Latest News

Parimatch CEO talks tech transformation at Collision from Home

Published

6 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.

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.”

Basketball Federation of Ukraine

GGBET UA and FBU Host “Media Slam”: A Landmark Open Media Event for Ukrainian Basketball

Published

39 minutes ago

April 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

ggbet-ua-and-fbu-host-“media-slam”:-a-landmark-open-media-event-for-ukrainian-basketball

In a historic move for Ukrainian sports, the Basketball Federation of Ukraine (FBU) and title sponsor GGBET UA recently hosted Media Slam in Kyiv. This inaugural open media event served as a high-level forum to analyze the regular season results of the GGBET SuperLeague and the recent performances of Ukraine’s men’s and women’s national teams.

Since becoming the league’s title sponsor in January 2026, GGBET UA has prioritized transparency and engagement. The event highlighted a significant milestone: the return of fans to stadiums despite the ongoing challenges of martial law, signaling a resilient recovery for the domestic game.

Highlights and Recognition

The “Media Slam” wasn’t just about statistics; it was a celebration of the sport’s current momentum:

MVP Honors: The regular season’s top five players were officially recognized for their outstanding contributions.
Kyiv-Basket Victory: The Ukrainian Cup winners received a formal check in honor of their championship win.
Market Discussion: Stakeholders engaged in a candid dialogue regarding the increasing competitiveness of the league.

Sergii Mishchenko, CEO of GGBET UA, commented:

“We didn’t get involved in Ukrainian basketball just to have our logo on a banner. This is a systematic approach. We see the increasing interest in basketball and want to be a part of that growth. The tougher the competition, the stronger Ukrainian basketball becomes.”

A Strategic Expansion

Basketball marks a major pillar in GGBET UA’s diversifying sports portfolio. Following high-profile partnerships with FC Dynamo Kyiv, FC Polissya Zhytomyr, and the Usyk vs. Dubois 2 rematch, the brand is now cementing its status as a cornerstone of the Ukrainian basketball ecosystem.

The post GGBET UA and FBU Host “Media Slam”: A Landmark Open Media Event for Ukrainian Basketball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BiS Awards 2026

EGT and EGT Digital have been honored with the Best VLT Solution prize at the BiS Awards 2026

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

egt-and-egt-digital-have-been-honored-with-the-best-vlt-solution-prize-at-the-bis-awards-2026

EGT, in collaboration with EGT Digital, has been distinguished for their joint video lottery product for Brazil at the prestigious BiS Awards 2026, highlighting excellence in the country’s rapidly growing gaming and betting industry. The companies took the accolade in the Best VLT Solution category at an official ceremony held on April 7 in Sao Paulo as part of the BiS SiGMA South America event.

The award comes in recognition of the successful debut of VLT terminals in the regulated state of Paraíba, where they had their first large-scale installation at the beginning of this year, generating strong player interest and demonstrating impressive results ever since.

In addition, EGT’s VLT product has been approved in a Proof of Concept (PoC) process under the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery, and will soon be available to the gaming audience in this state as well.

The omnichannel solution, delivered jointly by EGT and EGT Digital, provides a complete Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) ecosystem, featuring land-based equipment, a technological platform, and a rich library of gaming content. Developed according to the international standards, it has been adapted to meet the specific requirements of the Brazilian market and its regulatory framework.

Celina Guedes, Regional Director Brazil at EGT, commented: “It is an honor to us to be acknowledged by the BiS Awards competition, which is a benchmark for outstanding achievements in the sector. Our complete omnichannel VLT solution is designed to perform across different industry segments and is about to unleash its enormous potential in the near future. The prize is proof that we are able to fulfil the ever-increasing demands placed on providers and even set new higher standards in the extremely competitive gaming ecosystem in Brazil and the Latin American region as a whole.”

The post EGT and EGT Digital have been honored with the Best VLT Solution prize at the BiS Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

8bit Binks

S8UL Esports Triumphs in VCSA 2026 Split 1: A Grand Final Masterclass

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

s8ul-esports-triumphs-in-vcsa-2026-split-1:-a-grand-final-masterclass

In a heart-pounding display of tactical precision and mental fortitude, S8UL Esports has been crowned the VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026 Split 1 Champions. The victory came after an intense five-map Grand Final against Revenant Xspark, where S8UL emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline, solidifying their dominance in the regional VCT ecosystem.

With this win, S8UL takes home the lion’s share of the prize pool—INR ₹9,00,000—and sets a high benchmark for the remainder of the 2026 season.

The Road to the Trophy

S8UL’s journey through Split 1 was a testament to their growth following the 2025 season. Their path to the podium included:

League Phase Dominance: Consistent performance against seven of South Asia’s elite teams.
Semifinal Sweep: A commanding 2-0 victory over Asterisk, showcasing a roster peaking at the perfect moment.
The 5-Map Thriller: A back-and-forth Grand Final against Revenant Xspark that tested the limits of both skill and composure.

Strategic Growth and Leadership

The victory highlights the successful vision of Mithul “8bit Binks” Nayak, the driving force behind this revamped roster. Under the leadership of veteran captain Ganesh “SkRossi” Gangadhar, the team displayed evolved coordination and the ability to clutch out decisive rounds under immense pressure.

“Winning Split 1 gives us confidence, but we know the season is long,” said SkRossi. “I’m proud of how the team stayed focused in the crucial moments.”

Impact on the VCT Ecosystem

VCSA Split 1 serves as the critical pathway for South Asian teams to climb into the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT). By securing the first title of the year, S8UL not only establishes themselves as the team to beat but also positions themselves favorably for international qualification opportunities in Split 2 and beyond.

Animesh ‘Thug’ Agarwal, Co-Founder and CEO of S8UL, noted: “The team showed incredible composure in a high-pressure final. This result is a testament to the work they’ve been putting in behind the scenes. We’ve always believed in this roster.”

The post S8UL Esports Triumphs in VCSA 2026 Split 1: A Grand Final Masterclass appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.