Press Releases

Retail Innovation a key theme for Spotlight Sports Group at ICE 2020

Published

6 years ago

February 14, 2020

The future of retail was a key talking point at the new-look Spotlight Sports Group Cafe at ICE London. The group’s breadth of services was on display through new retail products recently launched in the state-of-the-art Ladbrokes Coral concept stores.

The Racing Post Betting Shop Display, an essential part of the experience for retail bookmakers for decades, has been transformed into interactive touch screens. Providing customers with up-to-date form on every horse running in Britain and Ireland, the offering has now expanded to territories across the globe including South Africa, France and the US. It also shows key information on virtual racing.

The expansion into supplying sports content has been well received in the marketplace, with Spotlight Sports Group’s range of expertise in the sporting sector now used to provide tipping content and up-to-the-minute data for more than 20 sports. This content can now be offered to retail bookmakers through off-the-shelf digital display screens that provide customers with all the essential information they need to place a bet, all available in more than 70 languages.

Speaking about Spotlight Sports Group, Director of Retail, Alan Pepperell discussed the positivity around the rebrand and the excitement surrounding new, innovative retail products.

“The ICE exhibition is a critical week for us and this year was especially important with the launch of our Spotlight Sports Group. Given our acquisition of ICS and Apsley in recent years it was important we demonstrated our expanded capabilities, and ICE allowed us to showcase our breadth of services.

“Having the latest version of the Interactive BSD (Betting Shop Display), as well as the Sports bet-prompt screen on the stand led to a number of positive conversations. Demonstrating how our coverage now extends to international horse racing as well as British and Irish, and how our talented sports team has expanded our offering with pre and in-play tipping, all of which can be translated into 70+ languages through the expertise at ICS-Translate, saw constant interest over the three days of ICE.”

Speaking about the conference, Alan highlighted a constant theme with the host of exhibitors: “Innovation was key at ICE this year, with a number of stands focusing on how they are looking to diversify. Self-service betting is a primary focus in retail and there seemed to be a number of new entrants to the market.”

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AI

Investor`s perspective: highlights from ICE Barcelona 2026

Published

2 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

investor`s-perspective:-highlights-from-ice-barcelona-2026

The Investments team at RedCore held dozens of meetings at ICE Barcelona with projects from MarTech/Traffic, iGaming, AI/ML, and RegTech. We share our observations on the direction of the market and changes in the approach of startups.

Technology is the main trend

The products at the conference focused on offering fundamentally new solutions rather than competing head-on. There were a huge number of game providers, but the ones that attracted attention were those betting on technological innovation.

“The trend is clear: products are trying to offer something completely new, rather than just competing in their niche,” notes Andrei Alexandrov, Investment Portfolio Manager at RedCore.

The influx of incoming applications confirmed this: even without a targeted search, most projects fell within the fund`s priority areas — MarTech/Traffic, iGaming solutions, AI/ML, and RegTech.

AI and data are changing the traffic game

At iGB Affiliate, which ran parallel to ICE, AI solutions for traffic were everywhere: trackers, predictive models, player behavior analysis panels. This reflects the maturity of the market — traffic optimization is no longer possible without ML/AI approaches.

The main competitive asset today is data and segmentation. Those who segment more deeply, personalize, and truly understand the behavior of their audience will win. Granular data, behavior by micro-segments, is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a necessity.

“Affiliates are increasingly acting not just as CPA traffic partners, but as full-fledged marketing experts who use data and content to improve engagement,” notes Iryna Yeromenko, Investment Portfolio Manager at RedCore.

Startups have become more mature

Just a few years ago, conferences were often attended by teams with raw ideas. Now the situation has changed: founders come with well-developed pitches, clear business models, and a clear understanding of the market.

“Startups are particularly impressive this year: everyone comes prepared and tries to present themselves in the best way. There was almost no one who came with just an idea,” says Andrei Alexandrov. “Some said that we are their priority fund. This level of trust confirms that we are moving in the right direction.”

Record dealflow, but quality is more important

The volume of incoming applications for ICE Barcelona exceeded the total for all other events last year. But a large flow also means risk: without clear selection criteria, it is easy to waste time on irrelevant projects.

“There are a lot of introductions, pitches, and “let`s talk”. At the same time, it is important to remember that quantity does not equal quality. ICE reinforces the need for strict investment filtering, as without clear criteria, it is easy to get lost in the noise,” explains Oleksandr Briukhovetskyi, Investment Portfolio Manager at RedCore.

This principle also works in traffic: the best affiliates focus on data strategies, mobile-first and video-first content, as well as player behavior patterns. Affiliates get access to more metrics, which lets them buy better traffic.

Long-term value instead of quick deals

ICE Barcelona isn`t about closing deals on the spot. The main value of the conference lies in the opportunity to create the foundation for partnerships for the next 6–12 months.

“Conferences bring strategic value. In terms of the density of quality contacts, long-term deals, and relevant contextual conversations, they are confidently ahead of most other channels,” — notes Oleksandr Briukhovetskyi.

Industry boundaries are blurring

ICE attracts a large number of cross-industry projects that are not formally related to iGaming but seek to integrate into this market. This creates new opportunities for investors who can see synergies between different verticals.

“ICE is a rare case where all elements of the iGaming chain are gathered in one space: operators, providers, payments, RegTech, AI, traffic, media buying, crypto, Web3. The boundaries of the industry are blurring right in front of our eyes,” Oleksandr sums up.

Where is the market headed

The market is moving towards consolidation. The trend towards aggregators and super apps is growing stronger, and now AI has joined the mix. The greatest potential lies in automated management systems, data aggregators, big data products, and predictive analytics.

In iGaming, there is growing demand for infrastructure solutions: tools for Retention, Customer Support, Antifraud, Responsible Gaming, and regulation. There is particular interest in products that allow operators to independently create loyalty systems, custom games, and analytics.

The focus of investors has shifted. Previously, they pursued ideas, but now expertise and team stability matter more. The number of startups has grown, as it is easier than ever to create an MVP in the AI era. Therefore, Due Diligence is critical: how well does the product solve a real market problem, and whether the team is ready to develop and monetize it.

Are you building a product in MarTech, iGaming, AI/ML, or RegTech? Tell the Investments team at RedCore about your project: https://redcore.group/lets-cooperate/

The post Investor`s perspective: highlights from ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brasil on Track

ODDSGATE LAUNCHES “BRASIL ON TRACK”, A STRATEGIC PLATFORM FOR NAVIGATING BRAZIL’S REGULATED IGAMING MARKET

Published

5 hours ago

February 5, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

oddsgate-launches-“brasil-on-track”,-a-strategic-platform-for-navigating-brazil’s-regulated-igaming-market

As Brazil’s regulated iGaming market completes its first year under Law 14.790/2023, Oddsgate today announced the launch of Brasil on Track, a strategic platform designed to help operators monitor legislation, understand compliance requirements, and make informed decisions in Latin America’s largest economy.

Brasil on Track provides live tracking of regulatory milestones, market indicators, and operational requirements,

connecting legal updates to their business impact and linking directly to official sources.
Brazil’s regulatory landscape has evolved rapidly over the past year. Law 14.790/2023 introduced clearer frameworks for licensing, taxation, and consumer protection, which accelerated international interest and positioned Brazil among the world’s most closely watched regulated iGaming markets.

According to Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, the sector generated an estimated R$36 billion in gross gaming revenue (January-September 2025) and R$3.3 billion in federal tax revenue over the same period, highlighting the market’s scale and momentum.
Source: Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, 2025.

“The regulation brought by Law 14.790/2023 was a major milestone for Brazil’s iGaming sector,” said Valter Delfraro Junior, Oddsgate’s Director of Regulatory Affairs. “It ended years of uncertainty and provided legal security and operational clarity. This new scenario places Brazil’s gaming industry on par with mature markets, increasing our international competitiveness and attractiveness to global investors and partners.”

During the first year of regulation, operators faced extensive requirements, including federal authorization processes, responsible gambling mechanisms, advertising restrictions, and new tax structures. Oddsgate expects the market to continue expanding throughout 2026, with early adopters well-positioned to benefit from greater credibility and market growth.

“We transform regulation into a practical, continuous guide for operating in Brazil with less risk and more clarity,” said Wagner Fernandes, Chief Marketing Officer at Oddsgate. “Brasil on Track helps teams entering, expanding, or optimizing operations decide with context, not guesswork.”

What “Brasil on Track” includes
– Live tracking of active regulation and pending bills;
– An operational roadmap mapping legal changes to required compliance actions;
– Market intelligence, including player demographics and key market indicators;
– Visibility into tax structures, licensing steps, and market-entry requirements;
– Focus areas include KYC, AML, self-exclusion tools, responsible gambling, and consumer protection requirements.

The post ODDSGATE LAUNCHES “BRASIL ON TRACK”, A STRATEGIC PLATFORM FOR NAVIGATING BRAZIL’S REGULATED IGAMING MARKET appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Latest News

Rocket League Major Set for Paris’ La Défense Arena; Tickets On Sale February 12

Published

8 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

rocket-league-major-set-for-paris’-la-defense-arena;-tickets-on-sale-february-12

The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) is officially returning to France, with Major 2 of the 2026 season set to take over Paris’ iconic La Défense Arena. Tickets for the live audience days will go on general sale Thursday, February 12.

Running from May 20–24, RLCS Major 2 will bring the world’s best Rocket League teams to the French capital. The final three days of competition will be played live in front of fans at Paris La Défense Arena, the largest indoor arena in Europe, promising a blockbuster esports experience on a massive stage.

France has rapidly cemented its reputation as one of Rocket League’s most passionate strongholds. Last September, the Rocket League World Championship 2025 concluded in spectacular fashion in Lyon, where NRG Esports lifted the trophy in front of nearly 10,000 fans at the LDLC Arena. With 20 elite teams and 60 players representing every major region, the event showcased France’s electric atmosphere and growing influence as a global hub for top-tier Rocket League competition—momentum that now carries straight into Paris.

Following Major 1 in Boston, the world’s top teams will arrive in Paris to battle for a share of the $345,000 prize pool, along with crucial RLCS points that count toward qualification for the Rocket League World Championship later this year.

Tickets go on general sale Thursday, February 12 at 1 AM PT / 10 AM CET, with presale access opening on Wednesday, February 11. Fans can sign up through official Rocket League Esports channels to receive an exclusive presale link.

For full event details and ticket updates, visit the official Rocket League Competitive website.

The post Rocket League Major Set for Paris’ La Défense Arena; Tickets On Sale February 12 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.