Skilrock: "The Balkans & CIS region is experiencing a boom and becoming the new frontier of iGaming in Europe"

Moving to Cyprus' southern coast city of Limassol, the upcoming SiGMA Balkans & CIS Summit, to take place September 4-7, promises to be a can't-miss event for gaming stakeholders with an interest in this growing market. To be held in the recently opened City of Dreams Mediterranean, billed as Europe's first integrated resort, the meeting will gather operators, leading affiliates, renowned speakers, and panels of experts to discuss latest trends and solutions gaining momentum in the region.

Ahead of the event, Yogonet caught up with lottery and gaming industries platform and services provider Skilrock, one of the companies exhibiting at the expo, to discuss its plans for SiGMA Balkans & CIS and the region. Additionally, in this exclusive interview, Julian Arabadjiyski, Skilrock's Regional Manager for Europe, talks about new technologies in gaming, the use of AI and what's new in the company's portfolio.

Skilrock is set to exhibit at the upcoming SiGMA Balkans & CIS Summit. Why is this event important for the company and what opportunities could it open for it?

We are excited to be a part of the SiGMA Balkans & CIS Summit 2023. We are looking forward to meeting operators, affiliates, other solution providers, and regulators, among others. Of course, our team is enthusiastic about networking opportunities through booth interactions, cocktail parties and business lunches. This could lead to strengthening our existing relationships and forging new ones. 

The region is currently experiencing a boom in iGaming. It is actually becoming the new frontier of iGaming in Europe. This generates new opportunities for investors and businesses. We want to empower them by offering industry-leading technology solutions - such as INFINITI omnichannel & omnigaming platform, Scan-N-Play, a wide range of games; and most importantly our dedicated iGaming solutions. 

With a focus on the Balkans and CIS regions, our team will be at booth number 70 to help visitors explore new opportunities and learn more about our cutting-edge solutions that are taking the iGaming industry by storm. 

The company took part in last year’s edition, held in Serbia. The event has moved to Cyprus’ new integrated resort and a year has passed since the last summit - what do you expect to be different this time around?

SIGMA Balkans & CIS 2023 promises to be an exciting occasion for the gaming world, particularly with the event now moving to Cyprus’ new resort. An exciting venue certainly brings more promises for networking, thought leadership and collaborating with stakeholders from this region as well as other parts of the world. 

Last year, it was about creating a responsible and well-regulated sector and Skilrock was glad to contribute towards such an important cause. In fact, we took this opportunity to highlight the endeavors undertaken by our team toward building a responsible gaming world. 

This year, we anticipate an unparalleled focus on emerging technologies, regulations, and market trends such as responsible iGaming, VR, AI, Web 3, Metaverse, etc.; and learn and share ideas from business leaders. We are sure this will be an action-packed event including exhibitions, tours, panel discussions, etc. 

What will Skilrock’s presence at the event be like and what will attendees approaching its booth find?

Skilrock’s presence at the event will be full of innovative and future-forward solutions. We understand the latest trends and developments in the industry and always offer the best-in-class products and services for our clients. This year, we will offer a wide range of solutions for online and land-based lottery and iGaming operators.

We take great pride in being among the pioneers in introducing customized solutions for CIS and the Balkans. We will present region-specific information about our products and how operators can implement them in their existing business or start their own gaming business.

Our INFINITI platform is already an established omnichannel & omnigaming platform in the industry and Scan-n-Play is climbing the popularity charts. The latter is an omnichannel gameplay offering without the need for player registration and focuses on the thrill of playing anywhere, anytime. 

We are always dedicated to pushing creative and technological boundaries and this will highlighted at our booth. This includes live demonstrations, chats with experts, discussions around upcoming opportunities, and more. We will also take over important industry issues such as responsible gaming and emerging technologies. 

Skilrock will be taking the stage as part of the event’s lineup of speakers in a panel on the use of AI in retail. What can attendees learn from the company experience and insights?

Skilrock has always given importance to innovation whether it’s about technology or processes. The emergence of Artificial intelligence or AI holds significant importance for the dynamic gaming market. I am glad to speak on an important topic, especially at a time when retail is rebounding and showing signs of growth. 

We are exploring opportunities in the field and I will share our findings and experience with this emerging category. Attendees can look forward to concrete data, the latest conclusions, and opportunities for growth and profitability with the rightful application of Artificial Intelligence. 

What is the current importance of the Balkans & CIS market for Skilrock and how would you describe the company’s presence there?

The region is in an exciting phase as the iGaming segment gets more and more popular. It is a vibrant market with strong prospects for growth. Plus, countries in CIS and the Balkans have made notable progress in regulating the sector. 

Skilrock has a strong presence in the region and we are working towards strengthening our position. Additionally, we’ve tailored our solutions and content for the flourishing community of players. 

How can Skilrock Solutions assist partners in the Balkans & CIS market and how are they adapted to the specific needs of the region? What opportunities could leveraging Skilrock products such as the newly released Scan-n-Play unlock for operators?

Skilrock understands the specific needs of the Balkans & CIS region. This is an important region for us as it experiences exponential growth in the iGaming segment. We have a suite of customizable iGaming solutions that are developed specifically for the region.   

Scan-n-Play is an omnichannel solution that offers easy online gameplay without the need for player registration. Powered by Skilrock's INFINITI gaming platform, Scan-N-Play opens up a world of possibilities with its diverse and engaging games that can be played across multiple channels through a single registration process.

The seamless and secure gameplay is built for any gaming environment, seamlessly integrating with any content provider. Scan-N-Play brings back the thrill of gaming for players who seek the freedom to choose how and when they want to play.

Skilrock has just received the EGR B2B award for “Lottery Supplier of the Year 2023.” What’s your reaction to this accolade and what makes the company suitable for this recognition? 

We are exceptionally thankful for this recognition. This is another important feather in our hat as we continue to receive industry accolades on various platforms. This also proves our dedication to the betterment of the vibrant world of lottery & gaming. We hope to receive more such accolades in the near future!

We won because Skilrock Technologies has been in the business of providing technology to the lottery & gaming industry for 14+ years. Our presence is marked by relentless innovation and ground-breaking solutions touching almost all vital categories. Throughout our existence, we have devoted ourselves to innovative and industry-changing solutions such as Lotto Zone, Green Lottery, Cashless Gaming, true omnichannel omni-gaming platform, localized games, and more.