The iGaming industry has seen rapid growth, with major events attracting tens of thousands of attendees, speakers, and stakeholders. However, there is a question about whether these events adequately address the needs of a technology-focused audience within the sector.
Most industry conferences tend to follow a familiar format, featuring panels on market expansion, keynote addresses about regulation, and networking opportunities aimed primarily at business development teams. Unfortunately, engineers who attend these sessions often leave empty-handed, without gleaning any actionable ideas.
As ICE gears up to introduce the Digital and FinTech Transformation Hall in 2027, it has teamed up with SOFTSWISS to present the Tech Race Summit. Sergey Kastukevich, the CTO at SOFTSWISS, emphasizes the necessity of creating dedicated platforms for technical discussions and shares what a conference catered to engineers would entail.
Here are five reasons he believes this conversation is crucial.
First, there is a distinct absence of a dedicated space for technology discussions in iGaming. "As an engineer, I want to take ideas from an event. I want new perspectives, practical lessons and a better understanding of where technology is heading," Kastukevich said. Current iGaming events often prioritize business over technical discussions, which overlooks the needs of those who develop the platforms. Engineers seek spaces to discuss architecture, scalability, and troubleshooting strategies, yet venues for such conversations remain limited.
Secondly, the sector has outgrown its existing technical dialogues. Kastukevich pointed out that, "Too often, conferences become marketing exercises," where companies spend excessive time promoting their products instead of engaging in meaningful exchanges. Given that iGaming now accommodates millions of users and operates under complex regulatory frameworks, the need for serious technical conversations among industry leaders is more pressing than ever.
The increasing complexity of modern iGaming infrastructure presents the third reason for this need. Kastukevich notes, "When you stay inside your own industry, you tend to see only familiar solutions. When you start talking to people from other sectors, unexpected ideas appear." Behind the seemingly simple act of placing a bet lies a complicated technology ecosystem that requires immense sophistication and real-time integration across numerous services. Conversations with those in other fields can yield valuable insights that the iGaming industry might otherwise miss.
The fourth reason highlights the swift pace of progress in technology. Kastukevich remarked, "AI is the new high-load – the way high-load architecture was the hot topic five years ago. Ignoring AI would be just as wrong." In the constantly evolving landscape of iGaming, what was once considered advanced technology may become basic within just a couple of years. Missing the opportunity to learn from peers can be detrimental to companies trying to maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Finally, breaking out of the iGaming technology bubble is essential for fostering innovation. "Innovation often happens when different perspectives meet," Kastukevich explained. Many engineers tend to benchmark against their iGaming counterparts, which can constrict their scope of inspiration. Fresh ideas often emerge when professionals from different backgrounds share their experiences and insights, ultimately benefiting the industry as a whole.
The Tech Race Summit 2026 is set to take place on September 10 in Warsaw and will feature over 30 speakers from leading tech companies like AWS, Google, Oracle, and Cloudflare.
