SOFTSWISS: "iGB L!VE is a remarkable opportunity to engage in meaningful face-to-face discussions with our partners"

Major iGaming expo iGB L!VE is set to return bigger than ever this week, gathering hundreds of attendees from key gaming markets from July 11-14 at RAI Amsterdam. Among the companies ready to showcase their latest products at the expo is online gaming software solutions supplier SOFTSWISS, which will make its presence be felt through an expanded stand.

Ahead of the event's return, and SOFTSWISS' much-anticipated showcase, Yogonet held an exclusive interview with Max Trafimovich, CCO at the iGaming company. In this conversation, the executive discusses the importance of the expo for SOFTSWISS, what is new in the firm's portfolio, and latest trends in the online gaming industry, among other insights and updates.

SOFTSWISS is set to showcase its latest products at iGB L!VE in July. What are the company’s priorities for the event?

iGB L!VE is a remarkable opportunity to engage in meaningful face-to-face discussions with our partners. This time, our presence will be even more impactful as we expand our stand, making it the largest meeting hub at the event. 

In addition, we are excited to announce an unforgettable, invitation-only private party at the iconic A'DAM Tower in Amsterdam, where we will bring together esteemed members of the iGaming community. This delightful tradition allows us to gather our existing and potential partners, fostering stronger connections and creating lasting memories. 

Our primary focus for this event is networking, facilitating meetings with stakeholders, and sharing our expertise within the community. I eagerly extend an invitation to all attendees to join us at the SOFTSWISS stand P22!

iGB L!VE is a major expo for the iGaming industry, drawing hundreds of attendees from several key markets. This time around, organizers have confirmed 30% space growth, making the edition the biggest on record. What are your expectations in terms of networking opportunities? What industry topics do you expect to take center stage?

iGB L!VE is the biggest iGaming event in Europe this summer. We will make the most of this opportunity as we anticipate a series of important negotiations. 

The iGB L!VE Pulse Conference agenda will help us highlight the main industry topics for the event. Regulations, new markets, and AI take center stage, clearly reflecting the most intriguing trends. 

The regulation trend is certainly expected to enhance. Announcements of new legal frameworks in various countries are inevitable. That is why this year, I am holding a presentation at iGB L!VE Pulse Conference on 12 July at 15:20, covering the topic “Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: Proven Strategies for Operators”. During the presentation, I will share insights on how an operator can successfully enter a regulated jurisdiction.

The next trend is undoubtedly the expanding interest surrounding the adoption of AI tools across the iGaming sector. AI has become a ubiquitous buzzword in today's world, but its potential to revolutionize numerous industries cannot be overlooked. So, day by day, we will see more and more news related to such technologies. 

For example, we use AI to personalize our Sportsbook for players. AI-based tools allow us to display events according to player preferences. The system gathers real-time player data, enabling us to deliver highly relevant content tailored to individual gaming preferences. By doing so, we can recommend events that our system deems appealing to specific players or similar player groups.

SOFTSWISS will be joined at its booth by payment gateway solution provider FinteqHub, following its presentation at ICE London earlier this year. What are the key aspects of this new proposition, and how is it adapted for the gaming industry?

FinteqHub is a payment gateway for online businesses, enabling them to connect with multiple payment systems through a unified platform. The FinteqHub back office allows businesses to generate and manage requests for financial transactions, set up processing rules, and generate analytics of financial flows. 

FinteqHub provides a versatile payment infrastructure that can incorporate numerous websites and dependencies. One notable feature is cascading, which guarantees a smooth redirection of declined player card transactions to an alternative acquirer.

FinteqHub was created by the iGaming-savvy payments team of SOFTSWISS with tons of hands-on experience. We aim to solve topical payment-related issues of online casinos and sportsbooks. Our technologies allow for very nuanced fine-tuning of payment methods to drive the acceptance rate way up. Few payment gateways would give so much attention to this. What is more, our product operates as a comprehensive back office with a user-friendly design and intuitive interface.

Developing FinteqHub into a valuable tool for operators is yet another step in our quest of building an iGaming ecosystem, or,  if you will, a “close-knit family” of solutions.

One of SOFTSWISS’ solutions we have seen gain momentum over the last few months is the Jackpot Aggregator, which has reached a new milestone with campaigns launched for 50 online casino brands. What explains the success of this product?

The SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator distinguishes itself in the market through its comprehensive service package. This solution provides operators with the flexibility to tailor jackpots according to their specific business objectives.

Besides, we offer dedicated support from both technical and business points of view. Our experienced professionals accompany operators throughout the entire jackpot campaign, from the initial generation of ideas to a successful launch, and even through in-depth performance analysis. By leveraging their profound knowledge, they ensure that operators receive top-notch guidance and support, maximising the potential of their jackpot offerings.

Overall, the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator provides operators with a unique combination of customisation, support and expertise, making it an exceptional choice in the market. I am sure all points I've mentioned are the reason for the Jackpot Aggregator’s successful market expansion.

A new integration with Livespins was recently announced for the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform. How does SOFTSWISS approach innovation in its flagship product, and what role do gamification elements play in this solution? What are your clients’ current demands in terms of new features and tools?

Presented in 2013, the Casino Platform was our first product that built the SOFTSWISS name in the iGaming industry. Today, the Casino Platform powers over 200 live brands from Europe, Latin America, CIS and Asia, with 73% of all projects supporting crypto. In February 2023, SOFTSWISS reconfirmed its crypto-gambling pioneer status by winning the ‘Crypto Company of the Year’ title at the International Gaming Awards. 

Our team treats the product with very special attention. Despite the launch being a long time ago, the Casino Platform is always actively evolving, implementing many trendy features and tools.

Of course, gamification is important for online casinos just as for any entertainment products. It helps involve players in the process, enhancing the number of bets, player retention, and engagement. We also implement a lot of features into the Casino Platform to make the player experience as seamless as possible. The recent integration of the Metamask wallet is one of the many steps in that direction.

The product team also put a lot of effort into cross-product integration. For example, the Livespins integration you’ve mentioned is made through the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator. At the same time, the Sportsbook solution is readily available as a separate module through the mentioned Game Aggregator. For clients already utilizing our aggregation platform to access games, incorporating a sports betting tool becomes a logical choice. 

Speaking about clients’ demands, they don’t change a lot, in principle. Everyone wants to have modern, innovative tools and features that help increase revenue, boost engagement, and reduce technical costs. SOFTSWISS stands ready to accommodate the variable business ideas of our partners in the most efficient way.

The event coincides with the end of the first half of the year. How would you describe H1 for SOFTSWISS? With the online gaming industry in a period of change, with new technologies gaining momentum and new markets promising attractive opportunities, what is in store for the company’s remainder of the year?

The H1 was marked by a number of milestones for us, and it’s important to highlight the ongoing growth of our products. 

The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator achieved stellar H1 2023 results, showcasing the addition of over 100 new iGaming brands, bringing its total to over 800 clients together with the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform. 

As you already mentioned, the Jackpot Aggregator has gathered 50 brands on board. During the first quarter alone, players from multiple client brands claimed over 4,000 jackpots. 

This growth signifies an increasing recognition of the company’s solutions across the iGaming industry. And we don’t stop here.

The next thing to mention is our expansion into LATAM. We participated in several events there, with SiGMA Americas as a sure “cherry on top” and the key event in the region. We had loads of valuable insights and productive meetings, which have already yielded positive results – of course, in the form of newly signed partnership agreements. 

We have also collected seven prestigious awards this year to date. We view it as a vital sign of industry recognition and our right path in development.

So, our main goal for the rest of the year is to continue following our strategy that brings such pleasant results.

Lastly, as you mentioned earlier, SOFTSWISS is organizing a private party at the iconic A'DAM Tower in Amsterdam to “unite top iGaming community members” during the days of iGB L!VE. What can you tell us about this very special event?

Organizing conceptual events for industry leaders has become a lovely tradition for SOFTSWISS. Combining an exciting idea, top-notch cuisine and a fabulous show, we love to gather our existing and prospective partners to foster stronger connections.

For instance, during ICE London, SOFTSWISS helped deliver the industry’s iconic party Fire & ICE, which was blissfully (and quite loudly!) held and highly appreciated by the guests. 

This year at A’DAM Tower in Amsterdam, we will be immersing all invitees in a rock-themed party with tons of activities I cannot yet mention. Our guests will be treated to signature cocktails, great food, live music and a club set from our headliner, DJ 666. The party will be hosted by our long-time friend Michael Caselli.