FlexPlay is entering a new phase with the launch of its own casino platform. Leonid Matison, Head of Customer Success, speaks with EEGaming about what inspired the company’s evolution, how it is helping partners adapt to change, and why a focus on flexibility, creativity, and collaboration is driving its vision for the future.

What inspired the move into the platform space, and how did that background shape your approach to creating it?

FlexPlay was born from EvenBet Gaming out of working closely with operators and studios as an aggregator, so we had a very clear view of where existing platforms were falling short. Many operators were forced to adapt their business models to rigid technology instead of the other way around.

Moving into the platform space was a natural evolution. We wanted to build a product that reflects how the market actually works today: fragmented regulation, fast-changing player behaviour, and the need to launch, test, and adapt quickly. That background shaped our approach significantly. Instead of building a “one-size-fits-all” platform, we focused on modularity, flexibility, and speed, so operators can grow without having to rebuild their infrastructure every time their strategy changes.

The platform market is full of established names. What makes FlexPlay stand out, and what kind of identity are you building for the brand?

Our differentiation isn’t about being louder or bigger — it’s about being more adaptable. FlexPlay is designed as a partner-centric platform, not a closed ecosystem.

We are building an identity around flexibility, transparency, and collaboration. Operators can customise their product, UX, content strategy, and growth roadmap instead of fitting into predefined templates. Commercially, we also remove unnecessary pressure at early stages, for example with models where partners don’t pay content fees until they actually start growing.

In a crowded market, identity comes from how you work with partners day-to-day, not just from features on a website.

You have described FlexPlay as a platform that “evolves alongside its partners.” What does that look like in practice for operators working with you?

We don’t treat launch as the finish line. We stay actively involved after go-live.

Operators receive ongoing support in analysing performance, adjusting content portfolios, testing new mechanics, and refining player engagement strategies. Our platform allows operators to add, remove, or prioritise content quickly, run experiments, and respond to real player data instead of assumptions.

We also actively listen to partner feedback and translate it into platform improvements. If a feature or workflow doesn’t serve operators in real conditions, we adjust it.

How does that flexibility help brands entering fast-changing or emerging markets where conditions can shift quickly?

Emerging markets rarely follow a stable or predictable path. This year, we are going to SiGMA Africa for the first time, and this continent is just the right example of how quickly and often market transforms. Regulation changes, payment preferences evolve, and player behaviour can shift very quickly.

FlexPlay’s flexibility allows operators to adapt without disruption: adjusting payment flows, reconfiguring bonuses, changing content focus, or localising UX. The platform isn’t locked into rigid structures, so operators can react to market signals in weeks rather than months.

This is especially important for brands entering highly volatile markets in Africa or LatAm, where the ability to pivot often determines success.

AI is a hot topic right now. How are you exploring its potential at FlexPlay, and what do you find most exciting about how it can genuinely support operators and players?

We approach AI very pragmatically. For us, it’s not about replacing people or creating black-box systems, but about enhancing decision-making.

We are exploring AI in areas like player segmentation, behavioural analysis, and content recommendations. It may help operators understand what players actually want and when. AI can also support smarter lobbies, more relevant promotions, and better detection of engagement patterns.

What excites us most is AI’s ability to reduce noise. It can highlight what truly matters and help them act faster and more confidently. But it can’t and will not fully replace strategic decision-making by humans.

Personalisation has become an essential part of modern player engagement. What does it mean to you in practice, and how is FlexPlay helping operators bring it to life?

For us, personalisation means relevance. Not just visuals or messages, but the entire player journey. FlexPlay enables operators to segment players based on behaviour, preferences, and performance, and then tailor content, bonuses, and communication accordingly. This helps players discover games that actually match their interests instead of scrolling through endless lobbies.

Good personalisation improves retention and trust. Players feel understood rather than pushed, and operators benefit from stronger long-term engagement.

But we suggest avoiding over-personalisation: if the players see only the recommended “long tail”, it may affect the operator’s revenue. Manual curation in addition to personalisation (like featuring a seasonal game during a holiday, or an operator’s personal favourite) allows for strategic promotions and branding.

Growth can be exciting but also challenging for operators. How do you and your team at FlexPlay support partners as they take that next step?

Growth often exposes weaknesses in technology or strategy. Our role is to help operators scale without losing control.

We support partners with analytics, reviews, and strategic guidance, helping them prioritise what to scale and what to optimise first. Technically, the platform is built to handle growth without forcing structural changes. Commercially, we remain flexible so that a transition is easier for operators.

Looking ahead, what are the key milestones or developments you are focused on for the year ahead?

Our focus is on deepening platform intelligence and partner value. This includes expanding AI-driven tools, improving content discoverability, and enhancing automation where it adds efficiency.

We are also investing in better insights for operators: not just reporting, but actionable recommendations that help them make smarter decisions faster.

Another priority is continuing to refine our platform based on real partner use cases, not theoretical ones.

And finally, when you think about FlexPlay’s future, what do you hope the company will represent within the wider iGaming industry?

I hope FlexPlay will be seen as a trusted growth partner — a company that helped operators build sustainable businesses rather than short-term results.

In an industry that often focuses on speed and scale, we want to represent balance: technology that adapts, content that makes sense, and partnerships built on mutual success.

If operators look back and say, “FlexPlay helped us grow the right way,” that will be the real measure of success.

The post FlexPlay: building a platform made to grow with its partners appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Boston Major 2026 has officially become the most-watched event in Rocket League esports history, setting a new benchmark for global engagement and competitive excellence.

Held at Agganis Arena in Boston, the Major concluded with a thrilling all-French Grand Final, where Gentlemates defeated tournament favourites Team Vitality 4:2 to claim the first Major title of the 2026 season.

Record-Breaking Viewership Milestone

The RLCS Boston Major 2026 delivered unprecedented audience numbers:

• Peak Viewers: 624,316 concurrent viewers
• Average Viewership: Over 270,000 viewers
• First RLCS event ever to surpass 600,000 concurrent viewers

This milestone represents a 33.3% increase over the previous all-time peak recorded at the 2022–23 RLCS World Championship, highlighting sustained year-over-year growth and expanding global interest in Rocket League esports.

The event’s performance reinforces RLCS as one of the fastest-growing competitive circuits in modern esports.

A Grand Final Worthy of the Record

The Boston Major culminated in a high-stakes French showdown between Gentlemates and Team Vitality. The 4:2 victory secured Gentlemates’ first Major trophy of the season and signaled a shift in competitive power dynamics heading deeper into 2026.

The all-French final further amplified international audience engagement, particularly across European broadcast markets, contributing significantly to the event’s record-breaking concurrent viewership.

Global Broadcast Reach and Multi-Language Coverage

Beyond peak numbers, the Boston Major showcased:

• Multi-language broadcast streams
• Cross-platform digital distribution
• Strong in-arena attendance
• Expanded regional fan engagement

Hosted in front of thousands of live fans at Agganis Arena, the event combined traditional arena esports spectacle with robust online streaming performance — a formula that continues to fuel RLCS’s accelerating global momentum.

What This Means for Rocket League Esports

The 2026 Boston Major marks a defining moment for the RLCS ecosystem:

1. Sustained Global Growth – The consistent upward trend in viewership confirms Rocket League’s staying power within the esports landscape.
2. Mainstream Momentum – Breaking the 600K peak threshold positions RLCS among elite-tier esports events globally.
3. Competitive Depth – The diversity and intensity of international competition continue to elevate the broadcast product.
4. Commercial Validation – Record audience metrics strengthen sponsorship, media rights, and long-term circuit investment potential.

As the 2026 season progresses, the Boston Major sets a new performance benchmark that future Majors and the World Championship will aim to surpass.

The post RLCS Boston Major Becomes Most Watched Event in Rocket League History appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

PokerStars has officially named Irish poker professional David Lappin as the winner of its inaugural Live League ambassadorship, marking a major milestone for both the seasoned pro and the global poker brand. The announcement follows the conclusion of the 2025 PokerStars Live League season, where players competed across European events for leaderboard supremacy and a coveted ambassador position.

Lappin, widely respected as a poker player, writer, commentator, and industry voice, now joins the prestigious PokerStars ambassador roster after emerging as the standout candidate among top leaderboard performers.

A Season-Long Path to Representation

The 2025 PokerStars Live League introduced a structured, merit-based pathway for players to earn ambassador status. Competitors accumulated points across three buy-in-based leaderboard tiers — High, Medium, and Low — throughout major European live events.

Qualifying tournaments included stops on the renowned European Poker Tour (EPT), regional PokerStars Open events, and even the iconic Irish Poker Open, a long-standing highlight of the European poker calendar.

At the end of the season:

• Top 30 players (Top 10 per tier) earned the right to audition.
• A PokerStars judging panel selected the ultimate ambassador.
• Lappin was chosen for his consistency, credibility, and player-first approach.

This structure reflects PokerStars’ growing emphasis on meritocracy and community representation rather than purely promotional appointments.

Player-Led Representation at the Core

As a PokerStars Ambassador, Lappin’s role extends beyond brand visibility. His focus will center on:

• Competing in flagship EPT Main Events
• Participating in PokerStars Open stops
• Promoting online-to-live qualification routes
• Engaging directly with the player community

PokerStars has made clear that this ambassadorship is rooted in authentic player representation. Lappin has long advocated that ambassadors should serve as bridges between operators and players — not simply brand spokespeople.

His reputation as a thoughtful commentator and outspoken industry analyst positions him as a natural intermediary between grassroots competitors and event organizers.

Cédric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events Operations at PokerStars, emphasized Lappin’s longstanding presence on the circuit and deep understanding of the live ecosystem. According to Billot, Lappin’s authenticity and alignment with PokerStars values made him a “natural fit” for the role.

Strengthening the Online-to-Live Pathway

A key component of Lappin’s ambassadorship will be highlighting PokerStars’ satellite ecosystem — a system allowing online players to qualify for major live tournaments at a fraction of the standard buy-in.

This online-to-live funnel remains central to PokerStars’ brand identity. By promoting satellite qualifiers and digital routes into live events, Lappin reinforces PokerStars’ commitment to accessibility and upward mobility within competitive poker.

For aspiring players, this messaging underscores an important truth: online grinders can convert modest investments into major live opportunities.

The 2026 PokerStars Live League Expansion

The announcement coincides with the launch of the 2026 PokerStars Live League season, which began at PokerStars Open Campione.

Key highlights of the 2026 league include:

• €157,500 in PokerStars LIVE credits awarded
• Prizes distributed across High, Medium, and Low tiers
• A new €100,000 live freeroll at the first EPT stop of 2027
• Expanded rewards structure benefiting top 30 finishers in each tier

The second stop of the 2026 season is currently underway at EPT Paris, offering players additional opportunities to earn leaderboard points.

League standings and live updates are available through the PokerStars Live app, further integrating digital tracking with live competition.

Strategic Implications for PokerStars

Lappin’s appointment reflects broader strategic shifts in the live poker landscape:

1. Community Credibility Over Celebrity Marketing
   PokerStars continues prioritizing ambassadors with deep player roots rather than purely mainstream appeal.
2. Reinforcing European Live Dominance
   By strengthening the Live League and EPT ecosystem, PokerStars consolidates its hold on Europe’s premier live poker circuits.
3. Retention Through Gamification
   The leaderboard structure encourages year-long engagement, incentivizing consistent participation rather than one-off tournament attendance.
4. Expanding Reward Distribution
   The 2026 freeroll addition broadens prize accessibility, rewarding loyalty across all buy-in levels.

Why This Matters for the Poker Industry

The poker industry has increasingly leaned into hybrid engagement models — combining online platforms, live tours, community ambassadors, and digital content ecosystems.

Lappin’s appointment symbolizes this evolution. As a hybrid figure — competitor, analyst, content creator — he embodies the modern poker ambassador archetype: credible, vocal, accessible, and community-oriented.

The Live League format itself may also influence competitor operators to rethink how ambassador programs are structured, shifting toward performance-based selection models.

The post David Lappin Named PokerStars Ambassador appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.