🎲 Join us in exploring the high-stakes world of iGaming with Aleksandr, a seasoned Senior Business Analyst at Comtrade Gaming, where analytical prowess and gambler’s intuition unite.
Aleksandr, can you tell us about your early interest in the gaming industry and how it influenced your career decisions?
Well, my first encounter with the gaming industry began with playing electronic roulette machines and a burning desire to beat them, surprisingly, it spiralled into creating my own program to test various strategies. I discovered, quite definitively, that roulette can't be beaten, which led me away from it. Fast forward a few years, a friend introduced me to online poker, where I was enticed by the strategy and the challenge, as it was a game you could 'beat'. Combining my studies in IT technology, my stint as a developer, and a deep dive into professional poker for about 5 years, my career was unexpectedly, but delightfully, shaped by these experiences.
Do you miss playing poker professionally after 10 years of working at Comtrade Gaming?
While there’s nostalgia, professional poker came with high pressure and an unconventional schedule. This contrasts with my current position, which, while demanding, allows me to cultivate other interests.
You have been somehow involved in the gaming industry throughout your entire career. Why is this industry so interesting to you?
The gaming industry has always intrigued me due to its uniqueness. Given that there's no formal education for gambling, my job here has been closely entwined with personal experiences. It's filled with open-minded, flexible, and interesting people, each having their own captivating stories (though not all for public consumption!).
How did your personal experiences or hobbies in gaming shape your desire to work in this industry?
Marrying my IT background with my poker-fueled gaming experience seemed natural when I stepped into the Business Analyst role at Comtrade Gaming. It was quite accidental yet impeccably timed. I managed to weave together my formal education and my interests into an engaging career path.
In your capacity as a Senior Business Analyst, can you shed light on your role and the main responsibilities you shoulder?
As a Senior Business Analyst it’s my role to understand the business requirements of our clients and help them implement their business strategy through product development. I also take on the mantle of a mentor, overseeing and guiding my team to ensure they smoothly handle their duties. My responsibilities span from communicating with clients and representing the face of the company, to honing our iCore product and refining team processes. It's a multifaceted role that blends client management, team leadership, product development, and cross-team collaboration.
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of your role?
Taking responsibility for my team, especially during challenging times, and ensuring that each member is aligned with the overall team goals is quite demanding yet crucial. I tend to take setbacks quite personally but recognize that not every project will sail smoothly.
What makes a good Business Analyst, in your opinion?
A good BA embodies great communication skills, familiarity with the gaming industry, independence, a proactive attitude, and a willingness to disseminate knowledge.
Aleksandr, you've often journeyed to places like Manila in the Philippines, collaborating closely with clients and spending extensive time with colleagues. Tell us about how these trips have deepened your understanding of both clients and teammates.
Onsite experiences, such as the ones in Manila (27 times and counting!), have been invaluable to me. These trips offer valuable insights, foster personal connections with teammates, and embrace a "Work hard, play hard" mentality.
One vivid memory stands out from a trip aimed at signing a client contract. Despite flight delays, we arrived just in time to successfully ink the deal, highlighting the unexpected challenges and thrilling experiences of such journeys, enriching our work culture and team spirit at Comtrade Gaming.
Additionally, offsite trips with Business Analysts, like the one to Tenerife, blend work and leisure, paving the way for the 'Work at the seaside' benefit, enhancing team connectivity and collaboration.
How do you see the future of the gaming industry, especially in terms of innovations and trends?
The horizon of the gaming industry is expansive with innovations like AI and gamification, ensuring a personalized approach to player experiences and optimizing their spending. AI, particularly, will play a pivotal role in scenarios like fraud prevention and refining marketing strategies.
Many might not be familiar with iCore. In your own words, how would you describe what iCore is and its significance in the industry?
iCore is a leading igaming platform, in simple turns it's the operational hub for everything that an online gambling operator does. Whether it is player registration, bonusing, loyalty, reporting, fraud and risk, it handles it all, plus countless more functions. The significance in the industry really comes from the major clients who use it. One of the key areas is how it handles thousands of transactions per second, all in real time. It really is one of the best igaming platfroms on the market.
Which benefits provided by Comtrade Gaming do you find most valuable or appealing in your position as a Senior Business Analyst, and how do they enhance your professional experience?
The flexible 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. schedule and the ability for hybrid working from the office and home genuinely appeal to me. It allows me to blend my work schedule around my peak productivity periods, sometimes even in the serene silence of the night.
Given the demands of the gaming industry, how would you describe your work-life balance, and how does Comtrade Gaming support this balance for you?
My love for what I do blurs the line between work and life. While onsite work can occasionally tip the balance towards work, being at home offers a counterbalance, providing flexibility I deeply value. Comtrade Gaming places immense trust in me. They know I'll push through during crunch times, and when personal matters come up, they offer understanding and flexibility. What I cherish the most is their willingness to listen; my opinions are always valued and earnestly considered.
Comtrade Gaming is one of the leading software providers for the gambling industry. What makes CTG stand out compared to the competition?
The reliability and unwavering support we offer to businesses make it stand tall in the industry. We extend our expertise in IT, enabling our clients to focus on their forte – online gambling, while ensuring they are fully supported in their endeavors. This symbiotic relationship propels both Comtrade Gaming and our clients towards success.
Aleksandr's dynamic career, from professional poker to pioneering platform development, illustrates a powerful blend of passion and strategic acumen in the gaming industry. Comtrade Gaming, underscored by vibrant teamwork and the robust iCore platform, solidifies its stance as a trailblazing leader, weaving a tapestry of innovation, support, and success in the gambling sphere. 🚀