“The gaming industry is at the forefront of technological innovation, with trends like cloud gaming, blockchain and AI”: Anzhelika, Uplatform

“Attending the SBC Summit in Lisbon as an exhibitor was an incredible experience. The organization and scale of the event were truly impressive, with a massive turnout of industry professionals and key players from all over the world. The venue was set up really well, making it easy to access from any corner of the city. Everything from the placement of the booths and their arrangement across the halls to the exhibitor support was seamless, this arrangement helped us to fully focus on showcasing our products and services. The sheer size and scope of the summit further buttressed the dynamic nature of the industry, and we were thrilled to be a part of it,” said Anzhelika, Head of Payments B2B at Uplatform,

"My expectations were very high because this was one of the largest exhibitions and events," she said, when asked about the outlooks for the show. “I was hoping to meet as many of our partners as possible to discuss all our open issues, as well as connect with new companies in the market. I’m glad to say I succeeded in both.”

She then analyzed the growth of the gaming market in Portugal and Europe compared to other regions: "The growth of the gaming market in Portugal and Europe has been gaining momentum, though it lags somewhat behind other regions like North America and Asia. 

Then she added that the gaming markets in Europe and Portugal are heavily regulated, providing stable operating conditions, however, she said "also potentially slowing growth due to strict rules and high taxes. In Portugal, since the legalization of online gaming in 2015, the market has been expanding, although tax rates remain among the highest in Europe.

“Overall, while Europe and Portugal show solid growth, markets like North America and Asia are moving faster, fueled by more rapid technological adoption and larger, more engaged audiences,” she commented.

When asked about the most outstanding product showcased at the event, she talked about Uplatform product and its platform as a whole “which offers a wide range of services for online projects in the gambling and betting industry.”

“Our clients frequently praise our sports betting offering, claiming it’s the best on the market, which is always music to our ears. Additionally, we have an extensive range of payment systems, working with all the most popular providers, giving our clients a wide variety of options to meet the needs of their users,” she pointed.

Regarding public feedback, she commented that their booth was always crowded, and said they were thrilled to attract so much attention. “Many visitors complimented the booth’s decorations and vibrant colors – not brag, but we truly can’t go unnoticed. Our marketing team is always coming up with fun ideas to engage visitors, from interactive contests, games, or giveaways. And whenever we share a demo of our product or chat about our services, I can see the genuine interest from potential partners who are excited to work with us”.

How do you see the role of AI and new technologies in shaping your products?
High-tech solutions are essential in our product because we aim to automate as many processes as possible for the convenience of our clients. When it comes to the payment services we offer, cascading, routing, and automated code checks are indispensable. As for AI, we are already using it extensively for customer support through chatbots.

How do you rate the networking you have been able to do during the event?
During the SBC Summit in Lisbon, I was able to gather many valuable contacts and personally meet new players on the market. As I’m responsible for the payment department on our platform, iI noticed that most visitors to our booth were payment providers—some we already work with, and others came to show their interest in partnering with us. I can confidently say that the SBC Summit in Lisbon was one of the biggest events of the year, where we managed to close many of our crucial issues with our partners.

How has the regulation of gambling in Portugal influenced your decision to participate in this event?
We had no doubts about participating in such a large event in Europe, especially since online gambling has been fully legalized in Portugal since 2015. It’s a great opportunity to explore the market and meet with our valued clients, as well as competitors.

What do you think will be the most important trend in the gaming industry in the near future?
I think nowadays there are a lot of variants, as the world is developing rapidly in all industries. The gaming industry is at the forefront of technological innovation, with trends like cloud gaming, blockchain, and AI likely to define the next phase of growth. Additionally, the increasing socialization of gaming and the expansion of mobile and esports markets will continue to reshape the whole field.