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SOFTSWISS Founder Ivan Montik Turns 40 – Interview
SOFTSWISS Founder Ivan Montik turned 40 in January. He agreed to talk to us about this milestone in his life, about his career and his experience of managing a company.
You are the Founder of one of the most successful software gambling companies in the world, which now has more than 1,000 employees. Could you imagine something like this in your 20s and what key decisions led you to your current role?
I actually imagined something like this when I started SOFTSWISS as a small custom software development company in 2009. Growing it to 1,000 employees was not a coincidence but a result of the long-term strategy and hard work of many like-minded people. Without thinking big, you’ll never grow big. When we founded SOFTSWISS, it wasn’t just to make a living (although profit was an important goal) but to create a company that would stand out among the competition with its quality of services and become a well-known name on the market.
There were many decisions made on the way. Switching from custom software development to creating our own products was an important step, and of course entering the iGaming industry played a crucial role. We didn’t just create a quality software platform, but developed our own White Label Solution, a unique service at that time. It brought us our first clients, casino operators, and some of them became key players in the market and contributed greatly to our mutual success.
Integrating cryptocurrencies into our software was another important decision and a turning point in the history of SOFTSWISS. We were the first company to offer a Crypto Casino Solution to the market. Becoming a pioneer in crypto gaming, we took a special place in the industry and made it a large part of our current business.
Launching various microservices and developing them into separate brands was a series of right decisions, too. Now we have such successful products, as a game studio, game aggregator, affiliate system, and payment provider, all functioning as standalone solutions and contributing to the brand’s overall success.
Finally, partnering with people who have been beside me in good and bad times, working with me on the most challenging tasks and showing their trust has definitely helped to lead the company to where we are now.
You have mentioned many times in interviews that you have a degree in economics but not IT, nevertheless, you have managed to build one of the most innovative companies in the online gambling industry. In your experience, in order to create a successful and, most importantly, in-demand product, which background is more important?
Although economics and management were in focus during my university years, computer science and programming were also there. It’s been my long standing passion. When I was at school, I sold my piano to purchase my first computer and learn the basics of programming on my own. This passion played an important role in choosing what business to do and helped me make many useful contacts among technical gurus. However, to lead a company to success, it was more important to have a business vision. You need to have an understanding of how to organise people and establish effective working processes. The knowledge of economics and management is very helpful here, but it’s also about personal qualities, such as the ability to take risks, evaluate partnerships and pursue business ideas which you believe are worth pursuing.
What obstacles have you faced during the creation and development of SOFTSWISS? Tell us about the most difficult personal and professional challenges you have had to overcome.
Entering the iGaming market was a risky idea on its own, as our team had no prior experience in this area and we were almost unaware of how complex it was. The conclusion I made was that ignorance is bliss as it keeps us connected to real-time challenges and helps tackle problems fearlessly. I learned all aspects of the industry from scratch, from the principles and requirements of gambling jurisdictions to the technical details of casino payment processing, to the peculiarities of the local gaming markets and player preferencences. It was my biggest personal challenge, but acquiring this knowledge has made the most positive impact on business.
Another challenge I faced several times in the company’s history was managing partnerships. When you grow big and do successful business, you become very noticeable and people start thinking about how they can become part of your success. Some of them are really eager to contribute their knowledge and/or money and establish a fair and mutually beneficial relationship, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. Others just want to jump in and take advantage of the company without any real contribution. I’ve had several negative experiences with unscrupulous partners who have had a destructive impact on the business, but we managed to overcome it. In the end, it made all of us stronger and taught us to be more picky when it comes to investment and partnership offers.
Having achieved success, it is sometimes difficult to maintain the same rhythm and not be tempted to relax and reap the rewards of your work. Where do you find points of growth and motivation to develop yourself?
I have several sources of motivation that help me stay tuned. First of all, I follow the example of the outstanding people who have reached much bigger success than myself and still haven’t stopped climbing new heights. I’m talking about the leaders of such giants, as Amazon and Google, but there are also people in our industry who I admire. The desire to stay on top of the competition is a strong driving force. iGaming is a fast changing market with new strong players appearing every day and evolving trends. If we stop and relax, it won’t take them long to take our market share.
The responsibility for the people who work with us, supporting them in their career and providing growth opportunities is another strong driving force for me. They joined SOFTSWISS and shared our corporate goals to become part of the common success, and I’m not allowed to let them down.
Finally, my passion for innovation doesn’t let me stop at where we are. There are so many new areas to explore, both within the iGaming industry and outside of it, and so many new projects to investigate. With the opportunities I have now, I can’t help taking on new technological challenges and investing into innovation.
What was your approach as a manager towards driving SOFTSWISS to success? Tell us about your managerial principles and practises. Were there any surprising revelations over the several years of managing your own company?
My main approach is staying flexible in all situations. You can’t manage the company of 1,000 people the same way you did when there were just 10. When it all just started, I was interviewing each new candidate myself before making them the final job offer. It was extremely important for me that our employees shared my personal values, that we were on the same page. It hasn’t changed much and I’m still worried about sharing the corporate culture, but I already can’t interview each employee. So I make sure that the C-level management are the people I trust, and it’s their responsibility now to communicate the corporate culture to others.
I’m also a big supporter of the agile approach and at SOFTSWISS we try to organise our daily routine according to agile practices. From the very beginning, even before I knew what agile meant, I intuitively understood that people were our biggest asset and tried to empower each employee to take decisions and act quickly. Now, with over 1,000 employees and with our industry changing so quickly, I know it’s the only way to stay competitive. So I trust people and motivate them to take the responsibility by showing how unlimited their growth opportunities are. I noticed that when people get an opportunity to participate in the company’s profit, it’s a much better motivation than a high salary on its own. So we try to empower everyone to become part of the common success story.
Talking about the personal part of the subject, does managing such a company leave time for your personal life?
Finding a balance between work and life is just a myth, I think. It’s a never ending battle. However, practice makes perfect, and I think I found some tricks that help me combine both so that neither suffers too much. I used to have some difficulties with delegating responsibility, trying to accomplish all tasks on my own quickly rather than explaining it to somebody and facing unfulfilled expectations afterwards. I’ve worked on it and noticed that wise delegation saves so much time. I concentrate on the strategically important things now and let people I trust do other tasks.
Setting priorities is also important. For me, health is the top priority and sport is the only way to stay healthy. I do boxing and it keeps me sane both physically and mentally. Combined with the Russian sauna, it gives amazing results. Also, I never miss an opportunity to build new neural connections in my brain by learning something new. My latest achievement is snowboarding. Besides sports, time with family and friends is what makes me feel happy and complete.
Looking back on the four decades behind you, do you think you have become wiser and now make better decisions from both a managerial and a personal point of view?
I’ve definitely become wiser. Although I’m still demanding a lot from the people I work with, I’m less of a perfectionist today and I don’t expect it from my employees. As I said before, I’ve become more cautious in choosing partners and going into business relationships. Unfortunately, it’s the effect of some wrong decisions made in the past, but learning from my own mistakes is also an achievement. I still believe that it’s more important to take a risk and make a mistake than not to take a risk and miss a chance. So I can always forgive mistakes but I rarely forgive missed chances.
Finally, where to next? Has turning 40 changed anything? Do you feel just as energetic and motivated as before, looking for further ventures, or do you have other ambitions in mind?
I feel as motivated and energetic as I never did before. Life only starts at 40, doesn’t it? I have the experience, resources and people by my side to pursue new ventures. There are several exciting projects in the pipeline now, both for SOFTSWISS and outside of it. I’ll continue investing in innovation and supporting fresh ideas because this means investing in the future.
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Every year, the AskGamblers Awards bring together the leading minds of the iGaming world to spotlight the most impactful brands and standout professionals in the industry. Held in Belgrade, the 2025 edition once again celebrated innovation, growth, and excellence across the affiliate and online casino space.
Among the winners was Kristina Shkredova, Affiliate Team Lead at Boomerang Partners. She was named Best Affiliate Manager by the AskGamblers expert jury — a title awarded to standout leaders who deliver results and put partners first.
The Role of Personality
Kristina’s victory in the prestigious Best Affiliate Manager 2025 award confirms the axiom that the importance of personalities in the success of iGaming brands is undeniable. She has been with Boomerang Partners since its inception as a marketing agency and has become one of the brightest personalities in the industry.
Kristina Shkredova: “I am thrilled to receive the Best Affiliate Manager award and would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Nikola, the AskGambler’s account manager assigned to me, as well as to the entire AskGamblers team. This accolade is not just a professional achievement but a testament to our beautiful partnership, founded on shared values, aspirations, and a mutual sense of humor.
Having been with Boomerang Partners since the very beginning, I feel profound and deep love for our affiliate marketing agency and am honored to be a part of this incredible journey. I am immensely proud of the work we have done and eagerly anticipate the new peaks we are set to conquer.”
Successful Cases
Industry experts know that the affiliate marketing sector is highly competitive. That’s why many people opt for tried-and-tested strategies, even though they don’t guarantee success. However, Kristina’s experience shows that the willingness to take risks and set ambitious goals — ones that might initially seem unrealistic — can pay off.
Her portfolio includes several instances of partnering with affiliates who had no prior experience with sports traffic. These partners recognized the risk of venturing into an unfamiliar area. Yet, the strong partnership with Kristina and the backing from Boomerang Partners persuaded them that it was worth the attempt.
The outcome? These partners are now generating significant volumes of sports traffic, having tapped into a vast ocean of opportunities. They have no regrets about leaping.
Trends and Development of the Affiliate Marketing Industry
The development of modern technologies has a profound impact on the industry and the competitiveness of brands. Kristina’s work clearly shows that it is not only technology and a variety of offers that contribute to success. She believes that the key trend is maximum sincerity and openness in communication with partners. This enables the establishment of long-term, trusting working relationships and fosters a loyal base of partners.
Speaking of loyal partners, Kristina highlights another interesting trend. She notes that companies in the industry are now demonstrating greater creativity in organizing joint activities with their partners. These activities include, for example, joint retreats, trips, and dinners that are transformed into spectacular shows. This helps bring the parties closer together.
Boomerang Partners, by the way, has its own unique initiative that fosters an exceptional approach to partners: the annual global traffic tournament, the Golden Boomerang Awards.
From February to May 2025, Boomerang Partners hosted the second season of the Golden Boomerang Awards. Compared to the first season, the number of participating teams from around the world increased from 226 to over 400. Awards were presented in 11 categories, and the award ceremony took place at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, thanks to Boomerang’s strategic partnership with the renowned AC Milan. For affiliates, this event was truly unforgettable, as the ceremony was combined with a networking event.
Kristina predicts a significant surge in the demand for sports traffic. Many brands in Boomerang Partners’ portfolio are already focusing on it, and the agency is open to collaboration opportunities in this space.
In 2024, Boomerang Partners saw a remarkable +194% growth in sports traffic across its affiliate ecosystem, along with a +120% year-over-year increase in new affiliate sign-ups. The agency’s effectiveness is undeniable, and Kristina plays a crucial role in driving these successes.
The Role of the Team and the Boomerang Partners’ Culture
It’s essential to note that Kristina’s victory is not solely a result of her personal qualities, but also the environment in which she works. Boomerang Partners fosters a culture that encourages the development of strong industry knowledge in affiliate managers and nurtures their leadership skills. Each team member can rely on internal support, flexibility in problem-solving and goal-setting, as well as active involvement in business processes. This collaborative environment contributes to efficient work and tangible results.
What’s Next
Kristina is honored to receive the Best Affiliate Manager 2025 award from AskGamblers, but she recognizes that there is still much work to be done. Boomerang Partners regularly participates in major industry events, showcasing its presence with a dedicated booth. Kristina actively attends these events, always prepared to engage with potential partners. She’s now focused on new partnerships and strategic moves that will help Boomerang Partners stay ahead as a top-tier sports affiliate program.
The post Winning Best Affiliate Manager: What It Really Takes to Win in iGaming 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Health and Social Care practitioners saw a 72% increase in their ability to recognise gaming and gambling harms in children and young people after completing Ygam’s training, an independent evaluation has revealed.
The independent evaluation, conducted by Rocket Science, highlights the ‘vital role’ of Ygam’s programme in equipping practitioners with the knowledge and tools to recognise, support, and signpost those at risk. It emphasises the importance of Ygam’s work as many practitioners initially have limited awareness of the risks that gaming and gambling can pose to children and young people.
The report reveals data that shows that, in 2024, Ygam not only frequently met, but also exceeded, its monthly targets in relation to the children and young people reach of trained delegates, achieving an overall reach of 166% of the intended target. Ygam trained 1,957 practitioners reaching an estimated 199,467 children and young people. Key deliveries of the training included clinical and non-clinical staff at Alder Hey Children’s and frontline teams at the children’s mental health charity Place2Be.
The evaluation provides strong evidence that Ygam’s training is highly effective and well-suited for Health and Social Care practitioners. Participants reported significantly increased knowledge of gaming and gambling harms after completing the training. The findings also indicate that the programme enhances practitioners’ ability to recognise the signs of harm in children and young people, as well as their confidence in signposting and offering appropriate support when concerns arise.
Data collect from pre, and post workshop surveys showed their knowledge of gaming and gambling harms increased from 14.8% to 95.1%. There was also strong evidence to suggest their confidence in communicating with children and young people about gaming and gambling had increased (from 20.4% to 91.9%), as well as their ability to signpost and support those who may be experiencing harm (from 18.5% to 92.8%).
The evidence also suggests that the increase in knowledge is enduring insofar as most respondents reported high levels of knowledge regarding gambling and gaming in children and young people at both three months (57.8%) and six months (75.0%) following the workshop.
The evaluation also presented Ygam with some recommendations to enhance the reach and effectiveness of the programme. These include expanding training access to a wider range of frontline professionals, integrating content into existing safeguarding and mental health frameworks, and developing tailored resources for specific practitioner groups.
Sandy Thompson, Programme Lead for Health and Social care at Ygam, said:
“Being evidence-led is at the heart of everything we do. This evaluation does not just depict our impact but emphasises our heightened focus on reflection and improvement. Over the past year, we’ve embedded rigorous evaluation into every stage of programme delivery to ensure our work is both effective and responsive to the needs of health care practitioners and the young people they support.
“These insights have shaped our approach, informed our partnerships, and strengthened our commitment to continuous growth. As we look ahead, this evidence base will continue to guide our efforts to scale impact and drive meaningful change in the prevention of gaming and gambling harms.”
The post Independent evaluation shows Ygam training is ‘highly effective’ for practitioners appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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FBM Foundation donates an ambulance to improve accessible health care at the Baliwag City Hemodialysis Center
In a significant step towards accessible healthcare, the FBM Foundation joins forces with Alagang Estrella to empower the Baliwag City Hemodialysis Center (BCHC). As the first public-private health partnership in Central Luzon, BHCH benefits from this gesture and gets the chance to offer improved healthcare services to the local community.
The FBM Foundation reaffirms its commitment to community responsibility through its latest initiative, which aims to improve access to essential health services for those in need. The corporate social responsibility project of the FBM Group has partnered with Alagang Estrella to effectively carry out this mission.
The Alagang Estrella, a public service campaign led by Mayor Sonia Estrella and Vice Mayor Ferdie Estrella of Baliwag, Bulacan, delivers compassionate and proactive programs for the community. From health services to education, it aims to uplift the lives of every Baliwagenyo. BCHC, one of its key beneficiaries, is a modern dialysis facility that provides life-saving treatment to underprivileged patients in the area.
Mr. Philip Lim, President, and Ms. Anj Martinez, Vice President of the Baliwag Hemodialysis Center, were also present during the ambulance turnover ceremony and distribution of goods. Their presence highlighted the center’s strong partnership with the FBM Foundation and their shared commitment to improving the lives of dialysis patients in Baliwag. Mr. Allan Concepcion, General Manager of 5Seasons, also joined the event in support of the foundation’s ongoing efforts. His participation reflects the growing collaboration between the private sector and community-driven initiatives in advancing accessible healthcare for all.
The Baliwag City Hemodialysis Center is now one of the beneficiaries of this public campaign. This state-of-the-art dialysis facility, located in Baliwag, Bulacan, offers modern dialysis services, especially for financially challenged residents of the city. With a focus on improving healthcare services for the local community, the BCHC demonstrates the city’s commitment to providing compassionate and accessible healthcare to its citizens.
One ambulance with healing effects on thousands of lives
On July 14 2025, in collaboration with Alagang Estrella and 10 dedicated FBM Foundation volunteers, FBM Foundation donates an ambulance to ensure more convenient transportation for BCHC’s dialysis patients. This second ambulance donation by the FBM Foundation marks the continuous commitment and contribution of the project to facilitate better access to healthcare services.
The ambulance will be a safe and reliable vehicle for dialysis patients, ensuring timely access to medical services and easing the hassle of transportation.
“At FBM Foundation, we believe that access to healthcare is a right, not a privilege. This ambulance donation it’s a commitment to life, dignity, and hope for the communities that need it most.”, mentioned Pepe Costa, FBM Foundation’s Representative in the Philippines.
The FBM Foundation and Alagang Estrella’s collaboration is a testament to genuine public service, highlighting the shared hope in helping the Baliwag community. Both projects contribute to shedding light amidst the challenges in healthcare provision, strengthening the core of modern dialysis given by BCHC. This collaborative initiative contributes to community improvement visibly and aims to inspire future projects, challenging more people to lend a helping hand.
FBM Foundation continues its mission to create a lasting impact by promoting growth and well-being in communities around the world.
The post FBM Foundation donates an ambulance to improve accessible health care at the Baliwag City Hemodialysis Center appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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