The evolution continues. CEO Alex Iaroshenko reveals about the biggest transformation in the company’s history — why Betbazar became B1, the rise of AI-driven products — and what that means for the future of the industry.

• 1.Let’s start with the main question – after 7 years as Betbazar, what made you decide it was time for a bigger change?

These changes didn’t happen overnight. For the first few years, we were helping operators find the right products on the market. But over time, we started understanding the market on a much deeper level – what operators actually struggle with, what technology they really need and where the industry is heading next.

AI Cricket creation and the growth of our Sports Data Feed became a big turning point for us. That’s when it became clear: we’re no longer just a marketplace. We’re becoming a product company. That was the moment we realized we were no longer just distributing products — we were building the future direction of the company ourselves.

And with that evolution came the understanding that the company needed a new identity that truly reflected where we were heading next.

• 2.How did the idea of AI Cricket even appear in the first place?

It actually started from a product perspective. We saw that operators needed sports content that was faster to launch, easier to scale, more cost-efficient, and less dependent on large trading teams. At the same time, they wanted something visually different from traditional virtual products — modern futuristic graphics, AI-powered avatars and gameplay that feels much closer to real sport: live, unscripted and autonomous.

That’s how AI Cricket appeared. Fast-paced gameplay, continuous engagement, AI-driven results, live betting and branded customization — built for modern operators and for the way audiences consume entertainment today.

• 3.In a market where most operators already have access to sports data, how does B1 Sports Data Feed create additional value?

The sports data market is very mature, and we understand that data itself has become something of a commodity. Operators already have access to feeds and most of them are unhappy about what they have — what really matters today is quality, flexibility, coverage, and reliability.

Our approach is to combine a proven, industry-trusted data source with additional models, unique events, and tailored market coverage. This allows us to deliver a highly customizable solution that adapts to different operator needs and scales, while maintaining the performance and reliability the market expects at the highest level.

• 4.Was it emotionally difficult to say goodbye to the Betbazar name?

Honestly, it doesn’t feel like saying goodbye. It feels more like the beginning of a new chapter. We didn’t change the name simply because we wanted something different — the company evolved, and the brand needed to reflect that evolution.

At the same time, Betbazar remains an important part of our story. We’re not abandoning it. As we continue building our own products and ecosystem, there may well be a place for Betbazar in the future. So rather than an ending, we see this as a new beginning — both for B1 and potentially for Betbazar in a different role down the road.

• 5.Why did you choose the name “B1 (Be One)”?

Because it reflects exactly what the company became. We didn’t want a name that simply sounds modern or trendy. We wanted something that captures our positioning and mindset.

‘Be One’ means being the one the operator chooses from among many options. Not because of the biggest catalog, but because of the products, technology, and reliability behind it.

For us, B1 is really about focus: creating innovative products that boost profits, and doing it deeper, faster, and with a higher standard. This idea formed the basis of the entire rebranding.

• 6.What are the core principles behind B1 today?

The market is already full of loud messaging and endless catalogs. We focus on building technology that solves real operator challenges. That means reliable products, fast integration, regular content updates, and infrastructure that helps operators move quickly without adding unnecessary complexity.

Speed is a big part of our mindset. Whether it’s launching new content or integrating new products, we believe operators should be able to go live in days, not months. To support that, we’ve developed our own AI-powered integration tool that significantly streamlines the onboarding process. With an AI-friendly technical team on the operator side, integration can take – two days.

• 7.Do you think AI will completely reshape the industry over the next few years?

I don’t think AI is something the industry will face someday — it’s already here. But what we’re seeing today is only the first stage.

Over the next few years, I believe we’ll see entirely new AI-powered leagues and competitions emerge, potentially featuring digital athletes and AI-generated sports experiences that exist alongside traditional sports. They will be faster, available 24/7 and designed around continuous engagement. In many ways, AI won’t just improve existing products — it will create entirely new forms of sports entertainment. AI Cricket was our first step in that direction, and we’re already working on what comes next.

ABOUT B1 (BE ONE):

B1 (Be One) is a product-focused iGaming company, shaping AI-driven content and real-time sports data infrastructure.

Website: https://b1.global/ai-cricket
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/b1global/?viewAsMember=true