On the Day Two of the Next.io 2025 conference in Malta, we connected with the leaders who are shaping the future of online gaming. We sat down with Max Drebrov, the Head of Business Development at Innova Play, an iGaming Platform that promises to do just about everything.
Max gave us the scoop on their incredibly wide product, what they look for in a key partner, and the biggest topic of 2025: AI.
Innova Play: More Than Just a Casino Platform
Max introduced Innova Play simply: they are a casino platform with an “extremely wide offering” that covers nearly all kinds of gaming.
When asked about what they offer, Max chuckled and said, “How much time do you have?” Their platform doesn’t just stick to the basics. They go far beyond, covering every major vertical (type of game):
- Casino & Sports: The standard online games and sports betting.
- In-House Lottery: They have their own custom lottery system, which is a big selling point.
- Telegram Casino: This is a big differentiator. They have a special setup that allows players to gamble directly through the Telegram chat app while figuring out how to stop the common problem of bots getting shut down.
- Social Sweepstakes: They also offer solutions for social gaming models.
In short, Innova Play is built to be a one-stop-shop, ready to handle almost any gaming idea an operator has. As Max put it, they can “pretty much do whatever needs to be done platform side.”
Why Conferences Like Next.io are Essential
Max explained that the main reason he attends the Next.io conference is for networking and finding that next big partner. He specifically praised the event:
“I think this conference is great for networking. It’s kind of a small venue and I’ve done I had such great connections over the last couple years specifically from this conference.”
For Max, conferences are less about showing off and more about reconnecting, catching up, and meeting new people. His goal is always to find that “next strategic partner that we can grow alongside with.” These meetings in person are key to building the trust needed for long-term business growth. Max added that he loves coming to Malta, calling it the “time of my life.”
The Must-Haves for a Great Tracking Platform
When considering an affiliate tracking platform (the tool that pays their partners), Max looked beyond the typical buzzwords like “scalability” and “reliability.”
He pointed out the two biggest headaches that a good tracking platform should fix:
- Easy Migrations: The platform should not make it hard for a new client to move all their old affiliate data and partnerships over. Max noted this process is “often a pain point” when an operator switches platforms.
- Fair Pricing: The service should be well-priced. Max said he looks for solutions that are “basically not overcharging,” understanding that there is a wide variety of costs in the market.
For Innova Play, the best partner is one that offers a smooth transition and fair value, making the lives of their clients easier from day one.
What’s Next: AI and Regulation in 2025
Looking ahead to 2025, Max noted that the biggest conversation everywhere is AI.
While AI is no longer a new thing it’s been a “buzz word for a while” Max is keen to see how it will truly change the industry in the coming year. He wants to see “in which ways it’s going to continue affecting the industry.”
He also highlighted the growing pressure from regulators worldwide. Max believes this constant tightening of rules will have a major impact on markets, though exactly how things will play out remains the big unknown for everyone in iGaming.
Innova Play is focused on being a comprehensive, flexible platform that can handle all these changes—from new Telegram casinos to new AI rules helping its clients stay ahead.
