Following a recent transformation from PIN-UP Global to the RedCore business group, Investments COO, Ihor Denysov, write for SBC News to elaborate on just why those that master AI and big data will spearhead the industry for many years.

I’ve spent the last decade watching businesses throw money at “big data solutions” without really understanding what they were buying. But something’s changed recently. The combination of artificial intelligence and big data has finally started delivering on its promises, at least for those who know what they’re doing.

The transformation is especially visible in iGaming and marketing. These industries have always been data-hungry, but now they’re becoming genuinely data-smart. Let me walk you through what I’m seeing.

The engine behind modern analytics: AI meets big data

AI and big data are the real workhorses powering today’s analytics revolution, turning mountains of raw data into insights you can actually use. In the iGaming world, platforms crunch through massive player datasets to spot behavior patterns, tweak game features, and catch fraudsters before they cause damage. Check out these real-world examples:

Mesquite Gaming teamed up with Gaming Analytics and used AI to create heat maps of their slot floor and forecast revenue. This let them place their most profitable games exactly where players would find them, seriously boosting both engagement and their bottom line. 

Asian sportsbooks are using AI analytics to figure out which sports are hot with bettors at different times, allowing them to offer better betting options when they matter most and drive more betting activity.

In marketing, AI tools like Salesforce Einstein are predicting what customers will do next so companies can target them with campaigns that actually land. Amazon’s doing this brilliantly – they use big data to match product recommendations with customer reviews, creating a conversion machine that drives sales through the roof.

On a technical level, modern analytics systems in iGaming rely on several key components. Platforms use multi-tier architecture where ETL processes automatically gather data from dozens of sources – from player behavior on the site to transaction history. Then ML models, often built on frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, process this data in real-time.

Leading companies implement specialised algorithms, such as gradient boosting, for churn prediction or recurrent neural networks for analysing sequences of player actions. These technical solutions allow not just the collection of data, but to extract predictive value from it – which is critical for business decision-making.

Making It personal

The most interesting application I’ve seen is personalisation – though it’s also potentially the creepiest.

European sportsbooks have become surprisingly sophisticated at categorising players. They’ll segment users as ‘casual bettors’ or ‘sports enthusiasts’ and time promotions to match typical login patterns. The numbers they’re reporting – 23% increase in betting activity and 17% better retention – are impressive if accurate. I’m always a bit suspicious of such clean metrics, but some operators confirm they’re seeing similar results.

The Desert Diamond Casino implementation is less flashy but probably more practical – they’re using AI to personalise player development strategies across properties. It’s the difference between ‘Hello valued customer’ and actually remembering what games you like to play.

On the marketing side, BMW’s billboards that display different messages based on the car model driving by are clever, though I question the ROI given the implementation cost. Spotify’s yearly ‘Wrapped’ campaign is the better example – it turns user data into a personalised experience so compelling that users voluntarily share it as content. That’s the holy grail of marketing.

Something important that most companies miss: personalisation isn’t just about increasing sales – it’s about reducing irrelevance. Every irrelevant message trains customers to ignore you.

Crystal ball or magnifying glass?

There’s a world of difference between analytics that tell you what happened and analytics that predict what will happen. Most businesses are still stuck in the first category, despite what their vendors claim.

One leading online casino is actually doing decent predictive work. They’re analysing player behaviour patterns to recommend games that match individual preferences. Their 22% engagement boost suggests they’re onto something.

The eSports betting platforms have a technical advantage here – the digital nature of the events they cover means more data points to work with. They’re adjusting odds based on real-time match data in games like Dota 2. Traditional bookmakers are scrambling to catch up.

Kroger’s coupon targeting remains impressive, if somewhat old school by now. Their 60% higher redemption rate compared to industry averages says more about how terrible most grocery store marketing is than about Kroger’s excellence.

Fewer people are talking about Domino’s voice search optimisation, but their 30% increase in voice orders shows where consumer behaviour is heading. Smart speakers aren’t just for setting timers anymore.

Real-time decision making might be the most transformative aspect of all this. Businesses have always had data; what’s changed is the speed at which they can act on it.

Challenges and ethics

Let’s be real – for all the amazing things AI and big data can do, there’s definitely a darker side. Data privacy is a huge headache with GDPR and similar laws. Companies are walking on eggshells when handling user data – one slip-up means massive fines and PR disasters.

Gambling operators face a contradictory challenge – using AI to keep players engaged while also watching for addiction patterns. 

And the creepy factor? We’ve all had that moment where an ad feels like your phone is eavesdropping. Where the line is between understanding customers and surveillance.

We need to handle these tools responsibly if we want the benefits without the backlash.

What’s Coming Next

The business analytics world is about to get even more interesting as companies start combining AI with other cutting-edge tech.

Blockchain is finally moving beyond crypto hype and showing real value for both gaming operators and marketers who need transparent, tamper-proof records. This isn’t just theoretical – it’s already helping gambling platforms prove their games aren’t rigged and giving marketers a way to verify ad impressions actually happened.

The fraud detection game is changing too. We’re seeing some pretty sophisticated systems that blend machine learning with massive datasets to spot scams that would have slipped through just a few years ago.

Virtual sports betting is a perfect example of where this is all headed. These platforms are creating AI simulations that factor in everything from weather conditions to player fatigue – making virtual events feel almost as unpredictable and exciting as real ones.

In the next 12-24 months, we expect several significant transformations:

• Federated learning will become standard for iGaming operators, allowing them to train AI models on data from different jurisdictions without violating local data storage regulations.
• Neurosymbiotic interfaces – technology that combines AI analysis with interactive UI – will be implemented by advanced marketing platforms, allowing marketers to ‘talk’ to their data in natural language.
• Predictive compliance – applying predictive analytics for proactive regulatory compliance – will become a necessity as legislation tightens in iGaming and personal data processing.

These trends are already visible in experimental projects of leading companies and will soon move to the stage of mass adoption.

Show Me the Money

Let’s be honest about what’s driving all this – profit. AI and big data are transforming how businesses understand customers and predict behavior. The companies that get this right are seeing major gains in engagement, retention, and profitability.

But there’s a massive gap between ambition and execution. Most organisations lack both the technical expertise and strategic vision to implement these solutions effectively. That’s where investment comes in.

The investment division of RedCore business group is betting big on this space. We’re offering not just capital but strategic guidance to scale these solutions. Whether funding advanced analytics platforms for iGaming or supporting AI-driven marketing tools, we’re positioning ourselves as key players in the next wave of business intelligence.

The potential upside is enormous. The convergence of AI and big data opens unprecedented opportunities for growth. Companies that master these technologies now will define the competitive landscape for years to come. The winners will be those who combine technical capability with genuine customer understanding and strategic clarity.

The Redcore investment team will be at SBC Summit in Lisbon on September 16-18, 2025. Find the company at booth D185 if you’re working on innovative solutions in this space.

RedCore invests in scalable projects across MarTech, AI/ML, analytics and growth technologies, iGaming and Web3. Pitch your project to the RedCore team.