Groove Technologies’ Account Manager Nathalie brought signature energy and excellence to the heart of the Caucasus during a vibrant industry gathering hosted by SmartSoft, one of the region’s most innovative gaming providers.

The event, held under the guidance of SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head, Beka Kipiani, unfolded in Tbilisi against a backdrop of Georgian tradition, art, and world-renowned hospitality. Far more than a business meeting, this immersive experience showcased the fusion of iGaming innovation and cultural celebration, reinforcing strong ties between Groove, SmartSoft and other participants.

From high-level strategy discussions to a glamorous Gala Dinner, Nathalie represented Groove with style, joining fellow iGaming leaders for an evening of fine cuisine, live music, and the unmistakable warmth of Georgian camaraderie.

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The itinerary didn’t stop at the ballroom. A rich cultural programme took guests through historic landmarks, arts showcases, and curated experiences that brought Georgian heritage to life, echoing the fusion of legacy and future-forward thinking that defines both Groove and SmartSoft.

As part of her visit, Nathalie also took part in a focused meeting and dinner with Groove Georgia’s team, strengthening regional alignment and celebrating the local team’s fast-growing contributions to Groove’s global strategy.

SmartSoft’s innovative collection of arcade-style casino games and premium slots is redefining the casino experience by blending skill-based mechanics with immersive gameplay to create groundbreaking crash-style games and other non-traditional casino content. Among SmartSoft’s most popular titles is JetX, an adrenaline-fueled crash game where players bet on the soaring trajectory of a jet plane. With its thrilling risk-reward mechanics and social multiplayer appeal, JetX has captured the attention of gamers across the world.

Beka Kipiani, SmartSoft’s Regional Commercial Head, added: “Hosting Groove’s Nathalie and our many other industry friends in Georgia was both a pleasure and a privilege. We believe in the power of local pride and global ambition, Groove understands that language. This wasn’t just a company event; it was a celebration of partnership, trust, and shared growth.”

As Groove continues to expand its global network of premium gaming partners, experiences like these highlight the power of in-person collaboration in crafting tomorrow’s success stories. Groove’s 15,000+ game portfolio, powered by 150+ elite providers including SmarttSoft, already stands as one of the most comprehensive in iGaming.

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Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove Technologies, said: “Groove thrives on relationships; real, human partnerships that evolve beyond emails and dashboards. Events like this give our people, like Nathalie, the chance to connect deeply with partners like SmartSoft, to understand their market, and to share a bit of our Groove DNA while embracing theirs. Georgia delivered beauty, insight, and opportunity in equal measure.”

Next-gen operator launches sport betting with award-winning platform provider

Rise & Hustle, Africa’s next-gen tap-to-earn gaming operator, has launched sports betting within its street game platform through a new partnership with leading sportsbook platform provider Altenar.

As part of the deal, Altenar is delivering thousands of daily pre-match events and live in-play betting with fast markets and cash out, alongside extensive esports coverage and a full range of traditional sports to Rise & Hustle’s players in Nigeria.

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Popular sports such as football and the English Premier League will form the foundation, complemented by comprehensive coverage of local competitions to satisfy regional betting interests. Players will benefit from being able to use local currency (Naira), ensuring a familiar end-to-end experience.

The agreement sees Rise & Hustle’s users benefit from personalised bet recommendations, and seamless wallet integration across casino, free-to-play and sportsbook. An optimised UI/UX with intuitive navigation across both mobile and desktop simplifies the betting process, while the free-to-play element awards players with free bets to drive engagement and retain loyalty.

Altenar’s customisable, mobile-first front end aligns seamlessly with Rise & Hustle’s brand, while its advanced risk management tools protect profitability and fraud prevention. Operators can now benefit from real-time, competitively priced odds and 24/7 access to Altenar’s trading team, highlighting its commitment to customer care.

The partnership follows a strong year for Altenar on the African continent, after it gained its South Africa licence back in December 2024 and appointed Brendon Jeacocks as Regional Director.

Tassos Theocharidis, Senior Sales Executive at Altenar, said: “We’re delighted to team up with Rise & Hustle to deliver a new sports betting experience to its players. We firmly believe in the operator’s potential in the fiercely competitive Nigerian market.

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“We look forward to enhancing their existing offering with the addition of our award-winning sports betting technology.”

Josh Jones, CEO & Co-Founder of Rise & Hustle, commented: “Our collaboration with Altenar enables us to deliver a world-class betting experience tailored to Nigerian players’ interests.

“The onboarding process and speed-to-market were two key factors in choosing Altenar and rolling out a sportsbook solution will help us attract demographics as we evolve our business.”