Watch: Vladimir Malakchi, CEO of Xanada Investments, on why iGaming is the future of global entertainment

Vladimir Malakchi, CEO and Managing Partner of Xanada Investments, believes the iGaming sector is entering a crucial phase of accelerated global growth. Speaking to SiGMA, Malakchi offered a forward-looking assessment of where the market is heading and why strategic investment today hinges on more than financial backing; it requires strong teams, precise timing, and a clear understanding of shifting market dynamics.

Global growth far outpacing official projections

Malakchi highlights a discrepancy between official market statistics and what he observes in the field. “Officially, the iGaming market growth of the market is showing around 14 to 17 per cent, but unofficially, we are seeing that this is around 33 to 40 per cent growing,” he says. For him, the implications are significant: “Just imagine, the full iGaming market growth all over the world is around 40 per cent. It’s huge… and it’s not stopping.”

Regulatory shifts in countries like Brazil, Germany, Japan, Romania, and emerging interest in markets such as Thailand and broader Latin America bolster this rapid expansion. “All the governments started thinking more about like, yeah, we need to think about iGaming,” Malakchi adds, noting how societal acceptance of entertainment through betting, 바카라, or lottery is influencing policy changes.

Backing strong teams

For Xanada Investments, the focus is clear: teams over technology. “When we are investing in the projects, we’re focusing first on the teams,” Malakchi explains. With the market environment so favourable, he believes that strong execution is more critical than ever. “The only thing right now that everybody should do is just to take this time, work like a crazy… put all the efforts inside… and grow.”

According to him, the next four years represent a pivotal window of opportunity. “From the business point of view, I think we are in very, very, very right timing.”

Land-based to online

Malakchi sees a decisive trend in land-based operators moving into the online domain. He points to Sweden as an example of this digital shift: “They’re closing the last land-based 바카라, because everybody is playing online. No sense to keep land-based 바카라… It’s challenging. It’s a huge building and a huge thing. It’s difficult.”

The convenience and scalability of online platforms are pushing even traditional operators to adapt or risk obsolescence. He notes that while land-based entities are initiating partnerships or acquisitions in the online space, the reverse is far less common. “I don’t see the huge interest from online coming to land-based with the same request,” he says.

Hybrid models and portfolio experimentation

Malakchi does see potential in hybrid models, particularly where land-based operators offer extensive databases of loyal players. “For us, it’s a hypothesis now, but I thought that this hypothesis can work in the right way,” he says of efforts to partner local licensed 바카라s with land-based operations. The goal: combine market experience with digital capabilities.

He references the United States as a unique example where the land-based model has long dominated, especially in states like Nevada. “Two main players of the Nevada market… control the whole iGaming in land-based,” he says, emphasising their influence and the personalised approach they offer high-value players.

Sustained growth, strategic urgency

While Malakchi concedes the market may eventually hit a saturation point, “five years, six years probably”, he does not anticipate a downturn. “Probably some percentage will be volatile. It’s normal because our industry is volatile… but we are not expecting a drop like this.”

Instead, his message is one of urgency and preparedness. The online gaming boom is no longer speculative, and it is a global shift in motion. And those who act decisively, with the right partnerships and internal capabilities, stand to lead the next chapter of gaming innovation.