Industry News
SportCaller in position for enhanced engagement with Off The Ball
Popular Irish sports broadcaster enlists FTP specialist for a fun series of rapid-fire “live” quizzes to improve the viewer experience
SportCaller, the leading free-to-play (FTP) sports-game provider, has joined forces with Off The Ball, Ireland’s popular sports news and analysis show, to drive audience engagement during the current sporting shutdown with a series of entertaining “live broadcast” quizzes.
The deal is the first of its kind with a multi-platform sports media company, demonstrating SportCaller’s growing reach outside its typical sports betting arena, connecting with more mainstream audiences and responsibly introducing them to the value and highly social nature of free-to-play products.
These rapid-fire tests of trivia track a topical schedule of flagship events that would traditionally capture players’ interests and imaginations around this time of year, while also incorporating a steady diet of general knowledge questions around all major sports.
SportCaller’s live-quiz configurations run off a last-man-standing mechanic, whereby players must submit each answer before a clock-count winds down, with correct answers progressing to the next question. Ultimately, a €1,000 prize is either won or shared between any participant(s) who can post a perfect score across the entire quiz.
This seasonal series showcases SportCaller’s flexibility and capacity to deliver softer marketing functions with which to responsibly maintain customer engagement and digital dwell-time. While these fresh formats have been naturally adapted to the present pandemic, their manifest utility for broader retention has also carved out a long-term future as part of a progressive product set and marketing strategy for both media partners and operators.
These quizzes are fronted by a rota of familiar personalities from Off The Ball, whose main host Ger Gilroy is regularly joined by household names including Brian O’Driscoll and Kevin Kilbane. The show is sponsored by Paddy Power, who first launched SportCaller’s signature Beat The Drop game to universal acclaim back at the 2018 World Cup. The free-to-play specialist has since gone on to bolster this strong relationship at group level for Flutter Entertainment, whose mega-merger with The Stars Group was completed at the beginning of May.
Cillian Barry, MD at SportCaller, said: “We’re thrilled to be breaking new ground with Off The Ball via these new Live Broadcast quizzes, showing that now is the time to be pushing fresh concepts and products for our increasingly diverse range of clients. They say that personality goes a long way and OTB has it in spades. As a result, the SportCaller platform is another conduit by which OTB can express the content of that character to a loyal, sports-mad audience looking for some light relief.
“Clearly, you’re never going to replicate the same levels of engagement until all live sports can reliably find a way back. However, we can still offer fun, thematic content with these simple FTP games which build brand loyalty and an audience which returns to watch, listen and play. I believe this represents another key proving ground outside our original sportsbook domain, with these quizzes helping to fashion a wider and improved marketing mix.”
Ger Gilroy, Managing Director of Off The Ball, added: “It’s imperative that we keep our viewers and listeners entertained across our live radio and podcast channels, despite many of their favourite major sports still being unavailable. Happily, SportCaller’s innovative quizzes are allowing us to open up another outlet of competitive fun and social enjoyment for our enthusiastic audience.
“Their games fit neatly into our programming schedule and check all the boxes for responsible engagement. We’re always looking for new experiences to better connect our viewers to the sports they love, and SportCaller’s creative-content ideation and swift tech integration set them apart.”
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Industry News
CT Interactive Appoints Todor Botsev as Business Development Manager for EMEA and Asia
CT Interactive has appointed Todor Botsev as its Business Development Manager for ЕМЕА and Аsia.
With over 16 years of experience in the dynamic and rapidly evolving casino industry, Todor specialises in online and offline business operations. His career has encompassed a variety of roles and responsibilities, including managing online and offline casino operations, optimising gaming platforms and developing strategic business initiatives.
Throughout his career, Todor has gained extensive experience in the development and implementation of new gaming products for online and offline casinos, working with a diverse range of gaming platforms and systems. His expert approach to data analysis and market trends enables him to design and execute innovative strategies for customer acquisition and retention, driving sustainable growth and expanding the customer base.
Todor’s strong leadership skills allow him to effectively manage teams and projects, with a focus on operational efficiency and staff development. His leadership philosophy is built on collaboration and a commitment to delivering the highest standards of customer service.
With his deep understanding of online casino operations and strategic thinking, Todor is a valuable addition to the CT Interactive team.
The post CT Interactive Appoints Todor Botsev as Business Development Manager for EMEA and Asia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Playtech Executive Chair Brian Mattingley Set to Step Aside
The chairman of Playtech, the London-listed gambling technology group, is to step down, triggering a search for a successor with a taste for stringent corporate governance challenges.
Egon Zehnder International, the boardroom headhunter, is being appointed to handle the search for Mr Mattingley’s successor, according to a source close to the situation.
A former chairman and chief executive of 888, the London-listed gaming company now known as Evoke, Mr Mattingley was also a founding director of Gala Leisure.
At Playtech, he has overseen a frenetic period of corporate activity while also finding himself in the eye of a series of storms with shareholders over boardroom pay and wider corporate governance.
The most recent of those came in December when close to a third of investors rebelled over a €100m bonus plan for Mor Weizer, the company’s chief executive, along with other senior executives.
Shareholders give Mr Mattingley credit, however, for helping to navigate the company through a challenging period in the gambling industry, in particular his role last year in securing the sale of Snaitech, its Italian consumer gambling arm, for €2.3bn.
That represented a nearly threefold return on Playtech’s initial investment in the business, triggering total returns to shareholders of up to €1.8bn – a sum almost equivalent to all of the special dividends paid by London-listed companies in 2023.
The sale of Snaitech will transform Playtech into a pure-play business-to-business operation.
During Mr Mattingley’s three-and-a-half year tenure, shares in the company have risen by about 60%.
The post Playtech Executive Chair Brian Mattingley Set to Step Aside appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
CT Interactive Reflects on Successful Showcase at ICE 2025
CT Interactive is marking a resounding success following its participation in last week’s ICE 2025 trade show. As a global iGaming provider of innovative gaming solutions, the company used the event to solidify its market presence, seal new partnerships, unveil new gaming content and engage in productive discussions about its ambitious growth plans.
CT Interactive’s showcase at ICE Gaming 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its partners by expanding its portfolio of games available for their platforms. The company’s efforts to release fresh and engaging content have already been met with enthusiasm, setting the stage for stronger collaborations and greater player satisfaction.
Another highlight of the event was the company’s announcement about its impending certification for the Brazilian market. This milestone will enable CT Interactive to officially enter one of Latin America’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions.
“We’re thrilled about the opportunities Brazil offers. We have prepared a games list designed to resonate with the preferences of Brazilian players, and we’re eager to bring our portfolio to this exciting market,” Martin Ivanov, COO of CT Interactive, said.
ICE Gaming 2025 also provided an excellent platform for CT Interactive to explore growth opportunities in Eastern Europe. With its strong regulatory framework and growing appetite for online gaming, Ukraine featured prominently in the company’s discussions. CT Interactive is about to conclude a deal with a local partner, significantly boosting its presence in this emerging market.
“The Ukrainian market holds tremendous potential, and we’re keen to expand our footprint there. We are confident that our diverse portfolio of high-quality games will meet the expectations of operators and players alike,” Martin Ivanov said.
The company’s new game releases were another highlight of its ICE Gaming presence. CT Interactive’s cutting-edge titles, designed with captivating visuals and engaging gameplay, were met with widespread acclaim. These releases are expected to captivate players and drive significant revenue growth for its operator partners.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Martin Ivanov stated that CT Interactive’s participation allowed it to strengthen its relationships with partners, explore untapped opportunities and reinforce its position in the gaming industry.
“The show was an incredible opportunity to engage with our partners, showcase our innovations, and discuss strategies for mutual growth. We leave ICE Gaming 2025 energised and excited for what’s next,” Martin Ivanov added.
The post CT Interactive Reflects on Successful Showcase at ICE 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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