Founder Of Digitain Speaks To iGaming Post

Q: Vardges thank you for speaking to the iGaming Post, to start Digitain has now be operating for over 18 years, which is a very long time in the iGaming business. How did it all start and what was it like when Digitain launched back then?

VV: I founded Digitain because I saw the need that operators had for a scalable, flexible and secure iGaming platform, particularly one with a quality, profitable sportsbook already integrated. With Toto Gaming, we already had a large, experienced sportsbook team in place and also access to a wide range of technology skills within Armenia – so it was a logical step to combine our experience as an operator with our capability to develop solutions both efficiently and effectively in order to build an iGaming B2B business.

Obviously was a bit difficult at first to gain traction in such a competitive market, but it was exciting building all these new capabilities, such as developing a Sales function from scratch. Our hero product back then was definitely our sportsbook, and this was the key tool to help us break into the market and develop from there. Our experience as an operator helped us to understand what our partners needed to build a successful and sustainable betting operation and so we were able to ensure customer satisfaction early on.

Q: However, that was not the first company you launched within the online gambling industry, in 2003 Toto Gaming began, how over the years has that brand faired and was the launch of Digitain a natural progression to support Toto Gaming as it is a B2C platform?

VV: As mentioned, our experience and success with Toto Gaming put us on the path to launching Digitain, as we had most of the knowledge, skills and people already within the business, to give us confidence to launch a B2B operation.

Toto Gaming continues to do well, among the leaders in the markets it operates in. Brand recognition and reputation remains high, and we are seeking to leverage those aspects as we plan to expand the geographical footprint into other markets.

Q: Where did the idea to start an online gaming business come from back then?

VV: Originally, Toto Gaming was a retail operation and we had around 14 betting shops located across Armenia. We developed an online sportsbook in 2011 as it was obvious, to me, that the internet would expand, and ecommerce become popular within a short space of time. With the Toto Gaming brand already well known and trusted, due to our retail history, it made sense to expand our brand online in order to give our existing players and, of course new ones, access to our service online 24/7.

Q: Now in 2022 how is Digitain doing given that it is a hugely competitive marketplace?

VV: I’m happy to tell you that we’re thriving. The Digitain Family now numbers over 2200 people and we have a brand new, state-of -the-art headquarters in beautiful Yerevan and our range of B2B products and services are in the best shape ever. At ICE 2022, we showcased a number of innovative solutions, including Centrivo, a new, powerful, flexible iGaming platform and Digitain Live, our own, in-house developed Live Casino product. Developing our own products, such as the live casino, our virtual sports and our eSports versions demonstrate our confidence that we can provide our partners with additional, quality choices with regards to profitable content, that meets their needs better than existing suppliers.

Q: What makes Digitain so successful, is it the software, the people, innovation, what does make a successful company within this sector?

VV: All of the above! Seriously, our people, the Digitain family, are our greatest asset. Innovation and quality outcomes emanate from having the right nurturing environment where the teams are supported and encouraged to develop and to make decisions. We invest in our people, in terms of the environment they work in and also the training and development they receive.
To be successful, all customer-facing elements of our business have to effectively communicate – from product development to marketing, and from sales and account management.

Finding new partners and retaining existing ones is key, and this only can happen if the product is as good as you can make it and if the company is focused on delivering the very best in customer service. Our partners’ success is our success, so establishing an effective and long-term relationship with them is part of our DNA.

Q: You have launched another company last year called Galaxsys, what is the difference between them and Digitain and how has the company been received by customers?

VV: From 2020 onwards, we saw pretty spectacular growth in our Fast Games; for players simple, easy-to-understand games that occupy a sweet spot between the sportsbook and casino. In order to support this growth, I decided to further support this success by giving this section their own managements sales and technology teams, in order to drive their own managements sales and technology teams, in order to drive more innovation and have a faster route to market by having a dedicated roadmap – and so Galaxsys was born.

The team at Galaxsys are therefore able to move quickly and flexibly as a “start-up” operation, but with the security delivered as being a division of Digitain.
So far, so good in terms of customer reception. ICE 2022 saw Galaxsys exhibit for the first time and the show was a success in terms of raising awareness and generating potential deals. Galaxsys’ fast, cash-out style games and their portfolio of skill games are very popular, as well as easy to integrate and provide operators with profitable new content.

For Galaxsys, I’d say the sky’s the limit!

Q: Can you tell us are there anymore launches of new companies to come this year or maybe next?

VV: This year we are looking to develop the group nature of our business. As we have grown, it has makes sense to dedicate resources and capital, as well as people to successful areas of our business. So you have seen the development of Galaxsys from an internal tech team to become a Games Studio with its own product development, sales and management team. This approach ensures that there is no one inflexible Digitain roadmap. We will be continuing this approach with our Live Casino and other parts of the group.

Q: Away from the industry and you are the founder of the Armenia Wine Company for nearly 15 years now, can you tell our readers what is Armenia Wine like and do you export and to where?

VV: Armenia Wine is a modern winery that represents the renaissance of the history of Armenian winemaking.

From the very beginning I set a goal to produce wines that would become the guide to the world of Armenian winemaking. Today the company produces both wines and brandies.

Since 2017, we began the development of organic vineyards and today we have about 82 hectares, but we also work with over 650 growers from winemaking regions across Armenia.

During 13 years of hard work,I’m delighted to report that Armenia Wine has become being a leader in our local market and has gained the title of the largest wine exporter also, enlarging its export geography to over 40 countries worldwide, cooperating with over 60 importers.