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Luka Pataky Joins Bragg Gaming Group as EVP of AI and Innovation to Spearhead Growth and Usage of New Technologies Across Business
Bragg Gaming Group, a global leader in next-generation iGaming content and content delivery, engagement and player management technology, today proudly announces the appointment of Luka Pataky as Executive Vice President (EVP) of AI and Innovation.
In his new role, Pataky will work closely with Bragg’s technology teams to develop a 360॰ AI strategy, integrating AI into product development and design, user experience, external communications, safer gambling initiatives and internal processes to drive growth and efficiency.
This strategic leadership addition comes as part of Bragg’s commitment to the leveraging of data, advanced analytics and powerful AI to enhance user experience, player engagement, maximize revenue potential, and drive smarter, more efficient iGaming operations.
Luka Pataky boasts a strong pedigree in AI and technology, with over a decade of experience at Sportradar, a company at the forefront of sports data and content. His tenure at Sportradar culminated in his role as Senior Vice President for Automated Content, where he spearheaded an initiative from its inception to a production-ready, scalable system that ended up powering over 300,000 sports events per year with a team of over 70.
In this leadership position, he was instrumental in revolutionizing sports content creation through AI, Computer Vision, and Deep Learning, successfully bringing real-time data collection solutions to production, being the driving force behind integrating acquired tech businesses, thereby turning advanced technology into significant business value through the optimization of operating costs and business efficiencies.
Prior to his SVP role, Pataky played a key role in establishing Sportradar’s innovation unit, a hub for pioneering new ideas, implementing processes that enabled faster experimentation and fostering a culture of rapid prototyping and testing.
As part of this, he also led the team responsible for scaling Sportradar’s startup program and forging strategic innovation partnerships with universities and innovation labs. In his multiple innovation-based roles, he demonstrated a consistent focus on leveraging AI and data analysis to identify and develop new product opportunities and strategic initiatives.
His extensive experience across these leadership roles highlights his proven ability to lead large, cross-functional teams, manage complex technological advancements, and strategically integrate new ventures, underscoring his expertise in driving growth and innovation within the technology sector.
Known globally for its award-winning iGaming content and technology solutions, Bragg has consistently championed the integration of artificial intelligence technology across its business model, as typified by the introduction of an AI-powered Games Recommendation System into its Fuze ™ marketing and promotional toolset.
The Company has also utilised AI extensively across its responsible gambling work, using these new technologies and extensive data collection to more effectively identify at-risk gamblers.
“Luka Pataky is the ideal hire for Bragg, as we look to supercharge our AI and innovation ambitions,” said Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer at Bragg. “His extensive experience of being at the forefront of this gamechanging technology and innovation will help springboard Bragg into the next iteration of our growth. With the increased adoption of AI across the iGaming industry, Bragg has once again shown its commitment to staying ahead of the competition.”
“Bragg has always struck me as a company where technology and innovation are key drivers,” said Luka Pataky. “This is a company which is always pushing the boundaries, using its extensive knowledge and the skills of its teams to create and set new trends. It sits on vast amounts of user data and insight, which we can turn into intelligence that will power next generation player engagement. Introducing AI at all levels of product and operations will make it perfectly positioned for future growth.”
“I am looking forward to playing a role in accelerating Bragg’s journey to becoming an AI-first company. I have no doubt we’ll be able to compliment and elevate Bragg’s already amazing next generation player experiences for its operator partners and drive value for the business.”
VIP Play has announced that its CEO, Les Ottolenghi, will deliver a featured keynote at the AI4 2025 Conference in Las Vegas on August 13. The presentation, titled “Real-Time AI at the Edge: How Data Velocity Is Redefining Consumer Engagement,” will focus on how next-gen & AI technologies are transforming real-time player interaction and reshaping the future of gaming and entertainment.
Ottolenghi, a pioneer of innovative & disruptive technologies across various industries, recently transitioned from his role as Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer at Lee Enterprises to lead VIP Play, a tech-forward company applying real-time data modeling and predictive analytics to personalize engagement in high-velocity digital environments such as online gambling.
At AI4, Ottolenghi will unveil the Information Refinery Model—a strategic enterprise framework designed to deliver scalable, intelligent experiences in milliseconds. This model draws on Ottolenghi’s leadership in gaming technology, as CIO of Caesars Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands, and Codere Inc, and his role in co-founding the Blackfire Innovation Center, a hub for gaming and hospitality technology innovation.
“Gaming and tech executives understand that speed is the new currency of engagement. This keynote at AI4 is about how real-time systems, intelligent automation, and predictive modeling can unlock new revenue and retention models—across gaming, media, and beyond,” said Ottolenghi.
AI4 is one of the most respected global forums for applied AI, drawing enterprise leaders, technologists, and venture-backed innovators. Ottolenghi’s talk is expected to provide immediate, actionable insights for CTOs, product leaders, and strategists seeking to deploy real-time AI at scale, particularly in high-frequency industries such as gaming, streaming, fintech, and mobile.
Latest News
Sports Betting’s First Contest Docuseries Returns for a Second Season with More Contestants, More Drama, and $14.2 Million on the Line
VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, announced it will air the second season of the betting industry’s first docuseries to bring viewers behind the scenes of the world’s biggest legal betting contest. “Circa Survivor: The Quest for $14.2 Million” debuts its first episode Tuesday, August 5 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on VSiN.com and YouTubeTV.
Produced by Longball Productions, the sports betting docuseries follows contestants as they navigate the 2024 Circa Sports Circa Survivor Pro Football Contest – the largest sports contest of its kind in the world – with a prize of $14.2 million. The show captures the excitement and drama of this high-stakes contest, as well as the characters involved, to see who will win a winner-take-all prize. This year features familiar faces and new contestants alike, including celebrity sightings such as Dana White and Greg Maddux.
Hosted by sports betting venture Circa Sports, Circa Survivor requires contestants to walk through the door to sign up, giving the docuseries filmmakers access to sports betting enthusiasts nationwide. Contestants then make their weekly picks through a local proxy service or in person, where producers follow the thrills and agony of this wild ride through the pro football season. The series features a vast array of characters and incredible stories, including fan favorites and players that viewers will love to hate.
There will be a total of ten episodes in this season.
The combined value of the world’s top 25 gambling brands ranked has surged by 21% year-on-year to USD60.8 billion this year, according to the Gambling 25 2025 rankings by Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy.
The latest data from Brand Finance highlights the sector’s remarkable resilience and transformation, fuelled by a post-pandemic tourism rebound, rapid legalisation of online betting in the US, and rising sports sponsorships that have lifted brand awareness among millions of new fans.
Following the 2018 repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the US has become the world’s largest regulated online gambling market, with more than 35 states now permitting sports betting. Major operators have responded with record marketing expenditure and high-profile sponsorship deals, driving strong brand growth nationwide.
Online gambling in the US is quickly catching up to Las Vegas in both brand value and public interest. Brand awareness is rising fast, with FanDuel up 26% and DraftKings up 18% since 2022. In contrast, traditional Vegas-based brands like Caesars and MGM have seen more modest gains; just 1% and 14%, respectively. With FanDuel now at 74% awareness and DraftKings at 82%, they’re closing in on Caesars (82%) and MGM (87%), signalling strong future growth for online operators.
In 2024, Americans wagered an estimated USD172 billion online, helping to drive record brand value growth among major players. Online gambling brand, FanDuel (brand value up 25% to USD7.0 billion) has risen to become the world’s most valuable gambling brand ranked this year. DraftKings (brand value up 59% to USD5.1 billion) has entered the global top three for the first time while MGM (brand value up 102% to USD3.8 billion) and Wynn Resorts (brand value up 25% to USD3.7 billion) have also posted significant gains, reflecting strong demand across both online and destination gaming.
Other prominent US names ranked include Harrah (brand value up 4% to USD2.4 billion) which has strengthened customer loyalty through revamped rewards programmes and integrated resort experiences, and Penn Entertainment (brand value down 15% to USD2.2 billion).
China’s Studio City (brand value up 118% to USD801 million) is the world’s fastest-growing gambling brand in this year’s rankings, following its Phase 2 expansion in Macau which boosted operating revenue by 40% year-on-year. Macau’s gaming industry continues to recover strongly, with visitor arrivals up 43% in the first half of 2024 and gross gaming revenue in July rising 12% compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, Marina Bay Sands remains the strongest brand ranked in the casino and gambling sector, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 93.9/100 and an AAA+ brand strength rating, ahead of the US’ Caesars (BSI score 92.4/100) and Malaysia’s Genting (BSI score 87.7/100). These brands continue to stand out for their premium entertainment experiences and strong reputation for customer loyalty and trust.
Henry Farr, Director at Brand Finance, said: “Reaching a record USD60.8 billion in brand value, the gambling sector continues to demonstrate its strength and agility in meeting changing consumer demands. The US online betting boom, with FanDuel now surpassing traditional Vegas giants, alongside major sports sponsorships, has driven impressive brand growth.”
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