This week in B2B news (14 February)

Pragmatic Play’s new UK partners 

Pragmatic Play has expanded its reach across the UK via an agreement with Ivy Casino. 

The deal will enable Ivy Casino players access to the supplier’s vast portfolio of slots, including titles such as Gates of Olympus 1,000, Sugar Rush 1,000, and the Big Bass franchise, as well as live roulette and blackjack tables. 

Irina Cornides, Pragmatic Play chief operating officer (COO), said: “We’re excited to supply player favourite games to Ivy Casino as the brand continues to establish itself in the competitive UK market.”  

Mark Good of Ivy Casino added: “Partnering with Pragmatic Play allows Ivy Casino to provide its players with some of the most popular and innovative games in the industry. Their renowned titles will significantly enhance the gaming offering at Ivy Casino and support its mission to become a leading name in the UK online casino space.” 

Mindway AI joins European Lotteries Association 

Mindway AI has become a provisional associate member of the European Lotteries association (EL), with full membership pending until the EL general assembly in September. 

As a result of the collaboration, Mindway AI is aiming to increase its impact in making the sector more “secure, transparent and beneficial for all stakeholders involved”. 

The EL is made up of 70 members across 39 countries, which collectively contribute €22m annually to be used to fund sport, cultural heritage, art, healthcare, education and science projects. 

“To join as a proud new member of the European Lotteries, Mindway AI is delighted to contribute to and learn from a community that shares our commitment to integrity and public welfare,” explained Mindway AI CEO Rasmus Kjaergaard.  

“This partnership will be an essential step in our endeavour to implement cutting-edge, responsible gaming solutions across the continent, ensuring a safe and positive environment for players.” 

Evoplay names new CCO 

Evoplay has promoted from within to name Ihor Zarechnyi as its new chief commercial officer (CCO), four years after he first joined the supplier as head of sales. 

In his new post, Zarechnyi will spearhead Evoplay’s commercial operations and oversee market expansion initiatives as well as strengthen the firm’s existing partnerships. 

Ivan Kravchuk, Evoplay CEO, talked up the appointment, noting: “Ihor has been an integral part of Evoplay’s success, playing a pivotal role in expanding our commercial reach and building strong relationships with partners worldwide. His expertise, leadership and vision make him the perfect fit for the role of chief commercial officer.” 

Zarechnyi added: “Having witnessed Evoplay’s development over the past few years, I am honoured to take on the role of chief commercial officer at this vital time of expansion. 

“We are keen to continue our upward trajectory by delivering fresh gaming experiences to more players than ever before, and I look forward to leading our commercial efforts as we continue to grow, innovate and solidify our position as a market leader.” 

Abios joins forces with Kindred

Kambi has confirmed its esports division has agreed a multi-year collaboration with Kindred Group in a move that will see its full suite of products delivered to the operator’s in-house sportsbook.

In turn, Kindred’s Unibet and 32Red brands will be strengthened by the addition of Abios’ odds, data, widgets and always-on content, as well as deploying its low latency odds feed to power bet builders and player props.

Anton Janér, managing director and co-founder of Abios, explained: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Unibet and the wider Kindred Group, a leader in the global sports betting and gaming market.

“This agreement showcases the value of Abios’ full esports odds packages and our ability to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of operators and enables them to reach new audiences through the growth of esports.” 

Ben Colley, sportsbook director of Kindred Group, added: “Extending our partnership with Abios via Kambi’s Odds Feed+ API and leveraging their deep expertise and esports odds solutions ensures we remain at the forefront of esports betting, delivering unparalleled products and services to our players.”

BetMakers updates Dabble deal 

BetMakers has expanded its partnership with Dabble as the Australian operator looks to launch in the UK market. 

As part of the deal’s updated terms, BetMakers will supply Dabble with its Price Manager technology solution for both the Australian and UK markets, alongside the supplier’s “cutting-edge” Racelab form product to bolster the bookmaker’s offering. 

Jake Henson, BetMakers CEO, explained: “We’re thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Dabble as they take this bold step into the UK market. Our Price Manager solution has been a cornerstone of their racing product success in Australia, and the addition of our Racelab ProFORM product will provide even greater value to their customers.” 

Tom Rundle, Dabble CEO, added: “Our partnership with BetMakers has been instrumental to our achievements in Australia, and we are thrilled to extend this relationship as we prepare to launch in the UK. BetMakers’ solutions, including the Price Manager and Racelab products, will play a key role in ensuring we continue to deliver unrivalled racing products and a seamless customer experience.” 

Novibet’s new GM

Novibet has appointed Nikos Papadoglou as general manager as the Greek operator looks to further strengthen its management team.

Papadoglou brings a wealth of industry experience to the position, having previously held several titles during a six-year stint at Intralot, including CCO.

Papadoglou’s other notable tenures come in the form of a spell as executive director of telecommunications company Wind Hellas and his most recent position as deputy CEO of fintech firm Nexi Greece.

Novibet noted: “His key responsibilities will include overseeing global business operations, further strengthening Novibet’s presence in existing markets, and fostering a culture of innovation that will position the organisation among the world’s leading GameTech companies.” 

Betandeal expands further into Italy

Spanish affiliate and media company Betandeal has expanded its presence in the Italian market via the acquisition of Piw Network and its gaming information portals, together with the BTS affiliate network. 

The deal marks the most recent expansion effort from Betandeal, which now boasts operations in Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and the United States. 

Joaquín Gago, Betandeal CEO, remarked: “Italy represents a strategic expansion for us. This acquisition accelerates our growth in a key European market and positions us to become a dominant player in online gaming affiliations.” 

Stefano Guerri, Piw Network CEO, added: “Joining forces with Betandeal marks an exciting new chapter. Our entire team has been confirmed and we have important initiatives planned for this year that will have a significant impact on the Italian market.” 

Rimble launches esports bet builder 

Rimble, an emerging esports betting technology supplier, has announced the launch of its new esports bet builder, which is now available to a number of titles, including Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), League of Legends (LoL), Valorant and Dota 2. 

The product offers users the chance to “craft bespoke bets” within a single game, including markets on match winner, map scores as well as individual player statistics such as kills, assists and headshots. 

“Rimble’s bet builder transforms the esports betting experience by empowering users with greater control and personalisation,” said Shivam Shorewala, Rimble CEO.  

“This feature not only enhances engagement but also provides operators with a powerful tool to attract and retain players, as well as maximising wagering opportunities. Rimble’s bet builder isn’t just an add-on, it’s a game changer for operators looking to differentiate themselves in the competitive esports betting landscape.”