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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.
1xBet
HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor
HLTV will stage the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet in Belgrade, Serbia on January 9, 2027, returning to the Sava Center. The company said more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to attend.
HLTV also confirmed Dust2 creator David Johnston will feature as an award announcer. HLTV linked the booking to the 25th anniversary of Dust2.
For 2026, HLTV is updating its Hall of Fame process and eligibility rules. Four players will be inducted again, with “at least two and up to three” slots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early eras. HLTV also removed the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles such as coaching.
HLTV is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board. The ceremony will also move Community Awards onto the main stage show for the first time, rather than the pre-show segment.
Separately, HLTV will kick off the 2027 Awards season with an invite-only “HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID” in Cologne during the Major. HLTV said industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony via its awards page.
The post HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Benjamin Bradtke Co-Founder of ThrillTech
ThrillTech lands Gibraltar B2B supplier licence
Approval from HM Government of Gibraltar’s Gambling Division lets the supplier serve Gibraltar-licensed iGaming operators.
ThrillTech has been granted a Gambling Services (B2B) Licence by the Gambling Division of HM Government of Gibraltar, allowing the supplier to provide its opt-in jackpot and mystery reward products to regulated iGaming operators licensed in Gibraltar.
The company said the licence supports its international expansion plans and will enable it to deploy its ThrillPots
product with additional operators in the jurisdiction, which hosts a number of tier-one betting and gaming brands.
Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing a B2B licence in Gibraltar is an important step for ThrillTech and a testament to our market-leading jackpots technology. Gibraltar is home to some of the industry’s most prestigious operators. This approval not only accelerates our global expansion strategy but now allows us to provide these major operators with new layers of player engagement which generate incremental revenue.”
ThrillTech said it seeks market-specific licences and certifications because its side-bet jackpots operate independently of operators’ core casino games and betting products. The company added that its jackpots are powered by a proprietary, certified RNG and do not alter core game RTP, with funding coming from opt-in player contributions.
According to ThrillTech, its regulated market licences and certifications also include the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Peru, and Brazil.
The post ThrillTech lands Gibraltar B2B supplier licence appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
S8UL’s League of Legends roster qualifies to represent India at Asian Games 2026
S8UL Esports’ League of Legends roster has qualified to represent India at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, running from September 19 to October 4. The organisation said the team secured qualification through the regional qualifiers after winning the National Esports Championships (NESC) 2026, described as the official national qualification tournament for the Asian Games.
S8UL said the roster competing under India’s banner is Akshaj Shenoy (Kat Bot), Aakash Shandilya (Infi), Sanindhya Malik (Deadcorporal), Mihir Ranjan (Lotus), Ahmed Shahid (Nero), and Rahul Bisht (Bob). The regional qualifiers featured 14 teams across a group stage and a split stage, with top performers advancing to the Asian Games main event.
In Group B, the team went unbeaten against Jordan, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan to progress, according to S8UL. In the split stage, it lost to Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia but did enough to secure a berth. India will now face opponents including Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Vietnam at the main event.
Four players—Kat Bot, Infi, Deadcorporal, and Lotus—were also part of India’s League of Legends contingent at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023, where S8UL said the team finished fifth.
Akshaj Shenoy aka Kat Bot, captain of India’s League of Legends team, said, “Qualifying for the Asian Games is a proud moment for all of us. We knew the regional qualifiers would be extremely competitive, and every match demanded complete focus. For many of us, this will be our second Asian Games, which makes this qualification even more special because we understand the level of competition that awaits us. We are grateful to S8UL for believing in this roster and providing us with the support, stability, and opportunities needed to keep improving as a team. Representing India is always an honour, and we’ll do everything we can to make the country proud in Aichi-Nagoya.”
S8UL co-founder and CEO Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug added, “Representing India at the Asian Games is among the highest honours an athlete can achieve, and seeing our League of Legends roster earn that opportunity is incredibly special. This team has demonstrated resilience, discipline, and a willingness to continually improve, qualities that are essential for success at the international level. At S8UL, our goal has always been to create pathways for Indian athletes to compete on the biggest stages in the world. We have no doubt they will give their all when they step onto the stage in Aichi-Nagoya and compete for the nation with pride,” S8UL also noted that Gurashish Singh (Soul) and Prateek Bhaunt (B Haunt) previously qualified for the Asian Games in Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 after winning at NESC 2026.
The post S8UL’s League of Legends roster qualifies to represent India at Asian Games 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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