Press Releases
Parimatch: Consumers want stories, not spreadsheets
Parimatch’s Chief Product Officer Sergey Berezhnoy spoke at ICE London 2020 about how the operator plans to evolve the traditional sports betting experience with a focus not just on technology, but on storytelling. With a history in the video gaming industry, Sergey can see many narrative-building concepts that would translate nicely to the betting sector, although he believes the main overlap – esports – still has a few mountains to climb.
Following a strong 12 months in its home markets, Parimatch attended ICE London 2020 with a clear vision in mind for the future of its sports betting offer.
The international operator has grown its market share with bold marketing campaigns and a strong product backed by great tech, but the main focus for Parimatch’s Chief Product Officer Sergey Berezhnoy over the next year is to research, develop and evolve sports betting’s current customer journey. Many of the innovations at ICE provide the backbone of that journey, providing several payment methods, hundreds of ways to bet, and thousands of events and markets to bet on, with other exciting developments such as VR and AI further bolstering to the industry’s toolbox in recent years. For players, the customer journey is smoother than ever before, but for Sergey, that’s not enough. His background is in the video gaming industry, and he believes that to tap into the widest possible market, the sports betting sector has to develop a story around the act of betting that is as engaging and rewarding as current popular mobile games.
“I use one word, and it’s narrative,” said Sergey. “I joined this sector from the video gaming industry, and there the focus is not on waiting for the end result, but providing as much entertainment as possible on the way to it.
Unfortunately, sports betting is currently the opposite; you come, you bet, you leave. There is no story, no great focus on the clubs involved, and often there are very few relevant events to bet on. Players who are engaged with the betting culture might bet on anything, but new and casual players need a story to bring them in. Look at Snapchat, Instagram and Tik Tok, they only show short stories, but it’s enough to get consumers engaged.”
In fact, the immediacy of sports betting is something else Sergey wants to move forward. While the rise of in-play betting has helped, many results can take between a few hours or a few days to come through depending when bets are placed, so Berezhnoy intends to make sports betting on Parimatch something players can jump into and be rewarded whenever they choose.
“In betting, the distance between betting and reward can be very high, whereas in video games the award is more achievable. We are trying to shorten that distance, but not as short as casino games,” he said. “In our research, we have taken a lot from casual gaming. If you are riding the subway or tube, everybody plays casual games or goes on social media. The big question is, why don’t they bet? It’s about a customer journey, but many sports betting sites still look like excel spreadsheets. Instagram has changed the way we consume photos, it’s our ambition to change the way people bet on sports.”
Berezhnoy added that this will involve asking players human-centric questions on pre-selected content, providing a personal touch to short, targeted stories for players to bet through. Like in video games, they won’t be faced with a thousand choices, but with a few highly engaging ones based around content they already enjoy, whether that be through live, fantasy or virtual sports – or even esports. This is another aspect of gaming that Berezhnoy has a lot of experience in, however he still believes there’s a few challenges ahead before the rapidly rising pastime becomes a key vertical for the sports betting sectors.
“Games publishers are in control of esports and they are not interested in the regulations that are needed to elevate the level of trust required for bookmakers,” he explained. “Publishers want more players, and tighter regulations can put up barriers to that. With a few exceptions, they also don’t give access to their data feed, which makes it very difficult to trade. Sports betting operators are interested in the most popular games with the biggest events, but those publishers don’t need to include sports betting into their model to be successful, and these are major roadblocks for its expansion in the industry.”
Sergey hopes that this will change over the next decade, but in the meantime, he is looking forward to weaving the storytelling ability of video games into all of Parimatch’s sports betting offers.
“At the end of the day, most of us prefer to be told stories than to scour over spreadsheets, and that’s what I want to offer to our players,” he concluded.
The festive spirit of St. Patrick’s Day returns to downtown Las Vegas as the Plaza Hotel & Casino prepares to host its annual celebration at the dazzling Carousel Bar. Set beneath the venue’s iconic illuminated dome, the popular holiday gathering promises lively entertainment, themed cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere for visitors and locals alike.
Beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, the Carousel Bar will transform into a spirited St. Patrick’s Day destination featuring festive décor, upbeat music, and drink specials inspired by Irish tradition. The celebration takes place just steps away from the bustling Fremont Street Experience, making it an ideal stop for anyone exploring downtown Las Vegas during the holiday.
A Festive Downtown Celebration
Each year, St. Patrick’s Day brings an influx of revelers to Las Vegas, and the Plaza’s Carousel Bar has quickly become one of downtown’s standout locations to mark the occasion. Known for its visually striking design and lively ambiance, the bar sits beneath the Plaza’s glittering dome and features large-scale animated elements that create an immersive party atmosphere.
For the holiday celebration, guests can expect Paddy Party Music Hits filling the air, creating the soundtrack for an evening of Irish-inspired fun. The event will also feature festive backdrops designed for selfies and group photos, allowing visitors to capture memories of the celebration against colorful St. Patrick’s Day-themed visuals.
The Carousel Bar’s unique setting makes it particularly appealing for social gatherings, whether visitors are celebrating with friends, colleagues, or fellow tourists exploring the entertainment offerings of Fremont Street.
Special St. Patrick’s Day Drink Menu
No St. Patrick’s Day party would be complete without themed drinks, and the Plaza’s Carousel Bar will offer a lineup of festive specials designed to complement the celebration.
Guests can enjoy Guinness Draught for $8, a classic choice synonymous with Irish heritage and St. Patrick’s Day festivities worldwide. For those looking to sample something stronger, the bar will also offer St. Paddy Irish whiskey shots for $4, providing a quick and spirited toast to the holiday.
Another popular option on the menu is the Irish Car Bomb for $10, a well-known celebratory cocktail that combines Irish stout with whiskey and cream liqueur for a rich and indulgent experience.
For those who prefer a cocktail with a festive twist, the bar will feature the Irish Mule, a vibrant green drink made with ginger beer, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and fresh lime. Priced at $10, this specialty cocktail adds a refreshing and colorful option to the St. Patrick’s Day lineup.
Together, these drink specials provide a range of options designed to suit every taste while embracing the flavors traditionally associated with Irish celebrations.
A Unique Venue in Downtown Las Vegas
The Carousel Bar has become one of the most visually distinctive attractions at the Plaza Hotel & Casino. Its animated elements and glowing dome create a lively centerpiece that draws attention from visitors exploring the property and nearby Fremont Street.
During major holidays and events, the bar often becomes a focal point for celebrations, offering a social space where guests can enjoy themed entertainment and drinks in a lively environment. St. Patrick’s Day is one of the venue’s most anticipated events, bringing together locals and tourists eager to celebrate Irish culture and tradition.
The location also offers easy access to the Fremont Street Experience, one of downtown Las Vegas’ most popular entertainment districts. Visitors can seamlessly move between live music, street performances, casinos, and bars, making the Carousel Bar party a convenient stop within a larger night out in the city.
Capturing the Spirit of St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have grown into a global phenomenon, with cities around the world hosting parades, parties, and cultural events honoring Irish heritage. In Las Vegas, where entertainment and nightlife thrive year-round, the holiday provides yet another opportunity for venues to create immersive and memorable experiences.
The Plaza Hotel & Casino embraces this tradition by hosting an event that combines festive décor, themed drinks, and music that encourages guests to embrace the celebratory mood. The addition of photo-friendly backdrops further enhances the experience, allowing attendees to share their celebrations across social media.
For visitors seeking a lively but approachable party atmosphere, the Carousel Bar’s St. Patrick’s Day event offers a welcoming environment where the focus remains on socializing, enjoying drinks, and celebrating the holiday spirit.
A Downtown Destination for Holiday Fun
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the Plaza Hotel & Casino once again positions itself as a destination for festive gatherings in downtown Las Vegas. The combination of themed cocktails, music, and the visually captivating Carousel Bar setting creates an experience designed to stand out among the city’s many holiday celebrations.
Whether guests are longtime Las Vegas locals or tourists exploring the city’s historic downtown district, the party promises an energetic environment filled with Irish-inspired charm.
With its vibrant atmosphere and convenient location near the Fremont Street Experience, the Carousel Bar at the Plaza Hotel & Casino provides the perfect setting to raise a glass, enjoy festive drinks, and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in true Las Vegas style.
The post Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Plaza Hotel & Casino’s Carousel Bar appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gambling in the USA
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Plaza Hotel & Casino’s glittering Carousel Bar
The Plaza Hotel & Casino will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day party at Carousel Bar under its iconic glimmering dome starting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17.
The party at Carousel Bar will include Paddy Party Music Hits, festive backgrounds for selfies and group photos, and drink specials, including Guiness Draught ($8), St. Paddy Irish whiskey shot ($4), Irish car bombs ($10), and an Irish Mule, a specialty green cocktail made with ginger beer, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and lime ($10).
With its larger-than-life animated elements, Carousel Bar will be the centerpiece of the holiday party located underneath the glittering lights of the Plaza’s dome – the perfect location to celebrate the spirit of the Irish just steps away from the Fremont Street Experience.
The post Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Plaza Hotel & Casino’s glittering Carousel Bar appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
EveryMatrix has extended its global national lottery reach, and further reinforced its ongoing commitment to the North American market, by becoming a member of the North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries (NASPL).
NASPL membership reflects the premium provider’s long-term commitment to supporting public-sector lotteries as it expands its presence across the continent and further strengthens its visibility and credibility within the US lottery ecosystem.
Multiple US lotteries are investing or exploring investments in digital technology and omnichannel player engagement, with a focus on responsible gaming, areas in which EveryMatrix has extensive experience and success with large-scale European partners.
The tier-1 turnkey platform technology supplier counts some of Europe’s largest lotteries among its biggest customers and is an established Associate member of both the World Lottery Association (WLA) and European Lotteries (EL).
It joined CIBELAE as an Associate member in August 2025, the official branch of the WLA for 80 Hispanic American speaking countries, including Latin and Central America, Spain, and Portugal.
EveryMatrix has rapidly grown to become one of the most trusted, tier-1 B2B platform technology providers by state lotteries across global regulated markets. It works closely with leading European national lotteries including Veikkaus (Finland), Norsk Tipping (Norway), OPAP (Greece), National Lottery Malta, Danske Spil (Denmark), and Szerencsejáték Zrt. (Hungary).
Nikolina Gabelica, Head of Lottery, EveryMatrix, said: “For EveryMatrix, joining NASPL is about long-term commitment. We work closely with several leading European national lotteries and understand the balance between innovation, regulation, and public responsibility.
“Combined with our broader experience across regulated iGaming markets globally, we bring practical insights and advanced technology to the US lottery community, and we are looking forward to building and further developing meaningful relationships there.”
The post EveryMatrix expands global lottery footprint with NASPL membership appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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