The iGaming industry is experiencing rapid transformation, with technological advancements driving the shift towards more personalized, immersive player experiences. As operators continue to adapt to these changes, staying ahead of the curve is crucial to providing engaging and secure platforms for players. In a recent conversation with Sujit Lahiry, CEO of Skilrock Technologies, we at CasinoRank discussed how emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and mobile gaming are reshaping the way the industry operates.
With a wealth of experience in iGaming technology, Sujit provided valuable insights into how these innovations are enhancing player engagement and operational efficiency.
In this interview, Sujit covers:
- AI: How artificial intelligence is transforming player experiences by personalizing content and improving player engagement.
- Mobile-first Gaming Strategies: The increasing importance of mobile gaming, with operators adapting their platforms to meet the growing demand for seamless, on-the-go experiences.
- Blockchain: How blockchain technology is driving transparency and security in the iGaming sector, ensuring fair play and enhancing payment systems.
- Immersive Content: The rise of 3D graphics, AR/VR, and other technologies to create a more engaging and visually appealing gaming experience.
- Responsible Gaming: The challenge of balancing technological innovation with ensuring players’ safety through responsible gaming practices and features.
Sujit’s expertise offers a unique perspective on the key forces shaping the future of iGaming.
Mr. Sujit, to start — the iGaming industry has undergone a significant transformation over the past few years. What do you think are the most impactful changes we’re seeing in the market right now, and how are they affecting operators and their strategies?
Sujit Lahiry: The iGaming industry is witnessing an exciting period of rapid evolution. Technology plays a central role, with AI adoption, immersive content, and alignment with player preferences driving much of this change. Regulatory shifts, particularly in the North and South American markets, are also shaping the industry’s trajectory.
One of the most impactful developments is the rise of artificial intelligence and data-driven personalization. Operators leverage AI to enhance customer experiences, optimize marketing strategies, and improve player retention through tailored offerings.
The payments space has seen extensive changes as well, with cryptocurrency and NFTs becoming mainstream and wider adoption of mobile money and QR code-based payment methods, in addition to expansion in the traditional payment gateways.
Overall, these transformations present both challenges and opportunities for operators. At Skilrock Technologies, we remain committed to driving innovation and empowering our partners with cutting-edge solutions to stay ahead in this dynamic industry.
One of the major factors driving change is the regulatory environment. With increasing scrutiny from regulators globally, how do you think iGaming operators should approach compliance and regulation without stifling innovation?
Sujit Lahiry: Regulatory scrutiny in iGaming is intensifying, which is actually good for the industry. This requires operators to find a balance between compliance and innovation. In fact, compliance to regulations has also spurred innovation in several areas and therefore, instead of viewing regulation as a barrier, companies should embrace it as an opportunity to build trust and credibility.
A proactive approach is essential—engaging with regulators, participating in industry discussions, and advocating for balanced policies that support growth while ensuring fairness. At Skilrock Technologies, we prioritize compliance-driven innovation, helping stakeholders meet evolving standards without compromising agility, creativity, or market competitiveness.
As mobile gaming continues to gain dominance, especially with younger players, what do you think this means for the future of gaming technology? Are we seeing a shift in how operators and developers approach user experience and platform accessibility?
Sujit Lahiry: The surge in mobile gaming is redefining industry priorities, making accessibility, personalization, and seamless experiences essential. Younger players demand intuitive interfaces, frictionless engagement, and cross-platform compatibility, prompting operators and developers to rethink how they deliver content.
The gaming products and contents are being increasingly tailored to suit the younger generation with richer 3D animations and immersive experiences.
AI-driven personalization is another key factor, optimizing player journeys by tailoring recommendations and in-game interactions based on user behavior.
Operators are also leveraging data analytics to refine engagement strategies and ensure player retention. Mobile-first payment solutions and localized offerings further improve accessibility across diverse markets.
We’re also seeing the rise of technologies like AI and machine learning being used to improve player experience and operational efficiency. In your opinion, how can AI make a tangible difference in the iGaming sector, and what role will it play going forward?
Sujit Lahiry: AI is already reshaping iGaming in exciting ways, and its influence is only going to grow. One of its biggest impacts is in personalization—players want experiences that feel tailor-made for them. AI analyzes behaviors and preferences to recommend games, adjust promotions, and create immersive experiences that keep players engaged.
But it’s not just about fun—AI is also enhancing security and operations. Fraud detection systems can spot suspicious activity in real time, keeping gaming safe. Chatbots and AI-powered support make interactions smoother, ensuring players get instant assistance.
Looking ahead, AI will be a game-changer.
With responsible gaming becoming a core priority for the industry, how do you see the balance between ensuring player safety and delivering an engaging, rewarding experience for users? How important is this balance to the future of the industry?
Sujit Lahiry: Responsible gaming is not just a policy for us—it’s a commitment to our players and the communities we serve. At Skilrock Technologies, we believe that player safety and an engaging, rewarding experience go hand-in-hand. These two priorities aren’t opposing forces; rather, they complement each other in creating a sustainable and trusted gaming ecosystem.
When we design our products, we think deeply about the player’s journey. It’s about empowering users with tools to make informed choices—whether that’s setting limits, taking breaks, or accessing resources if they need support. At the same time, we focus on creating thrilling, innovative experiences that captivate and entertain, yet at the same time, various limits like wagering, losses, and duration of gameplay also kick in.
Achieving this balance means integrating responsible gaming measures in ways that feel natural and non-intrusive, ensuring they don’t take away from the excitement but actually enhance the trust players have in our platform.
Blockchain and cryptocurrency have been hot topics in iGaming for some time now. Do you believe blockchain has the potential to reshape the industry, especially in terms of transparency, payments, and security?
Sujit Lahiry: Blockchain holds tremendous potential to transform the iGaming industry by driving transparency, efficiency in payments, and security. It is more than just a trend, it’s a foundational technology for a better gaming experience. Transparency is key; with decentralized ledgers, players can verify game outcomes and transactions, fostering trust.
They also ensure operators cannot obscure transactions, allowing regulators to receive their rightful revenue. Payments through cryptocurrencies reduce costs for operators while offering players privacy and convenience. However, it’s not just about adopting technology, it’s about thoughtful integration that complies with regulations and genuinely addresses user needs.
Moving on to Skilrock, which has played a key role in shaping technology solutions for the iGaming and lottery sectors across global markets — could you share a bit about the company’s journey and how it has expanded its presence across different regions and cultures?
Sujit Lahiry: Skilrock is a cutting-edge technology platform & service provider to the Global Lottery & Gaming Industry with footprints on every Continent. Our solutions empower global lottery & gaming operators to take their business to the next level with our winning combination of innovative technology, latest hardware, exciting content, and customized services.
Skilrock is promoted by the US $2.4 billion conglomerate – Sugal & Damani Group – which has been a leader in the Indian lotteries & gaming market for the past 50+ years. Our journey began with a vision to revolutionize the lottery and gaming industry, and today, we proudly serve clients in over 30 jurisdictions, spanning Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Our flagship product, the INFINITI platform, is a true omni-channel, omni-gaming solution that supports a wide variety of games, including Lotto, Keno, Bingo, Instant, Sports, Poker, Casino, and Slots. This platform has been instrumental in enabling operators to seamlessly integrate retail, iGaming, and self-service channels, ensuring a superior experience for players and operators alike.
Expanding across diverse regions and cultures has been both a challenge and an opportunity. We have embraced the uniqueness of each market, tailoring our solutions to meet local regulatory requirements and cultural preferences. Our R&D centers, located in renowned IT hubs, have played a pivotal role in driving innovation and ensuring our offerings remain ahead of the curve.
At Skilrock, we believe in building strong partnerships and fostering trust. This approach has allowed us to establish a robust presence in global markets and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the lottery and iGaming industry. Our commitment to responsible gaming and continuous improvement remains unwavering as we look forward to shaping the future of this dynamic sector.
Under your leadership, Skilrock has become recognized for its innovative solutions. What would you say are the key elements that have helped the company stay ahead of the curve, especially when it comes to providing technology for regulated markets worldwide?
Sujit Lahiry: Skilrock’s success in staying ahead of the curve can be attributed to several key elements:
- Innovative Technology: Skilrock leverages its cutting-edge platform INFINITI, which is an omni-channel and omni-gaming platform. This ensures seamless integration across retail and digital channels, catering to diverse gaming and lottery needs.
- Customization and Localization: We excel in providing tailored solutions to meet the unique requirements of different markets. This includes localized gaming content, regional language support, and cultural adaptations.
- Global Reach and Expertise: Operating across regulated markets worldwide, Skilrock collaborates with regulators, national operators, and private players. Our presence in multiple continents and deep domain expertise enable us to address the complexities of various jurisdictions.
- Commitment to Compliance: Skilrock stays ahead of regulatory changes and integrates compliance measures into solutions to ensure meeting all legal requirements.
- Continuous R&D and Innovation: We invest heavily in research and development to continuously update our platforms to incorporate the latest technologies, to enhance user experiences and operational efficiencies. We actively participate in industry events and associations, fostering collaboration and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies.
These elements collectively empower Skilrock to deliver state-of-the-art solutions and maintain its positioning in the global lottery and gaming industry.
Looking ahead, as the iGaming landscape continues to evolve, what are some of the key technological innovations or initiatives that Skilrock is focusing on? What excites you most about the future of the company and the industry at large?
Sujit Lahiry: As the iGaming landscape continues to evolve, there is a significant shift towards digitalization as a global trend, and the markets are rapidly catching up. Consequently, technological solutions like iLotteries, e-instants, and Scan-N-Play are in high demand and are driving the future.
Scan-N-Play, for example, offers players the ability to seamlessly transition between physical and digital play by enabling lottery games on their mobile devices. This innovation enables the growing trend for instant gratification and digital engagement, creating a more interactive and engaging player experience.
One of our core competencies lies in the localization of content to resonate with diverse markets. By tailoring gaming contents to the cultural and local preferences of players, we aim to provide solutions that are not only innovative but also deeply connected to the players’ expectations. This ensures we are relevant and impactful across varied demographics and geographies.
As a veteran in the industry, you’ve seen the highs and lows. If you could pinpoint one critical lesson you’ve learned from your experience, what would it be—and how can younger professionals or entrepreneurs apply that in iGaming?
Sujit Lahiry: The biggest challenge that a newcomer in the industry faces pertains to a non-holistic approach to the business. Like any other business, iGaming requires focus not only on technology and gaming contents but also on the way marketing, customer acquisition, customer support, retention, and other operational aspects are seamlessly handled. Ignorance of any of the areas leads to deviation from business projections. Similarly, HR, learning & development, as well as financial management, are also crucial.
Skilrock’s INFINITI platform integrates with the best of the ERPs, CRMs, Marketing Tech, and other solutions to ensure that best practices encompass the whole organization rather than focusing on just the gaming technology itself.
