Championing innovation in iGaming

MARINOS SHIAPANIS, Co-Founder and CEO of Campeón Gaming, reflects on his leadership strategy and the new opportunities for innovation within the iGaming space.

Words by ERIN GALLAGHER

Marinos started his career in the world of marketing, before making the move to iGaming where he had grand plans to own his own company. This, he told SBC Leaders, is where the idea of Campeón Gaming came to life.

As Co-Founder and CEO, Marinos explained that one of his guiding principles of leadership is the people of Campeón Gaming, with a strong focus on “leading by example” when it comes to company strategy, team management and adaptability.

He began: “The most challenging part of leadership is to integrate adaptability into my day-to-day business, since the landscape is constantly evolving, and now, more than ever, it is time to navigate through various challenges and opportunities.

“I choose to have a strong leadership presence and a keen focus on the company’s vision and goals. The role requires constant monitoring of the industry trends and regulatory changes, and the ability to make well-informed decisions to ensure the company’s success in a highly competitive market.

“From the very first day, I have decided that leading by example is a crucial leadership approach, to demonstrate first-hand our values and behaviours.”

Adaptability has not only been a key factor in Marinos’ leadership style, but has also played an integral role in Campeón Gaming’s growth within the wider iGaming industry.

For the CEO, adaptability and flexibility are necessary to staying ahead of the curve on any iGaming trends and challenges - particularly when it comes to an ever-evolving regulatory landscape.

Marinos continued: “Mastering regulatory challenges is crucial, as regulations vary significantly between markets and regions. By being proactive in understanding and complying with these regulations, Campeón Gaming ensures a smooth and legally compliant operation in various jurisdictions.

“We acquire a well-developed regulatory intake, integration, and reporting process to navigate through the regulatory landscape. This approach not only safeguards meeting legal requirements, but also showcases our commitment to ensuring protection, fair gaming practices, and responsible gambling measures.”

By carrying out continuous research on the latest iGaming trends, Marinos noted that Campeón Gaming has been able to identify new opportunities for innovation.

From a technological perspective, flexibility also means that its team can continue to meet customer demands. The platform’s front-end prioritizes user experience with responsive, mobile-friendly design, intuitive navigation, and interactive and gamification elements, while the platform’s back end implements continuous data analysis, fast-track reporting, and feedback, meeting customer preferences, and ensuring a user-friendly and appealing platform.

Under Marinos’ leadership, Campeón Gaming has grown from a team of just 5 people to 130, and 4 office locations, while offering technology and management services to over 45 brands.

So what’s the secret behind this growth? In short, it comes down to the company’s people and “way of thinking”. By fostering a work environment that prioritises innovation and inclusion, with its people at the centre, he believes that Campeón Gaming “wouldn’t be where it is today”.

He said: “We generate innovation in everything we do, from product development to customer experience. This has allowed us to stand out in this competitive market, offer unique solutions and continuously adapt to the ever-changing industry trends.

“Our notable example is our iGaming solutions platform Nexto Gaming, a platform that integrates the actual operators’ and market’s needs, and provides the ultimate iGaming technology stack, creating the most engaging gaming experience.

“Our out-of-the-box thinking, turning innovation into action, with adaptability and flexibility to the market needs, gives us unlimited possibilities and unlocks new business opportunities, enhancing our presence in the industry.”

New Frontiers

For 2023, Campeón Gaming has identified opportunities for expansion in both Scandinavia and Estonia, with both markets considered to be regulatory mature with a techsavvy population.

Despite the high level of competition in these regions, the increasing demand for online gambling makes this region a “lucrative market with a strong potential customer base”.

Marinos continued: “Estonia, even though it is a smaller market with a limited target audience, has met significant growth in the last few years, giving space for new business opportunities and strategic expansion for new and existing operators. Estonia also has a digitally advanced population, which stands as an opportunity for all iGaming companies.

“Scandinavian markets, especially Denmark, and Sweden, are the markets to be, in order for operators to expand their international footprint, as they hold high internet penetration rates and tech-savvy populations, making them prime targets for online gaming platforms.”

Making Strides

Talk soon turned towards Marinos’ vision to invest in new and innovative technologies which he is confident will help Campeón Gaming to gain a competitive edge. One such example will be focusing on its in-house platform and payment solutions.

He concluded: “By leveraging Campeón Gaming’s strengths and expertise, further expansion into new markets becomes a viable path for overall business growth. Entering new markets allows us to tap into different customer segments, diversify revenue streams, and mitigate risks associated with overreliance on specific regions.

“This year, Campeón Gaming has prioritised our peoples’ growth, resulting in a nearly twofold increase, now standing at 130 people. In 2023, we have invested in our proprietary buildings establishing a technological hub in multiple locations, demonstrating our commitment to expanding our operational capabilities and staying at the forefront of technology in the iGaming industry.”