Latest News

Building an ecosystem for the iGaming business: Exclusive interview with Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS

Published

2 years ago

September 7, 2023

Reading Time: 4 minutes

How do you evaluate SOFTSWISS’ interim performance results of 2023?

We have record numbers for most of our products in the first half of 2023. We’ve picked up a good pace, so I think we’ve done quite well in the first half of the year. The strategy we’ve chosen and are following is paying off. We expect that the second half of the year will be even better for us. Reinforcing this idea with some numbers I am proud to note the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator has achieved a breakthrough milestone by surpassing 10,000,000,000 euro in Total Bets across all projects in July and August.

As planned, we have achieved all-time record-breaking figures across the entire product range.

The SOFTSWISS Anti-fraud Team helped our clients save more than 9.2 million euro during the first half of 2023.

The SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggragator achieved the significant milestone of 60 partner brands.

The GGR among all Sportsbook clients soared by 769%, while the total turnover rose by 254% year-on-year.

iGaming brands, collaborating with Affilka by SOFTSWISS, harnessed its power to draw in over 10 million new players through affiliates.

Our commitment to progress remains unwavering and we maintain the current growth momentum. Perfection has no bounds, and our team embodies the spirit of relentless pursuit: “Citius, altius, fortius – communiter” like the Olympians.

We have no intention of resting on our laurels. In fact, we are geared towards accelerating our growth even further and with greater vigour.

For the last few years SOFTSWISS has been creating an iGaming ecosystem. Why is this approach important for the company?

SOFTSWISS has been talking about its software ecosystem for quite a while, first and foremost as a ‘one-stop shop’. We provide our clients with a fairly wide range of products.

The Casino Platform empowers clients to oversee player accounts, payment services, game vendors, and access reporting and analytics, providing a complete back office for their online casino brand management. The powerful and proven software platform is a reliable foundation for strengthening and growing business by adding new products.

With our Game Aggregator hub, it is easy and seamless to add a massive portfolio of over 16,000 games through just one API integration.

The Sportsbook, a sports betting software platform, was created for launching a bookmaker business online with over 200 sports.

The Jackpot Aggregator aims to increase operator revenue by strengthening brand competitiveness, acquiring new players and retaining existing ones, and growing their life-time value and bet sum.

The affiliate management and tracking software Affilka by SOFTSWISS, was developed with the needs of both iGaming operators and affiliate partners in mind.

Moreover, we offer Managed Services, a suite of services aimed at helping operators overcome day-to-day operational challenges.

This is the ecosystem that covers essentially all verticals in the iGaming business.

So, this is not a new trend for us. We have been actively engaged in building an ecosystem of cross-integrated products. It’s almost like a Lego just for the iGaming business. Our slogan, ‘Winning Combination, perfectly encapsulates this, emphasising the importance of creating successful product synergies.

This year, we implemented the integration between the Jackpot Aggregator and Sportsbook, and we recently completed the integration of the Jackpot Aggregator and Game Aggregator.

We are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation and functionality. We definitely make an emphasis on how our products communicate with each other, and how that makes them better.

What are your expectations for the iGaming industry for the rest of the year?

I anticipate a sustained growth in the industry. Things are about to change in terms of legal and compliance, and in terms of working in some jurisdictions like Curacao.

We are definitely very attentive to the LatAm region. The Latin American iGaming market is poised for rapid growth due to growing acceptance of gambling regulation, large population and a growing middle class, as well as its cultural values and, of course, high mobile adoption .

All these factors make this region a prime frontier for both domestic and international operators to explore. This anticipated surge in development holds the potential to reshape the regional gaming landscape and provide lucrative opportunities for industry leaders.

Naturally, we are closely monitoring the cryptocurrency market, which is a big component of our business. However, we do not anticipate any major disruptions or external upheavals. Our expectations align with a steadily expanding market.

What is SOFTSWISS preparing for the SBC Summit Barcelona, 19-21 September? What can visitors expect?

At the core of SOFTSWISS’ imaginative idea for the event is how we view success in the iGaming realm. Taking cues from the renowned Spanish artists, who embody the cultural identity of the event’s host country, SOFTSWISS will portray its pioneering solutions as contemporary cornerstones of the industry.Under the banner ‘Make your business a classic’, our experts invite industry leaders to delve into the revolutionary possibilities offered by our comprehensive suite of solutions.

As always we will have one of the largest booths at the exhibition. The highlight of the booth will be illustrations painted in the style of famous artists, dedicated to each of the SOFTSWISS products. Naturally, we took care to be able to communicate productively with our partners and build a cosy and stylish meeting room at the stand.

Our clients can expect us to be happy to talk to them about our innovations, which we certainly have.

The Game Aggregator’s tournaments features are actively being used by clients.

At the same time, the Jackpot Aggregator is rolling out network jackpots and the time-based jackpot. Be sure to ask the team about the results of the integration with the Game Aggregator.

As always expect us to welcome clients new and old at our stand. And of course, we will be happy to give you a sneak peek of the latest innovations we’ve introduced since the last event.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international iGaming company supplying certified software solutions for managing gambling operations. The expert team, which counts 1,500+ employees, is based in Malta, Poland, Georgia, and Belarus. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013 SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

Latest News

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: