Walking into my first iGaming conference was a daunting experience. I was essentially unknown in the industry and felt like an outsider, representing a product that was unfamiliar in a realm I suspected would resist change.
However, this outsider status quickly revealed itself as an unexpected advantage. It allowed me to perceive the industry with fresh eyes, free from any biases about companies or products. This perspective has become crucial, enabling me to analyze the field impartially and contribute to its evolution.
Before 2021, my career trajectory was not aimed at iGaming. I worked in finance with agro companies, management consulting, and investment funds—none directly associated with this sector. A shift occurred when I joined an investment fund that focused on startups leveraging AI and machine learning, where a chance encounter with an iGaming investor opened new doors. He highlighted the vast untapped potential of data in iGaming, sparking insights that unraveled into significant opportunities.
Initially, I served as an adviser to Playa and was later appointed CEO in 2024. It was an unexpected career move, but one I eagerly embraced. Our company specializes in AI personalisation solutions, a novel offering in the iGaming market.
Embracing my outsider perspective also meant building a capable team to guide our company forward. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the sharpest minds in the industry, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far.
Despite my initial concerns about the industry's inertia—where businesses thrived on the status quo rather than pursuing innovation—I've noticed encouraging shifts. Recent regulatory changes and a more competitive environment are driving companies to evolve, pushing those resistant to adapt further behind.
This has transformed iGaming into a hub of innovation, cultivating an environment receptive to ideas from different sectors. The industry is finally welcoming external perspectives, exploring concepts that have thrived elsewhere.
While I began my journey in iGaming as an outsider, I now feel deeply connected to this community. Those early conferences were intimidating, but they compelled me to network, revealing an industry rooted in collaboration.
Now, I look forward to these events to reconnect with friends rather than just business contacts. Among them is Gali Hartuv, CEO of WarriorLab, who I met at a conference. We’ve since begun hosting monthly webinars on iGaming topics.
I’ve also been heartened to encounter many empowered female leaders in the sector. Recently, I joined a WhatsApp group comprising C-level women in iGaming, which started with 20 and has grown to over 150 members. This group has proven invaluable, especially in the isolating landscape of executive leadership, where tough choices often come at the expense of personal connections.
Having a peer group of women who understand these challenges has been transformative. Finding non-judgmental support in professional circles is rare, and I’m grateful for the camaraderie they offer.
My transition into iGaming was nerve-wracking, but it ultimately became my greatest advantage. With no ingrained expectations about business operations, I’m not bound by any existing frameworks.
The industry needs more voices from outside its traditional circles—individuals who can reassess problems from new angles without the burden of past failures. As technology, particularly AI, reshapes all sectors, inter-industry learning is crucial.
This is an invitation to both newcomers and those within iGaming seeking change: question the status quo, challenge conventional wisdom, and don’t shy away from bold ideas. By taking these steps, I’ve found a welcoming environment that advocates for inclusion and innovation.
