partnerships
Southampton FC scouting sports tech startups for Future of Football challenge

The Future of Football challenge is open to innovative companies ready to shape and test their solutions for updated football experiences in either the football development or fan engagement space. In spirit with its values of innovation and doing things differently, Southampton FC will offer a 4-week virtual programme — powered by Sport Republic and Yolo Group — to create opportunities and break away from conventional methods.
The challenge welcomes Web3 and sports tech startups and scaleups with novel solutions to:
- Football development (scouting, training, recovery, game analytics etc.)
- Fan engagement (gamification, loyalty programmes, matchday experiences, global fan engagement etc.)
Selected teams will rapidly test and pilot their solutions, participate in tailored workshops, and have regular and direct access to Southampton FC, Sport Republic, and Yolo Group decision-makers. At the St. Mary’s finale, teams will pitch for a commercial relationship with SFC and a £100k discretionary prize pool for post-programme solution development.
“Southampton FC’s commitment to innovating and creating a positive impact is central to the way we operate and make decisions. We’re excited to see programme participants create the future of football” said Sarah Batters, Director of Marketing and Partnerships as SFC.
Sport Republic, the owner of Southampton Football Club is a London-based investment firm in the sports and entertainment industry. Founded by Henrik Kraft and Rasmus Ankersen and backed by Lead Investor Dragan Šolak, Sport Republic’s vision is to grow high potential sports businesses and sports tech companies.
“Sport Republic are really looking forward to being part of the Future of Football challenge to power innovation in sports tech. We are continuously seeking the most innovative sports tech companies to join our portfolio and leveraging our clubs to drive growth and achieve digital transformation. ” said Henrik Kraft, Sport Republic and SFC Chairman.
Yolo Group is the managing partner for the Future of Football challenge. Yolo Group is a leader at the cross section of gaming, fintech, and blockchain, and operates the Sportsbet.io brand. Sportsbet.io is Southampton FC’s Main Club Partner.
“This programme is designed to push boundaries, to bring together a spectrum of solutions from startups around the globe. It’s a chance to create truly unique approaches — and test them. We’re driven by innovation; so, we’re looking forward to seeing the results,” said Tim Heath, GP at Yolo Investments, and founder of Yolo Group. The application deadline is 23 February 2023. Find more information and apply here: https://www.southamptonfc.com/saints-partners/future-of-football-challenge
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Conferences in Europe
New Gamification Academy at SBC Summit to Present Fresh Approaches to Player Engagement

With gamification emerging as a driving force in the casino industry, SBC Summit introduces the Gamification Academy, an initiative built to confront pain points in engagement, retention, loyalty, and differentiation by exploring what truly keeps players coming back.
Launched in partnership with leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider Soft2Bet, the Gamification Academy will take place on Tuesday, 16th September, at the Sala Tejo, MEO Arena.
The programme forms part of SBC’s newly introduced Tech Academies, a series of immersive learning streams designed to arm summit attendees with practical know-how in AI, marketing, Web 3.0 & blockchain, and gamification.
Delegates can anticipate discussions examining the role of personalisation in driving loyalty, strategies for balancing gamified features with brand authenticity, and honest reflections on both the successes and challenges of gamification in the industry.
“Gamification has transformed how people interact with digital products across industries, and iGaming is no exception,” SBC Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark said.
“Players now expect fun, engaging, and rewarding experiences, and that’s exactly what gamification delivers. The Gamification Academy will show the industry how to apply these proven principles to build deeper connections, keep players returning, and create more meaningful player journeys,” he added.
Kicking off the Academy, Soft2Bet’s Chief Product Officer Yoel Zuckerberg will lead the ‘Introduction to Gamification & Player Engagement’ workshop. Setting the stage for the day, the session offers a comprehensive overview of gamification’s power and how it has shaped the industry in recent years.
Chief Business Development Officer Toni Jermaniš (SofaScore), CEO & Co-Founder Josh Jones (Rise & Hustle), and Senior Solutions Engineer Alec Gehlot (Optimove) will focus on the player retention angle through their ‘Why Personalisation is the Key to Retention‘ panel moderated by Soft2Bet’s Chief Business Development Officer Martin Collins. The session will explore how tailored offers, customisable interfaces, and personalised recommendations are giving players more control over their experience and, in turn, strengthening loyalty and long-term value.
Following a networking break, two case studies will spotlight real-world lessons from gamification, dissecting what works, what doesn’t, and how to measure success.
First up is the case study titled “Baking in Gamification During Design”, led by Alexis Wicen (CEO, Scatters Group). In this session, delegates can learn how to weave gamification into their products without losing brand authenticity. Drawing on real-world examples, the session will examine where brands have succeeded in integrating gamification into their games and platforms, and where they have fallen short, showing delegates how to approach gamification more effectively in their own projects.
The second case study, ‘The Metrics of Gamification’, will examine where the impact of gamification is most evident and how brands can measure it effectively. Featuring Uri Admon (CEO, Captain Up), the session will cover key factors such as retention, loyalty, engagement, revenue, and player enjoyment, helping delegates understand how to balance player needs with company goals.
The Academy will close with ‘The Five Steps of Gamification,’ a panel hosted by Soft2Bet’s Head of Sales, Alon Eshed, joined by Helen Walton (Founder & CCO, G Games), David Olim (CEO, FootAR), and Tom Jang Lemke (CEO and Founder, SavageTech). By breaking down the fundamental building blocks of gamification, including rewards, progression, competition, and storytelling, the session will highlight how these principles form the foundation of more engaging and personalised player experiences.
The Gamification Academy will feature at the upcoming SBC Summit 2025, SBC’s global flagship event, taking place at Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena from 16–18 September. The summit will also host a six-track conference, a 135,000 square meter exhibition, the Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit, plus a full schedule of evening networking events.
Participation in the Tech Academies is exclusively for VIP Event Pass and Expo+ holders only.
You can RSVP to attend our tech academies here.
VIP Event Pass: Access to the show floor, all networking areas and conference sessions, complimentary food and drink from the summit’s food festival and access to exclusive evening networking sessions and parties.
Group VIP Event Pass: Get your passes for just €400 each when you purchase for three or more people (a saving of €200 per ticket!) – perfect for bringing your team along.
Expo+ Pass: Access to the show floor, conference sessions and daytime networking only.
Expo Only Pass: Our free option, which gives you access to the show floor only. This is perfect for individuals from outside the gaming industry who want to explore potential partnerships. Please note that this will not grant you access to our academies.
Operator and Affiliate Passes: Operators and affiliates are eligible for a free VIP event pass. Simply apply.
The post New Gamification Academy at SBC Summit to Present Fresh Approaches to Player Engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
SOFTSWISS Calls on Industry Leaders to Join the iGaming Trends 2026 Survey

SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, is preparing the new edition of its flagship industry research – iGaming Trends 2026 – and invites experts worldwide to contribute their insights. The upcoming report is written in collaboration with NEXT.io, the world’s iGaming community, and will spotlight the key tendencies set to shape the industry in the year ahead.
The previous edition, iGaming Trends 2025, became one of the most influential industry resources. With over 100 pages of insights covering regulation, marketing, responsible gambling, innovation, and fraud prevention, the report had over 13,000 downloads . This strong reception confirmed the importance of having a trusted knowledge hub – and set the stage for an even more ambitious 2026 edition.
The iGaming Trends 2026 report is being developed jointly with NEXT.io, the world’s iGaming community, bringing additional depth and diversity of perspectives to the research. By combining the expertise of both teams with insights from the industry at large, the new edition will offer an unparalleled overview of the forces driving iGaming forward.
“The iGaming industry is changing faster than ever, and foresight comes from collective expertise. The strength of iGaming Trends lies in the community behind it. By partnering with NEXT.io, we are making iGaming Trends 2026 the most forward-looking edition yet, built directly on the voices of industry leaders,” added Max Trafimovich, International Non-Executive Director at SOFTSWISS.
Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NEXT.io shared: “The iGaming Trends report has become a cornerstone resource for our industry, and this year’s edition will be the most collaborative yet. We’re truly excited to be working alongside SOFTSWISS to bring iGaming Trends 2026 to life, ensuring it reflects the voices, insights, and ambitions of the people shaping the future of our sector. At NEXT.io, we believe foresight comes from community, and this partnership embodies that vision.”
The iGaming Trends 2026 report will be built on the contributions of industry experts worldwide. The survey is anonymous, but participants may leave contact details if they wish to be quoted. In appreciation of the participation, a few lucky winners will receive Apple AirTags, and one special winner will score a unique one that comes with an exclusive SOFTSWISS merch bundle.
Why Take Part?
- Co-create a leading industry resource – Your insights will directly influence one of the most widely read iGaming reports.
- Strengthen your professional visibility – A chance to share your perspective with thousands of peers across the industry.
- Be part of a collaborative effort – For the first time, the report is being developed together with NEXT.io, raising its scope and relevance.
Take the survey here: https://softswiss.typeform.com/to/AMCd3VcT
The SOFTSWISS Team will be at SBC Lisbon 2025, Stand B160, a perfect chance to connect and talk about iGaming Trends 2026.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Calls on Industry Leaders to Join the iGaming Trends 2026 Survey appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Gaming Corps integrates full portfolio with Light & Wonder’s content marketplace

Gaming Corps integrates full portfolio with Light & Wonder’s content marketplace
Gaming Corps – a publicly-listed game development company based in Sweden, has signed a global distribution deal with Light & Wonder, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Light & Wonder”), strengthening its international presence through one of the industry’s most trusted aggregation platforms.
The agreement will see Gaming Corps’ full games portfolio spanning Slot, Crash, Mine, Table and Plinko titles — made available via Light & Wonder’s award-winning content marketplace ecosystem. This includes the studio’s latest launches: the mythological slot 3 Pigs of Olympus and retro-style instant win game Plinkball 5000.
Light & Wonder is the leading cross-platform global games company, active in over 38 regulated jurisdictions and trusted by many of the world’s largest operators. Its content marketplace hosts more than 6,700 titles and handles over five billion game rounds each month.
For Gaming Corps, the agreement provides access to an expansive global network of online casinos and players and accelerates the studio’s ability to deliver its content to new audiences with speed and confidence.
Juha Kauppinen, CEO at Gaming Corps, said: “This deal with Light & Wonder is a significant moment for us. Their content marketplace is one of the leading distribution networks in the industry, and this agreement puts our content in front of new audiences in key regulated markets. We’re particularly excited to bring our most popular title, 3 Pigs of Olympus, to a broader operator base — and to keep building momentum with a partner who shares our vision for quality and innovation.”
Steve Mayes, Senior Director, Partners iGaming at Light & Wonder, added: “At Light & Wonder, we focus on delivering diverse, forward-thinking gaming experiences to operators in every major regulated market. Our content marketplace is trusted by tier-one brands worldwide, and we are deliberately selective about the content studios we integrate. Gaming Corps impressed us with both the originality of its portfolio and the speed of its growth, and we are delighted to welcome them onto the Light & Wonder content marketplace”.
The post Gaming Corps integrates full portfolio with Light & Wonder’s content marketplace appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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