Latest News

QIWI Appoints Chief Executive Officer

Published

5 years ago

June 9, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

QIWI plc, a leading provider of next generation payment and financial services in Russia and the CIS, today announced the appointment of Andrey Protopopov as Chief Executive Officer effective June 2, 2021. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Protopopov will take over the responsibilities of Boris Kim.

Mr. Protopopov has long played a vital role at QIWI, in particular, its product development function. Prior to his current position as the Chief Executive Officer of Payment Services Segment, Mr. Protopopov has served as Head of IT and Product from June 2015 to August 2019 and Head of Product Management from September 2013 to June 2015. Mr. Protopopov has over 12 years of commercial and product managing experience. Before joining QIWI, Mr. Protopopov worked at Procter & Gamble for 12 years, holding numerous positions in market strategy and planning as well as business development.

Mr. Protopopov graduated from Novosibirsk State University in 2004 with a Master degree in mathematics.

“Andrey has done a tremendous job during his eight years with the Company. I am inspired to see him at the helm of our Company and the directions he will take it in. As a founder and long-running ex-CEO of QIWI myself, I am confident that Andrey has the drive and the vision to position QIWI for continued success. His appointment comes after a thorough and careful succession planning process, spearheaded by the Board and Boris Kim himself,” commented Mr. Sergey Solonin, QIWI’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Moreover, I truly believe that Andrey possesses the right mix of operational CEO experience, leadership skills, and technology industry expertise required to elevate QIWI to the next level,” added Mr. Solonin.

“I am truly honored to lead QIWI as the Chief Executive Officer,” said Mr. Protopopov. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our exceptional senior leadership team, along with Sergei, as our Chairman, and our entire Board of Directors. QIWI unites the team of most talented people at the payment market aiming to serve our clients with the most convenient digital solutions. Together, we will capture new growth opportunities, provide the best career experience to our employees and deliver additional value to our shareholders.”

Boston

Global Experts to Gather in Boston for First US Symposium on Online Gambling and Public Health

Published

1 hour ago

April 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

global-experts-to-gather-in-boston-for-first-us-symposium-on-online-gambling-and-public-health

A major international discussion on the future of online gambling regulation is set to take place in the United States later this month, as the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) prepares to host its first global symposium dedicated to the sector’s public health impact.

The event, titled “Online Gambling and the Public Health Movement,” will be held on April 24, 2026, at Northeastern University in Boston, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and industry observers from across the US, Europe, and Australia.

The symposium comes at a time of rapid expansion in online betting markets, particularly in the United States, following the 2018 Supreme Court decision that opened the door to state-level sports betting regulation. Since then, mobile-first platforms, micro-betting features, and AI-driven betting tools have significantly reshaped the landscape.

Focus on Regulation and Risk

According to the organisers, the event will focus on the growing calls for stronger consumer protections, as well as the broader societal impact of digital gambling products.

Discussions are expected to cover:

The rise of micro-betting and real-time wagering
The role of AI and data-driven betting systems
The effectiveness of current responsible gambling frameworks
The need for federal and state-level safety standards

Recent legislative proposals in the US, including the SAFE Bet Act and similar initiatives across multiple states, signal increasing political attention on the issue.

Global Experts and Policymakers to Attend

The speaker lineup includes a mix of academic, clinical, and political voices, such as:

Public health researchers from Monash University and the University of Bath
Representatives from the US federal and state governments
Specialists in gambling addiction and behavioural research

The goal, according to PHAI, is to explore evidence-based approaches to regulation and harm reduction.

Industry Under Increasing Scrutiny

The symposium also follows a series of legal actions initiated by PHAI targeting major industry stakeholders, highlighting growing scrutiny around business practices and consumer protection.

As online gambling continues to scale globally, events like this reflect a broader shift toward cross-sector dialogue between regulators, public health experts, and industry participants.

The post Global Experts to Gather in Boston for First US Symposium on Online Gambling and Public Health appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

betting platforms

US Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium

Published

1 hour ago

April 10, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

us-public-health-debate-intensifies-as-boston-hosts-landmark-online-gambling-symposium

As scrutiny around online gambling intensifies in the United States, a landmark symposium in Boston is set to bring the issue of public health and regulation into sharper focus.

The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) has announced it will host the country’s first international symposium dedicated to the public health impact of online gambling on April 24, 2026, at Northeastern University.

The event comes amid growing concern over the speed at which digital betting has expanded across the US, particularly in the years following the legalization of sports betting in multiple states.

From Market Growth to Public Health Debate

What began as a state-driven expansion of sports wagering has evolved into a broader ecosystem that now includes:

Mobile-first betting platforms
Micro-betting and in-play wagering
Algorithm-driven and AI-supported betting tools

Public health experts argue that these developments have outpaced regulation, raising concerns about addiction risks, accessibility, and consumer safeguards.

Survey data continues to reflect mixed public sentiment, with a significant portion of Americans expressing concerns over the integrity of sports and the social impact of betting.

Policy Momentum Building Across States

The symposium will also highlight a wave of legislative efforts aimed at tightening controls on the industry. Proposals such as the SAFE Bet Act, alongside state-level initiatives in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio, indicate a shift toward stricter oversight, including potential limits on high-risk betting formats like micro-betting.

Bringing Together Key Stakeholders

The Boston event will gather a broad coalition of stakeholders, including:

US lawmakers and regulators
Public health professionals
Academic researchers specialising in gambling behaviour
Policy advocates and legal experts

Key discussion points will include the limitations of current responsible gaming models, the need for federal safety standards, and strategies to reduce gambling-related harm.

Legal Pressure Adds to Industry Tensions

The symposium follows recent legal action involving major operators and sports stakeholders, underlining the increasingly complex relationship between rapid market growth and regulatory accountability in the US gambling sector.

As the conversation evolves, the Boston gathering is expected to play a role in shaping how policymakers and stakeholders approach the next phase of online gambling regulation in America.

The post US Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

AI in gaming

ZingBrain AI Boosts Hondubet Engagement

Published

15 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

ZingBrain AI Drives Hondubet Growth with Real-Time Personalisation

ZingBrain AI is reshaping the iGaming landscape by delivering measurable performance gains for Hondubet through advanced real-time personalization technology.

By replacing its manually curated casino lobby with a fully automated, API-driven solution, Hondubet has unlocked a new level of player engagement and operational efficiency. The AI-powered system dynamically adapts content to individual player behaviors, ensuring that each user encounters games tailored to their unique preferences.

Significant Performance Gains Across Player Segments

Data from a controlled A/B test comparing the legacy manual lobby with the new personalized system highlights substantial improvements:

A 25% increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) and turnover among newly registered players
A 10% rise in total bets placed by returning users
A 25% boost in the number of unique games explored across the player base

These results underscore the effectiveness of AI-driven personalization in enhancing both user engagement and revenue generation.

From Manual Management to Intelligent Automation

Previously, Hondubet relied heavily on manual processes to manage its casino lobby, requiring constant updates and resource-intensive oversight. According to Julian Pareja Garcia of Hondubet, the shift to ZingBrain AI has been transformative.

The automated system continuously learns from player interactions, refining game recommendations and lobby sections without human intervention. This allows the operator’s team to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance.

Smarter Player Experiences Through AI Innovation

Oleg Smolerov emphasized the collaborative approach between the two companies, highlighting a shared commitment to innovation and product excellence.

Rather than static content placement, the AI engine ensures that every element of the lobby evolves in response to real-time data. This creates a more intuitive and engaging user experience, where players are presented with content that feels both relevant and natural.

Aligning Commercial Goals with User Experience

Beyond engagement metrics, the integration also supports Hondubet’s commercial strategy. Through ZingBrain AI’s Game Promotion tool, priority titles can be strategically surfaced within personalized sections.

Crucially, the system evaluates performance continuously. Games that fail to resonate with players are automatically deprioritized and replaced with more relevant options. This ensures a balance between promotional objectives and player satisfaction, maximizing both retention and monetization.

A New Standard for iGaming Personalisation

The success of this integration signals a broader shift within the iGaming industry toward intelligent automation and data-driven experiences. By leveraging AI to personalize every touchpoint, operators like Hondubet are setting new benchmarks for engagement, efficiency, and revenue growth.

As competition intensifies, solutions like ZingBrain AI are poised to become essential tools for operators seeking to deliver meaningful, high-performing user experiences at scale.

The post ZingBrain AI Boosts Hondubet Engagement appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.