Delasport head of casino Ralitsa Zareva explains why Delasport is the smart choice for operators targeting expansion in the iGaming space.

  • Delasport has a long track record of success. How does an iGaming operator know you are the smart choice when looking for a trusted partner?

Operators should always keep an eye on their operation, even if they’ve had a reliable partner so far. They shouldn’t settle with what has been but be focused on what can be. This is our approach at Delasport. We are laser-focused on the present and most importantly – the future. Yes, we build upon our vast experience, but we use the knowledge to keep evolving. An operator that is determined to grow faster will easily recognize Delasport as the smart choice.

    Speaking about my domain in particular, it’s obvious we’re always improving. Just in 2024 we’ve added 12 new casino game providers and over 6000 games. Additionally, we released industry trend-setters like the Booster Panel, ‘My Casino’, and ‘Tip the Machine’. Furthermore, each operator is treated like our higher priority because we make sure to not only address their needs but be proactive in connecting with them on a regular basis.

    • Over the years, we’ve seen trends play a key role in changing the iGaming landscape. What currently emerging ones do you believe will have the most significant impact in the next 5-10 years?

    In recent times, the most intense challenge is what brands can offer to casino players that will improve their betting experience, make them love the brand and be loyal to it. Since most online casinos have access to the same games, the challenge for the brands is what and how to offer relevant meta-features to their players. This is a trend that will continue developing and will shape the industry in ways some of which we can’t even anticipate.

      We have a lot of professionals working at DelaCasino and we are investing a lot of our efforts to tackle this challenge. I am proud to say that we are at the forefront of this domain. DelaCasino has a lot of different functionalities that casino players love. From My Casino personalization, through Hot & Cold Categories, to the Booster panel that allows in-game-screen deposits, access to ‘Tip the Machine’, a button for favorites, and more.

      • What will be the role of Personalization in online casino from your point of view?

      Personalization, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a big one. We do have personalization and AI right now, but the things that they can do together will keep evolving. Bearing in mind the dynamic world we live in, people’s attention span and patience are only going to get shorter, especially with Gen Z soon becoming the main audience for iGaming products. This is why the convenience of having games you’d like to play waiting for you upon logging in is a significant advantage. Tailored campaigns, promotions, and suggestions are also going to skyrocket with the help of AI.

      The fleeting attention span in combination with the ever-increasing smartphone use leads to the rise of super-casual games that only last a few seconds. Quick entertainment like Crash games is here to stay and even – here to keep flourishing.

      At the same time, mobile gaming doesn’t necessarily mean apps. Future players will try to avoid downloading more apps and content on their device and instead will prefer web access. This is why it’s crucial to have your website fully responsive and even mobile-first, as people not only don’t have tons of free storage space on their devices but are also not very keen on installing various apps on their personal phones or tablets.

      • Delasport places a great emphasis on personalization, which is how “My Casino” was created. Can you give us some more insight into how that feature contributes to elevating player experience?

      I already touched upon the importance of convenience and speed of access when dealing with today’s and tomorrow’s players. A huge push in this direction is provided by personalization and in DelaCasino’s case – by ‘My Casino’. This feature is a part of the ‘My Era’ suite and uses a well-proven success formula. The formula is constructed based on ‘My Sportsbook’ – a sportsbook feature allowing players to tailor their home screen so that they have quick and easy access to what they like to bet on and remove the rest of the content out of their sight so that it doesn’t frustrate or slow them down.

      The introduction of My Sportsbook in early 2022 showed players are VERY interested: 77 per cent of them use it when available and on average they place a bet within 6 seconds of logging in. We’re seeing similar results with ‘My Casino’ where users can customize their lobby through a quick Wizard-like setup menu. They choose their preferred types, genres, payout styles and a few more factors and get the lobby they’ve dreamed of. Upon entering they no longer have to browse an endless list of games that don’t intrigue them. Instead, titles they’d love are just a tap or click away.

      • We’ve heard of Booster Panel and all the benefits it brings to the table. Can you share with us about how you come up with ideas for integrations that differentiate you from the competitors?

      Yes, the Booster panel for mobile devices is a feature we’re incredibly proud of. Even though operators themselves couldn’t believe a ‘Deposit’ button can be integrated in a way that doesn’t break the immersion regardless of what game the player is enjoying, it’s a fact. And this is something that we know is important to develop thanks to our main approach: listening to the needs of players and operators. Having to leave the game you’re excited about just depositing more funds was a serious pain point for all parties involved.

      Now that this is solved, we continue gathering feedback, ideas, and inspiration from all around us: teammates, partners, players, even other industries. With DelaCasino we’ve never pushed for quantity but for quality, especially in terms of innovations.

      • User experience is key in online casino. How do you balance innovation with ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for players?

      This is a great question! We’ve seen cases in our industry where people get so carried away pushing the boundaries of innovation that they forget about the players and their real needs and habits. We make sure to introduce innovation in a way that’s easy to comprehend, digest, and get used to.

      This is an essential part of the user journey and we’re not glossing over it. If we plan on implementing something that we suspect the market or player base is still not ready for, we put in place a whole strategy for introducing the product or feature in bits, so that’s easier to settle. Here, of course, our team’s expertise in online casino and player behavior is the key factor, which is why I’m so proud of my colleagues at DelaCasino.

      • How do you foresee the regulatory landscape evolving in the context of these innovations?

      As one of the trend-setters in iGaming, we’re excited to take advantage of the opportunities AI has to offer. As I mentioned already, it has the potential to elevate personalization to levels never before contemplated. However, a limit should be considered and put in place, since monitoring every action or player preference has the potential to intrude into said player’s privacy and personal space.

      In my opinion, the regulatory landscape will get very focused on solving the challenge of balancing AI advancements and human rights. At DelaCasino we’re aware of this and are taking all measures possible with the expert help of our best-in-breed Compliance department.

      • Passion is a driving force behind any innovation. How do you and your team maintain said passion for creating new and exciting features for players?

      In the first place we’re excited about all things Casino. If a person isn’t interested in the field, we simply don’t hire them. This truly is a matter of passion, not only expertise. I make it a point to always show my team the great results of their hard work, this is one of the ways to keep morale, motivation, and enthusiasm high. Furthermore, when we attend industry events, we don’t just sit around.

      We talk to as many people as possible, we keep an eye on what our competitors are doing and analyze what we can introduce to our product. Not to mention that it’s absolutely incredible to see a sudden idea or revelation of yours turned into reality. Such is the case with the exciting ‘Tip the Machine’ feature that allows players to attempt to influence their luck by leaving a tip right from the Booster panel. I’m grateful for what I get to do for a living and for the amazing team I have. And I believe it’s mutual!

      Ralitsa Zareva has served as Delasport’s head of casino since early 2023 and is responsible for managing and implementing many of the company’s innovations in the casino vertical. Before joining the global B2B supplier, she held management positions at several other leading iGaming companies, including head of casino at Anakatech, head of commercial management at Amusnet Interactive, and casino operations team lead at SBTech/DraftKings.

      Meet Ralitsa and Delasport at ICE 2025 – Barcelona, stand 5M20 and give your iGaming business a flying start for the new year!

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