Kiron Interactive is sponsoring Betting on Sports 2018, the 3rd edition of the largest international sports and betting trade conference at Olympia London.
Ahead of the 18-21 September event, we asked Co-CEO Steven Spartinos to disclose some of the firm’s plans for #boscon2018 and to pick out the sporting event he would most like to attend.
SBC: What are you looking forward to at Betting on Sports?
SS: Betting on Sports is a brilliant event to further promote awareness of virtual sports, which has become a core vertical in the sports betting industry since its launch more than a decade ago.
We look forward to meeting the multitude of operators that BOS attracts and are eager to attend the many panel discussions and sessions that explore the latest trends and challenges the sports betting industry is facing. We also look forward to promoting our diverse portfolio of products to both existing and potential new customers, and to network with like-minded people within the industry.
SBC: What are you promoting at Betting on Sports?
SS: The full Kiron portfolio of 21-virtual games, the largest in the industry, will be on full display. Operators are attending the show from a diverse range of territories and we have something to offer them all. Whether it is the more popular virtual sports such as football and horse racing, or more regionally focused games such as ice hockey and speed skating, our extensive game portfolio will ensure they are all catered for.
We are also excited to introduce all visitors to our successful Betman-Omni RGS solution, which offers a fully managed turnkey solution, now available across retail, online and mobile channels.
SBC: Which sports betting company has impressed you the most in 2018?
SS: SBTech has definitely impressed me over the past year, introducing a new dynamic to the sports betting industry. Their Pulse campaign created a large buzz as many waited in anticipation for the big reveal at ICE 2018, and they did not disappoint.
Apart from product launches, they have also partnered with many of the larger brands within the market, including their recent deal with Churchill Downs in the US. This deal has afforded them an opportunity to make a meaningful early entry into the new US sporting betting market. We look forward to further partnering with them as they grow their business internationally.
SBC: What sports betting partnership has stood out in the past 12 months?
SS: A standout deal of the last year would be GVC’s £4bn acquisition of Ladbrokes Coral, creating an online-led global gambling giant, and continuing the trend of the online industry investing in bricks and mortar operators. This deal really caught the industry’s attention and has resulted in further similarly focused deals such as Playtech’s recent acquisition of Snaitech.
SBC: If you could attend one sporting event, what would it be?
SS: Like most of the world I enjoy football. I love the thrill and spirt of international tournaments such as the World Cup and the European Championship. Watching nations, big and small, come together to support their favourite players is always exciting.
I have been lucky enough to attend some of these game-changing events. However, if I had to choose one bucket list game it would be to watch Brazil vs Germany in a World Cup final, the 2014 Germany team not the 2018 team, that is. What a game that would be to attend live!