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Exclusive Q&A with Mike Fox, CFO at Crystal WG
Q. Let us start with a quick intro of yourself for starters. Could you briefly describe your career?
A. I have 20 years’ experience in the gambling industry. For more than 10 years, I worked as the Group CFO of Euronext listed company Thunderbirds Resorts in Panama. I was lucky enough to work on some fantastic land-based casino projects in several emerging markets. At the time, the group operated 30 casinos and 10 hotels with 5,000 employees in the Philippines, Panama, Peru, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
I played an integral role in helping expand our remit, opening two large properties in the Philippines – one included a hotel, golf course and casino and the other a hotel and casino. In Lima, Peru the group purchased six hotels and opened a flagship casino in the heart of Miraflores along with acquiring several slot parlors around the country. In Costa Rica, the group opened a flagship casino adjacent to the International Airport and subsequently several more casinos. In Panama, the group operated six casinos. At the time these properties were built, they were the best casino products to enter the markets.
In 2015, I joined Crystal Wealth Group to offer my financial consulting and investment experience for casinos, iGaming and the crypto/NFT space before helping launch new online casino BetCoco this year.
Q. You are a veteran casino professional. How challenging is a shift to the online casino segment?
A. One key difference is the ability to reach a global audience using the power of the internet. This is where a lot of time is spent with every territory we target in making sure we match the specific compliance requirements and own the correct operating licences to be able to offer our product to specific regions.
However, whether it’s land-based or online, the premise of operating a casino brand remains the same. If you can provide a service that surpasses customers’ expectations and offers them an experience that they cannot get anywhere else, they will return.
This is something we have focused on heavily in our design of BetCoco.
Q. Tell us about BetCoco. What are the immediate objectives of the company? Could you also tell us quickly about your job brief.
A. BetCoco is a fun brand that offers the best-in-class player experience with the leading games and services that the industry has to offer. Innovation is at the foundation of everything we do through creating the best features to continuously improve our user experience.
We initially launched in cryptocurrency, yet now offer fiat. One of our immediate objectives is to onboard new customers from the territories where we are operational. We are going to be working with the industry’s top affiliates and media partners to bring quality traffic to our site in every location we are situated.
My role is to facilitate this by focusing our investments on markets that are not necessarily saturated with competitors where our players get excited about a new brand with attractive bonus and loyalty programs.
Q. Could you now talk about your digital marketing strategies and the benefits that customers are going to get from BetCoco?
A. We’re quickly deploying exciting paid media marketing and affiliate campaigns to let the markets know about us such as in Brazil we are partnering with the top affiliates in the market to promote our recurring bonus offers.
We also have a very clear approach to making customer satisfaction one of our key goals. For instance, our aggressive customer bonus plan with 100% bonus up to 0.5BTC is designed to attract keen crypto players – and now we are on the verge of releasing industry-best bonus rewards for fiat customers.
Q. According to your recent press release, BetCoco wants to bring back “more thrill” for customers, which is something that “iGaming operators have lost in their brand promotions in recent years”. Could you elaborate a bit on this point?
A. We think some of the bigger operators with a large market share lose touch sometimes of what will attract players that are new to online gaming. Especially, in emerging markets like Latin America, Asia and Africa, we plan to be the trusted brand that excites new players to begin their online journey into iGaming.
Q. What are the features BetCoco offers as of now and in which markets they are available?
A. We have created a best-in-class suite of tech with our iGaming software platform integrated with the best gaming providers, My Affiliates for affiliate management and Customer.io for CRM. Our intention is to give our players a first-class betting experience and a seamless user journey. This includes making them feel special and appreciated with our special offers and VIP treatment.
We understand that some of our users enjoy the feeling of betting next to friends / other users. So, we are offering exclusive live tournaments and daily challenges and leaderboards with new games announced weekly. Our platform allows players to collect loyalty points and redeem for special rewards and prizes.
Q. Could you outline the new initiatives of BetCoco that are in the pipeline and likely to roll out in the next two years?
A. Our group is the process of launching new sites under a Malta license that will allow us to enter higher value markets. We are also acquiring best in class technology to continue to build additional brands under Malta licensing using our own CMS platform to allow complete control over the customization of our sites for each market.
Thanks to the metaverse and advanced VR Technology, players can now visit physical casinos from the comfort of their homes. We plan to have all kind of VR Games – Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, Game Shows, and even a Sports betting room, where the player can wager on a sports match and stay to watch the game next to other users, just like in Vegas! For this, player just needs to have a VR headset.
We have built relationships with the world’s best metaverse and VR tech companies and will integrate this technology into our brands over time.
We also plan to offer the ability to mint NFT slot machines with a shared revenue model and NFT player passes with in-app purchases.
Q. You plan to enter new markets, especially in Africa and Asia. What are your plans to tackle the fluid state of regulation in many of the African and Asian countries, with respect to cryptocurrency. For example, in India, a potentially large market, the legal stature of cryptocurrencies is in a disputed state. What will be your strategy?
A. While our view of the markets is worldwide, including Asia and Africa, we also see solid opportunities to secure country level licensing in places like Peru and Colombia. In addition, in the short term, we plan a major push in Brazil during the World Cup period. Since we have a presence in Latin America, for example, it allows us to understand better the local players and create brands that appeal to the particulars of each market.
Q. Finally, what is your take on the future of igaming segment, especially in relation to advances in technology such as machine learning and block chain?
A. Artificial intelligence and machine learning is becoming and will be a very important part of the iGaming industry in years to come.
From better understanding user experience through advanced data sets to more complex security measures via anti-money laundering detection software to faster transaction speeds via blockchain-powered cryptocurrencies, the advancements in technology can benefit the industry in so many ways – and it’s still growing.
These developments allow us to operate in a sector that is safer, more enjoyable and just generally more informed. For instance, with machine learning, we can hone the information we have on our customers to create better experiences. With blockchain, we can offer users the most streamlined and frictionless approach to playing.
As technology is always evolving, part of our mission is to evolve with it, so our players can enjoy the best and most advanced gaming. To bolster customer experience, we are already looking at planning to design and incorporate our own VR Games on-site. These games will be available in 1st person view, as well as in 3rd person view. Our VR Casino Games will offer players the most immersive experience on the market.
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Sports betting is becoming a key driver of affiliate growth — it’s a global trend, and Boomerang Partners reveals the latest insights behind this evolution.
Sports betting has evolved significantly in recent years. Now, it is a serious separate direction in affiliate traffic, bringing top profits. Boomerang Partners, a rapidly growing global brand and organizer of the tournament for affiliate teams – the Golden Boomerang Awards, has analyzed the evolution of this business direction and shared its insights.
It’s a thing of the past: simple Sportsbook sites, limited payment methods, and basic betting options
Evolution touches every aspect of human activity, and sports betting is no exception. Previously, bookmakers offered their users simple website functionality so they could focus their attention only on betting opportunities. The range of markets was much more modest than it is now.
Payment options for deposits and withdrawals were also quite limited compared to today, often causing inconvenience for users. Users had to choose from a few options for transferring funds, and it was not always convenient for them.
Current trends: focus on dynamics, privacy, and modern technology
Today, the betting industry is booming thanks to live betting, where users place wagers in real time. The rapid development of the mobile app segment makes it possible to place bets wherever one likes. Users also appreciate dynamically changing odds and the ability to watch match streams on betting platforms to adjust their predictions. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to calculate odds, making them more accurate and adaptive.
Modern technologies have expanded the range of payment methods available, with the integration of cryptocurrencies opening new possibilities for fast, secure, and anonymous transactions. Another notable trend is the introduction of social functions into the work of Sportsbooks. For example, holding tournaments with prize pools adds an element of interaction and competition between players.
Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 as an opportunity to succeed through sports traffic
Sports betting is now an important area that can significantly impact traffic growth. Boomerang Partners is currently running its second annual global Golden Boomerang Awards 2025. Its participants compete for monthly prizes and awards in 11 categories, including a Grand Prix. This year, for the first time, organizers have introduced two separate leaderboards: one for sports and one for casino traffic. Registration is open until May 5, and all interested affiliate teams have time to join and compete for awards.
Also, as part of the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025, Boomerang Partners is holding a special raffle with prizes to coincide with the Champions League semifinals. The tournament will run until May 11. If you register now, you can get into the prize draw, which will take place on May 3. The top 30 teams at the end of the tournament will go to Milan to the iconic San Siro stadium.
Join the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025
About Boomerang
Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan and collaborates with women’s football star and influencer Alisha Lehmann. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards 2024, the first annual global affiliate tournament. Boomerang Partners’ betting segment surged 5x, and gambling — 2x in 2024. Its affiliate program demonstrated a 120% increase in partners, and the number of sports betting offers surged more than 6 times. Six new products were launched by Boomerang in 2024, which contributed to an almost 1.5-fold increase in product users.
Boomerang’s portfolio contains 15+ gambling brands, including sportsbooks. They cover over 35 GEOs and offer a wide range of betting options with favorable odds. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.
The post Boomerang’s insights: The evolution of sports betting traffic appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Team Vitality launches RushBee: Creative media agency dedicated to helping brands shape the future of entertainment
Team Vitality, one of the world’s leading esports clubs, is excited to announce the launch of RushBee, a new marketing agency designed to deliver high-impact, culturally relevant campaigns. Built to meet the evolving expectations of Gen Z and Alpha, RushBee helps brands craft authentic narratives that drive engagement across gaming, entertainment, and pop culture.
Building on over a decade of Team Vitality’s expertise in building online communities and partnering with top content creators, RushBee offers brands a unique gateway into emerging digital behaviours and trends. The agency specializes in immersive, social-first brand experiences that connect meaningfully with digital-native audiences.
While rooted in the gaming culture, RushBee’s ambitions go beyond the esports sector, aiming to help brands engage with next-gen audiences across traditional and media industries, creating immersive,social-first brand experiences, designed for Gen Z and Alpha.
RUSHBEE: THE AGENCY SERVING BRANDS IN TODAY’S FAST-MOVING DIGITAL WORLD
With over 3.3 billion gamers worldwide, younger generations are shifting their attention from traditional media to new platforms such as Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube. Video games and social media are now the pillars of contemporary pop culture and the brands looking to connect meaningfully with Gen Z and Alpha, must embrace this cultural phenomenon to be successful.
RushBee has been launched to help brands navigate this cultural phenomenon with authenticity, speed, and creative edge. With a team of experts in strategy, production and creation, RushBee will deliver standout brand stories that resonate across platforms and generations to help brands cut through the noise, offering complete support on four major key pillars including:
- Brand strategy: Connect brands with the new generation of consumers who shape trends and spark cultural conversations – turning attention into long-term affinity.
- Creative factory: From idea to execution, crafting bold, original campaigns that cut through the noise and come to life across every channel.
- Growth media: Design data-led, tailor-made media strategies that reach the right audience, spark engagement, and drive measurable results.
- Experiential: Building immersive, innovative brand experiences that captivate all types of audiences and create lasting emotional impact.
Under the leadership of François-Xavier Roux – an expert in creative industries and artistic production with a background at M6 Music, Paramount Media Networks, and Endemol – RushBee is positioning itself as a new force in cultural marketing. “Through RushBee, we want to channel the expertise we’ve developed in esports to service more traditional brands,” explains François-Xavier. “The high expectations of gaming and esports communities have pushed us to move faster, think sharper, and execute with greater precision than traditional agencies, especially when it comes to creativity and data. RushBee is uniquely equipped to tell powerful stories and help brands create bold, engaging campaigns that resonate.”
Drawing on his deep experience in brand strategy and the production of high-impact content, François-Xavier will guide brands across the entire value chain, from strategic consulting and creative campaigns to immersive activations, talent partnerships, and the production of innovative formats.
TEAM VITALITY PROVIDES PREMIUM SUPPORT TO BRANDS
Leveraging a network of partners including ALDI, NESCAFÉ LATTE, UNILEVER, hummel, and EVNIA by Philips, RushBee draws on Team Vitality’s proven expertise in brand collaboration. Rooted in a global footprint including 12 esports teams across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, over 13 million social media followers, and offices in Paris and Berlin, RushBee builds on a strong foundation of influence and credibility.
This new business unit represents a powerful growth engine, enhancing Team Vitality’s premium services and marking a new chapter where cultural relevance, sporting ambition, and long-term value creation converge.
Team Vitality continues its expansion with a clear objective: to become the go-to partner for brands shaping the future of gaming, entertainment, and digital culture.
Amélie Canet, Director of Strategy and Brand Development at Team Vitality, shares:
“The creation of RushBee aligns perfectly with our 2025–2027 roadmap and marks a strategic turning point for Team Vitality. It reflects our ambition to build a sustainable business model that supports our global development beyond pure competitive performance. RushBee embodies our commitment to innovation, diversification, and delivering tangible value, both for our long-standing partners and new brands seeking to connect with the digital generation. It also reinforces our positioning as a premium international brand.”
The post Team Vitality launches RushBee: Creative media agency dedicated to helping brands shape the future of entertainment appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Fujitsu, the leading provider of infrastructure and platform solutions to businesses in the global online gambling industry and beyond, has named Sammi Abdulla as Business Development Manager for iGaming.
Sammi is a highly experienced business development manager, having held roles at major companies both inside and outside of the industry. Most recently, he was Business Development Manager at media powerhouse, Next.io.
As Business Development Manager at Fujitsu, Sammi has been tasked with driving the company’s expansion within the global online gambling industry, building meaningful relationships, understanding the unique demands of the sector and aligning Fujitsu’s solutions with client needs.
This includes delivering tailored platform and infrastructure solutions such as compute, storage and hybrid cloud. Sammi will also consult on technical requirements and compliance standards and support clients in driving digital transformation initiatives that improve scalability, uptime and security.
Over the coming months, his priority will be to engage with key stakeholders across the industry, demonstrate how Fujitsu’s technology can add real value and help clients to strengthen and futureproof their operations via scalable, secure and reliable infrastructure.
Nick McDonald, iGaming Account Director at Fujitsu, said: “Sammi is one of the most experienced Business Development Managers in the sector with a proven track record at renowned organisations both in and out of the industry. We are delighted to be able to leverage this as we look to strengthen our position in the market.
“Fujitsu’s platform and infrastructure solutions set the standard for others to follow, and with Sammi on board, we can make more operators and suppliers aware of our suite of products and how they can help them future proof their operations.
“This is a significant hire for Fujitsu, and I look forward to working closely with Sammi in the weeks, months and years to come.”
Sammi Abdulla, Business Development Manager for iGaming at Fujitsu, added: “I’m thrilled to have joined Fujitsu and to be diving even deeper into the iGaming world, a space I have good knowledge of and feel passionate about.
“With Fujitsu’s powerful tech behind us, I’m excited to help our clients level up their infrastructure, stay ahead of the game and maybe even have a little bit of fun while we do it.
“I’m also looking forward to working with the incredible Fujitsu team, which has already made me feel incredibly welcome.”
The post Fujitsu names Sammi Abdulla as Business Development Manager for iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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