Champion at SBC Summit: "What sets our portfolio apart is our player-first approach

Last week, the latest edition of the SBC Summit drew almost 25,000 attendees, marking a 70% surge over the 2023 edition in Barcelona. Attendees, eager to explore the latest developments in the iGaming industry, took over the busy halls of the Feira Internacional de Lisboa for three days of intense networking activity.

Among the companies exhibiting its latest developments at the show was Champion. The gaming solutions provider, which counts over a decade of experience in the gambling industry, highlighted its latest products, including the upcoming Anubis Spell title, to launch on October 15.

Yogonet held an exclusive interview with Anton Chumel, Champion CEO, on the second day of the event, in which he discussed the opportunities offered by SBC Summit, what's new in the iGaming sector, and the company's plans to ramp up production.

At the time of this interview, we are on the show's second day. Has SBC Summit met or surpassed your initial expectations? What are some of the main inquiries you have received from those approaching Champion's stand?

Day 1 of SBC Summit 2024 exceeded our expectations. The foot traffic to Champion's stand was overwhelming, with more interactions than we anticipated. In fact, we had several meetings lined up that couldn’t take place due to the sheer volume of interest. Looking ahead to Day 2, we expect even more engagement and are preparing to accommodate the continued flow of international visitors.

The most common inquiries are about our latest releases and our growing international footprint. Games like Anubis Spell, launching on October 15, have sparked curiosity, and attendees are keen to learn more about our innovative mechanics and upcoming projects.

The Champion team at SBC Summit in Lisbon

What are some of the highlights the company presented at SBC this time around? What sets Champion's current portfolio of gaming content apart, both in terms of technology and game mechanics?

At SBC 2024, we’re proud to showcase our freshest release, Anubis Spell, which launches on October 15. We’re also highlighting two recently released titles, Kong of the Jungle and Safari Ways Deluxe. Both games have been met with enthusiasm, with Safari Ways Deluxe standing out for its desert theme and unique gameplay mechanics, while Kong of the Jungle impresses with its stunning visuals and vibrant jungle theme. 

Additionally, Champion has been actively featured in multiple iGaming magazines with adverts and advertorials, including SBC LEADERS, G3, and iNTERGAMING. What sets our portfolio apart is our player-first approach, consistently offering one new game every month while aiming to increase that number to two. We focus on immersive themes, cutting-edge technology, and advanced mechanics like bonus buy options and free spins to keep players engaged.

SBC is one of the largest iGaming exhibitions in the European market. What are some jurisdictions that you are targeting in this show, and how would you describe the company's current position in the European market at large?

At SBC, Champion is focused on expanding into both the Latin American and European markets. We’ve seen increasing recognition for our work across these regions, and more people are familiar with our portfolio. We’re already well-established in parts of Europe, and we’re pushing forward to expand in both mature and emerging markets. With our growing game library and partnerships, we are steadily reinforcing Champion’s reputation and market presence.

Regulations and consumer preferences can greatly vary from one territory to the other. How does Champion overcome these hurdles, ensuring its products are compliant while addressing local needs?

Champion tackles these challenges by ensuring that all our products are fully compliant with the regulatory standards of each region we operate in. As we expand, we’re continually adapting to local preferences and working closely with authorities to maintain compliance.

In addition to releasing one new game each month, we're working to increase our output to two games monthly, allowing us to stay competitive while offering fresh content. Furthermore, with our upcoming Malta Gambling License, we are positioning ourselves for further growth and expansion into new territories.

What are some of the major trends that you see gaining momentum in the online gaming sector and being discussed here at SBC? Are there any significant changes in customer preferences and market dynamics that you could highlight for us?

The shift towards mobile gaming remains a dominant trend, with players increasingly seeking seamless experiences across devices. Champion has already optimized all of our games for mobile play, ensuring players can enjoy the same quality on any platform.

There’s also a growing focus on interactive features like crash games, which we are set to address with the release of our first crash game later this year. Market dynamics are also shifting toward responsible gaming and sustainability, which align with our values and long-term strategies.

As we enter the last quarter of the year, are there any new projects, plans, or goals for the remainder of 2024 that you could tell us more about? What is the next expo Champion will be attending?

As we enter the final quarter of 2024, our main focus is on the release of our first crash game, which is set to launch by the end of the year. We are also working to maintain our commitment to releasing one new game each month, with the goal of increasing that to two games per month in the near future.

The next major event we’ll be attending is SIGMA Europe in Malta, which will be our final expo for the year. Following that, we’ve already scheduled our participation in ICE in January and SIGMA Americas in April 2025.