Press Releases
LeoVegas carries out strategic measures in the UK and related cost initiatives
LeoVegas is carrying out strategic changes coupled to the UK market and the Group’s organisation. During the first quarter the brands Rocket X provide managed services for will be migrated to the Group’s own technical platform, while the Royal Panda brand will leave the UK to instead focus on fast-growing markets in Europe and the Rest of the world. This will result in a more focused and efficient operation that fully uses economies of scale in technology, product and organisation. As a result of the company’s efficiency improvement work, a planned relocation to new offices in Malta is being called off. These various initiatives will lead to annual cost savings of approximately EUR 3.7 m. One-off restructuring costs of EUR 6.1 m will be charged against operating profit for the fourth quarter. LeoVegas is also recognising an impairment loss of approximately EUR 10 m on its investment in Royal Panda.
The UK market for online gaming has changed dramatically in recent years, such as with respect to stricter demands on compliance and higher gambling taxes. At the same time, since the trade and assets of IPS (Rocket X managed brands) and Royal Panda, LeoVegas has conducted its operations in the UK on three separate technical platforms and with three slightly separate organisations, which has resulted in internal complexity. As a result, in 2019 the marketing organisations for LeoVegas UK and Rocket X were integrated into a single unit. The Group is now taking the next step by migrating the Rocket X managed brand portfolio from a third-party solution to the Group’s own multibrand platform Rhino, where all technology is owned and run by LeoVegas. Parallel with this, Royal Panda is leaving the UK market, which entails that all operations coupled to the UK going forward will be driven on the same technical platform and with a joint organisation for technology, products, customer service, marketing and compliance.
The strategic initiatives were begun during the fourth quarter of 2019 and are expected to be largely completed during the first quarter of this year. The measures are expected to generate cost synergies in areas such as marketing, products, payments and customer service, and will result in reduced complexity in compliance. The annual savings relating to the UK are estimated to be approximately EUR 2.0 m after the migration has been completed and consist mainly of lower platform and product costs and a more efficient organisation.
During the fourth quarter Royal Panda had sales of approximately EUR 1.1 m in the UK with negative profitability and is not expected to generate significant revenue during the first quarter of 2020. Revenue for the remaining operations in the UK, consisting of 13 brands including LeoVegas, 21.co.uk and BetUK, grew 15% during the fourth quarter over the third quarter and showed good profitability.
LeoVegas’ focus on efficiency and cost control during the past year, including the now-communicated measures in the UK, have contributed to a much more optimised organisation with improved processes. The number of full-time equivalent employees in the Group has decreased from just under 900 to around 800 during the past year. The Group has therefore decided to cancel its contract for new, larger premises in Malta in 2021 and will instead stay in its existing facilities during the coming five-year period. The annual cost savings compared with the previously planned move will amount to EUR 1.7 m per year.
The initiatives will give rise to total restructuring costs of EUR 6.1 m, which will be charged against operating profit (EBIT) for the fourth quarter. The costs are mainly related to early cancellations of third-party agreements on platforms and products, penalties for cancellation of the new lease in Malta, discontinuation costs for Royal Panda’s operations in the UK, and impairment of LeoVegas Gaming’s intangible assets coupled to Rocket X’s previous technological development. In addition to this, LeoVegas is recognising an impairment loss of approximately EUR 10 m for its investment in Royal Panda. All of the cited costs will be reported as items affecting comparability in the fourth quarter interim report. The operating profit in the fourth quarter will also include a capital gain of EUR 11.4 m from the previously communicated sale of the subsidiary Authentic Gaming, which will also be reported under items affecting comparability.
“The strategic initiatives we are now carrying out will create optimal conditions to be successful in the large, but at the same time complex, UK market,” comments Gustaf Hagman, Group CEO. “The consolidation of brands into one and the same platform will contribute to large economies of scale in the Group – both by allowing us to fully utilise our multibrand technology and through a more efficient organisation. Already during the second half of last year, the LeoVegas and Rocket X managed brands in the UK began to perform favourably, and the new structure gives us a good starting point to increase both growth and profitability in the UK market during 2020. At the same time, Royal Panda – which has struggled with weak performance in the UK but has performed well in other markets – can now focus fully on growth outside of the UK and also launch the brand in a couple of new markets in and outside of Europe.”
LeoVegas will publish its interim report for the fourth quarter of 2019 at 8 a.m. CET on 14 February.
GR8 Tech has rolled out CRM Bonus Shop—a fully integrated player-facing feature designed to drive engagement, increase retention, and optimize bonus budgets through gamified rewards.
The Bonus Shop enables operators to offer various virtual and real rewards, including free spins, free bets, gamification items, even physical items, spins in Wheel of Fortune, and more, in exchange for custom-branded artificial currency. Players earn coins through behavioral triggers like deposits or email verification, then choose their preferred rewards from a personalized shop interface.
Built directly into GR8 Tech’s CRM, the Bonus Shop offers full back-office control, real-time player wallet tracking, and complete front-end customization to match any brand’s tone, style, and language.
Key Benefits of GR8 Tech’s Bonus Shop for Operators
- Enhanced Player Choice & Satisfaction: Players select rewards they actually want, increasing perceived value and engagement compared to traditional fixed bonuses.
- Cost-Effective Bonus Management: Artificial currency provides greater value to players while reducing operator costs compared to traditional cash bonuses.
- Behavioral Motivation: Automated currency distribution encourages specific player actions, improving key performance indicators.
- Strategic Flexibility: A/B testing capabilities enable operators to compare traditional bonuses against gamified approaches and optimize strategies across different markets.
“Personalization is at its core. By tailoring offers to custom player segments, we ensure every user sees and can purchase the bonuses they truly want, boosting engagement significantly,” said Kateryna Schevchenko, CRM Product Manager at GR8 Tech. “Additionally, the platform gives operators full control over the in-game economy by allowing them to set custom ‘prices’ for products using virtual currencies. This flexibility helps optimize retention costs, manage bonus budgets effectively, and maximize ROI.”
With advanced segmentation tools and engagement elements like gamification, GR8 Tech’s CRM transforms player interactions into engaging, value-driven experiences. The company’s approach has led to impressive results, including a 25% uplift in first-time deposits, an average 80% retention rate, and 75% monthly active users interacting with gamified tools. GR8 Tech’s CRM is a strategic asset for operators aiming to deliver highly personalized and performance-oriented player journeys.
GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions
GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.
With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.
The post GR8 Tech Launches CRM Bonus Shop to Boost Player Engagement and Retention appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AI-driven gaming analytics
Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of AI-driven analytics and enterprise solutions for the gaming and hospitality industry, today announced the addition of Chris Barranco as Director of Business Development.
Barranco brings 25 years of experience leading high-performing teams, driving revenue, and building durable client relationships. He is adept at solution-selling methodology and full sales-cycle management, with a proven track record of mentoring top-tier account executives, delivering high-impact presentations, and retaining key accounts. Known for a tenacious approach to new-business development and customer loyalty, Barranco will focus on expanding QCI’s market footprint, strengthening the partner ecosystem, and advancing go-to-market execution across QCI’s product portfolio.
“I’m excited to join the clear market leader and work with the exceptional team at QCI,” said Chris Barranco, Director of Business Development at QCI. “QCI’s commitment to turning data into action aligns perfectly with my approach to helping customers achieve measurable revenue impact. I look forward to working closely with our clients and partners to accelerate growth and deliver exceptional outcomes.”
“We’re delighted to welcome an industry veteran of Chris’s caliber to the QCI team,” said Andrew Cardno, CTO and Co-Founder of QCI. “His leadership, mastery of solution selling, and passion for customer success will further strengthen our ability to scale, deepen client relationships, and deliver the operational results our customers expect.”
As Director of Business Development, Barranco will lead initiatives to expand QCI’s presence across key markets, refine sales enablement programs, and collaborate with product and customer success teams to ensure a seamless path from discovery to measurable value realization.
The post Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Press Releases
Soft2Bet’s MEGA Shortlisted for Product Innovation of the Year at Global Gaming Awards Americas 2025
Soft2Bet has been shortlisted in the Product Innovation of the Year category at the Global Gaming Awards Americas 2025, highlighting the innovative impact of its proprietary gamification engine, MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application). The solution’s first full-scale North American deployment with ToonieBet in Ontario has redefined the gaming experience by enhancing player engagement and retention.
ToonieBet uses the full range of MEGA’s innovative gamification features and data-driven iGaming solutions for player retention, including achievements, collectibles, long-term missions, and segmented rewards, to create personalized and localized experiences for every player.
Since launching, the brand has seen increased session frequency, stronger loyalty and sustained growth in lifetime value. These results have been further strengthened by ToonieBet’s partnerships with the Ottawa Senators and the Canadian Football League, where MEGA features prominently on rink-side LED boards and during broadcasts. This visibility highlights Soft2Bet’s highly focused approach, built around standout customer experience, performance and clean, adaptable design.
Already proven across Europe with brands , MEGA has consistently driven player retention and engagement. In Ontario, ToonieBet is seeing similar results by leveraging MEGA’s flexible tools, customizable UX/UI design and segmented features to deliver a deeply localized and highly personalized experience that attracts high-value players and supports sustainable profitability without disrupting daily operations.
“We are proud to be shortlisted for Product Innovation of the Year, as MEGA continues to enable us to deliver engaging, locally tailored player experiences, clearly demonstrated by ToonieBet’s success in Ontario. This nomination indicates that our approach is delivering big high performance results,” highlighted Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer at Soft2Bet.
In January 2025, during the Global Gaming Awards EMEA, MEGA won Product Launch of the Year and Soft2Bet was named Platform Provider of the Year, confirming B2B excellence in the industry.
About Soft2Bet
Soft2Bet is a leading provider of iGaming turnkey solutions, delivering high-quality products and services to online gambling operators. Soft2Bet is known for its Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), proven to enhance retention and engagement. Soft2Bet has deployed numerous successful iGaming brands and holds more than 19 global licenses.
About Soft2Bet’s MEGA
Soft2Bet’s MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application) is a standalone, complete solution for integrating casino and sportsbook operator brands with gamification. MEGA provides a range of gamification engines and allows operators to customise gamification engines by setting rewards, bonus triggers, user segmentation, level of difficulty, and more.
The post Soft2Bet’s MEGA Shortlisted for Product Innovation of the Year at Global Gaming Awards Americas 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Balkans7 days agoAmusnet Named Leading Software Company in Bulgaria
-
Africa6 days ago
Logifuture-powered Bet9ja partners with heavyweight boxing sensation Moses Itauma
-
Australia6 days ago
Tracy Parker Joins Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards
-
Central Europe7 days ago
Brightstar Lottery Upgrades Retail Central System for Lotto Saxony in Germany via New Seven-Year Contract
-
AU10TIX7 days agoAU10TIX Launches Free Assessment Tool and Readiness Guide to Help Organizations Navigate Child Safety Age Assurance Compliance
-
Australia6 days ago
JCM Global Celebrates 70 Years of Industry-leading Innovation at AGE
-
Asia6 days ago
Philippine Senate to Launch Inquiry into Online Gaming industry
-
Australia6 days ago
BMM Testlabs Brings Global Compliance Expertise to Australasian Gaming Expo in Sydney This Week
