Interviews
Digital Transformation in iGaming: The Power of Marketplace Ecosystems
Having long been a leader in digital transformation within the iGaming industry, we caught up with Betbazar CEO, Alex Iaroshenko, to discuss how the company’s dynamic, scalable marketplace can fast-track innovation and growth while supporting both product creators and operators alike.
How does Betbazar’s digital marketplace contribute to the transformation of the iGaming industry?
We contribute a lot. We were the ones who provided cutting-edge technology during a period in iGaming history where there were no events due to COVID and we’ve continued to build on this innovative and accessible approach ever since. We consistently search for the best market options in terms of platform providers, sportsbook software, sports & esports content, live casino, KYC, and more. And I think the fact that all of our partners offer something genuinely unique has really helped Betbazar stand out and allowed us to change the way the iGaming industry does business.
Over the years, we’ve effectively re-shaped the way products are discovered, integrated and scaled across global markets. Where operators previously had to source their games, content, custom solutions and other services manually, Betbazar simplifies the process by providing a centralised, digital-first platform that seamlessly connects them with top-tier iGaming products from around the world. This way, they can overcome the hurdles of fragmented ecosystems and lengthy integration processes and remain both competitive and agile in what is a rapidly evolving market.
For creators, meanwhile, we provide a global platform on which they can showcase their products and expand their reach, helping eliminate barriers to entry, reduce operational friction and accelerate time-to-market for new products. Moreover, our entire marketplace is built on fostering collaboration between operators and suppliers, so we provide the former with insights into current market trends that can help them find the ideal partner to integrate into their offering.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing digital B2B marketplaces today, and how is Betbazar addressing them?
I would say one of the specific challenges that any digital marketplace must overcome is ensuring that prospective clients understand exactly what it is you do and why they should buy from you as opposed to going direct to the supplier. At Betbazar, we generally like to tackle this hurdle through action and constant presentation of what we do. We’re very clear about the additional services and guarantees a partner receives when they work with us, and we make sure the wider industry knows all about it by continually attending exhibitions and talking with the right people.
Another more general challenge – though one I believe to be particularly important for marketplaces like Betbazar – is diversification. It’s hard to move on from products that have been successful and delivered a lot of value and instead focus on up-and-coming providers that are still in the development phase, but this has been our priority for the past year. As difficult as it’s been, this is always a necessary step if you truly want to offer a diverse and innovative line-up of products that’s capable of keeping up with the ever-changing demands of the iGaming industry.
Finally, I think market fragmentation and localisation both remain an ongoing challenge that all iGaming businesses must deal with. There are so many different regulatory requirements, languages and player preferences across the various regions that you must be ready to adapt – and at Betbazar we address this issue by offering localised solutions that are tailored to specific markets and fully compliant in a range of jurisdictions. Of course, this challenge also applies to Betbazar directly in terms of how we market ourselves in other countries, and in that respect, we always try to find people with local knowledge who can represent us the best way for each market.
How does Betbazar ensure that both creators and operators experience sustainable value and growth within its platform?
The Betbazar marketplace is designed to create a win-win scenario for both product creators and operators, as this is the only way to ensure all parties experience sustainable growth and value over the long term. For creators we provide a global stage on which they can showcase their products, helping them to expand their reach far beyond their home markets. In addition to this exposure, we help them understand the needs of operators in different regions and guide them through the process of tailoring their products to meet local demands. We also assist them with the technical aspects of integration and ensure their products comply with all local requirements.
For operators, we provide access to high-quality, curated products that can help them stay competitive and differentiate themselves in a crowded market. We understand that most operators are looking for more than just a product – they need reliable, long-term partnerships that can support their growth. By providing them with insights into market trends, consumer preferences and product performance analytics, we help operators make more informed decisions that lead to greater user engagement, retention and – ultimately – ongoing profitability.
To guarantee sustainable value, we also offer continued support to both creators and operators. Whether it’s post-integration optimisation or adjusting offerings based on performance data, we remain actively involved throughout the lifecycle of the products that we help bring to market. Betbazar’s focus on long-term relationships – rather than one-off transactions – helps to foster an environment where product creators and operators can scale together and continue to thrive.
What advancements in technology do you believe will shape the future of iGaming marketplaces in the next five years?
Blockchain and smart contracts instantly spring to mind, as over time this technology has the potential to revolutionise the iGaming industry by providing a more transparent, efficient and secure way of managing transactions and data. Looking specifically at Betbazar’s marketplace, we’re already exploring blockchain-based solutions that could streamline compliance and reduce transaction fees, and the use of smart contracts could automate many aspects of what we do from payment settlements to licensing agreements, creating a more seamless experience.
AI and machine learning will also undoubtedly have a role to play in personalising the player experience, optimising product recommendations and improving customer service. I see this technology being particularly effective in mature verticals like sports betting, as there the statistics are so complete that operators will be able to ask questions to AI and receive very full answers about what’s happening on the field, helping them learn faster and predict more accurately. In the marketplace context, this technology can also be used to help operators identify products that are likely to perform well in specific markets or with certain demographics.
Additionally, VR and AR technologies have the potential to steer the iGaming industry towards providing more engaging, experiential content and cloud gaming will pave the way for high-quality gaming experiences without the need for powerful hardware. Betbazar is already looking ahead to identify products that will appeal to operators looking to innovate in both of these spaces and by actively investing in such technologies, we’ll be able to ensure that our marketplace remains relevant while also matching the shifting needs of operators and product creators in the future.
About Betbazar
Betbazar is a B2B worldwide iGaming marketplace which has set a new sales standard, sourcing specialist iGaming products and advising on their role within existing strategies to deliver growth to our partners. The company’s ambition is building a digital iGaming marketplace that connects creators with operators to accelerate growth powered by best-in-class products.
Compliance Updates
Navigating Legal Frontiers: Nordic Legal’s Vision for the Finnish Gambling Market
The Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 brought together top experts across the iGaming and tech landscape, and Nordic Legal stood out as the event’s Scandinavian Legal Expertise Sponsor. A renowned legal advisory firm in the Nordic region, Nordic Legal continues to shape the future of gambling legislation and compliance in Europe.
In this post-event interview, we caught up with Pekka Ilmivalta, Head of the Finnish Office at Nordic Legal, to dive deeper into the firm’s insights on the upcoming Finnish gambling reform, the legal challenges it poses, and the opportunities it presents for operators preparing to enter the market.
Finland is preparing to launch its regulated gambling sector in January 2026. As an expert with over 20 years of experience in the gambling industry, how do you view its draft legislation and the current state of the Finnish gambling market?
Finns are used to gambling online, and the size of the market is close to 2 billion euros in GGR. As the market share of the national monopoly operator, Veikkaus, has declined to around 50 percent, nearly half of the gambling spending already takes place outside the Finnish regulation. Therefore, the gambling legislation reform is really needed.
The Government Proposal now being dealt with in the Finnish Parliament is generally a comprehensive and a good package. As the political parties are quite unanimous about the need for the reform, I expect the parliamentary discussion to concentrate on the balance between responsibility measures and the features making the market interesting enough for the operators to enter the regulated market. Especially marketing, use of affiliates and bonusing will, and should, be discussed.
I believe that the Parliament will approve the new legislation early next autumn and that the B2C license application process will be able to begin already in January next year.
The Finnish legislative review council has raised concerns about potential increases in gambling harms under the new regulatory framework. What measures do you believe are necessary to mitigate these risks, and how could Finland balance market liberalization with responsible gambling practices?
Personally, I think that gambling harms must be taken seriously. However, as almost half of the Finnish gambling now happens outside the regulated market, I am convinced that succeeding in channelization is a crucial starting point to really mitigate gambling harms. Therefore, attractiveness of the market and measures against the black market are extremely important. Furthermore, self-exclusion and responsible gambling tools are, of course, needed for the players. Generally, I believe that AI assisted monitoring could and will have an important role in preventing harmful gambling in the future. To really work, responsible gambling tools need to be both pragmatic and relevant for each individual player.
Considering Finland’s upcoming gambling reform, what legal and operational challenges should gambling operators be prepared for, particularly regarding compliance and player protection? Which key trends do you see shaping the market’s future?
As it seems now that affiliates and welcome bonuses will be banned, operators will have to find other means to build their brand and acquire customers. Even though traditional marketing and sponsoring are widely acceptable, I would expect to see innovative solutions to stand out from the probable marketing avalanche during the first months after the market opening. Perhaps new kinds of sponsorships or retail activities? Or even enhanced player protection measures to gain a competitive edge?
Overall, I would advise operators to start their market entry preparations early enough. The licensing procedure could take several (6 to 9) months. Also, adjusting to the local technical and player protection requirements might not happen overnight.
What insights could help Finland create a balanced and effective gambling market?
I believe that the new legislation will provide a good enough framework for a functional gambling market. However, based on experiences from Sweden and Denmark, I would point out two practical aspects crucial to making the new legislation effective: First, there needs to be collaboration between licensed operators and the new regulator. Dialogue and a mutual will to find solutions should be the common mindset. Secondly, the regulator hopefully has enough resources (tools, persons and persistence) to interfere with the black-market operations, which will evidently still exist also after the reform.
Nordic Legal has extensive experience advising European governments on regulatory best practices. How can your firm assist operators looking to enter the Finnish market and navigate the evolving legal landscape?
With our deep knowledge of Finnish legislation, extensive experience from regulatory developments in other jurisdictions, and strong industry relationships, we are well-positioned to support operators and B2B suppliers entering the Finnish market. We can offer comprehensive guidance not only on compliance and licensing, but also on navigating strategic challenges, ensuring our clients are well-prepared for a dynamic and shifting legal landscape. Our proactive approach enables us to identify regulatory changes early and help clients stay ahead of industry developments.
The post Navigating Legal Frontiers: Nordic Legal’s Vision for the Finnish Gambling Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Online casinos are in a race to meet the growing demands of players, but many operators are being left behind. Slow payment systems, high transaction fees, and outdated software are limiting growth and hurting the player experience. But with the right tools, operators can break free from these limitations and create fluid, player-first experiences.
Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame, offers solutions that many operators have been waiting for. With NuxGame’s crypto-ready turnkey platform, operators can quickly solve common issues and roll out future-forward digital casinos that appeal to modern players. The crypto market is growing fast, with an expected $5 billion by 2030. Find out in this interview how making the most of crypto can take your casino to the next level and leave competitors behind.
The impact of crypto in iGaming is undeniable. Bar, do you believe Bitcoin is here to stay, or are we just seeing the beginning of a temporary trend?
The truth is, Bitcoin and crypto are here to stay, and it’s not just a “cool new thing” for players. They offer fast transactions, more security, and a level of transparency that players are increasingly looking for. The iGaming scene is modernizing, and those who aren’t adopting crypto solutions are definitely going to fall behind. You don’t want to watch everyone else pass you by.
So how does NuxGame support the crypto trend? What makes your platform stand out in this fast paced environment?
At NuxGame, we’re not simply handing over a crypto solution and calling it a day. We provide a fully integrated crypto casino software solution that supports multiple cryptocurrencies, but more importantly, we’re here for you every step of the way. Our customer service managers understand that each operator has unique priorities, so we work closely with you to make sure that everything works exactly the way you want it. The dashboard shows everything in real-time, while players get quicker transactions and a better overall game. And the best part is that you’re not left alone with the system integration. Our team is always ready to make your operations work exactly how you want.
I know you’ve got a lot of experience with turnkey solutions. What makes NuxGame’s turnkey casino solution a perfect fit for operators looking to add crypto into their business?
The whole idea behind a turnkey casino solution is to give operators everything they need to go live as soon as possible. When you add crypto, that means offering everything from crypto-friendly payment systems to blockchain-backed gaming for transparency and security. But the important part is that it’s not merely about putting a “crypto” label on your website and leaving it at that. We provide full integration with multi-coin support, crypto bonuses, and even real-time analytics. For operators, it’s the peace of mind that comes with knowing that upon making the switch, everything works — and it works fast. No waiting, no stress, just a revenue-boosting crypto experience. And you’ll be seeing profits in no time. Because you’ll get the tools to start engaging players immediately.
Bar, let’s talk about the notable transition from traditional casinos to online. Are operators who come from land-based casinos jumping on the crypto train? How are they adapting?
Absolutely! A lot of traditional operators are taking their first steps into the online scene and realizing crypto’s impact in it all. They already have local brand recognition, and now it’s time to take that trust and build it online. The great thing is, with crypto, they don’t have to worry about those annoying international payment delays or high fees. We help them adapt without the growing pains, offering localization for both payments and content. It’s basically taking what they already know and applying it to the online space: no need to rebuild everything. You’ve got your brand and audience — now let us help you go digital. It’s that easy.
One last thing: with all the changes happening in the iGaming space, especially with the crypto’s growing presence, what do you think operators should be focusing on in 2025?
2025 is all about speed and adaptability. Markets are moving at record pace, and operators who are stuck in the “perfect platform” mentality are going to miss the boat. Players expect fast, secure experiences, and with crypto, that’s what they get. But to keep up, operators need to launch fast, learn fast, and be ready to grow quickly. That means not over-complicating things: you don’t need to build from zero when you’ve got the right tools. With platforms like ours, operators can quickly adapt to trends, integrate new features, and focus on what really matters: delivering a fantastic player experience. The market’s moving, and those who move with it are the ones who win.
The post Exclusive Q&A With Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Looking Back: Growth & Achievements
FBMDS is celebrating five years of expansion and innovation. How would you describe the brand’s journey during this time?
Our journey over the past five years has been one of bold moves, strategic growth, and relentless innovation. As part of the FBM® Group, we began as pioneers in Video Bingo, but our vision extended far beyond that. We have focused on delivering profitable products to our clients and engaging gaming experiences to players. By expanding into multiple gaming categories and strengthening our global presence in key markets like Mexico and Brazil, we have redefined what a localized, player-centric gaming experience should be.
What were the key milestones that shaped FBMDS’ success over the past five years?
Several milestones have defined our success. First, our solidification as a market leader in Video Bingo and Lotto Games, setting the gold standard with best-seller products like Multi Mega, Power Pick Lotto, and Champion IV. Our leadership in Video Bingo is reinforced by unique features like the jackpot system, Magic Ball, and attractive paytables, all of which drive engagement and retention.
Second, our presence at international trade shows has played a crucial role in strengthening relationships with key partners and clients while reinforcing our brand positioning, as seen in events like G2E Las Vegas 2024. Lastly, our rapid expansion in the LATAM region, particularly in Mexico and Brazil, has solidified FBMDS as a trusted and respected brand in a highly competitive landscape.
What has been the most significant challenge, and how did FBMDS overcome it?
The online gaming industry is highly competitive, and differentiation is key. Our challenge was to deliver games that not only stood out but also ensured profitability for operators and engaging experiences for players. We tackled this by investing in customization, localization, and innovation—ensuring that every product aligns with the preferences of specific markets. Our ability to adapt game mechanics, themes, and retention strategies has positioned us ahead of the competition, creating unique gaming experiences that drive business success.
Product Evolution & Market Leadership
FBMDS has built a strong reputation in Video Bingo. How has this segment evolved, and what makes FBMDS a leader in this category?
Video Bingo is our DNA, and we have continuously pushed its evolution by refining gameplay mechanics, introducing engaging themes, and incorporating advanced technology to enhance user experience. Our commitment to differentiation sets us apart: our jackpot feature, the Magic Ball, and attractive paytables are tailored to maximize player engagement and operator profitability. Customization is at the heart of our strategy, ensuring our games resonate with local markets and drive long-term success.
Among FBMDS’ product portfolio, do you have a personal favorite? Why?
It’s hard to pick just one, but I’d highlight our Video Bingo games because they represent our legacy and continued leadership in the industry. We believe Video Bingo is an essential asset for any online casino, as it offers a nostalgic yet modern experience, combining interactive features with high retention rates. Our jackpot system enhances player excitement, while innovative game mechanics keep engagement levels high. In addition, our crash games showcase our adaptability and innovation, delivering high-quality visuals and dynamic gameplay. These two categories reflect our strategic pillars: player engagement and profitable gaming solutions for operators.
Future Outlook & Expansion Plans
Looking ahead, what’s the vision for FBMDS’ next five years?
We are just getting started. Our vision is to expand our influence by continuously delivering innovative and engaging gaming experiences that drive profitability for operators. While we maintain our leadership in Video Bingo, we are also focused on strengthening our position in other gaming verticals. We will continue investing in localized, player-driven innovation, ensuring that every product we launch enhances both player experience and operator success.
Brazil is a key market with huge potential. How does FBMDS plan to strengthen its presence in this region?
Brazil is a strategic priority for us. With regulatory developments and increasing demand for online gaming, we see tremendous opportunities to expand. Our approach is centered on offering tailored gaming experiences that resonate with Brazilian players, ensuring our products align with their cultural and gaming preferences. Additionally, we are forging strategic partnerships with operators to facilitate seamless and impactful expansion in the region, ensuring that our games drive engagement and profitability for our partners.
Innovation & What’s Next
Can you share any insights about upcoming products or features that FBMDS is working on?
Absolutely. We are developing a new generation of Video Bingo games featuring advanced jackpot systems, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and even more engaging features tailored to player preferences. Our goal is to create experiences that keep players entertained while maximizing operator revenue. In addition, we are working on new slots and bonus structures designed to drive engagement and profitability, ensuring that FBMDS remains at the forefront of gaming innovation.
What can operators and players expect from FBMDS in the near future?
A: More expansion, more innovation, and an even stronger, more diverse gaming portfolio. Players can expect cutting-edge experiences featuring interactive and rewarding mechanics, while operators will benefit from flexible, high-performance gaming solutions designed to optimize engagement and profitability. We are committed to maintaining our leadership in Video Bingo while continuously evolving to meet market demands.
Final Thoughts
After five years of continuous growth, what message would you like to share with FBMDS’ partners and players?
First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to our players, partners, and the entire FBMDS team. Your trust and support have been instrumental in our journey. As we move forward, we remain committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences, driving profitability for our partners, and continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation. The best is yet to come!
If you had to describe FBMDS’ journey in one word, what would it be?
Transformational.
The post Interview w/ Renato Almeida, Director at FBM appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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