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Movers and Shakers – From Data to Decisions: What It Really Takes to Make AI Work in iGaming

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“Movers and Shakers” is a dynamic monthly column dedicated to exploring the latest trends, developments, and influential voices in the iGaming industry. Powered by GameOn and supported by HIPTHER, this op-ed series delves into the key players, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes shaping the future of online gaming. Each month, industry experts offer their insights and perspectives, providing readers with in-depth analysis and thought-provoking commentary on what’s driving the iGaming world forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, “Movers and Shakers” is your go-to source for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape. 

 

By Claudia Heiling, Co-Founder & COO, Golden Whale

For years, iGaming has considered itself a data-driven industry. We’ve all spent time refining segmentation, optimising CRM journeys, mapping behavioural signals, and building increasingly complex player models. And with machine learning now widely available, whether bought, built, or borrowed, it would be reasonable to assume that the industry is already fully realising the benefits of AI.

But speak to most operators, product teams, or data leads and you’ll hear a different story.

There are models running somewhere – and usually several. There are predictions being generated. There are dashboards, reports, and insights circulating. Yet the business impact often feels inconsistent. Some initiatives deliver a clear uplift; others stall or never make it past a proof-of-concept stage. Projects that shine in testing environments don’t always translate into live, reliable operations.

The issue is rarely the model. And it’s rarely the data team. The gap is operational.

It’s one thing to build machine learning models. It’s another to make them function as part of the daily working rhythm of an iGaming business.

The operators and providers seeing the strongest and most reliable gains are the ones who treat AI not as an experiment, but as a capability: something that must be designed, deployed, monitored, re-trained, and continuously improved. This is closer to how we already treat core game operations, promotional systems, risk tooling, or CRM orchestration. It’s iterative, structured and ongoing.

In practice, that means building the frameworks around the models, not just the models themselves. Continuous data flows. Automated re-training. Real-time deployment pipelines. Feedback loops that allow systems to learn not just once, but constantly. When we work with iGaming clients who have embraced this operational mindset and leverage our ready-to-deploy MLOps system built for iGaming, the impact becomes both compounding and predictable.

The other shift happening is cultural. There has been a lingering expectation in some corners of the industry that AI will replace manual decision-making entirely and that it will “take over” processes like CRM optimisation, fraud detection, or product adjustment.

That’s neither realistic nor particularly desirable.

iGaming is too contextual, too human, too dependent on craftmanship and intuition.
The real value of AI is in augmentation: giving teams better visibility, faster feedback, and stronger evidence on which to base decisions.

In organisations where this mindset has taken hold, you see a different dynamic.
CRM teams run more experiments, more often, because they aren’t spending time rebuilding segments from scratch. Analysts spend less time on manual spreadsheet simulation and more on strategic exploration. Live-ops managers can respond to player behaviour as it changes, not after the weekly report comes in.

AI becomes the layer that enhances judgement, rather than replaces it.

And when AI is integrated technically and culturally, the commercial outcomes are hard to ignore. In setups where continuous learning pipelines are properly established and aligned with live operations, we’ve seen engagement and retention metrics improve dramatically and sustainably, with activity and revenues rising by 100–200%, while bonus and incentive costs drop by 20%+, driving growth and both securing and expanding market share. Operational teams benefit too, with workflows becoming smoother and less manual because the system is handling the constant data processing and iteration.

The improvements don’t come from having more complex algorithms. They come from having a structure that allows those algorithms to perform reliably, adapt to change, and keep learning over time.

This is where the conversation about AI in iGaming is quietly changing.

It’s no longer dominated by model performance or dataset scale, rather it is focused on repeatability, reliability and learning speed.

The distinction matters because it separates having AI, from running AI.

And the operators and providers who get this right aren’t just improving performance in the short term. They are building organisational momentum, a capability that compounds over time and is very difficult to replicate quickly.

In a sector defined by tight margins, competition and rapidly shifting player expectations, that advantage is significant.

So, if there is a “next step” in the industry’s AI journey, it’s not a more complex algorithm. It’s not a bigger data pool. And it’s not a new suite of predictive dashboards.

It’s the ability to learn continuously, responsibly and at scale.

Because in iGaming, as in intelligence, data alone doesn’t win. What wins is the ability to turn learning into action again and again.

The post Movers and Shakers – From Data to Decisions: What It Really Takes to Make AI Work in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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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Paysecure brings Gibraltar’s iGaming payments community together for exclusive industry event

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Paysecure, a leading provider of payment orchestration solutions for the iGaming industry, successfully hosted its exclusive event Securing Faster Payments in iGaming aboard the Sunborn Hotel in Gibraltar on 16th October.

The evening brought together senior figures from operators, technology providers, and payment networks to explore the evolution of faster, more secure payment experiences in iGaming, and what lies ahead for the sector.

With speakers from Worldpay, Mastercard, DAZN, Pretty Technical, and Paysecure, discussions centred around balancing player experience, security, and compliance in a rapidly changing landscape.

Across keynote talks and a healthy panel debate, speakers explored how technology, data, and collaboration are reshaping the future of payments in iGaming.

A recurring theme was the tension between speed and security, and how advances such as network tokenisation and smarter orchestration are allowing operators to achieve both. Attendees heard how network tokens are improving authorisation rates and trust, while also fuelling new payment experiences, such as click-to-pay, which in turn reduces cashier friction and provides a seamless player journey.

The discussion also delved into how player-centric design, behavioural analytics and the latest technological innovations are transforming the deposit journey. With more than 30% of players abandoning deposits due to checkout friction, speakers shared insights on how to define and build dynamic payment experiences, utilizing customer segmentation, intelligent routing, and rich data-insights; and further reflected on the importance of ecosystem connectivity for pushing the industry forward.

It is clear from the discussions that payments are no longer a utility, but a point of competitive advantage for operators. Payments remain a pivotal conversion moment, and a lot hinges on the experience, with players expecting to pay quickly and efficiently how, when and where they want.

Paysecure’s Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder, Viktoriia Degtiarova, emphasised the importance of collaboration in raising industry standards: “The Paysecure Payment Professionals event really highlighted how critical payments are to operator success. In today’s fast-moving iGaming landscape, continual innovation in payment solutions isn’t optional, it’s essential. Success relies on collaboration across the entire ecosystem, from operators and PSPs to regulators and technology partners, ensuring seamless experiences for players while driving growth for all stakeholders.”

Farish Lakhani, Corporate Sales Director at Worldpay Global SMB further shared, “Thank you to Paysecure for hosting such a well-organised event in Gibraltar and for inviting us to be part of the conversation. It was a great opportunity to share insights and collaborate on shaping the future of payments in iGaming”.

Following the success of the Gibraltar event, Paysecure Payment Professionals – The iGaming Edition will continue across other key iGaming hubs in 2026, building on the discussions and relationships formed at this inaugural event.

 

The post Paysecure brings Gibraltar’s iGaming payments community together for exclusive industry event appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ProgressPlay to Unveil Next-Generation Sweepstakes Solution at SiGMA Europe 2025, Redefining Market Entry and Player Engagement

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ProgressPlay, a premier iGaming platform and solutions provider, has announced its prominent presence at SiGMA Europe 2025 in Rome on stand 4246, where it will spotlight its groundbreaking Sweepstakes Solution. The company is set to demonstrate how this innovative model provides operators with a compliant, high-impact pathway to captivate players in complex and emerging markets.

The event will serve as the launchpad for ProgressPlay’s most advanced sweepstakes package to date, featuring a complete suite of technological and operational tools designed for rapid market entry and sustainable growth. The solution offers a proven alternative to real-money gaming that drives exceptional player loyalty and lifetime value.

Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing at ProgressPlay, emphasised the strategic advantage the solution offers. “The global demand for engaging, compliant gaming experiences has never been higher. Our Sweepstakes Solution isn’t just an add-on; it’s a strategic master key for operators looking to unlock new revenue streams without the traditional barriers,” stated Nahhas. 

Nahhas continued: “At SiGMA, we will show partners how to seamlessly integrate this model, leveraging our robust platform and vast content library to build a vibrant and loyal player community from day one. ProgressPlay invites operators, brands, and potential partners to book a private meeting at SiGMA Europe 2025 to experience a live demonstration of the Sweepstakes Solution and explore bespoke partnership opportunities.”


ProgressPlay’s comprehensive solution includes a sweepstakes engine, a dedicated portfolio of engaging games optimised for the model, bespoke back-office management tools, and more. This end-to-end approach allows operators to focus on player acquisition and growth.

Itai Loewenstein, CEO of ProgressPlay, highlighted the solution’s role in the company’s vision for global expansion. “In an industry defined by evolution, true leadership means providing the tools for our partners to not just adapt, but to lead. Our Sweepstakes Solution is a testament to that commitment,” said Lowenstein. “We are empowering our partners to explore new frontiers with confidence and agility.”

Loewenstein concluded: “For any operator or brand looking to diversify their offerings and future-proof their business, our stand 4246 at SiGMA is a must-visit destination.”

The post ProgressPlay to Unveil Next-Generation Sweepstakes Solution at SiGMA Europe 2025, Redefining Market Entry and Player Engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ZettaOnline Wins “Best Payment Provider” at EiGE Awards 2025 During the European Gaming Congress in Warsaw

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ZettaOnline has been named Best Payment Provider at the EiGE Awards 2025, held during the European Gaming Congress (EGC) in Warsaw, Poland on 30-31 October.

Organized by Hipther, the awards honor excellence and innovation across the gaming and fintech ecosystem. The “Best Payment Provider” title recognizes the company that delivers secure, fast, and friction-free transaction solutions, setting new benchmarks for reliability and customer experience in iGaming.

This distinction marks ZettaOnline’s second major recognition in 2025 in the same category, reinforcing its position as a trusted fintech partner for regulated gaming operators.

“Receiving this award at such a renowned industry event is an incredible honor and a reflection of our team’s focus on strategic advancement, compliance, and client success,” said Milena Tsankarska, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at ZettaOnline, who accepted the award on behalf of the company.

In addition to the company’s success, Milena Tsankarska had received individual nominations in two categories: iGaming Leader of the Year, celebrating vision and leadership in the industry, and iGaming Influencer of the Year, honoring individuals whose insights and impact help shape the gaming community.

At the European Gaming Congress, Tsankarska also joined the panel “Beyond the Booth: Strategic Event Preparation in B2B PR, Marketing & BizDev,” where she discussed the evolving role of communication in a data-driven era. Her key message highlighted the importance of aligning research, audience understanding, and business goals to create marketing that resonates and drives measurable outcomes.

“We value this event because it allows us to create a network of long-term partners. It’s great to see the potential of the gaming industry showcased by a diverse range of companies and ideas,” said Tsankarska. “We’re thankful to the Hipther team for recognizing our work and for creating spaces that foster real collaboration and progress across the sector.”

ZettaOnline continues to strengthen its position within the fintech and gaming ecosystems, delivering tailored solutions that combine technology, compliance, and security across multiple regulated markets. The company’s expertise spans online payments, cyber security, cloud services, certification, IT infrastructure, software development, server and system administration, and technical compliance, ensuring every partner receives a holistic approach to operational excellence. With a focus on speed, reliability, and intelligent scalability, ZettaOnline empowers businesses to navigate complex financial and technological environments with confidence and clarity.

The post ZettaOnline Wins “Best Payment Provider” at EiGE Awards 2025 During the European Gaming Congress in Warsaw appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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