The evolution continues. CEO Alex Iaroshenko reveals about the biggest transformation in the company’s history — why Betbazar became B1, the rise of AI-driven products — and what that means for the future of the industry.

• 1.Let’s start with the main question – after 7 years as Betbazar, what made you decide it was time for a bigger change?

These changes didn’t happen overnight. For the first few years, we were helping operators find the right products on the market. But over time, we started understanding the market on a much deeper level – what operators actually struggle with, what technology they really need and where the industry is heading next.

AI Cricket creation and the growth of our Sports Data Feed became a big turning point for us. That’s when it became clear: we’re no longer just a marketplace. We’re becoming a product company. That was the moment we realized we were no longer just distributing products — we were building the future direction of the company ourselves.

And with that evolution came the understanding that the company needed a new identity that truly reflected where we were heading next.

• 2.How did the idea of AI Cricket even appear in the first place?

It actually started from a product perspective. We saw that operators needed sports content that was faster to launch, easier to scale, more cost-efficient, and less dependent on large trading teams. At the same time, they wanted something visually different from traditional virtual products — modern futuristic graphics, AI-powered avatars and gameplay that feels much closer to real sport: live, unscripted and autonomous.

That’s how AI Cricket appeared. Fast-paced gameplay, continuous engagement, AI-driven results, live betting and branded customization — built for modern operators and for the way audiences consume entertainment today.

• 3.In a market where most operators already have access to sports data, how does B1 Sports Data Feed create additional value?

The sports data market is very mature, and we understand that data itself has become something of a commodity. Operators already have access to feeds and most of them are unhappy about what they have — what really matters today is quality, flexibility, coverage, and reliability.

Our approach is to combine a proven, industry-trusted data source with additional models, unique events, and tailored market coverage. This allows us to deliver a highly customizable solution that adapts to different operator needs and scales, while maintaining the performance and reliability the market expects at the highest level.

• 4.Was it emotionally difficult to say goodbye to the Betbazar name?

Honestly, it doesn’t feel like saying goodbye. It feels more like the beginning of a new chapter. We didn’t change the name simply because we wanted something different — the company evolved, and the brand needed to reflect that evolution.

At the same time, Betbazar remains an important part of our story. We’re not abandoning it. As we continue building our own products and ecosystem, there may well be a place for Betbazar in the future. So rather than an ending, we see this as a new beginning — both for B1 and potentially for Betbazar in a different role down the road.

• 5.Why did you choose the name “B1 (Be One)”?

Because it reflects exactly what the company became. We didn’t want a name that simply sounds modern or trendy. We wanted something that captures our positioning and mindset.

‘Be One’ means being the one the operator chooses from among many options. Not because of the biggest catalog, but because of the products, technology, and reliability behind it.

For us, B1 is really about focus: creating innovative products that boost profits, and doing it deeper, faster, and with a higher standard. This idea formed the basis of the entire rebranding.

• 6.What are the core principles behind B1 today?

The market is already full of loud messaging and endless catalogs. We focus on building technology that solves real operator challenges. That means reliable products, fast integration, regular content updates, and infrastructure that helps operators move quickly without adding unnecessary complexity.

Speed is a big part of our mindset. Whether it’s launching new content or integrating new products, we believe operators should be able to go live in days, not months. To support that, we’ve developed our own AI-powered integration tool that significantly streamlines the onboarding process. With an AI-friendly technical team on the operator side, integration can take – two days.

• 7.Do you think AI will completely reshape the industry over the next few years?

I don’t think AI is something the industry will face someday — it’s already here. But what we’re seeing today is only the first stage.

Over the next few years, I believe we’ll see entirely new AI-powered leagues and competitions emerge, potentially featuring digital athletes and AI-generated sports experiences that exist alongside traditional sports. They will be faster, available 24/7 and designed around continuous engagement. In many ways, AI won’t just improve existing products — it will create entirely new forms of sports entertainment. AI Cricket was our first step in that direction, and we’re already working on what comes next.

ABOUT B1 (BE ONE):

B1 (Be One) is a product-focused iGaming company, shaping AI-driven content and real-time sports data infrastructure.

Website: https://b1.global/ai-cricket
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/b1global/?viewAsMember=true

Berlin, Germany, June 30th, 2026

New research highlights player safety challenges during football’s biggest betting event

Argenpress.info has released new research examining how the 2026 FIFA World Cup is reshaping online gambling activity in Argentina, with the report warning that tournament-driven player growth is placing greater importance on operator transparency, fast payouts and consumer education.

The report, authored by Argentine gambling analyst Rogelio Lugoni, analyses how major sporting events attract thousands of first-time bettors and why this creates new challenges for both operators and regulators.

“The World Cup always brings a surge of new players into the market,” said Lugoni. “Many are placing their first online bet, which makes trust, transparency and clear licensing more important than ever.”

Tournament Betting Creates New Challenges

According to the report, Argentina’s online gambling market continues to expand rapidly, but major sporting events expose weaknesses in player awareness and operator transparency.

The research concludes that first-time users are significantly more likely to register with unfamiliar operators during major tournaments, increasing the importance of clear licensing information and reliable payment processes.

Among the report’s key findings are:

• Increased first-time player registrations during major tournaments
• Greater importance of fast and transparent withdrawals
• Higher demand for trusted operator information
• Growing need for player education around licensing
• Increased focus on consumer protection

Player Trust Extends Beyond Bonuses

While promotional offers remain a key acquisition tool during the World Cup, the report argues that long-term retention depends on the overall player experience.

According to Lugoni, delayed withdrawals, unclear verification procedures and poor customer support remain among the most common reasons players lose confidence in an operator.

“Players remember how quickly they receive their winnings far more than the size of the welcome bonus,” Lugoni explained. “Trust is earned through consistency and transparency.”

Research Based on Independent Operator Testing

The report forms part of argenpress.info’s ongoing market research programme covering Argentina’s online gambling sector.

Unlike traditional market commentary, each operator reviewed by the platform undergoes practical testing, including registration, deposits, gameplay, verification procedures and withdrawal requests before any recommendation is published.

As Argentina’s online gambling market continues to develop, argenpress.info says it will continue publishing research focused on player behaviour, regulation and operator standards.

About argenpress.info

Argenpress.info is an independent Argentine gambling information platform founded by Rogelio Lugoni. The platform publishes market research, operator reviews and educational content covering online casinos, sportsbooks and gambling regulation, helping players make informed decisions through independent testing and analysis.

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The Visualize Group has agreed to acquire eCOGRA, a gaming testing, inspection, certification and compliance (TICC) provider, from Hanover Investors Management LLP, the private investment firm said in a Business Wire announcement from New York and London.

eCOGRA, founded in 2003 and headquartered in London, provides compliance and certification services for iGaming customers and works with gaming software suppliers, platform operators and online gaming regulators in more than 50 jurisdictions worldwide. The company will continue under its existing leadership, with Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) Will Shuckburgh remaining in his role.

Visualize said eCOGRA is its second investment in the gaming TICC sector following its earlier closing of BMM Testlabs (“BMM”) this year. The firm said BMM and eCOGRA have complementary strengths, with BMM spanning a broader testing and certification spectrum and eCOGRA focused on the digital gaming segment. Visualize added that each company will continue to operate as an independently accredited business.

Will Shuckburgh, CEO of eCOGRA, said, “For more than two decades, eCOGRA’s mission has been to ensure that players can trust the games they play and that operators can meet the highest standards of compliance. As regulated gaming expands into new markets around the world, the demand for fast, rigorous, and reliable certification has never been greater. Partnering with Visualize gives us the resources to serve our customers better — to invest in our people, our technology, and our capacity — while continuing to operate with the independence and integrity that our accreditation partners and customers expect.”

C. C. Melvin Ike, Founder and Managing Partner of Visualize, said, “As high-conviction thematic investors, we back exceptional businesses and management teams providing mission-critical services in growing markets, and we build deep expertise in the sectors to which we commit. Building on our experience in regulated gaming, the independent testing and certification that both eCOGRA and BMM provide is fundamental to protecting players and sustaining the trust of regulators, and the two businesses bring distinct capabilities across online and land-based gaming. With eCOGRA, our intention is straightforward: to build eCOGRA into a generational business that can deliver faster, more responsive, and more innovative service to a fast-growing market that needs more high-quality service. We’re thrilled to partner with Will and the entire eCOGRA team.”

Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and clearances. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Greenberg Traurig acted as legal advisors for Visualize, while Macquarie Capital served as financial advisor for Hanover and eCOGRA, with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP as their legal advisor.