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Navigating Compliance & Innovation: NSoft’s Vision for iGaming’s Future

Published

2 months ago

March 13, 2025

Reading Time: 5 minutes

HIPTHER, organizer of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, is proud to welcome NSoft, an awarded software provider in the betting and gaming industry, as a key participant in this year’s event. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Zlatan Omerspahić, Head of Legal and Compliance at NSoft, to explore the challenges of entering the Brazilian market, the company’s new slot development plans, and the latest updates on its Next Gen Platform and Sportsbook solutions.

As new markets emerge, compliance requirements continue to evolve. What are the biggest regulatory challenges NSoft faces when certifying its portfolio for international expansion, and how do you navigate them?

When facing a new regulatory framework or amendments, one of the main challenges is determining how to adapt your existing portfolio. On the one hand, you need to comply with regulations; on the other, you must remain attractive to players.

Each market typically has its own set of technical standards. Some European jurisdictions require Random Number Generator (RNG) certification from specific labs. Different U.S. states mandate unique reporting formats for game logs or jackpot payouts.

The modular architecture allows us to develop games and platforms that can be easily adapted or toggled on/off for specific features required by different regulators. Our dedicated compliance team tracks each market’s technical updates. We have established an internal process to quickly evaluate and implement changes and we work closely with accredited labs (e.g., GLI, BMM) that have experience across multiple jurisdictions. Early and regular testing in these labs can speed up certification.

The biggest challenge lies in anticipating all necessary steps so that both you and your client have a clear understanding of the time to market. Securing licenses can be expensive and time-consuming.

Some markets, like the UK, have strict guidelines under the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Others, such as Malta, follow the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) requirements. The frameworks can vary significantly in scope. Separate licensing is often needed for each new product type (e.g., sports betting vs. online slots).

We start with smaller or simpler markets to fine-tune our processes before moving on to the bigger, more complex ones. We maintain a comprehensive library of corporate and technical documentation (policies, procedures, financial statements) so it can be adapted quickly for each new licensing application.

Different regions have different data privacy requirements. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU requires strict controls on handling personal data, with hefty fines for noncompliance. Some markets have data localization rules (e.g., certain Latin American or Asian regions) requiring that customer data remain on local servers.

We integrate encryption, access controls, and clear data retention policies from the outset. Working with hosting and cloud providers who offer local data centers where required, ensures we meet data residency requirements. We maintain comprehensive privacy policies that clearly outline data usage, storage, and protection mechanisms.

iGaming operators are prime targets for illicit money flows because of high-volume transactions. Regulators impose strict AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements, including identity verification, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting.

What to do here? Integrate robust KYC and AML software that automatically flags unusual betting patterns or rapid deposit/withdrawal cycles. Tailor AML protocols to match the specific risk profiles of each jurisdiction. High-risk areas might require enhanced due diligence measures.

Each regulation has its own requirements, and regulatory bodies lack a uniform approach, so there is no single stance on the matter. Fortunately, thanks to my team of experienced professionals who have been in the industry for many years, we can quickly adjust to whatever these regulations entail.

The Brazilian market is currently undergoing significant regulatory changes. From a compliance perspective, what are the key hurdles for suppliers entering this market, and how is NSoft ensuring full adherence to local requirements?

Brazil has undoubtedly been the most important topic in the industry over the past few months. As part of the Sportradar Group, we have big plans for this market and are excited about the opportunities it offers.

From a regulatory standpoint, Brazil is a textbook example of a market transitioning from unregulated to regulated status for the first time. It naturally creates uncertainty and complexity for suppliers entering the market.

The challenges we encountered are interpreting new and evolving legislation around sports betting, online gaming, and taxation, each of which may require different licenses or technical approvals. We also faced regulatory changes during the certification process, which prolonged our time to market.

Also, data protection rules under Brazil’s LGPD mirror GDPR in some respects but introduce distinct obligations, such as potential data localization or particular reporting guidelines. In parallel, suppliers must adapt to local financial and banking processes to fulfill AML and KYC requirements, which can differ significantly from those in North America or Europe.

Through close collaboration with leading certification bodies, we worked diligently to meet all requirements.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our development team, we managed to overcome these challenges. However, there is a sense that the regulatory framework may need further adjustments after some time, once the newly regulated environment begins functioning in practice.

NSoft has been expanding its casino portfolio, particularly in slot development. How do compliance and regulatory standards shape the innovation process, and what are the biggest challenges when launching new video slots?

Balancing innovation and regulation is always challenging. While development focuses on creating the highest-quality product tailored to players’ preferences, regulation aims to protect players through a framework that covers various aspects.

We face a range of challenges, from game design and RTP percentages specific to certain markets to acceptable game names and mechanics.

In highly regulated jurisdictions, for example, a new slot might need to limit the maximum bet, include automatic loss or time-limits, or remove potentially addictive features such as rapid-fire spins.

The biggest challenge lies in balancing innovation with meeting these stringent regulations. Each game feature, like bonus rounds, progressive jackpots, or social elements, must be tested and certified by third-party labs, adding time and cost to the development cycle. Additionally, different markets might impose unique conditions on how results are displayed or how player data is stored.

What sets us apart, however, is our adaptability. We have in-house solutions for everything we offer, which makes the adaptation process significantly faster.

Your Next Gen Sportsbook Platform is built with a strong punter-centric approach. How does regulatory compliance play a role in platform development, and what steps does NSoft take to ensure both operators and players benefit from a secure and compliant environment?

Regulatory compliance is a cornerstone of NSoft’s Next Gen Sportsbook Platform, ensuring that both operators and players benefit from a secure, fair, and legally compliant environment.

Given the ever-evolving nature of global betting regulations, NSoft integrates compliance into every stage of platform development. NSoft’s platform is designed to meet the strictest regulatory requirements across various markets, supporting compliance with multiple gambling authorities, including the MGA, UKGC, and local regulators, to facilitate seamless licensing and adherence to legal frameworks.

As a speaker at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, what key insights will you be sharing with the audience? What makes this event an essential platform for discussing the intersection of compliance, innovation, and market expansion?

At the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, I will share key insights into the evolving regulatory landscape, the role of technology in compliance, and how innovation drives sustainable market expansion. My primary focus will be on the Balkan countries.

This event is crucial for networking with regulators and industry leaders, giving direct insights into what’s next in compliance, technology, and market growth. It’s the perfect platform for staying ahead of regulatory challenges and finding practical solutions.

With NSoft at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, this year’s event promises invaluable insights into the future of iGaming and technology. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain exclusive market perspectives, and be part of the most dynamic gathering in the CEE region!

Join us on 25-26 March 2025 in Prague – Register now and explore the full agenda!

The post Navigating Compliance & Innovation: NSoft’s Vision for iGaming’s Future appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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LuckyStreak launches new SmartStudio greenscreen technology with WinSpirit

Published

46 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Casino operator’s greenscreen-powered Live Blackjack experience to deliver immersive, custom gameplay and deeper brand engagement

LuckyStreak, the Riga-based live games provider, has launched its fully customisable SmartStudio greenscreen technology with online casino operator WinSpirit, delivering a high-spec branded Live Blackjack experience.

The integration gives WinSpirit the ability to completely customise every visual element of the blackjack environment, from the set, walls and floor, to the dealer’s backdrop, with the brand’s logo and colours. This creates a high-impact, bespoke experience that drives stronger engagement between brand and player.

LuckyStreak’s green screen solution lets operators like WinSpirit create fully customised, branded live casino environments without needing physical set builds. It’s flexible, fast, and cost-effective. Operators can choose different backgrounds, themes, branding elements – even switch between them dynamically if needed.

Designed with flexibility and fast deployment in mind, LuckyStreak’s highly advanced SmartStudio system offers chroma system keys in full HD with low latency, to promise razor sharp streams. The technology offers studio-grade production, multi-camera greenscreen and a semi-dedicated table layout that enables precise drop logos, video and stills layering and vibrant colour matching. The result is a deeply immersive and visually distinct blackjack game that perfectly aligns with WinSpirit’s brand identity.

This launch reinforces LuckyStreak’s commitment to delivering versatile and custom solutions for operators looking for more tailored and brand-led experiences across their live casino offering.

Ido Kamiel, COO at LuckyStreak, said: “We’re delighted that WinSpirit has chosen to enhance their players’ blackjack experiences with our greenscreen technology. It is designed to be highly flexible to meet our customers’ diverse and individual branding needs, and simple to deploy, to really enable us to forge closer relationships between player and brand, and to ensure that those meaningful moments are unforgettable.

“We are pleased to say that this is being reflected in longer and more involved player sessions compared to their generic table KPIs.”

Oleksandr Kotsenko, Business Development Lead at WinSpirit, said: “At WinSpirit, we’re always focused on offering players more choices and enhancing their gaming experience.

“Our partnership with LuckyStreak has been a perfect step in bringing this vision to life. We’re excited about this partnership and confident that LuckyStreak will delight our players while making a fantastic addition to our library.”

The post LuckyStreak launches new SmartStudio greenscreen technology with WinSpirit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Casino Guru Awards 2025: Winners decided, spotlight turns to the Live Gala in Malta

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A Celebration of Fairness, Responsibility, and Innovation in iGaming

The countdown is on for the Casino Guru Awards 2025, where the most impactful and forward-thinking figures in the online gambling space will be honored. After an intensive evaluation period, the panel of expert judges has already cast their votes. The winners are now known—though kept under tight wraps—awaiting their official reveal during the gala evening.

The Gala Ceremony, taking place on June 6, 2025, at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta, will bring together key stakeholders from across the industry to celebrate excellence in transparency, fairness, and player protection. This year’s event continues to spotlight initiatives that drive real change, showcasing responsibility and innovation at the heart of iGaming.

In addition to the categories evaluated by the judges, the Players’ Choice and Voice of the People awards have engaged the wider public—highlighting community involvement. Notably, the Voice of the People category attracted over 150,000 public votes, underscoring the growing influence and reach of the Awards.
“It’s truly inspiring to witness such a strong response from the global community. The number of nominations and public votes speaks volumes about how well-known and meaningful these projects have become,” said Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Projects Director at Casino Guru.

Since the launch of the 2025 edition, the Awards have attracted nearly 600,000 visitors, generated hundreds of nominations, and reflected a growing movement toward greater accountability in the industry.
The shortlist represents a diverse mix of organizations pushing boundaries and raising standards in responsible gambling—including notable names such as EveryMatrix, DraftKings, Pragmatic Play, BGaming, Soft2Bet and more. The evaluation phase involved detailed questionnaires, evaluation calls with shortlisted companies, and a transparent scoring framework. To preserve credibility and impartiality, judges disclosed all potential conflicts of interest before the review process began.

Gala highlights
Hosted by renowned presenter Martin Sepiano, the evening promises an engaging blend of insight and entertainment:

Panel Discussion with Judges – A rare behind-the-scenes look into the evaluation process and the values driving the Awards.
Live Performances by Jessica Micallef & Band
Special Dance Act by The Snake Venom Project Dancers
Afterparty at Tiffany Lounge with DJ Luke Panza

With anticipation building, the Casino Guru Awards 2025 Gala promises not only to reveal the industry’s top performers, but also to foster meaningful dialogue about the future of fair and responsible gambling. Whether judged by a panel of experts or chosen by the public, each nominee has contributed to shaping a more transparent and ethical iGaming landscape.

The post Casino Guru Awards 2025: Winners decided, spotlight turns to the Live Gala in Malta appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Xanada Pitch Contest Closes with $50K Winner, Public Choice Winner, 100+ Startups involved, and Global Founder Momentum

Published

3 hours ago

May 14, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

At this year’s NEXT Summit in Valletta, the Xanada Pitch Contest — one of the most talked-about investment events in the industry — reached its finale.

Organized by Xanada Investments, the contest brought together startups, investors, and business leaders for a high-stakes pitch competition that reflects the fund’s mission: to support bold founders building the future.

The finalists — Sweepium, Jurnii, MoneyPools, BetRaze, and StatsDrone — delivered top-tier performances during a high-stakes pitch battle on May 8 in Valetta. Each had undergone an in-depth selection process and an on-stage rehearsal that resulted in one of the highest-quality showcases the industry has seen, judged by:

Vladimir Malakchi (CEO & Managing Partner at Xanada Investments)
Pierre Lindh (Co-founder & Managing Director at NEXT.io)
Dmitry Belianin (CEO & Founder at Belianin)
Justin Paul Anastasi (CEO at VentureMax)

For many, the contest’s impact extended beyond the stage:

“The Xanada pitch contest provided our start-up with a platform to not only showcase our business to the four judges, but to the whole industry. Our pitch led to a number of concrete opportunities from investors, advisors and potential clients. It was a huge and rare opportunity to stand side by side on the biggest stage with the best of the industry”.

Fraser Dunk, CEO at Jurnii

“The Xanada Pitch Contest did everything we hoped for and more when it comes to getting investor intros. Not only did we get the attention, the interest from investors is stronger than without. Even for investors knowing we were pitching has opened doors. This event will be a pivotal moment in our growth and journey of our company. We are forever grateful to Xanada Investments and Vladimir Malakchi for putting this together to make our lives easier”.

John Wright, CEO & Co-Founder at StatsDrone

“I was really impressed with the great organisation of the event and the kindness of the team. It is important to give start-ups the stage to present their ideas and get feedback, no matter the stage. That’s exactly what we’ve received. I made so many valuable connections at the event and was contacted by interesting people afterwards. I really loved the experience, and I’m looking for more contests from Xanada Investments.”

Idir Alane, CEO at MoneyPools

The Winners

The Xanada Pitch Contest ended with two standout winners — each recognized for different strengths.

The Grand Winner was selected by a panel of expert judges, who scored each finalist across five key criteria: Idea, Business Model, Team, Market Potential, and Progress & Traction.

Meanwhile, the Public Choice Award was determined by a two-week online vote, drawing over 500 unique submissions from supporters and community members.

Sweepium, a B2B platform and game aggregator aiming to transform the sweepstakes space, took the top spot — earning the $50,000 equity investment and securing a strategic partnership with Xanada Investments.

Jurnii, a UX-focused agency powered by proprietary AI tools that deliver automated insights and design recommendations, won over the public and claimed the Public Choice Award. As part of the prize, they gained access to exclusive partner offerings from NEXT.io, Lilith PR Agency, 15M Mastery, and AffPapa — support designed to help propel their next stage of growth.

“We built Xanada Investments to be the kind of fund we wished existed when we were founders,” said Vladimir Malakchi, CEO & Managing Partner at Xanada Investments.

“This contest is just the beginning. We’re actively looking to back exceptional founders across the iGaming space — and provide them with the resources, network, and capital they need to reach their full potential. If you’ve got a product with traction, a strong team, and a scalable vision — we want to hear from you.”

Xanada Is Looking for What’s Next

The contest may be over — but opportunities with Xanada Investments are wide open. The fund continues to review early-stage startups for investment and long-term partnership.

If you’re building or scaling in iGaming, you can still pitch your ventures directly — beyond the contest — by reaching out at [email protected].

Under Xanada’s model, startups get more than just funding — they get active partners, access to a trusted network, and a fast-moving approach to growth.

The post Xanada Pitch Contest Closes with $50K Winner, Public Choice Winner, 100+ Startups involved, and Global Founder Momentum appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.