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Exclusive Interview with Dennis Tsalikis (CEO at Fantasy Sport Interactive)

Published

6 years ago

August 9, 2018

It is always nice to catch up with successful people and get a glimpse into their extensive knowledge. This week I had the pleasure to interview a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in setting up and managing businesses in diverse sectors. Dennis Tsalikis is co-founder and CEO of Fantasy Sports Interactive, an entrepreneur who decided to combine his passion for Fantasy Sports with his skill in establishing successful businesses.

Dennis has an engineering background and prior to starting his own business ventures, he was employed at Vertu.

After establishing his Higher Technical Education with a University degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering and gaining hands-on working experience as a CNC operator at N. Bazigos S.A, Dennis proceeded to acquire a Master’s Degree (MS) in Composite Materials, from London’s Imperial College. Below is our exclusive interview with Dennis, hope you enjoy it!

Let’s begin with a few words about yourself. Our readers love to know how top-class entrepreneurs describing themselves.

Dennis: Fervent. Down to earth,with a positive outlook. Demanding, but fair. Always striving for the best, first and foremost for my people and then in terms of personal accomplishment.

You have studied engineering and science in some of the foremost institutions in Europe, and have had a stellar industrial career. What made you switch to something seemingly different like betting and fantasy sports?

Dennis: For me, engineering and science are the foundations of constructive thinking and a solid professional background. Our Co-Founder, Bill Mexias, and I, got to know fantasy football while working in the UK at Barclays and Vertu respectively, as a team-bonding activity in the workplace. We immediately realized that fantasy football would become the next big thing in gaming and we could see that fantasy sports were the perfect option, combining innovation with great business potential.

You have made your debut in the gaming sector when you co-founded Bet4theBest.com? Did the launch and subsequent performance of the company go according to the plans? Would like to hear your experiences?

Dennis: Bet4theBest was my debut in the gaming industry, an amazing and most positive experience. We managed to establish a tight-knit and effective core team, sharing a common passion in fantasy sports and skill gaming. Internally speaking, we learned a lot in this difficult and demanding journey, while on a collective, industry level, we were part of a generation of operators that managed to bring Fantasy Sports in Europe and to the spotlight. We are most proud about being the first licensed fantasy sports operators in Europe to launch under a wide and impactful marketing strategy, including mass media such as the newspapers and the radio alongside digital marketing. Furthermore, Bet4theBest was a successful Proof of Concept and a product that caught the attention of the UK fantasy football audience, one of the most mature and demanding audiences in the industry.

It has been close to a year since you launched Fantasy Sports Interactive Ltd. How is it going now? Would like to hear some stats and details about major deals.

Dennis: Fantasy Sports Interactive (FSI) is the next level of our Fantasy Sports business venture and the main, B2B act after our B2C opening. During our original business planning, we had foreseen the future need of the market for reliable white label fantasy sports solutions. Our platform has been designed to increase customer attraction, enrich Marketing strategy, provide competitive content and an exciting gaming experience. Our tailored offering led us to a very satisfying first year, featuring a partnership with Gauselmann’s subsidiaries, Cashpoint and Xtip, in progress, a successful World Cup launch and ongoing collaboration in Africa with Africabet.com and a couple of more projects, including our future launch in India with Indus Games.A very important piece of information I can share with you now, is the development of an exclusive, breakthrough Fantasy product, which we plan to announce at ICE 2019.

It is already a crowded market of gaming software developers. What makes Fantasy Sports Interactive stand apart in the crowd?

Dennis: The winning combination of Fantasy Sports Interactive is that variety, versatility and innovation. Our goal is to offer original products going beyond standard market formats and this is what makes us stand apart. Our We make customized fantasy products for fantasy sports betting, social gaming, skill gaming, in mobile-first, online and retail formats. We offer back-end support services, flexible marketing solutions and consulting, making results and meaningful customer relationships a top priority. However, the most important part of FSI is our team, which is high-skilled and most experienced in the fantasy betting industry.

In the USA sports betting is likely to grow significantly in the coming years, following a recent US Supreme Court order that allows states to decide on legalizing sports betting. What are your thoughts on the development? How it is going to affect the gaming industry, and gaming software developing companies in particular?

Dennis: I think that everyone in the iGaming industry was expecting the US market to open at some point. The PASPA court ruling made this possible and it is groundbreaking, since it opened the doors to a wide market of consumers who have been seeking to enjoy legal and regulated gaming services for some time now. The US audience is one of key importance; It has a strong affinity for Fantasy Sports, but at the same time it needs further education in betting and igaming. The skill gaming element is very important and this will require software companies to become more versatile and flexible. This is why we feel that FSI is ready for the US market, with a mature, tested product, combining fantasy sports with betting options.

Fantasy sports have been evolving all the time. How do you see it developing further in the near future, amidst the rise of new disruptive technologies?

Dennis: Indeed, Fantasy Sports have evolved greatly, from the classic season-long model, to the various daily fantasy options available today. I think that contemporary technologies and the lasting internet boom will lead to further progress and gamification, with more clear and mature fantasy products developed around instant and social gaming. Gaming technology will evolve under a customer-centric model, with bet types where the user has full control and a wide range of options to choose from.

Here are a few more details about Dennis and FSI:

Dennis chose to exploit his industrial background and expand the valuable experience he gained in business, by shaping Genesis World Trans, an international cargo services company, which already counts 12 years of successful activity.

While being the Managing Director of Genesis World Trans since 2008, Dennis continued to explore all aspects of business activity and decided to pursue his entrepreneurial vision, by founding one of the first Fantasy Sports Companies in Europe.

In 2014, together with Bill Mexias, he Co-founded “Bet4theBest” – a B2C fantasy football company based in Malta and Athens and the first step of an innovative and ambitious business plan targeting the contemporary iGaming industry.

Bet4theBest operated under a soft launch since 2014 and its official launch within the UK in 2015, was marked by organized and intense marketing activity. Traditional wide-range marketing channels such as the newspapers and the radio (The Racing Post, Daily Star, Daily Mirror, talkSport), were combined with digital marketing activity and a well-known brand ambassador in retired footballer and BBC pundit Jermaine Jenas.

Bet4theBest is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, servicing all locations covered by both Authorities. The company kept operating, offering a variety of fresh and competitive fantasy football games to consumers, until 2017 and served as a Proof of Concept for the white label products of the upcoming Fantasy Sports Software Company, Fantasy Sports Interactive (FSI).

Dennis Co-founded FSI in 2016, keeping the business core and philosophy of Bet4theBest, while further growing its dedicated team and the company’s caliber.

FSI is based in London and has an active branch in Athens, as well.

Under Dennis’s leadership and with an experienced team, the Business and IT divisions have been constantly developing the company and its Fantasy Sports products, aiming at continuous evolution and successful partnerships.

FSI already boasts two important iGaming partnerships, one already launched for the World Cup with Africabet.com and one being a work in progress with Gauselmann’s sportsbook subsidiary companies, Cashpoint and Xtip. In the meanwhile, the team has been working on projects yet to be announced, as well.

About FSI:

Fantasy Sports Interactive offers the most complete range of fantasy sports gaming options. It has been the first company to launch fantasy betting services in Europe through its own fantasy sport product, Bet4theBest, and gain hands-on B2C and marketing management experience.

Powered by our innovative platform and deep insight in fantasy sports betting and skill gaming, we provide tailored white-label solutions to iGaming operators, lotteries and business companies seeking a modern and effective customer acquisition tool.

We offer companies the opportunity to create an engaging, competitive and fully licensed iGaming product that fits each operational model like a glove.

FSI has developed the optimal Fantasy Sports Solution for every operator:

A complete software offering for the iGaming industry, designed to increase customer attraction, enrich Marketing strategy, provide competitive content and an exciting gaming experience.

Our offering includes:

Fantasy Sports gaming products
social gaming concepts
fantasy sportsbook and betting formats
online, mobile-first and retail options
backend support services
full adaptability in terms of Regulatory frameworks

For more details contact: [email protected]

Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

George Miller

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Latest News

ASUS ROG BECOMES THE OFFICIAL PARTNER OF TEAM VITALITY

Published

11 hours ago

January 10, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Leading French club Team Vitality and ASUS Republic Of Gamers (ROG), an iconic global brand in the gaming technology industry, are pleased to announce their partnership until the end of 2026. The partnership includes the use of ROG’s industry-leading peripherals including keyboards, mice, mice mats & headsets for Team Vitality’s elite Counter-Strike 2 and VALORANT rosters.

United by a shared ambition, the two entities aspire to reach the top of the podiums at the biggest international esports competitions, with ROG’s products providing advanced technology and unparalleled quality for the club’s FPS teams.

TEAM VITALITY ROSTERS POWERED BY PERIPHERALS LEADER

Team Vitality is delighted to welcome ROG as an official partner. During competitions, ROG logo will be included on the left sleeve of the official jerseys of the CS2 and VALORANT teams.

ROG, recognized as an essential reference in the world of esports, offers equipment that combines durability, performance, ergonomics, and precision – essential qualities to excel at the highest level. The brand has already supported prestigious esports teams.

Official Team Vitality player gear includes:

The ROG Delta II headset, guaranteeing clear and flawless communication.
ROG Keris II Ace mouse, offering unrivaled precision and comfort with a pro-approved shape and leading technology.
ROG Hone Ace XXL mouse pad, providing players with a wide surface for movement consistency and control.
The ROG Falchion ACE HFX keyboard, incorporating Rapid Trigger technology, specially designed for gamers.

These products will allow gamers to achieve optimal performance: ultra-responsive keyboards, high-precision mice adapted to different gaming strategies, and headsets ensuring impeccable communication.

Aiming to establish new standards for players and fans worldwide, the collaboration will series of exciting activations that will be carried out throughout the year during key international events, bringing together esports enthusiasts, Team Vitality supporters, and the broader gaming community

Over the course of the year, the club will integrate ROG into its communications, particularly on its X accounts dedicated to Counter-Strike and VALORANT, as well as across its other social media platforms

“We are delighted to welcome such a prestigious brand as ROG to Team Vitality! This partnership mirrors our standards and ambitions: to equip our players and our staff with cutting-edge peripherals, offering precision, responsiveness, and comfort, whilst also supporting our international development strategy. 2025 is going to be an exciting year for VALORANT and CS2, and this partnership will guarantee unmissable activations for all our fans.” explains Nicolas Maurer, CEO of Team Vitality.

“We are proud to collaborate with Team Vitality, an organization that shares our values of excellence and innovation. This partnership offers us a unique opportunity to be closer to professional players, enabling us to further understand their needs and refine our products to meet the highest expectations. Together, we want to inspire the gaming community and help elevate esports to greater heights,” stated Kris Huang, General Manager of the ROG Gaming Gear and Accessory Business Unit.

AIMING FOR NEW HEIGHTS IN THE ESPORTS SCENE

Following a successful 2024, Team Vitality aspires to reach even greater heights in 2025. The partnership with ROG unlocks a range of opportunities to enhance the club’s global visibility and further its ambitious goals on the world stage.

This year’s international esports calendar features unmissable events for fans, including the two CS2 Majors and the VALORANT Champions, which will be held in Paris next September. With star-studded roasters boasting talents such as Derke, Sayf, zywOo, and apEX, Team Vitality is ready to shine and offer ROG unprecedented visibility among its global community of 13 million fans.

By joining forces, Team Vitality and ROG are sending a strong message: esports is a dynamic, innovative, and increasingly attractive sector for brands. This strategic partnership will engage millions of fans worldwide while creating unique opportunities for impactful activations, engaging content, and memorable experiences.

The post ASUS ROG BECOMES THE OFFICIAL PARTNER OF TEAM VITALITY appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

High Roller Technologies Welcomes Kristofer Muscat as Chief Operating Officer

Published

11 hours ago

January 10, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

High Roller Technologies, Inc. (“High Roller” and the “Company”) (NYSE American: ROLR), operator of www.HighRoller.com and www.Fruta.com, each a premium brand in online gaming and a destination for high rollers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristofer Muscat as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective January 5th, 2025. In this role, Mr. Muscat will oversee operational strategy, drive growth initiatives, and enhance High Roller’s commitment to delivering premium experiences in the online gambling and iCasino gaming industry.

“Kristofer’s operational expertise in the gambling industry and his proven track record of driving growth through innovation will be instrumental as we continue development of our technologies focused on machine learning to automate key functionality to enhance the player experience and reduce operational overhead,” said Ben Clemes, CEO of High Roller Technologies. “His leadership will play a vital role in optimizing our operations and enhancing our mission to provide engaging, seamless, and world-class experiences for our users.”

Mr. Muscat brings a wealth of industry experience to High Roller. As the former Chief Operating Officer of Eastrock Group, he was pivotal in streamlining operations across offices in Sweden, Malta, and Hong Kong. He successfully enhanced efficiency, built customer-centric cultures, and supported Eastrock’s expansion in the competitive iGaming sector. His leadership at Eastrock reinforced his reputation as a forward-thinking executive with a deep understanding of operational excellence in the gambling industry. Prior to Eastrock, Mr. Muscat held a management position at Bally’s.

“I am so excited to be joining High Roller at such a pivotal time in the company’s evolution. The team’s vision for innovation and their unwavering focus on creating exceptional experiences for players perfectly align with my values and expertise. I am eager to leverage my background in operations and strategy to help drive growth, strengthen High Roller’s position as an industry leader, and elevate the brand’s appeal to high-stakes players around the globe.” commented Kristofer Muscat, new COO of High Roller Technologies.

The post High Roller Technologies Welcomes Kristofer Muscat as Chief Operating Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Robin ‘ropz’ Kool joins Team Vitality’s CS2 roster

Published

11 hours ago

January 10, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Team Vitality is thrilled to announce the signing of global esports star and former FaZe Clan player Robin ‘ropz’ Kool to their CS2 roster.

Ropz is one of the most decorated Counter-Strike players on the circuit, having secured numerous victories, a plethora of MVP honours, and building a strong reputation for precision, consistency, and success. His experience, coupled with his superb understanding of CS2, will bolster Team Vitality in the club’s hunt for success in 2025.

Robin ‘ropz’ Kool, the 25-year-old Estonian, has officially joined Team Vitality’s CS2 roster.

With Ropz’s addition to the team, the rosters current rifler Lotan ‘Spinx’ Giladi will be moved to the inactive roster.

The move further positions the French club as one of the most formidable teams in the space, following on from the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne win in 2024, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to success in CS2.

Ropz is widely regarded as one of the most skilled CS2 players worldwide, with a career highlighted by numerous tournament wins, MVP accolades, and a legacy of consistent and high-level performance. Known for his tactical expertise, adaptability and sharpshooting, he brings a wealth of experience to Team Vitality.

The French club’s roster now boasts an elite combination of in-game expertise, strategic minds, and sheer firepower, positioning them as one of the most forbidding rosters globally. The roster now consists of Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire, Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut, Shahar ‘flameZ’ Shushan, William ‘mezii’ Merriman, and Robin ‘ropz’ Kool. The team will be coached by Rémy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam and assistant coach Mathieu “MaT” Leber, and led by new Team Manager, Amy May ‘Aphiren’ Snowdon.

The roster will first be seen in action during the BLAST Bounty Spring 2025: Closed Qualifier later in January.

“Signing ropz is the culmination of several years of discussions and mutual respect. We have followed his journey with great admiration, and this year, the stars aligned for him to join us. We understand that he’s leaving more than just a team behind – he’s leaving a family. We’re determined to show him that he made the right choice. He fits perfectly into our vision, with the ambition to make history and build a legacy for the club on CS,” explains Fabien “Neo” Devide, President of Team Vitality. “His experience, versatility, and game intelligence are invaluable assets. He is a player with a heart of gold, one of the most inspiring figures in the history of Counter-Strike, and someone who truly embodies the values we stand for. With him, we are solidifying our place among the global elite of CS, and this is an incredible opportunity for Team Vitality.”

The post Robin ‘ropz’ Kool joins Team Vitality’s CS2 roster appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.