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Watch: Innovation and risk in poker tech with Dmitry Starostenkov

Naomi Day
Written by Naomi Day

In the latest SiGMA Poker Face Podcast, CEO of EvenBet Gaming Dmitry Starostenkov sat down with host Ivonne Montealegre to discuss how the poker vertical is evolving, from AI integration and player liquidity to navigating the changing face of poker in iGaming.

Betting on risk and innovation

Starostenkovs journey from software developer to CEO of a global poker platform has not been linear. We were originally just engineers with no marketing or sales. Transforming into an iGaming company with our own brand was a huge risk and we had major deficits. he explained. Despite the early hurdles, EvenBet now commands strong market share in regions like India, with over 30 million users in that market alone. Starostenkovs calculated risks helped reshape how poker platforms approach scalability and infrastructure.

The challenge of liquidity in a fragmented market

When it comes to poker, liquidity remains one of the industrys most complex hurdles. Unlike 바카라 games, poker depends on player concurrency. You need players online around the clock. Thats why different time zones matter, Starostenkov said.

This challenge is particularly pressing in the U.S., where only a few states have regulated online poker. Still, hes optimistic, Give it two or three years and I think the U.S. will be totally sustainable as a poker market.

The role of AI in poker

One of the most thought-provoking parts of the podcast was Starostenkovs view on artificial intelligence. While AI was initially demonised, he sees its potential, especially for matchmaking and fraud detection.

We use AI to protect the ecosystem, detecting collusion, toxic players, bonus abuse. But using bots to squeeze more money from players? Thats the wrong use, he warned. He cited the importance of ensuring recreational players are not matched with pros, preserving fun and fairness.

New players, new expectations

The nature of poker itself hasnt changed, it’s still a game of skill, competition and social interaction. What has changed, according to Starostenkov, is player behaviour.

Todays players want more than just gameplay, they want entertainment. Emojis, side games, social features. We have to build poker as part of a broader engagement platform.

Ensuring player retention

Asked about player retention strategies, Starostenkov shared an increasingly popular approach,  Instead of big bonuses, offer daily incentives. Weve added strike-based bonuses, log in seven days straight and your reward grows. It keeps users engaged without encouraging abuse.

He also emphasises pokers role beyond revenue. Dont compare poker to slots for GGR. Its about retention, cross-sell and loyalty. A 바카라 player who just lost? Give them a free poker tournament entry. Keep them in the ecosystem.

Pokers evolving value

Poker, Starostenkov believes, is unique in its community-building power. Its the only gambling vertical where players are proud. They share wins and losses online. That makes it a powerful marketing tool. As poker continues to blend tech, social media and strategic play, platforms like EvenBet are setting the pace for how the game can thrive in modern markets.

Join us this September 01-03 at the SiGMA Euro-Med Summit in Malta, where industry leaders, including innovators like Starostenkov, will explore the future of iGaming, poker and beyond.?As part of summit week, dont miss the SiGMA Poker Tour, powered in part by EvenBet, bringing together top players, executives and enthusiasts for world-class competition and networking. Whether youre in it for the insights or the action, Malta is the place to be.