SBC News ICE 2015 - George Voyatzis - BetConstruct - Sophisticated Delivery

ICE 2015 – George Voyatzis – BetConstruct – Sophisticated Delivery

GeorgeVoyatiz
George Voyatzis – BetConstruct

SBC and ICE 2015 begins the week by speaking to BetConstruct Sales Director – George Voyatzis on the changing dynamics of operating a B2B platform and delivering its provisions for a multi content and multi product industry.

An igaming veteran  Voyatzis details to SBC and ICE 2015 BetConstructs unique operational set up, giving further advice on how the igaming sector should overcome regulatory and product delivery challenges in 2015. Voyatzis further describes the challenges operators may face when dealing with more demanding and intelligent consumers.

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SBC: BetConstruct operates its technology services and product development in a unique way. Can you summarize for SBC readers how Betconstruct is operationally different to other technology providers in the market?

GV:Most gaming companies listed on the stock market or with an abundance of investors have different priorities. The main concern for them is share price.  BetConstruct started as a profitable family run business and a business that prioritizes our clients.  We are a significant operation with over 700 employees, but in order to react to the needs of our clients, we do not have the bureaucracy and the layers of management that some of our main competitors do. We often hear that many operators do not feel that they are in partnership with their providers, and in order to advocate even the slightest of changes they have to jump through hoops.

That is not the case at BetConstruct. Every employee at BetConstruct, including senior managers, have an open door policy and are accessible. This extends not only to the BetConstruct workforce but to our partners and prospective clients.

SBC: BetConstruct has positioned itself as a multi-content / multi-product gaming platform provider. This can be no easy task. How does BetConstruct handle this difficult process and service?

GV: Our leading product will always remain our online and retail sportsbook platform, and we have continuously invested in improving both the pre-match and live event offering.  2014 has seen our coverage increase by over 5,000 live events per month, and we are advocating a full UK horse racing suite.

In terms of our additional products such as skill games, live dealer, virtual games, we have a very large technical resource and have designated teams working on these products and our various new projects. These are all managed by an advanced technical structure that we have improved greatly over the last 12-months. This is no mean feat, and our technical teams are under pressure to deliver and manage our every growing client base.

SBC: Igaming has witnessed much regulatory change in 2014. As a B2B technology provider how have these changes effected your operations? What factors have become a priority between your services and your clients operations?

GV: The regulatory changes are of major significance for BetConstruct business, and for me is one of the biggest challenges for the growth of the company. Although a challenge for us, we very much see it as an exciting opportunity for our business.

We are now licensed or certified in Alderney, the UK will follow. We also have certification in Latvia and 2015 will see us work on a number of additional significant territories.

It is very surprising that many B2B suppliers are still not fully aware of the impact of regulation in Europe has on their businesses. We are now in a position where to work in regulated markets as a supplier requires significant financial, and technical investment to comply with laws. It is frustrating that within the EU, virtually every jurisdiction has separate requirements and different regulations to technically adhere to, but it is something BetConstruct will continue to work with.

SBC: Product uniformity continues to be an industry concern. At B2B level, what practices should igaming and sports betting providers look to implement in order to enhance future growth and product individuality?

GV: At BetConstruct, we pride ourselves at being the most technically flexible company in the industry. Gaming Companies tend to build technology and get clients to plug in what they have created with little flexibility. Users are increasingly sharp and the market place saturated, so having your own identity and aesthetics is vital.

At BetConstruct we very much focus on what our partners require and work out the technology from there.  We have advocated a number of solutions in the past year and will be releasing a number of exciting features at ICE in London early next month.

B2B operations in iGaming need to work on making solutions that are flexible and working with the needs of individual operators. This is more relevant per jurisdiction. At BetConstruct for example, we have adapted our betting terminals for the Russian market for a large client and this technology differs to what we offer UK independent bookmakers.

SBC: As a B2B technology provider how do you see the igaming consumer evolving? What habits and trends should we look to research/study in order to create optimal product and consumer uptake?

GV: European consumers are of course becoming more technologically savvy, and in turn more demanding on operators. The market in most regulated markets is rather saturated and their offering has come on leaps and bounds the past 3 years.  We have also finally gone through the mobile and tablet revolution, which is an area that will not doubt continue to grow.

Also, looking at social media and forums would be a useful exercise for operators that are serious in developing and growing their business. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are no doubt methods for increasing brand awareness and even acquiring new traffic, but also a route for interacting with users and customer service.  Check any online operators Twitter feed, and you will see many comments and replies to user needs and queries. The best operators are the ones that focus on their customers and respond [U1] to their needs.

SBC : With regards to 2015, what do both iGaming operators and suppliers need to address and prioritise, in order to successfully navigate a challenging upcoming 2015?

GV: Both operators and suppliers always need to prioritise and focus on the needs of clients. IGaming operators and suppliers have business challenges like other industries. There are regulatory and legal concerns, tax changes, new product development, marketing and affiliate marketing, but ultimately addressing these challenges, an igaming company should improve the product and service to their clients.

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George Voyatzis BetConstruct Director of Sales

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