World Cup Q&A with Edo Haitin, Sportradar's EVP of iGaming

Every four years, the FIFA World Cup takes center stage in the iGaming calendar. The industry sees a spike in interest as millions of sports fans around the world become active sports bettors for the month. Ahead of the tournament, we spoke with Sportradar EVP of iGaming, Edo Haitin, about the Playradar brand content strategy, World Cup-themed releases, and more.

The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be the biggest World Cup of all time - what kind of opportunities does this present for Playradar and the wider iGaming industry?

It might sound hyperbolic, but for many providers and operators, this World Cup really is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The scale of the tournament is unprecedented, and the volume of fans engaging across different markets worldwide creates a demand for content the likes of which most markets will have never experienced before.

At Playradar, we have built a content stack that meets the needs of different player types, and the World Cup is the perfect opportunity to showcase this. With so many different types of bettors entering the market, the demand for variety is high. We have released four titles to tie in with this global showcase event: World Football x2026, Football Plinko Pro, Lucky 6 - Football Edition, and Virtual Football World Championship 2026, each bringing something different to the table.

Let's start with World Football x2026. What sets this apart from your other football-themed titles?

Sitting around with your friends and attempting to guess how a tournament’s brackets will play out is one of the most enjoyable parts of any World Cup. Filling in a bracket and pinning it up on your wall or in the office is a universal experience that all fans can relate to. With World Football x2026, we have captured that feeling and gamified it.

The game starts with players predicting the outcomes of eight simulated quarter-final matches. Once they make their prediction, the result is revealed, and if they are still in the game, their cash-out will increase.

Players can cash-out at any time, with just one wrong prediction ending the game, creating real tension at every stage.

Similar to our other sports casino entertainment products, it takes key elements from mine-style gaming - the player agency, the increasing stakes, and the tense decision making- and packages them inside a format that sports fans will immediately relate to.

Player agency appears to be a key part of your content. Can you explain why that is important to Playradar?

I believe one reason the crash and mine games formats have exploded in recent years is that they create a sense of involvement in the game. When you play a slot, you hit the spin button, and the reels do their thing - you have no control over when you can stop or cash-out.

Mechanics like the ones used in World Football x2026 and in many of our other products help create a sense of immersion. You are playing in a different way than you do with traditional casino games. This holds a lot of appeal for sports bettors who want to feel like a part of the action. Slot games are often a very passive experience, while our casino entertainment products keep players actively engaged throughout.

Beyond World Football x2026, you also have the Virtual Football World Championship 2026, Football Plinko Pro and Lucky6 - Football Edition. Where do these fit in?

They address different parts of the audience, which is exactly the point. The Virtual Football World Championship 2026 is an extension of an already established product - a full match and tournament simulation built on data-driven models. It has also been given a makeover for the tournament to ensure it has the best possible visuals.

The game was a huge hit with players during the 2022 World Cup, and with these updates, we are expecting even better results this summer.

Lucky6 - Football Edition is a different proposition entirely.

t's a lottery-style draw game where the balls are designed in national team colors, so it carries the visual language of the World Cup without requiring any prior knowledge of football or betting. This is, in some ways, one of the most important products an operator can offer during the tournaments, as it provides genuine accessibility for people who might not be interested in the sport year-round, but who like to get involved with the big global events.

Finally, what does a successful summer of sport look like for Playradar?

The opportunities presented this summer are huge, and we see this as our chance to plant our flag as something truly unique in the sports-betting and casino worlds.

If a sports bettor who has never touched a casino game before logs into their chosen operator’s site and discovers World Football x2026, that is a win for everybody, and the same applies for an online casino player who enjoys Lucky 6 - Football Edition and decides to check out the sportsbook.

We want our products to challenge industry assumptions. The idea that sports bettors and casino players are two completely separate audiences is one that the industry has held on to for too long, and the World Cup is the perfect opportunity to challenge that.