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Q&A: Sportingwin and the Bulgaria opportunity
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Mark Chakravarti, Head of Investment at Sportingwin, talks about why the operator sees such potential in the market and how it has found the licensing process to date
Bulgaria has had a major shake-up when it comes to how gambling operators are licensed and regulated in the country with the National Revenue Agency recently taking on the responsibility.
Amid allegations of corruption among its predecessor, the State Gambling Commission, the new regulator is moving forwards with plans to issue additional licences over the coming months.
The first in line to receive such a licence is Sportingwin, which has ambitious plans for Bulgaria once it has been given the green light to launch.
To learn more about Bulgaria and the operator’s plans for the market, we sat down with Mark Chakravarti, Head of Investment at Sportingwin.
Why do you see so much potential in Bulgaria?
You just have to look at the numbers to see the potential. We estimate the Bulgaria market to be worth around £300m right now but as new operators enter the fray it could grow at a rate of 20% per year to hit £500m over the course of the next five years.
Coupled with this is the low level of competition. Only five betting licences have been issued to date and mostly to local retail bookmakers with a limited online offering. These sites simply don’t offer the depth of markets, odds and products available in other European jurisdictions.
This presents a tremendous opportunity for experienced online sportsbooks to make their mark, so long as they enter Bulgaria with a localised product that delivers a superior player experience. Those that do are very much in the driving seat to capitalise on the tremendous potential on the table.
What do Bulgarian players look for in an online sportsbook?
There is a long tradition of retail and online sports betting in Bulgaria, so players are seeking a comprehensive, quality, cutting-edge product and experience similar to that offered and found in mature markets such as the UK.
In particular, they are seeking a high volume of events, a range of bet types as well as modern features such cash out. We also believe that exchange betting, while not currently available, will be hugely popular once we secure our licence and launch the Sportingwin exchange in the market.
How will you meet those needs and localise your offering?
There are two key ways we are doing this – product and our approach to CRM. When it comes to product, we are developing a proprietary platform that is fully customisable for each market we enter, including Bulgaria. This includes localised payment options, currencies, sports, etc.
In terms of CRM, we are investing in a local customer support centre so that we can comfortably meet the staff-intensive local language CRM and marketing operations and activities we believe will enable us to communicate to and engage with Bulgarian players.
How have you found the licencing process to date?
The Bulgarian regulator has incredibly high standards and expectations when it comes to due diligence. As such, the licensing process has been a little slower than in other jurisdictions, but we are okay with this as we want to make sure we not only meet but exceed their standards.
This means taking additional steps such as appointing a dedicated Bulgarian CEO. He has a proven background in gaming and the regulator can quickly carry out the necessary checks that it needs to in order to ascertain his credibility and suitability for the role.
Owning our own technology has also allowed us to synchronise our platform with the NRA already, which in turn means we are among those on the regulator’s list of approved technologies ready for when our licence is granted.
In addition, we are a Maltese company so have requested that the Maltese consulate in Bulgaria monitor the licensing process from start to finish as our application is the first to be considered since the Nation Revenue Agency took over regulatory responsibility earlier in the year.
By having the right people on a local level, and by taking considered steps towards ensuring we meet the standards set by regulator, we expect to receive our licence in the first quarter of next year.
What has been the toughest challenge to overcome?
The toughest challenge is in respect to the due diligence and in particular the requirement of having an €800,000 investment from a local, proven source of funds. To do this, we have had to find a local banking partner which was easier said than done.
That being said, the team pulled together and we were able to find a local banking partner happy to facilitate the investment allowing us to progress through the licensing process.
What are your long-term plans for the Bulgarian market?
We want to claim 9% of the local market within the first three years. We then plan to build on this rapidly by securing further venture capital that will enable us to consolidate the market through mergers and acquisitions with local operators.
Once we have achieved the scale we are seeking, we can then effectively pursue market leader bet365. It is a tough task, but one that we are more than capable of completing thanks to the incredible team we have built out in recent years.
We also believe our cutting-edge proprietary technology and platform gives us a huge edge over the incumbent operators and brands and will allow us to compete with and defeat any other overseas operators that enter the market.
What is your long-term plan for Sportingwin?
We are currently undertaking a fundraising campaign to help accelerate our global expansion efforts, selling off more than €1m in equity.
These investments are in line with our long-term strategy for the brand which is to achieve a valuation of €50m in three years and, once achieved, would deliver a x13 increase on the current investment opportunity.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Q&A: Sportingwin and the Bulgaria opportunity
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Saddle up for big wins under the Bison Moon with the latest slot from Northern Lights Gaming
Provider introduces its newest feature, Power Combo, in an action-packed slot with plenty of wild win potential
Step into the heart of the untamed frontier in Bison Moon – Power Combo, a slot from Northern Lights Gaming that captures the rugged beauty and boundless thrill of the Great Plains with plenty of big wins in store.
This action-packed slot introduces the provider’s latest mechanic, Power Combo, where three unique Scatters unlock incredible bonus features via its proprietary Link&Win feature. Players also get to experience the thrill of Expanding Reels for even more wild slotting action.
Players will feel the rush as Multipliers super-charge their payouts, amping up the excitement each time they hit. They can also seize the moment with Instant Collect, allowing them to claim big rewards as and when they drop.
But with each Scatter triggering a new layer of action, no two spins are ever the same.
Adding to the excitement is the Jackpot feature, which has been embedded within the Link&Win bonus. Players must land Jackpot Moons to trigger either Mini or Major Jackpot wins or fill the reels to unlock the Grand Jackpot and the game’s largest payouts.
For the boldest of adventurers, keep watch for the Scatters that turn into Golden Eagles. Collect five in total, and they can activate the Golden Eagle Pick’Em bonus.
From the serene beauty of the open plains to the heart-pounding moments of chasing down the Jackpots and Golden Eagles, Bison Moon Power Combo provides a slotting experience like no other.
All that players need to do to enjoy it is saddle up, embrace the wild and discover the riches waiting to be uncovered under the vast Western skies.
Chris Loftus, Commercial Director, at Northern Lights Gaming, said: “Bison Moon – Power Combo lets players take a walk on the reel wild side as they come face to face with magnificent beasts, big bonuses and plenty of slot playing action.
“Power Combo is a thrilling bonus that changes the game with every spin, and we really couldn’t think of a better game to introduce it to players. This, combined with Link&Win and plenty of jackpots to trigger, makes Bison Moon a compelling and rewarding slot to play.
“We look forward to seeing it roam into online casino lobbies, and for players to embark on their very own big win adventure under the vast Western skies.”
The post Saddle up for big wins under the Bison Moon with the latest slot from Northern Lights Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Lisbon, Portugal, 16-18 of September
This September 16-18, SBC Summit in Lisbon will host the official presentation of Communications Hub (CommsHub). The new all-in-one communication management platform helps businesses integrate messaging services 75% faster while ensuring uninterrupted delivery through built-in backup and cascading traffic.
Developed by industry veterans and now operating as a standalone brand in the RedCore business group, Communications Hub is set to change the way high-volume messaging is managed – not only in iGaming and affiliate marketing, but also in fintech, e-commerce and beyond.
A New Era of Smart Messaging
Communications Hub centralizes SMS, flash calls and alpha name registration into one streamlined interface. The platform provides businesses with access to an up-to-date list of verified service providers, flexible routing options and advanced analytics – all designed to reduce costs, save time and increase reliability.
One of the platform’s key innovations is its built-in failover and cascading traffic system, ensuring that no message is lost due to a provider outage or technical disruption.
“We built a Communications Hub to take the uncertainty out of messaging,” said Viktoriia Yefimenko, CEO, Communications Hub. “Our mission is simple: make integration fast, delivery reliable and management effortless.”
75% Faster Integration
The launch announcement comes with a headline figure: Communications Hub reduces the time needed to integrate new providers by 75% – from the industry standard of 35-45 days to just 10 days.
For fast-moving industries, this speed means more than convenience; it can mean seizing market opportunities before competitors do.
Meet the Team at SBC Lisbon
Visitors to SBC Lisbon 2025 will have the opportunity to see Communications Hub at the stand #D181 in action, meet the team behind it and explore how the platform can streamline their communication strategy.
“SBC is the perfect stage for our launch,” added Viktoriia. “It’s where forward-thinking businesses come to explore new technology and we’re ready to show them what’s possible.”
Who Should Visit
Communications Hub is built for any type of messages – from marketing agencies and trading platforms to online retailers and affiliate networks.
The platform’s combination of speed, stability and smart routing makes it particularly valuable for companies where every second and every message matters.
Event Details:
SBC Summit Lisbon 2025
16-18 of September
Visit the Communications Hub at booth #D181
For more information ahead of the event, visit the website.
The post Revolutionizing Messaging: Communications Hub at SBC Lisbon 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Checkd Dev and OpenBet Partner to Launch Advanced Trending BetBuilder Automated Betting Solution
Checkd Dev, the leading iGaming technology specialist and part of the award-winning Checkd Group, has entered into a landmark three-year partnership with OpenBet, a leading provider of betting and gaming technology, content, and services. Together, they will deliver a next-generation Automated Betting Solution (ABS), known as ‘Trending BetBuilder,’ designed to enhance the pre-canned BetBuilder experience.
This strategic collaboration represents a significant milestone for Checkd Dev as it brings its proprietary ABS technology to the BetBuilder vertical for the first time, further expanding the product’s versatility and market impact.
Originally launched in 2023 to optimise the user experience of incorporating key statistics into the accumulator bet journey and increasing bet placement conversion for operators, Checkd Dev’s ABS has now evolved to serve the growing demand for automated, pre-canned bet builder content.
Trending BetBuilder integrates seamlessly with OpenBet’s market-leading pricing and BetBuilder capabilities, powered by SportCast, giving operators a powerful, scalable tool to curate engaging betting opportunities.
The partnership allows OpenBet’s global network of operators to benefit from: Dynamic, stats-driven pre-canned widgets for front-end user engagement, a fully automated back-end system for bet creation, management, and localisation, and a multi-territory ready interface that supports global scalability through a centralised, intuitive admin control panel.
This single integration delivers two key outcomes for operators: significantly increased pre-canned bet builder conversion rates and major operational efficiencies—saving trading teams valuable hours daily.
OpenBet’s BetBuilder, powered by SportCast, has revolutionised the sports betting landscape. This innovative product pioneered player stats and same-game betting, offering a premium and highly personalised experience. Today, it provides unparalleled entertainment to the world’s leading sportsbooks.
Commenting on the partnership, Andrew Grimshaw, Commercial Director at Checkd Dev, said: “This is an exciting step forward for Checkd Dev. Working alongside OpenBet’s SportCast, one of the most respected names in our industry, we’re thrilled to introduce a powerful, automated solution to their extensive global client base.
“Our accumulator product has already proven its value with Tier 1 operators in the UK market. With this expanded ABS now tailored for pre-canned bet builders, we’re confident OpenBet clients will experience both uplift in conversion and operational time savings in what is a high-margin, high-volume betting category.”
Jason Ayton, SVP Business Development & Strategy at OpenBet, said: “Through our BetBuilder product, powered by SportCast, we provide customers with highly engaging, personal digital experiences that immerse them in the excitement of live sport.
“Trending BetBuilder takes the product to the next level for our partners. It offers an automated solution that gives operators around the world a pre-canned content solution that is highly scalable and adaptable to local markets. We believe it will have a major positive impact on the market as it rolls out with our global partner base.”
The post Checkd Dev and OpenBet Partner to Launch Advanced Trending BetBuilder Automated Betting Solution appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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