Exclusive: Random State COO Adam Fonsica on gamifying the future of lottery in UAE
Swedish gaming technology firm Random State has officially entered the UAE market after receiving a Gaming-Related Vendor Licence from the country’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) at the end of May. This licence allows the company to offer its portfolio of eInstant games and custom digital lottery content to licensed operators in the region—marking a significant step in its international expansion strategy.
The announcement came just as The UAE Lottery—operated by The Game LLC and regulated by the GCGRA—went live as the region’s first federally licensed lottery. Through a multi-year partnership, EQL Games was named the exclusive third-party content provider, debuting two interactive eInstant titles developed by Random State: Marble Run and Lucky Lagoon.
Speaking exclusively to SiGMA News, Adam Fonsica, Co-founder and COO at Random State, reflects on the company’s growing role in one of the world’s most dynamic emerging lottery markets. From platform agility and creative control to studio collaboration and gamification strategy, Fonsica outlines how Random State aims to shape the UAE’s iLottery journey while building toward a broader global footprint.
SiGMA News: What does securing the UAE licence represent for Random State at this stage of its growth?
Adam Fonsica, Co-founder and COO at Random State: Securing the UAE licence is a defining milestone for Random State. We were founded just over four years ago with a clear goal: partner only with fully regulated operators. Being among the first iLottery suppliers approved in a brand-new jurisdiction confirms that our technology, compliance processes and responsible-gaming standards hold up on a global stage. It also places us at the starting line of a market with enormous long-term potential. Entering early lets us help shape the local player experience, forge lasting partnerships and fuel the next phase of our international growth.
SiGMA News: What specific factors made the UAE an attractive market for Random State’s entry into the Middle East?
Fonsica: We already had strong relationships with partners who were actively looking for an agile iLottery partner in the UAE, so we could enter the market with trusted allies. The combination of committed partners, clear demand and a credible regulator made the UAE an ideal first step into the Middle East for Random State.
SiGMA News: Can you share more about the operator partnership expected to launch your UAE titles in Q2 2025?
Fonsica: Our partnership with EQL Games and The UAE Lottery went live with a full market release of Marble Run and Lucky Lagoon, backed by a coordinated launch campaign. Being selected for the first eInstant rollout in the UAE is a privilege and lays the groundwork for the additional titles we will add throughout 2025.
SiGMA News: How do you see player preferences in the UAE shaping the way you design eInstant or bespoke digital-lottery products?
Fonsica: The UAE is entering digital lottery for the first time, which lets us shape player expectations from the ground up. We are launching with a balanced mix of traditional products and two of our top eInstants, Marble Run and Lucky Lagoon. As we collect engagement data we will fine-tune themes, prize structures and session length to match local preferences and use those insights to introduce new formats over time.
SiGMA News: With the GCGRA setting up a regulated framework, how do you see the UAE’s role evolving in the global digital-lottery landscape?
Fonsica: The GCGRA has given the UAE a clear, nationwide rulebook for digital lottery, something few Gulf countries currently offer. This makes the Emirates a reference point for neighbouring regulators, who are already studying the framework as they draft their own. Analysts expect total gaming revenue in the UAE to reach six to eight billion dollars once the market matures; even if only a modest share comes from digital lottery, the country would still rank among the world’s fifteen largest iLottery jurisdictions. The UAE is therefore poised not just to grow sales but to set best practice in responsible gaming, real-time monitoring and anti-money-laundering across the region and beyond.
SiGMA News: Could you walk us through how your WYSIWYG game builder and turn-key iLottery platform have helped differentiate Random State from legacy providers?
Fonsica: I spent years on the operator side and grew frustrated when good game ideas stalled because the tech stack was rigid. That experience shaped our turn-key iLottery and Bingo platform. Every game mechanic is a reusable module, so an operator can mix them, set the payout table and push a title live, whether it is an eScratcher, raffle, or bingo room, in under an hour from the same back-office console. Legacy providers still need custom development and multiple integrations for each launch, but we give teams the creative freedom and speed to match player demand in real time.
SiGMA News: Random State has recently obtained Ontario iGaming licence as well. How does the North American approach to regulation and player engagement compare to that of the UAE?
Fonsica: Ontario operates under an established framework led by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) with numerous licensed operators across lottery, 바카라, and bingo. The UAE, guided by the GCGRA, is earlier in its rollout and currently has fewer licensees, though similar safeguards for integrity and responsible gaming are in place. Both regulators maintain clear compliance requirements and invite ongoing dialogue with suppliers. We will debut in Ontario with a multiplayer bingo offering through Delta Bingo Online, while in the UAE our launch titles focus on eInstant games.
SiGMA News: What kind of games and services will Random State focus on in Ontario, and what’s the roadmap for growth in that market?
Fonsica: Our , which will go live with Delta Bingo Online. It is the first time we release this product outside Sweden and we are proud of the social gameplay and mobile user-experience it delivers. Once bingo is established, we will roll out our eInstant portfolio to several operators. The first wave is pencilled in for Q3, followed by additional titles in Q4, with the operator line-up to be announced closer to launch.
SiGMA News: How does Random State ensure regulatory alignment and localisation as it expands across regions with very different gaming laws and cultures?
Fonsica: Compliance is hard work for a young company, but it is the foundation of our strategy. We launch only in regulated markets and partner only with licensed operators, even when that extends timelines. We also always work close to our aggregator and operator partners in these matters.
SiGMA News: Are there any upcoming features, innovations, or partnerships you’re particularly excited about in 2025
Fonsica: 2025 is set to be our busiest year so far, with new platform features, fresh game formats, and several strategic partnerships lined up. The details are still under embargo, but we will share news as soon as each agreement is cleared for release. Stay tuned, there is plenty on the way.
SiGMA News: Is Asia on the roadmap for Random State? If so, which markets are you exploring and why?
Fonsica: Asia is the one region we are not actively working on at the moment. Our resources are devoted to scaling in the UAE, Europe, North America and Africa through 2025. But if the opportunity comes, we would definitely explore it.
SiGMA News: As regulatory models evolve globally, how do you see the future of real-money eInstants and digital-lottery shaping the wider gaming industry?
Fonsica: Real-money eInstants will steer the lottery sector toward mainstream gaming. Future titles will feel less like digital scratch cards and more like short-session video games that happen to carry real-money stakes. 바카라ers should walk away entertained and rewarded even when they miss a cash prize, through features such as leaderboards, in-game currencies and achievement tracks. The hurdle is regulatory lag: in some markets legacy rules still prohibit these mechanics. Jurisdictions that modernise their frameworks while maintaining strong player-protection standards will attract the most innovative content and see higher retention. In that environment, eInstants can become the bridge that finally merges gaming and gambling.
SiGMA News: What role do you think innovation in player experience—like gamification or interactive storytelling—will play in the future growth of the iLottery sector?
Fonsica: I believe innovation in player experience is the ticket to attracting the next generation of lottery players. Mobile gamers already expect progression paths, social competition, and narrative hooks, so iLottery products must deliver the same sense of achievement. Features like season-long quests, leaderboards, and bite-sized story arcs keep players engaged even when they miss a cash prize, while responsible-play tools protect them. As regulators gradually allow these mechanics, game makers who embrace them will see higher retention and a broader audience. In short, gamification and interactive storytelling are no longer optional extras; they are central to the sector’s future growth.
SiGMA News: Where do you see Random State by the end of 2025—both in terms of market footprint and product evolution
Fonsica: By December 2025 we aim to be live in more than 10 regulated markets, gathering insights that sharpen both our localisation and retention features. We will keep our pace of one new release each month; next up is two cascade-style with beautiful 3D-graphics. In parallel we are developing a larger-scale, fully gamified eInstant built around a well-known global brand, which will be our most ambitious game project so far.
