iGaming Trends with Jan Urbanec Endorphina CEO: Markets, Regulations, Crypto & AI

Jan Urbanec: A Leader with Extensive Industry Experience

Before becoming the CEO of Endorphina, Jan started as a poker club manager, moved to finance, and later worked for a Playtech subsidiary. As an experienced leader in the industry, he is the right person to share insights into the online gambling industry. You can watch the video on Revpanda’s YouTube channel.

Trends Shaping the iGaming Space: Main Highlights for 2024

Regarding industry trends and highlights for 2024, Jan believes that operators are “stressed or worried about new developments” because many crypto brands operate in a grey market. There is a lack of proper regulation, and operators in regulated markets are concerned about losing their share of the market. Faruk agrees with Jan, stating that ”jumping on the wagon for every new thing” or trend may not be the best approach. It is important to focus on what is fundamental and effective, rather than chasing every new trend or tool, as strategy matters more than tactics.

Surviving in an Environment with Strict Regulations

Faruk and Jan discuss the challenges of navigating strict and dynamic regulations in the iGaming industry. The need to regulate operators in the dynamic iGaming industry is an important concern for Faruk and Jan. Giving Europe as an example, Faruk mentions how strict regulations may “benefit the big players at the expense of smaller or innovative companies” in the industry. “Regulation is moving,” Jan adds, creating unstable environments where companies face uncertainty as frameworks continuously change.

Companies contribute taxes, licenses, and deposits to governments, expecting benefits in return, such as advertising rights. However, these implied deals are often altered, forcing operators to shift focus from entertainment to financial compliance.

As a result, the entertainment aspect is increasingly outsourced to game providers like Endorphina, who thrive by creating engaging and innovative games. Jan acknowledges the frustration this brings to operators, especially as gray markets and crypto casinos step in to offer innovative solutions for mature players seeking real-stake experiences. Therefore, it is crucial to have a flexible compliance team, capable of building strong relationships with regulators while adapting to ever-changing frameworks.

New Opportunities in Emerging Eastern Markets

Faruk is fascinated by how “more and more operators are interested in less regulated or emerging markets” in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. According to Jan, there is great potential if a good regulatory framework is introduced. However, it is currently difficult to know what is happening or navigate the complex structures in emerging Eastern markets.

In Jan’s opinion, “the biggest part is really understanding the culture” if an operator wants to venture into emerging markets. Operators should gather information about the target market to create a product that aligns with the needs of players, building around the local culture. Faruk also stresses the importance of cultural awareness, emphasising the need for localisation, a strategy that allows a top-tier digital marketing agency like Revpanda to “speak with the same language” as the target audience. On the other hand, Endorphina seeks to localise games by researching to “deliver a cultural game” to the target market.

The Growing Impact of Cryptocurrency on iGaming

Faruk and Jan also discuss the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies and player interest in crypto casinos. Jan believes crypto is a great technological payment solution that will become mainstream even in Europe. He recommends finding communities in the crypto market or working with people who understand the crypto culture. Operators must also immerse themselves in this culture to understand what is happening in the market.

Speaking about promoting a crypto brand, Jan mentions that offering a metagame or gamification and building credibility can be helpful. As an experienced digital marketing expert, Faruk recommends implementing search engine optimisation (SEO) strategies, content localisation, and working with streamers and influencers to make your brand more visible.

The Role of AI in Driving the Future of iGaming

As the CEO of the leading casino game providers, Jan explains how Endorphina has tested artificial intelligence (AI) on slot visuals. Based on his experience, this technology may not give the optimal solution, so it must be implemented carefully. For Faruk, “humanising the approach” when using AI is crucial. Many companies that work with Revpanda want human-generated content, which is why all copywriting and translation services are offered by real humans.