Leadership in iGaming: key insights from the SBC panel
iGaming is a concept that has been introduced previously, with its roots dating back to the late '90s when the first online casinos emerged. However, as technology advances, so does the industry’s growth.
Market transformations have created a steep growth curve, making it increasingly essential to have iGaming leadership that can structure teams, solidify companies, and navigate challenges.
At the SBC Summit in Lisbon (September 24-26), industry leaders gathered to discuss critical topics around this theme, offering valuable insights and different perspectives.
Martin Collins moderated the panel: "Leaders of Tomorrow: Talent, Technology, and Trends of the New Decade," which featured Cristina Turbatu, Desirée Dickerson, Rose Bremec, Moshe Demri and Mickael Shahinyan.
The rapidly changing iGaming market requires leaders to be ready for market entries, expansions, innovations, and other factors that drive growth and development.
TEAM MANAGEMENT IN iGAMING
A significant discussion point was whether specific industry knowledge is necessary. Shahinyan, representing Oddsgate, emphasized the importance of adding value and diversity to teams, which often include talent from various fields—like himself, who initially came from the tourism industry.
The panel discussed the pros and cons of specialists versus generalists:
Specialists: Offer technical expertise, efficiency in specific tasks, and field innovation. However, they may need more flexibility and a broader vision;
Generalists: Provide versatility, a holistic view, and creative problem-solving but may need more in-depth technical knowledge and risk being superficial.
Overall, technical projects favor specialists, while multidisciplinary initiatives benefit from generalists. The key to organizational success is to strike a balance between both.
The panel also addressed another critical duality: high-performance individuals versus a more extensive, well-rounded team. Despite organic growth, Shahinyan highlighted that Oddsgate has succeeded with a small but highly competent team.
Don’t miss another SBC Summit panel featuring Oddsgate.
Join our CEO, Tiago Almeida, and other market giants as they discuss regulation and responsible gaming.
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES IN iGAMING
Key leadership challenges discussed included:
Remote work;
Generational differences;
Pandemic effects.
Leading people from different generations with diverse backgrounds and work experiences is complex. The rise of remote work, especially post-pandemic, adds further challenges. At Oddsgate, they value in-person connections and have adopted a hybrid work model, allowing both flexibility and team bonding.
One conclusion from the SBC panel is that enforcing 100% in-person work could result in losing valuable talent.
LEADERSHIP TRENDS IN iGAMING
As adaptability is key, here are some leadership trends to consider:
Data focus: Decisions based on data analysis, AI, and machine learning to optimize offers and predict trends;
Responsible gaming: Implementation of practices that promote player well-being and ethical marketing;
Regulation: Keeping up with local and global regulatory changes;
Technological innovation: includes adopting augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and blockchain to improve user experience and enhance security;
Mobile experience: Focus on responsive and optimized mobile apps;
Gamification and social elements: Use of gamification and social features to engage players;
Diversity and inclusion: Promoting diverse teams and products;
Cybersecurity: Investment in data security and fraud prevention.
To thrive in this fast-paced industry, leaders in iGaming must have the vision and adaptability to balance innovation with responsibility. As new technologies emerge and regulations evolve, strong leadership is essential to navigate these changes, maintain team cohesion, and foster sustainable growth.
