Latest News
Optimove Launches OptiLive: For the First Time, Sportsbook Operators Can Create CRM-Powered Live Sports Marketing at Scale
OptiLive empowers sportsbooks to maximize in-play (live) sports betting by delivering real-time, personalized messages to millions of players during live sporting events
Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing solution for iGaming and Sports Betting, today announced the launch of OptiLive, a first-of-its-kind solution that enables sportsbook operators to create CRM-powered live sports marketing at scale. By combining CRM data such as players interests and betting history, with real-time sports data, OptiLive empowers marketers to deliver timely, relevant messages to their players —all in the heat of the action.
In-Play Betting Drives Higher Player Spending and Garners More Betting Budget
An analysis of 3,794,500 sportsbook bettors found that live betting accounts for 54% of total bets. Furthermore, live bettors consistently spend more than pre-match bettors. For example, in the U.S., bettors’ average monthly live betting spend is $1,583.90, compared to $846.20 for pre-match betting—an 87% increase. This highlights the immense revenue driver in-play betting is for sportsbooks and OptiLive is designed to capitalize on it. Through tackling the complexities of delivering simultaneous, real-time messages across multiple brands, sports and geolocations, OptiLive redefines the in-play betting experience, driving deeper connections with their players.
A Game-Changing Example in Action
Imagine a high stakes soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona and Kylian Mbappé scores a pivotal goal to put Real Madrid ahead. OptiLive will:
1. Autonomously identify the relevant sports fans who’ve shown interest in bets related to Kylian Mbappé or the competing teams and,
2. Instantly delivers a message alerting them of the goal the moment it happens, complete with the latest live odds
This real-time, hyper-personalized approach captures the excitement, encourages immediate action, and drives higher in-play betting activity—keeping operators seamlessly connected to bettors during critical moments.
With OptiLive, Optimove elevates mass personalization in marketing to new heights, enabling operators to manage millions of tailored messages across sports, regions, and events simultaneously. This ensures every bettor receives timely, relevant communications, no matter where or when they engage.
OptiLive Only Delivers Messages Tailored to Each Sports Fan’s Interests
Sports fans are selective about the games they follow—and irrelevant notifications risk disengagement.
A survey of 396 gamblers conducted by Optimove Insights, the research arm of Optimove, revealed that an overwhelming 86% of online gamblers opt-out from platforms due to an avalanche of irrelevant messages.
OptiLive’s advanced AI-driven personalization engine ensures bettors only receive messages that are aligned with their interests and betting history. Soccer fans get instant updates when teams they bet on score thrilling goals while tennis enthusiasts are notified the moment the players they bet on win pivotal sets. OptiLive avoids generic, excessive notifications, delivering timely and meaningful updates that drive engagement and conversions.
OptiLive seamlessly integrates into sportsbook operations
Designed for scalability, OptiLive integrates effortlessly into sportsbook operations, automating personalized campaigns across all major sports and marketing channels.
With OptiLive, sportsbook operators can now:
- Alert players of key sporting events, such as goals and penalties, in the moment.
- Provide players with statistical insights on players and teams to enhance decision-making.
- Monitor, analyze, and review campaign performance in real-time.
“For operators, OptiLive is a game-changing capability to boost player engagement, build loyalty, and drive conversions like never before,” said Shai Frank, SVP of Product and GM of Americas at Optimove. “For the first time, OptiLive empowers marketers with CRM-powered live sports marketing campaigns delivering a totally new experience for players and operators alike. It’s not just another tool—it redefines live sports betting by connecting with personalized, perfectly-timed messages that make every moment more thrilling for players.”
Frank also noted that the higher average spend by live bettors highlights the potential for operators to enhance player lifetime value through targeted, timely personalized messages to players.
Optimove is the iGaming industry’s most comprehensive CRM Marketing platform
The launch of OptiLive marks the latest advancement in Optimove’s robust suite of tools and capabilities, further reinforcing its position as the #1 CRM Marketing platform for the iGaming and Sports Betting. Optimove is the iGaming industry’s most comprehensive CRM Marketing platform that is now enhanced with the following:
- A Dynamic Promotion Engine that automates personalized, CRM-driven rewards based on real-time customer behavior, enabling marketers to deliver impactful and timely promotional offers with ease.
- A Digital Experience Platform (DXP) accelerating time-to-conversion and boosts customer lifetime value by creating seamless, holistic customer experiences across digital channels.
- AI-Driven Gamification the first-of-its-kind innovation designed to enhance player engagement and retention by delivering highly immersive, personalized gamified experiences.
OptiLive on Display at ICE 2025 Summit
Optimove is showcasing OptiLive at the ICE 2025 Summit in Barcelona, January 20-22. Attendees can visit Booth #4A34 in Hall 4 for a first-hand look at this first-of-a-kind solution powering sportsbook marketers.
The post Optimove Launches OptiLive: For the First Time, Sportsbook Operators Can Create CRM-Powered Live Sports Marketing at Scale appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
iGaming
PokerStars sets $50m+ guaranteed Anniversary Series for May 10–June 3
Online festival spans 461 tournaments and includes three Main Events on May 24 plus a $500,000 GTD Sunday Storm PKO final on May 10.
PokerStars will run an online Anniversary Series with more than $50m in guarantees from May 10 to June 3, 2026, the operator said on April 27. The schedule includes 461 tournaments and is positioned to mark PokerStars’ 25th anniversary, alongside the 15-year milestone for Sunday Storm.
The festival’s buy-ins range from $5.50 to $15,000, with qualifiers starting at $0.55, according to the company. PokerStars said it will also distribute more than $650,000 in Anniversary Series Lucky Dip tickets during the series.
PokerStars is headlining the series with three Main Events on May 24:
- a $109 tournament with a $1.5m guarantee,
- a $1,050 Main Event with a $2.5m guarantee,
- and a $5,200 Main Event with a $2m guarantee.
Weekly Sunday events include Sunday Million, Sunday High Rollers, and Mystery Bounty specials, with Second Chance Main Events (PKO) scheduled for May 31.
The operator is also running a Sunday Storm 15th anniversary Progressive Knockout tournament with a $500,000 guarantee for an $11 buy-in. Phase 1 events are underway, with Phase 2 set for May 10.
“We’re proud to celebrate 25 years of PokerStars bringing big money poker tournaments safely to players around the world,” said Steve Clarricoats, Associate Director of Online Scheduling. “Putting $50 million up in guarantees shows our focus remains on bringing the best of PokerStars to more players in a variety of tournaments.”
More relevant data as follows:
- PokerStars: https://www.pokerstars.com/ Official operator site for tournament schedule and eligibility by market.
- PokerStars Blog: https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/news/ Company’s news hub where the full Anniversary Series details and formats are typically published.
- PokerStars Power Path: https://www.pokerstars.com/poker/promotions/power-path/ Source for information on the $0.50+ qualification routes referenced in the announcement.
The post PokerStars sets $50m+ guaranteed Anniversary Series for May 10–June 3 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Conferences
Alea shortlisted for two SBC Awards Europe categories
The supplier is nominated for Game Aggregator of the Year and Employer of the Year ahead of SBC Summit Malta on April 29.
Alea has been named a finalist in two categories at the upcoming SBC Awards Europe: Game Aggregator of the Year and Employer of the Year. The company announced the nominations on April 28 from Barcelona.
Founder Alexandre Tomic said the double shortlisting reflects a link between product delivery and company culture. “If people don’t care about what they’re building, it shows immediately. In the product, in the details, everywhere. Reliability can’t be bolted on later, it’s a consequence of that care.”
“We’ve spent years building a team that takes ownership and holds a certain standard. Seeing both nominations together just tells me we’re doing something right.” Tomic added.
The news comes ahead of SBC Summit Malta, where Alea said Tomic and COO Ramon Glieneke will take part in conference sessions on April 29. Tomic is scheduled to appear on “Casino vs Sports: Can Gamification Truly Cross Over?” while Glieneke is due to join “The COO Horizon: Challenges and Opportunities in 2026/27.”
Alea said its wider team will be onsite throughout the summit at Booth D22.
More relevand data as follows:
- SBC Awards: https://sbcevents.com/sbc-awards/ Primary source for the awards programme, categories and shortlisted companies.
- SBC Summit Malta: https://sbcevents.com/sbc-summit-malta/ Event page for agenda context and verification of sessions and timing.
- Alea: https://alea.com/ Company website for background on the supplier and its product offering.
The post Alea shortlisted for two SBC Awards Europe categories appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
POKERSTARS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH OVER $50M GUARANTEED ANNIVERSARY SERIES
Bumper $6m guaranteed Main Events headline month-long online festival; as PokerStars turns 25 and Sunday Storm reaches 15 year milestone
PokerStars is marking 25 years at the heart of the game with an Anniversary Series guaranteeing over $50 million. Running from May 10 to June 3, the series celebrates a quarter century of leading the online poker revolution and kicks off with Phase 2 of the Sunday Storm as part of its 15th anniversary.
The Anniversary Series has been built with buy-in levels aimed at all players, with qualifiers starting at $0.55 and buy-ins moving all the way up to a high-rolling $15,000. A 461-tournament schedule will provide the big fields, big moments, and big prizepools that have defined PokerStars.
Players will also get the chance to take their share of over $650,000 of Anniversary Series Lucky Dip tickets that are going to be given away. In addition, Anniversary Series leaderboards will run from May 10 to June 3, featuring $100,000 in cash prizes across weekly Low, Medium, and High tiers, alongside the overall Player of the Series Leaderboard.
$50M SERIES, BUILT FOR EVERY PLAYER
The Anniversary Series delivers a full spectrum of buy-ins, from $5.50 to $15,000, as well as must-play flagship events that are expected to attract big fields:
- Three-tiered Main Events on May 24:
- $109 Main Event: $1.5M GTD
- $1,050 Main Event: $2.5M GTD
- $5,200 Main Event: $2M GTD
- Weekly Sunday highlights, including:
- Sunday Million
- Sunday High Rollers
- Mystery Bounty specials
- Second Chance Main Events (PKO) on May 31, giving players another shot at major prizes
The full tournament schedule, which includes various formats and structures, can be seen at: pokerstars.ro/poker/learn/news/anniversary-series/
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF POKERSTARS
The Anniversary Series is more than a tournament festival, it’s a celebration of PokerStars’ legacy as a global leader in poker. Over the past 25 years, PokerStars has dealt more hands, hosted more tournaments, and created more life-changing moments than any other poker site.
“We’re proud to celebrate 25 years of PokerStars bringing big money poker tournaments safely to players around the world,” said Steve Clarricoats, Associate Director of Online Scheduling. “Putting $50 million up in guarantees shows our focus remains on bringing the best of PokerStars to more players in a variety of tournaments.”
SUNDAY STORM ANNIVERSARY
PokerStars is also celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Sunday Storm with a Progressive Knockout tournament with a $500,000 guarantee for just a $11 buy-in. Phase 1’s are underway with Phase 2, the final stage, taking place on May 10.
QUALIFY FOR LESS THAN A DOLLAR
True to PokerStars’ commitment to accessibility, players can qualify for the biggest events from as little as $0.50 via Power Path and $0.55 via satellites.
In addition, PokerStars will also introduce a revamped Power Path Pass on April 27, including a new $530 Bronze Pass offering 25% added value throughout the summer. The upgraded edition will be redeemable as an online ticket bundle for the Anniversary Series events, giving players the opportunity to unlock $530 worth of Anniversary Series tickets, plus 25% extra. More Bronze Passes with 25% added value will be redeemable soon.
For more details head to the PokerStars website, or visit the PokerStars blog.
The post POKERSTARS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH OVER $50M GUARANTEED ANNIVERSARY SERIES appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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