Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer at CT Interactive, is a leading expert in the gaming industry, with extensive experience in managing international markets and operational strategies. In this interview with SoloAzar, he shares valuable insights about the company’s experiences and key takeaways from ICE Barcelona 2026.

“ICE Barcelona 2026 provided a unique platform to further strengthen our industry presence” he said and added  “The event significantly enhanced our commercial visibility, enabled us to establish new strategic partnerships, and reinforced our long-term business vision. This year’s edition also highlighted a clear shift toward mobile-first casino content and socially driven mechanics, reflecting how player engagement strategies continue to evolve rapidly across regulated markets”.

"For the second consecutive year, ICE Barcelona demonstrated its value as a leading platform for companies to expand their commercial reach, align with the latest technological advancements, and identify new business opportunities. Once again, CT Interactive successfully strengthened its established partnerships, elevating them to a higher strategic level, while also unlocking new avenues for global growth. One particularly promising opportunity confirmed during the event is the company’s expansion across the African continent, especially following the successful launch of its games in South Africa."

How do you evaluate the quality of the audience and the profile of the contacts generated during the event?

"The audience was highly relevant and professionally focused, and the contacts we established were perfectly aligned with our strategic focus on regulated and high-potential markets. These are connections with strong potential for long-term collaboration. Notably, the event recorded nearly a 50% increase in visitor attendance, further reinforcing its growing industry impact and importance."

 Products, solutions or services in ICE Barcelona

"We showcased our new content, Diamond Tree Jackpot, which attracted significant attention from visitors. Its innovative features and player engagement potential sparked interest from operators and partners seeking fresh, high-quality content. Progressive jackpot mechanics and feature-rich slots were among the most discussed product categories at ICE Barcelona, as operators continue to prioritize games that extend session length and boost average player value."

Trends or debates at ICE Barcelona 2026 

"Key themes included the growing number of regulated markets and operators’ compliance with jurisdictional rules. We believe these areas will shape the future of the industry, influencing both product development and strategic planning. Another key point of focus was emerging trends in technological development."

After attending the event, what are the company's main strategic priorities for this year? Are you preparing the launch of new products or developments for this year and in what areas will you be focused?

"First and foremost, we need to strengthen the contacts made during the exhibition. Our priorities are accelerating platform integrations, expanding live operations, and delivering certified content tailored to specific market requirements. We are also focused on launching innovative products that meet the high standards of regulated markets while ensuring strong player engagement. Across the exhibition floor, suppliers increasingly emphasized the use of machine learning and data analytics to fine-tune RTP models and adapt game performance to specific market requirements. "


 

To  finish,  Do you plan to address new markets or strengthen your presence in key jurisdictions during 2026? What factors influence that decision?

“We plan to consolidate our presence in regulated markets across Europe and LATAM while actively expanding into Africa. Our decisions are guided by regulatory clarity, strong market demand, and opportunities for strategic partnerships that create long-term value. CT Interactive’s recent certification for the South African market represents a key step in our expansion strategy, enabling the company to offer a portfolio of fully compliant games and strengthen its foothold across the African continent. ”