26 January, 2024

Interview with iGP COO Matthew Calascione: Driving growth in the iGaming market

COO at iGP, Matthew Calascione, talks to Gambling Insider about how new innovations from the company, its iGaming Deck and how it picks its partners

Tell us a bit about iGP.

In simple terms, iGP (iGaming Platform) is an iGaming tech company offering a platform, aggregator, white label and managed service solution, marketed under iGaming Platform, iGaming Deck, and iGaming Labels. It encompasses casino, sportsbook, crypto and several complementary managed services.  Deeper than what we offer is that the business is built on the belief that there’s an opportunity to be a leading supplier, catering to the demand for a more dynamic, engaging and user-friendly iGaming ecosystem. It drives us to challenge conventional industry norms in how we build products, innovate and, as a B2B technology provider, give operators what they need to grow into successful iGaming operators.

Growing from an early stage startup to managing over €600m ($657.4m) in monthly wagers across 100 operators, our success partly stems from how we build products, partner with clients and our exciting roadmap ahead. A prime example of our focus on quality solutions is the launch of iGaming Deck, our cloud-based aggregator. With thousands of games and a strong pipeline of new studios, we’ve improved on existing market offerings by enhancing efficiency and operator control, making it cheaper and more effective.

You launched iGaming Deck in September – can you tell us more about it?

Our latest innovation, iGaming Deck, is a testament to iGP’s commitment to advancing the iGaming industry. Launched in September, it is a cloud-based games aggregator that has taken another look at how games are delivered from supplier to operator to end user. The iGaming Deck is designed not just to aggregate games but to streamline the entire process of integration, operation and management for operators. It’s about offering a seamless, hassle-free experience that empowers operators to focus on what they do best – engaging and expanding their player base. A significant aspect of iGaming Deck’s early success is our collaboration with prominent industry partners. So far, we have announced partnerships with notable names like CT Interactive, LogiFuture, Betsoft and OnlyPlay, among others. These partnerships are just the beginning, with many more exciting collaborations on the horizon. Each partner brings something unique to the table, enriching the iGaming Deck with a varied range of games and features. This diversity is crucial, as it allows our operators to cater to a broad spectrum of player preferences and market demands. With many more partnerships in the pipeline, the future of iGaming Deck looks incredibly promising.

How is iGP helping operators break into more markets?

The less glamorous, yet crucial aspect of iGaming is having a stable, scalable and fast product with excellent back-office tools. Ensuring a top-notch user experience from both operator and consumer perspectives is key. Getting this right enables operators to confidently enter any market. Our technology provides this confidence, as we’ve nailed the basics. On top of this, iGP brings flexible solutions tailored to each market – whether it’s through customer behaviour insights, product development or UX/UI tweaks. This adaptability is what operators have been missing to realise their growth ambitions.

What makes iGP stand out from competitors?

It’s not often talked about, as it’s a minefield for most companies, but the core platform’s stability is crucial. Downtime can cost operators millions annually. Just having a platform that’s consistently operational can set you apart.

But there’s more to iGP than just reliability and stability. Once operators see our back-office functionality, they realise the potential to control their business like never before. This control fosters confidence in seeking new growth opportunities. Our white label and aggregator solutions can get operators up and running within four weeks – not because of some groundbreaking new tech, but because we built it right the first time. A stable core, well-built products, competitive edge and everything under one roof make a compelling offer. Plus, we’re known for being great partners, which always helps – good people want to do business with other good people.

How does iGP pick its partners?

It boils down to partnership. For clients, suppliers and us, we’re all about moving the industry forward. We’re taking small steps for eventual giant leaps. This can be daunting for some operators, but it’s what drives us. We look for partners who believe in growth and recognise the need for change. When we find those who share our vision, it often leads to great things.

What can we expect from iGP in 2024?

There’s a buzz at iGP about 2024, reminiscent of a startup’s energy with a clear mission. 2023 has been fantastic – we’ve reorganised, completed major tech builds and product launches, and seen a surge of operators going live globally. This is just the beginning. We’re planning some exciting hires in the new year, pushing our new brand further into the market, launching more products and supporting more operators with iGP. We’re optimistic that 2024 will bring everything together, establishing us as the go-to in the industry.

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