In this interview, Philip Doftvik CEO and Henrik Sandin CTO of QTech Games share how their industry experience shapes the company's approach to emerging gaming markets. They discuss adapting to regional needs by prioritising client-requested games and leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence and mobile-first strategies. The conversation covers their collaborative efforts to drive platform innovation, address technological challenges unique to different regions, and prepare for future advancements such as machine learning and blockchain. They also touch on ethical considerations in implementing new technologies to enhance player engagement while promoting responsible gaming practices.
Gaming Eminence: With your combined years of experience in the gaming industry, how have your individual journeys influenced the technological direction of QTech Games, especially in curating and integrating the best online casino games for emerging markets?
HS) "Our collective experiences in the gaming industry have underscored the importance of a market-driven approach, particularly in emerging markets. By attentively capturing the needs of clients and prioritising the casino games they request, we can better align our technological direction with market demands. Additionally, we strive to identify games or categories poised to become the next major hits in specific territories, enabling partners to stay ahead of trends and seize early opportunities.
Having a deep understanding of building games from the ground up allows us to assess the feasibility of proposed solutions early in the development process. This insight helps software teams avoid unproductive paths and conserve valuable time. With nearly three decades in online gaming and system development, I've gained a comprehensive perspective on server-based gaming from both provider and operator standpoints, across online and land-based environments. One key lesson from my journey, inspired by my former mentor Joel, is the significance of establishing solid system foundations without resorting to shortcuts."
Gaming Eminence: As management, how do you collaborate to drive innovation in QTech Games' platform features like the unified game launcher and wallet integration API, and what unique technological insights do each of you bring to enhance the operator and player experience?
PD) "Having recently joined QTech Games, I'm in the early stages of integrating my expertise and perspective into the company. What drew me to this opportunity was a clear, shared vision with the management team that aligns with the impactful work Henrik has been leading. My experience with Tier 1 companies and deep understanding of what B2B operators seek allow us to identify valuable offerings and their optimal deployment. Collectively, our industry knowledge provides a strong foundation to assess market dynamics, discern what works in different regions, and recognise gaps in our partners' offerings. This collaborative approach enables us to enhance our platform in ways that support growth and create diversified revenue streams."
HS) "Our collaboration is essential for capitalising on specific market demands and embracing innovations that drive growth, all while navigating evolving technical challenges. We continually strive to improve and innovate our platform's functionalities to optimise performance.
By collecting, observing, and distilling raw data, we can identify and act upon emerging trends. Effective collaboration involves understanding the relationships within the data and developing strategic plans to leverage those insights fully."
Gaming Eminence: Emerging markets come with their own set of technological challenges and opportunities. How do your personal expertise and leadership styles contribute to navigating these markets, and what strategies are you employing to adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscapes?
HS) "Agility is essential for navigating the dynamic and often unpredictable landscapes of emerging markets. From my experience, relying on a stable yet flexible platform enables swift adaptation to market changes. Implementing feature-flag schemes allows for the quick activation or deactivation of new features without disrupting production systems. Additionally, utilising a microservices-based architecture facilitates the rapid deployment of new functions and features, streamlining processes that are typically time-consuming. Building systems with future-proofing and flexibility as core principles has proven effective as we adapt to varied market demands.
Ultimately, maintaining a strong presence in key markets requires close collaboration with both new and existing clients, while continuously monitoring and embracing emerging technologies."
PD) "I concur with Henrik's insights and would emphasise that every market has its unique characteristics. For example, internet infrastructure in Africa differs significantly from the Western world, necessitating tailored adaptations. Emerging markets like Africa can be fragmented, presenting localised risks and regulatory challenges. Historically, few brands have successfully expanded across borders in these regions, often facing limitations due to capital and technological constraints—a challenge that has affected several European companies as well. Effectively navigating these markets requires deep platform expertise combined with years of hands-on regional experience."
Gaming Eminence: Artificial intelligence and a mobile-first approach are central to QTech Games' offerings. Can you share how your roles intersect in implementing these technologies, and how do you address potential ethical considerations while aiming to personalize and improve player engagement?
HS) "Data provides us with an objective foundation. When the facts are clear—for instance, that 90% of players prefer mobile platforms—it becomes imperative to adopt a mobile-first strategy. Regarding the ethical considerations of using AI in game promotion, prioritising transparency and fairness is crucial."
PD) "I fully agree, especially concerning RTP fairness and employing reliable customer-profiling techniques to identify problematic behaviours while upholding social responsibility. Artificial intelligence—from trading to marketing tools and machine-learning recommendation engines—alongside data collection, will continue to evolve for more effective personalisation in the gambling industry. If a system can truly understand a customer from the moment they log in, a frictionless, personalised experience becomes attainable.
For loyal players, this could mean receiving the right bonus at the right time. For lower-stakes players, it might involve offering intuitive jackpots or timely prompts about their favorite games. Additionally, tools can detect when a customer's experience is disrupted—due to login issues or technical problems—and address these promptly. Regarding early signs of problem gambling, AI can swiftly identify them and guide at-risk individuals toward cooling-off periods or self-exclusion options. Ultimately, prioritising the long-term value of players is more sustainable than short-term gains.
In essence, automated CRM is already within reach. High-volume AI systems will be crucial for marketers implementing successful strategies. As data-processing capabilities expand, the potential for AI to enhance player engagement and promote responsible gaming practices will only grow."
Gaming Eminence: Looking ahead, technologies like machine learning, blockchain, and advanced data analytics are set to transform the gaming industry. How are you both preparing QTech Games to integrate these technologies, and what do you envision for the future of online gaming distribution from both a technological and leadership perspective?
HS) "Technological innovation is an unstoppable force that continually disrupts existing business models, often leading to significant improvements. To thrive, it's essential to remain adaptable and ahead of emerging trends. For example, we've integrated AI into our game lobby to offer personalised game recommendations to players with diverse preferences across various markets. This initiative reflects our proactive approach to embracing new technologies. When a technology shows potential, we conduct proof-of-concept projects to swiftly adapt to shifting market demands.
Advanced data analytics empower us to align the right games with our clients and craft targeted campaigns that resonate with different player behaviours, ultimately enhancing revenue streams for our clients."
PD) "We've already incorporated AI into our services and will continue to invest in this area as it aligns with our evolving needs. Regarding blockchain and cryptocurrencies, we adopt a similar strategy—innovating in response to market demand. And that demand will likely surge with the coming presidency of Trump 2.0! The gambling industry has been at the forefront of blockchain adoption, offering numerous opportunities for our partners and their players.
Benefits such as increased speed, enhanced security, and cost savings can be passed on to consumers, enriching their overall experience. Players gain from fairer margins compared to traditional fiat-based operators burdened with substantial payment processing fees and chargebacks, which can translate into better odds or more attractive promotions.
As a leading distributor in emerging markets, our goal is to educate our partners, boost adoption rates, and address the everyday needs of customers by providing faster, more intuitive, and secure solutions. Our commitment to delivering high-quality content remains unwavering, and we view cryptocurrency as a valuable asset in driving revenue for our partners. Collaborating with forward-thinking digital casinos that aim to innovate through cryptocurrency aligns with our vision.
While we don't advocate for a complete shift to blockchain technology, integrating cryptocurrencies as an additional payment option can provide a competitive edge and deeper market insight. In the long run, we anticipate that all valuable assets—be it stocks, currencies, or non-fungible tokens (NFTs)—will become tokenised on the blockchain. This transition has the potential to eliminate traditional banking intermediaries and associated fees, promoting a more egalitarian system where every user has foundational access."