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THE UNIT BOOSTS DEVELOPMENT TEAM WITH SRDAN SREPFLER AS VICE PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING
Srdan brings 20 years’ development experience, including seven years with William Hill and four years with Huddle; he will be a key part of The Unit’s expansion drive as VP, Engineering
The Unit, a leader in product design and development for sports betting and iGaming, has made another stellar addition to its management team with the appointment of Srdan Srepfler as Vice President, Engineering.
Not only has Srdan been in development roles for more than two decades, he also comes with an extensive background in iGaming; the bulk of which coming with industry behemoth William Hill, where he worked for more than seven years.
In his time at William Hill, Srdan’s roles included Software Developer, Senior Software Engineer, Development Team Lead and Global Platform Backend Lead. After leaving William Hill, Srdan joined operator MoPlay as VP of Automation Engineering and QA, before serving as Architect and Developer for AsianLogic, owner of betting brand Dafabet.
Srdan’s most recent position was VP of Engineering for software provider Huddle. In his four years with the company, he established the engineering department, applied agile delivery methods, designed a robust data pipeline and executed integration with the likes of Genius Sports, Sportradar, TXODDS and LSports.
Srdan will utilise his experience as The Unit continues to deliver major technology stacks across web, mobile and cross-functional platforms. The Unit designs, develops and delivers premium custom applications from interactive widgets to frontends and complicated backends, and Srdan will continue to ensure these high standards are delivered, while overseeing the next stage of the company’s development.
The Unit has made a number of notable appointments in recent months as part of a significant period of expansion for the company, with Alan Bruce joining earlier this year as Sales and Account Director, followed by Aoife Dillon as Senior Account Manager and Andy Clerkson as Chairman.
Paddy Casey, Co-founder at The Unit, said: “I would personally like to welcome Srdan to the team here at The Unit; I am very excited about the wealth of experience he can bring to the table.
“At The Unit, we have established a reputation for designing and developing robust, scalable platforms, and the addition of Srdan to the team will allow us to do that, while producing products of an even stronger quality.
“Our experienced developers, designers and technical professionals strive to ensure we can support project development and delivery, and we feel Srdan is perfectly positioned to lead our efforts in doing that.
“With our recent expansion into new territories, a brand refresh and some high-profile names like Srdan joining the team, we are well placed to build on our past success and continue to make our mark on the industry.”
Srdan Srepfler added: “It is a pleasure for me to join the team at The Unit. This is a fast-growing and exciting business, and it’s the perfect time for me to take my next step in the iGaming industry.
“I am thrilled to become a part of The Unit’s ambitious plans for growth in the coming years, and I look forward to starting on some of the upcoming projects as part of the company’s next stage of growth.
“I have spent many years developing bespoke backends with emphasis on scalability, resilience and business flexibility. This is something I am keen to continue at The Unit, and I am very pleased to be given this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started with an experienced team of fellow professionals and to help steer the next stage of The Unit’s journey.”
The post THE UNIT BOOSTS DEVELOPMENT TEAM WITH SRDAN SREPFLER AS VICE PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
BetMGM
BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming
BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, has officially partnered with FashionTV Gaming Group to launch a curated portfolio of luxury-branded games. This strategic collaboration marks the entry of FashionTV’s iconic aesthetic into the North American iGaming market, exclusively through BetMGM’s platforms.
The partnership merges FashionTV’s global prestige in the worlds of fashion and high-society entertainment with BetMGM’s award-winning digital casino infrastructure.
Immersive Luxury Table Games
The initial rollout features two high-gloss table games designed to provide players with an “immersive, lifestyle-driven” experience that mirrors the sophistication of the FashionTV brand.
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FashionTV Blackjack: A premium take on the casino classic, featuring refined visual assets and high-end production values.
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FashionTV Roulette: A sleek, stylized version of the iconic wheel, bringing a “fashion-forward” energy to every spin.
The titles are currently live in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with a wider rollout planned for all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is active.
Strategic Vision and 2026 Roadmap
For BetMGM, the partnership is part of a broader “branded content” strategy that includes previous successes with major TV and movie franchises.
“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM. “By partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love.”
Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, added: “BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”
Looking ahead, BetMGM has confirmed that additional FashionTV-branded titles—including slots and potentially live dealer variants—will be released throughout 2026 as part of an expanding content pipeline.
The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brazil Betting Law
2026 iGaming Regulatory Roadmap: Key Compliance Deadlines
As the industry gathers for ICE Barcelona 2026, the regulatory landscape has shifted into a high-execution phase. The following roadmap outlines the critical compliance dates for three of the most influential markets currently undergoing major transitions: the United Kingdom, Brazil, and the Philippines.
| Date | Jurisdiction | Regulatory Milestone | Action Required for Operators/Suppliers |
| Jan 19, 2026 | United Kingdom | LCCP Social Responsibility Code 5.1.1 Update | Ban on Mixed-Product Incentives: Offers like “Bet £10, get 20 free spins” are now prohibited. Wagering Caps: Bonus wagering is capped at a maximum of 10x. |
| Jan 19-21, 2026 | Global / EMEA | ICE Barcelona 2026 | Flagship event for showcasing 2026 compliance technology and real-time auditing solutions. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | United Kingdom | LCCP Condition 15.2.1 Reporting | Key Event Reporting: Threshold for reporting operator status/shareholder changes raised from 3% to 5%. All loans must be reported regardless of written agreements. |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Philippines | PAGCOR B2B Accreditation Deadline | Final Compliance Date: All B2B providers (studios, aggregators, affiliates) must be accredited. Unaccredited foreign content will be blocked from licensed platforms. |
| Apr 6, 2026 | United Kingdom | DMCC Act 2024 Alignment | Fair & Transparent Terms: Consumer Protection regulations replaced by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Terms must align with new definitions of “misleading actions.” |
| June 30, 2026 | United Kingdom | RTS 12 (Financial Limits) | Technical changes to Remote Technical Standards (RTS) regarding how customers set and view financial limits on their accounts. |
| H2 2026 | Brazil | Betting Deposit Tax Vote | Proposed 15% tax on gambling deposits is expected to return to the Senate for a final vote after being pushed back in late 2025. |
Regional Deep Dive: Strategic Compliance
1. United Kingdom: The “Safety & Simplicity” Era
The UKGC’s January 19th update is the most immediate challenge for marketing teams. By decoupling sports betting from casino bonuses, the regulator aims to reduce “cross-product friction” that could lead to unintended gambling harm.
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Strategy: Pivot toward product-specific loyalty programs (e.g., “Bet £10 on Football, Get a £5 Free Bet”) to maintain compliance while driving retention.
2. Brazil: Sustaining the .bet.br Ecosystem
Following the January 1, 2025 launch of the regulated market, 2026 is about operational maturity. The focus has shifted to the mandatory use of the .bet.br domain and rigorous AML/KYC reporting to the Secretariat of Awards and Betting (SPA).
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Strategy: Ensure all advertising features the mandatory license logo and that all protagonists in marketing materials are visibly over 21 years of age.
3. Philippines: The B2B Supply Chain Lockdown
PAGCOR’s new framework is a move to professionalize the region, mirroring the supplier-licensing models seen in Ontario and Malta.
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Strategy: Foreign studios that missed the December 2025 “early bird” three-year accreditation window must expedite their applications before March 31st to avoid a total blackout on Filipino-facing sites.
The post 2026 iGaming Regulatory Roadmap: Key Compliance Deadlines appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI in Gambling
2026 iGaming Outlook: Regulation, AI Personalization, and the Return of “Originals”
The iGaming industry has officially entered a new era of discipline. As we move through the first quarter of 2026, the “wild west” growth of previous years has been replaced by a focus on sustainability, hyper-localization, and AI-driven player protection. From the finalization of the PROGA framework in India to the massive turnover records set by World Pool, the market is no longer just growing—it is maturing.
The Rise of “Explainable AI” in Player Retention
In 2026, AI has moved beyond simple game recommendations. Leading operators are now utilizing “Explainable AI” (XAI) to bridge the gap between engagement and compliance. Unlike traditional “black box” algorithms, XAI allows operators to understand why a player is being flagged for risky behavior or why a specific loyalty nudge was triggered.
This transparency is critical for maintaining trust in highly regulated markets like the UK and Ontario, where the UKGC’s 2026 Social Responsibility updates now demand more rigorous evidence of proactive player interaction.
“Originals” and the Rebirth of Video Poker
While high-volatility slots like Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin
continue to dominate headlines, a significant shift is occurring in the “non-slots” vertical.
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The PowerPoker
Revolution: Strategic partnerships, such as the recent QTech Games and Speedy Tomatoes deal, are revitalizing video poker. By adding features like “Swap-A-Card,” these games are capturing high-value player segments who prioritize skill and strategy. -
Branded Originals: Platforms like MINT are proving that “Originals” (Mines, Crash, and Plinko) are no longer secondary products. Fully brandable house games are now a core foundation for crypto-first and Web3 operators, driving session frequency through provably fair mechanics.
Brazil and Ontario: The Battle for Market Supremacy
The geographic focus for 2026 remains firmly on Brazil and Ontario.
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Brazil’s Advertising Evolution: With the newly regulated market in full swing, groups like Esportes Gaming Brasil joining IAB Brasil signal a shift toward responsible communication. Advertising is now a tool for helping consumers identify licensed platforms, moving away from aggressive acquisition tactics.
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Ontario’s Content War: The region has become North America’s most dynamic hub. Agreements like the Peter & Sons and Casino Time deal highlight the demand for “indie-inspired” content that stands out in a saturated market.
Conclusion: The “Champion Mindset” for 2026
Success this year isn’t about volume; it’s about coherence. As highlighted by GR8 Tech’s “Champions Club” initiative for ICE Barcelona, the operators winning in 2026 are those who treat technology as a performance ecosystem. By aligning real-time data with compliant storytelling, brands are finding that “trust” is the most valuable currency in the modern iGaming world.
The post 2026 iGaming Outlook: Regulation, AI Personalization, and the Return of “Originals” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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