Tech Race 2026: Why Engineering and Business Must Collaborate in iGaming

The iGaming world is evolving rapidly. Online casinos and platform providers are constantly pressured to enter new markets and release innovative features quickly. However, behind the glossy facades of rapid growth lie complex technical challenges that are often underestimated. Sergey Kastsukevich, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of SOFTSWISS, points to potential pitfalls when technology and business strategies are not closely aligned. His insights are particularly relevant for German licensed providers operating under strict regulations.

Ahead of the "Tech Race Summit 2026," Kastsukevich shares insights he considers essential for sustainable success in the gaming industry. He emphasizes that the initial enthusiasm for fast market launches often leads to platforms becoming slow and inflexible later on. A failure in technical planning can result in enormous costs.

Numbers and facts

Sergey Kastsukevich of SOFTSWISS stresses that while the gaming industry is fast-paced, technical sustainability cannot be sacrificed. In his five theses, he warns against ignoring the long-term impact of technical decisions. He cites a common dilemma in product development: "'Business always wants things fast, high-quality, and cheap. But you can only pick two out of the three.'" He clarifies that delaying scalability can be disastrous. "Launching for five players per hour is easy. Launching for thousands across multiple markets is where engineering discipline matters." This is a core message for providers looking to grow in a strictly regulated environment like Germany.

Another issue he addresses is what is known as "technical debt." This arises when quick fixes are implemented to meet tight deadlines. These debts turn into business risks and can lead to a "straightforward feature request" taking three months instead of three weeks. This demonstrates how directly technology decisions impact business success.

According to Kastsukevich, technology companies like Google and OpenAI invest heavily in research. OpenAI spent over five years on foundational research before "ChatGPT became a global product." This example underscores the importance of long-term investment in technology for innovation success.

The "Tech Race Summit 2026" on September 10 in Warsaw will delve deeper into these topics. Over 30 speakers are expected, including representatives from AWS, Google, Oracle, and Cloudflare. SOFTSWISS has already organized Tech Talks with these technology giants in June 2026, highlighting the importance of these alliances. This demonstrates the growing complexity and need for expertise in the iGaming world.

Background

The tension between business and development goals is a persistent issue in technology companies. Business leaders want quick results and growth. Engineering teams, however, must also consider the long-term stability and scalability of a platform. For a startup, it might be rational to accept a 30 percent risk that a system will break tomorrow. For a mature platform handling real money transactions in regulated markets, this is unthinkable. This distinction must be made early and explicitly to avoid high costs later on.

Scalability is not an afterthought. It is an architectural decision that must be made long before the first customer arrives. The question, "Why can't you just handle a million users?" is often asked too late from an engineering perspective. Instead, the planning phase should clarify what demands the system must meet under what conditions and to what extent. New markets, additional payment methods, and integrations increase system load. These often-overlooked factors must be proactively communicated by tech teams to avoid unpleasant surprises. SOFTSWISS emphasizes that outdated technology poses a risk. It leads to difficult maintenance, slower security updates, and blocks new product decisions. The argument with the business must shift from technical improvement to risk management.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, who are only allowed to play in licensed online casinos under the German Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), these technical considerations have direct relevance. Technical stability and scalability not only ensure a smooth gaming experience but are also crucial for complying with the strict requirements of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL). The stake limit of one euro per spin and the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros must be technically guaranteed at all times. If the systems do not run stably, these limits could be circumvented or not correctly recorded in the first place. This would lead to direct sanctions from the GGL and jeopardize the provider's license. The LUGAS database, which monitors cross-player gaming behavior, is a prime example of a technical infrastructure where reliability and scalability are of utmost importance. Only when the technical foundations are sound can player protection in Germany be effectively implemented.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For online casinos with a GGL license, Sergey Kastsukevich's findings are not just a recommendation, but a necessity. German regulations demand the highest level of reliability and data integrity. Technical debt, outdated systems, and insufficient scalability can quickly lead to serious problems. This ranges from non-functioning deposit limits to erroneous data deliveries to LUGAS. Each of these weaknesses can result in high penalties, license revocation, or even criminal charges. Casinos wishing to operate legally in Germany must design their technology from the outset for high loads and maximum stability. Short-term optimization at the expense of long-term security is not an option. Investments in research and development, to be prepared for new technologies such as AI, are also crucial to meet the rapidly changing requirements of the market and regulations. The GGL places great emphasis on the integrity of systems and player data. A well-thought-out technical architecture is therefore not only a competitive advantage but a prerequisite for operation.

"Business always wants things fast, high-quality, and cheap. But you can only pick two out of the three." - Sergey Kastsukevich, Chief Technology Officer at SOFTSWISS