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Parimatch CEO talks tech transformation at Collision from Home

Published

5 years ago

June 26, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Sergey Portnov, CEO of Parimatch, took to the virtual stage yesterday at Collision at Home – a global virtual conference which brings together tech leaders and high-potential start-ups to discuss the issues effecting the tech industry.

During his speech, Sergey Portnov captivated Collison at Home’s 30,000 strong audience with his experience of transforming Parimatch from a physical bookmaker into a leading international tech and entertainment brand, giving viewers his top five tips on tech transformation.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

On transforming into a tech business, Sergey Portnov said:

“At Parimatch we are obsessed with technology. We are a business built by businesspeople with management backgrounds, but now we have taken a major step to becoming a tech business – an endless journey with no destination.

“Tech can either be used as a tool, or can be used to describe a culture, a mindset. Previously at Parimatch, we used tech as a tool, but not anymore. Tech isn’t something which can be outsourced, it has to flow through your DNA. Only once you have this tech culture ingrained in your business will your company start to move ahead.”

Sergey’s top five tips on tech transformation:

Lesson 1 –Accept the sacrifice

“In the journey to tech transformation, you need to accept that you will lose things along the way. You may lose employees, customers, partners, maybe even revenue. Whilst this can be painful, this loss has to be accepted in order to transform and ultimately become stronger.”

Lesson 2 – Hire the best

“Don’t take the easy approach when it comes to hiring talent. We all know that it is people who make (or break) a business. Invest in the best people, and pay them a lot. People should be a serious financial investment. But don’t just pay them well, give them freedom in their role. Motivate them, and give them time to shine.”

Lesson 3 – Speed is of the essence

“For me, tech means speed. Every aspect of a tech business needs to be working at speed. The sports and betting industry are very fast paced, so we are able to surround our brand with that speedy energy. Be audacious and brave, create a culture of speed.”

Lesson 4 – Build company culture

“We are continually working on how to foster loyalty from our existing employees. We work with all of our people and spend time building culture and values. These aren’t just words on paper, we live them and people can see them in our actions. Values need to be authentic, and are essential to building a positive culture, and need to form the backbone of a business.”

Lesson 5 – Balance experience with ambition

“It is important to balance experience with ambition. When one outweighs the other, it causes problems. We were ambitious with little experience once upon a time, we made mistakes and learnt from them. On the other hand, you have businesses with lots of experience but no ambition, they have become complacent and are not likely to last into the future. The ideal balance in 51% ambition and 49% experience.”

Latest News

DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

dreamplay-consolidates-its-status-as-a-global-player-in-the-igaming-industry-and-opens-an-office-and-campus-in-cyprus

Reading Time: 2 minutes

DreamPlay’s ambitions go far beyond simple game development. With a new office in Limassol, the international iGaming solutions provider is expanding its presence in Europe and laying the foundations for a new philosophy of the iGaming business.

The location in Limassol was not chosen by chance – Cyprus has long become the European center of iGaming. It is here that key market players, large operators and financial structures supporting the industry are concentrated. And the high concentration of technology and talented developers allows DreamPlay to form its own ecosystem of talent.

If in the 2010s Cyprus became a hub for classic iGaming operators, today it is a point of attraction for technology companies that are betting on metaverses and the integration of games into a wider digital ecosystem. DreamPlay is one of those shaping this trend.

Google-style campus for game development talents

The DreamPlay office and campus in Limassol are part of the company’s international network of corporate campuses. Similar hubs already operate in Thailand, Bali, Peru, the UAE and Poland. They offer employees comfortable working conditions and the ability to move between locations, accommodation, meals, legal support for stays in different countries. And all this is at the expense of the company. -And the flexible work format and 4-day work week in the company helps DreamPlay talents maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s all about well-established business processes and taking care of the team.

It’s nice to know that you can come to the country, and there is a Dream Campus where friends, like-minded people and someone who can simply take care of you are waiting for you. They will meet you at the airport, give you a tour, accompany you on medical or legal issues. It’s all part of the team.

“iGaming is an industry of emotions. Therefore, the people who create it should work where they feel best. Therefore, in our campuses we create an environment where the team can feel maximum freedom for creativity, focus on creating new breakthrough products. And not be distracted by everyday issues. And we are sure that this gives us a strategic advantage, because we are sure that our employees have received better conditions than their colleagues in other companies. Comfort, flexibility and freedom are part of our global philosophy of DreamPlay,” shares DreamPlay CEO Alex Tkach.

What does this mean for the market?

Opening a DreamPlay office in Cyprus is a wise decision, as the company is preparing to enter new markets and partner with the largest iGaming players. It is also a signal to the entire market that the company is moving into the league of global players who dictate trends, rather than following them.

If today Cyprus is another platform for international expansion, then tomorrow DreamPlay may turn into one of the first technology companies in iGaming, operating on the principle of large IT holdings.

And this is where the main intrigue lies: will DreamPlay become the one who fundamentally rethinks the very nature of the industry?

The post DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

International Game Technology PLC

IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker Makes Global Debut at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

igt-wheel-of-fortune-video-poker-makes-global-debut-at-downtown-grand-hotel-&-casino-in-las-vegas

International Game Technology PLC announced that it recently introduced its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game in the world’s most prolific video poker market: Las Vegas, Nev. Guests of Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino (Downtown Grand) in Downtown Las Vegas became the first players in the world to enjoy legendary IGT multi-hand video poker paired with the puzzle-solving, wheel-spinning fun of Wheel of Fortune via IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game.

“Becoming the first casino in the world to offer IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker was an exciting moment for Downtown Grand and one that generated palpable buzz and significant play on our gaming floor. For decades, our players have enjoyed IGT video poker and Wheel of Fortune slots, so combining the DNA of those two products to create something new is an exciting proposition for our players,” said Rick Coltor, Slots Manager at the Downtown Grand Las Vegas.

“Launching IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker in Las Vegas, the world’s largest video poker market, marked another important milestone in the rollout of our expanded Wheel of Fortune games portfolio. Our Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game delivers an ideal blend of proven multi-hand poker, jackpot excitement and the signature elements of Wheel of Fortune games that have propelled the theme’s success for more than 25 years,” said Nick Khin, IGT President, Global Gaming.

IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker is currently available on the CrystalCurve cabinet. Wheel of Fortune Video Poker incorporates the franchise’s famous puzzle-solving features and the iconic “Wheel Bonus” that has had players chanting “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” for decades. The multi-hand poker game is available in triple-play, five-play and ten-play configurations and can award players 30,000, 50,000 or 100,000 credits, respectively, for a dealt royal flush.

The post IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker Makes Global Debut at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Frank Arthofer

MLB Players Sign Licensing Agreement with PENN Entertainment

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

mlb-players-sign-licensing-agreement-with-penn-entertainment

MLB Players Inc., a commercial affiliate of the Major League Baseball Players Association, and OneTeam Partners announced they’ve reached a licensing agreement with PENN Entertainment.

The agreement designates PENN’s sports betting platforms – ESPN BET in the U.S. and theScore BET in Canada – as Officially Licensed Sportsbooks of MLBPI.

PENN now has the rights to use MLB player names, images and likenesses on its sports betting platforms, marketing assets and promotional campaigns.

The deal also includes PENN’s retail sportsbook operations (32 retail sportsbooks at its casino properties, including 19 under the ESPN BET brand).

Last fall, FanDuel and MLBPI reached a similar licensing agreement after the MLB players’ union sued FanDuel and Underdog Fantasy in New York Supreme Court, accusing them of using the names and likeness of ballplayers on their players without permission.

”As baseball season gets underway, we’re excited to offer fans an enhanced betting experience that includes player likenesses, expanded wagering options and a more dynamic product. Partnering with MLB Players Inc. strengthens our connection to the league and its star players and creates additional opportunities to engage fans throughout the season,” said Jason Birney, Vice President of Operations at PENN Interactive.

OneTeam Partners specializes in commercializing group licensing rights for professional athlates, and is a joint venture between the NFL Players Association, MLB Players Association, Women’s National Basketball Players Association, MLS Players Association, and U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association.

“By integrating MLB player rights into PENN Entertainment’s platforms, this partnership brings fans closer to the game while unlocking new business opportunities in sports betting. It highlights the growing influence of players in shaping premium, fan-focused betting experiences while enhancing player NIL rights and widening distribution,” said Frank Arthofer, President of OneTeam Partners.

The post MLB Players Sign Licensing Agreement with PENN Entertainment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.