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Exclusive interview with GAMING1: “Our online operations in Belgium have grown beyond all expectations”

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Belgian omni-channel expert GAMING1 has proven itself as a worthy partner during the pandemic, especially when it comes to transitioning operators’ offline operations to online. We sat down with Sylvain Boniver, COO and co-founder to talk through GAMING1’s market outlook for Europe over the coming months – this one’s not to be missed!
GAMING1’s services were certainly in demand during 2020 as land-based operators sought to establish their presence online – can you give us a quick snapshot of what that’s looked like?
The outbreak of Covid-19 has accelerated the transition online for most businesses, and that includes the gambling industry. For us, helping partners navigate the unprecedented circumstances caused by the pandemic was priority number one.
Lockdown restrictions forced land-based casinos to shut up shop, and even in countries where they’ve reopened, visitor numbers remain a long way off their pre-pandemic levels. The longer outlets wait to go digital, the greater the loss of their market share – it really is that simple.
Fortunately, our model is designed to help facilitate that shift, allowing players to continue using their favourite brand in an online format. We help retail and land-based partners digitise their operations – a service which, for many, is urgently necessitated by the current situation, and we’re here to deliver.
How has the last year changed the European landscape? Comparing to the way the market looked last January, how much would say has shifted in terms of growth and expectations?
The widespread closure of land-based establishments has underlined the imperative for operators to expand their digital activities. Our partners have enjoyed tremendous success when it comes to re-directing offline customers online, thereby curbing the financial impact of the pandemic.
Self-evidently, operators without an online outlet are struggling to succeed right now. Those who have a synergised land-based and digital offering, on the other hand, are much better equipped to weather the storm that is sweeping the global economy. For those in the former category, our company is ready and waiting to help deliver an omnichannel experience to their players.
Where has growth been particularly strong for GAMING1 on the continent? Where should our readers be looking at for potential expansion?
Our online operations in Belgium have grown beyond expectations. Of course, that can partially be attributed to the Covid-induced shift of all land-based activities to the online sphere. But it also reflects the sky-high quality of our digital products, and the operational efficiency of which we are so proud.
In addition, our status as a Portuguese market-leader remains undisputed, with valued local partners Estoril continuing to grow at an impressive rate. Our Iberian reach has also expanded in Spain, with 777.ES going from strength to strength by outperforming the competition – a pattern which we are confident will continue in the year to come.
Your home markets are very much across Belgium and France – do you see the current French approach to online gaming changing anytime soon?
There’s a world of difference between the two markets. Looking at regulation, in Belgium you must own a land-based casino to open a betting shop, and there is a €500 weekly deposit limit in place. Neither of those rules apply in the French market – and yet, France is still the more restrictive of the two.
French laws prohibit the existence of any private sector in the entire gambling industry, except for land-based casinos. Little wonder, then, that the country’s black market is the most significant in Europe. Regulation would not provide an overnight solution, such is the scale of the exposure of unregulated sites. It would, however, be a giant leap in the right direction – not just for France’s gambling industry, but for its players and economy too.
Looking to the year ahead, a lot’s been talked about in terms of engagement and retention, as well as acquisition of land-based players to the online world – what should operators be spending their money on to make that happen?
As a land-based operator, having the right partner by your side is paramount. That’s how to deliver a world-class digital product to players, and marketing your offering in the most effective way possible is paramount.
Beyond the cross-selling acquisition and retention tools that we’ve implemented, my strongest recommendation is to develop a 360o strategy that maximises the synergy between your different channels. Ensuring that staff genuinely buy into your vision is also critical – without them on board, even the best-planned projects won’t get very far.
Last but not least, can you give us a few insights for staying ahead this year? What’s going to be the GAMING1 approach for ensuring your partners can succeed?
We strengthened our senior management team over the course of 2020 with an impressive string of industry heavyweights. Our peerless 50-50 business model, in which we win or lose alongside our partners, continues to reap the rewards, and we’ve got an ambitious set of expansion plans in place. I’m very proud by our hard-earned reputation for excellence, and we’re all very excited for the decade ahead. This is especially the case for the growth of our existing operations in Europe and Colombia, as well as developing markets such as France and Holland. Safe to say, we’re in for another busy year!
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Inside RedCore’s Communications Hub: The One-Integration Solution Powering Faster, Smarter Messaging
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European Gaming Media visited RedCore’s impressive multi-brand booth at SiGMA Central Europe in Rome to take a closer look at one of their most technically impactful products: the Communications Hub. Designed as an all-in-one solution for digital businesses, the Communications Hub aggregates multiple verified communication providers – from SMS and calls to high-volume messaging services – into a single platform with one integration and one admin panel.
To explore the technology behind the product, we sat down with Bohdan Bulatsan, CTO of the Communications Hub and a seasoned software engineer with over a decade of experience.
At iGaming, speed and reliability are everything. How does Communications Hub keep messages flowing flawlessly even under pressure?
We have developed a new engine designed specifically to keep our customers’ messages moving smoothly, even during high-pressure periods. One of the key features is our block-geo mechanism, which allows account managers to block certain message types or specific regions when needed.
Combined with our backup system and intelligent routing, this ensures that messages continue to reach their destination reliably, no matter the load or external pressure.
You’ve made adding new providers incredibly fast. What’s the secret sauce behind this ‘integration magic’?
Our technical team is constantly improving the integration process because it’s a core priority for us. One of the main reasons we can move so fast is our universal SDK (Software Development Kit). It includes all the common features and connection points that most providers rely on, so when we start an integration, we can do it quickly and efficiently.
We also run strict pre-integration tests to catch any potential issues before going live. All of this makes the entire process smoother, more reliable, and much faster for our clients.
With so much analytics coming from every channel, how do you turn all that data into actionable insights for businesses?
That’s a good question. Our analytics model brings together all the data from every service and communication channel and aggregates it in one place. This makes it much easier for our customers to filter, understand, and work with the information quickly.
Because everything is centralized, businesses can see the full picture and make faster, more informed decisions that directly support their growth and profitability.
How is SiGMA going for the Communications Hub? What’s your feedback from the event and what are your plans for the future?
SiGMA has been a very good event for us. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from visitors and participants, which is always great to see. Looking ahead, our focus is on expanding the product even further, adding new features and continuing to scale the Communications Hub to meet the needs of our clients.
The post Inside RedCore’s Communications Hub: The One-Integration Solution Powering Faster, Smarter Messaging appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Peter & Sons Strengthens Its Nordic Footprint Through Partnership with Nordplay Group
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Award-winning game studio Peter & Sons has expanded its presence in the Nordic region through a new partnership with Nordplay Group, the acclaimed iGaming operator behind some of Sweden’s most celebrated online casino brands, including Frank & Fred, Pop Casino, Klirr, Jubla, and Onerush, which also serves players in Estonia and Finland.
Nordplay Group has established itself as a dynamic force in European iGaming — proudly global yet lean in operation, with a curated catalogue of premium entertainment enriched by its distinctive Nordic flair. Guided by its ethos, “We scale impact, not size,” the group continues to build a loyal player base across multiple regulated markets.
Through this collaboration, players across Nordplay Group’s platforms will also be among the first to experience Peter & Sons’ newest December releases — Bad Santa and Barbarossa: Dragon Empire. These fresh additions showcase the studio’s evolving creative direction, blending bold visual identity, heightened storytelling, and high-engagement mechanics. Alongside these launches, Nordplay Group’s audience will gain access to a curated selection of Peter & Sons titles featuring the studio’s signature offbeat characters, distinctive artistry, and immersive game worlds.
The Nordics remain one of Europe’s most competitive and innovation-driven iGaming regions. Partnering with Nordplay Group marks a significant milestone for Peter & Sons as the studio continues its expansion across key regulated European markets.
Yann Bautista, Commercial Director & Founder at Peter & Sons, said: “Partnering with Nordplay Group is a thrilling step in our Nordic journey. Their commitment to premium entertainment, modern player experiences, and smart, scalable growth aligns perfectly with our creative philosophy. We’re excited to bring our unique worlds, quirky characters, and next-gen mechanics to even more players across the region.”
Linda Guranova, Head of Games at Nordplay Group added: “Peter & Sons has carved out a distinctive identity in the industry — their imaginative slots, bold visual style, and narrative-driven gameplay truly stand out. We’re delighted to welcome their games to our brands and deliver even more memorable entertainment to our players in Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and beyond.”
This partnership highlights another important chapter in Peter & Sons’ European expansion, following recent market entries across the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, and other regulated jurisdictions.
The post Peter & Sons Strengthens Its Nordic Footprint Through Partnership with Nordplay Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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