Exclusive Interview: Ze'ev Zohar, Head of Technology at Ivontx, on the Future of Technology in iGaming
In today's iGaming landscape, technology is no longer just an infrastructure layer operating behind the scenes. It has become a decisive factor in growth, user experience, regulatory adaptability, and long-term competitiveness. Ze'ev Zohar, Head of Technology at Ivontx, works exactly at that intersection: where innovation, business practicality, and architectural thinking come together.
In this interview, he discusses the key challenges in building modern iGaming platforms, the importance of technological flexibility, the role of AI in operational systems, and where the industry is heading in the years ahead.
Ze'ev, tell us a bit about your role at Ivontx and what you are responsible for on a day-to-day basis.
"In my role at Ivontx, I am responsible for the company's technological direction, from system architecture to the way the product is translated into a real solution for operators. That includes infrastructure, user experience, integrations with providers, performance, security, scalability, and adapting the platform to different operating models in the market. In practice, my goal is to make sure the technology does not just work, but creates real business value for the client."
How do you see the changes that the iGaming industry has gone through in recent years?
"The market has matured significantly. In the past, many operators were satisfied with a basic site that offered games and payment processing. Today, expectations are much higher. Operators want a smart, fast, flexible platform that can grow with them. They are looking for better control over data, stronger player retention capabilities, seamless cross-device experiences, faster integration with content and service providers, and the ability to operate across multiple models without rebuilding everything from scratch each time. Technology is no longer just supporting the business, it is the core of the business."
In your view, what is the difference between a standard platform and one that is truly built for growth?
"The main difference is in the planning. A standard platform is built to go live. A platform built for growth is designed to handle scale, change, new provider integrations, expansion into new markets, and continuous improvement. That means modular architecture, clean infrastructure, the ability to replace components without breaking the system, and thinking ahead about operations, not just development. If you plan for the long term, you build in a completely different way."
Ivontx operates in a highly complex space with different operating models. How important is that flexibility today?
"It is critical. One of the biggest demands in the market today is adaptability. One operator is looking for a solution that fits a sweepstakes model, another wants a social casino setup, and another is evaluating a different structure based on regulation or market strategy. If your system is rigid, you are very limited. At Ivontx, we believe a strong platform should provide flexibility without compromising stability. It is a technological challenge, but it is also one of the most meaningful advantages you can offer a client."
When you look at a new operator entering the market, what is the most common technology mistake you see?
"Very often, operators focus only on the first stage: how to launch quickly. That is understandable, but it can also be a costly mistake. If you build something that cannot scale, cannot connect easily to CRM tools, payment providers, KYC systems, control systems, and data layers, you will pay for it later. What looks like an early saving often turns into a major delay down the line. It is important to understand that a platform is not just a website. It is the operating system of the entire business."
How much does user experience really impact the success of an iGaming platform today?
"A great deal. User experience is no longer a nice extra. It directly affects business performance. Players expect a fast, intuitive, smooth, and clear experience. They do not want to struggle with the interface, they want everything to feel effortless. That applies to registration, login, navigation, access to games, payments, and every interaction with the system. Sometimes a small UX improvement can create a very meaningful lift in conversion and retention."
AI has become a major keyword in nearly every industry. How do you see its role in iGaming?
"I believe AI needs to be approached in a mature way, not as decoration, but as a working tool. In our world, AI can help analyze user behavior, identify patterns, support personalization, improve customer support, automate processes, and even accelerate operational and marketing functions. But for that to work properly, you need a strong data foundation and infrastructure that allows you to do something intelligent with it. Without that, AI remains a buzzword. With it, it becomes a real force multiplier."
How do you introduce innovation without compromising the stability of a live system?
"That is one of the most important questions in any technology company. Innovation cannot come at the expense of reliability. The right approach is to build clear processes: modular development, testing, staging environments, monitoring, rollback capabilities, and gradual implementation rather than chaotic deployment. A live platform, especially in a field like iGaming, must remain stable. Innovation has to be introduced in a controlled way, as part of a healthy development culture, not forced into the system recklessly."
What are operators looking for today when they choose a technology partner?
"They are looking for more than a product. They want a partner that thinks ahead with them. They want confidence that the platform can scale, that the team can respond quickly, that there is product thinking behind the development, that communication is transparent, and that the system can be adapted to their real business needs. In the end, operators do not just need code. They need a system that enables them to build a stable and profitable operation."
What is the importance of modularity in a platform like Ivontx?
"Modularity is the foundation of both flexibility and speed. When a system is built correctly, components can be connected or replaced without affecting the core. That creates greater freedom in choosing providers, adapting to different needs, and entering different markets. Instead of rebuilding every time, you can operate intelligently while maintaining consistency. To me, modularity is not just an engineering decision, it is a business decision."
Looking ahead, where is the iGaming industry going in the coming years?
"I believe we will see three major directions. The first is deeper personalization, with systems that can tailor the experience much more precisely. The second is more extensive automation, on both the operational and marketing sides. The third is regulatory and structural flexibility, meaning platforms that can operate intelligently across different models and markets. The companies that successfully combine those three elements will lead the next generation of the industry."
What makes Ivontx stand out in such a competitive market?
"I believe our strength lies in combining a broad technological vision with a real understanding of on-the-ground business needs. We are not trying to build a theoretical product. We are building a platform that understands what operators actually need in order to grow. We place strong emphasis on flexibility, performance, adaptability, and operational quality. For us, the goal is not just to provide a system, but to create infrastructure that gives clients a genuine competitive advantage."
What message would you like to share with operators and partners who are evaluating a new technology solution today?
"I would tell them to look beyond the demo and the first screen. It is important to understand how the system is built, how flexible it is, how it will handle growth, how quickly new services can be integrated, and how the technology partner thinks about the future. Choosing a platform is a strategic decision. If you choose the right one, you create a strong foundation for the years ahead."
What personally drives you in this role?
"What drives me is the ability to take a vision and turn it into a real system that works, grows, and delivers value. I enjoy solving complex problems, building things properly, and seeing how good technology can change the picture for clients. In a dynamic world like iGaming, that is a major challenge, but it is also exactly what makes the work so interesting."
