is fast, sometimes (often) chaotic, but full of brilliant people and challenges that keep you sharp. Even after all these years, I still wake up excited about what we’re building. It’s hard to imagine doing anything else at this point.”
Final Takeaway
The iGaming industry continues its transformation — not just technologically, but emotionally. As Gabor pointed out throughout our conversation, the future belongs not to those who release the most games, but to those who understand what players truly feel.
We’re seeing a shift toward more immersive, meaningful experiences — where design, psychology, and data work together to create lasting engagement.
And it’s leaders like Gabor — and companies like DreamPlay — who are moving the industry forward, proving that innovation isn’t just about features or mechanics… it’s about connection.
Dream Play’s most recent releases and upcoming products here:
Fiona Hickey
Hub88 Enters into Partnership with Games Inc
Hub88 has further strengthened its aggregation platform through a partnership with Games Inc, delivering the studio’s portfolio, shaped by more than a decade of close collaboration with operators, to its global network.
The deal introduces Games Inc’s range of more than 70 tried and tested titles to Hub88’s partners, including slots and table games, granting access to premium content developed with a focus on performance, engagement and player-first design.
Founded in 2012, Games Inc began as a bespoke slot developer for some of the world’s biggest operators, before transitioning into a fully independent global content provider.
For Hub88’s partners, Games Inc’s rich knowledge translates into a line-up designed with entertainment and high performance in mind. Each release seamlessly combines engaging mechanics, balanced maths, captivating graphics and immersive audiovisual effects for the ultimate experience.
The agreement further strengthens Hub88’s reputation for choosing partners with intriguing content and robust technology that drives success.
Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88, said: “Games Inc brings a level of experience and deep operator understanding that really stands out to us. They have spent years building custom games meticulously, and this is reflected in how their portfolio performs. Their content is shaped by real-world insight and data, and this will only bring further benefits to our operator network.”
Fiona Hickey, Managing Director at Games Inc, said: “Hub88 is a key partner for us, with their values, way of working and enduring reputation unlocking access to more brands worldwide. Their platform is technically excellent and significantly boosts our reach. We are confident that our style and creative approach will resonate with their partners across multiple global markets.”
The post Hub88 Enters into Partnership with Games Inc appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Brazil
The IBJR stresses that combating the illegal market is crucial for Desenrola 2.0
The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) warns that the effectiveness of financial protection measures in Desenrola 2.0 fundamentally depends on a rigorous fight against the illegal betting market.
It is also worth emphasizing that in 2025, bets placed on licensed platforms accounted for the equivalent of only 0.46% of household consumption in the country, an extremely small share within the Brazilian budget, according to data from a study by LCA Consultoria.
This reinforces that the main factor of indebtedness in the Brazilian budget continues to be the high cost of credit.
The entity also emphasizes that restrictions on access to the regulated sector may encourage users to migrate to clandestine platforms, which already move around R$ 40 billion per year and operate without any oversight or consumer protection mechanisms.
Combating the illegal market is the most urgent step to prevent unlicensed operators—often associated with organized crime—from exploiting periods of restriction to attract vulnerable audiences.
This concern is heightened by the proximity of the World Cup, a period of natural increase in the volume of sports betting, and by the potential loss of R$ 10.8 billion in revenue for the country if consumption shifts to the underground market.
The IBJR reinforces that the real protection of citizens and the integrity of Desenrola 2.0 depend on coordinated action between the government and the private sector.
The organization advocates for public policies that combine financial education, strengthening responsible gambling, and a strategic offensive against clandestine websites, ensuring that entertainment occurs exclusively within a safe, transparent, and properly monitored ecosystem.
The post The IBJR stresses that combating the illegal market is crucial for Desenrola 2.0 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
ALT Sports Data
ALT Sports Data Announces a New Partnership with Caesars Entertainment
ALT Sports Data, a global leader in engagement solutions and official data for emerging sports, has announced a new partnership with Caesars Entertainment. The partnership powers a new, next-generation Formula 1 betting product for Caesars’ sports betting platforms, delivering one of the most advanced wagering experiences ever offered on motorsports across Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill digital and retail platforms.
Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill will leverage ALT Sports Data’s proprietary Formula 1 models, pricing, and real-time data infrastructure to offer a comprehensive and differentiated suite of betting markets. Built on sub-second latency data and hundreds of inputs per car, the platform enables dynamic pricing and continuous market recalibration throughout Formula 1 race weekends.
The product introduces a new category of Formula 1 betting, combining pre-race, in-race, and micro-market opportunities into a single, integrated experience. This includes live race micro markets, predictive driver performance modeling, and large-scale race simulations that generate thousands of possible race outcomes per event, allowing for deeper and more accurate pricing across every lap.
“Formula 1 is one of the most complex and data-rich environments in global sport, and that complexity creates an opportunity to completely redefine the betting experience. Our platform is designed to unlock that potential at scale, and partnering with Caesars allows us to bring a truly differentiated, always-on product to market that reflects the speed, strategy, and unpredictability of Formula 1,” said Joe Dunnigan, CEO and Founder of ALT Sports Data.
“Formula 1 continues to captivate fans with its intensity, strategy, and constant innovation. By integrating ALT Sports Data’s advanced modeling and real-time official data, we’re able to elevate our Formula 1 offering and give customers a more dynamic way to experience every moment of the race weekend,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital.
In addition to core markets such as race winner and podium finishes, Caesars and William Hill will offer an expanded set of in-play and micro markets, including lap-by-lap driver matchups, fastest segment performance, pit stop outcomes, overtakes, and position-based milestones. These markets are designed to evolve in real time, enabling a true race-within-a-race experience for bettors.
As the Official and Exclusive Betting Data Supplier of Formula 1, ALT Sports Data is building the foundational infrastructure to support the sport’s growing focus on regulated sports betting and fan engagement. With Formula 1 increasing its investment in official betting partnerships and data-driven engagement, the expansion of sophisticated betting products represents a key strategic initiative for the league and its global ecosystem.
The agreement further establishes ALT Sports Data as a key infrastructure partner for sportsbooks and leagues seeking to unlock the next phase of growth in global sports betting through official data, advanced modeling, and real-time fan engagement.
The post ALT Sports Data Announces a New Partnership with Caesars Entertainment appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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