We finally met again in person at ICE London. What is the importance for the company of being present at this show?

It was a huge boost to be able to meet so many of our partners and customers in person again, and in some cases, for the first time. We have made the most of the changing ways of working since the pandemic, but there is simply no substitute for what a group of like-minded people can achieve sitting in a room, discussing a topic face-to-face.  

That’s why we invested in a larger stand than we originally planned. We envisioned our stand being something of a hub for the exhibition and that definitely came to fruition - particularly during our drinks event on the Wednesday evening.

It was also great to see all the other innovations different companies developed during, and as a result of, the lockdown. It spells a very bright future for the industry.

What novelties did you prepare for this occasion? What did the firm exhibit at your stand and what was the highlight?

Our core focus at the event was our products, covering online sportsbook, casino solutions as well as our omni-channel retail offering. For example, our new bet stimulation tool Bet Assist was incredibly well received. The automated sports insight data feed covers more than 100 popular betting markets, both pre-match and live. It is powered by both historical data and AI analysis and is designed to heighten customer engagement, retention and turnover rates by supplying tips in a feed or widget on the operator’s site. A fully integrated bet slip aids quick navigation and we have already seen very positive results since we included it as an option for operators within our platform.

The product provides a breadth of targeted insights for the bettor that has not been seen before within the industry. Information is put in front of them seamlessly within the traditional layout of a sportsbook and it covers both pre-event and live markets. All of the information is based on a combination of historical data, AI analysis and live incidents – meaning that if a player in a football match scores, receives a red card or is substituted, for example, that information is processed and communicated back to the player in the form of refreshed betting tips.

After the last two years, due to the pandemic, we had to make changes and adapt both personally and professionally. How does the company face this "new normal" we are living right now?

We had to innovate our way throughout the pandemic to make sure that our customers were able to take advantage of the changing opportunities during that strange time. This left us with a number of highly effective products we might not have developed had they not been necessary.

It has also meant that we now place a greater emphasis on both technological development and human resources as part of our strategy. From a platform provider perspective, our sector needs to offer operators as many options as possible so that they can differentiate themselves from the competition by utilising quality content built on rock-solid foundations.

Online gaming is becoming stronger every day worldwide. What are the opportunities that arise, what are the benefits? Do you think that online gaming could be competition for land-based gaming or a complement?

There will always be a place for both, but the dexterity and flexibility of the igaming sector should not be understated. The online landscape will continue to grow at pace and with so many more entertainment options vying for people’s attention, the convenience and immediacy of igaming is what many will turn to.

However, operators will need a robust platform in order to take advantage of these opportunities. Our modular system has meant that our clients have been able to cherry-pick the sports betting features that suit their unique needs according to their markets, allowing them to create fine-tuned experiences for their audience that increase revenues while retaining and engaging players. We have also released a number of industry-first features, including Fastbet and the Popular Bets & Events widgets, which have helped to maximise the player experience.
 
In what markets is the company already established and what are the markets it is aiming to enter soon?

Our casino portfolio features more than 9,500 of the world’s best casino games from more than 100 of the industry’s leading suppliers, while our sportsbook solution provides end-users with thousands of betting opportunities across more than 1,300 markets, with 60,000+ live events every month and 800,000+ Pre-Match events per year.

We have made significant strides in LatAm and Africa, especially over the past two years. It became very apparent, very quickly, that the pandemic would serve to accelerate the move to digitalised operations for land-based casinos and sportsbooks all over the world, in this these regions in particular. This is where we were able to harness our expertise to produce multi-vertical solutions that serve to feed the appetite of online players and bettors in line with the requirements of a particular region.

Brexit has been decisive for many companies when making the decision to participate or not in this edition of ICE London. How have you handled this issue? Is it an important issue when deciding to be present here?

Brexit hasn’t proven to be a challenge for Pronet Gaming thus far, and we’re not in a position to comment on other businesses and their own experiences, but we hope that whatever challenges may have been faced will get resolved over time. We’re certainly looking forward to the next ICE London already.