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SOFTSWISS Founder Ivan Montik Turns 40 – Interview

Published

3 years ago

February 23, 2022

Reading Time: 7 minutes

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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Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 esports title to do battle against Namibia – AEC25

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Mind Sports South Africa’s Protea Female CS2 team, led by captain Jess Greeff and featuring Avonique van Rooyen, dominated IESF’s AEC24, and emerged undefeated, and punched their ticket to the world stage. The female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title are trailblazers in female esports and are already making their mark internationally.

To qualify for IESF’s World Esports Championships 2025 (WEC25), South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title will be taking on Namibia at15H00 on 21 June 2025.

South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title has never lost to Namibia, and both MSSA and the team are confident that the result will be the same as all previous encounters.

The team has shown a few changes from 2024. Jessica Greeff remains the captain, and Avonique van Rooyen and Megan van der Westhuizen too stay on the team with their vast international experience. The two new additions are Kiera McCullum and Kalee Ludick who further add to the team.

MSSA is of the belief that the 2025 Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title is the strongest female Counter Strike 2 team to ever represent South Africa.

The full team to represent South Africa at15H00 on 21 June 2025 is:

Name	Club	Nick	Province
Jessica Eleez Greeff (Capt.)	ZAG Academy	heartjess	KwaZulu Natal
Avonique van Rooyen	ZAG Academy	avo	Gauteng
Kiera McCallum	ZAG Academy	queen	KwaZulu Natal
Megan van der Westhuizen	ZAG Academy	m3gz	Gauteng
Kalee Ludick	ZAG Academy	creative	Gauteng

The post Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 esports title to do battle against Namibia – AEC25 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Week 25/2025 slot games releases

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

PG Soft has launched Jack the Giant Hunter – a cascading-style, 5-reel, 4-row video slot featuring expanding reels and a dynamic multiplier mechanic. Jack the Giant Hunter instantly plants players into an enchanted world where the path to riches is made perilous by a fierce giant. The action unfolds against a backdrop of mythical giants and golden treasure hidden in the clouds.

Spinomenal has dropped its hot new slot, Westside Glory as part of its Adventure Series. Westside Glory is set on the West Coast streets where bling, bravado, and beats make for a platinum title. Framed by palm trees and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, this 5×3 slot takes players on the ultimate urban experience.

Betsoft Gaming has released Coins of Alkemor: Extreme Magic – Hold & Win, a fast-paced 3×3 slot packed with powerful features and mystical energy. The iconic wizard Alkemor returns in the game that elevates the popular Hold & Win mechanic with three explosive Extreme Features. Players can trigger the bonus with two or more BONUS symbols and at least one WIZARD BONUS—one of which must be EXTREME—awarding three respins and the chance to land magical golden coins.

Reflex Gaming is making waves once again with the launch of Big Game Fishing Golden Catch™, the latest online release in its hugely popular Big Game Fishing franchise, and proudly powered by Yggdrasil. This thrilling new slot reels players into a bright and breezy lake, where Reflex’s iconic fisherman, Fred, returns for another unforgettable adventure. With a 5-reel, 3-row layout, high volatility, and a max win potential of 5,000x the stake, Golden Catch is bursting with fun, flair, and fishy fortune.

TaDa Gaming has released its latest slot Lucky Jaguar 2. This time, the Colourful Jaguar Wild is joined by a Gold Jaguar Wild to ramp up the wins with multiple multipliers, stunning graphics and a humorous soundtrack, alongside the original Lock & Respin bonus game feature. Designed specifically for the LatAm market, where earlier release Fortune Gems had held the record breaking top spot, Lucky Jaguar hit 33%+ of Fortune Gem’s DAU figures within one month.

Million Games and partner studio Black Cat are excited to announce the release of Island Ices, a vibrant 5×4 slot packed with tropical charm and rewarding mechanics. As the second game from Black Cat under the Million Star partner programme, Island Ices brings a refreshing low-volatility experience with a polished aesthetic and summer-ready features. Designed for players who love quick-paced, feel-good gameplay.

SlotMatrix is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new slot – Gold Pigger. This exclusive title introduces players to a fun-fuelled adventure starring Richie and Peggy, two funny piglets with a taste for fortune and a nose for cash prizes. With a 4×6 reel layout and 4096 ways to win, Gold Pigger blends light-hearted design with exciting gameplay mechanics to deliver an engaging slot experience with a win potential of up to 8,086.8X the player’s stake.

Dear passengers, welcome aboard Flight NLC25! Flight Mode is cleared for takeoff and let’s just say, it’s not a typical family trip to Hawaii. After delivering signature slots like Tombstone Slaughter: El Gordo’s Revenge and Duck Hunters, Nolimit City is now taking it to the skies with Flight Mode and definitely not in a boring way.

Thunderkick has unveiled MeJUICEa, the latest addition to its content portfolio that breathes new life into a proven popular theme, reintroducing Greek mythology’s iconic Gorgon with a modern makeover. The 6×5 cluster pays title revolves around the Crush feature, a unique take on the fan-favourite avalanche mechanic.

Push Gaming has launched Fang City, a sleek and suspenseful slot that combines ever-popular Push Gaming features. Set in a futuristic world, this game sees wolves with pointy teeth engaging in activities reminiscent of humans while featuring popular mechanics such as scatter pays, multiplier symbols, and cascading combos.

Play’n GO steps into the underworld of Viper City with its new slot, Viper City Heist, where cunning strategy and raw firepower lead to big rewards. Combining visual flair with exciting mechanics, this 5×3 slot with 20 fixed paylines offers a potent mix of instant prizes and feature-rich gameplay that stays true to Play’n GO’s signature storytelling style.

Evoplay has released Oath of Steel, a moody, battle-driven slot that captures the raw intensity of knights locked in combat beneath storm-filled skies. Set in a storm-soaked battlefield of iron masks and glowing castle windows, Oath of Steel brings players into a world where survival outweighs glory.

Get ready to run for cover as Peter & Sons latest release, Boom Farm, exploded onto the internet on June 19th, 2025. Set in the deceptively peaceful countryside, this is no simple farming game. The 6×6 scatter-pays video slot hides a dynamite twist—literally. With TNT barrels, Star Bombs, Scatter Pays mechanics and thrilling Cascades, every harvest can explode into serious wins.

ELA Games invites players to step into a captivating world of mystery and mischief with its latest title, Tail of Crime. Tune into your detective instincts for big wins with thrilling mechanics. The 5×4 slot has 20 paylines and a 96.2% RTP, guaranteeing action in both the base game and lucrative bonus feature.

Are you ready for the grand finale? That’s what in-demand content provider, ICONIC21, is asking players as it launches the final title in its Stellar Fruits series. Stellar Fruits 100 wraps up the iconic series with a bang, with the game being set across four reels and five rows with 100 paylines active.

Stakelogic is reaching for the clouds with the launch of its newest high-rise slot game, Skyline Fortunes. This bold and eccentrically engineered title trades traditional reels for steel beams and skyscraper thrills, where every spin helps build a skyline packed with potential. At the heart of the action is Big Bruno, a gorilla with a serious work ethic and a knack for stacking wins.

Dive deep and double your fun with Fish Tales: Double Catch, from Booming Games, the thrilling sequel to Fish Tales: Monster Bass! This 5×3 reel slot brings exciting features like Barrel Boost, Big Net Modifier and Free Spins with Cash Collection, all designed to reel in those big wins. Keep an eye out for Fish Multiplier symbols to trigger massive payouts and enjoy the anticipation with every spin.

Amusnet has released a new football-themed dice slot – 20 Wild Goals Dice. This 5-reel, 20 fixed paylines game brings the thrill of football to the reels, blending high-energy gameplay with iconic dice symbols. Watch for the Ball Wild symbol that appears on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th reels and expands, substituting for the rest of the symbols, except for the Scatter.

Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, invites players on a high-stakes safari in Lion Gems 3 Pots: Hold and Win, where Special Gems hold the key to lavish Bonus Game variants. A stunning African landscape plays host to the 5×4 slot as the reels blaze with powerful lions, radiant gems, and dazzling diamonds.

Prepare to embark on an epic adventure where the power of the gods awaits in Unusual Suspects: Legends of Olympus from Northern Lights Gaming. This is the latest instalment in the studio’s hugely popular Unusual Suspects series and promises plenty of divine action. Players will marvel as Wilds unleash their celestial power, flying over the gods for a chance to trigger the Judgement Day Jackpot

The post Week 25/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Try to Beat the Devil: Hell Partners Dares You at iGB Live 2025

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Think you’ve seen it all at iGaming conferences? Try your luck against the Lucifer himself.
On July 2–3, 2025, the gates of iGB Live in London will crack open — and out will step Hell Partners, taking over stand G22 with one unapologetically seducing invitation: outplay Lucifer and leave with more than bragging rights.

This isn’t a booth. It’s a lair.
A custom-built cave where fire meets flair, rules bend to desire, and the brave walk out with deals hotter than the drinks served at the bar. It’s where luck, wit, and charm will be put to the test — and only the most daring will earn a nod from Lucifer himself.

The Game: “Beat the Devil”

Five cards. One choice. No second chances.
Step into the fire and face five devilishly crafted mini-games — designed to test your reflexes, intuition, and sheer audacity. Choose a card. Accept the challenge. Win the round. Or don’t — but either way, you’ll have earned your place in Hell’s little black book.

But this isn’t just a game. It’s a key checkpoint in the masterfully orchestrated Lucky Media quest.
Survive the stand and you’ll stay in the running to win a MacBook or even a ticket to Wimbledon. Yes, seriously.

Hell’s Not for Everyone — But It Might Be for You

Hell Partners doesn’t pitch. We tempt.
With over 25%+ click-to-deposit, 50%+ reg-to-deposit, and no traffic source too wild to consider, our iGaming brands speak your language — seductive metrics and no-nonsense deals, spread across 20+ GEOs and tailored to your deepest cravings.

And if you think a Telegram chat can get you a better deal — think again.
The real power moves happen in person. At stand G22 on iGB London. With a drink in your hand and a smirk on your face.

Another stop on your checklist:
How about a HolyTraff collab photo booth styled like a retro phone box — for when you want to capture the exact moment you sealed the deal for premium traffic and a taste of Wimbledon flair.

Temptation Has a Name — And It’s G22

Skip this stand and spend eternity wondering what you could’ve had:
Exclusive offers, unforgettable games, and a private word with the very team rewriting the rules of iGaming.

Not one to let chances slip by?
Come visit HellPartners at stand G22.

You’ll leave with more than you came for — if you’re lucky. Sure you’ve got what it takes?
And remember: don’t try to bluff. The Devil sees everything.

The post Try to Beat the Devil: Hell Partners Dares You at iGB Live 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.