Network-first Thinking: The EvenBet Gaming and WePlay Growth Blueprint

Insights from Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming and Gasper Janezic, CEO at WePlay Network.

After delivering 134% growth in active players and a 63% rise in revenue, EvenBet Gaming and WePlay reflect on how a network-first strategy, automated incentives and scalable architecture transformed early-stage liquidity into a sustainable, multi-operator poker ecosystem.

Question 1 - EvenBet

When WePlay launched as a multi-operator network, what were the most important technical foundations you needed to put in place to support shared liquidity at scale?

From the outset, we knew the architecture had to be designed with scale in mind. That meant creating a system where multiple operators could share a common player pool seamlessly, without any single partner's configuration choices disrupting the experience for others. 

Equally important was ensuring the platform could handle increasing volume without degrading performance. As WePlay brought more operators on board and tournaments grew, the infrastructure had to scale accordingly, maintaining speed and reliability across the board. We also built robust game ecology and anti-fraud tools directly into the network, so protections applied consistently regardless of which operator a player was coming from. 

Question 2 - WePlay 

What were the key decisions that helped you achieve 134% player growth without compromising long-term game ecology?

The growth we achieved wasn't the result of any single decision. It came from a deliberate combination of initiatives. Bringing new operators onto the network introduced a significant influx of recreational players, which naturally expanded the player pool and improved liquidity across the board. At the same time, we tightened our game ecology policies considerably, introducing stronger controls over professional player behaviour and enhanced anti-fraud monitoring. 

Alongside those protective measures, we focused on making the network more rewarding and accessible. Automatic rakeback promotions gave players consistent, transparent incentives to stay active, while our partner stimulation programme meant operators could grow their player bases without additional financial burden. New cash game formats like call-time tables also improved game flow and reduced stalling. Taken together, these steps created an ecosystem where recreational players feel valued, and that's ultimately what drives sustainable growth.

Question 3 - EvenBet

The partnership delivered a 63% increase in revenue. Which platform features or product capabilities had the biggest impact on driving that growth?

Several capabilities contributed to that revenue growth, but if I had to identify the ones that moved the needle most, I'd point to automated rakeback, tournament flexibility, and format diversification. The impact of automated rakeback on player retention is significant - when players know they're receiving consistent, transparent rewards without having to chase them, they stay active longer and play more regularly. That sustained engagement is what converts short-term liquidity into reliable revenue across the network.

On the tournament side, the ability to configure buy-ins with real flexibility allowed WePlay to scale in line with their growth rather than being constrained by rigid product parameters. Operators could increase guarantees confidently because the tools were there to manage the risk intelligently. 

Question 4 - WePlay 

A major focus has been converting casino-first audiences into poker players. What strategies proved most effective in making poker more accessible and commercially viable?

Casino players come to us with very different habits and expectations from traditional poker players. Recognising that, we made a deliberate shift toward introducing poker formats that speak their language. Games like Spins, All-In or Fold, and Bomb Pot tables deliver quick results and high-action moments, while features like Bad Beat Jackpots bring in the big-win potential that casino audiences are already drawn to.

We also addressed the skill barrier directly. By protecting recreational players from facing seasoned professionals too early, new players coming from casino environments can find their feet and enjoy the experience. We took this further by integrating mini casino games directly into the poker lobby, so players have something familiar to engage with between hands. For our operator partners, this approach has a clear commercial upside too: a healthy recreational player base reduces the risk of immediate financial outflow and makes poker a much stronger proposition.

Question 5 - EvenBet

As the network expanded and tournaments grew larger, how did you ensure game balance, fraud prevention and overall ecosystem stability remained strong?

Scale brings new pressures, and one of the things we're most focused on making sure that growth doesn't come at the cost of ecosystem integrity. As WePlay expanded, we deepened the game ecology management capabilities, giving operators the visibility and control needed to monitor player behaviour, identify imbalances, and intervene before problems escalated. 

What gave me confidence as the network scaled was that the approach was proactive rather than reactive. Rather than waiting for problems to emerge and then responding, the tooling was designed to surface risk signals early and give the team the means to act on them quickly. As tournaments grew larger and player volumes increased, that same framework held firm because the underlying logic was sound. Stability at scale is ultimately a product design question, and we're proud that EvenBet's architecture has proven robust enough to support WePlay's growth trajectory.

Question 6 - WePlay 

What will define the next phase of growth for WePlay?

The next phase is really about building on the foundations we've already laid, but at greater scale and with more sophistication. Expanding the network through new operator integrations remains central, particularly bringing in partners from casino and sportsbook backgrounds who want to add poker to their offering without the operational complexity that traditionally comes with it. 

That's where our Plug-and-Play Poker vision, developed in close partnership with EvenBet, becomes especially important. By automating key processes and offering full poker product management, we make it genuinely possible for operators to run a profitable poker operation even with no prior poker experience. The ambition is to keep lowering that barrier to entry while raising the ceiling on what partners can achieve once they're inside the network.

At the same time, a huge focus for us is continuing to strengthen player ecology across the network. Supporting operators operationally is only part of the equation - protecting recreational players is just as important. We want casino and sportsbook audiences to enjoy poker without feeling overwhelmed or exploited by highly professional players. When players have healthier, more balanced experiences, they stay engaged for longer, explore different poker formats, contribute sustainable rake over time, and remain active across the operator’s wider ecosystem rather than burning through balances too quickly.

Ultimately, we see poker as something that should complement and enhance the broader casino and sportsbook experience, not compete against it.