Cafrino Gaming is entering a new phase of commercial expansion, and it starts with leadership.

We’re excited to welcome Stephen A. Crystal as Chief Commercial Officer of Cafrino Gaming, a move that brings one of the most experienced and globally connected leaders in the gaming industry directly into our growth strategy.

With more than three decades at the forefront of gaming innovation, Stephen has played a pivotal role in shaping everything from tribal and riverboat gaming to modern iGaming and sports betting ecosystems. His career spans the ownership of iconic Las Vegas properties, the development of U.S. operations for major international bookmakers, and the execution of over $3 billion in project finance, M&A, and gaming technology initiatives.

As Founder of SCCG Management, Stephen has built one of the most respected advisory firms in the industry, supporting more than 120 client partners across 100+ countries. His work has consistently focused on scaling emerging technologies, unlocking new markets, and building high-impact partnerships across the global gaming landscape.

Now, he brings that experience directly to Cafrino.

A Leadership Move Built for Scale

Stephen’s appointment marks a strategic step forward as Cafrino accelerates its global commercial efforts.

In his role as Chief Commercial Officer, he will lead:

• Global commercial strategy and revenue growth
• Strategic partnerships and market expansion
• Key account development and deal execution

His experience building large-scale distribution networks and navigating complex gaming markets positions Cafrino to expand faster, partner smarter, and execute at a higher level across regions.

This is not just about adding leadership, it’s about embedding proven global execution into the core of Cafrino’s growth engine.

Aligning Vision with Opportunity

Throughout his career, Stephen has consistently been at the center of industry evolution, from early casino development to today’s rapidly expanding digital gaming ecosystem.

He has secured major partnerships with professional sports organizations, helped establish sports betting frameworks within tribal markets, and worked across both emerging and regulated jurisdictions worldwide.

That perspective is critical as Cafrino continues to scale its poker platform across:

• Social and free-to-play environments
• Sweepstakes and promotional models
• Crypto and Web3 gaming platforms
• Real-money gaming operators

With a deep understanding of both legacy gaming infrastructure and next-generation technology, Stephen’s leadership helps bridge where the industry has been with where it’s going.

Powering the Next Phase of Cafrino Gaming

Cafrino’s poker platform has already reached more than 2 million players, supporting experiences for globally recognized brands including WWE, Hustler Casino, South Point Casino, and CardPlayer Poker.

As demand for flexible, scalable poker solutions continues to grow, Cafrino is focused on expanding its reach and strengthening its position as a leading provider of poker technology for operators worldwide.

Bringing Stephen Crystal into the organization is a clear signal of that direction.

Looking Ahead

This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Cafrino Gaming.

With Stephen leading commercial strategy, we are positioned to accelerate growth, deepen partnerships, and expand into new markets with greater precision and impact.

We’re excited for what’s ahead, and we’re just getting started.

BETBY,  the leading sportsbook supplier, has announced the launch of “90s”, a new genre within its proprietary esports feed, BETBY Games, bringing exclusive retro-inspired content to operators and players.

Designed around the look and feel of classic 90s video games, the new genre introduces a lineup of e-sims that take players back to the pixel era, combining retro-inspired visuals with the simplicity and high-frequency betting mechanics that define BETBY Games. While many modern esports products focus on realism and

advanced graphics, 90s takes a different approach by returning to the roots of gaming, transforming familiar retro aesthetics into a fully optimised betting experience.

The launch responds to a growing demand for greater content variety within sportsbook environments, particularly products that can deliver constant engagement beyond traditional live sports schedules.

With 1-minute match formats, 24/7 availability, and quick settlements, “90s” is designed to offer operators a new layer of always-on entertainment while maintaining the speed and betting intensity that define BETBY.Games.

One of the key strengths of “90s” lies in its distinctive positioning within the modern iGaming market.

By bringing retro-inspired game formats into a fully betting-ready environment, BETBY is offering operators access to a type of content that is rarely available today, creating a differentiated experience inspired by the iconic titles and visual style that shaped a generation of players.

The first wave of titles includes eBasketball’98, eBaseball’95, eTennis’89, and eFighting’93, each bringing its own distinctive retro identity while being fully integrated with modern betting mechanics.

The collection covers a mix of major sports and fighting content, combining familiar retro gaming cues with formats built specifically for sportsbook performance.

eFighting’93 introduces a format that complements BETBY Games’ existing eFighting portfolio, offering fast-paced matchups and simple winner markets across 6,000 monthly matches.

eBasketball’98 delivers a dynamic format featuring a high-speed 1v1 shootout between two players at a single hoop.

Bettors can place wagers on the top scorer, point handicaps, total points, and individual point counts, with the title delivering 6,000 matches per month. eBaseball’95 condenses baseball into a

high-intensity 1-inning format, offering 5,000 monthly events across 1×2, handicap, and totals markets. Completing the lineup, eTennis’89 brings an ultra-fast tennis format focused on single-game action, with 6,000 monthly matches and winner markets.

Inspired by the visual identity of the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, “90s” creates a product that feels instantly recognisable to players who grew up with this style of gaming, while also offering younger audiences a distinctive and visually engaging alternative to conventional esports content.

“90s is an exciting new direction for BETBY Games because it brings something completely different to sportsbooks,” said Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY.

“There is still a very strong emotional connection around retro games, from the pixel art to the sounds and the simplicity of the gameplay.

We wanted to take that nostalgia and transform it into a product that works for modern betting: fast, clear, engaging, and available around the clock.”

“Our goal was to increase content diversity for our partners. Operators need engagement tools that work 24/7, and the “90s” genre provides a unique, fast-paced solution.

This initial launch is just the start, as we will continue to expand the portfolio with a wider mix of 90s-themed sports and casual titles,” he added.

The launch of 90s further strengthens BETBY.Games’ position as one of the most innovative proprietary esports feeds in the market, offering operators a broad portfolio of fast-betting content designed to drive engagement, increase event volume, and deliver a differentiated sportsbook experience.

BETBY

 BETBY is a leading B2B provider of top-tier sports betting services, renowned for its groundbreaking technology and dedication to excellence.

BETBY’s team of industry veterans tap into their knowledge and expertise to deliver a premium, adaptable, and scalable sportsbook platform tailored to meet the varied demands of operators across the globe.

From dynamic in-play betting options to robust risk management tools and ground-breaking AI tools, BETBY is committed to propelling the success of its partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of online sports betting.

RESPWNED, the company that manages the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand, and LOTUS 8, a Canada-based company focused on event development and partnerships, today announced their partnership to the launch of the GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival.

The strategic partnership marks a significant step in expanding the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand into Canada.

This brings its globally recognized platform for competitive gaming, inclusivity, and industry engagement to a new market.

The GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival is envisioned as a family-oriented event, with business networking, brand activations, and community-driven experiences.

Under the terms of the agreement, RESPWNED and LOTUS 8 will work collaboratively to develop and deliver the event, combining their respective expertise in global esports IP management, event production, commercial partnerships, and local market execution.

“This partnership represents an exciting milestone for GIRLGAMER as we continue to expand globally and bring our platform to new audiences,” said Tiago Fernandes, Managing Partner at RESPWNED.

“Canada is a dynamic and fast-growing Esports market, and we are proud to collaborate with LOTUS 8 to deliver a meaningful and impactful event experience.”

Steven Vuong, representing LOTUS 8, added: “We are thrilled to partner with RESPWNED to bring the GIRLGAMER Festival to Canada.

This collaboration reflects a shared vision of building inclusive, high-quality esports experiences while creating strong commercial and community value.

Together, we are laying the foundation for a standout event in 2026.”

The GIRLGAMER Winnipeg Festival will feature a combination of international and local talent, brand partnerships, and programming designed to foster diversity, inclusion, and innovation within the gaming and esports ecosystem.

Further details, including dates, venue, and participating partners, will be announced in the coming months. 

RESPWNED LTD

RESPWNED is a United Kingdom-based company specializing in esports IP management, event production, and industry consultancy.

The company manages the GIRLGAMER Esports Festival brand, a global platform dedicated to creating opportunities and visibility for women in gaming and esports.

LOTUS 8

LOTUS 8 is a Canada-based premier esports organization based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dedicated to building championship-calibre teams across North America, they are at the forefront of innovation in competitive gaming.

As pioneers in the industry, they have developed the Performance Mindset Mindfulness, a system designed to support mental health in esports.

This holistic approach blends mental wellness practices, meditation, nutrition, fitness, and proper sleep hygiene into their competitive strategy.