Going places: 3 Oaks Gaming’s MD on the iGaming distributor’s rapid growth
SiGMA News caught up with 3 Oaks Gaming’s Managing Director, Sebastian Damian, to reflect on the company’s hugely successful first year in business, why its product offering is garnering interest from operators across Europe, and how the iGaming distributor intends to enter new markets over the coming months.
2022 marked your first full year of business. What were the success and challenges you faced?
As our first full year as 3 Oaks, we managed to hit plenty of milestones, including the awarding of our Isle of Man licence and Italian, Bulgarian and Georgian certifications, as well as a plethora of fantastic commercial deals with the likes of Parimatch, SOFTSWISS, and EveryMatrix, among others.
We’re really proud of our product offering, be it the facilitation of new slot games, or the delivery of our gamification tools, tournaments and Lucky Drops. We’ve made huge strides, and are confident 2023 will be even better as interest in our services continues to grow.
Are any regions of key interest to 3 Oaks for the year – will you look to acquire more licences and certification?
We’re focused on markets across Europe, as evidenced by the pursuit of our four licences and certifications achieved in 2022. We want to acquire a number of accreditations across Europe in 2023, as well as further expand our footprint in markets we are already active in.
Europe remains a key focus for us, but equally, what is happening further afield in both North and South America is of huge interest to us, and very much is an active part of our long-term vision.
Our ethos is to be active across a multitude of regulated markets, and to achieve this, we require licences and game certifications to enter them. A responsible approach is key and we’re confident it can be another milestone-filled year for us in terms of entering new territories.
You have made a number of senior hires heading into the new year. Are there further plans for expansion, especially across your Isle of Man office?
We’re always looking to hire new talent across all levels of our business in order to match our bold ambitions of international growth. We’ve expanded our Account Management team already in 2023, and are looking to scale further. The iGaming industry is awash with talent, and we’re confident we can attract the best individuals to help drive 3 Oaks forward.
Our office in the Isle of Man provides us with an opportunity to hire the best possible people from an established iGaming hub, while we also have individuals working remotely from all over the world.
The addition of Jackpots and Lucky Drops added a new layer to 3 Oaks’ promotional tools offering. How have they been received by operators so far, and are there any plans to expand on these solutions?
Both product have proven to be a really positive addition to our portfolio. Both offer extremely smooth integration into platforms, giving partners the easiest path to market possible with tools that heighten the overall slot experience that we deliver.
The introduction of the Lucky Drops ‘Hot Drops’ has boosted retention significantly for partners that utilise it, with its sophisticated backend monitoring player behaviour, and adapting drop frequency to keep players engaged.
We’re constantly observing trends and exploring ways to improve the user experience, through our diverse collection of promotional products.
The year has started strongly for 3 Oaks with the release of some interesting new titles, as well more commercial partners added to your network. What goals do you have as a business for 2023?
Ultimately, we want to keep growing! We strive to continue bringing fantastic gaming experiences to players in regulated markets, through a combination of great slots and cutting-edge gamification tools, as well as a market-leading service.
We’ve already seen the launch of our first pays anywhere game in Goddess of Egypt, and are confident we can bring bold, engaging hits to players in regions we are active in.
In terms of commercial expansion, we’re confident we will gain more licences, with the processes well underway, while also look to further grow in key regulated markets. It’s no secret that the Americas hold huge value to iGaming brands, and we want to make our mark there, as well as maintain our trajectory in Europe. We believe we can make a difference, and look forward to what the year has in store for us.
